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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-09-20 PRC MINS City of Chula Vista Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday - 6:30 p.m. September 20, 2012 Public Services Building — 300 B129 276 4T" Avenue Meeting called to order by Chair Guy Chambers at 6:30 pm. Staff Present: Betty Waznis, Director of Library and Recreation Department Richard Hopkins, Director of Public Works Glen Googins, City of Chula Vista City Attorney Jennifer Santander, Office of Councilmember Pamela Bensoussan 1. Roll Call/Motion to Excuse Members Present: Chair Buddingh, Commissioner Vogel, Commissioner Gerace, Commissioner Chambers, Commissioner Garza Members Absent: None 2. Oral Communications - None 3. a. Approval of August 16, 2012 Meeting Minutes — MSC Garza/Buddingh to approve meeting minutes. b. The Commission is informally requesting each council member to appear and explain why the city charter was ignored by not asking the commission for input on combining the Park and Recreation Dept with the Library Dept and is also requesting the City Manager to appear and advise as to the amount of savings created by the combination of the Departments, if any, in the current fiscal year and future fiscal years. It was the consensus of the Commission to invite the City Manager and Council to the November 15, 201 2 commission meeting. Ms. Waznis noted that she would contact the City Manager's Office and the Chair would prepare a short letter to send to the Council. 4a. Parks and Recreation Commission Charter and budget Authority — Mr. Glen Googins, City Attorney for the City of Chula Vista reviewed Section 611 and 612 of City of Chula Vista Charter that pertains to the parks and Recreation Commission. Also discussed was section Article VI — Appointive Boards and Commission section of the charter (Section 602 & 603). Mr. Googins explained that the Parks and Recreation Commission does not have subpoena power/authority, which means that the commission cannot require/mandate that the council attend a commission meeting. Mr. Googins suggested that an invitation be sent to the Council and the City Manager, and request a workshop be scheduled. Mr. Googins explained that the commission is an advisory commission to the council. Mr. Googins also discussed the role responsibility related to the budget as referenced in the charter. Additionally, it was also noted that for the upcoming budget year, the commission should be presented with the budget for their input and review, and after the council provides their input, it would return to the commission for review. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting — September 20, 201 2 2 Commissioner Gerace shared that the larger issue was not just the budget, that the issue was not being informed or consulted about the Recreation and Library merger. Major changes as such should require commission input, as the commission is an advisory body to the council. Commissioner Garza shared that the commission along with the department was blindsided with the merger. Additionally, Commissioner Garza shared that he concurred with Commissioner Gerace's comment, and also shared that the commission should have been informed of the merger. The Commission takes their job seriously, and out of professional courtesy of the council, the commission should have been approached and notified about the merger. City Attorney Googins shared that there is nothing in the Charter that dictates that the Council has to inform boards and commissions of their intentions. The Commission does however, have the right to communicate with the council their displeasure of not being consulted. Commissioner Buddingh asked about budget savings information as a result of the merger. Commissioner Garza shared that the commission needs to keep relationship non-adversarial. City Attorney Googins reminded the commission that the commission could invite the council to their next meeting or request a workshop. Chair Chambers thanked City Attorney Googins for his time and for the information provided. 4b. Update Recreation Department RFP for facilities — Ms. Waznis (Director of Library and Recreation) provided an updated to the RFP for facilities. 4c. Recreation Department Budget: Ms. Waznis talked about the 3rd Quarter analysis that was completed by the Finance Department. Ms. Waznis also shared that the Hourly Recreation Supervisor I position was created to assist staff; $30K was allocated for equipment and upgrades at various facilities, and that staff was currently compiling a list of items. Public Works Budget: Mr. Hopkins shared that they are currently working on the budget for the next fiscal year. Mr. Hopkins talked about the Youth Sports Council agreement and their assistance with park maintenance. Mr. Hopkins requested that staff add Public Works Budget to the Commission Agenda under information items as an on-going item. Mr. Hopkins shared that budget information would be shared with the Commission as it became available. This way the commission receives updates on both department budgets. 4d. Status of Orange Avenue Park — Ms. Waznis shared the timeline for the RFP, interviews and selection of design Build teams, and an approximate date for when the Design Builder would be placed. 4e. Update on Chula Vista Playful City USA — Ms. Jennifer Santander shared that the City was present with the (2) Street Signs that recognize the City as a Playful City. Entry site to the City Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting — September 20, 2012 3 are from Interstate 5 and 805. The campaign will be launched during the Harbor Days festival on September 22 and 23rd. 5. Unfinished Business - None 6. New Business — None 7. Written Communications — None 8. Staff Comments - Recreation (Betty Waznis) — Monthly report reviewed. Ms. Waznis also shared that the grand re-openings were well attended and also shared that the Library Board of Trustees and Council are meeting on October 18 from 6-7:30 pm Public Works — Mr. Hopkins shared that National Lands Day Proclamation would be presented at the Council Meeting of September 25. 9. Commissioner Comments —. Commissioner Garza thanked staff for their hard work and dedication. Commissioner Buddingh shared that Discovery Park field does not look good even though it has not been allocated for 1 -year. Commissioner Vogel thanked staff for their hard work. Chair Chambers shared that it was a productive meeting to have City Attorney Googins at the meeting and thanked Ms. Waznis and staff for their work. 10. Other - None MSC Gerace/Vogel to adjourn meeting at 8:15 pm. to the next Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of November 15, 201 2 Submitted:/414,,,e,C4