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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPARKS & REC CMSN - 11/06/07 � � CITY OF PALM DESERT �—���� PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION � � TES MINU NOVEMBER 6, 2007 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Guyer convened the meeting at 8:32 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Excused Absence Chairman Randy Guyer Commissioner Julie Munson Vice Chair Terry Schukart (Munson on Leave of Absence) Commissioner Phill Babcock Commissioner Michael Barnard Commissioner Daniel Barnes Commissioner Roger Dash - Commissioner Gerald Dawson Staff Present: Robert Spiegel, Councilmember Janis Steele, Parks & Recreation Services Manager Jay Niemczak, Parks Facilities Manager Monica Loredo, Administrative Secretary III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. MINUTES OF THE MEETING FROM OCTOBER 16, 2007 Minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting of October 16, 2007, were approved as submitted. Motion moved/seconded by Dawson/Schukart and carried by a 7-0 vote with Commissioner Munson ABSENT. (Munson on LOA) IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS�TYeCOUNCIL ACTION• V. PRESENTATIONS - None �PROVED • DENIED �3ECEIVED � ` OTHER �TZI�v ��`iE - ' % l�.�ES: F�r u�an f �.� ���L.�.,�.__ NaEs: ,��o� ��.��:.,,�...��.���...,�,� �S�N�' N cn� �1B�TAIN• ` `�n iTLRIFIED BY: 7 ;�ric�inal on �ile with City Cler_k' s Offi�e PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 6, 2007 VI. NEW BUSINESS A. CANCEL THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING OF JANUARY 1, 2008 Commissioner Dash moved to add the cancellation of the Parks and Recreation Commission January 1, 2008, meeting to the agenda. Vice Chair Schukart seconded the motion and carried by a 7-0 vote with Commissioner Munson ABSENT. (Munson on LOA) Commissioner Dawson moved to cancel the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting of January 1, 2008. Vice Chair Schukart seconded the motion and carried by a 7-0 vote with Commissioner Munson ABSENT. (Munson on LOA) VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None VIII. REPORTS AND UPDATES A. VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION/SCULPTURE DEDICATION Ms. Steele reminded the Commission that the Veterans Day Celebration is scheduled for Sunday, November 11, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. in Freedom Park, and invited them all to the celebration. She noted that she had provided pictures of the artwork in Freedom Park. Councilman Spiegel asked if there have been any problems with graffiti at Freedom Park. Mr. Niemczak responded that for the first time there was graffiti on the tennis courts and some picnic tables. Commissioner Dawson asked if there were still plans to install a rope around the artwork. Ms. Steele replied that Staff is not going to add rope so that it could be interactive, and that they would monitor it. Vice Chair Schukart commented that Staff could give the impression of roping it off by running a small, three-foot ornamental fence on a third of one side and a third on the other side. Councilman Spiegel asked if a camera could be installed. Ms. Steele responded that she is looking at some cameras with Police Chief Frank Taylor. 2 G�DevServicesVvfonica LoretlolWord DatalParks8ReclMinute512007 Minuteslll-607.min.Uoc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 6, 2007 Ms. Steele added that Staff is requesting quotes for some recycling bins because they were not part of the design and they need to look the same as the trash cans. Councilman Spiegel asked if the community gardens are being used. Ms. Steele replied that they are being utilized. B. COMMUNITY PARK PLAYGROUND Ms. Steele reported that the Community Park (on Magnesia Falls} was on the Capital Improvement plan this budget year to be repaired. Staff would soon request proposals for replacement. Mr. Niemczak added that the construction of the school was supposed to be completed during this past summer, and the park was supposed to be completed a year ago. The contractor is still in control of the irrigation, and City Staff is waiting to regain control so the area could be reseeded. Chairman Guyer asked if there is a date when improvements would begin. Mr. Niemczak responded that a request for proposals would be sent out this month, and hopes to start working on the playground in a month or month and a half. Councilman Spiegel commented that they did a really great job on the school, and that the school is now trying to become a charter school. Ms. Steele noted that the playground would be developed to be a completely accessible playground. C. PALM DESERT YOUTH SPORTS Ms. Steele stated that she wanted to inform the Commission of what the Palm Desert Youth Sports Association (PDYSA) is up to and what is forthcoming. She commented that the President of PDYSA is making a major commitment to improve their programs. Chairman Guyer asked Ms. Steele how PDYSA feels about the availability of fields. Ms. Steele responded that they are okay this year, and that the association is working with City Staff to be prepared for next year. Commissioner Dawson asked if the construction dates for the high school are slipping. Ms. Steele indicated that they were supposed to start in the beginning of 2008, but they are now looking at summer of 2008. 3 G:IDevServiceslMonica Loredo�Word Data�Parks6RecUNinutes12007 MinutesV 1-6-07.min.doc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 6, 2007 Councilman Spiegel commented that the high school is going to add portable classrooms on the current baseball fields for approximately two years, and completely demolish the high school with the exception of the gym. Ms. Steele noted that the fields are last, and are scheduled to be completed in 2011. D. HOVLEY SOCCER PARK Mr. Niemczak reported that two years ago the City had started installing Calsense Irrigation System at the parks. The system is a computerized irrigation system. The Civic Center Park, Palma Village Park, and Freedom Park are on the system. He is now in the process of getting the Hovley Soccer Park on the system so that it is more water efficient. He mentioned that there was a little glitch with the lighting system at the soccer park, but that the problem was fixed by Musco Lighting. Vice Chair Schukart asked if Musco is still controlling the lighting from afar. Mr. Niemczak replied yes. Ms. Steele noted that during the glitch with the lighting, park patrol had to manually turn them on and off. Chairman Guyer mentioned that some parents have made comments to him concerning red ants, and asked Mr. Niemczak if he has received any complaints. Mr. Niemczak responded that the County has treated the park three times. Ms. Steele also noted that the County has told her that it takes a period of time before they get rid of all the ants. Mr. Niemczak stated that he would contact the County again. Commissioner Dawson commented that the irrigation system in the parks is a worthy note to be in the press. E. HEALTHY PARKS, HEALTHY COMMUNITIES WORKSHOP Ms. Steele stated that several Staff members attended the workshop in La Quinta. She mentioned that there were a lot of other agencies that attended. Ms. Steele reported that the workshop had a lot of great information, which she included some of the information in the agenda packet. She noted that she included the table of contents, and asked the Commission if they were interested in any of the information or articles to please let her know. 4 GIQevServicesUAonica LoredolWord OatalParks&RecUAinutes12007 Minufes111-6-07.min.dpc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 6, 2007 Chairman Guyer commented that he read there was information on open space ballot measures. He asked how they defined open space. Ms. Steele responded that she would pull that information out from the book and bring it back so that she does not misspeak. She also noted that the Trust for Public Land has more information and resources than she realized, the City may want to contact them for their services in the future. Commissioner Dawson mentioned that he recalls reading a comment that it is recommended that a park is within one mile of each person that lives in town. He asked how the City of Palm Desert is doing in regards to the recommendation. Ms. Steele responded that it is all part of the City's General Plan. The City has some very high park standards. She does not think that the City is meeting everyone's need. She mentioned that Staff could request a study to be done. She noted that trails, schools, and other recreational programs are included. Commissioner Dawson commented that the information would be very useful. Commissioner Barnes stated that he was very impressed with the report. He made a comment that kids today are not doing as many activities as in earlier years. He reminisced that when he was young, they would run home from school and play in the streets or sand lots (vacant lots). Chairman Guyer commented that back then there were not any parks. Commissioner Barnes indicated that they had lots of parks, but that you had to walk there or pay ten cents to get there by subway or bus. Commissioner Barnes communicated that the automobile has gloomed the physical ability of people to do what they have to do to stay in good health. Councilman Spiegel commented that he feels the City has done a good job with the number of parks that the City has and the way they are laid out. Palm Desert has the best schools and parks, which helps the property value. He noted that the only thing that the City does not have is a swimming pool. F. NATIONAL RECREATION & PARK ASSOCIATION CONGRESS Ms. Steele explained that at the previous Commission meeting, it was requested that Staff bring back information on the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Congress. She indicated that she provided some information in the agenda packet. She stated that the congress 5 G:�DevServicesVvfonica LoredolWord Data1F'arks6ReclMinutes12007 Minufesll t-6-07.min.doc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 6, 2007 occurs annually. It has a great trade show, and it provides attendees with the tools, concepts, and resources to be effective and successful in their jobs. She mentioned that she is a member of the NRPA Aquatic Conference Planning Committee, and noted that next year's event is being held in Palm Springs on March 24-28. She also noted that she is chairing the Local Host Committee. The Local Host Committee consists of representatives from Palm Springs, Palm Desert, La Quinta, Indio, Coachella, Coachella Valley Recreation and Park District, YMCA of the Desert, and other Southern California cities. They are working to make the conference very successful for those that are coming into the Coachella Valley, and not only to see Palm Springs, but to see the rest of the valley. She mentioned that they have finalized the arrangements to have a golf tournament at Desert Willow. There is going to be a social at The Living Desert, and tours in different areas. They are also finalizing keynote speakers. She announced that the Commission is welcome to attend some of the sessions, and that she would keep the Commission updated on the conference. Mr. Niemczak stated that at this year's conference he attended classes concerning pool maintenance, design, and equipment. Vice Chair Schukart asked by the time March of 2008 comes around, would there be any type of groundbreaking on the aquatic center that we could show attendees at that time. Ms. Steele responded that she is not sure if they would be anywhere near breaking ground. Commissioner Bames asked if there were any new updates on the aquatic center. Ms. Steele replied that there are no updates. Commissioner Babcock recommended taking attendees on hikes on some of the City's trails. Ms. Steele responded that they have scheduled a hike, and that they are also providing information on trails for their bags in case they want to go on their own. Commissioner Barnes asked if vendors with different types of pool equipment would be at the conference with samples. Ms. Steele replied yes. Commissioner Barnes commented that he would like to make sure that the Commission, City Council, City Manager, and anyone that is going to be involved in the new aquatic center have a chance to see different things that are offered at the conference. s G:1DevServicesUAonica LoiedolWord DatalParksBReclMinufes12007 Minutesi11-6-07.min doc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 6, 2007 Chairman Guyer asked if there were any sessions at the conference concerning funds for maintaining parks when they mature instead of taking it out of the general fund. Ms. Steele responded no, but that it is being discussed. She commented that she recently attended a legislative breakfast and it was mentioned. It was mentioned that there might be grant money that is not focused for building parks, but for maintenance over time. She noted that she did not have enough information to bring back to the Commission yet. She believed that the Trust for Public Land had some ideas as well, and plans on setting up a meeting with them. IX. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Chairman Guyer commented that the flrst meeting of January is scheduled for Tuesday, January 1, and requested a recommendation from the Commission to either change or cancel the meeting. ***Agenda item added to New Business'`*'`(See New Business) Commissioner Barnes commented that the Commission has been discussing a new community center. He asked what the possibility is of tearing down the current community center, and building a new one in the current location. He stated that location is the best place in town. Chairman Guyer responded that it could be done, but it would restrict what type of activities could be programmed into the center due to the size. It was mentioned that the current location would be enough space. Chairman Guyer commented that the community center committee is very involved, and the new community center is going to have a lot of amenities that would not fit in the current location. Ms. Steele announced that the tour of the community centers is scheduled for December 6, 2007. Chairman Guyer mentioned that he recently visited the community center in Anaheim, and noted that the center is very, very small and they have no land to expand. The city has several thousand people. They did not plan very well for the community center. He noted that they only have one ball field and two courts in the gym. Ms. Steele stated that she saw Commissioner Munson last week, and she wanted her to tell everyone on the Commission "hello." Ms. Steele commented that she looked great, and hopes to return to the Commission soon. 7 G:iDevServiceslMonica Loredo�Woid DatalPaiksBReclMinutesl2007 MinutesN 1-6-07.min.doc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 6, 2007 Mr. Rob Ballew, Family YMCA, commented that after the incident occurred where a student drowned at the La Quinta High School, the YMCA contacted the school district to offer free swim lessons to high school students. He mentioned that the YMCA was able to raise funds to offer the lessons. The school district is going to offer their pool during the spring break. He commented that a lot of people donated, but wanted to note that Ms. Steele came up to him and commented that she does not have the money to donate, but offered to volunteer her time to teach swimming for that week. He thought that was really neat. During spring break, there would be several hundred kids learning how to swim. Mr. Van Tanner, Planning Commissioner, commented it costs $6.00/per child, if anyone is interested in making a donation. X. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion by Vice Chair Schukart, seconded by Commissioner Dawson, the meeting was adjourned at 9:20 a.m. Monica Loredo, Recording Secretary 8 G�DevServicesVvfonica LoredolWord Data�ParksBReclMinutesl2007 MinuresN 1-6-07.min.doc