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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-08-13 PRC Regular Meeting MinutesENO MINUTES PALM DESERT PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AUGUST 13, 1997 I. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 8:30 a.m. Commissioners Present: Commissioners Absent: Staff Present: Others Present: Vice -Chairman Tanner Daniel Barnes Michele Bats Virginia Criste Dolores Driskel Chairperson Peat " Randy Guyer Maria Neatherton Bob Royer Phil Drell Jeff Winklepleck John Wohlmuth Joe Gaugush Donna Bitter Councilman Richard Kelly Gerry Hundt, Y.M.C.A. Don Martin, C.V.R.&P.D. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: It was moved by Commissioner Driskel, seconded by Commissioner Barnes, to approve the minutes of the August 13, 1997 meeting as submitted. Motion carried 5-0, Commissioners Peat, Guyer, Neatherton and Royer Absent. III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: Mr. Gerry Hundt reported that several months ago the YMCA opened the Jean Benson Child Care Center at Desert Rose and he wanted to recognize Phil Drell at this time with a plaque of a picture painted by the kids. Mr. Drell accepted the plaque stating that it were not for the architects and the builders the project would not have happened. MINUTES PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AUGUST 13, 1997 IV. CONTINUED BUSINESS: A. HEALTHY CITIES PROGRAM: Mr. John Wohhnuth addressed the commission reporting that this years Healthy Cities Program is bike safety which includes the development of a bike plan. He noted that the state has given the city a grant totaling $20,000 of which $5,000 was given to us this year and the remaining $15,000 will be paid over the next three years at $5,000 a year. Mr. Wohlmuth added that the city has made arrangements with a bike helmet manufacturer and Loma Linda Hospital where the city will be purchasing bike helmets at $6.00 each and will be selling them at the schools for approximately $3.00 or $4.00 each. In addition to this the committee has been asked to look at expanding the bike routes and produce a bike route map. Mr. Wohlmuth indicated that this is something that they will work on in 1998 and asked the commission for their assistance on how they should move forward on getting the bike helmet to the schools. Commissioner Driskel felt that the existing bike paths seem to get lost in the shuffle with the golf cart paths. Mr. Wohlmuth explained how the bike and golf cart lanes work together and noted that the routes are approved by the state for their safety. Commissioner Barnes asked Mr. Wohlmuth if he had copies of what the Trails Committee put together as a master plan about four or five years ago. Mr. Drell replied that this information was taken to C.V.A.G. and was incorporated with a C.V.A.G. plan. They now want to spend some of the grant money to tie the paths together throughout the city as well as education the residents where the routes are. Commissioner Barnes asked if everyone knew that they could ride their bikes on the sidewalk and suggested that this information can be included in one of the city's publications. Commissioner Barnes asked if the committee will be working on connecting the paths between cities. Mr. Wohlmuth indicated that he would contact the other cities and ask if they want to participate. Commissioner Bames asked if there was any news on the state grant for the computer center. Mr. Wohlmuth indicated that the city applied for a $500,000 grant and that we have made it to the second round but have not heard yet about the third round. Councilman Kelly reported that he would be attending a Riverside Country Transportation Committee meeting later in the day where they will be asking for $120,000 for the Washington Street pedestrian/bikeway path. 2 Awwwlk 000A MINUTES PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AUGUST 13, 1997 B. CAL STATE UNIVERSITY SITE: Mr. Drell reported that the representatives for the university have completed their proposed plan and outlined the phases to the commission. He indicated that they have received an initial donation of $3 million which should pay for the first building. Mr. Drell noted that they have a number of donors who did not want to be the first to donate, and so now that the first donation has been made they expect the donations to start coming in. The city is now in the process of sending out the request for proposals to prepare the environmental impact report. Mr. Drell reported that the university had been working towards a 24,000 student facility but have now revised that to approximately 12,000 because by the time the campus is built they will only see about 12,000 students at a time on campus with the number of satellite campuses around the county with electronic education. He indicated that they are seeing a lot more open space in the plan because now the buildings can be smaller. Commissioner Criste asked when the commission could get involved. Mr. Drell replied that they can get involved immediately if they wanted to, but reminded her that staff has quite a number of other facilities that they are currently working on. He added that the university still wants the circular pattern and felt that this plan was set in stone. Councilman Kelly stated that the commission should think this issue over very closely before they proceed any further because he didn't want to have the same situation happen at this school site as it has at the high school. Vice -Chairman Tanner agreed and added that College of the Desert is a community college and it is very difficult to get their approval to use the facility and seems to always turn into a battle. Mr. Drell suggested that the city needs to say that if we pay this amount of money to build a sports facility on campus that we have to have a guarantee on using the facility in a manner we are comfortable with. He added that the university is providing for their own sports facility. Commissioner Criste felt that the commission should get involved in the process now so that the city doesn't end up with the same situation that they have now with C.O.D. and the Cook Street complex. Commissioner Barnes asked how much money Pete Wilson thought was needed to do the initial branch. Mr. Drell replied that Mr. Wilson had stated that it would take $17 million to complete the first phase of Phase I. Commissioner Bats reported that she met with the residents at Ironwood Park on Monday night and prioritized what they want to spend the $35,000 on. She and Mr. Winklepleck put together a presentation on what we could buy with the money. Commissioner Bats noted that the residents stated that they wanted bar-b-ques in each of the pavilions (which the city is doing now), a zip cord, more benches around the sand area, and some additional playground equipment taking out some playground equipment that is not being used. She 3 MINUTES PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AUGUST 13,1997 added that they would also like more trees around the perimeter of the sand and lawn areas. Commissioner Bats indicated that at this point they decided not to put up the shade structure and misting system. She added that the residents felt that water features were too expensive to add to the park right now. They also want to form a task force that will continue to work with the city. Mr. Winklepleck reported that Sabby Jonathan lives next to the park and he informed staff at a planning commission meeting that he was not notified of the meetings with the residents. He explained to Commissioner Bats that they need to make sure that all the residents surrounding the park are involved. Commissioner Bats explained that Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson hand delivered the invitations for the meetings to the residents and that there have been about 12 residents who have continued to be very active. Commissioner Driskel asked if a basketball court was still going to be installed in the parking lot. Mr. Winklepleck explained that this was part of the master plan for the future. He emphasized the fact that a basketball court is something that they need to make sure the neighbors around the park want because it could be something that would create more noise than what the residents want to deal with. Commissioner Bats indicated that the residents who have been meeting with her are not interested in adding a basketball net right now. She added that the residents are still working on a survey that will be sent out to the residents. OF 1610MIRIZ47.15 Mr. Winklepleck reported that this item is still on the agenda but at this point it was not at the top of the list of priorities. Commissioner Barnes felt that the additional restroom would be needed when the new pavilions are installed at the Civic Center Park. V. NEW BUSINESS: 1 ' Jam_ • . . s Mr. Winklepleck reported that Mr. John Nagus, Community Arts Manager, was not able to attend this meeting and asked that the item be continued to the meeting of September 1 Oth. Commissioner Barnes reminded the commission that there are two sculptures that are sitting in the lobby of the administration building and asked who paid for them. Mr. Winklepleck indicated that the were purchased by the Art -In -Public -Places Committee.. 4 MINUTES PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AUGUST 13,1997 B. DOGGIE BAG DISPENSERS: Mr. Winklepleck stated that he needed direction from the commission to purchase doggie bags and dispensers to install in the parks. He noted that there are a number of different types of bags and will call the different companies to try to get a sample box of each to place in the parks at key locations as a test to determine which ones are used the most and which ones are preferred. C. DUCK SIGNS: Vice -Chairman Tanner asked if the situation with the feeding the ducks had improved since the information was publicized. Mr. Winklepleck replied that staff is putting up temporary Don't Feed the Ducks" signs but that he would like to install dispensers that holds duck food that could be fed to the ducks. He asked the commission to review the copy for the signage. Commissioner Driskel asked if the duck food would be free? Mr. Winklepleck indicated that then.: would have to be a small fee to cover the cost of the food. Action: It was moved by Commissioner Driskel, seconded by Commissioner Criste, to accept the verbiage for the temporary signs reading "Don't Feed The Ducks". Motion Carried 5-0, Commissioners Peat, Guyer, Neatherton, and Royer Absent. ass Mr. Winklepleck reported that Commissioner Barnes has asked if restrooms could be installed at Cahuilla Hills Park. He noted that this issue was discussed some time ago and asked if the commission had changed their minds and want to build an actual restroom. Mr. Winklepleck noted that cost would be a big issue because there is quite a bit of rock to deal with up there. He added that the commission, at one time, did talk about permanent portable units and asked if this was something that the commission now thought was a priority. Commissioner Barnes felt that wherever the city has a park it is incumbent on the city to provide restrooms. Vice -Chairman Tanner asked if the city has a contract with anyone that provides port -a -potties. Mr. Winklepleck indicated that the city has worked with Waste Management before for portable facilities. Vice -Chairman Tanner felt that any portable units would have to be placed in an area where it could not be tipped over. F1 MINUTES PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AUGUST 13,1997 Action It was moved by Commissioner Barnes, seconded by Commissioner Criste, to direct staff to get a cost breakdown on installing portable restroom facilities at Cahuilla Hills Park. Staff to return to commission with cost estimates. Motion carried 5-0, Commissioners Peat, Guyer, Neatherton, and Royer Absent. VI. UPDATES/INFORMATION ITEMS: Mr. Winklepleck reported that the plans for the water features from Vortex arrived yesterday. He noted that Councilman Kelly brought up the need for a water feature in the Civic Center Park as an emergency item at the last city council meeting. The council allocated $40,000, approved staff to go out to bid, and have the mayor enter into a contract with immediacy. Mr. Winklepleck stated that it takes approximately 6 to 8 weeks to manufacture the equipment so Vortex is looking at shipping the pieces by the end of August. MIMIC . • • • ... Mr. Winklepleck reported that the plans for the soccer park are currently out to bid and have had approximately 14 contractors, to date, pick up plans. There will be a pre -bid meeting on Friday, August 15th with the bids opening on August 26th. Mr. Winklepleck indicated that he anticipates awarding the contract at the September 1 Ith city council meeting in hopes to start construction by the beginning of October. He added that there is a 6 month time frame in the contract allowed for building the facility. Mr. Winklepleck reported that the construction plans for the dog park expansion will advertise on Tuesday, August 19th, with the bid opening scheduled for August 28th. He indicated that approval to award this contract will also be on the September 1 lth city council meeting: T NW MINUTES PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AUGUST 13,1997 D. UPDATE ON FACILITY FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS: Mr. Winklepleck reported that he inspected the area north of the storage area on San Pablo Avenue and indicated that we can get approximately a 100' x 100' size building. Mr. Folkers indicated to him that the public works department will need approximately 2,000 or 3,000 square feet of this building for storage. Mr. Winklepleck suggested that a couple commissioners, along with himself, Vince Downey, and Bob Spiegel meet to discuss what they want. Mr. Martin requested to be involved in these meetings. Mr. Winklepleck suggested that this be a design build facility. Mr. Martin explained that the CN.R.&P.D. building in the Civic Center Park is a design build facility. Commissioners Bats and Criste volunteered to be on the sub -committee. E. UPDATE ON CIVIC CENTER PARK PICNIC PAVILIONS: Mr. Winklepleck reported that staff held a pre -construction meeting the day before with the contractor and indicated that construction would begin on Wednesday, August 20th. He indicated that they anticipate a 30-day construction time frame. Mr. Winklepleck reported that the sign company has finally found some rocks that we can use for the kiosks and are now trying to find the correct colors. He presented the actual site plan of the park that will be placed on the rocks. Commissioner Barnes stated that the one column that has been painted at the baseball fields at the Civic Center Park looked great and asked that staff continue to paint the remainder of the columns. Commissioner Barnes discussed how the drinking fountains in the tennis courts can not be used during the summer because the water is too hot. He asked that staff check into the costs involved in adding refrigeration units to the fountains to cool the water down enough to drink it. Mr. Winklepleck stated that he would check into this and report back to the commission with costs at their next meeting. VA 10 10awk MINUTES PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AUGUST 13,1997 VII. MISCELLANEOUS: Mr. Hundt noted that the commission had discussed at their last meeting competitive swimming at the future YMCA pool. He stated that when Palm Desert High School built their pool it was designed for competitive swimming and that the YMCA pool is needed for swim lessons and recreation and that hosting swim meets is not their objective. Mr. Hundt stated that he did not see the need for another competitive size pool and indicated that swim teams normally do not generate money, but in actuality costs money. VIII. ADJOURNMENT: It was moved by Commissioner Driskel, seconded by Commissioner Criste, to adjourn the meeting at 9:45 a.m. Motion carried 5-0, Commissioners Peat, Guyer, Neatherton and Royer Absent. JEFF WRWLEPLECK ASSOCIATE PLANNER JW/db rug GO INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM CITY OF PALM DESERT TO: Jeff Winklepleck, Associate Planner FROM: Tom Bassler, Senior Management Analyst SUBJECT: CIVIC CENTER BASKETBALL AND TENNIS COURTS DATE: September 19, 1997 On September 17, Richard Folkers, Tom Theobald, Don Enos and I inspected the basketball and tennis courts at the Civic Center Park. During our tour of the facilities we met Bob Mitchell, the teaching tennis pro with the Coachella Valley Recreation and Park District and he provided his input to the court condition. The following is a summary of conditions and recommendations: Basketball Courts: The areas around and under the baskets are worn down to the base surface from use. Some chips and scars down to the base surface are scattered about on the playing surface. There is some surface blistering along the perimeter edges that are adjacent to the grass. This is caused by unavoidable water over spray that works it way under minor surface cracks. Also, it is quite apparent that small children track or bring sand onto the hard surface areas and this accelerates the normal abrasion around some of the baskets. In general, the overall majority of the playing surface is intact and of good condition. The recommendation at this time is to have the "keys" under the baskets uniformly resurfaced and the chips patched. 2. Tennis Courts: The overall condition is very good. There are small wear areas along some court baselines. Scaring or chipping, down to the base surface, is minimal and isolated. The recommendation is also to have these areas patched since a full resurfacing is not warranted at this time. i TOMB ZER TGB/et cc: Richard J. Folkers, ACM/Director of Public Works Tom Theobald, Maintenance Services Manager Don Enos, Parks Maintenance Supervisor Parks & Recreation Commission bskttnnsAmp MINUTES PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MARCH 26,1997 of Code Enforcement as they were working on a `pooper scooper' ordinance last year. Chairperson Peat felt that the non -impact items should be added to the park now. Mr. Winklepleck indicated that he would have a rough plan on what can be added to the park at the next meeting. Mr. Folkers added that he will proceed with the loose gravel problem. C. CAL STATE PARK SITE: A Mr. Winklepleck distributed copies of the plan provided by Cal State as well as a conceptual plan prepared by the C.V.R.&P.D. indicating that the commission needed to see what could be incorporated from the Cal State plan with the C.V.R.&P.D. plan. He noted that the sub -committee needs to come up with a more realistic plan and take it back to Cal State and tell them that this is what is needed. Mr. Winklepleck felt that the key is to get four baseball fields in first and massage the rest the area once the fields are in place . Mr. Folkers indicated that a baseball field takes about 2 acres so if they put the ballfields at the top of the property it would not impact their circular drive. Vice -Chairman Tanner stated that Cal State will not want pony fields but will insist on full size fields. Mr. Martin added that the college will want at least 2 hardball and 2 softball fields. Commissioner Guyer noted that a gym was not shown on the Cal State plan and felt that the college will want their gym in the area of the ballfields. He felt that a revised conceptual plan should be requested from Cal State. Commissioner Barnes felt that a lot of tennis courts would be needed. Commissioner Guyer added that the football fields shown on the Cal State plan will have to be moved because they will not be able to install lights for the fields right next to Desert Falls. Chairperson Peat asked if the city should contact the Cal State representatives now to let them know that the commission is talking about this and get the process moving on installing some ballfields out there as soon as possible. Mr. Winklepleck indicated that he would rather go to them with a plan showing what the commission wants and then start the negotiating process. Chairperson Peat asked who was on the sub -committee. The sub -committee includes Commissioner Barnes, Commissioner Criste, Commissioner Driskel and Don Martin. Commissioner Barnes reported that he is still getting requests for a wall for paddle ball, handball and racquetball. Chairperson Peat asked where this wall would go. Commissioner Barnes stated that it -could be installed just south of the tennis courts in the Civic Center Park. Commissioner Guyer added that there also is room for the wall to the right of the volleyball courts. Commissioner Barnes offered to go to the U.S. Handball Association to get the specifications, etc. Vice -Chairperson Tanner noted that there are 4 MINUTES PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MARCH 26,1997 walls at the high school and suggested that Commissioner Bames look at them. Chairperson Peat asked what needed to be done to get the wall installed. Mr. Winklepleck replied that it would have to go before the Civic Center Steering Committee and City Council for approval. He added that he would need an actual design from the commission. Commissioner Bats -O'Donnell asked if this was included in the budget. Chairperson Peat indicated that it was not and because it was such a small ticket item it could be built with general park funds. Action: It was moved by Commissioner Barnes, seconded by Vice -Chairman Tanner, to direct staff to entertain the possibility of adding a handball court in the Civic Center Park. Motion carried 7-0, Commissioners Neatherton and Royer Absent. t • W 0 Mr. Winklepleck stated that the commission needed to name the soccer facility. Vice - Chairman Tanner liked "Palm Desert Soccer Park' which is the name Sabby Jonathan Soccer Committee Member) recommended. Mr. Winklepleck indicated that the signage would be written in columns. Action: It was moved by Vice -Chairman Tanner, seconded by Commissioner Driskel, to recommend to the City Council to name the soccer facility "Palm Desert Soccer Park'. Motion carried 7-0, Commissioners Neatherton and Royer Absent. V. NEW BUSINESS: Mr. Winklepleck stated that Commissioner Barnes requested that this item be placed on the agenda for an update. He indicated that the 2010 Committee is wrapping up and discussing their conclusions with City Council. The Community Garden is part of the 2010 Plan and will happen some time in the future. Mr. Winklepleck stated that the area dedicated for the community garden, south of the date grove, will remain open space. Commissioner Barnes suggested placing a backstop in this area to be used by both baseball and soccer practices. Mr. Martin reminded the commission that the adult soccer league had already addressed the commission last year requesting approval to use this area for practice. Mr. Winklepleck thought that the area might need to be leveled if it was to be used for practice fields. Chairperson Peat agreed that the area should be all grass and flattened tcruse for practice 5 FROM. -Bob Spiegel D COUNCILMAN RECEIV E TO: LOPt tj DEPARTMENT COMNN RY OF PALM DESERT CITY OF PALM DESERT 73-510 FRED WARING DRIVE ,. 346-0611 PALM DESERT, CA 92260-2578 t Ext. 312 100% RECYCLED PAPER THE SAN DIEGO UNION -TRIBUNE SATURDAY, SEi'I'EMBER 13, 1997 HOWARD LIPIN I Union -Tribune Board game: Francisco Landros drills a hole in the top of a skate ramp under construction at the Escondido Sports Center in Kit Carson Park. Escondido recreation center 1-o aim at alternative sports