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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Parks & Recreation Commission 10-16-2007 CITY OF PALM DESERT ����� PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION � � MINUTES OCTOBER 16, 2007 I. CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Schukart convened the meeting at 8:30 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Excused Absence Chairman Randy Guyer (8:32��.�ry) �pU�q�rr��i��r;Julie Munson Vice Chair Terry Schukart APPROVED�,M�msnn nn Lg���,�Pnr��� Commissioner Phill Babcock �CEIVED T F�_,._._ OTHER . Commissioner Michael Barn Commissioner Daniel Barnes ETI G DATE - � AYES: Commissioner Roger Dash NOES: Commissioner Gerald Dawso�gSENT: ABSTAIN: � Staff Present: JERIFIED BY: Robert Spiegel, Councilmemb�riginal on Fil.e wit City Clerk' s OffirE Janis Steele, Parks & Recreation Services Manager Jay Niemczak, Parks Facilities Manager Monica Loredo, Administrative Secretary II1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. MINUTES OF THE MEETING FROM SEPTEMBER 18, 2007 Minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting of September 18, 2007, were approved as submitted. Motion moved/seconded by Dawson/Barnard and carried by a 6-0 vote with Chairman Guyer and Commissioner Munson ABSENT. (Munson on LOA) IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Stan Fard, Coachella Valley Recreation and Park District (CVRPD), introduced Mr. Chris Adams, Executive Director for First Tee. 1 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 16, 2007 Mr. Adams thanked the Commission for their time. He stated that he has been in the Coachella Valley for seven years. His previous position was head golf professional for Stone Eagle Golf Club. Mr. Adams also stated that they have moved into the Golf Center at Cook Street, and is looking forward to get the program up and running. Commissioner Dawson welcomed Mr. Adams. Mr. Ford circulated a picture of a van for First Tee that was purchased with donations from their foundation. Mr. Kevin Kalman, CVRPD, communicated that Councilman Spiegel had asked why the name for the Senior Games was changed to the Palm Desert International Sports Festival. He explained that they wanted to attract a younger group to the event. They also wanted to be more in line with the Huntsman World Games, which is in St. George, Utah, and has about 10,000 participants a year. The International Sports Festival has had a little less than 1,000 participants, which increased 30% last year and hopes that it will continue to grow. Mr. Kalman explained that at the state association level, they wanted to move away from using senior as well as Olympics. In addition, Olympics is a trademark, and the event did not fall under the Olympics category. He noted that the state and national organization are encouraging to broaden the participation at the local games to include all master's ages, which starts at the age of 35 for track and field. Commissioner Dawson asked for the age limit. Mr. Kalman responded that there is no upper age limit. Commissioner Dawson asked if there were a lower age limit. Mr. Kalman replied 50, but may go down to 35 for track and field. Chairman Guyer commented that all sports do have competitions between the ages of 35 and 40 ranges. He commented that it is actually pretty big group, and has not been filtered out due to injuries. Mr. Kalman also addressed the subject of contract instructors that they use district-wide, more specifically in the Palm Desert Community Center. He indicated that in the past three years, CVRPD has been pushing to get all of their contract instruction geared to be in programs that the district selects, and programs the communities want. The reasoning is in an effort to broaden the variety of programs that the district is offering and to have more control and more affordable numbers for the participants. What it means for Palm Desert, they have transitioned all groups with the 2 G.�DevServ�cesNAONca Lo�etlo�WoM Data WarksBRecWbnutes�2007 Mmutesi�0�f 607.mm doc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 16, 2007 exception of Jazzercise. He stated that the district would be asking the Jazzercise group to play by the same rules as all the other instructors are playing by, which means all the registrations would go through CVRPD. This would allow for other activities to take place in the center. He noted that he wanted the make the Commission aware of this change because the girls from Jazzercise are not going to be happy, and complaints may come around. Chairman Guyer asked if Jazzercise is like a franchise situation. Mr. Kalman replied yes. Chairman Guyer asked if they rent the space from the district. Mr. Kalman responded that they have them on a contract, and that they used to have them as tenants. He explained that the group collects their own fees. The district has requested rosters and memberships from them, and that has not been very successful. Councilman Spiegel asked if that was the reason they are pulling them out. Mr. Kalman responded that was one part of it. The other part is that the district would like to offer more of a variety of programs than just Jazzercise at the Palm Desert Center. The district would allow them to have sometime at the center, but it would not dominate all open periods other than the after school program. Councilman Spiegel asked if the YMCA would pick up the Jazzercise program. Mr. Kalman responded that they may, and that the district could ask them. Commissioner Babcock requested that all the information that was given by CVRPD is noted. Chairman Guyer responded that it would be in the minutes. Commissioner Dawson communicated that The Desert Sun is going to provide a weekly Palm Desert supplement. He mentioned that Ms. Michelle Mitchell, a reporter with The Desert Sun, is present to help get that supplement done. Councilman Spiegel commented that he believes La Quinta has one. Ms. Mitchell stated that La Quinta, Indio, Cathedral City, and Palm Springs have a supplement. Chairman Guyer asked how often the supplement is published. Ms. Mitchell replied it is published weekly on Thursdays. The Palm Desert supplement would be published on Thursday, October 25. 3 G�tDevServ�cesuLtomca Loredo�Wortl DataWarksBRecVN�nufes�2007 Mmutesu67607 m�n doc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 16, 2007 Councilman Spiegel asked if it would be included with the regular newspaper. Ms. Mitchell answered yes. V. PRESENTATIONS - None VI. NEW BUSINESS - None VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None VIII. REPORTS AND UPDATES A. PARK MAINTENANCE CONTRACT Ms. Steele reported that on Friday, September 21, the park maintenance contractor (Greenscape, Inc.) filed bankruptcy, and has walked off the job. The City has not had a contractor since. Staff has been making do by hiring landscape companies to keep up on some of the parks. She stated that it hit at a very critical time during overseeding for the City. Staff was able to get an emergency contract for overseeding put together. The City Manager signed off on the proposal, and the City Council approved it at the October 11, City Council meeting. Ms. Steele stated that for the park maintenance contract, Staff has contacted the next contractors that bid on the job in the beginning. The contractor next in line declined because they had just lost their superintendent, and felt that they did not have the manpower to fulfill the contract. The next lowest responsible bidder was Kirkpatrick Landscape Inc. The contract went to the October 11, City Council meeting and it was approved. The contractor should start no later than November 1, 2007. Commissioner Barnard commented that Kirkpatrick's bid was much higher than Greenscape. He asked if the new contract would fill out the rest of the year. Ms. Steele responded yes. She added that Kirkpatrick's bid was more accurate. She is not sure how the other lower bids came up with their numbers. Ms. Steele stated that Mr. Niemczak had a walk through with all the vendors and told them all not to under bid. Mr. Van Tanner, Planning Commissioner, asked where Greenscape is located. Mr. Niemczak responded that their main office is in Temecula, California, and have a yard in Desert Hot Springs. Commissioner Babcock commented that he took a look at the contract, and mentioned that he has spent the last 25 years working with landscape 4 G�DevServ�cesUNon�ca Loredo�Word DatawaiksBRecN��nutes�2007 Mmures�t6 i607 mm doc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 16, 2007 contractors and gardeners. He stated there are a hundred ways for contractors to cheat. He noted that the City's contract is excellent. Ms. Steele mentioned that the contractor walked off the job when she and Mr. Niemczak were at a conference in Indianapolis. She stated that Mr. Ricardo Torres and Ms. Monica Loredo both took hold and ran to get people to do the work in the parks. She commented that they both should be thanked. B. AQUATIC CENTER UPDATE Ms. Steele commented that the aquatic center was taken to the City Council on September 27. She noted that she was not at the meeting due to the conference in Indianapolis. She informed the Commission that she is working on getting costs together for the City Council on the construction as well as operations on two different pool choices. One for a 25-yard competitive pool with a children's pool that accommodates swim lessons and related recreational activities. The other is for a 50-meter competition size pool with the same accommodations. She would take the costs back to the City Council, and then they would make a recommendation on which direction to go. Commissioner Barnes asked Ms. Steele for the difference between a flume and a slide. Ms. Steele responded that slides you usually go to the top and slide down. Flumes are usually enclosed and shoot down pretty fast. She noted that the term ffume could be used loosely. Chairman Guyer asked Commissioner Barnes why he was asking. Commissioner Bames responded that the City Council made an issue of the slides. He commented that in the past they have commented that slides are ugly and did not want them in the Civic Center Park. He was wondering if after 12 years, slides could be made better looking. He stated that the City Council has given up the lazy river, and he does not think that they should give up slides and flumes. He also stated that they are not allowing themselves any room for error. There is also no room for expansion at College of the Desert (COD). Chairman Guyer expressed to Commissioner Barnes that he agrees, but that it is now behind the Commission. Commissioner Barnes remarked that it is not behind them. He mentioned that he had a meeting with Mr. Ortega, City Manager, on Friday, September 28, the day after the Council meeting. He noted that the only thing he got out of the meeting was that he was going to try to get the City Council to visit the aquatic center in Vista. He hopes that they take a look at it before moving forward on the 5 G�iDevServ�ceslMon�ca LoretloiWonY DafaWa�ksBRecVvlmutes�2007 M�nutesua 1607 mm doc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 16, 2007 pool at COD. He communicated that his other concern is that they need activities for big kids (ages 10-90) and little kids (ages 5-10). The lazy river was taken away, which was an important activity. He indicated that he would make additional comments when they get to the community center tour report. Commissioner Babcock voiced his concern with sharing the pool with COD. He foresees COD wanting more use of the pool, and the City losing their rights to the pool. He asked what protection does the City have. Councilman Spiegel stated that he understands there is a written contract between the City of Palm Desert and COD. He believes the contract is for 50 years. Vice Chair Schukart confirmed that the contract is locked in for 50 years. Commissioner Babcock recommended that the City Attorney review the contract. Ms. Steele responded that the City and Redevelopment attorneys have reviewed the contract. Councilman Spiegel commented that he does not see the relationship between the City and COD deteriorating. Commissioner Barnes noted that based on Scheme 2, the Commission was told that COD would have 2.15 acres. He asked if that was correct. Ms. Steele responded that it is a little more than that. She believes it is a little less than three acres. Chairman Guyer added that part of that is shared parking. Ms. Steele replied that was correct. Commissioner Barnes indicated that the consultant stated that 3.5 acres was needed for a 25-yard pool or Scheme 2. He commented that he was just a little concerned with that. Commissioner Barnes asked for the number of parking spaces designated for the aquatic center. Ms. Steele responded that there would be 50 spaces designated for pool use only, and the rest would be shared with COD. Commissioner Babcock commented that his concern is that the design the Council recommends is not what the people want according to the survey results. Chairman Guyer remarked that the City Council is aware of it. 6 G.1DevSernceslMon�ca Loredo�Word DataWarks&RecuLlmutes�2007 Mmutesit4�607 m�n aoc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 16, 2007 C. COMMUN{TY CENTER TOURS Ms. Steele reported that the tour is down to one day, which is Thursday, December 6. She mentioned that in the next couple of weeks she would collect information on the community centers that are going to provide the best tour and valuable information for the Council and Commission. She noted that the plan is to leave early in the morning around 7:00 a.m. and return by 6:00 p.m. It would be a long day. She would update the Commission with information on which centers they would visit. Commissioner Barnes asked if the tour includes the Commission. Ms. Steele replied yes. Commissioner Barnes asked if any of the community centers that they are going to visit have a pool in them. Ms. Steele responded that Coronado and Santa Clarita do. She noted that the pool is not in the center but adjacent to the center. She stated that she is looking for a couple of others that do. Chairman Guyer commented that he thought the one in Coronado had an existing pool, and built an activity center next to it. Commissioner Barnes asked if it is an indoor pool. Chairman Guyer responded that is an outdoor pool. Commissioner Barnes stated that he would like to see an indoor pool as part of the center. Ms. Steele responded that she would search for one. Commissioner Barnes asked if someone could search the internet for indoor and outdoor pools. He commented that he has not given up on the indoor/outdoor pool concept, and feels that is something that the Commission should still examine. Chairman Guyer asked Commissioner Barnes if he was looking at an indoor/outdoor pool as part of the community center. He replied yes. Ms. Steele stated that they could look into it. Commissioner Barnes commented that Mayor Richard Kelly might remember an indoor/outdoor pool in Dallas. He requested that Staff ask Mayor Kelly if he remembers anything. Ms. Steele interjected that there are a lot of them around the country, but she was directed to look in California. 7 G 1DevServlceslMomca LoredolWord DatalParks&RecN.finutes12007 MmutesV41G07m�n doc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 16, 2007 Councilman Spiegel communicated that the reason for the tour is so that the Council and the Commission are on the same page. He noted that they might not all agree on everything, but everyone would have the ability to give their input. Chairman Guyer commented that the Commission feels like they have to recommend the best possible scenario, and when it is recommended that is the Commission's recommendation. After that, the City Council could run with it however the Council wants to. Councilman Spiegel responded that it has just gotten into such a debacle with the pool, and hopes that does not happen with the community center. Chairman Guyer stated that the Commission would continue bringing forward the best recommendation no matter what the City Council might want. Councilman Spiegel responded that he understands, and just wants everyone to look at it together. D. VETERAN'S DAY CELEBRATION Ms. Steele announced that there would be a Veteran's Day celebration on November 11, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. at Freedom Park. The artwork would be dedicated and turned over to the City. She commented that it would be nice if the Commission could be there. Ms. Steele stated that the artwork has been installed. Staff is trying to figure out ways to secure it. Councilman Spiegel asked if a camera could be placed on it. Ms. Steele responded that it is possible. She indicated that they are looking at the possibility of installing a barrier to keep people from riding their bikes or skateboards across it. Mr. Niemczak added that the art piece is not very sturdy, if kids were to start climbing on it. Staff is working on protecting the piece. Mr. Tanner commented that the art piece would get ruined. Ms. Steele informed the Commission that they are looking at installing small-linked chain extensions that could easily be stepped over. They are hoping that parents would not let the children climb all over the art piece. She reminded the Commission of the art piece at the YMCA was climbed on and it broke. Commissioner Dawson asked if the artist would be at the celebration. Ms Steele believes that they would be there. s G IDevSernceslMoroca Loietlo�Word DatalPaiksBRecVvlmutes'.2007 M�nutes��6 t607.m�n tloc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 16, 2007 E. SUMMER CONCERT SERIES Ms. Steele stated that the Summer Concert Series is going to change seasons. it would begin in June and ending July 4. Councilman Spiegel announced that Ms. Steele is now in charge of the movies and the concerts. Ms. Steele clarified that she would be working with Ms. Scully this year, and then transition for the next fiscal year to take it over. She noted that she was not sure if she could officially make that announcement. Vice Chair Schukart commented that he was glad that it was moved up. When he would take his granddaughter, he could only last a half hour in the heat. Chairman Guyer mentioned that the subject brings up the question of revisiting the amphitheater remodel. Ms. Steele responded that she would schedule a meeting with Commissioners Guyer and Dawson, and Councilmembers Benson and Ferguson. Commissioner Dawson asked if the City Council made a comment on the Commission's recommendation concerning the amphitheater. Ms. Steele responded that the City Council wanted to discuss the design before moving it forward. F. COMMISSIONER TRAINING Ms. Steele announced that there is Commissioner Training in Costa Mesa on Saturday, October 27. She noted that the training is very valuable. California Park and Recreation Society would present the training. She commented that they would learn about their responsibilities and their role, issues on current legislation, key issues facing other people in the country, and it is designed to network with other commissioners or board members. Ms. Steele stated that the registration is fairly cheap. Councilman Spiegel interjected that the City would pick up the cost. She communicated that if anyone is interested in attending to please let Ms. Loredo know no later than Friday, October 19, 2007. She highly recommended the training. Commissioner Babcock inquired how far is Costa Mesa located from the Coachella Valley. Chairman Guyer responded that by car it is approximately 1'/z to 2 hours drive, and by bike all day. Ms. Steele added that is scheduled on a Saturday so traffic should not be too bad. 9 G tiDavServ�cesVYtomca Loietlo�Wortl Data�Paiks8ReclM�nutes�2007 M�nutes�161fr07 m�n tloc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 16, 2007 Councilman Spiegel recommended a carpool, and noted that the City would pay for the mileage. G. BIKE LANE UPDATE Ms. Steele stated that at the last Commission meeting she was directed to bring back more information concerning bike lanes. The Public Works Department told her that it would be premature to bring back any information at this time. The Public Works Department has assured her that they would make a presentation as soon as they have information concerning bike lanes. She noted that she also contacted the Director of Planning to let them know that it would be a good idea for the Bike Club to give a presentation at the Planning Commission since it would deal with the General Plan. Commissioner Barnard commented that he is looking forward to the bike lane report. He mentioned that he started bike riding again after hearing the Bike Club's presentation. He realized that there is only one north-south street that you could ride, which is Cook Street. He noted that you could not ride on Portola, Washington, or Monterey. He stated that the lanes are very inconsistent. He feels it is important that the City looks at the bike lanes. He mentioned that it was said that the bike lanes on Cook Street might be moved to the sidewalks. He stated that when he was riding on Portola Street, he came to Fred Waring and Portofa to go south, and there was a guy on a mountain bike that jumped on the sidewalk and crossed over and almost got hit because the car did not see him because he was coming from the sidewalk. He feels there is another issue with the traffic signals. The signals cannot be triggered on a bike, which creates problems such as not being able to turn left and crossing over traffic. Ms. Steele stated that she would let the Commission know if there is a presentation by the Bike Club at the Planning Commission for more support. Commissioner Dawson mentioned that the issue concerning the signals has come up before. He indicated that someone had found a gadget that triggers the t�affic signal. Mr. Tanner asked Commissioner Babcock if he had one of those gadgets. He responded that he did, but he gave that bike away and the gadget went with it. The Commission asked if the gadget worked. Commissioner Babcock responded that it is difficult for a bike. 10 G�iDevServ�cesV�fomca Lo�edo�Wo�d DafaiPa�ksBRecVN�nufes�2007 M�nufes�,147607 m�n.tloc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 16, 2007 Commissioner Babcock commented that the engineers do not have the knowledge concerning bicycles. H. DISC GOLF TOURNAMENT Ms. Steele announced that there is going to be a disc golf tournament on Saturday, November 17, 2007, at the Paim Desert 9-Hole Executive Golf Course. She noted that they would be installing temporary disk baskets for the tournament. The tournament is for any age group and any skill level. She also announced that there would be some instructional classes starting in the Civic Center Park swamp area. Councilman Spiegel asked how the classes would be advertised. Ms. Steele announced that the CVRPD would be sending out information and would be added to the Bright Side. Councilman Spiegel stated that maybe the newspaper could make announcement. I. LOCATION OF THE NOVEMBER 6, 2007, PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION METTING Ms. Steele stated that there would be no elections being held in the Administrative Conference Room; therefore, the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting would remain at the same location for the first meeting in November. IX. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Dawson commented that Riverside County held a Brown Act training session on September 20, 2007. He stated that he did not see anyone else from the Commission at the session, and complimented the rest of the Commission for not going. The session had more information than was needed. Chairman Guyer requested from Ms. Steele a brief synopsis of the National Recreation and Park Association conference that she just attended. Ms. Steele responded that it would be added to the next agenda. Vice Chair Schukart announced that there would be homecoming activities at College of the Desert on Saturday, October 27, 2007, at 5:00 p.m. in the football stadium. 11 G iDevServ�ceslMon�ca Lo�etlo�Wo�tl DatalPancs&RecUNmutes�2007 MinutesVa7607 mm doc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 16, 2007 Commissioner Barnes asked if COD has had any further discussions with the people from the driving range regarding getting more acreage for the aquatic center. Vice Chair Schukart responded that there is an issue on how far golf balls travel on the range. The range needs a certain minimum amount of distance. It becomes a safety issue between the driving range and the aquatic center. Vice Chair Schukart indicated that there was some discussion on bermming or planting some small trees. Commissioner Barnes asked if there has been any discussion where a new community center would be placed. Ms. Steele replied no. Commissioner Barnes stated that he was still very confused on which areas are available for a community center. It was mentioned that area at Portola was still being negotiated, and a lot also depends where the YMCA would build their facility. Commissioner Barnes asked if the YMCA is giving up their building at the Civic Center Park. Ms. Steele replied no. It was commented that the YMCA had plans of building a huge facility to include a pool. Commissioner Barnes commented that based on the survey, the�e were more people interested in an indoor pool. Ms. Steele stated that in the survey, residents were asked how they would spend $100, and the top three were: 1) taking care of existing facilities, 2) a new aquatic center, and 3) a new community center. She noted that Mayor Richard Kelly was set on serving those three needs. Commissioner Barnes indicated that only 17% of the people that use the Community Center are residents of Palm Desert. He stated that was a good indication of how much the people want this type of facility. Ms. Steele responded that the survey indicated that people want more gym space, indoor walking, and other uses that do not currently exist in the Community Center. Commissioner Barnes stated that he was a little leery on much people would use a new community center since a lot of the residents live in communities that have these type of facilities. He was not convinced that Palm Desert residents would use the facility. It is nice to accommodate other people (from other cities). 12 G 1DevServ�cesVVtoroca Loietlo�Wortl DatalPa�k58Rec1Mmutesi2007 Mmutest147607.m�n doc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 16, 2007 Chairman Guyer communicated to Commissioner Barnes that he could guarantee him that the aquatic center in Vista, California, get people from Escondido, Poway, Del Mar, and other adjoining cities that use the municipal aquatic center. Commissioner Barnes interjected that people from Palm DeserYs neighboring cities would use the City's facilities too. Commissioner Dash asked if there are any resident requirements to use facilities at any of the other cities in the area. Ms. Steele replied yes. She also would highly recommend that if a facility were built in Palm Desert, there be discounted rates set for the residents. Chairman Guyer asked Ms. Steele how Palm Springs handles the rates. She said that she could easily find out. Commissioner Babcock stated that the pool design that the City Council wants is not what the people want according to the survey, which is his concern. Commissioner Barnes stated that there has been a big change in attitude within the City Council. X. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion by Commissioner Dawson, seconded by Vice Chair Schukart, the meeting was adjourned at 9:40 a.m. � (����c� ���� Monica Loredo, Recording Secretary 13 G-iDevServ�cesUAomra loredoiWortl DatalParks8ReclM�nutesti2007 M,nutesti741607 m�n.doc