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1997/03/17 Parks and Recreation Commission MinutesROHNERT PARK PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES March 17, 1997 The Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission met this date at 7:30 p.m. for a r'egiidar meeting at the Rohnert Park city offices, 6750 Commerce Boulevard, Rohnert Park. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. with Vice Chair Stevens presiding and leading) the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Present: (3) Commissioners Allred, Stevens and Tatman Absent: (2) Commissioners Carlson and Griffin Also present for the entire meeting was Director of Recreation, James Pekkain. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Upon motion by Commissioner Allred and second by Commissioner Tatman, the minutes of February 24, 1997, were unanimously approved as submitted. ROBERTSLAKE MEMORIAL GROVE Commissioner Allred reported she had submitted a sample application to the Director that could be used to order an engraved memorial brick. The application will be part of the package that is being sent to the City Council for discussion at their March 26th meeting. Director Pekkain reviewed the fees that are being proposed for a memorial brick. Some discussion followed. REPORTS FROM THE DIRECTOR OF RECREATION Monthly Reports Director Pekkain said he did not have any highlights and asked if there were any questions regarding any of the monthly reports. Commissioner Stevens asked about the H Pool swim lessons indicated on the Community Center report. The Director said these were lifeguard and Saturday lessons that are being offered beginning in April. Commissioner Allred asked about drop in the Free Friday attendance from January to February as shown on the Sports Center monthly report. The Director responded that the high school night scheduled for February was cancelled and one of the Fridays conflicted with an activity at Creekside Middle School which affected the attendance. All other monthly reports were accepted without comment. Sports Center State- ment of Revenues some highlights from the report and how the Sports and Expenditures Director Pekkain pointed out Center Profit and Loss Statement was in the black. Page - 1 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes March 17, 1997 1996 Summary of Swim Pool Operations The Director discussed the $40,000 loss of revenue at the pools and said i4was partly due to some capital equipment purchased and also to a drop m a-ttendance., Vice Chair Stevens asked about the increase in payroll and benefits beginning in 1995. The Director responded that it was due to year round operation of H Pool and the change of the pool manager to permanent part time. Intern Projects Sarah Connelly, Recreation Department intern, updated the commission on the progress she has made on forming partnerships and collaborations with other non- profit groups to provide more activities for individuals with disabilities. She reported she attended some sessions at the recent California Parks and Recreation Society's conference which will be helpful to her. Some discussion followed. Soccer Use of Tennis Courts Director Pekkain appraised the commission on a recent informal policy which had been established regarding the use of tennis courts by soccer teams. Notices have been posted at the city parks notifying those using the courts for soccer that they must vacate any court within 30 minutes when tennis players are waiting. He advised this policy will be enforced by the Public Safety Department. M Park Softball Field Director Pekkain informed the commission that City Councilman Jim Reilly had requested the Recreation Department review the conversion of M Park softball field to a youth field due to problems which have occurred due to the proximity of the two fields. He said the department will monitoring the situation this year to see if the slats being installed at the youth field will help alleviate the problem. He reminded the commission the reason the conversion was not done was because of the month and a half delay it would cause before youth soccer could use the fields. He asked if any of the commissioners stop by the park, would they let him know what they observe. He advised this item will be put on the Commission's agenda for April and perhaps the Youth Committee can look at how it goes this year and come back with their recommendation for the field. Youth League Financial Reports After discussion, it was determined the Commission had not received copies of all the reports. This item will be reviewed again at the Commission's April meeting. CPRS Conference Director Pekkain reviewed the sessions he had attend at the California Parks and Recreation Society (CPRS) conference held the past week in Sacramento. He reported he had concentrated on the management sessions. Discussion followed. Park Activity The Director reported he had received a brief report from the Public Safety Department which reflected gang activity and graffiti were down. He said no Page - 2 0 01waill Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes March 17, 1997 records are kept of crime in the parks but was told it is at a minimum. At this time the Department does not have any way to track these statistics but may in the future when a new computer program is implemented. y Aquatics Fees Director Pekkain informed the Commission the proposed aquatics fees and schedule were approved by the City Council with one change. Admission fees for seniors were reduced to $1.25 from the $1.50 recommended. MATTERS FROM COMMISSIONERS CPRS Conference Each of the commissioners reviewed the sessions they had attended at the (,PRS conference. Commissioner Tatman said as a new commissioner he had concentrated on sessions which were geared for that group and also attended those pertaining to youth. He said he learned that a new group called the millennium made up of 6th- 1 Oth graders will be bigger than the "baby boomers." He said communities will see a big surge in this age group and recreation activities should be geared for them. He said he felt the conference was beneficial and he felt he will be more aware of the areas of need at the next conference. ^ Commissioner Allred summarized the sessions she had attended, including one called "Simply Better" which was about a self assessment system and "Build the Momentum." She relayed information about a "March for Parks" which is an awareness day to acquaint people about recreation that was held in the Sacramento area and other parts of the country. She said she was disappointed that the session "Using the Internet" was not held, instead there was someone answering questions instead of covering specifics. Overall, she said she preferred the shorter sessions and she felt the San Jose conference was the most educational one she had attended. W Vice Chair Stevens reported he had attended a session on partnerships and gave several examples of partnerships that were formed in Indiana by the speaker Leon Younger. He said he also attended a session on crime prevention which dealt with recreation programs for at -risk youth and gave several examples. Finally, he attended a session regarding seniors using tai chi and elastic bands for exercise. Discussion followed and the commissioners submitted literature they had received which they thought the Director might find helpful. Recreation Facility Priorities This item was tabled until the Commission's April meeting. Page - 3 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes March 17, 1997 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m. to a regular meeting on Monday, April 21, at 7:30 p.m. to be held in the City Hall council chambers, 6750 Commerce Blvd. Chairman tiJJAJ Secretary Page - 4