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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Parks & Recreation Commission07/05/06CITY OF PALM DESERT PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES JULY 5, 2006 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Randy Guyer convened the meeting at 8:30 a.m. IL ROLL CALL Present: Excused Absent Chairman Randy Guyer Vice Chair Julie Munson (LOA) Commissioner Dan Barnes Commissioner Roger Dash Absent Commissioner Gerald Dawson Commissioner Phill Babcock Commissioner David Garcia (Alt.) Commissioner Michael Barnard Commissioner Connor Limont Alternate Vice Chair Terry Schukart Staff Present: Robert Spiegel, Council Member Janis Steele, Parks & Recreation Services Manager Jay Niemczak, Parks Maintenance Supervisor III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. MINUTES OF THE MEETING JUNE 7, 2006 Minutes of Parks & Recreation Commission of June 7, 2006, were approved as submitted. Motion moved/seconded by Barnes/Dawson and carried by a 6-0 vote with Alternate Vice Chair Schukart, Vice Chair Munson, Commissioners Babcock and Barnard ABSENT. (Munson on LOA) IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Ms. Nancy Martel indicated that a water fountain at the Civic Center Dog Park was approved by the Commission approximately over a year and a half ago, and she was told that it was ordered and delivered. She mentioned that Mr. Stendell told her that the fountain was somewhere out in the field, but that Mr. Niemczak could not find a fountain or an order 1 MINUTES JULY 5, 2006 receipt. Ms. Martel would like to know if there is going to be a fountain installed at the Dog Park. Mr. Niemczak replied that he would double check with the Planning and Finance Department if a water fountain was ever purchased, if not, he will order a new one. Chairman Guyer continued with Reports and Updates. V. PRESENTATIONS A. NORTH PALM DESERT BIKE PATH Ms. Steele stated that Mr. Phil Joy, Public Works Department, was unable to attend the Commission meeting for the presentation. She reported that during a Landscape Beautification Committee meeting the Director of Public Works discussed developing the trail along the railroad tracks, and that the City Council approved an extra $100,000.00 for the design study. The plan for the trail is to run from Freedom Park to Cook Street, and eventually to the new Regional Park on Portola. Commissioner Dawson asked if the study would only include the area up to Cook Street. Ms. Steele believes the study would include Portola. Chairman Guyer suggested incorporating an intermediate bike -type trail in addition to a paved trail, if there is enough room. Commissioner Dawson asked for a definition of an intermediate bike trail. Chairman Guyer responded that he was not sure, but has heard complaints that trails are either too easy or too hard. Mr. Niemczak commented that paved trails are for road bikes and dirt trails are for mountain bikes. Commissioner Barnes asked if the trail would be "woods looking". Councilman Spiegel responded that people could travel to Idyllwild. Commissioner Barnes asked for the approximate cost of the trail. Ms. Steele responded that Mr. Mark Greenwood, Director of Public Works, initially estimated it would cost $1,365,000.00 (the City share being $915,000.00), but it might cost quite a bit more. Chairman Guyer asked if there is a relationship between the City and Union Pacific Railroad. Councilman Spiegel responded that the relationship is very little. Commissioner Barnes asked what is the situation with Portola going north to the 1-10 or Dinah Shore. Councilman Spiegel replied that the project is 2 G:IDevServiceslMonica LoredolWord DataV3ar*s&Rec Minutest2006 MinutesV-5-06.min.doc MINUTES J U LY 5, 2006 in the planning stage to connect to Dinah Shore, and hopes it will be accomplished by the early part of 2007. The interchange to the highway is on the drawing board, but is not a priority. He commented that there are too many other interchanges that are in bad shape in other valley cities. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. TRAIL NAMING Discussion and recommendation of naming the trail that will connect the Bump and Grind. Ms. Steele reported that she was approached and asked if the Commission would consider naming the trail that would connect to the Bump and Grind after Mr. Mike Schuler. Mr. Schuler is the person that has been cutting up the trails all on his own in the valley, and in the City of Palm Desert. Ms. Steele indicated that the trail to be named is the section that connects Hopalong Cassidy Trail to the Bump and Grind. Commissioner Barnes commented that he once recommended several months ago naming a trail after Councilman Buford Crites, which he understands has resigned. Councilman Spiegel confirmed that Mr. Crites has resigned effective July 1. He noted that a road could not be named after a councilmember until after they are deceased, but that does not mean a trail cannot be named after a councilmember. The City Council could take a look at it. Chairman Guyer felt that a bigger trail should be named after Mr. Crites. The Commissioners agreed. Commissioner Dawson moved to recommend to the City Council to name the section of trail that connects Hopalong Cassidy to the Bump and Grind after Mr. Mike Schuler. Commissioner Limont seconded the motion and carried by a 6-0 vote with Alternate Vice Chair Schukart, Vice Chair Munson, Commissioners Babcock and Barnard ABSENT. (Munson on LOA) B. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETINGS Discussion and recommendation on the second Commission meeting of the month. Ms. Steele stated that when she first started with the City, the Commission had just begun meeting twice a month. The Commission could not meet on the first and third Wednesdays because the meeting room was not available on the third Wednesday. She indicated that the room is now available and wanted to bring it to the Commission's attention. Ms. Steele felt it would be easier for everyone to meet on the same day of the week. 3 G:0evSeivicesMonica LoredolWord DatalParks&RBclMinutes12006 Minutes17-5-06.min.doc MINUTES JULY 5, 2006 Chairman Guyer suggested discussing this item when all Commissioners are present for their input. Commissioner Limont noted that she is on a Board that meets on the third Wednesday. Commissioner Dash asked if Wednesday was the only option. Could the Commission meet on the first Tuesday and third Tuesday of the month? Ms. Steele responded that she would check. VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None VIII. REPORTS AND UPDATES A. DESERT SANDS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT (DSUSD) Ms. Steele reported that DSUSD has met with the Commission and City Staff concerning the renovations being done at the Palm Desert Middle School, the Rutledge Strip area, and the potential land swap of these areas. She stated that Ms. Reyes recommended that the City continue to lease the playground area and Oleson field to the City. Ms. Reyes assured Staff that Oleson field and the tot lot would remain available. A joint use agreement is currently being worked on between the City and DSUSD. Commissioner Dawson asked if the DSUSD could notify the neighbors of the construction that is being done. Ms. Steele replied that she would contact DSUSD. Chairman Guyer asked about the picnic tables being relocated closer to the tot lot area. Mr. Niemczak responded that the tables are on a concrete slab and would be difficult to move. He suggested ordering more picnic tables for the tot lot area. At 8:55 a.m., Commissioner Limont announced that she had to leave the meeting. Before leaving Commissioner Limont commented that if the City has not heard back from the Coachella Valley Recreation & Park District (CVRPD), her personal feeling as a group is to recommend to the City Council to continue to move forward with whatever recommendation Staff and the Commission has. She indicated that it has been a month and there has been no response from CVRPD. Chairman Guyer stated that he unintentionally skipped over Oral Communications and asked if anyone had anything to discuss that was not on the agenda. (Please see Oral Communications for comments.) 4 G:IDeVServicesWonica LoredolWad DaialParks&RecWinu1es12006 Minufes17-5-06.min.doc MINUTES JULY 5, 2006 B. COACHELLA VALLEY RECREATION & PARK DISTRICT Ms. Steele communicated that the City has not received a response from CVRPD. Councilman Spiegel commented that Mr. Ford did attend the last City Council meeting and handed out a copy of their master plan. Councilman Spiegel asked Ms. Steele if she had a copy. She replied that she obtained a copy from the District's website. Councilman Spiegel commented that they completed the plan on their own, and that it was not something that he personally was looking forward to. He requested that the Commission receive a copy of the plan. Ms. Steele replied that she would mail the Commission a copy and will request that the CVRPD present the master plan to the Commission. Commissioner Barnes commented that after he read the report dated May 15, 2006, written by Ms. Steele concerning CVRPD, he expressed that there seems to be a very critical situation, and hopes the City is prepared to take over. Councilman Spiegel asked Commissioner Barnes that he first review their master plan and then voice his concerns. He agrees that there are problems, but he does not agree that they are critical since things have been happening for some time now. Councilman Spiegel mentioned that after the Commission's finishes reviewing all the information, they would be able to give a recommendation to the City Council. C. PARKS & RECREATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY Ms. Steele announced that the City should be receiving a final copy of the report on the needs assessment survey this week or the following week. She needs to determine a time to present the information to the City Council and the Commission. Councilman Spiegel suggested having a Study Session in September. Commissioner Dawson suggested sending the final report to the Commission for their review before the meeting. Ms. Steele responded that she would. Chairman Guyer requested that the CVRPD Master Plan and the Needs Assessment Survey final report is sent to the Commission for their review. Commissioner Barnes commented that the agenda has a report showing that 641 surveys were received. He asked if the next report is going to show more surveys received. Ms. Steele apologized for the confusion. The final report would include geo-coding and benchmarking. Councilman Spiegel asked Ms. Steele if she saw any major changes between the two reports. She replied that overall it was very similar. 5 GlDevServicesVWonica LoredolWord DatelParks&RecMinutesL9006 Minutes17-5-06.min.doc MINUTES JULY 5, 2006 Commissioner Dash commented that not very many people know that Palma Village Park exists. He suggested hiring college students to do a count within that community to find out if they are aware of the Palm Village Park. Ms. Steele responded that there is no awareness of the parks, which seems to be evident in the needs assessment survey. She commented that the City calendar for the following year is going to be on City parks. The person that is working on the calendar is also working on a guide showing all City parks. Commissioner Barnes commented that Commissioner Dash has a point. He referred to page 24 of the agenda packet that indicates the percentages that the Palm Desert parks are visited. Councilman Spiegel noted that a lot of people live in gated communities. The Commission briefly discussed the use of neighborhood parks. D. HOMME/ADAMS PROJECTS Mr. Niemczak reported a burned palapa was replaced at Homme/Adams. He mentioned that a sandstone located at the corner of Thrush Road and Calle de los Campesinos was sandblasted, which indicates the trailhead along with a directional arrow. Mr. Niemczak also reported that the spilt rail fence would be installed after the Public Works Department completes their paving project. E. JOE MANN VANDALISM Mr. Niemczak stated that the shade cloth at Joe Mann Park was burned and slashed twice this year. The cost to repair has been $5,000.00 for each occurence. He communicated that he would be contacting the company to ask if they could raise the structure so that kids would not be able to slash the shade. Commissioner Dawson asked if there is an alarm system that could be on the palapas and shade structures. Mr. Niemczak replied he is considering raising the structure or installing motion sensor floodlights. F. PREST VUKSIC ARCHITECTS Mr. Niemczak reported that he is completing the designs with Prest Vuksic Architects for the Legends Fields columns, Date Grove informational sign, and Park Staff work and storage area. Commissioner Barnes asked how many columns are going to be built. Mr. Niemczak replied that there would be four. Commissioner Barnes asked where they would be located. Mr. Niemczak responded that there would be two on each of the entrance in line with the current columns. 6 GlDevServices'Monica LoredolWord DafalParks&RecLMinufes120Q6 Mlnufesl7-5-06.min.doc MINUTES JULY 5, 2006 Chairman Guyer asked Mr. Niemczak to explain the design for the work area. Mr. Niemczak explained the Parks Staff have a work area behind the Community Center that is in very bad shape. He is working on upgrading the area to make it workable. Ms. Steele commented that the area is the Parks Staff office space. The space does not have air conditioning and there are rodents. She wants to give the Parks Staff a computer space area with air conditioning and get rid of the rodents. Councilman Spiegel asked if the project includes the handball courts. Ms. Steele responded that it would not. She indicated that the handball courts are a separate project that will be more detailed and be done at a later time. G. PARK INSPECTIONS Ms. Steele stated that there currently is no sign identifying Palma Village Park. Staff is looking at installing the sandstone slab that is currently at the old Visitors Center on the corner of Monterey and Highway 111 and relocating it to Palma Village. The sandstone belongs to the Art in Public Places Department and Staff is working with them to have it moved. Ms. Steele announced that after a year since the playground in the Civic Center was burned, the City has received a notification that a check was being processed for full reimbursement. She noted that she has talked to the Finance Department to make sure the funds are deposited into the Park Fund. They told her that it would be. Chairman Guyer asked the Commissioners to notify Ms. Steele if they are going to be away for the summer so that the park could be reassigned to someone else. Commissioner Dawson suggested contacting one of the other Commissioners to have the inspection done for that person rather than having Staff go around trying to find someone to do it. IX. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Barnes asked for an update on the aquatic center. Ms. Steele commented that she thought she would have some designs to show to the Commission. She indicated that she was out of town on vacation and she had not seen them since she returned. Ms. Steele mentioned that she could call those on the Committee to come in and look at the designs when she receives them, if they would like. 7 G:IDevServicesWonica LoredolWoni DataVPadcs&ReclMinufes12006 Minutes17-5-06.min.doc MINUTES JULY 5, 2006 Commissioner Barnes commented that he has heard that there is an academy being built at the corner of San Pablo and Magnesia Falls. Councilman Spiegel responded that it is going to be a Public Safety Academy for recruiting fire and police. Commissioner Barnes asked if the academy would affect the parking for the aquatic center. Councilman Spiegel replied that the academy would have additional parking. Commissioner Barnes voiced his concern for parking at the aquatic center. Ms. Steele responded that Staff met with representatives from College of the Desert (COD). She commented that they discussed shared parking agreements by Parkview. Ms. Steele also commented that she has discussed parking with Mark Greenwood, Public Works Department, regarding using parking across the street on Parkview. Councilman Spiegel suggested a representative from COD make a presentation to the Commission showing their plans. Councilman Spiegel noted that the Palm Desert Bowl is on the next City Council agenda. He invited any Commissioners that might be interested in speaking to support the Palm Desert Bowl to be at the meeting. Commissioner Dash mentioned that Janis, Councilman Spiegel, and himself met with Mr. Mays. He stated that he would find out within two weeks if he will be available as the Legends Fields honoree. X. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion by Commissioner Dawson and unanimous vote of the Commission, Chairman Guyer adjourned the meeting at 9:15 a.m. Monica Loredo, Recording Secretary 8 G:IDevServicesWonica LoredolWord Data VParks8ReclMinutes12006 Minutes17-5-06. min. doc