2003/12/01 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes�` ROHNERT PARK PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
December 1, 2003
The Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission met this date at 7:30 p.m. for workshop
session 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.
ROLL CALL Present: (7) Commissioners Bird, Butler, Carlson, Griffin, Hotaling,
Rogers, and Stevens
Absent: (0)
Also present for the meeting was Carl Leivo, City Manager, Finance Director, Sandy
Lipitz and Recreation Services Manager, Guy Miller.
UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCE/PUBLIC COMMENT
Correspondence was received from Bonnie Black, which is attached to these minutes.
OLD BUSINESS
Defining the Parks & Recreation Commission's Future Responsibilities —Commission Goals for
2004
Chair Stevens reviewed the goals established by the Commission.
City Manager Leivo said that he had been requested by the City Council to facilitate the
discussion and the City Council's goal for this meeting was to create a new ordinance
establishing the Powers and Duties of the Parks and Recreation Commission. Commissioner
Griffin stated that he did not think that was the City Council's direction. Manager Leivo stated
that the City Council wants input from the Commission instead of giving the Commission
direction. Commissioner Griffin feels that the Commission is doing a good job and any change is
not necessary.
Commissioner Stevens feels that parks and recreation is separate from social services and does
not want parks and recreation turned into a welfare system. Commissioner Rogers referred to a
statement made by Manager Miller at the previous meeting that the Recreation Department
already addresses a host of social issues which are now an integral part of the Recreation
Department's activities.
Commissioner Carlson feels that the decision to expand the duties of the Commission has
already been made. She emphasized the need for the Commission and likes the idea of another
Page 1
Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Workshop Minutes
December 1, 2003
Commission addressing social service issues. City Manager Leivo reminded the Commission "1
that the City Council combined the Commission on Youth and Families with the Parks and
Recreation Commission to deal with both parks and recreation and social issues. Commissioner
Stevens stated that Cultural Arts Commission is now separate from the Parks and Recreation
Commission and a separate human services commission makes sense. Commissioner Rogers
echoed Leivo's statement and feels that the council wants the Parks and Recreation to deal with
both areas.
Commissioner Hotaling feels the Commission needs to be more active and should set goals to
reflect this. She would like to leave the existing duties in place, but add more. Commissioner
Griffin feels that this can all be done under the Parks and Recreation Commission and sees no
reason to change.
General discussion followed concerning the necessity of standing committees.
City Manager Leivo requested that the Commissioners list on the board what contributions the
Parks and Recreation Commission feels they should make to the City. These suggested
contributions included:
• Advisory body to City Council
• Partnership with city staff, City Council, other city departments and commissions.
• Strategic Planning
• Success of city efforts -
General discussion followed.
City Manager Leivo then asked the Commission to list items that might be included in the scope
of their duties. Items suggested include:
• Recreation Services
• Social Services
• Facility and Grounds
• Park Safety
• Cultural Arts
• Marketing
• Sounding Board for the Public
• Community Events
• Advocate for Parks and Recreation
City Manager Leivo then asked the Commission to list the means of achieving their goals.
Suggested items include:
• Fundraising
• Volunteers
--�
• Utilization of other resources such as SSU, RCHS and Non -profits
Page 2
Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Workshop Minutes
December 1, 2003
• Goal Setting and Planning Committees
• Facility Tours and Inspections
• Budgeting
All Commissioners agreed on the Contributions, Scope, and Means listed on the board.
Commissioner Stevens stated he would like to meet with the Council to see what their feelings
are on Parks and Recreation and what the Council goals are for recreation. He doesn't feel a
partnership with the City Council at this time because many recreation and parks decisions have
been made without Commission input.
City Manager Leivo said he will do a staff check to see of these responsibilities are acceptable
under the existing ordinance and report back to the Commission.
Commissioner Stevens suggested the name of Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Commission. Commissioner Griffin feels a name change is not needed.
City Manager Leivo stated that the City has approximately $4.8M earmarked for the city hall
project, but the Council is exploring ways to reinvest the funds into revenue -generating facilities.
He requested the Commission list possible projects that might bring additional revenue into the
City. The suggestions include: It
�` • Indoor pool at the Sports Center
• Additional renovation at the Sports & Fitness Center (new equipment or aerobics rooms)
• Spray parks
• Club houses at the parks
• All weather fields (specifically soccer)
• Skate park*
• Batting cages*
• Snack bar*
*grouped in a single facility
• Community Center improvements (not defined)
• Performance venue
• Outdoor sports complex
• "Imagination" play area
• Bocce Ball
MATTERS FROM/FOR COMMISSIONERS
None
Page 3
Rohnert Park Parks and Recreation Commission Workshop Minutes
December 1, 2003
ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting was "1
adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
Chair Stevens
� 'I/ �- 1%,
G iller
Recreation Services Manager
"1
--1
Page 4
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION
(Suggestions for consideration from Bonnie Black)
I regret I can not attend tonight's meeting personally, but it's my turn to deal w/ the "RP
Virus" which has plagued our area for the past few weeks. As a regular at the Park and
Rec. Commission meetings for the past 2+ years, I can't help but have a few thoughts and
suggestions that I hope the Commission will find helpful and worthy of consideration.
• Most important: Whatever the Commission is called or how it's structured or
how well intended it is to be "action oriented" it has little point of existing unless
a commitment is made by the council to solicit and value the Commission's
recommendations.
• Standing Committees- Careful review of these committees will help define this
commission and it's role for the future. Several of the Committees listed on every
meeting agenda haven't had a report for as long as I have attended meetings and
may no longer be necessary. Some may just need to be revitalized bringing in the
human service element through what already exists (Ex. "Children and Families",
Sr. Ctr.). Some new ones such as Volunteer committee can be added.
• Volunteer Coordination — Consider a pilot project w/ a Celebrate our Parks Day
(aka cleanup and fix) in the Spring. (This would give an opportunity to try the
commission's hand at volunteer coordination AND event planning).
One "easy" thing to do to for volunteerism in RP is to bring back would be
Volunteer recognition from the City of RP. As recently as 2002? (maybe fall of
2001) The City had a program that solicited nominations of Vol. Of the Year,
Community Partnership awards etc.. Proclamations, plaques and public kudos
were offered at a council meeting. This relatively minor investment to encourage
such a huge return for the City should be brought back. This could be done
through this commission.
Events - As someone actively involved w/ staging community events in RP for
the past 15 years, I would encourage this commission not to underestimate the
time, talent, AND expense involved w/ staging community events. Community
events in RP are dying because of this. (Founder's Day, Parades, Crane Melon,
Chambers Oct. Fest., and probably now Spice Up the Night)
We have just lost the only outside venue in the City suitable for staging events w/
large crowds (stadium). Before establishing a committee to create events, this
commission and the city needs to establish suitable venues (incl. perimeter
control, restrooms, potable water, electricity, lighting)
10-N Respectively submitted by Bonnie L. Black 12/1/03