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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-11-18; Parks & Recreation Commission; 1191-3; John Mitchell Letter/Hours of operationPARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION - AGENDA BILL AB, DF.PT. TITLE-JOHN MITCHELL LETTER/HOURS OF OPERATION STAGECOACH PARK (INFO) RECOMMENDED ACTION: Accept and file staff report. ITEM EXPLANATION: During the October meeting, this item was requested to appear on the November Parks and Recreation Commission agenda. Please refer to the attached report outlining the hours of operation at Stagecoach Community Park. FISCAL IMPACT:i Refer to attached report. EXHIBITS: 1. Memo to Parks and Recreation Director from Recreation Superintendent, Nov 7,1991 RECEIVED HOV 1 2 891 November 7, 1991 TO: PARKS AND RECREATION VIA: Recreation Superintend FROM: Recreation Supervisor II JOHN MITCHELL'S LETTER - OPERATION HOURS AT STAGECOACH PARK BACKGROUND On August 13th, a letter was sent to Commissioner Strayer questioning why the hours of operation were reduced at Stagecoach Community Center {Exhibit 1). Mr. Mitchell was contacted by staff and informed that the Parks and Recreation Department as well as other departments had to reduce their operating budgets in an effort to meet the city's fiscal requirements. Staff indicated that we would re-evaluate the closures and take his suggestion into consideration as to adjusting the work schedules of staff as it relates to the hours of operation (Exhibit 2). RECOMMENDATION By making adjustments in scheduling, staff has been able to add an additional six (6) hours of weekend time for the publics use at Stagecoach Park. Currently, the center is open Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm which staff feels is adequately serving the public needs at this time. Taking into consideration the budgetary restraints for the 1991/92 fiscal year and with the minimal amount of participation at the center during the weekend hours, it is staffs recommendation that our department maintain these weekend hours of operation "at Stagecoach Park. DISCUSSION Due to budgetary restraints in the 1991/92 fiscal year, funding for part-time salaries at Stagecoach Community Center were reduced by approximately $3,000. The scheduling of part-time staff was evaluated and it was determined that by closing the center Saturday and Sunday afternoons, it would have minimal impact on the community due to the previous low attendance records. Reducing the hours of operation was thought to be more effective than decreasing staffing at the center. During weekday nights and weekends, there are usually two facility attendants assigned at the center. If one of the attendants were eliminated, there were concerns regarding safety issues, quality of service to the public and providing adequate surveillance of the center and park. Therefore, it was felt that reducing hours of operation would have a lessor impact than decreasing the staffing at the center. EXHIBIT 1 In August, staffing at the center was re-evaluated with the goal being to restore as many of the reduced weekend hours as possible. After careful analysis of the Stagecoach operations the following actions were taken: * Contractual gymnastics class instructors were asked to assist in setting up and taking down the gymnastics equipment. This eliminated the necessity to staff two facility attendants, three days a week, * Weekdays part-time staffing was reduced where possible. * Park Maintenance staff rather than recreation facility attendants started opening and closing the park restroom facilities during the weekends. FISCAL IMPACT In order to maintain a balanced budget for this fiscal year, modifications have been made in existing part-time staffs work assignments and schedules which enabled the department to increase the hours of operation at Stagecoach Park without impacting the city financially. CONCLUSION The revised scheduling of part-time staff has made it possible to expand the Saturday and Sunday hours at Stagecoach Community Center. A portion of Mr. Mitchell's comments were valid and staff feels that the appropriate adjustments have been made which will allow the Parks and Recreation Department to continue serving the public to the best of our ability. If there are any questions or additional information that I can provide, please feel free to contact me. DAVE MILLIKAN Exhibit 1 - Mr. Mitchell's letter Exhibit 2 - Recreation Superintendent's reply to Mr. Mitchell 22 RECEIVED AI/G 1 6 1991 Mr. John Mitchell . ' August 13, 1991 3302 Venado Street' Carlsbad, CA 92009 Park and Recreation Commission C/O Mr. John Strayer - Commissioner 2001 Cima Ct. Carlsbad, CA 92009 Dear John: This past Saturday afternoon I visited Carlsbad's Stagecoach playground and was surprised to find the gym closed. The attendantvwho was leaving informed me that due to budgetary cuts, hours have been curtailed. We in the private sector are experiencing a reduction of income as well but we do not cut the hours of service...we adjust as need be. Is it not the primary goal of Park and Recreation to provide ongoing use of those million dollar facilities? Here are three possible solutions to providing full hours of service: REASSIGNMENT I find it hard to believe the Bureaucracy at City Hall could not be realigned to the field. After all could not a secretary open a gym and a memo be generated in handwritten form? LOOK AT THE HOURS OF THE SUPERVISORS As an ex-City of Philadelphia Dept of Recreation playground supervisor, I (like my Fellow supervisors) worked 3PM to 10PM and 9AM to 5PM on Saturday when the most activity at the play ground took place. I find Carlsbad has 9AM to 5PM's Monday through Friday supervisors. One must question Department management allowing supervisors to be more in tune with City hall hours than with being available to serve the public. RECENT SUPREME COURT RULING If it becomes necessary to provide service in future budgetary cuts/ the city manager should make use of recent supreme court ruling that allows Employer to release high paid employees and substitute lower paid employees if the reason is "economics." Sincerely, John J. Mitchell Carlsbad Resident cc: City of 'Carlsbad (5 copies) Ms. Anne Kulchin Councilwoman 1200 Elm Street Carlsbad, CA 92008 cc: Gary Cox La Costa Youth Organization 2931 Via -Idanana Carlsbad, CA 92009 cc: David Bradstreet Park Director City of Carlsbad 1200 Elm Street Carlsbad, CA 92009 cc: cc: Mayor Lewis City of Carlsbad 1200 Elm Street Carlsbad, CA 92008 Editor: Sports Blade Citizen 1722 South Hill Street Oceanside, CA 92054 24 ?te'?lj^3^ August 22, 1991 John Mitchell 3302 Venado Street Carlsbad, CA 92009 RE: BUDGETARY CUTBACKS AT STAGECOACH PARK John: I appreciate the opportunity to discuss with you the August 13th letter that was sent to Commissioner Strayer regarding the reduction of hours at Stagecoach Park. As I indicated on the phone, during these tough economic times, the Parks and Recreation Department as well as other departments had to reduce their operating budgets in an effort to meet the City's fiscal requirements. Our department has taken a positive approach in ensuring that the public's use of the community centers were not eliminated. Staff attempted to minimize the impact on the public's use of our centers by taking into account as to wh'at community groups would be affected by the reduction of services as well as the types of programs, the number of times each of these groups meet and loss of revenue to the City. We also attempted to find alternate sites for these groups and programs and in the majority of cases, we were able to accommodate everyone. In your letter you indicated three (3) possible alternatives that our department could initiate in order to continue to provide full service hours to the public. I believe that your second option of rescheduling the full time supervisors hours is a viable alternative and has some merit to it Our center supervisors do work 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. business hours in which they serve the public in many ways. However, you also need to understand that they have other areas of responsibility within the Recreation Division that requires the need to be available during these times. I will rcevaluate the closures and take your suggestion into consideration to see if we can adjust the work schedules of our staff as it relates to the hours of operation at each of our centers. I appreciate you taking the time to write your letter and share your suggestions with us and within the next week or so, I will contact you and let you know what alternatives we have come up with. Thanks again. KEN"PRICE"r-s Recreation Superintendent KP:rc c: Commissioner John Strayer