Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting Thursday, November 20, 2014 7:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Baldwin, Carnazzo, McCarthy, McEwen, Perske Commissioners Absent: Menendez-Herbst, Spangler 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, Recreation Supervisor Shannon Leon, Recording Secretary Teresa Nash CALL TO ORDER CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 1. Thursday, August 21, 2014 Action: Approved as submitted (5-0-2, Menendez-Herbst, Spangler absent). ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS Bob Enea, member of local bocce ball group, introduced an idea to install bocce ball courts at Monterey Bay Park with room for four courts with benches for players and spectators; he said they plan to submit this proposal as an NIP project. He said the bocce ball courts at the Custom House Plaza are in major disrepair and that it takes 2-3 days to prepare the courts for the Santa Rosalia Festival. He said they have identified over 200 players in the area and some are the elite players in California. He said people love to come to Monterey to play bocce ball; they would like to establish a bocce ball center for tournament and league play and to introduce bocce ball tourism to Monterey. Commissioner McCarthy inquired if the proposed area is the grass area that is currently being used by others for Frisbee. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo stated the proposed bocce ball area is in an unused area of Monterey Bay Park. Community Services Director Bui-Burton stated that Mr. Enea’s group plan to submit a NIP nomination form and it will come to the commission for review and approval at that time.  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, November 20, 2014 PUBLIC APPEARANCE 2. Review Potential Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) Projects for Fiscal Year 2015-2016 and Provide Guidance to Staff Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission Community Services Director Bui-Burton reviewed the NIP process and said in January the proposed NIP projects will come to the commission for review and to confirm the projects are in compliance with the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. She said staff will review all proposed projects for compliance and will bring back to the commission for approval to the City Council. She noted that last year the commission submitted and prioritized eight (8) projects; none were selected for funding by the NIP Committee. Staff feels they are still good projects and suggests resubmitting them this year. Commissioner McCarthy inquired if there were other park and recreation-related projects approved last year that were not on the commission’s submittal list; that would give us an idea of what type of projects the NIP Committee may approve. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo said there were some school projects approved that were park and recreation-related projects; he noted a lot of big projects came out of last year’s selections. 3. Selection of Chair and Vice Chair for 2015 Action: Commissioner Vance Baldwin will serve as Chair and Commissioner Ellen McEwen will serve as Vice Chair for 2015. Community Services Director Bui-Burton reviewed with the Commission the selection process of the Chair and Vice Chair for the Parks and Recreation Commission for 2015. The Chair will be Vance Baldwin and the Vice Chair will be Ellen McEwen, effective January 1, 2015. She stated that the positions of Chair and Vice Chair rotates annually to the member who has the longest current period of continuous service without having served as Chair or Vice Chair. Director Bui-Burton said that Vance and Ellen have both agreed to serve as Chair and Vice Chair for 2015. 4. Highlights of Summer Programs Action: Presentation made. Recreation Supervisor Leon gave a Power Point presentation highlighting the summer’s programs and activities. She said we had an amazing summer and it flew by quickly. Commissioner Perske inquired how the revenues and expenditures relate to these programs. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra stated the City Council has historically kept the Playground Program fee low and that revenue collected for Camp Quien Sabe and Whispering Pines Day Camp cover the cost of staff and supplies. She asked if anyone knew when the Playground Program started – the answer is 1938. Commissioner Baldwin asked if there is a formal evaluation available for each program. Manager Vierra stated yes, but we have a hard time getting the evaluations back from parents and participants. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, November 20, 2014 2  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, November 20, 2014 Community Services Director Bui-Burton noted more children at Camp Quien Sabe had food allergies, so the food is more expensive and that’s been a bit of a challenge. She said families really entrust their children to us; the campers come in, have fun and want to be like the leaders. Commissioner Carnazzo said when he worked for the Recreation Division; we always had really thorough staff training. He said we’re spoiled in Monterey and he would like to see how other cities’ Recreation programs work. He thanked staff and said you are amazing in what you do. The Commission thanked staff for all their hard work. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 5. Hosting of Annual Christmas Party 2014 Action: Report received. 6. Parks and Recreation Commission Schedule for 2015 Action: Report received. 7. Monthly Report - Parks Division - August 2014 Action: Report received. 8. Monthly Report - Parks Division - September 2014 Action: Report received. 9. Monthly Report - Parks Division - October 2014 Action: Report received. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra reported Scholze Park Center held their Thanksgiving Feast for 100 seniors, the play! Monterey Travel newsletter has gone out with new trips listed, the community centers and administrative office will be closed the week of Christmas, and staff is putting together summer/fall programs for our next activity guide. She reported our Flag Football program started last week at the Lower Presidio Soldier Field. She said it was a bumpy start with the Presidio Security’s new access procedures and that approximately 700 names that had to be cleared for our program. Sports Center Manager Vierra reported the pool bottom will be polished beginning next week; they are adding new Core machines and creating a new area for them; a Sports Center member gave a donation to purchase and refurbish the machines and stated we are very fortunate to have members like this who see this as a benefit for the good of the community; and the Youth Basketball League will be starting soon and always fills. He noted they will be open on New Year’s Day again this year. Commissioner Baldwin inquired if there has been an upswing in participation at the Sports Center in the last five months. Sports Center Manager Vierra said it has been busier and that’s why we are creating that new area for equipment. He said the pools are very busy and that they have over 120 groups using them. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo said the Laguna Grande soccer field has been graded and base rock has been added, they are waiting for the turf; he noted this project needs to be done by December 15 for grant funding. He reported sand mitigation and the split rail fence is being done for the Del Monte Beach dunes area; the Hilltop Park landscape project is underway, and they have done equipment repairs at El Estero Park. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, November 20, 2014 3  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, November 20, 2014 Commissioner Perske reported the right-handed batter’s box is worn out at Sollecito Ball Park. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo said it gets a lot of use and the company is coming to make repairs. Community Services Director Bui-Burton said the election results have been done and she introduced Clyde Roberson, our new Mayor elect. She reported the new council will be seated on December 2 and there will be a reception at 5:00 p.m. at the Museum of Art; the Old Monterey Business Association & First Night Monterey are doing the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Thursday, December 4 at 5:00 p.m. in front of Colton Hall; the Holiday Party will be on Monday, December 15 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Monterey Youth Center and she asked commissioners to bring something to share; and the MST ballot measure passed and we are hopeful the taxi voucher program will continue for our seniors. She commended the Sports Center staff for seeing the need and for working on New Year’s Day. She said the “Little Free Library” in Via Paraiso was approved by Council and the one for Griffin Plaza is on hold. She thanked Officer Jake Pinkas for assisting at the Presidio’s Pvt. Bolio gate for our opening day of Flag Football. Commissioner McEwen said in the Parks Monthly Reports, it says there were incidents with domestic violence and the homeless at Veteran’s Memorial Park and asked if it is considered a safe place to walk at night. Director Bui-Burton said most of the incidents occurred within that group. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner McCarthy thanked everyone for their hard work and for keeping everything moving. Commissioner Perske said staff does amazing work – it’s beyond belief. NEXT MEETING Thursday, December 18, 2014 ADJOURNMENT Chair Perske adjourned the meeting at 8:03 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, November 20, 2014 4