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2011 05 09 CSC MinutesCOMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION MINUTES May 9, 2011 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Community Services Commission was called to order at 5:32 p.m. by Chairperson Fitzpatrick. Commissioner Lawrence 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: None. CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA Motion - It was moved by Commissioners Leidner / Blakeley to confirm the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. PRESENTATIONS - None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of April 11, 2011 Minutes Chairperson Fitzpatrick noted a change on page 2, Item No. 2, Motion paragraph. Chairperson Lawrence should read Chairperson Fitzpatrick. Motion — It was moved by Commissioners Lawrence / Leidner to approve the minutes as corrected. Motion carried unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR - None. BUSINESS SESSION 1. Consideration of Expansion to the Small Dog Area at Seasons Dog Park Commissioner Leidner recused himself for a conflict of interest on this item. Community Services Commission Minutes May 9, 2011 _2_ Director Hylton presented the staff report. Commissioner Blakeley asked staff what the square footage of Fritz Burns Dog Park is. Director Hylton stated the Fritz Burns Dog Park is 2,600 sq. ft. for small dogs and 2,900 sq. ft. for large dogs. Peggy Goza, 79199 Cetrino, La Quinta, spoke as a large dog owner who used to go to Pioneer Park and is delighted with the large dog area at Seasons; however the small dog area is too small. In favor of Scenario 1. Kathy Gottberg, 78290 Desert Fall Way, La Quinta, thanked the City for the beautiful dog park. Small dog owner. Stated the small dog area is perfect the way it is. Feels that lots of traffic has been brought to the neighborhood since the dog park opened. Stated that there is more traffic than noted in the staff report and if the park is expanded there will be even more traffic. In favor of renovating Fritz Burns Park. Thom Gottberg, 78290 Desert Fall Way, La Quinta, stated that the neighborhood is still getting more traffic as more people find out about the new dog park. Feels that if an expansion were done it would create more traffic. Many of the dog park visitors are parking in front of neighbors houses. In favor of renovating Fritz Burns Park. Sarah Winch, 78295 Desert Fall Way, La Quinta, small dog owner with a young child who is worried about the traffic. In favor of leaving the dog park as it is. Sherry Halperin, 50115 Malaga Court, La Quinta, small dog owner, stated she cannot use Seasons because there is not enough room for her dog and therefore has to use Pioneer Park. Does not feel the traffic would increase if the small dog area were expanded. There needs to be a place where small dogs can run. In favor of Scenario 2 or 3. Joan Kleban - Raupah, 55069 Oak Hill, La Quinta, small dog owner, stated there is not enough grass for small dogs at Seasons. In favor of Scenario 2, Scenario 3, and renovating Fritz Burns. Marilyn Ginsberg, 55142 Southern Hills, La Quinta, small dog owner, stated there is no room to throw a ball in the small dog area. Sees no reason to spend money on Fritz Burns Dog Park. In favor of Scenario 2 or 3. Gwen Gonzalez, 78525 Avenida Ultimo, La Quinta, stated how we are blessed to be speaking about dog parks. It is interesting how much time is being spent on this issue, which she feels is pulling the community apart. Ten years ago we weren't talking about dog parks because they did not exist. Stated that these issues are individual concerns and not a concern for the overall community. Community Services Commission Minutes May 9, 2011 3- Betty Phelps, 79000 River Rock Road, La Quinta, large dog owner, stated the small dog area needs to be expanded. Feels that the traffic issue could be handled with direction. In favor of expanding the small dog area at Seasons if it does not impede with the large dog area. Commissioner Engel asked where the money would come from. Director Hylton stated that an improvement to Fritz Burns could come out of the Parks Operation Budget for additional improvements or come from Quimby funds. Chairperson Fitzpatrick stated she was concerned about the neighborhood and the impacts on the neighbors. Feels that in order to be fiscally responsible, Fritz Burns should be upgraded. Commissioner Engel stated she feels expanding Fritz Burns would create more problems with people who have small and large dogs and would still be relatively small. Feels there is a large disparity at Seasons Park. In favor of Scenario 2 or 3 and improving Fritz Burns Park. Chairperson Fitzpatrick stated that from a design perspective, Scenario 3 would still provide a long run area for large dogs. Commissioner Engel stated she feels for the residents and would like the City to look into the traffic issues. Director Hylton stated that she would speak to the Public Works Department about signage; however the streets in that area are public streets.. Commissioner Lawrence stated the original intention was for a large dog area at Seasons. The decision should be based on the people living in that area. In favor of not changing anything at Seasons. Motion - It was moved by Commissioner Lawrence to recommend none of the scenarios at Season and have staff explore renovations and improvements at Fritz Burns. Motion failed. Commissioner Blakeley stated she feels that Fritz Burns has to be improved. Golf & Parks Manager Howlett explained that the $10,000 for the Fritz Burns renovations includes concrete (ADA upgrades), removal of the middle fence, new drinking fountain, additional seating, and lighting. Chairperson Fitzpatrick stated that Scenario 3 still meets the purpose of Seasons, but is having a hard time with impacting the neighbors. Community Services Commission Minutes May 9, 2011 Motion - It was moved by Commissioners Fitzpatrick /Lawrence to recommend doing nothing at either of the dog parks. Motion failed with Commissioners Engel /Blakeley opposed and Commissioner Leidner recused. Motion - It was moved by Commissioners Blakeley /Fitzpatrick to recommend not expanding Seasons Park and recommend renovation of the Fritz Burns dog park to a small dog park. Motion carried with Engel opposed and Commissioner Leidner recused. STUDY SESSION - None. 1. Monthly Department Report for March 2011 COMMISSIONER ITEMS 1. Report from Commissioners Regarding Meetings Attended. 2. Calendar of Monthly Events PUBLIC HEARING - None. OPEN DISCUSSION Commissioner Lawrence commended the staff for all the work put into the Dog Park report. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Commissioners Lawrence /Blakeley to adjourn the Community Services Commission meeting at 6:55 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. NEXT MEETING INFORMATION: A Regular Meeting of the Community Services Commission to be held on June 13, 2011 commencing at 5:30 p.m. in the City of La Quinta Study Session Room, 78- 495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA 92253. fitted by: J i Ange Guere Community Services Senior Secretary