Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting

CITY OF LOS BANOS PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES July 18, 2023 ACTION MINUTES – These minutes are prepared to depict action taken for agenda items presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission. CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chairperson Gargano called the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Munoz led the pledge of allegiance. ROLL CALL – MEMBERS OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION PRESENT: Munoz, Gargano, Spevak; Cortez Jr. absent, Pierce excused. STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Public Works Director/City Engineer Than, Parks & Recreation Interim Director Heim, Engineering Technician Chavez. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Approval of the Agenda was motioned by Spevak, second by Munoz. The motion carried by the affirmative vote of all Parks and Recreation Commission Members present; Cortez Jr. absent, Pierce excused. 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. No one came forward to speak and the Public Forum was closed. UPDATE TO THE PARK SIGNAGE STANDARDS AND DESIGN PROJECT: Parks & Recreation Interim Director Heim discussed the integration of marquee monuments as well as the rules, regulations, and signage such as public use hours, prohibition of alcohol/smoking, and ADA parking signs located at City Parks. Heim’s shared that the goal for City Park signs was to be uniform with one another to keep consistency throughout the City. Heim’s also discussed design elements and shared that various parks within the City such as Regency Park “Lot D” could possibly be designated a more suitable official park name. The engineer working on the design element of the project is currently on maternity leave and will resume in the late summer. Heim’s stated that a park such as the Meadowlands Park Basin, which is 23 acres, would require more signage than a smaller park. Implementation, installation, and design elements will all be part of the design. In late fall, the department will be start implementing new names for parks. Heim’s shared that the ultimate goal is to get one sign for each park. Commissioner Munoz asked Heim if the use of alcohol would be allowed at City Parks. Heim’s shared that the current ordinance does not allow the use or consumption of alcohol or smoking within a certain number of feet from a Public Park. Commissioner Spevak asked if a Consultant would be used in the design of park signage. Interim Director Heim’s confirmed that a consultant will be contracted. Spevak commended Heim on the presentation and implementation of park signs to be added. Spevak shared that he would like to propose and also agree to volunteer in the implementation of tree medallions that show the tree species for the trees that are located through the CCID Canal Trail. Spevak shared that he would be willing to volunteer and work together with the City on this project that he would like to be implemented. Public Works Director/City Engineer Than added that he recognizes the time and thought put in on the signs and medallions and he would recommend that the medallion idea be integrated with the park signage program so that it can be brought up for discussion in the future for the City Council as an action item. No other comments PARKS & RECREATION 2021/2022 REVENUE/EXPENDITURE REPORT: Parks & Recreation Operations Manager Heim gave brief review of the budget and how to read the budget sheets provided in the staff report. Heim highlighted that Council gave Parks and Recreation Department a lot of support in the form of funding for future projects and expressed his gratitude. Spevak asked if the budget for 2023-2024 essentially the same as last year. Heim stated it was not the same that there were substantial increases for future projects. No other comments INTERIM PARKS & RECREATION OPERATIONS DIRECTORS REPORT: Heim stated the Parks and Recreation has split into its own department and expressed his excitement and gratitude for the opportunity. Heim shared projects for next year include Measure H funded projects like: 7th Street Ballpark revamp, 5 new city parks to be built, adding an Administrative Coordinator for the department. Merced County First 5 provided a grant in the amount of 445,000 that was used for shade structures over 5 city playgrounds. Heim shared there will soon be 13 parks with integrated shade covers added. Other projects included the painting of Miller and Lux, Community Center, as well as the restroom at the Ag Sports Complex, the over-flow parking lot with solar panels to be installed in the future. Davis Park has been installed and Little Page Park will soon be completed there has been a minor delay due to a part delay. Shaunessy Park and Sunrise Ranch will soon have Public Meeting and a presentation to follow in October 2023. On-call Tree Services have begun for several areas and will continue throughout the City as needed. Heim stated that the ADA pedestal button doors that Commissioner Munoz had requested for the Community Center was been approved in the budget. Spevak commended Heim for his leadership in taking over the Parks and Recreation Department and he is glad that the City has chosen to separate the department. He likes what Heim is doing with the department. PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT: Public Works Director/City Engineer Than introduced himself, and looks forward to meeting each commissioner. Thanked Joe and staff for keeping his divisions running, even through all the recent challenges we have faced. COMMISSION MEMBER REPORTS. Gargano: Asked Interim Director Heim for an update on the replacement of the play structure of Catholic Park. Heim stated the park was vandalized by a fire. The replacement was ordered in June and it is usually a 12-16 lead time on the replacement unit and should be getting replaced this fall. It will be the exact unit as what was previously there. Gargano stated he would like for Council to provide the Parks and Recreation Department with more personnel to better serve the parks and future parks to be added. Gargano commended Heim on his leadership and great work. Cortez: Absent. MUNOZ: Munoz inquired about the landscaping going on at the Ag Sport complex. Heim shared that some trees are being removed from the area and will plan to plant Italian Cypress Trees to provide a wind barrier for the area. Grading will also occur and will replace the ball park netting as well as signage for the park. Heim confirmed that the bathrooms are operational. PIERCE: Excused. SPEVAK: Spevak asked to address the previously shared information on his idea of the tree medallions. Spevak would like to work with Heim on the history of the Canal Trail to further implement at the site. Spevak asked about the temporary fencing located at the area of Bluff/ Canal Trail. Public Works Director Than confirmed that a Contractor is currently working on the backup generator for the sewer lift station. Than shared that the project is close to being complete and will be going before the Council soon. Spevak asked for a plan for next spring to address the Egrets in the area of the Canal and prevent them from nesting in the area. Public Works Director Than shared that the Egrets are a protected species and that the City has reached out to the professional Biologist Consultant to check why the Egrets were dying in the area. The City needs to ensure the proper studies on how to effectively address the problem. Than is working on learning how neighboring Cities have addressed the problem along with California Fish and Wild Life. Spevak agreed that it would be best to get professionals involved to ensure the problem is prevented in the future. Spevak appreciated the help of cleaning up the dead birds in the area. Spevak also requested an update from Heim in regards to an aquatic or splash pad project. Heim explained that there has been leadership changes but that the current position is to move forward with an addition of an aquatic center. Public Works Director Than added that the previous plan to build the park at the Pacheco Park did not work out due to not having an adequate parking space for visitors. Staff is working on find the correct place and staff to support an aquatic program. Than explained that the funding for the project is for $2 million dollars. Commissioner Munoz asked Interim Director Heim on an update on the Pickleball courts. Heim shared that staff presented the project to the City Council back in January however, there is questioning as to where the proper area would be best to build the Pickleball courts/facilities. City Manager and the City Attorney is working on a specific lot where the courts could potentially be installed. Heim shared that the funding has been supported by the Council in the amount of $1 million dollars. Munoz is concerned about the courts being installed near residential homes due to the noise. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at the hour of 6:38 p.m. APPROVED: __________________________ Brad Gargano, Vice Chairperson ATTEST: ______________________________ Anna Chavez, Engineering Technician