In order to serve the diverse recreational needs of individuals
and families and to enrich the quality of life for all residents,
the Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District is committed
to providing park facilities, open space, programs, and activities.
Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District
General Election: NOVEMBER 2, 2010
OFFICES TO BE FILLED
Board of Directors (3); Term: 4 years
CURRENT INCUMBENTS
Cecile Shepard (4 year)
Joseph Hurd (4 year)
Sandra Bonato (4 year)
NOMINATION PAPER/QUALIFICATIONS: Nomination papers may only be secured from the County Election Office, 555 Escobar Street, Martinez. The candidate qualification consists of being a resident and registered voter of Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District, any person 18 years of age or older, a citizen and one who is not disqualified by the Constitution or laws of the State from holding a civil office.
NOMINATION PERIOD: The nomination period will be July 12, 2010, and the last day to issue or file nomination papers is no later than 5:00 p.m. on August 6, 2010. These documents must be filed at the County Election Office during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
CANDIDATES STATEMENTS: Candidates may submit a Statement of Qualification for the official ballot information pursuant to Election Code Section 10012. The Candidate’s Statements shall not exceed 300 words. The Candidates Statement will be paid for by the individual candidate not the District. The cost, estimated by the County, is $740.00.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact the General Manager, Bob Berggren at (925) 682-0896.
Dear Friends of Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park
District:
It is a pleasure to report that Sherry Sterrett has been elected to her fourth term as Chair of the PHR&PD Board. Sherry, an exceptional Board member, has won two statewide awards for her dedication and efforts on behalf of the District. Serving since 1993, she is only the second person to be elected Board Chair four times in the District’s 59-year history. Congratulations, Sherry!
These are busy yet exciting times for Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District. The District is in the process of carefully assembling a team composed of architects, engineers, consultants, and a project manager to begin work on two major projects: the replacement of the 1) Pleasant Hill Senior Center and 2) the Pleasant Hill Teen Center. (Read the details of progress being made.)
I would like to honor and thank the 15 citizens who filed applications for seven seats on the Citizens Oversight Committee for the District Bond projects. The Citizens Oversight Committee will serve for four years; review budget plans; monitor expenditures; ensure that funds are spent in accordance with Measure E; and review any major changes approved by the Board of Directors. (Read about the selected members of this important committee, pages 24-25.)
It was an honor for the District to receive the recent investment report from Moody’s Investors Service. Moody’s publishes credit opinions and ratings on fixed-income securities, issuers of securities, and other credit obligations. The report on PHR&PD states that the District is above state and national averages in terms of economic numbers and has a well-managed financial system. It cited the District’s hiring freeze and tighter control on discretionary expenditures, while avoiding the issue of layoff notices, despite a reduction of revenue from the tax shifts.
You are invited to be a part of these exciting times at Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District! Please browse the pages of this issue of the Spare Time Spotlight and find recreational activities that appeal to you, or attend a Board meeting and watch us as we grow.
Thank you, District Residents!
Robert B. Berggren, General Manager, Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District
Smart Irrigation
The Park Maintenance Department at Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District is using new smart irrigation controllers in Pleasant Hill Park and Pleasant Oaks Park.
The controllers use local weather stations that track humidity, wind, temperature, and evaporation. From that information they calculate the ET Evapotransporation for our area and send it to the smart controllers. The new smart irrigation controllers use the ET to determine if they should apply water or not, adjusting themselves daily to replace the water that has evaporated.
Thanks to the Rainbird Corporation for donating the controller for Pleasant Oaks Park and to Contra Costa Water District for their rebate program, which covered 90% of the cost of the controller at Pleasant Hill Park.
The District is considering the smart controllers for other parks due to the significant water savings they provide and tight new restrictions mandated by local water districts.
Going Greener–
Bringing Recycled Water to Pleasant Hill Park
Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District is working with the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District (CCCSD) to bring recycled water to Pleasant Hill Park for landscape irrigation.
The park is currently irrigated with potable water, and by converting to recycled water from CCCSD, the Park District will be helping to conserve California’s limited water resources. In addition, recycled water is not subject to rationing during droughts, which will allow Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District Park to keep the turf and landscaping attractive and healthy even during water shortages.
An existing CCCSD recycled water pipeline already runs under Gregory Lane adjacent to the park. CCCSD has offered to draw up a set of plans that shows the location of existing underground plumbing system.
During construction for the new Senior and Teen Centers, the irrigation system will be modified to use recycled water and will be connected to the CCCSD recycled water pipeline.
“This project is a perfect opportunity to achieve our water-saving goals,” said Lynn Spatz, Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District Park Superintendent. “Recycled water will provide a drought-proof, environmentally-friendly and sustainable water supply for our park landscaping that will compliment our new facilities.”
On the Cover
At the Board of Directors meeting Feb. 11, Sherry Sterrett (right) PHR&PD Board Chair, thanked Deedy Brown, Petra and Tom Fastner for appearing on the front cover of Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District's Spare Time Spotlight activity guide. The three are regular participants in the District's Swim for Fitness, a drop-in swim program at the pool at Pleasant Hill Education Center.
Citizens Oversight Committee - Members Welcomed
At the Board of Directors meeting on Jan. 28, 2010 the Board selected seven citizens to serve on the District Bond Oversight Committee:
Steve Ganguet
Lisa Hagopian
Harold Jeffrey
Lily Ng
Marie Simons
Norman VanHole
Leo Vardas
The Committee will monitor the expenditures related to construction of the new Senior Center, Teen Center, Community Center, Pleasant Oaks Park, restroom facilities and other facilities at parks to ensure that funds are spent in accordance with Measure E.
Responsibilities of the Committee will include:
Reviewing the Capital Improvement Budget expenditure plan for the projects.
Monitoring expenditures to ensure that funds are spent in accordance with Measure E.
Reviewing construction expenditures for consistency with the budget and reviewing any major changes approved by the Board of Directors.
Reporting to the voters of the Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District on a quarterly basis.
The District Bond Oversight Committee will meet as needed throughout the 3 – 4 year construction of projects.
Thanks to the fifteen citizens who applied for this assignment. PHR&PD staff and the Board of Directors was honored by such an impressive commitment from the citizens of Pleasant Hill.
Passing the Gavel
At the board of directors meeting on December 3, 2009, Dennis Donaghu passed the gavel to Sherry Sterrett, who will assume her fourth term as Chair of the Board of Directors of Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District.
Sterrett joined PHR&PD Board in 1996, and has been honored by two statewide awards for outstanding service to the Board; in 2003 by the California Association of Recreation & Park Districts (CARPD), and in 2007 by the California Special Districts Association.
Sterrett has an impressive history of public service. She served for seven years on the Mt. Diablo School Board (1980-1987); then for eight years on the Pleasant Hill City Council (1987-1995); and concurrently with her Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District duties President of the statewide California Special Districts Association (2004–2006).
She still serves CSDA as a member of the faculty for the CSDA Leadership Academy, teaching the Human Resources unit and a new unit on “New Board Member Training”, in which a board member teams with an experienced general manager to provide the newly-elected special district board-director with both perspectives and experiences.
Last year, she volunteered as campaign chair for the successful Measure E bond election, to build a new Senior Center, a new Teen Center, replace the Pleasant Hill Community Center, and redo Pleasant Oaks Park, used by thousands of youth in Pleasant Hill Baseball Association and Pleasant Hill Martinez Soccer Association.
Dennis Donaghu served for two years as Board Chair. Under his leadership, Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District made many notable accomplishments, including building the Sprayground at Pleasant Hill Aquatic Park, the complete renovation of the Pool at Pleasant Hill Aquatic Park, and the success of Bond Measure E. Donaghu said, “I am pleased to turn the Board Chairmanship over to Sherry Sterrett and look forward to ground breaking next year on the first of the Measure E projects.”
Community Awards Night
On Nov. 18, 2009, PHR&PD will join the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce and the City of Pleasant Hill in presenting Pleasant Hill Community Awards Night, an annual event to recognize those who have made outstanding contributions to the community.
This year, the PHR&PD Board of Directors voted to present its Board Appreciation Award to more than 100 volunteers who campaigned for Measure E. As a result of their efforts, Pleasant Hill will see three new civic buildings constructed (see General Manager’s letter above). The board named three volunteers who especially deserved recognition: Bonnie Benson, Jim Utz, and Carrie Miller.
The Board also voted to recognize the Pleasant Hill Teen Council with the Community Service Award. Since February of 1991, this group has provided a channel of communication between teens and the District. This year, 28 members contributed a total of 720 hours of volunteer service to the community. Teen Council members worked the annual “Egg”citing Egg Hunt, annual Art, Jazz and Wine Fest, Senior Summit, and Community Awards Night.
Commemorative Benches, Tables & Trees
Honor a loved one or remember a special occasion with a park bench, picnic table, or tree planted in his/her honor. This program is available in most of the 11 PHR&PD parks. For more information or to participate, contact Stan Wong in Park Maintenance, 671-4646.
Thanks to Girl Scout Troup 30720
At the Board of Directors meeting for Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District September 24, 2009, Girl Scout Troup 30720 was honored for work at Rodgers Ranch of Pleasant Hill. The scouts made curtains, a braided rug, and planted flower gardens at Rodgers Ranch. Pictured above are Ellen Stevahn (left) and Denise Koroslev (far right) of Friends of Rodgers Ranch, with the girl scouts. Rodgers Ranch is a 2.1 acre historical site that shows what life was like in Pleasant Hill in the mid 1860s. The Friends of Rodgers Ranch have restored the house and plan to rebuild the old grain barn for use as a museum and heritiage center. Rodgers Ranch is open every Thursday from 12 noon – 4 pm and every third Sunday 2–4 pm, located at 315 Cortsen Road, off Grayson in Pleasant Hill.
Awards
Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District was honored by several awards earlier this year on local, regional, and statewide levels. In our efforts to enrich the lives of residents and serve the community, its the partnerships that stand out – thanks to these outstanding groups, dedicated volunteers, and committed employees.
California Parks & Recreation Society, District 3
Outstanding Facility: The Sprayground
Outstanding Program: Garage Bands at the Lake
Outstanding Non-Profit Organization Partner in Parks & Recreation: Pleasant Hill Baseball Association
Outstanding Volunteer: Nell Rossi
Lifetime Achievement Award: Tom Ruegg
California Association of Recreation & Park Districts
Best Newspaper Coverage
Outstanding Organization: Pleasant Hill Baseball Association
Outstanding Senior Volunteer: Nell Rossi
Contra Costa County, Mary Shockley Awards
Outstanding Service to the Pleasant Hill Senior Center: Gary Kraft
Teen Council Honored
On Tuesday, May 28 the 2008-2009 Pleasant Hill Teen Council was recognized for its year of service by the Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District Board of Directors. The council was recognized for contributing over 700 community services hours in the last year, as well as its involvement in planning and implementing teen programs and events in Pleasant Hill. In 2008, the Teen Council began a community service and outreach campaign called Project T.L.C. (Teens Leading Change) which aimed to involve young people in community outreach and service in Pleasant Hill and other local communities. Through Project T.L.C. the teens held a canned food drive for the Monument Crisis Center, stuffed stockings with toys around the holidays for less fortunate children, provided childcare at a parenting workshop and aided local senior center members at the “Get to Know Your Cell Phone” Workshop. Council members also volunteered at many local events such as Community Awards Night, Toast to Summer, and the “Egg”Citing Egg Hunt. The teen council also planned many local teen activities such as high school dances, concerts and movie nights.
Photographed:
Front Row: Katrina Hunn (Teen Supervisor), Kaela Carson, Jennifer Kupper, Allison Maeyama, Nasreen Broomand, Kara Lowry, Amelia Lowry, Priscilla Rodriguez, Jimmy Torres
Back Row: Jenny Waters (Teen Specialist), Melissa See, Jenna McBee, Sarah Power, Taylor Jones, Jenna Landry, Brittany Goonan, Nicole Thompson, Jillian Cary, Bijan Shamai, Christianna Stafford, Ben Altman
Not pictured: Jordan Baldwin, Bojana Bozic, Kaitlyn Malcolm, Kelly McBee, Julia Meilan, Nicholas Ramirez, T.J Tamura, and Kelsey Weise.
Ever wonder who was responsible for keeping the parks in Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District looking so good? The members of the Park Maintenance Department pictured here do an excellent job taking care of the 11 different park sites and 269 acres of park land. Left to right, Park Superintendent Lynn Spatz, Tom Bradley, Todd Smith, Tommy Peña, Mike Stevens, Pat Keating, Duke Rapisardo, Marc Kiefer, Ernie Lanzarin, and Stan Wong.
At the Board of Directors meeting February 12, 2009, two of the seniors on the cover of the Spare Time Spotlight, Nida Paclebar and Joseph Turner joined Faye Donaghu of Donaghu Graphic Designs (right) cover designer and photographer, to sign cover for the board.
Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District features local people on the covers of its recreation guide, the Spare Time Spotlight, published three times each year.
The cover featured active seniors who have rediscovered recreation.
Sandra Bonato Joins Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District Board of Directors
At the January 22 Board of Directors meeting of Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District, the board interviewed three candidates and unanimously selected Sandra Bonato to fill the vacancy left when Karen Mitchoff joined the Pleasant Hill City Council.
Bonato is a 21-year Pleasant Hill resident and an attorney. In her practice, she primarily represents community associations, homeowners associations, and nonprofit organizations managing real estate. She is a member of the California Association of Community Managers, and teaches their certification courses. In 2007, she was presented with CACM’s statewide Vision Award for Excellence in Education.
As a volunteer, she belongs to the Executive Council of Home Owners (ECHO) in San Jose, was a legislative columnist for the ECHO Journal, and is a frequent public speaker and author. She was a director of the California North Chapter of the Community Associations Institute, and currently serves on the State Bar of California’s ad hoc subcommittee of the Real Property Law Section’s Committee on Common Interest Developments.
Locally, she was a volunteer in Pleasant Hill schools when her children were growing up, as well as the Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts. Recently she volunteers for the Pleasant Hill Fourth of July Commission and participates in Pleasant Hill’s Community Service Day.
Bonato said she brings a blend of analytical and financial training and practicality to the Board of Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District, as well as enthusiasm for the District’s role and how it serves people. She looks forward to contributing to the community and addressing the significant financial challenges and opportunities on the District’s horizon.
The Board of Directors meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of every month at the Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District Office, 147 Gregory Lane, at 7 pm. The public is welcome to attend. For more information, contact Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District at 682-0896, or visit www.pleasanthillrec.com.
OFFICES TO BE FILLED
Dear Friends of Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park
District:
