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Home My WebLink About01-06-16 PRC MinutesParks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Council Chambers 990 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Wednesday, January 6, 2016, 5:30 p.m. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Whitener called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. ROLL CALL: Chair Jeff Whitener, Vice Chair Ron Regier and Commissioners Ryan Baker, Susan Olson, Michael Parolini, Douglas Single and Susan Updegrove ABSENT: COUNCIL: None STAFF: Shelly Stanwyck, Melissa Mudgett, Devin Hyfield, Shawn Tucker Public Comment None CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES of Regular Meeting of December 2, 2015 MOTION: (Regier/Updegrove) Approve the Minutes of December 5, 2015 as amended. Approved: 6 yes: 0 no: 1 absent (Single) 2. COMMUNITY INPUT FOCUS: AQUATICS (Hyfield/Tucker) Director Stanwyck introduced the Recreation Supervisor (Devin Hyfield) and Aquatics Coordinator (Shawn Tucker) for an overview of the SLO Swim Center programs and practices. City staff provided an overview of the SLO Swim Center facilities which includes an Olympic size pool, therapy pool, two bathhouse, multi-purpose room and onsite building maintenance offices. The SLO Swim Center has been in operations since 1979. The Swim Center is operated by Parks and Recreation Department and maintained by the Public Works Department Building Maintenance staff. The annual operating budget for Parks and Recreation is $327,900 in expenses and $242,675 collected in annual revenues. This does not include the Public Works Maintenance budget for the swim center. Staff Tucker summarized recent minor capital projects and upgrades to the facility, such as restroom and locker room upgrades. Staff Tucker provided an overview of the most recent pool replastering capital project which included drain and fixture upgrades required for code compliance. The project began in August 2015 and will be re -opened for public use on January 18, 2016. Ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on February 81h at 11:00am. Staff Tucker introduced a new swim program "100 Mile Club" as a way to encourage and challenge guests to swim 100 miles in one year or less as a way to encourage overall patron health. He explained what happens at the pool on a regular routine basis which includes partnership uses (SeaHawks, SLO High, YMCA, etc.), maintenance, contract classes, swim lessons and recreational use. Staff is currently in process of offering adaptive swim lessons for individuals with disabilities. Water Safety days are offered annually and are designed to teach families about water safety and "safer" techniques. Pool state' are required to maintain certification in American Red Cross CPR training, monthly in-service training, and life safety State certification trainings. The SLO Swim Center seeks community engagement opportunities on a regular basis through a monthly email newsletter, phone message system, facility message board, SLO City Website, and an operations survey. Commission Comments Commissioner Single asked about increasing revenues through marketing efforts. Staff Hyfield responded that the City is currently undergoing a study of all city fee structures. Staff Tucker reminded the Commission that the intent of the SLO Swim Center is to provide low-cost recreational opportunities for the community to enjoy. Commissioner Updegrove said she is really looking forward to the reopening of the pool. Commissioner Parolini spoke about the overall budget for the SLO Swim Center does not clearly account for Public Works Maintenance budget and capital projects. Public Comment Louise Justice, SLO Swimmer, she supports the current fee structure for the public pool. She shared that the current warm water exercise instructor, Ava, is exceptional. Kevin McReynolds, SLO Swimmer, reminded the Commission of the unique gem the SLO Sinsheimer pool is for the community. He praised the City and staff for having such a well maintained public pool which serves a diverse need. Mary Ligere, SLO Swimmer, praised City staff for such a well maintained and beautiful facility. She added that during summer time (with use of the Blues Stadium) the parking lot is full and she suggested the Commission consider additional parking options. Marilyn Perselles, SLO Swimmer and Jack House Volunteer Docent, recognizes the value of this public facility. She asked the Commission to consider keeping the extended hours of the therapy pool for warm water exercise to 2:00pm. She added her appreciation of City staff. Cathy Marvier, SLO Swimmer and avid user of the therapy pool. She presented a few suggestions for the Commission to consider; extended hours l lam-2pm, extended instructor hours, lam class run longer through the season and adding pool passes as a prize for a summer reading program. 3. REVIEW AND RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE PUBLIC ART MASTER PLAN (Mudgett) Recreation Manager, Melissa Mudgett, provided the Commission with an overview of the draft Master Plan for public art. The Public Art Master Planning has been in process since November 2014 when City Council authorized the issuance of proposals for master planning consultant services. Staff Mudgett explained that this is the first Master Plan document for the public art program, now 25 years old. Following extensive interviews, Designing Local of Columbus Ohio was selected for master planning efforts. Staff Mudgett shared with the Commissioners the extensive public engagement and outreach process for the Public Art Master Plan that included feedback from nearly one hundred individual stakeholder interviews with City Council, City staff, developers, artists, educators and community members. In addition, public engagement was sought through an interactive survey, webpage and social media. The consultant also facilitated a week-long series of community engagement activities in an effort to bring the public art conversation directly to the community through a series of events. Staff Mudgett presented the major findings and recommendations in the draft Public Art Master Plan. Commission Comments Commissioner Parolini said the draft Master Plan did not provide sufficient justification for approving the recommendations. The Master Plan should identify specific resources and levels of resources needed to take the program to the next level. He did not support the recommendation to increase development fees at this time. Vice Chair Regier said he was impressed with the consultants. He expressed to the Commissioners that this is a "key moment" in the program to take a bold step. He urged to not pre -filter recommendations but to allow the Council to decide what they will/will not support. Commissioner Single gave an example of the City of Santa Fe where the public art manager position existed as a volunteer position. While supportive of a dedicated resource, he is not supportive of a full time staffing position at this time. Chair Whitener said he felt the master plan document format was confusing. He prefers a narrative layout similar to other City programs where the problems/issues are identified, solutions outlined and specific goals and actions. The Commissioners indicated their desire to receive input from the consultant, developers, community members, artists and planners about the recommendations as presented in the Public Art Master Plan. Staff Mudgett said that staff will develop a plan for a community workshop forum and return to the Commission with proposed workshop dates. 4. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Director Stanwyck presented a quick overview of Parks and Recreation Department upcoming items which included Ranger efforts to winterize for storms and regular trail maintenance. Sports field are currently closed due to weather conditions. The SLO Swim Center will be reopening following a significant capital project on January 18`h 5. SUBCOMMITTEE LIAISON REPORTS • Adult and Senior Programming Commissioner Baker reported on Adults Sports. He said the Senior Center was closed over the holidays for annual maintenance and is scheduled to reopen on January 11`h. There is no Adult Softball during winter. The Santa Rosa Ballfield netting has been installed. Basketball is currently underway with 700+ kids enrolled. Golf rounds were up in November. He added that the new Golf Recreation Coordinator has been putting on golf course events and he is doing a great job. • Bicycle Advisory: Vice Chair Regier said had not had a meeting. No Report. • City Facilities (Damon Garcia, Golf, Pool & Joint Use Facilities): Commissioner Parolini said he had no report. • Jack House Committee: Commissioner Updegrove reported that the Jack House is open this Friday night (January 8`h) at 6:00pm for Art After Dark. • Tree Committee: Commissioner Olson said there was a good turnout for the December Lunch n Learn about tree care. • Youth Sports: Commissioner Single said there was no meeting this month and had no report. 6. COMMUNICATIONS None. Adjourned at 7:55pm to the February 3, 2016 Regular Meeting in Council Chambers, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. Approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission on February 3, 2016. 4 Melissa Mudgett, Parks and Recreation rtment Manager 4