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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Parks and Recreatoin Commission October 4, 2011CITY OF PALM DESERT PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: Rachelle D. Klassen, City Clerk FROM: Bertha A. Gonzalez, Senior Office Assistant DATE: November 1, 2011 SUBJECT: Submission of Minutes for the Parks and Recreation Commission Attached for your records are the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of October 4, 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 `t" Lle- —OTHER MEETING llATE -I O DC AYES: NOES: ABSENT:-- ABSTAIN:.L VERIFIED BY: OK- 1-0 Original on File with City Clerk's (Ti'Iice CITY OF PALM DESERT MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2011 — 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 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: Rob Ballew, YMCA of the Desert Karen Creasy, 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 Jan Harnik, Councilmember Van Tanner, Planning Commission Liaison Sherry Barkas, The Desert Sun PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES OCTOBER 4, 2011 III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS NONE IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED MEETING OF TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2011 Approve as presented Upon a motion by Chairman Guyer, second by Commissioner Hall, and 9-0 vote of the Commission Board, the Consent Calendar was approved as presented. Mr. Ryan Stendell asked to start the meeting with Item A, Rules and Enforcement for the Dog Parks, of Continued Business, since Item A of New Business, Tennis Court Replacement, is associated with Item B of Continued Business, the Cahuilla Hills Park Potential Improvements. The Commission concurred. V. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. RULES AND ENFORCEMENT FOR THE DOG PARKS Mr. Stendell presented the proposed revisions to Chapter 11.01.120 (Parks, Duty to Care for Animals) of the Palm Desert Municipal Code. The additional rules are meant to address the most essential concerns regarding the dog parks. A key example is Item 3, Section C, which reads "Owners must stop their dogs from digging. Any holes created must be filled by the owners". Mr. Stendell stated that this has been a very controversial subject between users and City staff. Therefore, adding this statement to.the Municipal Code could make it a great management tool. He clarified that residents from other cities and/or snowbirds would still be allowed to use the parks as long as they posses a current pet license. Enforcement will continue to be addressed in the same manner: the Ambassadors would be the first contact and, when necessary, the Code Enforcement officers will be in charge of issuing citations. When presented with the option of appointing an unofficial Park Ambassador, the Commission was reminded that the City had previously incorporated an unofficial dog park liaison, but it did not have a successful outcome. Mr. Stendell stated that a Dog Park Users Group Meeting is scheduled for October 11, 2011, at 5:30 p.m. in the Administrative Conference Room. The revisions will be presented at meeting, with the intent to bring City staff and the dog park users to an agreement. FA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES OCTOBER 4, 2011 Following City Council's approval, the new rules will be posted in all the dog parks. Commissioner Kelly stated that, although there is the occasional person that disobeys the rules, to her understanding most dog park users respect the rules and each other; therefore, she asked for a motion to accept the revisions as presented. Upon a motion from Commissioner Kelly, second by Commissioner Housken and a 9-0 vote of the Commission, a recommendation to approve the addition of the new dog parks to the Palm Desert Municipal Code was given to City Council. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. CIVIC CENTER TENNIS COURT REPLACEMENT Mr. Stendell first informed the Commission that, as recommended in a previous meeting, a restroom with a holding tank will be installed at Cahuilla Hills Park. He continued by stating that staff received an email requesting for the conversion of Civic Center Park Court 6, which is used for pickleball and tennis, to a tennis play court only. The email stated that the court is rarely used for pickleball while the need for an additional tennis court has increased. Mr. Stendell noted that the Civic Center tennis courts are due for resurfacing and restriping; therefore, the court could be easily converted, but asked for the Commission's recommendation. Following a brief discussion, the Commission agreed that the sports of pickleball and tennis have very different dynamics; therefore, it would be best to separate them, but asked if the court is needed by the College of the Desert (COD). Commissioner Dowty stated that COD used to conduct tennis classes at the Civic Center Park, but due to a conflict of schedules with the tennis players, the classes are now held in Monterey Country Club. Pickleball classes are held indoors at COD. At this time, the pickleball usage at Cahuilla Hills Park cannot be determined since a full-time ambassador is not available, but Commissioner Thomas stated that only two other cities have pickleball courts (Palm Springs and Cathedral City), so in his opinion, four courts in Cahuilla Hills Park is not enough for the daily pickleball players. On the other hand, he agreed that the Civic Center Court 6 should be converted back to tennis play only. Staff suggested scheduling a Cahuilla Hills Park Users Meeting in November and returning the item to the December meeting for further discussion; the Commission concurred and the item was continued. 3 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES OCTOBER 4. 2011 VII. CONTINUED BUSINESS B. CAHUILLA HILLS PARK POTENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS Mr. Stendell presented a map that illustrated a new beginner's loop in Cahuilla Hills Park. He asked if any member of the Commission would be interested in walking the loop in order to determine if it's what the Commission requested. The walk, which is over a mile long and estimated to last a couple of hours, will be led by Mr. Stendell. He noted that part of the loop has already been created by the park users, but due to a drainage area, additional work may be required at the end of the path. He then stated that this trail seems to accomplish every goal the Commission and users have requested. The Commission asked for the loop to tie with Painters Path, so an easy exit is available to the users. The BLM informed City staff that a potential obstacle will be with the Multiple Species Agency, but they are not staffed with a Bighorn Sheep Biologist at the moment. Councilmember Harnik noted her concerns with staff spending time and funds on the project and then the California Department of Fish and Game not approving it. The BLM stated that the Wildlife Agency needs to give its approval before the construction of project can move forward. Mr. John Wohlmuth, City Manager, noted that this does not mean the planning phase cannot start and because of all agencies involved, the construction phase of the project might take longer than a year to commence. Volunteers to walk the proposed beginners loop included Councilmember Harnik and Commissioners Kelly, Thomas, Hall, and Rodriguez. VIII. OLD BUSINESS NONE IX. PRESENTATIONS AND UPDATES A. COMMISSION RECOGNITION AT THE AQUATICS CENTER Mr. Stendell informed the Commission that the process of developing a plaque that will give due credit to the Commission for its involvement in the construction of the Aquatic Center is underway. B. PARK INSPECTIONS - The water fountain located in the rear of the Amphitheater will be removed and the palapas at Homme-Adams Park will be repaired. rd PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES OCTOBER 4. 2011 - The overseeding is scheduled to start on October 15, 2011, so staff has started to lower the turf. The Commission was reminded that the dog parks and amphitheater will not be overseeded. - The baseball banners will be removed. The Commission recommended dating the banners, so, in the future, they are removed on a timely manner. - Commissioner Thomas mentioned that the bench structure at Cahuilla Hills Park has not been repaired; staff will address. - All other items are being addressed accordingly. C. FAMILY YMCA OF THE DESERT - Aquatic Center Update Mrs. Karen creasy presented the Aquatic Center's end of the month report as follows: Daily Admission Numbers Transaction Type Description August 1-31 100 — Resident: 13-59 1365 101 — Non Resident: 13-59 2307 102 — Resident: Youth/Senior 983 103 — Non Resident: Youth/Senior 1460 104 — Resident: 2-5 285 105 — Non Resident: 2-5 749 Total Admissions 7149 Space Rentals 32 Income $8,175.00 Rental $62,906.00 Admission $13,400.00 Program $10,113.00 Food $3,473.00 Beverage $268.00 Retail $98.335.00 Total Income Mrs. Creasy stated that the center has moved into a swim center phase with a lot of waterpolo. The DesertArc, Xavier School and the Scorpions Club are some of the groups that have or will be using the pool. Swimming lessons will be offered all year and a threefold and single rack card is being developed for advertising purposes. Mrs. Creasy will be attending training on chemicals and filters, classes for the Arthritis Foundation, and meetings with other aquatic center agencies to explore options. The USA Masters Waterpolo has issued a Request for Proposals that, if awarded to Palm Desert, could bring more than 70 teams to the Coachella Valley. 5 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION PROVED MINUTES OCTOBER 4 2011 The Commission requested to have the average daily rate of residents and non-residents be shown on the report as a percentage and asked if there was a discount for large groups and/or season passes. Mrs. Creasy stated that there is a season pass available, but Commissioner Dowty noted that it doesn't seem to have much of a discount nor incentive. After a brief discussion, the Commission was informed that the City Council requested a full report on the center's usage; therefore, the YMCA will also present it to the Commission. Mr. Rob Ballew of the YMCA reported that at the last City Council meeting, COD gave $1 million to the Aquatic Center. The Golf Cart Parade will be on October 2, 2011; a bicycle giveaway is scheduled for October 29, 2011; and the Annual Hoedown will be held in the Agua Caliente Casino on November 5, 2011. D. DESERT RECREATION DISTRICT Mr. Jeff Ronci congratulated Mrs. Creasy for the job well done in managing the Aquatic Center in both the recreational and competitive aspect. He formally invited the Commission to the upcoming Desert Recreation Meeting and noted that they are currently in the process of changing to a new program, Active.com, so some of the participation reports were not available. Mr. Ronci reported that the Cycle Festival will be held on October 22, 2011, at the Polo Grounds in Indio; they have created Cycling 201 for advanced cyclists; and Trips for Kids Program gave bikes to kids without bikes. VIII. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS - Mr. Stendell stated that Veterans Day Celebration is scheduled for November 11, 2011, and the DC Band is interested in performing. - Commissioner Housken reminded the Commission that Dine Out in Palm Desert Program has started. Councilmember Harnik reported that Orange County has adopted an ordinance that makes it illegal for registered sex offenders to be in the parks. IX. ADJOURNMENT With no further business or discussion, and with the Commissioners' unanimous concurrence, the meeting was adjourned at 10:02 a.m. --z rtha A. Gqn1alez, R rding Se5pefary 0