NOVATO RECREATION, CULTURAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION. Commissioner Neese called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m.

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1 NOVATO RECREATION, CULTURAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION MINUTES May 8, 2014 Novato City Hall* 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers 901 Sherman Avenue 922 Machin Avenue Novato, CA / FAX 415/ Mayor Eric Lucan Mayor Pro Tem Jeanne MacLeamy Councilmembers Denise Athas Pat Eklund Madeline Kellner City Manager Michael S. Frank A. ROLL CALL Commissioner Neese called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. Commissioners present: Commissioners absent: Also present: Neese, Cline, Weber, Crow, Caye Garbutt, Shilvock Director Pam Shinault, Recording Secretary Lori Simpkins Introduction of new Commissioner John Caye. His interests are civic life, landscaping. He wants to see some energy brought back to the Parks, Recreation and Community Services. B. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION/SECOND, COMMISSIONERS WEBER/CROW, TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION/SECOND, COMMISSIONERS CROW/CLINE, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. D. PUBLIC COMMENT There were no Public Comments. *In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact Lori Simpkins at Notification at least 72 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to help ensure accessibility to this meeting.

2 Page 2 E. READER BOARD INFORMATION 1. San Francisco Bay Water Trail Information Brochure 2. Let s Go to the Park Today: The Role of Parks in Obesity Prevention and Improving the Public s Health Article 3. You Won t Believe the Must-Have Item Sold at This Convenience Store Article 4. Marin County Parks Healthy Parks Healthy People 2014 Calendar of Events F. PRESENTATIONS There were no Presentations. G. OLD BUSINESS There were no Old Business items. H. NEW BUSINESS 1. Proposed Capital Improvement Projects. Ms. Shinault gave a brief explanation of the 2 year budget reduction plan and that Council adopted a Fiscal Sustainability Plan in February. Many studies were done to gather information on the City s infrastructure which helped to inform the budget. The CIP program has been dormat for several years. She spoke about the benefits of parks. The ADA Transition Plan will start in August/September. A Hill Recreation Area Master Plan to develop a bocce tournament facility, maybe a synthetic turf field, and other recreation projects are planned for FY 14/15. Hamilton Preschool new play yard was created. Some enhancements were done to the Hamilton Community Center. Staff has been involved in the Redwood Corridor streetscape design workshops so that active living is considered in the design RCCSC can get involved and could have a powerful voice from an active living standpoint. She asked the ad hoc committees to look at the draft Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan for what is missing and opportunities. Novato community based Transportation Plan will look at the existing transportation needs, conduct surveys, determine how low income families get around and identify gaps and how to address them.

3 Page 3 Novato s HEAL Initiative next steps put together a Novato Resource Collaborative. Ms. Shinault will draft an action plan for the HEAL Ad Hoc committee, which will then go to the Commission for review. Marin County is doing several things: Healthy Parks, Healthy People has a calendar of events going on throughout the County, including Novato. Stafford Lake Bike Park should start phase 1construction this summer. Concern is how to get Novato kids out there safely. Staff has been discussing this issue with the County, such as making the existing roadside bike path wider. The County has asked the City to participate and give input in the Stafford Lake Master Plan. Sources of funding for Parks, Recreation and Community Services CIP projects comes from development impact fees (DIF) and Quimby fees primarily the Community Facilities Maintenance Fund (from the Vintage Oaks Shopping Center development); Art in Lieu fees, which are a percentage of construction costs, - most pay the fees. County Parks Measure A funding started flowing July 1. Novato s annual allocation is approximately $300,000 for the 9 years of the tax. The City is getting ready to submit a work plan to the County for two parks maintenance workers, $250,000 for Bahia parks updating, a North Bay Conservation Corp contract to clear open space brush for fire protection, and a Special Events part time staff person. Staff is looking at the IVC fields as a potential site for synthetic turf. The Community Garden group has asked for $200,000 and asked the City to do the left turn lane, which the City would prefer not to do. Staff met with the two groups to find another solution. The tennis courts at Pioneer Park will be replaced, with improved the lighting. Thigpen Sports Courts will be restriped to add two Pickleball courts. She is also talking with Novato Unified School District about replacing the old tennis courts at Sinaloa with Pickleball courts. They are also freshening up other facilities: Hoog Park, Hill Gymnasium and the Margaret Todd Senior Center. I. STAFF REPORTS 1. Programs, Projects and Issues Report verbal May 3 rd Community Fun Fair and City Offices Open House. The City Administrative Offices building had an open house during this annual fundraising event. It was the first time the flex space was used, which worked fine. A new Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department Marketing Team was created to look at cross selling, creating a Mascot, etc.

4 City of Novato Thursday, January 9, 2014 Page 4 New B.E.E. You Summer Camp. This program is now at two schools, Rancho and Olive, with approximately 100 kids enrolled. There are two summer camps being offered. Blue Ribbon Coalition for Youth. On July 1 st, the County will cut funding for Novato s half time staff person. It is Novato s hope that volunteers will step in to fill the void.. HEAL Workshop for County Parks and Recreation Directors. Staff is working with the State HEAL Campaign, Marin County Health and Human Services and UC Extension to develop the workshop. Community Garden ($200,000) and Novato Theater ($1M) City Funding Requests. Council has approved Novato Theater s $1 million request pending an agreement. 2. City Council Action Updates verbal There were no verbal updates. 3. Upcoming City Council Items 5/6 - Final Budget Direction 6/10 - Part-Time Employees Hourly Pay Rate Adjustments 6/10 - Facility Use Fees 6/10 - Budget Hearing 6/24 - Novato Senior Club Sponsorship Agreement. Ms. Shinault gave a brief explanation and history of the City s sponsorship of the Novato Senior Club. 6/24 - Budget Approval 4. Media Articles - Comments from the Director/Commission. J. COMMISSION REPORTS/COMMENTS. 1. Commission Comments/Reports. Commissioner Cline wanted to know how the Novato Gymnasts did at the hosted Novato Gymnastics Classic hard to find. Ms. Shinault said this year s was the largest the Center ever held, so staff was very busy.

5 Page 5 2. Ad Hoc Committee Reports. Chair Neese stated the HEAL Ad Hoc committee has met several times. Staff will send out a meeting invitation. Commissioner Caye will be an alternate for both ad hoc committees. K. SCHEDULE NEXT MEETING July 10, 2014 L. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:41 p.m.