Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting

PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Tuesday, July 14, 2015 MINUTES I. CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Tulare Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 6:30 a.m. by Chair Craig Hancock at the Claude Meitzenheimer Community Center, Sequoia Room. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Craig Hancock Eric Farrenkopf Dennis Beck Clara Williams Mike Jamaica STAFF PRESENT: Rob Hunt John Cook Brian Beck Coleen Pacheco STUDENT PRESENT: None OTHERS PRESENT: Denise Fletcher II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The flag salute was led by Clara Williams. III. CITIZEN COMMENTS None IV. COMMUNICATIONS Director Rob Hunt reported that this meeting would be Parks Manager John Cook’s last meeting due to his pending retirement. V. CONSENT CALENDAR It was motioned by Commissioner Beck and seconded by Commissioner Farrenkopf that the item on the consent calendar be approved as presented, 5-0. (1) Approve Commission minutes of June 9, 2015, regular meeting VI. STUDENT REPORT No students until next school year. VII. SCHEDULED CITIZEN OR GROUP PRESENTATIONS (1) Presentation by Denise Fletcher from Tulare County Symphony Denise Fletcher from Tulare County Symphony requested to be a priority for consideration of a discount when the budget allows. Denise distributed information about the concert and invited all attendees to attend. Denise is selling ads for the Symphony program, and requested help to promote local businesses. Director Hunt explained how the City does help the Symphony by waiving the park rental fee, but City still charges to recoup hard costs of installing/removing fencing, servicing restrooms, delivering/picking up dumpsters, etc. Recreation Manager Beck explained that Recreation Department can help out with advertising potentially in our Fall/Winter Activity Guide, with flyers on our front counter, and social media. Denise advised the committee that ticket sales only cover about 1/3 of the cost of the budget because they try to keep ticket sales affordable. The Symphony was started in Tulare and they want to keep it in Tulare. VIII. GENERAL BUSINESS (1) Recreation Division attendance report for the month of June 2015 and review of program cost recovery analysis reports Manager Beck reported that Prosperity Sports Park has been very busy with tournaments this year. Commissioner Hancock requested that youth and adult tournaments be split on the attendance report. Manager Beck reported that the increase is due to Ray Baradat scheduling tournaments with people who are not cancelling as often. BEST Program ended up with numbers that compare to last year even though the price was increased due to minimum wage, and we will have another increase this year due to minimum wage. Paid Summer Camp numbers per week have almost doubled compared to last year. Department has been providing field trips on Tuesdays and Thursdays alternating between Library, Tulare Union Pool and Water Slides, all have been well attended. Summer Drop in was held at Prosperity Sports Park this year due to closure of Woman’s Clubhouse. Concerts in the Park attendance has been up this year. Adaptive and Inclusive Sports Camp participation was up to 8. Department added some new advertising opportunities for the June class. Aquatics registrations doubled from last year, although last year we were sharing 1 pool and had a modified program. Movies in the Park showing “McFarland” at Del Lago Park generated more attendance than movies did last year. Since parents are looking for programs for 2 year olds, the age for Presports has been lowered to 2-4 year olds instead of 3-5 year olds and filled with 18 per class in June.  (2) Staff report on park maintenance operations for the month of June 2015 Parks Manager Cook reported that Parks staff is mainly doing park maintenance at this time. Over 30 trees have been lost in the park system due to drought situation, mainly Tulip trees. Trees will probably be replaced with other types of trees that are more drought tolerant. SWAP labor hours for June were 456. IX. ITEMS OF COMMISSION INTEREST X. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:10 a.m.