1996/09/16 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes'N
ROHNERT PARK PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
September 16, 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 Stevens, the
minutes of August 19, 1996, were unanimously approved as submitted.
PUBLIC
APPEARANCE
CELINA YONG Celina Yong, 4329 Fairway Drive, introduced herself as California's Junior Miss
for 1997. Director Pekkain advised that Celina had attended a recent City Council
meeting and they recommended that she attend the Parks and Recreation
Commission meeting to relay suggestions for teen opportunities.
Miss Yong said she has been gathering information from teenagers, mainly juniors
and seniors from Rancho Cotate High School, to find out what their favorite
activities are. They told her they enjoy places like the Phoenix or similar clubs.
She asked about Free Fridays and learned they would like something with later
hours since many of them work and they don't get off until 10:00 or 10:30 p.m.
They also said they would like more activities besides the pool tables and games.
They would like dances that are open to people from other schools or cities so it
would not be like a school dance. They like the separate hours from junior high
students but would like more variety in the activities offered.
The Director stated that Free Fridays for senior high students have not been very
well attended and have been cut back to one a month. Celina said it did not have
to be at the Sports Center or part of Free Friday but could be a separate activity.
The Director stated the biggest problem would be with funding.
He suggested meeting with interested teens to get their ideas so they could be part
of the planning. He suggested setting up a meeting in October to brainstorm to
make sure that activities planned are what teens want. Discussion followed on
setting up a meeting, where and when. Celina stated there is a tutorial period at
the high school which is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays before school from
8:45-9:20. She suggested that Interact, a community service club, may be
interested in helping out with activities. After further discussion, the consensus
AOIN was to go to the Ranch during their Tutorial time, possibly on October 3.
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September 16, 1996
YOUTH SPORTS Director Pekkain reminded the Youth Sports Committee members that a meeting
with Youth Soccer League representatives is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. on September
BICYCLE 17 at the Community Center.
COMMITTEE
Commissioner Desmond reported there are new bike path maps out and advised
there will be a bike rally on Sunday, September 22, as part of Founder's Day. She
informed the Commission the committee is still working on rewriting of the city
code.
SKATE PARK
Commissioner Desmond reported she has informed interested youths that a
meeting is scheduled at the Community Center for Wednesday, September 25, at
3:30 p.m. for the Skate Park Committee.
PROGRAMS FOR
PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES
Commissioner Griffin reported only two people attended the last meeting at the
Community Center on August 29 at 6:30 p.m.. to discuss the Founder's Day booth.
The committee will be sponsoring a barrier awareness booth and will set up an
obstacle course. Committee members are challenging commissioners, city council
members and candidates for city council to complete the course.
Commissioner Griffin said they need help at the booth and asked if any of the
commissioners could help. Commissioners Plaisted and Desmond offered to help
as did Director Pekkain.
REPORTS FROM
THE DIRECTOR
OF RECREATION
Monthly Reports
Director Pekkain referred commissioners to the Sports Center monthly report and
pointed out the big increase in memberships over last year. Some discussion
followed, and the Director said that staff feels that the expanded weight room is
the primary reason for the increase. The other monthly reports were accepted
without comment.
Sports Center
Membership
Sales Update
Revised Fee Schedule
and Policy Revisions
Director Pekkain reviewed Recreation Supervisor, Guy Miller's memo and graph
regarding sales figures since the weight room renovation and expansion. A copy
of the memo is attached to the original copy of these minutes.
Director Pekkain reported the City Council had approved the Commission's
recommendation to accept the revised fee schedule and policy revisions as well as
the increase in the deposits suggested.
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September 16, 1996
Proposition 218 The Director asked if the commissioners were familiar with Proposition 218. He
stated the proposition would amend the California constitution and would affect
the abilities of cities to raise taxes through special assessments as well as existing
assessments. He said the proposition was somewhat misleading, and the League of
Cities has opposed the measure which they feel would be detrimental to all cities.
The Director advised that he has an article with more information if the
commissioners wished to have copies. Some discussion followed.
Spas and Pool
Accidents The Director referred the commission to the memo prepared by Recreation
Supervisor Miller in response to Commissioner Steven's questions about drains in
spas and pools. A copy of the memo is attached to the original copy of these
minutes.
Free Friday Director Pekkain advised that Free Friday will begin September 27 and said that
volunteers are still needed. He referred the Commission to the schedule that was
included in their packet, and if there were any dates they could help, please let
Recreation Supervisor, Mary Hanlon, know.
Review of
Budget Cuts The Director advised that the Recreation Coordinator position will continue to be
full time and the current opening will be advertised in the near future. Cuts from
the budget were the Teen Newsletter, mailing of the activity guide and Halloween
Haunted Halls. Some discussion followed on the Teen Newsletter and
Commissioner Stevens asked if coupons for free activities were ever included. The
Director responded that this had not been tried, but would be considered if it is
published again. Commissioner Plaisted suggested that perhaps some of the
information in the Teen Newsletter could be included in other agencies'
newsletters. The Director said that information in the Newsletter is also included
in the department's activity guide.
The Director said that staff is looking at involving other organizations in
Halloween Haunted Halls although it is probably too late for this year.
Commissioner Stevens suggested using contract classes as vehicles to advertise
other programs which could save mailing costs.
Wendy Audiss Director Pekkain reported that Program Specialist, Wendy Audiss, from the Senior
Center had written an article in the "Fifty Something Magazine" about "Easy As
Pie Revenue Generators" which included ways the Senior Center raised money
using informational seminars, such as living trusts.
Community Awards
Candidates The Director advised that the California Parks and Recreation Society (CPRS)
District 1 Community Awards Banquet is scheduled for March 1, 1997 at 6 p.m. in
Rohnert Park. Recreation Supervisor, Guy Miller, will be installed as president at
the banquet. Discussion followed on possible candidates for the Community
Service Award.
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September 16, 1996
The annual CPRS conference will begin March 14 and will held in Sacramento.
Televised Meeting Director Pekkain informed the Commission that their December meeting will be
televised. The City Council has directed that all of the city's commission meetings
be televised one time.
MATTERS FROM
COMMISSIONERS
Golis Park Trees Chair Desmond thanked the city for trimming the trees at Golis Park. She said she
had spoken to other parents who were very grateful. Director Pekkain said the
work would have been done by the city's public works department.
Memorial Plaque Commissioner Plaisted asked about the article in the September 1 lth edition of the
Community Voice regarding plaques placed in Honeybee Park. Discussion
followed on the plaques and how they had been approved for placement in the
park without a recommendation from Commission. After discussion, the Director
said he will place this item on the Commission agenda for October.
Importance of
Recreation Commissioner Plaisted said he wants to start developing a plan to promote the
importance of recreation which would include back-up information from other
cities and an in-house look at how recreation benefits the community. He said he
would like to have something in place before the next budget. Commissioner
Griffin suggested getting information at the annual CPRS conference.
Discussion followed on the value of the Free Friday program for socializing for
teens and preventing vandalism. Commissioner Plaisted said that other
communities with similar programs may also have information that could be used.
He said he would like this to be on next month's agenda so they can start
developing an outline on how to approach the matter. Director Pekkain said
perhaps it could be under the heading of "Benefit Awareness Strategy for
Marketing Recreation Activities."
Benicia Park Fence Commissioner Stevens said he had walked the fence the school district had erected
at Benicia Park and had found one small opening close to the backstop. Director
Pekkain advised the eastern end is being repaired and will have a gate installed. A
double gate will be installed around the concession stand. The gates will be open
except when school is in session.
SCAYD Office Commissioner Griffins advised that SCAYD (Sonoma County Associates for
Youth Development) has a new office at Mountain Shadows Middle School
between the Burton Ave. Recreation Center and the school gymnasium. He said
they will be having a grand opening sometime in September.
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September 16, 1996
CYO Basketball Commissioner Griffin asked about coaches clinics for CYO Basketball. Director
Pekkain reported that Brad Treder had talked to him and they may be able to use
one of their training clinics for the "sport specific" part of the NYSCA training.
Mr. Treder was going to give the Director a copy of the clinic outline to review
sometime in November.
ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m. to a
regular meeting on Monday, October 21, at 7:30 p.m. to be held in the City Hall
council chambers, 6750 Commerce Blvd.
Chairman
Secretary
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