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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/02/2001 - PB&R CommissionJANUARY 2, 2001 APPROVED PB &R COMMISSION MINUTES CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH • Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting January 2, 2001- 7pm CONVENED AT 7:03pm ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Allen, Beek, Franklin, Macfarland, Skoro, Tobin Absent: Pfaff Staff Present: LaDonna Kienitz, Community Services Director /City Librarian David E. Niederhaus, General Services Director Andrea McGuire, Senior Recreation Manager Teri Craig, Administrative Assistant APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Beek to approve the minutes of December 5, 2000. Motion carried by acclamation. • PUBLIC COMMENTS None CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Correspondence From: John Della Grotta, December 14, 2000 (will appear under discussion on February Agenda) 2. Park and Tree Division Report of Park and Tree Division during December and upcoming projects in January. 3. Community Services Report of activities of Recreation 8: Senior Services during December and upcoming activities in January. 4. Castaways Park Planting Grant Project Update of grant project for Castaways Park. 5. Bench Donation Accept bench donation from Barbara Sloate for Balboa Pier. 6. Bench Donation Accept bench donation from Elizabeth Wallace for West Jetty View Park. Motion by Commissioner Franklin to accept items 1 - 6 of the Consent Calendar. Motion carried by acclamation. DISCUSSION ITEMS • 7. Signage Presentation by Dave Kiff, Deputy City Manager - Mr. Kiff distributed signs that are already in place regarding feeding of birds. He presented an overview of the need for preserving water quality and that the hope of educating people about the possible contamination from birds from feeding them artificial food sources (such as bread); and Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting January 2, 2001 • Page 2 that by not feeding them they would move on to their more natural habitat. He noted that the major problem birds are the seagulls and ducks. The Commission asked what they could do to help. Deputy City Manager Kiff responded that it would be most helpful to urge the City Council to revisit the issue of feeding the birds and to find ways to better educate the public. Commissioner Beek suggested a Volunteer Ranger program but stated that more information is needed. Chair Skoro opened the public hearing Jan Vandersloot asked Deputy City Manager Kiff if he was able to tell by the testing that was done if it was caused by animal or human. Deputy City Manager Kiff stated that there was some tests that were able to ascertain that information but the interpretive value is not worth the money in the long run. Mr. Vandersloot stated that the basic question is whether bird droppings are harmful to people; it is premature to blame the ducks. • Chair Skoro closed the public hearing Chair Skoro asked that this item be added to a future Rec It Open Space Element Committee meeting. Commissioner Beek stated that as Chair she would take care of it. 8. Presentation by Ed Selich - Mr. Selich, Plan Coordinator for Vision 2004 — A Plan for Corona del Mar's Centennial made a presentation on their concept plan to the Commission. 9. Demonstration of Recreation Online Registration System - Senior Recreation Manager Andrea McGuire and Recreation Manager Kristin Carey demonstrated the new online registration system via the Internet which provides the additional access for customers to register for class. 10. Tree Removal - Director Niederhaus stated that Pamela Cromer has requested the removal of one Pittosporum tree at 1708 Newport Hills Drive West. He stated that staff recommends that the tree remain as they believe it can be saved and treated and that because of the roots the tree will not cause a hazardous situation. Chair Skoro opened the public hearing • Mr. Niederhaus stated that the applicant was not present. Jan Vanderslott urged the Commission to follow staffs recommendation. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting January 2, 2001 • Page 3 Chair Skoro closed the public hearing Discussion ensued regarding the possibility because of the leaning of the tree for failure. Chair Skoro stated that if the tree were in his front yard, he too would request its removal. Director Niederhaus noted that he has suggested private reforestation but that the applicant is not willing to pay for its removal and replacement, but he would recommend this to him again. Motion by Commissioner Allen to deny the request for the removal of one Pittosporum tree by Pamela Cromer at 1708 Newport Hills Drive West. Motion carried by acclamation. 11. Reforestation Request - Director Niederhaus stated the reforestation request is for the removal of one Coral tree located at on the slope behind 2901 Ebbtide and replace with a Bronze Loquat tree at the expense of the Cambell Family. Mr. Niederhaus stated the Homeowners Association has presented the appropriate petition and all paperwork as required by G -1 Policy is attached to the report. • Chair Skoro opened the public hearing Jan Vandersloot stated that the reason reforestation does not work is because anyone can decide that they don't like their tree and ask to reforest it, and that by approving the request it will set a precedent. Director Niederhaus stated again that staff have reviewed the paperwork and that it meets the requirement of the policy. John Orr, representing the Harbor View Hills Community Association, stated that the request for removal of the tree was made because of the extreme disruption of electricity to the house and the view plane and not because of any dislike for the tree. Discussion ensued regarding the notification of Southern California Edison. Chair Skoro closed the public hearing Discussion ensued regarding reforestation issues, view protection, responsibility of replacement costs by resident, etc. Commissioner Franklin stated that he was incline to vote no, because he had voiced his opinion on reforestation requests being at the desire of the homeowner because they • did not like the tree. U Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting January 2, 2001 Page 4 Motion by Commissioner Allen to approve reforestation request from one Coral tree to a Bronze Loquat tree on the slope located behind 2901 Ebbtide Road, with removal and replacement costs at owners expense. Motion carried as follows: Ayes: Allen, Beek, Macfarland, Skoro, Tobin Nays: Franklin Absent: Pfaff 12. Committee Reports • Castaways Park - Director Niederhaus stated the grants are moving forward. • Park Development - Chair Skoro stated that a meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, January 10, 2001 at 5:30pm. • Recreation and Open Space Element - Commissioner Beek stated that she would schedule a meeting in the future and would add Feeding of Ducks signs to their agenda. • Recreation - A meeting has been scheduled for January 12, 2001, Central Library Conference Room at noon. • Seniors - A meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, January 9, 2001 at Sam. • Budget - Nothing to report • FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Commissioner Beek requested information on specific benches for the Bonita Canyon Sports Park. Director Niederhaus offered to return next month with information. ADJOURNMENT - 9:02pm Submitted by:'.Ll� L� Q Teri Craig, Admin Assistant •