Loading...
2003/06/16 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Council: X Date By Miscellaneous x We, 34_ Communications Agenda • Copy to: Copy to: ROHNERT PARK PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES June 16, 2003 The Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission met this date at 7:30 p.m. for a regularly scheduled 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 Stevens presiding. ROLL CALL Present: (4) Commissioners Bird, Butler, Griffin, and Stevens Late: (2) Commissioners Carlson and Rogers Absent: (1) Commissioner Hotaling Also present for the meeting was Assistant City Manager, Steve Donley, and Recreation Specialist, Wendy Audiss. ROGERS ARRIVES - Commissioner Rogers arrived for the meeting at 7:31 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -Upon motion by Commissioner Griffin and second by Commissioner Bird,the minutes of the meeting of May 19th were unanimously approved 1111 as submitted. CARLSON ARRIVES - Commissioner Carlson arrived for the meeting at 7:32 p.m. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCE/PUBLIC COMMENT Bonnie Black, 1065 Hawthorne,reported that the Best Friends Canine Club, the group meeting at Golis Park for off-leash dog activities,now has approximately 90 members and is responsible for licensing five dogs that were not previously licensed. She wanted to know who will be guiding the project now that Recreation Director Barry is gone and whom she should call if she has questions. Her understanding was that bids were going out for the fence at Golis Park, and the City Council was supposed to vote on the project at their last meeting. Also with the group growing, she believes she may be asking for more hours at the park and would probably request starting their use earlier each day. Commissioner Griffin praised the club for how well organized they were when the Commission visited them on their recent van tour. He suggested that Assistant City Manager Donley might be able to answer Mrs. Black's questions. Mrs. Black recapped the donation the Club received to help offset the cost for the G Park fence and wanted to know if there was an update. Assistant City Manager Donley said he would check out the status tomorrow. Mrs. Black also asked about expanding the Club's • hours of use. Assistant City Manager Donley suggested the group submit their request, Page 1 Ro earkfj s and Recreation Commission Minutes JiiiT�I"0;2O03 ,.. e$ whih would_go to the Commission for their review. She said they would probably request increasing their hours of use to 7:30 - 9:30 a.m. OLD BUSINESS Review of Youth League Financial Reports—The Commission briefly discussed the number of participants, coaches and teams in the Rohnert Park Girls Softball Association that was not included in their report for 2002. Commissioner Carlson explained she had eye surgery that day and is unable to read the reports tonight. She requested that discussion of the reports be postponed until July. Commission Park Tour, May 31 —Each commissioner gave some brief comments on their recent van tour of city recreation facilities and the highlights of the tour. Commissioner Griffin said he appreciated being able to tour the different recreation facilities. Commissioner Carlson said she enjoyed the tour and seeing the parks. Commissioner Rogers said she enjoyed seeing the dog park. She said she thinks the discussion to promote increasing the use of the Magnolia Park was pertinent and thinks this is something that should be talked about again. Some discussion followed. Commissioner Butler said he thought the tour was a good way to focus on what city facilities are available. Chair Stevens asked about the community garden and how it will be run after Claudia • Barry leaves. Staff responded that a board of directors,made up of members of the garden, oversees the community garden. The board is very active and will continue to oversee the garden. NEW BUSINESS Park Safety—Beautification Committee Report—Chair Stevens asked about meeting with the City Manager, Assistant City Manager and Council Member Nordin regarding safety in city parks including the incident that happened at Sunrise Park and the removal of the basketball hoops. Assistant City Manager Donley said that because the park was beginning to be a gang hangout, the hoops were removed for 90 days to break the cycle. It was not reported in the press that the hoops would be put back,which is scheduled for next week. Commissioner Rogers said there were some other suggestions mentioned by residents and asked about the status of the tree trimming and scheduling more patrols through the park as well as around the park. Assistant City Manager Donley said the police chief is looking at other alternatives such as hiring a private patrol company to patrol the parks. He advised the city had purchased motorbikes to patrol the parks that are not accessible by car,but they can only patrol during the day. The Chair reviewed the suggestions that the Commission came up with during their park tour and are recapped in the minutes. (A copy of the tour minutes is attached to the original copy of these minutes.) The Chair also responded to a column in the Press • Democrat by Chris Coursey that criticized park design and asked the Commission for Page 2 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes June 16, 2003 permission to draft a letter in response to the column. He said before sending a letter, he would bring it to the Commission for their review. He stated he thinks it is important to stand up and defend the City's parks. Commissioner Carlson relayed a couple of incidents that happened at D Park. She said she doesn't think that all parks need to be patrolled on a regular basis,but we need to put the energy and manpower where the problems are. Commissioner Rogers said during their tour the Commission discussed whether park lights should be turned off at 10 p.m., which is not included the park tour minutes. The Commission discussed if it is better that the lights be off or on for better visibility. She also asked about the ban on alcohol and whether it might affect attendance at the parks. Chair Stevens said he believes the City Council wants to include an exception to the ban where groups would be able to get a permit to serve alcohol in the parks for organized events. They are trying to prevent problems of people just being in the park and drinking. Commissioner Carlson questioned whether the whole city has to suffer for the actions of a gang. Since the parks are part of the Commission's responsibilities, Commissioner Carlson asked why the Commission is not always kept informed. Chair Stevens said in the past the Commission has had joint meetings with the City Council and it might be a good idea to meet and see what the Council sees as the Commission's role. Commissioner Bird said • there could be an issue of softball teams drinking after a game because many teams bring . a cooler for after their games, and he has never seen this cause a problem. He asked if there would be a way to get some type of permit to drink after a game. Commissioner Rogers said she could not see any way a league would take responsibility for alcohol consumption after a game. Commission Goals for 2003—Commissioner Griffin suggested that the commissioners name some goals for 2003,which they will review after looking at their 2002 goals. He suggested one goals would be meeting with the school district. Commissioner Rogers said prior to replacing the Ladybug Park playground equipment, she would like to review the accessibility of the playground so that it can accommodate children in wheelchairs. Commissioner Bird suggested developing the skate park should be a goal and whether or not they should wait for the community fields park to be developed. Commissioner Butler suggested looking at ways to increase use of all city facilities including parks and pools. Chair Stevens said he would like to keep an eye on the city's collaboration with the University of Sports. Commissioner Carlson suggested establishing the dog park should be a goal. Commissioner Griffin said he would like to see a push for small neighborhood skate areas, not a big destination park but just corner parks for children living in the immediate area. He said it would be better than skating in a parking lot or shopping center. • Commissioner Rogers stated that city demographics are changing as well as what features citizens would like to see in the parks. The Commission discussed the increasing senior Page 3 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes June 16, 2003 population and providing facilities for them and their use of city parks. Recreation • Specialist Audiss said that most seniors like to be out of the wind and in a controlled environment. The Senior Center does have a walking group that walks twice a week. She said if there were organized walking groups or activities in the community fields park, more seniors would get involved in using the parks. Commissioner Carlson discussed lawn bowling and whether the seniors would be interested. Recreation Specialist Audiss said she believed they would be interested as well as people of all ages. Chair Stevens wanted to add promoting the Sports &Fitness Center and competing with other fitness centers. The Commission agreed they will finalize their list of 2003 Goals at next month's meeting. They discussed whether the Commission should meet with the City Council and having a Council liaison. Commissioner Griffin said he spoke to Council Member Mackenzie, who expressed an interest in being the Council liaison to the Commission.Assistant City Manager Donley said the previous mayor's goal was to have the entire City Council accessible to all the commissions,but if this isn't working out,they could discuss having a liaison again. The Commission's consensus was they would prefer having a liaison, although Commissioner Rogers said she has mixed feelings about having a liaison. When the Commission brings items to the City Council, the Council may not always agree so • having only one Council member being the spokesman for the Commission could affect the issues and how they are looked at by the Council. She stated it is important that the Commission looks at how the issues are reviewed. Commissioner Carlson clarified that the City Council member would not take issues to the Council that this was done by the Recreation Director. She said the purpose of the Council liaison was to keep the Commission informed as to what the City Council was doing. Commissioner Griffin made a motion to request that City Council Member Mackenzie be appointed the Council liaison to the Parks and Recreation Commission, since he expressed an interest in doing so. Commissioner Bird seconded the motion. Chair Stevens asked Assistant City Manager Donley how they should proceed. Mr. Donley said they could ask,but since the Mayor is the one who appoints liaisons,it might be better for Chair Stevens to discuss this with Mayor Flores on an informal basis and explain the Commission's preference of having a liaison. Commissioner Rogers said she would support the motion if the Commission is willing to be active in working with the Council. Discussion followed and the motion was unanimously approved. Chair Stevens agreed to discuss adding Council Member Mackenzie as the Commission liaison with Mayor Flores. Golf Committee Organization—Chair Stevens reported that former Recreation Director Barry talked to him about asking Commissioner Carlson to chair the Golf Committee meetings since he had done it in the past. Assistant City Manager Donley advised that the City IP Manager has asked him to take Recreation Director Barry's place on the committee. He Page 4 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes June 16, 2003 • stated he will do the minutes or arrange for someone else to do them, and he will be at the committee meeting scheduled for tomorrow night. Recreation Department Reorganization—Staff Support for Parks and Recreation Commission— Chair Stevens asked since Director Barry is no long working for the City, who should the Commission direct their questions and concerns to. Assistant City Manager Donley advised he will be doing what Director Barry was doing as soon as he is released by the Coast Guard. He suggested the Commission attend the City Council meetings as a way to keep them up to date on what is going on. Chair Stevens said the Director also handled many day-to-day problems and asked who will be handling these. Assistant City Manager Donley said that Guy Miller will be handling most of the day-to-day problems,but he will be handling bigger matters. Commissioner Carlson said there is no transition to operating without a director. She stated the city has always had a Recreation Director, and since Guy Miller already has job responsibilities, how will he be able to take on additional responsibilities. Assistant City Manager Donley said it is a challenging time, and due to the budget problems the remaining staff will be taking on additional responsibilities. The City Manager was trying to keep the cuts away from frontline staff, and even though there may be some rough times,we will find a way to work out these new challenges. STAFF REPORTS • Monthly Reports—Recreation Specialist Audiss passed out the Senior Center Monthly Report for May. Chair Stevens asked what the most popular activities are at the Senior Center, and Specialist Audiss said the exercise class offered by Santa Rosa Junior College is the most popular. She stated that S.R.J.C.just had some cutbacks, and the program has been cut back to once a week. The instructor also offered to teach a teach chi class before her exercise class. Other popular programs are line dancing, the walking group and the S.R.J.C. autobiographical class. She reported the seniors also enjoy bus excursions and casino trips offered by the Center. Department Monthly Highlights for May—No report was available. COMMISSION COMMITTEE REPORTS Beautification—As discussed earlier in the meeting, Chair Stevens remarked this committee would be meeting to discuss park safety. He will meet with Public Safety to see which parks have the most problems. Bicycle—Commissioner Butler reported this committee would be meeting next Monday. Golf Course—Commissioner Carlson reported the next committee meeting is tomorrow night. • Master Plan—Chair Stevens stated that Director Barry was working on the Master Plan and asked Assistant City Manager Donley if he will be handling this. Assistant City Manager Page 5 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes June 16, 2003 Donley said that City Council Member Nordin also has some input on this item that he 411 will discuss with him. Senior Center—Commissioner Carlson said the Senior Advisory Commission does not meet until next month. Skate Park—Commissioner Griffin said the ad hoc committee member David Cohen will begin receiving the Parks and Recreation Commission minutes and may have input on this committee. Youth Sports—Commissioner Griffin said he and Commissioner Butler were going to review the baseball games played on the C-2 field located adjacent to El Camino High School (formerly Richard Crane),but games were not played over the Memorial Day weekend so they were unable to observe the noise level or canvas the neighborhood. They will set another date although the league may be done with their spring season. MATTERS FROM/FOR COMMISSIONERS Avenue of the Flags—Commissioner Butler advised that Morgan Bellinger is going to be repainting the red curbs on the Avenue of the Flags at the Community Center as part of an Eagle Scout project. Golf Course—Commissioner Bird asked Assistant City Manager Donley about the audit of the • golf course management company. Assistant City Manager Donley said he is not familiar with that audit. He stated the City does have an auditor who may be doing an audit on the golf course since they are aware of the importance of auditing companies doing business with the City. E-Mail Addresses—Commissioner Rogers requested that the next Commission roster include their e-mail addresses. Chair Stevens requested that each commissioner submit their e- mail address to staff. Discussion followed. City Council Minutes—Commissioner Carlson requested that she be added to the mailing list for City Council minutes. Assistant City Manager Donley advised that the minutes are available on line. After some discussion, Commissioner Bird, Butler, Carlson and Griffin requested hard copies of the minutes be sent to them. Tennis Courts—Commissioner Carlson said she had some questions regarding city tennis courts. She said she has observed a lady running her dog on the Dorotea Park tennis courts and asked if there is a city ordinance against this. Recreation Specialist Audiss said the there courts are not approved for is a signposted at the D Park tennis courts that states the cou s pp any uses other than tennis. Commissioner Carlson said she has also observed adults practicing soccer at the Alicia Park tennis courts, and she wondered if this was okay. After discussion the Commission agreed that this type of use should not harm the courts since the adults are wearing tennis shoes and not damaging the nets. • Page 6 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes June 16 2003 • Financial Reports—Commissioner Griffin asked if Commissioner Carlson will be reviewing the financial reports from the youth sports leagues and mentioned the large reserves that some leagues carry. Bruce Weaver, President of the Rohnert Park Soccer League, said he was asked by former Recreation Director, Tim Barry, to be at this meeting to answer questions the Commission might have about the league's report. Chair Stevens asked if the league had such a large reserve because it was saving for a specific project. Ron Ciarasso, League Treasurer, said he was attending the meeting to explain the league's 2002 Financial Report. He stated the league has 130 teams of approximately 1,700 players with a reserve of$107,000. He explained that attached to the Commission's reporting form was a breakdown of all the divisions within the league. (A copy of the report is attached to the original copy of these minutes.)He stated approximately$44,000 had been set aside to be used for the development of an all purpose field,but it was decided to use these funds to defray other costs in the league. He stated the league has only raised their fees twice since they began and has back-up reserves to keep the registration costs low. He explained the league's expenses begin in January. Commissioner Griffin said that the city helps subsidize the league's use of city fields including lights, and when the City proposed raising the use fees,the soccer league was very unhappy and complained that the kids and the league could not afford a raise in the • rates. President Bruce Weaver said the field use fees have been 'raised and he received a letter from Director Barry notifying him of the increase in fees. He said he has observed the tennis and basketball court lights being on all night, and since costs for use of the soccer fields cannot be separated out, the league does not want to pay for the lights from other areas of the park. He also mentioned lawn care and the fact that the league is now taking responsibility for striping the fields. He stated that parents have also asked about expanding their program for eight and nine year olds, and the league will be subsidizing this. In addition, the league provides balls to each child and t-shirts for the coaches. Commissioner Griffin said one of the ways to reduce the City's expenses is user fees and leagues may have to pay more of their way. Mr. Ciarasso asked if their report had only shown a balance of$12,000, would they be having this discussion. He said the league also offers a scholarship program for children who cannot afford to pay the league fees. The league will pay for field use but had a question about the seasons. Mr. Weaver stated the increases proposed were not equal for the baseball and soccer leagues. Chair Stevens said he has also observed the lights on at the park when no one was there, and he would like to follow up on that. Mr. Weaver-said the league schedules at least two teams on fields in order to reduce light use. He said he had asked Director Barry to break down the use of the lights for each sport venue but was told the cost was prohibitive. He stated soccer is willing to pay their fees,but there is no way to show the actual cost of the soccer fields. Mr. Ciarasso said the league is going to be very responsive to meeting the • Commission's requirements. Commissioner Carlson asked for Mr. Ciarasso's phone number in care she has questions. Mr. Weaver said the league submitted a more complete Page 7 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes June 16, 2003 report than the city requested and now they are being criticized because they have more • information than requested. Mr. Ciarasso said since the league is more complicated than other leagues, they have given more in depth information than the city requests. Chair Stevens asked about the all weather field, and Mr. Weaver said originally the plan was to make Sunrise Park soccer field an all weather field. He stated Petaluma has one, and that they make money on it. The league had a few dollars saved up which they set aside for this project although it was just a concept that was discussed and never put in writing. The Chair asked for clarification of what the Commission would like on the July agenda, and Commissioner Griffin said he would like to add field use fees to the agenda. Staff clarified that the field use fees are being increased beginning this year. ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. "kel-"D Chair Stevens Wendy Audis Recreation S cialist Secretary I P • 1111 Page 8