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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/27/1992 PRC MinutesCITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION AUGUST 27, 1992 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Ruzicka called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. at the AQMD Hearing Room, 21865 East Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California. PLEDGE OF The audience was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by ALLEGIANCE: C/Whelan. ROLL CALL: Commissioners: Schey, Whelan, Medina, Vice Chairman Plunk, and Chairman Ruzicka. Also present were Administrative Assistant Kellee Fritzal, Parks and Recreation Director Bob Rose, Recreation Supervisor Marla Pearlman, and Contract Secretary Liz Myers. MINUTES: July 23, 1992 C/Plunk requested that the Minutes of July 23, 1992 be revised to include a more thorough summary of the presentation made by Mrs. Jan Stwertnik. Chair/Ruzicka made the following corrections to the Minutes: accurately reflect that C/Whelan was absent and C/Medina was present; properly reflect the correct spelling of Mr. Quartucy; and the two portable pitchers mounds at Peterson Park was a request. The Commission concurred to forego approval of the Minutes until the next meeting. Chair/Ruzicka informed the Commission that he must excuse himself from the meeting early. He stated that he received a phone call from a citizen inquiring why the recreation program does not offer trips for adults to such places as Las Vegas, San Diego, etc., as was told to her by someone at City Hall. He stated his concern that there is someone at City Hall dismissing such inquiries. He will give staff the name and number of the individual who had called so that staff can contact her and give her the correct information. Chair/Ruzicka stated that the Diamond Bar Improvement Association (DBIA) wants to be involved in the opening day ceremony of the Heritage Park Building by planting the Redwood tree, and by participating in other matters. The DBIA has requested a listing of all of the furnishings that will be necessary to make the building operative, so that they might participate financially in furnishing that building, and possibly putting a name plate on those items donated. He suggested that, when such a list is compiled, it be sent to the DBIA, and other organizations in town who might also wish to participate. August 27, 1992 Page 2 C/Whelan pointed out that one of the elements of the Adopt -A -Park Program is a fund raising program where people can donate toward certain aspects of the community. Chair/Ruzicka requested that this be made an item for the next Adopt -A -Park sub -committee meeting. OLD BUSINESS: Senior Citizen Chair/Ruzicka referred the Commission to the memo Sub -Committee regarding the Senior Citizen sub -committee. The Senior Sub -committee, VC/Plunk and C/Medina, met with staff on August 13, 1992 to discuss the parameters of the group, as presented in the staff report. VC/Plunk stated that the sub -committee has found approximately 20 churches in Diamond Bar, or in the vicinity of Diamond Bar, that serve our senior citizen population. The majority of these groups have suggested that the City develop a questionnaire, to be passed on to the senior citizens, as a method of determining what program �r can be provided that they would need. r C/Medina suggested that some of the leaders of these groups be invited to attend an open forum to allow them an opportunity to give input. PDR/Rase informed the Commission that the City Council has also established a senior citizens sub- committee. The next step will be to have the two sub -committees meet and perhaps join the two 1 efforts together. 5 C/Plunk stated that the Heritage Park Apartments, which has a senior center, on site, that holds 105 people, has welcomed us to meet there. t Policy, Programs Chair/Ruzicka stated that the Commission has and Priorities received a matrix of the Commission's Policy, Matrix Programs and Priorities, as well as a compilation 3 of items discussed at the last meeting. 5' C/Plunk stated that the matrix was difficult to follow, thus making it difficult to prioritize the items. She stated that she preferred the items to be prioritized into categories. C/Schey concurred that some items seemed to be redundant, and that the listing was difficult to follow. He stated that he prioritized the items in three levels: A - in progress item with the highest August 27, 1992 Page 3 priority that should be tended to immediately, B - ongoing items that are important, and should be pursued; and C - items that should be tracked and pursued as time and opportunity avail itself. C/Whelan stated that the intent of the priority list was to enable the Commission to determine which capital improvement project should receive immediate attention when addressed by the City Council. He stated that he would prefer to use the original matrix system, as opposed to the priority list, and include an additional section for those programs that are self funding. Chair/Ruzicka stated that it is important that the tasks be separated into categories so that the Commission is able to track it's progress. The method used should be kept as simple as possible. PDR/Rose explained that the purpose of the revised list was to allow the Commission an opportunity to see the items sequentially prioritized into one list. Staff will prioritize the items in what ever manner the Commission desires. " C/Whelan stated that, in his opinion, the number one priority is to find a way to fund a Needs Assessment to help set our priorities. Chair/Ruzicka concurred that the Needs Assessment and the Parks Master Plan are high priority items. He noted that the general consensus of the Commission is to continue to use the matrix separating the items into categories. The Commission is to prioritize the list, dated March 20, 1992, and submit it to staff. He requested staff to bring the results back to the Commission at the next meeting. Parks Master The City Council reviewed the Request for Proposal Plan (RFP) at their August 4, 1992 meeting, and declined to send the RFP. Staff is preparing various alternative methods in the development of the Master Plan. It is recommended that the Commission arrange a Parks Master Plan sub -committee meeting to review the alternative methods. "j C/Whelan stated that he has been in contact with Dr. Grossneck, the assistant professor of recreation at Cal Poly Pomona, who made the following comments: if it is to be an on-going school project, the quality may not be as good as desired because there will be people coming on and off throughout the project; contact the Urban August 27, 1992 Page 4 Planning at Cal Poly; contact someone working on a Masters thesis to develop a Needs Assessment and a Parks Master Plan; and a lot of students now do the work for money as opposed to an internship. There is school interest in helping the City develop a Parks Master Plan and a Needs Assessment. Chair/Ruzicka stated that he has been in contact with Professor Boling, at Mount SAC, and Professor Holmen, at Cal Poly Pomona, who will be getting back in contact with him, with additional information. He stated his concurrence with- the City Council that a Master Plan and Needs Assessment can be done, in house, with the proper guidance. He stated his concern on being able to get a decent size survey to determine the needs assessment, so that the recommendations to City Council are not based upon a couple of hundred people. PRD/Rose, in response to C/Schey`s inquiry as to why the City Council declined to send the RFP, explained that the City Council was concerned with the estimated cost of $60,000 to develop the Parks Master Plan and the Needs Assessment. The goal is for the Commission and staff to solicit assistance from local colleges and to secure input from as many people in the community as possible to assist in the process. concern that the arbitrary roadblock to finding out what been. A portion of the funds $' to come from Landscaping and 1 W C/Schey stated that if this project is going to be subject to environmental review, then it would be '^ appropriate to receive some direction from the Planning Department. AA/Fritzal stated that the Planning Director, James DeStefano, and the City Manager, Terrence Belanger, will be involved in the formation of a Master Plan. The Commission concurred to begin meeting the second and fourth Thursday at 7:00 p.m., starting September of 1992. The first meeting of the month is to be focused on developing a Master Plan. C/Whelan stated that he will attempt to get someone; from the recreation department at Cal Poly to discuss the guidelines for a Needs Assessment. C/Schey stated his dollar amount was the the scope could have might have been able Lighting Districts. I") ,�.,,:' r.{ August 27, 1992 Page 5 PRD/Rose indicated that staff will try to have a consultant, who has worked on a Parks Master Plan, present at the next meeting. Staff will also bring an example of a Parks Master Plan and a Needs Assessment. Chair/Ruzicka stated that the Parks Master Plan sub -committee is willing to meet any time that staff is available. Pomona Unified Staff conducted a meeting with the Pomona Unified Joint Use School District staff to discuss a Joint Use Agreement Agreement. It is recommended that the Commission Status receive and file the report. PRD/Rose reported that the meeting, scheduled today with the Pomona Unified School District personnel, has been postponed until the first week in October of 1992, because they did not feel prepared to discuss any of the items. Based upon the information given by one of the contacts, it is possible that the formal joint use agreement may be completed before the end of the year. In response to C/Plunk, he stated that the goal is to have the percentage of classes offered, closer to the percentage of the population, within a year. Chair/Ruzicka excused himself from the meeting at 8:02 p.m. LA County Safe AA/Fritzal presented the staff report regarding Neighborhood Proposition A - Los Angeles County Safe Parks Act Report Neighborhood Parks Act. If the proposition is approved, the City will receive specific project funding of $1,470,000 for the development of Pantera Park; and $570,000 in discretionary funds for the development and maintenance of existing parks. It is recommended that the Commission endorse the package of the Los Angeles County Safe Neighborhood Parks Act. C/Whelan suggested that a schematic plan, or a wish list, be developed for Pantera Park as a way to help get support from the community. We need to establish a liaison, in town, to get out and talk to the civic groups. He suggested that the senior citizen groups be contacted to get them involved in getting endorsement from the community. Motion was made by C/Schey, seconded by C/Whelan and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY for endorsement from the Parks and Recreation Commission for passage of the Los Angeles County Safe Neighborhood Parks Act. August 27, 1992 INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: Page 6 Extension for PRD/Rose presented the staff report regarding the Recreation extension of contract for Recreation Services Contract Update between the City of Brea and the City of Diamond Bar. The contract is for a three year term and includes a 90 day termination clause. He pointed out that the City of Diamond Bar has begun bringing in-house part of the programming that was previously under contract to the City of Brea, saving approximately $8,000 in the reduced administrative overhead charges. Update on AA/Fritzal reported that the Peterson Park Peterson Park concession stand should be completed by Thursday of Concession Stand next week. The building has recently been painted & Heritage Park all one color. Staff is currently working on Community Bldg. establishing the criteria for use of the concession stand. She also reported that the City Council approved the plans and specifications for the Heritage Park Community Building for bidding at their August 4, 1992 meeting. Recreation PRD/Rose introduced Marla Pearlman, the new Program Recreation Supervisor for the City of Brea who will Update conduct the recreation program for the City of Diamond Bar. RS/Pearlman thanked VC/Plunk and C/Schey for their help at the youth baseball picnic. She reported that the Summer Recreation Program is coming to a close, and that there were 1,882 participants, generating $88, 736.53 dollars. The brochure for the Fall recreation program will be out the first week in September. She then gave a brief overview of the recreation programs, as presented in the staff report. C/Whelan requested a report that includes the costs of the programs, along with the revenues generated. COMMISSION C/Whelan requested staff to investigate the COMMENTS: possibility of developing contract fine arts classes as an after school program for the community. Community businesses could be asked to help fund such a program. 0 0 AA/Fritzal, in response to C/Medina's inquiry,.,';''. explained how the City participates, and assists, in the Ranch Festival. 'r _... August 27, 1992 Page 7 C/Plunk stated Mayor Pro Tem Papen has requested letters of support, for SB1718, to go to Governor Wilson at the State Capital in Sacramento. she also stated that the Anniversary Committee has met and is beginning plans for next year. ADJOURNMENT: Motion Was made by C/Whelan, seconded by C/Schey and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to adjourn the meeting at 8:26 p.m. Attest: -�, e UZ3 a Cha an Respectively, AIL-1— Bob Rose Parks and Recreation Director