Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING CITY OF MONTEREY Wednesday, January 8, 2020 5:30 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER - 580 PACIFIC STREET MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Gibson, McCarthy, Panetta, Spangler Commissioners Absent: Gorman, McEwen 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 Gibson called the meeting to order at 5:30pm. ROLL CALL PRESENTATIONS 1 Presentation to Former Chair Kathy Panetta (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Received presentation. 2 Highlights of Community Center Programs (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Received presentation. 3 Presentation on Veteran’s Memorial Park Parking Lot and Basketball Court Improvements (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Received presentation. 4 Presentation on the Status of Previously Funded Parks and Recreation Related Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program (NCIP) Projects (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Received presentation. CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 5 Wednesday, December 11, 2019 Action: Approved as submitted (4-0-2, Gorman and McEwen absent). ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS Chair Gibson opened public comments on non-agendized matters. Paul O’Leary suggested the Commissioners visit Via Paraiso around 10:30am on any of the Pickleball priority days to observe the noise levels and parking constraints. Mr. O’Leary requested to have this issue agendized for a future meeting to discuss current policies and rules at Via Paraiso Park.  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes 1/8/2020 5:30:00 PM PUBLIC APPEARANCE 6 Review Proposed Parks and Recreation Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program (NCIP) Projects for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 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. On a motion by Commissioner McCarthy, seconded by Commissioner Spangler and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed proposed Parks and Recreation Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) Projects and agreed to submit all staff recommended projects. AYES: 4 COMMISSIONERS: Gibson, McCarthy, Panetta, Spangler NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Gorman, McEwen 7 Ballpark Signage Advertising Program (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission deferred this item back to City staff to meet with interested parties and re-agendize this at the next meeting. Interim Recreation and Community Services Manager Leon reviewed the proposed advertising program allowing the use of ballpark outfield fences at Jacks and Sollecito Ballparks. Proposing to share revenue with Monterey Pony Baseball Softball (MPBS) and Save Our Sports (SOS); 70% to be shared equally between those two organizations and 30% to the City which would help offset the cost of ongoing maintenance and park improvements. Each organization (MPBS and SOS) will be allowed to sell no more than twenty-five (25) banners, per ballpark, for a total of fifty (50) banners at each park. As part of the Fair Play in Community Sports Act, it will insure funds benefit both girls’ and boys’ sports equally. Banners would be displayed during the season only, January 1 through May 31 of each year. All new banners will be vinyl and existing banners made of non-approved material/specifications shall be allowed to remain until May 31, 2020. Commissioner Panetta inquired if the Pecos League has the same agreement for advertising. Manager Leon said they do not share revenues from advertising with the City but they do pay for field use, staff time and lights, whereas, both Monterey Pony Baseball Softball and Save Our Sports do not pay to use the fields. Michael Groves, President of Save Our Sports, provided a memo which outlined changes to the Provisions and Regulations provided by the City: City will receive 10% of net proceeds with Monterey Pony Baseball Softball (MPBS) and Save Our Sports (SOS) receiving 90% with the exception of SOS for the foreseeable future in recognition of their past contribution; Banners sold by MPBS and SOS will be displayed from January 1 through December 31 of each year; Existing ballpark banners made of non-approved material/specifications shall be allowed to Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes 1/8/2020 5:30 PM 2  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes 1/8/2020 5:30:00 PM remain until December 31, 2021; This agreement is for five (5) years and may be cancelled by either party prior to January 1, 2025 with no less than 30 days written notice; The location/placement of banners shall be on a collaborative basis between the Parks and Recreation Department and MPBS and SOS; After receiving required documentation, all banners will be hung by a professional in the field or a related field, not City staff; The City reserves the right to take down any banner with fifteen (15) days written notice to MPBS and/or SOS, that has become a hazard to the public or unsightly. Susan Groves-Ameil volunteers for SOS, getting advertisers is not an easy feat, a lot of time and effort goes into getting advertisers. Travis Elder, coach at Monterey High School and resident of Monterey, Monterey High School and MPUSD do not have a lot of resources for sports programs, especially softball and baseball. There is no provided transportation, the teams have to drive themselves to games. There are no funds for stipends for coaches, except for the Varsity and Junior Varsity coaches, not a lot of money for equipment and uniforms. This program is an opportunity to generate some funds to help these programs run. Katia Stornetta, parent of three boys who participated in baseball when they attended Monterey High and has volunteered for various booster clubs. Fundraising efforts take a lot of time and energy and players should be focusing on learning and playing the game. Michael Mugan and four other Monterey High School baseball players came to show their support for Coach Groves and the ballpark advertising program. Both the softball and baseball programs have limited funds. Commissioner McCarthy thanked everyone for coming out to show their support and for speaking up. Given the issues outlined in the memo presented by Mr. Groves, there is a lot to process and possibly be addressed between MPBS/SOS and City staff. Commissioner Panetta agreed with Commissioner McCarthy in the need for more discussion between the two sports organizations and the City. There seems to be room for compromise. Commissioner Spangler expressed her appreciation to everyone for coming out and said it’s really helpful to hear from the community. It is a high priority of the commission to support the Parks and Recreation Master Plan in establishing funds to help with maintenance. Just like the schools have received cutbacks in funding, so has the City. Commissioner McCarthy would like to defer this back to staff and re-agendize this for next month’s meeting after staff has met with interested parties. On a motion by Commissioner McCarthy, seconded by Commissioner Spangler and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission deferred the Ballpark Signage Advertising Program back to City staff to meet with all interested parties and re-agendize this item at the next meeting. AYES: 4 COMMISSIONERS: Gibson, McCarthy, Panetta, Spangler NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Gorman, McEwen Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes 1/8/2020 5:30 PM 3  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes 1/8/2020 5:30:00 PM INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS Parks and Recreation Director Larson shared the “Interim” has been officially dropped from her title effective January 1, 2020. Looking forward to this new year. Sports Center Manager Willer reported the gift card promotion was up 27% from last year and $352,361 worth of gift cards were sold between November 29 and December 24, 2019. On January 2, 2020 they processed 160 new memberships. Many new classes are being offered and the Youth Basketball League has 44 teams that started practice this week. Interim Recreation and Community Services Manager Leon looking forward to the new year and hoping to accomplish a lot in 2020. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Gibson complimented Monterey Sports Center staff for being so responsive. She is happy that Director Larson is now permanent and is sad to see Jeff Krebs is leaving. Commissioner Panetta asked about getting a tour of the Old Capitol Site. Director Larson said we can arrange a tour or special meeting. She asked for feedback on the policy of not allowing children under six years old into the lockers rooms of the opposite sex at the Sports Center. Manager Willer said they have received mostly positive feedback. She asked Interim Recreation and Community Services Manager Leon about her request to have a class taught by engineering to explain how to read plans/schematics. Manager Leon stated nothing has been arranged. Commissioner McCarthy is seeking guidance on the recreation trail and how to improve the trail experience between Fisherman’s Wharf and the Coast Guard Pier. Would like to have a study completed by an independent consultant, not City staff. NEXT MEETING Wednesday, February 12, 2020 ADJOURNMENT Chair Gibson adjourned the meeting at 8:07pm Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Karen Larson Donna Gibson, Chair Parks and Recreation Director Parks and Recreation Commission Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes 1/8/2020 5:30 PM 4