1996/05/20 Parks and Recreation Commission MinutesROHNERT PARK PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
May 20, 1996
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 Desmond presiding and leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL Present: (3) Commissioners Allred, Desmond and Griffin
Absent: (2) Commissioners Plaisted and Stevens
Also present for the entire meeting was Director of Recreation, James Pekkain.
APPROVAL
OF MINUTES Upon motion by Commissioner Allred and second by Commissioner Griffin, the
minutes of April 15, 1996, were unanimously approved as submitted.
YOUTH SPORTS Director Pekkain reported he has left a message for the president of the Rohnert
Park Youth Soccer League to let him know the Youth Sports Committee would
like to set up a meeting with the league's board.
Chair Desmond asked if the Pee Wee Baseball League had met the NYSCA
requirements for this year. Director Pekkain replied that the league had not, but
had paid the fees for the coaches who were certified. He stated the league has had
a number of changes of officers this year which has caused some problems. Some
discussion followed.
STADIUM Director Pekkain reported the city has received several proposals for use of the
land adjacent to the stadium, but he did not have any specifics. Some discussion
followed regarding use of the land for paint -ball.
A brief discussion followed about the Crushers baseball team, and the Director
encouraged the commissioners to attend a game.
SENIOR CENTER Chair Desmond said she was amazed that the seniors get so many people at their
dances. She reported the Senior Center is already planning a holiday dance.
Director Pekkain advised that Hazel Brubaker is looking for drivers for the noon
senior nutrition program.
BICYCLE
COMMITTEE Chair Desmond gave a brief update on the Bicycle Committee's activities.
Commissioner Griffin asked about bicycle riding on the sidewalk. Chair Desmond
said this matter was referred to Public Safety and continued to the next committee
meeting.
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May 20, 1996
SKATE PARK Director Pekkain reported the city was going to try to do a joint fundraiser with
Peak Sports for a skate park, but the city's insurance carrier would not extend
coverage for this type of event. The Director said the Jim Neuwirth at Peak
Sports is still trying to do a fundraiser at the shopping center where his business is
located.
PROGRAMS FOR
THE DISABLED
REPORTS FROM
THE DIRECTOR
OF RECREATION
The Director said the city's insurance carrier is talking about covering skate parks,
but at this point, the city is not pursuing the project. Any monies for a skate park
would have to be requested through the budget process.
Commissioner Griffin said he will be at the next meeting scheduled on Thursday,
May 23, for the committee looking at programs for the disabled. The Director
said he cannot attend but Recreation Program Specialist, Maya van den Heuvel,
will attend.
Commissioner Griffin asked the Director about the cost to install electric entry
doors at the Community Center. Discussion followed and the Director said he will
get some cost figures.
Commissioner Griffin also asked if the survey to get input from residents with
disabilities was sent out. The Director reported that 13,000 surveys were sent out
and so far 289 had been returned, 60 from residents who had a disability. The
Director said he will have a recap ready for the meeting on May 23rd.
Monthly Reports Director Pekkain referred the Commission to the Profit and Loss Statement for the
Sports Center which he had just received that day. He briefly reviewed some of
the figures on the report.
He also pointed out some highlights from the Senior Center, Community Center
and Sports Center monthly reports.
Moving Day of
Meetings The Director reported he had received a request from the Assistant City Manager,
Carl Leivo, to move the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting day to
Wednesdays so that Public Safety could have access to the video equipment in the
council chambers on Monday nights. The Director asked if the commissioners
could attend on the second Wednesday of each month. Some discussion followed,
but due to the absence of Commissioners Plaisted and Stevens, this matter will be
tabled until next month's meeting.
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Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes
May 20, 1996
Spring Activity
Guide Director Pekkain reported that the Rohnert Park Teen Chorus, one oft e
Recreation Department's contract classes,
ct performed
asses that are being at the recent community
talent show. He also summarized some of the contract
offered this summer.
Fence at Mt. Shadows
Middle School Director Pekkain gave an update
put up by the Rohnert Park-Cotatt and
School District between some background on tMt. he f ence that has n
Shadows Middle
School and Benicia Park. He stated the city had heard from one citizen who was
very upset about the fence and had gone to the City Council meeting and is going
to the school board meeting. The Director said the school district has assured him
that they will consult with the city if they are considering any future fences at
school sites.
The Director also passed on some informaaentsthat the school would not be used
on about the fields at Creekside Middle
School and the agreement with nearby
for recreational purposes during after -school hours. He pointed out some of the
pros and cons of fencing school grounds and said the city is in the process of
negotiating a use agreement with the school district. He said the park and school
concept was conceived many years ago and fencing could disrupt this concept. He
suggested the commissioners might want to attend the school board meeting being
held on Tuesday, May 21.
Budget Update Director Pekkain reported the Recreation Department has been directed to cut its
budget 5% which would be approximately $127,000. He stated future budgets
may be reduced through attrition in the next five years. The City Council has
directed each department not to cut any community projects when reducing their
budgets.
MATTERS FROM
COMMISSIONERS
Appointment of
Ad Hoc Committee
Member Commissioner Griffin made a motion to add Sabrina Snyder as an ad hoc
committee member to the committee studying programs for people with a
disability. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Allred and unanimously
approved.
RCHS Spirit Leaders Commissioner Allred asked the Director if the department had received a report
from the Rancho Cotate High School spirit leaders as a follow-up to the
community funds they had received. The Director said the report had not been
submitted and he will contact them.
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Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes
May 20, 1996
Lights at G Park Commissioner Allred asked about the lights being on at the Golis Park baseball "1
field last Thursday when the field was closed because it was raining. The Director
explained how the lights work and would come on automatically if they were not
turned off by the previous user. He said that staff had contacted the president of
the Babe Ruth League who was going to follow up with the coaches.
Volunteer of the Year Commissioner Griffin asked if the Director takes recommendations for the CPRS
community volunteer of the year award. The Director responded that he is always
looking for recommendations.
No Smoking Signs Commissioner Griffin asked about "no smoking" signs that are to be posted at the
baseball fields located on school grounds. The Director said the school district had
informed him that the signs which had been posted were vandalized, but he will
follow up with the district to see about replacements.
Correspondence Chair Desmond read a letter she had received from Glenn Sanders thanking the
city for using treated wastewater to water the parks and also for the Commerce
Boulevard walkway. She gave the letter to the Director so it could be passed on
to the City Council.
ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. to a
regular meeting on Monday, June 17, at 7:30 p.m. to be held in the City Hall -�
council chambers, 6750 Commerce Blvd.
Chairman
Secretary
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