Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING CITY OF MONTEREY Wednesday, April 14, 2021 5:30 PM TELECONFERENCE MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Crampton, Gibson, McCarthy, McEwen, Panetta, Spangler Commissioners Absent: Schmidt Staff Members Present: Assistant City Manager, Parks and Recreation Director, Interim Recreation and Community Services Manager, Park Operations Manager, Recreation Coordinator, Administrative Assistant CALL TO ORDER Chair Gibson called the meeting to order at 5:30pm. ROLL CALL PRESENTATIONS 1 Presentation on the Status of the Parks and Recreation Department Operations for March 2021 (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Presentation given. CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 2 Wednesday, March 10, 2021 Action: Approved as submitted (6-0-1, Schmidt absent). ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS None. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 3 Discuss, Update and Approve Proposed Priorities and Work Plan for 2021/2022 (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission discussed, updated and approved the Work Plan for 2021/2022. On a motion by Commissioner Crampton, seconded by Commissioner McEwen and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission discussed, updated and approved the Work Plan for 2021/2022:  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes 4/14/2021 5:30:00 PM AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Crampton, Gibson, McCarthy, McEwen, Panetta, Spangler NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Schmidt INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS Director Larson wants the commission and the public, especially the Monterey Vista Neighborhood Association, to know that we understand Pickleball at Via Paraiso Park is an important topic and we will address and resolve this issue as our resources and capacity allow. The Laguna Grande JPA will be meeting on April 21 at 6:00pm to discuss a proposal to hire a consultant to create a trail maintenance strategy and conduct an environmental review, receive a presentation from the transportation agency about the Fort Ord Regional Trail and Greenway project, and receive a presentation from the City engineering team about the North Fremont bike and pedestrian improvement project, also known as the North Fremont Gap Closure Project. Thank you to the commissioners for all the support. Director Larson commended the entire Parks and Recreation team for reinstating and reinventing services for the community. Interim Recreation and Community Services Manager Leon said we are in the process of hiring summer staff, though recruitment is slow without CSUMB, MPC and Hartnell being on campus. Offering several programs this Summer: Tiny Tots Summer Camp, Play It Safe Summer Fun Program, Beach Volleyball Camp, Challenger British Soccer Camp, Basketball Camp, Flag Football Camp, Baseball/Softball Camp, Stem & Minecraft Lego Camp, and several others. We are trying to make it easy for parents to register and provide childcare for the majority of the day. Due to COVID-19, we are having to re-invent the wheel, but are planning for the current guidelines and will adjust as necessary as the guidelines change. Since programs take several months to plan, we are not able to have Camp Quien Sabe or Whispering Pines Day Camp this year but are hoping to bring them back next summer. The Bunny Hop Photo Op was a great success. We rehired a Sports Specialist on a part-time basis and have just started the adult softball league with 18 teams (6 men’s teams and 12 co-ed teams). Manager Marcuzzo stated Parks staff has been working on getting all of the parks and ballfields open. Volleyball nets are back up at Laguna Grande and Montecito and basketball nets are back at all locations. The final piece will be the re-opening of Dennis the Menace next Tuesday. Fuel reduction will be starting early due to the lack of rain. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Crampton is impressed with the work being done with very little notice. Commended Manager Marcuzzo and staff for the condition of the parks. Commissioner Panetta commended the staff and thanked Manager Marcuzzo for the cherry trees at Shoreline Park and said it’s nice to see people playing basketball at the courts again. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes 4/14/2021 5:30:00 PM 2  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes 4/14/2021 5:30:00 PM Commissioner McEwen stated how nice it is to see the cherry trees blossoming, especially after this past year. Commended Director Larson for stepping into this role; it’s been a trial by fire and it is such a pleasure working with everyone. Appreciates the upbeat tone these meetings always have. Commissioner McCarthy said there are a lot of moving parts to the Pickleball issue at Via Paraiso, but it will be resolved at some point. He looks forward to having this topic on the agenda and seeing what can be worked out and what the alternatives are. Looks forward to being able to have the commission meetings in person soon. Commissioner Spangler shared that her children are thrilled that parks are open again. Thank you to staff for making that possible. Commissioner Gibson reiterated Commissioner McCarthy’s point in that the Pickleball concerns have been heard and looks forward to getting this item on the agenda soon. Suggested the other commissioners do some reading on what other communities have faced with Pickleball. Hopes to do a park tour this summer and looks forward to meeting in person again. NEXT MEETING Wednesday, May 12, 2021. ADJOURNMENT Chair Gibson adjourned the meeting at 7:32pm. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Karen Larson Donna Gibson, Chair Parks and Recreation Director Parks and Recreation Commission Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes 4/14/2021 5:30:00 PM 3