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2007 02 12 CSC Minutes COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION MINUTES February 12, 2007 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Community Services Commission was called to order at 5:30 p.m. in the La Ouinta City Hall Study Session Room. Vice-Chairperson Sylk presided over the meeting and Commissioner Leidner led the Pledge of Allegiance. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson Mark Weber Vice-Chairperson Robert F. Sylk Commissioner Bob Leidner Commissioner Andrea Gassman Commissioner E. Howard Long STAFF PRESENT: Edie Hylton, Community Services Director Steve Howlett, Golf & Parks Manager Angela Guereque, Community Services Secretary PUBLIC COMMENT Kay Wolff and Andrea Dooley will speak on their support of the Fred Wolff Nature Preserve Master Plan during the Business Session. CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA Motion - It was moved by Commissioner Leidner and seconded by Commissioner Gassman to confirm the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. PRESENTATIONS - Walt Meyer, La Ouinta Police Chief, Park Vandalism. Chief Meyer stated that one great thing about La Ouinta is the amount of parks. The vandalism issue came to a head about a year and a half ago with a few incidents at the skate park and bad publicity. We looked at the issue of vandalism in the parks and nature areas to see how to deal with the vandalism. Police service is the most expensive service to try to stop vandalism. There was a total of $35,000 in vandalism damage to La Ouinta parks in one year. As the City gets bigger, discussions of getting a parks and recreation officer to work on these types of issues could be done. This would be an investment of about $125,000 per year. We look. at the parks from an issue of trying to lower crime through Crime Ctmwlunlt y ServIces Cornmis~fon Minutes h)tJrlW'Y 11, 200 I .) Prevention Through Environment Design (CPTED). Writing tickets is not going to solve a lot of the vandalism issues. The fencing was changed at the La Ouinta Park Skate Park to keep kids from lifting their bikes over the fence. 20% of the kids in our community are committing 80% of the vandalism. The La Ouinta SET Team does a good job identifying these kids. This prevention can be done through CPTED rather than manpower. CPTED provides better control through park visibility and design. Chief Meyer stated the Civic Center Campus is' very difficult to watch because it is surrounded by buildings and mounding which makes it hard to see from the road. Commissioner Gassman asked if we could use police on bicycles. Chief Meyer stated that bicycles are limited to deputies on special assignments. If there is an identified problem or series of vandalism after 2:00 p.m. in areas where bikes would be used for surveillance, then they could be used. It is not cost effective to put the bicycles out there on a regular patrol basis. Commissioner Gassman stated that the Commissioners have voiced concerns on the determination of who was committing the vandalism and also to come up with a program where the vandal is asked to help clean up. Chief Meyer stated that the Police Department does not dispense justice. The District Attorney and Judges make the decisions on justice. These vandals have to be supervised and monitored by staff and this will incur costs to the City. Staff does a great job planning the parks and taking caring of them. A lot of the issues that happen at the parks happen at organized events such as A YSO, Little League, Pee Wee Football, etc. All of these groups have sanctions for improper activity. Director Hylton stated that these groups have agreements with the City that if we have notification and we can identify the vandals, they can be removed from the program. Vice-Chairperson Sylk asked what the best deterrent is for these issues and how do the vandals get to some of these areas without people seeing them. Chief Meyer stated that the best deterrent is exactly what the City has been doing, maintaining the parks at the highest level possible. These are 10-20 person crews with lookouts, they have instantaneous communications. You are going to have damage and issues when you push 200,000 people through a facility in a year. Vice-Chairperson Sylk asked if most of the kids doing the graffiti are from La Ouinta. , Chief Meyer stated that there are La Ouinta groups of kids that are vandalizing and it doesn't matter where the others live. Chief Meyer stated that the new thing is slap tagging. Anyone can pick up stickers at the Post Office for mail; the vandals are putting graffiti on them and then slapping them on stop signs, etc. throughout the community. Vice-Chairperson Sylk suggested an after school Jr. Deputy Program. Chief Meyer stated that there is a pro and a con to everything and this would be something to have a meeting over and get input. Community Snr'jlcns Cornrnis;wm Mmutcs "dlflJi"Y 11 200 I . :1 . Commissioner Leidner asked if the $35,000 includes labor. Golf & Parks Manager Howlett stated that his division tracks materials only, but Public Works tracks materials and labor. Director Hylton stated that staff would verify that number. Commissioner Long asked what happens to the taggers when they are caught. Chief Meyer stated that it depends on whether they are adults or juveniles, what amount of damage is done, and whether it is gang related. Often times they are placed on probation. If it is a misdemeanor, they will not do any jail time, but get probation and fines. Chief Meyer stated that signage and visibility are the keys to reducing vandalism. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of January 8, 2007 Minutes Motion - It was moved by Commissioner Gassman and seconded by Vice- Chairperson Sylk to approve the minutes as submitted. Motion carried unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR None. PUBLIC HEARING None. BUSINESS ITEMS 1. Consideration of the Fred Wolff Nature Preserve Master Plan. Golf & Parks Manager, Steve Howlett, presented the Fred Wolff Bear Creek Nature Preserve Master Plan to the Commission. Staff has approached CVWD regarding the Whitewater Channel that runs through the preserve. It looks like we can move forward on abandoning the bank of dirt, because the FEMA wash is now in place. Staff is waiting on CVWD to provide a formal written consent that CVWD no longer requires that bank. CVWD's concern is that they have vehicle access to the property. Director Hylton stated that the City owns a portion of the southern section of the property which could extend the preserve. The primary goal right now is to get the signage in place, get vehicular access to stop in these areas, and turn this ,area into the preserve it was intended for. Cll'nrlllllllty Services Corn miSSion MHlutcs rd.;runry 12, 200/ .4 Commissioner Leidner asked if cable fencing would be planned in this area. Director Hylton stated that the City has recycle funds which can be used towards recycled fencing similar to what is at SilverRock Resort. CommisSioner Long noted that on page 3 of the Master Plan, Landscape paragraph 1, there is a typo "und" should be "and." Kay Wolff introduced Andrea Dooley, Linda Williams, and Joan Rebich. Ms. Wolff thanked the Commission for the work that is being done. The Stewards of the Fred Wolff Nature Preserve are a larger group of people who will support the activities once the Master Plan is in place and there are activities that need community support. The Stewards are very impressed and pleased with the quality of the work in the Master Plan. Andrea Dooley stated that this is a very important project. There are no more natural spaces; we need to preserve this property. Chairperson Weber asked if staff had approached the Postal Service about moving the mailboxes from one side of the street to the other. Director Hylton stated that staff would like the plan approved before contacting the Postal Service. Commissioner Leidner asked if staff would be bringing back the concepts of fencing. Director Hylton stated that staff could bring it back to the Commission if they would like to look at the concepts. Chairperson Weber suggested that the Commission get an update on the status of the Nature Preserve on a monthly basis. Motion - It was moved by, Commissioner Gassman and seconded by Vice- Chairperson Sylk to approve the Fred Wolff Bear Creek Nature Preserve Master Plan. Motion carried unanimously. 2. Consideration for Commission participation in the Community Concert and Poster Unveiling Director Hylton stated that staff would like the participation of the Commission at this event. Motion - It was moved by Commissioner Leidner and seconded by Commissioner Gassman to have Cha'irperson Weber and Commissioner Gassman participate in the Community Concert on February 18, 2007. Motion carried unanimously. 3. Consideration of Two Commissioners to Serve on the Civic Center Art Purchase Committee ConlfnlJnil V Sn;vicns Commission Mmu{ns r (;bniary 12, 200 I .5 Director Hylton stated that the Committee will meet on Thursday, March 15, 2007 in the morning of the Festival. Motion - It was moved by Commissioner Leidner and seconded by Commissioner Gassman to appoint Vice-Chairperson Sylk and Commissioner Lon\! to serve on the Civic Center Art Purchase Committee. Motion carried unanimously. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIALS 1. Monthly Department Report for December 2006 2. Calendar of Monthly Events COMMISSIONER ITEMS 1. Reports from Commissioners Regarding Meetings Attended. Commissioner Long was present at the Golf Cart Parade and the Mini Health Fair. Commissioner Leidner was present at the Golf Cart Parade. OPEN DISCUSSION Chairperson Weber suggested that conversations should be started in the spring with the A YSO regarding their use of the fields. Director Hylton indicated that the conversations with the A YSO are ongoing. Chairperson Weber stated that the Volunteer hours at the Senior Center has dramatically increased and suggests we have the La Ouinta Sun do an article. Commissioner Gassman stated that the Pillars of the Community event was a very positive event. Commissioner Gassman suggested that the Commission get the chance to see the Community Service Grant requests before they go before City Council. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Vice-Chairperson Sylk and seconded by Commissioner Long to adjourn the Community Services Commission meeting at 7:20 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. NEXT MEETING INFORMATION: A Regular Meeting of the Community Services Commission to be held on March 12, 2007 commencing at 5:30 p.m. in the La Ouinta Civic Center South Conference Room, 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Ouinta, CA 92253. Cii!YU'1llnl:Y S\),VIC;;:; Cnn"1nw.;sion Minutes rd!rtJi~{Y 1 i!, :::00 I (j . Angela ' uereque Commur;tity Services Secretary