Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting Thursday, September 15, 2011 7:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Canepa, Cooney, Federico, Marotta, McCarthy, Menendez- Herbst Commissioners Absent: Woodward Staff Members Present: Community Services and Library Director Kim Bui-Burton, Parks and Maintenance Superintendent Doug Stafford, Recreation and Community Services Manager Cindy Vierra, Recording Secretary Teresa Nash CALL TO ORDER CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 1. Thursday, July 21, 2011 Action: Approved as submitted (6-0-1, Woodward absent). ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS None. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 2. Receive Report on 2011 Fourth of July Lawn Party, 2012 Fourth of July Planning and Provide Recommendation to City Council Action: Recommendation to City Council to pursue bringing back the 4th of July Parade and look for community involvement for sponsorship with the help of City staff to review planning and logistics, and to provide two (2) Parks and Recreation Commissioners to serve on a committee. Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton stated there has been discussion at the Commission level and Council level of possibly bringing back the 4th of July Parade with community support. She said that the 2012 4th of July Lawn Party has been budgeted for and that no other funds have been allocated for any additional 2012 4th of July activities. She stated that for the third year in a row, staff have not recommended nor sought funding for the Fireworks Display. The budgetary and safety concerns expressed by the Fire Chief and Police Chief in 2009 have not been abated and have only increased over the years. She also said in addition, several significant actions from the past two years will negatively impact any future Fireworks planning: ● Elimination of the dilapidated and unsafe fireworks barge resulting in the need to develop a new plan and/or purchase a new vessel for the Fireworks Display.  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, September 15, 2011 ● Expiration of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Fireworks Display Permit in 2010, resulting in the need to re-apply, collect new scientific data in the Sanctuary, and develop a new plan to limit and mitigate negative impacts to local species and comply with the Sanctuary’s extensive list of terms and conditions. ● Further reductions in City staffing and capacity through position reduction and layoffs in Police, Recreation, Public Works and the City’s Volunteer office. ● Further public safety reductions in other jurisdictions, making future resource-sharing even more problematic. Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton said that for the second year in a row, staff have not recommended nor sought funding for the 4th of July Parade. She said the same budgetary issues apply for this event as for the Fireworks and that the Parade also utilizes more staff resources than the Lawn Party. She said that the Parade and Lawn Party are valuable and well-loved celebrations but due to limited City staffing and financial resources, the City cannot fund a parade. She said she is encouraged by a growing community interest to seek a community-based solution to bring back the 4th of July Parade. She reported that other neighboring cities have some of their events produced and financially supported by service organizations, businesses, school groups, etc. Commissioner Marotta said he really misses the Parade and that the Lawn Party is awesome. He feels there is no need for a Fireworks Display. He asked if the Old Monterey Business Association (OMBA) had been approached about taking the lead to put on the 4th of July Parade. Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton stated that First Night Monterey has expressed some interest and that Rick Johnson from OMBA has also, but they are committed to Art in the adobes at this time. Commissioner Marotta stated that he would be willing to serve on a committee to review options of a community-sponsored 4th of July Parade. Commissioner Federico stated that these are different times and we need to look at things differently to bring in revenue and cut costs to the City. She would like to see the 4th of July Parade come back and suggested looking to our local colleges and schools for student volunteers. She is also willing to serve on a committee. Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton reviewed previous funding and what the direct costs were for the City to put on the Parade. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra also noted that there will still be City staff costs no matter who does the Parade. Commissioner Canepa agreed that the City does not have the funding resources and the community needs to be involved to bring back the 4th of July Parade. He likes the idea of a privately run Parade so that organization can call the shots of who and what can be in the Parade. Commissioner Marotta suggested contacting local musicians and schools with music programs to have them participate in the Parade for free. On a motion by Commissioner Marotta, seconded by Commissioner Federico, and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission recommended to City Council to pursue bringing back the 4th of July Parade and look for community involvement for sponsorship with the help of City staff to review planning and logistics, and to provide two (2) Parks and Recreation Commissioners to serve on a committee: Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, September 15, 2011 2  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, September 15, 2011 AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Canepa, Cooney, Federico, Marotta, McCarthy, Menendez-Herbst NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Woodward 3. Status Report - 2011-'12 Parks Division Budget and Staffing Action: Report received. Parks and Maintenance Superintendent Stafford reviewed the latest budget cuts and staffing for the Parks Division and stated that between the Parks, Cemetery and Forestry divisions they had almost $500,000 in reductions. He stated that the staffing cuts have been very hard, but that they have managed to find positions for some of the Parks Division staff who were slated to lose their jobs. He reported that Veteran’s Park Attendant Jim Maxon is retiring on October 30, 2011. An in-house recruitment for his position is planned. He also stated that with the loss of the Tree Crew, the City is now using West Coast Arborists for tree trimming and they are doing a good job so far. He also pointed out that with the loss of the Tree Crew the City can no longer do private tree inspections for citizens. 4. Highlights of Summer Programs Action: Received PowerPoint presentation. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra showed a PowerPoint presentation highlighting all the various summer programs and events, which included Inservice Training, Whispering Pines Day Camp, Camp Quien Sabe, the Playground Program, Sports Camp Plus, Cheerleading Camp, and Outdoor Basketball Camp. The Commission thanked Cindy for the great show and stated that it looks like everyone was having a great time this summer. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 5. Monthly Report - Recreation and Community Services Department - July 2011 6. Parks Division Monthly Report for July 2011 7. Monthly Report - Recreation and Community Services Department - August 2011 8. Parks Division Monthly Report for August 2011 9. Family Open House 10. Kids Flea Market Parks and Maintenance Superintendent Stafford reported that the World Disc Golf Tournament held at Ryan Ranch Community Park went very well and that the Monterey Stinging Jellies Disc Golf Club really does a great job of keeping the park clean before, during and after their tournaments. He also reported that the Bronco World Series had another successful year. He stated that the City Council released on-hold NIP projects and that there are 11 or 12 park/recreation related projects. He will update the Commission on these projects at the next Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, September 15, 2011 3  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, September 15, 2011 meeting. He reported that the new power panel is scheduled for installation at Jacks Park in December. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra reported there have been clerical staffing changes in our Administrative office due to the budget cuts and employee bumping process. She said that the Recreation and Community Services Department has three vacant positions and recruitment will begin soon. She stated that the Winter 2011/Spring 2012 Activities Guide will be available on Monday, October 24 and registration will begin on Wednesday, October 26, 2011. She informed the Commission that a new afterschool program has begun at Casanova Oak Knoll Park Center to meet the needs of that area. It is a drop-in program called “Stay ‘N’ Play” and is full. Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton reported that the City Council approved an early retirement “lottery” and partial service retirement. She said for the next Commission meeting agenda we may have the request for bocce ball courts at Scholze Park and a review of the on-hold NIP park/recreation related projects that were released for construction by the City Council. She stated that she will be meeting with City Engineer Tom Reeves to go over the upcoming NIP process and see if it can be streamlined to make the process easier. She also suggested that a letter may be sent from the Mayor and Council to potential sponsors for the 4th of July Parade if the Council directs staff to move forward with a community-sponsored Parade. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner McCarthy inquired on the status of PRIMA Heart opening an office at the Sports Center. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra said construction is underway, equipment is arriving and they should be up and running by mid-October. Commissioner Federico asked if the new CHOMP Wellness Center or the In Shape facility have affected memberships at the Sports Center. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra said that a lot of people who joined In Shape when it opened are returning to the Sports Center for various reasons. She stated that she will ask Sports Center Manager about the CHOMP Wellness Center. Commissioner Canepa asked about replacing some of the boardwalk at Del Monte Beach. Parks and Maintenance Superintendent Stafford stated that this project is not on the NIP list. Commissioner Canepa said he noticed that the slide at Cypress Park is gone. Parks and Maintenance Superintendent Stafford stated that it was not in compliance with Playground Equipment Standards and had to be removed. Commissioner Cooney thanked staff for continually doing a great job. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst said “Go visit a park!” NEXT MEETING - Thursday, October 20, 2011  The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission is Thursday, October 20, 2011 at 7:00 p.m., City Council Chamber. ADJOURNMENT Chair Menendez-Herbst adjourned the meeting at 8:22 p.m. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, September 15, 2011 4  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, September 15, 2011 Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Kim Bui-Burton Suzanne Menendez-Herbst, Chair Community Services and Library Director Parks and Recreation Commission Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, September 15, 2011 5