1996/06/17 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutesroo
ROHNERT PARK PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
June 17, 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: (4) Commissioners Desmond, Griffin, Plaisted and Stevens
Absent: (1) Commissioner Allred
Also present for the entire meeting was Director of Recreation, James Pekkain.
APPROVAL
OF MINUTES Upon motion by Commissioner Griffin and second by Commissioner Plaisted, the
minutes of May 20, 1996, were unanimously approved as submitted.
YOUTH SPORTS Director Pekkain reported the youth soccer board meets on the 2nd and 4th
Tuesdays at 7 p.m. and can meet with the Commission's Youth Sports Committee
at one of these board meetings. The committee members agreed to meet with the
board at their July 9th meeting.
STADIUM Director Pekkain reported the city has received three proposals for use of the land
adjacent to the stadium. The City Council has formed a committee which will
study the proposals.
BICYCLE
COMMITTEE Chair Desmond reported the committee is still reviewing the Rohnert Park
Municipal Code regarding bicycles. She also read a letter from the committee to
the City Council requesting funding in the upcoming 1996-97 fiscal budget for the
bike plan.
SKATE PARK The Commission discussed whether Commissioner Desmond could attend the
upcoming City Council budget hearings to request funds towards a skate park.
Discussion was concluded with the commission deciding to wait since no plans
have been recommended. Another committee meeting will be scheduled in
September.
PROGRAMS FOR
THE DISABLED Commissioner Griffin reported on the recent committee meeting that was held to
discuss programs for people with disabilities. He said a lawyer was expected to
attend to give information on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), but he
did not attend. Commissioner Griffin stated Norm Howard had attended the
meeting to discuss the fence recently erected by the school district between
Mountain Shadows Middle School and Benicia Park, but he did not have anything
on the ADA.
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Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes
June 17, 1996
Commissioner Griffin also reported the committee had received a report on the
results of the survey sent to Rohnert Park residents which were inconclusive.
There was no clear direction as to what people want. (A copy of the report is
attached to the original copy of these minutes.)
Commissioner Griffin advised that the Recreation Department is now offering
some activities for people with disabilities, and he feels the Department is doing an
adequate job. The committee also discussed another mailer to ask further
questions of those who responded to the first questionnaire stating they had a
disability and wanted to be on a mailing list.
Director Pekkain said the upcoming budget for 1996-97 will be very tight for all
programs. Commissioner Plaisted suggested there might be some funding
available from the North Bay Regional Center for programs for people with
disabilities.
REPORTS FROM
THE DIRECTOR
OF RECREATION
Monthly Reports
Director Pekkain asked if there were any questions on any of the monthly reports.
Commissioner Stevens asked about the net operating loss shown on the Profit and
Loss Statement for the Sports Center. After discussion, it was determined there
was some confusion which was clarified on what figure he was looking at.
Moving Day of
Meetings
Director Pekkain gave some background on why the City Council chambers will
not be available on Monday evenings and the reason for moving the commission's
meeting day. None of the commissioners had any objection to moving to the
second Wednesday of the month. Commissioner Stevens did say he would have to
miss the January and February meetings since he is coaching the wrestling team at
Rancho Cotate High School, and their meets are held on Wednesdays.
The Director said he will put this matter on next month's agenda and he will check
again with City Hall regarding the change in meeting night.
RCHS Spiritleaders
Report
Director Pekkain referred the commission to the report received from the Rancho
Cotate High School spiritleaders as a follow-up to the community funds they had
received from the city. A copy of the report is attached to the original copy of
these minutes. A video from the competition may be available at a later meeting
for the commission's viewing.
Swim Brochures
The Director referred the commission to two aquatics brochures prepared by
Recreation Supervisor Guy Miller, one for swim school and one with pool
schedules.
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No -Smoking Signs The Director reported he had spoken to Ann Huber from the Cotati-Rohnert Park
School District regarding the "no smoking" signs that are to be posted at the
ballfields on school grounds and was informed the signs have been ordered.
Commissioner Griffin stated the signs have not been posted at the baseball field at
Mountain Shadows Middle School. The Director said he will follow up with the
school district.
Tentative Budget
Cuts The Director advised that every department head had met to discuss reducing the
upcoming budget by 5%. He referred the commission to a report regarding
program cuts, copy of which is attached to the original copy of these minutes.
Discussion followed on some of the changes being proposed.
City Council Review
of Budget The Commission discussed the dates the City Council will be reviewing the budget
for the fiscal year of 1996-97 and whether any of the commissioners might attend.
Resurfacing Tennis
Courts Director Pekkain advised that the tennis courts at D and R Parks and the basketball
court at D Park are going to be resurfaced.
Miscellaneous The Director passed around a yearbook that had been prepared for the participants
of the department's after -school program at Burton Avenue Recreation Center.
Public Service
Announcements Director Pekkain played two public service announcements featuring the
Recreation Department and the Senior Center made by students from Sonoma
State University that will be run on TV.
MATTERS FROM
COMMISSIONERS
Appointment of
Ad Hoc Committee
Member Commissioner Griffin referred the commission to the letter announcing the
appointment of Sabrina Snider as an ad hoc committee member to the commission.
Fence at Benicia
Park Commissioner Griffin reported he had attended the Cotati-Rohnert Park School
Board meeting in May when they discussed the fence the district has erected
between Mountain Shadows Middle School and Benicia Park. The board will be
discussing this matter again at their June meeting, and Commissioner Griffin
recommended the other commissioners attend to voice their opinion. Some
discussion followed and Director Pekkain said he will find out the exact date of the
meeting.
After discussing the matter further, the commission requested that this item be
placed on the commission's July 15th agenda.
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Trees at G Park Commissioner Desmond recommended that the redwood trees between the
basketball courts and the playground at Golis Park be trimmed up from the
ground to improve visibility. She stated she has been told that people are using
this area rather than walking over to the restrooms. Director Pekkain said he will
follow up with Public Works.
ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. to a
regular meeting on Monday, July 15, at 7:30 p.m. to be held in the City Hall
council chambers, 6750 Commerce Blvd.
Chairman
Secretary
111
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