Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-12-2004 Approved PCSC Minutes CITYOF✓bUBLIN PARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION MINUTES OF JANUARY 12 2004 The January 12, 2004 meeting of the Parks and Community Services Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Dublin Civic Center, Dublin, California,by Chairperson Flores. Pledge of Allegiance Chairperson Flores led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call Commissioners Present: Flores, Guarier ti, Cain,Hildenbrand, Jones and Pawlowski Oral Communications Senior Center Advisory Committee Paul Silvas, Chairperson, Senior Center Advisory Committee, 7583 Carlow Way, Dublin, reported that the Senior Center Annual Christmas luncheon was a great success. He stated that the Sheriff's Department really helped out with this event and he was very thankful for their service. Silvas passed around photos taken at the Senior Center holiday party to the Commission. Silvas also reported that the Committee met to discuss how to create a family environment at the new Dublin Senior Center. Silvas advised the Commission that the Senior Center Advisory Committee changed their meeting dates to meet on the 15`Thursday of each month. Youth Advisory Committee Cm. Pawlowski reported that the Teen Karaoke & Pepperoni Night at Lucky's Pizza event was cancelled due to low participation. Pawlowski felt the low participation was partly because the event was held the day after winter break started for teens in the Dublin area. Approval of Minutes-None Written Communications-None Public Hearing-None Unfinished Business-None New Business Relocation of Tree Lighting Ceremony Parks &Community Services.Manager Paul McCreary advised that Commission that in prior years the event had been conducted at the Civic Center. Soon the event began to outgrow the lobby of the Civic Center. In 1999 the City Council directed Staff to look at alternative outdoor locations for the ceremony. In addition, because the City's holiday tree was located inside the Civic Center and could not be enjoyed by the general public, the Council wanted Staff to look at possible locations for planting a large redwood tree. The Council subsequently "directed Staff to move the ceremony outdoors to the Civic Center Courtyard and plant a large tree along Dublin Boulevard to light as a second holiday tree. Following the opening of the new Library, Staff made plans to move the Tree Lighting Ceremony to the new outdoor location. The stage was setup in the center of the circular driveway facing east towards the holiday tree. The audience could view the ceremony from the flat driveway area or up on the grassy Minutes—January 12, 2004 Page2of4 mound past the driveway. The height of the mound made it easier for people in the back of the audience to see, much like an amphitheater. On the day of this year's event, it rained off and on throughout the ceremony. Despite the inclement weather there were still approximately 250 people in attendance. However, the wet conditions caused some problems with the electrical equipment and the noise from the freeway made it difficult to hear the performers. Staff has conducted an evaluation of the event. Based on the evaluation and comments received from those in attendance, it was determined that the Library site was not conducive to the event. McCreary indicated that Staff recommends moving the ceremony back to the Civic Center Courtyard as the Courtyard offers an intimate and quieter environment, which is more conducive to this event. It also provides both outdoor and indoor viewing areas for the ceremony, which would be beneficial in inclement weather. Staff also recommends continuing to light the tree in front of the Library as a second holiday tree that can be enjoyed by the public and those passing on the freeway. ON A MOTION BY CM. HILDENBRAND, SECONDED BY CM. CAIN AND BY UNANIMOUS VOTE, THE COMMISSION VOTED TO APPROVE THE RELOCATION OF THE TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY TO THE CIVIC CENTER COURTYARD California Park&Recreation Society Award of Excellence—Trail Trekker Program Parks & Community Services Director Diane Lowart advised the Commission that the City of Dublin has been selected as a 2003 California Parks &Recreation Society(CPRS) Award of Excellence winner in the awards category of Recreation/Community Services-Personal Development, Health/Wellnessfor the Trail Trekker Program in the population category of 20,001-50,000. Lowart stated that the awards process is grueling for this prestigious program and the application process takes a lot of work and dedication. McCreary and Hudson put together a very professional application and should be commended for their work on this project. Lowart also thanked Cm. Guarienti for starting up this program and spearheading the drive to get people interested in participating in the Trail Trekkers program. Lowart advised the Commission that the award would be handed out at the Annual CPRS Convention to be held in Anaheim this year. Cm. Guarienti will be attending this conference and accepting this award on the City of Dublin's behalf. Cm. Guarienti shared a Trail Trekker program photo of a walk they completed at Lake Chabot approximately a year ago. Cm. Guarienti thanked Staff for supporting this program. Cm. Guarienti advised that the group has doubled since its inception two years ago. They started out with about eight participants and now are up to approximately 40 Trail Trekker participants. Chair Flores asked Cm. Guarienti what type of participants have joined this group. Cm. Guarienti answered that a majority of the participants are from the Dublin area although there are participants from all over the Tri-Valley area and a few in the Hayward/Castro Valley area. Cm. Cain asked Cm. Guarienti what type of transportation they are using to get to and from trails. Cm. Guarienti stated that they are primarily using carpools. Cm. Guarienti clarified that if someone does not drive and wants to participate in the program, they are welcome to attend. Cm. Guarienti further stated that one of the goals of the program was to get people out of the house and into nature through our parks and trails. a � Minutes—January 12, 2004 Page 3 of 4 Chair Flores congratulated Cm. Guarienti on the success of this program. Summer Enrichment Program Recreation Coordinator Henry Siu introduced himself to the Commission and advised that he would be presenting an overview of the plans made for summer enrichment programs to be incorporated with the existing Camp Shannon and Fun in the Sun programs for Summer 2004. One of the 2003-2004 City Council goals is to incorporate a summer enrichment program into the existing Camp Shannon and Fun in the Sun programs. The goal of the program is to provide hands-on activities that will stimulate creativity, increase knowledge, improve physical health, provide unique or new experiences, improve social skills and increase confidence and self-esteem. To enhance the camp experience, an educational enrichment component will be added to the program. Enrichment Instructors will be part time staff members who have thoroughly researched multiple subjects including nature, art, music, movement, non-traditional sports and, health and science topics. Activities will be led by the Recreation Leaders daily, building up to the main enrichment activity taught by the Enrichment Instructor. Each campsite will be assigned a weekly special enrichment day. The instructor will rotate through all Fun in the Sun and Camp Shannon program sites each week, spending two hours at each site. All supplies and associated materials will be included in the registration fee. Chair Flores asked if there would be an additional fee for this new component of the program. Siu stated that the funds to run this program have already been included in the current fee schedule. Cm. Guarienti asked what the fee increase amounted to. Siu answered that last year the fees for Fun in the Sun were $110.00 for the whole summer or $27.00 for one week of camp. New Fees are $160.00 for the whole summer or$34.00 per week. Cm. Hildenbrand asked what the hours were for the Fun in the Sun camp program. Siu advised that the Fun in the Sun hours are Monday through Friday from 1:00-5:00 p.m. at Kolb, Shannon, Mape, and Emerald Glen parks. Chair Flores asked Siu what type of instructor they would hire for this task. Siu advised that a lot of his returning staff are working on degrees in the fields we are interested in exploring like biology, dance, theatre, etc. and they will be working to coordinate and execute these activities. Other Business Brief INFORMATIONAL ONLY Reports from Parks& Community Services Commissioners and/or Staff Cm. Hildenbrand stated that the Youth Sports Liaison Meeting was cancelled for January. Cm. Hildenbrand also advised the Commission that applications for the Sports Field Task Force went out to the public recently. Cm. Guarienti stated he should have actual distances shortly of the trails in the parks for the Trail Trekker program. East Bay Regional Park put up a trail marker near the Iron Horse Trail where the Alamo Creek trail meets. Cm. Guarienti advised that he went to the Heritage Center to view the Asian Artifacts exhibit and thought very highly of the exhibit and praised the coordination of this exhibit as a great community event. Cm. Jones asked McCreary if the City was working with the Dublin High School basketball coach on scheduling gym/field time for a camp this summer. McCreary stated that the coach is working with Rich Jochner, Recreation Supervisor, on scheduling and everything is coming along well. • Minutes—January 12, 2004 { Page4of4 Lowart advised the Commission that 10 bids for the Senior Center project have been received and all are under the budget set aside for this project. The lowest bid was considerably lower than the budget and the first three received were all within $7,000.00 of each other. The first meeting with the contractor was held on Friday, January 9, 2004. Demolition is scheduled to begin soon and should take another two to three weeks to complete. Following the demolition of the current building, ground breaking will be held. Lowart cautioned that this schedule is dependent upon the weather. Lowart advised she would update the Commission as this project progresses and the ground breaking is scheduled. Lowart advised the Commission that packets of applications for Citizen and Organization of the year are in the process of being mailed out. Applications can also be obtained through the City website, www.ci.dublin.ca.us. Lowart encouraged the Commission to nominate any individual or organization they felt were deserving of this award. The City's Volunteer Awards Banquet, where the Citizen and Organization of Year are announced and recognition is given to City volunteers, such as the Commission, is scheduled to be held on February 26, 2004. Invitations will be mailed out shortly. Lowart advised the Commission that the annual CPRS Conference in Anaheim, is being held March 10 through March 13, 2004' Lowart would need to know which Commission members would like to attend no later than Wednesday,January 14. Lowart advised that the next scheduled meeting would be held on February 9`h. Cm. Guarienti asked Lowart about the Master Plan. Lowart explained that she was hoping to have the Master Plan available for their review at the February 9th meeting. Adjournment Being no further business,the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ciftd:41z.L.,1114244..., Christie Marks Senior Office Assistant APPROVED: qi) ,(1 ,( 1,0 / / Chairperson