CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Myers called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL: Present were Chair Sandra Myers, Vice Chair Lanny Brown and Commissioner Ernie Rodrigues. Commissioner Melloni was excused. Staff members present were Ken De Silva, Landscape/Facilities Manager; Poldina Scherff, Recreation Manager; Felix Errico, Parks Planner; Edie Keller, Administrative Supervisor; Olivia Alvarez, Recreation Supervisor; and Lt. Hansen with Brentwood Police Department.

PRESENTATION(S);
A. Introduction of new Park & Recreation Commissioner Eileen Hofstadt by Chair Myers. Commissioner Hofstadt lives in Brentwood and work for the City of Pleasanton.

B. East Diablo Youth Soccer League (EDYSL) will present a plaque of appreciation to the City of Brentwood Park and Recreation Commission. (T. Burt)

Kirk McMullen, President of EDYSL presented the City of Brentwood with an appreciation plaque. He spoke of his appreciation for the staff’s hard work and diligence in giving them a space to play and practice.

C. Chair Myers read a Proclamation Declaring July as Park & Recreation month.

AGENDA REVIEW: NONE

CITIZEN COMMENTS: NONE

CONSENT CALENDAR:
1. Approve minutes of regular meeting of April 26, 2007.
2. Approve concept of Tree Board Commission. (K De Silva)
3. Accept Recreation Division monthly report and Recreation Manager project status report. (P. Scherff)
4. Accept Parks Division monthly report. (R. Stromgren)
5. Accept Arts Division monthly report. (R. Burr-Siegel)
6. Accept CIP Project Status Reports. (K. De Silva)

 Motion to approve items 1 – 6.
Motioned: Rodrigues
Second: Brown
Ayes: 3
Noes: 0
Excused: 1 (Melloni)

7. Discussion of the enhanced parks police enforcement. (T. Hansen)

Lt. Hansen highlighted Chief Evenson zero tolerance approach on crime. The Chief is working on a new strategic plan to reduce crime. Currently, four Lieutenants have been assigned to various assignments and there has been an increase in neighborhood crime watch. City parks are also patrolled more often. Lt. King currently is in charge of the patrol division and will be assigning managers in charge of various parks. Parks have been put on higher priority due to the recent vandalism incidents. Another area of importance has been curfew.

Violators of curfew have been arrested under the zero tolerance approach. People are not given more breaks.

Lt. Hansen expressed his excitement to work with staff and the Commission and reiterated that City parks are a priority for the Chief.

Ken De Silva mentioned that he is in the process of getting a photo surveillance program at the Veterans Park, Skate Park and the Aquatic Complex. He would like to include Balfour Guthrie as well. They are figuring out what equipment will be needed and what legal policies need to be developed. Chair Myers would like to have this item brought back for follow up.

Chair Myers asked about patrolling Granville Estates and it was said the Police Officers can’t enforce the area (to an extent) since it has not been dedicated to the City. Chair Myers would like to have Lt. Hansen return on a quarterly basis for updates.

Lt. Hansen stressed the zero tolerance changes people’s behavior more than giving them warnings. Warnings don’t always work. He also mentioned that a community based prosecutor has been hired to review the various crimes which are enforced and see what can be brought forth for prosecution.

Chair Myers asked about having our own 911 system instead of going through City of Antioch dispatch. Lt. Hansen mentioned that this would be ideal and it is currently being reviewed.

Commissioner Hofstadt mentioned that seniors should use the non-emergency number if possible instead of calling 911.

8. Discussion of rules for Creekside and Balfour-Guthrie Tennis Courts. (O. Alvarez)

Olivia Alvarez, Recreation Supervisor, handles the tennis programs for Parks & Recreation. She reviewed the draft of rules to be posted at the tennis courts at Creekside Park and Balfour Guthrie.

Vandalism has occurred where the windscreen has been torn and pets have left behind their mess. Teenagers have also harassed the tennis instructor in speeding up her scheduled lessons. Olivia would like to the Commission approve signage at the tennis courts. She hopes that this will let the public know that the City cares about the tennis courts and violators will be prosecuted.

Commissioner Brown thought it looked great. He hopes that Liberty High School courts will soon open to the public. He remembers them being opened at one time for the publics use and it was never an issue before.

Commissioner Rodriguez agreed that rules need to be posted and liked what has been presented. He feels that the public do need to be better educated on certain things, rules being one of them.

Commissioner Hofstadt thought this was a good idea as well and she wants the police department to be aware of these rules therefore they are able to enforce them.

This item will need to be brought back for action. The verbiage for the signs will need the approval of Damien Brower, City Attorney.

9. Discussion regarding a field trip to tour new parks. (K. De Silva)

Ken De Silva requested that the Commissioners pick a date and to let him know of their preference for this field trips. Dates were discussed and it was agreed upon Saturday, July 7, 2007. Edie Keller will be contacting Commissioner Melloni for confirmation. An alternative date of July 21, 2007 was selected in case July 7 did not work out.

10. Discussion on Veterans Park Memorial Rose Garden update. (K. De Silva)

Ken De Silva reported that he and others have met with the Phil Abbey, consultant, in regards to the Veterans Park Memorial. They will be removing the two benches closest to the parking lot and placing them by the memorial so that people can sit and reflect. Phase I of the rose garden will also be worked on. Installation of tiles will also be worked on. Phil Abbey had suggested another brick supply company which would cost less.

Commissioner Rodriguez would like to have a letter sent out to those that has purchased a brick to let them know the status of this project.

Chair Myers inquired about the bricks and whether they will be of better quality than those that are at Creekside Park. Ken De Silva replied that those were set in concrete and therefore falling apart.

11. Discussion regarding the policy for use of portable restrooms in City parks. (K. De Silva)

Ken De Silva started off by saying that with the many parks this City will be building, the existing policy now calls for permanent bathrooms for parks over 5 acres. McClarran Park is less than that therefore no permanent bathrooms will be installed there. Unfortunately, there are existing parks that are over 5 acres but without a permanent bathroom. One example would be Miwok Park. This park was built prior to the development of Parks & Recreation department. A permanent bathroom would need to be done.

Ken De Silva asked the Commission about what should be done with parks which are less than 5 acres. Should there be portable potty? He was concerned whether the residents will complain because there isn’t a restroom.

Discussion started about the how hard it could be to manage portable potties. Though they may be heavily used during the busy seasons, during the off season of the parks, it could invite vagrants into them.

Commissioner Brown would like to have presented cost estimates, permanent solutions, and proposed ideas of how it would look if using shelters around the portable potties. Ken De Silva said he would come back with a list of manufacturers, cost and possible photos.

Chair Myers inquired about Garin School and about their open restrooms which the general public could enter into. She said she notices that kids are not escorted into the restrooms and anyone can go into them. Poldina Scherff, Recreation Manager, mentioned that the only available should be the portable potties which EDYSL has put in. She mentioned that once the new Edna Hill Gym is finished, their gym will be locked up but the public restroomss on the outside will be available for use.

Ken De Silva would like the Commissioner to email him with any suggestions or ideas regarding this issue.

12. Approve the recommendations for naming of the new parks. (K. De Silva)

Felix Errico, Parks Planner, met with Commissioner Brown, member of the park naming subcommittee to name the parks at the following developments.

Sterling Preserve III – Cornfield Park
Sienna Village - Cartona Park and Cartona Trail
Summerset – Summerset Park

Commissioner Brown commented on how hard it was to name the Park at Sterling Preserve III due to the lack of references of its surrounding areas. There was nothing nearby as a focal point, no theme which could be found. Various suggestions were brought up. For example, Cielo (Spanish for sky) or name after a horse.

Chair Myers mentioned that she remembers the park and trail at Sienna Village having been named previously. She would like the minutes from the past reviewed to see if anything could be found on that. This information will be brought back at the next meeting for update.

Summerset Park’s name was approved by the Commissioners.

More names were brought up for the development at Sterling Preserve. Seedling was mentioned and it was agreed upon.

 Motion to approve the park names of Seedling at Sterling Preserve III and Summerset Park at Summerset.
Motioned: Brown
Second: Rodrigues
Ayes: 3
Noes: 0
Excused: 1 (Melloni)

CITIZENS COMMENTS: NONE

STAFF COMMENTS

Edie Keller welcomed Eileen Hofstadt to the Parks & Recreation Commission.

Poldina Scherff mentioned that residents should have received their new summer guides. Registrations have been going slow and mentioned the highlights of new camps, swim lessons, and many new classes being offered. She also said Concerts in the Park will be starting soon, June 15, 2007.

Chair Myers commented that the two classes which she signed up for unfortunately got cancelled. She wished people would not wait to sign up.

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS

Commissioner Brown mentioned that he would not be in attendance at the next Parks & Recreation meeting. His grandmother will be turning 101 years old.

Commissioner Rodrigues mentioned about a recent state meeting. The board which he is part of has 20 people. He said the board members should stay abreast on some of the upcoming top legislation.

Commissioner Hofstadt said she was happy to be here and thanked the Commissioner for allowing her to participate (she has not been officially sworn in and therefore not a voting member at the time).

Commissioner Rodrigues mentioned that he has known Commissioner Hofstadt for awhile and that they go back a long way.

REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

Set up date for future workshop.

ADJOURNMENT: Chair Myers adjourned this meeting at 8:25 pm