Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting Thursday, June 16, 2016 7:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Baldwin, McEwen, Menendez-Herbst, Panetta, Spangler Commissioners Absent: Carnazzo, McCarthy Staff Members Present: Community Services Director Kim Bui-Burton, Recreation and Community Services Manager Cindy Vierra, Park Operations Manager Louie Marcuzzo, Library Director Inga Waite, Recording Secretary Teresa Nash CALL TO ORDER PRESENTATIONS 1. Introduction of New Commissioner - Kathleen (Kathy) Panetta (Not a Project Under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Introduction made. Community Services Director Bui-Burton introduced Kathy Panetta, who was appointed by the City Council on March 15, 2016 with her term ending December 31, 2017. Kathy is a retired dietician, worked as a docent for the Monterey Bay Aquarium, provided meal delivery for Meals on Wheels, and is currently a volunteer for the Gathering Place for Women. Commissioner Panetta said she’s honored to be here and thanked staff for giving her their time. 2. Lower Presidio Historic Park Improvements Presented by the Old Monterey Foundation (Not a Project Under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Item tabled. Community Services Director Bui-Burton said Bill McCrone of the Old Monterey Foundation (OMF) was not available to do the presentation tonight; OMF requested to table this item. On a motion by Commissioner Spangler, seconded by Commissioner Menendez-Herbst, and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission approved tabling this item: AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Baldwin, McEwen, Menendez-Herbst, Panetta, Spangler NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Carnazzo, McCarthy  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, June 16, 2016 CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 3. Thursday, May 19, 2016 Action: Approved as submitted (5-0-2, Carnazzo, McCarthy absent). ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS Katrina Hintze, Monterey resident, said she feels that Ferrante Park is only allowed to be used by one group and considers that as private use; it is not available for the public to use and sits empty most of the day until the kids get out of school. She said that Montecito Park has been ignored by the City; there are two projects approved by NIP that are waiting for the Commission to move forward on. She said Montecito Park is very small and the middle of the park is dirt; this neighborhood needs more park space. She suggested the City considers moving some of the baseball played at Ferrante Park to Aldrete Field. Sharon Dwight, Monterey resident, said the Recreation Trail is very used and congested; an Aquarium staff member spoke to our Neighborhood Association and they are encouraging their employees to bike to work. Another way for bicyclists to go is on the path through the Lower Presidio; it’s a wonderful transportation corridor and is missing the final piece to finish. She encouraged the Commission to support the Transportation Agency of Monterey County (TAMC) to complete this safe alternative. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 4. Receive Report on Anticipated Site Improvements for Locating a Full Court Basketball Court with Lighting in Montecito Park (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Item continued to July 21, 2016. Community Services Director Bui-Burton said staff is requesting to continue this item to the July 21, 2016 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting for more staff research and community input. On a motion by Commissioner Panetta, seconded by Commissioner Spangler, and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission approved continuing this item to the July 21, 2016 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting: AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Baldwin, McEwen, Menendez-Herbst, Panetta, Spangler NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Carnazzo, McCarthy Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, June 16, 2016 2  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, June 16, 2016 5. Approve Installation of “Little Free Library” Book Distribution Structure at Montecito Park (This project has been determined to be Exempt from CEQA Requirements, Article 19, Section 1530, Class 3) Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission approved the installation of a “Little Free Library” book distribution structure at Montecito Park (5-0-2, Carnazzo, McCarthy absent). Community Services Director Bui-Burton stated we received a proposal from The Friends of the Monterey Public Library who would like to donate a “Little Free Library” at Montecito Park. She said there are a lot of families with children in this neighborhood; the Library had an event there last week and they had 80 people in attendance. This Little Free Library will be managed and maintained by the Library and the Book Mobile also stops there each week. Commissioner McEwen inquired if this would it be a book exchange. Director Bui-Burton stated the Library will provide the books. Library Director Waite said they are really excited about this possibility; it wouldn’t be an exchange, the Library will provide the books and participants can either keep the book or return it. She stated they also plan to include more Spanish books. Commissioner Baldwin said they have one in his neighborhood and it’s great, new books appear all the time. He said the structure is well constructed and looks good. Library Director Waite stated they see it as an amenity to the park. On a motion by Commissioner Spangler, seconded by Commissioner Panetta, and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission approved the installation of a “Little Free Library” book distribution structure at Montecito Park: AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Baldwin, McEwen, Menendez-Herbst, Panetta, Spangler NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Carnazzo, McCarthy 6. Receive Report and Update on the Parks and Recreation Master Plan (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Report received. Community Services Director Bui-Burton noted the Draft Parks and Recreation Master Plan (PRMP) is published on the City’s website; this process began in August 2015. The Commission has received reports all along and feedback from community meetings and surveys. She said we will hold a study session on June 22 and the consultants will be here to present the draft plan. We plan to bring the PRMP back to the Commission for final review on July 21 and recommend approval to the City Council; we plan to bring it to Council for their review and approval in August. Director Bui-Burton stated this is not a specific plan for each park; they did assessments for each and received input from the surveys and public meetings. The specifics for each park will come further in the implementation phase. From the surveys and public input, we heard that we need to take care of what we already have; be good stewards of our existing park and recreation facilities. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, June 16, 2016 3  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, June 16, 2016 Sharon Dwight, President of New Monterey Neighborhood Association, inquired if someone could attend their meeting on July 11 and talk about the proposed plan for our neighborhood; what is planned for the Presidio; and what is planned for the waterfront. She said this document says to spend money on upgrades or on recreation; the last year the majority of NIP money was spent on parks. She noted that Trinity Christian High School is taking over the Bay View campus and they plan to enforce the dog ban in parks because people are not cleaning up after their dogs. Library Director Waite said they are excited to see this plan coming out as a draft and are very interested in partnering with the Recreation Division; we have a lot of teens come to the Library and the plan says the Monterey Youth Center is not utilized by teens. Sharon Dwight, Monterey resident, feels there could be some outdoor recreational uses at Hartnell Gulch; it’s adjacent to the Library and there are plans for some outdoor seating around the Library. Commissioner McEwen inquired how this plan will be presented to the public. Director Bui- Burton stated the community has been involved with surveys and focus groups; we’re still seeking input and will distribute the plan via the website. Once the PRMP is approved, the Commission will have the opportunity to set their work program. She noted the Lower Presidio Historic Park Master Plan is included in the PRMP as one of the appendices. Katrina Hintze, Monterey resident, said she has four boys that go to the Library after school; it’s safe and has been taking the place of the Youth Center. She supports the endeavor of the Library partnering with Recreation. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 7. Monthly Report - Parks Division - May 2016 (Not a Project Under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Report received. 8. 4th of July Celebration 2016 (Not a Project Under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Report received. Community Services Director Bui-Burton reported the 29th Annual Big Little Backyard BBQ Extravaganza 4th of July Lawn Party will provide music all day long and will have non-profit food sales. This year’s music includes Operation Rock, The Peelers, Reckless In Vegas, and The Killer Queens. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra said the Fire Department will start the day off with their pancake breakfast, then the parade, lawn party, and the Monterey County Pops! concert at Golden State Theater will complete the day. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra reported the Day Camp and Playground programs started this week; staff is setting up for Camp Quien Sabe which starts on Monday and they are pretty much full for the summer. She reported they kicked off the Summer Reading Program last week with the Library, the Monterey Community Band held their concert as a tribute to Dick Robins, who has been the conductor for 30 years; and there are 65 teams in Socko that started this week. She said the kids are having a good time; that’s what is important. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, June 16, 2016 4  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, June 16, 2016 Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo reported they are doing a lot of mowing of high grass; they broke ground for the basketball court at Shoreline Park; and have been doing a lot of work getting ready for the Recreation summer programs. Community Services Director Bui-Burton reported we’ve had a lot of action going on with the Bernie Sanders event on Colton Hall Lawn and summer programs beginning. She said she had the chance to hear from some of our Recreation Leaders and they said the reason they applied was that they wanted to work with kids; help the community; and be outside. They are all CPR and First Aid trained, learn how to work as a team, and work with kids with different abilities. Sharon Dwight, Monterey resident, said she walks with a lady who has a 4-year old granddaughter in a program at Hilltop Park Center. She said her granddaughter was so upset that her dad arrived early to pick her up, she told him to not come early tomorrow; this program is exactly what parents and grandparents are looking for. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Menendez-Herbst said she is thrilled that we plan to partner with the Library on programs. She goes there a few times a week and the kids are always having a good time, studying and hanging out. Commissioner Baldwin inquired if staff feels safety equipment compliance has improved at the Skate Park. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra reported we have our first Skate Clinic this Saturday and we have staff going by to check and ask park users to wear safety gear. We will have another Skate Jam in July and hope to give away helmets and continue to remind them to wear their gear. Commissioner Panetta inquired if the sign is up at the Skate Park saying they will be cited for not wearing safety gear. Director Bui-Burton said the City Council had the first reading of the revised ordinance, the second reading will be next week and then it will be valid in 30 days, then the new signs will go up. Commissioner Spangler inquired if the public can use the park area at Bay View Academy on Del Monte Avenue after school hours. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo stated we do not maintain that facility and do not have an agreement with them. Manager Vierra also noted that Bay View Academy is moving their middle school classes to Larkin School. NEXT MEETING Wednesday, June 22, 2016 - Study Session ADJOURNMENT Chair McEwen adjourned the meeting at 7:56 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Kim Bui-Burton Ellen McEwen, Chair Community Services Director Parks and Recreation Commission Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, June 16, 2016 5