2008 09 08 CSC MinutesREPORTS & INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: I /
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
MINUTES
September 8, 2008
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the Community Services Commission was called to order at
5:30 p.m. by Chairperson Leidner.
Commissioner Fitzpatrick led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENT: Commissioners Brodsky, Darroch, Fitzpatrick, Gassman, Chairperson
Leidner
ABSENT: Commissioner Biegel
STAFF PRESENT: Edie Hylton, Community Services Director; Steve Howlett, Golf
& Parks Manager; Robert Ambriz Jr., Recreation Supervisor; and
Angela Guereque, Senior Secretary
PUBLIC COMMENT - None.
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
Motion - It was moved by Commissioners Fitzpatrick/Gassman to confirm the
agenda. Motion carried unanimously.
PRESENTATIONS:
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APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Approval of July 14, 2008 Minutes
Commissioner Quill noted on Page 7, paragraphs 6 and 7, that she recalled
suggesting the name La Quinta Ball Park. She requested staff listen to the minutes
for revision.
Motion — It was moved by Commissioners Gassman/Brodsky to approve the
minutes as corrected. Motion carried unanimously.
CONSENT CALENDAR - None.
PUBLIC HEARING - None.
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BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Consideration of Commission Meeting Dates
Director Hylton presented the staff report advising the Commission that there will
be a Joint Meeting with the City Council on November 25, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
Chairperson Leidner called for a motion.
Motion — It was moved by Commissioners Gassman/Fitzpatrick to approve the
Community Services Commission meeting dates, changing the Art & Parks Tour to
October 4, 2008. Motion carried unanimously.
2. Consideration of Artist Appreciation Day Program
Mr. Ambriz Jr. presented the staff report.
Commissioner Brodsky volunteered to assist with the program and suggested not
limiting it to Artists only. Mr. Ambriz Jr. stated that the Art Coordinator would like
to have people from ceramics, drawing, painting, digital arts, theatre, and music.
Commissioner Gassman volunteered to assist with the program.
Commissioner Fitzpatrick volunteered to be the third person to help.
Commissioner Quill asked if the Commissioners can go without being involved.
Director Hylton encouraged everyone to attend the event.
Motion — It was moved by Commissioners Brodsky/Gassman to assign
Commissioner Brodsky, Commissioner Gassman, and Commissioner Fitzpatrick to
participate in the Artist Appreciation Day Program. Motion carried unanimously.
Chairperson Leidner moved Business Item No. 5 up to accommodate Ms. Loiuse
Neeley.
5. Consideration of Naming the Centre Pointe Development Park.
Director Hylton presented the staff report.
Commissioner Quill thanked Mrs. Neeley for her work. Commissioner Quill
suggested the use of Ahwalem Park for a dog park. She likes the name Cahuilla
Village Park for the Centre Pointe Development Park.
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Commissioner Fitzpatrick suggested artifacts be represented as part of the sign.
She likes the name Cahuilla Village Park for the Centre Pointe Development Park.
Director Hylton stated that historical information could be placed there.
Commissioner Brodsky stated he likes Pioneer Park as the name for Centre Pointe
Development Park. Mrs. Neeley stated that the early Pioneer Park came to mind
because of the people that came to La Quinta in the 1800's and 1900's.
Commissioner Gassman thanked Mrs. Neeley and suggested a plaque be placed at
the park no matter what the name is. She likes Pioneer Park as the name for the.
Centre Pointe Development Park.
Commissioner Fitzpatrick asked if staff would be bringing forth a Park Naming
Policy. Director Hylton stated that the current Park Naming Policy will be revised
and brought back to the Commission at a later date.
The Commission took a vote on possible names to forward to City Council. The
names voted on included Mountain Vista Park, Vista Pointe Park, Seeley Park, Larry
Allen Park, Cahuilla Village Park, Sinsimnis Park, Pioneer Park, and Ahwalem Park.
Pioneer Park ranked first and Cahuilla Village Park ranked second.
Motion - It was moved by Commissioners Quill/Fitzpatrick to recommend the
names "Pioneer Park" as the first choice and "Cahuilla Village Park" as the second
choice name for the Centre Pointe Development Park with the suggestion to include
a name plaque. Motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Fitzpatrick stated that the Historical Society's research was very
important in the Commissions decision.
3. Consideration of the 2008-2009 Community Services Marketing Plan.
Director Hylton presented the staff report.
Commissioner Darroch asked if all residents get the "La Quinta Sun." Director
Hylton stated the "La Quinta Sun" is inserted into the "Desert Sun" and distributed
at different locations.
Commissioner Fitzpatrick stated she was impressed with the household level of
information. She asked if the promotional items (page 24) could be tied into
Healthy Family/Kids in the future. Director Hylton stated that some promotional
items will have California Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights information.
Commissioner Fitzpatrick noted that on page 27 the City does a good job on
maintenance, however facilities are unstaffed. Suggested posting signs in facilities
with contact information for people who have concerns about facilities.
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Commissioner Quill suggested having a sign in each park saying "If you see a
problem here at this park, call .......
Commissioner Fitzpatrick suggested putting brochures at the Automobile Club
office and seasonal rental offices.
Commissioner Quill stated that the Marketing Plan was well done. She noted that
most of the City's promotions are done by reading or on the web. She suggested
promoting on Spanish and English radio and television, maybe Eye on the Desert.
Commissioner Quill stated that the City can buy 6x3 banners for $110 and she
would like to see them for some events.
Commissioner Brodsky stated that staff did a marvelous job on the Marketing Plan.
He asked about the Friends of the Senior Center membership card for $5. Director
Hylton stated that the Friends of the Senior Center is a non profit group and one of
its fundraising strategies is to have a member card to their organization.
Commissioner Gassman stated that the Marketing Plan was a wonderful report.
The City of La Quinta is the only City that provides excursions. On occasion, the
excursions have been cancelled because there were an insufficient number of
people. She suggested interviewing people who have gone on the excursions for
input and suggestions.
Chairperson Leidner asked about the cancellation rates on page 28. Director Hylton
stated that staff needs to work on over programming in certain areas.
Chairperson Leidner stated that the Marketing Plan was very aggressive and
comprehensive.
Motion — It was moved by Commissioners Fitzpatrick/Brodsky to approve the
2008-2009 Community Services Marketing Plan with suggestions. Motion carried
unanimously.
4. Consideration of a Sand Volleyball Court Location.
Mr. Howlett presented the staff report.
Commissioner Brodsky stated this was a terrific idea. He asked if replacing sand
was expensive. Mr. Howlett stated that the primary purpose of the Seasons
Retention Basin is to retain water and the approximate cost for sand and labor is
$10, 000.
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Commissioner Fitzpatrick suggested a soils test be done before the project is bid.
She stated that if the court is built in a retention basin, the Public Works
Department will need to recalculate what that 100-year storm basin in now
holding. Commissioner Fitzpatrick suggested the Adams Park location.
Commissioner Quill asked if the City has a grass volleyball court. She suggested
staff look into putting a grass volleyball court at Seasons Retention Basin.
Commissioner Darroch stated that Adams Park would be more utilized than
Seasons Retention Basin.
Commissioner Fitzpatrick asked how the volleyball would be programmed. Director
Hylton stated that the programming has not been determined at this time.
Commissioner Gassman stated the volleyball court is a great idea. She likes
Seasons Retention Basin best because there is room for expansion. The Seasons
Retention Basin would enable to City to have a grass volleyball court nearby.
Chairperson Leidner stated he looked at both locations and Adams Park seems like
a better location. He asked what maintenance would need to be done to the sand
to keep it in a playing condition. Mr. Howlett stated the sand would be raked
weekly. There will be a quick coupler installed next to the court to wet down the
sand for cooling and compaction.
Motion — It was moved by Commissioners Fitzpatrick/Gassman to recommend to
City Council to consider the Sand Volleyball Court be located at Adams Park.
Motion carried unanimously.
CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIALS
1. Community Services Department Report for July 2008
Commissioner Quill stated the Terra Cotta Warriors excursion is missing on
September 30, 2008.
Commissioner Brodsky stated he has attended the Georgia O'Keefe exhibit in San
Diego and was very disappointed. Commissioner Gassman stated that Kathy
Dunham will be dressing as Georgia O'Keefe and doing a presentation.
Commissioner Quill asked if there were any park updates. Mr. Howlett stated the
Bronze Relief Map at the Cove Oasis Trailhead was stolen. Four sections of the
fence at the Fred Wolff Nature Preserve at Calle Chillon were wiped out by a
vehicle. Two brass backflows connectors were taken from La Quinta Park.
Commissioner Fitzpatrick asked if cages could be installed around the backflows for
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security. Mr. Howlett stated that CVWD owns the backflows, which affects the
City's water flow.
Commissioner Quill asked when the hiking signs would be installed. Director
Hylton stated that staff is in the process of ordering them and getting an
encroachment permit from CVWD. They should be installed by Trails Day.
2. Calendar of Monthly Events
Commissioner Quill asked about the First Friday at the Museum. Director Hylton
stated the event was held inside with approximately 20 people in attendance. The
Boys & Girls Club Drum Line performed.
Commissioner Quill asked why the Senior Center and the Museum both have
events on the First Friday's. Director Hylton stated that there is a different market
for each event and the Senior Center events are later in the evening.
Commissioner Quill asked what the Hidden Historic Sites on October 14, 2008 is.
Director Hylton stated this event is being coordinated by the Historic Society and
will forward information. Commissioner Quill asked who will be leading the kids on
the walk on October 18, 2008. Director Hylton stated the Stewards are handling
the education on the hikes.
COMMISSIONER ITEMS
1. Reports from Commissioners Regarding Meetings Attended.
Commissioner Gassman attended the Open Air Cinema for March of the Penquins
and Ratatouille and the First Friday at the Museum.
Commissioner Gassman recommends attendance at the First Friday program and
stated that the October First Friday will be hosted by Mimi's Cafe. The Museum
has a new exhibit coming up "The Last Stand" which will be a $7.00 charge for
adults and children are free.
Commissioner Brodsky, Commissioner
Chairperson Leidner attended the Boys
Center.
Fitzpatrick, Commissioner Biegel, and
and Girls Club luncheon at the Senior
Commissioner Gassman attended the National Night Out. Director Hylton stated
that the event is for drug prevention awareness sponsored by Target.
Commissioner Quill asked if the City Council had made any decision on a fireworks
event. Director Hylton stated that the City Council would like the Commission to
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suggest alternatives for the fireworks show
the Commission next month.
OPEN DISCUSSION
That report will be brought back to
Commissioner Quill shared Trails Alliance Maps with the Commissioners.
ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Commissioners Brodsky/Gassman to adjourn the Community
Services Commission meeting at 6:54 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
NEXT MEETING INFORMATION:
A Special Meeting of the Community Services Commission to be held on October
4, 2008 commencing at 9:00 a.m. at the south entrance to La Quinta City Hall,
78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA 92253.
Sub
mitted by:
Guereque
Community Services Senior Secretary