The Recreation-Park Commission met on December 10, 2008 in the Rotunda. A. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Joe Hancock called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Commissioner Al Espindola Commissioner Orlando Castro Commissioner Leslie Bowling-Gomez Commissioner Joe Hancock Commissioner Brian Higgins Commissioner Jerry Novara Commissioner Carlos Rubio Absent: Staff: Yolanda Aguilar Bruce Lewis Rick Key Kristan Lundquist Sheila Molinari Jim Pia B. ADOPTION OF AGENDA On motion by Commissioner Al Espindola, seconded by Commissioner Brian Higgins the agenda of December 10, 2008 was adopted. C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF November 12, 2008 On motion by Commissioner Jerry Novara, seconded by Commissioner Al Espindola the Commissioners approved the minutes of November 12, 2008. D. PUBLIC DISCUSSION NONE 1
E. CONSIDERATION 1. Receive update report on senior programs and Firehouse Operations since Recreation Division return to Firehouse in February 2008. Receive information from Recreation Services Manager Bruce Lewis. Recreation Services Manager Bruce Lewis presented a brief update on the senior programs and services offered at the Firehouse Recreation Center. He also provided packets for the Commissioners to review and follow during the presentation. Programs currently provided include the Senior meal program, bingo, exercise program, senior/adult bus trips to the casinos, walking trips, weekly food donations, water aerobics, Tai Chi and many other programs. All services are provided with the collaboration of many local agencies such as the Monterey County Food Bank, Alisal Union School District, Area Agency on Aging, Alliance on Aging, Retired Senior Volunteer Program and the Salinas Chapter of Widowed Persons Association of CA. In addition to all the senior and adult programs offered at the Firehouse we also provide programs and activities for youth and teens. We provide a safe and supportive environment. There are a variety of Afterschool youth programs such as homework assistance, computers, arts & crafts, sports & games and much more. The Firehouse will also be opening a Teen Lounge Monday through Thursday from 3pm-6pm, Fridays from 3pm to 9pm and Saturdays from 12noon through 4pm. Among the services and programs offered are homework assistance, video gaming system, foosball/ping Pong and a Pool table. There will be teen programs upstairs and programs for the younger children downstairs. The Teen Lounge will be named Station 33 in honor of the old fire station. This area is a safe haven to offer youth additional recreation opportunities. Commissioner Joe Hancock asked about the amount of seniors attending the senior programs. Bruce said that there were approximately 45 to 60 senior citizens attending on a daily basis. Commissioner Hancock asked if the senior programs are widely advertised. Bruce said that it is advertised in our Recreation-Park Brochure. Commissioner Brian Higgins said that this was a great report and he thought it was great to see these changes at the Firehouse. He also said that the North County Recreation Center has senior night and they have the Wii game available to the seniors and that there are people standing in line do use the game. He asked if we had this available to the seniors at the Firehouse. Bruce said that there is a Wii game available for the seniors at the Firehouse. Commissioner Jerry Novara asked if any students from the local schools provide tutoring at the facility. 2
Bruce said that we have our own staff that provides the tutoring at this time. Commissioner Novara said that the schools do offer high school students for volunteer tutoring. Commissioner Al Espindola said that he has heard many positive comments about both the Firehouse and Hebbron. He said that there were some citizens that expressed some concerns regarding the Breadbox facility. Mr. Lewis said that there were approximately 200 people attending the Santa s Breakfast. He said staff has been distributing fliers to the neighboring residents. Commission Action: Receive Report 2. Review of Resource Fair event scheduled for Saturday, December 13, 2008 at Closter Park. Recreation Services Manager Kristan Lundquist said that we are scheduled to hold our large special event at Closter Park. The event will take place this Saturday, December 13, 2008. The event will run from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This is a citywide event. There are many organizations participating in this event. She said that activities include a Ferris wheel, pony rides, photos with Santa as well as a variety of food vendors. An advertising banner has been placed on the Closter Park fence facing Towt Street. This event will take place between Beech Street and Dewey Street. The Commissioners are invited to attend this event. Commissioner Al Espindola said that he had been to the last event held at the park and asked if we had improved the parking situation. Kristan said that most of the people attending the event would be from the immediate area. St. Mary s parking lot is not available due to the church having an event that day. Commissioner Brian Higgins said that the division should promote this event more. Jim Pia, Recreation Park Superintendent said that we are working on a Master Neighborhood Services Plan. Commissioner Hancock also asked about the parking problem. Commissioner Espindola said that he attended the boxing exhibition at Closter Park. He felt that some of the people that came from outside the area did not participate in the event due to the parking situation. Kristan said that this would be the first event that Neighborhood Services will offer under the Recreation Park Division. Commission Action: Receive Update Report 3
3. Review of Closter Park Concession Request for Proposals Recreation-Park Superintendent Jim Pia reviewed the Request for Proposals for the Closter Park concessions. He said that there is an RFP proposal going to City Council next week describing this business and park opportunity. He also gave an update on the vehicle that had crashed into the concession stand at Closter Park. It appears that there may be insurance coverage to repair the damages. We will keep the Commission posted on this. Commissioner Espindola asked about the non-profits and how it will affect their sales. He said that many of these non-profit agencies depend on these revenues to support their organization. Jim said that this opportunity has not been available to the Park and neighboring residents and we ll have to see how the community responds to this concession idea. Commission Action: Receive Update Report F. COMMISSIONER S COMMENTS (on non-agenda items) Commissioner Hancock said that he would like any follow-up to the Fountain project at Closter Park. Council Member Tony Barrera said that he has been speaking to various groups and hopes to have a work plan in the coming months. He said he had just returned from Guanajuato, and stated that twenty-three cities were involved in the conference in Guanajuato. All other cities were very impressed with all that Salinas is doing. Commissioner Carlos Rubio requested an introduction for Orlando. Commissioner Orlando Castro gave a brief description of the different activities and projects he is involved with. He said he is an Advertising Specialist. He also dedicates his time to the youth, he has volunteered for 5 years giving free classes in music. He said he was glad to be here and is very impressed with the work that the Recreation Park Division is doing. He plans to participate in all that he can. Jim said that even before Measure V, Orlando and the Alisal Center For the Fine Arts has been a part of after school programs in our community. Commissioner Espindola said that the Youth Commission would be holding the Teen Talent Extravaganza on December 19, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at the Community Center and the youth will showcase their talent. He said that Sheila does a great job with the kids. The kids are very excited. This program is just like American Idol. Commissioner Higgins said that the Salinas JC s are having their Annual Children s Shopping Spree of $115.00 for each child. They are in need of volunteers to take them shopping. The event is this Saturday, 12-13 at 8:00 a.m. in the Northridge Mall s Community Room between Mervyn s and JCPenney. 4
G. SUPERINTENDENT & MAINTENANCE SERVICES DIRECTOR S REPORT Sheila Molinari, Recreation Services Manager said that they will be having the Teen Talent Extravaganza and it is free to the public. In addition to the event they will be collecting canned foods for the food drive. Jim said that the Central Park train had been burned. This was deemed to be youth vandalism. The City s engineers are working on the paperwork for the wall at the Breadbox Recreation Center. The wall should be built beginning sometime in January for the different activities at the Breadbox. Proposition 84 meetings have been taking place statewide. Funds will be available for communities to submit competitive projects within their community. The draft regulations are being worked on and we will keep the Commissioners posted. Commissioner Brian Higgins asked if there has been some discussion in regards to expanding the Soccer facilities. Jim said that there has been discussion and ongoing meetings regarding the soccer facility expansion. He said that there are many Salinas residents involved in soccer and many of them have been involved in these meetings. The County has been receptive during the discussion stage. We will continue our work in this area. Commissioner Joe Hancock asked if the fields were adjacent to the Soccer fields or across the road from the soccer fields. Jim said that at this time, the identified expansion fields were located adjacent to the existing fields. Rick Key, Parks Grounds Forestry Operations Manager said that they have renovated Exposition Grounds and the three little league fields. Municipal Stadium has been switched from football to baseball. The crew has done many updates on the playground equipment removing the hazardous playground equipment. Commissioner Jerry Novara asked about the homeless and how many were out there at that location. Rick said that it appeared that a few people were living in the bushes. Jim stated that the City s library system will be celebrating their 100-year library anniversary. He said that we can all go out and get a new hundred-year commemorative library card. Commissioner Hancock said that the interest and attendance in the Libraries is up. H. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m. 5