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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Parks and Recreation Commission 04/03/2012CITY OF PALM DESERT PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: Rachelle D. Klassen, City Clerk FROM: Bertha A. Gonzalez, Senior Office Assistant DATE: June 5, 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, April 3, 2012. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information. Thank you. Attachment (as noted) CITY COUNCTLACTION APPROVED T—DENIED RECEIVED 4 Ff L- OTHER MEETING DATE AYES: Fill NOES: tLile-- ABSEAT: L11 ABSTAIN: N LO VFRIFIE:I) I3Y: Original on File with City Clerk's Off ee CITY OF PALM DESERT MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 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 Raymond Rodriguez 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 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: Karen Creasey, YMCA of the Desert Craig DeWitt, Desert Recreation District Jim Foote, Bureau of Land Management Laura McGalliard, Desert Recreation District Robert A. Spiegel, Councilman Van Tanner, Planning Commission Liaison Sherry Barkas, The Desert Sun PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES APRIL 3, 2012 III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS 101[Q041� IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2012 Approve as presented Upon a motion by Commissioner Kelly, second by Commissioner Thomas, and 6-0 vote of the Commission Board, the Consent Calendar was approved as presented. V. NEW BUSINESS A. USER FEES FOR YOUTH SPORTS LEAGUES Mr. Ryan Stendell reported that sports leagues user group fees have been a large topic of debate within local jurisdictions. The City of Indio charges a small users fee and the City of La Quinta recently adopted a policy that allows them to collect a non-resident user fee per player within each league to offset expenses. City staff recently discussed this topic with the City of La Quinta, City of Indio and Desert Recreation District for youth sports, which includes baseball/softball, soccer, and football. Staff believes that parents/leagues that cannot afford and/or wish to pay the additional fees may decide to bring their children to Palm Desert. The leagues keep no record of resident and non-resident participation, but the DRD roughly estimates that half of the Palm Desert field usage is from non-residents. In effort to identify the direct maintenance costs of our sports facilities, Mr. Spencer Knight created separate line items in the maintenance contracts for FY11/12. Therefore, the fixed costs for running these facilities can be easily estimated. However, staff is still accumulating and tracking the indirect costs. Indirect costs include City staff time, assisting sports leagues with minor repairs and/or scheduling support by the DRD. Currently, the sports leagues pay for none of the everyday repairs. The City pays for many of normal repairs (i.e. snack bar's ice machine), but does not reap from the benefit of the revenue taken in during operations. With recent staff reductions, staff is attempting to make the leagues more self-sufficient by giving them the responsibility of minor maintenance occurrences. This will help our bottom line and provide a certain level of responsibility to each league. 2 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES APRIL 3_ 2012 Commissioner Kelly requested for additional information on what the expected cost will be for parent, if user fees are implemented. She stated that the leagues help children stay off the streets; therefore, they are very important to our community. Commissioner Rodriguez added that the City built the parks; therefore, the City has the responsibility to support them. He expressed concern on the cost for families with multiple children and cautioned staff to tread lightly since the sports fields are the heart and soul of the community. He noted that most of the people involved with the leagues are volunteers and turning volunteers into professional budget monitors is usually not a good idea. He suggested making it a contribution rather than a mandatory fee. Mr. Stendell stated that each league offers sponsorship for families that cannot afford to pay on an as needed basis and the leagues do understand why user fees are being considered. Rob Ballew agreed that implementing a fair user group fees is the right approach, especially with today's economy. He recommended doing more research and starting by staggering the fees to make them reasonable. Mr. Knight noted that the sports leagues have different expectations and usage of the facilities. He added that the facilities are heavily used and the concession stands are very expensive to maintain. Commissioner Housken requested any cost data available, but staff responded that this will require additional staff time; therefore, the Commission concurred that it will be more effective to provide the data at the end of FY 2012-13. The Commission suggested that staff schedule a special meeting with the sports leagues to see if an agreement can be reached and staff agreed. In addition, staff will continue to monitor actual costs, gather data and communicate to the Commission in time for FY 2013-14 budget preparations. VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. CAHUILLA HILLS PARK PICKLEBALL COURTS Commissioner Thomas presented an exhibit of how the Cahuilla Hills Park tennis court can be painted for pickleball usage when tennis is not being played. He stated that he understood that it might not be practical, but he was asked by the pickleball players to present it. Commissioner Rodriguez expressed his concerns with allowing this, since pickleball players can arrive early and tie up the tennis court. He reminded the Commission that the original intent was to have a tennis court available at all times at the Cahuilla Hills Park. 3 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES APRIL 3, 2012 Commissioner Thomas stated that the sport of pickleball is growing, so ideas to accommodate its growth are being presented. Due to the socialization factor of the sport, he would like the Commission to consider a pickleball complex that accommodates at least eight courts. He noted that during the International Sports Festival there were 210 pickleball participants; last year there were 173. He added that although Freedom Park was considered for additional pickleball courts, he believes more tennis players play there than in Cahuilla Hills Park. In addition, the courts have four California corners, which make it difficult for pickleball play. Hovley Park is no longer considered since it is too close to residents and noise could become an issue. Commissioner Rodriguez noted that it could be less expensive to square off the Freedom Park tennis court corners than building a new pickleball complex. He also asked if data of Freedom Park tennis play can be gathered before continuing with the topic. Following a brief discussion, the Commission concurred that there are 16 pickleball courts available in the Coachella Valley; therefore, the previous direction of continuing to gather pickleball play data and looking for a new location to create a future larger pickleball complex should remain in place. On a separate note, the Commission was informed that the Cahuilla Hills Park restroom is under its 90-day manufacturing period. VII. OLD BUSINESS NONE VIII. PRESENTATIONS AND UPDATES A. DOG PARK USERS GROUP MEETING Mr. Stendell reported that the Dog Park Users Group Meeting was very successful. The attendees submitted a list of the additional amenities they would like to see added in the parks and stated that they are willing to raise the money for them. On top of the list was a misting system; however, staff's concern is with the maintenance a misting system requires. Staff also reported that the turf fertilization process has started, the irrigation system at Civic Center needs to be fixed, and they are considering closing the dog parks on Wednesdays for maintenance. Mr. Jim Foote of the Bureau of Land Management presented a number of articles regarding allowing dogs on the trails. He stated that the number one request is to allow dogs access to the Cross on the end of 4 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES APRIL 2n12 the Hop -A -long Cassidy Trail. Consequently, there are plans to revise the trail plan and allow dogs to reach the cross; however, they will still be required to be on a leash. Since dogs without on a leash is another large topic, he presented a number of reference materials regarding the importance of having dogs on leash and restated his position against allowing dogs without a leash on the trails. He added that the City of Palm Desert is the only City that has a line item in their Municipal Code with the multiple species plan. Mr. Foote stated that a service dog has to be trained for a specific disability in order to justify them in all the trails. B. PALM DESERT YOUTH SPORTS ASSOCIATION LEAGUE Mr. Stendell reported that the opening ceremonies for the Youth Sports League were a great success, with Mayor Spiegel speaking and the Palm Desert High School Band performing. It is one of the busiest events that are held in the park with the City contributing $3,000 to the event. C. PALM DESERT AQUATIC CENTER Mrs. Karen Creasey reported the Aquatic Center's punch card sales and visitor numbers are continuing to rise. The booth at the Date Festival and marketing at the Rancho Las Palmas Health Fair was a great exposure and success. In addition, two marketing literature pieces have been produced: a two-sided rack card and a college training camp brochure. The Piranhas have signed a rental contract that begins in March and COD has begun the spring semester. On February 28 and 29, 2012, every lane in both pools was rented with assorted programs. Water aerobics is well under way and the program is growing. Staff will be hosting a tour of the center for physical therapists in April in hopes of holding therapy sessions. There are currently five aerobic classes per week, but will increase to six in March. Underwater Easter Egg Hunt is Sunday, April 8, 2012. The YMCA is currently pursuing Grant LA84, which offers $10,000 for swimming lessons. Also, the Aquatic Center is now a Red Cross Authorized Provider, which is an important step to offering safety classes at the facility. Mr. Stendell reported that bleachers will be purchased and the budget is still ahead of projection; sitting at a 47% recovery. Mrs. Creasey presented the following end of the month report: 5 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES APRIL 3_ 201 2 Daily Admission Numbers Transaction Type Description February 1-29 100 —Resident: 13-59 328 101 —Non Resident: 13-59 430 102 — Resident: Youth/Senior 222 103 — Non Resident: Youth/Senior 186 104 — Resident: 2-5 18 105 — Non Resident: 2-5 38 Total Admissions 1222 Income $2,369 Rental $12,183 Admission $3,114 Program $1,049 Food $623 Beverage $213 Retail 19 551 Total Income D. FAMILY YMCA OF THE DESERT Mr. Ballew reported that the YMCA campaign raised almost $375,000 for children that cannot afford to pay for programs. Football started last Friday with 250 children; Spring break is in process; and Lego & Nerf Camp, Explorer Camp, and Childcare are full. Easter Egg Hunt and Healthy Kids Day will be held Saturday, April 8, 2012. E. DESERT RECREATION DISTRICT Mr. Jeff Ronci stated that walk-in and registered reports will be combined. Membership usage is approximately 4,000; Spring Camp is in process with 36 children; Surf Camp is underway for the summer; and the ROC (Recreational Outdoor Camp) was a great success. The Facebook page for the Desert Recreation District has been launched and the Library Series has concluded for this season. In addition, their lifeguard training will be done at the Aquatic Center. This year's International Sports Festival was one of the most successful with 1153 participants. The ISF dinner had about 103 attendees. Councilman Spiegel requested getting the guest speaker in advance so the name can be included in the catalog. Commissioner Guyer asked if the event can be scheduled on a non -holiday weekend, so visitors can receive better hotel rates and extend their stay. [01 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES APRIL 3, 2012 Mr. Jeff Ronci presented the monthly facilities and programming reports as follows: Program / Activity Residents Non- Residents Total Participation Salsa Aerobics 3 3 6 Golf Strength & Conditioning 1 0 1 Tiny Tots 12 19 31 Yoga 2 2 4 Afterschool Clubhouse 34 33 67 Progressive Line Dancing 2 1 3 Zumba 1 0 1 Princess Party 14 6 20 Tae Kwon Do 11 9 20 Dance, Play & Pretend 1 0 1 Cycling 201 1 0 1 Beginning Ballet 7 2 9 Beginning Guitar 1 1 2 Belly Dancing 3 4 7 Beginning Belly Dancing 4 1 5 Membership/ Facilities Reservations Amphitheater 5 Pavilion 1 8 Pavilion 2 4 Pavilion 3 4 Hovley Soccer Fields 86 Freedom Park Soccer Field 20 Freedom Park Softball Field 81 Olsen Soccer Field 22 Civic Center Softball Field 108 VIII. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Housken reported that Arbor Day will be celebrated Saturday April 21, 2012, at 9:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers Atrium. Commissioner Guyer announced the passing of long time trail builder Mike Schuler. He indicated that Mr. Schuler's widow requested three trail signs for their children in memory of their father. Staff indicated they will find out if the signs can be made. IX. ADJOURNMENT With no further business or discussion, and with the Commissioners' unanimous concurrence, the meeting was adjourned at 10:04 a.m. ".ea A. Gonzalez, F3 ording cretary 7