1993 07 12 CSC Minutes
.
REPOR.AND INFORMATION ITEl\
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
MINUTES
July 12, 1993
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Sharon
Kennedy, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Commissioners Bernard, Dickens, Francis, Kennedy, Nard,
Seaton.
ABSENT: Commissioner Best.
STAFF PRESENT: Clint Bohlen, Parks & Recreation Manager
Patti Devery, Temporary Department Secretary
GUESTS PRESENT: Tim Maloney of
Landscape/Architect
Applicants.
T. I . Maloney,
Consultants and
Inc. ,
Grant
It was MOVED by Commissioners Seaton/Bernard to excuse the absencE
of Commissioner Best, who is out of town on vacation. MOTIO!
CARRIED.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Kennedy corrected the June 28 Minutes on page 1, undel
Commission Business, where Commissioner Francis refers to "L.
Quinta PTA & Earthquake Readiness," which should be changed to "L.
Quinta Middle School PTA & Earthquake Readiness." It was MOVED b'
Commissioners Bernard/Francis to approve the CSC Minutes of June 21
as corrected. MOTION CARRIED.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIALS
The Commissioners received the new City Hall Roster. Mr. Bohle
invited the Commissioners to familiarize themselves with new Cit'
Hall by walking through at their convenience.
Commissioner Kennedy said Mr. Bohlen's inclusion of the heal t
correspondence was most informative.
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July 12, 19!
Commissioner Kennedy thanked Gerald Hundt, General Director of tl
Family YMCA of the Desert, for his addendum.
COMMISSION BUSINESS
Tim Maloney presented the rendering of Palm Royale Park based up'
suggestions from the last two public forum meetings for t]
Commission's approval. The Master Plan depicts a passive pa:
rather than an active park. The Commissioners suggested M:
Maloney show the placement of the proposed lights on t
preliminary Master Plan.
Commissioners Seaton/Nard MOVED to approve the Palm Royale pa
Preliminary Master Plan and present it to the city Council at i
August 3 meeting. MOTION CARRIED.
Regarding the presentations by Community Serv ices Grant Applicant
Commissioner Kennedy advised that the Commission has receiv
$37,335.00 in requested Grants. The total amount of City fun
available this Fiscal Year is $25,000.
The following presentations were made to the Community Servic
Commission:
Adams Truman P.T.A. Earthquake Committee: Spokesperson Lyn
Murray stated the need for a $2,000 Grant for the second year
complete the school's preparation in the event of a maj
earthquake. Commissioner Bernard asked Ms. Murray to elaborate
her stated need to help out the La Quinta Middle School and t
Y.M.C.A. Child Care Facilty. Ms. Murray replied that the
entities are on the school's site and could come to Adams Trun
School in case of an emergency.
Family YMCA of the Desert - La Quinta Child Care progra
Kathy Knudsen, Director of the La Quinta YMCA Preschool, said t
facility has been operational for 18 months. It serves chi1dI
ages two through six. The $5,000 grant request would be used f
scholarships for La Quinta residents. Gerald Hundt, Executj
Director, advised that very few children from outside the La Quir
area used the facilities.
Boys and Girls Club - La Quinta Unit: Jim Ducatte, Executi
Director of the BOys and Girls Club of Coachella Valley, said 1
club provides a variety of programs, services, and opportuniti
for children ages 7-17. The requested grant of $7,000 would
used for these programs and services and to help send six child]
to the National Keystone Conference in Washington, D.C. this ye!
Commissioner Francis asked the cost of sending one child to tl
conference. Mr. Ducatte replied that costs vary, depending
where the conference is held. Commissioner Kennedy asked how t
six children are selected. Mr. Ducatte responded they are select
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July 12, 1993
according to the amount of volunteer work and time they put in.
Commissioner Bernard asked what the children learn from this
conference. Mr. Ducatte said they are encouraged to participate in
the conference by serving on various committees. Also, when the
conference is held in a different city or state, the children have
the opportunity to see that city and the various attractions in
that area. Commissioner Kennedy asked the location of the new
club. Mr. Ducatte responded the club would be on the corner of
Park Avenue and Avenue 50.
Friends of the La Quinta Senior Center: William Trimmer, Past
President of Friends of the La Quinta Senior Center, said the
$7,000 grant request would provide for a television with a portable
stand, a VCR, a tape library covering health care and educational
programs, dance classes, and a portable dance floor. Mr. Trimmer
responded "yes" to Commissioner Kennedy's question whether these
items will be used in the new Senior Center. Commissioner Dickens
asked if Mr. Trimmer knew the individual cost of these requested
items. Mr. Trimmer replied it was his understanding that the
television and VCR would be about $2,500-$3,000, the dance floor
$3,000, and the balance of the funds would be for the tapes and
other required equipment. Commissioner Francis asked the size of
the dance floor, why it was needed, and if these items are the
capital items listed in the grant request. Mr. Trimmer replied the
dance floor was about 25'x 30,' and was needed because all the
floors are carpeted. He said these items are the capital items in
the grant request. Commissioner Bernard asked how many members
were in the Senior Center and how members are recruited. Mr.
Trimmer said at present there are 10-15 members and that brochures
are being given to all seniors who attend functions at the Center.
There are approximately 3,000 seniors in La Quinta. Commissioner
Kennedy asked how many seniors use the center at Vons Plaza. Mr.
Trimmer responded 200 and some. Commissioner Francis asked if the
Senior Center was planning to develop other programming beyond what
was in the grant request. Mr. Trimmer said yes, that staff
(Marilyn smith) had many things in the planning stage.
Friends of the La Quinta Branch Library: Sherry Pefta, Chairman of
the Friends of the La Quinta Library, told why a $3,500 grant was
needed for the Library. The Junior Book Section will only have
$400 next year to buy books. That amount will pay for 25 books.
All of the grant money would be earmarked toward the Junior
Section. Commissioner Kennedy asked if the proceeds from the
paperback sales were shared valley-wide. Ms. Pefta explained that
Friends of the Desert Library (FDL) is the umbrella group. FDL
helps support all the libraries children's reading programs for the
summer. All of the libraries and Friends groups are required to
give 25% of their membership fees back to the umbrella group.
Monies raised from the paperback sales go to the La Quinta Libary
operating fund. In response to a question of how many books are in
the La Quinta Library, Ms. Pefta said she did not know.
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July 12, 199:
Round Table West: Honey Atkins, Chairman of the steerin~
Committee, explained that Round Table West is a literary luncheol
organization. The purpose is to bring three or four authors whc
talk about their books. The goals of the Round Table are tc
encourage the cultural benefits for literacy, to promote literaturE
in the community, and to give the authors a chance to meet thei]
public and vice versa. The requested grant of $2,500 would be usec
as seed money to mail flyers, do direct mail promotion, pres!
releases, personal appearances by the founders which includes thE
taking of film clips, photos, etc., advertisements and honorari!
for authors. Responding to a question regarding the Books for thE
Bookless program, Ms. Atkins said people are asked to donate book!
to the Round Table and these books are given to needy people whc
otherwise would not have access to books, i. e. The Sybil Branc
Insitute, the prison library project, Braille Institute, thE
Y.W.C.A. and the South Pasadena Public Library. The books donatec
by La Quinta residents would be distributed to needy people in Lc
Quinta. Commissioner Kennedy asked if the $30 luncheon chargE
would help cover the cost of the program. Ms. Atkins said thE
money left after paying for the cost of the luncheon goes to hell
cover the program cost. Commissioner Francis expressed he]
exci tement about increasing the recognition for cuI tura:
programming in La Quinta.
Coachella Community Concerts Association: Diane Adolph, boar(
member, said the $5,000 requested grant would be used to carry ou1
programs to take to the schools. Every dollar from La Quinta stay:
in La Quinta. The music program is disappearing in schools becaUSE
there are no funds. The Outreach Program is taking the place 0:
what the schools provided. Commissioner Dickens asked how thE
Adams Truman School would be assisted by this program. Ms. Adolpl
responded that all La Quinta schools will receive the same type 0:
assistance. Music programs, i.e. opera, ballet, string ensemble
will be presented at the schools, depending on monies available.
Commissioner Bernard asked if anyone outside the school system i:
ever invited to these programs, as he would be interested to seE
the children's reaction to the musical presentations. Ms. Adolpl
and Commissioner Kennedy said upcoming schedules of programs can bE
made available for those who may want to attend.
Coachella Valley Public Education Foundation: Janiel Esmeralda
Vice President, said the $1,435 grant would be used to hell
implement the Goals 2000 Educate America project in the Coachelli
Valley schools. Commissioner Kennedy asked if Ms. Esmeralda kn~
of any children who had participated in this program since 1987 anI
also asked how are the Goals 2000 being measured throughout thE
nation. Ms. Esmeralda replied in the affirmative to the firs1
question. As to the Goals 2000, Ms. Esmeralda said there is .
National Assessment Goals panel that comes out with a new brochurE
every year showing the status of the different goals from year-to'
year. Responding to a question of how do the at risk children finc
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July 12, 1993
out about the program, Ms. Esmeralda said by word-of-mouth, along
with making the chemical awareness network helpers and drug
prevention organizations aware of the organization's existence.
Commissioner Seaton asked if the reference to "trainer" was an
adult or teenager. Ms. Esmeralda replied they take some of the 12-
15 youth leaders who have had a lot of training and pick two or
three of them who will go on to be trainers of trainers as youth
and also have adults who will be trainers to work with adults.
Commissioner Bernard asked what the Wal-Mart Town Meetings were.
Ms. Esmeralda said the U.S. Department of Education has satellite
town meetings on each one of the goals, and Wal-Mart, throughout
the nation, supports Goals 2000 Educate America. The CVPEF has
established contact with the Cathedral City and La Quinta Wal-Mart
so when the town meetings take place, the public can go in the
training room at Wal-Mart and watch the satellite town meeting.
Commissioner Kennedy told the applicants that after the meeting the
Commissioners will score the grant applications and note how they
feel the money should be distributed individually. The Commission
reconvenes on July 26 (changed to July 29). There will be a matrix
on a large board, the amounts will be averaged, and a determination
made to the amounts of money to be distributed. The meeting will
be in the new Civic Center.
Coachella Valley Children's Theatre: No representative attended.
Palm Desert High School Band and Color Guard: Diane Franco,
President, introduced Art Dean, who takes over the presidency from
Ms. Franco. Ms. Franco said the requested $3,000 would be used to
purchase oversized uniforms for some of the band. Ms. Franco said
that hopefully a music program can be set up at La Quinta High when
it opens, depending on what funds are available. Commissioner
Seaton noted that La Quinta Middle School has no beginning
instruction in band. Art Dean said the band from Palm Desert High
is available any time to go out and perform at events in La Quinta
and Palm Desert. The Tom Mancini symphony allocated funds in its
budget to do ten concerts in the elementary schools this coming
year. The concerts will be directed towards fifth graders.
commissioner Francis asked how much it costs to transport the band.
Mr. Dean said for trips out of the area it costs $1,500 -$2,000 for
two buses. To transport the band locally, it would cost a couple
hundred dollars.
1993-1994 workplan: Mr. Bohlen suggested the workplan issue be put
off until the next meeting, due to tonight's lengthy agenda.
council Member Sniff advised the Commission that Council's will
meet on August 3 and then go dark for the remainder of the month.
Commissioner Kennedy suggested that staff include ideas for the
workplan in the July 29 packets. Mr. Bohlen asked the
Commissioners to please let him know if there is anything they
would like included on a meeting agenda at any time.
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July 12, 1993
Culture and Fine Arts: Commissioner Francis said all attempts
failed to gather a group to go to the Laguna pageant of Masters.
The La Quinta Arts Foundation has a coach leaving for the pageant
on August 3, which includes tickets (good seats), coffee/doughnuts,
lunch in Laguna and snacks on the return trip. CommissioneI
Francis advised that the second meeting of the Steering Committee
will be July 16.
Commissioner Kennedy announced there will not be a Mayor's
Breakfast the first Thursday of August.
La Quinta Landscape for Ecology was postponed until the July 29
meeting.
CVCCC Community Affairs Committee: Mr Bohlen advised that the next
meeting for that committee will be at 7:30 a.m. on August 3 at ne~
City Hall. At the last meeting in July SOffi3 of the criteria fOI
Child Care board membership was discussed and what the board would
like to achieve. Relative to board membership, the board would
like to involve all different Commissions throughout the Valley,
e.g., Parks & Recreation Commission, Community Services Commission,
Human Resources Commission and have them all represented on the
Community Affairs Committee. One of the goals discussed for that
specific committee is to develop a Valley-wide master plan fOI
Child Care. Mr. Bohlen asked if any of the Commissioners know an)
individuals within the Child Care industry or within commissions ir
other cities, or City Council, to let him know and perhaps be a
facilitator in helping set up something with another city so we car
conduct, for example, a public hearing in another city on child
care to discover the need in the various communities for chilc
care. Commissioner Seaton suggested staff contact Jan Barnett,
Director of the Child Care Center at COD, who is very well versec
on the subject.
STAFF REPORTS
Volunteer Program: Mr. Bohlen said he has been working with Norris
Bernard. Mr. Bernard went to the City Manager to express his
wilingness to chair a volunteer program for the City of La Quinta.
specifically he is interested in seeing a volunteer corp develo~
for the new Civic Center, which would be very helpful. Some of thE
activities Mr. Bernard suggested were: mail routing, sorting anc
delivery; filing; take charge of a recycling program within Cit~
Hall. Of the three programs they looked at, Riverside has the besl
organized municipal program. Mr. Bernard and Mr. Bohlen arE
developing a program to be presented to City Council for theil
review August 3. Mr. Bohlen said that from the Parks & Recreatior
Community Services survey sent out, there were 212 responses, 01
which 134 said they wanted to volunteer for various programs. Mr.
Bohlen asked for any comments or suggestions from the Commission.
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July 12, 1993
Commissioner Dickens asked when the Community Services Grants would
be paid out. Mr. Bohlen responded that following City Council
approval, the checks could be issued right away.
Budget Review: Mr. Bohlen said that under the Community Services
Division Budget 4195, the City Council has created a Parks &
Recreation Department and the City is recruiting for a Parks &
Recreation Director. Following the hiring of the Director,
recruitment of a Recreation Supervisor will occur. The City is in
the process of recruiting a Home Alone or Kidsline Coordinator, and
Mr. Bohlen is writing an OCJP grant for a youth counselor. That
Department will be composed of 1 part-time employee, 3 full-time
employees (a secretary II), and the Director. Someone in the City
is transferring to fill the Secretary II position. We are looking
at providing programs to the City through the budget that was
existing in the Community Service Division. Commissioner Kennedy
asked what the Explorer Club and the Civic Concert Series are. Mr.
Bohlen said the Explorer Club is based on the Boy Scouts of
America program where teens participate in outdoor adventure
programs. The Civic Concert Series would be held at the La Quinta
Middle School at night and do different types of presentations such
as classical guitarists, a puppet show with a string quartet, etc.
There will be an admission charge. In response to Commissioner
Bernard's question about the Family Excursion, Mr. Bohlen said the
response to the survey showed some of the most popular trips were
the San Diego Beach Tour, the Grand Canyon, and Disneyland.
Commissioner Kennedy asked about the Sunshine Theater. Mr. Bohlen
said it would be a Saturday morning workshop theater for children
that could be conducted quarterly. The children would learn how to
do a one act play.
Mr. Bohlen said the budget showed a $100,000 increase from the
previous year. Mr. Bohlen said that the travel and meeting budget
for conferences were cut. There is money for four Commissioners to
attend a conference rather than all seven.
Commissioner Kennedy asked about the cost of Phase I of Fritz Burns
Park. Mr. Bohlen replied the cost was $1.8 million. Staff is
going to the Council on July 26th with an RFQ for construction
drawings for the park.
In response to a question of the name of the City' s personnel
manager, Mr. Bohlen said the City does not have a personnel
manager, however, the Assistant City Manager and the Administrative
Analyst do the bulk of the personnel work.
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July 12, 199:
NEXT MEETING DATE, TIME AND TOPICS
The next meeting is
Quinta Civic Center.
adjourn the meeting.
July 26 (changed to July 29), 7:00 p.m., L.
It was MOVED by Commissioners Francis/Nard tc
MOTION CARRIED.
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PATR IA DEVERY
Temporary Department
Manager