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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-23-2009 Approved PCSC Minutes PARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION *SPECIAL MEETING* Minutes CITY OF DUBLIN February 23, 2009 The February 23, 2009 Special Meeting of the Parks & Community Services Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Dublin Civic Center, Dublin, California, by Chair Jones. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair Jones led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Commissioners (Cm.)Present: Jones, Elias, Muctterties, Totaro, Van Loon Commissioners Absent: Guarienti ORAL COMMUNICATIONS 3.1 BRIEF INFORMATIONAL ONLY REPORTS FROM SENIOR CENTER AND YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEES Senior Center Advisory Committee Mr. Martin Baron reported that the Committee elected its Chair and Vice Chair persons and discussed the purpose and goals of the Committee. He informed the Commission of the Senior Center's upcoming events. Youth Advisory Committee Cm. Van Loon reported on the Committee's planned events for St. Patrick's Day. 3.2 PUBLIC COMMENTS - None APPROVAL OF MINUTES —January 21, 2009 On a motion by Cm. Muetterties, seconded by Cm. Elias, and by a vote of 5-0-0 with Vice Chair Guarienti absent, the Commission voted to approve the minutes of January 21, 2009 as presented. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS None PUBLIC HEARING None UNFINISHED BUSINESS -None NEW BUSINESS 8.1 Future Use of the Emerald Glen Activity Center Mr. Paul McCreary, Assistant Parks & Community Services Director, presented the specifics of the item as outlined in the Staff Report. PkCSC Special Meeting Minutes February 23, 2009 Page 2 of 4 Cm. Muetterties asked if the City considered purchasing the Buildings. Mr. McCreary stated that the Buildings were intended to be temporary facilities and that the City may look at purchasing Building "A" in the future. Cm. Elias stated that he is happy the City is not discontinuing the lease of Building "A". He stated that he is surprised to hear that the Preschool participant ratio is fifty/fifty (50150) between east and west Dublin because it seems the majority of the population of young people lives in eastern Dublin. He stated that it would be unwise for the City to solely rely on a childcare center on the western side of the City. He asked for further clarity on the residency ratio of the participants and the feasibility of maintaining a presence on the eastern side of the City. Mr. McCreary stated that for the fall session, four of the 135 students were non-residents. He explained the new priority registration process for Dublin residents and returning participants. He further explained that if the market was split between the Shannon Community Center and Emerald Glen Activity Center, each location would be serving approximately 80 students (60 percent of capacity). If demand were to increase, each site could accommodate approximately 50 additional participants. Cm. Elias suggested increased marketing to generate additional participation, and Mr. McCreary agreed. Chair Jones stated that Building A should remain in place in order to maintain a location on the eastern side of the City. He stated that with all of the growth occurring on the eastern side of the City, he believes both locations would be filled to capacity. On a motion by Cm. Elias, seconded by Cm. Muetterties, and by a vote of 5-0-0 with Vice Chair Guarienti absent, the Commission voted to recommend to the City Council to maintain Building "A" for future use and to discontinue leasing Building "B" after August 2009. 8.2 Fall 2008 Quarterly Reports Mr. Paul McCreary, Assistant Parks & Community Services Director, presented the specifics of the item as outlined in the Staff Report. Cm. Totaro asked about the participation decline in teen programs and events. Mr. McCreary suggested that it could be due to the timing of the programs and events. Cm. Totaro asked about the relocation of Open Gym Basketball to the Fallon Middle School Gym. Mr. McCreary stated that the program did not sustain itself at Stager Community Gymnasium. He further stated that Staff would reassess the activity's relocation to Fallon Middle School Gym after the spring quarter. Cm. Totaro suggested that the 12% decline in the Kidz Love Soccer program could be because it is competing with the Dublin United Soccer League - Dublin Soccer Academy due to the timing of the programs. 8.3 Potential Projects for the East Bay Regional Park District Measure WW Park Bond Local Grant Program Ms. Diane Lowart, Parks & Community Services Director, presented the specifics of the item as outlined in the Staff Report. Cm. Totaro asked about the timeframe for receiving the Grant funding. Ms. Lowart explained stated that it is a 10-year program and that the Grant funds could be distributed through 2018. P.&CSC Special Meeting Minutes February 23, 2009 Page 3 of 4 Cm. Totaro asked about using the Grant funds for the Dublin Historic Park, Freshwater Corner project. Ms. Lowart explained that it is anticipated that the entire Dublin Historic Park project would eventually be funded by the General Fund with the exception of the $1.5 million Developer contribution. If this project is selected for Grant funds, the contribution from the General Fund would be reduced. Cm. Elias stated that he is in favor of the City applying for Measure WW funding. He suggested that the Fallon Sports Park Synthetic Turf would be the best selection for the Grant funding. He stated that the City Council has already approved the project and the Park should be created as it was designed to be: a showcase, multi-use sports park for the City. He further stated that it would provide a measure of relief for the City's General Fund which could create reserves that could potentially be earmarked for continuing work on the Dublin Sports Grounds. Cm. Van Loon stated that he would also like to see the Grant funds applied to the Fallon Sports Park Synthetic Turf project. Cm. Muetterties stated that she is also in favor of the City applying for the Grant finding. She stated that she would like to see the Grant funds be applied to the Dublin Historic Park, Freshwater Corner project. Cm. Jones agreed that the City should apply for the Grant funds. He stated that he is in favor of the funds being applied to the Fallon Sports Park Synthetic Turf project, and then the City's funding that was set aside for the for the Turf project could go towards another project, such as the Dublin Sports Grounds and the Dublin Historic Park, Freshwater Corner projects. Cm. Muetterties and Cm. Totaro asked clarifying questions on what would happen to General Fund Reserves set aside for a specific project(s) if that project(s) was selected for the Grant funding. Ms. Lowart explained that for the Fallon Sports Park Synthetic Turf project, the Grant funds would allow the City to re-designate the General Fund Reserves toward the anticipated operating deficit that is anticipated for next year. She further explained that the Dublin Sports Grounds projects are currently identified for funding for a future year; however, every year, the Capital Improvement Program is reevaluated and based on the availability of General Funds, funding for projects can be delayed. Cm. Elias stated that he would like to see the Fallon Sports Park constructed in the way that was promised to the residents. Cm. Totaro stated that he would prefer to not override the General Fund Reserves for the Fallon Sports Park Synthetic Turf project because once the General Fund Reserves are relieved, the Funds do not necessarily have to be re-designated to another Park proicct(s). He stated that he would like to see the Grant funds split between the Dublin Sports Grounds and Dublin Historic Park, Freshwater Corner proj ects. Ms. Lowart explained that if the City applied for the Grant funds, the City would need to guarantee that the project could be completed. She stated that the City could apply for one project now and another project next year. Chair Jones stated that he would like to see the Fallon Sports Park Synthetic Turf project selected for the Grant funding to help relieve the General Fund. Cm. Elias asked about the timeline for applying for the Grant funds. Ms. Lowart explained that Staff would present the Commission's recommended project(s) to the City Council on March 17, 2009, and the Grant Program application deadline is March 31, 2009. P&CSC Special Meeting Minutes February 23, 2009 Page 4 of 4 The Commissioners discussed different ideas for the Grant funds. Ms. Lowart suggested that the Commission prioritize the projects in descending order and Chair Jones agreed. Chair Jones voted in favor of Fallon Sports Park, Dublin Sports Grounds, and then Dublin Historic Park projects. Cm. Van Loon agreed with Chair Jones. Cm. Muetterties voted in favor of Dublin Historic Park, Dublin Sports Grounds, and then the Fallon Sports Park projects Cm. Totaro voted in favor of Dublin Sports Grounds projects. Cm. Elias voted in favor of Fallon Sports Park project. Cm. Muetterties and Cm. Totaro asked about the timing of the projects and when the funds from the Grant Program would be received. Ms. Lowart explained that General Fund Reserve designated for the Fallon Sports Grounds project would not be re-designated until the City receives notification that the grant application was approved. The Commission further exchanged ideas about the best ways to apply the Grant Funds. On a motion by Cm. Elias, seconded by Cm. Van Loon, and by a vote of 4-1-0 with Cm. Muetterties voting against the motion and Cm. Guarienti absent, the Commission voted in favor of the City submitting an application for the full amount of the Measure WW funding for the 2009 Funding Cycle, and recommended to the City Council to submit the application for the Fallon Sports Park Synthetic Turf and Dublin Sports Grounds Area 2 projects. OTHER BUSINESS 9.1 BRIEF INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS FROM PARKS & COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSIONERS AND/OR STAFF Cm. Muetterties stated that she enjoyed the City of Dublin Volunteer Appreciation Dinner held last Friday. Cm. Elias stated that he attended the Dublin Partners In Education fundraising event. Ms. Lowart reminded the Commission that the Shannon Community Center Grand Opening would be held this Saturday from Noon to 4:00 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:31 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Rhonda Franklin Administrative Technician APPROVED: C airperson