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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-17-2010 Approved PCSC MinutesPARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Minutes CITY OF DUBLIN May 17, 2010 The May 17, 2010 regular meeting of the Parks & Community Services Commission was called to order at 7:02 p.m. at the Dublin Civic Center, Dublin, California, by Chair Jones. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair Jones led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Commissioners (Cm.) Present: Jones, Guarienti, Arcuri, Muetterties, Totaro Commissioners Absent: Elias ORAL COMMUNICATIONS 3.1 2009 - 2010 Youth Advisory Committee Presentation Youth Advisory Committee Members Christopher Hair and Van Le and presented an overview of the Youth Advisory Committee's activities during the 2009 - 2010 term. 3.2 BRIEF INFORMATIONAL ONLY REPORTS FROM SENIOR CENTER AND YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEES Senior Center Advisory Committee Mr. Al Edge reported that at the last Committee meeting, the City Historian provided information on the new Heritage Center Park and the Oral Histories Project, and Staff presented the winter 2009-2010 quarterly report on the programs, activities and events conducted at the Senior Center. Youth Advisory Committee -None 3.3 PUBLIC COMMENTS - None APPROVAL OF MINUTES - April 19, 2010 On a motion by Cm. Muetterties, seconded by Cm. Totaro and by a vote of 4-0-1 with Cm. Elias absent and Cm. Guarienti's abstention, the Commission voted to approve the April 19, 2010 minutes as presented. Cm. Guarienti abstained from the vote due to his absence at the April 19, 2010 meeting. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - None PUBLIC HEARING - None UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None P&CSC Meeting Minutes - May 17, 2010 'Page 2 of 4 NEW BUSINESS 8.1 "SUPER SITTER" DROP-IN BABYSITTING PROGRAM Mr. Henry Siu, Recreation Coordinator, presented the specifics of the item as outlined in the Staff Report. Cm. Totaro asked without pre-registration how Staff plans to handle the potential for demand to exceed the number of spaces available. Mr. Siu stated that Staff would not accept additional children once the maximum capacity of the program is reached. Mr. Paul McCreary, Assistant Director of Parks and Community Services, stated that if demand continues to exceed the number of spaces available, Staff would offer pre-registration, with drop-in spots on a space available basis only. Cm. Totaro asked about the factor that determines the capacity for the program. Mr. Siu explained that the capacity is driven by the Preschool Aide to child ratio, which Staff maintains at 1:6. Vice Chair Guarienti asked about the late fees. Mr. Siu explained that a late fee of $1.00 per minute would be charged for parents arriving after 12:00 p.m. for pick-up. Cm. Guarienti suggested that instead of charging $1.00 per minute, Staff should charge constant amounts for specific windows of time, for example $2.50 for up to 5 minutes, $5.00 between five and ten minutes, etc. Cm. Muetterties stated that she has utilized the After School Recreation program and thinks that the $1.00 per minute late fee is fair. Cm. Arcuri asked about the price of the program. Mr. Siu explained that the program fee is $9.00 per hour per child and $5 per hour for additional children from the same family. Cm. Arcuri asked about the adult supervision for the children. Mr. Siu explained that adult supervision would be provided by two Preschool Aides from the Dublin Preschool program. Cm. Arcuri asked if there are plans to increase the number of days or hours the program is offered. Mr. Sin stated Staff would consider expanding the program based on the amount of interest and demand for the program. Mr. McCreary reiterated that the goal of the program is to encourage participation in City programs more so than to provide a general babysitting service. He stated that Staff would be strategic in scheduling the program during popular classes and activities for adults who may be in need of childcare. Cm. Arcuri asked what would happen if the program received less than the minimum number of participants. Mr. Siu stated that if the program continually receives less than the minimum number of participants, Staff would consider discontinuing the program. Chair Jones stated that he agrees with Vice Chair Guarienti regarding the late fees. He stated that he would like to see the program planned in a way that allows adults in need of childcare the opportunity to participate in City classes and activities. He suggested that the fee be increased for those who are not utilizing the program primarily to participate in City classes and activities. Vice Chair Guarienti pointed out that grandparents could also take advantage of the program in order to attend activities held at the Senior Center. 8.2 FISCAL YEAR 2010-2011 BUDGET REDUCTIONS Mr. Paul McCreary, Assistant Director of Parks and Community Services, presented the specifics of the item as outlined in the Staff Report. P&CSC Meeting Minutes - May 17, 2010 Page 3 of 4 Cm. Totaro asked if Alameda County would also be reducing funding for library hours. Mr. McCreary said yes and explained that the Library plans to close on four additional holiday weekends during the year, resulting in six additional days of closure. Cm. Totaro asked if any full-time employee positions would be eliminated. Mr. McCreary stated that at this time there are no plans to eliminate any full-time employee positions. Cm. Totaro asked about the two chefs at the Senior Center. Mr. McCreary explained that Staff has given the chefs as much advance notice as possible and has offered other part-time positions and shifts to those affected by the changes. Cm. Totaro asked if the City plans to shift towards more outsourcing. Mr. McCreary stated that he is not certain whether the City will begin to trend towards increased outsourcing. Cm. Muetterties commented that the Staff did a nice job on deciding the areas for budget reductions. Cm. Muetterties asked how the reductions at the Senior Center would affect the volunteers. Mr. McCreary stated that it is expected that the same number of volunteers would still be needed to help facilitate the lunch program. Cm. Arcuri agreed that Staff did a good job on deciding the areas for budget reductions. Vice Chair Guarienti asked if the special luncheons at the Senior Center would be affected by the budget reductions. Mr. McCreary stated that the 18 special luncheons per year would continue to be prepared onsite by Staff. Vice Chair Guarienti stated that Staff did a good job on the budget reduction recommendations. He commented that Staff may need to start looking for support from various sources, such as foundations, in order to help maintain special programs. Chair Jones agreed that Staff did a good job on the budget reduction recommendations. Cm. Totaro asked about providing more opportunities for residents to volunteer to do more specialized tasks and projects that would help preserve the level of maintenance of parks. Mr. McCreary explained that it would be dependant on the availability of funding, supplies, and equipment. He stated that the City is currently working towards a more coordinated volunteer program. 9.1 BRIEF INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS FROM PARKS & COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSIONERS AND/OR STAFF Vice Chair Guarienti reported that he attended the East Alameda County Forum on Transportation, the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon at the Senior Center, and the Hike for Hope, a hospice fundraiser held at Sunol Regional Wilderness Park. Cm. Arcuri commended Staff on the Teen Circuit summer program. Cm. Muetterties reported that she attended the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon at the Senior Center. Chair Jones reported that he may not be in attendance at the June 21, 2010 Commission meeting. P&CSC Meeting Minutes — T r 17, 2010 Page 4 of 4 Mr. McCreary informed the Commission of project updates and upcoming events. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:19 p.m. Respectfully subned, Rhonda Franklin Administrative Technician