Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - June 5, 2012N -JLI CITY OF PALM DESERT PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: Rachelle D. Klassen, City Clerk FROM: Bertha A. Gonzalez, Senior Office Assistant DATE: July 24, 2012 SUBJECT: Submission of Minutes for the Parks and Recreation Commission Attached for your records are the approved minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of Tuesday, June 5, 2012. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information. Thank you. Attachment (as noted) CITY COUNCIL ACTION APPROVED--�— DF.NITD RECEIVED � -L� OTT] ER MEETING DATE, a3- l AYES: meson, �i�e�r-Ls�-- u NOES: NOn.2. ABSENT: QOY -2- ABSTAIN: VERIFIED BY Original on rile with City Cicrk's Office CITY OF PALM DESERT MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, JUNE 5, 2012 — 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 Dawson convened the meeting at 8:30 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present Chairman Jerry Dawson Vice Chair Kim Housken Commissioner Randy Guyer Commissioner Mary Helen Kelly Commissioner Christopher Thomas Ex-Officio Members: Rob Ballew, YMCA of the Desert Jeff Ronci, Desert Recreation District Absent Commissioner Michael Barnard Commissioner Dean Dowty Commissioner Deborah Hall Commissioner Raymond Rodriguez Staff Present: Mark Greenwood, P.E., Director of Public Works Bertha Gonzalez, Recording Secretary Ryan Stendell, Senior Management Analyst John M. Wohlmuth, City Manager Guests: Karen Creasy, YMCA of the Desert Laura McGalliard, Desert Recreation District Kevin Kalman, Desert Recreation District Janice Harnik, Councilmember Van Tanner, Planning Commission Liaison Sherry Barkas, The Desert Sun PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES June 5, 2012 III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS NONE IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012 Approve as presented. Upon a motion by Commissioner Guyer, second by Vice Chair Housken, and 5-0 vote of the Commission Board, the Consent Calendar was approved as presented. V. NEW BUSINESS A. REVIEW OF CURRENT PARK RULES Mr. Stendell distributed sections of the Palm Desert Municipal Code that pertain to the City's parks as well as the new rules that have been currently implemented. Staff has reviewed these sections and found some antiquated rules that had good purpose when implemented, but could be modified so they can reflect the City's current needs. One example given was Section 11.01.080 (G) Prohibited Conduct: Make or kindle a fire except in a picnic stove, brazier, fire pit or other appropriate device provided or approved for that purpose by the public authorities, which prohibits the use of portable barbeques in the parks. Busy weekends like Easter Sunday lead to long days of attempting to enforce this rule from both the City's Code Enforcement and DRD's Park Patrol. Staff has discussed this particular issue with the Fire Marshal's office and they do not have any safety concerns with allowing the use of portable or camping style barbeques in the park. However, they did suggest not allowing traditional household barbeques. Staff believes that this section of the Municipal Code could be amended to specifically allow the use of portable barbeques in the park. They suggested a trial period during winter/spring season 2012-13 before making any permanent adjustments. At this time, staff is requesting the Commission to address this item only. Moving forward with the park use inspections, the Commission will be cognizant of the current rules and can modify them as needed. Vice Chair Housken stated that for safety reasons the height of the camping style barbeques needs to be addressed and asked if adding PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION PROVED MINUTES June 5 2012 more permanent barbeques should be considered. She also asked staff to consider how this will affect the insurance requirements. Councilmember Harnik stated that due to the current budget restrains, building new barbeques can be an issue, but suggested designating specific areas were this type of barbeques can be used. Commissioner Guyer suggested installing coal containers for visitors. Mr. John Wohlmuth noted that the City tries to keep the park signage relatively simple; therefore, staff needs to consider how the allowed vs. not allowed barbeques will be explained on the signs. Commissioner Kelly asked staff to be more specific with the statement of "No sport that puts people at risk of any danger" that is on the park rules flyer. Mr. Stendell stated that this statement is normally left to the Park Ambassador's discretion of what they perceive to be dangerous. He asked the Commissioners to forward any park rules suggestions/concerns to staff as needed. On a separate note, Mr. Van Tanner noted that a coal container needs to be placed at Freedom Park. B. PARK USE INSPECTIONS Chairman Dawson and Mr. Stendell developed a schedule of two or three Commissioners visiting one of the City's parks once a month to log how it is being utilized. Each month, an item will be placed on the agenda to review the previous month's inspection. In addition, in an effort to better analyze what improvements are needed, Chairman Dawson created a park review guide. He recommended that the Commission use the guide during their inspections and noted that the guide can be modified as needed throughout the years. Chairman Dawson and Mr. Stendell believe that this is the best way for the Commissioners to know each park, along with its usage, facilities and needs. Upon a motion from Commissioner Kelly, second by Vice Chair Housken and a 5-0 vote of the Commission, the plan was adopted as presented. C. SUMMER SCHEDULE Following a brief discussion, the Commission concurred to postpone the regular meeting of Tuesday, July 3, 2012, to Tuesday, July 24, 2012, and cancel the regular meeting of Tuesday, August 7, 2012. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION PROVED MINUTES June 5. 2012 VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. COMMISSION BYLAWS Based on the recommendations presented at a previous meeting, Mr. Stendell presented a draft of the Commission Bylaws with the implemented changes. He noted that the changes leave room for additional modifications and with the Commission's recommendation, the new Bylaws will be presented to the City Council for approval. Upon a motion from Commissioner Guyer, second by Commissioner Kelly and a 5-0 vote of the Commission, the new proposed Commission Bylaws were recommended for approval. VII. OLD BUSINESS NONE VIII. PRESENTATIONS AND UPDATES A. WHITEWATER RIVER TRAIL — PRESENTATION OF 1 el 1 Mr. Stendell stated that a full report of the proposed Whitewater River Trail Project will be presented by CVAG in the meeting of July or September. For the moment, he presented a tentative map showing the proposed bike and hiking path along the Whitewater River. The project would connect all nine Coachella Valley cities with a neighborhood electric vehicle, bicycle and walking path. Mr. Stendell noted that there are still many challenges to overcome, including maintenance and enforcement. Mr. John Wohlmuth added that a conceptual analysis was done to prevent the route from crossing any golf courses. There is a $1 million grant for the design and engineering portions of the project; however, it is conceptual until the planning phase has been completed. He noted that a significant number of segments are already in place. B. PALM DESERT AQUATIC CENTER Mrs. Karen Creasy reported that Spring Break brought a rise in attendance at the Aquatic Center. The Under Water Easter Egg Hunt on April 8th drew in 100 preregistered participants and over 200 drop -ins, which made it a great success. Spring Break recreational swimming was also a huge success bringing visitors from all over the United States. The Palm Desert Swim Club continues to grow and hosted its first swim meet at the Aquatic Center on Saturday, April 21, 2012. 4 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES June 5. 2012 This year, Memorial Day weekend had a higher number of visitors than last year. The concessions have also been busier; therefore, staff will be installing permanent shading and hiring a food runner. In addition, the Palms to Pine Rotary Club donated swim suits and $1,000 for swimming lessons. Staff is planning a party on Thursday, June 28, 2012, to celebrate the Aquatic Center's one year anniversary and the center will be open on 4th of July for the fireworks show. Mr. Stendell reported that a gate will be installed outside the storage area to protect the chemicals and to store the new bleachers and additional shading is being considered along with the purchase of a scoreboard. Mrs. Creasy has also requested some additional signage to advertise events held at the center. Mrs. Karen Creasy presented the Aquatic Center's end of the month report as follows: Daily Admission Numbers Transaction Type Description April 1-30 100 — Resident: 13-59 1002 101 — Non Resident: 13-59 1392 102 — Resident: Youth/Senior 690 103 — Non Resident: Youth/Senior 871 104 — Resident: 2-5 209 105 — Non Resident: 2-5 346 Total Admissions 4510 Average per Day 162 Income $6,145.00 Rental $38,945.00 Admission $8,971.00 Program $5,778.00 Food $2,256.00 Beverage $552.00 Retail $62, 647.00 Total Income C. FAMILY YMCA OF THE DESERT Mr. Rob Ballew reported that on Saturday, June 9, 2012, the YMCA will be celebrating the graduation of three pre-schools. He also named a number of YMCA summer camps, including Jedi, Nerf, Heroes and Villains, and Harry Potter. 5 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES June 5, 2012 D. DESERT RECREATION DISTRICT Mr. Jeff Ronci reported that there were 39 races in the Soapbox Derby Race, making another successful event. He also stated that the DRD Catalog includes a full range of programs and clubs, their lifeguard training was held at the Aquatic Center, and they have an open position for a Yoga instructor. The DRD has also partnered with Kaiser Permanente and their Healthy Eating - Active Living Program in an effort to fight obesity in children. Mr. Kevin Kalman presented an update on the Desert Recreation District's Strategic Plan that will help them meet the needs of the community. He reported that the DRD has lowered their expenses significantly throughout the years; however, staff layoffs were necessary this year. Their current budget is near $10.4 million; most of it will be used on operations. Vice Chair Housken asked why more programs for senior and/or baby boomers are not being implemented. Mr. Kalman responded that baby boomers seem to be more independent; therefore, they seem to have interest in the facilities than the programs. He added that the Senior Center is doing a great job in provided activities for the seniors. Mr. Jeff Ronci presented the monthly facilities and programming reports for April and May as follows: Program / Activity Residents April / May Non Residents April / May Enrollments April / May After School Clubhouse 34 / 32 139 / 140 173 / 172 Cams 18/15 8/1 26/16 Dance 5/8 2/5 7/13 Health & Fitness 3/9 6/5 9 / 14 Music 3/0 0/0 3/0 Sports 12/17 9/9 21 /26 Staffing Training 3 / 59 1 / 52 4 / 111 Tots 13 / 13 18 / 19 31 / 32 Tennis - - 3072 / Skate Park - - 439 Bike Park - - 341 Drop -ins - - 246 Membership/ Facilities April - May Attendance Reservations Rentals Freedom Park Pavilion 1 Freedom Park Fields 253 Hovley Soccer Park Fields 182 Civic Center Park Pavilions 10 Civic Center Park Fields 108 Civic Center Amphitheater 2 Usage 3637 0 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION PROVED MINUTES June 5 2019 IX. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS As requested by Commissioner Guyer, Mike Schuler signs will be presented to his family at the regular meeting of September. Mr. Stendell reported that the Cahuilla Hills Park restroom will be completed by the end of June. In addition, a notice notifying residents of the dog parks closure for a few hours on Wednesdays for general maintenance has been posted. He stated that due to some recent police reports, staff has secured the empty lot at the south east end of the Hovley Soccer Park using wrought iron that was removed from Washington Charter School. Mr. Stendell noted that once the budget has been approved by the City Council, a discussion item will be placed on the agenda. X. ADJOURNMENT With no further business or discussion, and with the Commissioners' unanimous concurrence, the meeting was adjourned at 10:05 a.m. itha A. Gor lez, Re- ding S716ry