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2007/07/16 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes ROHNERT PARK PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES July 16, 2007 The Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission met this date at 6:30 p.m. for a regular 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: (5) Commissioners Armerding, Aronis, Bird, Black, and Griffin Absent: (0) 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 June 18th were unanimously approved as submitted. Unscheduled Public Appearances: Bob Thompson, 1531 Griffin Way, Rohnert Park, was recognized and said he would like to volunteer time and efforts to beautify Rohnert Park. He offered his comments on the problems he has observed and the possibility of using an adopt-a-park and/or roadway program. He stated they could utilize school children, citizens and businesses. The Commission discussed adding roads to the Adopt-A-Park program and the possibility of adding Mr. Thompson as an ad hoc member to the Park Sponsorship Committee. Chair Black suggested that the committee meet and brainstorm with Mr. Thompson prior to their August meeting. Manager Miller mentioned that many of the beautification projects in the city would fall under the responsibilities of the Public Works Department and that liability can be a problem when working with volunteers. Chair Black stated that these types of projects have been done in other communities so there has to be a way to do them. Mr. Thompson said he is willing to work with the city to find a way to help solve the problems. Commissioner Armerding suggested raising money and donating it to the city so it could be set aside and used only for this purpose, even if it meant that public works would hire additional temporary staff to help with the projects. The Commission agreed that the Park Sponsorship Committee members should meet with Mr. Thompson to brainstorm for ways to beautify the city and report back to the Commission at their August meeting. Skate Park Committee Report—Commissioner Armerding passed out some amendments to the draft of the report and asked if anyone had any changes or issues with the report. The Commission discussed the sites recommended in the report and the general area where each would be located. Page 1 of 4 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes—July 16, 2007 The Commission discussed the stadium site, and Commissioner Armerding said they had been told about the stadium site by city staff. Commissioner Aronis said they were told by the city manager and assistant city manager that there will be an acre of land at the old stadium site that will be designated as park space. The Commission discussed the specifics of the site,but the committee members said they didn't think the specifics had been decided. Commissioner Aronis said he believed there was some latitude in the exact placement of a skate park, and Commissioner Armerding pointed out on the city map the approximate site of the skate park. The Commission discussed whether a skate park could be put in now or would the development have to be planned first. Commissioner Armerding said the next step is for the report to go to the PROS Committee so that it could be included in the master plan. He clarified that the city manager and assistant city manager offered up that this would be a good location to consider for a skate park site. Commissioner Aronis volunteered to go back to the assistant city manager to find out when this site would be available and to get more specific information. Commissioner Armerding stated the final decision on the site will be what works best for the city. The Chair agreed that meeting with the assistant city manager would be the best idea because she wants to make sure that before they invest too much time on any one site, that there aren't any conflicts with any of the proposed sites. Commissioner Aronis said that if the Commission approves the report, the next step would be to go to the PROS Committee, and after that,public hearings could be scheduled. Commissioner Armerding said they have talked with city staff to find out as much as possible about each possible site. The Committee is asking the Commission to help them narrow down the list of possible sites by taking the information provided in the report to make a recommendation. Manager Miller said he thinks it is premature to talk about sites. He recommended that the Commission accept or make changes in the report and then forward it to the PROS Committee. They can still agree with the possible proposed sites. This way the report can go to the PROS Committee and be forwarded on to the consultant so it can be included in their report. Commissioner Griffin made a motion to accept the skate park report and pass it on to the PROS Committee. Commissioner Armerding asked for an amendment to the motion to include the changes that were passed out tonight. Commissioner Griffin agreed, and Commissioner Bird seconded the motion, as amended, and it was unanimously approved. Commissioner Griffin suggested that if the west side site was recommended by senior city staff, he thinks this would be a good way to proceed. Commissioner Aronis said he doesn't want to mischaracterize his meeting with the assistant city manager. It was brought up as an item of information that the city does have land on the west side of town that could be included as a potential site for a skate park. Commissioner Aronis said he believes it is beneficial that this project go through the PROS Committee so they are all proceeding in the same direction. -- Chair Black asked if anyone in the audience wanted to speak on this item. Page 2 of 4 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes—July 16, 2007 ,.1 Suzanne Sanders, 5702 Davis Circle, Rohnert Park, was recognized and said she was just in San Diego for the Calif. State Games and visited a lot of skate parks. She urged the commission to visit the skate parks in Windsor or Terra Linda to see who uses the parks. She said she counts a lot of kids in Rohnert Park skating, and she thinks it is important that they have a place to skate. She has some concerns about the safety of kids going to a skate park on the west side of town,but if that was the only choice, she would do that. Craig Guptil, 8852 Windmill Farms Drive, Cotati, was recognized and said he has 9 year old son who skates and wanted to emphasize that skateboarding is a sport. He has visited the Terra Linda skate park many times and mentioned how clean it is, how much interest there is and how user friendly it is. He would love to see one built in town and thinks it is a great way to get exercise and help kids fight against obesity. He asked when the next PROS Committee is scheduled, and Manager Miller advised there isn't a meeting scheduled right now because the consultant is preparing the report for the master park plan but confirmed that the meetings are open to the public and would be posted. 2007 Park Audit—Chair Black referred to the park audit that was done in the year 2000 which was passed out tonight. She suggested that the commissioners look the report over and decide whether to approve it or not. Commissioner Griffin made a motion to accept the audit and pass it on to the City Council. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Armerding and unanimously approved. Committee Reports: Dog Park—Chair Black advised their recommendation to approve the park rules will be discussed at the city council meeting on the second Tuesday in August. Golf—Commissioner Griffin reported the committee met in June and met the new groundskeeper. The groundskeeper presented a detailed report to the committee as well as a list of projects that will be presented to the senior city staff. The course has been targeting people throughout the city to encourage them to play golf. Matters from Staff: Old and New Market—Manager Miller reported that on June 30 the Senior Center held the first Old and New Market at the Community Center. He asked if any of the commissioners were able to attend. He reported that for a first time event it was successful. He explained it was a combination craft and flea market with about 75 vendors participating. He reported there was a positive response from those who attended and participated. He worked with Recreation Supervisor Vicki Wilkerson on the market, and they are considering offering 2 or 3 next year but may relocate the craft vendors to the outside plaza. Page 3 of 4 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes—July 16, 2007 Playground Renovations: Phase 2—Manager Miller reported that he needs to put together a Request for Proposals (RFP) for new playgrounds and is meeting with a new vendor tomorrow. He stated when he puts the RFP's together,he will tell the vendors what the City has to spend and see what they can do. Cal Ripken Baseball Tournament—Manager Miller reported that from July 23-30 a regional Cal Ripken tournament will be held in Rohnert Park. He believes there are 18 teams coming and the winner will earn a berth in the World Series Cal Ripken tournament. He reported the league is working hard on putting the tournament together. ADA Project—Manager Miller reported that ADA project at the Community Center started today which includes completely renovating the bathrooms so they are handicapped accessible. They are also replacing another beam in the Community Center that is rotting. Matters to/from Commission: Nautilus Equipment—Commissioner Bird asked how the new equipment is holding up at the Sports & Fitness Center. He said it seems like there is always a piece of equipment that isn't working. Manager Miller responded not as well as he would have hoped,but he is working with the manufacturer to resolve the problems. Playground Dedication Ceremony—Chair Black acknowledged that the grand opening ceremonies for the new playgrounds were held this month at Sunrise Park. She thought it was appropriate that the Public Works Department was recognized for the extra work that they did on the projects. City Budget—Chair Black suggested that they be given a report next month on how the city's budget problems are going to affect the parks and recreation department. Manager Miller said he wasn't sure if that would be possible because the city is negotiating with the labor groups right now,but he will report on what he can. ADJOURNMENT—There being no further business before the commission, the meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m. r f177/ee him r Chair Blac Guy MiRecreation Services Manager hs. Secretary Page 4 of 4