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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982-06-28 PRC Regular Meeting Agenda Packet AGENDA PALM DESERT PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY JUNE 28, 1982 5:00 P.M. - CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL III. Approval of minutes of June 7, 1982, meeting. IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Any person wishing to discuss any item not otherwise on the agenda may address the commission at this point by stepping to the podium and giving their name and address for the record. V. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. A discussion on ways to improve and expand parks and recreation facilities in Palm Desert. VI. DISCUSSION ITEMS VII. ADJOURNMENT Parks and Recreation Staff Report To: Parks and Recreation Commission From: Department of Environmental Services Date: June 7, 1982 Subject: Expanding and Improving Parks and Recreation Facilities within Palm Desert. BACKGROUND: For the past several months there has been a discussion at City Council study sessions concerning the Parks and Recreation facilities and programs provided in the city. The basic concern has centered on a need to improve and upgrade the existing facilities and programs and the means by which this can be accomplished. Another concern is that the city is not receiving full value for the money that it provides to Coachella Valley Parks and Recreation District. A meeting of City Council and staff of the Coachella Valley Parks and Recreation District was held and the city was advised that Coachella Valley Parks and Recreation District could not, within its present budget constraints, expand and improve the services provided. Coachella Valley Parks and Recreation District revenues are derived principally from a small portion of the property tax collected based in the district. The present economic situation and establishment of Redevelopment Agencies have impacted the growth of district revenues. DISCUSSION: Staff has been reviewing alternative methods to improve its parks and recreation facilities. Among these approaches would be: A. Secession from Coachella Valley Parks and Recreation District and establishment of a Parks and Recreation Department. B. Dissolution of Coachella Valley Parks and Recreation District and establishment of new smaller districts to service the various areas covered by the present district. This would require considerable negotiation with other cities in the district. C. Establishment of a secondary new Parks and Recreation Department which would provide specific new facilities and programs while Coachella Valley Parks and Recreation District would continue to provide the services which it now provides or some specific services which would be determined. The additional new Parks and Recreation Department and programs could be funded through a new override recreation district. D. Contract with the Parks and Recreation District for additional services and programs. Funding for those additional services could be provided through a new override recreation tax similar to the fire tax voted by the people recently. PROCEDURES: Should the city choose Option "A", there are specific procedures which must be followed in accordance with California Government Code. Basically the city applies to LAFCO (Local Agency Commission). Following hearings and meeting of the Reorganization - 1 - PARKS AND RECREATION STAFF REPORT JUNE 7, 1982 PROCEDURES (CONTINUED): Committee, LAFCO makes a decision which can be conditioned to require a confirmation election. The area to to be included in the election can be the whole district or only for the area subject to detachment. Following the election, the detachment is placed in the hands of the Parks District Board and city to arrive at details and conditions of the detachment. Should the city choose to follow Option "B", then the dissolution of the district would be handled much in the same way procedurally as outlined in Option"A". Of course, prior to filing the Resolution of Dissolution, the various cities and areas would have to meet and agree to it and the creation of the new smaller districts. Whether or not this is a feasible approach and would be supported by the other cities, is not known. Should the city choose Option "C", a new override recreation district could be created. Its establishment would be controlled by LAFCO. An election of the voters in the new district would be required. In addition, the city would continue to be a member of Coachella Valley Parks and Recreation District and would be required to continue paying into that district. The new override district would be funded by a new tax to be funded by a new tax to be levied solely for that purpose. The new funds would be used to improve and expand existing programs and facilities. It would be imperative that the city be assured that its present services provided by Coachella Valley Parks and Recreation District would not be decreased. A definite measurable amount of service would have to continue to be provided to the city by Coachella Valley Parks and Recreation District. It would also be possible to create our own Parks Department funded by the new tax without creating a new district. The services provided by the City Department would have to be such that they would not infringe into those of the Coachella Valley Parks and Recreation District. Should the city choose Option D", a new district would not be required and LAFCO would not become involved. Funding would be provided through a new override recreation tax, similar to the fire tax affirmed by a vote of the people. The city would contract with Coachella Valley Parks and Recreation District for specific services and programs. An initial step would be for the district to hire a "Programmer" to work exclusively in Palm Desert. This person would set up and coordinate programs not presently provided but for which a need exists. CONCLUSIONS: It is felt that due to the time involved and the uncertainty, that Options "A" and "B" are the least preferable of the options. This would leave Options "C" and "D" available. Considering that Coachella Valley Parks and Recreation District already provides services and programs, then Option "D", calling for a contract to be negotiated with the city providing additional money for additional specified services, would appear to be a reasonable solution. Further, the Commission may wish to discuss the means by which the extra services could be funded, because regardless of who provides the programs and services, additional money will be required. In fact, this may be necessary just to maintain the status quo with existing facilities and programs. The city has additional parks coming on line in the next few years as well as the San Pasqual senior citizen facility. The city can request the recreation district to assume the maintenance of these facilities, however, the district is not obligated to do so and in fact may not be financially able to do so. As mentioned previously, the budget of the district is not expanding as rapidly as inflation is increasing its costs. In addition many of the cities have established redevelopment districts over large portions of their areas. This freezes the amount of money which the district receives from that area, notwithstanding the problems created by inflation. In the case of Palm Desert, the amount of money to go to the district will not increase until and unless the portion of the city outside the area covered by the Redevelopment Agency begins to develop and have value assessed. - 2 - PARKS AND RECREATION STAFF REPORT JUNE 7, 1982 Finally, it may be of interest that a home in Palm Desert, with an assessed value of $100,000 and paying a $1,000 property tax per year, on an average, contributes only $22.00 of that amount for recreation. While a tax override may not be palatable, it is a realistic and simple way of generating a solution to the recreation needs of the city ... lack of revenue. RECOMMENDATION: That the Parks and Recreation Commission recommend to the City Council: That the city as a matter of policy decide to purchase additional services from Coachella Valley Parks and Recreation District on a contract basis; and That the Parks and Recreation Commission and staff be instructed to begin discussions concerning the exact form which the additional contracted services should take; and That the City Council evaluate the various methods available to finance the additional contracted services and be advised that the Parks and Recreation Commission supports the concept of the establishment of an override tax, specifically for recreation and parks purposes in an amount to be determined. Prepared by: j�'� � T . ,, :;.qReviewed and approved by• . - 3 -