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2006 10 09 CSC Minutes COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION MINUTES October 9, 2006 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Community Services commiSSion was called to order at 7:04 p.m. in the La Guinta City Hall Study Session Room. Commissioner Mark Weber presided over the meeting and Commissioner Leidner led the Pledge of Allegiance. MEMBEFiS PRESENT: Chairperson Mark Weber Vice-Chairperson Robert F. Sylk Commissioner Bob Leidner Commissioner Andrea Gassman MEMBEF:S ABSENT: Commissioner E. Howard Long STAFF PRESENT: Edie Hylton, Community Services Director Steve Howlett, Golf & Parks Manager Christina Calderon, Recreation Supervisor Angela Guereque, Community Services Secretary GUESTS PRESENT: Jim Foote, Monument Manager, Bureau of Land Management PUBLIC COMMENT None. CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA Chairperson Weber noticed in the City Council Minutes the City Council referred a couple of things to the Community Services Grant Program. Director Hylton explained that the Community Services Grants are open to local nonprofits. After review by the Community Services Department, these applications are then approved by the City Council twice a year. City Council has asked staff to look into changing the grant process before the next budget year. Motion .. It was moved by Vice-Chairperson Sylk and seconded by Commissioner Leidner to confirm the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. PRESENTATIONS Jim Foote, Monument Manager, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), gave a presentation on the history of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. Established in 2000, the National Monument is comprised of the BLM and US Forest Service lands. The legacy of the monument goes back thousands of years with the Native Americans. -1893 the San Bernardino Forest Reserve was established to preserve some public use of the important resources. -1897 the San Jacinto Forest Reserve was established. -1927 the San Bernardino National Forest was established, which is one of the co- managers of the National Monument through the BLM. -1928 the San Jacinto State Park Association was established. -1946 the BLM was established with an unknown mission. -1960 the State established 3 ecological reserves. -1964 the San Jacinto Wilderness and the Wilderness Act (Federal Legislation) was established. -1976 the BLM got its Organic Act, which is called the Federal Land Policy and Management Act signed by Gerald Ford. The BLM is under the Department of Interior. The National Monument is within the California Desert Conservation Area. -1984 additional land was added to the San Jacinto Wilderness and also established the Santa Rosa Wilderness. -1990 the Santa Rosa National Scenic Area was established. -1 994 the California Desert Protection Act was established. -2000 the National Monument was established by Act of Congress. In the early 2000's the BLM's National Landscape Conservation System was established in recognition of all the BLM special areas. On October 9, 2006, Congresswoman Mary Bono announced a proposed legislation that will expand the National Monument by a few thousand acres, one small area in the Palm Springs Area by Interstate 10 just west of Hwy 111, and the Santa Rosa expansion. The National Monument Advisory Committee meets quarterly with representatives from various cities, state parks, conservation organizations, and the BIA. La Guinta Trails Days which is a collaboration of the National Monument with the City kicking off the 25th Anniversary. Commissioner Gassman asked how residents can find out about events. Mr. Foote stated that the BLM has articles in Palm Springs Life, the local newspaper, press releases. and from the Friends of the Desert Mountains. Commissioner Gassman suggested that more signs along the trail and maps be placed for safety. Mr. Foote explained that some signs have been installed to welcoml~ people. South of La Guinta Cove you are almost immediately into designated wilderness and one of the wilderness concerns is signing. The BLM does not do signage in designated wilderness areas, but they are looking into placing different kinds of trail notification such as using rocks, etc. The map available for trails is one produced in 1995 with the Coachella Valley Trails Council. The BLM is meeting with the Aqua Caliente Tribe who has GIS capability to look to produce the National Monument Trails Map. Vice-Chairperson Sylk asked if there are any additions that have taken place since the printing of the map from 5 years ago. Mr. Foote explained that there have been no boundary modifications since 2000. Commissioner Gassman suggested Hike Rallies be done. Mr. Foote stated that the BLM has been working with the Coach ell a Valley Hiking Club and Desert Trails Hiking Club which both sponsor lots of hikes. Commissioner Leidner stated that a majority of La Guinta residents are not aware of the National Monument. Mr. Foote stated that the Trails Days should help the citizens acknowledge that there is a monument in La Guinta. Commissioner Leidner suggested that the City work with the BLM for more scheduled events during the 25th Anniversary. Director Hylton stated that the Trails Days was planned because it is the 6th Anniversary of the National Monument as well as the 25th Anniversary. Mr. Foote stated that he would like to see the cities sponsor events and bring the BLM into them. Chairperson Weber stated that there is now a Coachella Valley Community Trails Alliance nonprofit group that is trying to bring trails together throughout the Coach ell a Valley. Jim Foote can be contacted at (760) 251-4836 or by email at james foote@ca.blm.Qov. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1 . Approval of September 11, 2006 Minutes 2. Approval of September 30, 2006 Minutes Vice-Chairperson Sylk suggested that the sidewalk direction be changed around the mosaics at Fritz Burns Park and the Civic Center Campus so that bike and pedestrian traffic might be diverted from the mosaics. Director Hylton stated that it is currently the sidewalk access through the park. The repairs will be made to the current tiles through the maintenance schedule. Chairperson Weber suggested that on Page 2 of the September 30, 2006 minutes; reflect how quickly Golf & Parks Manger Howlett addressed the vandalism found during our tour with a phone call to Public Works. Vice-Chairperson Sylk stated the trash receptacle doors need repainting and should be noted as such in the September 30, 2006 minutes. Motion -- It was moved by Vice-Chairperson Sylk and seconded by Commissioner Gassman to approve the minutes as corrected. Motion carried unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Monthly Department Report for August 2006. Commissioner Gassman stated that the Senior Center increase in revenue IS impressive. Chairperson Weber asked about the rental areas of the Library. Director Hylton stated that the large room of the Library is being rented extensively. Within the next year, the large room that is used for rentals may be considered for Library expansion. The library is making approximately 500 cards a month with a circulation level of 5,000 - 8,000 books monthly. Commissioner Leidner questioned the price of the Fitness Cards. Director Hylton stated that the Fitness Card is $10 per year for residents and $25 per year for non- residents. The Fitness Center has extended its hours to include Saturday's from 8:00 a.m. to 1 :00 p.m. Motion - It was moved by Commissioner Gassman and seconded by Commissioner Leidner to approve the monthly department report. Motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC HEARING None. BUSINESS ITEMS 1 . Program Ideas for 2007 Director Hylton explained that staff is asking for program ideas to enhance our Activities Guide for 2007. Commission Gassman suggested adding some of the following excursions: San Diego Charger and Padre games; Getty Museum; Huntington Museum; Pageant of the Masters; Beach Trips; Griffith Park Observatory; Descanso Gardens; Disneyland, Shopping Trips; and the San Diego Zoo. ViGe-Chairperson Sylk suggested adding overnight excursions to the Grand Canyon and train rides. Commissioner Leidner suggested an overnight excursion to Catalina and a 4-day excursion to golf. Chairperson Weber suggested adding skating events and classes and working with local skate shops. Motion It was moved by Commissioner recommendations for possible new excursions for Chairperson Sylk. Motion carried unanimously. Gassman to provide the 2007. Seconded by Vice- CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIALS 1 . Calendar of Monthly Events Chairperson Weber will try to attend the Teen Dance on October 13, 2006. Director Hylton noted a change that the 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament will be moved to November 2006. Chairperson Weber questioned where Trails Days is going to be held at. Director Hylton stated the events will be at the Cove Oasis. 2. Information on APP Maintenance Golf & Parks Manager Howlett stated the Art in Public Places is underway with work being completed on the Spirit of La Guinta and Mosaic tiles at Fritz Burns Park. Commissioner Gassman asked about the relocation of the Eagles at Lowe's. Golf & Parks Manager Howlett stated that currently the Eagle's are located in a fountain in front of Lowe's Hardware, which used to be Eagle Hardware. Director Hylton stated that staff will put together the potential relocation as a Business Item at a future meeting for consideration. Commissioner Leidner asked about a community activity to tour the Art in Public Places. Staff if working on getting a comprehensive list of the Civic Center Art Purchases and the Art in Public Places and then schedule an Art Tour for the Commission. 3. Minutes from 25th Anniversary and Media Plan Commissioner Leidner stated that the participation of Merv Griffin will help bring in a little bit of celebrity participation. Commissioner Gassman would like to make sure that the Historical Society's Anniversary and the La Guinta Arts Foundation Anniversary are also noted. Each of these organizations will be planning Gala events and we should show support. 4. Focus Group Letter and Postcard Commissioner Gassman will be at the October 18th 6:00 pm Focus Group. Director Hylton stated that the, Commissioner's will be shown the focus group data at the combined Commissioners Meeting on Friday, October 20, 2006. Commissioner Leidner asked if the surveys had gone out. Director Hylton stated that after a few minor changes the surveys are now going out. COMMISSIONER ITEMS 1. Reports from Commissioners Regarding Meetings Attended. 4 of the 5 Commissioner's attended the Ethics class. Commissioner Long was out of town for the class. XI. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Commissioner Gassman and seconded by Vice-Chairperson Sylk to adjourn the Community Services Commission meeting at 8:35 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. NEXT MEETING INFORMATION: Regular Meeting of the Community Services Commission to be held on November 13, 200f> commencing at 7:00 p.m. in the La Guinta Civic Center Session Room, 78-495 Calle Tampico, CA 92253. Submitted, by: /, I t! ' I (" I ,~ t { '\ ' I I , l '.<,, ,/ \ I . \ " ' \ Angela Guereque Commun:ity Services Secretary /, ':' /'/1' " /; I I, " .' I, \ : / //! ; (/ , ,