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2007 01 08 CSC MinutesREPORT/INFORMATIONAL ITEM: o2.0 COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION MINUTES January 8, 2007 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Community Services commission was called to order at 5:33 p.m. in the La Quinta City Hall Study Session Room. Vice -Chairperson Sylk presided over the meeting and Commissioner Leidner 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 Gassman and seconded by Commissioner Long to confirm the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. PRESENTATIONS_ — Greenplay LLC-Preliminary Findings for the Community Services Master Plan Survey, Benchmarking and Inventory, Karon Badalamenti, Principal and Ron Vine with Leisure Vision. Karon Badalamenti presented the Findings Document for the Community Services Master Plan. The Findings Document is a working draft document. This process included the involvement of the Community Services and Planning Commissions; focus groups; stakeholder meetings; staff interviews; statistically valid survey; tour 440 Community Services Commission Minutes January 8, 200/ -2- of the facilities and infrastructure; and creating a database and a map. The rest of the findings came from community demographics; national recreation trends; California recreation trends; statistically valid survey — mapping executive summary; administrative benchmarking and key measurements; and survey national benchmarking. A change in recreation patterns that California is seeing are the needs of 24/7 type of programming because of the lifestyles that people are leading now and having the emphasis being on lifelong learning and involvement. Californians are unique with emphasis on cultural, historic, nature, zoos, and museums. Trends from California State Parks indicated that from youth and adults the top three activities are swimming; walking for fun and fitness; and the use of outdoor open turf areas. Demographics from ESRI and John Husing are showing the same type of trends. La Quinta shows "Under 20" and "Over 55" are making up half of the population. Commissioner Gassman suggested that the dark blue box in the report be changed to read easier. The Administrative Benchmarking data included the surveying of Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Indio, and Coachella. What was beneficial out of this is we learned what some of these other communities are doing that can be a benefit when we start to look at our analysis and recommendations as a region and who's doing what and where we may be able to partner or work cooperatively with them. Director Hylton stated that this is important to know because Indio is looking at several indoor facilities and additional sports fields and parks. It is important to know who is planning for development in each City because we don't want to duplicate service levels. Commissioner Weber asked if the FTE (full time equivalent) is the staffing for the individual cities parks and recreation departments. Ms. Badalamenti stated that Parks & Recreation is different than Community Services so that is a hard thing to compare. Director Hylton stated that Palm Springs does not include their Senior Center in the FTE number. Palm Desert, Coachella, and Indio have programming that is done by the Coachella Valley Recreation and Park District to a greater degree than La Quinta. The median age in La Quinta is in the middle of the five cities, but the median household income is the highest of the five. It is significant to watch what has changed over the years in terms of the demographics. It appears that La Quinta has miles of bike routes, but they are not recreational trails (off -road). These are shared pedestrian bike lanes on the road. Director Hylton stated that the main place for off road biking is the Bear Creek Trail, which is 2.6 miles. These numbers are coming up very high for trails because people are asking for recreational (off -road) trails. 441 Community Services Commission Minutes January 8, 2007 -3- Chairperson Weber stated that the soccer field's number for Palm Desert is incorrect. The number for Palm Desert is 8. The composite scoring of the database inventory is scored from 1 to 3. 1 is below expectations, 2, is meets expectations, and 3 is exceeds expectations. The map itself locates where the components are and where existing inventory is. Some of the opportunities that we see in terms of facilities might be with the performing arts and the black box theatre; indoor fitness and exercise, there may be an opportu6ty to work with CVRPD to convert their building into meeting some of the fitness needs. There appears to be some capacity issues with fields. Director Hylton indicated we have usage from non-residents that impacts the capacity. The Sphere of Influence (SOI) surveys came back with slightly different priorities. When we start looking at using that data for annexation and development discussions, we can look to what the needs are today and what the needs are for the City in the future. The demographics of the SOI is about 65 and older. That will change as development occurs. Vice -Chairperson Sylk asked about the distribution numbers to the SOL Mr. Vine stated that 500 surveys were distributed to the SOI and 1,500 to the City. 391 surveys were returned from the City and 35 were returned from the SOL Distribution was done by a random sampling of the City. The survey was geocoded, which will give us the opportunity to see where the returns came from on maps. 19% of the surveys returned have participated in recreation programs offered by the City. This is a lower result than the national average. There is an unmet need for recreation programs. 88% of the participating households rated the quality of the programs as good/excellent. 2 out of 3 households say they have a need for walking & biking trails, small neighborhood parks, nature trails, nature centers, performing/cultural arts facilities, nature areas, large community parks, picnic shelters, and golf courses. About 48% of those surveys returned came from gated communities and 52% came from ungated. The highest unmet needs are for performing arts facilities, walking & biking trails, indoor fitness, nature trails, off leash dog parks, natural areas, picnic shelters, and small neighborhood parks. 40% of respondents said "my need is 100% being met." There are high unmet needs because there are more youth and more people under age 20 due to the changing community. Community Services Commission Minutes January 8, 2001 -4- The most important facilities to respondent households are walking & hiking trails, golf courses, small neighborhood parks, children's playgrounds, off leash dog parks, senior adult center, large community parks, and youth baseball/softball fields. When the analysis is started one of the first things to address are the top priorities. The top priorities in programs are fitness/wellness programs, community special events, senior adult programs, music programs, adult golf, adult art, dance, and performing arts. Potential improvements that respondents feel add the most value to the parks are shade trees/structures, restrooms, parking, and park lighting. 46% of respondents felt that Parks and Recreation Services are very important compared to other priorities for the City of La Quinta. When asked how respondents would spend their tax dollars, the top 4 choices would be to renovate/develop walking and biking trails; purchase land for open space; develop new indoor recreation facilities; and renovate/develop athletic fields for youth sports. When asked what the Community Services Department should pay the most attention to over the next 2 years the respondents chose maintenance of parks; number of walking/biking trails; number of parks; and senior programs. The next step in this Master Plan process will be to map out the recommendations for facilities; the top priorities for programs; marketing efforts; and address issues of park security. Commissioner Gassman commented on how impressed she is with the fabulous job GreenPlay is doiing. Commissioner L.eidner asked how the Sphere of Influence area comes into play in developing the Master Plan. Director Hylton stated that in addition to the survey done by GreenPlay, the Planning Department is doing a deficiency study on the area to look at not only Parks & Recreation, but to look at streets, fire and police, and all of the infrastructure needs and then come up with a plan. Chairperson Weber asked when the joint meeting with the Planning Commission will be held. Director Hylton stated that she will be talking to the Community Development Director about scheduling this joint meeting in either February or March 2007. ,, 4 3 Community Servic(-,,s Commission Minutes January 8, 2001 -5- APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of December 9, 2006 Minutes Commissioner Gassman stated on Page 3, first paragraph under Study Session, there should be a colon after Senior Center, remove the parenthesis before Spirit, and replace the commas with semicolons. Chairperson Weber stated on Page 6, first paragraph should read "versions if space." 2. Approval of December 11, 2006 Minutes No changes. Motion — It was moved by Vice -Chairperson Sylk and seconded by Commissioner Gassman to approve the minutes as corrected. Motion carried unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR None. PUBLIC HEARING None. BUSINESS ITEMS None. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIALS 1. Monthly Department Report for November 2006 Chairperson Weber stated that the Monthly Revenue Report totals for 2005 Facility Rentals are not calculated correctly. Commissioner Long questioned why the numbers are down at the Senior Center. Director Hylton stated that there are fewer bridge programs and there are fewer classes being offered. Commissioner Gassman stated that the information requested for new instructors is quite extensive and suggests streamlining those requirements. 2. Calendar of Monthly Events Chairperson Weber requested attendance at the Pillars of the Community. Commissioner Gassman stated that the La Quinta Historical Society Gala will be held on February 18, 2007. 1 � ., It a Community Services Commission Minutes January 8, 2007 6- 3. Senior Center Monthly Luncheons & Special Events COMMISSIONER ITEMS 1. Reports from Commissioners Regarding Meetings Attended. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Vice -Chairperson Sylk and seconded by Commissioner Leidner to adjourn the Community Services Commission meeting at 7:30 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. NEXT MEETING INFORMATION: A Regular Meeting of the Community Services Commission to be held on February 12, 2007 commencing at 5:30 p.m. in the La Quinta Civic Center Session Room, 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA 92253. Community Services Secretary