2015/04/16 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes (3)PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Thursday April 16, 2015
The Parks and Recreation Commission of the City of Rohnert Park met this date at Rohnert Park
Community Center, 5401 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park, for a regular meeting to commence at 6:00pm.
Call to order
The meeting was called to order by Chair Bird at 6:05 p.m.
Item 1. Roll Call:
Present: Chair Bird, Commissioners Black, Borr
Absent: Vice -Chair Griffin (excused)
Staff Present: Mitch Austin, Community Services Manager
Item 2. Pledge of Allegiance:
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chair Bird
Item 3. Acknowledgment of Meeting Agenda Posting:
Community Services Manager Austin acknowledged posting of the regular meeting agenda the
required public places per Brown Act requirements.
Item 4. Public Comment:
None.
Item 5. Approval of Minutes:
Action: Commissioner Borr requested notation that his absence was excused. With this change,
moved/second (Black/Borr) to approve the March 16, 2015 regular meeting minutes. Motion carried
by the following 3-0-1 vote: AYES: Bird, Black, Borr NOS: None, ABSENT: Griffin.
Action: Moved/second (Borr/Black) to approve the April 3, 2015 special meeting minutes. Motion
carried by the following 3-0-1 vote: AYES: Bird, Black, Borr NOS: None, ABSENT: Griffin.
Item 6. Review Draft Agenda Items for City Council and Parks and Recreation Commission
meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 26th, 2015:
a. Staff Report
Manager Austin reviewed the potential agenda items for the City Council and Parks and
Recreation Commission joint meeting scheduled for Tuesday May 26, 2015. The main item
will be the role of the Parks and Recreation Commission in the development of parks.
b. Discussion of Potential Agenda Items
OME 1
Commissioner Borr shared that a change to his work schedule has him unavailable for the joint
meeting. He would like staff to see if a rescheduling with Council is possible. Commissioner
Borr suggested another agenda item to be examining the overall roll of the Parks and
Recreation Commission. Is it an advisory body and what types of topics would Council be
eager for the Commission to weigh in on versus what types of topics would extend beyond their
roll? Also clarity around recommendations they are able to give Council regarding citizens'
concerns or questions voiced at meetings, as well as any fiscal responsibility they might or
might not have.
Commissioner Black suggests discussing a plan for on-going mutual communication between
City Council and the Parks and Recreation Commission. Another suggestion for an agenda item
is whether or not it would be cost effective to add security cameras, increase security, and/or
increased staff presence at City parks.
Chair Bird would like on-going mutual communication between City Council and the Parks
and Recreation Commission as well as on-going mutual communication with the Planning
Commission.
c. Action- Recommendation of Agenda Items for City Council consideration
Item 7. Review Subcommittee List and Make Appointments
a. Staff Report
Manager Austin presented the Commission with the current list of Subcommittee appointments
for review. Manager Austin shared that Commissioner Griffin (absent) would like to stay on
the Golf Course Oversight Committee. The Commission will also need to consider
reappointment of Commissioner Tracy's assignments since she has resigned.
b. Discussion
Commissioners discussed the various subcommittees their interests and/or availability in
certain appointments.
c. Action- Make appointments if changes are proposed
Moved/Seconded (Borr/Black) to adopt changes to the list of Committee Liaisons for 2015 as
follows:
Dog Park ad hoc Committee: Bonnie Black, lead; Chris Borr, alternate
Park Sponsorship ad hoc Committee: move to inactive status and removed from list
Bicycle Advisory Committee: Chris Borr, lead; Gerald Griffin, alternate
Creeks Committee: move to inactive status and removed from list
Remove Linda Tracy from any and all assignments
All other appointments to stay as is. Motion carried by the following 3-0-1 vote: AYES: Bird,
Black, Borr NOS: None, ABSENT: Griffin.
Item 8. Review 2015 Agenda Plan:
a. Staff Report
Manager Austin referenced the special meeting that occurred on Friday April 3, 2015. In that
meeting, Commissioners discussed items that they would like to see added to the 2015 Parks
and Recreations Agenda Plan. Manager Austin presented a Draft Agenda Plan for the
Commissioners review. He noted that the Agenda Plan will vary as new topics arise and
"I.:
suggested a review of the Agenda Plan be added as a standing item on the regular monthly
agendas.
b. Discussion and Provide Feedback
The Commission reviewed the 2015 Agenda Plan. Commissioner Borr noted that there is a
repeat of "Committee Updates" as it is listed at the beginning and end of each meeting in July,
August, September, and November. Commissioner Borr would also like to see fee schedule
review as part of the 2015 Agenda Plan and requested recommendation on where it would fit
best in regards to the budget process. Manager Austin recommended adding a line item titled
"City Budget Development Update" so once staff gets an update on the budget development,
staff can update the Commission.
Item 9. Matters to/from Commissioners:
a. Facility Improvement Projects, Sports Center, Benicia Pool, Senior Center
Manager Austin presented an update on improvement projects happening at several
Community Services facilitates. The locker room project at the Callinan Sports and Fitness
Center is coming along; the City recently received the engineer's estimate. The estimate was
higher than projected so the City is reviewing the time line and plans to see if there are
adjustments that can be made.
Benicia Pool is set to break ground by the end of the month. Residents have been notified via
mailer about the renovations. There is also a notice in the Summer Activity Guide. Staff has
planned for extended pool programing into September.
Manager Austin also noted to the Commission that the Senior Center is looking to replace their
Activity Room floor.
b. Upcoming Events, RP Founder's Day Fundraiser, Farmer's Market, Community Day
Manager Austin presented an update on upcoming events:
The new year round Farmer's Market is set to begin on Sunday April 19, 2015 at 10:00am at
the City Center Plaza. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony and activities. The Farmer's
Market will be put on by Agricultural Community Events, who operate seven other farmer's
markets in the region. Commissioner Black asked for clarification if this farmer's market is
replacing the Friday night Party on the Plaza and if it will be an organic market. Manager
Austin confirmed that the year round market is not a replacement for the Friday evening market
and it will not be an organic market. That has more to do with the steps necessary to become
certified organic than the production methods of the produce. Patrons are welcome to discuss
production methods with the individual vendors. Chair Bird inquired approximately how many
vendors will be present. Manager Austin said there will be over 40 vendors.
Community Day and Ribbon Cutting for the new Eagle Park tot lot will be Saturday May 2,
2015 at 11:00am. This will be an opportunity for the community to meet the Community
Services Department, honor the donors of the tot lot as well as the Senior Center van, and
celebrate parks and Community Services. Commissioner Borr noted that the smaller dirt area at
Eagle Park has had picnic benches added, but suggested perhaps it could be further dressed up
in preparation for Community Day.
DRAFT
There will be a fundraising event for Rohnert Park Founder's Day on Friday May 8, 2015 from
7:00pm-10:00pm at the Community Center. It's titled Tropicana and will feature dancing, live
entertainment, and a silent auction.
c. Facility Maintenance and Development Updates, Pool Starting Block Repair
Manager Austin shared updates on Honeybee Pool maintenance. One of the starting blocks
broke at Honeybee pool and that is being repaired. An assessment of Honeybee Pool was done
recently to come up with a game plan on how to improve the pool.
A new custodian is being hired on at the Callinan Sports and Fitness Center and Community
Center.
Commissioner Black asked if there were any updates for the Golis Park Community Garden
project. Manager Austin shared that the City is working on finalizing an agreement.
Chair Bird gave a report from the Golf Oversight Committee. Rounds are down, but the course
is holding its own. The courses are in good shape. Foot golf is still allowed, but the leagues
they projected aren't using the facility much.
Commissioner Black asked if there has been discussion yet on if the City will have to cut back
on water usage in parks and at golf courses. She noted that not all parks are using reclaimed
water. Chair Bird confirmed that the golf courses use reclaimed water and have plenty of
supply.
Chair Bird asked for more information on the construction on Snyder Lane. Manager Austin
reported that part of it is widening the roads and part of it is moving PG&E lines and water
lines underground. Commissioner Borr asked if there are plans to replace some of the trees that
were removed due to the construction. Manager Austin will refer the question to the City
engineering department for clarification.
Adjournment- There being no further business, Chair Bird adjourned the regular meeting of the Parks
and Recreation Commis§ion at 6:56 p.m.
Michael Bird, Chair
Kimberly Roberts, Recording Secretary