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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-08-16 PRC MINSCity of Chula Vista Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday - 6:30 p.m. August 16, 2012 Public Services Building — 300 B1 29 276 41h Avenue Meeting called to order by Chair Guy Chambers at 6:30 pm. Staff Present: Betty Waznis, Director of Library and Recreation Department John Gates, Principal Recreation Manager Rick Ryals, Real Property Manager Wendi Garrison, Recreation Supervisor III Guests: Brian Young, Chair Library Board of Trustees Mark Twohey, Youth Sports Council Representative 1. Roll Call /Motion to Excuse Members Present: Chair Buddingh, Commissioner Vogel, Commissioner Gerace, Commissioner Chambers, Commissioner Garza Members Absent: None Ms. Betty Waznis (Director of Library and Recreation) introduced Ms. Wendi Garrison, Recreation Supervisor III. Ms. Garrison talked briefly about her education and background. 2. Oral Communications - None MSC Gerace /Garza to move Item 4d out of order (Youth Sports Maintenance Report) 4d Youth Sports Maintenance Report — Mr. Twohey provided an update on the current sports field maintenance program. Mr. Twohey shared that: • Trash pick -up occurs during both allocations • $40K in account to purchase fertilizer • Program evaluation in February 2013 • Parents and coaches are concerned with vacant position that oversees the YSC Program, loss of Matt Little, and Buck Martin • Outside for - profit organizations (non -YSC) utilize fields that are allocated to the YSC and influence city council members when they are told that they can't use fields • YSC continues to seek Parks and Recreation Commission support regarding the elimination of Buck Martin's position because it was wrong. Commissioner Garza inquired about the YSC's moral Mr. Twohey responded that they are a strong group, and continue to work together to meet field challenges The Commission thanked Mr. Twohey for his report. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting — August 16, 2012 2 3. a. Approval of March 15, 2012 Meeting Minutes — MSC Garza /Buddingh to approve meeting minutes with Chambers abstained because of his absence from the meeting. b. Approval of May 17, 2012 Meeting Minutes — MSC Gerace /Vogel to approve meeting minutes with Garza abstained because of his absence from the meeting. c. Approval of MOU between the Youth Sports Council and City of Chula Vista — Mr. Gates, Principal Recreation Manager reported that Recreation and Public Works were proposing a new MOU to the City Council to renew the agreement with the YSC that expired on June 30, 2012. Mr. Gates reported that everything in the Agreement remains the same and that the YSC continues to assist Public Works with trash maintenance of parks. The YSC approved the agreement at their August 9, 2012 meeting with one minor change as listed: Section 3.2 Other Donation (Page 2 -3 of MOU): Current Language: Participants will also be offered the option to "opt out" of the volunteer labor commitment by making an "in lieu" donation in the amount of fifteen dollars ($15.00) per participant, per sport, per season. Recommended Language: Participants will also be offered the option to "opt out" of the volunteer labor commitment by making an "in lieu" donation in the amount of fifteen dollars ($15.00) per participant, per sp-er4 organization, per seesen year. MSC Garza /Vogel to approve MOU between the Youth Sports Council and City of Chula Vista with recommended language MSC Garza /Buddingh to move item 4b (Park Concessions Information) out of order and be heard prior to Action Items 3d and 3e. 4b. Park Concession Information (Rick Ryals) — Mr. Ryals reported that the City has been working on ways to make facilities self - sufficient. Mr. Ryals also noted that Lauderbach Center pays for itself because of public /private partnership it has with the vendor that is situated at the center. Mr. Ryals talked about the American Legion at Eucalyptus Park and donation which is being used for Eucalyptus Park; Rohr Park which is utilized for dog shows, etc would be a great area to have a concessionaire, and is working with Public Works & Recreation to inventory parks and special events. Next step would be to develop an RFP and return to the commission with proposal. Mr. Ryals shared that the concessionaire would not compete with little league groups or clubs that are already in place. Discussion held about monies raised by concessionaire to remain in parks /facilities and not go to general fund to fund other city departments. The Commission thanked Mr. Ryals for his report. 3d. Discuss and formulate an action plan to provide a written response to the recent merger of the City of Chula Vista library and Recreation Departments — Commissioner Garza voiced his concern regarding the merger of both Library and Recreation Departments and the fact that the Commission was not consulted nor informed by the Council about the merger. He suggested that the Commission write a letter to the City Council about the merger. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting — August 16, 2012 3 Commissioner Gerace asked if the Library Department or Library Commission were informed previously of the merger, and voiced her concern that the Parks and Recreation Commission were not informed about the merger. Ms. Waznis (Director of Library and Recreation) responded that no she was not informed of the merger, and learned about it at the council meeting when Mr. Martin (Recreation) learned about it. Mr. Young (Chair, Chula Vista Board of Library Trustees) also responded that the Chula Vista Board of Library Trustees was not informed nor consulted about the merger either. Also shared that he was confused about Council's action because the Council was unclear on their direction pertaining to the merger and noted that it was a cost savings measure; however, there really isn't cost savings. Mr. Young further noted that in the end, no one knew about it, and no one knows why it happened. Mr. Young shared that the Library Board of Trustees is meeting with the City Council in October 2012, and that this would be brought up to them, and continues to fully support the City Manager's concerns about the merger. Commissioner Gerace asked about the role that the Parks and Recreation Commission has according to the Charter of the City and asked if the Commission is an advisory body to the Council. Ms. Gerace further stated that the Parks and Recreation Commission needs to understand their role, before a letter is written to the Council. Discussion held about inviting the council to the next commission meeting and then writing a letter to them about the merger. MSC Gerace /Garza to postpone writing a letter to the council until after meeting with them about the concerns the Commission has 3e. Discuss the possibility of the City of Chula Vista Parks and Recreation Commission having a joint meeting with the City of Chula Vista Library Commission with the outcome to schedule a public meeting with the City Council and appropriate city staff to discuss our concerns about the merger of the library and recreation departments — Commissioner Garza shared that he would like to have a joint meeting between the council, city staff and both Library and Parks and Recreation Commissions. Commissioner Gerace once again shared that the Commission first has to establish and find out exactly what their role is. She further stated that she understood that the Parks and Recreation Commission was an advisory body to the Council per the City of Chula Vista Charter; however, it appears that the Commission's role has changed. Chair Chambers concurred with Commissioner Gerace about first receiving direction about the role of the Commission, and also suggested that the Council be invited to the next Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting to discuss the merger of the Library and Recreation Departments, and asked that staff follow -up with this. Additionally, Chair Chambers requested that the Friends of Chula Vista Parks and Recreation be invited to the October 18, 2012 Commission Meeting. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting — August 16, 2012 4 Ms. Waznis shared that the Friends were meeting on August 23 and that she would invite them to the October meeting. MSC Gerace /Buddingh that staff follow -up with council and invite them and the City Manager or his designee to the September 20, 2012 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, to discuss the concerns the Commission has about the merger of the Library and Recreation Department and to receive clear understanding of the role the Commission has. 4a. Recreation Department Budget — Ms. Waznis (Director of Library and Recreation) shared that the Council allocated $220K additional monies to Recreation for programming, and that staff was diligently working on developing new hours of operation for facilities and programming. Commissioner Garza asked about the Assistant Director of Recreation recruitment. Ms. Waznis responded that over 200 employment applications were received and that first round of interviews were taking place on August 281h. Commissioner Vogel asked about therapeutics programming and asked about the water polo goals and assessment fees that teams pay. Ms. Waznis responded that sadly there is not enough funding for therapeutics programming; but hopes to bring back this program in the future, and asked Mr. Gates to assist with the water polo goals question. Mr. Gates (Principal Recreation Manager) responded that yes, teams do pay an assessment fee, which started about 1 -year ago, and currently only $1 K is available which is not enough to replace goals. Commissioner Buddingh asked about the turf at Salt Creek Recreation Center Arena. Mr. Gates responded that the Arena is on the CIP list and is currently very expensive to fix. Commissioner Garza asked about staff's moral. Ms. Waznis responded that staff are public service oriented, and continue with their commitment to provide great service to the community. 4c. Field Management Report: Mr. Gates shared that the Field Management Report was updated and on the website for review. Ms. Bernardo (Parks Supervisor) was called out on C.A.S.T. emergency call and could not attend tonight's commission meeting to discuss the report. Commissioner Vogel asked about the status of Playful Cities and asked about the types of grants available; grants that would be helpful are those to fund the park ranger program and additional park maintenance staff to keep parks safe and useable. Ms. Waznis responded that she would invite staff to the September commission meeting. Commissioner Vogel asked about the status of the Orange Avenue Park. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting — August 16, 2012 5 Ms. Waznis responded that she would invite staff to the September commission meeting. 5. Unfinished Business - None 6. New Business — None 7. Written Communications — None 8. Staff Comments - Recreation (Betty Waznis) — Monthly report reviewed. Ms. Waznis also reviewed information pertaining to the grand re- opening of recreation centers. Public Works —. None 9. Commissioner Comments —. Commissioner Garza thanked staff for their hard work and dedication. Commissioner Gerace thanked staff and also wanted to pass along the possibility the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Library Commission meeting in the future (after the commission has an opportunity to meet with the city council). Chair Chambers shared that he too has concerns with the role the Commission has or lack thereof, and is happy to meet with the Council about the merger, and also to keep lines of communication open with them. Also shared that he fully supports the City Manager's position about the merger. 10. Other - None MSC Gerace/Vogel to adjourn meeting at 8:15 pm. to the next Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of September 20, 2012 Submitted: u�—