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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005/06/06 - Minutes - Min Jt/P&R June 6, 2005 CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA JOINT CITY COUNCIL/PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES Special Meetinq II ^. I A special joint meeting of the Rancho Cucamonga City Council and the Park and Recreation Commission was held on Monday, June 6, 2005, in the Tri Communities Room of the Civic Center located at 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, California. Mayor William J. Alexander called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m. Present were Councilmembers: Rex Gutierrez, L. Dennis Michael, Sam Spagnolo, Diane Williams and Mayor William J. Alexander. Present were Park and Recreation Commissioners: Patricia Carlson, Martin Dickey, Antonio Karraa, Ann Punter and Chairman Luis Munoz. Aisc present were: Jack Lam, City Manager; Brad Bullet, City Planner; Kevin McArdle, Community Services Director; Dave Moore, Recreation Superintendent; Francie Palmer, Marketing Manager; Paula Paohon, Management Analyst III; Melissa Morales, Sr. Administrative Secretary; Kimberly Thomas, Management Analyst Ill; and Debra J. Adams, City Clerk. B. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS No communication was made from the public. C. ITEM(S) OF DISCUSSION O1. DISCUSSION OF ITEMS OF MUTUAL INTEREST Chairman Munoz stated it is a pleasure to meet with the City Council tonight and praised them for the new Central Park facility. He also complimented Kevin McArdle, Community Services Director, and his staff for all of their work on the project. Mayor Alexander stated he recognizes all the work that staff and the Commission has done on this project as well. Commissioner Punter stated two issues she would like to talk about would be the opportunity to bank any land for future parks and asked what year the Council thinks Central Park will be completed. Mayor Alexander stated he felt we should go back to the community to see if they are willing to pay to complete the park. He felt the completion of the park should be aggressively approached. Commissioner Punter felt we might have a better result with an election now since people have seen what has been completed so far. Joint City Council/Park and Recreation Commission Minutes June 6, 2005 Page 2 Councilmember Michael felt Community Services projects, including the youth and the seniors are very important to our community. He stated he agreed with Commissioner Punter about Central Park. He felt land banking would be a good thing. He felt we needed the finances to build a park project. He asked if developers have a requirement to put money in for a park. Brad Bullet, City Planner, stated yes there is a per capita requirement for park dedication fees. Councilmember Michael asked if there was any other mechanism available to fund the parks that we need to have. Kevin McArdle, Community Services Director, stated the master plan that was approved as part of the General Plan update is a 20-year wish list to strive towards. He stated this master plan includes special use facilities, which would not be funded by a housing developer. He stated this is a vision for the master plan to develop multi-field kinds of specialty complexes, but that there is currently no mechanism in place. Commissioner Dickey felt contractors are starting to hold the City to the law, and instead of them putting in parks, they are giving the City the money to do whatever they see fit. Jack Lam, City Manager, stated parks are funded through development fees. He stated there are not many tools to fund the larger parks. Councilmember Michael asked if the Ciiy is still using the public/private partnerships. Kevin McArdle, Community Services Director, stated yes. Commissioner Carlson mentioned when she was part of the Central Park Task Force, that in talking to people, it wasn't that they did not wa@t the park, but that they didn't want to be taxed for it. She felt people still feel this way. Mayor Alexander stated timing is everything. Councilmember Gutierrez stated he is ;weary of relying on an election. He did not feel the older people would vote for it. He did not think peopie with children would vote for a tax. He wished we could clear the rest of the land and make walking areas and make it passive through there. He stated he would like to hear the Park and Recreation Commission's goals about parks. He stated one of his goals is the North Etiwanda Preserve and the Trail System. He said the dog park is great, but pretty small. He would like to see us expand the dog park or get more land to have something really nice. He hoped youth sports would be looked at. He felt we should do all we can to accommodate youth sports groups. He stated he would still like to see the Grape Harvest Festival and Founders Day Parade combined into one celebration. He stated he would like to see a "Cucamonga Beach" implemented where people can sud, lay out and there be a whole line of clothing for kids and families to enjoy. He stated he is very excited for the future. Commissioner Carlson commented on the beach idea. She felt Rancho Cucamonga's facilities are phenomenal. She stated she would like to know what the role of the Park and Recreation Commission should be in the Council's eyes. She stated she hears from people all the time that would like a tot lot or basketball facilities for the kids at Central Park. She felt this should be a high priority. She suggested that the other 70 acres at Central Park be used as working farmland. She felt there were groups that could utilize this land. She wished there was a way to get participation from residents so they could get feedback on what people expect from Park and Recreation Commission. She mentioned the Cultural Arts Center and use of it by children. She felt the City should look at something where the kids that come to the Cultural Arts Center and have a way to buy food or snacks. Commissioner Dickey felt our sphere areas need to be monitored and was concerned about them getting built out. He felt a problem for the future would be purchasing land for parks. Joint City Council/Park and Recreation Commission Minutes June 6, 2005 Page 3 Jack Lam, City Manager, mentioned that developers are required to dedicate parkland per the Quinby Act. Kevin McArdle, Community Services Director, stated they would be looking at this whole issue. Commissioner Dickey mentioned the Spotts Advisory Commission and their function. He stated travel teams (Club) have some issues also, and that they are finding loopholes in the policy regarding allocation of fields. Mayor Alexander stated we should not forget that Club or other organizations bring in a lot of money to the community. Commissioner Punter stated she did not think anyone is advocating to leave Club out. Councilmember Spagnolo stated he appreciates the opportunity to meet with the Park and Recreation Commission. He hoped we can continue to have these meetings. He stated because of the time and space available, we need to carefully look at what we are doing. He stated his concern is what we do today will benefit the City tomorrow. He felt we need to look at doing what will benefit generations in the future. Councilmember Spagnolo left the meeting at 6:44 p.m. Councilmember Williams suggested there be a workshop to teach people how to run their league. She felt the Park and Recreation Commission are saints for working with the sports teams. She stated most people feel they are treated fairly by the Park and Recreation Commission. Kevin McArdle, Community Services Director, stated the Park and Recreation Commission does a really good job. He stated this is a fairly complex issue with regards to the sports groups. He felt the process is a good process and the Commission does a good job with it. Commissioner Karraa thanked the Council for this opportunity to meet together. He hoped they could do this more often. He felt the hard work at Central Park has just begun in providing the service at that facility. He stated he looks forwara in getting direction from the City Council as to what their priorities are. He stated anytime you're building something the operation cost has to be considered. He felt revenues from the mall will hopefully help. He felt if there is another election for Central Park that it be handled a different way so that it is included with a regular City election so there might be a better turnout. He felt possibly a survey should be taken to see what the community wants. Councilmember Williams stated everyone is excited about the senior center at Central Park and felt there should be something done to get a tot lot there to better serve families in our community. She urged us to meet the needs of the community. She felt further development of Central Park will occur when a group of residents come forward and offer to assist to get additional funds to further develop it. She complimented the Park and Recreation Commission for what they do with the trails, and felt we need to keep working on them. She stated she is concerned that we are not keeping track of the accounting practices for our new facilities. She wanted to make sure the City is getting the most bang for its buck. She felt we should monitor this to make sure the programs are successful. She felt we should all meet again in November to hear how these new projects are going. Jack Lam, City Manager, pointed out that the City has a policy through a Resolution that states no new facility will be built unless the costs are identified and the City feels it can afford it. Joint City Council/Park and Recreation Commission Minutes June 6, 2005 Page 4 Councilmember Williams asked if we have signs that state this function is being paid for by "Joe Smith or whomever." Kevin McArdle Community Services Director, stated they are working on this. He stated the plans for a tot lot are in the plans. He stated they have also received inquires about a pool. He stated in a few months the consultant will be provided information on the feasibility of these additional things. Councilmember Michael felt the Commission is doing a good work and applauded them, and that the City couldn't do without them. He mentioned the Council is concerned about senior transportation. He also appreciates the work they are doing on youth sports. He felt the City has done a great job in partnering. He felt these meetings are important, and that in the future they should have specific topics to be discussed instead of being so broad. He felt if we go back too soon to ask for a special tax it might not work, and did not want to get beat again on this. He hoped there might be some more general fund money to do more projects. Councilmember Williams suggested the Commission have their meetings at Central Park to get more people involved. Commissioner Carlson stated they are planning on doing this next May. Councilmember Williams wished they could do this a little sooner. Commissioner Punter gave kudos to the Community Services staff for all of their work to get Central Park done. The meeting adjourned a 7:35 p.m. City Clerk/Records Manager Approved by Park and Recreation Commission: August 18, 2005 4-0-1 (Absent: Carlson) Approved by City Council: September 7, 2005