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2005/09/19 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes • ROHNERT PARK PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES September 19,2005 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 Bird presiding. ROLL CALL Present: (5) Commissioners Bird, Black, Butler, Griffm, and Stevens Late: (1) Commissioner Hansen Absent: (1) Commissioner Rogers Also present for all or part of the meeting Recreation Services Manager Guy Miller. APPROVAL OF MINUTES—Upon motion by Commissioner Griffin and second by Commissioner Bird,the minutes for the meeting of August 15th were unanimously approved as submitted. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCE/PUBLIC COMMENT-None SCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCE/PUBLIC COMMENT-None PUBLIC HEARING—CATERPILLAR PARK PLAYGROUND RENOVATION Presentation—Recreation Services Manager Miller briefed the Commission and audience on the changes made in the original design and showed them the revised plans for their input before forwarding the Commission's recommendation to the City Council. The changes include combining the two play areas,pre-school and school-aged children,into one larger area with new features that aren't offered in any other park in the city. He pointed out that the old playground area has been redesigned as a picnic area with 6 tables on 3 cement pads which will compliment the new play area. He advised the picnic area will not be advertised as a group picnic area since there aren't any restrooms in the park. Comments from the Public: Kelly Bengs, 7288 Calcutta Court—Ms. Bengs stated she had been here for the beginning of the design discussions, and she came tonight to thank the Commission for listening to the residents,taking the time to come visit the park, and for giving them a new play area. She asked when the recommendation will be going to the City Council, and Manager Miller replied sometime in October. Rollin Gehring, 7418 Circle Drive—Mr. Gehring thanked the Commission for coming out to see the park and talking to residents. He also thanked them for getting someone to check the sprinklers and correcting the problems. He pointed out that police presence hasn't changed,but gang presence has. He said he is concerned that gangs will take over the new picnic area and hopes the police will be doing regular drive-bys to help eliminate this presence. He stated many neighborhood children aren't allowed to go to the park because of this problem. He asked whether the old picnic Page 1 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes September 19,2005 tables will be removed and was told they would be. He thanked the Commission for consolidating the two playgrounds. Comments from Commissioners - Commissioner Stevens said he believes the city will be diligent about making sure the city is safe. Commissioner Black suggested that Mr. Gehring go directly to the police with his concerns and also suggested that the more the parks are used, the more it drives out undesirable people. Commissioner Butler said he is hopeful that moving the picnic tables away from the street will make it more undesirable for any kind of drug activity. Chair Bird invited the residents to come back once the new playground has been installed to let the Commission know how the Space Net is working out. Manager Miller advised the Space Net and Rock and Ridges are going to be installed in some other city parks so that park use is more evenly distributed throughout the city. There being no further comments, the public hearing was closed at 7:47 p.m. OLD BUSINESS Presentation of Revised Playground Renovations—Recreation Services Manager Miller said he took the Commission's recommendations back to Ross Recreation, and they were able to make all the changes. He has costs for the renovations and reported the total is $473,000 for all four park projects which is less than the amount originally budgeted for six parks. Based on discussions,the original proposed renovations were whittled down to four parks. He stated the Commission's recommendations will be presented to the City Council at their first meeting in October. Commissioner Griffin asked if the renovations will be able to go out to bid right away so they can get the best price available. Manager Miller advised this won't be necessary because once Ross Recreation does a project in one city,they honor the same price for other cities. Report on Dog Parks—Commissioner Black thanked Commissioners Stevens, Butler and Hansen for coming and helping at the recent opening for the Rohnert Bark Park. She reported about 300 people attended. The event was very successful and the vendors were all a pleasure to work with. She stated the park is being very well used, and she hasseen as many as 30 dogs at a time. She said it is great to see people using the park since it is good for both the dogs and their owners. Commissioner Butler said he found the atmosphere at the opening similar to Founders Day. Discussion followed. Manager Miller reported he has been to the dog park several times and parking has not been a problem although he hasn't been there on a weekend. He said he believes the two entrances have worked well and that use has been exceptional. Page 2 • Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes September 19,2005 He reported the other two dog parks are on the way. They are waiting for a double gate for Benicia Park and for the message boards at the shelter. The boards should be there in a week, and he hopes to have both other parks operating in a couple of weeks. Commissioner Stevens asked about the status of slippery area by the gate at the Bark Park. Manager Miller advised that Public Works had acid washed it,but they will have to wait to see how it works out in wet weather. He will be keeping a close eye on it. Hansen Arrives—At approximately 7:55 p.m., Commissioner Hansen arrived for the meeting. NEW BUSINESS Proposed General Plan Clarification/Amendment—Commissioner Hansen referred to the changes to the General Plan he proposed last month, and since there is a review of the General Plan coming up, he thought this would be a good time to bring this up. Commissioner Hansen reviewed the two recommendations. (A copy of his recommendations is attached to the original copy of these minutes.) Commissioner Butler asked for clarification that Commissioner Hansen's Policy Proposal One is because of a discrepancy in the current General Plan. Commissioner Hansen agreed. Commissioner Griffin said he agrees with Commissioner Hansen's proposal,but he thinks the recommendation needs to be reworded. Commissioner Black said she had worked on rewording the proposal but didn't have any luck. Chair Bird asked what the next step would be. Manager Miller responded that he had spoken with Ron Bendorff, the Director of Community Development, and he said the proposal needs to go to the Planning Commission for their review, and the ultimate decision will be made by the City Council. Commissioner Griffm asked if they could make a motion to agree with the proposal in concept,but it can be reworded. Manager Miller suggested first sending the concern to the Planning Commission for their review. The Commission further discussed the proposal and determined they wanted to indicate their agreement that this area of the General Plan did need to be clarified. Commissioner Griffm made a motion to recommend approval of Commissioner Hansen's first Policy Proposal and forward it to the Planning Commission for their review. Commissioner Stevens seconded the motion which the Commission unanimously approved. Commissioner Hansen reviewed his second policy proposal. He stated now when many apartment complexes are being converted into condominiums,the parkland requirement is waived. He would like to see something done so that any time a residential development is built,whether a subdivision or not,the same parkland requirements apply. He believes there is a loophole in the city's requirement right now, and he would like to close that loophole. Commissioner Stevens asked if he is talking about new developments or apartment complexes that were built 10-20 years ago. Commissioner Hansen said condominiums fall under the subdivision rule, and when he talked to Mr. Bendorff earlier,the thought was because apartment dwellers are Page 3 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes September 19,2005 already residents of the city, that when the apartments are converted to condos,no new park land would be required for them. Commissioner Black said it sounds like to her that the Planning Commission and City Council have been aware that when apartments are converted that they aren't meeting the same requirements as other subdivisions. Commissioner Hansen said his concern is that when new apartment complexes are built,they should have the same requirements. Commissioner Black said she thinks the proposal should be a recommendation since the Commission doesn't know what is being required at this time. Manager Miller recommended that the Commission be aware that Sonoma County is looking for affordable housing and this proposal could drive the prices up. Commissioner Stevens said that he believes it is important that the same rules apply for anyone who is becoming a property owner in the city. Commissioner Griffin made a motion to recommend approval of Policy Proposal Two and forward it to the Planning Commission. Commissioner Hansen seconded the motion. Commissioner Black said she is concerned that they are recommending policy, and she isn't comfortable making a policy change but would like to make a recommendation. Commissioner Griffin said he thinks it is important to make their motion as strong as possible. After further discussion, Commissioner Hansen withdrew his second to the motion, and Commissioner Griffm amended his motion to recommend that Policy Proposal Two be forwarded —. to the Planning Commission for their consideration. Commissioner Hansen seconded the amended motion which was unanimously approved. STAFF REPORTS Department Highlights for August—Commissioner Stevens asked about the roof bids for the Sports& Fitness Center. Manager Miller explained the bid was $300,000 over what was budgeted and the recommendation is that the proposal and be reworded and bid the project again in January. Commissioner Stevens also asked for clarification in the decline in camp attendance and whether it included the after-school program. Manager Miller said the numbers in the report refer only to camps. Commissioner Griffin Leaves-At approximately 8:20 p.m., Commissioner Griffin left the meeting. Commissioner Hansen asked about internet registration, and Manager Miller explained that the consultant has already made one visit and will be coming back in October for final training. The department will be doing a soft launch in our next activity guide for a handful of classes to determine how the internet registration will go.Commissioner Hansen asked if this will reduce staff's workload. Manager Miller said it should,but the department will have to do a good publicity campaign encouraging the public to try internet registration. Chair Bird asked if there has been any feedback on the swim pool schedule. Manager Miller said surprisingly little. Page 4 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes September 19,2005 Commissioner Griffin Returns-At 8:22 p.m. Commissioner Griffin returned to the meeting. Commissioner Butler asked if Honeybee Pool is available for rent since it is open year round, and Manager Miller said yes. COMMISSION COMMITTEE REPORTS Park Master Plan (PROS) Committee—Chair Bird reported the PROS Committee will be meeting on Wednesday and referred to the minutes and proposed Needs Assessment Survey. (A copy of both is attached to the original copy of these minutes.) Manager Miller stated the Committee will be seeing a presentation at their meeting for an internet survey which he was told works better than telephone surveys. They may do a combination of both. Commissioner Black asked how the stakeholders will be identified. Chair Bird said the Committee has a list. Commissioner Butler asked how one gets to be a stakeholder. Chair Bird stakeholders will be the people who use the parks all of the time. Manager Miller said the Committee is being careful not to limit it to just athletic groups but other users as well. Commissioner Butler asked if the survey is set in stone or can changes be made? He referred to question 4c and said he doesn't believe you should give people a chance to say there isn't a need to use the parks. Some discussion followed. Commissioner Black said she would like to determine if it is more important to get as much parkland as possible, and if necessary,hold some of it until it can be developed, or is it more important to accept a smaller park with the land developed and ready for use. The Commission discussed both possibilities. Manager Miller said the PROS Committee may be scheduling some trips to visit parks in other communities and agreed to notify the Commission when the trips are scheduled in case they would like to go along. Dog Park—Commissioner Black reported she and Manager Miller have met and are working on developing a sponsorship program for the dog parks. She would like to get together with the other members of the Dog Park Committee. She said they are also moving ahead with the brick memorial program for the park. MATTERS FROM/FOR COMMISSIONERS Boy Scout Troop 431 - Commissioner Butler reported that Troop 431 had attended tonight's Commission meeting to earn a community service badge. He announced that the Scouts are starting their annual fundraising popcorn sales. Commissioner Goals- Commissioner Stevens said he would like to propose that the Commission come up with 5-10 goals similar to the City Council goals posted on the wall. In addition he would like to have some concrete goals for specific projects as well. Page 5 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes September 19,2005 Joint Meeting with City Council and Planning Commission - Commissioner Stevens referred to the minutes of the joint meeting and clarified that he had not attended as stated in the minutes. Sonoma State University Staff Housing—Commissioner Stevens asked if the staff housing development proposed by SSU will be part of the City of Rohnert Park. Manager Miller said it is located out of the city's sphere of influence and General Plan. Commissioner Stevens said he will be contacting Councilmember Flores about this, and he would like to put this on their next agenda to get the other commissioners' feelings on this development because he has strong reservations about it. He would like more information and said if nothing else,maybe a letter needs to be sent to SSU President Arminana stating that SSU should contribute to the city since they will be using city services. Commission Minutes—Commissioner Black thanked Secretary Geffre for making sense of the Commission's last meeting. Public Works Staff—Commissioner Black reported she had met with Public Works employee, Eugene Fallis, at Golis Park to show him the problems observed with the turf. She said he worked on filling the cracks and fixing the other problems, and she wants to thank him and the Public Works Department for being so responsive. ADJOURNMENT -There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned '1 at 8:40/p.m. ir '7 11 ,7 Chair 'ird Guy Mi er Recreation Services Manager (ALl.Q) ?--k Secretary V Page 6