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Home My WebLink About5/6/2014 - PB&R Commission CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting May 6, 2014 – 6:00 pm 1) CONVENE MEETING OF THE PARKS BEACHES & RECREATION COMMISSION TO ORDER – 6:01 p.m. 2) ROLL CALL Present: Kathy Hamilton Laird Hayes Roy Englebrecht Marie Marston Absent: Tom Anderson, Chair (Excused) Ron Cole, Vice Chair (Excused) Walt Howald (Excused) Staff: Laura Detweiler, Recreation & Senior Services Director Mike Pisani, Deputy Municipal Operations Director Teri Craig, Administrative Assistant 3) NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC Lee Cassidy commented on the shortage of dog waste containers at the dog park and requested that more of these be placed at the park Jim Mosher stated the meeting notice was not on the Upcoming Meetings section of the City website until this morning. 4) CONSENT CALENDAR A. Minutes of the April 1, 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. D. Community Service Award — Karen Tringali Recommendation: Approve nomination to recognize Karen Tringali for her work as a community activist, and volunteerism. E. Bench Donation – Along West Ocean Front at 34th Street. Recommendation: Approve donation of two benches by Renee Nichols to be installed at Irvine Terrace Park. F. Bench Donation — Channel Road between Granada and Seville Avenues at entrance of M Street Pier. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission May 6, 2014 Page 2 Recommendation: Approve donation of one bench for Cole Allen Smith by Steve Smith on Channel Road between Granada and Seville Avenues at entrance of M Street Pier. G. Tree Donation — Newport Pier Bike Path Planter near 24th Street Recommendation: Approve donation of one 36” box Mediterranean Fan Palm tree in an exisiting planter for Marie Louchis by Paul Louchis at Newport Pier bike path near 24th Street. H. Tree Donation — San Miguel Park Recommendation: Approve donation of one 36” Purple Ochid tree for Jon Walters by Colleen Howes at San Miguel Park. Commissioner Marston opened the public discussion. Jim Mosher stated that the picture for Item H –Tree Donation @ San Miguel Park did not appear to be that park and asked for clarification. Acting Director Pisani reported that the agenda packet did include a picture of the wrong park and clarified that the location for the tree would be San Miguel Park as stated in the report. Mr. Mosher asked for additional clarification as to where the tree was going in the park. Staff provided Mr. Mosher with a copy of the correct map and specific location. In response to Commissioner Hayes’ question regarding how locations are determined for bench and tree donations, Acting Director Pisani stated that the public meets with the Parks Supervisor to review potential locations. An analysis is performed to ensure that there are not too many trees or benches in one park and that the tree does not block views. He went on to say that staff works with the donor to find an appropriate spot. Discussion ensued as to other items included in the Donation Catalog. Commissioner Marston closed the public discussion. Motion by Commissioner Hayes; seconded by Commissioner Hamilton, to approve items 4A – 4H of the Consent Calendar. Motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Englebrecht; Hamilton; Hayes; Marston Absent: Anderson; Cole; Howald 5) CURRENT / NEW BUSINESS – Staff Report A. Special Tree Removal — Shorecliffs Area Recommendation: Staff recommends that the PB&R Commission consider the removal of five (5) Kafferboom Coral trees – Neighborhood trees at 301 Seaward Road; 342 Morning Canyon Road; and 286 Evening Canyon Road and replaced with same type of tree due to the unavailability of the designated street tree — Toog. Acting Director Pisani provided a report on the request for removal of five trees. He explained that in October 2013, the City’s tree trimming contractor recommended removal of all the trees in the neighborhood due to poor structure, which increases the chance for tree failure. After inspection, staff now recommends that five (5) trees be removed and that staff continue monthly inspections of the remaining trees. Acting Director Pisani gave an overview of the measures taken to mitigate issues with the trees and noted that Homeowners Association requested that they be replaced with the same species. As the G-1 Policy states the trees will be replaced with a Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission May 6, 2014 Page 3 36” box trees and noted the Association’s willingness to pay the cost difference to upgrade to 48” box trees. Commissioner Hayes asked how the value of a tree is determined and if all trees were being replaced one for one. Acting Director Pisani responded that these replacements are tree for tree but that they are not always planted in the same location and that value is based on size, variety and health of the tree. He stated that the designated tree is a Toog but noted the unavailability and that HOA requested that the same tree be planted. In response to a question, Acting Director Pisani stated that the Contractor recommended 30-35 trees be removed due to poor structure. Commissioner Marston opened the public discussion. Jim Mosher questioned whether another species than the Kafferboon would cause less problems and read to the Commission from some articles that suggested that the Coral tree had a history of issues and offered alternative varieties. Mr. Mosher further discussed proper pruning of the trees. Commissioner Marston closed the public discussion. Commissioner Hamilton stated that the homeowners in that area like the look of the Coral trees. Commissioner Marston asked if the different colored dots on the GIS exhibit indicated two varieties of tree. Acting Director Pisani stated the green dot indicated a City tree and a red dot indicated a vacant tree site. He confirmed all the trees in the neighborhood were the same variety. Motion by Commissioner Hayes; seconded by Commissioner Englebrecht to approve the removal of five (5) Kafferboom Coral trees – Neighborhood trees at 301 Seaward Road; 342 Morning Canyon Road; and 286 Evening Canyon Road and replaced with same. Motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Englebrecht; Hamilton; Hayes; Marston Absent: Anderson; Cole; Howald 6) PARKS, BEACHES & RECREATION COMMISSION / STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS, AD HOC UPDATES OR MATTERS WHICH MEMBERS WOULD LIKE PLACED ON A FUTURE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION, ACTION OR REPORT (NON-DISCUSSION ITEM) Director Detweiler reported that staff attended the California Parks and Recreation Society District 10 Awards Banquet and recognized Karen Yelsey; a scholarship was awarded to OASIS Fitness Coordinator Jennifer Sisoev. She noted that the OASIS Volunteer Recognition lunch was held and recognized their volunteers with a wonderful show and reminded the Commission about the Field of Honor at Castaways on May 16-18, 2014. Director Detweiler reported that there would be a public meeting regarding the West Newport Community Center on May 12, 2014 at the old City Council Chambers at 7pm. She indicated that site boards had been provided to the public at the OASIS General Membership meeting and that they had been asked to place a “dot” on the site they preferred and possible amenities. Once the public has given their input the information will be provided to City Council for further direction. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission May 6, 2014 Page 4 In response to a question about Connect Newport, Director Detweiler stated that the use of the survey has been limited but hopes for more feedback. She also stated that 40 dots had been placed on the site boards. 7) PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Mr. Mosher also stated that trees are a big issue and that the Commission is often asked to make decisions about whether a City tree is a hazard or not. He stated wind and rain can be more hazardous than wind alone, he commented on the high winds the prior week and asked if the City had encountered any tree failures due to the windstorm. Acting Director Pisani reported that there were approximately 10 tree failures last week because of the winds. Mr. Mosher asked if those were the trees that were anticipated to be a problem. Acting Director Pisani responded that the failures were random and that at least one tree failed due to age. Acting Director Pisani updated the Commission on the 1st annual Compost Giveaway that was held at the OASIS auxiliary parking lot and that that 48 pallets of bagged mulch were brought in. He noted that the remaining two pallets were donated to the OASIS Garden Club at the end of the event. He also reported on the refurbishing of Cliff Drive Park which included tree trimming and the removal of old landscaping and stated that additional information and plans could be obtained on the City’s website. He also reported that the planters at the entrance to Balboa Island had been refurbished. 8) ADJOURNMENT @ 6:41pm Submitted by: _____________________ Teri Craig, Admin Assistant Approved by: Tom Anderson, Chair Teri Craig Tom Anderson