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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/02/1995 - PB&R Commissionr 1 U Motion Ayes CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH Item III Parks, Beaches 050�" l"p,/- G 3 & Recreation May 2, 1995 Commission City Council Chambers 7 p.m. INDEX Staff present: LaDonna Kienitz, Community Services Director Marcelino Lomeli, Park and Tree Maintenance Superintendent Sue Stein, Recreation Manager Dottie Flohr, Secretary I. ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission was called to order at 7:00 RM. Roll call was taken. Commissioners Bonner, Compton, Demmer, Glasgow, Schonlau and Vandervort were present. Commissioner Grant was absent. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Schonlau moved the minutes of the April 4, 1995 meeting be approved as presented. Unanimous. III. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None N. CONSENT CALENDAR X The following items were approved except for the item x x x x x x removed from the Consent Calendar. Item #1 - Removed from Consent Calendar Item #2 - Park and Tree Division Approve report of Park and Tree Division activities during April and upcoming projects for May. Item 43 - Recreation and Senior Services Approve report of activities during April. ITEM REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR Item 91 - Communications for Information Only In response to a question from Commissioner Compton, Chair Glasgow explained that the letter from Monica Kutz is for information only and requires no action. Referring to the letter from Edward Benson, Commissioner Demmer requested that the Dover Shores Community INDEX CITY OF NEWPORT IBERCH Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission • d c d c S' May 2, 1995 Page 2 City Council Chambers 7 P.M. INDEX Association and other involved associations be notified of future meetings concerning the Castaways. Motion x Commissioner Compton motioned to accept both letters and that the homeowner associations adjacent to the 'Castaways be notified of future design meetings. Ayes x x, x x x x Unanimous. V. DISCUSSION ITEMS Item #4 - Parkway Street Tree Replacement Marcy Lomeli reviewed.the background and key elements of the staff report submitted and pointed out that there are currently no funds available for reforestation. Staff is proposing that they start work on a formal agreement between Harbor View dills South Homeowners Association and the City on a phased replacement program while waiting for final approval of the reforestation funds • by the City Council. In response to a question from Chair Glasgow, Mr. Lomeli explained there are no known current liability issues since they are dealt with in a timely manner by the City. Chair Glasgow opened the meeting to public testimony. Patrick Reynolds, Attorney for the Harbor View Hills South Homeowners Association, addressed the Commission. Mr. Reynolds stated that the large limbs of the Eucalyptus trees fall on cars and that their root system is cracking the concrete in addition to the view issue. The trees are over grown and have become a menace. At their Association meeting on April 27 the General Services Director agreed that the trees should be replaced. The Association is willing to pay'half the costs. Commissioner Vandervort pointed out that views are maintained by the Association's CC &R's and that the City is not responsible for maintaining private views. During discussion Mr. Lomeli pointed out that the staff report recommends that work begin on an agreement for a • phased tree removal program that could become null and void or rewritten if funds are not approved by the City Council. Both,the change in designated street tree and the final agreement would be presented to the Commission. CITY OF NEWPORT BERCH Parks, Beaches & Re-creation Commission . B O C C s May 2, 1995 a w v e Page 3 0 o m � o w �p d4 ° ^X City Council Chambers 7 p.m. INDEX Yvonne Houssels, 1307 Outrigger Drive, addressed the Commission. Ms. Houssels, President of the Harbor View Hills South Homeowners Association, thanked Messrs. Niederhaus, Lomeli and Conway for participating at the meeting, during which time they reached an amicable agreement. Ms. Houssels stated they have received letters from homeowners requesting attractive, uniform parkway trees and complaints about the fallen limbs from the Eucalyptus trees. She also reviewed their tree problems and stated the Association wants to work cooperatively with the City. Ms. Houssels reported that the Association budget needs to be approved tomorrow night, and if they will be, sharing expenses they will need to increase their annual assessment. They can legally use some of their reserves to justify sharing the costs of removing the Eucalyptus due to liability, however, the remainder of the trees need to be addressed regarding removal and trimming in addition to • agreeing on a uniform tree. Chair Glasgow stated he would personally advise the Association to start building up their reserves, but to remember that the City cannot commit to an agreement until funds are approved. He further pointed out that illegally removed trees are pursued by the City Attorney's office. Vice Chair Vandervort stated that although she concurs with the concept, she is uncomfortable with Recommendation #3 of the Association in that it is too loose and does not identify the trees to be removed. She would support a definitive agreement on the condition that funds are available. Commissioner Schonlau suggested staff continue to develop a precise plan of action pending availability of funds which would be brought back to the Commission for approval. Brian Corrigan, 3607 Surfview Lane, addressed the Commission. Mr. Corrigan reported that Mr. Conway, the • City's Urban Forester, has been very helpful and has come to his home to discuss his problems caused by a parkway Pepper tree. Mr. Conway advised them that the matter would be best dealt with at the Association level, rather than as an individual request. 'Mr. Corrigan urged the CITY OF Parks, Beaches G O��^ 9��C�� °7 G�LOY NEWPORT BERCH & Recreation Commission May 2, 1995 Page 4 City Council Chambers 7 a.m. INDEX Commission to approve an agreement to resolve the issues as soon as possible. George Parker, 3407 Seabreeze Lane, addressed the Commission. Mr. Parker stated he is Vice President of the Association and has two Pepper trees that have shoots growing 40 feet into his yard next to his utility lines. They have also torn up his sidewalk. The Pepper trees along the street are not only dirty but are also hazardous. He recommends a selective tree replacement program which addresses problem trees. There being no further public testimony, Chair Glasgow closed the meeting to public hearing. Marcy Lomeli explained that the City's Urban Forestry program is an on -going process which is reviewed by the Commission. The plan is to develop a program for the Eucalyptus with recommendations on the longevity of the • other trees, including the Pepper trees in the Association area. Commissioner Vandervort stated she would like to see a total comprehensive homeowners association plan for new designated street trees on each street. Motion x Commissioner Demmer motioned to direct staff to begin working on a comprehensive plan between the Harbor View Hills, South Homeowners Association and the City on a phased parkway street tree replacement program specifically addressing the replacementof the Eucalyptus trees in the Association area and also addressing phasing Ayes x x x X x x out the Pepper trees. Unanimous. Item #5 - Environmental Quality Affairs Committee Ed Hepner, Chair of the Environmental Quality Affairs Committee (EQAC), addressed the Commission. Mr. Helmer gaven brief review of the committee andseported that they have concerns about the City's tree plantings, namely that there appears to be a lack of a comprehensive rational policy on tree plantings and that there is inadequate notice given relative to tree removals and plantings. Mr. • Helmer stated the EQAC Committee is interested in serving as a liaison to assist in the development of a notification policy and a newer, more comprehensive tree planting policy. CITY OF NEWPORT BERCH Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission G May 2, 1995 • o'�^ ��oo3 ^c �9o� OG o Y Page 5 Citv Council Chambers 7 p.m. INDEX' Commissioner Vandervort reported that during the seven years she has served on the Commission, the Commission has been pro-trees and has fine tuned a very comprehensive City wide tree program with strict guidelines, policies and notification procedures. There is a designated street tree list and all trees are categorized in the computer in addition to the detailed studies done by the City's Urban Forester. She noted that the only reason a homeowner might not be notified of a tree removal would be due to a rampant disease. Chair Glasgow expressed his dismay and disappointment, pointing out the Commission spends most of their time addressing City trees and that the City has just been awarded for the fifth consecutive year the honor of being named Tree City USA. Chair Glasgow stated he feels EQAC has been misinformed and asked Mr. Hepner if he could provided specific examples. • Mr. Helmer stated he felt there had. been some "foot dragging" in respect to the donation of 2,000 cherry trees. Marcy Lomeli explained that the donation concept has been accepted, however, the primary issue is finding a location on which to plant this many trees since the donor favored one planting site. Currently there is no available City land and staff is waiting for land dedication from The Irvine Company on potential sites. In response to Commissioner Vandervort's question concerning lack of notification,.Mr. Hepner stated a homeowner on Edgewater was not informed when her tree was removed. Chair Glasgow explained that EQAC was misinformed since this specific situation was thoroughly reviewed over aperiod of time by staff, the Commission and the homeowner; and that the tree was ultimately removed due to safety and liability issues. The Commission pointed out that agendas are posted in advance,and that the committee is welcome to address the Commission at their regularly scheduled meetings. In addition, identifiable complaints should be transmitted to staff and /or the Commission when they occur. . The Commission advised Mr. Hepner that Vice Chair Vandervort and Commissioner Demmer will attend an EQAC meeting; and that staff will transmit notification procedures, tree policies and additional pertinent data to the committee. CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission G i n May 1995 • o n o c i s d, y 2 , Page 6 City Council Chambers 7 o.m. INDEX Item #6 - Newport Beach Public Space in the Year 2000 Chair Glasgow reported the Commissioners are invited to attend an Arts Commission presentation concerning future art in public places. The meeting will be held May 24 at 4:30-P.M. in the Friends Room at the Central Library. VI. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS The Commission determined that the Recreation and Open Space Element and Street Tree Replacement Program in Corona del Mar be agendized for their June- meeting. Goals and'Objectives will be addressed ata future meeting. Commissioner Demmer congratulated Director Kienitz for the John Cotton Dana Award which was presented to the Library. A • VII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission adjourned at 9:02 P.M. The agenda for this meeting was posted on April 26, 1995 at 11:00 A.M. outside the City Hall Administration Building.