CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Myers called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.

ROLL CALL: Present were Chair Sandra Myers, Vice Chair Lanny Brown, and Commissioners Ernie Rodrigues and Jan Melloni. Staff members present were Ken De Silva, Landscape/Facilities Manager; Poldina Scherff, Recreation Manager; Felix Errico, Parks Planner; Roger Stromgren, Landscape/Facilities Supervisor; Tammy Homan, Management Analyst; Edie Keller, Administrative Supervisor; Sue Barry, Recreation Supervisor; and Tom Burt, Recreation Supervisor.

PRESENTATION(S);
A. Recognizing The Men’s Club for their service to the youth in our community. (S. Barry)
Moved to a future meeting.

B. Recognizing Margaret Cooley for her volunteer service to our community. (S. Barry)
Margaret Colley accepted a plaque from Sue Barry for her volunteer services to the community. She has volunteered for various events which included the Fun Run, Monster Mash, Breakfast with Santa and many others.

C. Appreciation to the Brentwood Lions Club for their support of The Girl’s Circle Program. (S. Barry)
Chuck Jackson, Brentwood Lions Club was presented with a Certification of Appreciation for their involvement with The Girl’s Circle Program. This program promotes a positive self esteem, living, and choices for elementary school age girls.

D. “Going Green” PowerPoint presentation. (K. De Silva)
Presentation was given at the end of the meeting under Staff Comments due to technical difficulties.

AGENDA REVIEW: NONE

CITIZEN COMMENTS:

Mark Sargent, resident, business owner in Brentwood, and coach expressed his concern for the need of more green space for practice. He is not seeking for something grand but merely a patch of green grass to practice on. Currently, there just isn’t enough room for all the teams to practice on and he doesn’t think that is fair. He knows that people pay for their time on the fields but there isn’t enough area to divide up for everyone to use. Another concern he had was that there are too many kids on these fields.

He knows that the department works hard in trying to get everyone time and space to play but maybe with more space, it will alleviate some of the frustration of staff and residents.

He is proposing that empty lots around town be turned into green patches for softball and/or soccer use. Ken De Silva, Landscape/Facilities Manager suggested that he get in touch with Felix Errico, Parks Planner in discussing some of the possibilities.

CONSENT CALENDAR:
1. Approve minutes of regular meeting of March 22, 2007.
2. Accept Recreation Division monthly report and Recreation Manager project status report. (P. Scherff)
3. Accept Parks Division monthly report. (R. Stromgren)
4. Accept Arts Division monthly report. (R. Burr-Siegel)

 Motion to approve items 1 – 4.
Motioned: Rodrigues
Second: Brown
Ayes: 4
Noes: 0

SCHEDULED MATTERS:

5. Approve facility field use policy/procedure for requests for practices and usage by non-affiliated outside user groups. (T. Burt)

Tom Burt, Recreation Supervisor, briefly reviewed the three options which were presented at the last meeting. At the conclusion of last month’s meeting, the Commissioners had chosen option 3.

Tom reviewed the formula before the Commission which will be incorporated into option 3.

Chair Myers commented that we can try it out and see what will happen.

Mark Sargent, resident, thinks this formula will work and he realizes that we work hard in trying to get this settled.

 Motion to accept this procedure/policy for request for practices and usage by non-affiliated groups.
Motioned: Rodrigues
Second: Brown
Ayes: 4
Noes: 0

6. Discussion of the times to close the public restrooms within the parks throughout the City. (R. Stromgren)

Roger Stromgren, Landscape/Facilities Supervisor, informed the Commission that recently Parks around the City has been vandalized. He proposed having the bathrooms locked up during certain times of the day to minimize the number of vandalism incidents. He realizes that they need to be open for use when there are events taking place at the Parks but there are certain times during the day which they do not need to be open.

Much discussion took place about the time when the bathrooms should be locked up and open. It was suggested that there are a few hours before school start which the bathrooms could remain closed to avoid kids hiding out in there and causing havoc.

Commissioner Rodrigues inquired about whether a survey was done on the time when kids are out hanging around the bathrooms. He suggested that maybe having more cameras around would help survey the area better.

Ken De Silva noted that it is important that the Police Department be informed when vandalism does occur or when residents see mischievous acts take place. It important to be able to pinpoint the exact time of when these incidents are taking place.

Roger Stromgren suggested making the kids aware of how much it costs to replace the items when stolen or damaged. Currently, replacement parts that are being put in are less destructible. It is important to inform the parents as well as the kids as to what is going on.

Proposed times of closure included during the Winter Hours of 9:00 – 2:30 unless there are activities going on in at the parks and during the summer hour, 9:00 – dusk. Signs will be made and posted on the bathrooms.

Chair Myers brought up the fact that some parks do not have bathrooms and there needs to be one for kids. She inquired about requesting bathrooms or portable potties. Discussion on the negatives of having portable potties came up. As convenient as they are for the kids, in the past the portable potties have been burned and vandalized. To replace one, it would cost around $4,000.

Ken De Silva said there are new designs which the bathrooms are made of stainless steel.

Chair Myers would like to have this item reviewed again in about six months to see if the proposed times for closure are working out. .

7. Discussion and recommendation of approval to City Council of proposed revision to Brentwood Municipal Code Title 7 (Parks and Recreation). (T. Homan)

Tammy Homan, Management Analyst mentioned that the last revision to the Municipal Code was made in 2004. Changes needed to be made since the addition of the dog park, King Park and also another point of interest was the mobile vending.

Chair Myers brought up another topic that involved trees and replacing street trees. Residents don’t always know which trees they are responsible for and which are the City’s. Ken De Silva said he will be working on a new tree ordinance. Currently, the City Manager is reviewing the issue of whether the City should maintain all the trees including the current residential trees. Not all residents know how to trim or care for their trees therefore with the help of the City, trees will be better maintained. Tammy Homan noted that the tree ordinance will be brought back at a later time.

8. Appoint a subcommittee to work with staff on development of a recommendation related to appropriate use of athletic fields by various sport organizations. (P. Scherff)

Poldina Scherff would like to have a subcommittee formed to recommend the appropriate use of athletic fields with the increase of kids and demands for the use of the fields. Certain sports are not being played now because we don’t have the facility to host them (i.e. tackle football).

 Motion to accept the appointment of Ernie Rodrigues and Lanny Brown to this sub-committee.
Motioned: Brown
Second: Myers
Ayes: 4
Noes: 0

CITIZENS COMMENTS: NONE

STAFF COMMENTS
Ken De Silva presented the “Going Green” PowerPoint presentation. Various topics were presented, for example, the need for trees and financial benefits of having trees. It showed how trees would save the environment and how people need to do smart planning in maintaining these trees.

It is important to get the kids involved and learning about the importance of having trees around. Chair Myers inquired about Arbor Day and Ken De Silva gave a re-cap of that event. He mentioned that kids decorated planter boxes and spoke about tree planting.

Ken De Silva, Landscape/Facilities Supervisor mentioned that Craig Bronzan suggested doing a workshop at McClarren Park with the residents to go over the conceptual plans for the park and plays structure. Chair Myers suggested meeting there at 5:00 - 5:30 p.m. onsite.

Chair Myers said the new commissioner should be onboard by then. Edie Keller noted that two interviews have been scheduled and one candidate did not respond.

Edie Keller, Administrative Supervisor, wanted to the Commission to know that currently the Administrative Division is a little short handed and temps are filling in. She hopes the Commission will understand if things are done differently.

Felix Errico, Parks Planner informed the Commission that on Tuesday, May 8 at 5:30 p.m. there will be a Creek Workshop. Presentations will be made by three departments of the City. At this meeting, they will go over what has been done, the policy and General Plan.

The Park Naming Committee met regarding the park at Sterling Preserve III and Fairview Avenue.

Felix Errico will be in attending a meeting with State Park representatives in Petaluma on May 10. .Chair Myers recommended that the other Commissioners try to attend this meeting.

Poldina Scherff, Recreation Supervisor mentioned the upcoming events will icnlude Fun Run, Art Walk and the pool will be open as well. Pee Wee baseball will also be starting. Chair Myers said she will be working at the Fun Run handing out shirts.

Tammy Homan, Management Analyst sadly announced the passing of Betty Jo Wincup. Ms. Wincup worked as the Minutes Clerk for various Commissions and also assisted with the Parks & Recreation front office. She will be greatly missed by the Parks & Recreation Department.

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS

Commissioner Brown noted that the Farmers’ Market will be starting soon (May 19th) and they have moved their location to 1st Street by Oak and Chestnut. Poldina Scherff said the date was changed to a Saturday for the convenience of commuters.

Commissioner Rodrigues commented on the recent City Council meeting which he attended. He mentioned that the City Manager, Donna Landeros did a great job with her presentation of the Downtown Development. The presentation presented the conceptual plans for the new City Hall and Downtown area. Chair Myers was there as well and noted that the School Board was there and said they did not have an agreement with the City regarding certain relocations.

REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

Chair Myers would like to see if in June or July a field trip could be taken to see the newest parks around town. Commissioner Melloni said she may not be able to go due to other previous engagements.

ADJOURNMENT
Chair Myers adjourned this meeting at 8:30 p.m.