Library and Community Services Commission

200 Lincoln Ave., Salinas, City of Salinas CA 93901 www.cityofsalinas.org Meeting Minutes - Final Library and Community Services Commission Commission Members: Albert Fong, Mayor's Appointee Lizbeth Camacho, District 1 - Victor Tafoya, District 2 Joey Martinez, District 3 - VACANT, District 4 Nancy Gutierrez, District 5 - Beatriz S. Chaidez, District 6 Jim Pia, Interim City Manager Kristan Lundquist, Library and Community Services Director City Clerk's Office: (831) 758-7381 Wednesday, April 10, 2024 6:00 PM City Council Rotunda PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair Commissioner Gutierrez-Garcia called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. ROLL CALL Present: 5- Commissioner Beatriz Chaidez Commissioner Victor Tafoya Commissioner Nancy Gutierrez Commissioner Lizbeth Camacho Albert Fong Absent: 1- Commissioner Joey Martinez PUBLIC COMMENT TIME RESTRICTIONS GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS No public comments CONSENT ID#24-194 Minutes Upon motion by Commissioner Tafoya, seconded by Commissioner Fong, the minutes of February 14, 2024 were approved. The motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: 5- Commissioner Chaidez, Commissioner Tafoya, Commissioner Gutierrez, Commissioner Camacho and Fong Absent: 1- Commissioner Martinez ID#24-195 Minutes Upon motion by Commissioner Fong, seconded by Commissioner Camacho, the minutes of March 13, 2024 were approved. The motion carried by the following City of Salinas Page 1 Library and Community Services Meeting Minutes - Final April 10, 2024 Commission vote: Ayes: 5- Commissioner Chaidez, Commissioner Tafoya, Commissioner Gutierrez, Commissioner Camacho and Fong Absent: 1- Commissioner Martinez ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS ID#24-196 Recreation & Park Facility Projects Update Recreation-Park Superintendent Ana Ambriz presented the Recreation & Parks Facility Projects Update. Closter Park Revitalization Project 2022: Project selected by the State of California for a $6.8 million award for comprehensive renovation; City awarded design-build and construction oversight contract to BFS Landscape Design. 2023: Schematic design developed by City, BFS, and Community accepted by City Council. 2024: Project is undergoing site plan review and will soon be applying for building permits. Natividad Creek Park Restroom Rehabilitation Project Collaborative effort between Community Development and Library and Community Services to provide interior and exterior improvements to restroom facilities and site improvements including two new ADA-compliant parking spaces. The project is fully funded through US Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block grant and is anticipated to reach completion at the end of April 2024. Cesar Chavez Soccer Fields and Trail Project • Soccer Fields: 2017: The City received funding for construction of one synthetic turf soccer field, two youth soccer fields, and a half-court basketball court. 2021: Due to project cost, the scope was amended to include only the synthetic field, irrigation upgrades, bioretention area, and new landscaping projects. 2024: Under management by Public Works, the project is near completion and the field will be available after the planting establishment period (120 days from substantial completion). • Trail: 2021: The City received funding through the California Ocean Protection Council Proposition 68 grant program to renovate and expand the decomposed granite (DG) trail, A collaborative effort between LCS and Community Development Department leverages Alisal Vibrancy Plan implementation funds designated for park and open space improvements including exercise stations along the trail. 2024: Trail improvements and expansion have been completed. Staff is working with exercise equipment manufacturers to identify suitable equipment for the site. Playground Repairs and Replacements 2021: City Council allocated $2 million American Rescue Plan Act funds for playground structures, park benches, and barbeque grills. 2024: Two rounds of repairs to broken or damaged playground equipment have been completed. Playgrounds with engineered wood fiber and sand have been resurfaced. City of Salinas Page 2 Library and Community Services Meeting Minutes - Final April 10, 2024 Commission Natividad Neighborhood Park and Steinbeck Neighborhood Park have received complete playground replacements. Natividad Neighborhood Park is again open to the public, and Steinbeck Neighborhood Park will reopen soon as Staff is working to shift surfacing material from sand to engineered wood fiber. The City is currently working with BFS Landscaping Architects to convert the Williams Ranch Northgate Neighborhood Park playgrounds into universal playgrounds. Design and concepts have been finalized, and BFS will soon submit permit applications to the City. Firehouse & Closter Park ADA Restroom Improvements 2024: Project plans under permit review. Project consists of the removal of architectural barriers that restrict restroom access to people with disabilities and improvements that bring four restrooms (two male and two female) across the two recreation centers into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Improvements include updating plumbing fixtures within an accessible layout and updates that provide accessible entrance and egress. Hebbron Family Center Revitalization Project 2021:The City was awarded $8.1 million from the State of California to remove and replace the recreation center. 2022: The City contracted with Griffin Structures to develop plans for overall project management for the demolition, design, and build of the project. 2023: City Council approved design and schematics. 2024: The City contracted with Diede Construction for execution of the project with planned completion for October 2024. Commissioners asked for additional information on the following points: • Cost information for The Natividad Park Restroom Rehabilitation Project: Unavailable at meeting; Staff will deliver this information to the Commission. • Copies of presentation slides: Staff will upload all presentation materials to the City’s Legistar webpage. • Information about specific challenges during construction: Rain and drainage issues were greatest challenges, and projects also experienced longer-than-expected lead times on materials, • Details on Cesar Chavez Soccer Fields Project amendment: Unexpected increase in material costs necessitated limitations on project plans. • Priority ratings for park rehabilitation: As projects are funded with ARPA grants, City Council set specific criteria for areas most impacted by COVID, 93905 and 93906. After that, a systematic approach with safety as first concern was deployed through a system-wide inspection. • Measures to minimize disruption of daily operations at Firehouse and Closter Park: Access to restrooms will be limited during construction, and Staff will work together with contractors to minimize hardship and continue to meet community needs. • Hebbron Family Center Revitalization Project Grant Deadline: Staff will maintain constant communication with contractor and monitor schedule to avoid delays. • Length of Cesar Chavez Trail and connection to Hebbron Family Center: Length of trail unavailable at time of meeting; Staff will deliver this information to the Commission. The trail will connect to the Hebbron Family Center. Receive update on recreation and park facility projects. ID#24-197 Library Public Computer Upgrades Interim Deputy Librarian Francis Hebert presented results of the Library Public Computer Upgrades project. City of Salinas Page 3 Library and Community Services Meeting Minutes - Final April 10, 2024 Commission Inadequate computers were replaced to meet the technological needs of the Salinas community. 2023: City Council appropriated $100,000 to support Staff from Salinas Public Library and Information Services Department to select and install computers at the John Steinbeck and Cesar Chavez Libraries. Staff and patron feedback revealed two trends the confirmed the success of the project: Total amount of time spent by patrons on public computers has seen a notable increase at both locations. Average length of sessions has nearly doubled after installation of new computers and operating systems. Commissioners asked for additional information on the following points: • Charges for printing: $0.10 per page for black and white and $0.25 for color, but Library card holders received a daily benefit of $0.50 free printing. • Brand and Cost of new computers: Lenovo; $100,000 • Criteria for hardware selection: Processing speed was highest priority. • Challenges during installation: Greatest challenge was determining optimal settings that protects patrons’ privacy. Staff is fully trained on these procedures which reduces challenges overall. • Future plans to extend project to El Gabilan Library: El Gabilan is on a different timeline for computers, but • Library Staff is working with Information Services to upgrade connection of all machine to broadband internet. • Number of computers replaced: 70 • Differences between adult and youth computers: Same hardware, different settings. • Age of replaced computers: Fifteen years old • Location of computers: All computers are located in open spaces and in view of Library staff. • Cycle for replacement: The City plans Capital Improvement Projects five years in advance, and the Library plans to budget for replacement in seven-to-eight year cycles. • Cloud storage: The Library does not offer cloud storage, but Staff is available to help guide patrons to obtaining and using public free cloud storage options. Receive report and provide feedback. COMMISSIONER REPORTS • Commissioner Chaidez: No report • Commissioner Fong announced the Asian Fair on April 27, 2024 in Chinatown • Commissioner Tafoya asked the public to review the Library’s calendar of events and asked if there was an update on expanded Library hours. Director Lundquist reported that staffing issues prevent expansion of hours and that the issue will be addressed once the Deputy Librarian position is filled. • Commissioner Camacho asked for a schedule of grass mowing at City parks, update on park lighting, • Chair Commissioner Gutierrez-Garcia requested an update on the recreation center in District 5. Director • Lundquist reported that current projects are occupying resources and the new recreation center will be revisited once progress is made on those. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Director Lundquist announced that the Library was celebrating National Library Week and National Library Workers’ Day. City of Salinas Page 4 Library and Community Services Meeting Minutes - Final April 10, 2024 Commission ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:08 P.M. __________________________________ Devon McCauley, Administrative Secretary AGENDA MATERIAL / ADDENDUM PUBLIC NOTIFICATION City of Salinas Page 5