Recreation and Parks Commission Meeting

CITY OF PLACERVILLE RECREATION & PARKS COMMISSION August 17, 2016 MINUTES PRESENT: Recreation & Parks Commission: Jerry Barton, Andrew Mathews, Peter Nolan, and Richard Zito. Recreation & Parks Staff: Steve Youel and Matt Lishman. ABSENT: Jackie Neau GUESTS: ADOPTION OF AGENDA: Mr. Zito made the motion to approve the agenda. Mr. Barton seconded the motion. Motion approved unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Mr. Mathews made the motion to approve the minutes of July 20, 2016. Mr. Zito seconded the motion. Motion approved unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENT: None ACTION ITEMS: Expanded Aquatics Season Request: Ms. Reise Chambers spoke to thank the commission on extending the season. Water aerobics has been a great program for her. Mr. Jeremy Waites would like to see lap swimming extended out of normal business hours so that people could go before or after work. Margie Comer spoke to echo how important the pool is for not only City residents but for those who live close. Water aerobics is the only exercise she can participate in. It’s important for people who work to have the pool open for them. Ms. Comer suggested we have directional traffic signs that say Park/Pool this way. Ms. Nancy Metz stated that swimming has helped her with her medical condition. It has been wonderful therapy and encouraged us to keep the pool open as long as possible. Mr. Youel shared a letter from Ms. Bonnie Morse West thanking the City for extending the aquatic season this year. We also received a letter from City resident Ms. Susan Zito who shared her concerns with extending the aquatics season past Labor Day. Mr. Jim Cahill stated the model the City is using for its aquatics program has not changed in forty years. Mr. Cahill stated the pool is open when school is out and closes when school goes back in session. Mr. Cahill stated the City should do a survey. He suggests we open the pool in April and run it through October. He also suggests it be open at 6:30 a.m. so working people can swim in the morning on the way to work. He suggests the City market the pool for people who are not children. Mr. Youel shared with the Commission that at this time the City is $20,000 below projected revenues that were anticipated from El Dorado County. Youel also pointed out that staff recently made a $5,700 emergency repair that was not budgeted for. Mr. Mathews asked what the thoughts were on having a membership fee to offset some of the maintenance and operation costs. Mr. Barton said the membership fee based programs could be looked into as part of the Master Plan update that is coming soon. The Commission would like City staff to look into the pool schedule at the beginning of the year. Mr. Youel shared with the Commission that our current budget runs from July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. Preparation for new funding request begins in January 2017. Most new funding requests include a funding mechanism to cover the additional cost. Minimum Wage Increase: Mr. Lishman reported that minimum wage will be increasing by $.50 to $10.50 on January 1, 2017. Mr. Lishman shared a survey of other Recreation Departments with similar programs as well as several local businesses. Mr. Lishman also shared a proposed pay schedule for part-time classifications. Staff is recommending that the Pool Manager, Aquatics Coordinator, Field Maintenance Worker, Park Maintenance Worker, Black Smith Shop and Gift Shop Coordinator pay rates remain static. If these positions received an increase, employees in those positions would be making an hourly rate higher than some City full-time staff. Staff is also proposing that the Pool Manager and Aquatics Coordinator employees receive a step increase since there is a close percentage gap between the aquatic position rates and the Pool Manager and Aquatics Coordinator rates are not changing. Mr. Lishman shared with the Commission that the proposed pay scale will increase the Community Services Department’s part-time personnel costs by approximately $9,664. Mr. Lishman stated this could change slightly before going to City Council once a final analysis is completed by the Finance Department. Mr. Lishman stated if the new part-time pay scale is approved by City Council, staff will work with the Recreation Commission to develop specific cost recovery strategies for each program. Cost recovery may require participation fees to be raised in some program areas. Mr. Barton made a motion to approve staffs recommendation. Mr. Mathews seconded the motion. Motion approved unanimously. STATUS REPORTS: Youth Assistance Fund: Mr. Lishman reported that there were 43 requests for funding in the amount of $1,365.00. We received $163.00 in donations and the projected fund balance is $4,966.07. Parks and Recreation Master Plan: Mr. Youel reported that the RFP for the Master Plan is out and the deadline is September 29, 2016. Staff will ask two commissioners to sit on the consultant selection panel. Mr. Barton stated he would be interested and willing to sit on the panel. Meeting adjourned at 7:55 pm.