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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-05-2017 PBR Minutes CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting September 5, 2017 – 6:00 PM I. CALL MEETING OF THE PB&RCOMMISSION TO ORDER – 6:00 PM II. ROLL CALL Present: Laird Hayes, Chair Walt Howald, Vice Chair Tom Anderson Dave Granoff Heather Ignatin Excused: Ron Cole Roy Englebrecht Staff: Laura Detweiler, Recreation & Senior Services Director - excused Mike Pisani, Municipal Operations Director Sean Levin, Recreation & Senior Services Deputy Director Dan Sereno, Landscape Manager Jennifer Schulz, Recreation Supervisor Teri Craig, Administrative Support Specialist Marie Lindeman, Administrative Support Specialist III. NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC IV. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CONSENT CALENDAR None. V. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Minutes of the August 1, 20017 PB&R Commission Meeting Waive reading of subject minutes, approve and order filed. B. Parks, Trees, and Beach Maintenance Division Activity Report Receive/file activity report of past and upcoming projects and events. C. Recreation and Senior Services Activity Report Receive/file Activity Report of Past and Upcoming Projects and Events. Motion by Commissioner Howald; second by Commissioner Granoff to accept Consent Calendar Items V-A through V-C. Motion carried by unanimous vote; Commissioner Englebrecht and Cole absent. PB&R Commission September 5, 2017 Page 2 VI. CURRENT BUSINESS A. Bench Donation – End of Orange Street Consider a bench donation by Heather Stragier In Memory of Jason Lambert “Jaybird” installed at the street end of Orange Street. Manager Sereno presented a request for a bench donation considered at the end of Orange Street, and stated that it complies with the Council Policy B-17 and that residents within three hundred feet were notified of the bench donation and no responses were received. In response to Commissioner Anderson and Chair Hayes questions, Manager Sereno advised them that bench donations are not limited to Newport Beach residents or those that have lived in the Newport Beach. He also provided specifics of where the bench would be installed. Chair Hayes opened the public comments; hearing none the public comment was closed. Motion by Commissioner Anderson; seconded by Commissioner Granoff to approve the bench donation by Heather Stragier installed at the street end of Orange Street with the plaque reading In Memory of Jason Lambert “Jaybird”. Motion carried unanimously. B. Tree Reforestation – 1026 Sandcastle Drive Consider the reforestation request by Steve Kelly of a City Eucalyptus tree located at 1026 Sandcastle Drive and replace with a 36” box Magnolia “Little Gem” tree. Manager Sereno reviewed the reforestation request from the Harbor View Hills Homeowners Association. He noted that the HOA had voted on the project at their meeting in an open forum and that staff also supports the project. Manager Sereno addressed Commissioner Ignatin’s questions that there is a small amount of damage to the sidewalk, that the tree is in moderate condition and that there is policy justification to remove the Eucalyptus tree. Discussion followed regarding why these type of trees were planted. Manager Sereno stated that it wasn’t until years later that it was understood what types of trees should be planted in specific areas, and that now there is a strengthening of protection of the trees in Newport Beach. Chair Hayes opened the public comments. Jim Mosher emphasized that Policy B-1 stated what is required in order to request for reforestation. He states that there is no petition or letter from the Homeowners Association, only meeting minutes and that one or the other is required to request reforestation of an area. Steve Kelly, 1026 Sandcastle, commented about the destruction that the tree has caused to the sidewalk and that the City has recognized the damage to the infrastructure. He states that the tree is the only one of its species along Sandcastle Road and that the other trees are mainly Little Gem Magnolia trees. He went on to say that the Eucalyptus tree is PB&R Commission September 5, 2017 Page 3 also causing problems and safety issues for his family. He states that he disagrees with Mr. Mosher and feels there was adequate notice to the community. He states that he was at the HOA meeting and that there was a unanimous vote for the reforestation of the area. Chair Hayes closed the public comments. Discussion followed regarding Eucalyptus trees and their hazards and specific safety concerns throughout the State of California because of these trees. Motion by Commissioner Howald, seconded by Commissioner Granoff to approve the reforestation request by Steve Kelley of a City Eucalyptus tree located at 1026 Sandcastle Drive and replaced with a 36” box Magnolia “Little Gem” tree. Motion carried unanimously. C. Tree Reforestation - Along Old Ford Road Near Newport Hills Drive Consider the reforestation request of Harbor View Community Association of 14 City Brazilian Pepper trees located along the Old Ford Road near Newport Hills Drive. Manager Sereno provided details about the common area that is under consideration for reforestation and discussed the route that the Homeowner Association has taken to get the process planned and approved. He recommended that the Commission approve the reforestation project based on the work that the HOA has done, and noted that the Brazilian Pepper trees are an invasive species and that these trees should be replaced with the suggested Magnolia trees. In response to Commissioner Anderson’s questions, Manager Sereno stated that the Pepper trees are invasive because of their seeds and that price is based on the stature of the diameter of the trunk of the tree and the overall size of the tree. In response to Commissioner Howald’s questions, Manager Sereno informed the Commission that the HOA maintains the entire slope, that the City supports more trees being planted and that most of the trees are on the mid-point property line. He also states that the association will be maintaining and watering the area. The City will maintain the trees on a two to three-year basis for pruning. Discussion took place that legal documentation should be signed stating the Homeowner’s Association role and the responsibility of the care of the trees. In response to Commissioner’s questions, Manager Sereno explains that all the new trees will be close to the same size, that the existing trees are in moderate condition and that the life span of Magnolias is 25-50 years. Chair Hayes opened public comments. Virtue Byrd, representing the Landscape Committee of the Port Streets, states that the HOA has maintained the area since 1970. She confirms that the HOA would be happy to research and provide a documented statement about maintenance of the trees. She explains that there are a variety of trees in the area and that uniformity of the suggested planting area won’t impact the diversity of the rest of the area. PB&R Commission September 5, 2017 Page 4 Commissioner Howald reiterates that he would like to see some legal documentation in regards to the responsibility of the maintenance of the trees. Jim Mosher agrees with Commission Howald that legal documentation should be obtained but doesn’t understand why the trees are being removed in the first place. He urged the Commission not to approve the removal of the trees and in addition to plant even more trees at that location. Chair Hayes closed the public comments. Motion by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Ignatin to approve the reforestation request by Harbor View Community Association for 14 City Brazilian Pepper trees located along the Old Ford Road new Newport Hill Drive and replaced with Little Gem trees. Motion carries unanimously. Commissioner Howald requests a follow up on the legal documentation that will go into the record. D. Marina Park and Peninsula Programming Presentation by Recreation Supervisor Jennifer Schulz Supervisor Schulz provided a brief description of Marina Park and the amenities provided at the park. She described the roles and responsibilities of the staff; which includes managing the recreational rentals, events, and classes. She gave a short description of all the classes, events, and camps held at the park. Discussion followed regarding the upcoming events in the park. In response to Commissioner’s questions, Supervisor Schulz informed the Commission that they provide the space for events and that renters can use the Center’s chairs, tables, equipment, etc. but are required to use the preferred catering companies. Deputy Director Levin informed the Commission about the Western Snowy Plover meeting that will be taking place on September 14 at Marina Park. He explained that the Western Snowy Plovers are a protected species and live in a critical habitat on the peninsula. He went on to say that the meeting is to plan and discuss the best way to implement a way to protect the birds and their habitat. He noted that there has been ample notification for this meeting to the public and specific groups who would be interested in attending. Discussion ensued about the growth of patrons to the park over the past year, environmental issues surrounding event decorations, and parking. VII. ANNOUNCEMENTS / FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Deputy Director Levin informed the Commission that the new pickleball courts at Bonita Canyon Sports Park are almost finished and will open next month. Director Mike Pisani presented pictures of Poppy Avenue and provided an update. He stated that the City will trim the trees but the residents are responsible for maintaining the ground cover. PB&R Commission September 5, 2017 Page 5 Discussion ensued about the sidewalk, plant species that the residents can choose to plant, and where the water comes from to water the area. The Commission loves the outcome and Commission Howald would like another follow-up report in a year. Commissioner Howald informed the Commission that the 40-year anniversary for the OASIS Senior Center is scheduled for November 4th at 2:00pm and urged the Commission to be there. VIII. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Jim Mosher suggested that the Commission discuss the park renaming on Balboa Island at a future meeting. He informed the Commission that the City Council changed Policy B-9 to allow parks to be named after a person who has been deceased for 15-years. IX. ADJOURNMENT – 7:29 p.m. Submitted by: ________ Teri Craig, Admin Assistant Approved by: _____ Laird Hayes, Chair Laird Hayes Teri Craig