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1998/07/20 Parks and Recreation Commission MinutesCOUNCIL: 001-: ROHNERT PARK PARKS AND RECREATION July 20, 1998 MISCELLANEOUS 7:2y. COMMUNICATIONS AGENDA COPY TO: MINUTES 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 Stevens presiding and leading the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Present: (4) Commissioners Allred, Griffin, Stevens, and Tatman Absent: (1) Commissioner Carlson Also present for the entire meeting was Interim Director of Recreation, Ron Mikalis. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Upon motion by Commissioner Griffin and second by Commissioner Tatman, the minutes of the regular meetings of May 18 and June 15, 1998, were unanimously approved as submitted. SOCCER FIELD CONFIGURATION Bill Stevens, Public Works Manager, attended the Commission meeting to discuss a letter he had received from the Rohnert Park Youth Soccer League regarding the reconfiguration of several soccer fields. (A copy of the letter is attached to the original copy of these minutes.) Public Works Manager Stevens said he had some concerns regarding some of the changes because he felt there was not enough time to make the changes before practice begins in August. He said he had spoken to Becky Cohen and she agreed it is too late to make any major changes this year. Mr. Stevens said minor changes could be made as long as it does not require lengthening the fields or moving goal posts. Mr. Stevens recommended making the changes that could be done prior to start of the soccer season, and after some studies can be done, he will work with the league to make the other changes. Commissioner Griffin asked if the city now pays for putting up the goals and Public Works Director Stevens said yes. Commissioner Griffin stated that other city youth leagues pay for many of the improvements to the fields they use. He asked if there are other types of goals that do not have to be buried. Mr. Stevens said some that can be put in sleeves, but there are fields where the goals need to be buried for safety reasons. This would have to be studied, taking into consideration the configuration of the field. Chair Stevens asked if the request was made because of additional teams in these age groups. Public Works Director Stevens said he wasn't sure. He stated he Page - 1 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes July 20, 1998 doesn't have .4ny problems with the changes requested. They were just made too late in the year. Commissioner Tatman said he has some concerns regarding permanent goals because many fields are multi -use fields. He said he understood the city had just gone to the expense of putting corner markers at some fields and he would like to see the league share the costs of these changes. Public Works director Stevens said he league is willing to discuss sharing the costs. Commissioner Tatman asked about fees the league pays and how often the city lines the fields. Staff stated the league pays light fees each year of $450 and Public Works Director Stevens said the league has offered to line the fields and this has been discussed to determine how it could be done. The Public Works Director stated that this year the city will only be able to change the width of the fields. Changing the configuration or lengthening fields will be discussed with the league and changes could be done for the following year. The Commission discussed the possibility of having their Youth Sports Committee be part of the discussions held between Public Works and the Rohnert Park Youth Soccer League. Further discussion was held regarding the Youth Sports Committee attending a Youth Soccer League board meeting. Interim Director Mikalis agreed to contact Becky Cohen regarding the soccer league's next board meeting so that the Youth Committee could attend. COPELAND CREEK BIKE PATH Director Mikalis suggested this might be a good time to ask the Public Works Director about areas they had observed during their park and facility tour in June which included the path adjacent to Copeland Creek. Director Stevens reported that repaving the bike path is going out to bid. He explained the Sonoma County Flood Control Agency has an agreement to come in to clear silt from the creeks and part of the agreement is that the city will repair the blacktop that is damaged by the large trucks coming and going. At the City Council's request he is looking at reducing silt which would help alleviate the problem. ROBERTS LAKE Director Stevens said work to reduce the erosion around the lake should begin next week including the area near the brick memorial. He noted rip -rap will be placed in graduated sizes to help eliminate problems at the shoreline and work will begin as soon as the budget is approved and funds are available. Page - 2 --S, Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes July 20, 1998 A PARK PLAY EQUIPMENT Commissioner Tatman said the play equipment at Alicia Park has been there since he was a kid and asked about upgrading. He asked if the merry-go-round is still considered safe because he knows it is very popular with the kids. Director Stevens said Public Works employees do check the safety of play equipment in the parks. Discussion followed. Interim Director Mikalis stated that beginning in January all playground equipment will have to be inspected by a certified playground inspector. This will include private and public play grounds with the only exception being school equipment. He said the California Parks and Recreation Society (CPRS) has offered some seminars to certify inspectors and will be offering more in the next year. Some discussion followed and Director Stevens stated that the city will have personnel who are certified. SCHOOL FENCING Commissioner Griffin asked about the fencing of school grounds. Director Stevens said this is a matter that has been discussed by city and school district personnel. AQUATICS Chair Stevens said the high diving board at B Pool is missing. Apparently it was removed for repairs and has been down for a couple of weeks. He asked Interim Director Mikalis to check with the Guy Miller, Recreation Supervisor, to find out when it will be back in operation. Chair Stevens asked if Alicia Pool was back in operation. Interim Director Mikalis advised the pool had been closed for a few days due to an electrical problem that the PG&E was having but is now open. REPORTS FROM THE DIRECTOR OF RECREATION Monthly Reports The monthly reports for the Community Center, Sports Center, or Senior Center we accepted without comment. Recruitment for Recreation Director Director Mikalis reported that new announcements have gone out and a new director should be hired by October 1998. Summer Lunch Program Interim Director Mikalis advised the summer lunch program was proposed by Vice Mayor Martinez for areas in Rohnert Park that qualify. The two areas that qualified were John Reed School and Waldo Rohnert School. The program has been implemented at the Boys and Girls Club. Over 800 flyers went out Page - 3 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes July 20, 1998 advertising the lunch program and they now are serving approximately 100 meals a day. A Child's Portion Director Mikalis explained this is a program for children between the ages of 2 and 6 years. The City Council has allocated $12,000 a year to start this program which will provide $25 worth of food each month to families that qualify. The program will be done at the Community Center and information will be sent with the utility bills. America's Promise Grant The Director explained this is a grant for $10,000 to be used for the Free Friday program, and he will let them know if the grant is approved. M Park Soccer Fields The Director referred the Commission to a memo from the City Engineer, Joe Gaffney, regarding the work at M Park that began June 29th and had been delayed due to the weather. A copy of the memo is attached to the original copy of these minutes. Brick Memorial Update Department Secretary, Jan Geffre, reported the Recreation Department is now ordering the engraved bricks for the Roberts Lake Brick Memorial from McNear Brick in San Rafael due to problems encountered with Engravestone in Texas. Bricks should now be received in a more timely manner. MATTERS FROM OR FOR COMMISSIONERS Policy for Outdoor Facilities Interim Director Mikalis recommended that the city formulate a policy regarding the use of outdoor facilities. He explained he has information from other cities regarding their fees and policies. Currently, the city charges as little as $5 to reserve picnic areas and he recommended reviewing the current charges and policies for picnic areas as well as tennis courts, open areas, fields, etc. The Director recommended that an ad hoc committee be formed to meet and discuss this item to bring recommendations back to the entire Commission. Discussion ensued, during which it was agreed that Commissioners Griffin and Stevens would serve on the ad hoc committee. Policy for Naming Parks and Facilities Interim Director Mikalis advised the City does not have a policy for naming parks and facilities and he would like to form a policy to have in place when requests are received. Page - 4 Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes July 20, 1998 He recommended another ad hoc committee be formed to meet and discuss this item to bring recommendations back to the entire Commission. Following discussion, Commissioners Allred and Tatman agreed to serve on the ad hoc committee. The Director said he will check with other cities as well as the California Parks and Recreation Society for policies adopted by other cities that the committee can review. Land by Stadium Chair Stevens advised he had met with the City Engineer, Joe Gaffney, regarding land by the stadium and learned that the parcel is about 24 acres. Mr. Gaffney informed him that someone is looking into building a golf facility on the land next to the stadium. He said the stadium takes about 5 acres of land not including the land used for parking. Buffer Area The Director reported there is a 25 acre buffer area north of Holly Avenue and the land could be used for a park. Commissioner Tatman said there are many regulations on the types of activities that can be utilized on this type of separator. Some discussion followed. 1998-99 Budget The Commission briefly discussed the upcoming budget and Interim Director Mikalis advised that budget sessions are scheduled for the end of this week and the budget may be approved by next week. Director's Vacation Interim Director Mikalis advised he will be on vacation on August 17th when the next Commission meeting is scheduled. Discussion followed regarding a Recreation Supervisor attending the meeting in his absence or rescheduling the meeting a week later on August 24th. The Commission agreed to meet on August 24th. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. to an adjourned meeting on August 24th at 7:30 p.m. in the city council chambers at City Hall, 6750 Commerce Boulevard. Chairman Secretary Interim Director of Recreation Page - 5