MARTINEZ, Calif. – Martinez Parks, Recreation, Marina and Cultural Commission will hear a Martinez Police report Tuesday on public safety concerns in local parks.
In his report, Chief Manjit Sappal said the presentation will cover a variety of public safety issues, but will concentrate on information that has been requested by the Commission.
Those topics are the effects of homelessness and loitering on the renovations at Waterfront Park; patrols near waterfront parking areas to deter such dangerous activities as racing or turning tight circles in those lots; the status of vandalism and graffiti in parks; and the effectiveness of cameras in parks and what considerations are made to protect park users’ civil liberties.
Also among the topics are the purpose of locking park restrooms during the day, when the parks are open to the public; protocols for dealing with reports of activitiy in parks after hours, which parks have the most or least problems, and how many reports lead to fining criminal activity; and the planned or projected impacts on the Martinez Police Department of Measure X, the voter-approved general half-cent sales tax that will start accumulating revenues next year.
Also on Tuesday’s agenda is a draft of the Commission’s potential 2019-20 work plan items, according to Deputy Director of Administrative Services Michael Chandler’s report.
The panel has been working on a list of possible work plan projects, and Chandler will present an updated list based on the Commission’s past discussions, he wrote.
“Of note, all of the items related to capital improvement projects and cultura/arts were removed from the draft plan,” his report said. “The capital projects will be addressed separately, and the cultural/arts projects will be revisited following the adoption of the city’s General Plan and its Cultural Arts Element.”
The list begins with updating and consolidating the city municipal code regarding the Commission’s roles, responsibilities and bylaws. That hasn’t been done since 2008-10, and the revision likely will take six to 12 months with some minimal city attorney costs, Chandler’s report said.
Also on the list is updating the code to address administration of special events and the revision of outdated provision within the Park and Recreation Area Regulations nd clarifying the relationship with the Planning Commission. Significant staff and legal review will need to be done, and the goal will require multiple subcommittee meetings. It likely will take about six months to complete updating the Martine Municipal Code, and a contract attorney’s help would be needed.
The third item on the list is beginning the update of the Parks System Master Plan, which last was done from 2007 to 2012. A project consultant would prepare the report, and “significant” Recreation and Public Works department staff time would be needed. This project should tale 12 to 18 months and cost about $200,000.
Finally, the Commission wants to help the Community and Economic Development Department in marketing Martinez as a destination point. While a project time frame and the extent of the Commission’s involvement has not been determined, marketing the city this way is part of the Economic Development Action Plan (EDAP.)
The panel’s development of a work plan was recommended during a recent Commission Retreat, Chandler wrote. Once finished, it first will be presented to the Commission for approval, then will be sent to the City Council for review, feedback and direction as part of a joint meeting with the Commission or during the City Council Strategic Planning Session.
The Park, Recreation, Marina and Cultural Commission will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Council Chamber of Martinez City Hall, 525 Henrietta St.
