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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks & Rec Cmsn - 01/20/09 � tE :_r.:+* . .�. � CITY OF PALM DESERT �"'1•�'� PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION � � MINUTES JANUARY 20, 2009 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Barnard convened the meeting at 8:30 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Chairman Michael Barnard Commissioner Jerry Dawson Vice Chair Roger Dash Commissioner Kim Housken Commissioner Phill Babcock Commissioner Terry Schukart Commissioner Randy Guyer Commissioner Deborah Hall Commissioner Julie Munson CITY�oUNCILACTION �f�l�tzc�vrn i�r�v►rn Staff Present: �dE:Ci?IVED � �1� OTHFR Bob Spiegel, Mayor Jay Niemczak, Parks Facilities Manager M�.I:T�,�vG DATE�.�¢�0 j.., Monica Loredo, Administrative Secretary AYFS:��-�°�+ �er s n Fi �� � j�g�, 1voEs:N�n�� J Guests: Ai3SENT: Ncn� Barb Adair, Desert Recreation District �135TAIN:--N n�� Desert Recreation Distr�RIFIF.D BY:- �D�-(r Laura McGalliard, r�ginal on File with Cit� y Cl�k's Office Gina Tenorio, The Desert Sun III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. MINUTES OF THE MEETING FROM NOVEMBER 4, 2008 Minutes of the meeting from November 4, 2008, were approved as submitted. Motion moved/seconded by Guyer/Hall, and carried by a 6-0 vote with Commissioners Dawson, Housken, and Schukart ABSENT. 1 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 20, 2009 IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Ms. Adair, Desert Recreation District, handed the International Sports Festival dinner invitation to the recording secretary to distribute to the Commission. The dinner is February 6, 2009, at the Living Desert. Please RSVP by February 2. She communicated that to date the District has 450 participants with a deadline of January 28, and mentioned that a commercial on the Sports Festival is going to be shown on KESQ. She stated that she hopes to see the Commission at the dinner, and thanked the Commission for their support. Mayor Spiegel read an e-mail that he received from Mr. Rob Ballew, Family YMCA of the Desert, recognizing Mr. Niemczak for his quick response to his concern of people driving onto a highly used sidewalk in front of the YMCA. Staff responded by installing two poles to block cars from driving onto the sidewalk. V. PRESENTATIONS - NONE VI. NEW BUSINESS A. AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF GNOSTIC ANTHROPLOGY, INC. Discussion and recommendation on request to waive fees for use of the Civic Center Park Amphitheater. Mr. Niemczak stated that the American Institute of Gnostic Anthropology, Inc. approached Ms. Steele to waive fees for the use of the Civic Center Park Amphitheater for a company picnic. He stated that Staff has never dealt with or have heard of the institute, and decided to bring it forward to the Commission for a recommendation. Commissioner Hall inquired if the organization is non-profit and what is the normal procedure. Mr. Niemczak responded that it is a non-profit, and that they provided documentation to that effect. He explained that the City would occasionally waive fees when it is a non-profit raising funds for a charitable cause, and not just for a picnic. Chairman Barnard also commented that normally it would be a community event or fundraiser. Vice Chair Dash inquired if anyone knew if the group was religious, philosophical, or belief-type of organization. Mr. Niemczak replied that he looked it up on the internet, and believes it is a belief system. 2 G:IDevServiceslMonica LoredolWord DatalParksBReclMinutes12009 Minuteslf-20.09.min.docx PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 20, 2009 Vice Chair Dash wondered if there is a precedent for this type of organization. Commissioner Guyer responded none that he knew of, and that the group seems to lean towards a religious kind of gathering. He commented that it is not a bad thing, but he does not know if the Commission would want to waive fees for that. Commissioner Babcock inquired why they chose the Palm Desert Civic Center Park. It was mentioned that Palm Desert has the best parks. Commissioner Guyer asked what the fees for this event were. Mr. Niemczak answered that the group is requesting to waive all fees that total $460.00 for a company picnic. Commissioner Guyer stated that he does not see any difference from any other group that wants to reserve the area for a picnic. Vice Chair Dash inquired how many people are suppose to attend. Mr. Niemczak replied approximately 200 people. Commissioner Guyer moved to deny the request to waive fees for the use of the Civic Center Park Amphitheater. Commissioner Munson seconded the motion, and carried by a 6-0 vote with Commissioners Dawson, Housken, and Schukart ABSENT. VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - NONE VIII. REPORTS AND UPDATES A. CITY OF PALM DESERT ARBOR DAY Mr. Niemczak reported that every year City Staff celebrates Arbor Day with a planting ceremony at a local school. Recently, Staff formed a committee that includes Commissioners Munson and Housken. The committee was formed to get the community more involved and have different activities throughout the month of April. He stated that he outlined tentative activities in the staff report. Staff is working on a name for the month long celebration, and asked that if anyone had any ideas to please let him know. Commissioner Babcock interjected the he is currently waiting for his new hearing aid, and asked the Commission to speak louder so he can hear. He hopes to have his new hearing aid by the next meeting. 3 G:IDevSeiviceslMonica LoredolWord DatalParks6ReclMinutes12009 Minutesl1-20-09.min.docx PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 20, 2009 B. FREEDOM PARK SOCCER/FOOTBALL FIELD FENCE Mr. Niemczak reported that the Commission recommended that a fence be installed at Freedom Park due to balls being kicked out onto Country Club Drive. Parks Staff requested bids for the fence, and approximately three weeks ago the fence was installed. He noted that photos of the fence were included in the packet. Mayor Spiegel asked how much it cost. Mr. Niemczak replied $14,000.00. C. PARKS OFFICE OPEN HOUSE Mr. Niemczak reported that last week Staff had an open house for the newly renovated Parks Staff office area. He commented that there was a great turnout to the open house. Included in the agenda packet is a copy of a handout that was given out at the open house with a brief history of Parks Staff. Mayor Spiegel asked the Commission if anyone made it to the open house. The Commission replied no. Mayor Spiegel suggested that Staff take the Commission to the renovated office area at the end of the next Commission meeting. He stated that they did an excellent job. D. UNIVERSITY DOG PARK FENCE Mr. Niemczak stated that Staff is going to install closer pickets on the fence at the University Dog Park to separate small dogs from larger dogs. Staff is also requesting proposals to add additional pickets between the large and small fence at the Civic Center Park. He mentioned that an entrance way would be added at University Dog Park so people can bring their dogs into a holding area, take them off leash, and then let them enter the dog park. Commissioner Hall inquired why people would want to take their dog off leash before entering the dog park. Mr. Niemczak responded that the dogs already inside the park are not on a leash, and they start jumping on the dog that is on a leash. People prefer taking the leash off before entering. E. UNIVERSITY PARK WIND DAMAGE Mr. Niemczak stated that the University Park area gets hit hard by winds. Pictures in the agenda show sand in the restrooms, and bark chips from 4 G:IDevServiceslMonica LoredolWord DatalParks&ReclMinutes12009 Minutesll-20-09.min.docx PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 20, 2009 the playground blown into the grass area. The contractor works hard to maintain the area. He commented that things will improve once they start building homes in the area. Commissioner Guyer asked if there is any interest in building homes in that area. Mr. Niemczak replied that there is not any interest at this time. Commissioner Hall inquired if it would be too expensive to install a wind fence or wind break at the worst part. Mr. Niemczak answered that the developer has fencing around the entire complex and it does not help. The developer does what he can by adding treatment to the sand or watering it down, but it does not always work when it is blowing really hard. IX. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Mayor Spiegel commented that they still have a pool on their plate somewhere down the road. He noted that he asked Mr. Ballew to give him some figures from the Encinitas YMCA since they are not subsidized by the city. This is the YMCA they visited during the tour. The Encinitas revenue was $15,239,000.00 with there expenses being $14,842,000.00, and a profit of almost $400,000.00. He commented that Palm Desert is onty looking at how much money the City is going to lose. He noted that Encinitas is not losing any money, and if he remembers correctly, they did not have any community rooms. Mayor Spiegel stated that he is going to stay with it, and not let the community/aquatic center drop. He is also going to recommend taking down the tamarisk trees so that the road can be widened. The other possibility is joining the finro existing buildings together. He commented that he hopes he has the Commission's support. Commissioner Guyer stated that he believes it is dependent upon the Commission doing what they think is best for the residents. He commented that there is a need for it; the survey shows there is a need for it; and that the residents want it. It is imperative that it is not dropped, and possibly take a different approach. He noted that he thinks everyone was discouraged after the last City Council meeting. Mayor Spiegel commented that he was surprised at the last meeting because a lot of residents called and e-mailed him on how much they wanted this, but there were no letters to the newspaper editor. Commissioner Guyer communicated some of the comments made by the City Council were the following: Councilman Ferguson stated that the perimeters were too limited and that it is not a high priority at this time. Commissioner Guyer stated that he did not think that the perimeter was 5 G:IDevServiceslMonica LoredolWord DatalParks&ReclMinutesl2009 Minuteslf-20-09.min.docx PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 20, 2009 limited, and it is a priority since the survey shows that. Councilman Ferguson also stated that he wants to defer the project at this time because of the economic conditions. Councilman Kelly told Councilman Ferguson that the money is already set aside. Commissioner Guyer commented that it was discouraging that Councilman Ferguson did not know you can use Redevelopment money for that. He continued to say that Councilwoman Finerty said everything is on hold because it is a want and not a need and because the maintenance was too high. Commissioner Guyer stated that the Commission has already shown that the right project can be self supportive. He stated that Councilwoman Benson was worried about the College of the Desert contribution. Commissioner Guyer stated that if that is concern; let the City bring it up. He commented that every objection that the City Council made, the Commission had already presented it to them and it made sense. So he wondered if there might be something else that the Commission is not aware of. He feels that they should continue pushing it forward. Commissioner Babcock agreed with Commissioner Guyer's comments. He feels more studies should be done. Commissioner Guyer interjected that if it is data that the Council wants, Ms. Steele has that information. He voiced that maybe it needs to be presented as an economic project, and not as a parks and recreation project. He does know that the residents want this project, and the Commission has known it for years. He noted that three council members have said that there is no need for it, and he does not understand that. He stated that the Commission's purpose is to provide that conduit between the citizens and the City Council, and they should run the project back to the Council. Vice Chair Barnard commented that he was at the City Council meeting. He voiced that he was frustrated because they were given a task, and the Commission did what they were asked to do. He also does not want to let it drop, and they need to figure out what the next step is before they go back to the City Council. Commissioner Babcock suggested forming a committee to go through the process again. Mayor Spiegel commented that he would like Staff to figure out what the next step should be. 6 G:IDevServiceslMonica Lo�edolWord DatalParks&ReclMinutes12009 Minutesl1-20-09.min.docx PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 20, 2009 Vice Chair Dash communicated that he agreed with Commissioner Babcock. He is not going to oppose what the group (committee} wants to do, and would support the Commission's decision. Commissioner Guyer noted that Mayor Spiegel kept bringing up the site at the Council meeting, but no one wanted to discuss it. They wanted to discuss the money. So he interpreted that as meaning that the site is not necessarily a bad thing. Mayor Spiegel stated that their only objection was San Pablo and the traffic. He also noted the Councilwoman Benson is opposed to College of the Desert involvement. Commissioner Guyer interjected that she is also opposed of removing the tamarisk trees. He also noted that Councilman Ferguson stated that he does not want to change the road. Commissioner Guyer voiced that he does not understand that mentality when it actually makes sense to do that. Mr. Niemczak communicated that Staff will discuss alternatives, and will bring it back to the Commission. Commissioner Guyer mentioned one alternative they should look at is developing a very good municipal aquatic center on the College of the Desert site, and look at expanding the current activity center to allow more things to happen there. He understands that it would be difficult to manage two facilities at the same time, and knows that partnerships have not been discussed. He feels the highest priority is the aquatic center. He expressed that is what people want, that is what the City needs, they have been talking about it for fifteen years, and the City does not have one. Commissioner Guyer stated that there are three council members that may not want it, but the Commission needs to figure out how to make it work. Commissioner Babcock inquired about what ever happened with the people that wanted an ice rink, and what location were they looking at. Mayor Spiegel commented that 80% of people will go to a facility that is located within three miles from where they live. If a facility is built out on the land they have on Portola, he personally does not think they will get the traffic. He does not care where it is built, but it has to be in an area where people can get to it. Mayor Spiegel stated that he does not know of any other location but here at the Civic Center. 7 G:IDevServiceslMonica Lo�edolWord DatalParks&ReclMinutes12009 Minutesll-20-09.min.docx PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 20, 2009 Commissioner Hall commented that she voted no to taking it to the City Council because she didn't feel this was something that the City can do at this time. She communicated that she does feel they need an aquatic center. She noted that she remembers discussion of removing the tamarisk trees to add additional parking for the ball fields and park. She stated that she would like the Commission to move forward with something in the Civic Center area. She also stated that it would be great if moving the road slows down the traffic. She feels that there are a lot of issues, and they should bring address it piece by piece. Commissioner Babcock suggested meeting to discuss the issues. Discussion ended with City Staff to find out what is the next step and bringing it back to the Commission. Commissioner Guyer requested that City Staff add the bylaws to next agenda. Chairman Barnard commented that he has been hiking the Mike Schuler Trails, and inquired why there is no parking along most of the street. Mr. Niemczak responded that he would check with the Public Works Department, but he thought it is because there are a lot of blind spots. He will find out and return with an answer. Chairman Barnard also commented that the trail is very narrow and not marked very well. He mentioned that he was on the trail one day when there was a group of 100 kids going up the trail in single file, and a lady coming down almost fell because it is so narrow. He feels that it is a dangerous situation, and wonders if there is anything they can do about it. Mr. Niemczak replied that Mike Schuler is currently making repairs to some washouts, and once those are completed he is going to start working on the turnouts that the City of Rancho Mirage will be paying for. He noted that Staff is working on installing one of the rock kiosks at the bottom of the trail. He commented that he will check with the Public Works Department on the no parking zones. Commissioner Guyer mentioned that he has noticed little trails going off in different directions so people are going there own way. Mr. Niemczak added that Staff is working with BLM to standardize the signs. s G:IDevServiceslMonica LoredolWord DafalParks&ReclMinutes12009 Minutesl1-20-09.min.docx PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 20, 2009 X. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion by Commissioner Guyer, seconded by Commissioner Babcock, the meeting was adjourned at 9:06 a.m. . '�C`�����-v.�-e_ Monica Loredo, Recording Secretary 9 G:IDevServiceslMonica LoredolWord DatalParks&ReclMinutes12009 Minutesl1-20-09.min.docx