Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting Thursday, August 21, 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 Director Kim Bui-Burton, Recreation and Community Services Manager Cindy Vierra, Park Operations Manager Louie Marcuzzo, Facility Coordinator Rachael Zalan, Recording Secretary Teresa Nash CALL TO ORDER CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 1. Thursday, June 19, 2014 Action: Approved as submitted (7-0). ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS None. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 2. Approval of Installation of "Little Free Library" Book Distribution Structure at Via Paraiso Park Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission approved the installation of a “Little Free Library” Book Distribution Structure at Via Paraiso (7-0). Community Services Director Bui-Burton stated the “Friends of the Monterey Public Library” approved their support of $500 to cover the cost and upkeep of a book distribution structure at Via Paraiso Park and are requesting it to be located by the tennis courts and restrooms. She noted they have agreed to be the stewards and to supply and maintain the structure. She said this is a great opportunity to add a different type of recreation in one of our parks. If the Parks and Recreation Commission approve this request, the next step would be Architectural Review Committee review and approval because it will be installed on public land. She said the City will also enter into an agreement with the “Friends of the Monterey Public Library” to clarify their responsibilities and provide a contact person for the Parks Division staff if any issues arise. She introduced Bill Wojtkowski, President of the “Friends of the Monterey Public Library.”  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, August 21, 2014 Commissioner Menendez-Herbst inquired why Via Paraiso Park was selected. Mr. Wojtkowski stated Via Paraiso Park was the first park approved with NIP funds, it gets a lot of public use, and a lot of “Friends” members live in the neighborhood. He said that this would be a free service to the public; bring a book - take a book. He stated the “Friends” will build and maintain the structure and feels there is a very low vandalism rate on these types of structures. He introduced John McCleary, who is also a neighbor to the park and will be doing the construction on the structure; he stated that most of the materials will be donated. He also noted the Library does two big book sales every year, but still have a lot of books that could also be donated to the Little Free Library. Commissioner McEwen inquired if the structure will be mouse proof. Bill Wojtkowski stated yes, it will be enclosed with a door. He said they tried to pick an area in the park where it would be convenient and wouldn’t be visible by the neighbors. Commissioner McCarthy asked if they have heard anything negative about installing these types of structures. Mr. Wojtkowski said the only negative is the possibility of vandalism; he said he goes to Via Paraiso Park a lot and never sees graffiti or vandalism. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst said this is a great idea and can think of other parks that could use it. Mr. Wojtkowski stated he hopes this is the first of many. On a motion by Commissioner McEwen, seconded by Commissioner Spangler, and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission approved the installation of a “Little Free Library” book distribution structure at Via Paraiso Park: AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Baldwin, Carnazzo, McCarthy, McEwen, Menendez-Herbst, Perske, Spangler NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None 3. Approval of Installation of "Liquid Books" Book Distribution Structure at Griffin Plaza Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission approved the installation of a “Liquid Books” Book Distribution Structure at Griffin Plaza (7-0). Community Services Director Bui-Burton stated this idea was started by local activist Ed Leeper, who was also a former Planning Commissioner, Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commissioner, and founder of the Colton Hall Music Series. She said after Ed passed, his family and friends wanted to set up this book distribution structure in Ed’s memory and have it as a community gathering location. She stated the “Friends of Ed Leeper” will build and maintain the structure and the neighboring businesses are in support of this proposal. John McCleary stated that if these structures become an eyesore, he could take them down quickly and feels there should not be any problems with their locations. Commissioner Perske inquired if someone specific is going to be responsible for this structure. Director Bui-Burton stated the City will have an agreement with the “Friends of Ed Leeper” group and will provide a contact person for the Parks division staff if any issues arise. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, August 21, 2014 2  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, August 21, 2014 On a motion by Commissioner McEwen, seconded by Commissioner Menendez-Herbst, and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission approved the installation of a “Liquid Books” book distribution structure at Griffin Plaza: AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Baldwin, Carnazzo, McCarthy, McEwen, Menendez-Herbst, Perske, Spangler NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 4. Monthly Report - Parks Division - June 2014 Action: Report received. 5. Monthly Report - Parks Division - July 2014 Action: Report received. 6. Kids Flea Market Action: Report received. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo reported on upcoming NIP projects to include the new walkways in Dennis the Menace Park and the Skate Park renovations; he said that bid requests went out and staff hopes to begin these projects in October; the contract was awarded for the Dennis the Menace train study; and the Laguna Grande Park soccer field project is going out to bid. He stated that “Car Week” was really big this year and seemed to go well. Commissioner McCarthy inquired what the City’s commitment is to Car Week. Community Services Director Bui-Burton stated it brings a lot of revenue in as Russo & Steele lease two parking lots; the RM Auction occupies the most City property for the longest period of time, they also book the Conference Center and a lot of rooms, and they pay for extra police officers and traffic control. She noted that this year Rick Cole Auctions was back at the Marriott and there was another auction at the Hyatt. She said a lot of city staff time goes into this event and that City staff works well together to keep everyone safe. Commissioner Perske said the car hauling trucks that park on Camino El Estero during Car Week are dangerous. Director Bui-Burton stated that is the staging area for the trucks and that only two trucks at a time can be in front of Portola Plaza. She said the City’s Traffic Engineer does the analysis and assigns areas for Car Week. She also noted there has been an incredible run on squid with over 100 tons a day being brought in and the squid trucks have to back down Wharf II; so between these two big events, parking and traffic have been a challenge. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra reported a great summer with over 490 children enrolled at Camp Quien Sabe, averaging 34-36 new campers every week; Whispering Pines Day Camp had about 60 campers per week, and the Playground Program had over 300 kids registered at each of our two sites. She said school is back in session and so are our afterschool programs at Hilltop Park Center, Bay View Academy and the Stay ‘N’ Play program at Casanova Oak Knoll Park Center. She reported that Pee Wee Soccer, Junior Soccer, adult softball, and gymnastics are all starting soon; and the play! Monterey travelers group is going to see “Motown the Musical” at the Orpheum Theatre on Sunday. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, August 21, 2014 3  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, August 21, 2014 Rachael Zalan, Facility Coordinator at the Monterey Sports Center, reported that camps and swim lessons were full this summer; they will be offering a new class called “Ropes Gone Wild;” the annual floor refinishing for both studios and the gymnasium are scheduled to begin on September 2 and said more outdoor classes will be offered during this time. Community Services Director Bui-Burton noted the letter received from Jason Wachs along with her response to him regarding the Commission’s discussion and approval on February 21, 2013 of the “Monterey On the Move” Plan. She reported that the Education First (EF) International School organization has been utilizing City property for their programs throughout the summer and stated that Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra did a valiant job trying to work with them regarding their activities and the safety of the children; they are now loading and unloading their students in front of Monterey High School. She reported that CalTrans performed an ADA audit on City facilities and that Manager Vierra had a 45-minute interview of how we deal with ADA accommodations. She said Cindy did fantastic and they said they had not seen an ADA plan as complete as ours or staff that is so well informed. They are considering using us as a model. Manager Vierra noted that CalTrans was tasked by the Federal Government to do this study. Commissioner Carnazzo inquired where the Skate Park expansion will go. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo stated it will expand into the back of Dennis the Menace Park. Commissioner Carnazzo said his youngest son loves the Skate Park. He said there are two homeless people who have set up camp on one of the fishing docks and last week they were cussing and scaring my family, he asked if something can be about this. He said the Parks crew is pretty fantastic, very polite and courteous. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo said he will check on this and report back. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Spangler reported that she visited Whispering Pines Day Camp during their Friday afternoon campfire program and said it really felt that the staff working there were very committed and very engaged with the children. She also saw the campers come back from Camp Quien Sabe (CQS) that afternoon and said a friend’s son went to CQS and tells her that he’s a different kid when he comes back from camp. She went to the Monterey Beach Volleyball Tournament and saw them setting up the water polo and it looks like it will work great. Commissioner Perske apologized for missing the last few meetings and thanked everyone for their understanding during a difficult time for his family. NEXT MEETING Thursday, September 18, 2014 ADJOURNMENT Chair Perske adjourned the meeting at 7:41 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Kim Bui-Burton Louis Perske, Chair Community Services Director Parks and Recreation Commission Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, August 21, 2014 4