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Home My WebLink AboutParks & Rec Cmsn 05/04/10 CITY OF PALM DESERT ��•�� MINUTES � � PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING ' � TUESDAY, MAY 4, 2010 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Dash convened the meeting at 8:30 a.m. II. 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 A. Gonzalez, Recording Secretary H. Spencer Knight, Landscape Manager Beth Longman, Administrative Secretar��TY�ptJNCILACTInN Ryan Stendell, Senior Management An�l��tjtpvr� . ��-�� John M. Wohlmuth, City Manager RECI:(VED£_F� I� (�";'ii[;it _�._.^___. Guests MEF.TING DATE - �� -��- .��.i� Barb Adair, Desert Recreation District AYEs::P��n.�d(o il�,}, �� .�P,t��G„a,�,-�____�, _ Craig DeWitt, Desert Recreation DistricNOEs: ti�: David Erwin, City Attorney ABSENT: � Jim Foote, Bureau of Land Managemen�BSTAIN: � Stan Ford, Desert Recreation District vERIF�ED BY; �� Robert A. Spiegel, Councilman Original on File with City Clerk's Office Van Tanner, Planning Commission Liaison Gina Tenorio, The Desert Sun Jan Harnick, Resident Tatiana Hinkle, Desert Recreation District 1 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION INUTES Mav 4. 2010 The Commission considered the project because they believed that adequate staff was involved, but due to the recent staff changes, adequate staffing has become a concern. A clarification of the Commission's role with this project, their involvement with the play structure's height concerns and ability to review the draft fees was requested. Due to the aforementioned, the Commission requested to add to next meeting's agenda a discussion of the Aquatic Center process. Chairman Dash mentioned that at the joint Planning-Council meeting, a slide of the Aquatic Center design was presented and requested for it to be shown to the Commission. Informational item; no motion required. B. VANDALISM As discussed at a previous meeting, the Commission requested an update on the potential installation of cameras in City parks. Mr. Greenwood stated that staff is still in the process of reviewing that possibility. Sergeant Buompeisero, who came in representation of Lieutenant Shouse, pulled some statistics from SherifF's data warehouse. The report, which ran from February 1, 2010, through May 1, 2010, was as follows • Freedom Park - received 46 calls; 1 for vandalism • Civic Center Park— received 62 calls; none for vandalism • Hovley Soccer Park — received 74 calls; 1 for vandalism and 2 for arson Sergeant Buompeisero reminded the Commission that these statistics are not 100% accurate and that any known vandalism should be reported to the Sheriff's Department. Mr. Greenwood informed the Commission that vandalism in the parks has recently settled down; nonetheless, the Citizens on Patrol have added the parks to their rounds and code compliance officers inspect the parks on Saturdays. Commissioner Housken commented on a purse snatching incident at the Soccer Park, asking if this was a new wave of crime or an isolated incident. She also mentioned that the manner in which the police handled the situation was disappointing. Sergeant Buompeisero had not had any reports of this kind; therefore, he believed it to be an isolated incident. He also asked that any time the Commissioners witnessed the police mishandling an incident, to please immediately report it to the Sheriff's Department so it can be addressed. 3 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES Mav 4 2010 Questions and comments included: • What percentage of the budget is spent on the maintenance of the parks? Approximately 4% or$2 million. • What surplus does the City have? Approximately $60 million in general fund reserves. • What other type of reserves does the City have? Retiree health fund and a park capital reserve. • Is there a law that requires a certain amount of reserves in the general fund? No. • What does a contract City mean? The City contracts out for fire and police for example, while other cities are full service cities; they have their own police, fire and parks. • How are the landscape inspectors handling parks inspections with no previous experience? Mr. Knight reminded the Commission that Parks used to be under the Landscape Services Division, and that most of the landscape inspectors were involved in the development of the parks. In addition, the Landscape Division had more playground inspectors than the Parks Department did, so they do have experience in dealing with park issues. • Park inspectors would sometimes attend this meeting to introduce themselves and present a status report. Commissioner Housken found this to be useful and asked if the landscape inspectors could do the same? Mr. Greenwood reminded the Commission that due to staff reductions, the inspectors' workload has increased significantly; therefore, they do not have the time to come in for the meetings. But any questions and/or concerns the Commissioners might have can be addressed by Mr. Knight. • Who does the Commission send their status reports and/or other information to? Mr. Stendell will be the point of contact. Mr. Stendell also requested the Commission's patience and input through this process. • What will happen with the items that needed to be accomplished by the Commission (e.i. Bike Trail and North Sphere Activity Center)? Mr. Greenwood informed the Committee that the original staff is still in charge of the Bike Trail and the North Sphere Activity Center can continue to be reviewed by the Commission. • Commissioner Babcock asked the Commissioners to spend more time on their assigned parks. He stated that instead of once a month, the parks need to be inspected every two weeks. 5 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION UTES Mav 4 2010 - What is the penalty for violating the code? Statements ran from $50 to $800. - Councilman Spiegel asked if the BLM and CA Fish and Game agree on everything. Mr. Foote responded yes Upon a motion from Commissioner Dawson, second by Commissioner Guyer and a 9-0 vote of the Commission, staff was directed to submit the amendments to the ordinance to City Council with the Commission's recommendation to approve. VII. PRESENTATIONS AND UPDATES A. PRESENTATION BY DESERT RECREATION DISTRICT REGARDING THE INTERNATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL Mr. Stan Ford of the Desert Recreation District distributed an Economic Impact Study of the 2010 International Sports Festival, which was held from Thursday, February 4, through Sunday, February 7, 2010. Councilman Spiegel inquired on who will be honored in next year's event. The Commission will discuss this item in the meeting of June. The preference for someone in baseball was noted. B. PRESENTATION BY DESERT RECREATION DISTRICT REGARDING SOAP BOX DERBY The City's first Soap Box Derby was held on Saturday, February 21, 2010, at Gateway Drive between Dinah Shore Drive and 35th Avenue. The event included 21 racing families (9 locals and 12 out-of-towners). Commissioner Housken inquired whether changing the event from two days to one day had an impact on the number of participants. Ms. Tatiana Hinkle informed the Committee that it did have an impact, but the change had to be done because of the cost of the street closure and the feedback that was received. Commissioner Housken expressed her concerns with last year's approval schedule. She became concerned when the item was added to the City Council's Agenda as an urgency item. This action could have let the City Manager believe the Commission did not take the necessary steps to have the event in place. Commissioner Housken wanted the record to reflect that the Commission voted on this item in the January 5tn meeting, although the proposal reflected a December date. Ms. Hinkle stated that first contact for this year's event was done in August of 2009, but in order to avoid delays, she would like to present a full proposal for next year's event in the July or August meeting. She also mentioned that they are looking into changing the location to C Street because of its S Shape. Commissioner Guyer inquired if the event 7 � PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION TES Mav 4 2010 Commission that the City Council values their recommendations and hopes that they will continue. In conclusion, Chairman Dash requested the distribution of the status information sheet, which included an update on Commission's past motions and recommendations, to be resumed. - Commissioner Thomas reminded the Commission of the Mandatory Ethics Training and that anyone that attended the training needed to submit their Certificate af Compliance to the City Clerk. He attended the meeting in Cathedral City and found it to be very informative. Commissioner Dawson reminded everyone that a two-hour training course can be taken online. - Commissioner Thomas stated that the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) had issued a press release proclaiming the week of June 1-7 as International Pickleball Week. He will like the Commission's support in taking this item to the May 27, City Council Meeting to make proclamation that will concur with the City's support of activities that promote health and exercise. He proposed to do a free clinic for anyone over the age of 10 for Pickleball on Saturday, June 5th from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The Desert Recreational District would only have to provide an informational flyer to the residents; everything else will be provided by him. - Commissioner Housken asked for opportunity to discuss the March Parks and Recreation Conference in the next scheduled meeting. - Commissioner Hall requested information on what are the duties of the Parks Ambassador, how they are employed and how the City uses them. She requested for this item to be added to the agenda of the next scheduled meeting. IX. ADJOURNMENT With no further business or discussion, and with the Commissioners' unanimous concurrence, the meeting was adjourned at 10:14 a.m. ., �, ,� ; ., . ,. �, .^-,'`'_ , f , �,Bertha A. Go zalez, ecordin ecretary 9