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Home My WebLink About09/24/1998 PRC MinutesCITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION HEARING BOARD ROOM OF S.C.A.Q.M.D. 21865 Copley Drive SEPTEMBER 24, 1998 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Finnerty called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The audience was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Commissioner Anis. ROLL CALL: Present: Chairman Finnerty, Vice President Nolan and Commissioners, Anis, Holder and Pruitt. Staff: Bob Rose, Community Services Director and Wendy Bowman, Community Services Supervisor. MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE - None 1. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1.1 Approval of Minutes of August 27, 1998 Regular Meeting. C/Pruitt moved, C/Holder seconded, to approve the minutes of August 27, 1998 as corrected. The motion carried 5-0 by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Anis, Holder, Pruitt, VC/Nolan, Chair/Finnerty NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: 2. Recreation Update CSS/Bowman presented the recreation update. i SEPTEMBER 24, 1998 PAGE 2 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION4 CSS/Bowman responded to Chair/Finnerty that the five "very poor" evaluation ratings were as a result of complaints about inadequate fields and field maintenance at Heritage Park. CSD/Rose stated that the current evaluation system has been used by the Cities of Brea and Diamond Bar for the past 10 to 12 years. During that time, it is extremely rare that Diamond Bar has received any rating below "fair". As a result of the recent evaluation, staff met with Accurate, the City's maintenance company, to discuss the issues of concern. Ron Briggs of Accurate stated that his crew members have been retrained to drag the ball'fields on a daily basis. He presented a copy of a chart of daily maintenance for use by his crew. He said he believes his firm has taken he necessary steps to insure that these types of problems will not occur in the future. VC/Nolan asked that in the event of evening use, the fields could be dragged later in the day. Ron Briggs explained that his firm is on a tight schedule. However, dragging of the fields could be postponed until after lunch if necessary. VC/Nolan reiterated his concerns about the litter problems at Sycamore Canyon Park. Chair/Finnerty suggested that the schedule be changed to drag the Sycamore Canyon Park infield after lunch. VC/Nolan stressed that the maintenance of public restrooms is also critical. Ron Briggs responded to VC/Nolan that his crew finds a lot of trash and beer bottles at Pantera Park. Accurate employs approximately 250 people and covers all of south Orange County, Perris and Moreno Valley in Riverside County and the east end of Los Angeles County up to Azusa. Cities of Diamond Bar, Moreno Valley, Irvine, Tustin, San Dimas and Corona are Accurate clients. He said he has noticed a path near the tennis courts at Pantera Park that, the kids use for biking and skateboarding. He suggested that the City might construct a railing to avoid potential liability. SEPTEMBER 24, 1998 PAGE 3 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION CSS/Bowman asked for a copy of the maintenance schedule. She said she is concerned that on Monday mornings, the Pantera Park Tot Lot requires maintenance by the Tiny Tots staff. Possibly, Accurate could adjust their schedule to accomodate this need. CSD/Rose responded to Chair/Finnerty that temporary signage is being installed at Pantera Park tomorrow. Chair/Finnerty suggested that a surveillance camera be placed on the building at Pantera Park. She said that animal excrement presents a health hazard to small children. City Code specifies that dog owners must remove the offensive materials. Ron Briggs suggested placing baggie containers at park locations for use by animal owners. CSD/Rose stated that the City has budgeted to place containers in the parks this year. C/Pruitt indicated she has observed more trash in the parks in recent weeks. Chair/Finnerty said she believes the parks need more trash containers. C/Anis stated that teams in the summer Youth Baseball program have had to wait to start play at Heritage Park while staff members prepared the fields. She said she also noticed that the bleacher seats are dirty. She indicated she frequently walks to the top of Summitridge Park and has observed the same trash articles for two or three consecutive days. VC/Nolan suggested the City engage people who have community service obligations to pick up trash in the park areas once or twice a year. C/Pruitt recommended that the City coordinate its efforts with the Chamber of Commerce's community service program. Chair/Finnerty suggested the City invite schools to participate in a cleanup program. C/Pruitt recommended that school representatives be invited to a future Commission meeting to discuss a possible exchange program. She said she believes that the recreation staff has an opportunity to point out potential __�Y _. 4 y SEPTEMBER 24, 1998 PAGE 4 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION problems at the beginning of their program year to insure that the parks are being properly maintained. CSD/Rose stated he believes VC/Nolan's suggestion is good and that he believes that it is a good idea to get the schools and the youth involved in the program. He reminded the Commission that the City has an "Adopt a Park" program. He suggested a special event "Spring Clean Up Day" at Sycamore Canyon Park whereby people could get some hours of community service time. CSS/Bowman completed the recreation update report. OLD BUSINESS: 3. 501(c)(3) Non -Profit Foundation. CSD/Rose reported that the Commission reviewed the draft Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation at its August 27, 1998 meeting. Revisions discussed on August 27 have been made and incorporated within the draft documents. Staff recommends that the Commission review the updated draft Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation and provide input on these documents. Staff further recommends that the Parks and Recreation Commission recommend to the City Council that a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation be established as outlined in the draft documents. C/Anis motioned that the Commission recommend to the City Council that a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation be established, seconded VC/Nolan. 4. Proposed Agenda for the October 6, 1998 Joint Meeting with the City Council. CSD/Rose stated that the Parks and Recreation Commission will meet with the City Council on Tuesday, October 6 to discuss matters of interest to the Commission. Staff recommends that the Parks and Recreation Commission finalize topics recommended for discussion. NEW BUSINESS: 5. Civic Center/Community Center Task Force. SEPTEMBER 24, 1998 PAGE 5 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION CSD/Rose stated that Mayor Carol Herrera has established a Civic Center/Community Center Task Force which will include two representative members of the Parks and Recreation Commission. The meetings are slated to begin in mid-October and conclude with a report to the City Council by June 30, 1999. Staff recommends that the Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman appoint two Commissioners to the Task Force. Chair/Finnerty appointed Chairman Finnerty and Vice Chairman Nolan to serve on the Civic Center/Community Center Task Force. ANNOUNCEMENTS: C/Pruitt stated she attended the World Champion Little League Banquet. The Mayor and City Council presented plaques to each of the players, plus presented a plaque which will hang at the Little League field. Pop Warner Football Grand Opening at Pantera Park was a huge success. The Quail Summit Elementary School dedication ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m. on October 22. C/Anis stated she participated in the three mile Muscular Dystrophy Great Walk on Sunday and, attended the Health Fair Exposition following the walk. She stated that about 1,000 people participated in the walk. She also attended the Heritage Park Bench Dedication for Oscar Law. C/Holder expressed .her support for improving the asphalt median'at Gold Rush. She also reported that graffiti artists are out again at Tin Drive and Diamond Bar Boulevard. VC/Nolan thanked staff for inviting the Accurate staff to the meeting to discuss Sycamore Canyon Park cleanup. Chair/Finnerty said that although she could not attend the Oscar Law Memorial Dedication she is very pleased that it went well. CSD/Rose stated that Steve Tye was in attendance at the Dedication. Eleanor Law and her sister were also in attendance and very proud and pleased about the ceremony. ADJOURNMENT: SEPTEMBER 24, 1998 PAGE 6 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION �! C/Anis moved, C/Pruitt seconded, to adjourn` the meeting. There being no other business to come before the Commission, Chair/Finnerty adjourned the meeting rat 9:39 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, ose Secretary. Attest: AnJee�Fnnerty Chairman R