Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING CITY OF MONTEREY Wednesday, April 12, 2023 5:30 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, 580 PACIFIC ST., AND ZOOM TELECONFERENCE MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: McEwen, Schmidt, Crampton, Gibson, McCarthy, Ono Commissioners Absent: Spangler Staff Members Present: Parks and Recreation Director, Recreation Manager, Park Operations Manager, Fitness Supervisor, Recreation Supervisor, Recreation Coordinator, NCIP Coordinator, Administrative Assistant CALL TO ORDER Chair McEwen called the meeting to order at 5:30p.m. ROLL CALL PRESENTATIONS 1 Presentation on the Status of the Parks and Recreation Department Operations for February 2023 through March 2023 (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Presentation given Public Comments: None Commissioner Comments: Commissioner Schmidt inquired about the full-time position and if Recreation would be moving a full-time staff member to that opening. Recreation Manager Leon replied that it would be open recruitment for someone outside Recreation to apply. Commissioner Gibson and Chair McEwen asked about the May 24th City Council meeting and if they would be notified ahead of time on the presentations. Parks and Recreation Director Larson confirmed that they would get an agenda and notified days in advance like PRC Commission meetings. Commissioner Gibson also commented on how well Recreation was doing regarding their full registrations in almost all activities. Commissioner McCarthy inquired about the plans of Scholze Park Center to bring back the sit- down lunch program for seniors. Recreation Manager Leon stated that Recreation has been looking into getting that program back with some help from a donation account in the future. Commissioner McCarthy asked about the Old Capitol Site area and what they plan to put there. Recreation Manager Leon stated the park master plan process would include community engagement and determine a plan for the site. Chair McEwen asked about the NCIP funding for the Old Capitol Site and if that funding was just for the plan or for the action of renovating the space. Recreation Manager Leon replied that it is currently for the park master plan only. She stated there could be some potential funding from the Coastal Commission but that would be if they went in the direction of low amenity campgrounds.  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes 4/12/2023 5:30:00 PM CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 2 Wednesday, February 8, 2023 Action: Approved as submitted (6-0-1 Absent). Vice Chair Schmidt motioned Commissioner Crampton Second ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS Jean Rasch, NCIP Vice Chair, introduced herself and that she is filling in for NCIP Chair, Rick Heuer, for tonight’s meeting regarding the NCIP items on the agenda. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 3 Review and Prioritize Parks and Recreation Related Nominated Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program (NCIP) Project Requests for Fiscal Year 2023-24 (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed and prioritized the Park and Recreation Related Proposed Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program (NCIP) Projects for Fiscal Year 2023-2024: Public Comments: Jean Rasch, NCIP Vice Chair, had a question for Shannon about how the artificial turf makes less pooling of rainwater so that Jacks Park field can be utilized more. Recreation Manager Leon replied that the artificial turf has proper drainage and makes less mud during the rainy seasons. This allows Recreation to utilize the field almost 365 days of the year like the Sollecito Ballpark. John Sovereign, Monterey resident and pickleball player, touched on the Ryan Ranch Pickleball Court NCIP project. Thanked Recreation for their support of the NCIP project. He stated that the City of Monterey limited the number of pickleball courts and that it was a hard compromise and wants to know if there are any other possibilities going forward to add more pickleball courts for the community. Tom Hardy, NCIP Coordinator, explained the NCIP approval process and touched on the Via Paraiso Pickleball Project. He stated the NCIP committee loves to approve projects and if the Commission wants to add it to the list it will not interfere with the other projects. Commissioner Comments: Commissioner Crampton asked about the El Estero large group BBQ area use rate regarding putting the shade structure over it. Recreation Manager Leon stated that she could not give an exact number as some people book in advance and others simply show up without a reservation. Recreation Manager Leon thinks that we would have more reservations at that park if we were to have the shade structure amenity with added shade and shelter from the ballpark and birds. Commissioner Crampton asked about the use of the parcourse around Lake El Estero. Recreation Manager Leon said she has seen people use the parcourse, but it is not in the best condition currently as it’s approximately 30 years old and outdated. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes 4/12/2023 5:35:00 PM  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes 4/12/2023 5:30:00 PM Vice Chair Schmidt asked about the three community centers and if they are used as neighborhood centers. Recreation Manager Leon stated that our community centers serve a wide variety of needs for the different communities in the area including Monterey, Pacific Grove, Seaside and Marina. Vice Chair Schmidt asked about what the asterisk on the voting form CDBG eligibility means. Recreation Manager Leon replied that the asterisk means the potential project could be Community Development Block Grant eligible for matching funding, but they would need to check with the Planning Division first. Commissioner Gibson had a question about the money going toward possible project facelifts of the community centers and if the exterior of the buildings is in good shape. Recreation Manager Leon replied that the Hilltop Park project does include the roof and the sewer lines of the building. Overall, the exteriors of both community centers seem to be in decent shape. Chair McEwen had a question about which projects are big ticket items on the list of the ten proposed projects. Park Manager Marcuzzo and Recreation Manager Leon replied that the infield turf installation at Jack’s Park would be the most expensive on the list. Recreation Manager Leon also stated that the El Estero playground equipment update, and facility improvement is around $250,000 each as well as the Hilltop Park Center around $750,000 to include the roof and sewer. Vice Chair Schimdt asked if the order in which they were presented matter about the importance and Recreation Manager Leon replied that they are listed in the order of neighborhoods not by importance. Commissioner Gibson asked if changing the lighting at Sollecito Ballpark would drastically change the cost. Recreation Manager Leon said that it would save on electrical and possible staff time but the overall savings she is unsure of. Commissioner Ono inquired about the internal projects at Hilltop Park Center if that included the kitchen, as well as the El Estero playground being concreted over a pre-existing pool. Recreation Manager Leon replied that the Hilltop Park Center would consist of painting, lighting, window treatments and electrical. Park Manager Marcuzzo addressed the pool renovation details from previous years and how old the play structure is. Commissioner McCarthy wanted to touch on the Trail Study and how the City should look at what it needs between Fisherman’s Wharf and the Coast Guard Pier regarding electric bike use and what could potentially be done with the trail. He stated he thinks there is a liability issue there and analyzing what options the trail has is a step in the right direction. On a motion by Commissioner McCarthy, seconded by Chair McEwen and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission agreed to add NV 12 Via Paraiso Pickleball Project to the top 10 Park and Recreation Related Proposed Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program (NCIP) Projects for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 as attached. AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: McEwen, Schmidt, Crampton, Gibson, McCarthy, Ono NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None. ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Spangler Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes 4/12/2023 5:35:00 PM  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes 4/12/2023 5:30:00 PM On a motion by Vice Chair Schmidt, seconded by Commissioner Gibson and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission agreed to add RR 02 Ryan Ranch Pickleball Court Project to the top 10 Park and Recreation Related Proposed Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program (NCIP) Projects for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 as attached. AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: McEwen, Schmidt, Gibson, McCarthy, Ono NOES: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Crampton ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Spangler On a motion by Chair McEwen, seconded by Commissioner Gibson and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission agreed to send both Chair McEwen and Commissioner Gibson to advocate for Parks and Recreation at the NCIP meetings on April 27, 2023 and May 11, 2023. AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: McEwen, Schmidt, Crampton, Gibson, McCarthy, Ono NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None. ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Spangler On a motion by Chair McEwen, seconded by Commissioner Gibson and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission agreed on the ranking of the top 12 Park and Recreation Related Proposed Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program (NCIP) Projects for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 as attached. AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: McEwen, Schmidt, Crampton, Gibson, McCarthy, Ono NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None. ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Spangler INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS Parks and Recreation Director Larson wanted to thank Parks and Recreation staff and acknowledge them for their efforts on the budget, special events, programming, and continuous storm response projects. Director Larson talked about the repair of the Dennis the Menace statue and wanted to thank the Pacific Metalcraft for their work. Director Larson stated that the statue will be indoors for its safety and the viewing of the children, and another replica statue will be made of less valuable material that will be more interactive and installed in the playground. Director Larson shared the exciting news that the Monterey Sports Center will be extending their hours hoping to officially expand starting June 5, 2023. She thanked Lauri Ataide for filling in for Sports Center Manager, Andrea Willer while she is out on vacation. Recreation Manager Leon thanked all staff for their time and touched on Recreation’s trip to California Parks and Recreation Society Conference (CPRS). Recreation staff learned some new tips and hope to implement that into our programming and events. She also talked about the recent community event Bunny Hop Photo Op and how all staff came together to put on this great event for the community while gearing toward upcoming events and summer programs. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes 4/12/2023 5:35:00 PM  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes 4/12/2023 5:30:00 PM Park Manager Marcuzzo talked about the recent storm damage and in his 30 years of experience with the City he has never seen so many downed trees in Monterey. He was thankful for his staff's quick response time and how they dealt with almost 200 downed trees between Monterey and the Presidio. Fitness Supervisor Lauri Ataide thanked Sports Center staff and a shoutout to Ryan Nunez, Yessica Sanchez, Andrea Diallo, Marcia DiMercurio, Tony Graffagnino and Leslie Pressman for all their hard work. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Chair McEwen thanked the Parks and Recreation staff and how she feels we make Monterey a better City with our events and programming. Vice Chair Schmidt commented on how astounded he was to hear that Parks Manager Marcuzzo and staff were able to handle all the downed trees during the storm with no injuries. Chair Gibson and Commissioner Crampton applauded the Recreation staff for all their continuous efforts through COVID-19 and being short-staffed. She hopes the City of Monterey notices their perseverance through it all. Commissioner Ono talked about the downed trees in Monterey during the storm and how Parks and Recreation has responded and handled everything all at once along with daily routines. He also complimented our new software system, Amilia, and how user friendly it is. Commissioner McCarthy reiterated his fellow PRC Board Members thoughts and personally thanked Recreation Manager Leon for helping him through the permit process for his Rotary Club baseball practices at Sollecito Ballpark. NEXT MEETING Wednesday, May 10, 2023. ADJOURNMENT Chair McEwen adjourned the meeting at 7:14 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Karen Larson, Parks and Ellen McEwen, Chair Recreation Director Parks and Recreation Commission Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes 4/12/2023 5:35:00 PM