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 Commissioners Eileen Hofstadt, Jan Melloni, and Ernie Rodrigues. Staff members present were Ken De Silva, Landscape/Facilities Manager; Tom Burt, Recreation Supervisor; Sue Barry, Recreation Supervisor; Mac Kaiser, Recreation Supervisor; Felix Errico, Parks Planner; and Lt. Hansen, Brentwood Police Officer.

PRESENTATION(S):
A. Introduce new Parks and Recreation Intern, Joel Monahan. (S. Barry)

Sue Barry, Recreation Supervisor, introduced Joel Monahan, intern for Parks & Recreation. Joel is a recent graduate of California State University of Chico. He majored in Recreation Administration with an option in Parks & Natural Resources. Joel has worked for California State Parks at locations consisting of Doheny State Beach and Lake Oroville. In his free time, he enjoys reading, hiking new challenging trails, and dreaming of catching the perfect wave.

Joel’s current project for Parks & Recreation has been identifying the various trails and amenities in the city parks. With the information gathered, it will help assist the Parks Division in producing new trails and parks map.

Chair Myers is very excited about his ongoing task and sees that this will be very useful in the future. She inquired about whether the manufacturer’s information was taken as well. Joel noted that this information is included.

B. Presentation of 2007 Annual Spring to Life Fun Run proceeds to volunteer groups. (M. Kaiser)

Mac Kaiser, Recreation Supervisor, gave a brief introduction about the recent 10th Annual Spring to Life Fun Run. He mentioned that it takes a lot of work to get this type of event going every year, and it is with the help of 80 – 100 volunteers. Mac usually asks for help from non-profit groups, and any money left over from this event goes back to the various organizations. This year there was about $4800 left over.

Chair Myers assisted in handing out Certificates to the representatives of the following groups:

LUHSE Liberty Union High School Education Foundation – Amy Sores
Youth Commission – Belinda Ordaz and Leah Hocking
Village Community Resource Center – Ike Montanez
Delta Peddlers – Dave Stoeffler and Randy Huey
Meals on Wheels – Zel Ayers (not present)

AGENDA REVIEW: NONE

CITIZEN COMMENTS:
Craig Bronzan, Director of Parks & Recreation, mentioned to the Commission that at their next meeting a discussion of establishing a Play Committee will be necessary. This Play Committee needs to be formed soon in order to fulfill the request of Playful City USA Program, which the City will be applying for. “Playful City USA is a national recognition program that honors communities across the country for taking action locally to build an infrastructure that promotes, creates and sustains an abundance of time and space for pay for all children.” There would be a need to also establish a play day once a year to promote for kids to get out and play.

CONSENT CALENDAR:
1. Approve minutes of regular meeting of June 28, 2007.

• Item #1 pulled by Commissioner Brown. He will abstain from voting due to his absence at the last meeting.

 Motion to approve item 1
Motioned: Rodrigues
Second: Myers
Ayes: 4
Noes: 0
Excused: 1 (Brown)

2. Accept Recreation Division Monthly Report and Recreation Manager Project Status Report. (S. Barry)

3. Accept Parks Division Monthly Report. (R. Stromgren)
• Item #3 pulled by Chair Myers for discussion.
• Chair Myers said she has received complaints about the new mutt mitts. These mutt mitts come in a roll and kids are pulling the entire spool out. They are not as good as the individual type.
• Commissioner Melloni said the new ones are thin and not as convenient as the ones in the past with the cardboard to assist with scooping up the mess.
• Ken De Silva, Facilities/Landscape Manager, said that they are testing out new ones to possibly save the City some money. This change isn’t permanent; therefore, we can always change back.

 Motion to approve item 3
Motioned: Rodrigues
Second: Hofstadt
Ayes: 5
Noes: 0

4. Accept CIP Project Status Reports. (K. De Silva)

5. Update Commission on the outcome of the East Bay Regional Park District Meeting of 7/25/07. (F. Errico)

 Motion to approve items 2,4 and 5
Motioned: Brown
Second: Rodrigues
Ayes: 5
Noes: 0

SCHEDULED MATTERS:
6. Update from Field and Facility Use Subcommittee on status of procedure/policy for athletic field facility use by affiliated and non-affiliated user groups.(T. Burt)

Tom Burt, Recreation Supervisor, recently met with Commissioner Rodrigues, Brown and Kenny Lee, President of the Brentwood Pony League to discuss the procedure/policy for athletic field facility use by affiliated and non-affiliated user groups.

Tom reviewed some of the highlights discussed in the past regarding this issue and reviewed some of the changes to its current format. They want to focus on accommodating game play for all teams in the recreational level; however, they do want to allow other non-affiliated teams the use of the fields for practice during regular/peak season.

Tom mentioned that the affiliates are asking for more time throughout the year and not just during its regular schedule. There may be a need to review the affiliate agreements and rethink out some of the criterias. During the off season, it would be nice to be able to schedule non-affiliated or traveling teams some field time, as well. Non-affiliated groups may be required to come in and fill out an application for the times they wish, and have the formula previously presented used to figure out play time.
Commissioner Brown thinks the plan they have would be fair and easier for staff to manage. He thinks doing this twice a year would be ideal. Commissioner Hofstadt would like to know how this works out in the future. Chair Myers inquired whether there would be down time for maintenance of the fields. Tom replied that there would a maintenance schedule worked out.

Tom Burt hopes to start this process in November. This item will be brought back in August for final recommendation.

7. Update from the Brentwood Police Department on parks and trails patrol. (Lt. Hansen)

Lt. Hansen gave an update of the Police Activities in the city parks. He mentioned there are less people hanging out at night due to the enforced curfew rule. He mentioned that the Police Officers are paying more attention to the parks in hopes of catching those causing the disturbance. Lt. Hansen stressed the importance of public assistance should they see any mischief going on.

Commissioner Hofstadt thanked Lt. Hansen and his peers for their continued efforts in making the parks safe and usable. Lt. Hansen said the parks are still very much a priority for the Chief and this issue is filtering down to the patrol staff.

Commissioner Rodrigues does see an improvement with Veterans Park, and is quite pleased with the Police Officers efforts.

Chair Myers had Lt. Hansen speak about a recent capture of a suspect caught with copper wire from Sunset Park. Chair Myers brought up about the portable potty and would like to know what can be done to have them back at the park for use. Ken De Silva, Landscape/Facilities Manager, is currently work with Yun Cho from IS and Capt. Martinez from Police Department on getting cameras set up.

Lt. Hansen said that the perpetrator that vandalized the portable potty may be waiting for new ones to return and suggested that right now may not be the best time to bring them back. He did mention waiting awhile in hopes that they be captured on other offenses.

8. Discuss interest in adopting the mutt mitt dispensers at our community parks. (K. De Silva)
There was a group interested in taking care of the mutt mitt needs throughout our city parks. Ken De Silva said they were invited to present their ideas to the commission tonight but they were not in attendance. Ken De Silva mentioned the need for setting a policy for “Adopt a Park.”

Ken De Silva wanted some feedback on the pros and cons of this particular policy. Commissioner Brown mentioned that in Indianapolis, they have an “Adopt a Median” policy. Ken De Silva asked if they want it to turn into a commercial thing. Commissioner Hofstadt saw the potential problem of having signage everywhere. She saw the need to have standards set. Commissioner Brown will find out how Indianapolis began their “Adopt a Median” program.

Chair Myers tabled this item. This item will be brought back at a later meeting.

CITIZENS COMMENTS
Councilmember Stonebarger was present at this meeting due to his interest with parks around the City.

It was mentioned that Parks & Recreation should have a liaison to the City Council and Planning Commission. Chair Myers commented on the importance of being connected somehow to the Planning Commission. Currently, Felix Errico, Parks Planner, does attend the Planning Commission meetings.

STAFF COMMENTS
Ken De Silva asked if any Commissioners would be off in the month of August. Commissioner Hofstadt was the only Commissioner that indicated she will be absent. Ken De Silva also noted that the date for the Workshop will be on September 15.

Felix Errico reported back that he has met with Jeff from East Bay Regional Park District regarding the AA Bond. The AA Bond was approved in November 1988 and it is to be good until 2008. The amount of bonds financed was $225 million. He also mentioned about the Nail Property meeting held on July 21, 2007. Quite a few people showed up for this meeting and gave their input on what they would like to see in the future. The Consultant will be back for future presentations.

Chair Myers gave a quick review of the AA funds. Ken De Silva recently met with Jeff Rasmussen, Grant Coordinator with East Bay Regional Park District and discussed some possible projects. Ken De Silva will report back with more information.

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Commissioner Brown inquired about the negotiation process with the school district regarding the joint use agreement. Ken De Silva commented that Poldina Scherff if working on this. Both Chair Myers and Commissioner Melloni agreed that if there is any way to reconcile this issue, we should certainly try.

Commissioner Rodrigues spoke of an upcoming conference in March in Long Beach. He mentioned that the City of Brentwood has grown so much, and it is very much recognized right now. Craig Bronzan will also be overseeing a meeting at the conference.

Chair Myers spoke of the Nail Property meeting. She also mentioned the Applehill HOA meeting which she and Roger Stromgren attended. They talked about parks and the landscape on the medians.

Chair Myers inquired about Barrington and Bridlegate projects which were presented at one time but never heard much about afterwards. Chair Myers wants to know what is happening with them since projects seem to move forward without the Commission knowing much about it. Chair Myers would like the opportunity to sit down with the developer and architect if possible to see the plans and talk about them.

Chair Myers mentioned that the fire engine theme was mentioned for Bridlegate but then never saw anything again for it. She does not want them to move forward so far that things can’t be changed later. Ken De Silva said initially several concept plans are presented and the Commission is then allowed to pick a concept plan they like. The sub-committee then meets with the architects to talk about some of the specifics. Chair Myers requested clarification on when certain things can be brought up. Ken De Silva suggested that during the presentation of concept plans, that is when changes or features which you would like to see should be brought up for discussion. Staff will then work out the placement of those features, and the type of material. The Commission would definitely be involved in selecting the type of playground equipment suited for that park. Chair Myers would like to be more hands on in the process, if possible.

Ken De Silva suggested this topic of discussion should be brought up again for discussion at the workshop in September.

Chair Myers suggested having vendors, which were at the last conference, attended by the Commissioners to present their playground equipment products. They seemed eager to make known their products at the conference, and hope they will be available to make a presentation before the Commission at the next meeting. Chair Myers asked if Felix Errico would set up a few vendors to present their products in the near future.

REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Playful City USA Committee Discussion

ADJOURNMENT
Chair Myers adjourned the meeting at 8:59