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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/04/1996 - PB&R CommissionCITY OF NEWPORT BEI ICI 1 Item II Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission "t on . es . Motion Ayes 1 s d 03 c� go 7 (r. d4 n June 4, 1996 City Council Chambers 7 p.m. :nitz, Community Services Director derhaus, General Services meli, Park and Tree Maintenance lent Senior Recreation Manager Secretary >n Commission was called to order 's Bonner, Glasgow, Schonlau and imissioners Beek, Compton and the minutes of the May 7, 1996 I. Unanimous. Road, addressed the Commission 'oint Association. Mrs. Herberts imittee be formed consisting of sula Point Association and the anting of Balboa Boulevard with trees are removed, the street will would like to seek ,a solution to Director Kienitz who recently e from 'Western State University President of the national Public iat the following items be approved Consent Calendar. Unanimous. regarding Castaways View Park. .Division activities during May and Staff present: LaDonna Kie David E. Nie Director Marcelino Lc Superinten Steve Hunt, Dottie Flohr, I. ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Parks, Beaches and Recreatii at 7:00 P.M. Roll call was taken. Commissione Vandervort were present. Con Demmer were absent. ll. APPROVAL OF MINUTES X Commissioner Schonlau moved x x x x meeting be approved as presentee III. PUBLIC COMMENTS Virginia Herberts, 2290 Channel on behalf of Balboa Peninsula suggested that an ad hoc cor members of the Balboa Penir Commission to review the rep[ appropriate trees. When the ficu: be denuded and the Associatior beautifying the street. Chair Vandervort congratu[atec received her Juris Doctor degre College of Law and is currently Library Association. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR x Commissioner Schonlau moved ti X x x x except for those removed from the Item #1 - Communication Accept letter from Edward Bensor Item 42 - Park and Tree Division Approve report of Park and Tree upcoming projects in June. :nitz, Community Services Director derhaus, General Services meli, Park and Tree Maintenance lent Senior Recreation Manager Secretary >n Commission was called to order 's Bonner, Glasgow, Schonlau and imissioners Beek, Compton and the minutes of the May 7, 1996 I. Unanimous. Road, addressed the Commission 'oint Association. Mrs. Herberts imittee be formed consisting of sula Point Association and the anting of Balboa Boulevard with trees are removed, the street will would like to seek ,a solution to Director Kienitz who recently e from 'Western State University President of the national Public iat the following items be approved Consent Calendar. Unanimous. regarding Castaways View Park. .Division activities during May and CITY OF NEWPORT Parks, Beaches & Recreation G June 4, 1996 v9 Page 2 RIMM Commission E v4 City Council Chambers 7 P.M. Item #3 - Removed from Consent Calendar Item• #4 - Preservation of Special Trees List Approve deleting "Surrounding Old' Reservoir - Eucalyptus varieties" listing since the trees are no longer City property. Item #5 - Balboa Island Benches Accept sixteen 6' teak bench donations from the Balboa Island Improvement Association to be installed on street ends at Balboa and Little Balboa Islands. ITEM REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR Item #3 - Recreation and Senior Services Director Kienitz pointed out there is a legislative effort in support of a park bond act and this information has been transmitted to each Commissioner. ? Steve Hunt gave a status report on Bob Henry Park in regard to storm drains, sewer, grading, excavating, and installation of a temporary sign. Chair Vandervort reported there was a meeting on the memorial for Bob Henry Park. The Police Department presented a design concept for 16th and Dover of a life size uniformed officer holding the hand of a small child. It is her personal opinion that the memorial should be the live children playing in the park. Also, the granite block with plaque that was the original design -would leave room future additional City employee names Commissioner Schonlau stated his main concern is that the memorial can and will be maintained in a respectful and distinguished manner. In response to questions from Commissioner Glasgow, Director Kienitz explained that it is expected that the recognition would be paid from fund raising; and that the City Council would have final determination. The Arts Commission is also actively involved in the process. Chair Vandervort reported the dedication committee will be meeting June 5 with the City Manager. The dedication is planned for late November or early December. 5 Steve Hunt presented an overview of the San Miguel Reservoir, particularly the grounds along San Miguel Boulevard, in an effort to show if there were a possibility of installing a soccer field on this site. CITY OE NEWPORT Parks, Beaches & Recreation June 4, 1996 Page 3 Commission d4 City Council Chambers 7 p.m. Simulated field .layouts showed that due to the somewhat limited space, the contour of the land, the presence of a large drainage system and lack of existing parking, this would be a very costly project. Staff was directed to research a rough estimate cost and will report back to the Commission. Director Kienitz reported the City Council will review the proposed budget for FY 1996 -97 on June 7. The KPMG Peat Marwick study will also be presented. It is of concern that there are high indirect costs for Recreation and Senior Services, some of which are also related to other non -City programs. Director Kienitz recommended a committee be formed to review the indirect costs and how they relate to fees. The Commission determined that the committee will consist of Commissioners Bonner, Glasgow and Schonlau who will review the study. Steve Hunt reported the Corona del Mar Scenic 5K Run held June 1 was very successful with 2,450 participants. Over 700 people registered the day of the race. Motion Ayes x x x x x Vice Chair Schonlau moved to accept the Recreation and Senior Services reports as written. Unanimous. V. DISCUSSION ITEMS Item #6 - Irvine Terrace Community Association Tree Removal Request Director Niederhaus reported the 'Irvine Terrace Community Association requested 23 Eucalyptus trees on 'Bayside Drive between Jamboree and El Paseo Drive be removed due to safety concerns and their unsightly appearance from trimming for high voltage clearance. In addition, the Urban Forester and the Fire Department recommend 4 additional Eucalyptus trees from El Paseo to Carnation be removed due to the same problems. In the past two days, eight responses have been received -in opposition to the removals. Staff recommends that since there are no immediate fire hazards, the item be postponed in order that other solutions can be researched. Director Niederhaus explained the Edison Company and City's tree j trimming procedures regarding the Bayside trees. He stated he spoke with Edison staff and was told they might participate financially in replacing the trees with Carrot Wood trees, the designated replacement tree. CITY OF Parks, Beaches NEWPORT & Recreation June 4, 1996 Page 4 Commission dG City Council Chambers 7 P.M. Marcy Lomeli reported that the Edison Company trims the trees annually for power line clearance and safety, which results in flush lateral growth encroaching into roadways, blocking signs and creating hazardous conditions. The City trims the 23 trees at an annual cost of $1,053, which is outside of the 3 year trim cycle. The Eucalyptus tree is the wrong tree for this area since it grows to 60 feet. Cost to replace the trees with 15 gallon Carrot Wood trees would be $2,565 by contract. Annual cost to water on a weekly basis would be $2,400. The parkway easement is 10 feet and some Oleander shrubs are also in the parkway. In response to a question from Commissioner Bonner concerning the possibility of underground utilities, Director Niederhaus reported that an approximate cost estimate could be submitted to the City Council for a capital improvement project. Chair Vandervort opened the meeting to public hearing. Mr. Val Skoro, 1601 Bayadere Terrace and President of the Irvine Terrace Community Association, addressed the Commission. Mr. Skoro explained the improvements the Association has completed and stated they want to work with the City to, enhance the area. Homeowners are concerned over the fire hazards created by the Eucalyptus trees on Bayside and that they are unsightly and inappropriate for the area. They would also support the idea of underground utilities. In response to a question from Commissioner Glasgow regarding cost sharing, Mr. Skoro stated he would need to discuss participating in funding with the Association. Commissioner Schonlau recommended all groups involved meet to determine if there is a potential interest in underground utilities. Marge Kelso Trevisani addressed the Commission and presented pictures showing the telephone cable that runs through the trees which creates a fire hazard. Director Niederhaus advised that the telephone cable is very, low voltage and presents no immediate danger. The upper lines, however, do have high voltage. Tony Allen, 1535 Dolphin Terrace, addressed the Commission in I opposition to removing the trees. He stated the Association did not notify the residents of their request to remove the trees. He recommended the trees be trimmed more often for proper maintenance. CITY OF NEWPORT ' BERCH Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission G 1 m B O C s June 4, 1996 Page 5 `9 a City Council Chambers 7 p.m. Dr. Jan Vandersloot addressed the Commission and stated he called the Edison Company and they will be trimming the trees in August. He recommended underground utilities be installed• throughout the City and that the trees be retained since this is a "perceived" safety factor. There is no evidence that this has been a past problem. Virginia Herberts addressed the Commission and stated the 30 year old trees have an excellent root system which stabilizes the hill. She stated she talked with 100 people who opposed the tree removals and were not aware that this item was to be reviewed. She recommended that the Association pursue underground 'utilities as the Balboa Peninsula Point Association did. Mrs. Johnson, 504 Begonia, addressed the Commission and spoke in support of retaining the trees. She feels if the trees are maintained properly there will be no problems. There being no further public testimony, Chair Vandervort closed the meeting to public hearing. )tion x Commissioner Glasgow moved to defer this item for one month. Ayes x x x x Unanimous. Motion x Commissioner Bonner moved to direct staff to investigate Ayes x x x x underground utilities from private and public sources. Unanimous. Item 07 - Tree Removal and Exception to Street Tree Designation Request Director Niederhaus reported the homeowners at 2711 Pebble Drive are requesting an exception be made to the Street Tree Designation List, and wish to substitute the Bronze Loquat for the designated Little Gem Magnolia. Since this would help beautify the tree scape and the homeowners association concurs with their request, staff recommends their request be approved. There being no persons to address this item during public hearing, the meeting was closed to public testimony. Motion x Commissioner Schonlau moved to approve staff's recommendation to remove 2 Ficus nitida, make an exception to the Street Tree Designation List, and that all work be completed per City Ayes x x x x specifications at the homeowner's expense. Unanimous. 1 Item #8 - Replacement of Park and Street Benches �r Commissioner Bonner reported the Bench Committee met and 6 approved the proposed changes in Policy G -5. CITY OF NEWPORT Parks, Beaches & Recreation G June 4, 1996 oP� ono o� 0''0 s oho Rio^ Page 6 RWZT%vn Commission o d4 City Council Chambers 7 P.M. Chair Vandervort opened the meeting to public hearing. Virginia Herberts addressed the Commission and stated she supports the proposed policy and is pleased that the homeowner associations will be involved in the bench selection process. Pat Buderwitz addressed the Commission in support of the proposed policy. There being no further public testimony, Chair Vandervort closed the meeting to public hearing. Motion x Chair Vandervort moved that the phrase, "by, the appropriate agency," be deleted in the last sentence of the third paragraph; and Ayes x x x x that the corrected proposed G -5 Policy be transmitted to the City Council for approval. Unanimous. Item 49 - Newport Ridge Park Director Kienitz reported the Park and Open Space Committee met and recommended the Commission request City Council to direct staff to open dialog with the Newport Harbor Ridge Homeowners Association to discuss the opportunities available for City programming and access at the athletic fields of Newport Ridge Park. There being no persons ,to address the Commission during public hearing, Chair Vandervort closed the meeting to public testimony. Motion x Commissioner Glasgow moved that the Commission request the City Council to direct staff to open, dialog with the Newport'Harbor Ridge Homeowners Association regarding future City programming at Ayes x x x x Newport Ridge Park. Unanimous. Item #10 - Recreation and Open Space Element Director Kienitz reported the department intern has prepared a preliminary draft for the Technical Supplement. Preparations are being made to conduct a telephone survey and to provide a follow up survey as an insert in the fall Newport Navigator. The initial survey should be finalized in 2 -3 weeks. 1 Item #11 - City Tot Lots Surface Material for City Playgrounds Director Kienitz reported the Recreation staff has researched the use of sand versus an alternate material for use in City tot lots, and presented the staff report prepared by Steve Hunt. Staff recommends the use of sand as the surface material due to the play value of sand, safety and maintenance factors. CITY OF Parks, Beaches \ G NEWPORT & Recreation June 4, 1996 Page 7 BERCH Commission V, Me A City Council Chambers 7 p.m. Marcy Lomeli presented and gave an overview of a wood product (Fibar) which is used by 50 private and public agencies in. Orange County. He explained that the product is light weight, does not decompose or burn readily, and can easily be used in place,of sand. It has a $10 million product liability policy and thus far there have been no claims. The Risk Manager has reviewed the material and has determined that it warrants further investigation. Chair Vandervort stated she visited a complex near Harbor and Adams that uses this product and observed that it gets very hard after being in the sun which prohibits going bare foot. Residents were very unhappy with the product. Marcy Lomeli explained that some areas need replacement sand more than others and the cost for maintaining sand over the years has increased. The 50 agencies that use the wood product do so for maintenance purposes. Steve Hunt pointed out that Fibar is a product which might be considered in the future for areas with very low use. Motion Commissioner Schonlau moved to retain sand as the surface Ayes x x x material used in City playgrounds and directed staff to continue Nay x exploring products that are available. Motion passes. VI. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS The Commission determined that future agenda items would include Final Design for Castaways View Park, Status Report on Recreation and Open Space Element, City Bench List, and Report on KPMG Peat Marwick Study. In recognition of Chair Vandervort's eight years of dedicated •service to the Commission and community, her two years as Chair of the Commission and four years, on the California Association of Park and Recreation Commissioners and Board Members (CAPRCBM) Board of Directors, Vice Chair Schonlau presented her with a dinner gift certificate, compliments of the Cannery Restaurant. VII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission adjourned at 9:30 P.M. The agenda for this meeting was posted May 29, 1996 at 11:30 A.M. on the City Hall °Bulletin Board located outside of the City of Newport '� Beach Administration Building.