HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 8Los Altos Hills Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting
Parks & Recreation Building
December 8, 2010
Minutes
Attendees: Council Member Jean Mordo, Chair Julia Zarcone, Rebecca Hickman, Scott
Vanderlip, Jaime Lucia, Kathy Evans, Valerie Metcalfe, Kit Gordon. Staff: Sarah Gualtieri, Eric
Chistensen
Guest: Jane Kawasaki
Regrets: Patty Radlo,
Julia Zarcone called the meeting to order at 9:04 am.
A motion was made to approve the November 2010 meeting minutes. The motion was
seconded and the minutes were unanimously approved.
Public Comments
Jane Kawasaki suggested reevaluating the mini-ponies location for the 2011 Barn Lighting.
Many of the larger horses shied as they passed by the petting zoo on their way to the upper
arena for the Pony Club performance. A suggestion was made to relocate the petting zoo away
from the upper arena area. She commented that the Barn looks great.
Jane requested that the P & R Dept. provide more publicity for the riding programs to ensure
fuller classes.
Deer Hollow Programming
Eric Christenen said he has left space for Deer Hollow programs in the P & R Guide. They will be
submitting information on their regular camp programs. The submission deadline is January 14.
Summer Camps – Ohlone and Nature Camps
Julia led the discussion on differentiating between Ohlone and Nature Camp programs. Keith
Guiterrez will be rebranding his camps so they are more distinct and separate from Ohlone
Camps. The tipi will be a symbol of the Ohlone Camp and the emphasis on Ohlone culture and
their environment and the creek will be the symbol for the Nature camps and the emphasis is
on hiking and nature learning.
Camp safety and supervision ratios were discussed. The American Camp Association (ACA)
recommends a ration of 1 adult supervisor per 6 kids. It was recommended that we cap camp
numbers to try to meet this ratio. Eric said he would start contacting potential teachers to assist
with the camps.
For both camps, there will be an eco-friendly Port-A-Potty inside the gate at the Altamont
Entrance to Westwind Barn.
Activity Guide
There was a general consensus that the Guide goes back to being extensively LAH P & R
program and P & R-sponsored event focused. Extra community events sponsored by other
organizations can be included, space and cost permitting. LAH P & R programs and events will
always have priority in the Guide
It was agreed that the redesign has incorporated the new Town branding theme and has give P
& R and LAH a distinct look. It was agreed that the Summer issue should include many active
photos of kids and adults within the body of the Guide. This is the premier programs issue.
*A motion was made, seconded and unanimously approved to establish an Activity Guide
subcommittee. Subcommittee members are Eric Christensen, Sarah Gualtieri, Kit Gordon and
Kathy Evans. They are charged with overseeing the final edit review process.
Scott Vanderlip said the theme for the May 2011 Pathways run is a 60’s theme called “Love to
Run.” It will be the ten-year anniversary of the run.
Strategic Planning
Julia presented the most recent findings on program registration. These numbers give the
committee a snap shot of past program usage in order to help better planning for the future.
The current numbers are a reflection of overall rough data
Rough data figures (all registrations to date):
40% Horse programs
40% Youth Summer Camps
10% Adult classes
5% Dog Rally
0.7% Outside programs
Julia outlined the Strategic Planning tasks to be undertaken by a P & R subcommittee:
- Clarification of P & R staff job descriptions
- The missions and goals of P & R
- Identify staffing needs
*A motion was made to create a Strategic Planning Subcommittee comprised of the following
members: Kit Gordon, Kathy Evans, Jaime Lucia with staff representation by Sarah Gualtieri and
Eric Christensen. The motion was seconded and was approved unanimously.
The Committee agreed that key to the implementation of all strategic planning goals was to
request more involvement by City Manager Carl Cahill in P & R overall management. Julia said
she would like to have weekly meetings with Carl to update him on P & R activities and issues.
Kit suggested that a possible survey of residents be conducted to seek input on programming
and improvements. Julia said Sarah has been doing a great job in the program marketing area
and there have been increases in enrollment due to those efforts. Kathy Evans suggested that P
& R embark on more capital improvements such as purchasing property for a Senior Center and
take advantage of land acquisition opportunities as they become available for P & R use.
Barn Lighting Recap
Julia said the Barn Lighting was a success given the inclement weather. However, for 2011, Carl
has informed Julia that all P & R events should not plan on using staff crew. This year the Town
Maintenance Crew installed the lights. Next year P & R should seek outside contractors to
perform this job. Carl requested we present costs to the Town for this event and P & R should
draft a budget for the next June Council budgeting sessions to include outside sourcing. She
also suggested to establish a “Rainy Day” Back-up plan, the date to be decided by staff.
Next Meeting is January 12 at 9:00 am
Meeting adjourned by Julia Zarcone at 10:45 am.
Respectfully submitted by R. Hickman