Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks & Rec Cmsn - 11/18/08 CITY OF PALM DESERT �—�—� PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION � � MINUTES NOVEMBER 18, 2008 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Dawson convened the meeting at 8:30 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Excused Absenc : Chairman Gerald Dawson Commissioner Ki o s e Vice Chair Michael Barnard (Jury Duty) Commissioner Phill Babcock Commissioner Roger Dash Commissioner Randy Guyer � °' Commissioner Deborah Hall x `" � � � Commissioner Julie Munson ��_-,, � � Commissioner Terry Schukart � � � �, � V Staff Present: p `� � Bob Spiegel, Mayor Pro Tem F ' ,_ � Homer Croy, ACM for Development Services Q � � Janis Steele, Parks & Recreation Services Manager a � F � � Jay Niemczak, Parks Facilities Manager v -w o � �; Ryan Stendell, Senior Management Analyst � ° w J � z � � Angelica Chavez, Office Assistant V � ? z �' �- — _ E- � ZQ �. � � W ✓' G:: E- � � , w c�, ':.� Guests: �" ~ w � � oMx �: L Jim Foote, Bureau of Land Management `� g � � d � � a � � Derek Anderson, Bureau of Land Management Michael De Santo, Bureau of Land Management Craig DeWitt, Coachella Valley Recreation & Park District Laura McGalliard, Coachella Valley Recreation & Park District Kevin Kalman, Coachella Valley Recreation & Park District (8:35 a.m.) Van Tanner, Planning Commissioner Gina Tenorio, The Desert Sun 1 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 18, 2008 III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - NONE IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - NONE V. PRESENTATIONS - NONE VI. NEW BUSINESS A. BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT Discussion and recommendation to support an extension of the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Palm Desert and the Bureau of Land Management. Ms. Steele briefed the Commission regarding the agreement with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM.) She indicated that six months ago Mr. Niemczak and she discovered the existence of this agreement, and that the agreement was for the BLM to do some patrolling and supervision of the trails. When this agreement was put together the City did not have an official Parks Department, and thus it was assigned to Ms. Frankie Riddle, Senior Management Analyst at that time. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement was for a period of five years and indicated that the City would provide some landscaping services for the BLM Visitor Center on Highway 74, and BLM would provide some supervision services on the City trails. Part of the agreement between the US Fish and Game, BLM, and the City stated that when the trails were built the City would provide supervision on the trails. This MOU was funded for three of the five years and ends on December 31, 2008, even though the MOU is for five years and lasts until December 31, 2010. Ms. Frankie Riddle contacted staff and inquired whether they would be interested in continuing the services provided by the BLM. Staff met with City representatives, Lt. Frank Taylor, Ms. Sheila Gilligan, and Ms. Frankie Riddle from the Community Services Department. They discussed the agreement and its extension. It was agreed that Parks and Recreation would oversee the agreement since this department manages the City trails. Staff felt that it was time to update the MOU as well because a lot of the trails were not built when the agreement was first created. Staff reviewed the agreement with BLM representatives, and the resulting draft MOU is being presented to the Commission. 2 G:IDevServiceslMonira LoredolWord DatalParks&ReclMinutes12008 Minuteslll-18-08.min.doc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 18, 2008 Staff is waiting for comments from the new police Chief, Lt. Andrew Shouse, and would like to request the Commission's approval to present this recommendation to City Council. Ms. Steele introduced the representatives from the BLM to the Commission. Mr. Jim Foote, BLM, greeted the Commission. He indicated that he is the Manager of the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. He circulated brochures with information about the monument and indicated that for the past few years the BLM has had an agreement with the City to provide support to the National Monument Visitor Center on Highway 74. These services include landscaping, staffing, and other operational needs of the center. The agreement funds in part a law enforcement division that works in the City within the National Monument. Mr. Foote added that with the implementation of the trails plan under the Multiple Species Plan, there will be new rules and regulations that will need to be enforced. Mr. Foote indicated that the BLM does not only provide law enforcement, but more importantly, they provide education to the public. Mr. Foote pointed out that rangers are a good contact for the public when they come to the trails. The rangers are a liaison between the federal agency that technically manages the monument and the user. Hopefully this is a very positive relationship, but there are those who do get out of line and officers have the ability to cite them and enforce City ordinances. Mr. Foote introduced Chief Area Ranger, Officer Derek Anderson. He is in charge of the law enforcement rangers in the Palm Springs area. Mr. Foote indicated that for quite a while they have been without a specific National Monument law enforcement ranger, but Officer Michael De Santo came on board recently, and is now the primary law enforcement contact within the national monument and the City of Palm Desert. Officer De Santo will be providing some educational background to the public as the BLM does. Mr. Foote invited Officers Anderson and De Santo to share with the Commission details about their duties. Ms. Steele added that in addition to conducting patrol, this agreement identifies monthly meetings to discuss issues pertaining to trails and discuss what problems are being encountered on the trails. She indicated that the City is responsible for maintenance to the trails in the City, but 3 G:IDevServiceslMonica LoredolWo�d DatalParks&ReclMinutes12008 Minutes111-18-08.min.doc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 18, 2008 Staff cannot be present up there at all times and does not always hear about the problems that hikers are encountering. The information gathered at these scheduled meetings would assist Staff in planning what needs to be done such as upgrades to the trails, signage, etc. Besides that, having a law enforcement presence may assist in preventing some of the vandalism that has been experienced on the trails. Officer Derek Anderson, BLM, indicated that he oversees law enforcement within the counties of Los Angeles, Blythe, Riverside and San Diego. He noted that he covers a big territory and may not be the best source of information for the Palm Desert trails, but Officer De Santos will be present in Palm Desert. He offered his business card and invited calls anytime there are issues that need to be confronted. Officer Anderson explained that the Bureau of Land Management law enforcement is a little different from regular law enforcement like the sheriff's or Palm Desert police. He mentioned that most rangers, Officer De Santos for example, work for BLM all over the country in various parks, and can wear a lot of hats in addition to law enforcement. They are most like slave labor for the National Park Service, as they build and maintain trails as well as performing other duties. Rangers can hike and bike on the trails, whereas the sheriff and police officers are tied down to the radio and confined to keeping things safe and secure within city limits. Rangers can also stay at the trail heads and educate the users about regulations. Officer Anderson noted that the goal for Officer De Santos is to spend at least 50% of his work time in Palm Desert within the national monument. He feels that Officer De Santos will be a good fit for Palm Desert. Officer Anderson invited questions from the Commission. Commissioner Hall asked what type of law enforcement agents they are. Officer Anderson explained that they are federal law enforcement officers. They have a memorandum of understanding with the sheriff's office which grants them the authority to enforce state law within federal property and all land adjacent to it. Thus, the authority as federal agents allows them to charge under federal and state law. Vice Chair Barnard asked how many rangers are under Officer Anderson's direction within the territory he manages. Officer Anderson answered that there are eleven law enforcement agents including himself. The good thing is that the majority of the rangers are stationed within the Coachella 4 G:IDevServiceslMonica LoredolWord DatalParks&ReclMinutes12008 Minuteslll-18-08.min.doc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 18, 2008 Valley, which allows them to split the valley for coverage and have a coverage overlap. At any given time there is the potential for having two or three rangers in an area and if there are problems such as vandalism, parties, etc. they can pull all their resources and have eleven rangers addressing the problem. Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel asked if they would call local police also. Officer Anderson replied that they would. He noted that they have an excellent relationship with the local police, and that he worked with Lt. Shouse previously. He noted that they try to work jointly with local law enforcement when possible. Commissioner Babcock commented that he has been on the trails with his dogs and has noticed a lot of dogs. He asked if there is still a concern about the bighorn sheep. Officer Anderson deferred the answer to Mr. Foote, as the National Monument Manager. Mr. Foote answered that the dog issue has been, and continues to be very contentious. He indicated that they have a conservation plan that has been issued by the Fish and Wildlife Service. Now it is time for the implementation of this plan that includes the trails plan which also addresses dogs and the bighorn habitat. This was a nine-year effort, and over the course of these years a number of issues regarding trails have been addressed. One of the big issues has been dogs. It is the perception of the wildlife agencies that dogs, when viewed by bighorn sheep, are considered predators. They look like coyotes, and the sheep cannot tell the difference between dogs and coyotes. The sheep will try to escape those areas and if there is repeated dog use, the sheep will abandon that particular habitat for good. So dogs are a huge issue. Generally under the trails plan there will be no dogs allowed in any of the mountains areas. The exception is the loop between Homme/Adams Park and Cahuilla Hills Park. The City ordinance specifies that in Cahuilla Hills Park the dog must be within voice control within 50 feet of the owner. Once one gets further up the trail on that loop off City limits and in BLM land, the dogs have to be on a leash. Mr. Foote agreed that the signage needs to be improved and as the BLM works through the Trails Management Subcommittee, BLM will be addressing implementation actions including better signage and how to educate the public about rules and restrictions. Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel asked if Mr. Foote oversees the staffing of the National Monument Visitor Center and if there are any problems. Mr. 5 G_IDevServiceslMonica Lo�edolWord DatalPa�ks&ReclMinutes12008 Minuteslll-18-08.min.doc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 18, 2008 Foote answered yes. He indicated that several years ago the Center used to have three full-time federal employees. Currently there is a full-time and a part-time federal employee. Mr. Foote added that they are trying to engage the Friends of the Desert Mountains to step up and provide more support and coverage for the Visitor Center. They are doing a good job, but occasionally if one of the employees gets sick, no one can cover and the center stays closed. This is very rare and does not happen more than a few times a year. Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel asked if they need more volunteers. Mr. Foote answered that more volunteers would be welcome. He encouraged anyone that is interested to work through the Friends of the Desert Mountains. Commissioner Babcock asked if the Homme/Adams Park is under the jurisdiction of the BLM or the City. Mr. Foote answered that it is under the City's jurisdiction. Commissioner Babcock commented that there a lot of dogs running there in the morning. Mr. Foote replied that it is allowed under the City's ordinance as long as they are under voice control. Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel suggested that volunteerism for the National Monument Visitor Center could be promoted through the Bright Side, the City's newsletter. Commissioner Guyer asked if the Visitor Center is the contact point between the user and the BLM other than the actual trails. Mr. Foote answered yes. Commissioner Guyer asked what other places are available for users to contact the BLM in the valley. Mr. Foote indicated that currently the BLM offices are located on Indian Avenue by the I-10 in Palm Springs, but by the end of the year they will relocate next to the FedEx building by the airport. Mr. Foote recommended their website also, which contains information about the trails and general trail information. He added that they are working with The Desert Sun on an interactive website where the public can get additional trail information. Ms. Steele pointed out that on the City's website there are links to these websites as well. Commissioner Guyer summarized that a trail user could have contact with BLM on the trails or at the Visitor Center. Mr. Foote agreed. He noted that the BLM has jurisdiction on the trails across the valley. This makes management of the trails a challenge because there are various cities, state, and federal lands and guidelines. 6 G:IDevSeiviceslMonica LoredolWord DatalParks&ReclMinutes12008 Minuteslll-18-08.min.doc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 18, 2008 Commissioner Guyer noted that this fact makes it a challenge for the trail user as well, because they may not know what rules and regulations apply to each area, such as what they are allowed to do and where are they allowed to go. Mr. Foote clarified that this is the challenge for the Trails Management Subcommittee, to address how they will implement a consistent operation. Users should not be concerned with the jurisdictional aspect of the trails. The rules need to be communicated, however, and the beauty of working through the Trails Subcommittee under the Habitat Conservation Plan is that there is consistent management for trails located on City, state, and federal land. Thus people will get information at the trailhead and once they start on their hike. Ms. Steele added that the City provides information on the kiosks at the trailheads. This information indicates where dogs are allowed and the importance of wild life and the bighorn sheep. This is part of City's effort to educate and disseminate information to the public. Mr. Homer Croy, Assistant City Manager for Development Services, asked if the BLM trails and programs information is available in all the cities in the valley. Mr. Foote answered that it is a challenge to integrate the information in cities' websites, visitor centers, and to be proactive in promoting the National Monument. Mr. Foote continued that the latest battle is trying to work with the Convention and Visitors Authority (CVA) to get listed on their website without having to join as a member. He looks at the National Monument as a huge amenity for the valley in terms of tourism as it attracts visitors to hotels, restaurants, etc. Everyone benefits from visitors knowing about the monument, yet he is encountering such a challenge of having to pay money if he wants to have their information listed. Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel asked Mr. Foote who he has talked to at the CVA. Mr. Foote indicated that he just recently talked to Mr. Terry Henderson and Mr. Rob Bernheimer. Commissioner Hall asked if the BLM has any information at the Palm Desert Visitor Center. Mr. Foote answered that he believes there is information available, and that the interesting thing about visitor centers is that their focus is on getting people to hotels and golf courses. Mr. Foote added that he has distributed the monument brochures and a new trail map that is for sale that is owned by the Friends of the Desert Mountains. This map is available at map stores, Barnes and Noble, and Borders. � G:IDevServiceslMonica LoredolWord DatalParks&ReclMinutes12008 Minuteslf 1-1B-OS.min.doc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 18, 2008 Commissioner Guyer asked about the length of the extension of the MOU. Ms. Steele answered that staff is looking at extending the MOU to the end of the five years with the amendments and with funding. She indicated that the funding in the past three years was $55,000.00 annually which is minimal considering the type of service that the BLM provides. Ms. Steele added that staff will have to go to City Council for funding for the ne� fiscal year. Currently the Parks and Recreation Division budget has funding that with Council's approval can be allocated to cover this service. Ms. Steele noted that the City has to have staff on the trails, and given the level of expertise and skill provided by the BLM staff, the cost of this agreement is peanuts. She added that she was happy to see that Mr. Anderson has some experience working with Lt. Shouse. It seems that they have a very good working relationship which is very important. Mr. Foote introduced Officer Michael De Santo to the Commission. Officer De Santo explained that he spends the majority of his time on the mountains off Highway 74. As the weather is getting cooler, the trails are being used more, especially in the morning. He indicated that currently the big focus is addressing the off-leash dogs, and where they can go. Officer De Santo added that he came to the desert in July, and is trying to be on the trails a lot more. Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel asked if he interacts with the Big Horn Institute. Officer De Santos answered yes. Commissioner Guyer inquired if he has had any major problems. Officer De Santos indicated that right now the big concern is the dogs on the trails. He noted that he has received mixed reactions when he is at the trailheads. Some people prefer to have their dogs off leash while others who do not have dogs would rather have them on a leash. Rangers face a tricky situation because the issue of voice command is viewed by some as 10 feet and by others as 100 feet. Ms. Steele noted that Lt. Shouse wants to have Officer De Santo present at briefings with them, so that they will get to know the people in the police department. Officer De Santo indicated that because they carry radios they are able to communicate with the police department directly. Vice Chair Barnard asked if they were issues with safety. He mentioned the incidents on the La Quinta Cove trails. He asked if this was an issue on the Palm Desert trails. s G:IDevServiceslMonica LoredolWord DatalParks&ReclMinutes12008 Minuteslll-18-08.min.doc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 18, 2008 Officer Anderson replied that they are in contact with the sheriff's department. He pointed out that the ranger staff as a whole is fairly new to the area, and one of his goals is to establish a good working relationship with local law enforcement. He noted that he will have the rangers go through various local trainings. He added that they get calls from the sheriff's department from time to time, when it relates to incidents occurring on federal land. Officer Anderson noted that the goal is to be fully integrated with law enforcement agencies in the valley so that they can share information. He explained a couple of instances where BLM rangers worked with the sheriff's department in minor incidents. Chairman Dawson thanked Mr. Foote, Officer Anderson and Officer De Santo for the work they are doing, and for being at the meeting. Commissioner Schukart moved to support the extension of the MOU with the BLM with oversight and funding by the Parks and Recreation Division of the City. Commissioner Hall seconded the motion, and carried by an 8-0 vote with Commissioner Housken ABSENT. (Housken on Jury Duty) VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - NONE VIII. REPORTS AND UPDATES A. ADA ACCESS TO DOG PARKS Mr. Niemczak informed the Commission that the Civic Center dog park is usually closed for reseeding every year in October. This year an individual in a wheelchair who uses the Civic Center dog park went to the Freedom Park Dog Park. She informed Staff that she could not access it because there was no sidewalk inside the park. Therefore, sidewalks were installed in the dog parks at Joe Mann Park and at Freedom Park. Sidewalks will also be installed at the University Park dog park. Mr. Niemczak indicated that Staff is working to ensure compliance with ADA access, and that citizens are being listened to when they indicate the need for access to the parks or certain areas in the parks. Chairman Dawson was appreciative of Staff's efforts, and mentioned that this item is worthy of inention in the newspaper. 9 G:IDevServiceslMonica LoredolWord DatalParks&ReclMinutes12008 Minuteslll-18-08.min.doc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 18, 2008 B. CVRPD GENERAL MANAGER UPDATE Ms. Steele explained that this was an informational item for the Commission's review, and that Mr. DeWitt will be relocating his office to the Indio Community Center. Chairman Dawson asked Mr. DeWitt if he is still involved with the Palm Desert Community Center. Mr. DeWitt answered that he is. Chairman Dawson asked if there were any further questions with the report. There were no additional questions. C. THE CALIFORNIA PARK PLANNER Ms. Steele indicated that she received this information recently, and thought this would be valuable information that the Commission could have that includes trends in parks and recreation. She added that the report includes websites and links that can be visited as well. Staff could follow up at the Commission's recommendation on items that might not be currently done in the City. This informational piece contains a lot of information about trends in parks and recreation in the country. Chairman Dawson invited comments from the Commissioners regarding the information contained in the report. Commissioner Guyer found it interesting that there has not been any increase in attendance at the National Parks. Chairman Dawson asked if everyone understood the per capita attendance. He assumed that the local per capita attendance is going up. Ms. Steele answered at this point Staff is not tracking numbers, but this is an item that will be looked at in the future. Commissioner Hall thought that the national parks attendance might be an average, and noted that the attendance at the Joshua Tree National Park attendance has gone up, while the attendance in other parks went down. Commissioner Guyer wondered if the increase in admission fees has influenced these numbers. Commissioner Schukart agreed that because fees have been increased, it will have an impact on attendance. 10 G:IDevServiceslMonica LoredolWord DatalParks&ReclMinutes12008 Minuteslll-18-08.min.doc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 18, 2008 Commissioner Hall thought that capacity is another issue. Commissioner Schukart added that some parks like the Grand Canyon have some access restrictions also. Chairman Dawson asked Staff to be sure to include this report every time it is available. D. NEWS ARTICLES Chairman Dawson asked if there were any comments pertaining to the news articles. He asked if the Commissioners would like to continue receiving these articles. The Commission found this information useful and would like to continue receiving them. IX. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Babcock informed the Commission that he has attended some meetings regarding the trails and road along the wash, and at the next meeting they will have a speaker who will talk about what is coming up. He has tried to get the right information to share with the Commission, and found out that a new map will be coming out with information about the progress on the Whitewater wash, where they are, and what are they doing. He indicated that there are a lot of organizations involved and working together. Based on a discussion he had with a couple of people in that group, things are looking good. Chairman Dawson thanked Commissioner Babcock for attending those meetings and keeping the Commission updated. Commissioner Guyer had some questions regarding a couple of cities in the valley that are starting to use Redevelopment funds to purchase back parks so that they can be maintained. Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel clarified that they are giving the money to the city to be put in the general fund. This is a way to move money around; if the city is running a deficit in a year and they do not have a surplus budget, the city will sell to the Redevelopment Agency a park, a library or whatever. Then the Redevelopment Agency will give the money to the city. Commissioner Guyer asked if these funds would need to be paid back. Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel answered that they would not have to be repaid. 11 G:IDevServiceslMonica LoredolWord DatalParks&ReclMinutes12008 Minuteslll-18-08.min.doc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 18, 2008 Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel added that this is going to be a tough year, and some cities do not have the luxury of money that is set aside like Palm Desert does. He continued that this year the way business is going, the City will not make its budget and will have to dip into the reserves, but that is precisely what it is for. Commissioner Munson mentioned that the Veteran's Day Celebration was great, and to pass that to Pat Scully who did a great job. Chairman Dawson liked the multiple fly-overs. Commissioner Hall congratulated Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel on his re- election to the City Council. Ms. Steele indicated that a study session for the Community/Aquatic Center is scheduled for Thursday, December 11, 2008, at 2:00 p.m. in the Administrative Conference Room (ACR). Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel added that this will be a joint study session with the City Council and the Parks and Recreation Commission. Chairman Dawson recommended that the Commission read the bylaws which were provided so that these can be discussed at the next meeting. He added that the park inspections are due to Mr. Niemczak when completed. Commissioner Babcock commented that the Veteran's Day celebration was a nice event. There was a nice turn out, the music was good and it was well done. Chairman Dawson asked Staff to prepare for the Commission a two-page outline that indicates the history of the deliberations of the Commission on the Community/Aquatic Center. He would like a brief statement that indicates the initial recommendation from the Commission to City Council and what their response was. In addition, he requested what was taken to Council the second time, and what their recommendation was. This will allow everyone to have the timing of the past recommendations and deliberations before the joint meeting on December 11. Mayor Pro Tem Spiegel suggested including the reasons why the Commission made the recommendations initially. Chairman Dawson requested to have this summarized to two pages, so that the information clearly identifies the timing, as well as information on why, when, where, and what might get everyone up to speed for the joint 12 G:IDevSeivicesWlonica LoredolWord DatalParks&ReclMinutes12008 Minutes111-18-08.min.doc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 18, 2008 meeting. Ms. Steele asked if the date of start for this report can be that of , when she came on board with the City and the feasibility study was conducted. Commissioner Schukart added that the College of the Desert was invited to play Santa Ana College on Saturday. He indicated that they went to a new league where they play against colleges that have 40,000 students while COD has 9,000 students. He was proud to share that COD is starting to develop an interest among serious football playing colleges. X. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion by Commissioner Guyer, seconded by Commissioner Schukart, the meeting was adjourned at 9:21 a.m. � Monica Loredo, Recording Secretary 13 G:IDevServiceslMonira Lo�edolWord DatalParks&ReclMinutes12008 Minutes111-18-08_min.doc