Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting Thursday, May 15, 2014 7:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Baldwin, McCarthy, McEwen, Menendez-Herbst, Spangler Commissioners Absent: Carnazzo, Perske Staff Members Present: Community Services Director Kim Bui-Burton, Recreation and Community Services Manager Cindy Vierra, Sports Center Manager Jeff Vierra, Park Operations Manager Louie Marcuzzo, Fitness Manager Bill Rothschild, Facility Coordinator Rachael Zalan, Principal Engineer Robert Harary, Capital Programs Coordinator Jocelyn Francis, Recording Secretary Teresa Nash Vice Chair Baldwin asked for a “Moment of Silence for Coll Perske,” son of Commissioner Lou Perske. Coll passed away in a diving accident in San Diego while doing nighttime training maneuvers with dolphins and sea lions for the Navy. Coll was an avid outdoorsman and loved the physical side of life. CALL TO ORDER CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 1. Thursday, March 20, 2014 Action: Approved as submitted (5-0-2, Carnazzo, Perske absent). ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS None. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 2. Parks and Recreation Master Plan Conformity of the Proposed Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) Parks and Park-Related Projects for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission approved the proposed park and park/recreation-related Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) projects for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 and that the proposed projects conform to the Parks and Recreation Master Plan (5-0-2, Carnazzo, Perske absent). Community Services Director Bui-Burton reported the NIP Committee has completed their voting process. She stated tonight the Commission will hear a presentation on the approved NIP parks and recreation related projects for conformity to the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. She introduced Bob Harary, Principal Engineer/Capital Programs Manager.  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, May 15, 2014 Principal Engineer/Capital Programs Manager Harary reviewed the NIP process and said that 29 park and recreation related projects will move forward to the City Council including three cut- off projects, with an estimated funding of $2.7M. He noted that construction costs have gone up and are coming in high. He said the eight (8) projects that the Parks and Recreation Commission submitted were not selected for funding. Director Bui-Burton noted that staff pulled the awning installation project at the Monterey Sports Center to review other options. Mr. Harary reviewed the park projects that were selected to include drainage, school projects, and bicycle projects which are also part of the “Monterey on the Move” program. He stated staff does not recommend approval of the David Avenue Open Space project (NM-8-$7,500) due to the high maintenance costs and terrain of the property. He said this property is a safety hazard because it is not being maintained. He stated the initial cost to clean it up would be very high, labor intensive and there would be ongoing maintenance costs. Mr. Harary noted the Commission approved all projects to conformity of the Master Plan in March with the exception of the homeless camp project, and tonight we are asking the Commission to confirm that these NIP Committee approved projects for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 conform to the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Principal Engineer/Capital Programs Manager Harary stated he would like to provide some information on NIP projects that have been completed or are in process. Sharon Dwight stated providing this information would be in violation of Brown Act because it was not an agendized item. Principal Engineer/Capital Programs Manager Harary reviewed the list of park and recreation related projects that have been completed in the past year; he also reviewed the list of current and upcoming park and recreation projects including the Dennis the Menace Playground walkway and the Skate Park renovation project and said they are done with the design and are ready to go out for bids. He reported the Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update was approved with CIP funding: $50,000 in FY 13-14 and $125,000 in FY 14-15. He credited Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo and his staff for all the work they have done. Director Bui-Burton stated she had asked for an update on NIP projects and thanked Mr. Harary for his update. Sharon Dwight, NIP Alternate Spokesperson, said the NIP Committee will look at backlogged approved projects and determine which would need additional funds, noting there is $750,000 in contingency funds now. She said the David Avenue Open Space was a parcel left behind when the City purchased Hilltop Park Center and that nothing has been done to it for 35 years. She stated the Parks and Recreation Master shows their neighborhood is short on park land and says to purchase open space. She said the parcel is very steep, but if the trees were gone you would be able to see Hilltop Park Center. She gave a brief overview of several projects to include the bike rack at the Sports Center is a donation from the New Monterey Neighborhood Association; a study is currently being done on the Casa Verde Avenue crossing; the Laguna Grande Park project will provide more park space; the Hartnell Gulch is to clean up invasive and non-native plants; the Waterfront Master Plan is going forward and part of the plan is to remove the existing bocce ball courts by the Wharf; and the Veteran’s Memorial Park bicycle/pedestrian safety path is tied together with all of the proposed bike projects. Commissioner McCarthy inquired on the two Monterey Peninsula Unified School District (MPUSD) projects and asked who maintains and keeps the park/play areas open for public use. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo said it doesn’t always work out for public access. He said Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, May 15, 2014 2  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, May 15, 2014 his understanding is MPUSD is going to receive a check from the City for their approved projects and they are going be responsible to do the improvements. Sharon Dwight stated that it’s in the MOU that MPUSD has to leave the play areas/parks open for public access; the City is to be reimbursed if the agreement is not upheld. Commissioner McEwen stated if the David Avenue Open Space project is a liability and not a buildable lot, maybe this is not the right use of resources for the City. Director Bui-Burton stated this will ultimately be up to the Council. Commissioner McEwen inquired if the bocce ball courts are part of the Master Plan. Director Bui-Burton said it is in one of the updates but not to a particular neighborhood, it was citywide. There was interest in putting one at Archer Park and at Scholze Park in the past. On a motion by Commissioner McCarthy, seconded by Commissioner McEwen, and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission advised that all NIP Committee approved park and recreation related projects for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 conform to the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and updates: AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Baldwin, McCarthy, McEwen, Menendez- Herbst, Spangler NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Carnazzo, Perske 3. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - Tour of Park Facilities - Thursday, June 19, 2014 Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission agreed upon 5:00 p.m. for their park facilities tour on Thursday, June 19, 2014 (5-0-2, Carnazzo, Perske absent). Community Services Director Bui-Burton informed the Commission they will go on their annual tour of park facilities on Thursday, June 19, 2014 at 5:00 p.m. She said Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo will lead the tour and focus on areas that have approved NIP projects. Director Bui-Burton also reminded the Commission to visit Camp Quien Sabe and Whispering Pines Day Camp if they get a chance this summer. 4. Highlights of Monterey Sports Center Programs Action: Presentation received. Sports Center Manager Vierra introduced Fitness Manager Bill Rothschild and Facility Coordinator Rachael Zalan. Fitness Manager Rothschild reported the Sports Center has 3,000 visitors a day and have over 8,000 memberships. He said the Sports Center has a significant impact on our community, many start their day at the Sports Center with swimming, or have coffee and visit with friends; we see the same people every day. He said over 40,000 people participated in aquatics programs and that kids who learned to swim in our pools are now instructors here. He noted the Tot Time program has really taken off this year and the pool is packed. Birthday parties are popular and most weekends the facility is booked with private parties with about 80 per year. He stated a clean facility is our top priority. He noted there are two physical therapists who are longtime employees and their approach is to teach people how to take care of themselves. The Sports Center is a preferred provider for Medicare and most major companies and noted that 62% of people referred for physical therapy are now members. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, May 15, 2014 3  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, May 15, 2014 In the Group Exercise division there are 124 classes per week and the boxing workout program is taught by an amateur boxer. We participate in parades at the Good Old Days and the Rodeo. The Martial Arts class is very popular; Pee Wee Basketball and Youth Basketball Leagues are doing well. Throughout the year we have special groups that use the facility like IB Ingham, Special Olympics, YMCA, other City camp/playground programs; and our relationship with Trinity High School is great and the kids are in every day using all parts of facility. There is something for everybody. Commissioner Baldwin thanked staff and said it was a great presentation. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 5. Monthly Report - Parks Division - March 2014 Action: Report received. 6. Monthly Report - Parks Division - April 2014 Action: Report received. 7. Piano Recital at Hilltop Park Center Action: Report received. 8. 4th of July Celebration 2014 Action: Report received. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra reported staff is gearing up for our summer programs; enrollment numbers are up especially for Camp Quien Sabe; summer staff training will begin in three weeks; and the Field Sports Coordinator position opened this week noting this position has been vacant for almost a year. She said Scholze Park Center will have their new travel programs coming out soon and the program has been renamed “play! Monterey Travel Program.” They will be going to several Broadway plays, on shopping tours; they just went to Yosemite and Chukchansi and have a shopping trip in San Francisco this weekend. She said the AMGEN California Bike Tour was yesterday and it was a success and very exciting to see. She reported that staff is working on 4th of July activities; the community centers are getting ready for preschool graduation next week; and she reminded everyone this Saturday is Art in the Park at Hilltop Park Center and said we will have high school art academy students volunteering this year and that it really is a community event. Sports Center Manager Vierra thanked Bill for the presentation on the Sports Center and said we have fantastic staff members and they all work well as a team. He noted that when the Sports Center opened, it was pretty even numbers of participants across the age groups and now the senior age group has really grown. He said he went to a presentation at CSUMB about the Sports Center and it was really good, they received a standing ovation and lots of positive comments about the Monterey Sports Center. He reported that this week we hired four new staff members who learned how to swim at the Sports Center. The Monterey Sports Center is well known in the community. Commissioner McEwen inquired if the CSUMB presentation was as a business plan and did they have any new ideas for you. Sports Center Manager Vierra stated it was a lot of comparison to other facilities and some of the things they brought up we have thought of but do not have the funding to implement. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, May 15, 2014 4  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, May 15, 2014 Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo reported they are improving the DG areas on the Recreation Trail and adding some new landscaping; and they are close to going out for bids for the Laguna Grande Park soccer field and the Ferrante Park fence. He reported the Parks Division has gone pesticide free throughout City parks. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner McEwen said it’s beautiful and the parks are great. Commissioner Spangler said she is looking forward to the upcoming park tour. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst said staff does a lot of work and thanked the Sports Center staff for a great presentation. Commissioner McCarthy reminded everyone to “visit a park!” NEXT MEETING Thursday, June 19, 2014 ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair Baldwin adjourned the meeting at 8:21 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Kim Bui-Burton Vance Baldwin, Vice Chair Community Services Director Parks and Recreation Commission Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, May 15, 2014 5