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2005/08/15 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes • ROHNERT PARK PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES August 15, 2005 The Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission met this date at 8:00 p.m. for a regular meeting at the Rohnert Park city offices, 6750 Commerce Boulevard, Rohnert Park. The meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. with Chair Bird presiding. ROLL CALL Present: (6) Commissioners Bird, Black, Butler, Griffin, Hansen, and Stevens Absent: (1) Commissioner Rogers Also present for all or part of the meeting Recreation Services Manager Guy Miller. APPROVAL OF MINUTES—Commissioner Butler corrected the minutes for the June 30th meeting to reflect that he had been present for the meeting. (His name was inadvertently omitted.)Upon motion by Commissioner Griffin and second by Commissioner Hansen,the minutes,with the correction noted above, for the following meetings: June 20, 2005,June 30, 2005, and July 18, 2005,were unanimously approved as submitted. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCE/PUBLIC COMMENT-None SCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCE/PUBLIC COMMENT-None REPORT ON COMMISSION WORK SESSION Commission Recommendations—Chair Bird asked when the Commission should bring something to the City Council about the playground renovations. Manager Miller said the earlier,the better, since they are running out of good weather to get the construction completed. Ladybug Park- Commissioner Griffin asked if they should go ahead with the Ladybug Park playground recommendation since it is the most straight forward project. Manager Miller said it is important that the Commission consider the plans that were submitted earlier about moving the location of the playground and the reasons why they feel this shouldn't be done since they have learned that it may not be the prudent thing to do. He stated he would like to be able to go to the City Council with this. Commissioner Griffin made a motion to approve the Ladybug Park playground renovations using proposal Al with the addition of some rocking toys for toddlers. Commissioner Stevens seconded the motion. Commissioner Black addressed the concerns that the Commission had heard regarding the lack of visibility from the street to the playground and suggested a simple solution would be to trim the trees from the bottom. She also talked about designating this as Phase 1 of the playground renovation so that they may be able to add a second phase which would be to add a spray park. The Commission discussed the suggestion to move the playground but felt the cost was too high Page 1 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes August 15, 2005 as well as taking into consideration the comments from residents who said they like the present location. Commissioner Hansen said after speaking to Eugene Fallis from the Public Works Department,he would like the city to do the excavation for the playground as well as remove the old equipment which would save money. The Commission discussed changing the location of the swings and perhaps moving the sandbox. Manager Miller offered to check with the contractor to determine if this would be feasible. Commissioner Hansen made a friendly amendment to the motion to authorize the City's Public Works Department to do the excavation for the new playground and remove all the old equipment, as well as request that the contractor reorient the swings, if possible,without changing the position of the sandbox. Commissioner Hansen said he believed the existing location of the playground equipment is appropriate with the possibility of considering this Phase 1 with an additional phase in the future. The Commission unanimously approved the motion to recommend accepting the Ladybug Park playground renovations using Proposal Al,with the addition of some rocking toys for toddlers, and stipulating that the City's Public Works Department would do the excavation for the new playground and remove all the old equipment, as well as request that the contractor reorient the swings, if possible, without changing the position of the sandbox. Caterpillar Park—Commissioner Stevens made a motion to accept the Caterpillar Park design, Option A4. Commissioner Butler seconded the motion. Commissioner Hansen made a friendly amendment to request that the Public Works Department excavate the site and remove the existing equipment. Commissioner Stevens asked if the Commission was going to consider a shade area or if that would be in Phase 2. Manager Miller recommended waiting until the other two playground designs are decided upon to see if there are enough funds. The Commission unanimously approved the motion to recommend accepting Option A4 for the Caterpillar Park playground renovation and requesting that the Public Works Department excavate the site and remove the existing play equipment. Sunrise Park—Chair Bird asked about the tennis wall at Sunrise Park and suggested a design would need to be made prior to recommending a playground design. Manager Miller reported that tennis players have indicated they do use the wall but agreed it could be moved. He said to move the tennis wall would add approximately$20,000 to the cost of the project. He mentioned by borrowing the funds from other parks they could stay within the budget. He said the job of removing the asphalt from the existing tennis wall area might be more than the Public Works Department would be able to do. Page 2 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes August 15, 2005 The Commission discussed what the area where existing playground is located would be used for if the playground is moved. Commissioner Hansen-suggested making it a future phase, and Manager Miller stated they would still have to do something with the sand area. Commissioner Black recommended installing some digger toys in that area and suggested this might be a way to hold the space for the future. Commissioner Hansen asked whether the area is big enough for a sand volleyball court,but Manager Miller stated it is too small. Commissioner Griffin made a motion to approve the Sunrise Park playground renovations, Option B,with the addition of$20,000 to remove the tennis wall, and adding some sand toys to the existing sand area. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Black. Commissioner Butler asked about changing the design to more of a farm or"seed farm"look. After some discussion,he made a friendly amendment to the motion to change the design to add the seed farm references to Option B. The Commission unanimously approved the motion to approve play equipment design Option B, with a seed farm look, for Sunrise Park, adding some sand toys and authorizing an additional $20,000 to remove the tennis wall. Colegio Vista Park—The Commission discussed the different design options and the features they would like to include at Colegio Vista Park. Commissioner Black made a motion to accept proposal design Option 2 with the addition of the log roller and authorizing the city to remove the old equipment and doing the preparation for the new. Commissioner Butler seconded the motion. Commissioner Black amended her motion to move the bench to the outside of the playground area. Commissioner Hansen reported that Eugene Fallis from the Public Works Department recommended moving all the benches at all parks outside the play equipment area. The Commission unanimously approved the motion including moving the bench as stated above. Commissioner Hansen thanked Mr. Fallis for attending the Commission's work session. Caterpillar Park- Commissioner Griffin made a motion to approve the shaded picnic area at Caterpillar Park, Option B, if there is enough money left from the other park renovations. Commissioner Butler seconded the motion. Discussion followed and Commissioner Stevens asked if the picnic area would be all cement. Manager Miller responded that it would be wood fiber, and Commissioner Hansen pointed out that the information they received from Ross Recreation includes a 16x16 concrete pad with wood fiber in between. Commissioner Stevens confirmed that it would include six tables. Manager Miller reminded the Commission that a resident, whose home is adjacent to the park, was concerned about the tables at the park. Commissioner Hansen pointed out that the new picnic area would be moved to a more central part of the park. Manager Miller stated this citizen was Page 3 • Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes August 15, 2005 concerned that the tables were close to his home as well as near the street. Discussion followed on whether the existing tables should be removed since they are in bad shape. Commissioner Black suggested the Commission may wish to prioritize their goals at the parks such as for structures and soccer goals. Commissioner Stevens asked about the Commission's list of goals that had been done several years ago which included 5, 10 and 15 year goals. Manager Miller said he wasn't aware of the list, and Commissioner Stevens requested a copy be provided to the Commission,if it can be found. Manager Miller suggested the Commission may be duplicating the purpose of the PROS Committee since they are looking at city parks. Commissioner Hansen said he thought coordination of the soccer goals should be done with RPSL. Commissioner Black stated this doesn't need to be done now that she just wanted the Commission to be thinking about setting priorities. Commissioner Stevens asked how the Commission could earmark the leftover money for shade structures. Discussion continued, and Manager Miller said leftover money may be able to be used for soccer goals,but it would depend on whether the City Council wished to do that. Commissioner Hansen said he would be in favor of contributing towards the costs of soccer goals and suggested it would be worthwhile to be able to move the goal placement at the soccer fields. Following discussion,the Commission voted unanimously to approve the motion to use any leftover funds for a picnic shade structure at Caterpillar Park. OLD BUSINESS Report on City Council, Parks and Recreation Commission and Planning Commission Joint Meeting— Commissioner Black said she appreciated that the city's commissioners were included in the plans of what is about to happen with development in the city and felt the meeting was time well spent. She also thought it was valuable that representatives from the school district were included. Commissioner Griffin Leaves—At approximately 9:09 p.m., Commissioner Griffin left the meeting. Some discussion followed, and Commissioner Hansen said he would also like to meet with the PROS Committee. Commissioner Griffin Returns—At 9:11 p.m. Commissioner returned to the meeting. Commissioner Hansen said it looks like the City is getting more activity involving the city's General Plan and referred to two recommendations he had prepared that he would like to forward to the City Council. (A copy of the recommendations is attached to the original copy of these minutes.) He read through the two recommendations and reasons for his recommendations. Commissioner Hansen said he is recommending that one half parkland contributions would be required for apartment complexes and the other half would apply if the apartments were converted to condominiums. Page 4 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes August 15, 2005 Discussion followed and Commissioner Griffin asked how something like this would be implemented.Manager Miller suggested that these recommendations be presented to the Planning Commission first to see what their response would be. Commissioner Black asked whether Commissioner Hansen is trying to clarify how the General Plan would be interpreted but not changing the Plan. Commissioner Hansen agreed that Policy Proposal One is just a clarification of how the General Plan is interpreted. Commissioner Black said she would like to have the General Plan clarified before any specific proposals are submitted. Manager Miller said his feeling is that Policy Proposal Two would be a change to the General Plan and again suggested this proposal be taken to the Planning Commission before going to the City Council. Chair Bird asked if this could be discussed with the two Planning Commissioners who sit on the PROS Committee. Manager Miller said it is too late for the next PROS Committee agenda, and he wasn't sure if it would be appropriate. Commissioner Hansen made a motion to present the two recommendations to the Planning Commission to get some clarification and decide whether they should be forwarded to the City Council. Commissioner Griffin seconded the motion. Commissioner Black suggested having a joint meeting so they could better discuss the recommendations as well as other things that have come up in the plans that developers have presented. Manager Miller said these will come up in time, and Commissioner Black said she would like to have all matters clarified before any specific plans are submitted to the Commission. Commissioner Hansen said he would like these recommendations to go to the City Council as soon as possible so any plans being considered would be subject to the same requirements. Discussion followed, and Commissioner Butler recommended getting input from Ron Bendorff, Director of Community Development. Commissioner Hansen said he want to make sure that in case there are any areas of discrepancy that everyone interprets the General Plan in the same way. He rephrased his motion that the Parks and Recreation Commission take these recommendations to the Planning Commission for their clarification and interpretation. Manager Miller pointed out that because this matter is not on tonight's agenda that no action can be taken. Commissioner Hansen withdrew his motion, and the Commission agreed that the recommendations would be discussed next month. Report on Dog Parks—Commissioner Black reported the grand opening for the city's new dog park is scheduled for Saturday, August 20. She announced they will have a lot of handouts and giveaways and showed the Commission some examples. She reported that 49er Pet has been phenomenal in helping with the opening and stated there will be demonstrations and lots of free samples. She explained that everything has been donated and requested some help with set-up. She reported the parks is already open and is being used extensively. Commissioner Stevens asked about waste bags, and Manager Miller responded that people started using the park before it was open,but everything will be in place by Saturday. Commissioner Page 5 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes August 15, 2005 Stevens said he also noticed that the area by the gate is slippery, and Manager Miller said some epoxy sand is being installed in that area. Commissioner Stevens relayed an incident he observed where an owner was having difficulty controlling an unruly dog. Commissioner Black said they will have to deal with problems just like every other dog park has over the years. She hopes to have some handouts for people, and she will be working on creating a dog park monitoring group for the park. She hopes to recruit some volunteers at the open house. Manager Miller said he is working on getting two other dog parks open in Rohnert Park. The one at the animal shelter will be open once the signs are ready, and he is working on the one at Benicia Park. NEW BUSINESS Report on Senior Center Operations—Vicki Wilkerson, Recreation Supervisor,passed out a packet of information on the Rohnert Park Senior Center and gave a brief history of the development of the center. (A copy of her report is attached to the original copy of these minutes.) Supervisor Wilkerson referred to the Management Informational Services Report and informed the Commission that when compared with the nine other senior centers in the county,Rohnert Park is the most active. She said their goal is to have at least two fundraisers each month and they have a committee that helps with this. She reported they have over 100 volunteers at the Senior Center and invited the commissioners to come visit. She suggested they come this Saturday for the Summer Social Pancake Breakfast being offered by the Senior Center and the Police Officers Association of Rohnert Park before attending the dog park grand opening. She talked briefly about the cruises the Center offers and pointed out they are not specifically for seniors even though the money raised goes to the Senior Center. Commissioner Hansen asked if there are any plans to use the Finance Department area for the Senior Center. Manager Miller advised there has been some discussion about this after Finance moves to the new city hall. Commissioner Hansen asked about changing the name of the center so it will be more inviting for all citizens of Rohnert Park. Supervisor Wilkerson talked about the Baby Boomers who don't think of themselves as older and aren't interested in going to a senior center. Because many of these people are still working,they need to find activities that would attract them after work. She said they will need to come up with a name that will attract these people and not call them senior classes. Commissioner Stevens said seniors are being redefined since many people are working longer, and many,who do retire,have more expendable income and may be interested in cruises. Supervisor Wilkerson agreed and pointed out that is why the center is offering the trips. She said she is looking forward to expanding the Senior Center since she does get requests to add programs but right now they don't have enough space. She said she is looking for the Commission's help in being able to expand the Senior Center when the Finance Department moves to the new city hall. Commissioner Griffin Leaves—At approximately 10:03 p.m. Commissioner Griffin left the meeting. Page 6 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes August 15, 2005 • STAFF REPORTS Department Highlights for May and June—Commissioner Stevens asked if the security camera installed at Golis Park has been effective. Manager Miller said he believes it has. Commissioner Black said she has observed less vandalism in the park this year than the previous two summers. Chair Bird asked how the increase in fees collected at the Sports &Fitness Center is going, and Manager Miller said they hope to bring revenue back to what it was but generally it follows the economy. Commissioner Stevens asked about the softball rainouts and Manager Miller said any games that are rained out are all made up. COMMISSION COMMITTEE REPORTS Park Master Plan (PROS) Committee—Chair Bird reported the PROS Committee is in the middle of putting together a questionnaire for stakeholder interviews. The next meeting is this Wednesday. Commissioner Black asked if the new stakeholder interviews will be combined with the previous interviews. Chair Bird said they have those interviews,but the new questionnaire has a lot of different questions. Commissioner Hansen reported they did have a meeting with Ron Bendorff,the Director of Community Development, and discussed what they can expect from developers and what has been asked of developers in the past. There are specific rules of what can be asked for and the rules they must follow. Chair Bird suggested having a joint meeting with the PROS Committee because the Committee doesn't know about the playground renovations being done. Manager Miller said he tries to keep them informed,but Chair Bird said there seems to be a lot of duplication between the Committee and the Commission. Commissioner Stevens suggested the Committee should know who the Parks and Recreation Commissioners are. He said he thinks the Committee should come to the Commission before making a recommendation to the City Council. Chair Bird stated this is a long way off. Commissioner Hansen agreed and said they may be a year away. Commissioner Hansen said the Committee's focus is different, and they are trying to get an idea of the current uses of the parks and what people want in their parks in the future. They are working on developing the right questions to find out what people want and what the use of the parks is right now. He is hopeful when they are done that the recommendations will be coming from the people of Rohnert Park. MATTERS FROM/FOR COMMISSIONERS Golf Course Caterer Commissioner Butler said he attended a wedding at the golf course and the catering was excellent. Page 7 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes August 15, 2005 Magnolia Park- Commissioner Stevens reported there are a lot of people using Magnolia Park who don't use leashes and asked if there needs to be signs. Commissioner Black stated there are already signs at the park and she believes they are there in case something happens. She said most people don't read them and there is no enforcement. Commissioner Stevens recommended doing an article in the Community Voice in the city pages. Commissioner Black said that Mickey Zeldes,Animal Shelter Supervisor,might be able to do that. She recommended better enforcement of the current ordinance and stated many times it is an education matter. Fields-Commissioner Black said she has observed field conditions in city parks. She doesn't believe that maintenance is what it should be and it needs to be addressed immediately. At the Golis Park baseball field she has noticed growing chasms in the adobe soil along the first base line and suspects it is a problem at all city parks. She said she isn't sure who is responsible but has a growing concern of what is going on since it is becoming a safety issue. She asked if the Commission can find out who is responsible and give support where it is needed. Commissioner Hansen talked about the problems with adobe soil. Some can be corrected and some are part of the geography of this area. Manager Miller advised that Public Works lost 40%of their work force in the last two years, and the best thing to do is to report what they observe to him so he can work with Public Works to get it fixed. Most of these problems are a series of events that happen over and over again. He said the City is aware of the cracks at Golis Park which were caused by a mowing problem that was caused by one of the users of the field. Chair Bird asked about giving the soccer league a heads-up about the portable goals at a future meeting. Discussion followed. ADJOURNMENT -There being no further business before the Commission,the meeting was adjourned at 10:25 p.m. /7/ // 11-- (,,T* ,, Chair :irduy Miller Recreation Services Manager --)-- Secretary Page 8