Month 1999.04 April.


Day 1999.04.07CS


COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
MINUTES –  REGULAR MEETING - APRIL 7, 1999
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
7:00 P.M.

ITEM 1 –     CALL TO ORDER

The regular meeting of the Community Services Commission was called to order at 7:09 p.m. by Chair Kidder.

MEMBERS PRESENT:    Commissioners Alfred Banks, Virginia Lloyd-Butterfield, Gary Silveria, Mary Ann Thurmond, and Chair Don Kidder.

MEMBERS ABSENT:    Commissioners Barbara Cringle and Dennis McCord.

STAFF PRESENT:    Director Linda Celestre, Landscape Architect Bob Farrington, Senior Recreation Supervisor Donna Fox

STAFF ABSENT:    Parks Superintendent Rollie Simons

ITEM 2 –     PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ITEM 3 –     APPROVAL OF MINUTES –  MARCH 3, 1999

A motion was made by Commissioner Silveria, seconded by Commissioner Lloyd-Butterfield, “ to approve the minutes as presented.”   Motion carried.

ITEM 4 –     APPROVAL OF AGENDA

A motion was made by Commissioner Lloyd-Butterfield, seconded by Commissioner Banks, “ to approve the Agenda as published.”   Motion carried.

ITEM 5 –     PUBLIC COMMENTS –  None

ITEM 6 –     CORRESPONDENCE –  None

ITEM 7 –     CONSENT CALENDAR

A motion was made by Commissioner Lloyd-Butterfield, seconded by Commissioner Thurmond, “ to approve the Consent Calendar.”   Motion carried.

ITEM 8a –     STRATEGIC PLAN

Director Celestre stated that on March 16, the City Council held a Special Study Session to review the strategic plan.  They emphasized public safety.  There was continued discussion on executive housing, review of City services, and streamlining wherever possible.  They also designated Seniors as a new Goal, and discussed what form that would take.  They discussed a potential Senior Round Table, modeled after the Youth Round Table.  Since that meeting there has been talk about the idea of forming a Commission on Aging to take the place of the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee.  On the seniors issue, the Department, the Advisory Committee, and the Commission would take the lead.  The rest of the Strategic Plan was left in place.  The Council did take comments from the public at that meeting and at their regular meeting.

Commissioner Lloyd-Butterfield asked what the feelings were on her comment, the recommendation that there be a cultural arts coordinator added to Department Staff.  Director Celestre stated that some staff reorganization has been done to provide for a coordinator as the cultural arts liaison.  Todd Grames is the staff person who will be working in this area.

Director Celestre stated there would be an update on the Strategic Plan by the City Manager at the next Council meeting on April 13th.

ITEM 9a –     SCHEDULILNG OF THE JOINT MEETING WITH THE CULTURAL ARTS ADVISORY COMMMITTEE

Director Celestre stated that the Cultural Arts Advisory Committee has requested a joint meeting with the Community Services Commission.  Staff is recommending that the joint meeting be held at the May 5th Commission meeting.

A motion was made by Commissioner Silveria, seconded by Commissioner Lloyd-Butterfield, “ to accept and adopt the recommended meeting with the Cultural Arts Advisory Committee on May 5, in conjunction with the Community Services Commission meeting.”   The proposed site will be the Senior Center, at 6:30 p.m.

ITEM 10 –     STAFF REPORTS

Supervisor Fox stated that a meeting was held on April 6 to develop a community calendar with representatives from the business sector, the City, the theater, the Reporter, and the Museum in attendance.  The new Cultural Arts Coordinator, Todd Grames, will collect all the data.  Eventually something will be put on the City’ s web page.  Diane Barney, from the Reporter, will begin a new local community calendar section in the paper.  It is important to everyone in the community that events are coordinated.

The Events Guide for the next quarter will go to print next week for the summer programs.  A glossy cover has been produced, and this cost is offset by more advertising in the guide.

Supervisor Fox stated that a news release will be put in the Reporter regarding recruitment for membership on the Cultural Arts Advisory Committee.  Some members are ending two year terms.  It is hoped that any vacancies will be filled by June.

Landscape Architect Farrington stated that the first draft of the Lake Management Plan should be available by the 15th of April.  Some jurisdictional agencies have been delayed in returning information to us.

The Creekwalk project has begun with some site survey work.

Landscape Architect Farrington is working with the Gateways Committee, a new committee looking for ways to beautify or improve the appearance of Vacaville from the freeway (I-80 and 505).  The Committee is chaired by Deputy City Manager, Gregg Werner.  There has been work done regarding billboards, and the Committee is looking at what can be done as far as landscapes and artwork.  It is hoped to develop a master landscape plan for freeway frontages.

The Lagoon-Ridgecrest Trail is currently being laid out.  A grant was received from federal FEMS money to lease/purchase a trail machine, and work will start on the trail in May using the California Conservation Corps and volunteers.  The traildozer, which grades the trail but does not surface it, can do up to a mile of trail in a day.  It is hoped we can construct 2 to 6 miles of trail under the grant.  In some areas there will be switchbacks so as not to disturb the land.  There will be high, low and medium impact trails, and interpretive sites.  The Sunrise Rotary will help with signage, and there will be scattered picnic tables, and rest stops.  There will also be improvements to the Lagoon Valley Park entrance.  Vacaville Sunrise Rotary Club is donating money to buy plant materials, irrigation supplies, and to install a new sign.  These improvements will be done the first part of May.  The Will C. Wood Interact Club and two Girl Scout groups will also work with the Rotary Club on this project.

ITEM 11 –     DIRECTOR COMMENTS

Director Celestre stated it is currently budget time.  The Department has prepared a budget request with $3,900,000 in expenditures, and $2,800,000 in revenue.  A complete report will be made when the budget is finalized.  Director Celestre stated that she is putting together a CIP projects budget list which includes the design phase for a lap pool, and pool renovation.  This is the first year in many that we have development impact fees.  We are also requesting additional funding to complete Three Oaks Park (putting in the turf and irrigation), and funds to master plan a new softball complex at the corner of California and Peabody.  Arlington Park will be started soon.

The Little Leagues have requested getting their fields lit.  There may be some City contribution or assistance for these improvements.

Director Celestre stated that the Council did allocate $7,500 for a fireworks display at Andrews Park for July 4th.  The event will be similar to Merriment on Main.  No one will be able to be in the park, but there will be good viewing places throughout the City.

A meeting was held today with C.C. Yin and Curtis Stocking regarding the skate park.  The group is meeting every two weeks and so far has raised $32,000.  Clarence Williams is planning a big event the weekend of June 25-27.  There have been cash contributors, as well as in-kind contributions made. Organizers would like to reach $90,000 in cash.

Circus Chimera is returning to Vacaville May 10 and 11, Monday and Tuesday, at the Cultural Center, again in the detention basin.

There has been some restructuring and reorganization of the theater.  Mary Ann Toal is now the Theater Manager.  Lisa Rico will be the Marketing Director, and will be working part-time.

The Easter Egg Hunt had over 4,000 people attend.  This is one of the best events that the Department does each year, and Todd Grames and staff deserve kudos for this event.

ITEM 12 -    COMMISSIONER COMMENTS

Commissioner Thurmond stated that she and Chair Kidder attended a meeting on the construction of the Senior Center.  Also, The Spring Extravaganza Luncheon and Fashion Show will be held on April 30 at the Ulatis Community Center.

Commissioner Lloyd-Butterfield inquired as to an update on the health of fellow Commissioner McCord who has been absent due to illness.

Director Celestre requested a volunteer from the Commission to assist in interviewing the eleven applicants for the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee.  There are currently five vacancies to be filled. The Commission will approve the recommended people.  Both Commissioners Lloyd-Butterfield and Kidder volunteered to serve on this panel.

Commissioner Banks announced that Senior Games will begin April 18.

Chair Kidder stated that he, Helen Allen, Donna Fox, and Commissioner Thurmond will meet to discuss recruitment for the Cultural Arts Advisory Committee.

ITEM 13 –     ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,


Harolyn Nelson
Recording Secretary