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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/01/2002 - PB&R CommissionOCTOBER 1, 2002 APPROVED PB &R COMMISSION MINUTES CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH • Parks, Beaches It Recreation Commission Regular Meeting October 1, 2002 - 7pm CONVENED AT 7:03pm ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Allen, Englebrecht, Garrett, Ruzicka, Skoro, Tobin Absent: Beek Staff: David Niederhaus, General Services Director Andrea McGuire, Recreation Superintendent Teri Craig, Administrative Assistant APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Englebrecht to approve the minutes of September 3, 2002, as amended. Motion carried by acclamation. PUBLIC COMMENTS Jan Vandersloot, 2221 E. 16t" Street, commented on the removal of the Main Street ficus trees and the judges comments regarding their late request for the stop order. He asked what • was the purpose of the May 7 meeting in which the Ficus trees were discussed. Chair Allen reminded Mr. Vandersloot that the Commission was unable to comments on items not on the agenda. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Item pulled by Commissioner Skoro 2. Parks ii: Tree Division 3. Item pulled by Superintendent McGuire 4 Item pulled by Commissioner Skoro 5. Tree Donation To accept tree donation from Lee Solow to be planted at Grant Howald Park. 6. Item pulled by Commissioner Skoro 7. Item pulled by Commissioner Skoro Communications - The following correspondence from Jill Schwalbe was received acknowledged. Correspondence to Don Williams dated September 30, 2002; from Homer Bludau, City Manager dated October 1, 2002, were added and acknowledged. Commissioner Skoro asked that a response be sent to Jill Schwabe regarding the request for installation of a volleyball court in the Buffalo Hills Park. Director Niederhaus stated • that if this indeed is something that the homeowners want then a survey should be done at their expense. Superintendent McGuire stated that she would forward a letter to the Homeowners Association citing the history of the removal and that if a volleyball court is wanted; then how would it be paid for. Parks, Beaches 8: Recreation Commission Regular Meeting • October t, 2002 Page 2 3. Recreation Et Seniors Services — Superintendent McGuire announced that Marie Knight had been hired as the new Director and would begin October 21. She also reminded the Commissioners that their facility inspection sheets were due on October 21. 4. Bench Donation - Commissioner Skoro stated that this bench donation had been made to honor Council Member O'Neil and was installed above Little Corona. 6. Goldenrod Avenue Pedestrian Bridge - Commissioner Skoro asked whether the bridge has been added as an historical landmark and questioned the verbiage for the Goldenrod Avenue Pedestrian Bridge plaque. Discussion ensured regarding that and whether the population of Newport Beach stated as 200 in 1928 was correct. Director Niederhaus stated that staff was working on a grant application for funds for seismic retrofitting and that discussions on adding the bridge as a historical landmark should wait until then. • 7. Playground Safety Report - Commissioner Skoro asked Superintendent McGuire to elaborate on the report. Superintendent McGuire stated that the City was systematically replacing play items that do not meet the standards of the safety report. She noted that Proposition 12 funds are being used to remodel 8 -10 playgrounds. Motion by Commissioner Skoro to accept items 1- 7 of the Consent Calendar. Motion carried by acclamation. DISCUSSION ITEMS 8. Field /Park Ambassador Program — Superintendent McGuire stated that the City Manager had forwarded a letter of support of the program. Commissioner Englebrecht stated that the Recreation Committee has met several times to discuss this program and that staff had invited Capt. Henisey to provide additional information. Superintendent McGuire introduced Capt. Henisey to the Commission. Capt. Henisey stated that he was the Patrol Et Traffic Commander and that their primary responsibility was to maintain the peace and tranquility and deployed for emergencies and . crime. He stated that priority calls will always take precedence over conflicts regarding use of the park except when it comes to safety and welfare. Commissioner Skoro asked Capt. Henisey if this program was a good idea. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting • October 1, 2002 Page 3 Capt. Henisey stated that it could be helpful, they would be an extra set of eyes and could be used as an additional resource regarding vandalism and graffiti. Discussion ensured regarding duties of Community Officers and Volunteer Units. Chair Allen asked for his recommendations. Capt. Henisey stated that it depends on the expectations of the role of the Ambassador. Chair Allen opened the public discussion. Charles Massengill, 1' Vice President, Newport Harbor Baseball Association, stated that they have a lot of trouble with traveling teams, and one of major issues that the City should be concerned with is the fact that they are not insured. He stated that other cities that have instituted this program are no longer having those problems. Commissioner Garrett asked Mr. Massengill has had any confrontations with these groups. • Mr. Massengill stated that they do and explain the permit process but it does not seem to matter. Marce Almaraz, AYSO 57, stated that they also support the Ambassador program. He stated that the main reason for this program is safety for the children. Tony Anish, AYSO 95 stated that he has seen the Ambassador program work in other cities and looks forward to it here in Newport Beach. Chair Allen closed the public discussion. Motion by Commissioner Skoro to approve Recommendation A as amended: Direct staff to meet with the seven listed Youth Sports Groups and confirm their monetary support in writing for funding of the program; return to the Commission with hard costs for the program and funding support from the Youth Sports Groups. Discussion ensued regarding vehicle costs and safety issues for the Ambassador. Motion carried by acclamation. 8. Report from Public Works Director Steve Badum • Upper Bayview Landing - Director Badum stated that development of this park has been delayed because of hazardous debris; although the County is looking at the parcel in a more favorable light. He stated that there is $680,000 in funding for the park but that the concepts add up to $2 million. • Newport Village - Director Badum stated that there is a consensus for the design as a natural park with limited parking with some view opportunities. Staff will explore Parks, Beaches it Recreation Commission Regular Meeting October 1, 2002 . Page 4 costs that are obtainable. Director Badum stated that $1 million would be needed and that outside funding would be sought. Commissioner Skoro stated that the revenue generated from private encroachments on Irvine Terrace Park land could be used to fund Upper Bayview and Newport Village. Update on Irvine Terrace Park Encroachments - Director Badum distributed a map depicting the homeowner property lines with the various encroachments. He stated that some of the homeowners have voiced their desire to purchase those parcels. Commissioner Skoro stated that the City needs to address those issues with the City Council and move forward as this encroachment issue has been discussed over and over again. Director Badum stated that a meeting would be set up with the homeowners and would forward that information to the Commission. 9. Reforestation Request - Director Niederhaus stated that Maile Busby of 5191h Fernleaf Avenue had applied for Reforestation. He stated that the applicants are requesting the • removal of two City Pine trees at their cost. He stated that the applicants have met all of the G -1 policy requirements and is representing the property owners of 517, 517'h, 519, and 519'/2 Fernleaf. However Ms. Busby does not want the replacement trees to be planted in front of her property, but would rather they be planted somewhere else in the City. Discussion ensued regarding the property owner list and if staff have confirmed names from the petition submitted by applicant. Chair Allen opened the public discussion Maile Busby, 519'h Fernleaf, stated that they are requesting the removal because the trees are not well maintained; the grass will not grow under the tree; and that roots have invaded the irrigation system. Ms. Busby stated that she was unaware of the costs all for the removal and planting of $1,800 per tree, and that they would have some concerns with those costs. Commissioner Garrett asked if it was unusual for the homeowner to request a reforestation and then ask that the tree be planted somewhere else. Linda Grant, Balboa Peninsula Group, stated that she was upset and appalled that the City would even consider removing another tree after the fiasco with the Main Street . Ficus trees. Jan Vandersloot, 2221 E. 16`h Street, urged that the Commission recommend disapproval of the reforestation request, but if approval was given that the tree be replaced at the same location. Parks, Beaches fe Recreation Commission Regular Meeting October 1, 2002 Page 5 Lee Marshall. 517'h Fernleaf, stated that they were not adverse to having one tree replanted but that there really was not enough room for two trees. Chair Allen closed the public discussion Director Niederhaus stated that staff had not heard from the Corona del Mar Homeowners Association and recommended that this action be tabled until then. Motion by Commissioner Skoro to approve reforestation of the 2 City Pine trees to Magnolia trees but that the trees must be planted at near the same location. Motion carried by acclamation. 10. Committee ADDointments and Reports Park Development - nothing new to report Recreation li Open Space Element - nothing new to report. Recreation Activities - nothing new to report Seniors - nothing new to report FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS "How to become a Special Tree" • Review of Special Tree List with Criteria ADJOURNMENT - 9:30pm Submitted by: Teri Craig, Admin A istant