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2008 03 10 CSC MinutesREPORTS & INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION MINUTES March 10, 2008 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Community Services Commission was called to order at 5:32 p.m. by Vice -Chairperson Leidner. Commissioner Quill led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Commissioner Sheldon Brodsky Commissioner Andrea Gassman Vice -Chairperson Bob Leidner Commissioner E. Howard Long Commissioner Dori Quill Commissioner Robert F. Sylk Chairperson Mark Weber 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 Commissioner Gassman and seconded by Commissioner Sylk to confirm the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. PRESENTATIONS: Eunice Lovi, Director of Planning & Development, Sun Line Transit Agency, presented Line 70 Service Improvements. The rational to change and implement new routing was recommended in a Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA). The SunLine Board of Directors approved the recommended improvements to Line 70; the realignment of Line 70 to serve retail and commercial stores, and residences along Adams Street; working with the City of La Quinta ,staff to provide service to two future affordable housing site on Adams Street and on Miles Avenue. `L,L fnry7I,`3;aion Minute March '10, 2008 2- As of February 2006, Line 70 Service operated on 100 minutes headway on weekdays and weekends; served residents of La Quinta, Indian Wells, Palm Desert, and Bermuda Dunes; served La Quinta Resort; provided service to La Quinta High School; offered service to retail/commercial shops along Washington Street; served retail and commercial shops on Country Club Drive in Palm Desert; served JFK Hospital on Washington Street. As of January 2008, Line 70 modifications included realigning routes from Washington Street to Miles Avenue, Adams Street, and Avenue 47; discontinued service on Washington Street (between Miles Avenue and Avenue 47); continue to provide service to La Quinta High School; discontinued service to La Quinta Resort due to lack of ridership; improved bus stops to meet ADA accessibility; continued service to retail and commercial shops on Country Club Drive in Palm Desert; improved service to major retail and commercial shops along Adams Street and Avenue 47; continued to serve JFK Hospital on Washington Street. Commissioner Quill commented on the time it will now take students to get to the new bus stop. Ms. Lovi stated that SunLine coordinates the bus stop times with the school bell times to help ensure students have time to get to the bus. SunLine will continue to look at that stop for any issues that may come up. Commissioner Gassman asked how long the bus stands at each stop. Ms. Lovi stated that the average stop time is approximately 1 to 3 minutes. Commissioner Gassman asked if the bus sits longer at the High School stop. Ms. Lovi stated the bus does stop longer at busier stops. Vice -Chairperson Leidner asked how the decision was made to exclude the Washington Street and Highway 111 intersection from bus ridership. Ms. Lovi stated that it took longer for pedestrians to cross the street from one end to the other which was part of the issue in realigning the route. Vice -Chairperson Leidner asked if the area businesses at the Washington Street and Highway 111 intersection got the opportunity to give input in before changes were made. Ms. Lovi stated that there were three public meetings and only 3 people showed up to these meetings. There was not a lot of input from the businesses. As SunLine continues to look at growth throughout the Valley and from one City to another, they will look at the employers within those cities that have employees using the bus system. Commissioner Quill stated that if the bus goes by Tampico, that is actually where people who work at the Resort park and take a shuttle to the Resort. Commissioner Sylk stated that he is happy that the route was moved away from the Washington Street and Highway 111 intersection because it is so congested there. Commissioner Sylk asked why the southbound route takes 44 minutes and E°' i- Mlarch '10, 2008 3 .. the northbound route takes 41 minutes. Ms. Lovi stated it could be based on the different activities and turns. He asked if SunLine is looking into having more frequent stops so people don't have to wait 1 hour and 40 minutes if they miss a bus. Ms. Lovi stated that SunLine is looking to make sure that service throughout the valley is as frequent as possible. Commissioner Gassman noted that some bus stops are covered and some aren't. When there is no shelter at the bus stops in the Cove, patrons tend to loiter on private property for shade and then run to the bus when they see it coming. She suggested having shelters at all of the bus stops in the Cove. Ms. Lovi stated that SunLine is in the process of getting shelters at some locations but it is difficult to do in areas where there are not sidewalks. Chairperson Weber stated that he appreciated the prompt response to an email he had forwarded regarding taxi oversight to SunLine. He asked about the annual ridership statistics. Ms. Lovi stated that ridership in 2006 was approximately 3.5 million riders and 2007 was down by about 50,000 riders. Ridership goes up at the beginning of the school year and drops in the summer and during holidays. Chairperson Weber suggested that SunLine continue to promote their green efforts. Chairperson Weber asked how SunLine views the decorative custom shelters that the City acquires. Ms. Lovi stated that SunLine would like the same type of amenities for maintenance consistency. Ms. Lovi continues to work with cities on a case by case basis. The customized shelters must meet the ADA requirements. Chairperson Weber asked what SunLine anticipates the next route to be analyzed or potentially redesigned. Ms. Lovi stated that SunLine has changed the frequency on Highway 1 1 1 . SunLine will be looking at Lines 30, 14, and 1 1 1 . SunLine will also be looking at the frequency of Line 70. Commissioner Quill suggested that SunLine evaluate the La Quinta High School route and ask the bus driver what the student feed back is. She stated that she has never seen a SunBus full except for when it leaves La Quinta High School. From where the bus used to stop right on the edge of the school the students now have to walk over '/4 miles and cross a signal. If the students aren't happy with the bus stop there, maybe SunLine would consider once a day alternating back over to Dune Palms so students wouldn't have to cross a busy intersection that has traffic at that time of day. At 6:09 p.m. Chairperson Weber presided over the meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of February 11, 2008 Minutes Motion - It was moved by Commissioner Sylk and seconded by Commissioner Brodsky to approve the minutes as submitted. Motion carried unanimously. 2. Approval of February 23, 2008 Minutes Commissioner Quill stated that under the Civic Center Campus section she had suggested a dog dispenser be added near the Senior Center. Motion - It was moved by Vice -Chairperson Leidner and seconded by Commissioner Sylk to approve the minutes as corrected. Motion carried unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR None. PUBLIC HEARING None. BUSINESS ITEMS 1. Consideration of the 2008-2009 Commissioners Annual Work Plan. Director Hylton explained that the Annual Work Plan includes several of the items in the Community Services Master Plan and items from the recent Art and Park Tour to discuss and consider for approval. The Commission may have additional goals that they wish to undertake. Vice -Chairperson Leidner stated that the date of August 2007 on the Marketing Plan should be August 2008. Commissioner Brodsky stated that the Artist Appreciation Day has a minimal financial impact since the Artists donate their time. Commissioner Quill asked how the Work Plan process works. Director Hylton stated that the Work Plan is given to the City Council for approval and added to the Budget. Commissioner Quill asked how the Commission is involved in the different events. Director Hylton stated that staff will implement the events and ask for the Commissioners help with participation. Commission Quill asked what National Night Out is. Director Hylton stated that this is an awareness program sponsored by Target. This program draws attention to drug prevention type activities. This program is held at La Quinta Park. . r<n-tu , ,f, Se - vices Corn . sic:> Minutes March 10, 2008 Commissioner Gassman suggested including the Commissions support of other organizations (i.e., La Quinta Arts Foundation, La Quinta Historical Society, Stewards, and Friends of the Cove) under the Liason section. Director Hylton suggested indicating that the Commission promotes other events and organizations. Commissioner Gassman suggested adding the Tree Lighting Ceremony to the Community Events section. She also stated that the City used to do concerts and she wondered if the City would reconsider that. Director Hylton stated that Old Town and the Coachella Valley Recreation and Park District both hold concerts throughout the year. Commissioner Gassman suggested a concert for the 4th of July fireworks show. Commissioner Gassman suggested that the Commission be involved in the Grant Review process as noted in the Advisory Body to City Council section. Commissioner Gassman suggested the Commission be of assistance to the City Council in recommending/not recommending grant requests. Director Hylton stated that the City Council has an Ad -hoc Committee that reviews the grant applications on a quarterly basis for this process and the Commission should request involvement to the City Council during the yearly joint meeting. Commissioner Gassman suggested putting a bullet point at "Reinstitute" on Page 1 1 of the Work Plan. Commissioner Gassman suggested that artists attend a presentation workshop to help them in preparing for future presentations. Director Hylton stated that the Desert Cities Public Art Forum will be holding a general session on April 19, 2008 from 10:30 am - 12 pm on Presentation Methods and Techniques for Public Art Proposals. Director Hylton and Museum Manager, Kim Mack, have invited all of the artists that have participated and been unsuccessful in participation. Chairperson Weber suggested adding AYSO and the Coachella Valley Recreation and Park District under the Specific Goals and Objectives section. Chairperson Weber stated that at some point the Commission is going to have to put a limit on AYSO for La Quinta Park. He would like to see a 5-year plan from AYSO. Director Hylton stated that the biggest issue is to be able to rest the fields for a few months during the summer so staff can get them back into condition. The use of the fields needs to be limited and staff is working with AYSO to relocate younger children to Colonel Paige Middle School. Chairperson Weber stated he would like to see a presentation from AYSO on where they see their growth over the next 5 years. 6 Commissioner Gassman stated that AYSO should be monitored on annual basis along with the Coachella Valley Recreation and Park District. Commissioner Sylk stated that bicycle kids are riding down through the skate parks making it dangerous for the skate boarders. Director Hylton stated that the Police should be called if anyone sees kids riding bicycles in the skate parks. Chairperson Weber asked if staff was revising the Art maps. Director Hylton stated that staff is waiting for the APP projects to be completed before revising the maps. Motion — It was moved by Commissioner Sylk and seconded by Commissioner Long to approve the 2008-2009 Annual Work Plan with modifications and direct staff to present to City Council for consideration. Motion carried unanimously. CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIALS 1 . Monthly Department Report for January 2008 Commissioner Gassman asked if the Patty Gribow Show on page 33 was a one time show. Commissioner Long noted that the chart indicated it was one time. Commissioner Gassman suggested single shows be listed as Special Events and lump a few shows together. Commissioner Leidner stated that showing each show separately will show if there is an interest in a particular show. Commissioner Quill noted that she was happy to see the signs along Montezuma taken down and the signs as you enter the Preserve have been put up. There are still no signs at the entrance to the Bike Path along the Bear Creek Trail. Mr. Howlett stated that the signs are in inventory, but the Public Works Department has -not gotten to it yet. Commissioner Brodsky stated that he liked the new color coded packets 2. Calendar of Monthly Events Commissioner Quill asked what the April 12, 2008 Natural History of the Bear Creek/La Quinta Cove event was. Director Hylton stated that the Stewards of the Cove put together a series of Nature Walks from March through June. Commissioner Sylk asked if the Algodones excursion filled up. Director Hylton stated that there was a full bus for that excursion. 3. Trails Article from the Press -Enterprise No discussion. [ Va ch 10, 2008 T. COMMISSIONER ITEMS Reports from Commissioners Regarding Meetings Attended. Commissioner Long gave a report on his attendance at the California Parks and Recreation Society conference in Long Beach. He will be submitting information to Director Hylton on Disaster Preparedness. He suggested staff look into the implementation of solar powered LED lights in the future. He learned that artificial turf is 10 degrees hotter than grass. There was a lot of information at the conference that is not relevant to Commissioners. He suggested the La Quinta Museum be submitted for a facility award at the next conference. He suggested the Commission should not send more than one Commissioner at a time. Commissioner Gassman stated that the WICKED excursion was phenomenal. Commissioner Quill stated that she and Commissioner Sylk attended the La Quinta Cove Trails meeting on February 21, 2008 and participated in a hike on Saturday, March 8, 2008. OPEN DISCUSSION ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Commissioner Sylk and seconded by Commissioner Gassman to adjourn the Community Services Commission meeting at 7:13 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. NEXT MEETING INFORMATION: A Regular Meeting of the Community Services Commission to be held on April 14, 2008 commencing at 5:30 p.m. at the La Quinta Study Session Room, 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA 92253. Submitted by: Angel40eque Community Services Senior Secretary