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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks & Rec Cmsn - 06/01/10 � CITY OF PALM DESERT /"''��� MINUTES � � PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING ' � TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 2010 - 8:30 a.m. Administrative Conference Room - Palm Desert Civic Center 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, California 92260 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Dash convened the meeting at 8:30 a.m. 11. ROLL CALL Present: Absent Chairman Roger Dash None Vice Chair Randy Guyer Commissioner Phill Babcock Commissioner Michael Barnard Commissioner Jerry Dawson Commissioner Deborah Hall Commissioner Kim Housken Commissioner Terry Schukart Commissioner Christopher Thomas Staff Present: Mark Greenwood, P.E., Director of Public Works � Bertha Gonzalez, Recording Secretary H. Spencer Knight, Landscape Manager Ryan Stendell, Senior Management Analyst � Guests: p a � � Craig DeWitt, Desert Recreation District � T l ` o Stan Ford, Desert Recreation District w � � Laura McGalliard, Desert Recreation District � � � � Jeff Ronci, Desert Recreation District z � Robert A. Spiegel, Councilman O � ,, Van Tanner, Planning Commission Liaison v � v Gina Tenorio, The Desert Sun Q ` �' Kelly Emnier, YMCA U � � � � � - � `� c:: �- �. :-: �; .. � c Cr � �- F � W o }U� N W E"' J: f G,�-„`, a •�•. C 1 E- � V �' �: G= ✓ ✓ � 'cn � aa � azda > o PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION PROVED MINUTES JUNE 1. 2010 II1. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Chad Rivera addressed the Commission by asking them to consider upgrading the local skateboard park in order to accommodate skating competitions. Currently, the skate park is not set up to have competitions, but does have the space to add a competition ramp. The permanent ramp will be heat resistant with an estimated cost $110 thousand including delivery and installation. According to Mr. Rivera, extreme athletes reside close to the area and would only take a couple of events for the park to be noticed. These types of competitions have the potential of brining in more than $10 thousand in revenue per event. In addition, other skate parks charge a usage fee during non-competition days and use the same supervision as a regular skate park. According to Mr. Stan Ford of the Desert Recreation District there is a demand for this type of sport, but he will need to further study a proposal. Chairman Dash suggested Mr. Rivera meet with Mr. Ryan Stendell and produce a formal proposal for the Desert Recreation District to review. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF TUESDAY, MAY 18, 2010. Approve as presented. Upon a motion by Chairman Dash, second by Commissioner Dawson, and 9-0 vote of the Commission Board, the Consent Calendar was approved as presented. V. NEW BUSINESS None VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. AQUATIC CENTER UPDATE As the Commission requested, the Aquatic Center Study Group that was formed at the last meeting presented their meeting conclusions. Vice Chair Guyer stated that the group believes it is extremely important to determine what the actual annual operational cost will be (which they believe will be fairly high) in order to have a more accurate cost recovery percentage. The group also concluded that the design should accommodate the possibility for expansion. According to Vice Chair Guyer, this could be achieved by moving the sidewalk south and including the infrastructure (plumbing, electrical, etc.) in the design incase the 2 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES JUNE 1. 2010 City decides to add amenities in the future. He also noted that although staff was not completely certain of the actual maximum capacity, they did state that there was more than sufficient parking available; therefore, should the project be expanded, adequate parking should not become a concern. Commissioner Schukart stated that according to his research, cities that included more recreational amenities in their pool centers were able to obtain an 80%-90% cost recovery without charging high fees. The addition of more features will also broaden the base of the people drawn to the center; consequently, increasing revenue. Councilman Spiegel suggested the Commission reach a motion regarding the group's suggestions and present it to the City Council for consideration. Commissioner Hall suggested the food center should be large enough to rent out to food retailers (i.e. Starbucks) and Commissioner Barnard suggested renting the center for events (i.e. Birthday Parties). Upon a motion by Vice Chair Guyer, second by Commissioner Schukart and a 9-0 vote of the Commission, the recommendation for the City Councit to review the initial design and consider moving the sidewalk south as much as possible and include grading and infrastructure in order to have the ability to expand the project relatively easily and economically in the future was approved. In addition, Chairman Dash informed the Commission that Commissioner Housken will join Commissioner Hall and Commissioner Schukart in attending the Aquatic Center Steering Committee meetings. Following the Commission's request, Mr. Stendell confirmed with the consultant of the Aquatic Center that the maximum capacity of the entire center is 2,500. In addition, he was informed that the lifeguards are the ones tasked in keeping a reasonable number of people in the pool. Mr. Stendell distributed and reviewed the updated time schedule for the Aquatic Center. Mr. Mark Greenwood stated that staff will take the Commission's recommendation to the City Council Meeting of June 24, 2010. At that time, the City Council may choose to move forward with the original design or consider modifying it in order to accommodate for future expansion. VII. PRESENTATIONS AND UPDATES A. SECURITY CAMERAS AT UNIVERSITY PARK Mr. Stendell informed the Commission that security cameras have been installed at the University Dog Park. The cameras are visible 3 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES JUNE 1. 2010 and used for deterrent and tape purposes only. Many park users have expressed their gratitude for the cameras to City staff. B. PARKS AND RECREATION CONFERENCE Commissioner Housken informed the Commission of the Parks and Recreation Conference she attended and found to be very � interesting and relevant to the City. One of the main discussions was the baby-boomer growing segments and what cities are doing to meet their needs. She was informed that by the middle of the century there will be five people over the age of 65 to every one under the age of 18. Commissioner Housken inquired on what staff is doing to meet the needs of the City's baby-boomer population. Mr. Stendell suggested meeting with Commissioner Housken to discuss the item in more detail. C. PARKS AMBASSADORS INFORMATION As requested at a previous meeting, Mr. Jeff Ronci of the Desert Recreation District presented a PowerPoint that highlighted the personnel, services, and duties of the Desert Recreation District and its Park Ambassadors. According to Mr. Ronci, the park ambassadors' primary role is to be ambassadors to the public, although they will also monitor and assist with janitorial and maintenance services. Commissioner Thomas inquired on how the ambassadors deal with coverage since there are only four ambassadors to cover the City's 14 parks. According to Mr. Ronci, the district is in need of additional ambassadors, especially on the weekends. For the moment, the park ambassadors are rotated and made available based on necessity. Mr. Ford stated that he is in the process of requesting the contract to be updated in order to provide better coverage. Mr. Mark Greenwood informed the Commission that the City Manager has tasked staff on getting the contract revised and renewed. Commissioner Hall inquired on an incident where she noticed a park ambassador sitting in his truck for a long period of time. When he stepped out of his truck, he did not interact with the public nor addressed the broken glass that was on the turf. She asked if the ambassadors are not required to interact with the public or address this type of safety concerns. Mr. Ronci stated that when a park ambassador is seen sitting in his struck it is normally because they are completing a very detailed log of their initial park observations. After completing the log, they proceed to do a walkthrough, noting any further observations or concerns, and do for the most part interact with the public. Because Commissioner Hall did not clearly remember the person in question; Mr. Ronci noted that it could 4 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES JUNE 1� 2010 have been the janitor. Nevertheless, he assured the Commission that the concern will be addressed accordingly. On a separate note, Commissioner Housken mentioned that on two separate occasions she intended to use the tennis courts early in the morning, but the gates were closed although they were scheduled to be open. She asked if the gates could be opened on time, especially during the summer. One of the City's Park Ambassadors, Ed Woodard, was presented and given hanorable mention for winning the Desert Recreation District's Excellence Award, which is the highest award given by the District, five years in a row. D. PARKS INSPECTION REPORTS Commissioner Barnard noted that the turf on the baseball field appears to be in poor condition. Mr. Spencer Knight informed the Commission that some of the turf is currently in transition and due to the water restrictions; the water schedule has been comprised making it harder to keep the turf in perfect candition. He assured the Commission that staff is currently addressing the issue. Commissioner Hall informed the Commission that she only submits the park inspection reports if she notices that something needs to be addressed. Otherwise, she emails or calls City staff to state that everything is in good condition. On that note, Commissioner Dawson stated that the Commissioners should only be submitting the action form in an effort to reduce paperwork. The Commission concurred and changed the procedure to only submitting the action form to City staff. Mr. Knight and Mr. Stendell will revise the action form in order to include an action item that will indicate that no items need to be corrected at a park. H. FAMILY YMCA OF THE DESERT Kelly Emnier of the YMCA informed the Commission the following YMCA events: • Harry Potter Camp —teaches children about science • Top Chef Camp —teaches children about cooking • Dangerous and Daring Camp - teaches children how to live like a kid • Graduation of Jim Benson Preschool is Saturday, June 5, 2010 at 11:30 a.m. • Graduation of La Quinta Preschool on Saturday, June 5, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. • 7-Days in Big Bear will be held June 19-25, 2010 5 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION PROVED MINUTES JUNE 1 201 • Camp will be held August 9-13, 2010 I. DESERT RECREATION DISTRICT In addition, the Desert Recreation District is offering 9-Week Summer Camp from June 14, 2010, to August 13, 2010. Mr. Stan Ford presented the Desert Recreation District's program enrollment, usage and participation for the month of May as follows: • Afterschool Clubhouse 100 Participants • Valley for Children 16 Participants • Ballroom Dancing 24 Participants • Belly Dancing 52 Participants • Karate 144 Participants • Beginning guitar 16 Participants • Ping Pong 120 Participants • Salsa Aerobics 48 Participants • Zumba Aerobics 11 Participants • Chinese 320 in the Tues-Thurs Program 340 in the Mon-Wed Program • Yoga 44 in the One-Day Program 40 in the Two-Day Program 33 in the Walk-in Program • Gym usage 3,783 approximately • Other facilities 3,896 approximately (Weight room to basketball courts) • Facility Rentals 2 • Field Rentals 18 • Pavilion Rentals 17 Mr. Stendell will provide the Commission with the usage of the programs and facilities on monthly basis in order to analyze where improvements and/or modifications need to be made. VIII. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS - The Commission agreed to postpone the meeting of July 6, 2010, to July 20, 2010, in order to be able to receive and review the Aquatic Center preliminary fee study. At that time, the decision to cancel the August meeting will be considered. - Vice Chair Guyer inquired on how the tier water rates that were recently established by the Coachella Valley Water District were impacting the parks. Mr. Knight stated that staff has made water adjustments accordingly, but noted that he is not in agreement with 6 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES JUNE 1. 2010 their tier water rate schedule. He stated that when the schedule is followed, the grass sometimes deteriorates. There are no previous records to review; therefore, the usage is unstable. Commissioner Housken inquired on how CalSense ties into this process. Mr. Knight stated that CalSense becomes a problem only if it is not used appropriately. - Commissioner Dawson inquired on the possibility of having an alternate commissioner as they have had in the past. The alternate commissioner will attend all meetings, but will not have a voting power until there is a vacancy. The Cammission will consult with friends and find out if anyone is interested in becoming an alternate commissioner. Mr. Stendell will ask if there is a waiting list with the City Clerk. - Mr. Stendell informed the Commission that the Dog Park User Informal Meeting was very successful and had an attendance of approximately 50 park users. The meeting gave residents the opportunity to state all of their concerns. The main complaint was the use of hoses in the dog parks and the main compliments were that the City provides the highest level, quality and number of parks in the Coachella Valley. Basically, residents wanted to know who was in charge of the maintenance of the parks. Staff has decided to hold these types of meetings four times a year. The Commission applauded staff's initiative in listening and addressing the park users concerns. IX. ADJOURNMENT With no further business or discussion, and with the Commissioners' unanimous concurrence, the meeting was adjourned at 10:08 a.m. . � �- /' - � /,, B wfha A. Gonzal , Rec ding Sec ary � 7