2006 05 08 CSC Minutes
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
MINUTES
May 8, 2006
I. CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the Community Services Commission was called to
order at 7: 13 p.m. at the La Quinta Senior Center.
Chairperson St. Johns resided over the meeting and led the Pledge of
Allegiance.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairperson Victoria St. Johns
Commissioner Ed Hackney
Commissioner Mark Weber
Commissioner Andrea Gassman
Commissioner Bob Leidner
STAFF PRESENT:
Edie Hylton, Community Services Director
Carie Diaz, Community Services Secretary
June Wilson, Office Assistant
Tustin Larson, Recreation Activities Coordinator
Steve Howlett, Golf and parks manager
GUESTS PRESENT:
Lt. Ruben Navarro
II. PUBLIC COMMENT - The chair reserves the right to limit discussion on any
topic to three minutes or less
III. CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA - Corrections, deletions or reorganization of
the agenda
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR
Community Services Commission
Minutes
A. Approval of April 10, 2006 minutes
B. Monthly Department Report for March 2006
V. PUBLIC HEARING
A. Community Services Youth Workshop
VI. BUSINESS ITEMS
A. Youth Workshop - Commissioner St. Johns welcomed everyone to
the Youth workshop. Commissioner St. Johns moved for approval of agenda.
Motion carried unanimously.
Community'Services Director, Edie Hylton addressed the lack of youth attendance
at the meeting. Edie stated that numerous notices were sent to individuals and
schools.
Commissioner St. Johns suggested we should go to the children either at the
schools or at the boys and girls club in order for more children to be present at the
youth workshops.
Resident Berne asked if we have done youth workshops before and how many
showed. Commissioner Hackney states that we have done youth workshops and
half were youth and half were adults.
Commissioner Gassman stated that the children's trips come from these types of
workshops. Most recently, the youth dance that was held this spring came from
the youth workshop idea. The children also received credit for attending these
meetings, and that the lack of attendance might be because school is ending, and
the children aren't worried about the credits.
Commissioner Weber asked if commissioners should attend ASB monthly meetings
and if there is any value in the commissioners attending. Ms Hylton stated, if
interested, she would coordinate dates with the commissioners to have a
commissioner attend ASB meetings with staff at the next available opportunity.
Commissioner Weber indicated he would like to attend an ASB meeting before
school ends if possible.
Community Services Commission
Minutes
Commissioner St Johns engaged the resident in attendance at the Commission
meeting in a discussion about how new residents obtain information about city
programs and activities. Commissioner Leidner stated that both the City of La
Ouinta and Chamber of Commerce mail out information. Community Services
Director Hylton responded that through the Master Plan the Community Services
Commission will be finding out in the citywide survey about how the Parks and
Recreation Services are getting the word out to residents and meeting the
community needs.
Commissioner Gassman suggested that it might be helpful if pictures of the public
figures could be posted in city facilities for resident recognition. Resident Nancy
Carter asked if there is a Cabazon trip coming up this summer. Recreation
Activities Coordinator Tustin Larson explained that the trips are already planned for
this summer and there is no trip to Cabazon. Commissioner Gassman suggested a
Cabazon trip before Christmas would be better.
Commissioner Gassman stated the Birthday Celebration and Community Picnic
went great and the kids loved it. Lt Navarro suggested that the kids 12-16 should
go on ride alongs with officers of the La Ouinta police force. Commissioner Leidner
asked if there were virtual ride alongs. Lt Navarro indicated he would look into this
item. Commissioner Gassman also stated there should be bicycle and tricycle
courses. Lt Navarro indicated that they would be interested in offering this type of
safety program.
Commissioner Gassman suggested there should be a buddy system for the elderly
and have the seniors as volunteers to work with youth. Commissioner Leidner
recommended there should be life skills classes for the elderly and the youth.
Commissioner Hackney asked Mr. Howlett about issues he is facing with the parks.
Mr. Howlett said the La Ouinta Parks are heavily used. Staff is addressing the field
conditions through improving maintenance practices and reducing the field use in
June and July. Commissioner Hackney declared La Ouinta doesn't have enough
sports fields. Community Services Director Hylton stated that the La Ouinta sport
field issue will be addressed in the Master Plan.
Community Services Commission
Minutes
VII. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIALS
A. Calendar of Monthly Events
VIII. COMMISSIONER ITEMS
A. Reports from Commissioners Regarding Meetings Attended
IX. ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Commissioners Hackney/Chairperson St. Johns to adjourn
the Community Services Commission meeting at 8:15 p.m. Unanimous.
NEXT MEETING INFORMATION
Monday, June 12, 2006 @7:00 PM
La Ouinta Civic Center - Study Session Room
Submitted by:
Carie Diaz, Community Services Secretary