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1992 02 24 CSC Minutes ",' -= RBPOR-4 & XNFORMATX.AL COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION MINUTES I~O a (j XTEM:C MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1992 I. CALL TO ORDER Regular meeting of the Community Services Commission was called to order at the hour of 7:00 P.M., Chairwoman Kennedy presiding, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. PRESENT: Commissioners Benedict, Best, Francis, Kennedy, Nard, Seaton and Thompson None ABSENT: MOTION: It was moved by Commissioners Benedict/Best to excuse Commissioner Franke's absence from the January 27, 1992 CSC meeting. Motion carried. ANNOUNCEMENTS Chairwoman Kennedy announced the official resignation of Commissioner Elaine Franke and welcomed new commissioner, Jill Thompson, to the Community Service Commission. ******************** II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: It was moved by Commissioners Best/Benedict to approve the CSC Minutes of November 25, 1991. Motion carried with Commissioner Seaton abstaining. MOTION: It was moved by Commissioners Seaton/Francis to approve the CSC Minutes of January 27, 1992. Motion carried with following corrections: 1. Page 5, Item C, Paragraph 2 - Mrs. Kennedy advised that she and Commissioners Best and Benedict had met with... 2. Page 6, New Business, Item 1 - DISCUSSION OF "NUTRITION MONTH" . . . I I I . PUBLIC COMMENT Chairwoman Kennedy opened the floor for public comment with no responses. IV. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIALS Chairwoman Kennedy acknowledged a letter from Commissioner Elaine Franke, resigning from the Commission due to other responsibilities at this time. ******************** -= COMMUNITY SERVICES~OMMISSION FEBRUARY 24, 1992 - MEETING MINUTES PAGE 2 e ., Commissioners reviewed other correspondence including: advertisement and articles from the Desert Sun regarding the public forum for City- Wide Parks Master Plan, an article regarding community involvement in the funding and construction of a park called Rainbow City in Davis, California, the Brown Act publication "Open and Public" provided to the Commissioners', and correspondence from CAPRCBM acknowledging membership of Community Service Commissioners. Clint Bohlen explained the Parks Master Plan Flow Chart and provided an overview of Capital Improvement Projects for Parks and Recreation, asking Commissioners to review and comment on information included in their agenda packets. v. COMMISSION BUSINESS A. General Business 1. SENIOR CENTER UPDATE - Marilyn Smith, Senior Center Coordinator, reported on the status of the La Quinta Senior Center, emphasizing that they provide a variety of services and most of the same services that are offered by larger senior centers. Mrs. Smith described the key programs offered, to include: exercise classes at $2.00 a month, free legal and tax assistance, bridge games, AARP driving courses at $8.00 for people over age 55 which qualifies them for discounts on their automobile liability insurance, "back to school program" for low-income children and sponsorship of the vocal ensemble "The Golden Tones". Mrs. Smith also commented on the lack of space currently available at their facility and looks forward to a new Senior Center facility. 2. COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS - Chairwoman Kennedy reviewed the available committees for the Commissioners, explaining that all Commissioners are privileged to change their assignment on an annual basis. Available commi ttees are: 1) Art in Public Places, 2) Human Services, and 3) Parks and Recreation. Chairwoman Kennedy asked new Commissioners, Seaton and Thompson, to each consider an appointment to one of the committees. Commissioner Seaton requested the "Parks and Recreation" committee. Commissioner Thompson will review information on the three committees and make a selection at a later date. B. CULTURE AND FINE ARTS 1. Commissioner Nard, who has been the alternate on the Art in Public Places committee, will now attend future meetings and provide updates. Chairwoman Kennedy asked that staff seek an update from resigned Commissioner Franke of current activities. C. PARKS AND RECREATION 1. "PARADE/DAY IN THE PARK" - Commissioner Nard provided an update on the 10th Anniversary's "Parade/Day in the Park", to be held May 2nd, stating that the event was coming along very well. Commissioner Nard said they had recently mailed invitations and parade applications to e COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION FEBRUARY 24, 1992 - MEETING MINUTES PAGE 3 -= ,< e over 300 potential parade participants. and asked that anyone who is interested individuals, businesses and/or non-profit Clint Bohlen. She encouraged participation in an application, including organizatiops, please contact 2. PUBLIC FORUM FOR CITY-WIDE PARKS MASTER PLAN - Chairwoman Kennedy opened the public forum for City-Wide Parks Master Plan, explaining that the hope is to have a Parks Master Plan by June and that the committee is enco~raging public input for community parks. Clint Bohlen, Staff Liaison, provided an overview of current parks and recreation projects in La Quinta, and Chairwoman Kennedy explained the four areas the City is divided into, including 1) north of Highway 111, 2) Cove area, 3) SChools, and 4) PGA West. Public comments include the following: 1) Wally Reynolds 79860 Fiesta Drive La Quinta, CA 92253 2) Hal Summers 52-050 Avenida Madero La Quinta, CA 92253 3) Rupert Yessayian P.O. Box 251 La Quinta, CA 92253 Comments: Concerned with traffic and traffic patterns through the Westward Ho area in consideration of the high school and 20-acre park site proposed between Dune Palms Road and Adams Street. He is aware that Adams will be cut through to Hwy. 111 and a traffic light put there, but suggested that perhaps some signs and a "one way street" or something be considered for Westward Ho Drive. Comments: Concerned with pedestrian and vehicular access to hiking trails, especially the Boohoff Trail at Lake Cahuila and the Bear Creek Palms Trail. Erosion of the trails from off-rode vehicles has made access difficult. Would like to see formal trail heads drawn into the master plan. Chairwoman Kennedy added that the riding club has also expressed a concern for the equestrian trail that links into the area. Comments: Spoke for the need of a pool at Fritz Burns Park, citing it as a natural area for a neighborhood pool, in close proximity to the cove, which is a tract of about 6,000 lots of which about half are currently built up. Noted that when the park site was donated a committee was appointed (to plan for the site). There was a recommendation for a pool from that committee. He believes the City Council should have had a pool in place e COMMUNITY SERVICEIltOMMISSION FEBRUARY 24, 1992 - MEETING MINUTES PAGE 4 -= 4) Philip Shamus 4352 Via Palm Palm Desert, CA 92260 5) Gary Doty 45-525 Marguerite ct. La Quinta, CA 92253 last summer, but none is scheduled for even this summer. He said he could circulate a petition in the Cove Area and probably bring back between 500 to 1500 signatures. Would like to see a pool in place by the summer of 1993. Comments: Said he just moved here from New York several weeks ago. Expressed concern on size of pool. Suggested a 25 meter pool with a minimum 8' width for lap swimmers. Also would like to see more bike paths, especially along the new Avenue 52 which has a nice wide area for bike paths. Comments: Concern is for new res idents in the northern sector of the City. Realizes most planning is in the Cove area, but feels need for a connection from north part of city (to facilities) . Cited several areas of concern: - Better transportation into Cove area, especially during summer programs. Suggested perhaps working with Sunline for bus transportation, so children in north area can get to pool and tennis facilities. Mr. Shamus offered that in the New York community he just moved from, there was bus transportation provided by the city to recreation facilities, he believed it was a private bus line. Need to look at activities for children and new people in north area. Mr. Bohlen asked what he might like to see in the proposed North Park. Mr. Doty said he just found out about the North Park project tonight, but said he'd like to see a natural environment for the park instead of more "green", some shaded areas, and what he didn't want to see was more lighted ballfields. Chairwoman Kennedy asked if he'd like to see tennis courts or a pool in the north area. Mr. Doty responded that he'd like to see what the demand is for tennis courts in that area, but did not feel the current population would support two pools. e COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION FEBRUARY 24, 1992 - MEETING MINUTES PAGE 5 , -= .. 6) Gerry Hundt 52-333 Ave. Herrera La Quinta, CA 92253 7) John Triana 55-113 Sholl Creek La Quinta, CA 92253 8) Marian Ellson 80082 Palm Circle Dr. La Quinta, CA 92253 e Comments: Stated he is a resident, volunteer for La Quinta Youth and Sports, and manages the Sports Complex. Had following comments: - Does feel community pool is needed at this point. Would like to recommend looking at all options, Fritz Burns would be one, or next to Sports Complex at schools, or north sphere. More information would be needed to make a decision as to demographics and who users would be. Communi ty groups, YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, schools and adult and senior population would use it. Transportation would also be an issue. - Hiking Trails - would like to see access marked, vehicular use is an issue, parking areas need to be defined and public needs to be made aware that the trails are there. - Youth Sports Programs - Concerned with fact that 100 more kids have signed up for baseball with the youth sports group and other divisions in the valley are supposed to be using La Quinta ballfields. How will this impact the fields that are in existence at Sports Complex. Comments: Need family park with lots of open area; grass, trees, barbecues. The l8-acre site would be great for that ...where little ones won't be hit by cars, nearby baseballs, etc. Comments: - Reiterated concern for a pool in La Quinta. Suggested that if a pool was going in at the high school site, perhaps another pool in the Village area could be considered, with no diving and not as deep, maybe 4' deep for children to cool off and/or learn to swim during the summer. - Wants parks close to the high density residential areas. - Security - Major problems in parks when lots of kids are there with minimal supervision. Parks with playground equipment need to be in communi ty areas where everyone knows what's going on. Picnic areas needed where organizations can meet, with picnic ~ COMMUNITY SERVICES~MMISSION FEBRUARY 24, 1992 - MEETING MINUTES PAGE 6 9) Ed Montgomery 51-400 Ave. Diaz P.O. Box 1307 La Quinta, CA 92253 e tables and barbecues. - Indian artifacts/remains - At Avenue 48 at base of mountain, would like to see something with the kind of residences Indians lived in, a little museum with artifacts and handcrafts displayed, an area for camporees, a hiking destination for the community and hotel guests to visit. Also, some type of amphitheater at the base of the mountain behind Laguna de la Paz. Commissioner Best commented on the security issue, suggesting it might be appropriate to get input from the Sheriff's Department. Comments: - Bike trail needs drinking fountains - Traffic Control needed on Eisenhower at La Quinta Hotel golf course. Speed limit needs enforced, it is 45 mph. but people are doing 55 mph. Corner of Montezuma/Eisenhower is dangerous with traffic coming from 4 different directions. Said his 14 year old son almost got hit by a car the other day. Need stop sign there, need traffic slowed down coming down the hill, people are trying to find the bike trail there...would like Commission to take this to the Planning Commission to have a traffic pattern study for that intersection. - Municipal Gol f Courses - Wants an affordable, public owned facility for senior citizens and junior golfers. Wally Reynolds offered that Indian Springs Country Club Golf Course is up for sale now and they would love to have the City buy it. Mr. Shamus offered that City might look at taking over one of the two existing golf courses at La Quinta Hotel or PGA West. -= - COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION FEBRUARY 24, 1992 - MEETING MINUTES PAGE 7 e Chairwoman Kennedy then offered input she has received from the community regarding their desires for parks and recreation: Community pools Amphitheater Bike path - extending north, and also around the perimeter of the city Roller blade area Family parks Facility like the Desert Club with pool, barbecue area, etc. Marian Ellson offered on the transportation issue that Sunline does have route from north to south areas, but maybe discounts for children could be worked out. Commissioner Nard said that Sunline does offer a package deal for children during the summer with unlimited rides for a $15.00 book. Commissioner Kennedy thanked everyone for coming. She advised that a Parks and Recreation Survey will be coming out shortly and asked that everyone take the time and encourage their friends to complete and return it. 3. SURVEY QUESTIONS FOR PARKS MASTER PLAN - Commissioners reviewed and revised a list of fifteen (15) survey questions to elicit input from the community regarding parks and recreation priorities to be mailed to La Quinta residents during the month of April. Mr. Bohlen asked that commissioners further review and submit changes and/or comments prior to March 1st. Commissioner Thompson suggested that the mailing be sent to "Residents" rather than "owners" so that people who rent in the city would receive the survey. Commissioners Thompson/Best volunteered their help to get the mailers out when completed. It was also suggested that the Senior Center and possibly the schools were willing to help with the project. D. HUMAN SERVICES 1. LANDSCAPE FOR ECOLOGY - Award for the Month of February: Winner: 54-404 Avenida Madero Commissioner Seaton asked if the number of entries can be limited as she likes to go out and look at each home prior to voting, but with 14 entries, it was impossible to do. Chairwoman Kennedy said they could go back to the original criteria established prior to the Landscape for Ecology awards, wherein a home was omitted from the list after 3 months. This would also encourage Commissioners to find fresh homes to submit. 2. NUTRITION MONTH - Commissioner Benedict gave a status report on the poster/essay contest to be conducted for primary and middle-school children during march for National Nutrition Month. Commissioner Benedict reported she has coordinated the contest with school officials and will pick up selected entries from the schools by April 1st. Authorization has been given for the purchase of 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place ribbons which will be ordered by staff and will be awarded in April. ~ COMMUNITY SERVICES~MMISSION FEBRUARY 24, 1992 - MEETING MINUTES PAGE 8 e 1ST MOTION: It was moved by Commissioners Benedict/Nard to award Nutrition Month ribbons at the time of the Public Forum meeting at the joint PTA/CSC meeting in April. Nays carried, motion dismissed. 2ND MOTION: It was moved by Commissioners Best/Benedic to Award Nutrition Month ribbons at the regular CSC meeting in Apri. Motion carried. VI. STAFF REPORTS A. PUBLIC FORUM SCHEDULE FOR PARKS MASTER PLAN B. JOINT PTA/CSC FORUM - Clint Bohlen gave an update to his memorandum on the Forum in early April. A tentative date was set of April 9, at 7:00 P.M.at the Multipurpose Room, La Quinta Middle School, however, this date is subject to change and Mr. Bohlen will advise Commissioners when a firm date is set. C. CPRS CONFERENCE - Clint Bohlen confirmed for Commissioners who are attending the CPRS Conference March 5-8, that they are now registered and hotel reservations at the Ramada are confirmed. He also is looking into getting the City Explorer to transport everyone to the conference in one vehicle. D. LCC CONFERENCE - Dates of the CSC conference were confirmed for April 22-24. Deadline for hotel reservations is March 24 and advance registration for conference is April 6. Mr. Bohlen expressed that it would help if Commissioners let him know if they plan to attend by mid-March. Commissioner Seaton said she is planning to attend. E. PARKS MASTER PLAN OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES - Mr. Bohlen noted the copy of the draft Objectives and Policies that was distributed in the Commissioners' agenda packets. Mr. Bohlen invi ted Commissioners to review the document and offer their comments, changes or criticisms by the first week in March if possible. VII. NEXT MEETING DATE, TIME AND TOPICS A. The New Leaf Awards will be held at the La Quinta Middle School auditorium on March 30th. Saundra Juhola, City Clerk, is coordinating this event with the schools. B. The PTA/CSC Public Forum, as previously discussed, will be held as a separate, special meeting rather than at the regular April CSC meeting. VIII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: There being no further business to conduct, it was moved by Commissioners Francis/Nard to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. - -= e COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION FEBRUARY 24, 1992 - MEETING MINUTES PAGE 9 (e Respectfully submitted: