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2007 04 16 CSC MinutesCOMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION MINUTES April 16, 2007 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Community Services Commission was called to order at 5:30 p.m. in the Senior Center Classroom. Chairperson Weber presided over the meeting and Vice -Chairperson Sylk led the Pledge of Allegiance. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson Mark Weber Vice -Chairperson Robert F. Sylk Commissioner Andrea Gassman Commissioner Bob Leidner Commissioner E. Howard Long STAFF PRESENT: Edie Hylton, Community Services Director Steve Howlett, Golf & Parks Manager Robert Ambriz Jr., Recreation Supervisor Angela Guereque, Community Services Secretary GUESTS PRESENT: Stan Ford, General Manager, CVRPD PUBLIC COMMENT Stan Ford, La Quinta Resident, spoke regarding what a great job Ms. Hylton is doing as the Community Services Director. CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA Motion - It was moved by Commissioner Gassman and seconded by Vice - Chairperson Sylk to confirm the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. PRESENTATIONS: 1. Stan Ford, General Manager, Coachella Valley Recreation and Park District (CVRPD) gave an overview of the Coral Mountain Interpretive Center Trails Plan and Site Plan located at Jefferson Street and Avenue 58. The plans include perimeter security theme fence, park identification sign, gated entry with a turnaround, main parking lot with 24 spaces, amphitheatre with fire pit, shaded Community Services Commission Minutes April 1 i3, 2001 2 bench with information panel, decomposed granite pedestrian paths, berming and boulder outcrop, picnic shelter, picnic tables, Ste Lok road with concrete edging, existing and new vegetation areas, overflow and bus parking, secondary parking area with 12 spaces, shaded arbor with interpretive panels, and Coral Mountain trail connection. The grading and planting plan calls for enhanced entry, vegetation in key areas, canopy shade trees, wind protection mounding, plant massing and mounding to simulate mountain, protection of existing vegetation, sunken interpretive center, and minimal grading uniform contours that meet ADA standards. The Plant Palette — Trees includes Acacia, Silk Tree, Common Hackberry, Desert Willow, Mesquite Tree, Arizona Ash, and Black Locust. The Plant Palette — Shrubs includes Acacia, Agave, Baccharis, Woolly Butterfly Bush, Bird of Paradise Bush, Fairy Duster, Shrubby Senna, Little Leaf Cordia, Texas Sage, Mescal Bean, Yucca, and Trailing Indigo Bush. Mr. Ford stated there will not be an equestrian trail, but there is an equestrian staging area by Lake Cahuilla. No trails will be blocked. Commissioner Leidner asked if there would be staffing at the Center. Mr. Ford explained that CVRPD is hoping to have docent volunteers. Commissioner Gassman asked if the facility will be rented out. Mr. Ford said yes it will be. Mr. Ford stated that the original plan had a small portion of grass included, but that has changed and there will be no grass. The first phase will cost approximately $4 million. Commissioner Leidner asked what the average height of the center would be and Mr. Ford responded that he didn't know the height, but that it would not restrict views. Chairperson Weber asked about the perimeter security fence and what materials it consisted of. Mr. Ford stated the fencing is post and cable. Commissioner Leidner asked if there would be restrooms and Mr. Ford stated that there is a desire for them. Chairperson Weber suggested that the Commission get an update on the Interpretive Center in June or July 2007. Community Services Commission Minutes April 16, 2001 -3 Stan Ford, General Manager, Coachella Valley Recreation and Park District presented Assessment District 07-1. CVRPD created a new Assessment District in an unincorporated area close to Thermal for facilities which ties into CVRPD's Master Plan. CVRPD's Master Plan complements the City of La Quinta's Master Plan. Director Hylton suggested CVRPD come back and present their Master Plan to the Commission. 2. Andrea Gassman, Community Services Commissioner, presented a summary of items from the Annual California & Pacific Southwest Recreation & Park Training Conference conducted March 7-10, 2007 in Sacramento. There were approximately 2,000 people in attendance. The program consisted of ten discipline areas to choose from with each seminar having up to 9 different topics. The first topic attended by Ms. Gassman was Art in Public Places. The City of Sacramento has a 30-year old program with approximately 600 pieces. Their brochure does not speak well, although they do include a brief paragraph about the art piece and the artist. The brochure does not include location or accessibility. The map that the City of La Quinta is putting together for Art in Public Places is going to be of much more value to our citizens. The City of Sacramento and the City of La Quinta both have a request for qualifications. The City of Sacramento requires that any artist whose piece is selected have a 1 to 3 year hiatus before they can apply again for another piece. Ms. Gassman suggested this as something for the Commission to consider to help prevent the same artist from having multiple pieces throughout the City. The City of Sacramento asks that artists sit on the panel to help choose the next piece of art. Ms. Gassman suggested a workshop for artists to improve the artist's presentation. The City of Sacramento provides a workshop which includes a member of the Planning Commission, a member of the Community Services Commission, an Artist who most recently had a piece selected. This is an hour long workshop on how to put together a presentation. Chairperson Weber suggested partnering with the La Quinta Arts Foundation to make it a broader program. The second topic was Meetings, Bloody Meetings. This was a role playing session of people who are Commissioners. The scenarios emphasized the Brown Act and Robert's Rules of Order. Ms. Gassman handed out copies of the session for the Commission. Ms. Gassman explained that the Consent Calendar includes items that appear on a regular basis. If there is a question or someone would like to speak about a consent calendar item, the Chair needs to pull that specific item from the calendar. The remaining items on that calendar should then be voted on. After the voting there can be a discussion about the pulled item and that item will be voted on separately. Community Services Cornmi,"ion Minutos April 16, 7001 -4- When you have a motion on board and a discussion ensues, a second motion is valid as long as you understand that the first motion has been negated. The second motion supercedes the first motion. It is important to recognize that every State Legislator in California is maintaining that when you email someone, do not respond to all, because then you have a quorum and anything discussed in the email becomes a business item and is subject to the Brown Act. Updates and information emailed from the Community Services Director and Secretary are fine as long as you do not reply to all. It is very important that you do not accept telephone calls or text messaging while you are in a meeting. It is important the no one excuse themselves from the meeting because it could jeopardize the quorum. The third topic was Parks Paying Us Back (Army Corps of Engineers) which included the following 5 tools: 1. The Army Corps of Engineers has developed a website for determining how healthy trees are. The website is www.itreetools.org. 2. If you don't count, you don't count. How do you determine the use of your parks? 3. The Resident Guide through Improved Health and the amount of active recreation. 30 minutes, 3 times a week, of exercise reduces the average persons medical bills by $250 per year if you are under 60 years of age. If you are over 60 years of age, it reduces your medical bills by $500 per year. 4. Overall City Economic Appreciation. People are willing to pay 5% to 10% more for a home that's within 500 ft. of a park. 5. Overall City Value Appreciation through Gain and Social Capital. Do your citizens have an ownership value in the parks and in the environment through which they live? One way to do this is through Volunteer Clean Up Days. The fourth topic was Leadership Beyond Basics for goal development and motivational speech. The fifth topic was Human Development Model for Team Success. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of March 12, 2007 Minutes Motion — It was moved by Vice -Chairperson Sylk and seconded by Commissioner Gassman to approve the minutes as submitted. Motion carried unanimously. Community Services Commission Minutes April 1 Fr, 20O/ - J - CONSENT CALENDAR None. PUBLIC HEARING None. BUSINESS ITEMS 1. Consideration of Air Motion Art Piece in Village Roundabout. Director Hylton stated that the Air Motion piece was an Art in Public Places piece that was purchased in the Painted Cove in 1992. This was in a gated community, so it wasn't available for public access, which conflicts with the Art in Public Places ordinance. Communication was made with the developer and at that time the developer decided to turn over the piece to the City. This piece is 13,9" tall. The City is in the process of renovating the Old Town roundabout with a higher elevation than currently exists. Perhaps this piece could be used in the center of this renovated roundabout. The Traffic Engineer is currently reviewing this piece for visibility. This piece has a plexiglass top with a purple fiberglass bottom. Commissioner Leidner asked if this contemporary art piece might look out of place in the Spanish style of Old Town. Director Hylton stated that this is just one of the alternatives for this piece. Commissioner Leidner commented that anything with a purple base is going to look out of place. Steve Howlett stated that the color of the base is subject to change. The piece needs to be repainted due to it being in storage for so long. Commissioner Gassman explained that there is an artist who has taken the sound of the traffic going by and by the ambient air waves has created a tone based upon the traffic. The roundabout would be the perfect place for something like this. We could always move the Air Motion at a later time. Vice -Chairperson Sylk noted that the City has paid for the Art piece already and it is sitting in storage not being used. Commissioner Gassman asked if any other locations were considered. Director Hylton stated there is not really a good site for it right now. This is probably not a piece that would be considered for the Civic Center Campus or park sites. Steve Howlett stated that this piece serves well for traffic in a median or roundabout because of the fact it is not too wide. Community Services Commission Minutes lapel 16, 2001 Commissioner Leidner stated that the developer of Old Town and other developers in that area might not want this contemporary look. Commissioner Gassman suggested the expansion of our belief about art and make it possible for people to appreciate all kinds of art. Vice -Chairperson Sylk asked if the art piece has increased in value. Director Hylton stated the piece has not been appraised. Motion — It was moved by Commissioner Long and seconded by Commissioner Gassman for the Community Services Commission to table this item until further information and viewing can be done. Motion carried unanimously. Chairperson Weber asked if any another pieces are in storage. Director Hylton stated there is a 26" mission bell in storage. Chairperson Weber suggested the possibilities of other locations for the Air Motion. 2. Consideration of the 2007-2008 Commissioners Annual Work Plan. Director Hylton explained that she tried to add elements from the Master Plan Update to this work plan, such as marketing, maintenance practices, addressing the Community Concert. Commissioner Gassman stated that the list supplied for this Work Plan is fabulous. Chairperson Weber stated he would like to see something in the Work Plan regarding partnerships. Commissioner Leidner suggested that the Commission take each of the activities in the Work Plan and assign a Commissioner to that particular activity. Motion — It was moved by Vice -Chairperson Sylk and seconded by Commissioner Long to approve the 2007-2008 Commissioners Annual Work Plan as presented. Motion carried unanimously. Director Hylton explained that the next step in this process is for staff to take the Annual Work plan to the City Council for approval. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIALS 1. Monthly Department Report for March 2007 Commissioner Gassman stated concern over the La Quinta Arts Foundation (LQAF) numbers dropping. The unveiling ceremony in the park had a drop of 36.4%. The attendance at the show had a decline of 22.8%. The number of artists from the local community has declined. The price of the art far exceeds that price that the average person can afford. We should not be projecting the image that art is only for the people who can afford it. Art should be enjoyed by all social economic Community Services Commission Minutes April '16, 200 / -1 backgrounds. Ms. Gassman suggested encouraging the LQAF to have an area where new or burgeoning artists can sell affordable pieces. Commissioner Long stated that some of the artists that were at the festival last year were not invited this year. Director Hylton stated that the LQAF brings in about $2 million in revenue, they were about $200,000 lower this year. Commissioner Gassman suggested having the LQAF come to a meeting to discuss these issues. Vice -Chairperson Sylk asked if it is the Commission's duty to tell the LQAF how to market the event. Director Hylton explained that the Commission could share their comments with the LQAF. Director Hylton explained that the City contributed $125,000 this year to the LQAF event as well as free use of the Civic Center Campus and the Senior Center. Staff will invite the LQAF to the next meeting to discuss these issues. Commissioner Leidner stated that he received a few comments from people that were not going this year because they felt it is the same every year and even though the campus is beautiful, the layout is not conducive. After looking at a couple of high end pieces, two different artists told him that if he was really interested to go ahead and contact them after the show to get a much better price. Director Hylton stated that compared to last year our revenues are down in certain areas. Some programs that were offered last year weren't offered this year due to the loss of instructors. Staff will look for instructors that are teaching things that create diversity and good registration figures. Staff needs to find out what classes people want and look for those types of instructors. Commissioner Gassman asked for a sample of the application and agreement for the instructors. Commissioner Gassman suggested having announcements made at the schools and connect with kids during the lunch hour to promote teen dances. 2. Calendar of Monthly Events Director Hylton stated that several groups participated in the Easter Egg Hunt this year. The Boys & Girls Club came and did some events marketed through their venue. A young group of moms, called the Moms Club, is doing a fundraiser for a shade structure over the La Quinta Park playground. Robert Ambriz Jr., stated that Community Services Commission Minutes April 16, 2001 -8- one of the Moms Club fundraising events will be at the Library on Thursday, May 3, 2007 from 6:00 p.m. — 10:00 p.m. COMMISSIONER ITEMS 1. Reports from Commissioners Regarding Meetings Attended. PEN DISCUSSION Commissioner Leidner explained that two years ago when the Arts Commission and Community Services Commission blended. At that time City Council was talking about possibly making the Commission consist of 7 Commissioners in light of the fact that two commissions were being brought together. Commissioner Leidner suggested that the Commission be expanded at this time to 7 Commissioners. Director Hylton stated that she would talk to the City Manager about this issue. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Vice -Chairperson Sylk and seconded by Commissioner Leidner to adjourn the Community Services Commission meeting at 7:35 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. NEXT MEETING INFORMATION: A Regular Meeting of the Community Services Commission to be held on May 14, 2007 commencing at 5:30 p.m. in the La Quinta Senior Center, 78-450 Avenida La Fonda, La Quinta, CA 92253. Su fitted by: Angela Guereq Community Services Secretary