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2006/06/19 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes ROHNERT PARK PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES June 19, 2006 The Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission met this date at 7:30 p.m. for a regular meeting at the Rohnert Park city offices, 6750 Commerce Boulevard, Rohnert Park. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. with Chair Hansen presiding. ROLL CALL Present: (6) Commissioners Bird, Black, Butler, Coleman, Griffin, and Hansen, Absent: (1) Commissioner Stevens Also present for all or part of the meeting Recreation Services Manager Guy Miller. APPROVAL OF MINUTES—Manager Miller referred to the March 20th minutes and some questions the Commission had regarding some of the presentations that developers had made to the Commission. He reported that staff had checked and the minutes were correct according to the transcripts of the meeting. He reminded them that the minutes had never been approved pending review of the transcripts. Chair Hansen referred to the May 8th minutes and stated that he remembered making a comment during the discussions on the University District regarding an all- weather field, and he didn't see that mentioned in the minutes. Following discussion, Commissioner Butler made a motion to approve the minutes of March 20, May 8 and May 15, which was seconded by Commissioner Black, and unanimously approved as submitted. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCE/PUBLIC COMMENT -Nancy Kaufman, 1427 Georgia Court, stated she was here to request that the Commission review the decision made by the city's senior staff to prohibit use of the abandoned tennis court at Golis Park by the Best Friends Canine Club. She said she understands two complaints were received from the public,but city staff did not get any input from members of the club. Club members have a good track record and clean up after their own dogs as well as other dog owners. She stated she was unclear how just two complaints, one of which was anonymous, could prohibit the club's use. She asked that the Commission review the decision made by senior staff and make their own recommendation. Commissioner Griffin mentioned that he feels she is preaching to the choir and asked if they need to make a motion. Manager Miller stated this was brought up at the last City Council meeting, and he and Assistant City Manager Dan Schwarz were directed to look again at this matter for reevaluation, to either rescind staff's decision or the possibility of establishing a new dog park in Golis Park. Commissioner Griffin asked if the Commission would have an opportunity to comment. Manager Miller said he wasn't sure,but he thought they would have. Chair Hansen asked if there is any history to using the court. Manager Miller said use by the dog club had been fine for many years until a couple of complaints were made. Following the complaints, there was some discussion as to whether the dog club's use was appropriate for the tennis court, and he was directed to put up signs prohibiting use. Commissioner Butler asked if there's any chance to go back to status quo until the matter has been reviewed. Manager Miller said the matter would have to go to the City Council,but the Commission could make a recommendation. Commissioner Bird asked what the complaints were Page 1 • Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes June 19, 2006 about, and Manager Miller said barking dogs. Commissioner Griffin asked if the dog club could use the court during specific times,but use would not be allowed at other times. Manager Miller said that had been tried,but senior staff made the decision that there should be no use. Commissioner Griffin made motion to request that use of the abandoned tennis court at Golis Park go back to status quo until a permanent decision can be made on use of the court, and the Best Friends Canine Club be allowed to use the court. Chair Hansen asked about the possibility of a dog park being established at the park. Manager Miller said that is one of things they are being asked to consider. Chair Hansen asked if there are appropriate places at G Park that could be used as a dog park. Manager Miller said he believes there is a large section of the park that would be big enough and is away from homes. He said that is one of the things that will have to be explored. Commissioner Black said she would like to second the motion but feels it may not be appropriate due to being a member of the club. Chair Hansen suggested adding an addendum to the motion regarding establishing a dog park in G Park. Commissioner Black said that she believes there should be two separate motions. She said she was upset for two reasons—one as a member of the Best Friends Canine Club and two due to her role as a Park and Recreation Commission member. She stated she understood their role is to be an advisory to the City Council for park issues, and she doesn't understand why the Commission wasn't given the courtesy of providing information and a recommendation on this matter since it wasn't an emergency. They weren't allowed to do their role as commissioners. Chair Hansen said he would like to see the Commission be able to do their job, and he clarified the motion made by -� Commissioner Griffin. Commissioner Butler asked if the motion would prohibit any other use of the tennis court. Commissioner Black responded that the dog club uses the court when the baseball field is not available or is too wet. The club also uses it for puppies or dogs that are unable to socialize with other dogs. She explained her perception is that the court is not available for that use during any other time,but she believes that other people do use the court since it is an enclosed place for dogs to run. She encouraged that Public Safety enforce the city's current ordinances. Manager Miller said the original permit allows use of the court during inclement weather and when the baseball field is not available. Commissioner Black said she believes that both areas were available to the Best Friends Canine Club. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Butler and was approved by the following vote: AYES (5): Commissioners Bird,Butler, Coleman, Griffin, and Hansen ABSTAINED (1): Commissioner Black Ms. Kaufman suggested that the city put up a sign that states any dog that barks excessively will be asked to leave. She said that either the dog club or the city could put up the sign. SCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCE/PUBLIC COMMENT—None Page 2 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes June 19, 2006 OLD BUSINESS Park Partnership—Commissioner Black said discussion of the program has been on hold for the last couple of months due to other commitments. She said she believes the last discussion was to decide whether the Commission wants to move forward with the program or make any changes in the proposal. Commissioner Coleman said 501c3 groups would like clarification as to whether donations are tax deductible. He has made contacts but needs to know whether they will be going forward with the 501c3. Manager Miller said the City is not a 501c3 but a 501c4 and he isn't sure how this affects businesses and how they can donate. He stated he was told by the city's finance director that any donations to the city are tax deductible. Manager Miller said one of the things the Commission was looking at was adopting parks. Commissioner Coleman stated he can go forward with the businesses depending on whether the Commission wants to go forward with this program. Chair Hansen said he believes that the Commission can go to businesses and tell them that the City is a 501 c4 organization, and they can proceed as they wish. Commissioner Black encouraged the commissioners to recommend that any businesses discuss questions about deductions with their accountant to find out what may l?e tax deductible. She said she believes the next thing the Committee should do is to discuss the signage proposals with the Planning Department. Manager Miller recommended preparing a list of proposed signs and their designs and taking it to the Planning Dept. for their suggestions. Commissioner Coleman said he first needed clarification regarding the 501 c4 matter. Manager Miller emphasized the Committee will need to know what the city's municipal code says about the signs and then go to Planning with examples of signs so they can get suggestions about designs and materials. Commissioner Black suggested getting together with Committee Member Coleman to go over the proposed signs to make sure everything is complete and then they can go to the Planning Dept. Commissioner Coleman agreed. NEW BUSINESS Preliminary Results of PROS Recreation Needs Assessment Survey—Chair Hansen reviewed the history of the survey and cost of the survey the city used compared to bringing in a consultant. He reported they had received 1,274 responses. Manager Miller advised the survey has been closed and mentioned that the information the Commission received last month was a preliminary report, and additional responses have been received since then. He stated that the PROS Committee will be looking at the survey results at their next meeting and then they will come to the next Parks and Recreation Commission meeting to make a report. He mentioned this was a chance to give the Commission a sneak peek at the preliminary results. The Commission concurred. Preliminary Discussion of Guidelines for Park and Recreation Developments.—Chair Hansen referred to his list of possible items for Parks and Recreation Policies and suggested that when developers come to the City he believes it would be better to have some guidelines to give to them so it is very clear that if they put in a bicycle trail it is a transportation issue, and if they put in a sidewalk, it isn't a park. (A copy of the Possible Items for Park and Recreation Policies is attached to the Page 3 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes June 19, 2006 original copy of these minutes.)He stated he would like to have some guidelines to give the developers so they know whether what they are proposing would be appropriate for the City. He said he would like to make it more comfortable for both the city and the developers and would like to draft some possibilities over the next couple of months. Commissioner Coleman said he would be interested in something like that since he is a newcomer, and he was lost in previous presentations knowing what they were discussing. He believes that having a guideline would answer those questions and would be a good idea. Commissioner Butler agreed it is a good idea to have answers before getting into park development, and any kind of guidelines would be appreciated. Chair Hansen said in reading the General Plan it may state this or that,but it is kind of up to the Commission to figure those things out. This way there would be a basis for discussion. Commissioner Bird said if the commissioners all have General Plans for comparison,he thinks it would expedite the whole process. Chair Hansen pointed out that having a General Plan doesn't always answer all the questions but having a guideline would spell it out so when a developer comes to the city it would provide clarification. Commissioner Bird asked how it would work if it isn't in the General Plan and whether the Commission has the consensus from the City Council to do this. He asked if the guidelines would change the General Plan. Commissioner Griffin said he thinks it would be an interpretation on the Commission's part and wouldn't necessarily change the General Plan. Commissioner Black agreed it would be good to have guidelines that can be followed by the Commission and developers. She said she thinks Chair Hansen's suggestions could be summed up and condensed. She pointed out that certain elements may not be allowed as park credits. For instance,bike paths can be placed in parks,but developers shouldn't necessary be given park credits for them. She pointed out other elements that shouldn't be considered as park credits: street trees, sidewalks, or detention areas. Chair Hansen said it is also important to know exactly where the parkland begins and whether to include setbacks. He said developers can still disagree,but they will know the Commission's expectations. He suggested setting up a committee to come up with a draft of some guidelines to follow and then coming to the Commission for their feedback. Ms. Kaufman mentioned that she is the planning director in Larkspur and the former planning director in Rohnert Park. She suggested the Commission come up with two lists—one their interpretations on some items and second a list of any ordinance changes they feel should be made. Manager Miller suggested the committee meet and define the questions and ideas they have, submit that to the city's planning dept. to get their input, and then bring it back to the entire Commission after that. Chair Hansen asked who wished to be on the committee. Commissioners Black and Griffin said they were interested, and Chair Hansen also agreed to be on committee. Commissioner Coleman offered to be an alternate. -� Page 4 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes June 19, 2006 Discussion of New Community Garden Site(s)—Manager Miller referred to his Community Garden memo (a copy is attached to the original of these minutes). He explained how the garden is currently operated and stated at this time there isn't a suitable site for another large community garden. He reviewed the memo regarding possible sites and the city's role in the operation of the garden. Chair Hansen suggested getting the local neighborhood involved in the garden sites. He asked about the land owned by the city on Snyder Lane adjacent to the Community Center complex and whether this would be a reasonable use for that area. Manager Miller said he could see some problems with that site due to the close proximity of the performing arts center and community center and being on a busy street close to the high school. He said he wasn't sure if it would be an appropriate use. Commissioner Black asked if there was any other land in the Community Center complex that would be appropriate, and Manager Miller reviewed the problems with setting up temporary sites since once something is set up it would be very difficult to take it away. He advised he would rather find permanent sites. Commissioner Black asked about considering Lydia Park which might be better than the Lilac Tot Lot site. The Commission discussed different sites including ones at Honeybee and Golis Parks. Commissioner Coleman said he likes the concept of community gardens but wants to know what ownership we will give the neighbors and whether or not they would want this. He stated he feels there needs to be some ownership of the site by the neighbors. Commissioner Griffin asked if there will be a public hearing and Manager Miller said definitely. He emphasized the City would not set up a new community garden without getting community input. Chair Hansen said he thinks it is important to also get input from current gardeners. Manager Miller stated the current garden board has been notified, and they have expressed an interest to be involved in establishing a new garden.He offered to look at the city map to determine a list of potential sites in the city. Commissioner Butler said he would be concerned with vandalism and whether the gardens would need fencing and water. Manager Miller said most gardens are fenced and locked,need water and usually include some type of storage structure. Cost will also need to be considered. Chair Hansen suggested getting some preliminary costs so when new ideas come up the Commission will have some answers. Commissioner Black asked if there is any possibility finding an area at the city's corporation yard that might be suitable. Manager Miller said he can look at it,but he isn't sure if there is any available space there. Commissioner Butler suggested Cielo Park. Commissioner Black said if the garden changes to a neighborhood concept that neighbors should be given first chance,then opened up to other residents. She suggested the garden(s)may have to be limited it to residents. STAFF REPORTS Department Highlights for April and May—Commissioner Griffin asked if there was a charge for the first movie in the park. Manager Miller responded that yes, it was a benefit to raise money for Relay for Life. He reported that Schafer's Black Belt Academy worked very hard on the event and was instrumental in raising much of the money. Page 5 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes June 19, 2006 Chair Hansen asked if internet registration going well. Manager Miller said yes,there have been some bumps along the way,but it's going well. He reported the Department is hoping to eventually get up to 60-70%internet participation and pointed out there is a definite learning curve. He has noticed that younger families,who are familiar with the internet, seem very comfortable registering that way. He stated it is also very convenient for customers to be able to register on-line. COMMISSION COMMITTEE REPORTS Park Master Plan (PROS) Committee-Commissioner Hansen reported that the committee will be meeting on Wednesday and will be discussing the survey results. Park Audit Committee-Manager Miller said the park audits should be finished next month, and it was very educational visiting every city park and seeing some areas that they didn't even know existed. He stated the Committee needs to take a look at the data collected and decide what to do with it. Commissioner Black said it was interesting to see what is holding up in the parks asphalt vs. cement, wooden playground equipment vs. newer designs, and what kind of materials work best in the parks which will be helpful in planning future parks. Chair Hansen said he noticed in the budget some asphalt overlays that the Commission may want to look at to see if something more appropriate might be used. Golf Course Oversight Committee-Commissioner Bird reported the Committee is meeting tomorrow. Chair Hansen mentioned there were some interesting comments in the survey regarding disk golf and looking for a place to play. MATTERS FROM COMMISSIONERS Becoming Independent- Commissioner Coleman advised he had recently accepted the position to be the director of Becoming Independent, and he will be starting there on July 5t. He mentioned he wasn't sure if there would be a conflict if there was any contract regarding city parks. Civic Center Plaza Committee-Commissioner Butler said the Civic Center Plaza Committee is just defining their position. He reported that the group is looking at the Civic Center lot by the library, and he stated that the predominant feature is going to be some kind of stage or amphitheater with walking paths, etc.The committee will be coming back with 3 designs. They discussed closing off the end of Lynn Conde Drive in order to enlarge the area so that the street would go directly into the parking lot across from the library. Chair Hansen asked how many people would be able to utilize the area, and Commissioner Butler said he wasn't sure but probably a couple hundred. Manager Miller reported he had met with an architect regarding redesigning the community center grounds which may involve removing the fountain. Staff will be looking at designs that would complement the entire complex. -� Page 6 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes June 19, 2006 Park Monitor Program—Commissioner Black asked to discuss working on creating a park monitor program at next month's meeting, which would include the dog parks. She said she will be proposing an amendment to the Municipal Code to prohibit unspayed or unneutered dogs over 6 months of age in the city's dog parks. She reported that other cities are adding a regulation to their municipal codes requiring owners of dogs that are involved in an accident, with either people or dogs, must stop and exchange information, similar to what is done during a car accident. She would like to be able to chat with a Public Safety representative to find out how to make this useable and feasible. Chair Hansen asked how many dogs this might involve. She said she had stopped at the Rohnert Bark dog park, and out of 8 dogs, 5 were unneutered and several were pit bulls. She stated it is not only a city law but also a county law that these dogs must be neutered due to aggression problems. BMX Track—Commissioner Griffin asked how the city would go about putting a BMX track together. Manager Miller suggested that first the park audit group should put their report together, and the proposal could also be referred to the PROS Committee. In addition, the city would have to consider the risk management for a track. Sunrise Park—Chair Hansen said when at S Park he noticed some areas in the back of the park where some of the drains didn't have covers on them which could be a safety issue. He said that he thought there were 2 or 3 that needed covers. Manager Miller encouraged the commissioners to let him know right away when they see any hazards in the parks. They can either call or e-mail him so he can follow up immediately. Commissioner Black mentioned some A-frame signs that were dangerous, and Manager Miller said he will follow up. Golf Course Park—Chair Hansen said he noticed a micro park on Golf Course Drive and Country Club Drive across from the shopping center. He suggested this might be a good area for a bocce ball court, a chess park, or horseshoes as well as maybe adding a couple of swings. He said this might provide a focal part in that area. He said he wanted to bring it up so the other commissioners can mull it over and come up with a plan they want to pass on to the City Council. He suggested there might be other city parks that could have a focal point. Manager Miller said he believes this goes back to master planning of the city's parks and suggested bringing this up at a PROS Committee meeting. ADJOURNMENT -There being no further business before the Commission,the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Chair Han en Guy Miller Recreation Services Manager -_ • Secretary — r P Page 7