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1997/09/15 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes-oft, ROHNERT PARK PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES September 15, 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: (4) Commissioners Carlson, Griffin, Stevens, and Tatman Absent: (1) Commissioner Allred 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 August 18, 1997, were unanimously approved as submitted. SKATE PARK Staff Report Director Pekkain presented a staff report on the public hearing held on September 1 Oth regarding the proposed skate park located in Golis Park. A copy of the report is attached to the original copy of these minutes. At the conclusion of the report the Director referred to a map of Honeybee Park (H-Park) pointing out an alternate site which could be considered for the skate park. Public Comments Chair Griffin opened the meeting to receive public comments at approximately 7:40 p.m. Public comments related to the construction of a flat skate park in Golis Park were submitted on speaker cards or other written and/or verbal communications expressing support or opposition by citizens as follows: Gary Lieberman, 1503 Gretchen Court - OPPOSE Jeanette Wilson, 1509 Golf Course Drive - OPPOSE Stephen Starr, 1380 Graymill Court - OPPOSE Ben Condon, 4313 Grace Court - SUPPORT Kelly Warrender, 1456 Garrett Court - SUPPORT Guy Parsons, 1376 Graymill Court - OPPOSE Jonathan Clegg, 4584 Heath Circle - SUPPORT Justin Hurst, no address submitted - SUPPORT Adam DeLaMontanya, 7076 Avenida Cala - SUPPORT (at a more central location) Bryan Dawkins, 1313 Southwest Blvd. - SUPPORT Page - 1 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes September 15, 1997 Chris Starr, 1380 Graymill Court - OPPOSE Several of the speakers said they supported building a skate park but felt that Golis Park was not a suitable location. Ad Hoc Commission Skate Park Committee member, Elizabeth Desmond, spoke to clarify some of the public comments made. She stated she did not think parking would be a problem because most youngsters using the park would get there on their own or be dropped off because most don't drive. She said she had not observed many cars at either skate park in Santa Rosa or Petaluma when she visited those parks. She said one of the reasons that Honeybee Park was not considered by the committee was they did not believe that there was an area that would be as visible as the area proposed at Golis Park. She said wax would be permitted on the curbs and safety equipment would be required. The park would have a skating traffic pattern which would eliminate some of the problems that had occurred at the Petaluma skate park. She reported the kids have been asking for a park for quite awhile and she thinks we need to listen to them. There being no one further desiring to speak, Chair Griffin closed the public comment portion of the meeting at approximately 8:10 p.m. Commission Recommendation Commissioner Stevens stated he did not know all the possible locations originally suggested for a skate park, but his original choice was for Benicia Park. He said he agreed with the requests for a more centralized location. Director Pekkain clarified use of H-Park. He said the designs discussed when a park was first being planned were for a different, larger type of park and not the smaller, flat skate park now being proposed. The park would be approximately 5,000 square feet which could be built at H-Park. An audience member asked if the area at G-Park would remain open space if the skate park is not built. The Director said the area would remain open. He advised the center that was in the original plans for the park was eliminated as a compromise when the baseball field was lighted. Commissioner Stevens said he did not think the location near the public safety building was a good idea. Commissioner Carlson said she agreed that a park should be built since the kids have been asking for a park for quite awhile, but she does understand the G- Section residents' concerns. She said she is willing to look at the H-Park location because the houses are not located as close to the park. She said she is also concerned about safety issues and graffiti. Page - 2 ION Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes September 15, 1997 Commissioner Tatman said he does not like the B-Park location because the area available is not visible enough. He also said that B-Park has had some gang problems which could be increased by adding another activity which would mean more people for the police to monitor. He said G-Park is his number -one choice, but he would be willing to consider H-Park if all the details can be worked out. He said H-Park has good access and the homes are not located as close to the area being considered. He said he does not see a conflict with the swim center. Commissioner Griffin said he lives in the G-Section and still likes G-Park as a possible site for the skate park. He said he feels the Commission does have an obligation to look at all possible sites. Commissioner Stevens asked if the basketball courts at H-Park are lighted and would this increase the time of use of the skate park. The Director said the skate park was close to the basketball courts and could probably be used until 10 p.m. although the timing for the lights can be adjusted. Steven Starr asked if B-Park is not an ideal location because of poor visibility, would the Commission expect the neighbors to keep an eye out for any problems at G-Park? Commissioner Stevens said when he lived near B-Park, the neighbors did monitor the park and keep in contact with the police regarding any problems. ^ Mr. Starr said he does not mind policing the neighborhood and park but did not feel the neighbors should be expected to monitor the skate park for problems. Adam DeLaMontanya asked about the unfinished area at M-Park near the tennis courts. The Director responded that a soccer field and four additional tennis courts are going to be built in that area. Commissioner Carlson made a motion that the Commission look into the possibility of building a skate park at the location discussed in H-Park. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Stevens and unanimously approved. Further discussion was held about the possibility of converting the old tennis courts at Rancho Cotate High School into a skate park, which would have to be approved by the school district, and the committee's original plan which was to place a skate park at several different parks within the city. Gary Lieberman asked if smaller parks could be built at different parks throughout the city now rather than just the one being discussed at this time. The Director stated this park has already been reduced to as small a park as would be feasible. Kelly Warrender said she would like to see the city build a park at either G-Park or ^ H-Park as a first site and then pursue further sites. Page - 3 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes September 15, 1997 After discussion, the Commission set a public hearing to review locating a skate park in Honeybee Park for their next Commission meeting on October 20 to begin at 7 p.m. to accommodate the youth who wished to attend on a school night. Some further discussion followed regarding commercially built skate parks. The Director stated the city did have a facility located on the west side of the freeway in the late 70's which lasted about three years. PEE WEE BASEBALL Director Pekkain said he has not heard from the Pee Wee Baseball board of directors regarding installation of a phone fine in the A-2 field snack shack, and he had nothing further to report. ROBERTSLAKE MEMORIAL GROVE UPDATE Director Pekkain referred the Commission to his report to the city manager regarding the status of the Roberts Lake Memorial Grove. A copy of the report is attached to the original copy of these minutes. Commissioner Tatman reported the brick -work is finished and it turned out nice. He said he had some recommendations to put a small fence around the memorial area and to put some rocks around the area to keep the ducks off. Director Pekkain thanked Commissioner Tatman for all the work he donated to the project. He said the engraved bricks are tentatively expected to arrive at the end of September. REPORTS FROM THE DIRECTOR OF RECREATION Monthly Reports Director Pekkain presented highlights from the August recreation facilities monthly reports as follows: the Senior Center collected a little over $4,000; and total fees collected at the Community Center were over $24,000 for recreation department activities. Sports Center Profit and Loss Statement Director Pekkain informed the Commission he did not have a profit and loss statement this month for the Sports Center. D-Park Tennis Wall The Director said he had been notified by the Public Works Department that the tennis wall located at Dorotea Park is rotting and some complaints have been received about kids hanging around behind the wall. Public Works has suggested removing the wall. If the Commission agrees, the Director suggested having a public hearing to get input from the neighbors. ''1 Page - 4 r Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes September 15, 1997 Commissioner Carlson said she lives in the D-Section and she uses the wall for tennis and sees other people using it. The Director responded that since the wall is used, he will recommend to Public Works that no action be taken. No Smoking Rules for Parks Due to the absence of Commissioner Allred, Director Pekkain tabled this item until the Commission's October meeting. City Council Joint Meeting Director Pekkain reminded the Commission of their combined meeting with the city council on September 25th at 6:30 p.m. at Mountain Shadows Golf Course. Recreation Program Update Director Pekkain reviewed several upcoming programs being offered by the Recreation Department including the excursion to the San Francisco Giants baseball game on September 27th, fall softball leagues beginning in September, and the youth tennis and flag football programs beginning September 22 & 23. Rohnert Park Summit Director Pekkain reviewed the upcoming Rohnert Park Summit being planned in October by the City of Rohnert Park, the Chamber of Commerce, The Cotati- Rohnert Park Unified School District, and Sonoma State University. A copy of the information is attached to the original copy of these minutes. The Director suggested the Commissioners may wish to attend. This event is being coordinated by the assistant city manager. MATTERS FROM COMMISSIONERS Agenda Items for Joint City Council Meeting The Commission discussed the following agenda items for their joint meeting with the City Council scheduled for September 25: update on status of recruitment of the new recreation director; skate park at Rancho Cotate High School and possibility of purchasing that site from school district; skate park in general including any sites the city might be interested in purchasing; use of Creekside Middle School play fields; review recreation facilities priority list; and finding funds to complete park plans. The Director stated the economic and vitality of the city will be discussed at the Summit in October. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Stevens and Tatman that the meeting be adjourned at 9:05 p.m. to an adjourned Page - 5 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes September 15, 1997 Chairman Secretary meeting on Thursday, September 25, at 6:30 p.m. for a joint meeting with the City Council at the Mountain Shadows Golf Course, 100 Golf Course Drive. Page - 6 --IN