REGULAR MEETING
February 22, 2007 at 7 p.m.
City Council Chamber
734 Third Street
Brentwood, CA 94513

CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Myers called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.

ROLL CALL: Present were Chair Sandra Myers, Vice Chair Lanny Brown, and Commissioner Ernie Rodrigrues. Commissioner Jan Melloni arrived at 7:09 p.m. Staff members present were Poldina Scherff, Recreation Manager; Edie Keller, Administrative Supervisor; Felix Errico, Parks Planner, and Jaclyn Dwyer, Recreation Coordinator;

PRESENTATION:

A. Proclamation recognizing Lisa Salazar of Pulte Homes for the support for the Brentwood Snow Park. (K. De Silva)

Chair Myers presented Lisa Salazar of Pulte Homes with a Proclamation for the Brentwood Snow Park. Chair Myers thanked Lisa Salazar for her time and contributions to the Brentwood Snow Park.

Mayor Taylor swore in Chair Myers into her new position with the Park and Recreation Commission. Chair Myers was congratulated by the Mayor.

AGENDA REVIEW: No changes or additions.

CITIZEN COMMENTS: None

CONSENT CALENDAR:

1. Approve minutes of regular meeting of January 25, 2007.

• Item #1 pulled by Chair Myers for clarification regarding the Bocce Ball Courts. She wanted to know how many Bocce Ball Courts will be there and if there was going to be room for the fourth one. Chair Myers would like to discuss this matter at the meeting when CIP Projects are reviewed.

2. Accept Recreation Division monthly report and project status report. (P. Scherff)
3. Accept Parks Division monthly report. (R. Stromgren)

• Item #3 pulled by Chair Myers for clarification. Chair Myers wanted clarification on the maintenance report in regards to having to replace 29 trees at Sunset Park Athletic Complex. It was explained that majority of those 29 trees have just died and some of them were vandalized.
• Commissioner Rodrigues suggested that during the upcoming workshop, it will be a good time to have a review of the status all the City Parks. He wants the Commissioners informed and ready to answer any questions relating to the various City Parks.

4. Accept Arts Division monthly report. (R. Burr-Siegel)
5. Accept CIP Project Status Reports. (K. De Silva)
6. Accept reminder of CIP workshop to take place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 22, 2007 prior to the regular Park and Recreation Commission meeting. (K. De Silva)
7. Accept update from City Council actions taken on February 13, 2007. (K. De Silva)
8. Approve Proclamation for Arbor Day – April 21, 2007 to be forwarded to City Council for the March 27, 2007 regular meeting. (K. De Silva/P. Scherff)

 Motion to approve items 2,4,5,6,7, and 8.
Motioned: Rodrigues
Second: Myers
Ayes: 3
Noes: 0
Excused: 1 (Melloni)

 Motion to approve item 1 and 3.
Motioned: Brown
Second: Rodrigues
Ayes: 3
Noes: 0
Excused: 1 (Melloni)

SCHEDULED MATTERS:

9. ACTION ITEM Approve policy for Starry Nights in Brentwood Summer Concert Series. (J. Dwyer)

Poldina Scherff, Recreation Manager, introduced Jackie Dwyer, Recreation Coordinator. Jackie Dwyer has brought this item back to the Commissioner for their approval with the changes which were suggested by Commissioner Jones. Changes were made to the guidelines regarding entertainment selection. A subcommittee will be formed in assisting with the selection of the bands which will play at the Concerts in the Park. This subcommittee will be made up of members of the Park & Recreation Commission, Arts Commission, Senior Club and a City Staff. Jackie is requesting a volunteer from the Commission to be part of the subcommittee.

Commissioner Melloni had volunteered and was later appointed by Chair Myers to join this subcommittee.

 Motion to approve the change in Policy for Starry Nights in Brentwood Summer Concert Series and appointment of Commissioner Melloni to this subcommittee.

Motioned: Rodrigues
Second: Brown
Ayes: 4
Noes: 0

10. ACTION ITEM Approve park concept plans for West Coast Home Builders Bridle Gate Development, Subdivision #8506. (F. Errico)

Felix Errico, Park Planner introduced the plans for Bridle Gate, Subdivision #8506 project being developed by West Coast Home Builders. Felix introduced Michael Fotheringham from M.D. Fotheringham Landscape Architects and Dick Sestero with West Coast Home Builders.

Michael Fotheringham presented two plans for parks within a residential subdivision. One park is 4.36 acre and the other is .68 acre.

The two plans presented for the park of 4.36 acre:

Plan A: This will be more for passive use. It will have wild flowers and interpretive signs. There will be no play structures. There will be a steel bridge for access to north portion of park and field of wild flowers. It will also have a trail system.

Plan B: It will also have the wild flowers and interpretive signs. However this plan contains a family picnic area with shaded picnic tables and a playground with structures with colorful tarps on soft, play surface. There is also a trail system in this plan.

Comments:
• Commissioner Rodrigues liked plan B for the shaded structures. It provides for a place for people to relax.
• Chair Myers inquired about parking and the possibility of a pedestrian overpass.

The two plans presented for the park of .68 acre:

Plan A: This will be more for passive use. It will have picnic areas as well as a wet play area with misting spouts; however, there are no shade structures in this plan.

Plan B: This plan contains picnic areas and a misting wet play area as well. This plan does contain shade structures, and more benches for sitting. It has shade structures and parking spaces. There is a play area with cushioned surface.

Comments:
• Commissioner Rodrigues liked the open space and water element. He liked plan A.
• Chair Myers inquired about parking and wondered whether parking spaces would be available for plan A. She said parking would essential.
• Commissioner Melloni liked plan A. She was concerned that play structures will be outdated as kids in the City will start growing up. She knows there isn’t a lot of money to be used to replace play structures therefore, she would like to see play structures that will be used by kids of all ages.
• The Commission liked the water element idea. They know that will be put to good use as hot summer days approach but was concerned about how it will be used the rest of the year.

It was split vote on which plan was preferred for the park of 4.36 acre.

Majority of the Commission liked plan A for the .68 acre park. They would like to include swings to this particular plan. It was suggested maybe having a fire truck theme there.

 No action taken on this item.

CITIZENS COMMENTS: None

STAFF COMMENT
Poldina Scherff mentioned the upcoming CPRS meeting in March. She also mentioned there will be a Lunch with Bunny on March 31, 2007. There will also be an upcoming Job Fair put on by the Youth Commission and there will be a Battle of the Bands after the Job Fair. It will feature six bands and the winner of that contest will be opening for the Concerts in the Park.

Felix Errico informed the Commissioner that the City has accepted Heron Park. Rose Garden Parks will be going through the process of getting approved by the City Council soon. It was mentioned that Granville Estates is not moving along any faster for acceptance due to the slowing of the market.

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Commissioner Rodrigues mentioned the loss of Tom Jones as Commissioner (he has moved to Hemit) and he is dealy missed. Commissioner Rodrigues would like to have Tom Jones invited back for certain opening of Parks. He welcomed Edie to her first meeting. He mentioned that on March 9, he will be inducted as President in the California Association of Parks and Recreation Commissioners and Board Members (CAPRCBM).

Chair Myers would like to host a Regional Dinner with Antioch and Oakley Commissioners and maybe Pittsburg as well. She spoke of an incident which took place at Granville Estates. This involved a son of her daughter’s friend. Chair Myers is still hearing complaints about how kids are using that park to drink and other illegal activities until the early mornings. She is having problems understanding why the developers are not able to do anything about it. She is concerned that the cops are also not able to do anything about this type of situation as well because the City has not accepted the park.

Felix Errico responded in response to the limitations which the City can enforce. He will however bring this matter to the attention of Ken Byrd, Senior Construction Inspector as well as Craig Bronzan, Director of Parks & Recreation. Felix mentioned that developers are required to install signs at unaccepted new parks to let residents know who to contact should there be issues.

Chair Myers does not think we’re doing the Community service by allowing this to happen but understands that there are formalities which are followed.

Commissioner Melloni commented that residents cannot just be there passively but instead say something to the kids which are invading the parks.

Felix Errico suggested sending emails to Chief Evenson to let him know the issues. He informed the Commission that certain steps need to be taken before the City can take over the maintenance of the parks.

It was agreed that the Police Department needs to be involved and that the City Council needs to be informed with this matter. It was suggested by Commissioner Melloni that individuals should be written to the Mayor.

Chair Myers commented on the “adorable” play apparatus at Sage Glen Park. It has a tree house which is two-story.

REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Commissioner Rodrigues suggested that during the upcoming workshop, there should be time to review the status of all the City Parks.

Commissioner Melloni mentioned that the City of Concord will soon have a ground breaking for an ADA Park. This park is partially funded through the Lions Club. She thought maybe the City of Brentwood and the Lions Club here in the City can look into something like that as well.

Chair Myers suggested taking a tour of the City Parks with the City Council in the fall.

ADJOURNMENT: Chair adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m.