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Home My WebLink About2022-03-01 PRC Regular Meeting Minutes CITY OF PALM DESERT PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION PERLIMINARY MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 2022 (VIRTUAL MEETING) 8:30 AM I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Guyer called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Current Meeting Year to Date Commissioners Present Absent Present Absent Randy Guyer, Chair X 7 Van Tanner X 2 5 (3 Excused) Gregg Akkerman X 7 Gerald Dawson X 7 Lori Flint X 6 1 (1 Excused) Mike Hardin X 3 4 James Henderson X 2 5 Paul Murphy X 7 Ralph Perry X 7 Ex-Officio Members: Kevin Kalman, Desert Recreation District Also Present: Sabby Jonathan, Mayor Pro Tem Andy Ramirez, Deputy Director of Public Works Andy Firestine, Assistant City Manager Shawn Muir, Management Analyst Audrey Nickerson, Project Manager Nick Melloni, Associate Planner Marisol Lopez, Recording Secretary Melanie Slater, Recording Secretary Amy Lawrence, Special Projects Manager PRELIMINARY MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION (VIRTUAL) MARCH 1, 2022 2 Debbie Thompson, Management Specialist II Debra Alleyne, Management Analyst Deborah Glickman, Business Advocate Brenda Nutcher, Desert Recreation District Sue Duran, Deputy Director RCLS Alina Prunean, Librarian II Teal Guion, First Tee of the Desert Jann Buller, Friends of the Library Laura McGallard III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Virtual Parks and Recreation Commission meeting of February 1, 2022. Rec: Approved with corrections from Commissioner Dawson on section VI - Paragraph D, to reflect: Rotate Commissioners every four months on the Park Update Program not on a quarterly basis. Upon a motion by Vice-Chair Tanner, seconded by Commissioner Murphy, and a 7-0-2 vote of the Parks and Recreation Commission, the minutes for February 1, 2022, were approved as presented. (AYES: Guyer, Tanner, Akkerman, Dawson, Flint, Murphy & Perry; NOES: None; ABSENT: Henderson & Hardin). V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. VI. PRESENTATIONS AND UPDATES A. UPDATE ON LUPINE PLAZA Business Advocate, Deborah Glickman gave a power point presentation on Lupine Plaza. Ms. Glickman stated MIG the design firm has started the design process and have met with the community and subcommittee to take part during the process. Final design will be presented to City Council in April. B. AIPP PROJECTS AND PUBLIC ART UPDATES Special Projects Manager, Amy Lawrence gave a power point presentation where she provided an update on the Palm Desert’s Public Art Program. She also presented historical information about the art installation in Civic Center Park that was requested by the Commission during the February 2022 meeting. PRELIMINARY MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION (VIRTUAL) MARCH 1, 2022 3 C. CITY WALK AND ROLL PROJECT Project Manager, Audrey Nickerson gave a power point presentation on the City Walk and Roll Project, she stated she has been working on a city-wide bicycle and pedestrian gap analysis study, the purpose is to identify any gaps and develop recommendations and solutions on the bicycle and pedestrian network. D. NORTH SPHERE PARK SUBCOMMITTEE UPDATE Chair Guyer addressed the formation of a subcommittee, Mayor Pro Tem, Sabby Jonathan stated the Council has formed a subcommittee which will include representation from Council, Parks & Recreation Commission, stakeholders, and residents. Upon discussion a subcommittee from the Parks & Recreation Commission was formed, its members will consist of Chair Guyer, Commissioner Akkerman, Commissioner Murphy, Commissioner Perry, and ex-officio Kalman who volunteered at the previous meeting. E. PARK AMBASSADOR UPDATE REPORT • Commissioner Dawson provided a park review guide to commissioners to use during their park review. Commissioners agreed to use the guide and revise if needed. • Commissioner Dawson provided a report on Washington Charter identifying items in the park that need to be addressed. Commissioner Dawson requested staff to reach out to the school to address the issues, specifically with the park’s concrete benches, due to the number of kids gathering at the park after school. Randy Chavez stated he will contact the school and will reach out to them. Commissioner Dawson suggested to obtain advice from the City Attorney to prevent any unforeseen accidents. Mayor Pro Tem, Sabby Jonathan, advised staff to obtain legal counsel as well, Andy Ramirez stated staff will contact City Attorney and will provide an update at the next meeting. Mrs. Muir notified that the city does plan to conduct an inspection of all City playgrounds and will be using a subcontractor from the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (California JPIA) • Commissioner Akkerman provided a report on Palma Village and stated overall the park is in great condition. • Commissioner Murphy provided a report on Magnesia Falls and stated the park is relatively clean for its high usage. PRELIMINARY MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION (VIRTUAL) MARCH 1, 2022 4 F. PARK USE REPORT (Landscape Supervisor, Randy Chavez) • Paul Thompson bench - two benches have been installed at the Hovley Soccer Park. • Ironwood Park benches – staff surveyed the benches and determined they are needed along the sidewalk adjacent to the turf. Randy Chavez is requesting approval to order a couple of benches to be installed. • Civic Center Dog Park shelter – work should be completed in a couple of weeks. • A landscape improvement contract was awarded on February 10th by City Council. The work performed start at Freedom Park, Hovley Soccer Park, and Holocaust Memorial at the Civic Center Park. G. PALM DESERT AQUATIC CENTER (Aquatic Manager, Shawn Muir for David Keyes) • Recreation Pool resurfacing project - after receiving and reviewing three proposals, staff will be recommending California Commercial Pools at the next council meeting on March 10th. • Shade structure installation – five shade structures will be installed at the end of March. • Security cameras – This installation will be done by the end of May and provide better security coverage of the facility. • Zip line and rock wall specs were reviewed and approved by the Risk Manager. A purchase of these items will issue. H. FAMILY YMCA OF THE DESERT (CEO, Paula Simonds) Paula Simonds was absent from the commission meeting; therefore, no update was presented. I. DESERT RECREATION DISTRICT • Brenda Nutcher stated the center has been very busy and all programs are full. There was mention of a meeting with the architect for the building and flooring materials were selected. • The Golf Center at Palm Desert - Teal Guion stated the golf center has been busy and the re-design of the Golf course has provided more room for the first Tee. PRELIMINARY MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION (VIRTUAL) MARCH 1, 2022 5 J. FRIENDS OF THE DESERT MOUNTAINS Tammy Martin was unable to attend. Shawn stated the Wildflower festival is scheduled for March 5th at the Civic Center Park. Additionally, the trails are in great shape as noted on the report. K. PALM DESERT LIBRARY Alina Prunean introduced herself as the new Librarian II. Ms. Prunean stated the library has had a good turn out this month and all programs have remained the same as well as the online programs. Mentioned a highlight of their calendar schedule. L. FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY (President, Karen Gonzales) Karen Gonzales was unable to attend, no update was provided. Paul murphy stated his concern regarding the vacant building at the library. Assistant City Manager, Andy Firestine stated the city will be meeting with College of the Desert and Riverside County to address the library. VII. COMMISSIONER, COUNCIL-LIAISON, AND STAFF COMMENTS A. Council-Liaison Comments/Updates (Mayor Pro Tem, Sabby Jonathan) None. B. Staff Updates (Management Analyst, Shawn Muir) • Joe Mann Arbor of Remembrance and Pollinator Garden signs – currently in the process of selecting a vendor, the previous vendor selected had to abandon his business. • Wildlife Ordinance – The Wildlife Ordinance was reviewed, a redline has been prepared and will be presented to council for approval. • Palma Village Park Improvements – The park is in good condition. Parks in disadvantaged communities qualify to receive grants, such as the Community Development Block Grant, this will allow for installation of a street hockey court for youth. Additionally, the State of California Per Capita grant program, is a potential funding source for LED lighting upgrades. PRELIMINARY MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION (VIRTUAL) MARCH 1, 2022 6 VIII. ADJOURNMENT With the Parks and Recreation Commission concurrence, Chair Guyer adjourned the meeting at 10:31 a.m. _____________________________ Marisol Lopez, Recording Secretary