2009 03 09 CSC MinutesCOMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
MINUTES
March 9, 2009
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the Community Services Commission was called to order at
5:30 pm by Commissioner Gassman.
Commissioner Fitzpatrick 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; and Angela Guereque, Senior Secretary
PUBLIC COMMENT -None.
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
Motion - It was moved by Commissioners Biegel/Fitzpatrick to confirm the agenda.
Motion carried unanimously.
PRESENTATIONS -None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Approval of February 9, 2009 Minutes
Motion - It was moved by Commissioners Brodsky/Biegel to approve the minutes
as submitted. Motion carried unanimously.
CONSENT CALENDAR -None.
PUBLIC HEARING -None.
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Consideration of the 2009-2010 Community Services Commission Work Plan
Edie Hylton presented the staff report.
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Commissioner Darroch suggested switching one of the Open Air Cinemas to a
water/movie night at Lake Cahuilla. Director Hylton stated that staff is looking into
holding a swim party and fishing derby at Lake Cahuilla. Commissioner Quill
suggested combining the swim party, fishing derby, and movie as an all day event.
Commissioner Gassman stated that Lake Cahuilla is a County facility and the City
would need to get authorization from them for these events. Commissioner Quill
suggested using Fritz Burns Pool as an alternative for the water/movie night.
Commissioner Quill suggested converting a tennis court into a basketball court or
bike area at Fritz Burns Park. Director Hylton stated that the tennis courts are not
a good place for multi use and recommended staff look into locations for outdoor
basketball courts.
Commissioner Quill stated that she spoke to approximately ten boys at the La
Quinta skate park and they had the following suggestions: 1) Shade area; 2)
Remove the grass inside the skate areas because the sprinklers get the concrete
wet; 3) Moving or fixing the skate bench table and putting in a fun box; 4) Use the
CVWD land for a bike park; 5) Changes in some of the rails; 6) The mist on the
cool station is so fine that the wind blows the water away; and, 7) Drinking
fountain inside the skate park. Director Hylton stated that trees could be placed on
the west side of the skate park and staff will talk to CVWD about using the well
site for recreational uses.
Commissioner Quill suggested purchasing holiday decorations for the intersection
of Highway 111/Washington Street and one additional intersection with an amount
not to exceed 53,000. Commissioner Fitzpatrick stated this was not the time to be
purchasing holiday decorations and suggested the item be tabled. Chairperson
Leidner suggested staff get costs for the decorations and look at it for Fiscal Year
2010-2011. Director Hylton stated staff will prepare information for the holiday
decorations for a later date.
Commissioner Brodsky asked what the status was with the art piece at the corner
of Highway 111/Washington Street. Director Hylton stated that the City is
working with the developer who owns the piece in hope of relocation or removal.
Chairperson Leidner suggested certain commissioners participate with other groups
in the community and report back to the Commission. Director Hylton stated she
will include in the Work Plan that Commissioners will be designated to act as
liaisons to different non profits.
Commissioner Gassman stated that the Steps to Completion for the Liaison to the
Community should include the Trails Alliance, Grantees, Fire Department, and the
Police Department. She also suggested a statement be placed in the Art in Public
Places section stating that the Commission supports all cultural activities in the
City.
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Chairperson Leidner suggested the City do more low cost recognitions such as
Proclamations. Director Hylton stated that the City Council has presented
Proclamations to individuals and local groups. Commissioner Gassman suggested
the Commission keep an eye on different ideas to acknowledge and dedicate
people.
Motion - It was moved by Commissioners Biegel/Fitzpatrick to approve the 2009-
2010 Community Services Commission Annual Work Plan as amended and direct
staff to present to City Council for consideration. Motion carried unanimously.
In consideration of the presence of Artist, Julie Kirk, Commissioner Gassman
moved Business Item No. 3 before Item No. 2.
3. Consideration of Murals to be Painted on Signal Light Boxes at Various City
Locations
Director Hylton presented the staff report.
Chairperson Leidner asked if the boxes are owned by the City. Director Hylton
stated the City owns the signal light boxes. Chairperson Leidner suggested
checking with developers to see if they agree with the boxes being painted in front
of their property. Chairperson Leidner asked if there is money allocated for this
project. Director Hylton stated there is currently 5267,000 available in the Art in
Public Places account.
Commissioner Brodsky stated that he is concerned with graffiti and whether or not
these paintings might invite more graffiti. Julie Kirk, Artist, stated that Palm Desert
has noticed that the painted boxes are not getting as much graffiti as the unpainted
boxes. Commissioner Biegel stated that she is also concerned about graffiti.
Commissioner Darroch suggested painting one box at a time to see how the
community likes them and how much graffiti occurs. She suggested the City not
support the location at Avenida 52 and Bermudas in front of the empty lot.
Commissioner Fitzpatrick stated she likes the program and feels that it does
discourage graffiti. She is concerned with the location in front of the Embassy
Suites.
Commissioner Quill suggested changing the paint scheme on the Eisenhower and
Tampico box to a date grove or school art.
Commissioner Gassman suggested sending out an RFP for this project to invite
other artists to participate. Director Hylton explained the RFP process and stated
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staff would put together an RFP for murals to be painted on eight signal light boxes
with an amount not to exceed 510,000.
Motion - It was moved by Commissioners Brodsky/Leidner to recommend staff
prepare and RFP for murals to be painted on eight signal light boxes with an
amount not to exceed 510,000.
2. Consideration of Participation for the Annual Egg Hunt and Community Picnic
Commissioner Darroch asked how many eggs are put out for the kids. Director
Hylton stated that thousands of eggs are purchased for this event.
Motion - It was moved by Commissioners Biegel/Fitzpatrick to assign
Commissioners Fitzpatrick and Biegel to the Annual Egg Hunt and Commissioners
Gassman, Quill, and Biegel to the Community Picnic.
STUDY SESSION -None.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
1. Monthly Department Report for January 2009
COMMISSIONER ITEMS
1. Report from Commissioners Regarding Meetings Attended.
2. Calendar of Monthly Events
PUBLIC HEARING -None.
OPEN DISCUSSION
Commissioner Quill asked for volunteers to help place trail markers on March 27,
2009 at 8:30 a.m.
Commissioner Quill thanked for Commission for sending her to the California Parks
and Recreation Society conference. She learned a lot and suggests all new
Commissioners attend. Commissioner Gassman suggested Commissioner Quill do
a presentation at the next Commission meeting about her conference attendance.
ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Commissioners Biegel/Fitzpatrick to adjourn the Community
Services Commission meeting at 7:14 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
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March 9, 2009
NEXT MEETING INFORMATION:
A Regular Meeting of the Community Services Commission to be held on April 20,
2009 commencing at 5:30 p.m. in the City of La Quinta Study Session Room, 78-
495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA 92253.
Submitted by:
l~
Angela uereque
Community Services Senior Secretary