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2008 12 08 CSC MinutesCOMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION MINUTES December 8, 2008 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Community Services Commission was called to order at 5:30 pm by Chairperson Leidner. Commissioner Gassman led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. PRESENT: Commissioners Biegel, Brodsky, Darroch, Fitzpatrick, Gassman, Quill, Chairperson Leidner STAFF PRESENT: Edie Hylton, Community Services Director; Steve Howlett, Golf & Parks Manager; Christina Calderon, Recreation Supervisor; and Angela Guereque, Senior Secretary PUBLIC COMMENT Kay Wolff, La Quinta Cove Neighborhood Association, introduced herself to the Commission and advised them that a member from the Association would be attending the Commission meetings to keep up with City happenings. CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA Motion - It was moved by Commissioners Gassman/Biegel to confirm the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. PRESENTATIONS - 1. Mr. Rob Ballew, Executive Director, Family YMCA of the Desert. Mr. Rob Ballew, Executive Director, and Paula Simonds, Program Director of the Family YMCA of the Desert gave a presentation to the Commission. The YMCA of the Desert is an integral part of La Quinta's youth and recreation programs. This nonprofit organization operates the aquatic programs at the Fritz Burns Pool, with recreational swim, lap swimming, swim lessons, water polo, water aerobics, and private party rentals. The pool is equipped with an ADA chair lift. A review of the summer pool statistics shows an increased usage of the facility. Community Services Commission Minutes December 8, 2008 -2- A new after school program was opened in November 2008 at the Vista Dunes Courtyard Homes. This is a grant funded program serving approximately 30 children per day. YMCA also offers after school programs at Adams Elementary and Benjamin Franklin elementary schools, middle school sports, and Youth in Government for La Quinta High School students. The La Quinta YMCA Preschool and after school program has served hundreds of children over the past 20 years. YMCA rates are based on membership and non-membership in the organization; however La Quinta residents qualify for membership rates for La Quinta programs. In hardship cases, financial assistance is available to cover some or all of the fees for participation. Commissioner Gassman suggested the YMCA submit their 2007 figures to compare to the 2008 figures. She asked why the drop in price for Water Aerobics is higher than the class price. Mr. Ballew stated that he will check on that because it may be an introductory price. Commissioner Biegel suggested evening swim lessons for working families and possibly a special nighttime BBQ and Swim event. Commissioner Quill suggested that if the YMCA would like to offer another swim lesson program at La Quinta High School they should do a Call Out through the high school. She also suggested the YMCA hold movie nights at the pool. Commissioner Darroch suggested installing a slide at the pool. Director Hylton stated that the current configuration does not provide enough room for a slide. The YMCA presented a plaque comprised of student handprints to the Commission for its ongoing support of programs in the community. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of November 17, 2008 Minutes Commissioner Quill noted that on page 4, paragraph 1, she thought the City Council had been approached. Motion - It was moved by Commissioners Biegel/Fitzpatrick to approve the minutes as corrected. Motion carried unanimously. Community Services Commission Minutes pecember 8, 2008 -3- CONSENT CALENDAR -None. PUBLIC HEARING -None. BUSINESS ITEMS Chairperson Leidner requested Business Item 2 be moved in front of Item 1. 2. Consideration of the Four Seasons Panel Project in the Children's Classroom at the Library. Director Hylton presented the staff report. Commissioner Fitzpatrick noted her concern with not being able to see the panels before being installed. Director Hylton stated that the City Librarian, Friends of the Library, and the Community Services Director will have the final approval before installation and will make sure the panels are appropriate. Motion - It was moved by Commissioners Biegel/Brodsky to recommend the Four Seasons Panel Project to be placed in the Children's Classroom at the Library and appropriate 56,000 from Art in Public Places to fund the project. Motion carried unanimously. 1. Consideration of a Recipient for the 2009 Senior Inspiration Award Program. Ms. Christina Calderon presented the staff report. Motion - It was moved by Commissioners Fitzpatrick/Gassman to recommend Mildred Donley as the 2009 Senior Inspiration Award Program recipient. Motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Brodsky stated that just three weeks ago the Commission overwhelmingly voted not to recommend certain park improvements for Fiscal Year 2009/2010, now Commissioner Quill is asking the Commission to revisit those recommendations. She made arguments in favor of them at that time but the Commission voted against them. Motion - It was moved by Commissioners Brodsky/Gassman to not discuss or vote on any additional park improvements for 2009/2010 and move forward to the Department Reports of the agenda. Motion failed with Chairperson Leidner, and Commissioners Darroch, Fitzpatrick, and Quill opposing. Commissioner Quill stated that she recommended bringing this item back at Director Hylton's recommendation. The City Council said to be creative and not Community Services Commission Minutes December 8, 2008 -4- worry about the money. After the Joint Meeting, a City Councilman told her that he would much rather see us spending money for people than letting it sit in the bank at 2% interest. We have S10 million in Quimby funds set aside for parks, of which over S8 million is set aside for land acquisition, but there is still close to S1 million dollars to improve our parks. The grass volleyball and disc golf projects are approximately $10,000, which is only 1 % of the $1 million. 3. Consideration of additional Park Improvements for Fiscal Year 2009/2010. Director Hylton presented the staff report. Chairperson Leidner asked if Quimby funds expire. Commissioner Fitzpatrick stated that developers can request Quimby funds be refunded if the City has not encumbered the monies within 5 years. Keith Gregori of Palm Desert spoke in support of disc golf. He stated that disc golf is economical with low maintenance and patrons can start playing with as little as $10 for one disc. All ages can play from pre-teens to seniors. There are approximately 1,400 courses throughout the United States. Commissioner Fitzpatrick stated that she has safety concerns with putting the grass volleyball court in the Seasons Retention Basin due to visibility; disc golf should not be installed on the Civic Center Campus because it is a passive park. Commissioner Fitzpatrick suggested that climbing walls be installed as part of the playground replacement projects. Commissioner Biegel stated she supports looking at the big picture and not spending the money currently. Commissioner Gassman stated that as a result of the Joint meeting, she took to heart that City Council members requested the Commission be creative and for that reason she would like to suggest amulti-use Cultural Arts facility be built to the west of the Library or expansion of the Senior Center. She stated the need for a larger stage and seating area for events. Commissioner Quill explained that she is advocating for the youth and does not care where the grass volleyball court is installed, as long as it is in the Cove. She stated that the City Council told the Commission not to worry about money, just to forward ideas to them. Commissioner Darroch stated she supports the disc golf, but not spending $9,000 for the installation. She agrees with Commissioner Gassman on the need for an expanded stage and seating area for events. She suggested another bench at Pioneer Park and lighting for parks. Community Services Commission Minutes December 8, 2008 -5- Commissioner Darroch stated that the new ice skating rink in North La Quinta has been turning 40 to 50 kids away on Friday nights and the City should have things for the teens to do. Chairperson Leidner suggested that the Commission stand firm on the decision to not bring forward any of these recommendations to the City Council. If there is money left over at the end of the year then the Commission can decide what the money is spent on. Motion - It was moved by Commissioner Fitzpatrick to recommend including the Adams Park perimeter trail in the 2009/2010 Capital Budget; consider the disc golf and grass volleyball as part of the 2009/2010 operating budget; table the Desert Pride Park sand box project; consider climbing walls as part of the playground replacement program; and include the Fred Wolff Bear Creek Nature Preserve Soil preparation and plantings, the shade structures at Monticello and Pioneer Park, and standard park signs as part of the 2010/2011 Budget. Motion failed with no second. Motion - It was moved by Commissioner Quill to recommend including a grass volleyball and disc golf project as part of the operating budget for 2009/2010 and table all 2010/201 1 projects for further discussion. Motion failed with no second. Motion - It was moved by Commissioners Gassman/Biegel to recommend Adams Park perimeter trail as part of the Fiscal Year 2009/2010 Budget. Motion carried unanimously. Motion - It was moved by Commissioners Quill/Darroch to recommend the disc golf and grass volleyball be placed at locations to be determined with monies left over from the 2008/2009 operating budget. Motion failed with Chairperson Leidner and Commissioners Biegel, Brodsky, Fitzpatrick, and Gassman opposing. Commissioner Quill suggested the Commission receive recommendations from staff in future staff reports. STUDY SESSION -None. DEPARTMENT REPORTS 1. Monthly Department Report for November 2008 COMMISSIONER ITEMS 1. Report from Commissioners Regarding Meetings Attended. Community Services Commission Minutes -6- December 8, 2008 2. Calendar of Monthly Events PUBLIC HEARING -None. OPEN DISCUSSION ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Commissioners Gassman/Fitzpatrick to adjourn the Community Services Commission meeting at 7:45 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. NEXT MEETING INFORMATION: A Regular Meeting of the Community Services Commission to be held on January 12, 2009 commencing at 5:30 p.m. in the City of La Quinta Study Session Room, 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA 92253. bmitted by: Ang G reque Community Services for Secretary