Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting Thursday, November 15, 2018 7:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Gibson, Hofmann, McEwen, McCarthy, Menendez-Herbst, Spangler Commissioners Absent: Panetta Staff Members Present: Parks and Recreation Director, Interim Recreation and Community Services Manager, Sports Center Manager, Park Operations Manager, Administrative Assistant II CALL TO ORDER Chair McCarthy called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. ROLL CALL PRESENTATIONS 1. Introduction of New Parks and Recreation Director - Kristi McClure Huckaby (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 the new Parks and Recreation Director, Kristi McClure Huckaby. 2. Highlights of Summer Programs at the Monterey Sports Center (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Presentation given. Sports Center Manager Willer introduced Ryan Nunez, Sports Coordinator and Tony Graffagnino, Aquatics Coordinator, who gave a presentation highlighting the many successful summer programs at the Monterey Sports Center. 3. Review of Potential Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) Projects for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 (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 reviewed staff recommendations for NIP projects: outdoor fitness area at Scholze Park; remodel and repave the basketball court at Via Paraiso Park; replace Laguna Grande Volleyball court; Fitness Court in conjunction with the National Fitness Campaign, which would give both Recreation and the Sports Center an outdoor location for fitness classes. The National Fitness Campaign offers $30,000 grants. Commissioner Hofmann asked what the total cost of the court would be and Manager Leon stated approximately $120,000. Commissioner Hofmann asked about locations for the court. Manager Leon said location and visibility are key, so next to the Recreation Trail (near the whale at Monterey Bay Park), on the other side of the Visitor’s Center or possibly at San Carlos Beach Park.  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, November 15, 2018 Commissioner McEwen stated that the maintenance looks to be minimal. Manager Leon said the flooring is a sport court and will have to be replaced in 8-10 years. Manager Leon continued with additional staff recommendations: adding a dog park or adding dog friendly amenities in existing parks, such as water fill stations with built in dog bowls, mutt mitt stations and/or agility structures. NRPA’s Magazine this month is all about dogs and some cities are adding small dog runs into existing parks, which gives a safe, enclosed area for dogs to be able to run off leash; remove the existing train from Dennis the Park and relocate it to another location within the City and add a train-themed play structure in its place. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst asked if any part of the original train would be left in the park. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo said no, the whole train would be relocated, preferably to the old depot lot. Sports Center Manager Willer reviewed the staff recommendations for items at the Sports Center: replacing the 26-year old swim slide; update the dry lockers; hardwood floor replacement (gymnasium, studio 1 & 2); update the lobby and front desk, the area is under- utilized for the size of the space and the front desk needs a re-configuration. CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 4. September 20, 2018 Action: Approved as submitted. 5. October 18, 2018 Action: Approved as submitted. ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS Sharon Dwight asked for consideration of keeping the existing pathway at Scholze Park and putting the outdoor fitness stations around that pathway; suggested looking at Shoreline Park as a possible location for the Fitness Court; suggested having a specific location for a dog park; suggested requesting funds for the train in phases. Jay Zwagerman reported the Pickleball courts are working well; the game is really growing. On a typical day, they are averaging 24-32 players. Their club is up to 110 members. The club recently replaced the nets. Several private clubs around here are starting up pickleball. PUBLIC APPEARANCE Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, November 15, 2018 2  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, November 15, 2018 6. Recommend that the City Council Adopt an Ordinance Amending Monterey City Code Section 23-8 to Permit Dogs On-Leash in City Parks with Exceptions and to Add Section 23-8.5 Excluding Other Animals in Recreation Areas (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission recommend the City Council adopt an ordinance amending Monterey City Code Section 23-8 to permit dogs on–leash in city parks with exceptions and to add Section 23-8.5 excluding other animals in recreation areas (5-1-1, Panetta absent). Interim Recreation and Community Services Manager Leon stated the three key issues are allowing dogs on leash, enforcement and dog parks. Tonight we are only discussing the first issue to align ourselves with the Parks and Recreation Master Plan in having Monterey become more dog friendly. This change would encourage appropriate behaviors and responsible owners. The ordinance has established fines for violations and after surveying several local cities, staff does not recommend raising those fees. Dog excrement ordinance is already established. Adding more signage and mutt mitt stations will encourage appropriate behavior. Manager Leon reviewed a variety of signage options. Can do a media blitz and turn it into an educational opportunity. Education, enforcement and encouragement are the three factors: having a public education campaign reminding everyone of appropriate behaviors; working with the Monterey Police Department to address issues with dog excrement and dogs off leash; and encouraging appropriate behaviors by providing mutt mitts, signage and dog-friendly amenities. Commissioner Gibson asked how interested the Police Department is in helping with enforcement. Manager Leon said they are looking at tasking their Community Service Officers with citing violations. They are willing to look at the parks that seem to have the most issues, which is Laguna Grande, Archer and Oak Newton. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst asked for clarification as to how many parks would allow dogs. Manager Leon stated approximately thirty. Commissioner McEwen asked if there was the potential of getting an animal control officer. Manager Leon stated unlikely, but tasking the Community Services Officers with enforcement should help. Commissioner McCarthy referenced the most current NRPA newsletter which had information about dogs in parks, including a statistic that only 60% of dog owners clean up after their pets. Would like to see signage that explains why we are asking owners to pick up after their dogs, something along the lines of “children play here”. More mutt stations will incentivize clean up. This is all about creating more access to our parks. Commissioner Spangler asked about posting signs showing what the fine is for an infraction. Director McClure Huckaby stated referencing the ordinance is commonplace. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst thinks allowing dogs in parks will become a bigger issue and more people will bring their dogs to parks and allow their dogs to run off-leash and excrement will not be picked up, no matter how many mutt mitt stations are installed. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, November 15, 2018 3  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, November 15, 2018 Commissioner Spangler likes the idea of putting small dog runs in a couple of parks allowing dogs off leash. Via Paraiso might be a good location for a small run. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst asked about limiting the amount of parks that allow dogs on- leash. Manager Leon stated that the City of Seaside just passed allowing on-leash dogs in parks this August and they have not had any issues since it has gone into effect. Commissioner Gibson asked for confirmation that Community Services Officers are going to assist with enforcement and feels that giving a couple of tickets out will help get the word out. Manager Leon stated they are on board in helping. Commissioner Gibson reiterated the importance of public outreach regarding this issue. Sharon Dwight, resident, suggested changing the verbiage from allowing animal shows as part of a City Parks and Recreation program, to City of Monterey programs. She mentioned that the Bookmobile has done animal shows at Montecito Park. Would love to see some parks have off- leash hours, not all parks, just some. Public notification is definitely needed; bullet point what is allowed and what is not. Something to consider is if a park has a dog run, does that mean it is a dog park? Make sure the ordinance is written in such a way that is clear. When the Planning Commission approves a new ordinance, they put in a six month or twelve month trial run. Consider doing a trial run and revisit to see if it is working. On a motion by Commissioner Hofmann, seconded by Commissioner Spangler, and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission recommend that the City Council adopt an ordinance amending Monterey City Code Section 23-8 to permit dogs on-leash in City Parks with exceptions and to add Section 23-8.5 excluding other animals in recreation areas: AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Gibson, Hofmann, McCarthy, McEwen, Spangler NOES: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Menendez-Herbst ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Panetta INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 7. Commission Appointment Process and Selection of Chair and Vice Chair for 2019 (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 2019 (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 2018 (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Report received. 10. Monthly Update – Parks and Recreation Work Plan – November 2018 (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Report received. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, November 15, 2018 4  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, November 15, 2018 Commissioner McCarthy raised the issue of the Recreation Trail and trying to divert bicycles off of the trail in the congested area. Would like staff to look into the cost of diverting the path through the lower presidio. Director McClure Huckaby stated staff will look into it. Commissioner Spangler asked Manager Marcuzzo if the City is in a good place as far as fire protection/prevention. Marcuzzo stated we are on top of it and as prepared as possible. Director McClure Huckaby is very excited to be here. She will be scheduling one-on-one meetings with each commissioner. Will be working with staff looking into grant funding. Very supportive of NRPA and CPRS. Manager Leon announced that Kyle Susic, Field Sports Coordinator, is leaving for the City of Pacific Grove. Summer recruitment is approaching. Starting to work on the Summer/Fall guide. Manager Marcuzzo said that staff has been freshening up landscaping around Colton Hall and will begin working on Spanish Plaza soon. Added a bit of color to the planter box at Simoneau Plaza to match Cooper Molera. Manager Willer acknowledged two new hires: Andrea Diallo as an Administrative Assistant and Jordan Ataide as a Recreation Specialist. The pumpkin plunge was a great success with over 100 children enrolled. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioners Gibson and Menendez-Herbst both thanked Manager Leon for all of her hard work this past year and welcomed Director McClure Huckaby. Commissioner Hofmann thanked everyone and announced this is her last meeting. She and her family are relocating out of the area. She is humbled to have been a part of this commission and hopes that one day she ends up back in Monterey and can serve again. Commissioner Spangler thanked Manager Leon for all of her hard work. Looks forward to working with Director McClure Huckaby. Thanked Commissioner Hofmann for her service. Commissioner McEwen said she feels like there has been such a rough patch the past few years but everything is looking up and bright for the future. Commissioner McCarthy said this is an exciting and great time to be a commissioner, thanked everyone. NEXT MEETING Thursday, December 20, 2018 Commissioner McCarthy stated that staff is recommending the December 20, 2018 meeting be cancelled, so the actual next meeting will be Thursday, January 17, 2019. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, November 15, 2018 5  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, November 15, 2018 ADJOURNMENT Chair McCarthy adjourned the meeting at 8:29pm. Shannon Leon Dennis McCarthy, Chair Interim Recreation and Community Services Manager Parks and Recreation Commission Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, November 15, 2018 6