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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/26/2011 PRC MinutesCITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION THE GOVERNMENT CENTER HEARING BOARD ROOM DIAMOND BAR, CA 91765 MAY 26, 2011 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Roberto called the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the SCAQMD/Government Center Hearing Board Room, 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA 91765. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: C/Grundy led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Dave Grundy, Benny Liang, Ted Owens, Vice Chairman Lew Herndon and Chairman Dave Roberto. Staff Present: Anthony Jordan, Parks and Maintenance Superintendent; Christy Murphey, Recreation Superintendent; April Batson, Community Services Coordinator, and Marcy Hilario, Senior'Administrative Assistant. MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE: None CALENDAR OF EVENTS: As presented in the agenda with the addition of the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting scheduled for June 23, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in the Hearing Board Room. 1. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1.1 Approval of Minutes for the April 14, 2011 Study Session. C/Grundy moved, VC/Owens seconded, to approve the Minutes of the April 14, 2011 Study Session as presented. Without objection, the motion was so ordered. 1.2 Approval of Minutes for the April 28, 2011 Regular Meeting. VC/Herndon moved, C/Grundy seconded, to approve the April 28, 2011 Regular Meeting Minutes as presented. Without objection, the motion was so ordered. MAY 26, 2011 2. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS PAGE 2 P&R COMMISSION 2.1 Recreation Program Update — RS/Murphey C/Grundy asked if staff kept records of attendance for the excursions to refer to those statistics to project which excursions might be more successfully attended in the future. RS/Murphey responded affirmatively. C/Grundy asked if the City had a sense of what excursions are most successful. CSD/Batson responded that this summer, the Hollywood Bowl excursion, which has historically been a popular excursion, is sold out. The same is true of the Pageant of the Masters. This spring, staff is again scheduling the Santa Barbara Land and Sea Tour because there was a 22 person wait list last summer. This year, she has 20 plus on the waiting list and that excursion seems to be popular as well. She attempts to capitalize on the popular excursions but tries to interject some variety by planning different excursions so that people do not get bored with the same tour over and over. C/Grundy asked if CSC/Batson asks participants for their input and she responded yes, definitely. 2.1.1 PowerPoint presentation on Contract Class Evaluations — CSC/Batson. VC/Herndon asked how people outside of D.B. find out about the City's recreation classes. CSC/Batson responded that the guide is sent to over 300 households outside of the City. C/Grundy felt it would be interesting to find out how many D.B. residents participate in classes in other cities and what classes they attend. CSC/Batson shared that staff does not track that information; however, many people tell her that they looked in other cities' guides and found D.B. classes to be the most attractive. C/Owens asked if the City charged a non-resident fee. CSC/Batson responded no, that everyone pays the same fee which includes a $7 administrative fee. VC/Herndon said it would be interesting to see if the City could have more of an unstructured environment for the teens. Chair/Roberto asked if staff had considered sending questionnaires by email to people for their response at the end of the class. CSC/Batson said she had considered it and has discussed sending out attachments; however she felt it may fall into the realm of "spam" and; therefore, would have to consult with our IT department to look into that possibility. MAY 26, 2011 PAGE 3 P&R COMMISSION 2.2 Parks Report — PMS/Jordan With respect to rodent problems in the City, VC/1--lerndon asked if staff had come up with a good way to keep them at bay. PMS/Jordan responded that ground squirrels can be kept at bay with chemical bait called PCO. The City uses a chemical called Fumitoxin; however, the Department of Pesticides Regulation has changed the rules about how this can be used. Pellets are inserted into the gopher burrows and reacts with moisture in the ground to create a fossifying gas. C/Grundy recommended that PMS/Jordan look into a two-cycle engine called a Cheetah that funnels exhaust through a hole and floods the burrow with carbon monoxide. In regard to volunteer work done in various locations throughout the City, VC/Herndon asked if staff contacted the LDS Church or if the Church contacted staff. PMS/Jordan responded that the Church contacts the City and have helped with several projects. They have numerous volunteers who want to be involved in projects for the City. C/Owens proposed the Commission send a thank you letter to the Church. Commissioners agreed and PMS/Jordan said that staff would draft a letter on behalf of the Commission. 2.2.1 Power Point Presentation on Park Walk-thru — Starshine Park — PMS/Jordan. PMS/Jordan spoke of Camphor trees recently planted in the park. VC/Herndon asked if the trees had good canopies. PMS/Jordan responded that they do. These trees are one of his favorites. They are evergreen and if you crush the leaves, you can smell the camphor oil. They create a huge canopy with a 40-50 foot spread. Other trees, when mature, provide canopies as well but are deciduous and drop leaves in the winter. VC/Herndon volunteered to do a park walk-thru. PMS/Jordan responded that the only park that has been walked is Paul C. Grow. VC/Herndon stated that for him Monday and Friday afternoons are the best times for him. Staff will coordinate with all Commissioners regarding their desire to schedule park walk-thrus. 2.3 Status of CIP Projects — PMS/Jordan 2.3.1 Washington Street Mini -Park — The updated plans have been received from the consultant, and have been reviewed and approved by Public Works and Community Services. There are a couple of minor corrections and then the project will go out to bid, MAY 26, 2011 PAGE 4 P&R COMMISSION 2.3.2 Sycamore Canyon Park Trail — Phase IV — The documents are being put together to start the bidding process which should commence in the next two weeks. 2.3.3 Silver Tip Mini -Park — The updated plans have been received and are currently being reviewed by Public Works, Community Services and Building and Safety. Once approved, the project will go out to bid. C/Owens asked about the length of the bid process and PMS/Jordan responded he was not sure about the timeframe but that it was usually two to three weeks. 2.4 Parks Master Plan Update — PMS/Jordan PMS/Jordan stated that the updated plan should go before Council in July for consideration of adoption. He emphasized that the Commissioners are requested to continue reporting any corrections to the documents in the meantime. As soon as the corrections are completed, a copy will be provided to the Commissioners and Council Members and posted on the City's website. C/Grundy asked why the document would not be presented until July. PMS/Jordan said he was not certain. The corrections are minor. C/Grundy asked if the Council would be reviewing the document in a study session before July because he was curious about why the gap in time from when the Commission recommended to Council consideration. VC/Herndon recalled that the consultant was in China for six weeks. C/Owens asked if the Commissioners could be notified about when the item would go before the City Council and PMS/Jordan responded "yes." 3. OLD BUSINESS: None 4. NEW BUSINESS: None 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS: C/Liang thanked staff for tonight's presentations. C/Grundy said he was looking forward to the Concerts in the Park series and the July 4t" Celebration. He too thanked staff for their good work. C/Owens said he would try to attend the Tiny Tots Graduation. He asked to be informed about the date of the next home game for the senior softball game. RS/Murphey said she would e-mail a copy of the schedule to C/Owen. He complimented PMS/Jordan on his Channel 3 Safe Water Program presentation. MAY 26, 2011 PAGE 5 P&R COMMISSION VC/Herndon said he appreciated the trees being planted at Starshine Park and he felt it would make the park a lot more appealing to the neighborhood. Once those trees begin to mature, it should make a big difference. PMS/Jordan said he purposely left extra space between some of the trees so that the City could continue to add or replace trees. C/Owens asked if there was a picnic shelter at Starshine Park. PMS/Jordan responded that there is a picnic table but no shelter. C/Owens asked if staff had considered a small shelter. PMS/Jordan said the problem is that there is no restroom facility at the park and it is not a site that the City would rent out for picnics. During community meetings to discuss the improvements, residents stated they did not want a restroom facility because they wanted it as a neighborhood park. Chair/Roberto thanked staff for their presentations and information provided to the Commission. He recommended that Commissioners schedule their park walk throughs before it gets too hot. He wished everyone safe travels during June. ADJOURNMENT: VC/Herndon moved, C/Owens seconded, to adjourn the meeting. With no further business before the Parks & Recreation Commission, Chair/Roberto adjourned the meeting at 7:59 p.m. to July 28, 2011. The foregoing minutes are hereby approved thisa0 day of .iL 12011. Respectfully Submitted, /i B' S CRETARY Attest: f1 DAVE ROBERTO, CHAIRMAN