CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Brown called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.

ROLL CALL: Present were Chair Lanny Brown, Vice Chair Eileen Hofstadt, and Commissioners Jan Melloni, Sandra Myers, and Ernie Rodrigues. Staff members present were Poldina Scherff, Recreation Manager; Roger Stromgren, Landscape/Facilities Manager; Sue Barry, Recreation Supervisor; and Edie Keller, Administrative Supervisor.

PRESENTATION(S):
Receive presentation recognizing the City of Brentwood as a 2008 “Playful City USA” community by KABOOM. (S. Barry)

Sue Barry, Recreation Supervisor, presented a PowerPoint Presentation highlighting the award of “Playful City USA”. This award was given to the City of Brentwood on September 6, 2008. The application process for this award started nearly a year ago and the City of Brentwood was 1 of 67 communities chosen for this award.

Playful City USA “Reflects Brentwood’s commitment to families” and “Showcases our parks, trails, facilities, and open spaces.” On Friday, July 25, 2008, the City held its first Play Day prior to the Concert in the Park. This special day brought out 80 kids and parents to the City Park for some play with jump ropes, hula hoops, balloons and etc. The Parks & Recreation Department hopes to host many more Play Days in the near future.

For more information regarding Playful City USA, Sue Barry mentioned checking out the KaBOOM website. On this website, one can also leave a message for the City of Brentwood and view what others have to say about the City of Brentwood. Street signs will also be posted along the entrances to the City in letting people know they are entering a “Playful City USA” area.

Commissioner Rodrigues was very happy with the receiving of this award and happy to be part of this as a Commissioner. This award allows our City to stand out amongst the others; our community should be very proud for what we have done for our children. He commended the staff of Parks & Recreation Department for their work.

Commissioner Myers commented to say that the City of Brentwood is still number 1 on the comment posting on the KaBOOM website.

AGENDA REVIEW: NONE

CITIZEN COMMENTS:
George Vosicka, resident since 1992, has reviewed the proposal and pool usage document and had some concerns regarding it. He felt that this document penalizes the groups that are excelling in the sport of swimming. He felt that the kids can have the recreational swim at the Brentwood Family Aquatic Complex while those that want to excel in the sport competitively be allowed the time for use of the pool whenever possible. He sees this document as not providing ample time for the groups to use the pools. He does not feel the lottery system will be fair and that it seems discriminatory to groups that are athletes.

Poldina Scherff, Recreation Manager, said in the near future there will be a group discussion with the affiliates of the various sports to discuss this matter. This item will be brought back to the Parks & Recreation Commission for further discussion.

Stephan Holzmuller, Seawolves Swim Club, asked if affiliates from all sports will be invited to this meeting. It was replied that all groups from various sports will be invited to attend.

CONSENT CALENDAR:
1. Approve minutes of regular meeting of August 28, 2008.
2. Accept Recreation Division monthly report and Recreation Manager project status report. (P. Scherff)
3. Accept Parks Division monthly report. (B. Margesson)

 Motion to approve consent calendar items 1 - 3.
Motioned: Hofstadt
Second: Melloni
Ayes: 5
Noes: 0

SCHEDULED MATTERS:
4. Approve moving the regularly scheduled Park and Recreation Commission meeting on October 23, 2008 to October 30, 2008 due to two Commissioners being unable to attend. (P. Scherff)

 Motion to approve the change of date for the October Parks & Recreation meeting from October 23 to October 30, 2008.
Motioned: Myers
Second: Melloni
Ayes: 5
Noes: 0

Vice Chair Hofstadt husband will be having surgery on October 23, 2008 and Commissioner Melloni will be having surgery on October 20, 2008.

5. Review and discuss the Parks and Recreation “Sports Philosophy”. (P. Scherff/S. Barry)
 Item pulled by Chair Brown per the recommendation of Staff. Item will be brought back at a later date pending the meeting with the user groups regarding this item.

STAFF COMMENTS
Roger Stromgren, Facilities/Landscape Manager, mentioned that the bid for play equipment at Applehill Park was resent out and due by Friday, October 3, 2008. The initial bid that went out was not as clear as it could be; therefore, it was revised. Commissioner Rodrigues inquired about whether the residents surrounding the Park could be notified about the status on this matter so that they are informed about what’s going on with the Park. Edie Keller said she can put the update regarding Applehill Park on the City website as well. Roger said he hopes to have this item on the first City Council meeting in October so that the structure can be ordered and installed by January 2009.

Roger Stromgren also reported back to Commissioner Myers that there are 4,833 street lights in the City of Brentwood.
Commissioner Myers had a question about Blue Goose Park and inquired about the scheduled water test. Roger Stromgren said this test was actually cancelled by Barry Margesson due to him having to leave town for a family emergency. This will be rescheduled. He also said that Lennar Homes actually did replace the sidewalk to make them ADA compliant. Commissioner Myers is concerned with the water feature and the way it may drain. Commission Myers would like to be kept informed regarding this matter.

Roger also mentioned this years Marsh Creek Clean Up was well attended by 496 participants not including staff and volunteers. There were 30 yards of debris and 20 shopping carts collected.

Poldina Scherff, Recreation Manager, mentioned that in October the Arts Jazz Wine festival will be hosted by the Arts Society on October 11 – 12, 2008. Commissioner Melloni said there will be some sand sculptures exhibited and a lot of children’s art highlighted. Poldina Scherff said the admission will be free.

Doggie Dip day scheduled for September 27, 2008 was cancelled by the officials of Contra Costa County due to a state code that says it does not allow animals into the pool. This code has been enforced throughout the East Contra Costa County.

The Senior Center building is about three weeks behind of the original planned opening date and it should open mid November. Commissioner Rodrigues felt that this building will be a nice addition to the Veterans Park.

Edie Keller, Administrative Supervisor, said she will have updates for Applehill Park posted on the City website and will email the Commission once that has been completed.

Edie Keller informed Commissioner Melloni (being that she is involved with the Arts Jazz and Wine festival) that there will be a prayer group that may be present to conduct National Day of Prayer on October 11 at noon either by the Gazebo or somewhere on public grounds. This session would last one (1) hour starting at noon. It was suggested that they use a different venue but they insisted on a more public venue where they will be in plain sight. No permits are needed for a sidewalk prayer should they desire to use the sidewalk as their prayer site.

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Commissioner Myers said she is really impressed with the City website. She said with the three service requests made to three different areas, each one responded back in a timely manner. She continued to say the City website is nicely laid out. Edie Keller said the website for Parks & Recreation was designed by Tammy Homan but most recently up kept by her (Edie). Overall the City website was created by Donna Grill, the City webmaster.

Commissioner Rodrigues requested that Edie Keller check with Craig Bronzan on whether they could attend the next California Park & Recreation Society (CRPS) Meeting and check into areas of awards for the work done thus far.

Vice Chair Hofstadt thanked Sue Barry, Recreation Supervisor, for all her hard work on the “Playful City USA” and the City Wellness Plan. Vice Chair Hofstadt mentioned she recently received a certificate for participating in the Silver Sneakers. Sue Barry said she hopes this program continues and is working on a walking challenge. The hopes or goal is to be walking to a specific destination. Commissioner Hofstadt also said that the finished product of the Year End report looked attractive.

Commissioner Melloni thanked all those who supported her for the 30 miles Breast Cancer walk recently.

Chair Brown mentioned that he will be traveling from October 5 – October 8, and requested City staff to take this into consideration should a meeting with the user groups take place, since he is on the committee.

REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: NONE

Vice Chair Hofstadt did ask for clarification on the meeting dates for November and December. Edie Keller said the meeting dates set for those two months are November 20, 2008 and December 18, 2008.

ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 7:39 pm