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2004/07/19 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes ROHNERT PARK PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES July 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 Rogers Absent: (1) Commissioner Hotaling Late: (1) Commissioner Stevens Also present for the meeting was Recreation Services Manager, Guy Miller. APPROVAL OF MINUTES—Upon motion by Commissioner Butler and second by Commissioner Rogers,the minutes for the meeting of June 21g were unanimously approved as submitted. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCE/PUBLIC COMMENT Bonnie Black 1065 Hawthorne Circle,representing Best Friends Canine Club, submitted 5 new membership forms. She commented on one new member from Rohnert Park who joined while her family was still staying at the Doubletree Hotel. She reported the club has gone through another month with no problems. She announced she has been in contact with Trish King,the Marin County Humane Society Director of Behavior and Training,regarding offering a workshop about understanding your dog's body language. She would also present suggestions for setting up a safe dog park.The workshop would be scheduled for the end of August or for September at the Community Center and encouraged the commissioners to attend. Mrs.Black reported that club members are still noticing problems with the sprinklers at Golis Park. She said the Public Works Department has been notified,but the problem has not been resolved. She mentioned they have had so many people attending their daily sessions at G Park that the parking lot has been full and they have had to park on the street. OLD BUSINESS Park Tour—July 31, 2004—Manager Miller reported he has scheduled their annual park tour for July 31,one of the dates they had suggested.He reviewed last year's tour and asked whether they had had enough time to go to each park scheduled. The Commission briefly discussed last year's tour,which finished at the Crane baseball and soccer fields. Manager Miller recommended that the Commission visit the proposed dog park at Robert's Lake as well as 4-5 of the city's mini parks previously discussed. He offered to Page 1 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes July 19, 2004 include any of the city's recreation facilities. The tour will leave the Community Center at 9 a.m. All the commissioners present said they would be able to attend. Community Center Truss Repair Update—Manager Miller reported the project is basically finished with some details to be worked out. The contractor is waiting for the windows and clerical staff will be staying in the temporary offices until the work has been completed. The target date to move back is August 16. Chair Carlson asked if staff thought the decrease in program sign-ups is due to the offices being moved. Manager Miller responded that he did not think that was the problem since there are many signs posted directing the public to the temporary offices. NEW BUSINESS Dog Park Committee—Manager Miller reported he has copies of the plans that are available for the proposed dog park. Some discussion followed. Community Center Floor Renovation—Manager Miller reported the Community Center multi- use room floor has been deteriorating over the years due to water damage. It hasn't been determined where the water is coming from, although there may be some water intrusion that is causing problems. The floor is being will be replaced through a HUD grant and the original architect is being consulted on the project. A two-month window of October and November has been set aside for the renovation. '1 Commissioner Stevens Arrives—At approximately 7:47 p.m. Commissioner Stevens arrived. Community Center Floor Renovation-continued—Chair Carlson asked about installing a moisture barrier, and Manager Miller replied that might be done. Youth Soccer/Recreation Development Grant—Manager Miller passed out information regarding the grant and explained this is a competitive grant to provide funding for developing recreation facilities in the amounts of$75,000 to $1,000,000,with the total available being$46,000,000. Manager Miller suggested applying for this grant is something the Commission might want to explore along with local youth soccer, softball, and baseball league representatives. The Commission discussed several projects including an all- weather field or seed money for the community fields park. Manager Miller recommended establishing a special committee or assigning it to the Youth Sports Committee to meet with local youth leagues. He stated that the Rohnert Park Youth Soccer League is interested in an all-weather field and may want to be involved in applying for the grant. He stated there are two Rohnert Park youth soccer leagues in Rohnert Park and both could be involved. He also suggested checking with Sonoma State University to see if they might be interested in giving some input. Commissioner Bird asked if any specific field is being considered for artificial turf Manager Miller replied no,but there had been some talk in the past of considering the Page 2 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes July 19,2004 Sunrise Park soccer field. Manager Miller said artificial turf at the Luchessi Park soccer field in Petaluma was installed for approximately$800,000,but he believes that included lights which Sunrise Park would not need.He informed the Commission that the owners of Sports City are affiliated with a synthetic turf company and could be consulted. He said he would like to turn the committee loose on this project,and he would be available to help complete the grant forms and answer questions. Commissioner Rogers asked about writing the grant and whether it would have to be done by someone who is affiliated with the Commission.Manager Miller replied anyone could write the grant. Commissioner Stevens asked if the city would be prepared to match grant funds. Manager Miller stated since the sunset of this grant is eight years,they may be able to work out some matching funds in the future. Discussion followed. Manager Miller informed the Commission he would be attending a technical assistance workshop scheduled on the grant in Oakland on August 17 from 9 a.m.to 2 p.m. and suggested the committee schedule their meeting after the workshop. A tentative Youth Sports Committee meeting was scheduled at the Community Center for Friday,August 27,at 7 p.m. Chair Carlson offered to attend the technical assistance workshop along with Manager Miller and to notify the Rohnert Park youth sports leagues. Commissioner Bird said he could notify the Girls Softball and the Cal Ripken Leagues.Manager Miller suggested inviting a Sports City representative who could answer questions about artificial turf. STAFF REPORTS Department Highlights—Manager Miller advised there are a lot of youth activities that have declining enrollment including swim lessons,camps and recreation programs.He stated there has been some discussion that since the demographics in the city are changing, there are fewer youths in the city. In addition,many other groups have found they can make money by offering camps,including many non-profit organizations. Chair Carlson said she thinks the Commission needs to work as an organization on new ways to reach the public. She also feels including the golf courses is necessary since golf course attendance is down in Rohnert Park as well as in other cities. She stated they need to explore different and new ways to reach people. Commissioner Stevens said he knows many people who worked for Agilent who have left the area. He also knows many people cannot afford houses in Rohnert Park so they have bought homes in Petaluma or south Santa Rosa. Commissioner Griffin said building new homes is not always the answer because in the long run it costs money even though you get money when the houses are first sold. The Commission discussed the cost of local housing. Manager Miller advised the Recreation Department is willing to try anything. Page 3 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes July 19,2004 Chair Carlson said the training the commissioners presented at the annual field use meeting included information on how to run a board and the financial responsibilities of a league. She asked if Manager Miller would be doing this now.Manager Miller said no, that this is not part of the scope of the Commission but is a responsibility of the members of the league to oversee their league's financial security and stability.He advised the Commission could give the workshops if they feel it is necessary,but it is not part of their responsibilities. Chair Carlson stated finances and the lack of funds for running the Recreation Department and the Commission are a concern.Manager Miller responded that financial stability is a problem for cities all over the state. Park Watch Committee -Commissioner Griffin suggested the Park Watch Committee meet before their park tour. The Committee members agreed to meet at 8 a.m.before the tour on July 31. ADJOURNMENT-There being no further business before the Commission,the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. • . • .4` Chair son Guy ' er Recreation Services Manager Secretary Page 6