CITY OF VACAVILLE COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING March 7, 2012 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7:00 P.M. The regular meeting of the Community Services Commission was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Commission Chair Greaves. 1. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Pamela Greaves, Vice Chair Kathleen Ramos, Commission Members Paul (Hon) Cheng, Jennifer Goode, Alex Hall, Alex Henthorn, and Jill Johnson. Also Present: Director Kerry Walker, Park Planner Hew Hesterman, Parks and Facilities Manager Rollie Simons Absent: Recreation Manager Reggie Hubbard 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commission Chair Greaves led the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Action: On a motion by, seconded by, the Commission unanimously approved the agenda of the regular meeting of March 7, 2012, as written. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Action: On a motion by Commissioner Henthorn, seconded by Commission Vice Chair Ramos, the minutes of the regular meeting of January 4, 2012, were unanimously approved. Commissioner Henthorn 5. CORRESPONDENCE None 6. PRESENTATIONS A. CULTURAL ARTS Penny Hernandez, Recreation Coordinator, shared a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the Cultural Arts programs offered by the Community Services Department. To foster lifelong learning, the Cultural Arts programs offer personal development through a variety of dance, art and specialty classes. Some of the classes/programs include: Painting Like the Masters, Drawing Like the Pros, Dance Basics/Motor Skills Development, Little Dancing Divas, Preschool Princess Fun and Fitness, Hip Hop Dance, Zumba, Western Line Dance, Faith Ballet Academy, Glee Camp Kids, and Funtastic Music. 1
In 2011, the Cultural Arts classes/programs served 1,409 participants (children and adults) for a total of $81,102 in revenue. Some of the new classes for 2012 include: Starbound Theatre, Zumbamatic Youth and Zumba Gold. Extended music classes include: Keyboard, Guitar, Violin, and Private Music lessons. B. TEENS Penny Hernandez, Recreation Coordinator, also shared a PowerPoint presentation and gave a report on the various activities for Teens. Some of the activities/classes include: 6 th grade events, 6 th grade pool party, Babysitting 101, Babysitter s Academy, Driver s Education Online, Teen X-Treme Camps, Top Chef Week, Top Chef Week Intergenerational, and Take Charge of Your Future-College and Career Day. In 2011, the Teen program served 3,280 participants for a total of $71,800 in revenue, and 91 volunteers a total of 273 hours. New classes for 2012 include: Teen Facebook page, Teen Surveys, Film Competition, Film Festival, Teen Resume Writing and Job Skills Workshop, Teen Trips, Spa Days, and Assisting Seniors with Facebook and Twitter. 7. BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR Jim Ball spoke on behalf of the Park and Recreation Trust (a nonprofit group) about their dream of creating a memorial grove in memory of the 59 Solano County veterans who did not make it home alive from the Vietnam War. Mr. Ball proposes a Vietnam Memorial Grove of 59 Chinese Pistache trees be planted in a heart shape on a hill east of Lagoon Valley Park in Vacaville (similar to the Hospice Grove). A project cost estimate (costs to be funded by donations) was presented to the Commission for their review. A recommendation was made that this topic be placed on the May 2, 2012 meeting agenda for further consideration. 8. OLD BUSINESS A. PARK CATEGORIES PROPOSED REVISIONS FOR GENERAL PLAN UPDATE Staff recommends that the Community Services Commission take the following three actions: The Commission approved and made a recommendation to the City Council that the following changes be made to the existing park categories and that specific individual park designations be modified as part of the current General Plan Update: 1.) Action: On a motion by, seconded by Commissioner Cheng, that the Commission approve and recommend to the City Council to eliminate the city park category, and direct that Centennial Park be redesignated as a community park. Commissioner Cheng 2.) Action: On a motion by, seconded by Commissioner Goode, that the Commission approve and recommend to the City Council to create a regional park category, and direct that the active use areas of Lagoon Valley Park be re-designated under that regional park category. 2
Commissioner Goode 3.) Action: On a motion by, seconded by Commission Vice Chair Ramos, that the Commission approve and recommend to the City Council to direct that Pena Adobe Park be re-designated as a regional park and that its active use acres be included under the regional park category. (Commission members received supporting documents for the recommended action that included: Staff Report- Agenda Item # 8a Park Categories-Proposed Revisions for General Plan Update along with Exhibits A - F.) 9. NEW BUSINESS - None 10. COMMITTEE REPORTS A. GENERAL PLAN UPDATE STEERING COMMITTEE Commission Chair Greaves announced that on March 17, 2012, as part of the General Plan Update, the City of Vacaville will be holding a Community Workshop. The workshop will focus on the Climate Action Plan. The public is encouraged to attend and participate in the General Plan Update process. The General Plan Update Steering Committee is tentatively scheduled to meet on March 22, 2012. 11. REPORTS OF PARKS AND FACILITIES MANAGER Parks and Facilities Manager Rollie Simons introduced Patrick Kenny, City of Vacaville Associate Civil Engineer Streets Section and Utilities Section. Rollie shared with the group that he is retiring and that Patrick Kenny will assume his role after April 13, 2012. Rollie commented that the new swing set and spring toys have been installed at Lagoon Valley Park, and all city holiday decorations are down and stored away. Parks staff are busy with ball field preps for the new baseball season. Staff are busy clearing branches and debris away from the shorelines of Lagoon Valley Lake. Commissioners Hall and Ramos mentioned that they received a call from residents about the trees being overgrown with mistletoe along Nut Tree Road. Rollie commented that he is aware of this and that the City is looking into alternatives for solving this problem. Commissioner Johnson expressed her concerns about doggie waste bag dispensers being filled regularly. Due to the cost, Ms. Johnson suggested a company out of Southern California and will give Rollie the quote after the meeting. Commissioners wished Rollie Happy Birthday, and welcomed Patrick Kenny. 12. REPORTS OF THE PARK PLANNER Park Planner Hew Hesterman reported that he is currently reviewing / commenting on three major planning documents. These documents include: Administrative Draft of the General Plan Update, Admin Draft of the Environmental Impact Report for Brighton Landing s Specific Plan, and Vanden Meadows Tentative Maps. 3
Hew shared with the group that the Community Services Department received the complete report from the Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment telephone survey. The webbased survey conducted in January-February, 2012, is now complete and the report from that survey should be available sometime next week. Staff will email a copy of the telephone survey report to Commisson members for their review. Staff will lead a discussion of the results of both surveys at an upcoming Community Services Commission meeting. Hew reported that the Cal Fire grant application was submitted and an initial response from Cal Fire representative indicates that the grant will very likely be approved. The grant is for tree planting along Centennial Park s bikeway and will include maintenance costs over the next three years. 13. REPORTS OF RECREATION MANAGER Recreation Manager Reggie Hubbard was not in attendance at this meeting due to being selected to serve on a jury panel. 14. REPORTS OF DIRECTOR Director of Community Services Kerry Walker shared a PowerPoint presentation (abbreviated report) on the 2011 Community Services Department Accomplishments, highlighting programs, classes, and events throughout the year. (Copies of the report in its entirety are available on the City s website.) Kerry mentioned that due to the loss of redevelopment funds, properties at the Community Services Department Administrative Offices and Vacaville Gymnastics facility may be affected. Kerry informed everyone that on March 23, 2012, Richard Marx will be performing at the Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre. The annual Afternoon Tea along with a fashion show will be held at the McBride Center on Saturday, March 31. On Saturday, April 7, Bunny and Bonnets Family Fun Day will be held at Andrews Park and breakfast with the Bunny is at the McBride Center. The Community Services Department Expo will be held at the Three Oaks Community Center on Saturday, April 28. Kerry announced that Vacaville City Council approved charging a nominal entry fee for the 2012 Creekwalk concert series and to partner with Bob Vollmer, Executive Director of the Downtown Vacaville Business Improvement District. A press release went out yesterday requesting that bands submit their demos for the 2012 Creekwalk concert series. The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 16, 2012. Commission Chair Pamela Greaves volunteered to serve on a selection committee for the Creekwalk bands for this upcoming season. Kerry had nothing new to report regarding the artwork for the Jepson Parkway Project, but will try to get an update and report back at next month s meeting. 15. REPORTS OF COMMISSION Commissioner Cheng stated that after visiting China, he is really impressed with all the programs offered to the community by the Vacaville Community Services Department. Mr. Cheng suggested that local governments in China may want to consult with our department on provision of recreation programs. reminded everyone about the Vacaville City Council Special Meeting on Saturday, March 10, 2012. This will be an opportunity for the public to voice their support for programs/events offered by the Community Services Department. 4
Commissioner Goode announced that she wants to make a difference by running for Vacaville City Council. Commission Chair Greaves extended congratulations and good luck to Jennifer Goode. Commission Chair Greaves echoed the same sentiments about how important it is that the public attend the City Council Special Meeting to show their support. 16. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Community Services Commission, the regular meeting of March 7, 2012, was adjourned at 8:52 p.m. Respectfully Submitted DeAnna Pinger Recording Secretary 5