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Home My WebLink About07/07/1998 - PB&R CommissionQ!om 1 COMMISSION Minutes July 7, 1998 CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH ,•Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting July 7, 1998 — 7pm CONVENED AT 7pm I. ROLL CALL Present: Beek, Franklin, Glasgow, Pfaff, Schonlau, Sinclair, Skoro, Tobin Staff Present: LaDonna Kienitz, Community Services Director /City Librarian David E. Niederhaus, General Services Director Steve Hunt, Senior Recreation Manager Teri Craig, Executive Secretary II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Skoro to approve the minutes of June 2, 1998. Motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Beek, Glasgow, Pfaff, Schonlau, Skoro Noes: None Absent: Phillips Abstain: None • Motion by Commissioner Glasgow to approve the minutes of June 3, 1998. Motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Beek, Glasgow, Pfaff, Schonlau, Skoro Noes: None Absent: Phillips Abstain: None Chairman Schonlau stated that it has been his privilege to serve the Community and thanked the City Council for six years. He also stated that it had been an honor to serve with his fellow leaders of the community seated with him and a real joy to work with the City staff. Commissioner Glasgow commended Chairman Schonlau for his leadership of issues such as volleyball and the Bob Henry Park and stated how much the Commission and City staff appreciate all that he has done. Vice Chair Beek presented a plaque to the Chairman with her thanks. III. SEATING OF NEW COMMISSIONERS Chairman Schonlau welcomed the new Commissioners Robin Sinclair, Marc Franklin and'Tom Tobin. • NEW COMMISSIONERS WERE SEATED IV. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Vice Chair Beek opened the nominations for Commission Chairman for FY 1998/99. • • Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting July 7, 1998 Page 2 Motion by Commissioner Glasgow to nominate Vice Chair Beek as Chairman. Nominations were closed. Motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Beek, Franklin, Glasgow, Pfaff, Sinclair, Skoro, Tobin Noes: None Absent: None Abstain: None Vice Chair Beek opened the nominations for Commission Vice - Chairman for FY 1998/99. Motion by Commissioner Pfaff to nominate Commissioner Glasgow. Nominations were closed. Motion carried' by the following vote: Ayes: Beek, Franklin, Glasgow, Pfaff, Sinclair, Skoro, Tobin Noes: None Absent: None Abstain: None New Commissioners took appropriate seats. Chairman Beek asked the new Commissioners to introduce themselves. V. PUBLIC COMMENTS None Commissioner Glasgow at the request Carol Hoffman, The Irvine Company requested the Commission take Item VII -8 out of order. VII. DISCUSSION ITEMS 8. Change of Designated Street Tree — Director Niederhaus stated that staff recommends approval of The Irvine Company's request for a change of the designated street tree from the 'Desert Gum to the Indian Laurel Fig for street tree continuity along Avocado Avenue between East Coast Highway and Farallon. Additionally, The Irvine Company will assume ongoing maintenance and any hardscape repairs caused by the street trees adjacent to the Corona del Mar Shopping Plaza. Chairman Beek opened the public hearing Carol Hoffman, The Irvine Company, restated that The Irvine Company's request to place 24" boxed Indian Laurel Fig trees and of course would assume ongoing maintenance. Chairman Beek closed the public hearing Motion by Commissioner Skoro to approve the request for a change of the designated street tree of Desert Gum to the Indian Laurel Fig on Avocado Avenue. Motion carried by the following vote: • Ayes: Beek, Franklin, Glasgow, Pfaff, Sinclair, Skoro, Tobin Noes: None Absent: None Abstain: None E Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting July 7, 1998 Page 3 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Correspondence — Correspondence from Jack Taylor, July 6, 1998; Mike Wade, July 7, 1998; Joan Lambe, July 7, 1998; and Arne Peterson, July 7, 1998 was added. 2. Park and Tree Division 3. Recreation Services 4. Senior Services Motion by Commissioner Skoro to accept items 1 — 4 on the Consent Calendar. Motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Beek, Franklin, Glasgow, Pfaff, Sinclair, Skoro, Tobin Noes: None Absent: None Abstain: None VII. DISCUSSION ITEMS (CONTINUED) 5. Planning for the Bonita Canyon Parks — Steve Hunt, Senior Recreation Manager stated that planning for the Bonita Canyon had consisted of meetings of the Open Space Committee, • 2 public meetings and at the Commission level. He statedi that at the Commission's direction, EPT has returned with directed changes. Steve Hunt introduced Matt Hall from EPT who presented a brief overview of Bonita Canyon Park. Chairman Beek stated that community might have read inaccurate reports, that this Commission has not approved a skateboard park or any,particular item on this park. She also stated to the public that comments should be for use for the parcel. Chairman Beek opened the public hearing. Bruce Byrna, 1706 Port Sheffield stated that the Commission should consider speed bumps or inhibitors as traffic flows very rapidly. Commissioner Glasgow agreed that the idea of speed bumps and or stop signs should be brought to the attention of the Traffic Engineer. Chair Beek stated that once the use of the park is determined, traffic conditions would be studied. The following spoke against a skateboard park: James Meade, 1979 Port Claridge Place Chris Kitrell, 1731 Port Stirling Place Pat Diagiacomo, 1701 Port Sheffield, President, Harbor View Homes. Jhan Van Heil, 1742 Port Sheffleld 0 Katherine Pastre, 1954 Port Albans Place • Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting July 7, 1998 Page 4 The following spoke for the skateboard park: Zachary Hooper, 307 East Bay, #4 John Paul Collette, 219 Via Dijon Dan Chang, 5408 Seashore Drive, #B Paul Schmitt, 1351 Logan Avenue Shelly Mason, 2331 Heather Lane Mark Sweetser, 440 E. 17th Street Rick Fish, 3051/2 Main Street Mike Wade, 33 Belcourt Drive, stated that he was pleasantly surprised with the modifications and questioned the City has had- interaction with Pacific Bell regarding additional parking. Mr. Wade again stated about the need for additional soccer fields based on growth, which continues to grow. Steve Hunt, Senior Recreation Manager, stated that staff had met with Pac Bell, and that there is a possibility for joint use, but noted that the existing parking lot is not large enough (only 20 spaces) to support the required parking need. Jan Vandersloot, SPON, congratulated the Commission for keeping areas of the park as a natural area and enhancing it with appropriate landscaping. • Chip Green, 1701 Port Abbey, stated that the neighborhood is thrilled with the park and supports fast tracking. Mr. Greene also noted that hundred of the residents have stated their concern regarding a skateboard park but stated that he believes that there is a need for a skateboard park, and recommends that the Commission look at other areas. Chairman Beek closed the public hearing, Commissioner Glasgow stated that there is a definite need for a skateboard park in Newport Beach and reminded the public that Bonita Canyon is a City park, and that the Commission had been trying to find the best fit for uses. He then thanked' the community for their input and stated that the Commission should move quickly. Motion by Commissioner Glasgow that final plans for Bonita Canyon Park continue without allocating an area for a skateboard park. Commissioner Skoro also stated that there is a need for a skateboard park and would like the Commission to consider alternate locations for a skateboard parkin the future, but he stated that Bonita Canyon was not the appropriate location. Steve Hunt, Senior Recreation Manager suggested that because of the location of basketball courts at Arroyo Park that the basketball court also be eliminated. • Motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Beek, Franklin, Glasgow, Pfaff, Sinclair, Skoro, Tobin Noes: None Absent: None Abstain: None Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting July 7, 1998 Page 5 Chairman Beek encouraged the skateboarders to organize and challenge the Commission to find space for them to skate. Chairman Beek adjourned the meeting for a break. Chairman Beek reconvened the meeting at 8:57pm 6. Newport Center Economic Opportunity Committee — Commissioner Skoro discussed his attendance at the joint meeting of Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission, Board of Library Trustees and the City Arts Commission. He stated that nothing has been established yet to take a position. The Commission also stated that they would like to be notified of any future meetings of the NCEOC. Chair Beek opened the public hearing Jan Vandersloot, SPON, presented pictures of the area behind the library; he stated that the 12 acres of land should be kept in a natural state. He also stated that the SPON has requested City Council name it as an ESA area. • Dean Reineman, 1877 Parkview Circle, Costa Mesa, presented pictures of the ocean vista travelling along MacArthur Boulevard. Chairman Beek closed the public hearing Motion by Commissioner Glasgow to send a letter to City Council reiterating Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission position stated in the CIOSA, and that any change to the agreement should be directed to the Commission for their discussion to the City Council. Motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Beek, Franklin, Glasgow, Pfaff, Sinclair, Skoro, Tobin Noes: None Absent: None Abstain: None 7. Avocado Avenue Median Tree — Director Niederhaus recommended using the Commission's suggestion of planting Cuban Royal Palms be postponed and possibly added to the CIP for FY 99/00. He stated that funds for this project would have to come from the CIP Reforestation Fund if Commission decided that these Palms be planted this FY. Chairman Beek opened the public hearing. Jan Vandersloot, SPON, questioned why is there a war on ficus tree, and objected to a systematic effort and funds used to remove ficus trees. • Director Niederhaus stated that there is an inordinate amount of damage caused by the ficus throughout the City, and that concrete crews must make necessary repairs every year due to the retention of overgrown ficus trees in parkways. L • Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting July 7, 1998 Page 6 Chairman Beek closed the public hearing. Motion by Commissioner Glasgow to direct staff to allocate funds for one tree at a time, which will give them time to grown and possibly look to neighborhood businesses to donate funds for the replanting. He suggested that the Commission revisit this issue in 6 months. Motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Beek, Franklin, Glasgow, Pfaff, Sinclair, Skoro, Tobin Noes: None Absent: None Abstain: None 9. Tree Removal Appeal — Chairman Beek stated that homeowner had requested that this item be removed and added sometime in the future. 10. Subcommittee Reports — Chairman Beek discussed the need for a study session to discuss the parks and the appointment of subcommittees next week. Director Niederhaus stated that the Tree Committee needs to be reinstated. Chairman Beek appointed Commissioners Skoro and Tobin and herself. Budget — No new information. Annexation — No new information Naming of Parks - Commissioner Glasgow stated that the committee would meet before the next meeting in August. Joint Commission /Board Committee — Discussed earlier under Item VII -6. VIII. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None. IX. AD]oURNMENT - 1Opm SUBMITTED BY: v` TERI CRAIG, COMMUNITY SE ICES ExECUTIVE SECRETARY