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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-06-2005 SCAC Minutes CITY OF DUBLIN SENIOR CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 6, 2005 Call to Order Chairperson Greer Payton called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m. Roll Call: Committee Members (CM) Present: Luis Batiza, Hans Berg, Al Edge, Greer Payton. Committee Members Absent: Barbara Gifford Parks and Community Services Commission Liaison: Burr Cain Staff: Anna Hudson,Recreation Coordinator. Oral Communications-None Approval of the Minutes ONA MOTION BY CM BERG, SECONDED BY CMBATIZA AND BY UNANIMOUS VOTE, THE COMMITTEE VOTED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JULY 7, 2005 MEETING. Written Communication -None Unfinished Business—None New Business PRESENTATION OF THE FINAL REPORT FOR THE RECREATIONAL AND CIVIC FACILITIES ASSESSMENT FOR THE CAMP PARKS PROJECT AREA Diane Lowart, Parks and Community Services Director, gave a presentation to the Advisory Committee on a potential recreational and civic facility in the Camp Parks Project Area. The Army is contemplating turning over 187-acres along Dublin Boulevard for private development. The City Council directed Staff to seek a consultant to conduct research on recreational and civic amenities which currently exist in the greater Tri Valley area and to also identify facilities that are not currently available and might be appropriate for Dublin. On May 17, 2005, the City Council approved the execution of a contract with Moore Iacofano Goltsman, Inc. (MIG) to complete such a study. Staff has worked closely with MIG Over the past several months to collect data about the community, conducted research in the Tri Valley area, the Bay Area region and in other markets to assess trends and successes in unique community facility development and operations. They also evaluated the regions' community facilities including arboretums, children's museums, zoos, destination recreation facilities, cultural facilities, large scale park components and other like facilities. The research included a review of facilities, their construction cost, operating cost, and revenue generation potential. The MIG Final Report presented some exciting new ideas for consideration when thinking about a future public space at the 187-acre Camp Parks site. The main reason for the City to go through this exercise at this time was to be able to inform the Army of the City's expectations in terms of the amount of acreage that is devoted to public uses in the eventual Master Plan for the site. Ms. Lowart's presentation identified potential themes for future public space at the 187-acre Camp Parks site. This land is an ideal location because it is centrally located in Dublin. Staff gave various options on the types of use that might be desirable for this unique space as well as the amount of space (land and building, if appropriate) needed to accommodate the use. Page 1 of 3 CM Edge suggested that the City focus on the needs and desires of the Dublin residents and not so much on how to attract outsiders to the location. He also felt that diversification should be considered in the planning of this facility. Chair Payton personally liked the cultural idea with a food component and international flavor. CM Berg favored the active games idea in an effort to address the growing obesity problem in the country. He suggested that the elements be blended together and consist of a universal theme. Some Committee Members wanted to be sure that the recreation venue does not attract potentially "bad elements"as it would be in close proximity to a BART station. Overall, the Committee liked the ideas and themes presented. Chair Payton liked the idea of a par-three golf course. The Committee was interested in having a water feature or a lake. One of the Committee Members suggested that a passive water fountain, like the one located in Blackhawk,be considered. Another Committee Member suggested having a restaurant that could be a potential revenue source for the City. CM Berg suggested the City "Think Green" and look into reclaimed water possibly for the lake. Ms. Lowart indicated the City currently uses recycled water mainly for park and street median irrigation in the eastern part of Dublin. Chair Payton suggested that a"downtown"idea be considered for this development. 2005 SPRING QUARTERLY REPORT Staff gave a brief summary of the attendance, programs and services offered at the Dublin Senior Center during the 2005 spring quarter. Staff stated that some new programs were developed during this time and the Center continued to gain in popularity while some of the older programs were phased out. In the case of the Step Out for Senior Center special event, this event.which was traditionally offered in May was postponed until the Grand Opening of the new Senior Center in August. The Committee directed Staff to make sure that the minutes reflect that the old Dublin Senior Center had experienced a transitional period that affected attendance in anticipation of the opening of the new Senior Center. However, since the grand opening of the new Senior Center, Staff has experienced a growth in numbers of new senior supporters. EVALUATION OF SENIOR CENTER GRAND OPENING EVENTS Staff requested that Committee Members give their evaluation of the grand opening of the new Dublin Senior Center. Their comments will assist Staff in the planning of future events and facility dedications. Following are the areas that the Advisory Committee was asked to evaluate during the meeting. Ribbon Cutting & Open House Generally, the event went well. Rich Guarienti, who was in the audience at the meeting, reported that the walk went well. The t-shirts and giveaways were warmly received. Chair Payton reported that the Ribbon Cutting was fine. There were some complaints that seniors had to wait in the sun for the ceremonies to begin and end before they were allowed to enter the building; Staff had brought out umbrellas to provide some shade. Chair Payton felt that the Art Exhibit was nice and suggested to add an exhibit of senior craft items. Page 2 of 3 As far as refreshments, a comment was made that we could have had offered traditional desserts instead of solely focusing on an International Theme. Staff admitted that desserts would have been easier than hot foods especially since the attendance was so high, we were running out of food. No one had anticipated that we would draw a crowd of 1,000 people. In the future, Staff will incorporate regular desserts to the grand opening refreshments. Gala Banquet Event Overall, the Committee Members were very pleased with the Gala Dinner event. They liked the theme. Everyone agreed that the buffet format, the food selection and the prime rib were excellent. They applaud Valley Catering for the delicious meal and keeping the food exceptionally hot. Improvements to the Gala included making sure that everyone who attended be informed of all the giveaways. Some of the Committee Members said that they were not aware the event offered a free photo opportunity, and of the commemorative item - the hurricane glasses — that were given out during the cocktail hour. One Committee Member felt that the table seating was set too closely. Some of the Committee Members felt that the Casino Night room wasn't large enough for the amount of people who participated in this activity. The Committee directed Chair Payton to recognize each Staff member with a letter of appreciation. The Committee suggested that this type of event be held once a year. Other Business The Committee requested that the Center establish a policy in which Dublin residents would be given first priority to register for trips. The Committee requested that the Trip Registration Policy be brought back for future discussion. The Committee requested that a report be given to recognize any of the contributions that the Dublin Senior Foundation has agreed to fund. The Committee directed Chair Payton to write and send a letter of thanks and appreciation to the Foundation for their contributions made to benefit the patrons of the Dublin Senior Center. CM Edge requested that the City address some issues at the new Senior Center. CM Edge indicated the Center doesn't seem to have enough handicapped parking spaces. A larger sink is needed in the classroom where the art classes are held. An additional handicapped rail placed in needed one of the restroom stalls. The toilet seats also seem too low in the restrooms. Staff indicated that many of these issues are being addressed by the General Contractor and will be resolved soon. Adjournment Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:20 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Anna Hudson Recreation Coordinator APPROVED: Greer Payton Chairperson Page 3 of 3