2006 12 11 CSC MinutesAPPROVAL OF MINUTES: 2
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
MINUTES
December 11, 2006
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the Community Services commission was called to order at
7:00 p.m, in the La Quinta City Hall Study Session Room.
Chairperson Marty: Weber presided over the meeting and Commissioner Gassman led
the Pledge of Allegiance.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson Mark Weber
Vice -Chairperson Robert F. Sylk
Commissioner Bob Leidner
Commissioner Andrea Gassman
Commissioner E. Howard Long
STAFF PRESENT: Edie Hylton, Community Services Director
Steve Howlett, Golf & Parks Manager
Robert Ambriz Jr., Recreation Supervisor
Tustin Larson, Recreation Supervisor
Christina Calderon, Senior Center Supervisor
Angela Guereque, Community Services Secretary
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
Motion - It was moved by Commissioner Leidner and seconded by Commissioner
Long to confirm the agenda. Motion carried unanimously.
PRESENTATIONS — YMCA Swimming Pool Program, Rob Ballew, Executive
Director, Desert 'YMCA.
Mr. Ballew explained that the YMCA is a valley wide YMCA from Palm Springs to
Los Bonitas school in Thermal/Salton Sea area. There are 18 program sites
throughout the valley. There are a number of program centers including a
preschool in La Quinta, next to the Boys & Girls Club, which serves 140 kids. The
YMCA just completed their 2ntl year at the Fritz Burns Pool. The pool meets the
YMCA's needs greatly with the wading pool and lap pool for swimming lessons.
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The 2006 Aquatics program had an overall increase from 3,667 users in 2005 to
4,624 users in 2006. This year's evaluation ratings were 89% - very good to
excellent.
The Anderson Foundation donated money for 192 free swim lessons to anyone age
8 and above. This program was for low income people who wished to have their
kids learn to swim but did not have funds. Media Coverage for the program
included two television spots, four photo stories, and several press releases on
Aquatic programs and novice swim meets. Labor Day was a free day of swim,
which families seemed to love. A local valley swim team used the pool in hours
when little or no programming took place. All local schools were contacted and
offered end of school year party rentals. Nine schools took advantage of this.
Novice swim meets were held at the end of each month, seven races were held by
ability and age group. All participants received ribbons.
Mr. Ballew stated that the YMCA is working on a capital campaign to build a
regional YMCA in Rancho Mirage. It would generate additional income over and
above the direct and indirect expenses then the YMCA could go out and have other
satellites.
Vice -Chairperson Sylk asked why the Group Rentals went from 100 last year to 0
this year. Mr. Ballew stated that this was because of the way the school year
started and how the calendar year fell with Labor Day being the last day of the
season.
Commissioner Gassman stated that she is concerned about the pool being
underutilized and would like to think about how can we upgrade and restructure
the pool. Mr. Ballew stated that the pool is in direct sunlight most of the day
which makes the; pool very warm, it is not refreshing to jump into. A donor of the
YMCA donated a pool chiller, which was put on the kiddie pool. It was operational
for 3 weeks when it was shut off because it threw off too much humidity. People
would be in the lap pool and get out and go into the kiddie pool to cool off. Pool
temperature is an issue. The chiller unit was about $2,800 for that size pool. The
chiller doesn't cost much to operate, but it has to be in an area in the pump room.
A separate area is needed for the chiller or vented to the outside where you can get
rid of all the humidity. A cooler pool would have a lot to do with who comes in the
afternoons. Commissioner Gassman asked how many lanes were needed for lap
swimming. Mr. Ballew stated that they would need three lanes for lap swimming.
Commissioner Gassman asked if the regional YMCA in Rancho Mirage would have
a pool and if so, would that end the City's relationship with the YMCA for Fritz
Burns Pool. Mr. Ballew stated that the regional YMCA will have two pools, but as
long as there is a need in La Quinta they will continue to work with the City. Ms.
Hylton stated that the City enters into an annual agreement with the YMCA and
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have had two years of a good relationship which continues to get better each year.
There have been conversations about looking at creating fun factor at the pool.
Chairperson Weber asked is the YMCA had some pool design resources. Mr.
Ballew stated that Ms. Hylton has a better handle on the design resources than the
YMCA. Ms. Hylton stated that you can add nice features to a traditional pool and
be able to charge: a relative value added fee as a result. Those features really help
take a dated facility and make improvements for the community. Chairperson
Weber asked about the cooling equipment for the larger pool. Mr. Ballew stated
that a ventilation system would have to be put in the equipment room or consider
outside shade over the pool area or a portion of it.
Ms. Hylton stated that staff is working on basic pool improvements such as deck
surfacing and the disinfectant system. Chairperson Weber asked if a shade cover
or partial shade cover was in the works. Ms. Hylton stated that would be
something staff could look into. The priorities for the pool start with the deck
surfacing and the disinfectant system. If we are looking to cool the water, the
chiller and a shade structure over a portion of the pool could be considered.
Commissioner Le:idner asked if the City and the YMCA look at the pool as a 6-
month opportunity opposed to a longer time frame. Mr. Ballew stated that the pool
is not heated and once you get into October the temperatures change very quickly.
The YMCA would want to do a survey first due to the utility and staffing costs.
Commissioner Gassman suggested using solar panels to heat and cool the pool.
Ms. Hylton stated that staff has not looked at year round operations because there
are high staffing costs with annual operations. Chairperson Weber stated that is
would take significant usage to warrant annual operations.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES_
1. Approval of November 13, 2006 Minutes
Motion — It was moved by Commissioner Gassman and seconded by Vice -
Chairperson Sylk to approve the minutes. Motion carried unanimously.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Monthly Department Report for October 2006.
Chairperson Weber asked about the monthly revenues. Mr. Ambriz stated that
October was a busy month for reservations and that November filters down due to
the Holiday weekend rates.
Motion — It was moved by Vice -Chairperson Sylk and seconded by Commissioner
Gassman to approve the monthly department report. Motion carried unanimously.
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PUBLIC HEARING
None.
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Consideration of Time Change for Future Commission Meetings
Commissioner Gassman stated that 5:30 p.m. was a good time to begin and if the
public wished to address the Commission we could have them at the end of the
agenda or make special accommodations. Chairperson Weber stated the Public
Meetings could be at 7:00 p.m.
Commissioner Leidner stated he had some concerns with changing the time to 5:30
p.m.
Motion — It was moved by Vice -Chairperson Sylk and seconded by Commissioner
Gassman to approve the Community Services Commission meeting time to change
to 5:30 p.m. starting January 8, 2007. Motion carried with Commissioner Leidner
voting NO.
2. Consideration of Commissioner to Attend CPRS Conference March 8-10.
Commissioner Leidner stated that he would like to see another Commissioner
attend since he has already attended two of them. Commissioner Gassman
volunteered to go.
Motion — It was moved by Vice -Chairperson Sylk and seconded by Commissioner
Long to select Commissioner Gassman to attend the California Parks and
Recreation Society's Annual Conference in Sacramento, California from March 16 —
18, 2007. Motion carried unanimously.
CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIALS
1 . Calendar of Monthly Events
Ms. Hylton noted that the 25`h Anniversary meeting has been postponed for
December. The next meeting will be January 22, 2006. Commissioner Long asked
if there was a new time for the Sports Organization meeting. Mr. Ambriz stated
that the meeting has been set for Thursday, December 21, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. in
the East Conference Room at City Hall.
Commissioner Long stated his concern with the park vandalism and the park hours
being enforced. Ms. Hylton stated that staff has been working with the Police over
the last few weeks at La Quinta Park using the security cameras. Security has
been beefed up at that site. Commissioner Long suggested an officer on a bicycle
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through the Campus. Vice -Chairperson Sylk asked what penalties the children
have to face when caught. Mr. Howlett stated that trespassing and littering are
subject to the Municipal Code of $50 for the 15t offense, $100 for the 2n1 offense,
and $200 for the: 3rd offense. Commissioner Long suggested encouraging the City
Council to up the fines. Mr. Howlett stated that this is being considered by the
City Council. Vice -Chairperson Sylk asked how students can volunteer to help
raise their grades at school. Ms. Hylton stated that we can take a look at our
schedule and see if the students can help with special events or projects.
Chairperson Weber suggested that a representative from the Police Department
come and talk to the Commission about what is happening with enforcement at the
parks and campus.
COMMISSIONER ITEMS
1 . Reports from Commissioners Regarding Meetings Attended.
Chairperson Mark Weber, Vice -Chairperson Robert F. Sylk, Commissioner Andrea
Gassman, and Commissioner E. Howard Long attended the Tree Lighting
Ceremony. Commissioner Gassman attended the Open House at City Hall.
Commissioner Gassman and Commissioner Leidner attended the 25th Anniversary
Committee Meeting. All Commissioners attended the Special Meeting on
December 9, 2006.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Commissioner Long and seconded by Commissioner Leidner to
adjourn the Community Services Commission meeting at 8:05 p.m. Motion carried
unanimously.
NEXT MEETING INFORMATION:
A Regular Meeting of the Community Services Commission to be held on January
8, 2006 commencing at 5:30 p.m. in the La Quinta Civic Center Session Room,
78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA 92253.
Submitted by:
Angela Guereque
Community Services Secretary