Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting Thursday, February 20, 2014 7:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Baldwin, Carnazzo, McCarthy, McEwen, Menendez-Herbst, Perske, Spangler Commissioners Absent: None 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, Recording Secretary Teresa Nash CALL TO ORDER CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 1. Thursday, January 16, 2014 Action: Approved as submitted (7-0). ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS Timothy Barrett, Monterey resident, said he is excited to see the Sportsfest event coming to Del Monte Beach in October and said healthy events like this are the fabric of our community and bring more people to our city. Commissioner Perske also noted that the AMGEN bicycle tour will come through Monterey in May. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 2. Reconsider Monterey High School Baseball Request for Fundraising Activities at Frank E. Sollecito, Jr. Ball Park Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission approved the request of Monterey High School Baseball to allow two additional games for their BBQ fundraisers for a total of five (5) games for the 2014 season (4-3, Baldwin, McCarthy, McEwen voting no). Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton reviewed the request of Monterey High School Baseball asking the Commission to reconsider the number of dates they can hold a BBQ fundraiser during their game. She noted the original request that came before the Commission on November 21, 2013 was to have BBQ fundraisers at seven (7) games; the Commission approved three (3) games. Monterey High School Baseball Coach Groves is now asking the Commission to reconsider their previous decision and allow BBQ fundraisers for five (5) games. She also noted the letter received at the November 21, 2013 meeting from Carol Bruno, El Estero Snack Bar Concessionaire, asking that this request not be approved due to the financial burden it puts on her business. She stated that staff has encouraged them to look for other ways to raise funds and do not support the addition of two games; we have a lease with the Bruno’s and the City gets a percentage of their sales and staff concurs with what previous commissions have said which is to find other fundraising events. Michael Groves, Monterey High School Baseball Coach, said we have a tremendous amount of respect for the Bruno’s and their concession stand; we also bring a lot of people to the ball park every day that may not be there otherwise. Over the years, we made a commitment not to produce or sell any food  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, February 20, 2014 items that the snack bar sells; he does not feel that they are pulling their business away; people who attend the games when we have our BBQs still go to the snack bar for other items. Commissioner McCarthy asked if the City has received a follow-up report from last year and if they have considered other types of fundraising events. Mr. Groves stated the follow-up report has been provided and that it will be done each year. He said they do have other fundraisers but they do not generate a lot of money. He said the relationship between the City and the school is great, we have raised money for the field and scoreboard; we appreciate what we have and feel it’s reasonable for us to ask for five evenings to have BBQs. He said he does not see it as a lost day for the snack bar; we bring more people to the park. Katia Stornetta, Varsity Team Mom in charge of the BBQs, said what we sell at each game varies and it’s all done with volunteers and donations of food. She said we really steer clear of what the Snack Bar sells and do not sell soda. The Snack Bar food is really popular with the players, and we also tell visiting teams there is an active snack bar available during our games. She said we are looking at different ways to do fundraising; we have four fundraisers, this isn’t our only one but it’s our best one because we have a captive audience. Commissioner Baldwin stated that staff has had concerns for a while with this annual request; we have a concessionaire with a lease and asked why is it so important to have this many BBQ fundraisers. Mr. Groves stated the games are in the evening, its cash business and you know the people are coming, especially if Palma High is coming; it’s a really effective fundraiser. Commissioner Spangler inquired if it would be possible to have a coordinated effort with the Snack Bar and baseball teams. Mr. Groves said it would be worth exploring, I’d be willing to sit down and have that discussion. Timothy Barrett, Monterey resident, said this sounds like it’s about the health of our children and feels that allowing the BBQs for a few more games is really important for the community; it’s a community event, enhances the fabric of our community and brings people together. Dillon Landon, Monterey High Baseball Varsity member, said besides contributing to our fundraising, there’s a really good sense of community that goes on at the ball park; all three teams are there and it’s a real family feeling. Carol Bruno, El Estero Snack Bar Concessionaire, stated that Dennis the Menace Park is closed on Tuesdays during the winter, so unless there is an activity and a reason for us to open on Tuesdays, we are closed. Last night there was a JV scrimmage game and we stayed open, we feel the snack bar is to service the park. She said the high school took it upon themselves to have BBQs and charge gate fees about 10 years ago, without the City’s permission. It’s not that I don’t want them to raise money for the baseball team; I just want them to find some other ways to raise funds. They used to do a dinner dance and it was very successful. She said the Snack Bar is there all year long and depends on the baseball season to pull them through the year. She said we are not making enough to meet expenses, so we depend on what goes on at the park. Ms. Bruno said the BBQs do bring us business, but they also take away business. She said when the City held their Pee Wee Baseball League at Sollecito Ball Park, there was a changeover every hour with families, and feels that Monterey High monopolizes the field. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst asked how many night games they have this season. Mr. Groves stated they have five night games, ten total home games. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst asked if the Snack Bar is open every night except on Tuesdays. Ms. Bruno stated they are open at night only if there were a game or some other activity. Commissioner Spangler asked again if a coordinated effort would be possible. Ms. Bruno said anything is possible; I would not close the door on it. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, February 20, 2014 2  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, February 20, 2014 Commissioner McEwen noted these nights are a financial plus for someone; we need to figure out how to divvy it up so everyone benefits. There has to be a middle path, the Bruno’s have to make a living and the baseball team wants to make some money. She feels the profits from all five games seems disrespectful of the Bruno’s and said the Commission already approved BBQs at three games and we should stick with that decision. On a motion by Commissioner Menendez-Herbst, seconded by Commissioner Perske, and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission approved two (2) additional dates for a total of five (5) dates for Monterey High School Baseball to hold BBQ Fundraisers at Sollecito Ball Park for the 2014 season: AYES: 4 COMMISSIONERS: Carnazzo, Menendez-Herbst, Perske, Spangler NOES: 3 COMMISSIONERS: Baldwin, McCarthy, McEwen ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 3. Monthly Report - Parks Division - January 2014 Action: Report received. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra reported we are in the process of recruiting for summer staff; just completed putting the Summer/Fall 2014 Activities Guide together; provided a customer service/marketing training for our staff that was held at the Monterey Conference Center and was very successful; youth baseball leagues are starting up soon; Adult Softball is starting in March; the Golden 55 travel trips are doing well; and the senior luncheon at Scholze Park Center was held yesterday with about 90 attendees. Sports Center Manager Vierra reported the City hosted a press conference in front of the Sports Center about the AMGEN tour that is coming through Monterey on May 14. He said they will have events and prizes in cycling classes during that time. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo reported they are freshening up the medians on Fremont Blvd.; working on the El Estero par course installing new decomposed granite on the path; and the Laguna Grande soccer field turf replacement will start in May or June. He stated that we can’t lose sight of all the things we do for the high school, we pay for the lights every day, we pay for prepping the fields, we also put in about $350,000 for the field, we do plenty for them. Community Services and Library Director Bui-Burton reported the Conference Center Facility District election was approved by the City Council; and we have two upcoming events on the beach involving ocean sports. She stated we do not have enough money to update the Parks and Recreation Master Plan as planned; the current document is over 30 years old and is outdated. She said we’re finding it could cost $100,000 or more, so we cannot move forward at this time, and will have to look for additional funding. Commissioner McCarthy inquired if there is a timeline for asking for the money. Director Bui-Burton said the budget process starts in March and goes to Council in May for review and approval. She reported we are still recruiting for the City Manager and Finance Director positions. She said our customer service trainer, Jody Rudick, was a secret shopper at each of our facilities and she was really impressed and was greeted with friendly, helpful staff. Jody will use us as an example in other training sessions. You can be really proud of your staff. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, February 20, 2014 3  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, February 20, 2014 COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Carnazzo said this was a tough meeting for him because he sees both sides of the issue. He said we have tried to raise money for our teams too and the fundraising competition is hard. He thinks it’s a great idea for them to get together and work something out between them. Commissioner McEwen also said this was tough, it’s a balance of business and fundraising and it’s very difficult, it was good that everyone was heard and that we came to a decision. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst also said it was really hard and it is a big deal. The baseball team may not get this vote next year, so this gives them time to find other ways to raise money. Commissioner Spangler said the highlight of the meeting for her was having the young man who is on the baseball team stand up to speak; I like to see youth get involved. NEXT MEETING Thursday, March 20, 2014 ADJOURNMENT Chair Perske adjourned the meeting at 8:31 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Kim Bui-Burton Louis Perske, Chair Community Services and Library Director Parks and Recreation Commission Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, February 20, 2014 4