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2007/08/20 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes ROHNERT PARK PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES August 20, 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 Aronis and second by Commissioner Armerding, the minutes for the meeting of July 16th were unanimously approved as submitted. Recreation Department Budget Presentation—Manager Miller reviewed the budget presentation he made at the August 14, 2007 City Council meeting. (A copy of the presentation is attached to the original copy of these minutes.) Following the presentation the Commission discussed field preparation, rentals, and the proposed lease plan. Park Rules Ordinance—Manager Miller corrected the agenda item stating that the City Council's final reading of the Park Rules Ordinance was on August 14. That was the first reading and the final reading will be at the next City Council meeting. He briefly reviewed the proposed ordinance and reminded the Commission that from now on they will be reviewing it once a year. He stated that the council commented that the ordinance might be difficult to enforce,but it needs to be recorded so that Public Safety can issue citations, if necessary. Some discussion followed. Park Sponsorship Committee Appointment and Report—Commissioner Aronis passed out the committee report and reintroduced Bob Thompson. The committee is recommending that Mr. Thompson be added as an ad hoc member. Commissioner Aronis made a motion to add Mr. Thompson, which was seconded by Commissioner Griffin. Mr. Thompson agreed to serve, and the Commission voted unanimously to add him as ad hoc member to the Park Sponsorship Committee. Commissioner Aronis reviewed the committee's update dated August 20. (A copy of the memo is attached to the original copy of these minutes.) Mr. Thompson reported that he had contacted Public Safety regarding the specs to paint fire hydrants or paint red curbs. They sent him a volunteer application form so he can get a volunteer card. He has talked to prominent people in the community who are anxious to Page 1 of 3 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes—August 2007 get started on city projects. He also talked to someone at the Community Voice, and they are willing to run a weekly article and picture in the paper recognizing volunteers in the community. He is working to get people to adopt a park, a pool, or a roadway and is going to call Cal Trans to see if weeds can be cut down more quickly. He suggested designating an area that can be approved in the parks or at a pool where a sign could be put to recognize volunteers. He also suggested naming the pools which could help subsidize the pools. He reported he has worked on this program every day since appearing at the commission's July meeting. Commissioner Aronis pointed out that Mr. Thompson is a mover and is anxious to get started. The committee realizes that there is a protocol to go through and asked Manager Miller how much the City Council wants to be involved. Manager Miller said the council will want to be informed and needs to approve any adopt-a-park or sponsorship program. Commissioner Griffin pointed out some city sites are more visible and suggested doing those as the early projects. He said it is important to get input from Public Works to see if they want to be involved or if outside volunteers and/or contractors can be used for these projects. Commissioner Aronis said the committee will meet with Public Works to see how they wish to proceed. Discussion followed on possible projects, including cleaning dumpsters located on city property. Chair Black suggested creating a foundation to administer the donations that are received. Manager Miller stated that the Planning Dept is working on a donation program now for people who want to adopt a bench or other amenities in the city. Commissioner Aronis said that is why they would like to consider the city as a whole and not limit the projects to just recreation. Increase in Community Center and Senior Rental Fees—Manager Miller referred to his memo regarding the facility fees increase proposal. (A copy of the memo and fees are attached to the original copy of these minutes.) Discussion followed on some of the fees. Commissioner Griffin made a motion to approve the proposed increases in fees. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Aronis and unanimously approved. Committee Reports: Skate Park Committee—Commissioner Armerding said at the July meeting the Commission asked about the skate park site on the west side that hadn't been in previous discussions. He spoke to city staff and learned that the site is smaller than they first thought, and the area is in the middle of the development,not on the edge. The net result is the Committee would like to withdraw consideration of that site for the moment. He stated they would wait for the PROS Committee to evaluate the other proposed sites and for their recommendation. He requested adding this matter to next month's agenda so the change can be made formally to the PROS Committee. Manager Miller clarified that the Commission had voted to forward the Skate Park Committee's report to the PROS Committee, and the committee would like to amend the report. Commissioner Armerding Page 2 of 3 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes—August 2007 -^. requested clarification about whether the Commission's site recommendation should be done now or wait until PROS looks at it. Manager Miller said that the City Council would like to wait on any recommendations until the PROS Committee makes their final report. He recommended that the Commission keep in mind that the consultant already has a skate park in the report which is being considered. Chair Black asked if there is an update on the PROS Committee's report. Manager Miller reported he is meeting with the consultant tomorrow and will ask for the status of the report. Chair Black said that three of the commissioners were unable to attend the June meeting. She had asked if they would be able to have some input in what is going to the consultant and if there is still time. Commissioner Armerding suggested that these issues may have already been brought up and asked if they could look at the June minutes. Manager Miller said he had asked if there could be further input but that wasn't included in the scope of the consultant's report. He advised he just received a copy of the minutes which he will get out right away. Matters from Staff: Community Center ADA Project—Manager Miller updated the Commission on the ADA project being done at the Community Center which is scheduled to be finished in Sept. He stated the city will probably have some kind of dedication at that time. New City Hall—He also informed the Commission that there will be a ceremony at the new city hall site tomorrow at 9 a.m. Matters to/from Commission: Rohnert Bark Dog Park—Commissioner Griffin said he wanted to recognize Public Works for the wood chips put out at the dog park. Manager Miller said he had met with them, and they put out the chips to try to solve the problems at the dog park. Golis Park—Chair Black reported there is a woman using the tennis courts at Golis Park to let dogs run around. The Chair wanted to make sure the city knows it isn't the Best Friends Canine Club using the courts. They are hoping to replace a missing lock which will resolve the problem. ADJOURNMENT—There being no further business before the commission, the meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. • GS� Chair Black Guy M. =r, Recreation Services Manager Secre ry Page 3 of 3