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2007 12 10 CSC Minutes COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION MINUTES December 10, 2007 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Community Services Commission was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chairperson Weber. Commissioner Sylk led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Commissioner Sheldon Brodsky Commissioner Andrea Gassman Vice-Chairperson Bob Leidner Commissioner E. Howard Long Commissioner Dori Quill Commissioner Robert F. Sylk Chairperson Mark Weber STAFF PRESENT: Edie Hylton, Community Services Director Steve Howlett, Golf & Parks Manager Angela Guereque, Community Services Senior Secretary PUBLIC COMMENT None. CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA Motion - It was moved by Commissioner Gassman and seconded by Commissioner Sylk to confirm the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. PRESENTATIONS: None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of November 19, 2007 Minutes Ms. Guereque noted that the header throughout the minutes has the incorrect date. Commissioner Quill noted that on Page 3 at the bottom, where it says "Commissioner Quill feels that $4,000 is nothing to payout of the APP account," she thought she said $3,000 is nothing to payout of the APP account of approximately $500,000. Con Ir'!l! In'l V SC)~vlCCS C ornrnj~~sjofl fv1inuws Dnccrnber 10, 200} 2 - Commissioner Quill asked if the motion for Mural #2 at the bottom of Page 4 was for the full price of $8,000 or lower with the discount from the artist. Secretary Guereque stated that the two motions were each made at the full price with the discount coming afterwards. Chairperson Weber stated that he would like a comment added to the minutes that the artist will give the discount since both murals were approved. Commissioner Quill noted that in the middle of Page 5 under the motion, it should be clarified that the Commission based this on the longer volunteer time. Commissioner Gassman stated that the Commission did not base the vote on volunteer time, but on residency. Commissioner Quill stated that on Page 6, under Commissioner Items, it should be noted that she attended Trails Day and Stargazing and Commissioner Gassman attended Trails Day. Chairperson Weber asked the Secretary to check the recording so the minutes reflect what was actually expressed and/or commented on in the meeting. Commissioner Gassman noted that on Page 3 under Business Item No.1, Paragraph 1 should read "expresses" not "express's." Motion - It was moved by Commissioner Sylk and seconded by Commissioner Gassman to approve the minutes as corrected. Motion carried unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR None. PUBLIC HEARING None. BUSINESS ITEMS 1. Consideration of an Art in Public Places Strate~ic Plan. Director Hylton explained that this Art in Public Places (APP) Strategic Plan is identified in the Community Services Commission Work Plan. Commissioner Brodsky stated that he felt this was a wonderful report and thanked staff for their efforts. He asked if the City owned any other pieces by artist John Kennedy besides the Solitude at the Senior Center. Director Hylton stated she believed the other piece the City owns is the Spirit of La Quinta by that same artist. Commissioner Sylk agreed with Commissioner Brodsky and noted that the new APP contracts should have some kind o,f language stating that the City owns the U);l'I"l1ill!'y' Sl'"\,;,;,'S Co;'nrr;,<:;S;Oil fVJlIlUtC3 Uilcmnhcr I (), 200 I 3 . art piece and can move it from its original location. Director Hylton stated that legal counsel is putting together language which will give the City the right to move art pieces that the City owns. In all cases, we didn't automatically take ownership and ongoing maintenance. The most recent agreement we have for the Andalusia piece, because of its size, is for TD Desert to own and be responsible for the maintenance. Commissioner Long stated that the report is excellent and noted that he has concerns with the City not having rights to relocate art pieces. Director Hylton stated that staff is working with the artist of the Highway 111 /Washington Street Gem of the Desert piece to make some changes to the art piece to either remove or modify it. At this point, the artist is not ready to move it, but efforts are continuing to see if there are any alternatives to the situation. Commissioner Gassman stated that she felt this was a fabulous report and congratulated the staff. She stated she enjoyed reading the difference of how artist's purchased or loaned pieces to the City. Director Hylton stated that there are documents on the website for developers to apply for constructing an APP piece. One of the other reasons staff wanted to get this plan before the Commission is because of the Museum and how we might handle art in the museum, art on loan, art from other museums, and historical documents on loan. Vice-Chairperson Leidner stated that the plan was very informative and liked the comment about developing an artist registry. Director Hylton stated that the La Quinta Arts Foundation has offered to help staff with this because they have access to a number of artists. Chairperson Weber stated that this is a great guide and plan. Making the art more visible with placards and occasional tours are good ideas. He reminded staff to update the recommendations as pieces are completed. Chairperson Weber asked if there could be a minimum time frame put on the APP map to assist people with seeing the pieces. Commissioner Gassman commented that some person may spend 10 seconds at a piece and others may spend a half hour at each piece. Director Hylton suggested a comment stating "Enjoy an afternoon or a morning" or placing an art tour online. Commissioner Long asked if the new art locations could be added to the current APP map. Director Hylton stated that once the new projects are done, the map will be redone with all the new art locations. Chairperson Weber asked if the Commission would have an annual review of this plan. Director Hylton stated that staff will get this plan in place and tie the goals into the Community Services Commission Work Plan. CO;Yinllnltv SerVices CO:TlrrllSSlorj r\~111UlnS l)ncurnbcr 10, 200 I .4 Chairperson Weber asked if there was a way to enhance, expand, and support performing arts. Director Hylton stated that we might not be able to use APP funds for performing arts because it is not a permanent amenity, but if the Commission feels this is a good idea, staff would tie it into the Community Services Work Plan. There is a plan for a Blackbox Theatre at SilverRock Resort. Commissioner Sylk asked if the art pieces in the APP are only what the City has purchased and selected. Director Hylton stated that the APP includes Developer requested art pieces; Civic Center art purchases; donated art pieces; and art on loan. Commissioner Sylk asked what process could be taken if a Commissioner found an art piece that they felt could be part of the APP. Director Hylton stated that a recommendation could be brought to the Commission for consideration to be forwarded to the City Council. Commissioner Quill asked if the Art Map had a cost of $6 each. Director Hylton stated that she believed that was the cost of the current Art Map for design and printing. Commissioner Quill asked if these maps are passed out very much and where people can get them. Director Hylton stated these maps are available at the front desk in City Hall and at the Chamber of Commerce. Staff is currently looking into new printers for the Art and Bike maps at a lower cost. Motion - It was moved by Commissioner Sylk and seconded by Commissioner Gassman to recommend the Art in Public Places Strategic Plan for 2007-2008. Motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Brodsky stated that the cities of Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage hold architectural tours and suggested the City of La Quinta have a bus tour of the art pieces. Chairperson Weber stated that occasional APP tours for citizens are listed as a recommendation in the Strategic Plan. Director Hylton stated that staff could get some ideas for a tour from the City of Palm Desert. 2. Consideration of an Additional Commissioner to Attend the CPRS Conference February 26-29, 2008. Director Hylton explained that the Community Services Commission now consists of seven Commissioners and it would make sense to allow for more Commissioners to attend this annual conference. Since staff has only one Commissioner budgeted this year, if the Commission recommends a request to send additional Commissioners this year, staff would then take this report to City Council asking for an appropriation of funds. Commissioner Gassman stated that there are three Commissioners who have not been to this conference and maybe the Commission could consider more than two. This conference was a great experience and gave a better understanding of the Community Services Commission. (';,: ~'H)" ,il:t'y Sc "h:{;;, CtnVn SSll,n iv1!1HH\:~; Dccmnbcr 10, 200 I ,5 Chairperson Weber asked if this was something that the Commission wanted to go back to the City Council to ask for an additional budget item. Commissioner Sylk commended Commissioner Quill's enthusiasm, but felt that this item could be brought up in the future to let the Commission decide to send more or less Commissioners to this conference. Commissioner Sylk stated that the Commission has already voted and made a selection on the attendance to this conference and would like to stand by the original decision. Commissioner Quill asked what the monetary amount was for a Commissioner to attend. Director Hylton stated the amount is $1,019 as per the staff report. Commissioner Quill asked how much the Community Services budget was. Director Hylton stated that the total budget for Community Services including SilverRock Resort is just under $8 million. Commissioner Quill stated the Planning Commission sends the whole Commission and the Historical Commission sends the whole Commission to training every year. As a new Commissioner, she would like to learn now rather than later and feels this conference would be a real benefit to her. Commissioner Long stated that this issue was not raised at the time of the original vote and it should be considered next year. He didn't feel that last year he would have been ready to attend such a conference. After having put in some time and seen some of the things the Commission deals with, there is a good understanding of where things can be fixed and brought back from the conference. Commissioner Gassman stated she had served on the Commission for awhile before attending this conference. The experience on the Commission first was helpful. Once the conference was attended, a full report was brought back to the Commission to make everyone feel like they were included with what went on. Commissioner Brodsky stated that he served on the Cultural Arts Commission for over three years and no one was ever sent to a conference. He asked if the purpose of this Conference is for Commissioners to share what they learn. Director Hylton stated that the conference is for individual training and to share with others. Commissioner Brodsky stated he was comfortable with Commissioner Long attending and sharing. Vice-Chairperson Leidner stated he was glad that he had the opportunity to attend the conference. Most of the seminars at the conference could have been summarized in about 2 minutes. It is a good experience for everybody to get the opportunity to go once; a second' time is not a worthwhile expenditure of the City's money. One Commissioner attending per year is sufficient and they should come back and highlight their experience for the rest of the Commissioners. Motion - It was moved by Commissioner Sylk and seconded by Commissioner Brodsky to not recommend an additional Commissioner to attend the California ,,' :1;(;llIlIl:Y :;(:;\'I';;;:~ ~:d((I!'II~>ld!i :\!1111U1CS I)"c;crnbm lLJ, 200'1 6 Parks and Recreation Society's Annual Conference in Long Beach, California, February 26-29, 2008. Motion carried with Commissioner Quill opposing. Chairperson Weber stated this is an opportunity to look at where we go in the future. When someone attends this conference they should come back and present and share the knowledge learned. Director Hylton asked if the Commission would like to see more people attending next year and if staff should plan for that in the budget. Chairperson Weber stated that the consensus was that this was not an appropriate use of the public resources. Commissioner Quill said that we are talking about .08% of the budget. Vice-Chairperson Leidner stated he felt the money could be better spent on something else. Motion - It was moved by Commissioner Long and seconded by Commissioner Gassman to recommend staff continue to budget for one Commissioner per year to attend the California Parks and Recreation Society's Annual Conference. Motion carried with Commissioner Quill opposing. Commissioner Quill stated that she doesn't understand the fiscal conservatism over this issue and wondered if there are some hard feelings because she asked to go to this conference when nobody else showed an interest in wanting to go. Chairperson Weber stated that this Commission just became the largest Commission. There is a history of how we have been doing things and whether it is an appropriate use of public resources. Whether the Planning Commission, Historical Commission, or Finance Commission does it another way is not necessarily an impact to the decision being made here, it is what the Community Services Commission thinks is the best use of their resources 'and if it is an appropriate expenditure for the citizens. Chairperson Weber understands Commissioner Quill's budget comparison, but does not feel that the Commission is thinking about it that way. Commissioner Sylk stated to Commissioner Quill that this in not anything against her personally. We are all doing the best we can for the City that we represent. When a motion is made and you are defeated we have to accept that majority rules and move onto the next thing. We all work together and it is nothing personal. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIALS 1 . Monthly Department Report for October 2007 Director Hylton stated that the rental revenues were down due to the library closure. Resident card revenues are down due to 3-year membership cards. C(;:'lWWii1.Y Sr:r\lC;;:; CO'nlY1:~slon Minutes December 10, 200 I 7 Commissioner Brodsky stated that he used to be a member of the Senior Center for $5 year. No one has ever sent a reminder for another $5 and feels that this was a great source of revenue for the Senior Center. Director Hylton stated that this membership is actually through the Friends of the Senior Center nonprofit group. Vice-Chairperson Leidner asked about the increase in sports field revenue. Director Hylton stated that there were more teams in football and adult soccer. Chairperson Weber stated the Fitness Center is doing wonderfully and this will be an item for discussion later in the year about the direction of the Fitness Center and what the citizens and City Council expect. It is nice to see staff trying new programs. 2. Calendar of Monthly Events Commissioner Gassman stated that part of the Tree Lighting events were conducted inside and felt it was a great improvement although the sound could be improved. Generally, having the tree lighting and candy cane hunt outdoors, and then having everyone come into the building was a huge success and suggested encouraging the audience to sing along to the songs next year. Commissioner Sylk stated that the food at the Open House at City Hall was great. Vice-Chairperson Leidner stated he was a little surprised that there are events scheduled during the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. Director Hylton stated that the celebrities play at SilverRock Resort on Wednesday, January 16, 2008. 3. Coachella Valley Recreation & Park District Revenue/Expense Report Chairperson Weber asked if the fees and charges in General Revenue of $145,000 are just for La Quinta activities. Director Hylton stated that the $145,000 in revenue is all the money collected for La Quinta programs fees and charges. The debt service payment shown on the report is for improvements made to the La Quinta Community Park and facilities several years ago. Chairperson Weber stated that if you look at revenue over expenses, revenue is pretty significant over expenses even when including paying the debt service and capital projects leaving a positive balance of approximately $80,000. Commissioner Quill asked if the numbers were the same last year. Director Hylton stated this report has not been provided to the Commission for several years. Commissioner Quill stated that if the District has a balance of $80,000 every year we should be concerned. Director Hylton stated that staff will continue to ask for this report on an annual basis. Scc\!i\;es COIY1f1'lISSIOn M!nutc~; Dncmnhcf 10, 200 I Commissioner Long stated that if Coral Mountain wasn't included we would be seeing an even greater increase in net revenue. CVRPD is taking away more than providing. The Commission should watch this for possible adjustments. ,8 Chairperson Weber stated that the consensus of the Commission is to receive this report on an annual basis. COMMISSIONER ITEMS 1 . Reports from Commissioners Regardin~ Meetin~s Attended Commissioner Sylk attended the Open House. Commissioner Quill attended the Open House. Commissioner Long attended the Tree Lighting Ceremony. Commissioner Gassman attended the Open House and the Tree Lighting Ceremony. Commissioner Brodsky attended the Open House and the Tree Lighting Ceremony. Chairperson Weber attended the Open House and the Tree Lighting Ceremony. OPEN DISCUSSION ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Commissioner Sylk and seconded by Commissioner Long to adjourn the Community Services Commission meeting at 6:53 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. NEXT MEETING INFORMATION: A Regular Meeting of the Community Services Commission to be held on January 14, 2008 commencing at 5:30 p.m. in the La Quinta Senior Center, 78-450 Avenida La Fonda, La Quinta, CA 92253. Submitted by: Ange a Guereque Community Services