Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Parks and Recreation Commission January 18, 2011CITY OF PALM DESERT PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: Rachelle D. Klassen, City Clerk FROM: Bertha A. Gonzalez, Senior Office Assistant DATE: March 1, 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 January 18, 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 • —OTHER MEETING DATE AYES: ei50 _ NOF,S: n� — ABSENT: -' ABSTAIN: � VERIFIED BY: r -- Original on File with City Clerk''s Office CITY OF PALM DESERT MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION ADJOURNED MEETING TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2011 — 8:30 a.m. Administrative Conference Room — Palm Desert Civic Center 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, California 92260 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 Michael Barnard Commissioner Jerry Dawson Commissioner Deborah Hall Commissioner Kim Housken 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 Craig DeWitt, Desert Recreation District Jim Foote, Bureau of Land Management Laura McGalliard, Desert Recreation District Jeff Ronci, Desert Recreation District Robert A. Spiegel, Councilman Van Tanner, Planning Commission Liaison PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES January 18, 2011 III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS 1►101010 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2010 Commissioner Dawson clarified that Commissioner Thomas was who presented an update on the usage of the pickelball courts. Upon a motion by Chairman Dash, second by Commissioner Dawson, and 7-0 vote of the Commission Board, the Consent Calendar was approved with above clarification. V. NEW BUSINESS A. ELECTION OF 2011 OFFICERS Mr. Ryan Stendell asked for volunteers and/or nominees to serve as the Commission's new Chairman and Vice Chair in 2011. Upon a motion by Commissioner Housken, second by Commissioner Dawson and a 7-0 vote of the Commission board, Vice Chair Guyer was elected Chair. Upon a motion by Commissioner Housken, second by Commissioner Hall and a 7-0 of the Commission board, Commissioner Dawson was elected Vice Chair. B. PARK INSPECTION ASSIGNMENTS Mr. Stendell presented the Commission with the new park inspection assignments for 2011. He mentioned that when new commissioners are appointed the worksheet will be modified. He also noted the importance of the inspections and thanked the Commission for conducting them. He added that a follow-up on the inspections will be presented at the end of each meeting. Chairman Guyer asked the Commissioners to look for any potential projects during the inspections. Commissioner Housken mentioned that Washington Charter School has a sign thanking the City of Palm Desert for the new playground surfacing. Mr. Stendell stated that he will photograph the playground and include it in an article in the Palm Desert Style Magazine. 2 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES January 18 2011 VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. PALM DESERT AQUATIC CENTER OPERATIONS — Draft of Operating Schedule and Budget (presented in conjunction with the YMCA) Mr. Stendell stated that staff is currently working with the YMCA of the Desert to create a schedule that can be submitted to the City Council. Mr. Rob Ballew of the YMCA stated that they are in the process of recruiting a director for the Aquatic Center. It is a national search that will close on January 28, 2011, and staff has received approximately 15 applications. Mr. Ballew also stated that one of the requirements for the new director is to have experience in programming in order for the event rooms to be used to their maximum potential. Following the City Council's approval of new director, the YMCA will start the search for staff while researching the interest of the community. Commissioner Housken commented that it will be interesting to see what interest the baby boomers will have on using the facility and at what times. Responding to Commissioner Dash's inquiry, Mr. Stendell stated that any school can use the facility and staff is meeting regularly with the College of the Desert in order to identify their needs of the Aquatic Center. In response to Chairman Guyer's inquiry, Mr. Ballew stated that there is no overlap on what the YMCA and COD will offer, since COD offers classes only and the YMCA is more recreational. In response to Commissioner Barnard's inquiry on office space, he stated that the offices at the YMCA are almost full; therefore, some of the rooms at the Aquatic Center will be used as office space. Councilman Spiegel asked if COD was planning to create a competitive swim team. Mr. Dean Dowty of COD responded that are planning to create one, but it will take at least a year for it to go through the process. On a separate note, Mr. Ballew informed the Commission that the concession stand will be run by the YMCA and the hours of operation are still being identified. B. 5-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN DISCUSSION Mr. Stendell informed the Commission that between the Park Fund Reserve and Park Fund account, there is approximately $1.4 million budgeted. He continued by stating that the skate park project is currently being analyzed and staff has determined that the fence at University Park can be done at a fair cost. On the other hand, the construction of a restroom at Cahuilla Hills is estimated to be very expensive, since there are no sewer lines in close proximity. Mr. Stendell stated that staff could downsize the skate park improvements, 3 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES January 18. 2011 if necessary, but asked for the Commission's thoughts regarding its construction. Mr. Stendell stated that he has reviewed the plans of the nearby church and he believes they are on septic tank. He added that a septic tank cannot be installed because of the City's ordinance and the idea of setting portables has been dismissed due to the potential of vandalism. Commissioner Housken asked if the church would allow the park visitors to use their restroom facilities. Chair Guyer added that the City could offer to share the cost to pump their septic tank. Mr. Stendell responded that he believes it will be best if the pickelball group approached the church with the request. Mr. Ballew asked if there was a large need for improvements in the skate park, since he has not seen many skaters using it. Mr. Stendell responded that the park is heavily used during the evening hours and they have received a number of requests for upgrades. Mr. John Wohlmuth noted that the City Council has approved the feasibility study for the skate park only, not the actual improvements. Commissioner Hall stated that the Cahuilla Hills Park is being used regularly and there seems to be a need for a restroom; therefore, staff should continue to look for alternatives. Mr. Stendell stated that the intent of the worksheet is to show how adding new projects affect other projects and asked the Commission's acknowledgement of the CIP Plan in order to be able to submit it to the City Council for approval. Vice Chair Dawson asked if the worksheet needs to reflect any potential addition of amenities to Aquatic Center. Mr. Stendell stated that a study could be added to fiscal year 2013-14, which could determine if there is a need to add amenities. Mr. Wohlmuth stated that the Commission needs to review the list every year in order to identify new projects and/or omit unneeded projects. Commissioner Thomas asked staff to continue researching the potential installation of restroom at Cahuilla Hills or any alternatives since there seems to be a public need for it. No motion; the Commission formally acknowledged the CIP plan. VII. OLD BUSINESS NONE VIII. PRESENTATIONS AND UPDATES A. FAMILY YMCA OF THE DESERT 4 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES January 18 2011 Mr. Ballew stated that the YMCA information will be provided to the Commission prior to the meeting. He then reported that the Easter Egg Hunt will be held the Saturday before Easter. Flag football is going well, but Christmas Day Camp had low attendance. The Y-Be- Fit program has been added to all their facilities. Commissioner Dawson asked if cost could be a reason why the Government Program has low attendance. Mr. Ballew responded that the YMCA is researching if cost is an issue. B. DESERT RECREATION DISTRICT Mr. Jeff Ronci stated that 18 participants have completed the Cycling 101 Class and the second session is expected to sell out. The Community Center has been closed for about a week for improvements and preventative maintenance. The DRD distributed 20-25 bags of toys to needy families during the holidays. The International Sports Festival has been advertized in the PD Style Magazine and Brightside and flyer detailing the event has been distributed. Mr. Ronci extended the invitation to the Commission to attend the International Sports Festival Opening dinner on February 4, 2011, which will be held in Community Center. Councilman Spiegel asked why the dinner was not held at the Country Club as in previous years and Mr. Ronci responded that the DRD is trying to take a different approach by making the dinner less formal. At the event vendors will be displaying their equipment and dinner will be catered by the Soup Plantation. Commissioner Thomas complimented the DRD on promoting the soap box derby. Councilman Spiegel asked if the first derby had 22 participants, how will the advertisement help improve the number of participants. Mr. Ronci stated that they are looking at ways to reduce cost, but have a more effective advertisement that hopefully lead to an increase of participants. Mr. Stendell stated that a full report will be given when the derby closes. Mr. Jeff Ronci presented the monthly facilities and programming reports as follows: Program / Activity Enrollment Participation Zumba 1 Salsaaerobics 2 Ballroom Dancing 9 Swing Dance Workshop 4 Salsa Dance Workshop 0 Drawing 0 Painting & Advance 1 Swing and Salsa for Beginners 9 Yoga 1 /wk 1 5 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES January 18 2011 Yoga 2/wk 7 After School Club 19 Winter Camp 0 Hoppe Hoop Camp 0 Karate Taekwondo 8 Frisbee Ball 1 1 Frisbee Ball II 2 Frisbee Ball III 1 Tiny Tots 30 BMX Riders 269 Skate 450 Tennis 1799 Pickleball 240 Membership/ Facilities Rentals Ball Fields 29 Soccer Fields 98 Pavilions 6 Amphitheater 2 Vill. STAFF AND COMMISSIONER COMMENTS - FEBRUARY MEETING Mr. Stendell will be in the Park and Recreation Liability Training the first week of February; therefore, staff asked the Commission's preference to cancel or postpone the meeting of February 1, 2011. Since there are no pending items that require Commission's immediate address, the Commission recommended cancelling the meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for March 1, 2011. - PARK INSPECTION FOLLOW-UPS Since the new assignments for 2011 were not distributed, there were no inspection reports to address; therefore, Mr. Stendell reviewed one pending item on the action log. The Senior Softball League will be held accordingly with the help of the Desert Recreation District. The DRD fees were waived and the league will be doing their own preparation. If they cannot do their own maintenance, the DRD will sponsor the league. - The damage at Palma Village Park has been repaired by City staff. Because vandalism on the benches seems to be a recurring issue, Mr. Spencer Knight is replacing the benches with vandal proof material. - Councilman Spiegel informed the Commission that the City Council held a special meeting to address Governor Brown's proposal to close the redevelopment agencies. He stated that this will especially affect the available funds for a new park at the north end of the City. IV PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES January 18 2011 - The Petanque Club has been notified that the Petanque Court will be in construction for one to two weeks. - Vice Chair Dawson requested an update on Terry Schukart, which there was none, and asked for a round of applause for Commissioner Dash's service as Chairman. - Commissioner Thomas informed the Commission that the opening of the new aquatic center in Riverside has been postponed until May. He mentioned that the information is listed on their webpage, including the fees, and asked the YMCA to consider doing the same for the Palm Desert Aquatic Center. - Mr. Knight stated that incase the Commission hears of any complaints the Civic Center Dog Park is overused and staff is having a difficult time keeping the turf green. Commissioner Housken suggested replacing some of the turf with boulders, as she saw at a park in New York and considers it a great idea. - Mr. Knight has met with DRD staff to start planning for this year's overseeding. Due to the number of events held in the park, staff realized that scheduling needs to start earlier in the year. - Chairman Guyer asked if there were any potential candidates that have applied to serve on the Commission. Mr. Wohlmuth stated that there are few applications that will be presented to the City Council at the meeting of February 10 and 24, 2011, for consideration. The new commissioner(s) should be appointed by the meeting of March. - Commissioner Dash thanked the Commission for allowing him to serve as Chairman and Mr. Stendell for his assistance and guidance during the past year. - Mr. Wohlmuth stated that at the City Council retreat, the City Council took a look at their relationship with staff. They asked what the current condition of the parks is in comparison to last year. Mr. Knight did a presentation and staff was complemented on the work they've done. IX. ADJOURNMENT With no further business or discussion, and with the Commissioners' unanimous concurrence, the meeting was adjourned at 9:45 a.m. Bertha A. Gonz?ez, Reco ng Secretft 7