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1997/08/18 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes/'k ROHNERT PARK PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES August 18, 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 Chairman 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 Commissioner Carlson referred to page 1 of the July 21 st minutes under "Roll Call" should be corrected to indicate only 1 commissioner was absent. Upon motion by Commissioner Carlson and second by Commissioner Allred, the minutes of July 21, 1997, were unanimously approved as amended. PEE WEE BASEBALL Commissioner Tatman recapped the Youth Sports Committee's meeting with the Pee Wee Baseball League's outgoing and incoming presidents and one board member. The Committee discouraged the league from building another field adjacent to the current field they use behind John Reed School due to the difficulty in getting the school district and neighbors to agree to a new field at that location. The board members concurred, but indicated they will proceed with installation of a telephone in the snack bar as well as some miscellaneous improvements around the snack bar. League representatives stated they will be making a list of the improvements they wish to make and will submit them to the city for its approval. The league is also considering lowering their fees for next year to use some of the reserves they have accumulated, and the league will not be doing a fund raiser next year. Commissioner Griffin stated he would rather see some improvements by the league since the families that paid higher fees to the league will not benefit. Commissioner Tatman stated many different things were talked about, but because the league only uses one field, they have no other improvements to make except those stated earlier. He said the league has considered many suggestions, but some of the reserve will be spent to make the improvements to the snack bar. SENIOR CENTER Director Pekkain passed around some press releases of events the Senior Center will be offering. Page - 1 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes August 18, 1997 BICYCLE COMMITTEE ROBERTS LAKE MEMORIAL GROVE Commissioner Griffin stated he attended the last Bicycle Committee meeting but had nothing specific to report. Commissioner Tatman reported the concrete for the grove is being installed tomorrow and the walkway should be completed sometime by the end of the week. Director Pekkain said the first order of engraved bricks and the engraved center piece should arrive within a month depending on the UPS strike. He advised when the brick walkway is completed, there will be a dedication ceremony with the City Council and Parks and Recreation Commission invited as well as those who have ordered bricks. Some discussion followed on the pathway around the memorial. The Director said the area surrounding the memorial will be cleaned up. SKATE PARK Director Pekkain summarized the minutes of the skate park meeting held on July 31. A copy of the minutes is attached to the original copy of these minutes. The Director said the City Manager would like to put this item on next Tuesday's City Council agenda. Elizabeth Desmond, ad hoc committee member, reviewed the plan suggested by the group attending the July 31st meeting. See copy attached to the original copy of these minutes. Discussion followed on the square footage required. The Director referred to the Golis Park map and pointed out the area being considered which is 60' x 40'. Discussion continued on size and having the youths look at the in -line skate rink at Golis Park to help determine the dimensions. The Commission discussed the use of concrete and how it will hold up in the adobe soil. Commissioner Tatman responded that a flat area would not be a problem. Mrs. Desmond agreed to talk to the youths involved to get the dimensions by Wednesday or Thursday for the City Council meeting. Discussion followed on the length of the curbs which will affect the cost of the park. Commissioner Allred asked if there will be a fence around the park or curbs. Ms. Desmond responded that neither are planned. Commissioner Allred suggested placing the curbs in the plan around the edge of the park which would help the traffic pattern. The commission agreed this might be a good solution. Commissioner Stevens made a motion to recommend approval of the park design as submitted by the Committee, placing the park in Golis Park and scheduling a public hearing at the Community Center on September 1 Oth to get additional input Page - 2 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes August 18, 1997 from the community. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Allred and unanimously approved. Director Pekkain advised that he had received a notice amending the bill covering skateboarding as a hazardous recreational activity, AB 1296, which added some additional conditions. A copy of the amendments is attached to the original copy of these minutes. He advised he will forward a copy of the amendments to the City Council along with the Commission's recommendation. REPORTS FROM THE DIRECTOR OF RECREATION Monthly Reports Director Pekkain presented highlights from the July recreation facilities monthly reports as follows: the Sports Center attendance in the weight training room increased over last year by 25%; the Senior Center collected a total of $4,298; and total fees collected at the Community Center were $42,889. Commissioner Carlson asked about revenue from the city's swimming pools. The Director advised this report is prepared at the end of the year by the city's finance department. Sports Center Profit and Loss Statement Director Pekkain reviewed the Sports Center Profit and Loss Report indicating revenues have increased over the previous year by 57% and the Sports Center recouped 111 % of the costs of running the Center. Rohnert Park Tennis Club Donation The Director advised the Rohnert Park Tennis Club recently donated three benches to the community for the Sunrise Park tennis courts at a cost of $825. No Smoking Rules for Parks Director Pekkain tabled this item until the Commission's September meeting. Director of Recreation's Retirement The Director advised his official retirement date from the City is December 27, but with vacation time, his last day of work will be November 26. He advised he will keep the Commission appraised regarding filling his position. Some discussion followed. Babe Ruth League's Tournament Request The Director advised he had received a letter from the Rohnert Park Babe Ruth League requesting permission to host a baseball tournament for 15 year olds in 1998. The league has hosted the tournament in the past with no problems. He asked if any commissioners had any comments. No comments were made. Fall Activity Guide The Director asked if the all the commissioners had received the Recreation Department's fall activity guide which was published August 12th. Discussion followed on some of the highlights in the brochure including the California Parks Page - 3 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes August 18, 1997 and Recreation Society statement on page three, the brick memorial application, an '011.1 ad for the Performing Arts Center, and dates for Free Fridays starting in September. MATTERS FROM COMMISSIONERS Indoor Pool Commissioner Stevens advised he had visited an indoor pool in Utah and discussed how the construction was financed through bonds. Some discussion followed including the differences between using bonds for financing in California and Utah. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Stevens and Tatman that the meeting be adjourned at 8:20 p.m. to an adjourned meeting on Wednesday, September 10, at 7:00 p.m. for a Skate Park public hearing at the Community Center, 5401 Snyder Lane. Chairman Secretary Page - 4