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2002/11/18 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes • • • ROHNERT PARK PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES November 18, 2002 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 Griffin presiding. ROLL CALL Present: (5) Commissioners Carlson, Cohen, Griffin, Stevens and Tatman Absent: (0) None Also present for the meeting was Recreation Director,Tim Barry. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -Upon motion by Commissioner Tatman and second by Commissioner Carlson,the minutes of the meeting of October 7th were unanimously approved as submitted. PUBLIC HEARING: PARKS,RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE MASTER PLAN— FUTURE PARK FEATURES • Staff Report—Director Barry summarized the purpose of the public hearing and explained that the Commission has also had face-to-face meetings with most of the special interest groups within the city and has received a number of letters from residents regarding future park features. He advised after tonight's meeting he would be preparing a first draft of the master plan that will be available for the Commission and public to review. After that,the matter will go to the Planning Commission and then to the City Council. He reviewed a chart he had made of parks and recreation facilities dated November 6, 2002 listing the features at each facility. (A copy of the chart is attached to the original copy of these minutes.) Commissioner Stevens noted a correction on the play area at Magnolia Park. Discussion followed including a correction for the softball field at Golis Park which is not lighted. The Director said he would make these corrections. Commissioner Carlson asked about the stadium and whether it is available. The Director replied that the stadium is on the list since it is currently a city asset. The Director reported the community garden board sent a letter stating they would like to make sure there will be a place for a community garden in the event that the school district sells the current site. • Page 1 • 41111 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes November 18, 2002 The Director said he also received suggestions from the Commission for future park • areas. He pointed out the specific plan areas set aside for future park space shown on the wall map. Public Hearing—Chair Griffin opened the public hearing at 7:40 p.m. Greg Goben, 7147 Brenda Way, said he was attending the meeting to introduce the Commission to a 9-hole disc golf course that could be placed in the proposed community fields park. He presented a proposal from the United Flyers of Sonoma, including a Disc Golf World News magazine. (A copy of the proposal is attached to the original copy of these minutes.)Mr. Goben explained how the game is played and said he feels Rohnert Park would be an ideal location for a course due to its central location in the county. He explained he has also sent proposals to other communities. He stated Santa Rosa has approved a 9-hole course in a new park in the northeast part of the city. He named other communities in Northern California that have disc golf courses and said he would like to see Rohnert Park as a destination for this sport since it is affordable and can be played by young and old. Mr. Goben introduced his daughter who also spoke in favor of having a course built in Rohnert Park. Director Barry asked Mr. Goben how many people were in their organization, and Mr. Goben said he thought there were about 50 members. Mr. Goben explained they had a • course at Sonoma State University that was eliminated due to new construction and now they have to go to other counties to play. Commissioner Tatman asked if the targets are permanent or portable. Mr. Goben replied the targets are portable and are usually set in a cement pad but can be moved around or removed for other activities. The Director stated it is important to put the course in an area that is away from other activity areas, and Commissioner Griffen asked if it would be appropriate to place this type course on a creek setback. Mr. Goben said there are courses that are placed along creeks. Commissioner Carlson asked about the cost and Mr. Goben replied it is listed in the proposal. Mrs.Nancy Crawford, 394 Circulo La Cruz, said she was attending because of the lack of public swimming pools. She reported the only place to swim now is at the YMCA or at Ridgeway Pool in Santa Rosa. She stated this is the only activity that many people can do when they are no longer able to walk for exercise. She stated she thinks it is important take this into consideration as the Commissionplans for future parks. to Bonnie Black, 1065 Hawthorne, said in addition to needing a dog park, she has observed that some events have outgrown the Community Center so that the city could use a larger indoor facility as well as an outdoor venue that can be secured, especially if we lose the stadium. The outdoor venue should include a sound system so it could be used for concerts, weddings and large community events. • Page 2 Rohnert Park Parks and Re ation Commission Minutes • November 18, 2002 She also suggested having a memorial park on the edge of town. In addition, she would • like to see a facility with measured paths for running and walking, such as a par course. Public Hearing Closed—There being no further public comments, the public hearing was closed at 8:00 p.m. Commission Discussion—Commissioner Stevens said he appreciated the public input and thanked Mrs. Crawford for her comments regarding the need for an indoor pool. He suggested looking at covers for outdoor pools. He asked if the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University will be available for community use. Director Barry replied it is too early to tell but usually those large types of facilities are not available for small community events,but he's not aware of any discussion with Sonoma State regarding this type use. Commissioner Stevens said it is important to keep a connection between the university and the city. Commissioner Cohen said he thinks the Commission needs to evaluate what park features the city has now and what is being used and what is not so that they know how the parks are being used. He suggested looking at play equipment to see if different types of equipment could be offered at different parks so that the city doesn't have the same type equipment at every park. He thinks it is important to meet with the seniors to see what types of wishes they have. In addition he thinks it is important to continue pushing for an indoor pool and a covered pavilion which can be used for large community events. He • suggested that it would add character to the city if the large community park had a theme based on the city's history. He said he also likes the idea of having a zero depth water play area. The city needs to make room for a skate park and a BMX trail. He also recommended the following features: a disc golf course, sculpture garden, an all weather field, a gated access field, a measured course walkway, a dog park, and a climbing wall. Commissioner Tatman said he agrees with the other commissioners and thinks a permanent teen center should be included since they will lose the current center, The Vision. He would like to see a facility that includes basketball courts and could be used for other activities including the teen camps. Commissioner Griffin asked if the city has looked at covering an existing pool, and the Director said Recreation Services Manager, Guy Miller,had looked into it. The Director suggested it might be time to look at this again since it would cost less than building an indoor pool. He said the challenge would be to look at how to pay the utility costs of running a pool during the winter. Commissioner Carlson asked about the center for younger teens. Director Barry replied the Boys and Girls Club is operating their club out of the Benicia Recreation Building, and as part of the operating agreement, offers activities for middle school aged teens. He reported the Recreation Department is still offering the T.G.I.F. program even though fewer nights are being offered. IP Page 3 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes November 18, 2002 Commissioner Stevens asked about the role of Public Safety patrolling city parks and • whether they will have an adequate number of officers to protect any new parks being planned. The Director replied that as the city grows, so would the public safety department. The Commission discussed park vandalism, and the Director stressed learning from any problems that have occurred at the concession stands and trying to find solutions for any new parks. He advised that he would be consolidating all the information that has been submitted and publishing it for review. OLD BUSINESS City Code Amendment: Off-Leash Dog Policies and Guidelines—Director Barry reported that the City Council approved the change recommended by the Parks &Recreation Commission to the City Code for the Off-Leash Dog Policy. The only change they made was to remove the word"fenced."He advised the Council will take this up again in January. He reported that Commissioner Cohen, Bonnie Black and he met with Jeff Davis from the Redwood Empire Municipal Insurance Fund (REMIF)to see if the liability requirements could be agreed on so that the group could continue to meet at Golis Park. He advised the insurance the group thought they could purchase proved to be too expensive. They discussed enclosing the area the group is using, and he thinks they can • come up with a package that REMIF will accept. Commissioner Carlson asked about using the insurance offered through the city, and Director Barry explained that insurance was being considered when they were thinking the group could be set up as a class but that will not be feasible. Commissioner Cohen explained that the city is covered through REMIF, and if a claim is ever submitted,it could be a problem,which REMIF has to consider. Commissioner Cohen said he thinks this can be worked out. Mrs. Black said most of the cities that are part of REMIF have fenced dog areas and many do not even have leash laws. She said she knows this does increase the cities' risk but so do may other activities in the parks. All the Golis Park group is asking is for one hour per day at the park. She listed several items that could reduce the risk: fencing, signs, classes, each dog owner signing a form stating he/she accepts the risk, and proof of current licensing. The group is willing to create a club and get insurance,but the cost would be about$1,300 per year, and they would need to become a non-profit organization, which can take 12-18 months. She said the City could tell the group that they can no longer meet at the park,but they will be losing a very responsible group and the irresponsible owners will continue to be there. She reported that Council Member Mackenzie recommended that the Golis Park group be set up as a pilot group. The group is willing to set up rules, sign a list of responsibilities and work with the Public • Works Department and the baseball league so that they could use their field. Page 4 Rohnert Park Parks and Re ation Commission Minutes • November 18, 2002 Commissioner Cohen asked how practical it would be for someone to sign a waiver and • whether someone would be there with the waivers. Mrs. Black said she is there about 350 days during the year, and she thinks this could be done. Commissioner Cohen said it is possible that not everyone would have homeowners insurance, and Mrs. Black said the group has discussed that and is willing to tell someone they cannot participate. Having insurance would be required to participate since it would be the primary insurance coverage for this type incident. Director Barry asked if there were a dog park, would the group move or would they still want to stay at Golis Park. Mrs. Black said probably some of both,but the core group would probably move. She explained that many people do come by car now. Chair Griffin asked what the next step would be, and the Director said they have the framework for the group's use, which Mrs. Black just described. The Commission can recommend acceptance of this framework, and he will write it up and take it to the City Council in January. Commissioner Cohen asked about the fencing the baseball field at Golis Park and using volunteers to do the work. Mrs. Black said she talked to a league representative and he thought the league could get some resources and some volunteers to help. The Commission discussed the following parameters for the group's use of Golis Park: • (1) Waiver signed by participants (2) Signage that includes the time of day the group will be using the park (3) An enclosed area (4) Safety rules included in the waiver (5) Proof of current licensing (6) Use permit from the Recreation Department Discussion followed on the wording for the signs to limit dogs to certain hours. Mrs. Black asked if the area at Golis Park can't be fenced, will the group be back where they were when they first started, or if they can't use the area because it is not fenced, will they be told they can't use any area? Director Barry replied that the Council took the word"fenced"out of the code so he thinks they will be able to proceed. Commissioner Cohen made a motion that the Commission recommend establishing a dog area at Golis Park requiring all the parameters outlined above except the fencing. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Carlson and unanimously approved. NEW BUSINESS City Election Results—Director Barry announced the names of the newly elected City Council members and advised that they will be seated at the Council meeting on December 10. He encouraged the commissioners to attend. He informed the Commission that the second • Page 5 • . . Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes November 18, 2002 Council meeting in December has been cancelled so their first business meeting will be in 4111 January. The Director also reviewed the three tax measures that had been on the ballot, two which passed and one which was defeated. He stated it will be a challenge for the City to meet since there will be a significant deficit. He advised he will be looking to the Commission for their input and support. STAFF REPORTS Monthly Reports—All monthly reports were accepted without comment. Department Monthly Highlights for October—There were no questions on the Recreation Department Highlights report for October. COMMISSION COMMITTEE REPORTS Senior Center—Commissioner Carlson informed the Commission that she will be able to begin attending the Senior Advisory Meetings and is looking forward to doing so. Some discussion followed. Skate Park Committee—Director Barry reported he is working on a site plan that shows access to the temporary skate park site. He said he might wait until the new City Council is seated • to see if they still want to pursue this site since it will only be available for another two years. Chair Griffin asked about renewing the site at the Community Center. The Director reported that Janice Brown from the Skate Park Coalition wanted to know if the City Council would be in favor of doing another community survey. Discussion followed on sites, and the Director advised nothing further is happening with the warehouse site. Golf Course Oversight Committee—Commissioner Carlson reported the committee's meetings have been rescheduled for the third Tuesday of the month at City Hall in the Council chambers. The next meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on November 19. Master Plan Committee—The Director advised this committee will be meeting after the recommendations are sorted out. MATTERS FROM/FOR COMMISSIONERS Commission Reappointments—Commissioner Stevens asked if some of the commissioners are up for reappointment. The Director stated everyone is up for reappointment in December, and packets were sent to each commissioner so that they could indicate if they are interested in serving again. Discussion followed. Rohnert Park Stadium—Chair Griffin asked if there was any update on the status of the stadium, and the Director said he is not aware of any change,but he believed that Mr. Fletcher, • Page 6 Rohnert Park Parks and Relation Commission Minutes November 18, 2002 • owner of the former Crushers Baseball Team, is interested in putting another team in the stadium. He said if that doesn't happen, discussion will be held at that time. ADJOURNMENT -There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.by Chair Griffin to a regular meeting on Monday, December 16, 2002 at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 6750 Commerce Boulevard. Chair Griffin Tim B y Recreation Direct r Secretary • • Page 7