2006/12/06 Other Minutes CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
RARKS,RECREATION, AND OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 6, 2006
7:00 PM COMMUNITY CENTER
MINUTES
Call to Order-The meeting was called to order by Chair Blanquie at 7:05 pm.
Committee Members Present:
Adams,Bird, Black, Blanquie,Hansen
Committee Members Absent:
Aronis(ex),Danesi, Peterson(ex), Stafford(ex)
Staff Present:
Recreation Services Manager Guy Miller
A.Approval of Minutes: Stakeholder Interviews minutes of Oct. 18, Oct. 25,Nov, 1,
Nov. 8,Nov 15, 2006 were accepted as official minutes with spell check corrections.
(Motion: Bird, 2nd: Hansen)
B. Old Business
Stakeholder Outreach Meetings: A discussion was held concerning the results
of the Stakeholder Meetings. The Committee felt that we need to include the
senior population in our outreach as well as local arts proponents. Staff will
look into calling a meeting with local seniors at the Senior Center.
PROS Third Phase-Community Forums: The Committee decided to self-
facilitate the community forums. The Committee agreed to invite
stakeholders who did not attend the stakeholder meetings to the forum(s). The
forum will be held the last week of January as the schedule allows. Staff will
prepare a press release for the next meeting.
PROS Final Report: The committee agreed to begin to look for a consultant
to debrief the committee members, evaluate the collected data, assist with
recommendations, and final document preparation.
C.New Business
None.
D. Matters from the Committee:
None.
E. Future Agenda Items:
Preparation for Community Forums
Final Report preparation
F.Next Meeting: The date of the next meeting is January 3,2007
G. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 pm.
Respectfully submitted
Guy Miller, Recreation Services Manager
ROHNERT PARK PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
--� February 26, 2007
The Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission met this date at 6:30 p.m. for an adjourned
meeting at the Rohnert Park city offices, 6750 Commerce Boulevard, Rohnert Park. The meeting
was called to order at 6:30 p.m. with Chair Black presiding.
Roll Call Present: (4) Commissioners Aronis, Bird, Black, and Griffin
Absent: (0) None
Also present for all or part of the meeting was Recreation Services Manager Guy Miller.
Approval of Minutes—Upon motion by Commissioner Griffin and second by Commissioner
Aronis, the minutes for the meeting of January 22w'were unanimously approved as
submitted.
Unscheduled Public Appearance/Public Comment—None
Amendment to Rohnert Park Municipal Code Section 2.32.02 —Recreation Services
Manager Miller advised that this is an information item and pertains to the Municipal
Code Section naming the number of people sitting on the Parks and Recreation
Commission. At their February 15th meeting the City Council approved reducing the
number of commissioners to five. The revision will go into effect 30 days later, March
15.
Committee/Liaison Assignments—Chair Black referred to the committee assignments that they
discussed last month and advised that senior staff has recommended that any inactive
committees should be eliminated. She also stated that they will have a new commission
member tonight who will be volunteering for some of the committees. Commissioner
Griffin suggested tabling this item until new Commissioner Armerding arrives. The
Commission agreed.
Enforcement of Posted Park Rules—Chair Black referred to the memo prepared by Assistant
City Manager Schwarz. Manager Miller passed out a list of the existing park rules
including the rules approved earlier by the City Council for the dog parks as well as some
of the rules posted at city tennis courts. He explained that all the rules are listed in the
city's Municipal Code but are not displayed at the parks. He referred to the first page of
the handout which is a copy of the signs posted at every city park. (Copies of the memo
and park rules are attached to the original copy of these minutes.) He reviewed the two
options outlined in the Assistant City Manager's memo.
Commissioner Griffin asked for a staff recommendation from Manager Miller. Chair
Black said she read the memo many times and got a different interpretation each time.
She explained her interpretation of the two options and asked how the other
commissioners interpreted the memo. Commissioner Griffin said it looks from the bold
print on page 2 that the Commission will get more specifics in March. Commissioner
Page 1 of 6
Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes—February 26, 2007
Aronis said he was also unclear between the two options. Manager Miller referred to his
handout of the park rules and clarified that with Option 1 all the rules would have to be
listed, including the dog park regulation and tennis court regulations. Option 2 would
eliminate the need to list all the rules in the Municipal Code. He explained he doesn't
think the rules would have to be changed that frequently—maybe once a year. He
suggested that the Commission look at all the rules, establish the existing rules and add
whatever other rules they feel are necessary. The City Council would then decide whether
to approve the rules. He suggested that Option 1 might be the best way to go.
Commissioner Griffin said he believes that is the direction the Commission was going
when they first started this process. Manager Miller said these are the only two options
that the city's legal department said they could adopt.
Commissioner Griffin made a motion to adopt Option 1 and send it back to staff so they
could prepare the proposed ordinance. Commissioner Aronis seconded the motion which
was unanimously approved.
Commissioner Armerding Arrives—At 6:45 p.m. newly named Commissioner Armerding
arrived.
Enforcement of Posted Park Rules Continued - Chair Black referred to question 3 on page 2
of the Assistant City Manager's memo and asked if the Commission is comfortable with
Public Safety using their discretion in issuing citations. The commissioners agreed that
they were. The Chair asked if the Commission wanted staff to explore other penalty
options other than fines (question 4 of the memo). Commissioner Griffin said he would,
and Commissioner Aronis agreed. The Chair stated she had printed out the current
penalties outlined in the Municipal Code and reviewed some of the penalties. She asked
if the Commission wanted officers to be able to issue documented warnings for first
offenses before issuing a citation with a corresponding penalty.
Commissioner Griffin made a motion to allow the Department of Public Safety to have
some discretion issuing citations and to direct staff to explore other penalty options other
than the fines. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Aronis. The motion passed
unanimously, 4-0 (Commissioner Armerding not sworn in yet).
Introduction and Administration of the Oath of Office to New Commissioner Richard
Armerding—Chair Black introduced Richard Armerding, and Manager Miller
administered the Oath of Office. Commissioner Armerding gave a brief summary of his
background and mentioned that he had previously served on the Bicycle Advisory
Commission. He mentioned that he feels the parks in Rohnert Park play a major part in
the lives of the residents.
Committee/Liaison Assignments—The Chair referred to the list of Committee Liaisons and
Assignments which had been tabled until Commissioner Armerding arrived. She
suggested they start by looking at the list of committees that haven't met and
recommended eliminating the following committees: Aquatics, Budget, Skate Park,
Sports &Fitness Center, and Youth Sports. She pointed out that these committees can be
Page 2 of 6
Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes—February 26, 2007
brought back, if necessary, and become active in the future.
Commissioner Griffin stated he had gotten a list of the presidents of the youth sports
leagues and contacted them about setting up a meeting. He hasn't heard back yet, but he
wanted to know if that should be considered before deactivating the Youth Sports
Committee. Manager Miller advised the Commission doesn't really need standing
committees. They can establish ad hoc committees when they have something specific to
work on. The other commissioners agreed with discontinuing the above committees for
now.
Chair Black suggested the Commission consider having one lead commissioner for each
committee. That commissioner would take a lead role to make sure the necessary jobs get
done.
The following Committees were determined to be active:
Dog Park Committee—Commissioner Black, lead, with Commissioner Griffin and
former commissioner Jim Stevens as ad hoc member.
Golf Course Committee—Commissioner Bird, lead, with Commissioner Griffin
Park Development Guidelines Committee—Commissioner Black, lead, with
Commissioner Armerding and former commissioner Hansen as an ad hoc member.
Park Audit Committee—Commissioner Griffin, lead, with Commissioner Black and
Commissioner Aronis as an alternate.
Park Sponsorships—Commissioner Aronis, lead, with Commissioner Bird.
Parks, Recreation and Open Space Committee—All Parks and Recreation Commissioners
sit on this committee.
Liaison to Bicycle Committee—Commissioner Griffin with Commissioner Armerding as
alternate.
Liaison to Creeks Committee—Commissioner Griffin with Commissioner Armerding as
alternate.
Liaison to Senior Citizens Advisory Commission—Commissioner Aronis with
Commissioner Griffin as alternate.
Chair Black emphasized that the discontinued committees can be brought back or new
ones formed if the Commission feels it is necessary.
Proposed"Nip & Run" Ordinance—Manager Miller referred to the Assistant City Manager's
memo regarding the amendment to the Municipal Code, 6.04.350 Biting Animals, and
read the proposed amendment. (A copy of the memo is attached or the original copy of
these minutes.)
Page 3 of 6
Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes—February 26, 2007
Chair Black said she had two suggestions—one regarding the license and the importance
of having access to current rabies inoculations and the second including the phone
number with the name and address. Commissioner Aronis clarified that if people have a
city license then they would have rabies tags or the city would have the rabies
information. Chair Black confirmed that was correct. Manager Miller pointed out that if
the Commission wants to make these two additions,the proposed amendment would have
to be changed. Discussion followed.
Commissioner Griffin made a motion to recommend adopting the change as proposed in
the Assistant City Manager's memo to amend Municipal Code 6.04.350 Biting Animals.
Commissioner Bird seconded the motion which was unanimously approved.
Golf Course Oversight Committee Assignment—Chair Black referred to the Assistant City
Manager's memo regarding a vacancy on the Golf Course Oversight Committee.
Manager Miller clarified that staff is asking for the Commission's direction since it was a
Parks and Recreation Commission committee and does the Commission want staff to
advertise for the vacancy.
Commissioner Bird made motion to request that the city advertise the opening on the
Golf Course Oversight Committee. Commissioner Aronis seconded the motion which
was unanimously approved.
Committee Reports:
PROS—Chair Black reported the committee had completed the last of the hearings. They are at
the point where they have directed staff to request proposals to hire a consulting firm to
write the proposal and present it to the City Council. Manager Miller stated the
Committee established a fee of$40,000 to hire the consulting firm, and they are hoping
to have a final RFP for the next PROS meeting.
Park Audit—Commissioner Griffin said there are just a few parks left to be audited. The audits
have been delayed by the weather, but they will be finished by the next Commission
meeting.
Dog Park Monitor Program—Chair Black reported they haven't received the final illustrations,
and they have to wait until the posted park rules are determined.
Park Development Guidelines—Chair Black reported this committee didn't meet this month.
Matters from Staff:
CPRS Awards and Installation Banquet—Manager Miller reported on the CPRS banquet, which
was held in Napa last Saturday night,honoring former Commissioner James Stevens.
Commissioners Griffin, Black and Aronis attended.
Page 4 of 6
Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes—February 26, 2007
Matters to or From Commissioners:
Sports &Fitness Center Lawn Area—Commissioner Griffin asked about the lacrosse group that
is using the grass outside the Sports &Fitness Center. Manager Miller explained the
reasons that the league is using that area. In an attempt to keep the city's soccer and ball
• fields in good shape, the city designated three areas that groups can use during the winter:
the grass outside the Sports &Fitness Center, the area next to the tennis courts at
Magnolia Park and a grassy corner at Golis Park. He explained that this has helped keep
the fields in better shape, and these areas can be brought back up once the fields are open.
Sports &Fitness Center—Commissioner Griffin said he had noticed a bucket in the hallway at
the Sports & Fitness Center. Manager Miller explained there is a leak in one of the
skylights,but the contractor has been notified and will be fixing the leak when weather
permits.
Community Center—Commissioner Bird asked about a leak in the Community Center Multi-Use
Room. Manager Miller said there may be a leak around the window that only happens
when the rain comes at a certain angle. He briefed the Commission on a truss repair in the
pre-school room and ADA changes going to be made in the restrooms this summer.
Park Lights—Commissioner Bird said he hopes that lights in the parks would be a major priority
at this time of year and mentioned that some lights are not working at Dorotea Park.
Manager Miller responded that this is a strong part of the park audit the Commission is
--. working on, and he hopes that this is something that will come out of the audit.
Honeybee Pool—Commissioner Aronis said he received an e-mail about the heater at H Pool, a
gas smell at the pool, and the swim team being displaced. He asked for update. Manager
Miller explained that the heater at H Pool had malfunctioned and wouldn't keep the pool
heated. All programs were moved to Benicia Pool, including the swim team. He reported
the heat exchanger failed, and the gas smell is an unrelated matter from a meter that is out
on the street. PG&E is aware of the problem, and the meter has been tagged. Manager
Miller stated the exchanger was repaired,but in the meantime the main pump went out.
Staff is hoping the pool will be back in operation by the end of the week
He advised they also had a problem with the thermostats at B Pool and stated this is
typical when the pools are brought into service.
Playground Renovations—Chair Black said in the next month or so they will need to prioritize
the playgrounds for renovation, and she encouraged the other commissioners to go out
and look at the city playgrounds so they will be prepared to make some decisions.
Agenda Items - If the other commissioners have anything they would like placed on the agenda
throughout the year, Chair Black requested that they let her or Manager Miller know.
She also reminded everyone that they will be back to their regular meeting schedule in
March.
Page 5 of 6
Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes—February 26, 2007
ADJOURNMENT—There being no further business before the commission, the meeting
adjourned at 7:37 p.m.
�L✓
Chair Black Guy M" er,R creation Services Manager
- -itsv\ E � Ct
Secretary
--t
Page 6 of 6