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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks & Rec Cmsn - 06/04/2013 �i ^ �r, � � �. ��� CITY OF PALM DESERT � � PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: Rachelle D. Klassen, City Clerk FROM: Donna Evans, Cierical Assistant DATE: September 12, 2013 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 4, 2013. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information. Thank you. Attachment (as noted) CITY COLTTCTLACTION API'ROVED-;—.� �-�� --- [���;e�I�,1� __�. _�_.__ - RI:CCIV ED, w' —til�i.O a 6 i i:lt __.._ ____ Mi:i',TI G DATE � ��.___�__-._.__._ < AYES: ��Z7Q�'YX� NOF.S: — A13SFNT: �-�n � ---- r�IiSTAIN: VF.RIFIF;D [3Y: rY Original on P'ile with City Cter s Oi'tice CITY OF PALM DESERT �`'•'� MINUTES � � PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING � � TUESDAY, June 4, 2013 — 8:30 a.m. Administrative Conference Room — Palm Desert Civic Center 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, California 92260 L CALL TO ORDER Chairman Housken convened the meeting at 8:33 a.m. 11. ROLL CALL Present: Absent Chairman Kim Housken Vice Chair Raymond Rodriguez Commissioner Jerry Dawson Commissioner Randy Guyer Commissioner Dean Dowty Commissioner Deborah Hall Commissioner Lynn B. Jutovsky Commissioner Mary Helen Kelly � Commissioner Christopher Thomas Ex-Officio Members: Rob Ballew, YMCA of the Desert Kevin Kalman, Desert Recreation District Staff Present: Donna Evans, Recording Secretary Mark Greenwood, P.E., Director of Public Works H. Spencer Knight, Landscape Manager Ryan Stendell, Senior Management Analyst John M. Wohlmuth, City Manager Guests: Brenda Nutcher, Desert Recreation District Robert A. Spiegel, Councilman Roger Dash, Planning Commission Liaison Roger Coldiron, YMCA of the Desert III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS NONE 1 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES JUNE 4. 2013 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2013 Upon a motion by Commissioner Kelly, second by Commissioner Dawson, and 6-0 vote of the Commission Board, the Consent Calendar was approved as presented. V. NEW BUSINESS A. SUMMER SCHEDULE DISCUSSION Ryan Stendell stated that previously, the Commission had agreed to cancel the July and August meetings and in other years, they'd taken only August off. He commented that this year, the Commission could take both July and August off and return in September without there being any major issues. There's nothing pending at this point regarding the parks. City Council is taking off the second meeting in July and the first meeting in August. Chair Housken suggested that if something comes up that needs to be addressed, they could meet during August. The Commissioners agreed to cancel the meetings in July and August. VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. NONE VII. OLD BUSINESS A. WATER FEATURE AT PALMA VILLAGE PARK UPDATE Mr. Stendell stated that there was an extensive conversation with the City Council at the budget session in April about the water features in the parks. The discussion centered around whether or not the water features are conflicting with the City Council's conservation efforts. The decision was made that these features are e�ctensive water wasters and the direction from the Council was that they won't be repaired as these features go out of service. In the case of Palma Village Park, the budget was reduced and additional seating will be provided instead of repairing the water feature. An extensive amount of money has been invested in the water features at the Aquatic Center, therefore, the smaller water features will be eliminated as they break. Currently, one is located at Joe Mann Park and another at Freedom Park. When the water feature at Palma Village Park is removed, it will be replaced with pavers and a picnic bench. The drinking fountain will also be relocated so that the drainage is better. 2 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES JUNE 4� 2013 Chair Housken asked� about the misters at the dog parks. Mr. Stendell stated that the misting systems are expensive but they don't use as much water as the water features. Spencer Knight commented that the expense for the misters is for the replacement of the nozzles, but they use very little water under high pressure. They're greatly appreciated by the people who use them. VIII. PRESENTATIONS AND UPDATES A. PARK USE REPORT Joe Mann Park � Randy Guyer was absent, but he had spoken to Mr. Stendell prior to the meeting about his evaluation of Joe Mann Park. He stated that it looks great, but the sand in the volleyball court might need to be leveled occasionally and that the boards that contain the sand looked like they may need to be replaced soon. The dog park is in good shape and the playground equipment looked used, but was still very functional. The DRD staff was there cleaning the restroomat the time of his inspection. . Washington Charter Park � Commissioner Kelly evaluated the park and stated that the people there were extremely happy. Two women that she spoke to suggested adding more tables and seating. They also inquired as to whether or not children's parties could be held at the park. Mr. Stendell stated that bounce houses are only allowed at Civic Center Park because it's a supervision issue. The DRD helps to administer a policy that requires insurance if a bounce house is going to be used in the park. Mr. Stendell addressed the concern about the lack of restrooms at Washington Charter School Park. There's no access to restrooms when school isn't in session. All the restrooms are located inside the hallways of the new finro-story buildings. It's a small neighborhood park and it doesn't seem to be a huge issue at this point. Chair Housken stated that she's been told that some people choose to relieve themselves on the storage shed. The playground equipment is kept inside the storage shed and the PE teacher at Washington Charter has been cleaning the shed because it smells bad and is unhealthy. She suggested possibly adding a porta-potty. Mr. Stendell was concerned about kids pushing a porta-potty over or other vandalism. � This issue can be brought up in the Two-by-Two Committee meeting to see if there could be some type of long-range solution. Chair Housken suggested adding a porta-potty during the summer months if it could be installed so that it couldn't be tipped over. Spencer Knight suggesting tying it to the fence. Mr. Stendell stated that he would check with Burrtec to see if they might have a solution. 3 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES JUNE 4. 2013 Chair Housken stated that she's received comments about dog poop on the playground, particularly on Monday mornings. The resident who spoke to her thought that the situation has actually gotten worse since a dog bag station was installed at the park. A "No Dogs Allowed" sign is posted, but there's a doggie bag station on site. Mr. Stendell stated that they were asked by the school to install the doggie bag station. Chair Housken commented that the residents may be getting mixed signals. Commissioner Dawson commented that he and his wife visited Ironwood Park and were very impressed with how beautiful it is and the great job on maintaining this area. They walked through the desert area and thought that it was fantastic. He recommended that the other commissioners visit the park. B. AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA UPDATE Mr. Stendell showed photos of the Amgen Tour of California bike race to the Commission. Quite a few people lined the streets of EI Paseo to watch the event. John Wohlmuth stated that the CVA is going to apply to have this event here in the desert again next year. C. "SWIM TO WIN" AT THE P.D. AQUATIC CENTER UPDATE Mr. Stendell stated that the YMCA's "Swim to Win" event at the Aquatics Center was a huge success. Roger Coldiron was introduced as the interim manager at the Aquatics Center and is doing a fantastic job. Mr. Coldiron helped spearhead this event with the YMCA and a video was produced and shown to the Commission. Approximately 2,000 people attended "Swim to Win" and the kids either had water safety training, or swim lessons, or both. The Olympians had a great time and expressed interest in coming back on an annual basis. D. FAMILY YMCA OF THE DESERT Member Rob Ballew stated that over 200 kids participated in flag football, which just ended. Summer day camps start next week. Carter School has a summer day camp program as well. The childcare program is in operation from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. during the summer. The YMCA partnered with the City of Palm Desert in presenting the May 23�d Concert in the Park, which was well attended and a lot of fun. E. DESERT RECREATION DISTRICT Mr. Stendell stated that the DRD reports were included in the packets for the Commissioners to review. Brenda Nutcher reported that they're getting ready for summer camp which will begin at 7:30 a.m. through 6 p.m. daily. They have approximately thirty children enrolled at this point. The DRD is 4 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES JUNE 4 2013 partnering with BLM and Friends of the Desert Mountains and they'll be doing a lot of field trips and educational classes with the kids once a week. They'll be visiting the McCallum Theater several times during their summer series and also going to the Aquatic Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Councilman Spiegel thanked Kevin Kalman for waiving the fees for the facility for the Desert Rose Society. F. PALM DESERT AQUATIC CENTER Mr. Stendell commented that the financial information for the Aquatic Center was included in the packets for the Commissioners to review. There is a correction on the revenue, which should read $63,916. The YMCA is doing an excellent job in keeping the expenses down at the pool. Revenues are better than last fiscal year by approximately $4;000.- $5,000. The City of Palm Desert's Marketing and Tourism Manager, Donna Gomez, has been assisting the Aquatic Center with a branding campaign. A new logo has been created for the facility and was shown to the Commissioners. Shirts, hats, beanies and swim caps will have the logo on it and will be offered for sale. A program booklet goes out twice per year and there's also a general program flyer that will be produced. Councilman Spiegel asked if there was any chance of having a water polo team at the Aquatic Center. Commissioner powty stated that currently the College of the Desert offers fourteen sports to their students, which is more than any community college of this size in the State. If a new sport was going to be introduced at College of the Desert, it would be women's water polo. There's been interest shown in the past when the students have been surveyed. However, with the current budget at COD and the State, they won't be able to add any sports at the moment. IX. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Chair Housken asked about the new duck feeding stations. Mark Greenwood commented that they should be installed at Civic Center Park this week. Commissioner Thomas commented that there was an article in the newspaper about the former Redevelopment Agency. The article stated that bonds are going to be available for use by the cities in Califomia. He wondered if the bonds could be used for Civic Center Park and wondered if the Parks and Recreation Commission would have any input on how the money is spent. John Wohlmuth commented that the City is going through 5 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES JUNE 4. 2013 the process of dissolving the Redevelopment Agency. The property management plan will be done later this month. There will be a discussion with the City Council regarding where the bond proceeds are going to be spent. There is an issue because the bond holders have purchased bonds that accompany a listed project. The City has listed projects on the bond documents, which can't be changed. There are more projects than funds. If there are Parks and Recreation projects listed in the bond documents, those projects would come back to the Commission for discussion and direction. Mr. Wohlmuth thought that the money might already be spent on Civic Center Park. Commissioner Thomas asked about the schedule to re-surface the pickleball courts at Cahuilla Hills Park. Spencer Knight stated that he didn't think that Cahuilla Hills Park is on the current schedule. Mark Greenwood commented that re-surfacing isn't in the budget. Mr. Stendell stated that they could possibly spot patch the surface where it's needed, rather than spending $8,000 on re-surfacing the entire court. Commissioner Thomas was concerned that if the uneven surface is not fixed, it could be a safety issue for the players. X. ADJOURNMENT With no further business or discussion, and with the Commissioners' unanimous concurrence, the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 a.m. Donna vans, Recording Secretary 6