Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-08-17 PRC MINSCity of Chula Vista Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday - 6:30 p.m. Public Works Operations Meeting called to order by Chair Perondi at 6:30 p.m. Staff Present: Buck Martin, Director of Recreation Brian Cox, Recreation Manager Larry Eliason, Parks and Open Space Manager Ted Nelson, Recreation Supervisor III Manuel Gonzalez, Aquatics Supervisor III Guests: Robert Garcia and his son Robert Garcia 2612 Santa Barbara Court 656 -1824 Roll Call /Motion to Excuse Members Present: Commissioner Salcido, Perondi, Commissioner Commissioner Searles Members Absent: Commissioner Ramos August 17, 2006 1800 Maxwell Road Commissioner Weidner, Commissioner Cien- Mayer, Commissioner Rios, Before business was conducted, Perondi noted the absence of Commissioner Ramos and asked for a motion to approve her absence, as she had informed Martin that she would not be in attendance. MSC (Weidner /Rios) to approve the absence. Approval of Minutes MSC (Perondi /Rios) to approve the minutes of 5/18/06 MSC (Weidner /Salcido) to approve the minutes of 6/20/06 MSC (Salcido /Rios) to skip to Public Comments as there was a guest in the audience. Public Comments Mr. Robert Garcia thanked commissioners for the Montvalle Park, especially the dog run. He uses the dog run almost every day. His concern however, is that there is no lighting around the perimeter of the dog run. It is not a problem at this time, but during the winter months when the sun sets earlier and residents get home after dark they won't be able to use the park. He requested that the commission consider adding lighting so residents could use it in the evening. Parks and Recreation Commission - August 17, 2006 His second concern was that each dog run has water fountain and a lot of mud accumulates around the fountain. He suggested some type of cement flooring be installed around the faucets to alleviate the problem. Perondi noted the request would be referred to staff come back with some information on this. Martin stated they are working on this with General Services and he asked for an opportunity to gather some information and come back and staff would let them know what the options were. Staff was looking into the viability and it would be expensive. Perondi asked if he was speaking about the lighting or the cement concern. Rios asked if this was something that would be reported on later. Martin stated that he would present a report on the lighting to the Commission at the next meeting. Perondi asked if an additional EIR would be needed. Martin said yes, and added that they will have all the details for Mr. Garcia, and notify him of the next meeting. Eliason noted that the problem with the water fountains was that they were plugged up, and that has since been rectified. Martin thanked Garcia for coming to the meeting and reaffirmed that he would be notified of the next meeting. 2c. Election of Chair Perondi stated for the record that he would respectfully decline any nomination for chair or vice chair and opened the floor for nominations MS (Searls /Cien- Mayer) to nominated Rios as chair. Rios stated he would be happy to accept the chair position; however, he did travel and would miss some of the meetings. MSC (Perondi /Searles) to close the nominations. Rios asked if anyone was interested in the vice chair position before nominations for vice chair were taken. Salcido said he would be willing to take the position. 2d. Cox recapped the events from the Commission meeting of June 22, which led to the decision to not approve the proposal permitting alcohol at selected facilities. He stated that the report presented this evening addressed those issues and some changes had been made to the proposal. For example, the list of facilities proposed to permit alcohol had been pared down to one (Montevalle). He noted that there are 3 facilities on the west side of the city that permit alcohol, and the east side had none. Parks and Recreation Commission - August 17, 2006 Allowing alcohol will make the facility more marketable. The design of the facility was to encourage rentals. He stated that alcohol will not be served during normal recreational hours, but allowed only when operational programs were not in progress. Alcohol would be confined to a distinct area of the building. In response to Salcido's questions regarding the number of people allowed in the facility, possible liability for the City, and the negative association of alcohol with recreation facilities, Cox responded that the facility is designed to hold 200 persons, as are Norman Park and the Women's Club, the City's liability is limited to defense costs only (per the City Attorney), and lastly, that the City was careful in limiting time the areas would be served. Cox stated that the public would not make a connection with recreation and alcohol and reconfirmed that alcohol would not be served during regular hours of operation. Cox noted that 14 facilities in San Diego had been researched and all have similar rules and regulations. He believed this proposal was a reasonable alternative to the concerns expressed at the June meeting. Martin added that staff had put a lot of time and effort into this proposal and had extensive interaction with the Police Department, Chula Vista Community Collaborative, and James Marcellino, CV Youth and Child Policy Advocate. They indicated they had no concerns with the proposal. Salcido asked if there would be substantial profit to offset overhead costs. He also inquired if posting a bond would cover defense costs, and if smoking would be allowed. Cox stated he believes there would be a profit although a detailed study had not been done. The bond would not cover defense costs. As for smoking, there is no smoking allowed in city buildings or within 20 feet of any city facility. Salcido stated he was generally against this policy but added that since it had been narrowed down to one facility, the Commission should revisit this item yearly. Responding to Rios' questions about areas of use and the number of persons allowed in the facility, Cox stated that there would be one room only designated for use. Generally, groups are no larger than 40 or 50 people, and the facilities do not get many group rentals. Rios said he was in favor of the proposal; the facility was an excellent choice for location. In response to Cien - Mayer's question about deposits, Cox responded it would be $200 to $300 with alcohol. Cien -Mayer agreed that this would an excellent start, and in one year the Commission could reevaluate the proposal Cox stated that the operation hours would be restricted to after hours; this would not interfere with scheduled recreational facilities. Groups are allowed to rent the facility during the day; however, no alcohol will be served. Most group rentals occur on the weekend. Alcoholic beverages would not be allowed outside of the rented room. Parks and Recreation Commission - August 17, 2006 MSC (Salcido /Cien- Mayer) (4 -2 -1; Perondi, Weidner no; Ramos absent) to approve the report with the addition of a 1 -year sunset \clause showing positive improvement with this action. Rios asked what would happen to those persons who had reserved the facility past the 12- month timeframe. Cox stated they would still be able to use the facility. 3a. Introduction of New Employee Martin introduced Manuel Gonzales, Aquatic Supervisor III and gave a brief history of his background and qualifications. Martin added that he would be a great addition to recreation staff and was pleased to have him on board. Martin said Gonzalez would be involved in creation of an aquatic center in the east. 4. Unfinished Business: None S. New Business: None 6. Written Communications: None 7. Commission Comments: a. Cien -Mayer complimented staff at Parkway pool, b. In response to Weidner's question regarding use at Heritage Park, Martin stated that AYSO 116 is now utilizing the field. C. Nelson noted Otay Ranch and YMCA Cheerleading use the park on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Perondi thanked Cox for bringing the report back. 8. Staff Comments Martin recapped the monthly report that was submitted to the Commission noting especially that all the recreation programs were maxed out. Salcido mentioned the hours the Sports Council and volunteers put into these programs and stated there should be some sort of "thank you" held for them. Martin responded that they will be analyzing how much money is brought in and perhaps they could find more money to do things like that. Rios said the City should think about writing up something to the effect of making outside entity's put up deposits. Some sort of fee for outside users. Martin responded that the Recreation Department is already charging non - residential fees. In response to Weidner's question about park rentals, Martin responded that the City does charge non - resident fees for parks. Searles asked what the role of Parks and Recreation would be in the Bayfront. Parks and Recreation Commission - August 17, 2006 Martin responded that our role is very limited due to the fact that if is Port District land. Staff working closely with the Port District for certain elements. The City could possibly negotiate something with the Port District as the City of Coronado does. Rios stated that they should try to get a candidate on the Port Commission that has the same agenda as the Commissions. He suggested writing a letter to the Port Commission stating their concerns and having some type of programming access. Martin said staff could draft a letter to present to the Port Commission. Meeting adjourned at 7:30. Recorded by Alicia Casillas