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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/03/1998 - PB&R Commission199999t] COMMISSION Minutes November 3,1998 CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting November 3, 1998 — 7pm CONVENED AT 7Rm I. ROLL CALL Present: Beek, Franklin, Glasgow, Pfaff, Sinclair, Skoro, Tobin Staff Present: LaDonna Kienitz, Community Services Director /City Librarian Steve Hunt, Senior Recreation Manager Marcelino Lomeli, Park & Tree Maintenance Superintendent Teri Craig, Executive Secretary II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Glasgow to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of October 6, 1998. Motion carried by acclamation. Motion by Commissioner Skoro to approve the minutes of the joint meeting of October 8, 1998. Motion carried by acclamation. Motion by Commissioner Glasgow to approve the minutes of the special meeting of October 15, 1998, as amended. Motion carried by acclamation. • - '111. PUBLIC COMMENTS Travis Grant, 124 44'h Street, noted that the Back Bay Rugby Club was still interested in using the field at Grant Howald Park. Commissioner Glasgow asked staff to contact Mr. Grant on the procedure for specific sports groups to reserve use of the field. Senior Recreation Manager Hunt stated that he had been in contact with Mr. Grant, but would continue to do so. Charles Hartwell, 2408 W. Oceanfront, stated that letters had been forwarded to the Community Services Department requesting removal of the volleyball court near his home. Mr. Hartwell requested that this item be added to the agenda for December. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR 4. Senior Services Items removed from Consent Calendar 1. Correspondence — Correspondence from Harvey Holste, October 9, 1998; to Barbara Davis, October 21, 1998, was acknowledged. Correspondence from Pat Digiacomo, President, Harbor View Hills Homeowner's Association, October 30, 1998, and Barbara E. Lichman, October 27, 1998, was added. Commissioner Beek, commenting on the letter received from Ms. Lichman, asked staff to provide a historical report on Bonita Creek Park for the benefit of the new commissioners for • the next meeting in December. 2. Park and Tree Division - Commissioner Glasgow questioned staff on the status of the Harbor View Pool. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting • November 3, 1998 Page 2 Superintendent Lomeli stated that the landscape and irrigation installation was recently completed at the pool and that a 30 -day maintenance period has commenced. Commissioner Glasgow also asked staff if reclaimed water were being used yet at City facilities. Superintendent Lomeli stated that at this time it reclaimed water is not being used. Superintendent Lomeli informed the Commission that the Corona del Mar Business Improvement District is donating $35,000 for a 2 "d phase of reforestation and is requesting a matching donation from the City. Superintendent Lomeli stated that approximately 60 trees would be replaced. The Commission endorsed the matching donation. Jan Vandersloot, 2221 E 16" Street, distributed pictures of illegal removals of trees, and questioned why City staff devalues the cost of the trees. Mr. Vandersloot requested that staff assess the full value of each tree and asked that the homeowner be fined for the illegal removal and replacement costs. Superintendent Lomeli stated that tree appraisals are done with established criteria by the International Society of Arboriculture which is based on variable factors. He also stated that resitution is always pursued through the City Attorney Office. Discussion ensued regarding restitution. Commissioner Glasgow noted that the G -1 policy is working, and that staff should not be micromanaged. Policies should not be changed just because of one illegal removal. • Irene Black, commented on the penalty of illegal removals, and stated that the Commission should make a strong recommendation for stiff fines and legal infraction with the City Attorney on any illegal removal of trees. 3. Recreation Services - Senior Recreation Manager Hunt reminded the Commission that the facility reports are due. He also distributed a,letter from the Southern California Municipal Athletic Federation ( SCMAF), announcing the selection of the City of Newport Beach for the SCMAF Golden Shield Award for outstanding contribution to the Federation through committee work and leadership and invited the Commission to the awards dinner on December 4. 5. Donation from the Newport Heights Community Association (N HCA) - Superintendent Lomeli stated that the City has received a letter of donation of $5,103 to beautify Cliff Drive Park. Jan Vandersloot, 2221 E 16'h Street, noted that the $5,103 was leftover before the Association disbanded, and would suggest that the money be used for other areas. Janine Allen of the NHCA stated that she had met with John Conway, he suggested that they concentrate on the slope immediately adjacent to the tot lot area of the park, but they would welcome any suggestion from Mr. Vandersloot on the proposal and would work with him on this. Motion by Commissioner Skoro to accept items 1 — 5 on the Consent Calendar. 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 • November 3, 1998 Page 3 V. DISCUSSION ITEMS 6. Bonita Canyon Park — Chair Beek stated that there has been an additional meeting with the school district and The Irvine Company to clarify some loose ends on the planning of the park. She thanked the Commission for all the work on the proposed park and stated that she was optimistic that this will be a park of which the City can be proud: She stated that this item would probably not appear on the City Council agenda until sometime in January. 7. Bayside Park Renovation — Director Kienitz stated that at the last meeting staff was asked to look at the issue or impact of the park on the privacy of the neighbors and the need' for additional foliage at the park. She stated that the position of the bench had been changed and that staff does not recommend.any additional planting as indicated in the written report. Commissioner Pfaff noted that he had just been at the park and concurred with the current planting. After the foliage has had time to mature he believes that the homeowners would be happy with it. Superintendent Lomeli stated that staff would do all they can to help the growth mature. Chair Beek opened the public hearing. Shirley Conger, 3033 Bayside, stated that there seemed to be a couple of misconceptions. She noted that no correspondence on the planning of the park was ever received in 1997. . She believes that there is still an inadequate barrier between the park and the street, for safety and aesthetic reasons. Superintendent Lomeli stated that he would discourage any additional plantings, and that children using the park should be supervised Ms. Conger stated that children play with balls and that without a hindrance, that the children follow the ball out into the street. She stated that all of the neighbors agree that there should be a barrier. Eric Parker, 400 1/2 Iris, stated that the problem continues to be the placement of the equipment. He stated that enjoyment of his living room has been lost because of the placement of the play equipment and the noise. He stated that he has visited several nurseries and has been told that the Sweetshade trees are not the right choice for the location and that these trees do not perform well. He urged the Commission to completely remove the bench and to consider other ideas for the plantings. Superintendent Lomeli stated that the bench had been moved 20 -25 degrees to the west and that it does not face into the bedroom window, as requested by Ms. Rappaport at the last meeting. Commissioner Beek asked Mr. Parker when he feels that the park is most heavily used. He stated that it is most used on Saturday and Sunday between 9 and 12. Commissioner Beek stated that this park is not heavily used. 0 Again, Mr. Parker stated that he wants the bench removed. I� U Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting November 3, 1998 Page 4 Chair Beek closed the public hearing. Superintendent Lomeli stated that at the planning meeting which several residents attended, a bench was requested by residents to be placed there. Commissioner Pfaff stated that it was an ideal location for a bench. .Motion by Commissioner Sinclair to keep the ,park bench on the east end of the tot lot so that it faces Iris Avenue and keep the landscape area along the north wall as designed and planted. Motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Beek, Franklin, Glasgow, Pfaff, Sinclair, Skoro, Tobin Noes: None Absent: None Abstain: None 8. Bayside Drive Beautification - Phase I— Superintendent Lomeli stated that 80 notices were sent to homeowners, no negative responses have been received. Bob Pederson, landscape architect, reviewed the conceptual plan for beautification of Bayside Drive - Phase I to the Commission. Commissioner Glasgow noted his concern about the hill, and stated that it is unstable, and questioned whether it will cause any additional problems. Mr. Pederson stated that the addition of the wall would'almost create a dam and eliminate any problems. Commission Skoro stated that the Irvine Terrace Community, Mai Kai, and Balboa Island Improvement Associations have enthusiastically received this plan. Commissioner Glasgow stated that this plan for beautification is long overdue. Chair Beek opened the public hearing, Jan Vandersloot, 2221 E 16'h Street, stated that this location would be ideal for native California planting, and recommended that that the Commission consider that. Superintendent Lomeli stated that in future phases of the beautification, based on the soil condition and limited growth space, that Mr. Vandersloot's suggestion could be considered for shrub plantings. Chair'Beek closed the public hearing. Commissioner Skoro asked that staff explore the possibility of up lighting on some of the plantings. Motion by Commissioner Glasgow to approve the conceptual plan of phase I for Bayside Drive and forward to Public Works, and direct staff to look into an option'for lighting. 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 November 3, 1998 • Page 5 9. Bayside Drive Street Tree Redesignation — Superintendent Lomeli stated that the Golden Medallion will be used in phase I of the Bayside Drive Beautification project and recommends the redesignation. Chair Beek opened the Public Hearing. Hearing no comments, the Public Hearing was closed. Motion by Commissioner Skoro to approve the change of the designated street tree from Red Ironbark to the Gold Medallion Tree on Bayside Drive between Jamboree Road and El Paseo Drive. Motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Beek, Franklin, Glasgow, Pfaff, Sinclair, Skoro, Tobin Noes: None Absent: None Abstain: None 10. Santiago Drive Parkway Street Tree Redesignation — Superintendent Lomeli stated that Chris Welsh had notified staff that he would be unable to attend the meeting tonight and requested that it be postponed until next month. Commission concurred. Chair Beek stated that at Mr. Fluters's request, the Commission would hear item 13 out of order. 13. Tree Removal Request — Superintendent Lomeli recommeded this removal should be denied and suggested that Mr. Fluter work with the Newport Pier Association on a reforestation program. Chair Beek opened the Public Hearing. Russ Fluter stated that he has spoken to the Newport Pier Association, distributed a letter from the President and Vice President of the Newport Pier Association concurring with his request for the removal of the trees. Mr. Fluter stated that the tree blocks his building and customers are sometimes unable to find his and other addresses because of the trees. He suggested that the trees be removed and replaced with palm trees that are at least 10 feet tall. He also stated that he is willing to pay for the removal of these trees. Commissioner Skoro stated that the Association should proceed through the proper procedures and request a reforestation program. Commissioner Glasgow noted that he was surprised that Ficus trees would have been planted there. Superintendent Lomeli stated that staff would research the archives regarding that area, and why the decisions were made. He also stated that staff would work with Mr. Fluter regarding the possibility of a reforestation. Jan Vandersloot, 2221 E 16 I Street, stated that he has driven by that location many times and that these trees are at least 50 feet away from these businesses. He stated that he does not believe that these trees have anything to do with stopping people from using his business or anyone else's. He urged the Commission to agree with staff recommendation. He also stated that he does not believe that reforestation is appropriate for that area and stressed staff objectivity. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting November 3, 1998 • Page 6 Chair Beek closed the Public Hearing. Motion by Commissioner Glasgow to deny the removal request of five City parking lot Indian Laurel Fig trees adjacent to 2025 West Balboa Boulevard. Directed staff to work with Mr. Fluter on possible reforestation. Motion carried bythe following vote: Ayes: Beek, Franklin, Glasgow, Pfaff, Sinclair, Skoro, Tobin Noes: None Absent: None Abstain: None 11. Tree Removal Appeal — Superintendent Lomeli stated that staff recommends this request be denied. Commissioner Skoro stated that this tree was unattractive. Commissioner Sinclair noted that the tree looked like it had been hacked. Superintendent Lomeli stated that because of prior trimming that this tree would always be disfigured. Commissioner Beek asked staff what they meant by stating in their report that the tree was moderately healthy. • Superintendent Lomeli stated that currently the tree is not 100% healthy due to past trimming practices and in time the tree may recuperate. Chair Beek opened the Public Hearing. Jan Vandersloot, 2221 E 1601 Street, stated that the homeowner needs to follow the G -1 policy. He also stated that if the Commission was to agree to the removal based on the looks of the trees, then Pandora's Box is being opened. He reiterated that the guidelines must be followed. Chair Beek closed the Public Hearing. Motion by Commissioner Skoro to deny the removal request of one Flowering Red Gum parkway street tree at 708 Fernleaf Avenue. Motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Beek, Franklin, Glasgow, Pfaff, Sinclair, Skoro, Tobin Noes: None Absent: None Abstain: None 12. Tree Removal Appeal — Superintendent Lomeli stated that the appeal does meet the requirements of the G1 policy. Commissioner Glasgow stated that this tree has a history of curb damage, and asked if staff is • just delaying a problem. Superintendent Lomeli stated that the G1 policy criteria for the removal of a tree does not provide for anticipated damage, but only actua6 significant damage to either public or private property. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting November 3, 1998 • Page 7 Commissioner Tobin stated that sometimes practices and procedures are not always common sense. Chair Beek asked if Ms. Linkey had been notified that if damage has been done, then she has the option of seeking damages from the City. Chair Beek opened the Public Hearing, Jan Vandersloot, 2221 E 16'" Street, ask for discipline of using the G1 policy. He recommends that the tree be retained. Chair Beek closed the Public Hearing. Commissioner Glasgow stated rif there has been hardscape damage, then the problem should be corrected. Motion by Commissioner Franklin to deny the removal request of one Indian Laurel Fig parkway street tree at 427 Marigold Avenue. Motion carried' by the following vote: Ayes: Beek, Franklin, Pfaff, Sinclair, Skoro, Noes: Glasgow, Tobin Absent: None • Abstain: None Commissioner Franklin suggested that the possibility of hardscape damage be included in the G -1 policy. 14. Preliminary Review of FY 1999/00 Capital Improvement Projects for Parks Division — Superintendent Lomeli stated that each year staff prepares a preliminary CIP list for Commission review, and that staff will return in December with a final list. Commissioner Skoro suggested that staff contact Edison Company to help fund the beautification of Bayside Drive, and that staff meet with the Budget Committee to discuss the budget. Director Kienitz stated that Community Services would have a CIP list for the Commission to review at the December meeting. Chair Beek opened the Public Hearing. Hearing no comments the hearing was closed. Motion by Commissioner Glasgow to approve in concept the initial list of Capital Improvement Projects for the Parks and Trees Divisions of the General Services Department. 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 November 3, 1998 • Page 8 15. Subcommittee Reports Liaison Committee - no new information. • Open Space Committee- no new information. Budget — no new information. Liaison with Oasis - no new information. Naming of Parks - no new information. Community Services Award - no new information. Skateboard — Commissioner Franklin stated that the committee had met earlier in the day, and distributed pictures from skateboard parks in Claremont. He stated that the Committee has received a proposal from purkiss -rose for $1,800 for analysis of 3 possible locations from the 12 suggested sites for a skateboard park. The Commission requested that the list of currently proposed suggested locations be mailed to them. VI. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS . Removal of Volleyball Courts . Bonita Creek History • Santiago Drive Parkway Street Tree Redesignation VII. ADJOURNMENT- 1opm SUBMITTED BY: TER) CRAIG, COMMUNITY -1Wcff EXECUTIVE SECRETARY 0