Loading...
2005 03 14 CSC Minutes ~ of ~QuUt1t COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION MINUTES March 14. 2005 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 Guinta Civic Center. Commissioner St. Johns presided over the meeting. Commissioner Leidner led the Pledge of Allegiance. MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioner Jack Fleck Commissioner Ed Hackney Commissioner Bob Leidner Commissioner Victoria St. Johns Commissioner Mark Weber ST AFF PRESENT: Dodie Horvitz, Community Services Director Christy Kerry, Community Services Secretary II. PUBLIC COMMENT -None III. CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Approval February 14, 2005 Minutes B. Monthly Department Report for January 2005 It was moved by Commissioners Weber/Leidner to approve the Consent Calendar. Unanimous. V. PUBLIC HEARING - NONE VI. BUSINESS ITEMS A. Centre Pointe Park - Director Horvitz directed attention to a layout of the c Community Services Commission Minutes proposed three acre Centre Pointe Park. She stated the plans are still in the conceptual stage, and asked the Commissioners to review the plan for suggestions of changes/improvements. Staff will then forward this information to the landscape architect for review and implementation. Staff highlighted the features of the new park including gates, walkways, benches, fences and playground equipment. The single entry to the dog park as described in the plans will be changed to the double gated entry like that found in Fritz Burns Park. Staff stated the playground equipment will be the same that is used at the other La Guinta Parks to keep the uniformity. Benches will be installed, but there will not be picnic tables. Because the park will only serve a half mile radius. there will be no restroom facilities on site. Commissioner Weber inquired about park lighting to which staff stated lighting is not installed in neighborhood parks. Commissioner Hackney made the suggestion to move the well site over to the side to provide more park space. Director Horvitz said that if this is an easement, there is nothing that can be done to change this, but she stated she will pass this suggestion on to the landscape architect. It was moved by Commissioners Weber/Leidner to accept the Centre Pointe Park Plans. Unanimous. B. Flag Day - Commissioner Fleck said the Mayor inquired about plans for Flag Day at the last City Council Meeting. Commissioner Fleck also stated the Mayor is scheduled to appear and make a short speech during the presentation. The Flag Day presentation will take place at La Guinta High School on June 14, 2005 at noon. This will be a minimum day for students and Commissioner Fleck feels this will provide each student more of an opportunity for participation since the presentation will be in the common area and will only last roughly 15 minutes. Commissioner Fleck stated he is working with the Public Information Officer at Twenty Nine Palms to get two Marines who have recently returned from Iraq to speak. Commissioner Fleck said this will bear no cost to the school Community Services Commission Minutes or the city because the VFW will cover the cost of food and transportation for the soldiers. Commissioner Fleck said this will be well publicized and expressed his desire for a strong participation from City Council members as well as Commissioners. It was moved by Commissioners Weber/Hackney to approve Commissioner participation for the Flag Day event. Unanimous. C. Upcoming Events - Director Horvitz discussed the upcoming Egg Hunts as well as the Tiny Tot Olympics and the Community Picnic. In response to an inquiry by Commissioner St. Johns, staff stated the City Council Members are generally invited to major functions, so smaller events like the Egg Hunts and the Tiny Tot Olympics are not listed on the City Council calendar. The Commission discussed arriving early for planned events. Staff stated there is a need for Commissioners to arrive early for the Egg Hunts, and early arrival will facilitate the Tiny Tot Olympics. Historically, an 8:30 AM arrival is custom for the Community Picnic so the Commissioners may help set up and receive their assignments. Commissioner Hackney stated he will be unavailable to attend the Egg Hunts. VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIALS A Calendar of Monthly Events - Director Horvitz stated she submitted a request for the Community Picnic to be added to the City Council calendar. VIII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS A. Reports from Commissioners Regarding Meetings Attended- Commissioner Fleck stated he attended the Stargazing event held at the Oasis Covehead Trail. He expressed his disappointment that upon arrival, he found the event was cancelled but he was not informed. Director Horvitz stated that she herself did not become aware of this until the day after the event was scheduled. Director Horvitz said the La Guinta Historical Society is in charge of planning Community Services Commission Minutes and executing the event, therefore the city staff has no control over the event. It turned out the La Guinta Historical Society decided to cancel the event due to weather conditions. Commissioner Leidner highlighted his trip to Sacramento to attend the Parks and Recreation Conference on March 9-12, 2005. Commissioner Leidner attended the conference with Director Horvitz and Kristin Riesgo, Recreation Supervisor. Commissioner Leidner stated he walked away from the conference with a renewed appreciation of what the Parks and Recreation staff do for the betterment of the community. He commended Director Horvitz and her recreation staff. Commissioner St. Johns thanked Commissioner Leidner and Director Horvitz for attending the conference on their behalf. Commissioner Weber commented that kids utilizing the local skate park have not been using appropriate protective gear as per rules stated. The Commission expressed their desire for more to be done to enforce the rules. Director Horvitz said that the department is working on a way to get plain clothes officers in the park to police and enforce the rules by issuing citations. Additionally, there have been numerous cases of vandalism to the parks. Director Horvitz said that on April 5, 2005, she will be taking a report to the City Council for security cameras reasoning that if we catch them in the act, or if people know the premises are being monitored, the likelihood of acts of vandalism occurring in the first place will be drastically reduced. IX. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Commissioners Fleck/Leidner to adjourn the Community Services Commission meeting at 7:43 PM. Unanimous. ( Community Services Commission Minutes NEXT MEETING INFORMATION Monday, April 11, 2005 @7:00 PM La Guinta Civic Center - Study Session Room Submitted by: