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Home My WebLink About11/16/2006 PRC MinutesCITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION S.C.A.Q.M.D./HEARING BOARD ROOM 21865 Copley Drive Diamond Bar, CA 91765 NOVEMBER 16, 2006 CALL 'TO ORDER: Chairman Grundy called the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the SCAQMD/Government Center Building Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California 91765. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Vice Chairman Owens led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Lew Herndon, Benny Liang, Ruth Low, Vice Chairman Ted Owens and Chairman Dave Grundy. Staff Present: Bob Rose, Director of Community Services; Anthony Jordan, Parks and Maintenance Superintendent; Claude Bradley, Parks and Maintenance Supervisor and Marisa Somenzi, Senior Administrative Assistant. MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE: None Offered. CALENDAR OF EVENTS: As Listed in the Agenda and reported by CSD/Rose. CONSENT CALENDAR 1.1 Approval of Minutes for the September 28, 2006 Regular Meeting. C/Herndon moved, VC/Owens seconded to approve the Consent Calendar as presented. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Herndon, VC/Owens, Chair/Grundy NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: Liang, Low ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: None 2. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 2.1 Recreation Program Report - CSD/Rose C/Low asked where the seats were located for the musical. CSD/Rose responded that he would find out and let the Commissioners know. C/Low asked if the City had considered adult programming such as parenting classes. CSD/Rose responded that there are more than 100 contract NOVEMBER 16, 2006 PAGE 2 P&R COMMISSION classes available to adults and that he would check to see it it incivaea parenting classes. 2.2 Parks Report — PMS/Jordan. 2.3 Community Foundation — CSD/Rose 2.4 Trails Master Plan — CSD/Rose Subcommittee members C/Low and C/Herndon agreed to begin meeting in January. Staff will contact the subcommittee members to schedule a date and time after the first of the year. 2.5 Discussion about whether to hold a December 28, 2006 meeting. The Commission concurred to go dark on December 28, 2006 and adjourn tonight's meeting to January 25, 2007 meeting date. 2.6 C.I.P. Program Report — CSD/Rose a. Sycamore Canyon Park ADA Retrofit — Phase III — scheduled for completion the first week of June 2007. Chair/Grundy asked if work could possibly affectthe 2007 Concerts in the Park series. CSD/Rose responded that this project includes work on the stage area and at worst the stage would be placed on the other side of the sidewalk. The restrooms will remain open during construction. Location of food booths may be an issue. However, the concerts have been pushed back to the first week after the 4th of July celebration. b. Slope Repair at Diamond Bar Center — CSD/Rose The 30 -day project is on schedule to be completed by the first week of December. C. Batting Cages at Peterson and Pantera Parks — CSD/Rose Staff held two public meetings_ Peterson Park is on track. There were some issues regarding the location of the batting cages in Pantera Park and staff understands it may be receiving a petition from concerned residents. CSD/Rose responded to C/Herndon that the Pantera Park neighborhood is a quiet area and there may be concern about the location and the noise generation. Staff planned to set up a simulation to determine the actual noise generation but has postponed the setup until after Tuesday night's City Council meeting to see if a petition is brought forth. There is no concern about noise generation at Peterson Park due to the proximity to the freeway. 1 NOVEMBER 16, 2006 PAGE 3 P&R COMMISSION There was no opposition to the Peterson Park location. VC/Owens asked about viewing the batting cage designs. He said there was also some concern about the location of the cages. Because of the proposed location near the entrance of the park the design and appearance would make an impact on the park and he would like to see what the design looks like. CSD/Rose said he would schedule the matter for discussion during the January meeting. Chair/Grundy expressed that he was very much in favor of batting cages at both parks and hoped it could be worked out to the satisfaction of all involved. Chair/Grundy left the meeting at 7:42 p.m. 3. OLD BUSINESS: None 4. NEW BUSINESS: 4.1 Proposed Fee Increase for Rentals at the Diamond Bar Center. CSD/Rose stated that the purpose of the proposed rental fee increase is to attempt to keep the operational costs in line. Currently, the budget item is $885,000 for expenditures and revenue of $500,000. The last time the fees were increased was in 2005. The majority of the primetime use of the Diamond Bar Center is booked ahead 18 months and therefore, the City would not realize increased revenue until after 18 months from approval of the increase. He explained the proposed increases. Staff recommends that the Parks and Recreation Commission recommend City Council approval of a Diamond Bar Center fee increase. C/Herndon felt the proposed increases were reasonable. C/Low asked how close to break even the City would be with implementation of the fee increases. CSD/Rose responded that on average the increases would result in an increased income of 30% or about $650,000. Management does not expect to fully recoup the expenses because there is no charge for senior groups. The $885,000 figure includes staff that work events at the center. Salaries for staff members who are housed at the center are not included. C/Low said that in her opinion, the proposed increases were reasonable. She said she was concerned about a 31 percent increase for residents and a 27 percent increase for non-residents and businesses and wondered if residents would complain about being charged more than non-residents on a proportionate basis. CSD/Rose said it could be a concern and he would not have a problem raising the percentages for non-residents and businesses proportionate to the increase for residents. C/Herndon said it was reasonable to him. VC/Owens felt that residents should have a break. NOVEMBER 16, 2006 PAGE 4 P&R COMMISSION CSD/Rose responded to VC/Owens that the tees were oaseu uii mdwR rates. The fees would go into effect 30 days from date of City Council approval. However, the City would not realize additional revenues for about 18 months since the facility is booked that far in advance. C/Liang felt the rental fees for the Diamond Bar Center were very reasonable. He believed that the only facility that was comparable to the Diamond Bar Center was the Pacific Palms. C/Herndon wondered if the expenses could also increase by 10-12 percent in the next 18 months and eat into the increases. Perhaps staff should consider another increase in 12 months. CSD/Rose said he anticipated staff would come back to the Commission on a regular 12 -month basis. The commitment to the seniors is to have the Pine Room available seven days a week on a no -charge basis. The rest of the facility is on a first available basis for senior activities Monday through Friday from time of opening until about 4:00 p.m. (3:00 p.m. on Friday). Primetime from Friday evening through Sunday are the hours available for rental. C/Herndon moved, C/Liang seconded, to recommend City Council approval of a 31 percent across the board fee increase for the Diamond Bar Center and to seek guidance from Council about future increases to close the gap between income and expenditures. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Herndon, Liang, Low, VC/Owens NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Chair/Grundy 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS: C/Herndon commended staff on their good work. C/Low concurred with C/Herndon that there is a lot happening in the City and CSD/Rose and his staff work very hard to make it happen. C/Liang said he felt the same about staff and wished everyone Happy Holidays. VC/Owens agreed that staff does a good job, especially in the area of providing services and maintaining the City's facilities. NOVEMBER 16, 2006 PAGE 5 P&R COMMISSION ADJOURNMENT: On motion by C/Low, seconded by C/Herndon and with no further business before the Parks & Recreation Commission, VC/Owens adjourned the meeting at 8:05 p.m. to January 25, 2007. Attest: 1 Ted ZOwens, Vice -Chairman 1 1 Respe ull S bmitted, B s ecretary