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1997/05/19 Parks and Recreation Commission MinutesI� ROHNERT PARK PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES May 19, 1997 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 Griffin presiding and leading the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL —CALL Present: (5) Commissioners Allred, Carlson, Griffin, Stevens and Tatman Also present for the entire meeting was Director of Recreation, James Pekkain. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chair Griffin referred to the minutes of April 21, page 1, paragraph 2 under "Roberts Lake Memorial Grove" which should be corrected to read "...the square design was chosen because it would not require as many 'cut' bricks as would a circular design." Upon motion by Commissioner Allred and second by Commissioner Tatman, the minutes of April 21, 1997, were unanimously approved as amended. PEE WEE BOARD MEETING Commissioner Tatman reported he had met with the Pee Wee Baseball board and assured them that there were no problems, but the Commission was curious why the league carried such a large balance. He was told the money was in the treasury when the current board took office. They informed him it costs the league $43.80 per player and families are charged $40 for the first child, $30 for the second and $20 for the third. The league does a fundraiser each year which raises a substantial amount of money, and the board has thought about discontinuing the fundraiser. Commissioner Tatman said he suggested the league might look into reducing the fees which they agreed to consider. They do have two projects they would like to do. One is to put a telephone in the snack bar which would not be accessible to the public. Currently if they have a problem, they have to rely on someone having a cell phone or someone has to run down to the snack bar at the Al field to use that phone. The league is willing to pay the costs of installing the phone. Director Pekkain indicated if the league is willing to pay the installation fee and the monthly costs, they can write a letter requesting permission. Discussion followed. Commissioner Tatman said the second project the league would like to do is to put another skinned field on the northeast corner of the property along Santa Alicia Drive. The Director responded saying he did not see the need for another skinned Page - 1 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes May 19, 1997 field and it could cause problems with the residents adjacent to the field. After further discussion, the Director suggested the league write a letter requesting the additional field and it could be looked into further. Commissioner Allred said she would like to see the fees reduced because many families have trouble coming up with the money. Commissioner Tatman said he suggested that the board submit a letter with their requests and the city will review them. SENIOR CENTER Director Pekkain passed out a couple of fliers for upcoming activities at the Senior Center. ROBERTSLAKE MEMORIAL GROVE Commissioner Griffin reported the committee had met and determined which tree would be removed from the site of the memorial. Commissioner Tatman said the city should be receiving a packet of information from the engraving company that contains all the necessary paperwork to begin ordering the bricks. He said the bricks would be delivered to the corporation yard and Director Pekkain would be generating the purchase order. Both Commissioner Griffin and Director Pekkain said they would follow up with the company. Director Pekkain said he had been assured the photograph announcing the Memorial Grove would be printed in the Wednesday, May 21, edition of the Community Voice. He referred the commission to the "Application Procedures for Acquiring an Engraved Brick" and the application form for their comments or changes. After discussion, Commissioner Allred made a motion to approve the "Application Procedures for Acquiring an Engraved Brick" and the application form. The REPORTS FROM motion was seconded by Commissioner Stevens and unanimously approved. THE DIRECTOR OF RECREATION Monthly Reports Director Pekkain pointed out that Sports Center single one month memberships were up to 168 compared to 118 the previous year. All other monthly reports were accepted without comment. Sports Center Profit and Loss Statement Director Pekkain pointed out some highlights on the Sports Center Profit and Loss Report for the period ending March 31, 1997. A copy of report is attached to the original copy of these minutes. Page - 2 -'1 "1 Q0 I Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes May 19, 1997 Annual Report Director Pekkain noted he had included this item on the agenda at the commission's request. He asked if there were any comments. No one had any comments to offer. Recreation Facility Priority List Director Pekkain referred to the revised Recreation Facility Priority List and asked if there were any questions (see copy attached to the original copy of these minutes). Commissioner Carlson asked about numbers 5 and 7 thinking that one of them should be for lighted tennis courts. Director Pekkain clarified that #7 was for 2 more additional day -use courts. Some discussion followed. Golis Park Baseball Lights Director Pekkain said he had made a decision to extend the light schedule at Golis Park baseball field from 9:45 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. for field maintenance. This would be re-evaluated if any complaints are received. The only complaint he has received was from a neighbor regarding a spectator honking his horn. He has spoken to the league president who said the league will follow up about the problem. Commissioner Tatman said he felt it should be noted and the league notified that games must end no later than 10 p.m. The time beyond that is for field maintenance only. Director Pekkain said he had relayed that to the league president. Recreation Program Updates Director Pekkain pointed out the updated Community Center color brochures which he had passed out to the commission. He also announced that approximately 4,000 youths had attended Free Fridays this year, averaging around 200 per evening. He notified the commission that the Recreation Department will be sponsoring a trip to see the San Francisco Giants on September 27, and Creekside Middle School is renting the Sports Center for a two day event. The Director asked if all the commissioners had received their summer activity guide. Commissioner Allred mentioned the flotation devices shown on the front cover which are not allowed at city pools. The Director said Recreation Supervisor Guy Miller had sent a press release to the Community Voice pointing out the problem. Discussion followed. The Director also passed out a booklet regarding programs for people with disabilities which had been prepared by Sarah Connelly, the department's intern from San Francisco State University. He reviewed some of her recommendations and said copies would be forwarded to the City Council for their review. Page - 31 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes May 19, 1997 MATTERS FROM COMMISSIONERS Wildlife Viewing Commissioner Griffin said he has some information on Wildlife Viewing which he will pass on to the Director. Director Pekkain said he had checked with the city engineer who confirmed it is very difficult to get signs on the Highway 101. Bambino Baseball Tournament Commissioner Tatman reminded the commission that the Bambino Baseball League is hosting a state tournament in Rohnert Park in July. Two divisions, major and minor, will be playing and will encompass 22teams. The league needs to use another site and would like to use the C 1 field at Colegio Vista Park. They would like to put up a temporary fence in the outfield and would like to know the next step the league should follow. Director Pekkain said they should follow the same steps they did to get approval to host the tournament as well as provide the necessary liability insurance covering the City as an additional insured. Commissioner Tatman said the league may also wish to erect some type of fence around the grandstands and concession stand since admission will be charged to the games. The Director said if the league is thinking about some type of permanent fence, '1 they need to get something to him as soon as possible. A temporary fence must be - flexible enough so players running to catch a fly ball and hitting the fence are not hurt. He did not think any type of permanent fence would be approved nor could it be installed without a warning track because the city would be liable for any injuries which might occur. Commissioner Tatman said he will notify the league. Some discussion followed. The Director said he will follow up with the city manager as soon as he gets a letter from the league. The commission concurred. Skateboard Problems Commissioner Allred said she was concerned about kids skateboarding in the stands at the Golis Park baseball field which her husband had observed. The Director said he has not received any other reports, and Commissioner Griffin, who coaches in the league, said he has not observed any skateboarding in the stands. Discussion followed and Director Pekkain said he will take look at the park and will also talk to the Babe Ruth president. New Soccer League Commissioner Stevens reported he had heard about a meeting recently held in Rohnert Park by Zeimer Brothers Soccer regarding the formation of a more advanced soccer league for high school aged teens. Apparently approximately 300 people attended the meeting. He said the group may be approaching the city about use of soccer fields. Director Pekkain said he had not heard about the league. Page - 4 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes May 19. 1997 Golis Park Storage Shed Commissioner Griffin said that during a game at Golis Park he had observed kids on top of the storage shed that the Girls Softball League had installed. Due to the height of the shed, he suggested contacting the league for follow up with coaches before someone gets hurt. The Director said he would speak to the league president. Open Land Director Pekkain informed the commission that the city has been approached to see if it is interested in using the open area north of Rohnert Park. He said he indicated that the city would be interested in using the land for athletic fields. No money is available for development, but he wanted the commission to be informed in case they hear anything. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m. to a regular meeting on Monday, May 19, at 7:30 p.m. to be held in the City Hall council chambers, 6750 Commerce Blvd. Chairman Secretary Page - 5