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2004/05/17 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes ROHNERT PARK PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES May 17,2004 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 Vice Chair Bird presiding. ROLL CALL Present: (4) Commissioners Bird,Butler, Griffin,and Stevens Absent: (2) Commissioners Carlson and Hotaling Also present for the meeting was Recreation Services Manager, Guy Miller. APPROVAL OF MINUTES—Upon motion by Commissioner Griffin and second by Commissioner Butler,the minutes for the meetings of April 19th were unanimously approved as submitted. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCE/PUBLIC COMMENT Bonnie Black 1065 Hawthorne Circle,representing Best Friends Canine Club, submitted 3 new membership forms and said she is holding seven memberships for dogs that need to be licensed. She reported the club has met for another month with no problems. She said they work hard each day to patrol the field for dog messes and stated they find quite a few that are from dog owners who are using the field when the club is not meeting. They also clean up broken glass and follow up on any vandalism problems. She reported the group has had to turn away several dogs in the last few weeks. She also reported that one member's dog had become ill with kennel cough, but believes it came from a puppy training class. They have talked to local veterinarians more about the disease and have added that information to the introductory talk given to new members. She informed the Commission about an incident where the group found a sprinkler during the weekend that had been running at least overnight and had flooded the field wasting a lot of water. She suggested that when the park watch groups are started,the City might want to train some people on how to turn the water or sprinklers off. On behalf of the Education Foundation,Mrs. Black reported that the Spice Up the Night chili cook-off has been cancelled for this year since they could not find a suitable venue. They are trying to find a venue for 2005 and may try to partner with the Spreckels Performing Arts Center for an event in September. Commissioner Stevens asked if the Doubletree Hotel would be willing to reduce their fee for this type of event.Mrs.Black responded that fees have not been the problem,it's more that the hotel wants control of the food and alcohol sales for the event. In order to make a profit,the Education Foundation needs the alcohol sales. She explained the same applies with events at Sonoma State University. She said they are looking at some other leads. Page 1 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes May 17,2004 She also advised that the Foundation may have a similar event in order to keep their designation as a chili cook-off venue. She explained that they belong to a national organization and could lose their designation if they don't have a cook-off this year. It may be some type of invitation only cook-off that could be accommodated at a smaller site. Recreation Services Manager Miller asked Mrs. Black if the Best Friends Canine Club members had called Public Safety dispatch when they found the broken sprinkler since it happened on a weekend. Mrs.Black said they did call but no one ever came while they were there. OLD BUSINESS Review Commission Committees—Manager Miller reported that at the last City Council meeting, Chuck Rogers was appointed to the Parks and Recreation Commission,but he was unable to attend tonight's meeting. Manager Miller suggested the Commission might want to wait to finalize their committee assignments until next month when Commissioner Rogers is able to attend the meeting. Vice Chair Bird suggest that the commissioners review the committees they are on and asked if they were satisfied.No one had any comments. Vice Chair Bird made a motion to postpone the approval of the Commission Committees assignments until next month. Commissioner Stevens seconded the motion,which was unanimously approved. NEW BUSINESS Community Center Truss Repair—Manager Miller reported that work will begin this month on replacing the truss in the lobby of the Community Center. The work is being funded through the 2002 Park Bond Grant.He advised that due to a construction technique the low-bidding contractor will use,the estimate came in about$25,000 less than was originally projected. Commissioner Griffin asked if the repair will prevent this from happening again. Manager Miller said the beam will be replaced and new flashing will be installed. He stated the original flashing was incorrectly installed. Manager Miller reported the Recreation Department offices will be moving to two vacant offices in the back of the building. Roberts Lake Dog Park—Recreation Manager Miller reported that in order to reduce costs, Winzler and Kelley is going to piecemeal the Robert's Lake Dog Park job as part of other jobs being done in the city. Phase 1 will be started soon as part of the Benicia basketball court project. He advised that at this time there are no plans to do the next phase which will be adding a water line. He suggested this might be a good area for some community .� involvement since the project is not funded at this time. He gave some examples of the Page 2 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes May 17,2004 type of help that might be used. He suggested the commission might want to get involved in this project,and the Dog Park Committee could meet with the project engineer,Rick Pedroncelli,to see what kind of help could be used to move the project along. Benicia Park Basketball Court—Manager Miller informed the Commission that the city got a favorable bid for this project,which will be located next to the Boys&Girls Club. The court will not be lit and will be located on the flat area across from the parking lot. He said this will be great for the Boys&Girls Club which is also planning a garden in the area. Ladybug Park Playground Relocation—Manager Miller reported that City Council member Vicki Vidak Martinez would like to relocate the playground at Ladybug Park since there is no clear line of sight from the parking lot or the street. She made this suggestion to the City Council a couple of meetings ago. Manager Miller referred the Commission to the park map included in their packet for the new site being discussed. (A copy of the map is attached to the original copy of these minutes.)He advised the City Council formed an ad hoc committee,which includes City Council Members Vidak Martinez and Flores who will review the proposal. The committee will also be evaluating park use since it would cost about$150,000 to relocate the playground. The City Council also discussed the Rohnert Park master plan for parks and would like the Parks and Recreation Commission to explore the old plan and look at establishing "magnet"parks that would focus on a specific sport or purpose, such as a park targeted for tennis or soccer. Manager Miller explained this would be a new way of looking at parks for single uses. He said the city's parks are aging and tennis and basketball courts will have to be resurfaced.He stated he isn't sure what the Commission's role will be. Commissioner Stevens pointed out the problem with single use facilities would be having fields or parks out of play and no place to move them. Manager Miller said he would like to see fields that can be rotated to keep them in better condition. It would also be good to have an all weather soccer field.Manager Miller said at this point the proposal is in the discussion phase, and the idea is to concentrate one activity to one park instead of spreading them throughout the city.He said it comes down to maintenance,and a concept the City Council would like to explore before developing any new parks. Vice Chair Bird asked if this would be part of the community fields park. Manager Miller said he is sure it would be part of this plan. STAFF REPORTS Department Highlights—Manager Miller asked if there were any questions regarding the department highlights report for April. Page 3 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes May 17,2004 Commissioner Stevens asked about the living trust seminar at the Senior Center and whether each person attending the seminar had to pay$125. Manager Miller advised the $125 was the fee the sponsor of the seminar paid to use the room. Commissioner Stevens asked about the cost of the swim/gym summer pass. Manager Miller outlined the fees for families and singles. Commissioner Stevens asked about the problem at the Sports &Fitness Center with car burglaries in the parking lot. Manager Miller reported that cars have been broken into at all times of the day and on all days of the week. To date,there hasn't been a pattern. He said he is looking at a camera surveillance system,and staff is notifying their customers not to leave valuables in their cars. COMMISSION COMMITTEE REPORTS Park Watch/Adopt-A-Park Committee—Manager Miller suggested that committee members get together after tonight's meeting to select a meeting date. Commissioner Stevens asked Manager Miller if he had talked to the Petaluma recreation director regarding the possible loss of the Petaluma skate park and swim center. Manager Miller said no,but he is interested in finding out what will happen since the swim center is the.only 50-meter pool in Sonoma County. The closest pool after that is in Napa. Discussion followed. MATTERS FROM/FOR COMMISSIONERS Eagle Scout Project—Commissioner Butler reported that Patrick Daniels did an Eagle Scout project at the Community Center by painting the numbers for the flagpoles on the Avenue of the Flags that are used on Memorial and Veterans Day. He also freshened up the red painted curbs. Commissioner Butler reported that Brad Rosachi from the Public Works Department was very helpful and provided the paint. Commissioner Butler wanted to commend him for his help. Mr. Rosachi advised they would also be trimming the bushes for the upcoming Memorial Day services. ADJOURNMENT-There being no further business before the Commission,the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m. // ' Vice Chair Bird Guy Miller Recreation Services Manager Secretary Page 4