The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutMinutes Parks & Recreationn Commission 06-05-07 , I �y ;��w � � � r � 1 � � � � � ; � , . s CITY OF PALM DESERT ; � � , ; ;� ; � ; ' + ; � � �� PARKS 8 RECREATION COMMISSIO ' j � �i i , �v Wa� ! � � , :.�. MINUTES � � � �: Y, zx �' � { ' �� JUNE 5, 2007 „ A fl 1;'' ��, � I !� ;�; � �� o � �; � ,r�; 3 H , , i � Q � � ' � JI�^ ' � � I. CALL TO ORDER a I •�' �' a � r�{'1i: ' U u,l I E;' 4 C' d� C�A C Chair Randy Guyer convened the meeting at 8:32 a.m. � A Q� !�; p� � , � r, o w z� �c? 2 t�z w � II. ROLL CALL � o H �� •• •°`� a � � �+ tY. t74 I f-i c� rh W E� � �. E-+ a �U a+ Cac�, cM � W �� Present: Excused Absenc� � �- � � , � � Chair Randy Guyer Commissioner Julie Munson Commissioner Phill Babcock (Munson on Leave of Absence) Commissioner Michael Bamard Commissioner Gerald Dawson Absent Commissioner David Garcia Commissioner Daniel Barnes Commissioner Roger Dash Staff Present: Vice Chair Terry Schukart Robert Spiegel, Councilmember Janis Steele, Parks 8� Recreation Services Manager Jay Niemczak, Parks Maintenance Supervisor Monica Loredo, Administrative Secretary III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. MINUTES OF THE MEETING FROM MAY 1, 2007, AND MINUTES OF THE MEETING FROM MAY 15, 2007 Minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting from May 1, 2007, were approved as submitted. Motion moved/seconded by Dawson/Babcock and carried by a 5-0 vote with Vice Chair Schukart and Commissioners Barnes, Dash, and Munson ABSENT. (Munson on LOA) Minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting from May 15, 2007, were approved as submitted. Motion moved/seconded by DawsoNBabcock and carried by a 5-0 vobe with Vice Chair Schukart and Commissioners Barnes, Dash, and Munson ABSENT. (Munson on LOA) 1 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES JUNE 5, 2007 IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Chair Guyer introduced Ms. Donna Lewis. She has completed an application to be an alternate on the Parks and Recreation Commission. He asked Ms. Lewis if she would like to say anything about herself. She preferred not to. Ms. Steele also introduced Ms. Alissa Breindel. She is a student intern that would be helping her during the summer. Commissioner Babcock commented that he attended a concert in the park, which was one of the best concerts he has been to since he has been in the valley. But the acoustics were bad in the center below. He communicated to Ms. Kaufmann from The Desert Sun that his name has two I's. V. PRESENTATIONS - None VI. NEW BUSINESS A. PARKS AND RECREATION MONTH Discussion and recommendation requesting to the City Council to declare July as Parks and Recreation month. Ms. Steele stated that if the Commission supports declaring Parks and Recreation month in July in the City of Palm Desert, she would take it to the City Council for approval. Chair Guyer commented that July is a bad month. He asked Ms. Steele if that could be changed. She responded no because nationally Parks and Recreation month is July. Commissioner Dawson asked if it could be added to the Bright Side newsletter. Ms. Steele replied that she believes so. Commissioner Dawson moved to approach the City Council to designate July as Parks and Recreation month. Commissioner Babcock seconded the motion and carried by a 5-0 vote with Vice Chair Schukart and Commissioners Barnes, Dash, and Munson ABSENT. (Munson on LOA) VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None VIII. REPORTS AND UPDATES 2 G.1DevServices�Monica LoredoVWord DataVParksBReclMinutes12007 Minutes16-5-07 min dce PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES JUNE 5, 2007 A. PARK MAINTENANCE CONTRACT Ms. Steele reported that Staff requested bids for the parks maintenance contract. They received seven bids with the lowest bid being non- responsive. Staff went with the second lowest bidder, Greenscape Landscape Inc. The City Council approved the contract at the May 24, 2007, City Council meeting and the contractor is ready to start on July 1. Chair Guyer asked if the contract is an annual contract. Ms. Steele responded that the contract is for one year with the option to renew. Chair Guyer asked if the contractor is different from this year. Ms. Steefe replied that it is a different contractor. He noted that he has heard many comments concerning the Soccer Park. There has been a huge difference on the maintenance between this year and last year. Commissioner Dawson commended Staff for not automatically taking the lowest bid and for finding the contractor that could really do the job. B. PLAYGROUND SAFETY AUDIT Mr. Niemczak reported that in February 2007, the City contracted Safety Play Inc. to perform a playground safety audit. They completed the audit that consisted of every aspect of safety requirements and ADA accessibility. Staff received approximately ten pages of recommendations for each playground with good and bad points. He noted that Staff is going to summarize the report and bring it back to the Commission. Chair Guyer commented that he thought the playgrounds were already up to ADA standards. Mr. Niemczak responded that the playgrounds are installed to current standards but they change every year. Ms. Steele added that Staff recently attended an ADA Accessibility seminar, and there are many changes being proposed for 2008. Mr. Niemczak commented that he was certified a year ago, and he is already outdated. Chair Guyer indicated that he would like to see the report. Mr. Croy clarified that ADA changes are normal and are always changing. Chair Guyer asked when the report would be ready. Mr. Niemczak replied that it would be ready by the next meeting. He added that the audit is recommended every five years. 3 G.IDevServiceslMonica LoredolWord DatalParks6ReclMinutes12007 Minufesl6-�07 min.doc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES JUNE 5, 2007 Councilman Spiegel ventured to say that the City of Palm Desert is more in compliance than other cities in the valley. Ms. Steele mentioned that Mr. Niemczak is certified for playground inspection, and they are sending two park maintenance workers to the playground training and certification at the end of June. The remaining two Staff Members will go in September. Commissioner Babcock asked for an update on the kiosks for the date grove. Mr. Niemczak responded that he would have a preliminary drawing at the next Parks and Recreation meeting. C. PARK UPGRADES Chair Guyer asked the Commission if they had any questions or comments on the park upgrades. Chair Guyer asked Staff if they have received any comments from citizens due to a portion of the dog park being closed. Ms. Steele replied that people are happy when it is being re-sod since it means that they will have a grassy area. Chair Guyer asked where the trees at the Soccer Park were planted. Mr. Niemczak responded that trees were added to work in with the disc golf course. In addition, trees were planted in between the fields to provide more spectators a little more shading. Commissioner Barnard asked if all items were planned and budgeted. Ms. Steele responded yes. D. FREEDOM PARK GRAND OPENING Ms. Steele commented that she hopes all the Commissioners could make it to the grand opening. She indicated that the event will begin at 9:00 a.m. and went through the program and the events being held throughout the park. Chair Guyer asked if the radio station would be at the event. She replied yes. Chair Guyer asked if there would be parking available at the school and the park. She responded yes. Councilman Spiegel commented that Portola Avenue would be closed and suggested to use an alternate route. 4 G IDevServiceslMonica LoredolWord DatalParksdReclM�nutes12007 Minufes16-5-07 mm doc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES JUNE 5, 2007 Commissioner Barnard asked when the grass would come up in the baseball fields. Ms. Steele responded that the fields should be ready be played on by fall. Commissioner Babcock asked if the grand opening is going to be in the newspaper. Ms. Steele responded that K Kauffman is going to meet with Staff at Freedom Park. Commissioner Barnard commented that it has been amazing how much has changed in the past three weeks. Chair Guyer asked how many parking spaces there are between the school and the park. Ms. Steele replied approximately 500. IX. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Babcock commented that he is going to absent for the next meeting. It was mentioned that there would only be one meeting in July and August. Chair Guyer asked if there is a new park inspection schedule. Ms. Steele responded that she would have a new schedule at the next meeting. X. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion by Commissioner Barnard, seconded by Commissioner Dawson, and unanimous vote of the Commission, Chair Guyer adjourned the meeting at 8:50 a.m. Monica Loredo, Recording Secretary 5 G.IDevSernceslMonica LoiedolWord DatalParks&ReclMinutes12007 Minutesl6-rr07.min doc