2001/02/26 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutesr JOINT MEETING
BETWEEN
COMMUNITY OUTREACH FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES COMMISSION
AND
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Monday, February 26, 2001
Rohnert Park City Offices
MINUTES
The meeting was called to order by D. Cohen, Chair of Parks and Recreation
Commission, at 6:35 p.m. and introductions were made. D. Cohen served as chair
of the meeting.
C.O.Y.F. Members Present:
L. Bagwell, M. Rogers, A. Kinsey-Goldy, L. Heanue, P. Stafford
P&R Commission Members Present:
D. Cohen, G. Tatman, G. Carlson, J. Stevens, J. Griffin.
Staff Present:
T. Barry, K. VanderVennet, R. Lefkowitz, J. Hartnett, A. Houseman
Others Present:
Carnie Tucker
Upcoming Projects
2. "The Vision " Teen Center- J. Hartnett and A. Houseman reported on the progress
toward remodeling and opening the new Teen Center located on City Hall Drive
in the old PAL building. Anticipated opening date is the first week of April.
Commissioners asked questions and discussed security, staffing, training,
admission fees and A.S.B. cards, and types of programming. The Center will be
for resident high school teens only, except for the larger events that charge
admission. I.D.'s will be checked at the door of such events.
3. Benecia Park Youth Center- J. Hartnett reported that the remodeling project is due
to go out to bid March 27a'. He described the scope and timeline of construction,
counting on a Fall 2001 opening of this Center, which is designed for middle
school aged youth. Commissioners and staff discussed the anticipated programs
and annual fees that will be implemented for participants. After discussions with
the Boys and Girls Club officials, it was determined last year that the Recreation
Department will operate the program, which will cost about $50,000 per year to
�.� operate. It will operate during the school year only, and Recreation Department
Summer Day Camp will occupy the building during the summer.
4. Skateboard Park- T. Barry and D. Cohen reported on efforts by the Parks and
Recreation Commission and staff to establish a skateboard park in Rohnert Park.
They discussed the search for an appropriate site, with the known constraints. T.
Barry indicated that, if the priority for this project is high enough, funding could
be available through the California Park Bond Act of 2000 funding, passed by
voters in March, 2000. About $450,000 will be available to the city in grant funds
for parks and recreation projects. Once the site search is completed, a report with
the Commission's recommendations will be presented to the City Council.
New City Library- T. Barry indicated that the new library will be constructed this
next year on City Hall Drive. The library will be a resource for people of all ages
and should be looked upon as a programming partner for our youth programs in
the future.
After -School Recreation and Child Care Available
6. C.O. Y.F. Commission Goals- K. VanderVennet and R. Leflcowitz described the
goals of C.O.Y.F. to be 1) After -school activities for all youth, k-8I' grade, 2)
Recreation buildings in every park situated adjacent to a school, and 3) A
centrally located "One Stop Shop" for needed social services (established in Feb.,
2000). R. Leflcowitz said the Outreach office has been operating for the past 10
years and has moved three times until reaching it's current location. The group
discussed the goals and ongoing and coordinated efforts to achieve them.
7. Recreation Department Plans- A. Houseman described current after -school and
camp programs for elementary aged children. I Hartnett described the desire to
develop after -school programs at school sites not served by the Y.M.C.A.
Childcare Program, such as La Fiesta, Reed and Waldo Rohnert schools.
C.O.Y.F. commissioners agreed that the on -site programs would be the most
effective to avoid transportation and cost barriers, and encouraged the Recreation
Department to pursue this avenue with the local School District.
8. Y.M. C.A. and Other Child Care Businesses- The group discussed the existence of
the Y.M.C.A. Licensed Childcare Centers at three local schools. While more
locations would be desirable, the School District was quoted in the Press
Democrat lately that the Y.M.C.A. does not want to expand to other sites because
they don't think the programs at those sites will pay for themselves.
9. Supply and Demand- I Hartnett reported that there are 129 family day care
providers licensed in Rohnert Park. He also said that there were 364 requests for
childcare referrals in the County, 26 from Rohnert Park, in the last.6 weeks as
reported by the Community Child Care Council. The Council said there is a big
demand for infant and school age care throughout the county. The group
discussed the fact that transportation to and from childcare sites is reported to be
the number one challenge of after -school childcare.
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10. Affordability- I Hartnett explained that Community Child Care Council of
Sonoma County is reporting that full-time childcare is running about $135 per
week per child in Rohnert Park. There is still a great need for more affordable
3 childcare options in town.
11. C.O.Y.F. Commission Goals for 2001
R. Lefkowitz reviewed the C.O.Y.F. goals (see attached) and the group discussed
progress towards completion of the goals.
12. Parks and Recreation Commission Goals for 2001
T. Barry passed out the P&R Commission Goals for 2000, and presented the
status of the goals to date (see attached). He said that the Commission would be
formulating goals for 2001 at their meeting to be held the same night at a later
time. Barry suggested, since the time was up for this joint meeting, that the
groups get back together in six months or so and have more discussion about
issues of common interest since this meeting was mostly information sharing.
The group agreed.
13. Adjournment
Due to time constraints, D. Cohen thanked both groups and adjourned the meeting
to their regularly adjourned meetings of Feb. 26, 2001 (P&R Commission) and
March 7, 2001 (C.O.Y.F.) respectively. The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Tim arry
Recreation Direc
TB/s
attachments: C.O.Y.F. Goals
P&R Commission Goals for 2000