Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting Thursday, November 16, 2017 7:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Baldwin, McCarthy, McEwen, Menendez-Herbst, Panetta, Spangler Commissioners Absent: Hofmann Staff Members Present: Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra, Recreation Supervisor Leon, Administrative Analyst Pagan, Principal Engineer/NIP Coordinator Krebs, Fitness Manager Rothschild, Executive Assistant II Nash, Recording Secretary Tannahill CALL TO ORDER PRESENTATIONS 1. Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) Committee Presentation (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Presentation received. NIP Spokesperson Rick Heuer gave a presentation about the Neighborhood Improvement Program process. He said the NIP Committee is getting ready to begin their annual submittal process. It is helpful to have submitted projects prioritized and the need for the request to be explained when presented to NIP. Projects are more likely to get passed when there is an advocate on the committee; park projects are always high on their priority list. Commissioner McCarthy inquired as to what the NIP would like to see from this commission moving forward. Mr. Heuer said having policy guidelines sooner rather than later in their process would be helpful as well as having PRC submitted projects prioritized with the reasoning as to why they are prioritized that way. Mr. Heuer stated that his presentation is strictly his personal opinion and not the opinion of everyone in NIP. CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 2. Thursday, October 19, 2017 Action: Approved as submitted (6-0-1, Hofmann absent). ***End of Consent Agenda***  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, November 16, 2017 PUBLIC COMMENTS None. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 3. Recommend to City Council Approval for Use of Sollecito Ballpark by the Pecos League of Professional Baseball Clubs (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission recommend approval to the City Council for use of Sollecito Ballpark for June and July 2018 by the Pecos League of Professional Baseball Clubs (6-0-1, Hofmann absent). Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra stated that staff recommends approval to the City Council. The Monterey Amberjacks will be playing on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays; will hold camps, sell beer, and are looking for community sponsorships. Commissioner Panetta inquired if there are any regulations about the banners displayed at the ballparks. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra stated that the City’s sign ordinance regulates the content and size. Commissioner McCarthy asked by allowing them to play, would we be displacing our local youth leagues. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra said no. On a motion by Commissioner McCarthy, seconded by Commissioner McEwen, and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission recommend approval to the City Council for use of Sollecito Ballpark for June and July by the Pecos League of Professional Baseball Clubs: AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Baldwin, McCarthy, McEwen, Menendez- Herbst, Panetta, Spangler NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Hofmann 4. Approve Relocation of Jacks Park Entrance Baseball Statue (Exempt from CEQA Article 19, Section 15301, Class 1) Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission recommend approval to the City Council for the relocation of Jacks Park Entrance Baseball Statue (6-0-1, Hofmann absent). NIP Coordinator Krebs stated that the relocation of the Little Leaguer at Bat statue was originally approved as an NIP project in FY 2015/16. This project will move it from its current location above the announcer’s booth onto a 4-6’ column near the entrance of the park. Commissioner McEwen asked if the statue is bronze and stated a concern for theft. NIP Coordinator Krebs confirmed that it is bronze but will be well anchored and will have up-lighting as well. Commissioner Spangler asked if the City has considered using video surveillance. NIP Coordinator Krebs said they are currently looking into this for 42 pieces of City art, certain parks and the Recreation Trail, but they are not ready to bring it to the commission yet. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, November 16, 2017 2  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, November 16, 2017 Commissioner Panetta asked if the statue is in good enough condition to move, will the column be colored and will there be a plaque. NIP Coordinator Krebs said the next step is to check the condition to see if it can be moved, the column will be colored concrete which the ARC will choose, and staff is looking into options for a plaque. On a motion by Commissioner McEwen, seconded by Commissioner Baldwin, and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission recommend approval to the City Council for the relocation of the Jacks Park entrance baseball statue: AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Baldwin, McCarthy, McEwen, Menendez- Herbst, Panetta, Spangler NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Hofmann 5. Recommend to City Council – Proposed Recreation and Monterey Sports Center Fee Increases (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission recommend approval to the City Council for the proposed Recreation and Monterey Sports Center fee increases (6-0-1, Hofmann absent). Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra stated that we haven’t gone to Council for fee increases since 2014. With the minimum wage increases and rising vendor operating costs, staff recommends minimal increases in fees. Commissioner McCarthy asked who gets charged for the ballpark field use practice fee. Manager Vierra stated that all travel ball teams, outside groups and adult teams that aren’t in our leagues get charged that fee. Commissioner McEwen stated that these are very modest increases, especially for not having requested an increase since 2014. Manager Vierra reiterated the reason for the request now is to help cover minimum wage and operating cost increases. Commissioner Baldwin inquired if we still have to turn people away because there isn’t enough space, or not run programs because we don’t have enough staff. Manager Vierra said yes, but we have to work with the facilities we have and try to offer a variety of programs for the community. Commissioner Baldwin pointed out the daily fee for preschool which is $16.50 for 3 hours of school and is less than you’d pay for a babysitter. Commissioner McCarthy asked if we offer scholarships for Camp Quien Sabe. Manager Vierra explained the campership program we have for Camp Quien Sabe and Whispering Pines Day Camp. Commissioner McCarthy then asked for an explanation of the corporate fees at the Sports Center. Manager Rothschild explained the corporate fee and Commissioner McCarthy feels the fees should be even higher. Commissioner Panetta inquired as to why the per-class fee at the Sports Center went away for the group exercise classes. Manager Rothschild explained it was negative factor and having it combined with memberships is positive and successful. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, November 16, 2017 3  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, November 16, 2017 Commissioner Spangler asked if the remodeled snack bar/retail area has improved revenues. Manager Rothschild said yes, significantly. The profits from that area are used towards scholarships for programs and classes. On a motion by Commissioner Menendez-Herbst, seconded by Commissioner McCarthy, and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission recommend approval to the City Council for the proposed Recreation and Monterey Sports Center fee increases: AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Baldwin, McCarthy, McEwen, Menendez- Herbst, Panetta, Spangler NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Hofmann 6. Receive Results of Dogs in Parks Survey (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 stated there was incredible response to the survey. She reported that Kim Bui-Burton would be scheduling a meeting with the Commission Sub-Committee to discuss the survey results, responses and discuss proposed changes to the City ordinance. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 7. Commission Appointment Process and Selection of Chair and Vice Chair for 2018 (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Report received. 8. Parks and Recreation Commission Schedule for 2018 (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Report received. 9. Monthly Report - Parks Division - October 2017 (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Report received. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst stated that she has observed a lot of winter preparation happening in many of our parks and she is very impressed with our Parks Division for the amount of work being done. 10. Monthly Update - Parks and Recreation Work Plan - November 2017 (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Fitness Manager Rothschild reported that since moving the bicycle rack closer to the front door one month ago, they haven’t had any more thefts. They are also selling u-locks at the snack bar. Basketball leagues are just about full and the free-throw contest last weekend had a huge turnout, triple the amount of participants, which they attribute to their social media exposure. Zumbini is a very popular new program, as well as a new Spartan race training class. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, November 16, 2017 4  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, November 16, 2017 Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra reported that youth soccer has just ended and youth flag football is beginning the last week of November, staff is getting ready for all of the Holiday and Winter Break programs. Scholze Park Center had their senior luncheon yesterday. The Holiday Party is Monday, December 18 at the Youth Center; and the December 21 Commission meeting will be canceled. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioners McCarthy and McEwen extended their thanks to staff. NEXT MEETING Thursday, December 21, 2017 ADJOURNMENT Chair Spangler adjourned the meeting at 8:05 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Cindy Vierra Lacy Spangler, Chair Recreation and Community Services Manager Parks and Recreation Commission Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, November 16, 2017 5