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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks & Rec Cmsn - 02/03/09 � CITY OF PALM DESERT /"���'� PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION � � MINUTES FEBRUARY 3, 2009 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Barnard convened the meeting at 8:35 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Chairman Michael Barnard Commissio e n y G y r Vice Chair Roger Dash Commissio e J li u s n Commissioner Phill Babcock Commissio e T r c u a Commissioner Jerry Dawson Commissioner Deborah Hall Commissioner Kim Housken y c � ,� Staff Present: z = � Bob Spiegel, Mayor � p � Janis Steele, Parks and Recreation Services Manag r � � Jay Niemczak, Parks Facilities Manager o � o '' ;�, Ryan Stendell, Senior Management Analyst F � �' � Angelica Chavez, Office Assistant Q � � ._ � � �3 Guests: " � U �'- ,Q„ � � ``' `2 � �. Barb Adair, Desert Recreation District � � c � � c � „ � Craig De Witt, Desert Recreation District C > ; z j Z � ? �= " Laura McGalliard, Desert Recreation District v � w � f J � � �' ._ Gina Tenorio, The Desert Sun F � � � � � � � � �=° Rob Ballew, Family YMCA of the Desert v Q � � Q � Q d � � Van Tanner, Planning Commission Jim Foote, Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Kay Van Zandt, California Association of the Deaf Arlene Rosenthal, OperaArts 1 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 3, 2009 Iil. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. MINUTES OF THE MEETING FROM DECEMBER 2, 2008 Minutes of the meeting from December 2, 2008, were approved as submitted. Motion moved/seconded by Dawson/Barnard, and carried by a 6-0 vote with Commissioners Guyer, Munson, and Schukart ABSENT. B. MINUTES OF THE MEETING FROM JANUARY 6, 2009 Minutes of the meeting from January 6, 2009, were approved as submitted. Motion moved/seconded by Dash/Dawson, and carried by a 6-0 vote with Commissioners Guyer, Munson, and Schukart ABSENT. IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Rob Ballew, Family YMCA of the Desert, informed the Commission that 48 local valley High School students who are members of the YMCA Youth and Government will go to Sacramento on February 11 through the 16. He noted that 32 of these students come from the Palm Desert area. Mr. Ballew added that on Saturday, April 11, 2009, they will hold a community-wide Easter Egg Hunt followed by the Healthy Kids Day event in the Civic Center Park. He indicated that last year these events were well attended. Mr. Ballew invited the Commission to the event. Ms. Barb Adair, Desert Recreation District, reminded the Commission that the Senior Games would begin on Thursday, February 5, and that the dinner would be held on Friday at the Living Desert. She noted that there were over 700 athletes registered for the games to date. V. PRESENTATIONS — NONE VI. NEW BUSINESS A. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETINGS Discussion and recommendation to change the Commission meetings to one per month. Ms. Janis Steele stated that given the state of the current economy, and not knowing what the state budget is going to be, the City is looking for ways to tighten expenses and save wherever possible. Even though the parks are used more frequently during these economic times and Staff is G:IDevServiceslMonica LoredolWord DatalParks&ReclMinutes12009 Mrnutesl2-03-09.�.doc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 3, 2009 busy, there are not as many items on the agenda as in the past. Thus, Staff considered the possibility of combining items to one meeting at least for a while; this would allow the allocation of Staff's time to other projects and making sure that the parks are ready for all the visitors and people who are staying home and using the parks and programs. Ms. Steele said that Staff's recommendation is to meet once a month and hold the second meeting of the month open in case there are a lot of agenda items or things going on. Commissioner Dawson asked if the Commission could decide on the first meeting of the month or whether they would prefer to meet for the second meeting of the month. Ms. Steele answered yes. Ms. Steele added that she spoke with Commissioners Munson and Guyer and they are fine with this once-a-month meeting schedule. Vice Chair Dash asked if this change would require approval from the City Council. Ms. Steele indicated that it would not. Commissioner Hall noted that the Commission bylaws indicate finrice a month meetings for the Commission. Mayor Spiegel pointed out that the City Council goes dark in the summer as well. Ms. Steele mentioned that when she first started with the City, the Commission was meeting once a month but there were so many things going on, that is why they started meeting finrice a month. She added that Commissioner Guyer and she have talked about changing the bylaws to indicate that the Commission meets once a month. Commissioner Dawson asked if it could be decided on a month-to-month basis whether the Commission needs to meet once or twice a month. Ms. Steele said yes. Commissioner Dawson moved for the Commission to meet the first Tuesday of the month, and reserve the possibility of ineeting the third Tuesday of the month. Vice Chair Dash seconded the motion and carried by a 6-0 vote with Commissioners Guyer, Munson, and Schukart ABSENT. Commissioner Hall asked if this meant that at every first meeting, it would be discussed meeting the third Tuesday of the month. Commissioner Dawson answered no. G:IDevServiceslMonica LoredolWord DatalParksBReclMinutes12009 Mrnutesl2-03-09.min.doc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 3, 2009 B. CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF THE DEAF Discussion and recommendation concerning request to waive fees for the usage of a pavilion at the Civic Center Park. Ms. Steele introduced Ms. Kay Van Zandt, California Association of the Deaf, Greater Palm Springs Chapter. Ms. Van Zandt informed the Commission that they are planning a joint picnic with the Deaf Senior Foundation of Palm Springs. She indicated that they are a nonprofit group and are trying to raise a little bit of money by selling food at the picnic. Ms. Van Zandt continued that this is a new advocacy group that works for deaf people in the valley. She added that September is National Deaf Awareness Month, and they are planning another picnic for deaf awareness day. Although the Board has not yet decided on the location of a park, she is hoping they would again choose the Civic Center Park, because not only is it a beautiful park, but it is also centrally located to people from both ends of the valley. Ms. Van Zandt requested that the Commission recommend waiving the fees for the picnics in May and September. Vice Chair Dash asked if there are any programs involved or if this is a picnic only. Ms. Van Zandt answered that it is only a picnic. She added that they are working with the TV stations trying to improve quality of the captioning, which is very bad in the valley, and they may have a few tables with some information for the public. She added that at this point they are not planning to have a program or events, just a picnic to socialize and get to know each other. Mayor Spiegel asked if this request would go to City Council. Ms. Steele confirmed that it would go to the City Council as a recommendation from the Commission. Mayor Spiegel wanted to make sure this request is for a picnic only. Ms. Van Zandt answered yes. Chairman Barnard mentioned that at the last meeting another organization had a similar request which was turned down. He wanted to make sure the Commission is consistent. He added that the Association for the Deaf request is a community event, while the other organization was a picnic for their members only. Ms. Van Zandt added that anyone could come and participate. She continued that they are trying to raise awareness and that their agenda is advocacy and support for the deaf all over the valley. G:IDevServiceslMonica LoredolWord DatalParks&ReclMinutes12009 Minutesl2-03-09.�.doc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 3, 2009 Commissioner Housken clarified that approval of this request pertains to the May 9, 2009, event only and that a separate request would be necessary for the event in September. Commissioner Babcock moved to waive the fees for the usage of a pavilion at the Civic Center Park for the Greater Palm Springs Chapter of the California Association of the Deaf and the Deaf Senior Foundation. Commissioner Housken seconded the motion and it carried by a 6-0 vote with Commissioners Guyer, Munson, and Schukart ABSENT. C. EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT FOR RANDALL HENDERSON TRAIL Discussion and recommendation concerning request to allow an Eagle Scout Project at the Santa Rosa/San Jacinto Mountains National Monument and Randall Henderson Trail. Ms. Steele said that Staff was contacted by Ms. Bonnie Adkins, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Ranger, with a request to allow an Eagle Scout project in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument and on the Randall Henderson Trail. This project involves the installation of numbered posts at various locations to provide information about the plants and animals on the trail. This information goes along with a tri-fold handout handed out to visitors that go on the trail so they can learn about the plant and wild life as well as historical facts of the area. Ms. Steele indicated that Staff is requesting the Commission's support for this project. Commissioner Hall asked what type of support is involved. Ms. Steele indicated that there is no financial support involved. Staff would not have to maintain or supervise this project. The only thing Staff is requesting is for the Commission to say that they would like to see this project completed. Staff feels that it is important to have the Commission's support for this project. Commissioner Housken moved to support the Eagle Scout Project for the Randall Henderson Trail. Commissioner Hall seconded the motion and carried by a 6-0 vote with Commissioners Guyer, Munson, and Schukart ABSENT. D. OPERA IN THE PARK Discussion and recommendation concerning a request to support an event called "Opera in the Park" in the Civic Center Park. Ms. Steele introduced Ms. Arlene Rosenthal, OperaArts. Ms. Steele noted that Ms. Rosenthal is coming in advance to give a presentation to the Commission about having an opera in the park event on April 11, 2010. 5 G:IDevServiceslMonica LoredolWord DatalParks&ReclMinutes12009 Minutesl2-03-09.min.doc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 3, 2009 Ms. Steele added that Ms. Rosenthal is not asking for anything other than the Commission's support for this program. Ms. Rosenthal greeted the Commission and gave an overview of her background. She indicated that she voluntarily produced an event called "Opera in the Park" in Palm Springs for 10 years. She said that this event gathered 2,000 to 3,000 people per year from all over the valley. During these years, she was asked by several people from La Quinta, Palm Desert, and Bermuda Dunes to have a similar event in the Eastern part of the valley. She could only raise funds and run an event at one venue, so she could not comply with that request. Ms. Rosenthal decided to take a hiatus this year due to the economy and produce it next year. During this time she was approached by other opera lovers and community-minded people that want an event to be inclusive involving not just opera. Thus, they formed a brand new 501(c)3 to bring opera, classical music and arts of all forms to the people of the valley "free of charge" or for as little as they can manage depending on the financial support they get. This group fell in love with the Civic Center Park, and Ms. Rosenthal approached Ms. Steele with the request to have the opera in the park event. Ms. Rosenthal said that Staff was wonderful and enthusiastic. She indicated that they are a five-member Board where none of them are big-society people or millionaires, just people who took this endeavor and decided that they would like to have a festival of music and the arts. She indicated that the producer is an orchestra contractor who will bring a 33- piece orchestra with most musicians from Los Angeles who play in the LA Philharmonic and other orchestras. She added that they also have a music director, and a conductor. They also have the support from Palm Springs Life whose editor will help bring artists from the valley to display art. Ms. Rosenthal clarified that nothing will be for sale, but they are asking authorization to have food at the event. She indicated that their vision is to have a combination of music and art. She envisioned having a jazz quartet or a string and wind quintet followed by an opera show. Ms. Rosenthal would produce 15,000 program books that would be mailed preceded by 15,000 flyers for these events. Ms. Rosenthal said that they would love to be in the Civic Center Park. She noted that this event would draw many people. She noted that she has raised half the money in pledges already and indicated that they are not asking the Commission anything other than their support and perhaps 6 G:IDevServiceslMonica LoredolWord DatalParksBReclMinutes12009 Minutesl2-03-09.min.doc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 3, 2009 having their program included with the informational pieces that are sent out with events happening at the park. Ms. Rosenthal added that this organization will also be doing events with the Joslyn Senior Center but the opera in the park will be the main event. Ms. Rosenthal thanked the Commission for the opportunity to give her presentation. Commissioner Hall asked specifically what kind of support is being requested from the City of Palm Desert. Ms. Rosenthal answered that to have their blessing and perhaps exposure vis-a-vis print media, such as the newsletter that is mailed to residents, so they know of this program. Ms. Rosenthal added that they will continue to mail the 15,000 programs and flyers as they have done in the past. They will also have wide media support that will disseminate their information. She added that they reach out to seniors and children. They will have a shuttle and would like to have the youth component so that they are exposed to music when they are young. They will have a group of students from the high school volunteer and provide face painting and other activities. This will be a real community event. Commissioner Housken asked if they anticipate charging for this event. Ms. Rosenthal answered that this event would be free to the public. They also would provide events for free to the Joslyn Senior Center and the Rancho Mirage Library. If they were to put on anything that would cost a fee it would be minimal. Commissioner Babcock asked if the City Council would consider giving some money and wondered if OperaArts is asking for any help. Ms. Rosenthal said that the waiver of the park fees for the first year would be great. She added that she would fike to prove to the City of Palm Desert that this is an event that the City can be proud of. She continued that it would be great if the City sponsored the event later on, but she would like to prove that this is an event that will bring good things to the City first and then they could talk about later years. She noted that she builds funding with many people giving a little, rather than having a few people giving a lot. Mayor Spiegel suggested, upon the Commission's approval for this event, that a meeting with Ms. Rosenthal, Sheila Gilligan, Assistant City Manager for Community Services and Pat Scully, Senior Management Analyst, � G:IDevServiceslMonica LoredolWord DatalParks&ReclMinutes12009 Minutesl2-03-09.min.doc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 3, 2009 Parks and Recreation Staff and him. Ms. Steele indicated they could meet afterwards. Commissioner Hall asked if there is anything scheduled for this date. Ms. Steele answered that there is not. Ms. Rosenthal offered that they planned on April 11, 2010, so there is nice weather and it does not conflict with Easter. Commissioner Dawson moved to recommend the Commission's approval of allowing the Opera in the Park event on April 11, 2010, and for Staff to forward this request to City Council for approval of a waiver of fees. Commissioner Hall seconded the motion and carried by a 6-0 vote with Commissioners Guyer, Munson, and Schukart ABSENT. Ms. Rosenthal thanked the Commission. VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - NONE VIII. REPORTS AND UPDATES A. CIVIC CENTER PARK VANDALISM Mr. Niemczak informed the Commission that on January 20, 2009, Staff was notified that one of the small pavilions at Civic Center Park was vandalized. Police were notified and took fingerprints but Staff has not heard if they have determined who did the damage. Mayor Spiegel asked what was done exactly. Ms. Niemczak explained that damage consisted of breaking up some tables and tore some tiles off the roof. The police said that the perpetrators crossed the bridge by the wash area. Staff is looking into installing lighting in that area and perhaps a camera. Mayor Spiegel agreed with the installation of a camera. Chairman Barnard asked if the tables were bolted down. Mr. Niemczak answered that they were not. Commissioner Babcock asked if given the constant problems in the park, if the police driving by when they get change shifts would help. Ms. Steele noted that the vandalism happened at the Civic Center Park, which is where the officers come on and off duty. Mr. Niemczak added that he has seen motorcycle officers cruising through the park quite often. s G:IDevSe�viceslMonica Lo�edolWo�d DatalParksBReclMinutes12009 Minutesl2-03-09.min.doc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 3, 2009 Ms. Steele said that in her opinion the police are currently very responsive, and that they are doing everything they can to help with vandalism in the parks. They are being very responsive and helpful. Chairman Barnard noted that this vandalism happened at 2:00 a.m. when most likely police staffing is at its lowest levels. Commissioner Hall asked if Staff could bolt the tables down. Mr. Niemczak indicated that some of these tables need to be moved around for various events. He guessed that they could bolt some down. Chairman Barnard asked what the estimated cost of the damage is. Mr. Niemczak said about $2,000 to $3,000. B. DESERT RECREATION DISTRICT UPDATE Ms. Steele said that this information was included for the Commission information. Commissioner Housken commented that when Ms. Tatiana Hinkle gave a branding presentation to the Commission, it was requested to have a report with numbers based on programming. The Commission needs to know the actual numbers and level of participation when deciding what programs and amenities to support. Ms. Steele answered that she spoke with Ms. Barb Adair, Desert Recreation District, and that she was assured that they would provide numbers for the next meeting. C. PARK INSPECTIONS Ms. Steele noted that this form was created in response to former Chair Dawson's request to have everybody on the list. Chair Barnard said that this new format is a good idea. D. NEWS ARTICLES Chairman Barnard asked if the Commission had any comments pertaining the news articles provided in the agenda packet. There were no comments. 9 G:IDevServiceslMonica LoredolWord DatalParksBReclMinutes12009 Minutesl2-03-09_min.doc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 3, 2009 IX. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Dawson offered that given the possibility of having opera in the park next April, it would be fantastic if the amphitheater could be updated. Perhaps this project could be presented to the City Council so that the facility could look nice for the thousands of people coming to the opera in the park. Mayor Spiegel asked who the members of the Amphitheater subcommittee are. Ms. Steele answered that Councilman Ferguson, Councilmember Benson, Commissioner Guyer, and Commissioner Dawson. Mayor Spiegel asked if Staff could organize a meeting. Ms. Steele said she would schedule something. Commissioner Hall commented that the Commission has talked about projects such as the Pickleball Courts at the soccer park among other things. She asked if Staff could bring for the next meeting an update on the status of these projects. Ms. Steele said she would bring this information. Commissioner Babcock mentioned that when he was conducting his park inspection at Ironwood Park, he noted that people were letting their dogs run loose in the park. He spent some time talking to people about loose dogs on the Hopalong Cassidy Trail. He found out that most people do not read the maps that are located at the start of the trail. He indicated that there is only one small sign that indicates the areas where dogs can be on and off leash. He also found that the trail was amazingly clean of dog waste. He was hoping that the newspaper would write about this information, especially since there is only one trail in the county that will allow having dogs on it besides the one in Palm Desert. Chairman Barnard clarified that the issue is having dogs leashed or unleashed on the trails. Commissioner Babcock indicated that if people miss the sign on the trail they will not know where the off-leash area ends. Ms. Steele commented one of the goals of the new contract with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is to increase supervision of the trails as well as provide education. She added that Officer Michael De Santo is educating and letting people know what the rules are. 10 G:IOevServiceslMonica LoredolWord DatalParks&ReclMinutes12009 Mrnutesl2-03-09.min.doc PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 3, 2009 Mayor Spiegel said that he received a call from a resident that mentioned that part of the Bump and Grind Trail is now fenced off because of the Bighorn sheep. Mr. Foote, Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, said that this is an issue involving the City of Rancho Mirage, City of Palm Desert, and the California Department of Fish and Wild Life. He indicated that two unrelated things are happening simultaneously. One of them is that people continued to cross over the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) property to get to the Bump and Grind and the CVWD made it known to the City of Rancho Mirage that was unacceptable and wanted the City to enforce the closure. The closure of the top end of the trail was a separate decision made by the California Department of Fish and Game that has the authority to manage the ecological reserve for the protection of the sheep. They believe that the closure of the upper Bump and Grind on a permanent basis is necessary for the recovery of the sheep. This action did not occur until such time that new trails were constructed to give people other hiking opportunities and the trade off for the closure of the trail was the negotiation with the Department of Fish and Game for the development of new trails including the Hopalong Cassidy Trail. Fish and Game was not obligated to approve any of that, but thought that it was a way to provide an alternative to open trails for users instead of going to the top of the Bump and Grind. Mr. Foote noted that hikers could go up to the Herb Jeffreys Trail where it intersects with the Bump and Grind and no further. Mayor Spiegel asked how much of the Bump and Grind was lost. Mr. Foote indicated that almost half of the trail was closed. Ms. Steele noted that on March 7, 2009, the Baseball Opening Day will take place at the Civic Center Park. She invited the Commission to be present. She indicated that she will provide more details later on, but just wanted the Commission to save the date. X. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion by Commissioner Hall, seconded by Vice Chair Dash, the meeting was adjourned at 9:23 a.m. . '�Yl �c� �`� Monica Loredo, Recording Secretary 11 G:IDevServiceslMonica LoredolWord DatalParks&ReclMinutes12009 Minutesl2-03-09_min.doc