Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting Thursday, August 20, 2015 7:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Carnazzo, McCarthy, McEwen, Spangler Commissioners Absent: Baldwin, Menendez-Herbst 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, Recording Secretary Teresa Nash CALL TO ORDER CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 1. Thursday, June 18, 2015 Action: Approved as submitted (4-0-2, Baldwin, Menendez-Herbst absent). ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS Sharon Dwight, New Monterey neighborhood resident, shared that residents near Cypress Park were telling her the park is looking sad because of reduced watering; she then received an email saying “they watered, they watered” and wanted to let you know that we appreciated that. Thank you. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 2. Receive Water Conservation and Proposed Action Plan Referral from Council, Receive Parks and Recreation Report and Recommend Parks and Recreation Water Reduction Actions to Council (This item is being tabled for further staff review and coordination.) Action: Item tabled. 3. Approve Signage, Plaque, and Globe Features for Sister City Park Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission approved the signage, plaque and globe features for the Sister City Park (4-0-2, Baldwin, Menendez-Herbst absent).  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, August 20, 2015 Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo stated the Sister City Park was created 3 years ago with the idea to have one location where all of our Sister Cities could be recognized. He said the plaque and signage have been funded by the NIP Committee and that the signage would have arrows pointing to the different Sister Cities showing the distance, the globe will be stainless steel with markers showing the locations of our Sister Cities, and that the globe will have a rod in the middle and will be interactive so people can spin it. Commissioner McCarthy inquired how big the globe will be. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo stated it is 18 inches in diameter. Commissioner Spangler inquired who is making the globe. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo stated that Metal Specialties will construct the globe. Commissioner McCarthy inquired if the dates on the existing plaques are when they became Sister Cities. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo stated those are the dedication dates. Commissioner Carnazzo asked how the Sister City Program began. Community Services Director Bui-Burton stated there is a National Sister City Program that Monterey began in 1965 and we now have seven Sister Cities, and that citizens and staff look for cities that are similar to ours with tourism, a harbor, etc. Commissioner McCarthy stated that the Monterey Rotary Club just had a great presentation from two high school students from Nanao and that some Monterey students went to Nanao. He stated there are a lot of good things that come from this program. Sharon Dwight, NIP Alternate Spokesperson, said there is a lot of enthusiasm for this project. She said it would be more fascinating for visitors if the dates on the plaques were the dates they became a Sister City. She felt that Location 3 is too close to the bollards. She suggested making the globe hollow with the continents solid, and put it deeper into the area to reduce vandalism. On a motion by Commissioner Carnazzo, seconded by Commissioner Spangler, and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission approved the installation of one boulder-mounted plaque, two poles with direction signs pointing to various Sister Cities with distances indicated; and one globe feature representing Monterey’s Sister Cities: AYES: 4 COMMISSIONERS: Carnazzo, McCarthy, McEwen, Spangler NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Baldwin, Menendez-Herbst INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 4. Monthly Report - Parks Division - June 2015 Action: Report received. 5. Monthly Report - Parks Division - July 2015 Action: Report received. 6. Kids Flea Market Action: Report received. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, August 20, 2015 2  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, August 20, 2015 Commissioner McCarthy noted the homeless campsite cleanup at Veteran’s Memorial Park and inquired if that is dangerous or confrontational for City staff. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo stated the Police Department goes in before the Parks Division staff does. Commissioner McCarthy also noted that people are actually taking fence railings down at Del Monte Beach and burning them. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo stated this issue has slowed down. Commissioner Spangler noted that attendance at Veteran’s Park was at an all time high in July this year. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo stated there were a lot of events going on and a lot of hotels were full. Commissioner Spangler stated the fencing at Del Monte Beach looks great and thanked staff. Commissioner McCarthy inquired where the City would order a Lion drinking fountain for Dennis the Menace Park. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo stated they ordered it online; there are limited vendors for this type of drinking fountain. Commissioner Spangler inquired about using wood chips at Dennis the Menace Playground and if we had a date when the area at the top of the slide will be completed. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo stated the sand ruins the rollers on the slide, and we are waiting for the Skate Park renovations to begin to complete that area. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra reported a very successful summer and great attendance in all programs. She said trees were trimmed at the Toro Park Youth Overnight Area for the safety of participants in our Camp Quien Sabe Overnight Camp program and that we paid half of the expense. She reported this Saturday is the kick-off for soccer; playoffs were held last weekend for Socko; the 30+ Adult Baseball League and Fall Socko Leagues begin soon; and the monthly senior luncheons at Scholze Park Center are beginning again, staff will send a luncheon schedule to the commissioners. She reminded everyone that the Kids Flea Market is on Saturday, September 19 at Hilltop Park Center. She said we are starting on the Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update project next week with Blue Point and will be spending two days showing them all the parks and recreational facilities; we are excited to get their viewpoint and ideas. Sports Center Manager Vierra reported a very busy summer; the automatic door openers in the women’s locker room have been installed and they love it; this project was funded by the NIP Committee and is a great addition. He said new cardio equipment is coming in to replace older equipment; for FY 16-17 we requested to replace everything in the weight room, which has been there since 2002; it’s very hard to get parts for the older machines. He said the Snack Bar will have an updated look with new seating, new deli case and the pro shop will be separate from the café; we hope to have it completed by December. He reported there were a lot of people from here during car week that were using the Sports Center and they just loved it. He said they are replacing the gutters, but that the HVAC on the roof still leaks and they are working on a solution; we have to tarp the roof during the winter. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo said it’s been a challenging summer with the drought. He said they are installing new fencing and a shade structure for the picnic area at Casanova Oak Knoll Park; this is an NIP funded project. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, August 20, 2015 3  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, August 20, 2015 Community Services Director Bui-Burton said she heard from Commissioner Lou Perske and he informed us that they have moved to La Mesa. She stated we are discussing what type of outreach we want for the Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update. She shared a touching thank you letter from four children that were able to attend Camp Quien Sabe this summer from donations from a nonprofit group. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Spangler said she has a good friend with two girls who attended Whispering Pines Day Camp this summer and they loved it – great work by staff. Commissioner McCarthy inquired if there is a program for watering the parks. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo stated legally we can only water two days a week; some parks dry out quicker than others and really show the stress, it depends on where the park is located. Commissioner Carnazzo said he is amazed on how much is going on, staff does a great job. Community Services Director Bui-Burton reported the British Broadcast Corporation (BBC) is filming a series called “Big Blue Live” around Monterey Bay and will have an 85’ inflatable whale set up at San Carlos Beach Park this Saturday. She said the story they are telling of Monterey Bay is about the history of the sardines and fishing in the 1960’s, how the bay has been rebuilt and how clean the ocean has become here. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra said the show will air for three nights beginning on August 29; it’s amazing to see. She reported they did get footage of the whale that was stuck in the harbor; this show will really expose Monterey and the Bay. NEXT MEETING Thursday, September 17, 2015 Community Services Director Bui-Burton noted we will schedule a field trip of the waterfront area and will contact the Commission with possible dates. ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair McEwen adjourned the meeting at 7:36 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Kim Bui-Burton Ellen McEwen, Vice Chair Community Services Director Parks and Recreation Commission Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, August 20, 2015 4