MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
LIVINGSTON PARKS AND
RECREATION COMMISSION
FEBRUARY 24, 2011
A Regular Meeting of the Livingston Parks and Recreation Commission was held in the City Council Chambers on February 24, 2011
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Recreation Superintendent Jacqueline Benoit.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The pledge of allegiance to the flag was recited.
ROLL CALL
Present were Commissioners Ricardo Soria, Joy Peterson, David Blevins, Julio Valadez, Hector Becerra, Manuel Cota, City Council Liaison Margarita Aguilar, Recreation Superintendent Jacqueline Benoit, Recreation Specialists Toni Marquez and Patricia Marshall, Katherine Schell Rodriguez, Luis Flores and Oscar Trejo.
COMMISSIONER INTRODUCTIONS
Superintendent Benoit introduced the new Commissioners and asked them to state their motivation in wanting to become a Parks and Recreation Commissioner: Ricardo Soria to strengthen the youth of our City; Joy Peterson to keep kids off the streets; David Blevins agreed with other members; Hector Becerra to keep the kids busy and off the streets; Manuel Cota to keep youth off the streets, away from drugs and other illegal activities. City Council Liaison Aguilar thanked the Commissioners for applying and commented that in her position she was happy to relay the Commission’s activities back to the City Council. Superintendent Benoit welcomed everyone and thanked them again.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Katherine Schell Rodriguez, P.O. Box 163, Livingston stated how wonderful it was to see everyone working towards programs to capture the kids hearts and minds. She expressed well wishes to everyone.
Luis Flores, 707 Almondwood Drive commented that he would like to have a tennis tournament and maybe work on that to have it ready by summer for all age levels; work hand in hand with the high school, the Commission and the public. He also more educational programs to be offered such as French. Mr. Flores said he was told to talk to Superintendent Benoit so she could possibly help him get these programs implemented.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF COMMISSIONERS
Superintendent Benoit, using Power Point, went over materials included in the Commissioner’s agenda binders:
- List of their duties and responsibilities.
- Terms of office – two years.
- How the meetings are run, Parliamentary Procedure & proper use of same.
- The Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
APPOINTMENTOF CHAIRPERSON
Superintendent Benoit opened nominations for the position of Chairperson.
Commissioner Cota nominated Commissioner Blevins. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Valadez and carried 5-0.
SELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRPERSON
Nominations for Vice-Chairperson were opened by Chairperson Blevins.
Commissioner Cota nominated Commissioner Becerra. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Soria and carried 5-0.
SELECTION OF SECRETARY
Chairperson Blevins opened nominations for Secretary.
Commissioner Cota nominated Commissioner Peterson. The motion was seconded by Chairperson Blevins and carried 5-0.
COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM PROCEDURES
Superintendent Benoit explained the procedure required to place items on the agenda.
SELECTION OF MEETING DAYS AND TIME
All Commissioners agreed that meeting once a month was sufficient. Ideas presented were meeting on the last Thursday or Friday of the month. All Commissioners favored the last Thursday of the month. Commissioner Becerra had a conflict with only one Thursday, but said he would work it out.
Commissioner Soria made a motion to hold meetings the last Thursday of the month. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Peterson and carried 5-0.
The meeting time needed to be set as well. Discussion was held regarding keeping the time at 7:00 p.m.
Commissioner Soria made a motion to set the meeting time at 7:00 p.m. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Valadez and carried 5-0.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS
Commissioner Cota – None.
Commissioner Becerra – None.
Commissioner Valadez – 4th of July meeting at Geneo’s Pizza on March 2, 2011, at 7:00 p.m.. Commented that they were making great progress.
Commissioner Peterson – None.
Commissioner Soria – Would like get more information on the sports complex and Parks and Recreation Master Plan items.
STAFF REPORTS
Superintendent Benoit thanked the Commissioners and informed them that she was available to all of them.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Commissioner Soria – Interest in an update on bike path and progress at the high school.
Commissioner Peterson – Update on park going in at the sports complex/ tennis courts for the sports complex as well as the pool.
Commissioner Cota – Bringing boxing to Livingston. Wanted to see how PAL Program in Delhi started theirs and discussing any road blocks.
Commissioner Valadez – Starting a PAL Program in Livingston through Interim Police Chief Soria and using some of the empty lots around town.
Superintendent Benoit stated that most of these items needed to be handled by the Commissioners. They need to come up with a plan for their project(s) and the steps that were needed to obtain their goal(s).
Superintendent Benoit asked the Commissioners to come up with some goals for the next meeting for the Commission to start looking into.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by: Toni L. Marquez, Recreation Specialist
