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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Parks and Recreation Commission May 3, 2011�C CITY OF PALM DESERT PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: Rachelle D. Klassen, City Clerk FROM: Bertha A. Gonzalez, Senior Office Assistant DATE: June 7, 2011 SUBJECT: Submission of Minutes for the Parks and Recreation Commission Attached for your records are the approved Minutes of Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of May 3, 2011. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information. Thank you. Attachment (as noted) CITY COUNCIL ACTION APPROVED_. DENIED RECEIVED `4 F' `O'! IER. MEETING DATE ri AYES� :ri�lii��ir�cnr��,=_ NOES: ABSENT: K LA Z ABSTAIN: KDQr- VERIFIED BY - Original on File with City Clerk's Office CITY OF PALM DESERT MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2011 — 8:30 a.m. Civic Center Park (Pavilion 3) — Palm Desert Civic Center 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, California 92260 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Guyer convened the meeting at 8:30 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent Chairman Randy Guyer None Vice Chair Jerry Dawson Commissioner Michael Barnard Commissioner Dean Dowty Commissioner Deborah Hall Commissioner Kim Housken Commissioner Mary Helen Kelly Commissioner Raymond Rodriguez 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 John M. Wohlmuth, City Manager Guests: Barb Adair, Desert Recreation District Rob Ballew, YMCA of the Desert Karen Creasy, YMCA of the Desert Laura McGalliard, Desert Recreation District Jeff Ronci, Desert Recreation District Robert A. Spiegel, Councilman Van Tanner, Planning Commission Liaison Roger Dash, Planning Commission Sherry Barkas, The Desert Sun PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION PROVED MINUTES MAY 3_ 2011 III. INTRODUCTIONS Mr. Ryan Stendell introduced the new Commissioner, Ray Rodriguez, and offered him the opportunity to address the Commission. Mr. Rodriguez stated that he has been a long time resident of the City of Palm Desert and it was pleasure to be part of the Commission. IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Councilman Spiegel informed the Commissioners that the construction of a restroom in the Cahuilla Hills Park seems to be moving forward. V. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2011 Upon a motion by Chairman Guyer, second by Vice Chair Dawson, and a 9-0 vote of the Commission Board, the Consent Calendar was approved as presented. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. PROPOSED AQUATIC CENTER FEES Mr. Stendell introduced the proposed fees for the Aquatics Center and requested the Commission's recommendation for approval to the City Council. The fees are based on the data provided in the Ballard King Operations Study. The YMCA reviewed the fees and proposed to add an entry fee for seniors (60 and up) and children (2 to 5). According to the YMCA, these are industry standard fee categories and they will help with the end result of the facility. The group rates and program, rental, and concession fees will be left to the discretion of the operator. According to Mrs. Karen Creasy, due to the addition of a senior fee, adding a senior pass was not considered prudent. She added that when a visitor enrolls in a class, the entry fee will be included. The YMCA is also currently working on the policy and procedure manual, which will establish who is considered a youth, since they will need to be accompanied by an adult. In addition, the lifeguards will not have the responsibility to supervise children; it will be the responsibility of the accompanying adult. The YMCA is still working on staffing, but they predict that 30-35 part-time employees will be hired. Mr. Stendell stated that the process to establish residency has been simplified by keeping the resident's information in a data log. The fees can be modified at a later date, should the Commission wish to do so, but it will need to be submitted to the City Council for approval. He also 2 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES MAY 3 2011 asked if the Commission will agree to add a rate for the employees and should it be at the same rate as for the residents. Upon a motion from Commissioner Kelly, second by Vice Chair Dawson and a 9-0 vote of the Commission, the Commission recommended the City Council's approval of the Aquatics Center fees and the addition of an employee fee at the same rate as the residents. B. PROPOSITION 26 IMPLEMENTATION (Fees vs. Taxes) Mr. Stendell presented a report from Best, Best & Krieger and Western City's Executive regarding the impact and intent of Proposition 26, which is to define a tax vs. a regulatory fee in California. The way it impacts the parks is that when the City receives a fee waiver request, the City may be paying for groups that are sponsoring other groups. Though there are certain exemptions, but because some parks fees could be affected, he wanted to give the Commissioners an opportunity to ask questions. Informational item; no questions were presented. VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS NONE VIII. OLD BUSINESS NONE IX. PRESENTATIONS AND UPDATES A. INSPECTION REPORTS Mr. Stendell stated that all the items on the inspection reports have been addressed, except for the Soccer Park picnic shelters. There are currently no funds available to repaint the shelters, but staff will review the budget at the end of the fiscal year in order to determine the availability of funds. Commissioner Kelly asked if volunteer groups could donate the paint and labor to repaint the shelters, but Mr. Stendell stated that due to insurance issues a process needs to be followed. He added that there are volunteer groups that are being formed to help with the trails and any group interested in starting a volunteer process needs to contact him. Commissioner Kelly stated that it gives a negative impression when City staff states that no funding is available. Instead, she would like to see the process in place to facilitate recruiting volunteer groups. 3 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES MAY 3 2011 On a separate note, Mr. Van Tanner reported seeing graffiti on the Freedom Park benches. B. FAMILY YMCA OF THE DESERT Mr. Rob Ballew stated that the Healthy Kids Program and Easter Egg Hunt had approximately 2,100 participants this year. He stated that participation was down from last year mainly because of an event that was held at the Westfield Mall. On that note, he notified the Commission that Westfield would like the YMCA to join their event, but the YMCA would rather have Westfield join the YMCA's event. Mrs. Creasy stated that she was very excited with the upcoming Grand Opening of the Aquatics Center on June 11, 2011. Registrations will start as early as 9:00 a.m.; the doors to the center will open at 10:00 a.m.; and the pools will open at 11:00 a.m. A pre -opening date for City personnel has not been determined. C. DESERT RECREATION DISTRICT Mr. Jeff Ronci stated that the activity report includes the resident and non-resident usage of the facilities and the new DRD catalog, which illustrates the new DRD manager, Kevin Kalman, has been sent out via regular mail. He added that the Pickleball Tournament had 30 participants and was informed by former Commissioner Phill Babcock that the Hidden Palms Community was interested in hosting a pickleball clinic for their residents. Mr. Ronci concluded by welcoming back Ms. Barb Adair, a DRD staff member who has been on a leave. Mr. Jeff Ronci presented the monthly facilities and programming reports as follows: Program / Activity Enrollment Salsaaerobics 7 Belly Dancing 7 Painting 1 Yo a 1 Day 4 Yoga 2 Day 3 Beginning Ballet 2 After -School Clubhouse 33 Guitar 14 Karate Taekwondo 11 Volleyball 5 Tiny Tots 32 Dance Play 5 4 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES MAY 3 2011 Facilities Use Reservations Tennis Courts 3072 Skate Park 439 BMX Riders 341 Ballfields 186 Soccer Fields 66 Amphitheater 4 Pavilions 10 Pavilion X. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Thomas asked if the usage of portable generators was allowed in the parks, since he witnessed a visitor using one at Freedom Park. Staff informed him that they are not allowed and should he witness anyone using it again, it can be reported to City Hall or the park patrols. XI. ADJOURNMENT With no further business or discussion, and with the Commissioners' unanimous concurrence, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 a.m. and the members proceeded with the tour of the Aquatics Center construction site. rtha A. Gon lez, Re rding Se etary