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Home My WebLink About111909 - PR Comm MinutesApproved January 21, 2010 CITY OF A TA SCA DERO PARKS AND RECREA TION COMMISSION MINUTES Thursday, November 19, 2009 REGULAR SESSION: 7:00 P.M. Chairperson Butz called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. and Youth Representative O'Connell led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Chacon, Cooper, Greenaway, Marks, Zirk and Chairperson Butz. Youth Representative O'Connell. Absent: None. Staff Present: Community Services Director Brady Cherry, Deputy Director of Public Works — Operations Geoff English, City Clerk Marcia McClure Torgerson, Zoo Director Alan Baker, Recreation Supervisor Jennifer Fanning and Administrative Assistant Shannon Sims. OATH OF OFFICE: 1. Administration of Oath of Office - Newly appointed Commissioner Bill Wachtel will be sworn in by City Clerk, Marcia McClure Torgerson. City Clerk Marcia McClure Torgerson administered the Oath of Office to newly appointed Commissioner Bill Wachtel. Page 1 of 6 COMMUNITY FORUM: Tom O'Malley, City Council Member, thanked the Commissioners for their service and welcomed new Commissioner Bill Wachtel. Jerry Clay, City Council Member, commented on how impressed he was with Commissioner Wachtel in the interview and welcomed him to the Commission. He thanked the Commission, as a whole, for their service to the community. Bob Kelley, City Council Member, welcomed new Commissioner Bill Wachtel and thanked the Commission for their efforts. Mr. Kelley presented a copy of a drawing, by Mark Greenaway, of a proposed monument to be placed in front of the Zoo to recognize Charles Paddock. He expressed hope that this item would be placed on a future agenda for the Commission's consideration. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: MOTION: By Commissioner Cooper and seconded by Commissioner Marks to approve the Agenda. Motion passed 6:0 by a roll -call vote. (Wachtel abstained) PRESENTATION: Presentation to Tom and Nancy Weatherman, in appreciation for their outstanding dedication to the community. Chairperson Butz announced that the presentation was continued to the next meeting. COMMISSION ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS: Commissioner Marks announced that she has candy for sale to raise funds for the high school graduation party. She spoke about the recent Community Link fundraiser dinner she attended and said that the Link is a fabulous resource organization for youth and job training. Ms. Marks encouraged the Commission to learn more about the organization and its' efforts. Commissioner Wachtel spoke about the Lights on After School event that took place at the teen center and skate park recently. He said he thought it was a great event and likes that it teaches responsibility and safety to youth. Chairperson Butz distributed Coates for Kids flyers to the Commission. She expressed the urgent need for coates and jackets due to a much higher demand this year. Ms. Butz spoke about her most recent newspaper column that featured Brady Cherry's son, Bryce Cherry. She congratulated Brady for Bryce being sponsored by professional baseball scouts, affiliated with major league organizations, to play in the game at USC. Ms. Butz also spoke about the Teens at Work program. Page 2 of 6 A. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes - August 20, 2009 ■ Staff Recommendation: Commission approve the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting minutes of the August 20, 2009 meeting. [Community Services] 2. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes - October 15, 2009 ■ Staff Recommendation: Commission approve the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting minutes of the October 15, 2009 meeting. [Community Services] PUBLIC COMMENT — None. MOTION: By Vice Chairperson Chacon and seconded by Commissioner Greenaway to approve Consent Items A — 1 and A - 2. Motion passed 7:0 by a roll -call vote. B. MANAGEMENT REPORTS: 1. Tree Dedication Reauest at the Atascadero Lake Park Memorial Grove in Honor of Tom Bench (Russ James) ■ Fiscal Impact: None. ■ Recommendation: Commission recommend approval to the City Council of a request by Russ James (on behalf of the Early Morning Walkers) to dedicate a memorial tree, to be planted at Atascadero Lake Park Memorial Grove, site #13, in memory of Tom Bench. [Community Services] Community Services Director Brady Cherry said a few words about past Commissioner Tom Bench. PUBLIC COMMENT — None. MOTION: By Commissioner Marks and seconded by Commissioner Wachtel to recommend approval to the City Council of a request by Russ James (on behalf of the Early Morning Walkers) to dedicate a memorial tree, to be planted at Atascadero Lake Park Memorial Grove, site #13, in memory of Tom Bench. Motion passed 7:0 by a roll -call vote. 2. Reauest to Evaluate the Meetina Location and Schedule of the Parks and Recreation Commission (by Commissioner Zirk) ■ Fiscal Impact: None. ■ Recommendation: Commission continue to hold regular monthly meetings in the Council Chambers, with modifications, and cancel any regular meetings as may be necessary. [Community Services] Page 3 of 6 Commissioner Zirk explained his reasons for requesting this item and answered questions of the Commission. Community Services Director Brady Cherry gave the report and answered questions of the Commission. PUBLIC COMMENT — None. A discussion amongst Commissioners ensued. There was Commission consensus to continue to hold regular monthly meetings in the Council Chambers and cancel any regular meetings as may be necessary. Community Services Director Brady Cherry said that agendas were getting light, mostly due to dwindling funds to spend and that staff would try to give as much notice as possible to the Commission and the public upon cancelling meetings. 3. Request to Consider Re -Naming the Charles Paddock Zoo (by Commissioner Zirk) ■ Fiscal Impact: None. ■ Recommendation: Commission discuss options for re -naming the Charles Paddock Zoo. No recommendation for a course of action is recommended at this time. [Community Services] Commissioner Zirk explained his reasons for requesting this item and answered questions of the Commission. PUBLIC COMMENT Eric Long, resident of San Luis Obispo, stated that he thinks it an incredible idea to change the Zoo's name. He said that he had read the article in The Tribune and likes the idea of making it the "Central Coast Zoo." Mr. Long suggested establishing a Commission to allow people from all over the Central Coast to feel like they are a part of the Zoo. He said that he visits the Zoo regularly and thinks it's a fabulous place with great people. Chairperson Butz closed the Public Comment period. Chairperson Butz expressed concern that re -naming facilities could start a chain reaction. She said she is concerned that renaming the Zoo would set a precedence. Commissioner Greenaway shared her concern that if everything is named "Central Coast," including the Zoo, she wouldn't want the Zoo to lose its' identity that it has. Vice Chairperson Chacon thanked Mr. Long for coming to Atascadero to attend the meeting and for visiting the Zoo. He said that he thinks the name "Central Coast Zoo" would broaden the Zoo as a destination and supports some sort of a tribute to keep honoring Charles Paddock. Page 4 of 6 Commissioner Wachtel said he knew Charles Paddock personally and this item brings back memories and emotions. He said he thinks marketing is the key and would favor more of a marketing approach rather than a name change. Commissioner Cooper expressed support of changing the Zoo's name. He said he thinks the Zoo has already lost the identity because most generations don't know why the Zoo is called the Charles Paddock Zoo. Mr. Cooper said he would be in favor of something more regional and internet friendly. He agreed that marketing and signage are key factors. Commissioner Marks stated that the best way to honor Mr. Paddock and his family would be to have a truly successful zoo. She expressed interest in both honoring Charles Paddock and making the Zoo more successful. Ms. Marks said she likes the idea of a broader name that would draw in more people from the Central Coast area. Commissioner Zirk said he doesn't think that Charles Paddock's name should disappear but that the Central Coast be added. He said he thinks the Commission ought to recommend to the Council to make some bold moves to increase attendance at the Zoo. MOTION: By Commissioner Zirk and seconded by Commissioner Wachtel to postpone Management Item B-3 until April 2010. Motion passed 7:0 by a roll -call vote. 4. Soecial Holidav Meetina in December 2009 ■ Fiscal Impact: None. ■ Recommendation: Commission consider holding the annual Commission holiday potluck meeting on December 17th, 2009. [Community Services] Community Services Director Brady Cherry gave the report and answered questions of the commission. There was Commission consensus to hold the annual Commission holiday potluck meeting on December 17th, 2009 at the Colony Park Community Center. C. COMMITTEE & LIAISON REPORTS: 1. Atascadero Youth Task Force — 12/1/09 at 7:00 a.m., Atascadero High School. Commissioner Cooper noted that a big item being discussed is the Smoking Ordinance and trying to formulate support with Atascadero youth. He mentioned the upcoming Asset Development Workshop, January 28th. Mr. Cooper announced that new officers were elected and that he is now co -chairperson with Meher Patal. Page 5 of 6 D. STAFF COMMENTS/ ANNOUNCEMENTS: 1. Mark Your Calendar: ■ Holiday Boutique — November 21St, 2009, 10:OOam - 3:OOpm, Pavilion on the Lake ■ Holiday Lighting Ceremony - In conjunction with Atascadero Main Street's Art & Wine Tour, Friday, December 4th, 6:00 — 9:OOpm. ■ Zoo Holiday Magic — December 19th, 2009 ■ Commission Training — February 27th, 2010, 8:30am — 2:OOpm, Hearst Castle 2. Colony Park Community Center Update 3. Park Project Update Commissioner Marks commented that she enjoyed the soy candle making class she had attended recently and encouraged the Commission to try attending a class through the City Magazine. Commissioner Zirk talked about the upcoming Film Festival and inquired about an upcoming Sunset Magazine event coming to Santa Margarita Ranch in March. He announced that on Wednesday, February 23rd, the Director of the Film Festival will be attending the Rotary meeting to make a presentation on the upcoming Festival. Mr. Zirk said that the Festival is in negations with the City and The Carlton about having film viewings here. Community Services Director Brady Cherry reviewed Staff Comments/Announcements items and responded to Commissioner Zirk's question about the Sunset Festival. He said it will be a lifestyle festival with food and wine tours of the Margarita Ranch and other parts of the County. Mr. Cherry said it will bring a lot of business to our area. Recreation Supervisor Jennifer Fanning gave a report update on the Colony Park Community Center. Vice Chairperson Chacon asked for an update on the following items: the fish habitat island, statue in the Sunken Gardens, Stadium Park and the Colony Park Master Plan revision. Deputy Director of Public Works - Geoff English gave a Parks update and responded to Commissioner Chacon's questions. E. ADJOURNMENT: Chairperson Butz adjourned the meeting at 8:59 p.m. MINUTES PREPARED BY: Shannon Sims, Administrative Assistant Page 6 of 6