Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting

City of Tulare PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Tuesday, March 12, 2019 MINUTES I. CALL TO ORDER The Regular Meeting of the Tulare Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 6:31 a.m., by Chairperson Craig Hancock, at the Claude Meitzenheimer Community Center, Sequoia Room COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Craig Hancock Eric Farrenkopf Nichola Sherwood Lori Fishbough Armando daSilva Ira Porchia STAFF PRESENT: Brian Beck J. Dean Johns Kathy Melendez STUDENTS PRESENT: Krupaly Patel Samantha Torres II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Ira Porchia. III. CITIZEN COMMENTS None. IV. COMMUNICATIONS None. V. CONSENT CALENDAR (1) Approve Commission minutes of February 12, 2019 It was motioned by Vice Chair Sherwood and seconded by Commissioner Farrenkopf that the minutes of February 12, 2019, be approved as presented (6-0). VI. SCHEDULED CITIZEN OR GROUP PRESENTATIONS None. VII. STUDENT REPORTS Student Samantha Torres report that Union girl’s basketball team made playoffs but lost by a small margin. Winterline is doing well competitively. Page 2 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes March 12, 2019 VII. STUDENT REPORTS (continued) Student Krupaly Patel reported that Kindness Week was held at Tulare Union encouraging students to be kind to others all week. VIII. GENERAL BUSINESS (1) Request from Life Church Movement to continue utilizing the Senior Community Center for religious purposes for an additional year through March 2020 Interim Director Brian Beck advised that Life Church wishes to continue utilizing the Senior Community Center for an additional year. In accordance with the email sent by Jennifer Troutt, LC is actively saving money for their own church, however, there is no future forecast to move to their own church. Hancock and Sherwood would like to hear Life Church’s proposal of any future move before the Commission. Motion was made by Vice Chair Sherwood and seconded by Chair Hancock to extend the use of the Senior Community Center through the month of April and table the request to extend for one year pending Life Church appear before the Commission at April’s meeting to advise of their future plans for religious services. All commissioners were in favor (6-0). (2) Recreation Division attendance report for the month of February 2019 and review of program cost recovery analysis reports Recreation Manager Brian Beck reported on the following: afterschool basketball were held at Tulare Union with more than a 15% increase in participants over the previous year; BEST Club enrollments are slightly down over last year but staff feels this may be due to cost, however, the numbers stated in the report do not reflect recent enrollments; Little Dunkers and Youth Track programs have ended and staff is preparing for the start of Tumblers and Dancers as well as hiring for spring and summer programs such as aquatics, Little Sluggers, Teen Fest and Spring Carnival; Beck provided the 2019 softball tournament schedule noting there are 42 tournaments scheduled but 3 have already canceled due to inclement weather; the Choboian/Wong race is scheduled for March 23 at Del Lago Park. Funds will be used for high school scholarships. Page 3 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes March 12, 2019 (3) Staff report on park maintenance operations for the month of February 2019 Parks Manager Johns briefly reviewed the monthly Parks report noting replacement of hand grips and climbing bar at Live Oak Park, tunnel replacement at Blain Park, and repairs to fencing, lighting and field preparation at Prosperity Sports Park; tree pruning at Zumwalt Park was delayed due to inclement weather; Commissioners were invited to the upcoming Arbor Day ceremony to be held on March 29 at Live Oak Park, 10:00 a.m.; SWAP hours for February were 456 hours. IX. ITEMS OF COMMISSION INTEREST Vice Chair Sherwood inquired about the number of manhours that staff has provided for the clean-up of homeless encampments. Parks Manager Johns advised that he is now tracking those hours for budget purposes. Beck reported that Mayor Sigala is currently forming a homeless task force. Sherwood asked if there are any state grants available. Beck replied that First 5 is typically available in January each year. Johns added that there is a per capita grant that may become available from the California State Bond Act. Staff will possibly be seeking a grant for approximately $200,000. Interim Director Beck apprized the Commission that a special budget session by City Council will be held on April 23. All commissioners are invited to attend this public session. Beck also reported that he and Melendez are working on reports for the City’s Fee Study currently being conducted by Willdan Financial Services. X. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:08 a.m.