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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-20-2014 Approved P&CS Minutes PARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Minutes CITY OF DUBLIN October 20, 2014 The October 20, 2014 Regular Meeting of the Parks and Community Services Commission was called to order at 7:02 PM at the Dublin Civic Center, Dublin, California, by Chair Totaro. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair Totaro led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Commissioners (Cm.) Present: Ballesteros, Elias, Mack, Totaro, Tran Commissioner Absent: Boboc ORAL COMMUNICATIONS 3.1 ANNUAL REPORT BY THE SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE Ms. Faye Gaurienti and Ms. Ramona Krausnick, Senior Center Advisory Committee Members, presented the Senior Center Advisory Committee Annual Report to the Commission. The Annual Report highlighted the classes and activities the Senior Center offers. 3.2 BRIEF INFORMATIONAL ONLY REPORTS FROM THE SENIOR CENTER AND YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEES Senior Center Advisory Committee CM. Krausnick reported on the Advisory Committee meeting held on October 2, 2014. The Advisory Committee received reports for the Summer Quarterly Report and the Hometown Heroes event, which will be held on November 8, 2014 at the Dublin Senior Center. The Advisory Committee also discussed the annual report to be presented to the Parks and Community Services Commission. Committee Members Ms. Holly Ito and Ms. Eddie Joe Mack attended the first Dublin Crossing Task Force meeting. CM. Gaurienti was selected as the representative for the Fallon Sports Park Public Art Selection Committee. Youth Advisory Committee Cm. Tran reported on the August 27, 2014 and September 24, 2014 meetings. Ms. Mary Ayers from the Dublin Library presented different volunteer opportunities at the Library. The City Clerk, Ms. Caroline Soto, reviewed the Robert Rules of Order and the Brown Act. The YAC discussed the work plan for the 2014-2015 Youth Mini Grant Program (YMGP) and will be reviewing all the YMGP application at the next YAC meeting. The YAC also reviewed the City of Dublin Commissioner's Resource Book. 3.3 PUBLIC COMMENTS—None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 4.1 August 18, 2014 On a motion by Vice Chair Mack, seconded by Cm. Ballesteros, and by a vote of 5-0-0 with Commissioner Boboc absent, the Commission voted to approve the minutes of August 18, 2014, as presented. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS— None P&CSC Minutes—October 20, 2014—Page 2 of 6 PUBLIC HEARING—None UNFINISHED BUSINESS—None NEW BUSINESS 8.1 Tennis Court Use Policy and Rental Fee Schedule Ms. Rhonda Franklin, Administrative Analyst 1, presented the specifics of the item as outlined in the Staff Report. Cm. Tran asked how community members would be able to sign up for rentals. Ms. Franklin stated applicants would complete and submit an application at the Shannon Community Center. After the application is reviewed, the applicant will be contacted on the approval status of the rental. Cm. Elias asked about current usage of the tennis courts. Ms. Franklin stated Staff has received feedback from the community that one of the largest uses of the tennis courts is by walk-on use. Therefore, the number of tennis courts available for walk-on use has been increased. Mr. Paul McCreary, Director of Parks and Community Services, explained the Joint Use Agreement with Dublin Unified School District provides that the tennis courts at DHS would be available for use and rental by the community. Cm. Elias stated his concern in reducing walk-on use by adding DHS tennis courts for rental use. Ms. Franklin stated a certain number of courts would remain available for walk-on use at each facility. Mr. McCreary stated 10 of the 19 tennis courts available would be for walk-on use citywide; only nine would be available for rental. Cm. Elias asked if the rental fees for DHS tennis courts would be split with DHS. Ms. Franklin stated revenue for rentals coordinated by the City would remain with the City. Cm. Ballesteros commented that she was unaware of the high walk-on usage. Mr. McCreary stated Staff continues to monitor the demand and balance walk-on use with rental use. Cm. Ballesteros asked if Staff would remove some of the courts for rental use to allow for walk-on use. Ms. Franklin stated courts would not be removed from rental use as the Policy limits the amount of rental usage to allow for maximum walk-on availability. Vice Chair Mack stated her concern with community use on the DHS tennis courts at the same time students are using the courts. Mr. McCreary stated there are different times the courts are available for the community than the school per the Joint Use Agreement. During the school year the tennis courts are only available after school hours and on the weekends for City and Community use. Cm. Ballesteros asked how the one-hour maximum rule for walk-on users will be enforced. Ms. Micki Cronin, Assistant Director of Parks and Community Service, stated walk-on use is currently self-regulated and has not been an issue. On a motion by Cm. Elias, seconded by Vice Chair Mack, and by a vote of 5-0-0 with Commissioner eoboc absent, the Commission recommended approval of the Tennis Court Use Policy and Rental Fee Schedule to City Council. 8.2 Fallon Sports Park Play Area Design Alternatives Ms. Rosemary Alex, Parks and Facilities Development Coordinator, presented the specifics of the item as outlined in the Staff Report. P&CSC Minutes—October 20, 2014—Page 3 of 6 Cm. Ballesteros asked about the distance between the play area and the parking lot. Ms. Alex stated the play area would be approximately 100 feet from the parking lot. Cm. Ballesteros asked how large the play area would be. Ms. Alex stated the play area would be about 6,800 square feet. Cm. Ballesteros commented on the balance of space and the play structures in the proposed options. Ms. Alex stated Staff is required to meet fall zone standards which results in areas that may seem like voids. Vice Chair Mack stated she likes Option #1 because of the rubberized surface, but commented that the play structures are more interesting and grander in Option #2. Ms. Alex stated the play area options are driven by budget and based on the surface material costs. Option #1's rubberized surface material has a higher cost. In order to accommodate the cost the play components are less elaborate. Vice Chair Mack stated that she felt the rubberized surface is more important. Cm. Elias asked about the activities available for kids in the park. Ms. Alex stated the selection of play equipment allows children of all abilities to be engaged and socialize in the play area. Cm. Elias agreed with Vice Chair Mack on the play equipment from Option #2 being grander. Mr. McCreary stated, depending on the budget and fall zone adjustments, it may be possible to have the play equipment from Option #2 as an alternate for Option #1. Cm. Elias stated his safety concerns with the 90-foot baseball diamond being in close proximity to the play area. Ms. Alex stated the fence around the 90-foot baseball diamond would be similar to the current softball field fencing. Staff would also create separation with trees. Cm. Elias reiterated that Staff should take precaution to protect the bystanders and children in the park. Cm. Tran stated she likes Option #1 because of the rubber surface. Cm. Tran asked about the wood chip material in Option #2. Ms. Alex stated the wood chip material has been tested and certified by the American Society of Testing Materials for its resilience and safety. Cm. Tran asked about the hammock in Option #2. Ms. Alex stated the hammock is for ages five to 12, however an adult could sit on it as well. Cm. Tran stated she is leaning toward Option #1. Chair Totaro mentioned possible overhangs for baseball field fencing as he is also concerned about the safety issue of projected baseballs. Chair Totaro commented that the wood chip material would be less painful to fall on compared to a rubber surface. Chair Totaro stated that if the wood chip material was approved by experts as accessible for individuals of all abilities then he prefers Option #2 because of the play equipment and the concept of engaging all children. Mr. McCreary stated the play area is an opportunity to incorporate an all abilities playground. Ms. Alex added the proposed wood chip material has been certified by the American Society of Testing Materials. Cm. Ballesteros stated that her son plays and falls in wood chip material at current parks and he does not obtain scrapes or bruises; and in her experience artificial turf is less forgiving. Cm. Ballesteros asked if there would be a way to incorporate the rubber material as a path to the play structures in order to make it more accessible to reach. Ms. Alex stated the combination of surface materials could be a possible approach taken. Staff would need to look at the fall zones to ensure the different materials do not intersect within a fall zone. Chair Totaro asked about the wood chips. Ms. Alex stated the wood chips are not the typical wood chips seen in landscapes; they are engineered and cut in such a way to mat together and create a dense surface. Chair Totaro asked if there are any current parks in Dublin with the wood chip material. Ms. P&CSC Minutes—October 20, 2014—Page 4 of 6 Alex listed Dublin parks with the wood chip material, called Fibar. Mr. McCreary listed Dublin parks with the rubber material. Cm. Ballesteros asked if the parks with the rubberized material are considered accessible parks. Ms. Alex stated that all Dublin parks are designed to meet American Disabilities Act standards. The proposed play area options are additionally designed for "all abilities." Vice Chair Mack stated she applauds Staff's intent of the park and is open to either option because she wants what is fun and safe for the children. On a motion by Cm. Elias, seconded by Cm. Ballesteros, and by a vote of 5-0-0 with Commissioner Boboc absent, the Commission recommended approval of Play Area-Option 2 at Fallon Sports Park to City Council. 8.3 Summer 2014 Quarterly Report Ms. Micki Cronin, Assistant Director of Parks and Community Services, presented the specifics of the item as outlined in the Staff Report. Cm. Tran commended the LEAD program as it helps prepare participants for job interviews and teaches job skills. Ms. Cronin stated two LEAD participants were hired this past summer in the aquatics program. Cm. Tran asked if the lack of a girls' Jr. Warriors League in the summer is typical. Ms. Cronin stated there has not been enough participation in the past to create a girls league in the summer. However, girls are welcome to play in the boys' league to form co-ed teams. Mr. McCreary, Director of Parks and Community Services, stated there is higher participation in the winter and a girls' league is usually held during the winter season. Cm. Elias asked about the 25% decrease in preschool camp participation. Ms. Cronin stated this year there was only one location for the preschool camp at the Shannon Community Center and not all of those registered for the Emerald Glen location last year registered for the Shannon Community Center location. Most likely, Staff would have seen an increase in participation had the Emerald Glen location been offered this summer. Vice Chair Mack commented that she felt the participation numbers looked good. Cm. Ballesteros stated she likes the LEAD program and was curious how the program works. Ms. Cronin stated the program provides an initial training as well as meetings each Friday throughout the summer. Participants are placed in different camps and at the Swim Center based on their interests and schedules. Cm. Ballesteros asked if any girls signed up for Jr. Warriors in the summer. Ms. Cronin stated a few girls were interested and were given the option to play with the boys but she was unsure if they decided to register. Cm. Ballesteros asked about the Family Campout capacity. Ms. Cronin stated Staff would like to see the event grow and to eliminate a waitlist. P&CSC Minutes—October 20, 2014—Page 5 of 6 Chair Totaro asked about the Picnic FIN and Shamrock'n Sunday's Concert series. Mr. McCreary stated the Picnic Flix events were more popular than the concerts, which may be attributed to the day of the week. Ms. Cronin added there was a great selection of movies this summer. 8.4 Parks and Community Services Commissioners Term Expirations Ms. Rhonda Franklin, Administrative Analyst I, presented the specifics of the item as outlined in the Staff Report. Chair Totaro asked if the Mayor would make the Commissioner appointments. Mr. McCreary stated the Mayor would recommend the appointments and the City Council would need to concur. Vice Chair Mack asked about the applications. Ms. Franklin stated the applications are on the City website as well as at City Hall. 8.5 Fallon Sports Park Public Art Selection Committee Mr. Paul McCreary, Director of Parks and Community Services, presented the specifics of the item as outlined in the Staff Report. The Commission selected Cm. Tran, with Vice Chair Mack as the alternate, to serve on the Fallon Sports Park Public Art Selection Committee. OTHER BUSINESS 9.1 BRIEF INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS FROM PARKS&COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSIONERS AND/OR STAFF Cm. Ballesteros reported she attended the last Shamrock'n Sundays Concert and the splatter Festival. Vice Chair Mack reported she attended the splatter Festival, the Senior Info Fair and the Dublin Crossing Park Task Force meetings. Cm. Elias asked if there is any directional signage in the City to Fallon Sports Park. Mr. McCreary stated there is currently no directional signage to Fallon Sports Park. Cm. Tran reported she was unable to attend splatter due to Dublin High School's Homecoming, but she heard positive feedback. Chair Totaro reported he attended the Dublin Crossing Park Task Force meetings and the meeting with the San Ramon Raptors regarding Lacrosse. Chair Totaro requested an overview of the Dublin Crossing Park project to be presented to the Commission at a future meeting. Cm. Ballesteros asked for an update on the City's marketing and branding efforts. Mr. McCreary stated there is a Special City Council Meeting October 21, 2014 where the results of the research will be presented. Cm. Ballesteros asked about the park-like area east of Lowe's adjacent to the 580 freeway. Mr. McCreary stated the area is a detention basin owned by Dublin Ranch and is not a City park or City owned. P&CSC Minutes — October 20, 2014 - - •ge 6 of 6 Ms. Cronin and Mr. McCreary provided program and project updates. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:58 PM. Respectful] bmitted, Kr sky f ice Jennifer Senior O Assistant APPROVED: Chairperson