Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting

City of Tulare PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Tuesday, March 9, 2021 MINUTES I. CALL TO ORDER The Regular Meeting of the Tulare Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 6:35 a.m., by Chairperson Craig Hancock, at the Claude Meitzenheimer Community Center COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Craig Hancock Ira Porchia Nicholas Sherwood Mike Jamaica Armando daSilva Lori Fishbough Eric Farrenkopf STAFF PRESENT: Brian Beck Karie Rodriguez II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mike Jamaica. III. CITIZEN COMMENTS None. IV. COMMUNICATIONS None. V. CONSENT CALENDAR (1) Approve Commission minutes of October 13, 2020 It was motioned by Vice-Chair Sherwood and seconded by Commissioner Porchia that the minutes of October 13, 2020 be approved as presented (7-0). VI. SCHEDULED CITIZEN OR GROUP PRESENTATIONS None. VII. GENERAL BUSINESS (1) Staff report to approve the July 1 – December 31, 2021, part-time employee wage rates and January 1 – June 30, 2022, part-time employee wage rates due to mandatory State minimum wage increases effective January 1, 2022 Recreation Supervisor Beck presented that due to minimum wage increases, effective January 1, 2022, staff is providing a schedule of part-time wages to reflect the mandated salary increases. A motion was made by Vice-Chair Sherwood and seconded by Chair Hancock to approve rates as submitted (7-0). Page 2 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes March 9, 2021 (2) Staff report on Park Maintenance Operations & Special Projects Supervisor Beck gave a detailed report about repairs and cleanups from damage caused by transients, tree projects at City Hall, Library and Police Department, as well as Leland/Hillman. Several main line breaks were repaired and parking lot improvements at Del Lago, Live Oak and Centennial Park. (3) Staff Report on Recreation & Senior Center Supervisor Beck explained that the Senior Center’s grab-n-go meal program in addition to Meals on Wheels continues to be a success; averaging 90 senior participants daily. Recreation is still on hold due to covid restrictions, however it was noted that staff will be requesting guidance from City Council about resuming field and picnic arbor rentals. Supervisor Beck advised that the Library has developed its own metric for a phased reopening. (4) Staff Report on Community Services Department vacant positions Supervisor Beck reported that two Parks employees were promoted to positions of Parks Supervisor and Parks Technician after in-house recruitments. This left two vacancies of Parks Maintenance Worker 1. There were more than 90 applicants for the two positions and testing will occur later this week. The application period for Community Services Director ends at the end of this week. Several additional vacant positions remain in our department including Senior Services Supervisor, Department Assistant, and Parks Manager. IX. ITEMS OF COMMISSION INTEREST Vice-Chair Sherwood asked if the Cal-Trans clean up of the homeless camp that developed near Habit Burger had impacted our parks or the Santa Fe Trail. Supervisor Beck confirmed that the trail was affected and an increase in vandalism of trash cans etc, was noted. Chair Hancock suggested that the City partner with area churches to provide overnight shelter and services to the homeless. Supervisor Beck expressed gratitude for a $5,500 donation from Tulare Elks Lodge #1424 presented to the Greater Tulare Recreation Foundation to support the collaborative program designed specifically for disabled and special needs participants. X. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:33 a.m.