2005/09/19 Parks and Recreation Commission Agenda Packet CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
PARKS &RECREATION COMMISSION
Monday, September 19, 2005
7:30 p.m.
Rohnert Park City Offices
6750 Commerce Boulevard
AGENDA
7:30 I. Call to Order
II. Pledge of Allegiance
III. Roll Call:
7Bird SBlack ErButler C' 'Griffin 0 Hansen 0 Rogers
[2'Stevens
IV. Approval of Minutes August 15 Commission Meeting
,,-, V. Report on the Posting of the Meeting Agenda
VI. Unscheduled Public Appearances/Public Comment
(Please fill out a Speaker Card prior to speaking)
VII. Public Hearing
A. Presentation of Caterpillar Park Playground Renovation
B. Comments from the Public
C. Comments from Commissioners
D. Close Public Hearing
VIII. Old Business
A. Presentation of Revised Playground Renovations
B. Report on Rohnert Bark Dedication Ceremony
IX. New Business
A. Proposed General Plan Clarification/Amendment [Hansen]
X. Staff Reports
A. Department Highlights—August
XI. Commission Committee Reports
A. PROS Committee
B. Dog Park
Page 1
City of Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Agenda—September 19, 2005
XII. Matters From/For Commissioners
Adjournment to a regular meeting scheduled on Monday, October 17,2005, in City Council
Chambers at the Rohnert Park City Hall, 6750 Commerce Boulevard, at 7:30 p.m.
DISABLED ACCOMMODATION: If you have a disability which requires an interpreter or
other person to assist you while attending this Parks &Recreation Commission meeting, please
contact the Recreation Department at (707) 588-3456 at least 72 hours prior to the meeting to
ensure arrangements for accommodation. Please make sure the Recreation Services Manager's
office is notified as soon as possible if you have a visual impairment that requires the meeting
materials to be produced in another format.
Page 2
Handout By Commissioner Tom Hansen
Rohnert Park
Park and Recreation Commission Meeting
August 15, 2005
Recommendations To Place Before The City Council
Policy Proposal One:
General Plan Clarification.
In the General Plan, if there is a discrepancy between the amount of parkland
designated and the amount of five acres per thousand of added population,the five
acre requirement prevails.
Policy Proposal Two:
Residential Development Parkland Requirements
For all residential development, not just subdivisions, excluding reasonable additions
to a single family homes,the requirement for parkland or in lieu of fees apply,as
well as public facilities fees. To keep apartment development costs low, only half of
the parkland obligations are required upon construction. All conversions to
condominiums require parkland contributions. The amount previously contributed
can be waived if the apartments have already donated to the parkland requirement.
The nexus is public use by all residents of the park system of the city.
INTEROFFICE MEMO �gNNMhite
To: Parks and Recreation Commission $. 6
Cc: Steve Donley, City Manager 'WO
ALI FO{�,
Sandy Lipitz, Finance Director
Subject: Monthly Highlights
From: Guy Miller, Recreation Services Manager
Date: September 14,2005
ADMINISTRATION
• Playground Renovations: After several public hearings and site visitations,
the Parks and Recreation Commission made its final recommendations on
the selection of playground equipment for several city parks. A second
public hearing is scheduled for C-Section residents to get their comments
on the final revision. After that,the renovation plans will be presented to
the City Council for comment and approval.
• The Roberts Lake Dog Park, "Rohnert Bark"was successfully opened on
August 20. The dedication ceremony included local dignitaries and
approximately 200 dog lovers. The highlight of the event was an
appearance by Munchkin,recently crowned the"Worlds Ugliest Dog"by
the Sonoma Marin Fair. The crowd was very appreciative of the new
facility and donated several hundred dollars for future amenities. This was
'—.„ a great"feel good"event for Rohnert Park. The other two dog parks are
scheduled to be opened within a few weeks.
• The Burton Ave Recreation Center renovation project was started. The
project includes a new roof, and necessary ADA accommodations. The
restrooms will be completely redesigned,various access areas rebuilt, a
ramp installed to the back patio area, and the stage will be removed. The
removal of the stage will allow a greater occupancy capacity and increase
the desirability of the facility for rentals. The project is expected to be
completed by late November.
• The Callinan Sports &Fitness Center roof bids were rejected. Our project
consultant suggested that the project be value-engineered and re-bid
during the winter in hopes of a more favorable bid. This means another
winter of catching water drops in cans.
• The PROS Committee has created a Needs Assessment Survey to
determine the recreational needs of Rohnert Park for the future. The
survey method has not yet been established. Additionally,the Committee
plans to interview various stakeholders and hold community several
meetings.
YOUTH PROGRAMS
• All four camps had a great August. Teen Camp and All Around the Town
went to Oakland A's games,bowling, skating,restaurant tours, and more.
Burton Bunch and Ladybug Club spent the month creating art and craft '1
projects, cooking,playing and swimming.
• All camps were treated to performances by the California Junior Miss
"Has-Beens." These are last year's competitors, and they entertained the
campers with singing, dancing and comedy. The theme of their
presentation was `Be Your Best Self,"encouraging the kids to eat right,be
helpful and set goals.
• Total attendance for the camps for this summer was:
Teen Camp = 92 (73%of capacity)
All Around the Town= 102 (91%of capacity)
Burton Bunch= 161 (60%of capacity)
Ladybug Club= 147 (54% of capacity)
• Declining attendance in Burton and Ladybug is attributed to the decline in
the number of school age children in Rohnert Park, an increase in the
number of day camps being offered by different agencies, and an increase
in the number of children attending summer school. We are looking at
making changes in our sign ups to accommodate these factors i.e. one-
week sessions instead of two week sessions, 1/2 day programs, and day-to-
day registrations.
• Arts&Crafts Faire: We've received 28 applications to date,with inquiries
coming in from old and new vendors.
SENIOR PROGRAMS
• Each year we invite the performers who have appeared in previous shows
to join the cast of the upcoming Senior Variety Show. We are proud to
report, every performer invited will return. On Saturday the 6In we
scheduled a day for the cast to perform the numbers they have in mind for
our show. At the end of the day, we were very excited; we are going to
have another great show! This year's show is scheduled for Saturday,
October 29, 2005 at the Performing Arts Theatre.
• This month's day trip went to the Legion of Honor. We had a waiting list
when the trip was originally scheduled, so Martha decided to schedule
another one. This was an interesting trip for those who remember fabric
art, and fashions from the hippie days. They also had an opportunity to
experienced 18th century porcelain and a magnificent art collection. The
trip included a packed lunch from Port-of-Subs,which they ate at Crissy
Field. Profit...TBA
• Our Casino trip was to Shodakai. We had 43 passengers.
Profit...$174.80. '�
• Past Junior Miss participants (Has Beens)visited the Center. They spent
the time talking to the seniors and even found the time to perform for
them. It was a great afternoon.
• We also had a visit from nine Japanese exchange students from"People
Link". The exchange students were given a tour of the center and staff
reviewed programming with them. The kids dressed in traditional
Japanese costumes, and they also performed for the seniors. Again, a fun
time was had by all!
• Our first Pancake Breakfast(sponsored by the POA) and Game Day, was
held August 20th. The morning began with breakfast, which consisted of
pancakes, sausage, eggs,juice and coffee. After breakfast we held a
Games Challenge. Five game challenges were offered to adults and kids.
Adult games were...Bocce Ball, Horseshoes, Darts, a Golf Challenge and
Hula Hoop. We gave away a$25.00 gift certificate for the winner of each
of the five games, and the overall winner won a$100.00 gift certificate to
"Latitude". If you were lucky enough to be the overall point's winner in
each game, you had the opportunity to win$225.00 in gift certificates.
The winner of the kid's games would win a$25.00 gift certificate from
Wal-Mart. Each child that played would receive a prize from our gift
barrel. The POA did a great job cooking and serving breakfast. Those
folks who played the games had a great time. Our numbers were
disappointing; I do believe we were in competition with the opening of the
Doggie Park. We hope to make this an annual event. All gift certificate
expenses were covered by donations. Profit...$353.50.
AQUATICS
• Other than a lot of cool weather,there were no major problems at the
pools this year. All five pools were in operation for the summer.
• Alicia, Ladybug and Magnolia Pools closed for the season on August 15.
Benicia Pool stayed open until Sept 6 and Honeybee Pool will be in
operation year-round.
• We hired 75 lifeguards and swim instructors this year. It is always a
challenge to find this many qualified employees to keep the pools
operating smoothly.
CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
RARKS,RECREATION,AND OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE
'"`N REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 7,2005
7:00 PM COMMUNITY CENTER
MINUTES
1. Call to Order-The meeting was called to order by Chair Blanquie at 7:00 pm.
Committee Members Present:
Adams,Aronis,Bird, Blanquie,Danesi,Hansen,Peterson
Committee Members Absent:
Rogers, Sanders(excused), Stafford(excused)
Staff Present:
Recreation Services Manager Guy Miller
2. Old Business
a. Report on Meeting with City Manager: Chair Blanquie and Manager Miller
reported that they had met with City Manager Donley and discussed the
survey instrument with him. Manager Donley said that the public should be
surveyed before the Stakeholders. He felt that we already know what many of
the Steakholders want and should be discussing their ability to provide
financial support. He also felt it was important to include information on the
willingness to pay for all surveyors. He suggested that the Committee consider
using a professional pollster to evaluate the survey and possible perform the
survey via telephone. The Committee felt these were good suggestions.
Manager Miller had the name of a recommended pollster and would try to get
him to attend the next meeting.
b. Stakeholders List:Nick Aronis presented the latest list of possible
stakeholders. The committee agreed to review the list at the next meeting.
c. Survey Instrument: Manager Miller presented the third draft of the Survey
Instrument. The survey was reviewed and various changes were incorporated.
3. New Business
a. None.
4. Matters from the Committee:
a. C.Peterson reported the need to have an Adopt-a-Park program. Manager
Miller reported that the City has approved such a program but it has not yet
been initiated.
5. Future Agenda Items:
a. Review Stakeholder List. •
b. Interview Pollster for review of Survey and consideration of telephone survey.
c. Benchmarking Fieldtrips to Other Cities.
6. Next Meeting: The date of the next meeting is Sept. 21,2005 at 7:00 pm.
7. Adjournment: Following discussion,the meeting was adjourned at 8:20 pm.
Respectfully submitted
Guy Miller
Recreation Services Manager
GM/s
"1
Draft 9/8/05
PARKS, RECREATION, AND OPEN SPACE MASTER PLAN
NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY
1. Value of Parks and Recreation
1.a. City parks and recreation services provided through local government are a valuable
public resource for Rohnert Park residents. Do you strongly or somewhat AGREE
with this statement; or do you strongly or somewhat DISAGREE with this
statement?
Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Strongly
Agree Agree Disagree Disagree
2. Satisfaction with Current Facilities
2.a. How satisfied are you with the number of public parks and recreation facilities
currently available in the City of Rohnert Park?
Extremely Somewhat Somewhat Strongly
Satisfied Satisfied Dissatisfied Dissatisfied
2.b. Overall, how satisfied are you with the public quality of parks and recreation
facilities? Would you say you are...
Extremely Somewhat Somewhat Strongly
Satisfied Satisfied Dissatisfied Dissatisfied
3. Facility Usage
3.a. Approximately how often do you, or members of your household,use or visit City
parks or recreation facilities?
❑ More than three times per week
❑ Three times per week
❑ Twice a week
❑ Once a week
❑ Once a month
❑ A few times per year
❑ Once a year or less often
❑ Don't use at this time
Draft 9/8/05
3.b. What activities do you or members of your household most frequently engage in at
City parks or recreation facilities?
❑ Walking ❑ Tennis
❑ Picnic ❑ Biking
❑ Playgrounds ❑ Swimming
❑ Soccer ❑ Baseball
❑ Relaxing ❑ Softball
❑ Walk dog ❑ Fitness Equipment/Fitness
❑ Running Classes
❑ Jogging ❑ Racquetball
❑ Basketball ❑ Senior Center
❑ Golf ❑ Camps
❑ Other
3.c. In addition to the activities that you frequently engage in at the parks or recreation
facilities, are there any other activities that you or members of your household
would like to participate in at City parks or recreation facilities?
3.d. The City of Rohnert Park has a number of Community Centers and Clubhouses.
These facilities are used for activities ranging from club meetings to self-
improvement classes. What activities are you most interested in participating in at
Community Centers and Clubhouses in Rohnert Park?
❑ Self-improvement classes i.e. art, cooking, computers, etc.
❑ Classes
❑ Neighborhood/organization meetings
❑ Exercise classes
❑ Club meetings i.e. Scouts, Service Clubs, etc.
❑ Other(list)
4. Condition of Facilities/Obstacles to Use
Using a traditional grading scale with"A"for excellent, "B" for good, "C" for average or
adequate, "D" for below average or poor and"F" for very poor or Failure, how would
you grade the following aspects of the City of Rohnert Park parks and recreation system?
4.a. The current overall physical condition of City parks and recreation facilities?
ABCDF
Comments
Draft 9/8/05
4.b. How would you rate the current level of overall security and public safety for users
of either facilities or programs?
A BCDF
Comments
FACILITIES PROGRAMS
4.c. Which factors impede the amount you, 4.d. Which factors impede the amount
or other members in your household, use you, or other members in your household,
City parks and recreation facilities? use City parks and recreation programs?
❑ Distance of facilities from your ❑ Distance of programs from your
home home
❑ Securing transportation for getting O Securing transportation for getting
to facilities &back home to programs &back home
❑ City facilities don't have the ❑ City programs don't have the
activities I'm interested in activities I'm interested in
❑ I'm not aware of what City ❑ I'm not aware of what City
facilities are available to me programs are available to me
U I don't have time to participate U I don't have time to participate
❑ Hours of operation are not U Hours of operation of programs are
convenient not convenient
U Concerns over public safety and U Concerns over public safety and
security security
❑ Fees are too high ❑ Fees are too high
❑ The City's recreation and service ❑ Activities/programs offered are not
facilities are too crowded important to me
❑ The City's recreation and service
programs are too crowded
5. Recreation/Community Services
5.a. Have you or any members of your household participated in any City-sponsored
recreation or Community Services programs during the past few years?
❑ Yes
❑ No
If so, which programs?
Draft 9/8/05
5.b. Overall,how satisfied were you with the recreation or Community Services
programs you or members of your household participated in eg. Sports &Fitness
Center, swimming pools, Senior Center? Would you say you are...
Extremely Somewhat Somewhat Strongly
Satisfied Satisfied Dissatisfied Dissatisfied
5.c. Are there any other barriers that keep you from using City Recreation or Community
Services programs?
6. Priorities
6.a. Would you prefer that the City develop more:
❑ Active parks with athletic fields and organized activities
❑ Passive parks with a few picnic tables, hiking trails and open space
U A combination of both
6.b. We would now like to ask for your input regarding PRIORITIES for FACILITIES
OR PROGRAMS that City officials will be considering in the near future as they
develop the City's LONG RANGE plan for parks and recreation. Specifically, do
you believe each item should be considered:
1- a high priority, added as soon as possible to the City of Rohnert Park parks and
recreation system?
2- a medium priority, added if and when the budget allows.
3- a low priority, not really needed at this time.
Please circle the most appropriate priority for each below:
1 2 3 Picnic areas
1 2 3 Outdoor swimming pools
1 2 3 Water playgrounds ("spraygrounds")
1 2 3 Indoor swimming pools
1 2 3 Play grounds/Tot lots
1 2 3 Before &after school programs/facilities
1 2 3 Interpretive programs (history, culture, nature)
1 2 3 Trails (for walking,hiking,bicycle riding,jogging,horse riding)
1 2 3 Neighborhood buildings or clubhouses
Draft 9/8/05
n 1 2 3 Unlighted outdoor sports facilities (such as soccer,baseball, tennis)
1 2 3 Lighted outdoor sports facilities baseball,tennis
1 2 3 Skateboard parks
1 2 3 Dog parks
1 2 3 Park trees
1 2 3 Community gardens
1 2 3 Street trees
1 2 3 Indoor physical activity/fitness facilities
1 2 3 Programs for persons with disabilities
1 2 3 Older adult services/programs/centers
1 2 3 Sports programs for children and youth
1 2 3 Sports programs for adults
1 2 3 Teen programs/centers
1 2 3 Arts programs/centers
1 2 3 Autoshop
1 2 3 Visual Arts/Graphics Studio
1 2 3 Woodworking shop
1 2 3 Metal shop
1 2 3 Crafts studio
1 2 3 Botanical Gardens
• 1 2 3 Theater programs
1 2 3 Outdoor music facility
1 2 3 Indoor music facility
1 2 3 Regional Minor League/College Baseball Stadium
1 2 3 Community events venue
Have you seen any innovative programs or facilities that you would like to see
considered for Rohnert Park?
Describe
7. Level of Support & Threshold of `Willingness to Pay'
This section will be only used for stakeholder interviews and not included in a general
distribution survey.
In recent years, the amount of tax dollars available to the City of Rohnert Park for
operating and maintaining Park, Recreation and Community Services, and for
developing major recreation facilities has been limited or non-existent. This affects
"quality of life" for all residents of the City of Rohnert Park. In order to begin
addressing these needs, new sources of secure funding MUST be found.
At a time when state government is taking a larger share of local property tax
dollars,the City of Rohnert Park has only a few options. One option is to ask voters
to pass taxes or assessments to make it possible to address these pressing needs.
Draft 9/8/05
Assessments and taxes generally fall into two categories; first, "operations and
maintenance funds," which are used to operate and maintain the facilities and
programs, and second, "capital funds"which are used for the construction of park
and recreation facilities.
Further, there is the possibility that in addition to the neighborhood parks that exist
or are part of the plans for future subdivisions, the city may desire to have facilities
for all of the city. The type of facilities and the location of them are to be
determined in part by this questionnaire.
7.a. OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE FUNDS -Would you be willing to
support a new tax or assessment to provide funds for operating City recreation
programs or maintaining parks and recreation facilities?
YES NO
7.b. If a tax or assessment initiative were to be placed before City of Rohnert Park
voters for the purposes of operating,maintaining and programming the City
park and recreation system, including the enhancements that you believe are
definitely needed, how much in additional taxes would you be willing to pay
each year to make this possible?
U More than$150 per year
❑ $100-150 per year
❑ $50-100 per year
❑ $10-50 per year
❑ less than$10 per year
7.c. CAPITAL FUNDS for Existing Parks and Facilities- Would you be willing to
support a tax or assessment to provide funds for making capital improvements
to existing City parks and recreation facilities?
YES NO
7.d. If a tax or assessment initiative were to be placed before City of Rohnert Park
voters for the physical improvement of the existing City park and recreation
system, including the enhancements that you believe are definitely needed,
how much in additional taxes would you be willing to pay each year to make
this possible?
❑ More than$150 per year
❑ $100-150 per year
❑ $50-100 per year
❑ $10-50 per year
❑ less than$10 per year
Draft 9/8/05
Comments:
7.e. CAPITAL FUNDS for Future Community Wide, Parks and Facilities- Would
you be willing to support a tax or assessment to provide funds for purchasing
lands and making capital improvements for future community wide parks and
recreation facilities?
YES NO
7.f. If a tax or assessment initiative were to be placed before City of Rohnert Park
voters for the expansion of the City park and recreation system,how much in
additional taxes would you be willing to pay each year to make this possible?
❑ More than$150 per year
❑ $100-150 per year
❑ $50-100 per year
❑ $10-50 per year
❑ less than$10 per year
How would you vote if tax measures were to be placed on the same ballot:
7.g. To provide additional funding for the Operations and Maintenance of existing
Parks and Recreation programs.
For Against
7.h. To generate capital funds for physically improving existing facilities.
For Against
7.i. To purchase new lands and provide construction funding for community wide
facilities.
For Against
7.j. If Rohnert Park were to establish a recreational endowment fund would you be
willing to donate? Yes No If so, how much?
Draft 9/8/05
8. Demographics
8.a. How long have you lived in the City of Rohnert Park?
❑ Less than 5 years
❑ 6 to 10 years
❑ 11 to 25 years
❑ Over 25 years
8.b. How many children do you have living at home under the age of 18?
❑ none
❑ one
❑ two
❑ three or more
8.c. How many of these children are...
Teenagers (13-19) -�
Preteens (10-12)
Youth(6-9)
Tots (1-5)
Other
8.d. Do you own or rent your home?
❑ Own
❑ Rent
8.e. Into what range does your annual household income fall?
❑ under$25,000
❑ between$25,000 and $50,000
❑ between $50,000 and $75,000
❑ between $75,000 and $100,000
❑ over$100,000
8.f. In what age range do you fall?
❑ Under 18 years
❑ 18 to 30 years
❑ 31 to 40 years
❑ 41 to 50 years
Draft 9/8/05
U 51 to 65 years
U Over 65 years
8.g. How would you describe your ethnic background?
U Caucasian
U Latino
U African American or Black
❑ Asian
U American Indian
❑ Other
Thank you for taking our survey. Your input will help us chart the future of Parks &
Recreation services in the years to come.
9.a. Are there any comments you would like to make that were not included in this
survey?