Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting Thursday, May 17, 2012 7:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Baldwin, Canepa, McCarthy, Perske, Woodward Commissioners Absent: Marotta, Menendez-Herbst Staff Members Present: Community Services and Library Director Kim Bui-Burton, Recreation and Community Services Manager Cindy Vierra, Sports Center Manager Jeff Vierra, Park Operations Manager Louie Marcuzzo, City Engineer Tom Reeves, Recording Secretary Teresa Nash CALL TO ORDER PRESENTATIONS 1. Introduction of New Commissioner Vance D. Baldwin Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton introduced Vance Baldwin as the newest member of the Parks and Recreation Commission. Mr. Baldwin is filling an unexpired vacancy left by the resignation of Debra Federico, with his term expiring December 31, 2012. She provided the Commission with Vance’s background and experience and welcomed him to the Commission. Commissioner Baldwin said he’s happy to be here and that he and his wife have always been strong supporters of parks and recreation opportunities. He has a photo of his son as a child playing engineer on the train at Dennis the Menace Park, his son is now 54. 2. Introduction of New Park Operations Manager Louie Marcuzzo Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton introduced Louie Marcuzzo. Louie is the new Park Operations Manager and is replacing Doug Stafford in overseeing the Parks Division. He has worked for the Parks Division for 20 years and is well respected in the City and the community, especially for his great landscaping skills. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo thanked the staff and Commission and said he’s learned a lot from Doug Stafford over the years and will carry on with his traditions. He looks forward to working with the Commission. CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 3. Thursday, April 19, 2012 Action: Approved as submitted (4-2-1, Marotta, Menendez-Herbst absent; Baldwin abstained as he was not in attendance). ***End of Consent Agenda***  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, May 17, 2012 PUBLIC COMMENTS None. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 4. Report on Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) Projects to be Recommended for Funding Action: Report received. City Engineer Reeves updated the Commission on the status of NIP projects approved for funding for Fiscal Year 2012-2013. He stated that the NIP Committee voted on April 26, 2012 and recommended funding for fifty-two (52) projects submitted, eighteen (18) of those projects are related to parks and recreation. He stated the City Council will review the proposed NIP funding during the budget process. City Engineer Reeves stated that the staff report was written as informational only due to a misunderstanding, for which he apologized. He stated that the Commission would need to formally approve and recommend the projects to the City Council for approval prior to their budget review and approval meeting on June 19. Sharon Dwight, NIP representative, stated she believes that every proposed project meets the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. She noted the sidewalk and wall project at Scholze Park is for the whole project, not just one phase of the project as originally submitted; the new lights for Jacks Ball Park was approved, the existing lights are from the 1960 era and do not meet ball field standards. She said a lot of really good projects were approved and the communications that NIP previously had with the Parks and Recreation Commission were advisory and very helpful to the NIP Committee in making their decisions. She stated that now that the NIP has approved the projects, the Commission’s formal approval is needed to be recommended to City Council. Commissioner McCarthy said the Commission will leave it to staff to set up a special meeting for the Parks and Recreation Commission to formally approve and recommend the NIP projects to the City Council. Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton stated that staff is looking at Monday, June 4 to potentially hold this special meeting and will confirm with the Commission once that date is set. 5. Recommend Approval of Sponsorship Signage for Scoreboard at Peter J. Ferrante Ball Park Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission approved the request of Monterey Pony Baseball/Softball, Inc., for the placement of the Central Coast Athletics sponsorship sign on either the top or the bottom of the scoreboard at Peter J. Ferrante Ball Park, the sign will include the wording “Donated By”; the sign is allowed to include the sponsor’s address, and the sign shall be no more than 18” in size (4-0-2-1, Marotta, Menendez- Herbst absent; McCarthy abstained). Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra reviewed the request of Monterey Pony Baseball/Softball, Inc. to install a sponsorship sign on the new scoreboard in recognition of Central Coast Athletics donation of the new scoreboard. She stated the proposed sponsorship sign will be 2’ high x 9’ wide and they are requesting to install the sponsorship sign above the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, May 17, 2012 2  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, May 17, 2012 scoreboard. The proposed sign will also have the sponsor’s address on it. Staff recommends the sign be placed below the scoreboard. Planning staff indicated that, due to the City’s Sign Ordinance, installing the sign on top would require Architectural Review Committee (ARC) review and approval; if the sign were to be placed below the scoreboard, then no ARC review is needed. Due to a possible conflict of interest, Commissioner McCarthy abstained from this item as he is a member of the Monterey Pony Baseball/Softball Inc. Board. Commissioner Perske said the sign is too large and needs to be scaled down. Commissioner Woodward stated the words “donated by” should be on the sign to clarify that just the scoreboard was donated by Central Coast Athletics and noted that the way it is proposed makes it look like the field belongs to Central Coast Athletics, not the City. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra stated that when the Commission approved the new scoreboard at Sollecito Ball Park, the Commission asked that they put “donated by” Santa Barbara Bank & Trust. Scott Leavenworth, VP, Monterey Pony Baseball/Softball, Inc. stated he thinks the sponsorship sign would be fine on the bottom of the scoreboard and there would be no problem saying “donated by”. He said the sponsor really wants to have their address on the sign. He said the proposed sign is 2’ wide x 9’ long, about half the size of the scoreboard. He stated they could make the sign smaller if required. Sharon Dwight, Monterey resident, said this proposed project bothers her because of the size and suggested putting a plaque on the side of the snack bar stating that the scoreboard was donated by Central Coast Athletics. She said there shouldn’t be any advertising on the scoreboard. Commissioner Perske inquired what the cost for the new scoreboard was. Scott Leavenworth stated the new LED scoreboard was about $4,000 and another $1,000 towards the signage and other minor costs. Commissioner Woodward stated that ARC will do the final review and approval of this project. She reiterated that the sponsorship signage should say “Donated By Central Coast Athletics” and also include their address on the sign; and the sign should be 18” in size. Commissioner Canepa agreed and said placement of the sign on the top or bottom of the scoreboard is fine, but that the sign needs to be much smaller. He likes the idea of putting the sponsorship signage on the snack bar instead of on the scoreboard. He said the 200’ marker sign already on the outfield fence is large enough to see from the bleachers and doesn’t think the sponsorship sign needs to be any larger than that. On a motion by Commissioner Woodward, seconded by Commissioner Canepa, and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission approved the request of Monterey Pony Baseball/Softball, Inc., for the placement of the Central Coast Athletics sponsorship sign on the either the top or the bottom of the scoreboard at Peter J. Ferrante Ball Park, the sign shall include the wording “Donated By”; the sign is allowed to include the sponsor’s address; and the sign shall not be larger than 18” in size: Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, May 17, 2012 3  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, May 17, 2012 AYES: 4 COMMISSIONERS: Baldwin, Canepa, Perske, Woodward NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Marotta, Menendez-Herbst ABSTAINED 1 COMMISISONERS: McCarthy 6. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - Tour of Park Facilities - Thursday, June 21, 2012 Action: Report received – park tour is set for Thursday, June 21, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton informed the Commission they will go on their annual tour of park facilities on Thursday, June 21, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. She said Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo will lead the tour and focus on areas that have approved NIP projects. She said we will also focus on the Ryan Ranch Community Park as requested by the Commission at their April 19, 2012 meeting. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 7. Monthly Report - Recreation Division - April 2012 8. Monthly Report - Parks Division - April 2012 9. Piano Recital at Hilltop Park Center Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra reminded the Commission of the piano recital at Hilltop Park Center on Thursday, May 31 and their Art in the Park event is this Saturday. She reported that the Monterey Community Band Concert just played at the Big Sur International Marathon and they received a $1,000 donation for playing at the event. She said the Community Band will also be in the 4th Parade and will perform at the Lawn Party. She reported that preschool graduations will be held next week, and that staff is putting the final touches on summer programs. Sports Center Manager Vierra thanked the NIP Committee for all their contributions to the Sports Center over the years; noting it wouldn’t look like it does without their support. He said the City Council approved the purchase of two saunas that were paid for with donations and they hope to have them installed by July. He said saunas are one of the most requested amenities by guests. He reported they will be celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Sports Center on June 1 and will have special events to celebrate throughout the year. He also said the City’s Communications and Outreach staff produced a fantastic DVD and each Commissioner will receive a copy. On Friday, June 1, we will celebrate with decorations and light snacks for all the guests. If you like the Giants, we have about 30 tickets to give away. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo also thanked the NIP Committee for all the great projects this year and doesn’t remember a year with this many projects. Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton also thanked the NIP Committee and stated there is not another program like this anywhere. She stated that NIP does a great job to make sure the projects are appropriate and work for the City, noting that this year about $1,000,000 was approved for parks/recreation related projects. She said we will have an item on the June 5 Council agenda in recognition of the Sports Center’s 20th anniversary. She informed the Commission that the City Council will hear the 2012/13 budget at their May 23 Study Session from 4:00-6:00 p.m. She reported that the Finance Director said revenues were Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, May 17, 2012 4  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, May 17, 2012 coming in better than expected this year and that we are very lucky to have a status quo budget for this coming fiscal year. She reported the OMBA’s planning for the 4th of July Parade is going well. City staff is preparing for the Lawn Party, and the Monterey Bay Symphony will have a “Patriotic Concert” at Jacks Ball Park on July 4th at 7:30 p.m. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Woodward said her daughter Emily graduated from the Hilltop Park Center Preschool Program and is now in high school. She said the preschool graduations are very fun to attend. Commissioner Canepa congratulated the City of Pacific Grove for keeping political signs out of their parks and off the Recreation Trail. He said parks are for relaxing and enjoyment – not to look at signs. He said it’s great there will be a 4th of July Parade this year and that it is a community-sponsored event and also a symphony at Jacks Ball Park. He said the Lower Presidio Historic Park would also be a great place for the Monterey Bay Symphony to perform. He said a lot of places in the country are warming up, we’re not quite there yet, but you can still grab a jacket and visit a park. Commissioner Perske thanked Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo and Doug Stafford for taking him on a tour of park facilities and said they do a great job. Commissioner Baldwin also thanked Louie and Doug for the time they spent with him and Commissioner Perske showing us around the park facilities. Commissioner McCarthy thanked the staff for taking the time to get all the information to us so we have plenty of time to review everything. NEXT MEETING Thursday, June 21, 2012  The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission is Thursday, June 21, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. for a tour of park facilities. ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair McCarthy adjourned the meeting at 7:52 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Kim Bui-Burton Dennis McCarthy, Vice Chair Community Services and Library Director Parks and Recreation Commission Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, May 17, 2012 5