2003 12 08 CSC Minutes
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COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
MINUTES
December 8, 2003
I. CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the Community Services Commission was called to order
at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of the La Guinta Civic Center.
Chairperson St. Johns presided over the meeting.
Commissioner Calhoun led the Pledge of Allegiance.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Commissioner Victoria St. Johns
Commissioner Gary Calhoun
Commissioner Mike Cross
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Commissioner Deborah Bechard
STAFF PRESENT:
Dodie Horvitz, Community Services Director
Hally Savio, Community Services Secretary
II. PUBLIC COMMENT
None
III. CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Approval of the September 8, 2003 Minutes
B. Monthly Department Report for September and October 2003
Since only two of the current Commissioners attended the October 13th
meeting, Staff suggested that Consent Calendar Item A: Minutes of October 13
be forwarded to City Council unapproved.
It was moved by Commissioners Cross/Calhoun to approve Consent Calendar
Item B: Department Report for September and October. Unanimous.
V. PUBLIC HEARING
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Community Services Commission
Minutes
December 8, 2003
Page 2
VI. BUSINESS ITEMS
A. Montezuma Park Amenities
Director Horvitz provided background information on the recently purchased
1 9-acre parcel of land zoned as open space located west of Montezuma
Avenue, between Ensenada and Chillion which currently has the identifying
title of "Montezuma Park". Park naming forms were made available to solicit
possible names for the property to be submitted to the City Council for
consideration.
The following La Guinta residents commented in favor of keeping the
Montezuma Park site in its natural state: Kay Wolff, Mercedes Courterz,
Eugene Caswell, Katie Barrows, Joe Broido, Fred Wilson and Donald Hahn. In
addition, staff received two emailletters in favor of keeping the area as it is
from Carolyn and Dennis Schue and Gayle and John Lindfield.
Residents also discussed the need for more frequent police patrols in the
area and the construction of a rock barrier to prevent vehicle access to the
area.
Commissioner Calhoun thanked all citizens present for attending and for
sharing their comments. He also expressed his appreciation to Council
Member Stanley Sniff for taking the time to attend the meeting to hear the
opinions of the residents. He also commented that he liked the idea of a
barrier to vehicle traffic made of natural materials. He recommended that
the parcel be left in its natural state and felt that any signage in the area
should be minimal. In answer to his inquiry concerning a budget for this
project, staff responded that
Commissioner Cross commented that he agreed with Commissioner Calhoun
and all the citizen comments regarding the parcel, and expressed his concern
about non-native plantings in the area.
Chairperson St. Johns commented that she was a resident of the area, and
agrees with her neighbors about leaving the area in its natural state. She
sought clarification from staff concerning City staff access to the area for
maintenance. She also inquired about the idea for a conservancy for the
area. Staff will obtain further information on the details of this issue.
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Community Services Commission
Minutes
December 8, 2003
Page 3
It was moved by Commissioners Calhoun/Cross to recommend that the
parcel now known as Montezuma Park be kept in its natural state and have
staff investigate the cost of adding boulders to prevent vehicle access,
investigate the issue of minimum signage for the area and also investigate
the conservancy issue and report back at a future meeting. Unanimous.
VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIALS
A. Interactive Water Feature
Director Horvitz informed Commissioners that staff has met with David
Voltz, designer of the interactive water feature for La Guinta Park. The
plans for the feature will come back to the Community Services Commission
at the January 2004 meeting.
VIII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS
Chairperson St. Johns thanked the public for their attendance and input
regarding the park site.
She also thanked Commissioner Calhoun and his wife for their wonderful job on
"Santa" duties at the City's December 5th tree lighting ceremony.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Commissioners Calhoun/Cross to adjourn the Community
Services Commission meeting at 7:40 PM. Unanimous.
NEXT MEETING INFORMATION
Monday, January 12, 2003 @7:00 PM
La Guinta City Hall Study Session Room
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SLJhr1tted by:
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Haffy Savio, O<lmmunity Services Secretary
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