HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/03/08MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON
PARKS, RECREATION, EDUCATION AND YOUTH
APRIL 3, 2008
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting convened at 5:35 p.m. in the City Hall, Room 831, 20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa
Ana, California.
ATTENDANCE
Council members Present Michele Martinez (Chair); Vincent Sarmiento, Sal Tinajero
Councilmember(s) Absent: None
Staff Present: Gerardo Mouet, Executive Director; Joe Straka, Assistant City
Attorney; Mike Lopez, Parks Maintenance Superintendent,
Jenny Rios, Recreation Superintendent; Alma Flores, Sr.
Management Assistant
Public Present Alfredo Gomez, Tish Leon, Pedro Magallon, Jose Meza, Jesus
Rodriguez, Jorge Rodriguez, Arturo Saucedo, Glen Stroud, Julie
Stroud, Edgar Vasquez
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
• Minutes of January 9, 2008 accepted as presented
2. STADIUM PROGRAMMING
Executive Director Gerardo Mouet made a PowerPoint presentation on the Stadium
Programming. The Program is in the process of being transitioned from the Parks Services
'Division, to the Recreation Division. Starting January 2009, the groups must be a non-profit
or a holder of a business license in order to use any City field.
The Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency is considering recommending that
all sport organizations serving youths to do a background check on their coaches, and all
sport organizations to have player insurance - all Council Committee members agreed.
Council Committee Member Sarmiento suggested that the Stadium Programming be
brought back to the PREY Council to give an update on the lottery system, and to share
what ideas of improvement the soccer organizations have provided.
Discussion ensued.
3. WILLARD INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL JOINT-USE AGREEMENT
The Willard Concept was discussed and PREY members did not have concerns. Council
Committee members are aware that this Concept will be addressed at the next City-SAUSD
PREY Regular Meeting - MINUTES 1 April 3, 2008
Joint policy meeting. It will also be presented at the April 23rd Recreation & Parks Board
meeting.
4. UPCOMING COUNCIL CONSIDERATIONS
Council considerations for April, May and June were discussed.
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Glen Stroud-COFU Member
? At first did not support stadium plan because the Neighborhood Association was not
notified of the late item.
? Understand that staff did present the issue to the N.A. and received verbal approval -
not sufficient - wants written approval.
? COFU is important as it protects the Agency - it is an avenue to appeal strikes
? Reviewed examples of infractions
Pedro Magallon-COFU Member/Adult Soccer Rep
? Several years ago SAYSU and SASA were recognized as critical; now they do not
have the same importance.
? Have been part of the process to make amendments to the policies and procedures
but only when it is convenient to the City.
? Eleven to fifteen leagues were not in agreement with the lottery system.
? Notified Councilmember Sarmiento via letter of the lottery system, but the system was
still implemented.
? The lottery system does not make sense; some leagues get dates they do not want
? Plans of implementing a lottery system should have been brought to the attention of
SASA and SAYSU before making any decision - problems could have been avoided.
Jorge Rodriguez
? His league is negatively impacted by the current Stadium process.
Edgar Vasquez
? Happy withy what he has but feels it is not fair that Jorge Rodriguez cannot use the
Stadium as 100 percent of his members are Santa Ana Residents and he is a
registered league
? Need a better solution so everyone can use the Stadium
Arturo Saucedo
? The decisions were not fair; has concerns about the criteria for priority
? If they serve Santa Ana kids that should give them priority; should not matter if you are
non-profit or not; youth should be the criteria for giving priority.
? Some leagues have use of the Stadium and do not really need it.
Alfredo Gomez - Azteca Soccer
? Did not use same criteria for stadium as for other fields; city has done good job with
Centennial - have not had problems; should use same schedule for stadium so that it
benefits all users
? His kids have Wednesday for the first month but then has to wait a month to use on
weekends when he needs it most
PREY Regular Meeting - MINUTES 2 April 3, 2008
? Lottery results were not balanced
Jose Meza
? Lottery was a good idea; it works for him
? The most important thing about it was that it eliminated the monopoly of the stadium by
one individual
Jesus Rodriguez
? The lottery is important; it is the best way to work with all the leagues and he supports
it;
? The results give all 9 youth leagues an opportunity to participate on the weekends
? Unfortunately, leagues that are not non-profit cannot use the stadium on week days -
that is part of the issue
? For profit leagues would like to use the stadium on weekdays just like they share on
weekends
? The 1.5% rule gives less time to smaller leagues; it is equitable and wants to maintain
the system
6. COMMITTEE MEMBERS COMMENTS
Vince Sarmiento
? PREY is not the last "court of appeals - the Rec & Park Board is the last.
? Support the lottery system with continuous improvement
? Encourages the soccer community to share their ideas to make sure the system is fair.
? Suggested the Executive Director working on adjusting the programming where
leagues can get specific days and times to use the Stadium.
Sal Tinajero
? He realized the current lottery system is not perfect, but this is the current system. We
should always work together to make things better.
Michelle Martinez
? Requested a follow-up report to PREY after talking to all the leagues for suggestions;
report back on suggestions, progress , problems, obstacles, issues, etc.
? Staff administers the Stadium and makes the policies and procedures for this facility.
? The Agency should decide how to continuously improve the system.
? We cannot allow threats of bringing one-thousand people to Council meetings.
7. STAFF COMMENTS - None at this time
ADJOURNED: 7:05 p.m.
Gerardo Mouet
Executive Director, PRCSA
PREY Regular Meeting - MINUTES 3 April 3, 2008