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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Parks & Recreation Commission 06/01/2005CITY OF PALM DESERT PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES JUNE 1, 2005 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Guyer convened the meeting at 8:30 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Randy Guyer Vice Chair Julie Munson Commissioner Phill Babcock Commissioner Dan Barnes Commissioner Gerald Dawson Commissioner Alternate Connor Limont Commissioner Terry Scheurer Commissioner Dan Seymour Commissioner Van Tanner Absent: Commissioner Terry Schukart Staff Present: Bob Spiegel, Councilmember Richard Kelly, Councilmember Homer Croy, ACM for Development Services Janis Steele, Parks & Recreation Services Manager Jay Niemczak, Parks Maintenance Supervisor Ryan Stendell, Planning Technician Spencer Knight, Landscape Manager Monica Loredo, Administrative Secretary INTRODUCTIONS Mr. Stendell introduced Janis Steele, Parks & Recreation Services Manager; and Monica Loredo, Administrative Secretary. Janis Steele briefly spoke of her work experience and education. The Commission welcomed Ms. Steele and they also introduced themselves to staff. 1 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES JUNE 1, 2005 IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Stan Ford, Coachella Valley Recreation & Park District (CVRPD), General Manager, distributed a brochure from the National Institute on Recreation Inclusion, and noted that their conference will be held in La Quinta this year. He mentioned that there is an article in the California Parks & Recreation magazine titled, "Conducting Economic Impact Studies in Parks and Recreation." Mr. Ford also mentioned that the district received proposals for a master plan for the district. Chairman Guyer asked if the City of Palm Desert was specifically in the plan. Mr. Ford responded that there is an inventory section, which includes what the Agency provides plus other providers. Palm Desert will be included as part of the CVRPD. Mr. Rob Ballew, YMCA, Executive Director, distributed the YMCA Summer 2005 Program brochure. He referred to an editorial in the Desert Sun in regards to the dog parks and the city's park system. Mr. Ballew commented that Palm Desert has one of the best park systems anywhere in the State. He commented that he enjoys running in the parks and the City has parks to be proud of. Mr. Ballew indicated that he has sent a letter to the editor with his feelings about the parks. Mr. Thomas Cartwright (74069 Velardo Drive) and Ms. Sharon Marshall introduced themselves to the Commission, and stated that they are both visitors of the dog park. He commented that they would be attending the Parks & Recreation meetings in hopes of making the dog park better. Mr. Cartwright also commented that city staff is always nice and polite. V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — MAY 11, 2005 Minutes of Parks and Recreation Commission of May 11, 2005, approved as submitted. Motioned moved/seconded by Barnes/Dawson and carried by a 7-0 vote with Commissioner T. Schukart and T. Scheurer ABSENT. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Parks & Recreation Commission Monthly Meetings Mr. Stendell stated Commissioner Tanner brought up this item at the previous meeting, and asked if the Commission felt it would be beneficial to meet twice a month. 2 G 1DevServ,cesV,4on,ca LorerlolWord Dala'Parks&RecWinufes�6.1-05 min doc PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES JUNE 1, 2005 Commission Tanner responded that Ms. Steele would be dedicating 99.9% of her time to the parks of Palm Desert, and meeting once a month is not enough to accomplish what the Commission can bring to the table. Mr. Spiegel asked what is the availability of meeting space. Mr. Stendell responded that the meeting could be scheduled the first Wednesday of the month at 8:30 a.m. in the Administrative Conference Room and the third Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. in the same room. Chairman Guyer and Vice Chair Munson responded that she would not be able to meet at 2:00 p.m. Commissioner Barnes asked if they would be able to meet in the Community Services Conference Room. Mr. Croy asked the Commission if they would consider meeting another day of the week. He stated that staff would bring additional information on meeting space availability. The Commission asked if they would be going dark for the summer. Mr. Spiegel suggested that the Commission meet the first Wednesday in July so Ms. Steele could have some time to become familiar with the City and parks. Chairman Guyer and Vice Chair Munson stated that they would not be available for the meeting scheduled for the first week in July. Commissioner Tanner moved to go dark for the months of July and August. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Guyer and carried by a 7-0 vote with Commissioner T. Schukart and T. Scheurer ABSENT. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. Artificial Turf for Dog Parks Mr. Stendell circulated information regarding artificial surface. He stated that he has received a petition from dog park users with approximately 60 signatures that oppose the artificial turf. Commissioner Tanner asked if staff could test an area of the dog park with artificial turf, possibly an area in the small park. Mr. Knight suggested an area in the large dog park that is problematic in which most of the activity occurs. He said that it is approximately 4000 square feet. Mr. Knight voiced his concerns in regards to the maintenance and sanitation of artificial turf. Commissioner Dawson asked how staff planned on installing the drainage underground for the artificial turf. If the Commission decided to install G OevServicesMonica LoredolWord Data VParks&RecMinutes%6-1-05 min doc PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES JUNE 1, 2005 artificial turf, Mr. Knight's recommendation would be to install a form of drainage system. Commissioner Dawson asked if there should be underground drainage even if there is no artificial turf. Mr. Knight responded that he would have to look at providing a more resilient soil bed whether artificial turf is installed or not, which drainage might be an option. Commissioner Barnes requested to see a sketch of the dog park showing the proposed area for the artificial turf. Ms. Limont commented that the Commission needs to take a look at the animals; it's a dog park not a golf course. Mr. Croy asked the Commission to consider the cleanliness in mind. Mr. Knight stated the positives of artificial turf; no water, no mowing, no fertilizer, and always green. The negative is how to maintain and clean the turf. Mr. Spiegel recommended that staff look into the artificial turf and report back to the Commission with a recommendation on the cost and layout for the test section. Mr. Cartwright commented that when the small dog park is closed in October; it creates a burden on the elder with small dogs. They have a fear of taking their small dogs into the large dog park and it eliminates up to 50 percent of the people using the dog park. He recommended that both dog parks be closed at the same time. Ms. Limont also suggested alternately closing the small and large park, e.g., one day open the small and close the big park, and the next day open large and close the small park. The Commission asked how big is the dog park going to be at Freedom Park. Mr. Stendell responded that it is equivalent to the current park. The Commission remarked that the problem would be duplicated at the new pa rk. Mr. Knight commented that schedules could be adjusted during the reseeding period to accommodate both small and large dog parks. The extended closures of the dog park this year was due to some maintenance issues. Ms. Marshall suggested switching the lawn bowling with the dog park. The Commission briefly discussed maintenance issues. Chairman Guyer asked if staff can look at other surface alternatives, and if the small and large park need to be kept together. Mr. Knight responded that staff could look at other surfaces. Mr. Stendell noted that the misting system would 4 G OevServicesMonica Loredo Word DafaParks&RecMnutesl6-1-05 min doc PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES JUNE 1, 2005 be installed very soon, which might help the fly issue. The water fountain would follow. Commissioner Tanner recommended that staff return to the Commission with the following information for the problem area to be tested with artificial turf: 1) a conceptual drawing of the area; 2) the total cost; and 3) other surface alternatives. The second recommendation is for staff to return with information on additional shading and the cost. Commissioner Babcock suggested that dog people use the trails for walking their dog. Mr. Stendell responded that the Homme Park is a 77- acre dog park and that there is signage on Highway 74 directing people to the park. He suggested identifying the dog park on some of the street signs and possibly publicizing that it is a 77-acre dog park. It was suggested that it be publicized in the City's newsletter. B. Possible Park Site at the Corner of Hovley Lane East and Beacon Hill Mr. Stendell stated the site is owned by the Redevelopment Agency and there are other plans for that site. Mr. Croy commented that the site is prime commercial property and is zoned for commercial use. To change the zoning on the site, it would have to go through the Planning Commission and City Council, which can be a complex process. Chairman Guyer asked how many acres is the site. Staff responded that it is five acres. Vill. UPDATES A. Freedom Park Mr. Stendell stated that he has received construction drawings, which are in the process of being reviewed by the departments for approval. Mr. Stendell and Ms. Steele would work together in the bidding process with construction possibly beginning in August. The Commission asked if the drawings or the price has changed. Staff responded that it has not. Commissioner Scheurer asked if the Commission could receive a project schedule like that which was generated by Mr. Winklepleck. Mr. Stendell responded that he would generate a current schedule. Mr. Spiegel stated that it would be ideal for the park to open at the same time as the new school in September. 5 G OevServicesWon,ca LoredolWord Data1Parks&RecVAnutefi16-1-05 min doc PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES JUNE 1, 2005 IX. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Scheurer asked for the status of the amphitheater. Mr. Stendell responded that a report is going to the next City Council meeting. He is in the process of providing as much information as possible for the City Council so they can make an appropriate decision. Chairman Guyer asked if there are a lot of changes to the amphitheater. Mr. Stendell responded that there have not been any changes, but he will be receiving more information. The Commission asked for the status of the University Village. Mr. Spiegel responded that it is being graded. Commissioner Tanner asked if the money for the amphitheater is not used, could it be used for other areas of the park. Staff responded yes. It was explained that the money comes from rent that is collected from the City -owned buildings adjacent to the park. Therefore, the money would be spent at the Civic Center Park only. Commissioner Barnes asked for the status of the handball courts. Mr. Croy stated that contractors do not want to do that small of a job, and staff might have to send out to a contractor for a design -build. Chairman Guyer commented that he read in the newspaper that Cathedral City is in the process of hiring a consultant to provide their City Council with information on park needs due to not planning ahead, having a budget, or a parks commission. He thanked the Palm Desert City Council for planning ahead for the City and the reason the Commission is present. X. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Guyer adjourned the meeting at 9:40 a.m. Monica Loredo, Recording Secretary s G 0evServ/ceslMonjca LoredolWord Data%Parks&R9cWinu1es16-1-05 min doc