Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting Thursday, August 17, 2017 7:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Baldwin, Hofmann, McCarthy, McEwen, Menendez-Herbst, Panetta, Spangler Commissioners Absent: None Staff Members Present: Community Services Director Bui-Burton, Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra, Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo, Field Sports Coordinator Susic, Recreation Supervisor Leon, Recreation Intern Jensen, Recording Secretary Nash CALL TO ORDER PRESENTATIONS Community Services Director Bui-Burton introduced Bryce Jensen, who will be an intern with the Recreation Division this fall. Bryce attends Sacramento State. 1. Highlights of Field Sports Programs (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Received presentation. Community Services Director Bui-Burton introduced Field Sports Coordinator Kyle Susic, who gave a presentation on field sports programs and attendance. Commissioner Panetta said she went to some of the Amberjacks games and inquired if any issues came up. Coordinator Susic stated very little advertising was done to keep the momentum going on attendance; they were not able to have alcohol sales; and we had to do some of things for them like staffing and order portable restrooms. He felt this was due to the lack of onsite presence by the Amberjacks commissioner. Commissioner McCarthy inquired if the flag football program is still held at DLI. Coordinator Susic stated we still do soccer there, but flag football has moved to Jacks and Sollecito. Commissioner McCarthy inquired what other cities are closing facilities to outside users. Coordinator Susic stated Seaside High is doing a re-scope of their facilities and what they will offer; they have designated certain facilities for certain programs. CSUMB shut down all outside organization uses; six different user groups were told to find other facilities. Commissioner Spangler said her son’s team was asked to move from CSUMB and they are now at Monterey High School. She inquired if we use Laguna Grande Park for soccer practice. Coordinator Susic said it is reserved for our soccer program. Commissioner Spangler asked if there is an adult soccer program anywhere on the peninsula. Coordinator Susic stated there is a 30 and over league in Pacific Grove; and an 18 and over league in Monterey that is very competitive. He would love to offer an adult soccer program but there is no space available.  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, August 17, 2017 CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 2. Thursday, May 18, 2017 Action: Approved as submitted (7-0). 3. Thursday, July 20, 2017 Action: Approved as submitted (7-0). ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS Sharon Dwight, Monterey resident, stated that NIP funded the soccer field at the former Bay View Elementary School site and suggested we talk to Trinity Christian High School regarding shared use of that field. She noted that adults have been playing soccer at Window on the Bay Park. She also mentioned that a non-profit in Fresno have been allowed to put in tiny homes for the homeless; it’s an idea that’s worthy. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 4. Recommend that the City Council Amend Monterey City Code Section 23-4 to Allow Alcohol at Recreation Areas With A Valid Written Permit (Not a Project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Recommended approval to City Council to amend Monterey City Code Section 23-4 to allow alcohol at recreation areas with a valid written permit (7-0). Community Services Director Bui-Burton noted this is the third time bringing back a proposed change to City Code Section 23-4. Last year we looked at parks where alcohol could be permitted with conditions, insurance requirements, fencing, and having servers being ABC trained. Four areas were approved: Lower Presidio Historic Park, Friendly Plaza, Colton Hall Lawn, and Sollecito Park. Part of why alcohol was not sold at Amberjacks games is they did not meet the deadline to apply for the permit. She said the Museum of Art has requested to serve alcohol at members’ events in Frances Elkins Park. We feel comfortable with our permitting process; this basically broadens our ability to allow alcohol at certain recreation areas. Commissioner McEwen said this seems like a sensible way to do this; set parameters to be sure there are no problems; makes a lot of sense to me. Sharon Dwight, New Monterey Neighborhood Association Board member, read some comments/questions from their association meeting: very good for Monterey to encourage groups; good that licensed servers are required; for smaller groups like family reunions we would hope they would use licensed servers and not server underage people; can you have alcohol in the community centers when the center is open; will the Police Department be notified; will there be signs posted showing they have a valid permit. She said their recommendation is there needs to be more clarifying language; the way it’s written right now any group under 150 can come and ask. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, August 17, 2017 2  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, August 17, 2017 Commissioner Panetta asked what the process would be to get a permit for alcohol. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra said once we receive a request we put together an event permit that goes to all departments for review. She said if they request to have alcohol, she works with the Police Department on conditions. Currently you can reserve BBQ areas in parks and alcohol is allowed. She noted that along with the permit and release of liability, the user group would have to provide a Certificate of Insurance, comply with any use conditions; and must follow all Alcohol Beverage Control conditions and requirements. Commissioner Spangler asked if there were any groups that have made a request and were denied. Manager Vierra said that when people research what the insurance would be, they usually decide not to have alcohol. On a motion by Commissioner Hofmann, seconded by Commissioner McEwen, and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission recommend approval to the City Council to amend Monterey City Code Section 23-4 to allow alcohol at recreation areas with a valid written permit: AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Baldwin, Hofmann, McCarthy, McEwen, Menendez-Herbst, Panetta, Spangler NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None 5. Receive Report from Dogs in Parks Subcommittee (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 said as part of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan (PRMP) outreach, dogs were a high priority to be allowed in City parks. The Subcommittee (Hofmann and Menendez-Herbst) and staff discussed allowing dogs on leash in picnic areas; find opportunities for off-lease areas; and make sure there are adequate pup mitt stations and trash receptacles. They looked at the Monterey City Code and there are four areas listed where dogs are allowed; in all other parks dogs are not allowed. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst said dogs are already allowed on leash at Quarry Park. Manager Vierra said yes, but it’s not in the ordinance. Commissioner Hofmann suggested listing the places where dogs are not allowed. Commissioner McEwen said that is also more welcoming; but there are some places where it’s not appropriate. Commissioner Spangler thanked the subcommittee and staff for working on this; it’s wonderful that we can make some progress on dogs in Monterey. Commissioner McCarthy said this is something that needs dissemination to get public input; we received some through the PRMP process. This is a great start and that input would help guide this. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst said Via Paraiso Park has good spots and Quarry Park is a perfect park for dogs with a great trail; but they must be leashed. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, August 17, 2017 3  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, August 17, 2017 Commissioner McCarthy said he was at Jacks Park tonight and watched someone with their dog off-leash in the park; then I come here and the same is happening on Colton Hall Lawn. Commissioner Spangler said you did a really good job of thinking this through; the PRMP’s suggestion is to have signage that is more positive and will respect our code. Sharon Dwight, New Monterey Neighborhood representative, said there are three parks on the list that are in New Monterey; she inquired if dogs can be on the beach at San Carlos Beach Park. She said people let their dogs run loose at Cypress Park but keep them out of the grass and sand areas; they also let their dogs run loose at Hilltop Park and Archer Park. You may want to consider where it is allowed in each park. Hoffman Park is not listed, neighbors do not want a dog park there because it’s not fenced. She suggested posting a sign at the dog park the next time this item is on the agenda. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst said it’s a good start and there are some parks that will work. Having the public come to meetings will be important; great idea to put a sign up at our dog park. Director Bui-Burton noted that this report was sent to all Neighborhood and Business Associations. She said we need to reach out to folks who use the dog park and keep the code broad with exclusions. Commissioner Spangler said she likes the idea of amending the code to make it broader; show the importance of having your dog on-leash; this is a great way to approach it. Commissioner Baldwin said this is a good approach and we need public input. Commissioner McCarthy said if you try to exclude certain areas it becomes too much and you miss things; he said is should be written broadly with conditions. Manager Vierra stated that staff police the park areas at the community centers and let people know dogs are not allowed. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 6. Monthly Report - Parks Division - May, June, July 2017 (Not a Project Under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Report received. 7. Monthly Update - Parks and Recreation Work Plan - August 2017 (Not a Project Under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Report received. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra reported a very successful summer; the youth soccer and adult socko leagues are beginning; preschool at the community centers have started; and the senior monthly luncheon at Scholze Park Center will start up again in September. She noted that the summer staff worked extra hard and we received a lot of positive feedback from the public. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, August 17, 2017 4  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, August 17, 2017 Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo reported the lights for the Montecito Park basketball court are in; the bocce ball court at Veteran’s Memorial Park is almost complete; and the first phase of landscaping at Conference Center has been finished. Commissioner McEwen inquired when the Conference Center is slated to open. Director Bui-Burton stated it’s scheduled to open after Thanksgiving. Community Services Director Bui-Burton reported the Sports Center had 134 participants in Cheerleading Camp; 2,090 children received swim lessons; the wrestling program is beginning; and there is a new parent/child class called Zumbani being offered. She reported the concluded a mid-year Special Event Grant process was concluded and will go to Council in September with a recommendation for approval. She also reported that the City’s Risk Manager notified us that the State Laws for concussion training have changed and is a very important topic for our programs. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner McEwen said she noticed that the flag football participants don’t wear helmets, she inquired if flag football a non-contact sport? Manager Vierra stated the players wear flags around their waists and contact is not allowed. Commissioner Hofmann inquired whose jurisdiction was it to ban bonfires on Del Monte Beach, there is a big sign saying “No Fires” at the entrance. Director Bui-Burton stated there were fire rings in that area and the neighbors complained about the noise and air quality; the fire rings were moved closer to Wharf 2. Commissioner Panetta said she is still thinking about Kyle’s presentation and how many people participate in our field sports programs; we need more space to accommodate them. Commissioner Hofmann said great job with the construction and ceremony at Montecito Park; she thanked Cindy, Louie and staff. She said she had a lot of fun going to Camp Quien Sabe and Whispering Pines Day Camp this summer – it was fun to see all the kids. Commissioner McEwen said she loves Monterey and you guys make it very special. Commissioner McCarthy said visit a park! NEXT MEETING Thursday, September 21, 2017 ADJOURNMENT Chair Spangler adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Kim Bui-Burton Lacy Spangler, Chair Community Services Director Parks and Recreation Commission Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, August 17, 2017 5