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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-14-1992 Approved P&CSC Minutes • CITY OF DUBLIN PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING DATE: JANUARY 14, 1992 The January 14, 1992 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 7: 37p.m. at the Civic Center, Dublin, California, by Chairperson, Steve Jones. Pledge of Allegiance Pledge of allegiance was led by Commissioner Jones. Roll Call Present: Commissioners Downey, Donnell, Jones , Lockhart, Cahn & Sbranti Oral Communications Diane introduced Becky Hopkins, a part-time Recreation Specialist with the Recreation Department observing the meeting tonight for a college recreation class. Written Communications - None Approval of Minutes IT WAS MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LOCKHART AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER DONNELL TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 10, 1991 AS SUBMITTED. (UNANIMOUS) New Business 1991 Summer Aquatics Report Stephanie Mein, Aquatics Coordinator, briefly summarized the 1991 Summer Aquatics Program for the Commission. The Dublin Swim Center was opened to the public on April 1 through September 29. The average daily attendance for both recreational swimming and family nights during the summer was 194. The total season attendance was 17,688. Total enrollment for the instructional swim program was 1,610 which was an increase of 494 students over last year. This season, participant demographics were recorded as to residency, and it was found that 89% of the participants in the instructional program were residents of the City of Dublin. The majority of non-residents came from nearby San Ramon, as well as from Pleasanton and Livermore. Adult lap swimming was offered beginning June 1 through August 30 with a total attendance of 273 . Water aerobics was offered from June 1 through August 30 with a total attendance of 398. The Junior Aquatic and Water Safety (J.A.W.S. ) program was offered for a second season with 12 teens participating, with a total of 491 volunteered hours at the pool. For a third season, the Recreation Department also sponsored a competitive swim team. Since 1989, the team has grown in size from 32 participants to 60 this past summer. The Summer Recreation staff and the Swim Center staff worked cooperatively to offer the first annual "Water Carnival" . The event was very well received with attendance at approximately 500 . On July 4th, for the third consecutive summer, the Swim Center also featured a Fourth of July Celebration which was well attended. Reservations for the Birthday Party program totaled 12, and private pool rentals totaled 4 during the 1991 season. Commissioner Sbranti stated that everyone he has talked to that took lessons indicated they learned alot and that the instructors were excellent. He asked why why lap swimming was not offered year-round. Stephanie replied that it would be too expensive to heat the pool. ' MINUTES - JANUARY 14, 1992 PAGE TWO Commissioner Lockhart asked how many participated in the Scuba class. Stephanie replied that the participant count was inadvertently omitted from the analysis, but believes that there was a total of tt13tt participants. Commissioner Downey inquired as to how staffing is recruited. Stephanie stated that job announcements are sent to the High Schools, State Colleges and Universities, as well as to past employees. 1992 Aquatics Program Proposal Stephanie stated that plans for the upcoming aquatic season are well underway. She briefly reviewed the draft schedule for the Commission. As in the past, Staff is proposing instructional classes to include Youth Swim Lessons, Adult Swim Lessons, Specialty Classes and Safety Training Classes. In addition, staff is planning to expand the 10-week summer instructional program this year by offering classes in the Fall. Classes would be scheduled afterschool between the hours of 4:00pm and 6 :00pm and would consist of semi-private classes scheduled twice a week for two weeks. Other programs and activities will include Adult Lap Swimming, Dublin Green Gator Swim Team, Junior Lifeguard Volunteer Program, Instructor Aide Volunteer Program, Teen Nights, Family Nights, Scuba Diving Classes , Birthday Party Program, Private Pool Rentals, the 2nd Annual Water Carnival, and a Fourth of July Celebration. A new activity which staff is proposing for this season is the Aquatic Day Camp Program. This camp would consist of 3 one-week sessions scheduled from 9: OOam-3:OOpm, Monday-Friday, with each session geared to a different age group. The program would include a variety of aquatics-related activities such as swim instruction, arts and crafts, water safety, and games. The proposed fee for one week of camp would be $45 per participant. Commissioner Cahn asked what are the plans for the Aquatic Day Camp program during inclement weather? Stephanie responded that in case of inclement weather, the Aquatic Day Camp program would be moved indoors. Commissioner Cahn asked if the lifeguard training class scheduled coincide with the time Cal State and UC have off? Stephanie replied that the week scheduled for the lifeguard training class was chosen to coincide with the WSI class offered in Pleasanton. Commissioner Cahn asked if the large groups scheduling use of the pool are given a break on the fees charged? Stephanie stated that last season there were several groups that came on a regular basis, including several small daycare groups, and a Christian Day Camp. The groups are asked to submit their requests in writing, so that staff does not schedule too many groups for the same date and time. Staff feels that the $1. 00 fee charged for the afternoon is very reasonable. Typically, the large day care groups tend to require additional staffing and creates more work for the staff. Old Business 1991-92 Teen Program Tracy O'Shea reported that for the past three years, the Dublin Recreation Department has been offering a variety of programs for Middle School Teens which included lunchtime activities, excursions, a drop-in center, pool parties, open gym nights, and special events co-sponsored with adjoining recreation departments. Lunchtime activities were offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and an Afterschool Drop-In Center open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Lunchtime activities are offered at no cost, however there is a $15.00 fee per teen for each four month session for the Drop-In Center. • MINUTES - JANUARY 14, 1992 PAGE THREE Participation in the lunchtime program is very strong, and it is often not possible to accommodate all those who want to participate. However, attendance in the Afterschool Program has mixed results. Currently, there are approximately 20 teens registered, with 10 teens attending on a regular basis. In evaluating the lack of attendance, staff believes that the $15. 00 fee is deterring students from participating. One (1) day pass $ .50 Six (6) day pass $ 2 .50 Twelve (12) day pass $ 4.00 Full Session $15. 00 During initial discussions, the teens have expressed interest in the $ .50 per day fee. Changing the fee structure might help to encourage program participation. Additionally, staff will be conducting a survey among the teens regarding their interests and needs. The surveys will be distributed through the schools and included in the newsletter sent to both students and parents. Commissioner Cahn felt that all participants should be required to complete the proper forms for medical emergency information. Tracy stated that the schools have emergency cards on file which would be made available to staff if necessary. Commissioner Cahn felt that the cards should be on-site in case of an emergency situation occurring after 5pm. Commissioner Lockhart agreed. Diane suggested that the emergency information be included on the back of the flyers when advertising the program and new fees. Commissioner Sbranti felt that $10.00 would be a more reasonable fee for a full session, but that the proposed $.50 fee per day would be really attractive to the teens. He also felt that the income levels identified on item #4 of the survey were not realistic and should be re-evaluated. Commissioner Lockhart felt that item #3 on the survey regarding ethnicity should be deleted, unless it is to used to be used to determine the ethnic group or groups not being served. Commissioner Jones agreed. Commissioner Lockhart suggested including a $10 .00 package option. Commissioner Sbranti agreed. Tracy indicated that she will revise the surveys deleting item #3 on ethnicity and revise item #4 on levels of income before sending them to the schools. Summer Recreation Program Tracy reported that for the past several years, the Dublin Recreation Department has offered a Summer Drop-In Recreation Program for children entering 1-6 grades, Monday-Friday from 1:00-5:OOpm. Plans are currently underway for the 1992 program and Staff has identified several issues for consideration by the Parks and Recreation Commission. Program Sites Sites are located throughout Dublin in an effort to serve all geographic areas. Last summer, a program was offered at Kolb Park, Dolan Park, Alamo Creek Park and Frederiksen School. Frederiksen School was selected because it was a site for the summer school program. Kolb Park was closed after one week due to low enrollment. For 1992, Staff proposes to offer three sites geographically located throughout Dublin. The site recommended for the Western area is Nielsen School and for the Eastern area, Alamo Creek Park. Three sites have been identified as possibilities for the Central area; Frederiksen School, Kolb Park and Murray School. ' MINUTES - JANUARY 14, 1992 PAGE FOUR Commissioner Lockhart suggested offering only two sites, one on each side of town. Commissioner Cahn felt that we should offer the program at either Kolb and Murray before offering one in the East Dublin area, as it is a fairly new community. Commissioner Jones stated that most of the kids in the Central part of town are mainly Junior High or High School aged students now. Therefore, the majority of the children that would use this program would come from the East and West part of town. Diane stated that staff will monitor the attendance at each site where the programs are currently offered to determine which sites have the most need for the program. Staff will also contact the principals at each site for additional information and input. A report will be prepared and submitted for the Commissions review. Program Fee In 1991 , the registration fee for the Summer Recreation Program was $7.00 per child, which included a program t-shirt. Given the City's current financial situation, Staff recommends that the program fee be re-evaluated in an attempt to generate additional revenue to cover a greater portion of the programs cost. An increase from $7.00 to $38 .00 per child might be difficult for some parents to pay. An alternative would be to spread out the costs and offer option payment plans in lieu of a one-time registration fee. Staff would need to investigate these options before making recommendations. Commissioner Sbranti felt that the suggested $38 .00 fee is too high, and that $20.00 would be more reasonable and could be paid in two installments. Commissioner Lockhart suggested using a fee schedule similar to the teens, offering options. Tracy stated that her concern with a payment plan, is that it would be too time consuming for staff to implement at the sites. Commissioner Cahn felt that he would like to see the fees at the same level as they are now to keep the interest, and when the City Council informs the public of the money situation, and then increase the fee. Commissioner Cahn suggested that each Commissioner vote for either a flat summer rate or a weekly rate. Commissioner Donnell voted for a flat summer rate of $20 only. Commissioner Srbranti voted for a $20 .00 flat summer fee payable in two $10.00 installments, or $5. 00 per week. Commissioner Lockhart preferred a $25 flat fee w/t-shirt or $15 .00 for the first week w/t-shirt and $5.00 every week thereafter. Commissioner Downey, Jones and Cahn, voted for a $38 flat summer rate or $7 a week. Joint Commission Meeting with San Ramon and Danville Diane reported that on an annual basis the commissions from the cities of Dublin, Danville and San Ramon conduct a joint meeting for the purpose of sharing information. The City of Dublin is responsible for hosting this years meeting, thus it is necessary to determine a meeting date. Staff has identified Wednesday, February 19; Thursday, February 20; and Thursday, February 27 as possible dates for the Commissions consideration. If the dates as suggested are not convenient, then it will be necessary to delay the meeting until March. Commissioner Lockhart asked what is traditionally done for this event and how many people are scheduled to attend? Diane replied that San Ramon has a six member commission, Danville five members, and Alamo is also invited and they usually have one or two people attend. Traditionally, the event includes a discussion on a topic of interest or a speaker can be scheduled, and dinner is usually provided. ' MINUTES - JANUARY 14 , 1992 PAGE FIVE Diane stated that $300 has been budgeted for the event, but it does not have to be catered. Food can be ordered and brought in. Commissioner Downey suggested a pot luck. Commissioner Cahn stated he would like to see the event catered. The Commission scheduled February 19 for the event and February 20 as an alternate date. Diane stated that the San Ramon director suggested that we continue with the discussion on trails. Commissioner Cahn suggested a discussion on the Cultural Arts. Diane indicated that even though our department is not actively involved with cultural arts, the Fine Arts Foundation is a good example of what can be done for a City without City involvement. In addition, both San Ramon and Danville have either council or staff time assigned to cultural arts. Diane stated that she will be meeting with the other city directors soon and they will finalize the details. Once the date and topic has been confirmed, notices will be sent to the Commission. Recreation Department Goals and Objectives Diane reported that the City will be conducting the Goals and Objectives Study Session on February 25, 1992 for the purpose of reviewing the progress made on 1991 Goals and Objectives, and developing Goals and Objectives for 1992 . Staff has prepared a year-end status report for those 1991 goals and objectives for which the Recreation Department Staff had responsibility. Of the 20 goals assigned, 8 have been completed, 6 have had significant progress made towards completion, 2 are ongoing, and no progress has been made on 4. In addition, staff has prepared a list of proposed Goals and Objectives for 1992, which includes the 1991 goals and objectives that have not yet been completed as well as proposed additions. IT WAS MOVED BY COMMISSIONER CAHN AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LOCKHART TO ACCEPT THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES AS PRESENTED AND PRIORITIZED. (UNANIMOUS) Other Business Commissioner Lockhart asked if the funds for the Long Beach Conference are budgeted? Diane stated that the funds were deleted from the budget. Commissioner Cahn complimented staff on the Breakfast With Santa and felt that it was a great program. Santa was great too. He reported that the paint in the wading pool at Shannon is peeling. He asked if bikes are allowed in the Dougherty open space area, as he has noticed people going along on their own trails. Staff Reports Diane reported on the recent action taken by the City Council with regards to the budget deficit the City currently faces. Adjournment Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10 :25pm. Respectfully submitted, Char J. Youni7' Administrative Secretary