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Home My WebLink About05/01/2001 - PB&R CommissionMAY 1, 2001 APPROVED PB &R COMMISSION MINUTES CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH • Parks, Beaches a Recreation Commission Regular Meeting May 1, 2001- 7pm CONVENED AT 7:03Dm ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Allen, Beek, Franklin, Macfarland, Pfaff, Skoro, Tobin 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 Pfaff to approve the minutes of April 3, 2001. Motion carried by acclamation. PUBLIC COMMENTS 0 CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Pulled by Commissioner Beek 2. Pulled by Commissioner Macfarland 3. Pulled by Commissioner Beek 4. Pulled by Senior Recreation Manager McGuire 5. Pulled by Commissioner Beek 6. Tree and Bench Donations — Accept donation of two 24" boxed trees (variety selected by staff) from Jeffrey Morris to be planted at Grant Howald Park and Old School Park — Accept two bench donations (Santa Monica style) from Jeffrey Morris to be installed at Grant Howald Park Old School Park 7. Tree Donation Accept donation of one 24° box Hong Kong Orchid tree from Judy Bowe to be planted at Grant Howaki Park. Motion by Commissioner Pfaff to accept items 6 and 7 of the Consent Calendar. Motion • carried by acclamation. 1. Correspondence - Commissioner Beek asked what staff could do to help Jeanine Megonigal with her request for a snack bar service at Bonita Creek. Manager McGuire Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting May 1, 2001 Page 2 stated that it was possible to do but that Ms. Megonigal would have to get a license from the Health Department, insurance and would need to pay the utility charges. Commissioner Beek asked if the fees could be waived. Manager McGuire stated that she did not have the ability to waive the fees or the requirements. Since she would be using a City building to provide food, rules would need to be followed per the City Risk Manager. Commissioner Beek asked staff to contact Ms. Megonigal to discuss the parameters of the project. 2. Park and Tree Division - Commissioner Macfarland asked if the tree removal report in their total of removals to date included emergency tree removals. Director Niederhaus stated yes. Commissioner Macfarland asked for clarification from the report re: monitoring Fletcher Jones and the Arches. Director Niederhaus stated that staff is monitoring the native vegetation that has been used in the parkway adjacent to Fletcher Jones. Further, he clarified the projects in Upper Back Bay that was constructed with a loss of wetlands that occurred during the Arches Bridge project. Chair Skoro asked for a status of the CdM reforestation project on Coast Highway. He noted that Rich Edmonston from the Public Works Department is working on a water pollution control plan and that an archeological plan was needed. Director Niederhaus stated that a permit was needed to move forward as the State does not allow any work done on the highway between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Commissioner Macfarland questioned the emergency removal of three trees by the Risk Manager. Director Niederhaus noted that a consultant and the insurer stated that the trees needed to be removed to avoid liability. Director Niederhaus also noted that illegal tree removals are on the rise, as they are occurring about once a month. He stated that the City is discussing hefty fines for those illegal tree removals. Commissioner Allen asked if staff is working with the Board of Realtors and other organizations regarding City tree policies when new residents buy their homes. • Director Niederhaus stated that City brochures have been prepared to send out to new residents and other organizations. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting May 1, 2001 • Page 3 Commissioner Pfaff stated that possibly when new homeowners sign their loan documents that knowledge of the rules regarding the City trees should be signed and put in their hand at that time. Commissioner Beek stated that the Commission should be involved in the renovation of Balboa Village and noted that there would be a meeting on May 10. Chair Skoro and Commissioners Allen and Beek will try to attend. Discussion ensued regarding the landmark trees on Main Street in Balboa. Director Niederhaus stated that the redesignation of street trees would be sent to the Commission in July. Commissioner Beek questioned the status of the Castaways Grant. Director Niederhaus stated that they should know next month; but feel confident that they will be successful. 3. Community Services - Manager McGuire stated that staff has posted signs in English and Spanish stressing the importance of looking over the play equipment for razors or glass before allowing the children to use it. She noted that they are working with . the Police and General Services Departments on monitoring the parks. 4. Energy Cutbacks - Manager McGuire reiterated the steps that staff have taked to cut back on the use of energy with the Commission. 5. Bench Donations - Commissioner Beek asked staff if there is a point when there are too many benches. She stated that she had visited the following three locations where benches could be installed: • Sapphire at North Bayfront • Topaz at South Bayfront • Garnet at South Bayfront She asked staff to come back next month with a report on the number of benches and their locations. Motion by Commissioner Beek to table the request by Balboa Island Improvement Association to donate three benches to be installed at: • Sapphire at North Bayfront • Topaz at South Bayfront • Garnet at South Bayfront And request staff to return next month with a report to include the number of benches and their locations. Motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Beek, Franklin, Macfarland, Pfaff, Skoro, Tobin Nay: Allen Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting May 1, 2001 • Page 4 DISCUSSION ITEMS 8. Flagpole Installation at Eastbluff Park - Manager McGuire stated that Corona del Mar Pony Baseball has requested to install a flagpole at Eastbluff Park. She noted that the plaque that they had installed has been removed and that it will be changed to conform to Council policy. Discussion ensued regarding responsibility for the raising and lowering of the flag. Motion by Commissioner Beek to approve the request by Corona del Mar Pony Baseball to install a flagpole at Eastbluff Park. Motion carried by acclamation. 9. Park Development Committee - Chair Skoro stated that Mike Sinacori, Public Works Department had made a presentation to the committee on Upper Bayview. He also noted that City Council will discuss the Newport Village site and the possible next steps for planning a park. Discussion ensued regarding requesting from the City $35,000 to hire a firm to do a concept plan on the site. Motion by Commissioner Tobin that a letter be forwarded to City Council requesting • $35,000 be provided in FY 2001/02 budget for the preparation of a master conceptual plan for development of the Newport Village property into a passive park. Motion carried by acclamation. 10. Committee Reports • Budget - Budget hearing with Council will be May 22. • Castaways Park - Director Niederhaus again stated that staff should hear results of the grant by next month. • Park Development - Meeting will be set to discuss park bond money available and the steps need to take to request those funds. • Recreation ft Open Space Element - Meeting will be set. • Recreation Services - Nothing to report. • Seniors - Nothing to report. • Community Services Award - Still need committee members. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Results of root pruning on Clay Street 38`h Street update Volleyball - Coastal Commission Update Number of Benches 8 Locations Report ADJOURNMENT - 8:45pm/) Submitted by: �'A l� Teri Craig, Admin Assist at s