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Home My WebLink About10/24/2019 PRC MinutesCITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION DIAMOND BAR CITY HALL - THE WINDMILL ROOM 21810 COPLEY DRIVE, DIAMOND BAR, CA 91765 OCTOBER 24, 2019 CALL TO ORDER: Chair/Orona called the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting to order at 6:30 p.m, in the City Hall Windmill Room, 21810 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA 91765, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Vice Chair Hsieh led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Aaron Salo, Manisha Sulakhe, Vice Chair Kim Hsieh and Chair Tommy Orona. Absent: Commissioner Benny Liang was excused. Staff Present: Ryan Wright, Parks and Recreation Director; Christy Murphey, Recreation Superintendent; Anthony Jordan, Maintenance Superintendent; Monique Weeks, Recreation Coordinator; and, Debbie Gonzales; Administrative Coordinator. MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE: None CALENDAR OF EVENTS: PRD/Wright 1. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1.1 Approval of Minutes for the September 26, 2019 Regular Meeting. C/Sulakhe moved, C/Salo seconded, to approve the Minutes for the September 26, 2019 regular Meeting. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Salo, Sulakhe, VC/Hsieh, Chair/Orona NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Liang 2. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: 2.1 OCTOBER 2019 RECREATION PROGRAM UPDATE: - RS/Murphey VC/Hsieh asked what senior classes are offered and RS/Murphey responded as follows: Sewing (morning and afternoons on Thursdays), Tai Chi, (Thursdays) and Exercise classes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the Diamond Bar Center and Heritage Park Center. 2.1.1 "Healthy Diamond Bar" report and video presentation — RC/Weeks OCTOBER 24, 2019 PAGE 2 P&R COMMISSION VC/Hsieh said she is very happy the City is doing this and asked if there was a charge for the program. RC/Weeks responded that the program is free for residents who wish to sign up and participate in any of the events. VC/Hsieh asked about the makeup of the participants with respect to gender and age groups and RSANeeks responded that the events have been fairly balanced. Many families participate together and kids try Tai Chi. The palates/ballet bar was more female oriented but the more family -oriented events and multi -sport days saw more family members participate. Generally, 40 to 50 individuals participate in each event with the multi -session events boasting higher attendance. VC/Hsieh wondered if the City could display a banner to display the dates and events at key locations throughout the City. RCANeeks responded that the City has three banners that are rotated throughout the City on walking trails at Pantera Dog Park and Sycamore Canyon which are meant to attract participants who are active. The third banner rotates to each facility where the next event is scheduled. Since this is a new program this year there is a lot of learning and educating and getting the word out. She believes what staff has done has generated a lot of interest. Banners are placed on City owned property. C/Sulakhe suggested putting a sign in the Diamond Bar Center sign area. C/Salo asked if the program would be extended beyond June 2020. PRDANright responded that June 2020 is the end of the current budget year and staff will be evaluating the program and looking at next year's budget to determine whether it will be a monthly, quarterly, or weekly program. The goal is to continue the program in some form with the community eventually taking ownership. 2.2 OCTOBER 2019 MAINTENANCE REPORT — MS/Jordan VC/Hsieh asked how often the City's landscape company weeds hillsides up to the trails and MS/Jordan said it is done on an as -needed basis. VC/Hsieh said that on the sidewalk close to the softball diamond at the dog park someone let their dog defecate on the pavement and wondered if it could be washed off. MS/Jordan said that if staff or the contractor is made aware of the situation it will be washed. Chair/Orona said he toured the Diamond Bar Center with RS/Murphey and noted that the water stream was not working and wondered if it was permanently shut off. MS/Jordan explained that there is a leak in the main basin down below and as a result, hundreds of gallons of water a day are being lost if it is in use. The cost to keep it going is becoming prohibitive OCTOBER 24, 2019 PAGE 3 P&R COMMISSION and in order to eliminate the leak and other issues, the fee is monumental. Several options have been explored and staff is looking to repurpose the area and perhaps use it as a planter that will not have the significant ongoing maintenance costs. VC/Hsieh asked if the City has a community garden and MS/Jordan responded yes, at the church on Morning Canyon and Diamond Bar Boulevard. VC/Hsieh asked if it would be too costly for the City to have a community garden and MS/Jordan said the City would need space for it. VC/Hsieh wondered if the parking lot area at Diamond Bar Center would accommodate a community garden or within District 39. MS/Jordan said that within District 39, the only City -owned parcels are the mini -parks. There might be conflicts at the Diamond Bar Center. VC/Hsieh said that some of the smaller parks are not used. PRD/Wright said he appreciated VC/Hsieh's idea. However, when staff has spoken with the community, the community has not indicated a need for a community garden because the need is being met by the church and is open to all members of the public. VC/Hsieh suggested the Commission acknowledge a volunteer who would monitor the trails and have their name placed on a sign/plaque. 3. OLD BUSINESS: None 4. NEW BUSINESS: 4.1 COMMISSION MEETING SCHEDULE: PRD/Wright reported that the November 28th meeting falls on Thanksgiving and the December 26ih falls on the day after Christmas. There are three options to be considered: Option A is staffs recommendation that the November and December meetings be canceled and that the Commission would reconvene on January 23rd, 2020; Option B is to reschedule the November meeting to November 21st and cancel the December 26th meeting; and Option C is to cancel the November meeting and moving the December meeting to December 19"'. C/Liang provided an email response indicating that he favored Option A. Following Commission discussion, C/Salo moved, VC/Hsieh seconded, to approve Option A as recommended by staff. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Salo, VC/Hsieh, Chair/Orona NOES: COMMISSIONERS: Sulakhe ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Liang 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS: C/Sulakhe reiterated her concern about the lack of lighting at the Diamond Bar OCTOBER 24, 2019 PAGE 4 P&R Center in the area outside of the kitchen and asked if it could be brought back as a new business item and addressed in the budget. PRD/Wright explained that this item was addressed during the budget process and unfortunately, it was not approved as a budgetary item since there is safety and walkway lighting available. It is not a project this Commission can add to the budget because there is no funding to support it. Chair/Orona asked if VC/Hsieh's suggestion for a volunteer trails monitor could be added to the next meeting agenda. PRD/Wright explained that the City Council recently adopted a policy that does not allow the Commissions to recognize volunteers. If the Commission can set forth expectations of these volunteers, staff will compile an agenda report. Individuals regularly contact the City to offer their volunteer services and some, while not officially recognized, do walk the trails weekly and provide cleanup on their own. MS/Jordan said he has observed that there are several people that frequent the trails and call staff if something needs attention, whether it be graffiti, a damaged bench or other concerns and this is how the City currently generates many of its service order requests. He is not sure there would be a benefit to adding another level to what the City is currently getting between residents who frequent the trails and provide the best eyes, ears and input in addition to staff and landscape contractors. C/Sulakhe thanked RC/Weeks for her presentation on the Healthy Diamond Bar program and encouraged additional outreach. She is proud of staff's hard work on getting the Sycamore Canyon Park trail reopened and paid for. VC/Hsieh said she is excited about Healthy Diamond Bar, Restaurant Week and staffs efforts toward other new ideas and things that are happening in the City. C/Salo complimented staff on their great work putting together all of the new programs and said he is excited to see what other programs and events will be created. Unfortunately, he will not be able to attend the Sycamore Canyon Park Trail reopening but he will try to visit the trail shortly thereafter. Chair/Orona said that he is also excited for the new programs. He hopes to make the Halloween Party and he will be at the trail reopening. He hopes to attend the Winter Snow Fest. He works on the weekends and it is difficult to make some of the weekend events. He appreciates all of staffs hard work and appreciated RC/Weeks presentation on the Healthy Diamond Bar program. ADJOURNMENT: With no one objecting and no further business before the Parks and Recreation Commission, Chair/Orona adjourned the meeting at 7:28 p.m. to January 23rd, 2020. OCTOBER 24, 2019 PAGE 5 P&R COMMISSION The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 3. day of n u / 12020, RespeotfullY?,i7 ed, ll RYAN WRIGHT, SECRETARY Attest: TOMMY ORONA, CHAIRPERSON