Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting Thursday, September 20, 2012 7:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Baldwin, Canepa, McCarthy, Menendez-Herbst, Perske, Woodward Commissioners Absent: Marotta Staff Members Present: Community Services and Library Director Kim Bui-Burton, Sports Center Manager Jeff Vierra, Park Operations Manager Louie Marcuzzo, Recording Secretary Teresa Nash CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 1. Thursday, July 19, 2012 Action: Approved as submitted (6-0-1, Marotta absent) ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS None. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 2. Review Parks and Recreation Commission Subcommittees and Appointment of Skate Park and Ryan Ranch Community Park Subcommittees Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission received an update on subcommittees; Vice Chair McCarthy appointed Commissioners Canepa and Menendez-Herbst to the Skate Park Subcommittee and Commissioners McCarthy and Perske to the Ryan Ranch Community Park/Fort Ord Property Subcommittee. Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton reviewed the City’s Boards and Commissions use of subcommittees. She noted that two Commissioners would be needed to serve on a subcommittee for the expansion of the Skate Park, and two Commissioners on a Council subcommittee to discuss future development of the Former Fort Ord property. The Commission inquired what the responsibilities will be for these subcommittees. Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton said the Skate Park Subcommittee will participate in a series of meetings with the architects and skate boarders to get their input on what new elements could be included in the renovations and expansion of the Skate Park. She said that Council has not yet established the Former Fort Ord Property/Ryan Ranch Community Park Subcommittee, but that the Parks and Recreation Commission Subcommittee members will represent the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and recreational uses.  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, September 20, 2012 Vice Chair McCarthy asked the Commissioners for any interest in serving on either of these subcommittees. Commissioner Perske volunteered to be on the Ryan Ranch Community Park Subcommittee along with Commissioner McCarthy; and Commissioners Menendez-Herbst and Canepa volunteered for the Skate Park Subcommittee. Vice Chair McCarthy appointed these Commissioners to the subcommittees. 3. Approve Receiving Quarterly Recreation Division Activity Reports Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission approved receiving a quarterly Recreation Division Activity Report (6-0-1, Marotta absent). Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton reported that staff reviewed different options for presenting the Commission with more information on programs and events, and stated that staff would like to propose quarterly Power Point presentations highlighting different areas within the Division. In addition to the visual images of activities, she noted staff will add statistics, prior year comparisons and future planning ideas during each presentation. Director Bui-Burton said this would be manageable for staff, will provide the Commission with the information previously requested and highlight Division successes. Staff proposes using this format for one year with a review after that. She stated that the Parks Division monthly report will remain the same. Commissioner Woodward said she hopes the quarterly reports will include the challenges that staff is facing for the upcoming year so the Commission can support them. Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton stated that in the Recreation Division, the challenges are dealt with immediately and staff moves forward. She said staff will do their best to convey challenges. Commissioner Perske stated he would like staff to think not only about challenges, but to also think about what would they like to see happen in the future. On a motion by Commissioner Canepa, seconded by Commissioner Perske, and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission approved receiving a quarterly Power Point presentation highlighting different areas within the Recreation Division for a trial period of one (1) year: AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Baldwin, Canepa, McCarthy, Menendez-Herbst, Perske, Woodward NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Marotta 4. Skate Park Update Action: Received update. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo reported they are in the beginning stages of planning for the renovations of the Skate Park. He recently met with Bellinger & Foster Landscape Architects and asked them to provide simple sketches for two options for expansion; one for expansion into the parking lot and one for expansion into Dennis the Menace Park. He stated that the architects are setting up meetings with local skate boarders and designers they have worked with in the past to come up with ideas for renovating the Skate Park. He stated these options will come back to the Commission for review and approval. Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton stated the new Skate Park Subcommittee members Canepa and Menendez-Herbst will be able to attend these meetings. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, September 20, 2012 2  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, September 20, 2012 Commissioner Perske inquired what the scope of this project is and was it requested by local skate boarders. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo stated the project is a renovation and expansion of the existing Skate Park. Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton stated this is a previously approved NIP project. Commissioner Woodward stated the Skate Park is outdated and would like to see a friendlier and more open environment created. Commissioner Canepa stated there really isn’t a lot of room for expansion and he is ready to get involved in the upcoming meetings as a Subcommittee member. 5. Dennis the Menace Park Train Update Action: Received update. Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton said at the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting on July 19, 2012, the Commission approved installing new fencing around the train due to the liability concerns. She said there was a great deal of public input and that this issue will be brought to the City Council for public input on October 2, 2012. She reported there is a Facebook Page called “Save the Train at Dennis the Menace Park” and that it has over 7,000 “Likes” at this time. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo reported he has done a lot of research and that finding a Certified Playground Inspector to inspect the train is very hard because it is not considered a piece of play equipment. Commissioner Woodward stated the liability would be the same wherever you locate the train. She stated that approving the fencing was not an easy decision for the Commission, alternatives were reviewed, but ultimately it was a liability issue. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo stated that during his research, he was not able to find another City with a train that people are allowed to use as playground equipment. Commissioner Woodward suggested setting it up as a City monument and have docents lead tours through the train. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo stated it would still have to be fenced off. Commissioner Perske stated the City also has a moral obligation to make sure we do not put people in danger or the City at risk. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst said everyone feels bad about losing access to the train, but we also have to protect the City from liability. Sean Upton, Monterey Peninsula College student, said he volunteers his time at the Monterey and Salinas Valley Historic Railroad Society Museum. He showed a piece of old iron from a train that was totally rusted and flaking apart and talked about how kids can get caught in the holes and rails. He suggested that the City of Monterey donate the train to the Railroad Society, and said they would be happy to restore it. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo said he talked to Railroad Society and they do not want it because they already have the sister train that they are currently restoring. Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton encouraged Sean to attend the City Council meeting on October 2. Commissioner Baldwin stated the train has been a part of this community for over 50 years and instead of just saying it’s a hazard and fencing it off, he thinks it’s worth an in-depth look for Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, September 20, 2012 3  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, September 20, 2012 alternatives with the most qualified people we can find. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 6. Monthly Report - Recreation Division - August 2012 Action: Report received. 7. Monthly Report - Parks Division - August 2012 Action: Report received. 8. Family Open House at Hilltop Park Center Action: Report received. Sports Center Manager Vierra reported staff will be attending several Health Fairs to share information about the Sports Center and are getting ready for 2013 events to get people back into fitness. He said staff is working on an upgrade to our registration software, RecTrac, this week and it is going very well and has some great new features. He said the saunas are open and guests love them; he encouraged the Commissioners to come check them out. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo reported the Ferrante Park irrigation project was completed yesterday; the Scholze Park project is waiting for bids to do the sidewalk and curbs; RFP’s went out for the Via Paraiso Park play equipment and the Deer Flats Park swings; re-landscaped Visitors Center; and installed drip irrigation at Monterey Bay Park. Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton reported on personnel changes at the Sports Center; Jeff‘s hard work in getting the saunas installed; and thanked all staff for pitching in during Cindy’s vacation. She stated that staff is already hearing positive comments regarding the RecTrac upgrade and website changes. She reported we now have an Afterschool Program at Bay View Academy, another challenge that turned into a success story. Commissioner Woodward inquired if the Bay View Elementary School building is being used yet. Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton said not yet but MPUSD is considering plans to use the school for infants and preschool programs. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Perske said he has not seen any work on the Sollecito ball field in preparation for artificial turf. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo stated the project is going to the architect and they are still raising funds for the cost of the turf. Commissioner McCarthy thanked everyone for all their care and thought – it’s a good group of folks taking care of the City. Commissioner Canepa said visit a park! NEXT MEETING Thursday, October 18, 2012 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, September 20, 2012 4  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, September 20, 2012 ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair McCarthy adjourned the meeting at 8:02 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, September 20, 2012 5