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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. Page - 1 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes 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. '4\ —'s Page - 2 fi Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes 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. Page - 3 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes 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. Page - 4 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes 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 Page - 5