Loading...
1997/06/16 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutesr ROHNERT PARK PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES June 16, 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 7:42 p.m. with Commissioner Allred presiding and leading the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Present: (3) Commissioners Allred, Carlson, and Tatman Absent: (2) Commissioners Griffin and Stevens Also present for the entire meeting was Director of Recreation, James Pekkain. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Upon motion by Commissioner Tatman and second by Commissioner Carlson, the minutes of May 19, 1997, were unanimously approved as submitted. BAMBINO BASEBALL REQUEST Director Pekkain referred to the letter received from Rhonda Say, Rohnert Park Bambino Baseball League President, requesting that the baseball fields at Alicia and Colegio Vista Parks be closed effective June 23 to get ready for the state tournament the league is hosting July 11 through July 18. The league is also requesting permission to fence the perimeter of C-1 field and use of the area adjacent to the C-2 field for a "Cow Chip Bingo" fundraiser. A copy of the letter is attached to the original copy of these minutes. The Director stated that staff endorses the league's requests and advised the area the league would like to use for their fundraiser is school property and they would need to get permission from the school district. Discussion followed and Commissioner Tatman said he had been by the A Park field and observed one of the lights is down. The Director replied he had received a call that some of the lights were out and had reported the matter to Public Works, but he would drive by the field to look at the problem. Commissioner Carlson made a motion to recommend closing A-1 and C-1 fields for renovation prior to the state tournament and installation of a crowd control fence around the perimeter of the C-1 field for the tournament. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Tatman and unanimously approved. Page - 1 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes June 16, 1997 ALL BUSINESS WOMEN'S SOFTBALL TEAM REQUEST Raquel Guinn, 848 Lunar Court, Rohnert Park, and Theresa Smith, 1215 Eric Lane, Rohnert Park, representing the Rohnert Park All Business Women's Softball Team, appeared before the commission requesting community funds to defray costs for their team to travel to a National Championship Tournament in Steamboat Springs, CO. See copy of request attached to the original copy of these minutes. Ms. Guinn said the team recently qualified to go to the tournament by winning two qualifying tournaments. She said of 14; players on the team, all but two live in Rohnert Park. The team has been playing together for the last seven years and has been active in the community coaching youth sports, etc. Ms. Smith said it would be nice to be able to represent the City of Rohnert Park. Commissioner Allred asked why the team does not play in a Rohnert Park league, and Ms. Guinn said they did not know there was a league in Rohnert Park in which a team of their level could play. She said they play in leagues in Santa Rosa and Petaluma and would love to play in Rohnert Park next year if there is a league available. Discussion followed on the rules for adult teams qualifying for community funds. Director Pekkain responded that teams can qualify, not individual adults. He said he would recommend community funds in the amount of $300 since a recent application from the Rancho Cotate High School Spirit Leaders was reduced to $300. Commissioner Tatman asked if the team had applied to other agencies for funds. Ms. Guinn said they are approaching Rohnert Park businesses first but are willing to solicit other agencies in Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa and Petaluma. Commissioner Tatman said due to recent cutbacks in the city, he feels that he could not recommend $500 but would like to recommend $300 in funding. Commissioner Carlson seconded the motion which was unanimously approved. Director Pekkain notified team representatives their request will be forwarded to the City Council for their approval. He recommended they contact the city manager's secretary to find out when this item will be scheduled on the City Council agenda. DAVID MADDAN David Maddan, 1182 Santa Cruz Way, was present to request community funds to offset the cost of his going to the Junior National Swim Championships in March. A copy of his request and letter is attached to the original copy of these minutes. He gave some of the background of qualifying and said he had placed 13th in the Page - 2 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes June 16, 1997 10M Western Junior Nationals and in the top 20 in the nation which qualified him to go to the long meet being held this summer in Clovis, CA. He said the Rohnert Park Swim Club had helped pay for some of his costs, but he had paid for the air fare, and the swim club is setting up a fund to save money for those traveling to national meets. Director Pekkain referred the commission to their copy of a letter from Kristina Guillory to the City Council also requesting community funds (copy of which is attached to the original copy of these minutes). An agenda for tonight's meeting and a Request for Community Funds form had been sent to Ms. Guillory. No response has been received. David Maddan said he thought Kristina might be ill. Commissioner Tatman asked what the policy regarding community funds for individuals has ben in the past. Director Pekkain said based on what the commission has given recently, the funds have gone to groups. When money was given in the past few years, the city had more funds. Commissioner Allred said not many swimmers make it this far and it takes much dedication. Discussion followed on if the money would be given to individuals or to the swim club. The Director said that since it is the individual swimmers requesting the funds, any monies approved would go to them. Commissioner Carlson made a motion to recommend giving $150 to each swimmer. Discussion followed concerning the fact that David was the only one who filled out the Request for Community Funds and was present at the meeting. Commissioner Carlson amended her motion to recommend $300 in funds be given to David Maddan, which was seconded by Commissioner Tatman and unanimously approved. Director Pekkain notified David this matter will go to the City Council for approval at the City Council meeting on June 24th. PEE WEE BASEBALL Director Pekkain referred the commission to a letter received from the Pee Wee Baseball League requesting installation of a phone in the snack shack at the A-2 field and installation of another baseball diamond. A copy of the letter is attached to the original copy of these minutes. The Director said he had spoken to a league representative about the phone and the matter has been resolved. He said he has some concerns about installation of another baseball diamond and the area requested is school property which the district would have to approve. A public hearing would also be required due to the close proximity to homes in the area. He recommended the Youth Sports Committee meet with the Pee Wee Board of Directors to brainstorm. If after meeting, a plan is agreed upon and the Page - 3 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes June 16, 1997 league has the money to expand they could meet with the school district. The commission concurred and the Director said he will set up a meeting. Commissioner Allred asked about the no smoking matter referred to in the letter. Director Pekkain said there is no city ordinance prohibiting smoking in the park. The school district does have a policy regarding smoking on school grounds, but no signs have been posted regarding this policy. Discussion followed regarding the appropriateness of smoking at youth games, and Commissioner Allred requested that this matter be placed on the Parks and Recreation Commission agenda for July. Director Pekkain said he do some investigating about city ordinances regarding smoking. SENIOR CENTER Director Pekkain said he had attended the spaghetti feed recently held at the Senior ROBERTSLAKE Center and encouraged the commissioners to attend some of their functions. MEMORIAL GROVE Director Pekkain informed the commission the bricks for the memorial walkway at Roberts Lake have been ordered, and Commissioner Tatman concurred that the project should be completed by the end of August. The Director said orders will be placed every two months and there will be information in the SCAN, the senior REPORTS FROM citizens' newsletter, and included in residents' utility bills. THE DIRECTOR OF RECREATION Monthly Reports Director Pekkain said the two month's membership special has been doing well. Some discussion followed. All other monthly reports were accepted without comment. American Legion Request The Director referred the commission to a letter received from the American Legion regarding the flag pole at the Community Center complex being moved. He said the pole is being moved because of an electrical problem and a large tree near the current site. The new location will be near the east entrance by the Performing Arts Center and the Community Center. After talking to the Public Works Department, he said the American Legion will not be able to put their plaque on the island as requested because eventually the island is being reduced in size to allow more traffic lanes. The plaque can be placed near the new installation of the flagpole and he will notify the American Legion. Recreation Facility Priority List Director Pekkain referred the commission to the revised Recreation Facility Priority List and said the outdoor 50 meter pool had been reinstated at the request of the City Council. -IN Page - 4 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes June 16, 1997 Golis Park Baseball inded the commission of the discussion they had at last Lights Director Pekkain rem month's meeting regarding the lights at Golis Park baseball field. He said after receiving some complaints about the lights, he checked and found teams practicing after 10 p.m. After talking to the president of the league, the lights will now go off at 10 p.m. 1997-98 Budget The Director advised the City Council is reviewing the 1997-98 budget this evening and again on June 23. He said the Recreation Department cut $67,000 out of its budget and all departments had made cuts. The City Council is considering reducing the city reserves from 101/6 to 8%. Budget reductions may affect the towel service at the Sports Center and conference funding. Disabilities Program Update Director Pekkain reported that Sarah Connelly, the Department's intern from San Francisco State University, finished up her report and is working with Frederick Coleman who is still waiting for funding for a grant he has applied for activities for adults with disabilities. Sarah also trained the summer camp staff on working with children with disabilities. M Park Development Director Pekkain reported the city is progressing on having M Park landscaping completed, along with planning for additional tennis courts and a restroom/storage area next to the tennis courts. California Interscholastic Federation Grant Director Pekkain reported the school district is applying for a grant from the California Interscholastic Federation for a Rancho Cotate High School project and has asked for the city's support. The Director said the city agreed to support the project if a storage shed would be included in the project which they agreed to. He has not received any other information. Recreation Program Updates Director Pekkain referred the commission to the fliers they had received tonight regarding youth sports for the summer and the swimming pool schedule. He reported that the summer day camps are also doing very well, four of the five camps offered are filled to the maximum for session 1. He reported the City Council will be endorsing a resolution naming July as Parks and Recreation Month. MATTERS FROM COMMISSIONERS Wildlife Viewing Due to Commissioner Griffin's absence this item was tabled until July. Page - 5 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes June 16, 1997 City Council Joint Meeting Director Pekkain reported that the City Council is asking for suggested dates for a joint meeting with the Commission. After some discussion on possible dates, the matter was tabled until July when all commissioners could be present. Mt. Shadows Middle School Field Commissioner Allred asked about flooding at the baseball field at the Mountain Shadows Middle School. The Babe Ruth League games had to be moved to Golis Park. The Director said he had not heard about the flooding. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m. to a regular meeting on Monday, July 21, at 7:30 p.m. to be held in the City Hall council chambers, 6750 Commerce Blvd.' Chairman Secretary Page - 6 1 "N .,*N