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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/4/2014 - PB&R Commission CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting March 4, 2014 – 6pm 1) CONVENE MEETING OF THE PARKS BEACHES & RECREATION COMMISSION TO ORDER – 6:02 p.m. 2) ROLL CALL Present: Tom Anderson, Chair Ron Cole, Vice Chair Kathy Hamilton Laird Hayes Walt Howald Roy Englebrecht Marie Marston Staff: Laura Detweiler, Recreation & Senior Services Director Mike Pisani, Acting Municipal Operations Director Celeste Jardine-Haug, Senior Services Manager Teri Craig, Administrative Assistant 3) NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC 4) CONSENT CALENDAR A. Minutes of the February 4, 2014 regular meeting. Recommendation: Waive reading of subject minutes, approve and order filed. B. Parks & Operations Division Activity Report. Recommendation: Receive/file Activity Report C. Recreation & Seniors Services Activity Report. Recommendation: Receive/file Activity Report of past and upcoming projects and events. Chair Anderson opened the public discussion; seeing none the public discussion was closed. Motion by Commissioner Cole; seconded by Commissioner Englebrecht, to accept items 4A – 4C of the Consent Calendar. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Ayes: Anderson, Cole, Englebrecht, Hamilton, Hayes, Howald, Marston 5) CURRENT / NEW BUSINESS – Staff Report A. Ad Hoc Committee & Liaison Appointments Recommendation: Staff recommends that the PB&R Commission appoint to:  Lower Castaways Ad Hoc Committee — one commissioner to serve with Commissioner Marston to collaborate with the Harbor Commission to develop a conceptual design for Lower Castaways.  Blackball Surf Regulations Working Group — two commissioners to serve with Vice Chair Cole as liaisons to the Newport Blackball Working Group coordinated by the Fire Department Marine Operations Division to review current surfing policies. Item 4A Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission March 4, 2014 Page 2 Vice Chair Cole stated that at the Blackball Working Group had met and discussed the need for two additional Commissioners to serve on the Working Group because of all the meetings and information that would be discussed. Chair Anderson asked if he had any volunteers. Commissioner Hamilton stated that she would volunteer to serve on the Lower Castaways while Commissioners Hayes and Marston volunteered for the Blackball Working Group. Chair Anderson opened the public discussion; seeing none the public discussion was closed. Motion by Commissioner Englebrecht; seconded by Commissioner Howald to appoint:  Commissioner Hamilton to the Lower Castaways Ad Hoc Committee to serve with Commissioner Marston to collaborate with the Harbor Commission to develop a conceptual design for Lower Castaways.  Commissioners Hayes and Marston to serve on the Blackball Surf Regulations Working Group with Vice Chair Cole and serve as liaisons to the Newport Blackball Working Group coordinated by the Fire Department Marine Operations Division to review current surfing policies. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Ayes: Anderson, Cole, Englebrecht, Hamilton, Hayes, Howald, Marston B. Denial of Tree Removal Request Appeal — 2113 Seville Avenue Recommendation: Consider request of MOD staff to deny appeal of Ann Kenowsky to remove a City Southern Magnolia tree at 2113 Seville Avenue. Acting Director Pisani stated that this item had been tabled from last month at the homeowner’s request. He reminded the Commission that both the Urban Forester and Tree Superintendent had inspected the Southern Magnolia tree and determined that it did not meet the criteria for removal as stated in the G-1 Policy. He stated that the tree is healthy and that “excessive debris” is not a justification for removal. Chair Anderson opened the public discussion. Robert Yant stated that he was representing the homeowner Ann Kenowsky. He stated that this tree has a history of debris falling everywhere and that not only is it a nuisance but could be a safety hazard. He stated that they were willing to pay all the costs for removal but would rather have a Palm tree planted than any other type of tree. Chair Anderson closed the public discussion. Discussion ensued regarding whether reforestation information had been provided to the homeowner and or tabling the decision until homeowner has time to educate themselves on reforestation. Acting Director Pisani stated that staff had assured him that this paperwork had been provided; however he would make sure that the homeowner had the appropriate information right away. Motion by Vice Chair Cole; seconded by Commissioner Englebrecht to deny appeal of Ann Kenowsky to remove a City Southern Magnolia tree at 2113 Seville Avenue; direct staff to forward the appropriate reforestation paperwork to the homeowner for possible future request. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission March 4, 2014 Page 3 Ayes: Anderson, Cole, Englebrecht, Hamilton, Hayes, Howald, Marston C. Special Tree Removal — 15th Street between San Bernardino & Irvine Avenues Recommendation: Consider removal of eleven (11) Special City Sugar Gum trees — Neighborhood Trees along 15th Street between San Bernardino and Irvine Avenues to alleviate drainage issues and damage to the alley approach. These trees will be replaced with Australian Willow trees. Acting Director Pisani stated that staff from Public Works and MOD had met onsite at 15th Street to review the curb and gutter work at the sites of the 11 trees. He stated that staff had concluded that it would be a problem to redirect the curb and gutter around the 11 trees because of costs, parking and further drainage issues. He went on to say that many of the trees have damaged private driveways. He commented that the trees would be replaced with Australian Willows but not on a one for one basis as some of the present locations do not have the space for a replacement tree. Chair Anderson opened the public discussion Virginia Spencer stated that there are other trees around these 11 that should be removed as well, specifically trees that have conks. Karl Johnson agreed with Ms. Spencer that it did not seem that staff had looked at all the trees as there were several more that should be removed. Jim Mosher urged the Commission to remember the removal process and what City Council had recently commented about Poppy Avenue that trees are sometimes more important than correcting infrastructure. He also questioned if the Australian Willow were the appropriate tree for the location. Chair Anderson closed the public discussion In response to Commissioner Englebrecht, Acting Director Pisani stated that the Parks and Tree Superintendent was satisfied that the other trees not selected for removal should remain but staff would continue to monitor them. Discussion ensued regarding the removal of these trees, specifics on curb and gutter work that need to be done and the size of the Australian Willow tree trunk compared to the Sugar Gum tree. Motion by Commissioner Hamilton; seconded by Commissioner Howald to remove eleven (11) Special City Sugar Gum trees — Neighborhood Trees along 15th Street between San Bernardino and Irvine Avenues to alleviate drainage issues and damage to the alley approach and replace them with Australian Willow trees. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Ayes: Anderson, Cole, Englebrecht, Hamilton, Hayes, Howald, Marston 6) PARKS, BEACHES & RECREATION COMMISSION / STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS, UPDATES OR MATTERS WHICH MEMBERS WOULD LIKE PLACED ON A FUTURE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION, ACTION OR REPORT (NON-DISCUSSION ITEM) Chair Anderson welcomed Commissioner Hayes and asked him to provide a brief background. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission March 4, 2014 Page 4 Commissioner Hayes stated that he has lived in Newport Beach for over 35 years and that his family has benefitted and participated in many programs offered by the Recreation Department such as lap swimming, ballroom dancing and fly fishing. He went on to say that he wanted to be part of the process rather than a participant and beneficiary. He went on to say that he had recently retired from Orange Coast College and Coast Community College District after 35 years and had taught PE and coached two championship men’s soccer teams at OCC. He also noted that he owns a Quarterback and Receiver Camp and is in his 20th year of officiating football as Side Judge 125 and that he recently officiated at his 3rd Super Bowl. Director Detweiler stated that the Spirit Run would be held at Fashion Island on March 23. She then provided the Recreation & Senior Services section of Priority Goal Setting PowerPoint presentation that was provided to City Council in February. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission March 4, 2014 Page 5 Director Detweiler then asked Senior Services Manager Celeste Jardine-Haug to talk about the happenings at OASIS Senior Center. Manager Jardine-Haug stated that the Senior Center’s goal is to keep the senior’s active and engaged. She went on to say that the Friends of OASIS has about 6000 members and invited the Commission to the Volunteer Recognition Program put on by staff on April 23. She commented that the Fitness Center continues to grow and that it has about 1800 members and that many pay for private sessions. She also noted that the Fitness Center revenue covers the cost of the program. Acting Director Pisani stated that in the past few years that Municipal Operations Department (MOD) had reduced funds to enhance community parks. He noted that this year the City had provided funding for a maintenance project at Cliff Drive Park that will consist of replanting, replenishment and refurbishing. He announced that a Community Walk at the Cliff Drive Park would be held on March 8 at 9am to walk around the park and review the vision and listen to the public about the project. He noted that next year they hoped to work on neighborhood parks. Acting Director Pisani went on to say that the G-1 Committee would meet tomorrow and that they were about 50% done. He hoped to come back to the Commission in May with the Committee’s draft and review. He also noted that the Street Tree Designation Committee would meet next week as well. He went on to say that staff had met with Public Works regarding Poppy Drive and that they will hire a Urban Consultant to look at the 100 to 300 blocks of Poppy. The northern blocks of Poppy above Coast Highway was not part of that project. He stated that Parks Division would hire a Contract Arborist to look at those trees regarding their health and location. Vice Chair Cole stated that as discussed the Blackball Working Group had recommended that two additional Commissioners were needed and was why it had been on the Agenda tonight. He went on to say that they would be meeting again in two to three weeks and would begin to prepare criteria to conduct research during the summer by inviting different user groups to be a part of the survey. He noted that that they would review these statistics at the end of the summer. Commissioner Englebrecht thanked staff for the PB&R Logo that appeared on the screen. Commissioner Marston stated that the Upper Castaways Committee had met to review two plans. She went on to say that more input was obtained and that the plans will be revised. She noted that when appropriate they would be coming before the Harbor and PB&R Commission for their review as well. Commissioner Howald thanked Manager Jardine-Haug for coming to the meeting and invited the Commission to the Casino Night on April 12. He also commented that Trader Joes was donating flowers to be placed with the Meals on Wheels to those 70 seniors not able to get out of their homes. In response to Chair Anderson’s question regarding West Newport Community Center. Director Detweiler stated that Pacifica Christian School is interested in leasing the West Newport Community Center in fall 2015. She noted that staff have been looking at two locations that will focus on a building a gymnasium, possibly another senior fitness center, meeting space and a Pickleball court. She reported that a feasibility report would be presented to Council this month. 7) PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Bill Sharp stated that he has been involved in Blackball regulations since the 80’s and commented that he appreciated all the hard work done by the Group. He commented that the Wedge and the rest of the beach should be looked at separately. He went on to say that he hopes to see what the Group comes back with at the end of the summer. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission March 4, 2014 Page 6 Jim Mosher referenced the Marina Park Groundbreaking and the Council discussion about dog parks. Lou McGregor also commented on the Blackball Regulations and agreed that the beach should be divided into different zones for use like other beach cities in California. 8) ADJOURNMENT @ 7:19 p.m. Submitted by: ________ Teri Craig, Admin Assistant Approved by: Tom Anderson, Chair