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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-03-26 PRC MINSCity of Chula Vista Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes "Thursday - 6:30 p.m. March 26, 2009 Civic Center Bldg 300 Cnf Rm B128 276 Fourth Avenue Meeting called to order by Chair Garza at 6:30 p.m. Staff Present: Buck Martin, Director of Recreation /Nature Center Matt Little, Assistant Director of Public Works Agnes Bernardo, Parks & Open Space Manager Roll Call/Motion to Excuse Members Present: Commissioner Scott (arrived at 6:40 pm), Commissioner Vogel, , Commissioner Chambers, Commissioner Cien- Mayer, Commissioner Rios, Commissioner Garza Members Absent: Commissioner Searles MSC (Vogel/Cien -Mayer 6- 0 -0 -1) to excuse Commissioner Searles from tonight's meeting 2. a. Approval of Minutes of November 20, 2008 — MSC (Vogel /Rios 6 -0 -0 -1 Searles absent) to approve the November 20, 2008 meeting minutes b. Approval of Minutes of January 15, 2009 — MSC (Garza /Scott 5 -0 -1 -1 with Searles absent and Rios abstain) to approve the meeting minutes of January 15, 2009. 3. a. Update - City of Chula Vista Budget Status Mr. Martin (Director of Recreation and Nature Center) provided an update on the current budget: • Current budget shortfall for FY 08/09 is approximately $3M; • If the proposed tax initiative does not pass in Chula Vista, then an additional 60 City of Chula Vista employees Would be laid-off-and services to the community would be further reduced; • The budget short-fall would affect the Recreation Department with further reductions in services; • Reduction of supervisory staff at Parkway Pool and Parkway Gym (both are revenue producing facilities); • S 15 M shortfall for next year's budget; Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting — March 26, 2009 2 • 35 Chula Vista employees are being laid -off April 10 "' (which includes Ed Hall, Assistant Recreation Director and James Tollefson, Recreation Supervisor It (Veterans Park Center); • Re- organization in the Recreation Department due to lay -offs; • Programs deleted from the budget were Middle School programs and Mobile Recreation, Therapeutics; • Part -time hourly budget was reduced by $1.2M; • If tax - initiative passes, then Middle Schools and Therapeutics programming is put back into budget; Mr. Matt Little (Assistant Director of Public Works) provided an update on the current budget situation for his department: If the proposed tax initiative does not pass, then Park Rangers would be laid -off, which is a big deal because then park maintenance staff would be redirected to fulfill Park Ranger duties; All maintenance of facilities would suffer; Close fields for maintenance and the lose inventory of fields; Mr. Martin shared that the employee unions are campaigning in support of the tax initiative and the City Manager is talking to Chula Vista organizations (Kiwanis, Rotary, etc.) about the city's budget situation. Commissioner Vogel informed the Commission that Earl Jentz is proposing a tax initiative that is for 5 -years and is only 3/4 cent instead of the I -cent and 10 -year initiative being proposed by the City. He also noted that 3/4 cent doesn't sound as bad with the I -cent that the State of California is also imposing (because the City would be receiving a portion of that tax revenue from the State of CA). Mr. Martin responded that the City would not be receiving any monies from the State of California's tax - increase. Those monies would be to back -fill their general fiend deficit. Commissioner Vogel noted that the City Manager stated that monies from the tax initiative would also be utilized in the near future for other projects. Commissioner Cien -Mayer noted that it is important for the Commission to show support in regards to the current budget situation. Commissioner Garza requested that the Tax Initiative (letter of support) be placed on the Parks and Recreation Commission Agenda for a meeting on April 16 so that it could be discussed as this Initiative will have a huge impact on the community. He also noted that this letter could be approved or not by the Commission. Margarita responded that she would place it on the Agenda and asked the Commission to send her a paragraph or two of infornlation that should be incorporated into the letter. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting — March 26, 2009 Commissioner Cien -Mayer noted that it is important for the Commission to attend public meetings that deal with the city budget. She went to say that it is important to represent the members of the community, show support specifically for community programs. In addition, she noted that she has sent e -mails to individuals in the community that she knows and has asked that they support the tax initiative. Commissioner Cien -Mayer also expressed concern that if the tax initiative does not pass, recreational opportunities for children and teenagers would be taken away from them, which would leave them idle with nothing to do. She noted that she thinks it is worth paying S 1 cent to have parks for children and teenagers to play at, and keep recreation centers and swimming pools open for the community to utilize. These are positive and constructive influences for the children of the community. Commissioner Cien -Mayer encouraged everyone to positively promote the tax initiative. 4. Unfinished Business — Commissioner Scott inquired about information from staff for the First -Five Grant. Mr. Martin responded that he would talk with staff and have them follow -up with her. 5. New Business — None 6. Written Communications — None 7. Commission Comments Commissioner Scott inquired about information on the Olympic Training Center event being held on June 6` ". She noted that it would be beneficial to hold events as this on a yearly basis to help support the department. Mr. Martin responded that he would e -mail information as it becomes available. Commissioner Vogel inquired about the Adopt -A -Park information. Ms. Bernardo responded that the presentation was completed and asked Margarita to e -mail it to the commission. Commissioner Rios attended the Otay Park Recreation Center class -room reopening and inquired about an upcoming event that Assistant City Manager Scott Tulloch announced. Mr. Martin responded that he was unaware of any upcoming events and that he would contact Mr. Tulloch. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting — March 26, 2009 4 Commissioner Vogel inquired out Community Outreach for new park sites, specifically the 4t" and Orange site. Mr. Martin responded that meetings have been taking place and that staff is in the process of identifying additional park sites. Once sites have been identified the process begins with community input, parks and recreation commission comments, etc. 8. Staff Comments — Recreation Monthly Report (Buck Martin) — Mr. Martin briefly reviewed the monthly report and noted that the Friends of Chula Vista Parks and Recreation were once again awarded $50K for the Elementary Learn To Swim Program. He also informed the Commission that he is working with one of the Friends on securing grants for the Free Drop -In program. b. Public Works (Richard Hopkins) - Mr. Little reported that Sweetwater and Otay water invoices are going to be increasing by 20 %. The City has done an amazing job in reducing water usage. Commissioner Vogel inquired if all parks would be impacted by the increase in water costs. Mr. Little responded that the impact would affect all parks in the City. Mr. Little also informed the Commission that the City received notice that the City would only be receiving a minor fraction of monies asked in the Stimulus Package. Commissioner Garza inquired about the joint- use - agreements with the high school district. Mr. Martin responded that he would be working on setting up a meeting with the school district and would provide an update at the next meeting. Mr. Little also reported that the Field Condition Report is available for viewing on web -site. He noted that fields are getting worse due to overuse. Mr. Martin also noted that the Department would be returning with a report on increasing fees. 9. Public Comments 10. Other Meeting Adjournment at 7:45 p.m. to the regularly scheduled meeting of May 21, 2009 Prepared: