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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-17-2005 Approved PCSC MinutesCITY OFDUBLIN PARKS AND COMMUNITY SER VICES COMMISSION MINUTES OF: OCTOBER 17, 2005 The meeting of the Parks and Community Services Commission was called to order at 7:00p.m. at the Dublin Civic Center, Dublin, California, by Chair Flores. Pledge ofAlleiiance Chair Flores led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call Commissioners Present: Flores, Smith, Jones, Guarienti, Muetterties, Cain and Hart Oral Communications Senior Center Advisory Committee Al Edge, Vice -Chair of the Senior Center Advisory Committee, stated that he would like to thank the Recreation Department for the fantastic job they did on the new Senior Center. It is an unbelievable facility and it's going to serve this community for generations to come. Edge stated that Diane Lowart made a presentation to the Senior Center Advisory Committee at their last meeting regarding the potential uses of 187-acres at Camp Parks. Input from the Committee included an active games theme, par 3 golf course, waterfall or lake, restaurants and a downtown area with a cultural theme (international). Edge reported that the Gala Dinner Dance was exceptional and was well received by everyone. The Committee suggested that maybe this event can be held on an annual basis on somewhat of a lesser scale. The Committee is also recommending that Dublin residents be given first priority for registering for trips. Cm. Cain commended Staff on their efforts during the Gala event. He believed that twice as many tickets could have been sold if there was more space available at the facility. Youth Advisory Committee Justin Minor, Wells Middle School/8"' Grade, reported that the first meeting of the Youth Advisory Committee was held on September 28. The meeting began with an ice breaker to help everyone get to know each other. The Committee Members were introduced to Frank Luna, Recreation Supervisor, Robert Beasley, Recreation Technician, Paul McCreary, Parks and Community Services Manager and Abbie Marconi, the Police Liaison. Luna presented an overview of the Youth Advisory Committee's responsibilities and McCreary presented an overview of the teen budget. Alicia Ahrens, Dublin High School/9`h Grade, reported that the main issue for the first meeting was brainstorming about the teen website, which will be their main project for the year. A Website subcommittee was formed made up of Justin Minor, Morgan King, Jr., Matt and Mike Pecota and Jiaxue He. A team building exercise will be held on October 22 from 1:00-4:00p.m. at Shannon Park to help the members get to know each other better. Discussion was held regarding the main things that should be included on the teen website. Some suggestions included job postings, volunteer opportunities, current and world events, social services, advice hotlines, city sponsored events and classes, local band music downloads, school special events and activities, a forum clearly specified as not a chat room, comment board, cultural diversity issues, youth photo gallery, appropriate jokes of the day, City directory, links to school sites, movie reviews, list of local teen friendly businesses, sponsors and safety tips from the Police. The next meeting is scheduled for October 26 at 7:30p.m. McCreary introduced Frank Luna, the new Recreation Supervisor. He will be supervising the Afterschool Programs and Day Camps, Preschool Program, Teen Programs, coordinating leisure classes and providing staff support to the Youth Advisory Committee. Frank came from the Town of Danville where he worked for five years as a Program Supervisor. He worked for the City of Vacaville for ten years, working with at at -risk youth and Minutes — October 17, 2005 Page 2 of 7 created unique programs, well known throughout the California Park and Recreation Society. He also converted a 7-11 into a teen center. Staff is very pleased to have him on -board. Cm. Flores on behalf of the Commission welcomed Frank Luna to the City of Dublin. Approval of Minutes Special Meeting of the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission and the Parks and Community Services Commission — September 19, 2005 Cm. Cain referred to Page 4, Paragraph 5. His name is recorded as Burr instead of Cain. Cm. Guarienti referred to Page 4, Paragraph 7, 2" d sentence, correct to read "likes the location of the playground......". ON A MOTION BY CM, CAIN, SECONDED BY CM, GUARIENTI AND BY UNANIMOUS VOTE, THE COMMISSION VOTED TO APPROVE THE SPECIAL MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 19, 2005 AS CORRECTED. Regular Meeting of the Parks and Community Services Commission — September 19, 2005 Cm. Cain referred to Page 2, Paragraph 7 and the last paragraph on the same page. His statement regarding the juice bar and deli is repeated twice. Cm. Guarienti referred to Page 4, Other Business, 1" paragraph. Correct last sentence to read "Unfortunately he did not "get the chance to see much of the bird show". ON A MOTION BY CM, CAIN, SECONDED BY CM. MUETTERTIES AND BY UNANIMOUS VOTE, THE COMMISSION VOTED TO APPROVE THE REGULAR MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 19, 2005 AS CORRECTED. Written Communications -None Public Hearing - None Unfinished Business - None New Business 8.1 Presentation of the Final Report for the Recreational and Civic facilities Assessment for the Camp Parks Project Area Parks & Community Services Director Diane Lowart stated that she would be presenting the report that the City Council commissioned for a unique public space at Camp Parks. The City Council received this report at a previous meeting and did not take any action. Instead the Council requested that the report be presented to the Senior Center Advisory Committee, the Youth Advisory Committee, the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission and the Parks and Community Services Commission, to get input before the City Council makes any definitive decisions. The U.S. Army is pursuing development of 187-acres of land at Camp Parks along Dublin Boulevard between Arnold Road and Iron Horse Parkway. The City has the opportunity to obtain land for a centrally located park to serve as a focal point for community events and festivities, provide a link between the western and eastern portions of Dublin, to provide a grand entry into the project site and to provide a unique space for a range of programming opportunities. In order to assist the City in determining the exact form, size and function of this public space and amenities for this space, the City contracted with Moore Iacofano Goltsman, Inc. to do some research and present a plan to the City. Minutes — October 17, 2005 Page 3 of 7 Lowart presented the Recreational and Civic Facilities Assessment report entitled "Uniquely Dublin — A Vision for a Community Place" prepared by Moore Iacofano Goltsman, Inc. Utilizing power point, she briefly summarized the report which included the Community Profile, Site Context, Creating a Community Place, Developing a Placemaking Strategy for Dublin, Facility Recommendations (Core Elements, Theme Elements, Arts and Culture, Food and Games), and a Summary of Recommendations (Design and Construction Cost Estimates and Facility Revenues and Park Acreage). Lowart stated that the City of Dublin has a unique opportunity at this time to work with Camp Parks in their initial planning stages to be able to tell them that the City would like to have a central community gathering space as part of their project. It could be new place for the center of town and an exceptional new gathering place, or a place where youth, families and visitors have attractions and opportunities to create, experience, learn and share together. The theme concepts presented can stand alone or be mixed and matched. The City Council is asking that the Commission consider if they think the idea of a grand community gathering space in the Camp Parks Areas is something they should pursue. If so, does the Commission like the idea of having it developed around a theme? Do any of themes appeal to the Commission? Are there things in the different themes that the Commission would like to move around? Commission Input Cm. Cain asked if the developer is going to provide either services or monies towards the development of the park. Lowart stated that it is too premature at this time to know. Cm. Muetterties stated that she does not feel that there is enough information as to what is going to be around the area. She represented the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission at the charrette and there was discussion of low and high density housing, retail, offices and restaurants that could be surrounding the land, which would alter the ideas of having cafes and restaurants in the proposed park. Lowart stated that the City Council and Army hired a consultant to develop a conceptual plan for the 187-acres. There was a community visioning process with representatives from the community. There were five land plans that had different combinations of housing, commercial, offices, etc. The City Council agreed on one land use concept with some tweaking, such as reducing the density and studying the park issue a little more. This grand central space could playoff the development or visa -versa. In the preferred development plan, there are some retail uses around the site, as well as some residential. Cm. Muetterties stated that of all the plans, the water feature was a big deal. A lake sounds great, but right now she is thinking of a combination of everything. She likes the idea of an art and cultural building and a children's museum. If there are restaurants nearby, perhaps there could be food outdoors adjacent to where classes and parties would be held in the park. Cm. Guarienti stated that he attended the Senior Advisory Committee meeting where they discussed the report. He explained that once he received the report, he went through and added up the acres of the elements that he thought should be included. One of the core elements is paths and walkways. He recalled from the charrette that there was the potential to development linear parks that connect one end of the property to the other. He asked if this would be part of the 30 acres of core elements. Lowart stated that this is extra. The development would also have to provide park acres over and above this to support the increased population. The Council also likes the idea of the linear parks and the connectivity between the neighborhoods. Cm. Muetterties stated that out of the 187-acres, she understood that only 102 can be developed due to water and environmental issues. Lowart stated that she cannot confirm that number, but it sounded a little low. Minutes —October 17, 2005 Page 4 of 7 Cm. Cain stated that he feels there are some issues that need to be addressed: 1) the City is going to need another major six lane road connecting east and west Dublin, 2) being adjacent to BART the park would draw from a much greater area than just the City of Dublin and 3) he wonders if the people who prepared this report looked at the other park facilities the City has. The plan includes an amphitheatre which has been proposed for Emerald Glen Park and for the Historic Park; an indoor Arts and Cultural building which is also proposed for the Historic Park, and a performance hall, gallery, studio/practice rooms, which have been talked about as part of the new Shannon Center. There seems to be a tremendous duplication of facilities. He does not object to the idea of having a community garden, farmers market, outdoor kitchen/patio, specialty restaurants or a lake. The game theme is unclear to him and does not make any sense. Carnival rides are a different issue. The city needs to think about the liability issue. He believes that a 9-hole par-3 golf course and club house would be great and could be leased out to create revenue for the City. The only way this will work is to mix and match. Chair Flores stated the Commission needed to look at it globally. They have taken into consideration the projection out to 2030 when the City will be twice the size it is now, and the City may need all these facilities. The City has a great opportunity with a space this size to choose a theme or combination of themes. Lowart stated that whatever the Commission decides tonight or whatever the Council may decide, this is conceptual only. These are just ideas of the kinds of things that the City may want to consider. When development moves forward in the future, then what is really needed at that time can be decided. Cm. Guarienti agreed with Lowart, that this is very conceptual. He believes that the City should go with this on an acreage standpoint. He likes the cultural arts theme and all the elements, which is only 8-acres. He does not mind having a 1-acre amphitheatre in a geographic area. He also likes the 11-acres for the food theme and for the community garden, botanical garden and greenhouse. He felt that the City could probably expand on the Dublin San Ramon Services District's concept of having a garden of native drought resistant plants. Someday residents are going to want their own farmers market. The game theme and specialty restaurants are also good ideas. He would like to see Frisbee golf rather than regular golf, because putting a golf course in the middle of a home area is going to mean putting up nets and fences. A golf course would also require upkeep and ongoing maintenance. A game museum and club house is also a good idea, another 5-acres. Total acreage for all these elements would be 24-acres and if you add in the core 30-acres, the total acreage would be 54-acres. Cm. Jones stated even though this is on a smaller scale, this would be Dublin's own Golden Gate Park. The City can take the cultural themes and mix in the game elements. Change the theme each month with food booths and games etc. He is not in favor of a golf course and carnival rides. The City has the opportunity to have a farmers market and he felt that Dublin should have one of its own. Cm. Muetterties stated that the possibilities are endless. It would be fabulous if Dublin were able to do something like this. She liked the idea of figuring out the acreage needed and fine tuning the details later. Lowart stated that it seemed that the consensus of the Commission was that they liked the idea of larger rather than smaller, and that the City should obtain the 54-acres and look at incorporating a little bit of the themes in each one, to be determined at a later date. The Commission does not support the idea of a golf course or carnival rides. 8.2 Spring 2005 Quarterly Report Parks & Community Services Manager Paul McCreary presented the spring quarterly report. SENIOR CENTER Popular programs during the spring at the Senior Center included Food Distribution, Lunch, Aerobics, Bridge, Line Dancing, Watercolor, the Trail Trekkers, Bingo, and the Special Luncheons, including the new Crossing Cultures program. Overall attendance declined by over 800 participants this spring. The most significant declines in attendance were for bridge, art classes, and the bingo and dinner dance programs. Additionally fewer trips were offered in anticipation of the move to the new Senior Center, which was delayed Minutes —October 17, 2005 Page 5 of 7 until August. The "Step Out for Senior Centers" event was also cancelled due to the close proximity to the grand opening events, which was a decrease of 200 participants. The art class attendance, decreased because the instructor became very ill during the spring and the program had to be cancelled. This affected the Lunch program because many of the people in these programs used to have lunch before or after their activity. PRESCHOOL The Shamrock Preschool offers three class levels and is a parent co-op program, which requires parents to volunteer in the classroom to help minimize staff costs and registration fees. Registration was at a record high for the Preschool. This year two classes of the entry-level Red Rockets level were offered. Both classes filled. The Blue Explorers class also filled to capacity. The Green Giants class had 2 spaces remaining. LEISURE CLASSES Leisure Classes provide specialty instruction in a variety of subject areas such as health and fitness, personal hobbies, childhood development, animal care and training, financial planning, and unique recreational activities. Popular classes this quarter for youth included Judo, Karate, Fun for Ones, Terrific Twos, Bowling and Gymnastics. Popular adult classes included Yoga, Judo, Estate Planning, Pilates and Dog Obedience. Although the staff report shows a decrease in registration for leisure classes, what actually occurred was that during the spring the coordination of the dance, music and art classes was transferred to the Heritage and Cultural Arts Division. McCreary pointed out that two performance indicators, including the average number of participants per class and the cancellation rate, both showed slight improvement during the spring. TEEN PROGRAM The Recreation on Campus Program provides middle school youth with after school activities in an elective format. This allows teens to register for their preferred activities. During the spring activities that were offered included homework club, hip hop dance, outdoor and indoor soccer, open gym, self defense, basketball and dodge ball. The most popular activities are Homework Club and Monday Madness. These activities are held earlier in the day. The activities that are held later in the day have less registration. McCreary pointed out that there continues to be a consistent decline in registration for ROC but added that prior to the preparation of the new budget, Staff will be conducting some research to determine what modifications are needed to the program format, schedule and/or fees to increase participation. Four teen events were held during the spring including the March Madness 3-on-3 basketball tournament, the Youth Music Showcase, Dub Town Jam and the Tri-Valley Teen Job Fair. PLAYGROUNDS The Playground Programs during the spring included After School Recreation and Spring Break Camp. For After School Recreation, although there was a net increase of only 1 participant bit there was a significant increase in average daily attendance. Registration for Spring Break Camp increased from 20 to 25 participants. The program was relocated to the Emerald Glen Activity Center this year, which may attributed to the increase in attendance. Dougherty Elementary, which is located near the park, is also the most popular site for After School Recreation. YOUTH SPORTS The fourth season of the City's Youth Volleyball Program was offered during the spring. Registration decreased slightly. Also programs offered included Kidz Love Soccer and East Bay Roller Hockey. For soccer, there was an increase of 20 participants or 15% over the prior year. This was due to the addition of a new "Parent & Me" soccer class for toddlers 2 to 3 %z years of age. Minutes — October 17, 2005 Page 6 of 7 ADULT SPORTS Adult sports programs during the spring included a Basketball League, Softball League and Open Gym. Registration for basketball remained the same this year with 18 teams participating. Registration for softball decreased from 16 to 12 teams. Although there were three teams registered for the co-ed league, that league had to be cancelled because a minimum of four teams would be needed to operate the league. Attendance at Open Gym averaged 26 participants per evening, which was a 53% increase over the following year. SWIM CENTER The Swim Center opened in February for the Dublin High School Swim Team. In April the City began offering programs such as Recreational Swimming, Competitive Stroke Lessons and Lifeguard Training. In May the City began offering Swim Lessons and Lap Swimming. Attendance at Recreational Swimming decreased during the spring from 1187 to 778, which may be attributable to a cooler spring season. A total of 307 people took swimming lessons during the spring which was a 34% increase. This is due to the fact we were able to offer more classes due to an increase in staffing levels. A total of 111 youth participated in the spring Competitive Stroke classes, which was a 35% increase. SPECIAL EVENTS The City's spring special events included the St. Patrick's Day Festival, Shamrock 5K Fun Run and the Spring Eggstravaganza. The Festival was a huge success this year, with unusually warm weather and expanded bay area advertising as the two primary contributors. There was a slight increase in pre -registration and slight decrease in on -site registration. Registration for the Spring Eggstravaganza decreased, by 67 participants. Staff decreased the maximum number of participants when significant rain was forecast for the event. In prior years the Shannon Center had been available in case of rain. The Activity Center at Emerald Glen Park is smaller than Shannon and therefore the rain plan could not accommodate as many participants. Cm. Muetterties asked if the City is offering water aerobics anymore. McCreary stated that the schedule was reduced because instructors could not be found for all of the classes scheduled. Cm. Guarienti stated that it looks like the number of family passes continues to go down. Is cost a factor or are they going to other places. McCreary stated that the number of family passes sold decreased again this year. Dublin's fees are equal with San Ramon's which is the closest competition. However their pool facility is an upgrade from Dublin's, which might account for part of the decline. Cm. Cain stated that up until the time the new Senior Center opened, there were complaints when fees were raised for lunch, and as a result attendance decreased. He feels now the new facility is open, it appears that attendance is rapidly growing and that the new chef has made a big difference. Cm. Guarienti stated that he cannot express enough the outstanding performance that the limited number of staff members at the Senior Center has done. There are a lot of new people coming in. The feeling is that you are not going to an old folk's home. There is a lot of vitality there and he thinks it is because there are other programs going like Jazzercise, Line Dancing, etc. The artists, card players and computer users have commented that they really love having their own room. Other Business Brief INFORMATIONAL ONLY RWorts from Parks & Community Services Cominissioners anti/or Staff' Chair Flores stated that she attended a wedding a couple of weeks ago and the bride was a graduate of Dublin High School and her parents are active at the Senior Center. The parents told her that they are so proud of the new Senior Center. Tomorrow she will be attending the Wicklow Apartment Opening and was pleased to say that she was able to get Target involved to give a gift to each new tenant. Minutes — October 17, 2005 Page 7 of 7 Cm. Jones stated that he started the new Leadership Academy. At the first meeting there was a good group of people. He will also be attending the Wicklow Apartments Opening with his mother. He attended the last Youth Sports Liaison Committee meeting and only Dublin Little League was in attendance. He thought that CYO would be there to let us know what they are going to do about their season. The gentleman representing D.L.L. asked about having fields available year-round for baseball and soccer, if not this year, perhaps next year. Lowart stated that the City will have to look seriously at the idea. Both the sports leagues have concerns about the condition of the fields. The City closes the fields for maintenance from December 15 through March 1, which is not the best time to do some of the turf repairs that are needed. Staff will be meeting with leagues in the. next month to get their input on rotating some fields out of service so that enhanced maintenance and repairs can be completed. With the two new fields coming on at Emerald Glen next spring, that will definitely be a benefit to soccer. Cm. Hart asked if the City uses fields at Dublin High. Lowart stated that it is very difficult for anyone other than the high school to use fields at Dublin High. Cm. Guarienti stated that due to another commitment, he will not be able to attend the City Council meeting tomorrow night. He hopes that someone from the Commission will be attending, as the agenda includes discussion on the Heritage Park and Aquatic Center. Cm. Cain stated that he will also be attending the Wicklow Apartment opening, however he will not be able to attend the City Council meeting. He is also curious if any one from the Commission plans to attend the City Council meeting. Cm. Muetterties stated that she will be attending the Wicklow Apartment Opening and also the Council meeting on Tuesday evening. Staff Reports: Lowart reported that the Winter Concert Series sponsored by the Heritage and Cultural Arts Division starts this month. The first concert is Saturday, October 29 with a Halloween Theme. There will be additional concerts on November 12, December 3, January 14 and February 11. Adiournment Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:54p.m. Respectfully submitted, Char J. Young Administrative Techn cian PP •