Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting Thursday, April 19, 2012 7:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Canepa, Marotta, McCarthy, Menendez-Herbst, Perske Commissioners Absent: Woodward Staff Members Present: Community Services and Library Director Kim Bui-Burton, Recreation and Community Services Manager Cindy Vierra, Parks and Maintenance Superintendent Doug Stafford (Retired), Sports Center Manager Jeff Vierra, Operations Manager Karen Larson, Recording Secretary Teresa Nash CALL TO ORDER Chair Marotta called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and asked the Secretary to call the roll. PRESENTATIONS 1. Presentation to Parks and Maintenance Superintendent Doug Stafford for Twenty-Four (24) Years of Service to the City of Monterey On behalf of the City Council, Commissioners and City staff, Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton thanked Doug for his participation and contributions towards promoting and improving parks and recreation services during the past 24 years. She said the City of Monterey is beautiful because of Doug’s efforts and professionalism. He always has a “we can do it, we’ll figure it out” attitude. Doug has set a high standard to keep working towards. Commissioner Marotta thanked Doug and said he has been a pleasure to work with. Commissioner McCarthy said he has an interest in seeing the Ryan Ranch Community Park developed and Doug took the time to go over the plans, show us how things worked and always encouraged us. That’s the attitude that civil servants should have. Commissioner Canepa told Doug, he’s a man of honor and to enjoy your retirement! Commissioner McCarthy reminded Doug that he has an ongoing obligation to visit a park! Doug Stafford said he appreciates all the time he’s spent with the Commissioners. They have always been very supportive of our parks. He said it’s nice to be recognized, but he likes to recognize all the Parks employees as a whole. He informed the Commission that Louie Marcuzzo was selected to the Park Operations Manager position and will be taking his place. Doug thanked everyone for the gifts. On behalf of the Commission and staff, Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton and Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra presented a clock plaque to Doug along with a Mandevilla Red Fury plant for his yard.  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, April 19, 2012 CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 2. Thursday, March 15, 2012 Action: Approved as submitted (5-0-1, Woodward absent). ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS None. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 3. Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update 2012 Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission recommended leaving the Parks and Recreation Master Plan as is with existing updates and directed staff to provide an informational update on potential uses for Ryan Ranch Community Park. (5-0-1, Woodward absent). Parks and Maintenance Superintendent Stafford (Retired) presented the staff report and asked the Commission to review and comment on the current status of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. He noted that on the agenda report under Alternatives Considered, it should say October 2012 not October 2013. Parks and Maintenance Superintendent Stafford (Retired) stated that the Commission could direct staff to prepare a new master plan. He recommended not starting that process until October due to the reduction of and change in staff. The Commission could decide to leave it as is with existing updates. He stated that currently there are no projects we can do due to recent budget cuts. He said that water is not available at the Ryan Ranch Community Park, but anticipates it will probably be developed at some point with a recreational facility. He said the City would consider purchasing more property by Window On the Bay Park, if it became available, for a continuation of open landscaped park land. Parks and Maintenance Superintendent Stafford (Retired) reviewed Attachment 1 and stated this is a summary of past master plans and that many items have been accomplished; and a lot of the projects won’t be developed any time soon because they are on military property. He said if the house next door to Casanova Oak Knoll Park Center became available to purchase, then the park land around the center could be expanded. He said the proposed tennis court site in Fisherman’s Flats may be located by Foothill School. He stated there are some opportunities like that and asked what the Commission would like to see in their Master Plan. Commission Perske inquired if anything has changed since this list was put together. Parks and Maintenance Superintendent Stafford (Retired) stated no, but if we do an update for 2012 there may be some census changes and the addition of Bay View Academy. He stated we could do a comprehensive plan for the Ryan Ranch Community Park, we can’t rely on changes on any of the military properties, and the Fairgrounds is utilizing their property for their own uses. Commissioner McCarthy stated that it doesn’t sound like it would be a good return on the investment at this time. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, April 19, 2012 2  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, April 19, 2012 Commissioner Marotta said in this economy, can we really afford to do any of the projects on Attachment 1. Parks and Maintenance Superintendent Stafford (Retired) said if the lot by Casanova Oak Knoll Park Center becomes available, the City may work to purchase that. The City is trying to purchase the Roto-Rooter property to expand the Window On The Bay Park. Commissioner Marotta said it sounds like the Ryan Ranch Community Park may be the place to accomplish some things. Parks and Maintenance Superintendent Stafford (Retired) reminded him that obtaining water is a key issue. Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton stated we should review the Ryan Ranch Community Park property once we have a full Commission. Commissioner Perske inquired what is happening to the Bay View School play area. Parks and Maintenance Superintendent Stafford (Retired) stated the play area and equipment is to be open for public use. Commissioner Perske reported that it wasn’t the other day. Parks and Maintenance Superintendent Stafford (Retired) said he will check on that. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst stated it seems like there’s nothing on this plan that can be done as this time because there is no funding available. She agreed that we should pursue the Ryan Ranch Community Park property. Commissioner McCarthy inquired what the difference between doing a complete Master Plan Update and just an update to the Master Plan. Parks and Maintenance Superintendent Stafford (Retired) stated to do a complete Master Plan would require census updates, neighborhood input on priorities and holding public hearings. He said we could just revise the existing projects currently listed to show their current status and priority. Commissioner Marotta inquired why we keep joint Navy use projects on the list. Parks and Maintenance Superintendent Stafford (Retired) stated that would be something that could be deleted because of security issues and lack of access. Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton said the Commission would need to update the census data, then place projects in priority order and then decide if you want to bring in the neighborhoods for their input. Parks and Maintenance Superintendent Stafford (Retired) stated the Commission could update some census data and update the Ryan Ranch Community Park property. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst said if there is no water is there really anything we can do with Ryan Ranch Community Park. Parks and Maintenance Superintendent Stafford (Retired) stated it would be more of planning the use of the property at this point in time. Commissioner McCarthy stated it doesn’t make sense right now to spend a lot of time and effort on a new master plan when we really can’t do any of the projects right now. On a motion by Commissioner McCarthy, seconded by Commissioner Canepa, and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission recommended leaving the Parks and Recreation Master Plan as is with existing updates and directed staff to provide an information update on potential uses for Ryan Ranch Community Park: AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Canepa, Marotta, McCarthy, Menendez-Herbst, Perske NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Woodward Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, April 19, 2012 3  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, April 19, 2012 4. Highlights of Monterey Sports Center Programs Operations Manager Karen Larson showed a PowerPoint presentation highlighting all the various activities, events and programs held at the Monterey Sports Center. She reported that the Sports Center will be celebrating its 20th Anniversary this June and stated that they serve 2,500 to 3,000 people per day, that’s over 1,000,000 people every year. She stated that the Monterey Sports Center was one of the first cities in California with this type of facility to become Medicare certified. Commissioner Perske inquired if the Golden Sneakers for Seniors program is one of our partners. Operations Manager Larson stated that we applied, but they already had a partnership with In-Shape. Sports Center Manager Vierra stated based on the insurance we would only get $3.50 per visit up to $35.00 per month and that would not be beneficial to the Sports Center. He said the Sports Center is looking at a 10% discount on certain programs for the PrimaFit medically supervised program. The Commission thanked Karen and Jeff for the great show and they were very impressed on the amount of programs and activities offered at the Monterey Sports Center and how well attended they are. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS The Commission received the following informational reports: 5. Monthly Report - Recreation Division - March 2012 6. Monthly Report - Parks Division - March 2012 7. Art in the Park Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra reported that Commissioner Marotta talked about the upcoming 4th of July celebration at Mayor’s meeting held on Monday, April 9. She said that the Old Monterey Business Association (OMBA) will be sponsoring and putting together the parade this year and it will be held at the same time and same route as in previous years. She reported they are beginning final interviews for summer staff next weekend; staff is busy planning summer programs; summer registration started a month early this year; and Camp Quien Sabe’s Family Camp Weekend was full within 1-½ hours. Sports Center Manager Vierra reported that staff is working with the Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS) to explore a possible future relationship. MIIS did a survey with students and 90% want to use the Sports Center. He stated there are about 1,000 people between students and facility and that over 300 use the Sports Center now. Manager Vierra reported that Prima Heart will now be doing the pre-employment physical for prospective new employees for the City. He also reported they have all the money through donations for the saunas and that at the Council meeting in May they will review and approve the transfer of the money. They hope to have the saunas installed sometime in June. He stated this is the #1 question potential new customers ask “where are the saunas?” Parks and Maintenance Superintendent Stafford (Retired) reported the City received its 31st Tree City Award during Arbor Week. He stated that even with reduced staffing we will have Arbor Week events like tree plantings and Earth Day with Presidio of Monterey. He reported Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, April 19, 2012 4  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, April 19, 2012 that the Griffin Plaza Lights project is scheduled to begin next week; and that a week from tonight is the NIP voting night and encouraged staff and Commissioners to attend to support parks and recreation related proposed projects. Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton expressed appreciation for the Recreation staff teamwork on the first day of summer registration. She reported the money for the saunas came from donations; she sat in on interviews for Parks Operation Manager and there were a lot of good choices to build from within existing staff; the Scholze Park Center landscaping and retaining wall looks good and she hopes NIP will fund the next phase; the City Budget is status quo for the next fiscal year; and the City Council will review the budget the first week in June. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Canepa said he was at Del Monte Beach twice this week and the boardwalk area looks great. There is a lot of construction going on there so there is a lot of traffic congestion. Get down to the beach and get your feet in the water. Commissioner Marotta inquired if we know how the Transient and Occupancy Tax (TOT) is coming in this year. Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton stated the economy does seem to be picking up, citing a bad snow year seems to have drawn more people here, and also the Aquarium has a new exhibit. She reported the Conference Center bookings are up with more short-term bookings and that Silicone Valley businesses are coming here. She reported the State Theater is still offline with electrical work being done. Commissioner Canepa reported they received temporary power this morning. NEXT MEETING Thursday, May 17,2012  The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission is Thursday, May 17, 2012. ADJOURNMENT Adjourned at 8:04 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Kim Bui-Burton Mike Marotta, Chair Community Services and Library Director Parks and Recreation Commission Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, April 19, 2012 5