2015/12/17 Parks and Recreation Commission MinutesPARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Thursday December 17, 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 Commissioner Borr at 6:01 p.m.
Item 1. Roll Call:
Present: Commissioners Black, Borr, Canterbury
Absent: Chair Bird, Vice-Chair Griffin (excused absences)
Staff Present: John McArthur, Director of Community Services and Public Works
Nelle Herman, Community Services Supervisor
Kimberly Roberts, Part-Time Administrative Assistant
Item 2. Pledge of Allegiance:
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Borr
Item 3. Acknowledgment of Meeting Agenda Posting:
Supervisor Herman acknowledged posting of the special meeting agenda in the required public places
per Brown Act requirements.
Item 4. Public Comment:
None.
Item 5. Approval of Minutes:
Action: Moved/Second (Black/Canterbury) to approve the meeting minutes from Special Meeting
November 4,2015. Motion carried by the following 3-0-2 vote: AYES: Black, Borr, Canterbury NOS
None, ABSENT: Bird, Griflin
Item 6. Robert's Lake Dog Park Attendee Clean-up:
i. Staff Report
Supervisor Herman shared a report that Staff is taking sometime to investigate options and
ideas for handling clean-up the City's dog parks. Staff is looking for suggestions from the
Commission.
b. Discuss possible solutions to encourage dog ovyners to clean-up after their dogs
Commissioner Black shared about the recent Park Audit Tour trip to Rohnert Bark (one of the
City's dog parks). Rohnert Bark was the last park of the tour and it was the most well attended
park. The park seems almost too small for the need, which may be part of the problem.
Commissioner Black noted that the park is currently in sad condition: there is a lack of grass,
the fence is propped up with a portable chair to block a hole, the message board kiosks are
rotting, the signage is an embarrassment, and there seems to be a lack of effort to keep the
clean-up bag dispensers filled. It seems to be a well-used park that citizens have gottenlazy
about and the City isn't caring for it the way that it should. She commented that if the park
appears to be taken care of by the City, people will be more inclined to keep it maintained. It is
legitimate to encourage people to clean-up after themselves. Perhaps give a notice and a
deadline. Commissioner Black also suggested implementing an Adopt-a-Park program at
Rohnert Bark to help the public have pride in maintaining the park and have the Parks and
Recreation Commission acknowledge and honor the Adopt-a-Park programs.
Commissioner Canterbury agrees with Commissioner Black's statement of the way something
looks will attract certain people. She currently frequents a dog park in Petaluma because it is
well maintained. If the City maintains the park, the dog owners will respond. She suggested
that if the grass isn't working, the City can use something else such as bark. A well maintained
dog park can attract people from other cities bring an increase in commerce, such as people
stopping by coffee shops in the area.
Commissioner Borr also agrees with setting expectations around the park. He suggested
maintaining a steady supply of clean-up bags is a critical first step. Also, regular collection of
trash would help alleviate some of the trash being left around. Lastly, adding up-to-date signage
encouraging people to clean-up after themselves would be helpful. Perhaps find ways to reward
good behavior.
Item 7. Changes to City Website and Commission Pages:
^. Staff Report
Supervisor Herman reported that the City is undergoing a redesign of the City's website. There
is a City wide committee comprised of different staff members in different departments. One of
the changes will be to the Commission page. Manager Herman wanted to alert the Commission
of this coming change as well as gather suggestions.
b. Discuss possible changes to information on Commission Webpage
Commissioner Canterbury likes the idea of having photographs of the current Commissioners
displayed on the website. Perhaps a little write-up bio about the Commissioners. She also
suggested adding a way for the public to submit suggestions via the website.
Commissioner Black suggested adding information about the active and established clubs that
utilize the parks such as the tennis club, Piranhas, etc. with contact information. Her biggest
suggestion would be a having the field closure notices more easily identifiable.
Commissioner Borr suggested the idea of multiple ways to find information, such as multiple
links on multiple pages. He would suggest pictures of current Commissioners, information
about each Commissioner's term (start date and end date), and contact information. In regards
to contact information, the City and Commission should look at reestablishing City e-mails for
Commissioners. Commissioner Borr also suggested having access to the Parks and Recreation
Commission Master Plan posted on the webpage as well as a list of one to three initiatives the
Parks and Recreation Commission hopes to work on each fiscal year. That way, the public will
have a way to see what the Commission is working on.
Item 8. Facility Improvement Projects Updates:
Supervisor Herman shared an update on several facility improvements around the City:
o The Sports Center locker room project is about three weeks behind schedule and the
completion timeline has extended into February 2016. There is a possibility that the temporary
showers will be removed. About 45 individuals use the showers weekly, so with the additional
month added to the project, staff is investigating if it is cost effective to keep the temporary
showers an additional month.
o The Benicia Pool renovation project is complete. Piranhas will be using Benicia Pool for
practice during the month of January 2016 due to renovations at Honeybee Pool.
o Honeybee Pool is getting a new filter and heater. The replacement project will take about a
month to complete.
o Magnolia Park Tennis Court renovation Phase One is complete. Phase Two will take place
sometimes in the Spring (contingent upon weather).
o The Par Course will be going to Council for consideration on January 12,2016. The location of
the course will be Dorotea Park.
o The floor of the Magnolia Pool was evaluated by a professional and it's possible that some
patching and some buffing may be a solution to the roughness of the floor.
Item 9. Discuss Meeting Date for Annual Commission Retreat and Potential Discussion ltems:
Supervisor Herman would like to gather suggestions for days and times of the Annual Commission
Retreat as well as potential discussion items.
After discussion, the Commission suggested Thursday January 7th, Friday January 8th, Friday February
5th, or Friday February l2rh aspotential meeting dates. The suggested time was from 2:00pm to
6:00pm. Commissioner Borr suggested having the retreat in February, since it'll be after the changing
of officers. Supervisor Herman will submit these suggestion to Manager Mitch Austin for review.
Item 10. Matters tolfrom Commissioners:
Supervisor Herman shared that there are two items going to City Council in January for review:
o Revised Scholarship Program
. Amendments to the Parks and Recreation Ordinance:
o Combining the Cultural Arts and Parks and Recreation Commissions
o PossiblystaggeringCommissioners' terms
Supervisor Herman also presented and shared the revised Activity Guide, now called the Recreation
Guide.
Commissioner Black shared that there is obscene graffiti on several of the park port-o-potties. It's so
bad, that it might be worth it to remove the port-o-potties. Director McArthur shared that most graffiti
abatement is the City's responsibility, but the port-o-potties are maintained by the garbage company.
Director McArthur informed the Commission that if they do come across graffiti in the parks or in the
port-o-potties, it would be helpful to take a photo and submit it via the City's website (or downloadable
app) "Go Request" and the City can notify the garbage company.
Commission Borr hopes to have a review of the Master Plan on January's meeting agenda. He would
like to ftnalize the discussed changes. He is also looking forward to hearing updates on the revised
Parks and Recreation Ordinance in regards to decisions on City Parks and hopes that an update will
appear on the January agenda.
Adjournment- There being no further business, Commissioner Borr adjourned the regular meeting of
the Parks and Recreation Commission at 6:50 p.m.
Chris Borr, Commissioner/Acting Chair Kimberly Ro Recording