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2004 10 11 CSC Minutes . . ~ of .(p (J.u1Jt1t COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION MINUTES October 11, 2004 I. CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Community Services Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Study Session Room of the La Quinta Civic Center. Commissioner St. Johns presided over the meeting. Commissioner St. Johns led the Pledge of Allegiance. MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioner Victoria St. Johns Commissioner Bob Leidner Commissioner Hackney Commissioner Tom Vaughn (excused) STAFF PRESENT: Dodie Horvitz, Community Services Director Therese Vella-Fino rio, Secretary II. PUBLIC COMMENT -None III. CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Approval of September 8, 2004 Minutes B. Monthly Department Report for August 2004 It was moved by Commissioners Hackney/Leidner to approve Monthly Department Report. Unanimous. V. PUBLIC HEARING - NONE VI. BUSINESS ITEMS A. Skate Park Coalition Meeting will be held on Thursday, October 21, 2004 at 2:00 p.m. Director Horvitz said approximately 15 members may attend. The members of the Coalition have diverse backgrounds \. . . Community Services Commission Minutes and professions. There is a formal Agenda with this month discussion on the liability and use of BMX/ Bicycles at skate parks. At this time, these bicycles are not allowed on skate parks because the liability insurance does not cover them. The Coalition will tour the construction site at the La Quinta Skate Park arriving at approximately 3:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. This will be the first time the Coalition team will tour a park under construction. It was moved by Commissioners Leidner/St. Johns that the Commissioners will do their best to attend the Coalition Park meeting and tour. Unanimous. B. Tiny Tot Halloween Carnival and Dog-O-Ween Contest - Director Horvitz stated the Commissioners are welcome to attend either or both of the events. We have high school and middle school students who have volunteered to help with this event. Commissioner Leider will be out of town during that time. It was moved by Commissioners Hackney/Leidner that the Commissioners will do their best to attend the Tiny Tot Halloween Carnival and/or Dog-O-Ween Contest. Unanimous. VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIALS A. New Commissioner Appointment - the City Clerk will be handling the appointment of the new Community Services Commissioner next week. VIII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS A. Reports from Commissioners Regarding Meetings Attended: Commissioner Leidner attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Skate Park on September 29th. Commissioners St. Johns, Hackney and Leidner attended the Youth workshops at the La Quinta Middle School and La Quinta High School. They felt the Middle School students and their advisor were more interested in the programs than the High School students. Commissioner Leider asked Director Horvitz for a report from Supervisor Riesgo stating what results have been achieved from these workshops. Open discussion was held expressing the Commissioners disappointment on the youth workshops related to the food and beverage provided, the time of the meetings, lack of \. . . Community Services Commission Minutes interaction with the students, and their own involvement. The Commissioners stated if we are going to be involved as a community, we have to be more proactive and make sure there is more interaction with the students to bring them out. Commissioner Hackney said he heard one useful comment from the students: they complained that the restrooms at the La Quinta Park are dirty. Director Horvitz stated in the past, the Commissioners hosted the youth workshops, and suggested it could be done that way again instead of staff handling the workshops and preparing the Agenda. Further, she said these workshops were held once a year in April when the students would give their requests. We found we didn't get good follow through the next year when we went back, there were a new group of students and the others had left. Commissioner St. Johns said she found that in the past there was more interaction between the Commissioners and the students. Director Horvitz asked if the Commissioners would like to take this project on, or continue having staff do it. Commissioner Hackney responded that whether it is the Commissioners or staff who handle this project, if it is going to be beneficial to the students and the community it needs it needs more interaction and vibrancy (particularly at the high school level). Commissioner Leidner asked to receive a report on Supervisor Riesgo's ideas. If she received meaningful information from these workshops, then that was great. Commissioner Hackney said if the ASB at the high school doesn't want us to be there, maybe we need to evaluate if we need to be there. Director Horvitz stated we have a very good relationship with the school district. We must be very cautious in not stepping on other groups at the high school such as the PTO. She stated the City funds $2,000 each year to sponsor Career Day at the high school and we receive no applications. Commissioner Hackney heard that we could sponsorship some of the Pep Rally's and Homecomings at the high school. Director Horvitz responded that we would not fund these events because we would be in competition with the service organizations such as Band, Booster Club and PTO who are sponsoring these events. Commissioner Hackney asked to hear what Supervisor Riesgo had to say regarding the Tail Gate parties. Director Horvitz stated we are a very small staff and we rely on the Commissioners to help us. Director Horvitz will speak with Supervisor Riesgo to put together a \e . . Community Services Commission Minutes report for the next meeting. Commissioner Hackney met the volunteer coordinator for the Boys and Girls Club and asked if there are volunteer programs the City has with them since both pull from the same pool of volunteers. Director Horvitz stated the Boys and Girls Club is a non-profit organization and the City does not work with them to recruit volunteers. The volunteers we have at the City are here to either 1) complete community service hours; or 2) job specific so they may use use on their resumes when applying for a job. The Boys and Girls Club building belongs to the them but it is on City land; we have a 50 year land lease with them. The City pays the Boys and Girls Club $30,000 a year to use they gym and $30,000 a year for scholarships. We also have paid for the maintenance on the building including redoing the gym floors, and paying $100,000 for the installation of the new air- conditioning system. Commissioner Hackney asked for more information on the big picture for other organizations such as the YMCA and other non-profit organization. He thought it would be beneficial to get an appreciation of the working relationships. Director Horvitz stated we give many volunteer referrals to the Boys and Girls Club. B. Upcoming Events Veteran's Day Tribute Ceremony - Civic Center campus on November 11th 1 :30 - 3:00 p.rn- Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony - December 3'd 6:00 - 8:00 p.m Santa Paws Pet Portraits - December 4th 10:00 - 11 :30 a.m. Breakfast with Santa - December 11 th 9:00 - 11 :00 a.m The question was raised by Commissioner Leider who was going to be Santa Claus this year? Director Horvitz stated both Gary Calhoun and Mike Davis have expressed interest. IX. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Commissioners Leidner/St. Johns to adjourn the Community Services Commission meeting at 7:40 PM. Unanimous. tt . Community Services Commission Minutes NEXT MEETING INFORMATION Monday, November 8, 2004 @7:00 PM La Quinta Civic Center - Study Session Room Submitted by: 'J I ) j 1>1 "2': . V/h.(/!...t"C..I.../ !/2AJ.fi..; - / ~1....r,~ Therese Vella-Finorio, Community Services Secretary