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Home My WebLink About10/25/2007 PRC MinutesCITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION S.C.A.Q.M.D.ITHE GOVERNMENT CENTER AUDITORIUM 21865 Copley Drive Diamond Bar, CA 91765 OCTOBER 25, 2007 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Owens 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, CA 91765. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Herndon led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioner Lew Herndon, Vice Chairman Ruth Low and Chairman Ted Owens Absent: Commissioners Dave Grundy and Benny Liang were excused. Staff Present: Bob Rose, Director of Community Services; Anthony Jordan, Parks and Maintenance Superintendent; Sara Somogyi, Recreation Services Manager; April Batson, Recreation Specialist; Alison Meyers, Recreation Specialist 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. 1. CONSENT CALENDAR 1.1 Approval of Minutes for the September 22, 2007 Regular Meeting. VC/Low moved, C/Herndon seconded, to approve the Minutes for the September 22, 2007 Regular meeting as presented. Without objection, the motion was so ordered with C/Grundy and C/Liang being absent and Chair/Owens abstaining. 2. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 2.1 RECREATION PROGRAM REPORT — RSM/Somogyi VC/Low said she was conflicted about the Fall Fun Festival because it seemed to her that trick or treating was a community event and that the Festival took away from that tradition. RSM/Somogyi said the Festival was merely an alternative to trick or treating. VC/Low asked what inspired the Fall Fun Festival? CSD/Rose explained that the event was developed in response to OCTOBER 25, 2007 PAGE 2 P&R COMMISSION response to residents' requests for an alternative. Many people who attend the event trick or treat in the immediate area as well. RSM/Somogyi explained that the event is more of a family event in a safe and friendly atmosphere. VC/Low said she had an excellent experience making reservations at the Diamond Bar Center. The individual who assisted her was very pleasant and helpful. RSM/Somogyi said she would email Chair/Owens the start time for the art show. She stated that the City mails surveys to ever person or business that rents the facility. VC/Low asked staff to research the cost of a float for the Rose Parade. C/Herndon reiterated he would prefer the budget statement in a different format. 2.2 PARKS REPORT — PMS/Jordan C/Herndon reiterated that he thought a surveillance system would be a good deterrent for vandalism. CSD/Rose responded that as previously stated a surveillance system was considered during the 2007/08 FY budget process, but was not approved. He will again present this as a budget item for the next fiscal year. VC/Low asked if there were other areas of the City that had experienced vandalism and CSD/Rose responded yes. Graffiti seems to be at its highest level and vandalism is common in many locations. She said that she and other Commissioners were frustrated that the City was not moving in a proactive manner to stop such behavior. C/Herndon suggested the City buy one unit and many signs to place throughout the City that indicate "you may be on camera." VC/Low says that CCTV signs are visible throughout England and people are photographed 20 -times a day. CSD/Rose said that staff would bring the matter up again during budget meetings. Chair/Owens suggested staff check nearby scrap yards for plaques. PMS/Jordan responded to Chair/Owens that the framework for the dugouts is made from common fencing materials. 2.3 CIP PROGRAM REPORT — CSD/Rose a. Batting Cages at Peterson and Pantera Parks — plans are being updated and once received they will go through plan check with Building and Safety. b. Trail Access at Steep Canyon at Clear Creek Canyon and at the Diamond Bar Center— plans for the Diamond Bar Center portion of the OCTOBER 25, 2007 PAGE 3 P&R COMMISSION the joint trail project are complete. Plans for the Steep Canyon portion of the trail are being revised according to direction from the Building & Safety Department. 3. OLD BUSINESS: None 4. NEW BUSINESS: 4.1 "At -Risk Youth" Definition for the Youth Employment Plan CSD/Rose presented staffs report and recommended approval of the "At -Risk Youth" Definition for the Youth Employment Plan to wit: "Any youth 16 to 24 years of age who is at risk of involvement or is involved in any of the following: Bullying, academic performance below grade level or failing to complete high school, or stress related to academics, thoughts of suicide, physical and/or emotional abuse, nutritional and/or sedentary behavior leading to obesity, truancy, violence, vandalism, drug and/or alcohol abuse, adolescent pregnancy; single parenthood, criminal and/or gang activity; poverty or family unemployment." C/Herndon asked if it would be prudent to coordinate with local high schools to define these individuals? CSD/Rose responded that if the City moves to implement its own employment program rather than contracting with the California Conservation Corps the City would be working with the high schools to develop the program. Since D.B. is a contract City there is no supervisory staff available to oversee a crew at this time. VC/Low wanted to know the definition approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission in 2003 and the definition proposed by the County. CSD/Rose responded that the 2003 definition approved by the Commission was also the County's definition. VC/Low said she would like to have "involved in domestic violence and sex abuse" added. In her opinion, "bullying, thoughts of suicide and obesity" should not be included in the general definition. As a general principal, young people should be engaged to be self-sufficient, to take responsibility and to learn to help themselves. C/Herndon asked if other cities were involved in promoting behavior to reduce obesity and other such issues. CSD/Rose responded that "to help reduce obesity and increase activity" is the hot button for many cities. Almost every recreational program in most cities includes this feature. As far as proof that it works he was not aware of specific statistics. Katherine Hsi, D.B.H.S. student, asked how the City would decide who might fit into a category such as "obese." CSD/Rose responded that there has been no definition of what the program will be. The City must submit a definition to Los Angeles County as a part of a resolution that allows the City to collect the money from the County and that money has to be spent on "at risk" youth. Chair/Owens asked if the City surveyed other cities for their definition and OCTOBER 25, 2007 PAGE 4 P&R COMMISSION CSD/Rose responded no, that D.B. used the Los Angeles County detinition and compared it to the information contained in the City's Youth Master Plan. C/Herndon asked if the Youth Master Plan addressed obesity and RS/Myers responded affirmatively. This subject was brought up during Youth Master Plan discussions with community members as a primary issue. In fact, the California Conservation Corps brought up the issue as well and indicated that they are considering "at -risk youth" as being broader based than what was traditionally considered in the past. Commission discussion ensued. C/Herndon moved, VC/Low seconded to recommend that the City Council adopt the 2003 definition as stated below. Without objection the motion was so ordered with C/Grundy and C/Liang being absent: "Any individual 14 to 24 years of age who is involved in or is at risk of involvement in any of the following: drug and/or alcohol abuse, adolescent pregnancy, single parenthood, physical and/or emotional abuse, gang activity, violence and vandalism, poverty, family unemployment, truancy, and academic performance below grade level or failing to complete high school." 4.2 Determine dates for November and December 2007 Parks and Recreation Commission meetings: Thursday, November 15; Thursday, December 20. The Commission concurred to accept Thursday, November 15 as the regular November meeting date and to go dark in December unless there is an item of urgency requiring Commission action. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS: C/Herndon said he enjoyed the Lorbeer Middle School field re -dedication ceremonies. He was pleased that this project came to fruition and that both entities were proud of the outcome. VC/Low said her thoughts and prayers were with the families who suffered loss as a result of the devastating fires in Southern California. Chair/Owens said that he agreed with C/Herndon that the Lorbeer Middle School project confirms that two agencies can join together for the greater good of the community. He felt it was a testament to what could be accomplished with other school sites. He said he was surprised to receive the DVD from WCCA promoting their campaign to oppose the Aera Project. At the behest of the Commissioners, CSD/Rose agreed that it would be a good idea to invite the City Manager or his designee to make a presentation on the Aera Project. RSM/Somogyi announced that the Diamond Bar Community Foundation Fundraising Gala would be held on November 10. OCTOBER 25, 2007 PAGE 5 P&R COMMISSION ADJOURNMENT: With no further business before the Parks -& Recreation Commission, Chair/Owens adjourned the meeting at 8:28 p.m. ;ttest,: TED OWENS, CHAIRMAN 1 r� Respectfully Submitted, B E, RETARY