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1996/01/22 Parks and Recreation Commission MinutesROHNERT PARK PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES -"'N January 22, 1996 The Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission met this date at 7:30 p.m. for an adjourned 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 Desmond presiding and leading the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Present: (5) Commissioners Allred, Desmond, Griffin, Plaisted and Stevens Absent: (0) None Also present for the entire meeting was Director of Recreation, James Pekkain. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Upon motion by Commissioner Stevens and second by Commissioner Allred, the minutes of December 18, 1995, were unanimously approved as submitted. BEN FORSYTHE Commissioner Allred introduced Ben Forsythe who was attending the meeting to earn one of his Boy Scout badges. BICYCLE COMMITTEE Commissioner Desmond reported that a letter had been sent to the Racquet Club Circle Homeowners Association proposing use of their easement by the golf course for a bike path. The homeowners association wrote back saying they were vehemently opposed to giving up use of the easement and asked that the committee come up with an alternative plan. They were concerned with the privacy issue since the easement backs up to some of the homes there. PROGRAMSFOR THE DISABLED Commissioner Griffin reported the committee has met twice with people who are concerned about access to programs for people with disabilities. At the first meeting people made some requests which the Recreation Department has already been able to implement, including transportation for those needing wheelchair access, providing handicapped access at Honeybee Pool and entry to the weight room at the Sports Center. At the second meeting the committee started getting together a questionnaire to send out with the utility bills to find out how many people there are with disabilities and what type of activities they would like to see implemented. Commissioner Griffin asked if there was someone in the department who would know about the programs and could be listed on the questionnaire as a contact person. He passed out a copy of the proposed questionnaire and mentioned that the Recreation Department's phone number would be included and asked that his name and phone number be added. Director Pekkain said the Recreation Department's fax number could also be added. Commissioner Plaisted said he has spoken to a couple of other recreation departments and the American Disability Act states that we are supposed to try to 100%� concentrate on those programs already being offered. Commissioner Griffin Page - 1 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes January 22, 1996 replied that people are already welcome to participate in existing programs. Plaisted asked if that included contract classes. The Director responded affirmatively. Commissioner Plaisted said he does not want to start new programs when existing ones can be accessed, especially if budgets are being cut back. The Director said the committee's charge is to providednformation to the City Council and they will make a determination if new programs can be added. Commissioner Plaisted said he feels strongly that existing programs should not suffer or be cut back to begin new programs when anyone is welcome to join existing programs. The Director said he has to make a report to the City Council at their meeting tomorrow night. Commissioner Plaisted said he would like to add another question to the questionnaire asking if people are aware of programs being offered now. Commissioner Stevens made a motion to accept the questionnaire as proposed. Commissioner Allred seconded the motion which was unanimously approved. Griffin said one of the women who attended the committee meeting put together a letter to send to all the group homes in Rohnert Park and could also be put in church bulletins. He read the letter to the commission and said that he has a list of group homes in the area which she had provided. The Director stated if this is part --� of the committee's recommendation, postage will be paid by the City. Commissioner Plaisted asked if the city will be blamed if there is no response to the letters. Commissioner Griffm responded the letters can be sent out but people cannot be forced to respond. The Director advised it is too late to include the questionnaire in the current utility bills since they are limited on the number of items they can enclose. The soonest they could be included with the bills is May. Commissioner Stevens made a motion to accept the letter to be mailed to group homes. Commissioner Griffin seconded the motion which was unanimously approved. Commissioner Griffin said the questionnaire not going out as part of the utility billing could be a point of conflict with the committee since that was what they had requested. He asked the Director if this could be made known to the committee members. Director Pekkain said he will make it part of his report to the City Council. Commissioner Plaisted advised the committee is going to continue to meet and will try to come up with some new recommendations each quarter. Page - 2 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes January 22, 1996 REPORTS FROM THE DIRECTOR OF RECREATION Monthly Reports Director Pekkain advised that the only report not included with the monthly reports that the commissioners had received was the profit and loss report for the Sports Center. He asked if there,were any questions on any of the reports. Commissioner Stevens asked about the heat, light and power item on the Sports Center profit and loss statement. Some discussion followed. Director Pekkain announced the Sports Center will be hosting an open house for the new expanded weight room on Saturday and encouraged the Commission to attend. Joint Meeting The Director notified the Commission that their joint meeting with the City Council has been changed to Tuesday, February 6. Commissioner Griffin said he would already be in San Diego for the upcoming California Parks and Recreation Society Conference. The rest of the commissioners said they will be at the meeting being held at the Dynasty Restaurant from 6-8 p.m. Paint Ball Games The Director informed the Commission that the City has received a request to use land adjacent to the stadium for paint ball games. Input is being received from Public Safety and the Highway Patrol. A monthly rental fee would be paid and there would not be any conflict with Crusher games. This matter will be going before the City Council on Tuesday, January 23. Field Use Meetings The Director advised the annual field use meetings are scheduled for Thursday, January 25 and February 1. He asked if one of the Youth Committee members could attend. Commissioner Griffin said he would be there. The Director said he had a resolution before the City Council adopting the National Youth Sports Coaches Association Certification Program. Rancho Cotati Little League said they would like to request a waiver for the requirement to have their coaches certified this year because they go through Little League training. The Director said they may be given a one year waiver to meet the certification regulations. Volunteer Luncheon The Director reminded the Commission that the annual volunteer luncheon was being held on Thursday, January 25. None of the commissioners said they will be able to attend. CPRS Conference Director Pekkain referred the Commission to the annual conference in San Diego, February 9-11 and suggested they get together before the conference begins to coordinate their schedules and the seminars they will all attend. Commissioner Page - 3 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes January 22, 1996 Plaisted asked if there are any sessions that staff would like one of the commissioners to attend. The Director said he will follow up with staff prior to the commissioners meeting. Community Awards Director Pekkain reviewed the Commission's plans to attend this year's Community Award Banquet in Fairfield. MATTERS FROM COMMISSIONERS Budget Commissioner Plaisted asked if Commissioner Desmond had attend any of the City's budget meetings. Commissioner Desmond said she had not and had not been aware of the meeting times. 1996 Goals Commissioner Plaisted asked about the Commission's goals for 1996 and if the Chair had any goals that she wanted the Commission to work on this year. Chair Desmond said one of the things that struck her at last year's CPRS conference was the jump in crime in young men at age 14. She said this is one of the reason she would hate to see the skate park proposal dropped. Director Pekkain said he will set up a meeting of the Skate Park Committee in February to meet, but he does not have anything new to add and did not want to meet until he had something to offer. He said he did have contact with one of the store owners at Mountain Shadows Shopping Center who might attend the meeting. Chair Desmond said she would also like to see the young men contribute something to realize their goals to have a skate park. Commission Appointments The Director asked if the Commission would like him to add Committee Appointments to the agenda for their February meeting. Discussion followed on whether any of the commissioners wished to change their committee appointments. The Director said that perhaps some of the committees could be combined since some issues don't come up very often. ADJOURNMENT There being no finther business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m. to an adjourned meeting on Monday, February 19, at 7:30 p.m. to be held in the City Hall council chambers, 6750 Commerce Blvd. Chairman Secretary c: it r otRecKa—tion Page - 4