Loading...
2007 07 09 CSC Minutes COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION MINUTES July 9, 2007 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Community Services Commission was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chairperson Weber. Vice-Chairperson Sylk led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. COMMISSIONERS 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 Christina Calderon, Recreation Supervisor Angela Guereque, Community Services Secretary Veronica Montecino, City Clerk, administered the Oath of Office to Commissioner Gassman and Commissioner Leidner. PUBLIC COMMENT None. CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA Motion - It was moved by Vice-Chairperson Sylk and seconded by Commissioner Leidner to confirm the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. PRESENTATIONS: Stan Ford, General Manager, Coachella Valley Recreation and Park District, presented the CVRPD Master Plan. Mr. Ford explained that they did not do a mail survey for their master plan, but they had a consultant hold focus groups for data collection. Division Four of the Master Plan consists of La Quinta, Indian Wells, and Bermuda Dunes. CVRPD provided resource services include: Community Services Comrnisslon Minutes .July 9. 2001 - 2 - . La Ouinta Community Center and Park, which is located at 77-865 Avenida Montezuma in La Ouinta. The park site consists of drinking fountains, an amphitheater, three pavilions, an open grass area, playground, one lit basketball court, one softball field, BBO grills, and bleachers. The Center has restrooms, a game room with kitchen, and a day care room. . Coral Mountain Regional Park located at Avenue 58 by Lake Cahuilla County Park in La Ouinta. This 619.51 acre area has just come into CVRPD inventory base and is not yet open. Division Four has several public schools that provide and maintain playgrounds and ball fields. The schools in this division are Harry Truman, John Adams, and James Monroe Elementary Schools; La Ouinta Middle School; and La Ouinta High School. Riverside County operates a number of outdoor parks that are available to residents of this division. The CVRPD provides the following recreation programs in Division Four: Summer Tot Camp, Summer Day Camp, Pom Pom Cheers, Ballet, Jazzercise, Self Defense, and Licensed After School Care. The following are the observations specific to Division Four: . CVRPD's contributions are critical but their identity is lost among other providers. . Programs and services are well received and quality is appreciated with satisfied users. . Cooperation between providers would be helpful in avoiding program duplication. . Bike trails are not connected throughout the system. . CVRPD should claim unique venues that present their niche in facility and program services. . Children's programs, particularly after school focused, are an important service for CVRPD to provide. . Most citizens are unaware which agency provides services and if services are connected. The following represent common themes, trends, or patterns from all public input methods. These observations held across CVRPD as a whole but may be of interest to divisions within CVRPD: . Middle school and teenage programs need to be increased and become a major focus of CVRPD's offerings. . Skateboard parks need to be placed within existing park sites rather than in isolated, damaged, and unsafe areas. . Both financial and emotional needs of users should be considered when CVRPD plans new programs and services. Community Servicp-s Commission Minuteg .July 9. 2007 - 3 - . A large scale aquatic facility is needed in the Valley and CVRPD should be the primary provider of this venue. . Large scale indoor facilities are needed that accommodate multiple individual and group activities. . Sport ball fields are needed for both youth and adult sport experiences. All field types are needed. . Senior citizen programs that are structured, varied, and interesting need to be provided at already existing CVRPD locations. . Security at sites such as lighting, people present, vandalism clean up, and theft protection are important considerations. . Child Care, preschool, and after school programs that are cost effective and at easily accessible sites are important. . New program offerings need to be based on both staff expertise and desire of users. Strategies, recommendations, and actions that seem appropriate as the CVRPD implementation plan are based on careful analysis and combined influence of: . The population of each of the 5 divisions within the District, their past growth patterns, current distribution and characteristics and future projections and estimates. . The parks and recreation resources currently provided within each division, by CVRPD and by other appropriate providers. . The use of patterns of residents within the divisions, responses from focus groups, staff interviews, field interviews, field observations, and online surveys. . Comparisons of existing resources and programs to nationally. accepted guidelines for those resources based on population and distance formulas. Three resource recommendations are supported by the data: (1) a major sports field complex, (2) a large indoor recreation center, and (3) a premier outdoor aquatic facility. There is a significant need for a large scale indoor recreation center with the most appropriate site within Divisions three and four of CVRPD. The exact location will depend on affordable land acquisition opportunities. A preliminary site might be north of 1-10 in the Indio, Bermuda Dunes, Sun City Palm Desert area. The community center concept should include facilities for child care, after school programs, and senior citizens' services. Associated with the indoor complex should be outdoor elements such as tennis courts, outdoor basketball, skateboarding, picnic areas, and shade structures. Data clearly indicates that the most vital role, unique niche, and power influence that CVRPD carl provide is in program provision and citizen services. The following recommendations seem appropriate for consideration by CVRPD: . CVRPD should consider providing leadership training workshops, short courses and clinics in the areas of officiating and referee skills; coach's training including Community Servicos Commission Mmutns July 9, 2007 4 - physical conditioning elements for youth athletes, sports organization, contract management, not-for-profit organizational leadership, fund raising, audit compliance and organization of tournaments and contests. The leadership training might be offered year round with a regular, well advertised schedule with the latest in materials. It is also suggested that CVRPD consider certification requirements for their courses with attendees receiving authorized recognition. An appropriate fee schedule for the leadership training is recommended. . CVRPD should investigate a full service program system for healthy senior citizens that include fitness, dances, arts and crafts, field trips, educational classes, and other appropriate options. These program services should attempt to meet the gap between seniors who use senior citizen centers and those that are able to afford private club offerings. It appears that there is a substantial niche for the provision of recreation and education based programs for healthy, active, and fully engaged seniors who desire public service outlets. . CVRPD should specifically design programs that capture the family market of users. The family life span of preschool child care, after school programming, safe and secure teen events, children-parent programs, and full family focused activities are suggested. The concept is that the programs and resources create a "one-stop" "one-location" experience for the family. . CVRPD should consider an adult education - personal enhancement set of courses and experiences. The focus would be adults that desire computer instruction, cooking, foreign language instruction, arts, crafts and culture, and other education based options that are 'not fitness or sport based. 'A regular schedule of classes with a fee basis is suggested. . CVRPD should consider the provision of programs for youth and adults with special needs such as physical and learning disabilities. There does not appear to be an outlet that serves this segment of the Valley population with consistent quality experiences. Special staffing and resources may be required. Funding is available through specialty organizations or joint venturing with other providers. . CVRPD should provide programs that are sensitive to both economic and emotional well being. Individuals and families have financial concerns and their ability to use parks and recreation services is difficult, there are also residents with individual and family support requirements and program offerings need to be aware of both levels of user concerns. The following are observations that center on CVRPD policies that may be helpful for consideration: . CVRPD represents community leadership and should establish itself as the Valley clearinghouse of parks and recreation services. In this regard, CVRPD should consider organizing with other vendors, a quarterly newsprint supplement that identifies all parks and recreation providers, contact numbers, schedules, and descriptions. The cost should be shared across providers but leadership for such an effort would come from CVRPD. Community Services Commission Minutes July 9, 2007 - 5 - . CVRPD should consider hosting an annual summit for parks and recreation providers organizing general discussions and break out sessions. The purpose of the summit would be to create conversations so that unnecessary duplication is avoided, joint venturing is considered, and solutions are shared. . CVRPD should consider an image and brand recognition program so that residents and users are more clear which services are provided by CVRPD. Citizens are not always clear which agency provides which services. This is particularly true in the case of CVRPD. CVRPD provides services in a multitude of ways and clear identity is difficult. Marketing campaigns, public re.lations, and efforts to create a sense of resource and program identification is suggested. . CVRPD should review safety and security procedures and policies to ensure that staff and users feel comfortable, are safe, and can participate in CVRPD events without concern. This is particularly true at the more isolated sites but also a concern at all locations. Additional lighting, public use, staff presence, and vandalism and theft control are possible directions. . CVRPD should consider prioritizing improvements of existing programs and services. The addition of new programs of the highest quality should be an additional goal. A third effort would be the provision of new facilities and resources. In priority setting, consideration should be given to removing the Mecca Community Center, park and swimming pool from CVRPD inventory. The site should be replaced with a major sports field complex developed in the general area. Commissioner Gassman stated that she is glad to see the cooperation between the Cities and CVRPD. Chairperson Weber stated he likes the regional approach and hopes that CVRPD will not raise taxes to the residents without going out to vote. Commissioner Long asked which project would be built first. Mr. Ford stated that once the CIP is adopted, the indoor facility would probably be first, then the sports complex, and the aquatic center last. Vice-Chairperson Sylk asked what can be done between the City and CVRPD to build collaboration. Mr. Ford stated that communication is the key. The CVRPD Board would like to put together an advisory committee consisting of one member from each of the 14 cities to advise to the Board. Community Services Commission Mlflut(-'iS July 9, 2007 - 6- APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of June 11, 2007 Minutes Motion - It was moved by Commissioner Gassman and seconded by Commissioner Leidner to approve the minutes as submitted. Motion carried unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR None. PUBLIC HEARING None. BUSINESS ITEMS 1. Election of Chairperson Commissioner Leidner nominated Chairperson Weber; Commissioner Long nominated Vice-Chairperson Sylk. The vote was cast for Chairperson Weber for Chairperson: A YES-3, NA YS-O. The vote was cast for Vice-Chairperson Sylk for Chairperson: AYES-2, NAYS-O. Motion - It was moved by Commissioner Gassman and seconded by Vice- Chairperson Sylk to elect Chairperson Weber as Chairperson for the Community Services Commission. Motion carried unanimously. 2. Election of Vice-Chairperson Commissioner Gassman nominated Commissioner Leidner; Vice-Chairperson Sylk nominated Commissioner Long. The vote was cast for Commissioner Leidner for Vice-Chairperson: A YES-4, NA YS- O. The vote was cast for Commissioner Long for Vice-Chairperson: A YES-1, NA YS-O. Motion - It was moved by Commissioner Gassman and seconded by Commissioner Long to elect Commissioner Leidner as Vice-Chairperson for the Community Services Commission. Motion carried unanimously. Commumty Services Commission Minutes July 9, 2007 - 7 - CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIALS 1 . PRZ Report Steve Howlett presented the PRZ Report of the Field Overview Assessment at La Ouinta Park Sports Fields to the Commission. Wear occurring at the wrong times of the year has led to most of the current problems. Once the fields are brought up to acceptable standards, wear will probably still be the greatest contributor to compacted soils and the resulting damage to turf. These fields average 77.8 activity-weighted hours of play per week with the highest wear peaks in February with 135 activity-weighted hours per week when the turf if dormant. These hours of play require a category 5 maintenance level; the City is currently at a 1.07 maintenance level. The growing season and weather patterns show that when the monthly average temperature is less than 64 degrees, Bermuda grass is either dormant or going dormant. January, February, March, April, November, and December are months where the percentage of potential healing drops below 50% and healing slows down dramatically. Bermuda grasses have no ability to stand up to the heavy wear from November through April. These athletic fields were not designed to stand up to the wear that they are now receiving. Play late in the fall season and early in the spring season when grasses are dormant cause turf to be worn down to bare dirt after the plants go dormant. When turf is dormant it cannot mend itself. The amount of play is wearing down the turf faster than it can mend. Potential solutions are to solve the wear problem; increase the maintenance level; slit seeding with rye grass; top dress fields and aerate regularly; switch to reclaimed water; fertigation; and new equipment (fertigation equipment). Costs of solutions include approximately $73,795 annually to increase the maintenance level not including additional materials such as fertilizer, seed, and topdressing. In our current case, if we step up the maintenance to a level 5, we would still have 126 excess hours of usage. If it would be possible to move most of the play out of the months when Bermuda grass is dormant and into the months where it is thriving, we could have sustainable turf at our current maintenance level. Commissioner Long suggested raising the fees for field usage to the sports associations. Chairperson Weber suggested a letter be sent to the various stakeholders regarding over use of the fields. Community ServIce:.; Cornrnlssion Minutes .July 9, 200/ ~ 8 - 2. Calendar of Monthly Events COMMISSIONER ITEMS 1. Reports from Commissioners Regarding Meetings Attended. Commissioner Gassman was present at the Getty Museum Excursion and the Open Air Cinema. Chairperson Weber was present at the Open Air Cinema. OPEN DISCUSSION Chairperson Weber noted that the Coachella Valley Community Trails Alliance will be having a meeting in a few weeks. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Commissioner Sylk and seconded by Commissioner Long to adjourn the Community Services Commission meeting at 7:00 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. NEXT MEETING INFORMATION: A Regular Meeting of the Community Services Commission to be held on September 10, 2007 commencing at 5:30 p.m. in the La Ouinta Senior Center Classroom, 78-450 Avenida La Fonda, La Ouinta, CA 92253. '81~ Angela Guereque Community Services Secretary