HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-03-15 PRC MINS City of Chula Vista
Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes
Thursday - 6:30 p.m. March 15, 201 2
Public Services Building — 300 B129 276 4th Avenue
Meeting called to order by Chair Jan Buddingh at 6:30 pm.
Staff Present: Buck Martin, Director of Recreation
John Gates, Principal Recreation Manager
Matt Little, Assistant Director of Public Works
Jennifer Santander, Council Aide, Councilmember Bensoussan
Guests: Mark Twohey, Treasurer, Youth Sports Council
Anthony Millican, Sweetwater Union High School District
1. Roll Call/Motion to Excuse
Members Present: Chair Buddingh, Commissioner Vogel, Commissioner Gerace,
Commissioner Garza, Commissioner Cien-Mayer
Members Absent: Commissioner Chambers
MSC Garza/Vogel (5-0-0-1) to excuse Commissioner Chambers from tonight's meeting
MSC Garza/Vogel (5-0-0-1 with Chambers absent) to move Item 4C out of order and be
heard under Oral Communications.
2. Oral Communications -
Item 4C Update Youth Sports Council Maintenance Fee - Mr. Twohey, YSC Treasurer
shared that the group met with the Parks Division in February, and also met with Simplot.
The soil specialist visited various parks and conducted assessment. Fertilizer was ordered
and would be applied at some parks. Trash pick-up began at some parks; however, when
it rains, trash will not be picked-up. Mr. Twohey also shared that they are concerned that
Ted Nelson is no longer employed with the City of Chula Vista, and the YSC has had two
meetings held since his departure. The YSC has been very impressed and appreciative of
the Park Division employee that served as interim park ranger; he did a great job
monitoring the fields, and the YSC is sorry that he can no longer continue in this capacity.
Another concern shared, is the use of fields by outside organizations when fields are closed.
The YSC continues to be interested with purchasing signs to display field rental information.
Commissioner Garza thanked Mr. Twohey for his work with the YSC and agrees that Ted
Nelson was an integral part of the YSC and allocation process.
Chair Buddingh also thanked Mr. Twohey for his work with the YSC and for providing the
Commission with an update.
Ms. Jennifer Santander (Council Aide to Councilmember Bensoussan) reported that the final
application for Playful City Project was submitted on March 1 5, 201 2. A stipulation of the
Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting — March 15, 201 2 2
Project is that a public event has to be held for the project; it was decided that this project
would be featured in conjunction with Harbor Days. Grant for this event is due at the end
of the month. The signs that identify that the City of Chula Vista is a Playful City partner
would be posted on the highway, therefore, the City is not responsible for their
maintenance.
3. a. Approval of Minutes of January 19, 2012 - MSC Garza/Vogel (Vote 5-0-0-1
with Chambers) to approve meeting minutes of January 19, 2012.
b. Approval of Minutes of January 25, 2012 — MSC Vogel/Garza (Vote 5-0-0-1)
with Chambers absent) to approve meeting minutes of January 25, 2012.
c. Election of Vice-Chair for remainder of Fiscal Year 2011-2012 - Commissioner Kathy
Cien-Mayer nominated Commissioner John Vogel as Vice-Chair for the remainder of this
fiscal year and Commissioner Vogel accepted.
MSC Cien-Mayer/Garza (Vote 5-0-0-1with Chambers absent) nominates John Vogel
as Vice-Chair for remainder of Fiscal Year 2011-2012.
4. a. Facilities Process — Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD
Representative) — Mr. Anthony Millican from the Chula Vista Elementary School District
discussed the process of reserving school facilities for sporting and other types of events.
Mr. Millican shared that each school principal is responsible for scheduling their own
facilities. CVESD Administrative offices ensure that the proper insurance and risk
management paperwork is submitted for any rental of facilities. The elementary schools
prefer that facilities being reserved be utilized for elementary aged children and not
middle or high school students.
Chair Budding asked if a field at the schools be used/developed and fenced off for use.
Mr. Millican responded that if an organization goes to the school with a proposal of
enhancing underdeveloped parkland, that it could probably be attainable
Discussion held on Otay Park usage by Otay Elementary School.
Mr. Millican shared that currently some fields at the some of the CVESD schools are
currently being utilized by organizations. Additionally, fields/schools are closed on
weekends for this type of usage.
Mr. Little (Assistant Director of Public Works) commented that this type of usage of fencing
off the field from a school could work at the high school/middle school level, but thinks it's
questionable at the elementary school due to security being issue.
Chair Buddingh shared that fencing off the school from the field could work, ensuring that
security was not an issue.
Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting — March 1 5, 201 2 3
Commissioner Garza shared that the issue of favoritism has always been issue with
organizations wishing to utilize CVESD fields. It is well known that out side organizations
(non-CV) and for profit organizations use facilities.
Mr. Millican responded that he shares the same concern about outside entities utilizing
facilities.
Chair Buddingh and the Commission thanked Mr. Millican for attending the meeting.
b. Update — Recreation Department Budget: Mr. Martin provided an update on the
budget. Budget request for Fiscal Year 201 2-201 3 is the same as with the current budget.
The Department continues to look for additional resources to be able to provide additional
programming at recreation facilities, and be open to the community longer hours and days.
Mr. Martin also shared that Councilmember Ramirez requested that the Recreation
Department Strategic Plan be brought to the Council for consideration and approval.
Council date is unknown at this time, but should be in the next six weeks.
Mr. Martin asked staff to forward the strategic plan document to the Commission.
Chair Buddingh asked about the plan for replacing Ted Nelson.
Mr. Martin shared that the city opened the Recreation Specialist recruitment for Ted's
position and interviews are scheduled the week of March 19th. The Commission would be
informed, once a candidate is selected.
Mr. Martin also shared that he is working with Mr. Bill McLaughlin of the SUHSD to create a
Memorandum of Understanding for use of EastLake High School/Rancho del Rey facilities.
The current Joint Use Agreement between the City and SUHSD expires in 201 3. Mr. Martin
shared that he would keep the Commission informed of updates.
5. Unfinished Business - None
6. New Business — None
7. Written Communications — None
8. Staff Comments -
Recreation (Buck Martin) — Monthly report reviewed, and Buck talked about the
April Pools Day event scheduled on April 14, 2012, which kicks off May is Drowning
Prevention Month. Buck also shared that Spring Intersession Camp is scheduled from
March 26-March 30 at Lauderbach Park. Buck reminded the Commission about the
Chula Vista Community Fun Run on May 19th at the OTC and also shared that CV
Amateur Golf Tournament is July 19 — July 23.
Public Works —. Mr. Little (Assistant Director of Public Works) shared that because
this past winter has been dry, water usage has increased. Public Works is asking for
$150K for next fiscal year for the Park Ranger program (to open/close gates).
Copper wire theft has cost approximately $100K, various parks were relamped,
and the department is currently utilizing the services of parolees to conduct general
Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting — March 15, 201 2 4
maintenance, which saves the department approximately $1 20K (cost to department
is only $20K).
9. Commissioner Comments —. Commissioner Garza asked about the grant status of Orange
Avenue Park.
Mr. Martin responded that he would notify the Commission as soon as they find out status.
1 0. Other - None
MSC Garza/Vogel (Vote 6-0-0-1 with Chambers absent) to adjourn meeting at 8:00 pm.
to the next Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of May 17, 201 2
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