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2004/04/19 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes ROHNERT PARK PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES April 19, 2004 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 Carlson presiding. ROLL CALL Present: (5) Commissioners Bird, Butler, Carlson, Griffin, and Stevens Absent: (2) Commissioners Hotaling and Rogers Also present for the meeting was Recreation Services Manager, Guy Miller. APPROVAL OF MINUTES—Upon motion by Commissioner Griffin and second by Commissioner Stevens, the minutes for the meetings of February 17a'and March 15th were unanimously approved as submitted. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCE/PUBLIC COMMENT Chris Van Luen, 8446 Lombard Way, representing Best Friends Canine Club, gave an update of club membership numbers and submitted approximately 35 new membership forms. He reported the club has around 150 members and averages 20 dogs with owners per day. He stated that the club had to reject four pit bulls and one un-neutered black lab. He informed the Commission that pit bulls are not good in social situations. He stated the club hasn't had any injuries in over 4 years of meeting at the park. He reported that due to some complaints from the Babe Ruth Baseball League, the league that uses the Golis Park baseball field, club members have stepped up their patrol of the field. They also walk the field at the end of each day to make sure all dog messes have been cleaned up. Members clean up not only after themselves but after other people's dogs. He said the problems seem to occur when other people use the field when the dog club is not there. The club would like to suggest locking the gates open so that dogs can't be locked in to run unsupervised on the field. He reported that club members have also offered to come before every practice and game to make sure there aren't any dog messes. He stated the baseball league would like to keep the gates to the field locked,but the club members see a problem with that since it is a public park. Mr. Van Luen informed the Commission that the club is willing to serve on the park watch/adopt-a-park program and is interested in adopting Golis Park when the program is implemented. Mr. Van Luen told the Commission about a member of the club who recently had heart surgery. Because he was unable to bring his dog to the park, club members stopped by to pick up the dog and later picked up both the man and his dog. The club also had a member who had a stroke, and another member stopped to take the dog to the park when Page 1 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes April 19, 2004 the club met. He emphasized that club members look out for one another and they have formed many friendships. Recreation Services Manager Miller asked Mr. Van Luen if he was aware of any recent problems reported by the baseball league. Mr. Van Luen said no. Commissioner Stevens asked whether there was a bag dispenser at the park to use for dog waste. Mr. Van Luen replied the club stocks the dispenser each day. Commissioner Griffin reported he had just joined the club and can confirm that members are very vigilant about cleaning up after their dogs. Phyllis Weathers, 1612 Parkway Drive, stated she was attending the meeting representing the Rohnert Park Tennis Club. She advised she has been on the board for the last five years and been active in the club for the last eight years. She said she understands that there are some residents living near Magnolia Park who have complained about the club's use of the park. She presented some background information on the club and reported that the club is run in cooperation with the Rohnert Park Recreation Department and currently has 141 members. Club members can be either residents or non-residents. They organize spring, summer and fall leagues that play on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings. She stated on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the club uses 6 courts and on Thursday they use all eight courts. The leagues last for ten weeks, and during the summer, they use the courts one night a week. She reported the league also has an awards dinner held at the Community Center each year and sponsors some U.S.T.A. teams. Ms. Weathers reported the club has information boards at Sunrise and Magnolia Parks that list the club's designated court use and how to join the club. She stated that the club has donated over$15,000 in improvements over the years to the City for local tennis courts. She stated that for three nights per week, the club has approximately 92 people using the courts, many of whom live in the M Section. She said the club had received a suggestion recommending that they post a map of the city's tennis courts. (A copy of the information Ms. Weathers presented is on file with the original copy of these minutes.) Commission Butler asked how many residents are members of the club. Ms. Weathers said out of the 141 members, 78 are from Rohnert Park, 48 from Petaluma, and the rest from other communities. Commissioner Griffin asked for staff's recommendation. Recreation Services Manager Miller said he received the complaints through e-mail correspondence from two e-mail addresses indicating they were part of a group that wished to use the M Park courts. He said at this point the department is not going to alter the tennis club's use of the courts especially because of their past relationship with the city. He said he had notified the group of the decision and told them if they wished to appeal his decision, they could come to the Parks and Recreation Commission. He said since there are 25 other lighted courts in the city,he felt this group could use some of them. Page 2 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes April 19, 2004 Chair Carlson asked if the group could reserve the courts on another night. Manager Miller said they could,but they would have to provide liability insurance and meet the same criteria the R.P. Tennis Club does. NEW BUSINESS Aquatics Schedule/Fees—Commissioner Butler reviewed the changes in the aquatics schedule that were discussed at the last Aquatics Committee meeting. The biggest change for this year was dropping lessons at Benicia Pool. Manager Miller said there were only 25 sign- ups in over 200 openings offered last year. Since the B Pool classes weren't performing, he is recommending to the City Council that those lessons be dropped. Public swim will continue to be offered at the pool. Manager Miller reported the schedule has already been published in the department's spring/summer activity guide. (A copy of the schedule and fees is attached to the original copy of these minutes.) Commissioner Butler made a motion to adopt the schedule as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Griffin and unanimously approved. Recreation Fees—Recreation Manager Miller referred the Commission to the fee schedule and said he would like the Commission to review the schedule and approve any new proposed fees. (A copy of the fee schedule is attached to the original copy of these minutes.) Manager Miller reviewed the list of proposed increases in departmental fees. The Commission discussed the damages from the recent break-in that occurred at the Burton Avenue Recreation Center. Manager Miller reported the building has been reopened, and with the recent renovations, staff is recommending an increase in the rental fees. Manager Miller advised he is not recommending an increase in the field use fees until a study of the actual costs of mowing, field maintenance and lights has been done. He hopes to have this information in time for next year. Commissioner Bird asked if he had any idea of what the light costs are. Manager Miller said he know it costs between$15 to $20 per hour to burn lights but doesn't have the actual costs for each field. Commissioner Griffin made a motion to approve the recommended fee increases. Commissioner Bird seconded the motion which was unanimously approved. Commission Committees—Manager Miller informed the Commission that Commissioner Rogers has submitted her resignation,but until it has been accepted by the City Council, she is still considered a member of the Commission. He suggested the Commission might want to ratify the list of committee assignments with the exception of the committees Commissioner Rogers sits on. Chair Carlson reviewed the current list of committee assignments, copy of which is attached to the original of these minutes. Page 3 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes April 19, 2004 Commissioner Griffin advised he had spoken to David Cohen who said he is interested in serving on the Skate Park and Beautification Committees. Some discussion followed, and the Commission agreed to make any changes, if necessary, after Commissioner Roger's resignation has been accepted. Commissioner Griffin made a motion to accept the list of committee assignments as presented. Commissioner Stevens seconded the motion which was unanimously approved. Capital Improvement Projects—Manager Miller informed the Commission that Finance Director Sandy Lipitz was unable to attend tonight's meeting. He referred the Commission to the draft of the Five-Year Capital Improvement Program Budget, dated April 13, 2004. He pointed out on page two of the 2004-09 Projects and Costs that the first five items are Recreation Department projects. The Commission discussed the play equipment replacement at Ladybug Park, and Manager Miller advised that due to a recommendation of one of the City Council members, the City is discussing relocating the playground to make it more visible. He then referred the Commission to unfunded projects and pointed out six items in the priority list that are projects the City Council voted to do in this next year's budget. He advised this is information for the Commission since the City Council will be making the decision. He said he will need the Commission's input when the city is ready to purchase the new Ladybug Park playground equipment. STAFF REPORTS Department Highlights—Chair Carlson asked Manager Miller about teen use of the gym referred to in the department highlights report dated March 3, 2004. She asked about the $2 fee that the City had. Manager Miller said the$2 fee has not been charged,but he is looking at a new fee structure for teens. Chair Carlson asked about the contract for servicing the cardio equipment at the Sports and Fitness Center. Manager Miller said he is having problems again and looking for a new service contractor. He informed the Commission that the Department does have $95,000 for new equipment and is looking now. He stated that the problem with the current equipment is that it is old and wearing out. Commissioner Stevens asked whom private clubs use, and Manager Miller said they have their own in-house staff. Commissioner Stevens suggested hiring one of them on a part-time basis. Manager Miller replied he did try that and it didn't work out. Chair Carlson asked about the drop in camp sign-ups referred to in the highlights report dated April 7, 2004. Manager Miller said the drop started last year, and he doesn't have an answer for the drop. He advised the department is trying to keep up with the demographics by reducing the number of swim lessons offered as well as offering fewer summer camp sites. Page 4 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes April 19, 2004 COMMISSION COMMITTEE REPORTS Bicycle Committee—Commissioner Butler reported this committee met on February 23th, which was his first meeting. He reported the committee is planning their annual bike rally on September 25 and indicated they may approach the Commission to man some stations. Commissioner Butler reported the committee is looking for ways to connect existing bike paths and ways to make the paths safer. Park Watch/Adopt-A-Park Committee—Commissioner Stevens reported the Committee had one meeting and members volunteered for some different tasks. His was to draw up an invitation to residents. Commissioner Bird reported that Lt. Thompson from the Public Safety Department will attend a park watch meeting once a date has been set. He also recommended some parks to begin the program. Manager Miller said if the committee members could agree on a date they can meet,he will see about getting a Public Safety representative to attend. He pointed out that a Public Works Department representative would also need to be at the meeting. Discussion followed on possible committee meeting dates. Commissioner Stevens asked if signs would be posted stating that facilities are being watched. Manager Miller said yes. In addition, he said signs are often posted crediting groups or agencies with the cleaning of the parks. Golf Course Committee—Manager Miller reported that at the last committee meeting the cart issue came up again. He stated there is a group of individuals who would like their names on the list of approved cart owners. This would require changing the lease, which the City Manager has indicated he is not willing to do. The group may schedule a meeting with the City Manager to discuss this issue. Another issue that came up at the meeting was reporting statistics from CourseCo. CourseCo representatives said they felt this was proprietary information that is already reported to the city. After clarification of the type of statistics the Committee was interested in, such as rounds played, etc., CourseCo said they would make some type of report. MATTERS FROM/FOR COMMISSIONERS Dog Park—Commissioner Griffin asked the status of the dog park at Robert's Lake. Manager Miller said the project has been broken down into approximately five phases, and the area will be graded with work being done by city staff. Manager Miller said he did not have the list of the phases with him. Discussion followed and Manager Miller assured the Commission that the project is moving along. Golis Park—Commissioner Griffin mentioned that the Golis Park baseball field is in the best shape that he has ever seen. The infield and grass are in great shape. Manager Miller said Page 5 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes April 19, 2004 this might be due to being able to close the field. He reported the department did receive some complaints from neighbors about keeping the field locked. He advised it is unlocked now. Skate Park—Vice Chair Bird asked where on the property at Snyder and Rohnert Park Expressway was the temporary skate park was going to be built. Manager Miller explained the whole area is now part of a construction zone. Community Fields Park—Vice Chair Bird asked the status of the park, and Manager Miller said the project is on hold at this time. Commissioner's Appreciation Event—Commissioner Stevens reported that he and Commissioner Bird had attended the recent commissioner's night at the Performing Arts Center, and Commissioner Griffin had been awarded his ten-year plaque. ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 8:53 p.m. '/ ..'/ _..... / /it Chair ► on Guy Mi er Recreation Services Manager 4111 4110 Secretary Page 6