Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting Thursday, January 18, 2018 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: Interim Recreation and Community Services Manager Leon, Interim Sports Center Manager Rothschild, Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo, Acting Community Services Director Copeland, Recording Secretary Tannahill CALL TO ORDER PRESENTATIONS 1. Presentation to Former Chair Lacy Spangler (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Presentation given. Interim Recreation and Community Services Manager Leon recognized Lacy for serving as the 2017 Chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission and thanked her for her commitment and service. Commissioner McCarthy presented a plaque in recognition of her service. 2. Highlights of Community Center Programs (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Presentation given. Recreation Coordinator Sara Ziel, Scholze Park Center, gave a Power Point presentation highlighting community center programs. The Commission thanked Sara for the presentation. CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 3. Thursday, November 16, 2017 Action: Approved as submitted (7-0). ***End of Consent Agenda***  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, January 18, 2018 PUBLIC COMMENTS Lorna Moffat, Monterey resident, stated that she is disappointed about the six trees that were cut down on Figueroa Street. She was devastated by the Parks Department’s decision to remove the trees and scatter redwood chips in their place. She provided a handout about dynamic nutrient accumulators and asked that Park staff be more mindful about the elimination of weeds in the parks. Leaving dynamic nutrient accumulators would reduce the need for chemicals. Esther Malkin, Laguna Grande resident, stated that Laguna Grande Park is in need of lighting. She also suggested changing the closing time for the park from 10:00pm to sunset. The park has a lot of vagrancy issues and increasing the lighting, especially in the parking lot, could help reduce that issue. The lack of lighting is a serious safety issue and both the Monterey Police Department and Regional Parks District agree that more lighting is needed. She requested the commission put this issue on the agenda as soon as possible. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 4. Review and Approve Recreation Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) Project Requests (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061 Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed and approved Recreation Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) Project Requests (7-0). Interim Recreation and Community Services Manager Leon asked the Commission to submit their own project requests. Potential projects that staff has identified are: Scholze Park Parking Lot ADA Upgrade, Monterey Youth Center Replacement Preliminary Design, Sports Center ADA Accessible Swimming Pool Doors, Sports Center Gymnasium Modern Dividing Curtain and Sports Center Water Bottle Refill Station. Manager Leon stated that NIP Coordinator Jeff Krebs will give a presentation at the February PRC meeting to review all of the submitted park related projects. Commission Spangler asked if the Monterey Youth Center Replacement Preliminary Design was the same project they had submitted during last year’s NIP process. Commissioner McEwen concurred that it was, but the request’s verbiage was slightly different and that perhaps this year’s request will be more appealing to the NIP committee. Commissioner Spangler spoke with Nate Cota, Recreation Coordinator at the Monterey Youth Center, and he stated they would like to do a light remodel of the current teen room, by removing the pool table and making it usable for additional programming. Commissioner Baldwin requested clarification as to what the goal is for the Youth Center versus the Teen Center which he thought was supposed to be located closer to the high school. Manager Leon clarified that the Youth Center will be reconfigured/repurposed into a community center geared towards all members of the community and that the Library and Recreation will be working together on a possible Teen Center closer to downtown, which will serve teens from the high school and middle school. Commissioner McCarthy asked staff to clarify that the NIP request being submitted is only for a new design of the Monterey Youth Center and not for the light remodel of the Teen Room that Commissioner Spangler had mentioned. Manager Leon concurred that it was just for the design. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 18, 2018 2  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, January 18, 2018 Commissioner Spangler stated that she is hesitant to approve this project because even if approved and the design is done, funding for the actual project is not confirmed. Commissioner McEwen suggested splitting the request into two items: funding for the light remodel of the teen room and funding for the design. Commissioner Hofmann agreed that splitting them would be the best bet. Commissioner Hofmann suggested adding an NIP project request for water fountains along the Recreation Trail that have dog bowls and are water bottle friendly. Manager Marcuzzo said he is aware of those specific water fountains and supports her idea. Commissioner Hofmann will submit that request. Commissioner Baldwin asked Manager Rothschild to explain what a Modern Dividing Curtain is. Rothschild explained the current one is antiquated and is original to the building. It safely compartmentalizes the gym so different activities can be happening simultaneously. There are a variety of models on the market, both motorized and drawstring versions. Commissioner Spangler asked Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo if a project should be submitted by the Commission for additional lighting at Laguna Grande Park. Marcuzzo stated that lighting in parks tends to be an issue; not all neighbors want to add to the existing lighting. He suggested it would be best submitted by someone from that neighborhood and not by the commission or city staff, Spangler agreed. Sharon Dwight, alternate NIP spokesperson, stated the reason last year’s project request for the Monterey Youth Center Replacement Design was turned down was because it was extremely costly and the floor plan was very awkward. She feels there is no sense in submitting for a study request when we know a design is necessary. She also suggested submitting for the light renovation but to keep in mind that NIP will not pay for furniture or things that move. They can pay for carpet, paint. NIP is a great place to go for major plans. If they buy into a really big project, they will commit to it and make it happen. Phasing projects over several years works well for NIP. She asked Manager Rothschild if the very high windows at the Sports Center are still manually opened with a long crank. Rothschild confirmed that they are and it is very time consuming for staff and a safety issue. Sharon suggested Bill submit a project for that. She stated they are putting in a project for the replacement of Hilltop Park Center’s roof and that the old Bay View School site is losing trees and something needs to be done about it. Commissioner Baldwin stated he would like to revisit the development of a community sports complex and asked the commission if a feasibility study should be submitted as an NIP project. Sharon Dwight said that NIP will not consider funding a feasibility study unless there is a viable location. Commissioner McCarthy said the previous studies were for the complex to be built at Ryan Ranch but there is no water so another location would have to be determined. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst inquired as to whether or not they should submit an NIP proposal for the Teen Center. Manager Leon said that the Library is currently looking for grant funding for the project. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 18, 2018 3  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, January 18, 2018 On a motion by Commissioner McCarthy, seconded by Commissioner McEwen, and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission approved the NIP project requests for Scholze Park Parking Lot ADA Upgrade, Monterey Youth Center Replacement Preliminary Design, Sports Center ADA Accessible Swimming Pool Doors, Sports Center Gymnasium Modern Dividing Curtain, and Sports Center Water Bottle Refill Station: AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Baldwin, Hofmann, McCarthy, McEwen, Menendez-Herbst, Panetta, Spangler NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None 5. Review and Approve Extension of 2017 Parks and Recreation Work Program through 2018 (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed and approved the extension of 2017 Parks and Recreation Work Program through 2018. Interim Recreation and Community Services Manager Leon reviewed the 2017 Work Plan and recommended due to staffing transitions and other factors, the work plan be extended through 2018 and all 2018 goals be deferred to 2019. Manager Leon also requested one commissioner volunteer to join Commissioner Spangler on the Teen Center Subcommittee. Commissioner McEwen said it seems appropriate and garnered her support. Commissioner Hofmann volunteered to join the Teen Center Subcommittee. Chair McCarthy agreed that Commissioner Hofmann join the subcommittee with Commissioner Spangler. Sharon Dwight stated that the NIP would like to receive funds from the operations and maintenance budget for the replacement of Hilltop Park Center’s roof. She suggested when the commission looks at the redesign of the Monterey Youth Center, to consider the Dennis the Menace playground and the opportunity for linked usage. In regards to a new dog park, the empty lot at Drake/Belden might be a great spot for a dog park but the City would need to purchase the property first. Commissioner Spangler inquired if additional signage could be a temporary fix for the issues on the Recreation Trail. Commissioner McCarthy feels that additional signage is not going to fix the problem because lack of enforcement is the issue. He is part of the Recreation Trail Subcommittee and recommended they meet soon to discuss possible short term fixes. On a motion by Commissioner Spangler, seconded by Commissioner Hofmann and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission approved the extension of the 2017 Parks and Recreation Work Program through 2018: AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Baldwin, Hofmann, McCarthy, McEwen, Menendez-Herbst, Panetta, Spangler NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 18, 2018 4  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, January 18, 2018 INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 6. Monthly Report - Parks Division – November and December 2017 (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Report received. Interim Recreation and Community Services Manager Leon acknowledged recent retirements in the Recreation Division and she introduced Acting Community Services Director Dennis Copeland. Acting Director Copeland stated that a temporary Community Services Director will be starting soon and will assist Recreation during this period of transition. He commended Interim Manager Leon and Interim Manager Rothschild. Manager Leon reported that flag football is wrapping up; staff is working on the Summer/Fall Activities Guide; recruitment for part-time summer staff is under way; preparations have begun for the Easter Egg Hunt and the Fourth of July Lawn Party. Interim Sports Center Manager Rothschild acknowledged staffing challenges. He reported 127 new memberships in the last month; revenue was up for December; the basketball program has the largest enrollment ever and is in full swing; there will be several health and wellness classes/lectures happening over the next few months; looking to expand community outreach programs. Manager Rothschild acknowledged and thanked Commissioner McEwen for the recommendation of displaying signage at the Sports Café & Pro Shop that all sales go towards scholarships. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo reported a lot planting throughout the City and new bike racks have been installed along with Recreation Trial. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Menendez-Herbst extended her thanks to staff and her fellow commissioners. Commissioners Hofmann, Panetta and McEwen all extended their thanks to staff. Commissioner McCarthy said it’s a new team, let’s all work together to get things done. Commissioner Spangler stated it was nice to have a full commission and she looks forward to this New Year. NEXT MEETING Thursday, February 15, 2018 ADJOURNMENT Chair McCarthy adjourned the meeting at 8:49pm. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 18, 2018 5  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, January 18, 2018 Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Shannon Leon Dennis McCarthy, Chair Interim Recreation and Community Services Manager Parks and Recreation Commission Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 18, 2018 6