2011 03 14 CSC MinutesCOMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
MINUTES
March 14, 2011
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the Community Services Commission was called to order at
5:30 p.m. by Chairperson Fitzpatrick.
Commissioner Leidner led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENT: Commissioners Blakeley, Engel, Fitzpatrick, Lawrence, and Leidner
STAFF PRESENT: Edie Hylton, Community Services Director; Steve Howlett, Golf
& Parks Manager; Angela Guereque, Senior Secretary
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Leduc Dominque, 79200 Camino Rosada, La Quinta, CA 92253, suggested the
small dog park at Pioneer Park be extended to the east.
Kay Wolff, 77227 Calle Ensenada, La Quinta, CA 92253, spoke regarding the
efforts being made to pull up the Sahara Mustard Weed. Neighbors are working
together to control Sahara mustard growing in the La Quinta Cove and the
Preserve. Several local groups plan weekly "pulls." The next pull is scheduled for
8 a.m. Saturday and will begin in the Calle Tecate parking lot of the Cove. The
weed grows fast and can smother other plants and shrubs competing for sunlight
and soil moisture. On March 5, 2011, a small group of volunteers filled eleven 32-
gallon bags with Sahara mustard.
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
Motion - It was moved by Commissioners Lawrence / Blakeley to confirm the
agenda. Motion carried unanimously.
PRESENTATIONS: None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1 . Approval of February 14, 2010 Minutes
Motion — It was moved by Commissioners Leidner /Engel to approve the minutes as
submitted. Motion carried unanimously.
Comm� nity Services Commission Minutes March 14, 201'1
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BUSINESS SESSION
1. Consideration of Two "Copper Art Pieces" to be Located at the La Quinta
Community Center.
Director Hylton presented the staff report. Craig DeWitt, Director of Recreation
Services, Desert Recreation District (DRD) was present.
Commissioner Leidner asked if the art pieces would be accessible to the public.
Mr. DeWitt stated that as long as the facility is open, people will be able to enter
and view the art.
Commissioner Engel asked if the DRD would be contributing financially toward the
art pieces. Director Hylton stated that DRD has not paid any funds into the Art in
Public Places fund.
Chairperson Fitzpatrick asked why DRD was requesting two pieces. Mr. DeWitt
stated that staff is trying to create a spa like atmosphere for people to enjoy.
Chairperson Fitzpatrick asked if DRD has any staff trained in water maintenance.
Mr. DeWitt stated that there is a staff person on site who is trained in water
maintenance.
Commissioner Leidner stated a concern with the noise of the water features. Mr.
DeWitt stated that there would be water noise, but not extreme.
Motion — It was moved by Commissioners Blakeley /Engel to recommend the
purchase of both "LaQscape" and "Qui, Marquise" for the La Quinta Community
Center in the amount of $18,000. Motion carried with Commissioners Fitzpatrick
and Leidner opposed.
STUDY SESSION — None.
1. Discussion Regarding the Seasons Dog Park
Director Hylton presented the staff report.
Joan Raupah, 55069 Oak Hill, La Quinta, CA 92253, stated that the little dog park
is too small and the large dog owners are not picking up after themselves.
Angela Jewhurst, 54455 Avenida Obregon, La Quinta, CA 92253, agreed with the
above comment.
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Michoel Miller, P.O. Box 254, La Quinta, CA 92247, stated that as a large dog
owner this is the only park where a large dog can run. Suggested making Fritz
Burns into a small dog only park.
Roger Hopkins, 54145 Avenida Obregon, La Quinta, CA 92253, stated that he is
the person who started the campaign years ago for a place to run large dogs.
Stated that the design of the options do not give large dogs enough room and cost
more in maintenance.
Ron Messnick, 78355 Clarke Court, La Quinta, CA 92253, stated that as a small
dog owner he believes there are ten times as many small dog owners as large dog
owners. Stated that 99% of the time the large dogs do not go into the Option 2
area. Suggested Option 2.
Shirley McElroy, 47745 Endless Sky, La Quinta, CA 92253, stated there are three
to four times more small dogs than big dogs and the dog parks are for people too.
Lilian Morton, 81421 Joshua Tree Court, La Quinta, CA 92253, stated that
Seasons Dog Park is a lovely park; however the small dog area is too small. In
favor of Option 2 and suggested adding signs to both sides.
Sherry Halperin, 50115 Malaga Court, La Quinta, CA 92253, small dog owner who
used to go to Fritz Burns Dog Park but there was a lot of work to be done to
refurbish it. In favor of Option 2.
Wendy Gregoire, 48651 Eisenhower Drive, La Quinta, CA 92253, small dog owner
concerned with the large dog area surrounding the small dog area on all three
sides.
Dr. Claire Lehr, 78152 Calle Las Ramblas, La Quinta, CA 92253, small dog owner
concerned about danger. Favors Option 2.
Lloyd Ginsberg, 55142 Southern Hills, La Quinta, CA 92253, small dog owner
whose dog was killed in the large dog area. Stated that the difference in the size
of the small and large areas is terrible.
Mark Von Iderstein, 78735 Via Melodia, La Quinta, CA 92253, stated that little
dogs have a lot of energy and need more space to run. Many tourists that come
into town have small dogs that travel with them. Option 2 seems equitable.
Gloria Honz, 48930 Via Verano, Indio, CA 92201, stated she is a Pioneer Park user
and will not use Seasons because of the size.
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Chairperson Fitzpatrick suggested staff collect information regarding a possible
conversion to the Fritz Burns Dog Park and statistics of usage, neighborhood
impacts, and return with information to the Commission within 60 days.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
1. Department Report for February 2011
COMMISSIONER ITEMS
1. Report from Commissioners Regarding Meetings Attended.
2. Calendar of Monthly Events
PUBLIC HEARING — None.
OPEN DISCUSSION
ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Commissioners Lawrence /Leidner to adjourn the Community
Services Commission meeting at 6:48 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
NEXT MEETING INFORMATION:
A Regular Meeting of the Community Services Commission to be held on April 11,
2011 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:
I
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Community Services Senior Secretary