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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-02-11 PRC Minutes1-1 Parks and Recreation Commission MINUTES SLO Swim Center 902 Southwood Dr. San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Wednesday, November 2, 2011, 5:30 p.m. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Craig Kincaid called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. ROLL CALL: Commissioners: Gary Havas, Ron Regier, Steve Davis, David Hensinger and Jeff Whitener ABSENT: STAFF: Director Shelly Stanwyck, Robin Perrin, Graeme Johnson, and Marti Reynolds Public Comment None. 1. Consideration of Minutes MOTION: (Whitener/Davis) Approve the October 5, 2011 minutes as amended. Approved: 6 yes: 0 no: 0 absent 2. Volunteer of the Month –Perrin/Kincaid Recreation Supervisor Robin Perrin read the following proclamation: “It is with great appreciation that the Parks and Recreation Commission recognize the November Volunteers of the Month, Joseph Guidetti and David Switek. Last year these two young men were 7th graders at Old Mission School. All students at the school are required to participate in a community service project of their choice and design as giving back is an integral part of the Old Mission School value system and curriculum. Joseph and David chose to raise money for Rita’s Rainbows. Rita’s Rainbows is a non-profit public charity organization created to serve the memory of Rita Marie Goehner. This corporation is organized to provide charitable assistance both financially and through programs to benefit children and teens who demonstrate a need. Rita’s Rainbows was created with much love by her surviving family in 2008. Rita was only sixteen years old when an unfortunate car accident took her life in April 2006. She was already an active community member. Rita always had a smile on her face and deep compassion for others. Through different venues she Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes – November 2, 2011 Page 2 of 6 1-2 took part in many ways to help children, especially homeless, and underprivileged. Rita’s Rainbows was started to carry on her special love for others. Joseph and David decided to have a wood raffle. They sold tickets for $10 each for a truck load of oak wood. The boys cut, loaded, delivered and stacked the wood to the winner of the raffle. When the boys were asked how they would like their money spent they both agreed that having the money go to help kids learn to swim would be really great. Both boys are year round swimmers for a local swim team. Thanks to these two young men, Rita’s Rainbow presented a check for $700.00 to the SLO Swim Center. Eleven youth, ages 2 -11, received full scholarships for lessons; fifteen lessons in total. I wish there was a way to have captured the surprise and gratitude shown by the parents when they learned what these two boys had done and the opportunity it was providing for their kids. On more than one occasion the parents were brought to tears. Joseph and David you have both contributed in a very special way to Rita’s passion for helping others.” Chair Kincaid distributed certificates of appreciation to Joseph Guidetti and David Switek. 3. Parks and Recreation Element Update - Cal Poly Class 552 Jenna Higgins gave an update to commissioners along with Cal Poly Professor Chris Clark and other members of the group, Emily Lipoma, Katie Mineo, and Catherine Tarone. They presented the Commissioners with information on newly created inventory and initial findings. The group’s intention with surveys is to find out who Parks and Recreation is serving already as well as who is not being reached. Packets were passed out to Commissioners showing information on inventories already in place. All inventories are done, they are in process now of synthesizing and gathering information – finding that different parks have different user types and parks with little use therefore had less responses. The group will contact others who don’t visit parks frequently with a booth at Farmer’s Market next week and a visit to San Luis High School at lunch for student feedback with a different survey; they are also working on time to get to senior centers but not sure if will use surveys or design a chart. Commissioners were asked their opinion on work done so far. Commissioners discussed visual appeal in future design, possible changes in direction based on responses, appropriateness of polling door-to-door or emailing users and potential advantage of Commissioners' presence at Farmer’s Market. Professor Chris Clark answered many of these questions himself. The group then asked Commissioners to verbally answer questions in a section of the handout including what is working or not working with parks and recreation, how to encourage older teens and what else they should know as they proceed. Commissioners listed what’s working as being the openness of the Commission (and Council) to new ideas (e.g., slack lining, disc golf, rock climbing) and that they are encouraged by the cooperation of Parks Maintenance staff to create more hours of use for the sports fields. Would like to find more ways to connect with the community and improve tennis opportunities for users, mini skate park option, publicize to reach wider audience, more social media networking and press releases. Director Stanwyck mentioned the underutilization of the LCC and the Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes – November 2, 2011 Page 3 of 6 1-3 possibility of using it more as a teen center, particularly as a venue for those who are home schooled and possibly underserved in recreational activities. Commissioners engaged in more discussion with Professor Clark who pointed out that sometimes parks and recreation departments think they are the only venue for community recreation when part of it is that some people use other means and divisions of recreation; they keep this in mind so as not to double up on what is already offered in the community and focus more on serving underserved populations. Director Stanwyck added that, although the department does not compete with private business, there is something to be said for a more affordable means of using a pool or tennis court than belonging to a formal club. The Commissioners were assured their emails would be welcome if they thought of other ideas. 4. Program Overview – Neighborhood Services Manager – Tregenza Last month, Chair Kincaid inquired about the relationship with community neighborhoods to try and help in facilitating code restrictions and encourage appreciation for parks and recreation and as a means to make connections. This prompted Director Stanwyck to invite the City Neighborhood Services Manager, Ardith Tregenza, to inform the PRC of her role. Ms. Tregenza introduced herself to the Commissioners and highlighted her job function as a non-sworn employee of the Police Department (PD). She explained the opportunities she finds to connect with neighbors via special programs created to improve the quality of life in neighborhoods for students and long-time home owners alike. She serves as a liaison to neighborhood groups, Cal Poly and Cuesta College. Programs such as neighborhood watch and the Student Neighborhood Assistance Program (SNAPS) that are first responders in the college district for noise ordinance violations, residential parking enforcement, etc. Increased fines for tenant violations have been put in place as well as signs and brochures distributed. Tregenza sends out press releases and references our activity guide often. In her position, Tregenza oversees advertising for PD and focuses on proactively addressing safety, noise ordinance awareness, and crime prevention and targets students who are often the largest victims of crime here. She coordinated the SLO Night With Your Neighbors event based on the City of Davis’s efforts. During that time new residents (usually students) can meet with existing residents in a positive social interaction with the goal of being better able to relate to each other the rest of the school year. Tregenza stated she appreciates what parks bring to the city and is happy to work with Parks and Recreation to promote a positive sense of community to our neighborhoods. Tregenza then passed out various guides and brochures to the Commissioners such as the Checklist for Good Neighbors, noise standards and a guide to living off campus. Commissioners discussed the meet your neighbor program further with Tregenza; Commissioner Whitener suggested a Meet Your Neighbors Month for those whose schedules prohibit only one weekend a year. Also discussed were the student liaison committee, advertisements on the website, press releases, breaking down stereotypes, increased focus on landlords to enforce the ordinances-- many have their own separate fines and are motivated by their own need to have a business license to offer rentals. Tregenza explained the fine system and fees and that the noise complaints have decreased 30 percent since starting the program. When asked by Chair Kincaid if there was anything the Commissioners could help with, Tregenza stated that Parks and Recreation is part of the ‘SLO Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes – November 2, 2011 Page 4 of 6 1-4 Life’ promoted and what is offered by the Department is already of great benefit to the community. Director Stanwyck went on to discuss with Commissioners the idea of volunteer work days in neighborhoods much like volunteer work days in open space as a more comfortable social vehicle. Noted high neighborhood involvement and sense of community with Meadow Park/Rotary Community Gardens project. 5. SLO Swim Center - Perrin Aquatics Supervisor, Robin Perrin, gave the Commissioners a presentation on pool management and operation and gave Commissioners a hand-out detailing miscellaneous revenues for the year. Supervisor Perrin then led a 20-minute tour of the facilities at 6:30 p.m. and included information on the history of the structure and new therapy pool, energy use, pool maintenance, swim schedules and staffing. Director Stanwyck explained the agreement with the School District who own the facility but do not provide maintenance. ▪ Chair Kincaid introduced audience member Susan Updegrove to the Commissioners. Ms. Updegrove has applied for the vacant PRC Commissioner position. 6. Monthly Report: Increasing Play at Damon Garcia Sports Fields – Davis and Whitener Commissioner Davis reported that he walked through the fields last week with parks maintenance staff. The fields are in good condition however are showing some wear spots. LaCrosse was played for six weeks on the upper field and wear is evident from that. Rugby and Soccer have no grass for a ten foot radius around the goals. Otherwise the field is in good condition. The Bermuda grass hasn’t taken off yet due to the cold season. The field will be opening up for soccer one night a week although there are currently no lights; use will expand with daylight savings time. Intention is to work with the turf hoping that it will come back and eventually be fine again. Director Stanwyck indicated the hours of play have increased by approximately 13 percent. Results of the survey of users indicated 78 percent hadn’t noticed the condition of wear of the field and that the overall consensus is the opportunity to play is more important than the field condition for the user; conversely, it is the condition of the field that Parks Maintenance, who take great pride in their work, are concerned with. 7. Director’s Report –Stanwyck Director Shelly Stanwyck gave the Director’s Report and briefed the Commission on the following projects: Meadow Park Play Equipment. The play area is semi-open and the side for older children is up and running. The Tot Lot was nearly open until the sewer line underneath it recently collapsed; Public Works is in the process of repairing. Activity Guide. In the process of preparing the winter guide right now. Rangers. Rangers are very busy this time of year finalizing winterization projects, shoring up trails, and dealing with other issues in the open space and parks. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes – November 2, 2011 Page 5 of 6 1-5 Sun N Fun, Star and Teens. The Teen event received great media coverage; a service project was completed. Youth Sports. Sports is starting to think about Winter Activities and Basketball season is just around the corner. The Sports Supervisor is coaching the Youth Services program FUNdamentals basketball. Halloween Hoopla. The Downtown Carnival last Thursday night was very well attended with over 500 paid attendees (up in numbers by approximately 300). The Jack House Haunted House also did well with about 500 visitors on both days. Playoffs for Softball are Underway. Volleyball and Cross Country seasons are coming to a close—have had great success with all. Deck it Out. This fundraiser for the skate park will be this Friday night from 6 to 9 p.m. at Coalition. 50 plus decks have been donated to be auctioned off. Advisory Body Training next Tuesday, November 8 at the Ludwick Community Center (LCC). Docent Appreciation Dinner is next Wednesday, November 9 at the LCC. Katchy Andrews is presenting a program to docents; descendent of Nellie Hollister Jack. Froom Trail work day is Saturday, November 12 at 8:00 a.m. at Laguna Lake; will carpool to Froom Trailhead. Play it Forward is this weekend, November 12 and 13. Promoted by Tim Kabinski; cost is food for the food bank for coaching. Skate Park will be visited November 29 by the State of California regarding our grant request. 8. Committee Reports Commissioners provided the following reports:  Tree Committee – Hensinger  Joint Use Committee – Whitener  Youth Sports Association – Davis  Jack House Committee – Kincaid  Open Space – Havas  Golf – Regier  Bicycle Committee – Havas Commissioner Hensinger reported on the October 24 meeting of the Tree Committee. Discussed the master street tree list and will present to Council. Current list very restrictive—there is an increased number of trees planted that were never on the list that will now be included. Commissioner Davis reported on the October 19 meeting of the Youth Sports Association (YSA). Discussed football goals stored in the construction yard that Parks Maintenance is working toward installing; absence of Joint Use Committee funding; future plans to meet with school district, YSA and City regarding past agreements and new data on field use hours. Commissioner Havas reported on his recent meeting with Natural Resources Manager Neil Havlik regarding Open Space. Discussed were the Goldtree Tract and ongoing meetings with the Filipponis regarding a purchase agreement for land above Johnson Avenue; Irish Hills Conservation Plan–the Council and Mountain Brook Church have concluded the final draft of a license agreement for a Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes – November 2, 2011 Page 6 of 6 1-6 trail connection to Froom Ranch; possible trail license with a neighbor as well to connect Mariposa and Woodland Trail; grant to connect native woodland on lower Froom Creek; trail day November 12; Stenner Springs skills area progress; Agricultural Master Plan non-profit agreement (not apparent it will happen this year—looking at possible short-term lease for site); Righetti Hill Open Space on hold until after protest vote November 15; Reservoir Canyon PG&E plan and proposed ‘reconductoring’ project (PG&E agreed to build trail from ridgeline to lower tower to City specifications in 2013, therefore Reservoir Canyon will be our next Conservation Plan). At the request of Commissioners, Director Stanwyck gave some brief information on the recent police investigation at the Lemon Grove Trail. Commissioner Havas reported there was no meeting of the Bicycle Advisory Committee. Commissioner Whitener reported on the most recent meeting of the Shared Use of Recreational Facilities Committee; substantial discussion regarding priorities of use and attendance by representatives of the SLO Blues, SLO Rattlers, Babe Ruth and Men’s Baseball led to a need for another special meeting of the Committee yesterday. Recommendation to Council is to limit to one professional team when contract expires. Chair Kincaid reported on the most recent meeting of the Jack House Committee. Discussed were the community foundation; the gazebo and funding that must be for structures original to the house; family papers now part of Cal Poly’s Kennedy Library; Haunted House successful with more than $500 raised and more than 300 people who attended tours; Committee Member, Betty Stockton, recently suffered three cracked ribs. Commissioner Regier reported on the state of Laguna Lake Golf Course; rounds were up in October from last year yet revenue is down which could be attributed to the fact that last year food sales were under lease and current tenant does not pay rent. The new lawn mower has reduced mowing from 14 hours to 8 hours partly due to broader reels. 9. Communications Commissioners requested the SURF Committee be invited to the next meeting of the PRC. It was decided the next meeting of the PRC will be held in the Parks and Recreation Offices Conference Room. 10. Adjourned The meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m. to the December 7, 2011, meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission to be located at the Parks and Recreation Offices. Approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission on December 7, 2011. /Sgd/ ___________________________________________ Martha M.S. Reynolds, Supervising Administrative Assistant