REGULAR MEETING
May 27, 2010 at 7 p.m.
Council Chambers
101B Sand Creek Road
Brentwood, CA 94513

CALL TO ORDER: Chair Rodrigues called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL: Present were Chair Ernie Rodrigues, and Commissioners Eileen Hofstadt, Lanny Brown and Alyssa Madden; Vice Chair Blythe Lind was an excused absence. Staff members present were: Roger Stromgren, Landscape/Facilities Manager; Poldina Scherff, Recreation Manager; Tammy Homan, Management Analyst; Edie Keller, Administrative Supervisor and Linda Stadlbauer, Administrative Assistant II.

PRESENTATION(S): Chris Cooke, Eagle Scout candidate from Troop #793, requested approval for his project to install 24 permanent name signs on all five main trails in town. Commissioners were unanimous in their approval and commended Chris for a great idea. One question was whether there was a possibility of mile markers along the trail. Chris responded that all of the trails are all under one mile, except Marsh Creek Trail, and that it is not in his plan to do so at this time.

CITIZEN COMMENTS: NONE

CONSENT CALENDAR:
1. Approve minutes of regular meeting of March 25, 2010.
2. Accept Recreation Manager project status report. (P. Scherff)
3. Accept Parks Division monthly report. (B. Margesson)
4. Accept Landscape Division monthly report. (A. Wanden)

 Motion to approve items 1-4 of Consent Calendar.
Motioned: Brown
Second: Hofstadt
Ayes: 4
Noes: 0
Absent: 1

SCHEDULED MATTERS:

5. DISCUSSION ITEM: Update on Facility Field Rental draft process. (P. Scherff)
Poldina Scherff presented her staff report on the Facility Field Rental draft process, and asked Commissioners for input regarding the process. The Commissioners agreed that bringing the user groups together for discussion would be informative for both sides. There are always behind the scene reasons for the current process that some user groups are not aware of. This would also be a good opportunity for the Park Maintenance Division Liaisons and/or the Recreation Division Liaisons of the Commission to have input into the process. Subjects such as, the hosting of competitive sports tournaments, and commercial use and selling of products for fundraising purposes, would be discussed. Commissioners agreed that the liaisons would attend. Poldina Scherff will keep the Commission advised of meeting dates and times.

6. DISCUSSION ITEM: Parks, Trails and Recreation Master Plan Annual Report – Fiscal Year 2009/10. (T. Homan)
Tammy Homan presented her staff report on the upcoming Annual Report and asked for input from the Commission. Some of the suggestions were to include more information on Youth Sports and Aquatics, especially statistics comparing participation numbers from last year to this; and using this document to engage the community’s interest in such groups as the Park Ad Hoc Committee. Other suggestions were documenting staff time and resources in managing the contract maintenance of the landscape in the City, including the time that is invested in assembling and bidding out the initial contracts. This process was totally updated from the previous contract version to include more stringent requirements from the landscape contractors. The Commissioners would like to see details about acreage, numbers of assets; such as trees and irrigation equipment, weed abatement information, and goals for the department. Ms. Homan welcomed these suggestions and encouraged the Commissioners to email or call her with any additional ideas.

7. ACTION ITEM: Approve the change of venue for the June 24, 2010 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting. (E. Keller)
Edie Keller informed the Commission that two of the items scheduled for the June meeting would be better presented at the Council Chambers, therefore could we postpone the outdoor meeting to July.

 Motion to approve Item 7 of Scheduled Matters.
Motioned: Brown
Second: Madden
Ayes: 4
Noes: 0
Absent: 1

STAFF COMMENTS
Roger Stromgren advised the Commission that the bollard lights at Heron Park have all been removed and the four (4) 14’ tall street lights will be installed soon. He also informed them that the Brentwood Police Department has arrested two new suspects caught with tools and stolen copper wire. The recent thefts have been along streetscapes, but theft from parks has stopped thanks to the deterrents installed on the electrical boxes. The current suspects were from Bethel Island and Pittsburg, however last month the suspects were from Brentwood, and the police believe they may be part of a larger operation. Commissioner Brown had a suggestion about putting the suspects’ names in the newspaper, and informing the public of the cost to Brentwood residents from copper wire theft, which Roger Stromgren advised the Commission was a cost of $90, 000 just last month. The police are very aware and actively patrolling, but the public is encouraged to report any suspicious activity. He also let the Commission know that the bocce court renovation project, planned by a local boy scout, is in the fundraising stage.

Poldina Scherff gave each of the Commissioners an invitation to the unveiling of the poetry artwork at Veterans Park, and informed them that working surveillance cameras aimed at the artwork will be installed at Veterans Park by June 15th. She encouraged all to get out and enjoy the aquatic center, parks, youth camps, and many summer activities that Brentwood has to offer in June and July. On an extra note, Commissioner Rodrigues asked Ms. Scherff to please locate the CPRS District III plaque honoring the Senior Center so that it may be installed.

Edie Keller advised the Commission that the Parks and Recreation Department had a monthly average of $77,000 in revenue for registration fees for FY 2008-09.

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Commissioner Brown presented photos of the art structure at Heron Park. He is concerned that there are sharp edges that could cause injuries, and would like to see something planted, such as low roses or other shrubbery, to prevent close contact with the structure. Other Commissioners concurred that such an improvement would be visually pleasing, as well. Roger Stromgren reminded the Commission that the structure is designed to have inner lighting, and that staff is working on completing that element of the artwork cylinder.

Chair Rodrigues informed the Commission that he will be attending the East Bay Regional Parks District Meeting at the Senior Center on June 16, 2010. Also, that on June 27th there will be a Boy Scout Eagle fundraising dinner at the Veterans Hall, and on May 31st there will be a Veterans Celebration at Veterans Park. He reminded the Commission that the Brentwood Senior Citizen’s Club Luau Dinner Dance, featuring music, Hawaiian BBQ and tropical refreshments, will be held at the Senior Center on June 25th from 7-9 p.m.

Commissioner Hofstadt informed the Commission that she has heard many compliments about the City landscaping and she would like to pass them on to the Parks staff, “Job well done!”.

Commissioner Madden complimented the recreation staff on the new Activities Guide, and will be signing her children up soon for various youth programs.

REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
None

ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 8:37 p.m.