Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

CITY OF LOS BANOS PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES APRIL 20, 2021 ACTION MINUTES – These minutes are prepared to depict action taken for agenda items presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission. CALL TO ORDER: Commissioner Spevak called the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting to order at 6:07 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Flores led the pledge of allegiance. ROLL CALL – MEMBERS OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION PRESENT: Flores, Pierce, Spevak; Munoz absent. STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Acting Public Works Director/City Engineer Pezeshk, Parks & Recreation Operations Manager Heim, Administrative Coordinator de Melo. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Motion by Flores, seconded by Pierce to approve the agenda as submitted. The motion carried by the affirmative vote of all Parks and Recreation Commission Members present; Munoz absent. NOMINATION AND SELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR FOR 2021: Commission decided to continue the item to the next meeting with more members present to vote. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF THE ACTION MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING OF JANUARY 21, 2020: Motion by Flores, seconded by Pierce to approve the agenda as submitted. The motion carried by the affirmative vote of all Parks and Recreation Commission Members present; Munoz absent. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF THE ACTION MINUTES FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING OF DECEMBER 10, 2020: Motion by Flores, seconded by Spevak to approve the agenda as submitted. The motion carried by the affirmative vote of all Parks and Recreation Commission Members present; Munoz absent. PUBLIC FORUM: MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON ANY ITEM OF PUBLIC INTEREST THAT IS WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE CITY; INCLUDES AGENDA AND NON-AGENDA ITEMS. NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS. DETAILED GUIDELINES ARE POSTED ON THE COUNCIL CHAMBER INFORMATIONAL TABLE. Secretary de Melo stated that no comments were received and the Public Forum was closed. PARKS & RECREATION 2020/2021 REVENUE/EXPENDITURE REPORT: Acting Public Works Director/City Engineer Pezeshk reported that because of Covid, the numbers are hard to line up. Due to lay off of staff, and temporary closing on the Community Center, and cancelling of classes and activities, this all affected the current budget. Parks & Recreation Operations Manager Heim introduced himself and explained how to read the budget pages. He gave a brief review of the status of the budget. Measure H has really helped out the budget, with the ability to add staff and activities. Prior to Covid, the Community Center was a very busy location, with lots of activities. We are hoping to bring staff back soon to kick off recreation activities once we move into the appropriate tier for re-opening. Our budget for next fiscal year will be approved in June 2021. We have requested funding for the replacement of playground equipment in several parks. We are also looking at replacing the restrooms at Ag Sports Complex. The Dog Park is now open, and has been very busy with activity. MEMORIAL POLICY DISCUSSION. Parks & Recreation Manager Heim stated in March 2021, he received a request to install a memorial bench in memory of former Tree Commission Member, Colleen Menefee. The memorial is proposed to be located in front of the County Library on 7th St at Pacheco Park. The memorial would be funded and installed by community members. A power point presentation was presented to the Commission, which included a sketch of the proposed memorial, and information regarding the proposed future renovations of Pacheco Park. The Library is owned by the County, but the park land belongs to the City. The City of Los Banos does not currently have a Memorial Policy established. Manager Heim asked for commission input. Commissioner Pierce recommended engraved pavers in the parks, that people could pay for. Commissioner Flores likes the idea of allowing memorials. She also liked the idea of allowing engraved pavers. Feels we should be specific as to what can be written to make sure we don’t have pavers with inappropriate language. Commission Spevak believes having a policy in place would make the process easier when someone wishes to place a memorial. Suggested Joe looks at other memorial policies from other cities, to see how other cities handle them. Feels that the proposed memorial for Colleen Menefee will look very nice, and add beauty to the library with a small plaque, and a nice bench. Commissioner Pierce agreed that the proposed memorial for Colleen would look nice. PARKS & RECREATION OPERATIONS MANAGERS REPORT. Parks & Recreation Operations Manager Heim stated the big news the week was the Dog Park is now open. Feels it will be a popular destination in town. Already has seen much use of it. City Park will be getting new playground equipment installed soon. Welcomed Shemar Pierce to the commission. Hopes to rebuild Parks & Rec, and welcomes input from the Commission. The biggest project moving into the future is the Splash pad. In March 2021, we presented 3 locations to the City Council, and they had recommended we move forward with Pacheco Park. This will be great project, and we are excited about it. Commissioner Pierce asked if the City will be positing information regarding recreation activities on social media. Manager Heim stated we currently post on Facebook, and the City’s website, in addition to our quarterly Rec Guide, and newsletter to the school. We also email our newsletter to every email we have on file. We have a volunteer day on May 1st, and everyone is welcome to attend. We will be beautifying the Rail Trail. ACTING PUBIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER REPORT. Acting Public Works Director/City Engineer Pezeshk had no report. COMMISSION MEMBER REPORTS. FLORES: Inquired about the boarded up playground equipment at Meadowlands Park. Manager Heim said that equipment has been ordered and should be install by July. Welcomed Shemar to the commission. Glad things are starting to open back up, and is excited to see Recreation open back and getting activities going again. Excited for what’s to come. MUNOZ: Absent PIERCE: Thanked everyone for being so welcoming. Excited for this. Attended the recent street faire, and was happy to see people back out into the community. Is happy to help out in any way needed, even answer phones at the Community Center. SPEVAK: Asked when we will fill the last commission vacancy. Acting Public Works Director/City Engineer Pezeshk stated we recently had interviews, and the position will be filled soon. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at the hour of 7:16 p.m. APPROVED: __________________________ John Spevak, Commissioner ATTEST: ______________________ Jelene de Melo, Secretary