Loading...
1996/02/26 Parks and Recreation Commission MinutesROHNERT PARK PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES February 26, 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: (4) Commissioners Allred, Desmond, Griffin, and Stevens Absent: (1) Commissioner Plaisted Also present for the entire meeting was Director of Recreation, James Pekkain. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Upon motion by Commissioner Griffin and second by Commissioner Stevens, the minutes of January 22, 1996, were unanimously approved as submitted. RCHS SPIRITLEADERS Andrea Sotelo, 4320 Fairway Drive, Rohnert Park, representing the Rancho Cotate High School Spiritleaders, reported they had been invited to a competition in Anaheim March 14-18. See "Request for Community Funds" attached to the original copy of these minutes. She said 22 students will be going along with 2 chaperones. The spiritleaders are looking for sponsors and funds to help pay for approximately $7,000 in fees. Other spiritleaders attending were Colleen McDole and Carey Tatman. Director Pekkain reviewed the rules for applying for community funds. Discussion followed on qualifications of this group, and Miss Sotelo gave some background on how the spiritleaders qualified to go to the national competition. Karen McGregor, RCHS advisor, 5450 Snyder Lane, said the school has sent a group to nationals the last four years. This year the varsity and crowd leading groups qualified to go. Director Pekkain mentioned the spiritleaders were given money last year for this competition. This was before the qualifications for community funds were changed and groups were not required to submit a written report of the activity within 3 months. Ms. McGregor stated she has videos of previous years' competitions if the commission wished to view them. Commissioner Griffin made a motion to recommend approval of giving the group the maximum amount allowed of $500. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Allred and unanimously approved. The Director informed the group this matter will go before the City Council at their March 12th meeting. Page - 1 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes February 26, 1996 AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL Dale Spring, 1234 Camino Coronado, representing the American Legion baseball team, stated he would like to discuss the new guidelines that his program must follow if they want to use a Rohnert Park field. He stated he did not feel he could follow these guidelines and still be competitive within the league, especially the rule that 70% of his players must be from Rohnert Park or the Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District. He gave some of the history of the American Legion team and why he began managing. He stated that most teams in the league have three schools they pull players from with 6-8 boys from each school with up to 18 players on a team. He said he wants the players on his team to be able to play, and he does not want to sign up players just so he can meet the 70% requirement who would end up sitting on the bench. Chair Desmond asked what schools he would draw from. Mr. Spring said Rancho Cotate, Cardinal Newman and Montgomery High Schools. Director Pekkain clarified the rule which changed from a 51 % requirement to 70% of the players who must be from Rohnert Park or the Cotate-Rohnert Park school district. He stated the new rules were set because of a problem that had occurred with the Joe DiMaggio League team, and the American Legion team was included "\ in the guidelines. He also clarified that the only rule Mr. Spring has a problem with is the 70% requirement. He stated he received a call from the Rancho Cotate High School baseball coach who stated he felt there were only 8 or 9 students who would qualify to play on the American Legion team. The Director said that the Commission may want to reduce the percentage for one year and increase it after that. They also may want to consider if a Rohnert Park field should be used by what could be considered a non-resident team. He stated he would not recommend going lower that a 55% residency requirement. Mr. Spring checked his scheduled and said he only plays nine times in Rohnert Park this season out of a total of 45 games. The league schedule is for 28 games. He also plays out of state games to get his players ready for a higher level of play. He said if he did not have a team, some of the players would play in the Babe Ruth League and some would look for an American Legion team in the area or the Connie Mack League in Santa Rosa. Commissioner Allred said she thinks they should be able to field a team with Rohnert Park residents that is competitive. She would not like to see the percentage go lower than 60% for one year but would like to see it at 100%. Mr. Spring said that even if he picked up the whole Rancho Cotate high school team, Page - 2 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes February 26, 1996 he would not have enough pitchers to play because of tournaments. Commissioner Allred said she thinks that the kids are out there if some effort is made to find them. Commissioner Stevens said he feels that at the high school level there are fewer kids who play when the teams get more competitive. He said he thinks 60% is realistic. He asked Mr. Spring if he uses kids from St. Vincent High School who live in Rohnert Park. Mr. Spring said he can take any Rohnert Park residents even if they go to parochial schools because they reside in the Rancho Cotate school district boundaries. Director Pekkain asked about 18 year olds who go to the junior college and live in Rohnert Park. Mr. Spring replied they can be used. He said out of 18 players on the team he likes to have 6 to 8 pitchers but Rancho Cotate only has two starters who he can use. There are other pitchers who pitch relief or play in the Babe Ruth League who will benefit from playing in that league because they get to play more. He said it will not do any good for someone to pitch in the American Legion league who will not play very much or who would get hit hard when they did pitch. Katie Crump, President of the Babe Ruth Baseball League, 6841 Avenida Cala, said her league has a 16-18 year old division which has been very successful. She said she agrees that increasing the residency requirement should be gradual. She stated she feels there are coaches out there who would be willing to go by the residency rule. She said she thinks the cost to play on an American Legion team may be what kills the program and not the residency rule. She feels that local players are there including students from El Camino High School and kids who cannot play on the high school team because of grades. Commissioner Allred asked how the American Legion team has done in the league. Mr. Spring said out of the eight years he has managed, his team has made the playoffs three times. Commissioner Griffin said he spoke to Commissioner Plaisted who could not be at this meeting and said one of the problems they encountered when the lights at Golis Parks were discussed was that residents were unhappy with teams playing on the field who were not resident teams. With the 50% rule a team could take the field with every player being a non-resident, although this was unlikely. Commissioner Stevens asked for a clarification between the two leagues. The Director explained the American Legion team is a travel team and Babe Ruth is more of a recreational league. Commissioner Griffin said he thinks there are enough kids in Rohnert Park to field a team and the more they play, the better they will get. Page - 3 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes February 26, 1996 SKATE PARK PROGRAMS FOR THE DISABLED REPORTS FROM THE DIRECTOR OF RECREATION Commissioner Griffin made a motion that the residency requirement be reduced to 60% for one year with the Commission coming back and looking at the rule next year. Director Pekkain said staffs recommendation is to have a gradual increase beginning at 60% and increasing 5% per year over the next three years, i.e., 60% this year, 65% in year two and 70% in year three. Commissioner Griffin changed his motion to reduce the residency requirement for Joe DiMaggio and American Legion teams to 60% this year with a gradual increase of 5% a year until the 70% residency requirement is reached in the third year. Commissioner Allred seconded the motion which was unanimously approved. Chair Desmond referred the Commission to the minutes of the Skate Park Committee meeting held on February 21. See copy of committee minutes attached to the original copy of minutes. Some discussion followed. Commissioner Desmond stated another meeting will be scheduled in April. The committee looking at programs for people with disabilities is scheduled to meet on February 29 at the Community Center. Monthly Reports Director Pekkain reported the Sports Center had a good increase in memberships since the weight room had been expanded. There was a problem with two of the treadmills being out of order. Since they are still under warranty, we had to wait for a representative from the company to do the repairs. Everything working at this time. The other reports were accepted as submitted with no questions. Financial Reports Director Pekkain referred the Commission to the financial reports received from Rohnert Park Girls Softball, Bambino Baseball League and the Babe Ruth Baseball League. Commissioner Stevens asked about the cash surpluses of the leagues. The Director said the leagues are putting money into field improvements and additional equipment. 1995 Pool Financial Report The Director stated that the net loss of about $48,000 is approximately 20% which means the City is recovering approximately 80% of their costs. Page - 4 --**k Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes February 26, 1996 Department Goals The Director referred the commission to their copy of the department's goals which were established at the staffs annual planning meeting. See copy attached to the original copy of these minutes. Commissioner Stevens asked about number 1 b and what an epi-pen was. The Director responded it used for bee stings, but he will get clarification of how it works. Parks and Recreation Conference Director Pekkain reported he had attended sessions at the California Parks and Recreation Conference which had to do with public relations, cost analysis and one legislative session. He gave a brief summary of each session. He advised next year's conference will be held in Sacramento the third weekend of March. Spring Brochure The Director reported the spring brochure had been mailed to residents of Rohnert Park and confirmed that all the commissioners had received a copy. NYSCA Clinics The Director reviewed the summary he had prepared for certification of youth sports coaches through the National Youth Sports Coaches Association. See copy of report attached to the original copy of these minutes. He reported that some leagues are down in certification, but he has not received lists of continuing coaches who have completed all the training. He will also be offering some make- up clinics in March and have an revised report next month. Director's Vacation Director Pekkain advised he will be on vacation March 4-8. MATTERS FROM COMMISSIONERS Parks & Recreation Conference Commissioner Allred gave a summary of the sessions, including one on volunteer management, she had attended at the California Parks and Recreation Conference and passed on some materials she had received to the Director. Free Friday Commissioner Allred mentioned her son had gone to Free Friday and several of his friends who had gone were unable to get in. She also said he did not get any pizza. The Director said the middle school nights have been very successful with high attendance, but there have been problems getting volunteers. Parks & Recreation Conference - cont. Commissioner Allred also reported on a seminar on family programming where a community had sponsored a father/daughter and mother/son date night which was very successful. She mentioned other programs including swimming for pre- schoolers and parents and movies in the parks. Page - 5 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes February 26, 1996 Commissioner Stevens reported on the sessions he had attended including one on youth action plans, child violence in America, using television to enhance programs, and applying for grants. He learned some cities have "friends of the parks" - non-profit groups which raise money for parks. He also attended a seminar on giving effective presentations. Commissioner Griffin said he had attended a couple of sessions that dealt with the American Disabilities Act and what agencies have to do and not what they could do. Commissioner Stevens spoke about a program called "operation replay" where used sports equipment is donated to recreation departments from the community. After some publicity, people will drop off equipment they no longer use. Pesticides in Parks Commissioner Griffin asked about use of pesticides in the parks since he learned many cities are going to non -toxic methods and getting away from using chemicals. He wanted to make sure that the city is doing what it can to reduce use of pesticides. Director Pekkain said he will check into it and report back to the Commission at their next meeting. Education Foundation Commissioner Griffin reminded everyone that March 9 is the Education Foundation's annual fundraiser, "Sharing of the Green." ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m. to a regular meeting on Monday, March 18, at 7:30 p.m. to be held in the City Hall council chambers, 6750 Commerce Blvd. Chairman Secretary -NN Page - 6