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2005/02/28 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes ... ROHNERT PARK PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES February 28,2005 The Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission met this date at 7:30 p.m.for an adjourned meeting at the Rohnert Park city offices,6750 Commerce Boulevard,Rohnert Park. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. with Chair Bird presiding. OATH OF OFFICE—Finance Director, Sandy Lipitz,administered the Oath of Office for Commissioners Stevens and Butler. ROLL CALL Present: (5) Commissioners Bird,Black,Butler,Hansen, and Stevens Absent: (1) Commissioner Griffin Late: (1) Commissioner Rogers Also present for all or part of the meeting were Finance Director, Sandy Lipitz,and Senior Planner, Ron Bendorff. APPROVAL OF MINUTES—Upon motion by Commissioner Hansen and second by Commissioner Bird,the minutes for the meeting of January 24th were unanimously approved as submitted. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCE/PUBLIC COMMENT-None SCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCE/PUBLIC COMMENT-None OLD BUSINESS Parks Master Plan and Community Fields Citizen Advisory Committee—Secretary Geffre read through list of the City Council's at-large committee appointments approved at their meeting on February 22. Commissioner Hansen reported that the Mayor announced at the meeting that the Council would be ratifying the committee members at their March 8th meeting. Senior Planner Bendorff reported that no meetings have been scheduled. Recreation Element of Specific Plan Areas—Senior Planner Bendorff said after he had attended the Commission's meeting on November 15th,the Commission had requested more information, and he was at tonight's meeting with an update. He pointed out that the Commission was able to view the three specific plan areas on their tour this past Saturday,February 26. He referred to his memo dated 2/28/05 regarding the Commission's concerns and read several pertinent points. A copy of the memo is attached to the original copy of these minutes. He also referred to pages 2 and 3 of his memo dated 11/15/04 and the recreation features proposed in each plan. (A copy of the 11/15/04 memo is also attached to the original Page 1 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes February 28,2005 copy of these minutes.)Mr. Bendorff pointed out that all of the plan areas fall within the City's General Plan requirements. Commissioner Black asked if most of the recreation areas in each plan are pretty much pre-determined. Senior Planner Bendorff agreed that was correct.He said some areas have been adjusted with staff's input,and there will be more fine-tuning as the projects proceed. Commissioner Black clarified the Commission's role is to make sure that the recreation areas conform to the City's General Plan and as the development proceeds they will have more input on what features will be in each park. Senior Planner Bendorff agreed. Commissioner Stevens asked about the concept of the plaza in the University District Specific Plan Area and whether it has been determined what will be in the plaza. Senior Planner Bendorff responded that hasn't been determined yet,but they have talked about including a small grocery store and other businesses that would cater to students. Commissioner Stevens asked if there will be a road to that area. Senior Planner Bendorff said there will be a one-way street entering into the plaza,but traffic would be limited. Commissioner Butler asked whether the University District is still planning a private water park that would be for residents of that district only. Senior Planner Bendorff said he believes they are planning some small swimming pools for residents that live in that area. Commissioner Butler said he would be concerned about providing something unique like a water park that was only available to a limited number of residents. Rogers Arrives—At approximately 7:55 p.m. Commissioner Rogers arrived at the meeting. Recreation Element of Specific Plan Areas-Continued—Commissioner Stevens wondered as the city expands its residential areas,did Senior Planner Bendorff believe another city pool would be added since they are very costly to build and maintain. Senior Planner Bendorff said he didn't think that would happen in the University District since they are planning some private pools. He explained it would also depend on whether the city moves towards building a centrally located pool at the Sports&Fitness Center. Commissioner Black asked if the developers can get credits for providing funds for a community project rather than something in their own specific area of development. Senior Planner Bendorff said he is not aware of that although it could be a creative approach. Commissioner Hansen mentioned that as the Parks Master Plan and Community Fields Citizens Advisory Committee moves forward,they may find that there are community needs that are not being addressed at this time,and they will want to make sure that new developers have projects that might not have been foreseen but need to be included. Senior Planner Bendorff agreed that was a good point. Commissioner Butler asked if there are start dates for these projects,and Senior Planner '1 Bendorff reported they have been delayed,but start dates should be sometime next year. Page 2 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes February 28, 2005 He said he hopes that the Commission can agree on whether the recreation elements in the specific projects do fall within the consistency of the City's General Plan. Commissioner Hansen asked about the bike paths in the original University District Plan being used for park credits,and Senior Planner Bendorff said they have made some changes and added some linear parks which should more than meet the required park needs even if they still want to consider the bike paths,which staff did not agree with. Commissioner Hansen asked about the plans and whether they are available on-line. Senior Planner Bendorff said most of the current plans should be available. Senior Planner Bendorff stated that two of the representatives for the specific plan areas are at tonight's meeting to make presentations. Van Logan,representing the Northeast Specific Plan Area,referred to diagrams of the area and pointed out that the park proposed in their original plan had been relocated.He pointed out bike paths,a linear park and an 8 acre park of which 4 1/2 acres would be developed first and dedicated to the city.He pointed out a par course on the north side of the development that would be adjacent to the G Section. He explained that if they can get sufficient allotments,they would build a skate park similar to the one in Healdsburg in the 4 1/2 acre portion of the 8-acre park. They would also build a 2,500 sq. ft.building to be used for a teen center.He explained this would be built before anyone had moved in so people would know it was there before buying a home. He explained this would depend on whether they can get enough initial funding so they could afford to build it. He stated there are three developers working on the initial project and three other property owners who would be selling their land to developers at a later time. Commissioner Stevens asked for clarification that the skate park would only affect a couple of homes and would be built before the homes are sold. Mr. Logan agreed that was correct and stated the homes would be built on the other side of the street from the park. Commissioner Hansen pointed out if someone moved into a home and the skate park was already there,then there would be no surprises. Some families might want to locate near the skate park. He said he believes there would have to be some kind of sound barrier,but the park would still have to be visible for police patrols. Commissioner Stevens asked how big the area would be and Mr. Logan said about 1 1/2 acres. Commissioner Stevens asked if Mr. Logan was aware of any vandalism problems at the Healdsburg skate park, and Mr. Logan said no,but the park is fenced and locked at night. Commissioner Black asked if Mr. Logan's group only controls 41/z acres of the park site, how would the City make sure that the other half would include the necessary parkland. Mr.Logan suggested that the City could buy the other half He said his group will probably be building through 2012 and the other development would take place after that. He said he does not know for sure how he could insure that the other property owners want to sell and the land would be used for a park. Chair Bird asked when the linear parks would be developed,and Mr. Logan said they would be developed during the first phase.A par course would be built in the set-back. Page 3 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes February 28,2005 Commissioner Stevens asked if the Northeast Specific Plan Area would be developed first. Mr. Logan said no,he believes all three specific plan areas would be building concurrently at the 1% growth rate set by the City of Rohnert Park. Ken Blackman,representing the Southeast Specific Plan Area,stated the owner of the property is Mr. Carinalli. He passed out a summary sheet that outlines the City's park requirements and the parks they are proposing in their plan. (A copy of the summary is attached to the original copy of these minutes.)Mr. Blackman reviewed the information on the sheet and introduced Peter Wertz,the architect. Mr. Wertz explained that the two plans on display were different alternatives meant to show the options that could be included in the park. One showed dividing the park with a wooded area and picnic tables and the other included play areas,such as soccer, and a playground area with a group picnic area. Commissioner Stevens asked the width of the park,and Mr. Wertz replied 350' x 600'. Mr.Blackman explained this park is the headwaters for a hundred year storm and would be designed to take an acre's worth of water. He stated there are similar parks in Santa Rosa and Healdsburg. This area would be turfed and designed for detention of water(not retention).He stated they would also look for creative ways to keep cars out of the park area so they wouldn't be able to drive on the turf. Commissioner Black asked how they would enhance the areas along Bodway Parkway and Valley House Drive since both seem to be used by a lot of runners,cyclists and dog walkers.Mr. Wertz said the intent is to continue with the linear park feeling that already exists on those streets. In addition,the Commission discussed development along Petaluma Hill Road,and Mr. Blackman responded by saying they have some ideas on the kind of walls that could be built along the road that would enhance the beauty of the area. Commissioner Stevens referred to the park in their plan and asked if this would be considered a passive park since there aren't active areas for organized sports.Mr. Blackman said they have included areas that would be safe for parents and enough grassy areas that could be used for sports.The City can develop the park however they want,but the thrust is to create a neighborhood park. Commissioner Hansen referred to the berms that are built around the Greene Center at Sonoma State University. He suggested using berms in the park that could be sound barriers to divide the two areas of the park as well as make it quieter for the homes around the park. Mr. Wertz said the purpose of the trees in their design is to help divide the park and provide a sound bather. Commissioner Black said she has noticed there are two elements missing in local parks. One is a dog park or an area where dogs can be run off leash,and the other thing the city needs is a place where small community events,i.e.,festivals and/or weddings,can be held and can be fenced off. Commissioner Hansen referred to Ives Park in Sebastopol which includes a small stage.Mr. Wertz responded that there is a broad range of things '1 that can be done,and their designs are two examples. Page 4 kohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes February 28,2005 Commissioner Hansen asked about funding of the park because he thought the amenities in either plan discussed might cost more than the$200,000 Mr.Blackman said is budgeted for the park. He asked if there would be some kind of homeowner association that might help to enhance these funds. Mr. Blackman replied that the park will be built in the first phase so it is an enhancement before people move in.He stated they would not hold back on improvements waiting for people to move in. Commissioner Hansen asked if that means there might be some contribution from the developers for the park,and Mr. Blackman said he will have to see how the prices come in and how far the$200,000 will go. He said there is a possibility of setting up some kind of assessment but will have to wait to see how the costs come in.He explained people do not like to be assessed for areas that other people can use but do not have to pay towards. Committee Assignments—Chair Bird referred to the list of committee assignments and asked for discussion. Commissioner Stevens referred to the Budget Committee and said he wasn't sure when the committee met and what their purpose is. Commissioner Hansen said that Recreation Services Manager Miller is working on the budget now and may want some input before the next meeting. Commissioner Black suggested that someone from each committee could volunteer to be a coordinator of the committee. Commissioner Stevens said he would like to know the purpose of several of the committees. The Commission agreed to table naming the Budget Committee members until next month so they could get some feedback from Manager Miller. After some discussion,the Commission also questioned the purpose of the Children and Families Committee. Finance Director Lipitz urged the Commission to decide what committees they are interested in maintaining and what are needed.Any committees that they feel aren't necessary could be dropped. Commissioner Black suggested meeting with Manager Miller to decide the purpose of the existing committees and what their roles should be. Chair Bird asked if Commissioner Rogers could check with his wife since she was active on the Commission on Youth and Families to see if she had suggestions on what the focus of their committee should be. Commissioner Rogers said he would get some feedback from her and report at the next commission meeting. Chair Bird stated that the Golf Course Committee meets quarterly and asked if any of the commissioners wanted to fill the spot vacated by Commissioner Carlson. Since none of the commissioners expressed an interest,the Commission agreed to reduce the number of commissioners on the committee to the two current members,Commissioners Griffin and Bird. Commissioner Stevens referred to the Park Watch/Adopt-a Park Committee and said he thinks they need to determine the focus and purpose of this committee since so far the emphasis seems to be on the adopt-a-park area. He thought that the purpose was also to Page 5 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes February 28, 2005 form a park watch which would involve recruiting neighbors of the parks to watch for problems. Commissioner Black offered to be an alternate on the Senior Center Committee in case Commissioner Hansen is unable to attend any meetings. Commissioner Black asked if the ad hoc members,Elizabeth Desmond and David Cohen, are still interested in being part of the Skate Park Committee. She offered to talk to Elizabeth Desmond and Commissioner Stevens said he will talk to David Cohen. The Commission agreed they need a better defined purpose of the Sports&Fitness Center Committee since the committee has never met. Commissioner Butler reported that the Volunteer Program Committee met once last year, but nothing was ever put in place. Chair Bird suggested this committee may be more active when the Adopt-a-Park program is underway. Commissioner Hansen said he is interested in being on this committee because he sees many possibilities for volunteers in recreation. He mentioned the volunteers at the Senior Center are a big asset,and he sees what a tremendous resource volunteers can be to enhance all recreation activities. The Commission discussed the Youth Sports Committee and agreed they need some direction on the purpose of this committee. Commissioner Black asked about the Community Garden liaison and whether they Commission needs to be more involved in that program. Staff advised that the gardeners elect a Board of Directors,and Recreation Supervisor Wendy Audiss,is the staff liaison. The Commission agreed that the current system seems to be working fine. NEW BUSINESS Community Garden Update-This item was tabled until next month when Recreation Services Manager Miller will return. Mountain Shadows Middle School Field Use Agreement-Finance Director Lipitz reported that the City has agreed to a 20 year lease with the Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District for use of the district owned fields at the Mt. Shadows Middle School which is required if the state grant to install an all-weather field is approved.The City Council has already approved the agreement. (A copy of the agreement is attached to the original copy of these minutes.) Some discussion followed on whether the city will assume the maintenance for these fields if the grant is approved. Pool Schedules-Finance Director Lipitz reported the Pool Schedules that the Commission received have not changed from last year and were provided to the Commission for their information. (A copy of the schedules is attached to the original copy of these minutes.) Commissioner Stevens mentioned that the Aquatics Committee used to meet each year to -� discuss the pool schedules and noted the schedules have been cut back in the last few Page 6 kohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes February 28,2005 years. Finance Director Lipitz responded that pool attendance has dropped in the last five years which affects the schedule. Some discussion followed. The Commission discussed the Piranha Swim Club's use of Honeybee Pool. Commissioner Black stated she used to be active in the Club,and she hopes the problems that occurred when the team previously used the pool have been resolved. She mentioned some friction between swim team members and lap swimmers and problems that had occurred with the hot water for the showers was used up by swim team members after their practices. Commissioner Stevens made a motion to accept the aquatics schedules for 2005. Commissioner Butler seconded the motion which was unanimously approved. Rohnert Park Swim Club Agreement—Staff reported that the agreement was included in the Commissioners' packets for their information. The agreement has already been approved by the City Council because the request was received after the Commission's January meeting and had to be in place before their February meeting. (A copy of the agreement is attached to the original copy of these minutes.) STAFF REPORTS Department Highlights for January—Commissioner Black said she was glad to see that the Recreation Department's youth basketball program was reinstated. Commissioner Stevens agreed it's a good program because it fills in an area that the CYO program doesn't cover. Chair Bird asked about the item regarding the city's application for the 2002 Youth Soccer and Recreation Development Grant and the additional information that needed to be submitted. Since the application is being handled by Manager Miller,questions were tabled until his return. COMMISSION COMMITTEE REPORTS Dog Park Committee-Commissioner Black reported she had one new membership form for the Best Friends Canine Club,and the new member is a dog trainer and has been bringing agility equipment out to the park three times a week. She stated this has had a very positive impact on both the dogs and their owners and has shown them that many dogs are trainable even when owners might not realize it. She advised it has been a quiet month and the number of people coming to the park is down due to the wet weather. Aquatics Committee—Commissioner Butler said he would still like to have an Aquatics Committee meeting because they may be able to find ways to enhance the city's pools. Park Master Plan Committee—Commissioner Hansen reported the committee met a couple of times and discussed their roles and how to put together a park master plan.He said he Page 7 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes February 28, 2005 believes they will get more direction after the City Council's March 8th meeting. He stated he believes it is clear that the General Plan spells out their role in park planning. Commissioner Butler asked if the Commission can request copies of the minutes from the Parks Master Plan and Community Fields Citizen Advisory Committee meetings. Golf Course Committee—Chair Bird reported the committee had not met. MATTERS FROM/FOR COMMISSIONERS Orange Fences-Commissioner Stevens asked about the orange fences at the parks. Staff responded that the soccer fields at Sunrise and Magnolia Parks are fenced off because they are being renovated. Sharing of the Green—Commissioner Black reported that the City Council had approved donating two Sports &Fitness Center memberships and two summer swim passes to the Education Foundation for their Sharing of the Green event in March. She said she had e- mailed Manager Miller about the opportunity for the city to use this as a marketing place to promote the recreation department and showcase these two items. Field Use Agreements—Chair Bird said he had some questions about the agreement which he would direct to Manager Miller. ADJOURNMENT-There being no further business before the Commission,the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m. 1s /- , 'd Chair Bird Sandy Lipitz S Finance Director 211 _L Se etary 111111 Page 8