How to read Parks and Recreation minutes

The Parks & Recreation Commission meeting minutes of February 25, 2008, were submitted to the Woodland City Council last night as a "Communication - Committee Report" item. No action was necessary... the minutes were prepared by director Dan Gentry and are informational only. Or are they?

Let's have a look-see at some of the cryptic messages in the document. Caution: You may need your Johnny Quest decoder ring for this. To view the entire minutes, click the title of this story and they will magically appear.

"PUBLIC COMMENT - Art Williams, member of the Community Tennis Association commented on the tennis courts at Woodside Park that host other activities. He is looking forward to have more access to courts once the Dog Park opens."

POSSIBLE TRANSLATIONS - 1) Once the Woodside Dog Park opens, Art can play tennis, 2) Once the Community Center Dog Park opens, staff will have time to improve access at the Woodside tennis courts, or 3) Dogs will keep other activities away while Art plays tennis.

"CONSENT CALENDAR - Commissioner Van Muyden had questions regarding bleachers for basketball court. Dan Rice made some clarifications."

POSSIBLE TRANSLATIONS - 1) There is a basketball court and it may, or may not, have bleachers, 2) Dan Rice knows more about the bleachers than Dr. Van Muyden, or 3) There is a basketball court and it needs to be whitened by professional bleachers.

"CONSENT CALENDAR - Request from the commission to have clarification on the consent calendar for a better understanding. Clarification made to the commission regarding the contractor who went bankrupt before completing Ferns Park."

POSSIBLE TRANSLATIONS - 1) The consent calendar could not be understood, but someone went bankrupt, 2) A contractor went bankrupt so something was, or was not, done at Ferns Park, or 3) Clarification means a better understanding.

"CONSENT CALENDAR - Question posed by Commissioner McKay regarding the closure of Dubach Park that Dan Rice addressed and clarified for the commission."

POSSIBLE TRANSLATIONS - 1) Once again, Dan Rice knows more than a commissioner, 2) A model, who only goes by the name of Question, was standing near a commissioner and said good-bye to Dubach Park, or 3) Something's going on out there!

"NEW BUSINESS - Action Items: Discuss disposition of the Roller Hockey Rink at Ferns Park (Item 9). Commissioner McKay covered discussion in Commissioner Murphy’s absence. Alternate uses: 1. Move Skate Park from Crawford and replace with tennis courts. 2. Create Fustal court for soccer players to use. Rob Sanders commented on the lighting and Commissioner Dennie suggested looking over during Park tour. Chairperson Peterson motioned to have discussion at a later meeting."

POSSIBLE TRANSLATIONS - 1) Art might be able to play tennis at Ferns AND Crawford Parks, 2) Art might be able to still play Roller Hockey at Ferns, but play tennis at Crawford, or 3) Ferns or Crawford? We're confused so let's talk about it later!

"OLD BUSINESS – Informational items: List of Measure E Rehabilitation Projects. Commissioner Van Muyden concerned with Water Play at Everman. Commission requests a revision of the table that includes a column for status of projects as well as a column for notes. Commissioner Crawford has questions of ADA requirements. Kent Perkes clarifies it will be addressed after irrigation projects are complete."

POSSIBLE TRANSLATIONS - 1) There is a list, 2) There is a concern, or 3) There will eventually be clarity.

WHAT'S MISSING? A report on Camp Packer Creek, of course. For that you need to go back to the Parks & Recreation Commission November 26, 2007 Meeting: Item 11 - "Camp Packer Creek has been closed for winter. Although we did not program the camp this season for campers, the maintenance staff did take a couple of trips up to camp to be sure that it was still in good condition. It is now formally closed for the winter season and prepared for heavy snows."

Hopefully this report has been informational.