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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-11-15 PRC MINSCity of Chula Vista Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Wednesday - 6:30 p.m. Public Works Center Meeting called to order by Chair Searles at 6:30 p.m. Staff Present: Buck Martin, Director of Recreation Dave Byers, Director of Public Works Shauna Stokes, Assistant Recreation Director Brian Cox, Principal Recreation Manager Ed Hall, Principal Recreation Manager Tom Class, Parks Supervisor Ted Nelson, Recreation Supervisor III Roll Call /Motion to Excuse November 15, 2007 1800 Maxwell Road Members Present: Commissioner Ramos), Commissioner Rios, Commissioner Cien- Mayer (arrived at 6:35), Commissioner Searles, Commissioner Garza, Members Absent: Commissioner Chambers MSC Ramos /Scott (Vote 5 -0 -1 -1 with Cien -Mayer late) to excuse Commissioner Chambers from tonight's meeting. 2. Approval of Minutes - a. October 15, 2007 - MSC Rios /Ramos (Vote - 6 -0 -0 -1 with Chambers absent) to approve minutes as presented. b. Approval of canceling the December 20, 2007 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - MSC Ramos /Garza (Vote - 6 -0 -0 -1 with Chambers absent) to cancel the December 20, 2007 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. 3. Information Items a. Watering Cycle at various parks - Mr. Tom Class informed the Commission that the current watering cycle for sports fields is from April through October and is based on weather conditions. He further explained that the Department has two weather stations; one is located at Fire Station #8 and the other is located at Will T. Hyde Friendship Park. He explained how watering the turf is determined by utilizing the weather stations. Mr. Class also informed the Commission that two additional weather stations would be added to other areas of the City. Commissioner Rios asked if water usage has decreased since weather stations were incorporated. Parks and Recreation Commission - November 15, 2007 Page 2 of 4 Mr. Class (Parks Supervisor) responded, that water usage has decreased, and that's because of the many factors that are taken into consideration (climate, soils, and plant type). Commissioner Rios asked about the damage to the turf caused by the cold winter last year. Mr. Class (Parks Supervisor) responded that no there was no damage to the turf because Bermuda cannot be damaged when dormant. Chair Searles thanked Mr. Class for his report. b. 2008 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Dates - Dates for the 2008 Parks and Recreation Commission were reviewed. Everyone was reminded to phone or e -mail the Recreation Department of any absences. 4. Unfinished Business: None 5. New Business: None 6. Written Communications: None Commission Comments: Commissioner Ramos commended staff for a great job at the Halloween Festivities at Otay Recreation Center. Commissioner Cien -Mayer asked who would be advertising the Nutrition Education Aimed at Toddlers (NEAT) program. Mr. Hall (Principal Recreation Manager) responded that advertising would be handled through the school district, and also stated that this is a free program. Commissioner Scott commended staff for all of the festivities that took place throughout the City. She also apologized for not attending last month's meeting, and asked to be excused for the January 17, 2008 meeting as should would be out of town on business. Commissioner Garza thanked Buck Martin (Director or Recreation) for the recreation facility and park tour on November 9t", and also wished everyone a great holiday season. Chair Searles informed the Commission that a Wellness Commission was in the process of being developed, and stated that it would be important to have a representative from the Commission and Commission on Aging as part of the new Commission. 8. Staff Comments - a. Recreation Monthly Report - Mr. Martin (Director of Recreation) reviewed the monthly report. He also briefly discussed the events that took place during the fires that occurred in October. He commended Brian Cox, Principal Recreation Manager for handling the Shelter Management for the citizens of Chula Vista. Ms. Shauna Stokes (Assistant Recreation Director) provided copies of the November 6, 2007 Council Budget Workshop Summary. She stated that the department Parks and Recreation Commission - November 15, 2007 Page 3 of 4 submitted 23 budget proposals which totaled $800K from the Recreation budget. Two full -time positions from Recreation were eliminated from the budget and are included in the $800K. One of the goals of the department was to minimize impact to the public, avoid layoffs of full -time staff, and keep facilities and programming open. She also informed the Commission that the next Council Budget Workshop is on December 11. Ms. Stokes also discussed the city -wide budget, proposed department reductions, and proposed and recommended Council reductions. Mr. Byers (Director of Public Works) informed the Commission that he eliminated vacant positions from his budget. He also explained that on the first night of the Council Budget Workshop, 3 gardeners were cut from his budget, and then an additional 4 gardener positions. He explained that with the gardener positions being cut, mowing would be reduced to bi- weekly, repairs to parks would be on a reactive basis instead of pro - actively. In addition, aeration of turf on sports would be reduced semi - annually instead of quarterly. In addition, he explained that currently, the Graffiti Removal Ordinance states that graffiti is removed within 48- hours, and that one graffiti removal crew was eliminated from the budget. The impact of this is that graffiti will now be removed within 5 -days, and the Ordinance will need to be revised. Mr. Byers (Public Works Director) also informed the Commission that Larry Eliason, Parks and Open Space Manager and Tom Levesque, City Arborist would be retiring in December. The tree crew would be transferred to the Open Space Division. Mr. Martin (Director of Recreation) also announced that Ms. Shauna Stokes would be retiring in December, and that with the elimination of the 2 full -time positions, a department reorganization would be occurring. Ms. Stokes (Assistant Recreation Director) informed the Commission that one of the cuts that Engineering and General Services are facing is the elimination of custodial staff, totaling $200K. The impact on this is that the maintenance of recreation facilities would decline, since fewer employees would be available to maintain the high standard cleanliness of the facilities. Ms. Stokes also noted that the 2007 Winter Quarterly Brochure would be the last printed brochure. The on -line version would be available at all times. Commissioner Scott asked about the cost of printing the brochure. Ms. Stokes responded that the cost is $60k for 4 issues, which includes, staff, printing, distribution, etc. Commissioner Cien -Mayer asked about addressing the City Council on the current proposed budget cuts. Mr. Buck Martin (Director of Recreation) responded that contact could be made via e -mail, phone, and in person at their Council Meeting. Chair Searles asked for clarification on item 194 regarding no swim on Sundays. Parks and Recreation Commission - November 15, 2007 Page 4 of 4 Ms. Stokes stated that the item was correct that there would be no Swim on Sundays at both pools. b. Public Works Monthly Report - Nothing to report. 9. Public Comments - Meeting adjourned cart 7:47 p.m. to January 17, 2008 / i � �� ;K�