Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting Thursday, January 17, 2019 7:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Gibson, McCarthy, McEwen, Menendez-Herbst, Panetta, Spangler Commissioners Absent: None Staff Members Present: Parks and Recreation Director, Interim Recreation and Community Services Manager, Park Operations Manager, Sports Center Manager, Administrative Assistant II CALL TO ORDER Chair Panetta called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. ROLL CALL PRESENTATIONS 1. Presentation to Former Chair Dennis McCarthy (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 Dennis McCarthy for serving as the 2018 Chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission and thanked him for his commitment and service. Chair Panetta presented a plaque. 2. Presentation on the Winter Sports and Cheerleading Camps 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 gave a presentation on the Winter Camps that were held at the Monterey Sports Center. 3. Presentation on Current Usage of City Sports Fields (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 introduced Brent Almario, Acting Field Sports Coordinator, who gave a presentation on current usage of City Sports Fields.  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, January 17, 2019 CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 4. Thursday, November 15, 2018 Action: Approved as submitted (6-0). ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS Sharon Dwight, Monterey resident, did not hear any mention of tennis during the field sports presentation and wondered if we offer any tennis instruction on any courts other than the Tennis Center. A lot of fees that the city collects go straight into the general fund, it may be worthwhile to ask if fees collected for field usage can go back into field maintenance and operations. Monterey resident David discovered pickleball five months ago and appreciates the sense of community it offers. Would like to see more time, space and permanence of courts for pickleball in Monterey. Christina, long-time resident of the community, said pickleball averages 24-34 players on a typical day and the downfall is the wait time due to not having enough courts. Jay Zwagerman said that San Luis Obispo County has forty dedicated pickleball courts; Santa Cruz County recently converted tennis courts into four dedicated pickleball courts and four shared courts; San Benito County has nine total courts. Working with Andrea Willer on possibly having a pickleball tournament on at Saturday night at the Sports Center. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 5. Review Proposed Parks and Recreation Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) Projects for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 and Provide Guidance to Staff (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed proposed Parks and Recreation Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) Projects and agreed to submit all staff recommended projects. Shannon reviewed the following potential NIP projects that staff is recommending as the top priorities: move the train at Dennis the Menace and replace it with code compliant play equipment that is modeled after the existing train; upgrade and resurface the basketball court at Via Paraiso Park to have more programmable space; look at a dog park or adding dog-friendly amenities to existing parks; upgrade the playground equipment at the Monterey Youth Center which is used each day during the week by participants of the preschool program and is open to the public on the weekends; upgrade the volleyball court at Laguna Grande Park; remove the three existing sections of natural turf in front of the Sports Center and create a parklet, which would benefit people waiting outside and create a usable space for socialization. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 17, 2019 2  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, January 17, 2019 Staff has also identified the following potential projects that could be submitted: Montecito Park Phase 4 including the volleyball court; installing a rubberized surface to the Fisherman’s Shoreline Park Basketball Court; Scholze Park Phase 4 Walkways and adding outdoor fitness equipment to the park; changing the infield at Jacks Park to artificial turf and/or re-do the natural grass outfield turf; upgrade the lights at Sollecito Ballpark, which would be more efficient and offer more precise lighting; upgrade the El Estero Par Course equipment; upgrade the lobby of the Sports Center to have a more welcoming environment that can better accommodate the demand; replace the water slide at the Sports Center; add tint to the windows of the Kids Zone at the Sports Center. Director McClure Huckaby gave an update on the National Fitness Campaign Fitness Court that had been mentioned at the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting in November. It has been pulled from the list of potential projects, as staff needs to take a deeper look into the costs of ongoing maintenance. Commissioner Spangler asked NIP Staff Coordinator Krebs if Montecito Park Phase 4 would be the last phase. Krebs said it all depends on funding. Chair Panetta asked NIP Staff Coordinator Krebs if the amount of NIP funds have been determined yet. Krebs said no but he is anticipating it will be close to last year, which was $3.7 million. Commissioner Spangler asked for clarification as to why some projects are eligible for CDBG funds and some are not. Both NIP Staff Coordinator Krebs and Director McClure Huckaby gave an explanation of what CDBG (Community Development Block Grants) are. Commissioner McCarthy reminded everyone that last year NIP representatives made it clear that without a specific location for a dog park, the committee will not consider the request. Director McClure Huckaby stated that a few sights have been looked at but staff has not spent the time to research other locations. When community outreach is done to educate residents about the updated ordinance allowing dogs on leash in parks, we can solicit input on potential locations for a dog park. Commissioner Spangler suggested adding a Dog Park to the work plan to make it a higher priority. She likes the idea of adding new drinking fountains to parks. Chair Panetta inquired as to why the Fisherman’s Shoreline Park Basketball Court already needs a new surface. Principal Engineer/NIP Staff Coordinator Krebs stated the project ran out of money when it was first built and the top coat, which aids in traction, was not added. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst asked if the top priorities are in any particular order. She was surprised to see that Montecito Park Phase 4 was not on the priority list. Director McClure Huckaby stated these are staff’s priorities but the commission is welcome to prioritize as they like. Commissioner McCarthy asked Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo if the installation of artificial turf on the Jacks Ballpark infield would allow for more usage. Marcuzzo said yes since they would not have to close when it rains. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 17, 2019 3  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, January 17, 2019 NIP Staff Coordinator Krebs said that applications are due February 8 and at the end of February is the screening of all the applications. The first public meeting is in March so at the February Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting, a list of priorities can be discussed. Krebs would then have a list of the commission’s priorities ready to go before the first public meeting. Sharon Dwight, NIP Alternate Spokesperson, suggested the commission look at the staff recommended list and eliminate any of the projects they do not want submitted. As a practical exercise, just submit them all, then at next month’s meeting the commission can decide to pull any that they would like to eliminate or postpone until next year. In regards to the list of projects, the Dennis the Menace Train is wanted by all; the Via Paraiso basketball court is really just a maintenance issue and NIP is really pushing back on maintenance projects; the dog park, just fence in an area at Archer Park or if looking for a new location just put location to be determined by April; recommends putting fencing around the parklet in front of the Sports Center; suggested packaging the Sports Center projects together like last year; would love to see Montecito Park finalized; rubberized surface on the new basketball court seems unnecessary; skip the walkways at Scholze Park and request the highly demanded outdoor fitness equipment; really emphasize the long-term cost savings with the lights at Sollecito Ballpark; NIP has put money into the El Estero Par Course in the past. On a motion by Commissioner McCarthy, seconded by Commissioner McEwen, and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission would like to submit all staff recommended projects: AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Gibson, McCarthy, McEwen, Menendez- Herbst, Panetta, Spangler NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None 6. Review 2018 Parks and Recreation Work Plan (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed the 2018 Parks and Recreation Work Plan. Interim Recreation and Community Services Manager Leon reviewed the 2018 Parks and Recreation Work Plan, which was an extension of the 2017 Work Plan. Director McClure Huckaby will be discussing options for the 2019 Work Plan when she meets individually with each commissioner. Commissioners Spangler and McEwen requested having another retreat to discuss the goals and objectives of the commission. On a motion by Commissioner Spangler, seconded by Commissioner Gibson, and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission accepted the review of the 2018 Parks and Recreation Work Plan: AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Gibson, McCarthy, McEwen, Menendez- Herbst, Panetta, Spangler NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 17, 2019 4  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, January 17, 2019 7. Recommend the Parks and Recreation Commission Consider Changing Park Closing Hours at Laguna Grande Park (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission recommends changing the closing hours at Laguna Grande Park to 6:00pm from November 1 to March 1 and to 9:00pm from March 2 to October 31. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo reviewed the recommendation to close Laguna Grande Park at 6:00pm from November 1 to March 1 and at 9:00pm from March 2 to October 31. On a motion by Commissioner Spangler, seconded by Commissioner Gibson, and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission recommends changing the closing hours at Laguna Grande Park to 6:00pm from November 1 to March 1 and to 9:00pm from March 2 to October 31: AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Gibson, McCarthy, McEwen, Menendez- Herbst, Panetta, Spangler NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None 8. Recommend the City Council Approve the Renaming of the Monterey Youth Center to El Estero Park Center (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission recommends the City Council approve the renaming of the Monterey Youth Center to El Estero Park Center (6-0). Interim Recreation and Community Services Manager Leon said the renaming of the Monterey Youth Center to the El Estero Park Center will enable the public to identify the location by site and history. The renaming and rebranding will allow for the opportunity to increase attendance by attracting community members of all ages. On a motion by Commissioner McEwen, seconded by Commissioner McCarthy, and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission recommends the City Council approve the renaming of the Monterey Youth Center to El Estero Park Center: AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Gibson, McCarthy, McEwen, Menendez- Herbst, Panetta, Spangler NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 9. Monthly Report - Parks Division - November and December 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, January 17, 2019 5  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, January 17, 2019 Parks and Recreation Director McClure Huckaby reported the City Council approved the recommendation to allow dogs on leash in parks, however the description of what defines a park needs to be redefined. This will be brought back to the commission in the future to redefine what a recreation area is. Will be in touch to schedule one on one meetings with each commissioner. California Park and Recreation Society Awards and Installations and Volunteer Recognition breakfast is being held in Seaside in February. Interim Recreation and Community Services Manager Leon reported summer job and volunteer recruitment has begun; Egg Hunt set for Saturday, April 20; Summer/Fall Guide is going to the printer next week; registration for Summer/Fall begins on Wednesday, March 27 for most programs and Camp Quien Sabe registration will be on Thursday, March 28; preparation for the 4th of July Lawn Party has begun. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo said the turtle bench has been installed near the whale at Monterey Bay Park; Spanish Plaza has been cleaned up. Sports Center Manager Willer recognized the staff of the Sports Center for their hard work during December when staff is limited due to the holidays; January is the busiest month; basketball is in full swing. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner McEwen is looking forward to this year. Requested to start the meeting at 6:00pm instead of 7:00pm. Commissioner Gibson thanked staff and looks forward to prioritizing the NIP projects. Commissioners McCarthy and Panetta both thanked the staff. NEXT MEETING Thursday, February 21, 2019 ADJOURNMENT Chair Panetta adjourned the meeting at 9:19pm. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Kristi McClure Huckaby Kathleen Panetta, Chair Parks and Recreation Director Parks and Recreation Commission Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 17, 2019 6