Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting Thursday, July 19, 2018 7:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Commissioners Gibson, McCarthy, McEwen, Menendez-Herbst, Panetta Commissioners Absent: Commissioners Hofmann, Spangler Staff Members Present: Acting Community Services Director, Interim Recreation and Community Services Manager, Sports Center Manager, Park Maintenance Worker, Administrative Assistant I CALL TO ORDER Chair McCarthy called the meeting to order at 7:01pm. ROLL CALL PRESENTATIONS 1. Introduction of New Monterey Sports Center Manager - Andrea Willer (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Introduction made. Interim Recreation and Community Services Manager Leon introduced Andrea Willer. CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 2. Thursday, June 21, 2018 Action: Approved as submitted. ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS None. PUBLIC APPEARANCE  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, July 19, 2018 3. Approve Installation of “Little Free Library” Book Distribution Structure at Casanova Oak Knoll Park, Laguna Grande Park and the Spray Avenue Tot Lot (This project has been determined to be Exempt from CEQA Requirements per Article 19, Section 15303, Class 3) Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission approved the installation of “Little Free Library” Book Distribution Structure at Casanova Oak Knoll Park, Laguna Grande Park and the Spray Avenue Tot Lot (5-0-2, Hofmann, Spangler absent). Interim Recreation and Community Services Manager introduced Inga Waite, Library Director. Director Waite stated that the Little Free Library at Montecito Park was installed in 2016 and has been a big success. The Friends of the Monterey Public Library funded the construction materials for the structures. Local Boy Scout Shaan Patel, built the structures as his Eagle Scout Service Project. The “Little Free Libraries” will contain materials provided by the Library and Bookmobile staff will maintain and replenish materials as needed during their weekly Bookmobile visits. Commissioner Panetta asked if the existing “Little Free Libraries” require a lot of structural maintenance and Park Maintenance Worker Norton stated it is very minimal and will not impact staff. On a motion by Commissioner Menendez-Herbst, seconded by Commissioner McEwen, and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission approved the Installation of “Little Free Library” Book Distribution Structure at Casanova Oak Knoll Park, Laguna Grande Park and the Spray Avenue Tot Lot: AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Gibson, McCarthy, McEwen, Menendez- Herbst, Panetta NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Hofmann, Spangler Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, July 19, 2018 2  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, July 19, 2018 4. Recommend that the City Council Adopt an Ordinance Amending Monterey City Code Section 23-5 to Delegate Authority to Parks and Recreation Director to Set Park Opening and Closing Times on a Park-By-Park Basis and Changing All References in Chapter 23 to the Community Services Director to the Parks and Recreation Director (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission recommended that the City Council adopt an ordinance amending Monterey City Code Section 23-5 to delegate authority to Parks and Recreation Director to set park opening and closing times on a park-by-park basis and changing all references in Chapter 23 to the Community Services Director to the Parks and Recreation Director (5-0-2, Hofmann, Spangler absent). Interim Recreation and Community Services Manager Leon stated that several factors have contributed to the need to adjust the current policy of closing all the parks at the same time. The City of Monterey operates and maintains 37 parks and each location differs in size and amenities. This change to the City Code would enable the Parks and Recreation Director to set park hours on a park-by-park basis, based on park-specific factors, including, but not limited to, location, lighting, community input and recommendations from staff, including the Monterey Police Department, without having to go to the Parks and Recreation Commission or City Council for approval. Manager Leon said she does not see extending the closing time past 10:00pm at any of the parks, more than likely an adjustment would be earlier closing times. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst asked how the director would decide which parks get what hours? Manager Leon said they will be looking for public input; will contact the neighborhood associations and post signs requesting input at all City parks. Commissioner McCarthy inquired as to where this request came from. Manager Leon stated there have been complaints from the Laguna Grande/Villa Del Monte neighborhoods with specific concerns about the closing time of parks; people are in the parks after sunset and there is no lighting, but Monterey Police Department cannot enforce that until after 10:00pm per the current City Code. On a motion by Commissioner Menendez-Herbst, seconded by Commissioner Gibson, and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission recommends the City Council adopt an ordinance amending Monterey City Code Section 23-5 to delegate authority to Parks and Recreation Director to set park opening and closing times on a park-by-park basis and changing all references in Chapter 23 to the Community Services Director to the Parks and Recreation Director: AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Gibson, McCarthy, McEwen, Menendez- Herbst, Panetta NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Hofmann, Spangler Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, July 19, 2018 3  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, July 19, 2018 INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 5. Monthly Report - Parks Division - June 2018 (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Received report. 6. Monthly Update - Parks and Recreation Work Plan - July 2018 (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Received report. Interim Recreation and Community Services Manager Leon reported that next week is the last week of summer camps; the Amberjacks wrap up their season this weekend; recruitment for the Parks and Recreation Director has closed; youth soccer program begins in August; our next meeting will be a field trip. Park Maintenance Worker Norton reported that sod has been laid and seven trees were planted at Montecito Park; parks staff worked the 4th of July Lawn party; on July 5th parks staff assisted Save Our Shores with a beach clean-up; parks staff removed ice plant in North Monterey. Sports Center Manager Willer reported summer camps have been a success and they have had higher enrollment numbers than last summer; there are three more weeks of Sports Camps; the new Facility Coordinator, Kara Newman-Ferdolage, has removed all candy from the snack bar and is looking at removing all sodas and energy drinks. Acting Community Services Director Copeland stated that the dissolution of Community Services Department is in full effect; Harbor and Parking have both transitioned out. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Mendez-Herbst stated that each park should have their own hours; each park is so different and has different needs for the community. Commissioners Panetta and McEwen both extended their welcome to Sports Center Manager Willer. All commissioners expressed excitement about the “Little Free Library” Book Distribution structures. NEXT MEETING Thursday, August 16, 2018 ADJOURNMENT Chair McCarthy adjourned the meeting at 7:52pm. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, July 19, 2018 4  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, July 19, 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, July 19, 2018 5