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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-17-2014 Approved P&CS Minutes PARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Minutes CITY OF DUBLIN March 17, 2014 The March 17, 2014 Regular Meeting of the Parks and Community Services Commission was called to order at 7:00 PM at the Dublin Civic Center, Dublin, California, by Chair Totaro. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair Totaro led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Commissioners (Cm.) Present: Ballesteros, Boboc, Elias, Mack, Sung, Totaro Commissioner Absent: None ORAL COMMUNICATIONS 3.1 BRIEF INFORMATIONAL ONLY REPORTS FROM THE SENIOR CENTER AND YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEES Senior Center Advisory Committee Ms. Faye Guarienti, Senior Center Advisory Committee Member, reported that Hired Hands Home Care sponsored the Senior Info Fair and will sponsor the upcoming Hula classes at the Senior Center. Ms. Guarienti reported that the Advisory Committee discussed the St. Patrick's Day Festival event and volunteer opportunities. Ms. Guarienti also reported on the Senior Center Special Luncheon with a St. Patrick's Day theme and provided an update on the idea for a marquee at the Senior Center. Ms. Guarienti informed the Commission the Annual Car Show will be held on May 3, 2014 at the Heritage Park and Museums. Youth Advisory Committee Cm. Sung reported that at the last meeting, the Youth Advisory Committee discussed the Youth Benefit Concert event, Live Healthy Dublin "Step 2 It Challenge," and volunteer opportunities for the St. Patrick's Day Festival. 3.2 PUBLIC COMMENTS None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 4.1 February 24, 2014 On a motion by Cm. Mack, seconded by Cm. Boboc, and by a vote of 6-0-0, the Commission voted to approve the minutes of February 24, 2014 as presented. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS None PUBLIC HEARING None UNFINISHED BUSINESS None P&CSC Minutes—March 17,2014—Page 2 of 5 NEW BUSINESS 8.1 Parks and Community Service Department Work Plan, 2014-2016 Mr. Paul McCreary, Parks and Community Services Director and Ms. Micki Cronin, Assistant Director of Parks and Community Services, presented the specifics of the item as outlined in the Staff Report. Chair Totaro asked if the exclusion of the multipurpose building in Phase II of Fallon Sports Park will impact the restrooms. Mr. McCreary stated the restroom facility will be built as planned. Cm. Ballesteros asked about the maintenance for the Public Art pieces. Mr. McCreary stated Staff is contracting with an art conservator to inspect the pieces and inform Staff of the ongoing maintenance needs for the pieces. Cm. Ballesteros asked about the Camp Parks Collection partnership and the costs associated with the collection. Mr. McCreary stated Staff plans to have a consultant assess the collection for temporary, virtual and permanent exhibition. The consultant would develop a plan, design and cost estimate to build the exhibit. At this time, it is undecided as to what the Army will provide for the City. Cm. Ballesteros asked what the Camp Parks Collection consists of. Mr. McCreary stated the different types of artifacts in the collection related to the base and its personnel. Cm. Ballesteros asked if the Emerald Glen Recreation and Aquatic Complex (EGRAC) will use recycled water or solar energy. Mr. McCreary stated Staff is currently planning to have solar in the future but is also looking for ways to incorporate solar into the first phase should the budget allow. There will be recycled water used in the park, but not within the Complex. By the City's Green Building Ordinance, the EGRAC will be designed to be a LEED Silver Certified building. Cm. Boboc asked why Staff has decided to offer additional picnic reservation locations. Ms. Cronin stated Staff will be increasing the number of rentable spaces at different park locations as the City currently only has one rentable area at Emerald Glen Park. Cm. Boboc asked if there have been any altercations for the first come, first served picnic areas. Ms. Cronin stated residents work it out amongst themselves who has use of the areas. Staff is trying to provide reservable areas to help assure residents they have a predetermined designated picnic area for their parties. Vice Chair Mack asked if the Camp Parks Collection display has moved over to the Dublin Library. Mr. McCreary stated the City has retained all of the artifacts from the Camp Park Collection and they are being stored in the expansion space at the Library. A permanent location is still needed to display and store the artifacts. Vice Chair Mack asked about the cost recovery in the Business Plan for the Emerald Glen Recreation and Aquatics Complex. Ms. Cronin stated the Business Plan has not yet been completed for the EGRAC specifically. However, Staff is examining the Business Plan as a whole within the Parks and Community Services Department. Staff will report the results of the research to the Commission. Cm. Elias asked about Emerald Glen Recreation and Aquatics Complex staffing needs. Ms. Cronin stated Staff is currently working on a staffing plan which will be evaluated by an outside consultant. P&CSC Minutes—March 17, 2014—Page 3 of 5 Cm. Elias asked when the construction on Phase II of Fallon Sports Park will begin. Mr. McCreary stated Phase II is currently in the construction documents stage and the groundbreaking is scheduled to take place in 2015. Cm. Elias asked if the need for a Marketing Plan at Heritage Park and Museum is due to the facility being under-utilized. Mr. McCreary stated the use of the facility and the park has grown but a Marketing Plan is needed to find which markets to target in order to continue to bring in new users. Also, museum volunteers have mentioned there is a low amount of visitors during hours of operation; however, the community has given the impression that they do not want to reduce museum hours. Cm. Elias asked when the Library expansion for the Center for 21St Century Skills will it take place. Mr. McCreary stated Staff is aiming to have the Center operational in 2015. Cm. Elias further asked if the City will be working with the Dublin United School District (DUSD) to complete the project. Mr. McCreary stated the City's goal is to work with DUSD, the Library, the business community, and a variety of non- profit organizations. Cm. Sung asked if the Performing Arts Center at Dublin High School will be run by Dublin High when it opens. Mr. McCreary stated the Center will be a DUSD facility that will be managed and operated by DUSD. Most likely, it will not be used for City or community use for at least a year during a maintenance period. Cm. Sung asked if the first come, first served picnic areas will decrease due to the increase in reservable picnic areas offered. Ms. Cronin stated the current first come, first served areas will remain and if the reservable areas are not reserved on a particular date,they will also be first come, first served. Chair Totaro asked if the neighborhood park in the Jordan Ranch community will be the City's next groundbreaking. Mr. McCreary stated the park will be the next groundbreaking and there will be a park dedication in May 2014 for Passatempo Park. Chair Totaro asked if the Library's Center for 21St Century Skills will have grant money and job training opportunities. Mr. McCreary stated, in regards to the partnership with the Dublin Library, the City will provide all of the construction needs and the Library will provide the technological equipment. Chair Totaro further asked if any other groups aside from the Library and City are working on the project. Mr. McCreary stated the planning for the technology program is being done internally and a consultant will be brought in for the design process. Chair Totaro asked if the Parks and Community Service Department Work Plan, 2014-2016 will include the swim facility at Dublin High School. Mr. McCreary stated Dublin United School District is still working on having the changes to the Dublin High School Master Plan approved, but the City remains in active discussion with DUSD regarding the Dublin High School pool. Chair Totaro asked when the new gate at Camp Parks will open. Mr. McCreary stated a ribbon cutting for the new gate, along with the Military History Center facility, is scheduled for late spring 2014. Chair Totaro asked when the Camp Parks Collection will be on exhibit. Mr. McCreary stated Staff will need to work with the consultant on the details of the project before an exhibition opening date can be determined. A plan should be in place by next Fiscal Year. P&CSC Minutes—March 17, 2014—Page 4 of 5 Chair Totaro asked about the progress of extending the Heritage Park and Museum tours to school districts outside of Dublin. Mr. McCreary stated not typically as each community in the region has history centers to meet those needs; however, Ms. Elizabeth Isles, Heritage Center Director, is currently working on a new P grade curriculum tour and that this type of idea would be considered for the Marketing Plan. Cm. Ballesteros suggested offering historical reenactments at the Heritage Park and Museum to attract more patrons on weekends. Chair Totaro asked if the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission and the Parks and Community Services Commission could have a discussion to brainstorm ideas for the Heritage Park and Museum at a Joint meeting in the future. Cm. Boboc asked when Camp Parks will be closing the gate on Dublin Boulevard. Mr. McCreary stated the Dublin Boulevard gate will close when the Dougherty Road gate opens. Cm. Elias asked if the Dublin Crossing land will be turned over to the City when the new Camp Parks gate opens. Mr. McCreary stated the land will be given to SunCal, a private developer. Cm. Ballesteros asked about the future dog park in eastern Dublin. Mr. McCreary stated the City Council deemed the Jordan Ranch Community Park as the preferred site for a dog park. However, Staff does not have the specifics of the project at this time as this project is beyond the Five Year Capital Improvement Program. Mr. McCreary informed the Commission the City Council budget study session will be held on March 19, 2014. OTHER BUSINESS 9.1 BRIEF INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS FROM PARKS & COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSIONERS AND/OR STAFF Cm. Sung reported she volunteered at the St. Patrick's Day Festival and commented on the positive feedback. Cm. Elias reported he attended the St. Patrick's Day Festival. He suggested making improvements to the pedestrian traffic due to the increased attendance and to watch for commercial groups unaffiliated with the Festival promoting or conducting business. Cm. Elias ask-ed-if the-City was-promoting the Festival through social media prior to and during the event. Mr. McCreary stated Staff emailed newsflashes through the City's website and the Vertical Response system, but the event was not strongly promoted through social media this year. Staff is looking into additional resources to enhance the City's social media advertising. Vice Chair Mack reported she attended the California Park and Recreation Society conference in Ontario, California. She reported that she also attended the St. Patrick's Day Luncheon at the Senior Center, walked the St. Patrick's Day Parade, volunteered in the Irish Tea Cottage at the St. Patrick's Day Festival, and is participating in the Live Healthy Dublin "Step 2 It Challenge." She reported she heard a lot of positive feedback on the St. Patrick's Day festivities from attendees. Cm. Boboc reported he participated in the Shamrock 5K Fun Run. He asked if the race had an official countdown as he did not notice one at the start of the race. Ms. Cronin stated the police officers were P&CSC Minutes—March 17,2014—Page 5 of 5 located further away this year so it was hard to hear the count down. Staff is working on improving the audibility of the countdown for next year. Cm. Ballesteros reported she attended the St. Patrick's Day Festival logistics meeting, the Green and White Gala, and participated in the Shamrock 5K Fun Run. She suggested having hand washing stations near the food vendors, placing additional tables and chairs near the stages, and having additional beer booths during peak hours at the Festival. She asked if the Festival's carnival rides prices increased this year. Mr. McCreary stated he believes the cost for the rides were the same as the previous year. Chair Totaro reported he attended the St. Patrick's Day Parade. He suggested improving the audio system so the crowd can hear the announcement of who is passing by. He asked what St. Patrick's Day event took place in the Shamrock Village Shopping Center parking lot. Mr. McCreary stated Gallagher's Dublin Pub hosts a private event at that location. Cm. Elias informed the Commission he will be traveling to Dublin, Ireland in April and has submitted a request to interview the Mayor of Dublin, Ireland. Ms. Cronin reported on the Live Healthy Dublin "Step 2 It Challenge." Following up on a question from the February Commission meeting on whether the Fit Bit can be used in conjunction with the program, Ms. Cronin stated the two software programs are unable to communicate with each other, however, the steps can be logged on the Live Healthy Dublin website. Chair Totaro asked about the renovation progress of the Shannon Park water play area. Mr. McCreary stated there have been some challenges that have caused a delay in the re-opening of the area. The playground is scheduled to re-open at the end of March 2014 and the water play area is scheduled to re- open Memorial Day weekend. Chair Totaro asked for a brief report on the St. Patrick's Day Festival. Mr. McCreary stated the festival was a success; revenue increased by 50% on Saturday compared to the 2013 Festival. Staff is currently checking with the food vendors to see if food sales increased. Ms. Cronin added additional cashiers were brought in for each beverage bar so the beverage bars doubled in size compared to last year. Ms. Cronin and Mr. McCreary provided program and project updates. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:03 PM. Respectfully submitted, Jennifer Kray6y Senior Office Assistant APPROVED: Chairperson