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2007/03/19 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes A r1 ROHNERT PARK PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES March 19, 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: (4) Commissioners Armerding, Aronis, Black, and Griffin Absent: (1) Commissioner Bird Also present for all or part of the meeting was Recreation Services Manager Guy Miller. Manager Miller reported that Commissioner Bird was unable to attend tonight's meeting. Approval of Minutes Upon motion by Commissioner Griffin and second by Commissioner Aronis, the minutes for the meeting of February 26th were unanimously approved as submitted. Unscheduled.Public Appearance/Public Comment—None Rescinding of Motion of Approval for"Nip & Run" Ordinance—Manager Miller summarized the reasons for the Commission's original motion being rescinded and referred to the staff memo with the explanation. (A copy of the memo is attached to the n original copy of these minutes). Commissioner Griffin clarified that the change refers only to animal owners giving personal information to a private citizen and would not affect a public safety officer getting the information. Manager Miller confirmed that was correct. Chair Black reported the assistant city manager had called her and wanted to know if the revised ordinance could go directly to the City Council just striking that part of the ordinance. She said she wasn't comfortable doing it that way which is why the Commission is looking at the ordinance again. Manager Miller clarified that citizens can ask for a dog's license number and rabies vaccination tags. Commissioner Armerding asked how this type incident would be different than getting into a traffic accident and getting personal information. Manager Miller said that is covered by a California vehicle law rather than municipal law. Commissioner Aronis wanted to make it clear that people would have to provide the dog's license number and rabies tags. Chair Black reconfirmed. She said the rabies tags will show the vet's phone number. Commissioner Aronis asked if he is bitten by a dog or his dog is bitten, can he call the city to get the owner's information from the dog's license number. Manager Miller said he wasn't sure. The ordinance states that the dog's owner has to give the license number and rabies information. Chair Black said she has called the city and gotten information from the license number. Commissioner Armerding asked what if the person refuses to give the information. Chair Black said the only thing you could do is call Public Safety. Commissioner Griffin Page 1 of 6 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes—March 19, 2007 reported this had happened to him. He called Public Safety and was told there isn't much he could do because when the police go to the other party, they will say that his dog attacked theirs and that was what happened. Chair Black said that hopefully this ordinance will clarify the process. Manager Miller stated that the ordinance gives legal authority to Public Safety so they can pursue this type of incident. Commissioner Armerding pointed out that the word"provide"is missing from the new wording. Following discussion, Commissioner Griffin made a motion to rescind the Commission's original motion approving the"nip and run"ordinance that had been approved on Feb. 26. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Aronis and unanimously approved. Proposed"Nip & Run" Ordinance—Chair Black read the reworded ordinance(attached to the original copy of these minutes). Commissioner Griffin made a motion to approve the revised proposed"Nip and Run" ordinance with the inclusion of the word"provide"in Section B right after"the injured animal."The motion was seconded by Commissioner Aronis. Chair Black suggested dropping the phrase"if available."Even if an animal isn't wearing tags, it's the law that animals must be licensed and have rabies tags. Manager Miller said he doesn't know why that phrase was included unless it meant that someone didn't have '1 the tags with them. Chair Black said she believes that phrase defeats the purpose of the original intent of the ordinance. Chair Black made a friendly amendment to Commissioner Griffin's motion that the phrase"if available"be deleted from the proposed ordinance. Commissioner Armerding seconded the amended motion. The Commission voted to unanimously to approve the amendment to the motion. The motion to approve the motion, as amended, was unanimous. Unscheduled Public Appearances—Suzanne Sanders, 5702 Davis Circle, Rohnert Park, referred to an article in the Community Voice about having a skate park in Rohnert Park. She stated she had gone to the City Council and was told to go to the PROS Committee's meeting which she did. She was told at the Committee meeting that their recommendation might take several months. She said she is asking the Commission to move the matter along and not wait for the PROS Committee's recommendation. She would like to do something by June 21 which is National Skate Day. She passed out an article about"Skateboarding to better health" and Stephanie Mohler who designs and builds skate parks. (A copy of each article is attached to the original copy of these minutes.) She said she understands the difficulty of finding a place for a skate park,but if the city has places for other sports, she believes they can find a place for a skate park. She explained the reasons she got involved in this project. Page 2 of 6 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes—March 19, 2007 Mrs. Sanders said she hopes she can talk the Commission into moving this matter along to the City Council so that the project could move ahead. Commissioner Griffin stated the Commission has looked at this before and had never been able to find a location residents could agree where a park could be built. He asked Ms. Sanders if she had any suggestions. She suggested an area at Honeybee Park near a berm that is away from most homes, and since there's a pool at the park, it's accessible and already has restrooms. She also suggested Colegio Vista Park in the corner by the first baseball field. She believes it is the northwest corner. She said although skate parks may be noisy when you're inside the park, when you get across the street or away from them, you can't hear them. She suggested closing the park at sunset. Chair Black said that if the Commission wants to bring this item back for active discussion, the best thing to do would be to reestablish the Skate Park Committee. The Commission thanked Ms. Sanders for her effort in establishing a skate park. Enforcement of Posted Park Rules—Manager Miller said at their last meeting the Commission voted to move forward with the park rules. He referred to Assistant City Manager's memo, copy attached to the original copy of these minutes, and advised that is a three step process. The first is general discussion of park rules. He passed out a copy of the existing rules and stated the Commission needs to differentiate which rules that they want listed in the Municipal Code. Second, at their April 16th meeting they would schedule a public hearing, and at the May meeting they would determine the specific rules they want to present to the City Council. He has been told by the city's legal staff that anything that Public Safety can cite people for and is included in the Municipal Code has to be posted at the parks. Manager Miller clarified that any of the existing rules can also be changed. He referred to list of park rules including the existing rules posted at the city parks. (A copy of the rules is attached to the original copy of these minutes)He suggested that the Commission review the rules to decide which ones they want to have posted at the parks and which rules they want to retain. The Chair clarified that first the first offense can be a warning, second is a $100 fine and third is $200. Manager Miller reviewed the rules he recommends be included in the Municipal Code. Chair Black referred to the pool rules and asked if any of the commissioners had any rules they wanted to include. Manager Miller said he would also like to add something to the Municipal Code that people have to yield to a group that has a permit for use of the city parks. Chair Black said there are some dog park rules that she would like to include: rule#5 (dog waste), #6 (dogs must be licensed) and#8 (dogs must be spayed or neutered). Commissioner Armerding asked for clarification of dog park rule#2 which Chair Black provided. After discussion, the commission selected the following park regulations that they would like to see added to the Municipal Code. The intent of this is to select specific regulations that,by listing them in the Municipal Code,would become citable misdemeanor offences. Page 3 of 6 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes—March 19,2007 DOG PARK REGULATIONS 1. Dogs must be immediately removed from the dog park at the first sign of aggression toward people or other dogs. 2. Owners must dispose of their dog's waste in trash receptacles immediately. 3. Dogs must be licensed, current on vaccinations, and wearing ID at all times. 4. All dogs six months and older must be spayed or neutered to use the dog parks. TENNIS COURT REGULATIONS 1. It is unlawful to engage in any activity other than tennis on the tennis courts without written permission from the Recreation Department. This includes the use of soccer, softball, or baseballs,bicycles, skates, skateboards, animals, or food or drink. SWIMMING POOL REGULATIONS 1. It is unlawful to disobey the lifeguard's directions or displayed swimming pool regulations. (The intent here is to give the lifeguards and Public Safety the authority to remove disruptive patrons from the pool area. It may need better wording.) FIELD RESERVATIONS 1. Teams and leagues with a valid field reservation permit issued by the Recreation Department have priority over drop-in teams. Teams and individuals who do not posses a permit must yield the field use to those who do. Manager Miller explained we'll still have all the same signs,but the city will be identifying all the rules covered by Municipal Code. Commissioner Griffin asked if it would be prudent to have the rules looked at by Public Safety to see if they wanted any rules included. Manager Miller agreed. Discussion followed on glass containers in the park and whether the rule pertains to all glass containers or just beverage containers. Commissioner Armerding referred to Item G of the Municipal Code under Section 9.62.010 and asked if the intent is to eliminate all weapons or just these 3 weapons. Commissioner Aronis suggested referring this to Public Safety for their input. Commissioner Armerding asked what the difference is between an ordinance and the Municipal Code. Manager Miller responded that the ordinance makes the changes in the Municipal Code. Chair Black referred to Item L and suggested adding paintball to the list. She has seen paintball in the park. Commissioner Aronis said that could be covered by Item G since it is an air gun. The Commission agreed to recommend changing Item G from the current statement"To carry firearms, air guns, or slingshot"to "To carry any firearms, air guns, paintball markers, slingshots, or any other weapons." Page 4 of 6 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes—March 19, 2007 Chair Black asked where the Commission wants to go from here and suggested that staff refer the additional rules to the Municipal Code discussed tonight to other staff members for further research. Commissioner Griffin made a motion to direct staff to get additional input on the suggested rules to be added to the Municipal Code. Commissioner Aronis seconded the motion which was unanimously approved. Vacancy on Golf Course Oversight Committee—Manager Miller said staff had hoped to have some applications for the vacancy on the Golf Course Oversight Committee at tonight's meeting. He referred to the Assistant City Manager's memo regarding the vacancy. Manager Miller advised the Committee will be reviewing the applications at their next meeting, and hopefully, the Commission will have some applications at their April meeting. Committee Reports: PROS-Commissioners Griffin and Black both advised they will be unable to attend the next PROS meeting. Commissioners Aronis and Armerding said they will be there. Manager Miller reported that the RFP to find a consultant was mailed on Friday to about 60 applicants. At their next meeting,the Committee will be meeting with representatives from the school board as stakeholders. Park Audit—Commissioner Griffin reported he had finished with the park audits and delivered them to Manager Miller this morning. The committee will review the audits and have a report next month. Dog Park Monitor Program—Chair Black said the Committee wouldn't have a report until the Municipal Code items are addressed. She received the illustrations that she referred to at the last meeting. In addition, she received a call from someone this morning who is eager to get the program going and interested in being a monitor. Manager Miller asked if there is a flyer soliciting volunteers, and Chair Black said she posted one last fall with her own phone number. Manager Miller said the recreation department would take names and phone numbers from anyone who is interested. Chair Black reported she is taking a course in being a park monitor. Park Development Guidelines—Chair Black reported she, Commissioner Armerding and Manager Miller met last month. The committee is at a point where they have a concept and a statement ready to go which echoes the parkland credits. Chair Black read the statement they had composed. "Any proposed improvements which are required under another element of the General Plan, Subdivision Ordinance, or Specified Plan will not be accepted or considered as park acreage or for park credits. This includes street improvements,utility connections, curbs, gutters, fencing, street paving, traffic control devices,bicycle paths, street trees, detention and retention basins, and sidewalks adjacent to land which is dedicated as park land." Page 5 of 6 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes—March 19, 2007 The Chair reported they have also asked Director of Community Development Bendorff to review the statement. Matters from Staff: CPRS Awards and Installation Banquet—Manager Miller reported that former commissioner James Stevens was honored at this event which was held on February 24. Matters from Commissioners: Tribute - Commissioner Aronis reported that Pam Marquez passed away on Saturday and informed the Commission that she was dedicated to youth sports in Rohnert Park and very active in the Babe Ruth Baseball League. She ran the snack bar for two years and served on the board even after her step son had graduated. Commissioner Aronis said he wanted to honor her service and emphasized that she would be missed. Memorial Benches—Commissioner Griffin asked about memorial benches and suggested this might be an appropriate way for the Babe Ruth League to memorialize Mrs. Marquez's service. Manager Miller stated that he has completed a memorial bench program which will be presented to them so that there will be a standard bench for use in the city. He advised the memorial bench information will be combined with the memorial brick program, and this program would be appropriate for service groups in the city that might be willing to step up and help out. If anyone is interested, they should contact him. —� Commission Matters—Chair Black asked if the Commission would be in favor of scheduling the discussion of items that are brought up by citizens, or matters they would like to have added, on the following month's agenda. This would enable the Commission to move forward on current agenda items rather than getting bogged down during unscheduled public appearances. Discussion followed. Commissioner Griffin requested that the skate park be added to next month's agenda. He stated he would also be interested in the memorial bench program being added. The Chair said commissioners are always welcome to contact her with reminders of agenda items. ADJOURNMENT—There being no further business before the commission, the meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m. ,i,17/71(-GX Chair Black Guy Mier, Recreation Services Manager Secretary Page 6 of 6