Loading...
1996/11/18 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes,am ROHNERT PARK PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES November 18, 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 Allred, Desmond, and Plaisted Late: (1) Commissioner Griffin Absent: (1) Commissioner Stevens Also present for the entire meeting was Director of Recreation, James Pekkain. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Upon motion by Commissioner Plaisted and second by Commissioner Allred, the minutes of October 21, 1996, were unanimously approved as submitted. GRIFFIN ARRIVES Commissioner Griffin arrived at 7:32 p.m. YOUTH SPORTS - BABE RUTH Director Pekkain reported that the Youth Sports Committee met last month after receiving a letter from Katie Crump, the former president. The committee requested that this item be put on the agenda to determine if there was a problem within the league. The Director reported he had spoken to Keith Warner, the incoming president of the league, to notify him of the meeting and to invite him to attend. Chair Desmond invited members of the audience to come forward. Keith Warner Keith Warner, 2223 Burbank Avenue, Santa Rosa, said he was recently moved up from interim president to president of the league. He had contacted Director Pekkain after receiving a copy of the Commission's agenda because he felt there were some crucial issues mentioned in Mrs. Crump's letter that needed to be covered. Mr. Warner said he had been involved with the Babe Ruth League for about 4 years. In the past new board members have been solicited by current board members. He advised some new board members were solicited this past weekend to fill some vacancies but other vacancies remain. Although this has not been presented to the board, he said he would like to take nominations for any open positions on the board when taking sign-ups for the spring season. Elections would be held again in November for next year's board. He talked about out of town residents serving as board members which was one of the points in Mrs. Crump's letter. Page - 1 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes November 18, 1996 Another point mentioned in the letter was a concern about spouses serving on the board at the same time. He said he will not be handling any money even though his wife is the treasurer. Checks now require two signatures, the treasurer's and one other board members, and they are hoping to add one other board member. The league will have a check and balance program in place to insure that all monies are accounted for. Mr. Warner said the league was informed by the Rohnert Park Public Safety Department that there was not enough information to pursue the matter of problems with a previous board. Mr. Warner said any changes to the league's bylaws would be made in January and the commission can be given copies. He discussed the issue of board members being paid to umpire and said he would like to see what other leagues do. He said he will look into the matter before the league starts. Mr. Warner also talked about the fall league and explained why the league uses out of town players. He informed the commission that the fall league serves as a big fundraiser for Babe Ruth which helps pay for uniforms and field improvements. He explained that the fall league may be played as an independent league which will provide its own insurance. '1 Commissioner Griffin responded that the Commission has not been concerned about the fall league. Mr. Warner stated he has heard the Bambino League was worried that the Babe Ruth League was getting away from Babe Ruth program. Commissioner Plaisted asked why the fall league is more of a fundraiser than the summer league. Mr. Warner said that equipment and uniforms did not have to be purchased again for the fall league which cuts expenses. Mr. Warner offered to meet with the Commission's Youth Sports Committee, if desired, to work with the League to learn how they operate and what their goals are for next year. He said the league's primary goal is to see that kids that want to play in the league have a place to play. Commissioner Griffin explained that the commission had received the letter from Mrs. Crump right before last month's meeting which was the reason for inviting her to the commission's November meeting. He said there were concerns about the perception of the league, and the commission wanted to make sure there were no problems. Director Pekkain explained the role of the Park and Recreation Commission in youth sports and some history of how the commission has been involved in other leagues. He said the Commission's role is to be a filter that the leagues can use and '1 Page - 2 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes November 18, 1996 to ensure financial controls are met. The Director said he would like to set up a committee to meet the new board and they can discuss any other matters at that time. Mr. Warner said the board would like to set up a liaison between the Babe Ruth and Bambino Leagues. He wants to work with the Park and Recreation Commission, to make copies of the minutes available at the snack bar for any parents who want to see them and to inform them when board meetings are held. Marc Hayman Marc Hayman, 123 Bodega Avenue, Petaluma, suggested that prior to the committee meeting, the Commission put in writing any questions or concerns they. have and forward them to the Babe Ruth board so the board can have answers ready. He stated that as long as the league adheres to their bylaws and they have control over their own league, no one else can dictate how the league is run. Director Pekkain said the Commission has heard complaints about non-residents playing on city fields which came up when the lights were being installed at Golis Park. Some discussion followed. Commissioner Plaisted advised the only other time the Commission might get involved with a league is if the National Youth Sports Coaches Association (NYSCA) criteria are not being met. Rhonda Say Rhonda Say, 4200 Hermosa Court, Rohnert Park, President of the Bambino Baseball League, said she had been involved with the Pee Wee and Bambino Baseball Leagues for over ten years and she has a son who plays in the Babe Ruth Senior League. She stated there are six members on the Babe Ruth board in a voting position who also receive pay for umpiring in the league. She said she was especially concerned if they have children playing in the games they are umpiring. She advised the Bambino League does not allow board members to umpire because of problems that can be perceived by parents. She said exceptions have been made in emergencies, but the board member would not be paid for umpiring. She said she was concerned that there had been an election this past weekend when those nominated were not present at the meeting but were voted as members of the board. She said she feels that Katie Crump has taken the brunt of the criticism for any problems that have occurred. Mrs. Say stated that the transition between the Bambino and Babe Ruth Leagues is not smooth and many of the kids drop out between the ages of 12 (Bambino League) and 13 (Babe Ruth League) for a variety of reasons. She said she would like to be involved in the Babe Ruth board and would like to know of positions which are open but feels it is a tight circle of people who run the league. Page - 3 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes November 18, 1996 James Bacigalupi James Bacigalupi, 4678 Fir Court, Rohnert Park, said he is not a board member but was contacted by Keith Warner on Sunday morning to fill a spot which he is willing to do. Del Malec Del Malec, 4309 Grandview Way, Rohnert Park, had several questions including how many people are on the board and if there was a quorum at the meeting which met on the weekend to add board members. He also asked why there was a concern about fall ball. Gary Tatman Gary Tatman, 1028 Hawthorne Circle, Rohnert Park, stated he is the District 2 Commissioner for Babe Ruth Baseball which covers this area and is also a past president of the Bambino League and past board member of the Babe Ruth League. He said he worked with Katie Crump and the league has come through a lot of turmoil in the past few years. As commission and district representative, he makes sure the guidelines are followed which has always been done. He said he does not have a problem with the league as a commissioner. As a parent he feels that the whole league needs to be opened up so people can see that everything is open and the board is trying to better the league. He said he had concerns which he discussed with Mr. Warner and he feels the league is going in the right direction. He said he likes the idea of setting up a meeting with the board and the Youth Sports Committee. After discussion, a meeting with the Babe Ruth League board and the Commission's Youth Sports Committee was set for 6:30 p.m. on December 12 at the Community Center. Keith Warner Mr. Warner said he would like to assure the Commission that the League is moving ahead in a positive direction. SENIOR CENTER Chair Desmond, reported the Senior Center brought in over $1,000 in donations at their annual barbecue. SKATE PARK Chair Desmond advised she will contact an architect to see what the cost would be to provide a plan for the skate park the kids had designed. She stated the design was a simple plan and M Park had been suggested as a possible location. She said the kids are just looking for a place to skate where they won't be hassled. Discussion followed. MEMORIAL PLAQUE GUIDELINES Commissioners Allred and Griffin reported they had met to discuss guidelines for placing memorial plaques in parks. After some discussion, the Director reviewed the tentative guidelines which the committee suggested and he presented some additional suggestions which had come from Public Works. The Director said he -IN Page - 4 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes November 18, 1996 will put all the recommendations in writing for discussion at the Commission's December meeting. REPORTS FROM THE DIRECTOR OF RECREATION Monthly Reports Director Pekkain pointed some highlights on the Profit and Loss Report for the Sports Center and discussed the increase in memberships at the Sports Center. He informed the commission that approximately 14 new pieces of equipment are being added to the weight room. The equipment was purchased from Hub's Nautilus which has gone out of business. Some discussion followed on the Sports Center and Senior Center monthly reports. Community Award Director Pekkain said a recipient for the California Parks and Recreation Society community volunteer award has been selected. Malmgren Request The Director referred the Commission to the request from the Malmgren family to place a bench in memory of a family member on the path near Evergreen School. A copy of the letter is attached to the original copy of these minutes. The Commission discussed whether the requested site was on city or school property. The Director said he will follow up on the matter. Commissioner Griffin made a motion to approve the request if the site is within the city's jurisdiction since the request meets the committee's recommended qualifications discussed earlier. Commissioner Plaisted seconded the motion. Commissioner Plaisted asked if this request would also meet the guidelines the Public Works Department suggested. Discussion followed. The motion was approved by the following vote: AYES: (3) Commissioners Allred, Griffin and Desmond NOES: (1) Commission Plaisted Commissioner Plaisted stated he felt the bench should be concrete since wood benches do not hold up as well. Bambino Baseball Projects The Director said the Bambino Baseball League's projects are moving ahead and that the Al field has been re -sodded and the storage boxes will be installed. Automatic Doors Director Pekkain said assigning the priority of which buildings should have 10"%k automatic doors installed is being sent back to the committee looking into Page - 5 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes November 18, 1996 programs for people with disabilities. Commissioner Griffin asked if the City Council members will be part of the committee. The Director responded they will be included and all members of the committee will be notified. Request for Teen Activities Director Pekkain referred the Commission to Recreation Supervisor, Mary Hanlon's response to the request made by Celina Yong for a teen dance club. A copy of her memo is attached to the original copy of these minutes. The consensus of the Commission was that this is something that would have to be done by a private business and not by the city. The Director said he will follow up with the Recreation Supervisor Hanlon to see if the teens are expecting a response to their - request. Winter Activity Guide Director Pekkain asked if the commissioners had looked through the Winter Activity Guide which was published November 13. Commissioner Griffin asked if instead of including the activities for those with disabilities in the "General Information" section of the activity guide, could a separate section be added. The Director responded that this can be done in the next activity guide. Director's Vacation Director Pekkain advised he will be on vacation beginning November 22 through December 2. MATTERS FROM COMMISSIONERS Benefit Awareness Strategy for Marketing Recreation Activities Commissioner Plaisted said he has nothing to report at this time. Babe Ruth League Commissioner Allred said she has some concerns regarding some of the issues raised at tonight's meeting with how the Babe Ruth League could be perceived. The items she was concerned with were board members umpiring games, husband and wives serving on the board, and non-residents serving on the board. Discussion followed and the Director clarified that the Commission cannot dictate what the league can do. Commission Griffin said when the Youth Sports Committee meets with the board they can state how strongly the Commission feels about these items and also having open nominations for board members. Honeybee Park Commissioner Desmond said she has observed that the play equipment at Honeybee Park is not safe. She said he knows of one daycare operator who had a child break a leg although it was not reported. Director Pekkain said he will report this to the Public Works Department and ask them to check the equipment. Commissioner Desmond also said the hedge near the softball field at H Park attracts a large number of bees which swarm the play area. Discussion followed Page - 6 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes November 18, 1996 on whether it was bees or yellow jackets. The Director said this will also be referred to Public Works. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. to a regular meeting on Monday, December 16, at 7:30 p.m. to be held in the City Hall council chambers, 6750 Commerce Blvd. Chairman Secretary Page - 7