2015/11/04 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes (3)PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday November 4, 2015
The Parks and Recreation Commission of the City of Rohnert Park met this date at Rohnert Park City
Hall, 130 Avram Avenue, Rohnert Park, for a special meeting to commence at 6:00pm.
Call to order
The meeting was called to order by Chair Bird at 6:02 p.m
Item 1. Roll Call:
Present: Chair Bird, Vice Chair Griffin, Commissioners Black, Canterbury
Absent: Commissioner Borr (excused absence)
StaffPresent: Mitch Austin, Community Services Manager
John McArthur, Director of Community Services and Public Works
Mary Grace Pawson, Director of Development Services
Tom Kelley, General Services Supervisor
Nelle Herman, Community Services Supervisor
Kimberly Roberts, Part-Time Administrative Assistant
Item 2. Pledge of Allegiance:
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chair Bird
Item 3. Acknowledgment of Meeting Agenda Posting:
Manager Austin acknowledged posting of the special meeting agenda in the required public places per
Brown Act requirements.
Item 4. Public Comment:
Manager Austin introduced the new Community Services Supervisor, Andrea Torrey
Item 5. Approval of Minutes:
Commissioner Black noted that in the meeting minutes from l0l7l15 that the word "drought" is
mistyped as "doubt".
Action: With this conection noted, Moved/Second (Black/Griffin) to approve the meeting minutes
from Special Meeting October 7,2015. Motion carried by the following 4-0-1 vote: AYES: Griffin,
Bird, Black, Canterbury NOS: None, ABSENT: Borr
Item 6. Vast Oak, Phase L, Recommendation to City Engineer on Final Map:
â. Staff Report
Director Pawson came forward to review proposed Resolution 2015-001, which is a
recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Commission to the City Engineer on the Final
Map of Vast Oak, Phase 1.
b. Review and Approval
Commissioners reviewed and discussed proposed Resolution 2015-001. Each Commissioner
offered their input and suggestion on items to be clarified. Commissioner Black offered a
written addition to the Resolution.
Action: Moved/Second (Griffin/Canterbury) to accept Resolution 2015-001 with
Commissioner Black's changes. Motion carried by the following 4-0-l vote: AYES: Griffin,
Bird, Black, Canterbury NOS: None, ABSENT: Borr
Item 7. Proposed Revisions to Scholarship Program for Recreation Activities:
^. StaffReport
Community Services Supervisor Herman led a PowerPoint presentation on the proposed
revisions to the scholarship program for recreation activities. Currently, the scholarship covers
75Yo of the fees and maxes out at $100 per family per year. The cument system is limited,
doesn't address extra low income families, has no existing budget cap for program. Funding
comes from the general fund. The proposed new scholarship program has three funding levels
and will award scholarships on a sliding scale: Extra Low will receive l00o/o coverage, Very
Low will receive 75%o coverage, and Low will receive 50olo coverage. The proposed new max
would be $500 per family per year, with funding being requested of $10,000 from the budget
and offset the rest with fundraisers. The amount would be able to assist at least 20 families.
b. Review and discuss proposed changes to the Scholarship Program
Commissioner Black asked about how many families currently receive assistance and how is it
advertised. Supervisor Herman shared that staff is able to pull a report that shows about $700
has been awarded; however this doesn't show if the awarded monies have been redeemed. With
the revised program, Supervisor Herman plans to do more advertising so the community knows
it's available. The revised program would also need a tracking system to confirm when/if the
awarded monies are utilized. Chair Bird asked if $10,000 will be adequate. Supervisor Herman
confirmed it's a good starting point, and it can be increased in following years if necessary.
Item 8. Grant Opportunity for Par Course:
ù. Identify and prioritize locations for installation of Par Course
Manager Austin shared that the Graton Rancheria has approved the grant opportunity for a par
course in Rohnert Park. The donation budget is $40,000 which will cover roughly seven to nine
apparatus, the course will be between V+ to I mile in length and is expected to be installed the
spring of 2016. Community Services staff meet with Public Works staff, the three best
locations are Dorotea Park, Eagle Park, and Colegio Vista. Discussion on the pros and cons of
each park followed. Commissioner Black recommended Golis Park. She referenced an exercise
class that currently meets at Goldridge and this exercise class could potentially utilize the
course. Vice Chair Griffin suggested doing a neighborhood outreach notifying them of the new
amenity once a location is selected. Chair Bird would suggest Dorotea as his first choice due to
a slight incline in the existing path.
Item 9. Park Tour Schedule:
^. Discussion completion of Park Tours and compilation of information
The Commission reviewed and discussed a tentative schedule for the final two park tours.
Manager Austin suggested the first tour on Thursday 1l/l9ll5 at Sunrise, Eagle, and Dorotea,
and the second tour date for Thursday l2/3115 to tour Alicia and Ladybug. These dates should
work for the majority of the Commissioners. Start times will be discussed closer to the tour
dates.
Item 10. Revision of the Parks and Facilities Master Plan:
Manager Austin reported that the Parks and Facilities Master Plan subcommittee had their first
meeting. The subcommittee made some edits to the Master Plan, which Manager Austin presented to
the Commission for review and consideration. More edits will be presented at the regularly scheduled
meeting Parks and Recreation Commission meeting in December. Commissioner Black suggested that
Goldridge is potentially more of a neighborhood park rather than a community park. Reviewing the
parks amenities, uses, and category (neighborhood versus Community Park) might be a topic for a
future workshop. Commissioner Black also suggested adding place holders on page 28 for Vast Oak
and Twin Creeks parks.
Item 11. Parks and Facilities Master PIan Revision: Duplicate item as #10 due to a typo in the
agenda.
Item 12. Facility Improvement Projects Updates:
Manager Austin reported updates for various facility improvement projects
a. Benicia Pool
The final inspections of Benicia Pool are being completed. There is more landscaping to do and
then the project will be complete. The projected grand opening will be in the spring.
b. Locker Room at Sports Center
Locker Room project at the Sports Center is underway. Staff was able to secure temporary
showers.
c. Magnolia Tennis Court
The Magnolia tennis courts have been under construction. The overlay is complete and the
second phase will be completed in the late Spring or Summer.
d. Honeybee Pool Improvements
Honeybee Pool will have a new filter and heater system to be installed in January 2016.
e. Senior Center Floor
The Senior Center Floor project is almost complete. Some moisture was found as the previous
floor was pulled up. The project should be completed by next week.
Manager Austin also informed the Commission that the LED replacement lighting project is underway
hand has been completed at a few facilities.
Item 13. Review 2015 Agenda Plan:
The Commission reviewed some changes to the 2015 Agenda Plan. Manager Austin also informed the
Commission he will not be at the December 2015 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting.
Supervisor Herman will be the staff liaison. The December meeting will be a good time to discuss the
grand opening of the Sports and Fitness Center locker rooms. The Lydia Park garden group will
hopefully be coming before the Commission in December, and staff member Jeff Beiswenger will be
present to discuss the changes to an ordinance. Manager Austin suggested the Commission decided on
a date for the 2016 Agenda Planning Workshop.
Item 14. Matters tolfrom Commissioners:
Commissioner Black shared that she heard a rumor that there is a hole in the fence at Rohnert Bark.
She asked if Public Works could check this out and see if this information is correct, and if it is correct,
to repair the fence. She shared that the reconstruction of the garbage bins at Golis look great. She
shared that Best Friends Canine Club has complete their memorial bench and brick project at Golis
Park. She brought photos for the Commission to view.
Commissioner Canterbury would like to add researching the cost and installation process of bocce ball
courts to a future agenda.
The Commission and staff discussed clarification on the reasons why the Goldridge Community
Garden project is stalled.
Commissioner Griffin suggested adding a discussion regarding a priority list for donations to the
agenda planning workshop as well as a plan to replace several of the garbage cans in town.
Manager Austin shared that on the Novemb er 10,2015 City Council meeting, the Council will review
the status and direction of the Cultural Arts Commission and Sister Cities Relations Committee.
Adjournment- There being no further business, Chair Bird adjourned the special meeting of the Parks
and Recreation 7:38 p.m.
Mike Bird, Chair Kimberly Roberts, Recording Secretary