HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-02-01 PRC Regular Meeting Minutes
CITY OF PALM DESERT
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
PERLIMINARY MINUTES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2022
(VIRTUAL MEETING)
8:30 A.M.
CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Guyer called the meeting to order at 8:37 a.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Present Absent:
Chair Randy Guyer Commissioner James Henderson
Vice-Chair Van Tanner
Commissioner Greg Akkerman
Commissioner Gerald Dawson
Commissioner Lori Flint
Commissioner Mike Hardin
Commissioner Paul Murphy
Commissioner Ralph Perry
Also Present:
Sabby Jonathan, Council Member
Paula Simonds, YMCA of the Desert, Ex-Officio Member
Kevin Kalman, Desert Recreation District, Ex-Officio Member
Andy Ramirez, Deputy Director of Public Works
Shawn Muir, Management Analyst
Nick Melloni, Associate Planner
Marisol Lopez, Recording Secretary
Melanie Slater, Recording Secretary
David Keyes, Palm Desert Aquatic Center
Brenda Nutcher, Desert Recreation District
Tammy Martin, Friends of the Desert Mountains
Karen Gonzalez, President Friends of the Library
Jann Buller
Carol Marcuse
PRELIMINARY MINUTES
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION (VIRTUAL) FEBRUARY 1, 2022
2
Laura McGallard
III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. MINUTES of the Virtual Parks and Recreation Commission meeting of January 4,
2021.
Rec: Approve as presented.
Upon a motion by Commissioner Murphy, seconded by Commissioner Dawson,
and a 8-0-1 vote of the Parks and Recreation Commission, the minutes for
January 4, 2022, were approved as presented. (AYES: Guyer, Akkerman,
Dawson, Flint, Murphy, Tanner, Hardin and Perry; NOES: None; ABSENT:
Henderson).
V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. 2022 Commission Meeting Dates
Upon a motion by Commissioner Murphy, seconded by Commissioner Flint, and a
8-0-1 vote to adopt option #1 for the 2022 meeting dates as presented. (AYES:
Guyer, Akkerman, Dawson, Tanner, Hardin and Perry; NOES: None; ABSENT:
Henderson
B. Office Appointments – Review of Bylaws
Commissioner Murphy requested to change the term of Chair and Vice Chair from
calendar year to fiscal year.
In response to the request by Commissioner Murphy, Councilmember Jonathan
advised staff to review the bylaws to confirm if it requires Council approval.
Upon a motion by Commissioner Murphy, seconded by Commissioner Tanner, and
a 8-0-1 vote to change term of office for Chair and Vice Chair from calendar year
to fiscal year (AYES: Guyer, Akkerman, Dawson, Flint, Hardin and Perry; NOES:
None; ABSENT: Henderson).
C. Joe Mann Park – Arbor of Remembrance replacement
Upon a motion by Chair Guyer, seconded by Commissioner Perry, and a 8-0-1
vote to replace the Arbor of Remembrance at Joe Mann Park (AYES: Akkerman,
Dawson, Tanner, Flint and Hardin; NOES: None; ABSENT: Henderson).
PRELIMINARY MINUTES
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION (VIRTUAL) FEBRUARY 1, 2022
3
VI. NEW BUSINESS
A. Aquatic Center Power Outage
Shawn Muir provided an update regarding a power outage that occurred on
January 2nd at the Aquatic Center, the outage caused flooding and subsequently
damage to equipment. She’s working with the Aquatic Center Staff to get the
equipment replaced.
B. Landscape Improvement Contracts
Randy Chavez provided an update on consolidating the various Landscape
Improvement contracts into one to minimize gaps in services, also; he’s working
on revising the specifications for the Civic Center Park to improve efficiencies
and ensure facilities are maintained at an optimum level.
C. Committee for North Sphere Parks
Commissioner Dawson recommended to form a committee to oversee and
provide input and support during the development phase of the North Sphere
Park. The following Commissioners volunteer to be part of the committee: Guyer,
Flint, Perry, Murphy, Akkerman, Tanner & Kalman from DRD. The committee will
be scheduling a public meeting and Councilmember Jonathan suggested to plan
the public meeting at the North Sphere Park location.
Councilmember Jonathan advised the commission to attend the Council meeting
on February 10th, which will be the first step towards the process.
D. Chart update for Park Program
Commissioner Dawson recommended to rotate commissioners to give an update
on all parks, the Park Update Program will change on a quarterly basis. Rotation
will take effect immediately; Ms. Muir will provide commissioners with an updated
Park Update Program Schedule.
VII. PRESENTATIONS AND UPDATES
A. CITY WALK & ROLL PROJECT
Deputy Director of Public Works, Andy Ramirez advised that Project Manager,
Audrey Nickerson would provide a detailed presentation at the next meeting.
B. PARK AMBASSADOR UPDATE REPORT
Civic Center Park, Commissioner Dawson, stated the city will be installing the
QR code for the Monarch Butterfly Garden in cooperation with the Living Desert
and suggested a QR code should be placed next the Michael Anderson
Sculpture.
PRELIMINARY MINUTES
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION (VIRTUAL) FEBRUARY 1, 2022
4
Cahuilla Park, Commissioner Akkerman, stated his concern with ADA
compliance for parking spaces. Randy Chavez will do some research and follow
up at the next meeting.
Ironwood Park, Commissioner Murphy, stated the public is enjoying the park,
and suggested the installation of more benches in the undeveloped areas. Randy
Chavez will provide an update.
Commissioner Dawson requested a report for the next meeting to ensure all the
city parks equipment are in compliance with the State of California.
C. PARK USE REPORT
Deputy Director of Public Works, Andy Ramirez advised that Landscape
Supervisor, Randy Chavez will be presenting a staff report to Council for the
Parks & Landscape enhancement project, which will merge the median and
parks enhancement projects to facilitate improvement and rehabilitation of
landscape and parks in a timely manner.
D. PALM DESERT AQUATIC CENTER
Palm Desert Aquatic Center Manager, David Keyes, stated that Palm Springs
was down twice in the month of January, therefore a lot of people visited the
center. PDAC non-residents using the lap lanes doubled, people are also seeing
it as a destination to visit. The hiring process continues, looking to hire instructors
and lifeguards. Met with companies that will be bidding for the rec pool
resurfacing that is coming up, anticipating closure during March and April. At the
same time, shade structures are being installed. The lap pool motor will be
getting repair and a week closure is anticipated.
E. FAMILY YMCA OF THE DESERT
Ex-Officio, Paula Simonds, thanked Ms. Nutcher with her assistance on moving
the basketball program outdoors. The YMCA of the Desert has partnered with
the Firebirds and are working on a collateral to promote street hockey along with
the DSUSD staff.
F. DESERT RECREATION DISTRICT
General Manager, Kevin Kalman shared a power point presentation on the 2018
survey results of Coachella Valley Parks and rec, which is a master plan process
to inform programs and facilities of what they will be working over the next five
years. Presentation was provided to commission.
Community Services Coordinator, Brenda Nutcher, provided an update on the
DRD services, programs, and recreation. Ms. Nutcher reported the DRD has
been busy, and classes are full. As a result of a survey the Senior Games have
been cancelled.
PRELIMINARY MINUTES
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION (VIRTUAL) FEBRUARY 1, 2022
5
G. FRIENDS OF THE DESERT MOUNTAINS
Executive Director, Tammy Martin, stated that she is working with Ms. Muir on a
grant opportunity through the Visitor’s Bureau. Some trails have been identified
in need of repair, other than that the Palm Desert trails are in good shape. Ms.
Martin shared the Coachella Valley Wildflower Festival will be in person this year
at the Civic Center Park.
H. FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
President, Karen Gonzalez shared with the Commission all the support the
library does for the community. Friends of the Desert Library is an organization
that was founded in the 1970’s, their function is to raise money to support the
library and programs.
VIII. COMMISSIONER, COUNCIL-LIAISON, AND STAFF COMMENTS
Associate Planner, Nick Melloni provided and update/presentation of the North
Sphere Park. Staff will be going before City Council to seek direction on what
staff is envisioning and preparing a Request for Proposal to work with consultants
for community engagement plan and to seek comments from residents.
Management Analyst, Shawn Muir shared an update/presentation for the City
Website and the QR Code for Dog Park. Working on updating the complete list
of all parks and trails.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
With the Parks and Recreation Commission concurrence, Chair Guyer adjourned the
meeting at 10:57 a.m.
_____________________________
Marisol Lopez, Recording Secretary