Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/05/2001 - PB&R CommissionJUNE 5, 2001 APPROVED PB &R COMMISSION MINUTES CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH • Parks, Beaches 8: Recreation Commission Regular Meeting June 5, 2001- 7pm CONVENED AT 7:03pm ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Allen, Beek, Franklin, Macfarland, Pfaff (arrived7:o5pm), Skoro, Tobin Staff Present: 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 May 1, 2001. Motion carried by acclamation. PUBLIC COMMENTS None • CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Correspondence - The following communication was received and acknowledged. To: Mayor 8t Members of City Council, May 2, 2001 Fm:AYSO (Marce Almaraz), Newport Beach Little League (Rex Jones /Michael Hawkins) and Stammers (Bernard Towers), June 4, 2001 2. Pulled by Chair Skoro 3. Pulled by Commissioner Macfarland 4. Pulled by Commissioner Beek 5. Tree Donation Accept donation of one 24" box Purple Orchid tree from Nancy Isbell to be planted at Mariners Park. 2. Park and Tree Division - Chair Skoro congratulated the Parks Division on receiving yet another Tree City Award and commended them and the Recreation Division for another great Arbor Day. He noted that Council Member Ridgeway was there also. 3. Community Services - Commissioner Macfarland asked when the 38`h Street Park would return to the Commission and thanked the staff for a great CdM 5K. • Manager McGuire stated that the issued of the removal of the volleyball poles and the basketball courts at 38`h Street Park were with the City Attorney for discussion with the Coastal Commission. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting June 5, 2001 • Page 2 4. Proclamation — July as Parks li Recreation Month - Commissioner Beek asked that a revision be made. Manager McGuire stated that she would take care of it before forwarding to City Council. Motion by Commissioner Pfaff to accept items 1 through 5 of the Consent Calendar. Motion carried by acclamation. 6. City Public Information Officer - Chair Skoro stated that Gail McElroy was ill and would return for a presentation in August. 7. Li ,htinQ at Arroyo Park - Manager McGuire stated that the park was constructed by The Irvine Company as a park and annexed to the City of Newport Beach in 1998. It will be turned over to the City in late July. She stated that the park will be used actively for youth and adult sports in the fall of 2001. Manager McGuire also noted that this is only the 4th lighted field in the City and that all the sports groups want and need these lighted fields. Chair Skoro opened the public hearing • Steven Brombal, 21 Regents, stated that he was the president of the Bonita Canyon Maintenance Association, and noted that he agreed that there had been adequate disclosure but stated emphatically that when residents signed these disclosures no one had any idea of what a visual nuisance it would be to them in their homes. He urged flexibility. Mr. Brombal stated that their position was that they would be best served if there were not any lights at all, but would appreciate the Commission looking out for their interest on have some compromise. Commissioner Beek asked if Mr. Brombal had contacted The Irvine Company to voice his concerns. Mr. Brombal stated that his personal residence was not affected. Commissioner Pfaff asked if Mr. Brombal knew what streets were affected. Mr. Brombal stated that Lyndhurst, Sherwood, Dartmouth and Victoria were the most impacted. Bernard Towers, 1527 Priscilla Lane, representing the Stammer Club, stated that he believed at the most that 8 or 9 houses were affected. He noted that all youth groups of various ages have a tremendous need for fields and fields with lights. He stated that if you move near a park there are positive and negative aspects but you should have to live • with them, since the choice was theirs. Greg Currens, 3 Dartmouth, stated that he personally is not affected, but that there is an equity issue. He stated that yes they had been notified of a lighted park but no one was notified that the light poles would be 80 feet high. He stated that since these decisions Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting June 5, 2001 • Page 3 were made when there were no residents, that it was the Commission's obligation to deal with them now. They were not there when these decisions were made. Sheila Walters, 30 Palazzo, suggested that members of the Commission come and visit these homes. She also noted that there are two paths between the homes and the apartments and that there is a safety issue because of possible loitering. Commissioner Beek stated that a demonstration had been held back in February with Commissioners, Council Members and the City Manager. Marcelino Almaraz, 1607 Port Charles Place, AYSO President, stated that this park was laid out so that it was safe for children to play. He noted that limiting the lighting until 8pm will not allow enough time for children and adults to practice. He urged the Commission to keep it at the time per the City policy. Commissioner Beek asked if Bonita Canyon children would be using this park. Mr. Almaraz stated that children from Bonita Canyon and all other areas will be involved. Pete Walters, 30 Palazzo, stated that there are other problems besides the lights, one of • them being parking. He also asked if the park would be used for anything other that sports programs. Manager McGuire stated that the field is scheduled quite extensively but there are times when it is not in use and available to the public; however when there are no scheduled games, no lights will be on. Mr. Walters asked if any ideas for use by seniors at this park. Manager McGuire stated that there is a walking path. Mike Wade, 33 Belcourt Drive, Regional Commissioner, AYSO, stated that soccer continues to grow and that they will welcome all Bonita Canyon children. He stated that if lights were not used at this park then more parks would be needed in the City, and there just is not any more space. He urged the Commission to support the park in its present plan. Commissioner Allen asked about the demographics of the children and practice times and suggested the turn -off time be 9pm. Mr. Wade stated that with the older teams they generally use the fields from 7:30 - 9:30pm, then clean up the field and done by 10pm. He stated that AYSO has donated a • lot of money in past years and want to be good neighbors and are willing to work with Bonita Canyon on possible compromises. Commissioner Franklin asked if light standards were generally 80 feet high. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting June 5, 2001 • Page 4 Manager McGuire stated that they were usually anywhere between 50 and 80 feet, but Bonita Creek are 70 feet and at Arroyo one is 70 feet but the rest are 80 feet. Tim Wada, 16 Sherwood, stated that when he attended the last demonstration he had been assured that the lights would be turned off by 9pm, but was unsure of who had told him this. Resident, 10 Sherwood, stated that he was an engineer and though that by baffling the lighting and possibly lowering the tights that it could reduce many of the problems discussed here tonight. Manager McGuire stated that the tights are shielded. Rick Letz, Vice President, Bonita Canyon Maintenance Association, stated scheduling of the lighting is the key and the earlier the turn off time the better. Chair Skoro reminded the residents that there is a lack of fields and lighted fields in the City. Mr. Letz stated that most resident believe that the lights will reduce their property • values. Chair Skoro stated that he did not believe that property values would drop and that recreational activities for youth is needed. David Carnevale, 26 Palazzo, stated he does not live on the Arroyo, but that there are multiple issues, he suggested limiting the lighting and that more police patrol the area of Mesa View. He also noted that as residents they pay $15,000 to the City with taxes to Mello Roos and that it should count for something. Melissa Hicks, 27 Marble Sands, noted her concern of the longterm use of the park and noted that she has driven past Lincoln Park and that no one was using the field and yet the lights were on. Manager McGuire stated stated that there have been problems in the past but that all the lights are on timers. Discussion ensued regarding the need for the Police Department regularly drive by the park once it has been turned over to the City. Manager McGuire stated that for the record she had received 26 phone calls 22 in support of lowering the use and time of the lights • 4 supporting it as is. • Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting June S, 2001 Page S Barbara Rappolo, stated that her house is in escrow and has many grave concerns and stated that the light standards should be lowered; she urged the Commission to have another demonstration and testing of the lights at the earliest time available. Chair Skoro closed the public hearing Motion by Commissioner Franklin that the hours for use of Arroyo Park remain the same as all other parks in the City; and that another light test be scheduled with Musco, once the park has been turned over to the City. Discussion ensued regarding the motion. Commissioner Allen stated that she would be unable to support the motion because she believes that the lighting situation can be solved with a little more effort. Substitute Motion by Commissioner Beek that the hours for use of Arroyo Park remain the same as all other parks in the City. Commissioner Franklin withdrew his motion. • Commissioner Pfaff asked that a light test be scheduled; that staff would notify, Mr. Brombal, Merit HOA, Youth Groups of the date when scheduled. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Beek, Franklin, Macfarland, Pfaff, Skoro, Tobin Nay: Allen 8. Balboa Island Bench Report - Director Niederhaus stated that this was a recycled report from May and had attached maps denoting the locations of the three benches. • Sapphire at North Bayfront • Topaz at South Bayfront • Garnet at South Bayfront Commissioner Beek commented that she was concerned that those benches had been placed without the approval of the Commission. Director Niederhaus stated that one bench had been installed by BIIA because of a miscommunication, and stated that he would see that the bench was removed promptly. He stated that BIIA takes the responsibility for the maintenance of these benches because they are teak, and are informed of where to go to purchase the plaques. He noted that staff is usually responsible for installation of benches. • Commissioner Beek stated that she still needs clarification on the number of benches and asked the question of "when are there too many benches ?" Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting June 5, 2001 • Page 6 Motion by Commissioner Beek that staff provide a map with locations of existing approved benches including the width of the street. Discussion ensued regarding staff time needed to provide the information requested. Alternate Motion by Chair Skoro to approve staff's recommendation. Motion failed by the following vote: Ayes: Allen, Skoro, Tobin Nay: Beek, Franklin, Macfarland, Pfaff Commissioner Macfarland stated that he would like to see a map that shows the actual physical location of the benches. 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. • Substitute Motion by Commissioner Pfaff to table request for Bench Donations to: • Topaz at South Bayfront • Garnet at South Bayfront And that staff will provide street widths and a map with bench locations; approve bench donation on Sapphire at North Bayfront. Motion carried by acclamation. 9. July Commission Meetine - After discussion it was agreed that the Commission would meet July 3, as scheduled. 10. Committee Reports • Budget - Budget hearing with Council will be June 12. • Castaways Park - Nothing new to report. • Park Development - Chair Skoro stated that letter went to City Council requesting funds to plan a Central Library at the Newport Village site. • Recreation Et Open Space Element - Commissioner Beek stated that the committee needed to meet with General Services to discuss signage within the Element. • Recreation Services - Nothing new to report. • Seniors - Commissioner Beek stated that she had attended the OASIS installation and congratulated staff on a terrific job. • Community Services Award - Nothing new to report. • FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Results of root pruning on Clay Street • • Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting June 5, 2001 Page 7 381" Street update Volleyball - Coastal Commission Update Number of Benches it Locations Report Review of G -5 Policy ADJOURNMENT - 9:20pm Submitted by: Cwt- Ch (-'L Teri Craig, Admin Assistant