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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Parks & Recreation Commission 12/19/06 CITY OF PALM DESERT ��•'� PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION � � MINUTES DECEMBER 19, 2006 i. CALL TO ORDER Chair Randy Guyer convened the meeting at 8:32 a.m. II. ROLL CALL � a Present: Excused Absent �= .� Chairman Randy Guyer Vice Chair Julie Munson w Commissioner Babcock (Munson on Leave of A s n ) � Commissioner Michael Barnard �' Commissioner Daniel Barnes Absent x � Commissioner Roger Dash Alt. Vice Chair Terry Sc u � Commissioner Gerald Dawson �� � Commissioner Connor Limont � a � Alternate Commissioner David Garcia F-+ w �+ WH � Staff Present: .. A o o � Robert Spiegel, Council Member o Oo � �� Janis Steele, Parks & Recreation Services Manager H � Jay Niemczak, Parks Maintenance Supervisor � J .� Monica Loredo, Administrative Secretary � � „ w H � H o � � III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - None � A A A c � a .. A � IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS � o H � .. ,, z � w c �+ a M E-� cn rn w E+ s-i q EWU W t�7Wv� v1tZ •� Mr. Steve Royston, Palm Desert Resident (lives across fr�.,�e �r� � � � o Park), voiced his concern with activities in Joe Mann Park. He explained that he has put up with five years of crime coming from the park. His home has been paint balled, donuts done on his front yard, and has had broken beer bottles on his yard. Mr. Royston commented that he has called the Sheriff's Department, but has finally found the right people to talk to (Ms. Steele and Mr. Niemczak). He voiced that people are playing basketball until 11:00 p.m. at night, dogfights are being held at the park, drug users are doing drugs behind the bushes, and that there are not enough lights. He noted that Ms. Steele has been working on some of his concerns. Mr. 1 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES DECEMBER 19, 2006 Royston requested that the Commission consider closing the park at 10:00 p.m. instead of 11:00 p.m. He also noted that there was one day that there were two drunks fighting in the children's playground at 8:00 a.m. He called the Sheriff's Department and they told him to arm himself. Mr. Royston recommended changing the basketball court to a tennis court. He thanked Ms. Steele and Mr. Niemczak for their help. Ms. Steele stated that she has communicated with Lt. Frank Taylor to have additional police presence at Joe Mann Park, and for them to get out of their patrol car and walk around the park. She asked the Commission if they would like to add to the next agenda recommending closing the park at 10:00 p.m. The Commission agreed to vote on adding the item to the present agenda under New Business. *`See New Business. Commissioner Dash asked Ms. Steele if there would be discussion in eliminating the basketball court. She responded that she would not recommend it. Commissioner Barnes commented that there does not seem to be enough law enforcement. Councilman Spiegel responded that the City Council has never denied a request from the Police Department for additional personnel. Since he has been on the City Council, the Police Department . has added personnel every year. Ms. Steele stated that Staff has been communicating with Mr. Royston and Staff has been working with the Police Department for the past month. There has been more police presence and they have been responding. Commissioner Barnes asked if the park could be fenced and Iocked. Ms. Steele responded that it was not recommended since people would still be able to get in, and it would be a little more difficult for the police to enter and monitor. Chairman Guyer asked Ms. Steele to provide a police update for Joe Mann Park. Mr. Stan Ford, Coachella Valley Recreation and Parks District (CVRPD), announced that they would make a presentation to the Commission in January. He gave the Commission a copy of the Pa/m Desert lnternational Sports Festival (Senior Games) brochure. The festival is being held February 8-11, 2007. Mr. Ford wished the Commission Happy Holidays. 2 G:1DevServicesU4lonica Loredo4Word DatalPark58Rec1Minutes12006 Minutes112-19-D6.min.doc PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES DECEMBER 19, 2006 V. PRESENTATIONS A. TRAILS UPDATE — Phil Drell Councilman Spiegel announced that Mr. Drell is retiring after 26 years of service. Mr. Drell reported that the City is finishing one of the best urban trails systems in the United States. The trail builder has completed the connection to the Bump and Grind. He has rebuilt the trail to the cross. Mr. Drell indicated on the map where the builder is currently working. He stated that the trails should be completed this year, if the Fish and Game Department will allow the trail builder to work in a certain section during lambing season. Commissioner Dawson asked Mr. Drell about marking the trails so people know where they are. He responded that each trailhead would have a kiosk with a map, and at each fork in the road there would be a sign that would direct a person north or south and where they are headed. Mr. Drell noted that the only area approved for dogs is the loop from Homme/Adams Park to Foxx Canyon (north of Cahuilla Park). Commissioner Babcock asked Mr. Drell about the private property by the Bump and Grind. Mr. Drell responded that the City of Rancho Mirage is discussing installing a trailhead behind Legacy. Commissioner Limont asked Mr. Drell if the trail developer is working on the trails regularly. He replied that he works almost everyday except for Sunday. Commissioner Limont commented that she was asking because residents in the area have been hearing someone off roading on a motorcycle in the early morning hours. Mr. Drell asked about what time in the morning. Commissioner Limont replied 6:00 a.m. Ms. Steele interjected that it may be 5:30 a.m. Mr. Drell responded that it is possible it is the trail developer in the early morning hours. Commissioner Limont and Ms. Steele requested that Mr. Drell find out if it is the developer, and not someone else off roading. Ms. Steele thanked Mr. Drell for his service to the Parks and Recreation Commission and all that he has done for parks over the years. VI. NEW BUSINESS **ADD TO AGENDA: 3 G:IDevServices4Monica LoredolWorrJ DatalParks8ReclMinutes12006 Minutes112-19-O6.min.doc PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES DECEMBER 19, 2006 Commissioner Dawson moved to add the following item to the agenda. Commissioner Limont seconded the motion and carried by an 8-0 vote with Vice Chair Munson and Alt. Vice Chair Schukart ABSENT. (Munson on LOA) A. HOURS CHANGE FOR JOE MANN PARK Recommendation to change the closing hours for Joe Mann Park. Commissioner Dawson moved to recommend to the City Council to close Joe Mann Park at 10:00 p.m. Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion and carried by an 8-0 vote with Vice Chair Munson and Alt. Vice Chair Schukart ABSENT. (Munson on LOA) VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None VIII. REPORTS AND UPDATES A. COMMUNITY TRAILS ALLIANCE Ms. Steele reported that Mr. Velez would have a presentation for the Parks and Recreation Commission in January. She noted that she included some additional information in the agenda packet. Commissioner Babcock asked if the group would be working on the trail along the railroad tracks with some of the other cities. Ms. Steele responded that they are mainly working on the east valley along the channel and possibly come up through La Quinta. They could also possibly hook up on the north side and make them all connect. B. PALMA VILLAGE PARK ART INSTALLATION Ms. Steele reported that Staff wanted to provide the Commission with pictures (agenda packet) of the new artwork that was installed at Palma Village Park. Commissioner Limont asked if the benches would get very hot. Ms. Steele responded that there is going to be a palapa installed and the benches would be shaded. Ms. Steele added that the artist did mention that the materials used should keep skateboarders off the benches. But she did note that there has been some evidence of skateboarders. Chairman Guyer asked if there is something going to be installed in the middle. Ms. Steele replied that Richard Twedt, Art Manager, is still working with the Art in Public Places Committee for the centerpiece. 4 G:IDevServiceslMonice LoredolWord DatalParksBRecUNinutes12006 MinutesN2-f9-06.min.doc PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES DECEMBER 19, 2006 Commissioner Dawson asked Ms. Steele if she could invite Mr. Twedt to give a presentation on an overview on the whole City and how it all fits in with the parks. She replied that she would and thought it would be a great idea. C. NORTH SIDE PARK UPDATE Commissioner Barnard reported that the subcommittee met on Monday, December 18. He announced that the group came up with a working name, Pa/m Desert Sports Park. They are working on a timeline of when things need to be done in terms of budgeting for design, funding sources, and when roads would be built. He stated the subcommittee would meet again before the January 16, Commission meeting, and would have more information then. The subcommittee is working towards having the design and bid process in fiscal year 2008/09. He mentioned again that they are working with 26 acres. They are looking at having an indoor recreation center, possibly incorporating an ice rink, football fields, baseball fields, disc golf, trails around the perimeter of the park, and fit in the future housing complex. He noted that the subcommittee is taking into account the housing developments going in that area. Councilmam Spiegel announced that Commissioner Barnard is attending his last Commission meeting as a single man. Commissioner Barnard mentioned that he was getting married on Saturday, December 23. Chairman Guyer mentioned that Portola would be a six-lane road. Councilman Spiegel interjected that someday there would be a ramp for the highway. Chairman Guyer referred to a high density, moderate income housing going to be built west of Portola, plus the 10 acres of affordable housing that would be built adjacent to the new park. He asked Mr. Drell if the Planning Department is going to look at that favorably. Ghairman Guyer feels it is a lot of density for one area. Mr. Drell responded that there is a Regional Housing Needs Assessment, which goes into the City's General Plan and it is the City's goal for affordable housing. He stated that the City's assigned number for the next housing element is approximately 2,800 units. Chairman Guyer asked Mr. Drell to define "housing element." He replied that the General Plan is a plan on how the City is going to meet the requirements of the State Housing laws, which are going to house the people that live and work in the community. 5 G:1DevServiceslMonica LoredohWord DatalParks8ReclMinutes12006 MinutesN2-19-O6.min.doc PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES DECEMBER 19, 2006 Mr. Drell stated that there is no inherent impact of high density housing anywhere. Commissioner Babcock asked if there would be neighborhood parks. Mr. Drell reminded the Commission that there is going to be four neighborhood parks in the University Park area, there is another park associated with the Palm Springs Unified School District (PSUSD) future elementary/middle school, and the north park. He added that he does not know if the Commission would want to wait for the efficient process of the school district to proceed to determine when that park would be built. Mr. Drell recommended that they keep an eye on that in the future. Councilman Spiegel interjected that the Commission should know about a problem that PSUSD has, they have no money and they have major problems in their high schools. He noted that right now PSUSD has a problem in Rancho Mirage. The other item that the Commission shoufd know is that there is more affordable housing in Palm Desert per capita than any other city in the Coachella Valley. Mr. Drell commented that Palm Desert has the largest publicly developed and subsidized programs. Commissioner Babcock asked if the people that are going to move into the high-density housing have a park within walking distance. Mr. Drell responded that all of the projects would have internal recreation. The apartments would have swimming pools, basketball courts, and other amenities. Chairman Guyer asked Mr. Drell how could you design a park, if you do not know what is going to go around it. He replied that housing surrounds the park. ry Councilman Spiegel interjected that before the final design of the new park is completed, the Commission will have a good idea of what is going to surround the park. Commissioner Barnes commented that he is opposed to having a new community center in the north side. He asked Mr. Drell if there is any land that the City owns that is more centralized. Mr. Drell replied no. Mr. Drell mentioned that the only property would be off Cook Street, but that piece is owned by CVRPD. Commissioner Barnes asked if there are any new developments for his favorite piece of property on Portola Avenue south of Frank Sinatra next to the golf course. Councilman Spiegel responded nothing yet. 6 G:IDevServiceslMonica LoredolWord DatalParksBReclMinutes12006 Minutes112-19-O6.min.doc PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES DECEMBER 19, 2006 IX. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Ms. Steele thanked Councilman Spiegel for initiating that the parks be dedicated to this year's City calendar. Commissioner Barnes asked when the calendars were mailed out. A couple of Commissioners responded that they received their calendar about two weeks ago. He noted that he did not receive one. Councilman Spiegel replied that they are available from the receptionist. Councilman Spiegel commented that the City Council discussed the Camporee and looks like they would be approving the event. Commissioner Barnard commented that at the January Mayor's Breakfast, the Mayor would be talking about the City's Parks and Recreation survey. Ms. Stee{e added that they Mayor's Breakfast is on January 9, 7:00 a.m. at Desert Willow. She indicated that the consultant would come in for the presentation. Chairman Guyer asked how many people usually attend the Mayor's Breakfast. Commissioner Barnard responded that it is usually over one hundred. Mr. Drell commented that he was at the Soccer Park, and several parents mentioned to him that Palm Desert has one of the best designed and condition of the fields than any other place in southern California. Commissioner Dawson also mentioned that a disc golf user told him that the disc golf course is one of the best around. Commissioner Dawson asked if reservations are needed for the Mayor's Breakfast. Ms. Steele replied yes. Chairman Guyer commented to Mr. Drell that there seems to be a struggle getting people to use Homme/Adams Park for a dog park. Mr. Drell replied that based on the deposits at Homme/Adams Park it is being used, but that the park is still a secret in the City. Commissioner Barnes asked for the status of the third City golf course. Mr. Drell replied that the golf course is tied to the success of signing with a hotel. Alt. Commissioner Garcia asked if there is a new Mr. Phil Drell. Mr. Drell replied no. 7 G:�DevServiceslMonica LoredolWord patalParks&ReclMinufes12006 Minutes112-19•O6.min.doc PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES DECEMBER 19, 2006 Chairman Guyer commented that Mr. Drell always had parks on his mind when planning projects. The Commission thanked Mr. Drell for his work. Ms. Loredo commented that if anyone was interested in attending the Mayor's Breakfast, please let her know. X. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion by Commissioner Barnes, seconded by Commissioner Dawson, and unanimous vote of the Commission, Chairman Guyer adjourned the meeting at 9:49 a.m. , Monica Loredo, Recording Secretary 8 G'IDevServiceslMonica LoredolWortf DatalParksBReclMinufes12006 Minutes112-19-06.min.doc