Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING CITY OF MONTEREY Wednesday, February 12, 2020 5:30 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Gibson, Gorman, McCarthy, McEwen, Panetta, Schmidt Commissioners Absent: Spangler 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 Introduction of New Commissioner - Christian Schmidt (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Introduction made. 2 Presentation on the History and Current Status of the Old Capitol Site (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Received presentation. Lee Whitney, Glenwood Neighborhood Association representative, two NCIP submissions were made; one for fuel reduction and one for a general plan. Clyde Roberson, Mayor of Monterey, looks forward to the input regarding this public open space. 3 Presentation on the Current Status of the Pickleball Feasibility Study (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Received presentation. John Sovereign, Monterey resident and Pickleball player, concerned the Ryan Ranch location would limit future growth. Jay Zwagerman, Monterey resident and ambassador for Pickleball, attended the meeting with the disc golf people and thinks six courts at Ryan Ranch would be a great start; additional courts can be placed in other cities on the peninsula. Jean Rasch, Vice President of Monterey Vista Neighborhood Association, read a letter requesting a moratorium on organized club Pickleball play at Via Paraiso Park. Richard Quackenbush, Vice President of Pickleball Club, stressed the social aspect to Pickleball and hopes to find a solution. Michael Lange likes Ryan Ranch but is concerned about only having portable toilets at that location. Paul O’Leary, Monterey resident, opposes Pickleball at Via Paraiso Park; will be submitting a petition to the City Clerk’s Office.  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes 2/12/2020 5:30:00 PM CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 4 Wednesday, January 8, 2020 Action: Approved as submitted (6-0-1, Spangler absent). ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS None. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 5 Receive Report on the Parks and Recreation Department Ballpark Advertising Program and Make a Recommendation to City Council (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission Recommends to City Council the approval of the Ballpark Advertising Program. Interim Recreation and Community Services Manager Leon stated that staff is proposing to set a flat fee of $75 per banner, per season. The fee would be payable before banners are installed by City staff and would be utilized to help offset the cost of maintenance and park improvements. Both Save Our Sports and Monterey Pony Baseball/Softball would be allowed to set their own rates for advertising. Banners will be installed on a first-come, first serve basis and placement is determined by the City. Commissioner McEwen asks about the maximum of banners allowed at each park. Manager Leon stated that a total of 40 banners at Jacks and 60 at Sollecito. Commissioner Panetta asked what the cost is for city staff to install the banners. Manager Leon said it is estimated to take approximately 15 minutes to install and 15 minutes to remove, with an estimated cost of $75. Commissioner Panetta asked if one of the organizations does not sell all of their portion of advertisements, can the other organization sell the leftover spots. Manager Leon said it would be up to the two organizations to work that out. Commissioner McCarthy thanked Save Our Sports, Monterey Pony Baseball/Softball and the City for meeting and working through this agreement. Director Larson stated that the meeting was very amicable, productive, and positive. Chair Gibson opened Public Comments. Mike Groves, Head Baseball Coach at Monterey High School, acknowledged the several student athletes in the audience. They are in complete agreement with all Regulations, but #9 of the Provisions, “Banners sold by MPBS and SOS will be displayed from January 1 through May 31 each year” is a concern. The storage of the signs is an issue and banners may be harder to sell if they are only displayed during the season and not year-round. Commissioner Panetta understands the limitation of having the signs up seasonally, but inquired if advertising would be sold during the rest of the year. Manager Leon stated options of offering it to other local non-profits or the City potentially selling advertising. Commissioner Gibson asked if staff is prepared for the storage of the signs during the off-season. Manager Leon said as stated in the Provisions, the two organizations are responsible for storage and both groups currently have storage at both fields. Director Larson suggested that banners could be given back to the business so they could use their banners at other locations during the off- season.  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes 2/12/2020 5:30:00 PM Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission Recommends the approval of the Ballpark Advertising Program to the City Council. On a motion by Commissioner McCarthy, seconded by Commissioner McEwen and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission Recommends the Approval of the Ballpark Advertising Program to the City Council. AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Gibson, Gorman, McCarthy, McEwen, Panetta, Schmidt NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Spangler INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 6 Parks and Recreation Department Monthly Report - January 2020 Action: Received reports. Parks and Recreation Director Larson praised the managers for continuing to produce more and more with less every day; their strong work ethic and creativity to get things done is impressive. We are embarking on a major recreation software upgrade over the next nine months. Interim Recreation and Community Services Manager Leon said the deadline for summer job applications is March 13; summer registration is next month; preparing for the Spring Egg Hunt on April 11. Sports Center Manager Willer announced that Bill Rothschild is retiring on March 1 after twenty- five years of service. Staff is getting ready for spring break camps; the gymnasium floors are being re-finished; the new mats in concourse are being used a lot. Parks Operations Manager Marcuzzo said staff has been busy prepping the ball fields. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Gorman said the abalone sculpture is 90% funded and the artist has begun working on it; installation at San Carlos Beach Park will be in late May or early June. The mural location was moved from the parking garage on Calle Principal to the East Garage. Commissioner McEwen is thrilled with the spirit of compromise with Pickleball and the ballpark signage program. Commissioner Gibson is concerned about the unhappiness of the neighborhood near Via Paraiso Park. Commissioner Gorman asked if the approval for additional striping at Via Paraiso has occurred yet; Managers Marcuzzo and Leon stated it has not been done yet and is currently on hold. Commissioner Panetta is excited about the Old Capitol Site after going on a guided walk- through. Commissioner McCarthy asked if Pickleball is even a viable option at the Old Capitol Site, would need to know the deed restrictions on what can actually be done out there. He visited Via Paraiso to observe Pickleball and would like to have this issue agendized and not ignored.  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes 2/12/2020 5:30:00 PM Commissioner Schmidt agrees with Commissioner McCarthy that the Pickleball issue needs to be addressed. NEXT MEETING Wednesday, March 11, 2020 ADJOURNMENT Chair Gibson adjourned the meeting at 7:35pm. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Karen Larson Donna Gibson, Chair Parks and Recreation Director Parks and Recreation Commission