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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-01-17 PRC Minutes Minutes PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION 1 February 2017 Regular Meeting of the Advisory Body Committee Commission CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order on the 1st day of February 2017 at 5:31 p.m. in the City Council Chambers located at 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California, by Chair Whitener. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Greg Avakian, Susan Olson, Keri Schwab, Douglas Single, Rodney Thurman, Vice Chair Susan Updegrove and Chair Jeff Whitener Absent: None Staff: Parks and Recreation Director Shelly Stanwyck, Recreation Manager Melissa Mudgett, Special Projects Manager Marcus Carloni, Recreation Supervisor Facilities Devin Hyfield, Recreation Supervisor Youth Services Meghan Burger, Recreation Supervisor Community Services Dave Setterlund, Recreation Supervisor Sports Rich Ogden, Recreation Supervisor Ranger Doug Carscaden, Administrative Analyst Lindsey Stephenson, Recreation Coordinator Golf Chris Woods PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA None CONSENT AGENDA AND CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES ACTION: APPROVE THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 4, 2017 AS AMENDED, MOTION BY THURMAN, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER OLSON. 1. Consideration of Minutes CARRIED 7:0:0:0 to approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Body for the meetings of 1/4/2017. AYES: AVAKIAN, OLSON, SCHWAB, SINGLE, THURMAN, UPDEGROVE, WHITENER NOES: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE ABSENT: NONE PUBLIC HEARINGS AND BUSINESS ITEMS 2. Study Session of the Parks and Recreation Fees: Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of Feburary 1, 2017 Page 2 Director Shelly Stanwyck opened the public study session by explaining that best practices and City fiscal policy calls for a comprehensive review of service costs every five years. The last citywide fee study occurred in 2006. She added that Parks and Recreation user fees are guided by adopted fiscal policy, actual costs, and market comparisons. Director Stanwyck reiterated that tonight’s Study Session is the first step in reviewing the proposed fees and receiving public input. The City’s Special Projects Manager, Marcus Carloni, and Recreation Supervisor, Devin Hyfield, provided a presentation for the Commission of the Parks and Recreation Fee Analysis and proposed fee and policy changes. Staff Hyfield reminded the Commission that adopted fiscal policies specify the current cost recovery levels for adults, youth/seniors and specific recreational activities. Staff Carloni provided a summary of the citywide fee study process and the overall analysis provided by the consultant. Parks and Recreation staff was available in the audience to answer any questions. Staff Carloni shared the next steps in the process would be for the Jack House Committee review on February 8th, City Council Study Session on February 21st, returning to the Parks and Recreation Commission on March 1st for recommendation and final adoption of the proposed fees by the City Council at its April 18, 2016 meeting. Public Comment None Commission Comments followed. Commission Avakian asked if Childcare Services was considered as a low range cost recovery activity. Director Stanwyck said that even in the high cost recovery range, the City childcare fees are below market rate with conservative increases proposed. Commission Avakian asked about resident versus non-resident rates and suggested that contractual facility rentals could be analyzed for potential non-resident fees. Commissioner Olson asked about non-profit discounts. Staff Hyfield responded that the impact on the parks/facilities/and other City Departments remain the same level regardless of profit/non-profit status, but that there are reductions for indoor facilities. Vice Chair Updegrove asked about Community Gardens. Staff indicated that this community activity reflects a proposed moderate cost recovery increase to 10%. Vice Chair Updegrove spoke about housing prices increasing and families having less discretionary income and expressed support for lower, to no, cost recovery for youth sports. Commissioner Schwab asked about Damon Garcia Sports Field rates. Director Stanwyck said that staff is seeking the Commission’s guidance in further analysis of rates for this facility use by recreational and club organizations. Commissioner Single asked about the return on investment (ROI) for Parks and Recreation services and facilities. Director Stanwyck responded that the adopted fiscal policies allow for cost recovery based upon a variety of factors which vary by activity and user group. Commissioner Thurman asked for clarification of fiscal policies and where Parks and Recreation revenues are deposited. Director Stanwyck said all Parks and Recreation fees collected are a part of the City’s General Fund. Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of Feburary 1, 2017 Page 3 Chair Whitener expressed support for not charging fees for recreational youth sport groups for use of fields. He supported exploring fees associated with sports clubs. By consensus the Parks and Recreation Commission provided feedback and guidance to staff. 1. The costs of services for Parks and Recreation user fees was reviewed. 2. The proposed adjustments to Parks and Recreation user fees and cost recovery policies were supported by the Commission as presented and no further changes were proposed 3. The Commission supported staff returning at a future meeting date with a project plan regarding how to analyze recreational costs associated with club sports using City facilities for youth. 3. Presentation of Open Space Annual Report Recreation Supervisor Ranger Service, Doug Carscaden, presented the City of San Luis Obispo 2016 Annual Report for Open Space detailing progress in trail maintenance activities, trailhead amenities, volunteer hours, fuel reduction, trash removal activities, new trail constriction, staff training, public education and enforcement occurring in this past year. Staff Carscaden said that there was a total of 1,461.5 volunteer hours recorded in 2016, which equated to a value of $33,716. A new trail at Reservoir Canyon was completed in 2016 creating a loop and the “M” Trail loop has begun construction and is anticipated to be open for public use by summer. Staff Carscaden provided a summary of annual enforcement activities designed to curb poor behaviors in the open space. He added that ongoing creek maintenance and clean-up days resulted in the removal of approximately 21.87 tons of trash from the creeks. Public Comment None Commission Comments followed. Commissioner Thurman asked about garbage cans. Staff Carscaden said there are garbage cans located at all trailheads. Commissioner Single asked about the Police Department’s patrol of City Parks. Director Stanwyck responded that Police has a Neighborhood Policing program and provide regular patrols of City parks. Chair Whitener expressed his support of the fuel reduction project. He added that the Open Space Maintenance Plan was a result of a Major City Goal and asked for staff to comment about the future for this work effort. Director Stanwyck said that funds from the City’s revenue enhancement measure were allocated by the Council for added ranger resources and anticipates this allocation will continue in the next budget cycle. Chair Whitener asked about the average costs of the five annual contracted creek clean-up services and added he would like to see more creek clean-ups added. Staff Carscaden responded $1,000 - $1,800 and resulted in 26,360 of trash removal. The Parks and Recreation Commission thanked staff for their commitment in expanding and maintaining the trails. Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of Feburary 1, 2017 Page 4 ACTION: RECEIVE AND FILE OPEN SPACE ANNUAL REPORT. COMMITTEE COMMUNICATIONS 4. Director’s Report Director Stanwyck provided a brief update of current Parks and Recreation programming and City updates:  The Wadell Property in the Irish Hills open space is now owned by the City – kudos to Bob Hill.  There is a dramatic uptick in free speech/right to assemble events. Currently City staff are discussing the balancing of protecting the right to assemble and engage in free speech with operations of the City.  #RockAroundSLO kicked-off on February 1st. #RockAroundSLO is a social media campaign to paint and place painted rocks in City parks. The community is encouraged to post pics on Instagram and share with the hashtag. LIAISON REPORTS 5. Subcommittee Liaison Reports  Adult and Senior Programming: Commissioner Single said adult softball registration opens February 6th. The Senior Center will have a Magic Show in March. The Senior Center is in need of volunteers to manage office records. The Senior Center Membership Appreciation luncheon is in a few weeks.  Bicycle Advisory Committee: Commissioner Olson said she was unable to attend the last meeting. No Report.  City Facilities (Damon Garcia, Golf, Pool & Joint Use Facilities): Commissioner Avakian reported that the rain has helped the Course. There were 13 rain-out days this last month. The Golf Course “Groupon” promotion is underway. Night Golf will be held on February 9th. The SLO Swim Center locker-room heaters were repaired.  Tree Committee: Commissioner Thurman said that recently the Committee was asked by the City to provide input on commercial development projects. Commissioner Thurman will continue to provide the Commission with updates as this topic of discussion progresses.  Jack House Committee: Vice Chair Updegrove added that the Jack House Committee has been pushing for a facility rate increase for events at the Jack House for a long time. There is a Special Meeting tomorrow night to develop a Mission Statement that will be in alignment with the Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan and City policies. Art After Dark is the first Friday of the month and this event has helped to double attendance/visitors to the Jack House.  Youth Sports: Commissioner Schwab said YSA talked about the update to the Parks and Recreation Element and scholarship requests for youth baseball as a way to retain players. Commission Communications Chair Whitener asked about the Sinsheimer Park Sign kiosk that may be in need of some repairs. Director Stanwyck responded that she would reach out to Parks Maintenance, as they are responsible for maintenance of parks facilities and amenities. Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of Feburary 1, 2017 Page 5 Chair Whitener said at a recently Mayor’s Meeting, Matt Ritter, spoke about Damon Garcia Sports Field as in the most geographical challenged area in the state (serpentine rock). He said he attended the Council Goal Setting meeting on January 26, 2017 and was initially encouraged about the Commission’s goal for the update of the Parks and Recreation Element being a Major City Goal. As it was not adopted as a Major City Goal Chair Whitener wanted to continue to advocate as an advisory body support for the funding of this work effort. Chair Whitener asked if the Commissioners would like to consider a letter to this effect at its March meeting. Chair Whitener also discussed including in the letter a recommendation to Council that it use funds from the Park Land Fund that were placed there during the 2016-17 budget adoption for potential park acquisition in the area North of Broad Street as updating the element and having a master plan makes sense to come first. By consensus, the Commission directed staff to place a letter from Chair Whitener on its March 1st agenda for review and consideration. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:36 p.m. to the regular Parks and Recreation Commission scheduled for 01, March 2017 at 5:30 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California. APPROVED BY THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION: 03/01/2017