HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-11-15; Parks & Recreation Commission; ; DEPARTMENT REPORTMeeting Date: Nov. 15, 2021
To: Parks & Recreation Commission
From: Kyle Lancaster, Parks & Recreation Director
Staff Contact: Mike Pacheco, Recreation Services Manager
Subject: Parks & Recreation Department Report
Recommended Action
Receive a presentation from the Parks & Recreation staff.
Executive Summary
Mike Pacheco, Recreation Services Manager and Tim Selke, Parks Services Manager will report
on recently completed and upcoming parks and recreation activities, donations and grants, as
well as other topics of local interest.
Exhibits
1.Department report
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PARKS & RECREATION
DEPARTMENT REPORT
Nov. 15, 2021
GENERAL & RECREATION
Lifeguard Staffing Shortage Update
On Sept. 13, 2021, weekday hours were temporarily reduced at Monroe Street Pool due to a lifeguard staffing
shortage. Since implementing the temporary reduction of operating hours, staff has pursued the following
measures to increase Lifeguard staffing, and offer other means, to restore regular operating hours with required
patron safety:
•Created four new full-time Recreation Assistant (Senior Lifeguard) positions which increased their
weekly work hours from 35 to 40 to help offset the staff shortages.
•Increased the hourly pay rate of all existing part-time Lifeguards and part-time Senior Lifeguards,
to be competitive with comparable positions within the region and better retain staff.
•Increased the starting hourly pay rate of the part-time Lifeguard and part-time Senior Lifeguard
positions to potentially draw a greater number of candidates to the city’s open recruitments.
•Expanded its Lifeguard Academy offerings in an effort to potentially draw a greater number of
candidates to the city’s open recruitment for Lifeguards.
•Continued to market recruitments for part-time and full-time lifeguards, and to expedite
processing of applications, testing and screening of candidates for employment.
•Remained in contact with and is waiting for an emergency determination from the State of
California agency that regulates pool lifeguard certifications if ocean lifeguards could be deemed
qualified to serve as pool lifeguards (they currently have different types of certifications).
•Received City Council approval on Oct. 12 to execute a memorandum of understanding with the
Carlsbad Unified School District. This memorandum will allow exclusive use of the pool for
Carlsbad High School during the hours which the city is unable to provide lifeguard services and
the district has reserved the pool. The district is required to provide certified lifeguards and to
follow the requirements of the California Health and Safety Code and the Model Aquatic Health
Code during the hours of exclusive use. The district is considering fulfilling the certified lifeguard
requirement by having its’ coaching staff obtain current certifications.
The city’s efforts to address pool lifeguard shortages has not yielded the necessary number of staff to return to
regular operating hours. The safety of our swimmers is the city’s top priority.
Super Hero Obstacle Race
On Oct. 3, 2021, over 500 superheroes sped through the 20 obstacle superhero themed 2K race challenge
around Alga Norte Park. They leaped over tall buildings, captured crooks with hula hoops, flew across the
basketballs courts like superman, slid down a 35’ colossal slide, crawled through toxic tunnels and more. They
even met Carlsbad Fire’s own superhero, Sparky the fire dog. It was an amazing day and a fun race. It was also
the first time since the race’s inception that it sold out!! Special thank you to Marie Jones-Kirk for helping to
recruit the over 90 volunteers that it took to host this extraordinary event.
Pumpkin Plunge
On Oct. 16, 2021, the City of Carlsbad Parks & Recreation department hosted Pumpkin Plunge at Alga Norte
Aquatics Center. The sold out event offered Halloween themed dryland and pool games like mutant fishing,
bone collector, pumpkin toss, candy corn cones, Frankenstein cornhole, a creepy castle bounce house and
Exhibit 1
Nov. 15, 2021 Item #2 Page 2 of 4
more. The event concluded with a Float n’ Flick where we featured an outdoor movie presentation of the 2019
animated movie, Addams Family. The highlight of the event and most unique activity was the Floating Pumpkin
Patch where over 350 pumpkins floated in a section of the competition pool and every child at the event got to
lasso one with a hula hoop to take home.
Festival of Lanterns: A Night of Light & Reflection
On Nov. 6, 2021, the City of Carlsbad Parks & Recreation department hosted the Festival of Lanterns: A Night of
Light and Reflection. The event was a wonderful community celebration where hundreds gathered to decorate
lanterns with thanks, hopes, and well wishes in words, pictures, and drawings. As the sun set, lanterns were
launched into the recreation pool reflecting off the water to create a beautiful setting. The picturesque night
was accompanied by the sounds of violins, guitars, singing, poetry readings and storytelling. The event brought
together all ages of the community creating a connection of warmth and togetherness which was the hope for
this event.
Upcoming Events
• Holiday at the Rancho: Sat., Dec. 4, 2021, 5 – 8 p.m. at Leo Carrillo Ranch & Historic Park
PARKS
Veterans Memorial Park Master Plan
The Veterans Memorial Park recommended master plan was approved in concept by the City Council on Feb. 23,
2021. On Sept. 27, 2021, a draft IS/MND was submitted along with the submittal of the entitlement
applications, including a Conditional Use Permit, a Coastal Development Permit, a Hillside Development Permit
and Habitat Management Plan consistency. Park Planning staff received an initial submittal response letter from
Planning staff on Oct. 27, 2021. The comments were sent to the consultant so that any issues with the submittal
can be addressed. A second submittal will be delivered to Planning staff by the end of November. Staff
anticipates presenting the project to the Planning Commission and returning to the City Council for approval of
the entitlements and environmental documents, as well as the adoption of the final Veterans Memorial Park
Master Plan, in the spring of 2022.
Poinsettia Community Park Phase IV Dog Park, Parking Lot and Restroom
On May 18, 2021 twelve bids were received for the construction of the new dog park, parking lot and restroom.
Senitica Construction, Inc., was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The
construction contract was awarded at the City Council meeting on July 13, 2021. A pre-construction meeting
was held on Aug. 25, 2021 and work began with mobilization of the contractor to the site on Sept. 20. 2021. The
rough grading of the site and the site preparation for the restroom building is underway. The project is expected
to be substantially complete in the summer of 2022.
Village H South Off Leash Dog Area and Trail Connection
On Nov. 3, 2020, the City Council awarded a professional services agreement to Schmidt Design Group to
develop the design, prepare environmental and construction documents and perform construction
administration during the Village H South Off Leash Dog Area and Trail Connection Project. The project team has
been preparing the draft design for the dog area and trail connection and the submittal of the administrative
draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration. During the site review for the preparation of the
environmental documents it was discovered that the site contains Critical Course Sediment Yield Areas
(PCCSYAs) which are impacted by the project. City staff from Land Development Engineering and the project
team need to determine if/where the sediment is deposited and further evaluate flow. There’s a possibility that
the project footprint may need to be reduced to minimize impacts to PCCSYA to less than 5%. The consultant
engineer will run calcs to see where the site is now with the percentage of impact and what further action is
needed.
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Calavera Hills Community Park Gateway Improvements
On Aug. 27, 2020 the Calavera Hills Community Park Gateway Improvements Project was re-advertised for bids
and bids were due on Oct. 13, 2020. A total of 13 bids were received and after careful review of the bids,
Landforms Landscape Construction was determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. A
construction contract was awarded at the City Council meeting of Dec. 8, 2020. Construction on the project
continues, yet there are still significant tasks to be completed.
Hub Park – South Shore Agua Hedionda Lagoon Trail
Staff presented this project to City Council on June 15, 2021 to receive direction on further pursuit of the
project. The City Council adopted a resolution to pursue the design, public engagement and development of the
South Shore Agua Hedionda Lagoon Trail Project within only the Hub Park Lease property, and to return to City
Council in the fall with a status report and answers to questions posed by City Council Members. Staff is
returning to the City Council on Nov. 16 to provide more information and to receive direction on further pursuit
of the project.
LED Lighting Upgrades at Three Community Parks
On Feb. 23, 2021 the City Council awarded a construction contract for this project to Ace Electric. The work at all
three parks is almost complete with just a few minor punch list items left and demobilization of the contractor
from the sites.
Aviara Community Park Synthetic Turf Field Repairs
The synthetic turf field at Aviara Community Park will be closed from Friday, Dec. 17, 2021 through Sunday, Jan.
2, 2022, for repairs. A material defect was discovered with the white line inlays throughout the field, where the
fibers are separating from the backing of the turf. The repairs are being performed under warranty by Astroturf,
the product manufacturer.
Trail Volunteer Event
The next trail volunteer event is scheduled for Saturday Nov. 20 at Lake Calavera. The group will meet at the Sky
Haven Lane entrance at 8:30am.
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