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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1 - Draft Minutes - 08-03-2004CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH Ip�sl a4 Parks, Beaches Et Recreation Commission Regular Meeting . August 3, 2004 - 7pm Convened 7:09pm ROLL CALL Present: Debra Allen Tim Brown Bill Garrett Greg Ruzicka Val Skoro Tom Tobin Roy Englebrecht Staff: David Niederhaus, General Services Director Andrea McGuire, Recreation Superintendent Teri Craig, Administrative Assistant DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS Superintendent McGuire reported that Director Knight was on vacation but wanted to remind the Commission of the Sunday Fun Day at the Park coming up on Sunday, August 22 at 3pm and reminded the Commissioners to RSVP to Teri Craig if they will be coming for a spot on the podium to help introduce the movie, bands, etc. • Director Niederhaus announced that there has been interest in beach maintenance in recent months and stated that notices had been mailed out to all West Newport residents regarding the Town Hall Meeting on August 18, 7pm in the Council Chambers to discuss the beach replenishment project in September through November in West Newport and it will be a forum to answer questions from the public as it is becoming a very sensitive subject. PUBLIC COMMENTS Louise Fundenberg, Central Newport Beach Community Association President, thanked Director Niederhaus for the removal of the bench at 10th Street Beach when it was found to be placed so as to not allow wheelchairs pass through and that a cement block will be installed and replaced with the bench which will make it passable. Dennis Baker stated that he had talked to a resident up at Castaways Park who indicated that a lot of people in the area do not have a good understanding of what will evolve there and suggested that information regarding benches and such be conveyed to the residents so that they will know that the City is moving in the right direction and that it might be the place for people to donate benches. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Minutes of the July , 2004 regular meeting. Waive reading of subject minutes, approve as written and order filed. 2. Item pulled by staff. 3. Item pulled by Commissioner Skoro 4. Item pulled by Chair Tobin 5. Bench Donation. Accept donation from Dave Johnson of one bench to be installed at the Newport Pier. 6. Item pulled by Chair Tobin Parks, Beaches £t Recreation Commission Regular Meeting August 3, 2004 • Page 2 2. Parks Et Tree Division Activity Report. Director Niederhaus stated that on the second page of the report under beach maintenance that the grooming of the fire rings around Newport Pier tend to accumulate dark sand and that at the close of the season staff will be removing the dark sand and have asked the Corps of Engineers to save 500 yards of sand that will be transported to that area and replenish it to make the area look good again and this will be in lieu of bringing back an informational report to the Commission on the fire rings. He went on to say that the Commission may remember that there were a number of citizens that wanted the Commission to do something about that and staff would like to have the opportunity to do some grooming before the discussion of moving or removing the fire rings take place. Commissioner Englebrecht stated that the letter that the Commission received from the Brooks' on Seashore Drive talking about the City not maintaining the planters and sidewalks swept. Director Niederhaus stated that he has reviewed the letter and called the family and noted that the main thrust of the letter is that they are supporting the smoking ban on the beach. He went on to say that the planters which were put there because of Coastal Commission requirements but that they are being used by the public to stand on to look at the surf and to put out there cigarettes. But there is a problem with litter but that they are being maintained. 3. Recreation It Senior Services Activity Report. Commissioner Skoro stated that last month was National Parks and Recreation Month and that in the past that after the Proclamation was given by the Mayor the Commission would have been there to be part of the Ceremony and asked if it had been an oversight not to invite the Commission this year. Superintendent McGuire stated that yes it had been an oversight as staff had asked the children at the day camps to make necklaces for the Council and invited them to write poetry and tried to focus on the children more this year. Commissioner Skoro stated in watching the Council meeting last month relative to Marina Park that a statement was made by a Council Member that the EIR had been approved and agendized by the Commission and that was not the case as the Commission took no action on the EIR one way or the other and wanted to clarify that statement. 4. Bench Donation. Accept donation from Isadore Myers of one bench to be installed at the Newport Pier. 6. Bench Donation. Accept donation from Isadore Myers of one bench to be installed at the Newport Pier. Chair Tobin stated that he had asked for these two items to be pulled because it appears that Mr. Myers had requested two benches and questions how many benches can a person contribute. He stated that it appears to him to request one bench is adequate and here we have two. Director Niederhaus stated that there is no limit in the Council Policy but that in this case the • City does need two benches and Mr. Myers was willing to donate $1000 in an area likethe pier where there are no funds to replace them. He stated that within the next 60 days Recreation and General Services will bring back the Donation Policy for the Commission to review and if you would like to add a limit to bench donation then that would be the time to do it. Parks, Beaches £t Recreation Commission Regular Meeting August 3, 2004 Page 3 Chair Tobin stated that he would like a run down on how many people have contributed more than one bench as there are probably a lot of people that would like to contribute and donate in the memory of a loved on and wondered why Mr. Myers did not put donated from Mr. and Mrs. Myers, instead of asking for two benches. Director Niederhaus stated that Mr. Myers had been invited to the meeting but appears to not have attended. He stated that staff is very happy to have two new benches for the pier so that the deteriorated benches can be removed. Commissioner Allen stated that she too is concerned about the number of benches, but in the past there has been a problem with the proliferation of benches and is really eager to see the report from staff on other things that can be donated besides benches and trees. Superintendent McGuire stated that the catalog is almost complete and hope to bring it to the Commission next month. Commissioner Skoro asked if staff still allowed plaques on trees as it gives somewhat of a morbid impression like someone is buried there. Superintendent McGuire stated that is something the Parks staff has been working on and that is • something that you can consider next month. Motion by Chair Tobin to approve item number 4 and table item 6. Commissioner Garrett stated that he visited the pier and there is certainly a need for benches and cannot see that residents would complain about it and suggested that the Commissioner go out there and look at it. Chair Tobin stated that he did go out to the pier and agrees but more of the public of Newport Beach should be given the chance to donate. He stated that he donated a bench in his mothers name but that he had to inquire about it because he knew nothing about the program and is concerned that members of the public no nothing about it. Director Niederhaus stated that there will be press release done on the donation policy and possibly a regular item in the Newport Navigator about it. Commissioner Ruzicka stated that the commission should not dissuade benevolence on the part of anyone and that it is very nice of these people to donate. Commissioner Allen seconded the motion as $500 for a plaque to be placed in the City with high visibility in memorial of someone is a very inexpensive tribute and a very large tribute. • Commissioner Skoro stated that this is not the time to change the ground rules. Substitute motion by Commissioner Skoro to approve and accept donations (Items 4 and 6) from Isadore Myers of two bench to be installed at the Newport Pier (Plaque verbiage to read: Parks, Beaches It Recreation Commission Regular Meeting August 3, 2004 Page 4 Donated for Penny Weiner Myers and Donated by Isidore Myers) Motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Brown, Englebrecht, Garrett, Ruzicka, Skoro Nays: Alien, Tobin Motion by Chair Tobin to receive and approve Items 1 through 3 and 5 of the Consent Calendar. Motion carried by acclamation. CONTINUING BUSINESS 7. Smoking on Piers and Beaches - Director Niederhaus stated that staff supports the following recommendation: Support a no smoking ordinance that pertains to public piers, beaches, and certain other public areas. Additional Possibilities: • Designate certain areas for smokers on beaches and adjacent public areas. Equip designated areas with smoking urns and support funding for the maintenance of the urns. OR • Equip certain public area near or adjacent to public beaches and piers with signage and smoking urns for the purpose of litter control. Director Niederhaus stated that it seemed to him that it had been generally unanimous from the Last meeting that the Commission was in favor of a ordinance but not with naming designated areas. He reported that notices of the meeting had been mailed to residents and businesses from the west end of McFadden Square and A Street had been notified and had received no response. Commissioner Englebrecht stated that he is not in favor of designated smoking areas and suggested that the "urns" will not enhance the beautification of the area. Director Niederhaus stated that there needs to be something as most people are reluctant to put out there cigarettes in trash cans as it is a fire hazard. Commissioner Ruzicka stated that he agrees with Commissioner Engtebrecht. Commissioner Garrett stated that no one will want an area around their home to be a designated smoking area and or to have smoking urns. He went on to suggest that a recommendation be made to the Harbor Commission regarding smoking on the bay and the harbor floats. Chair Tobin opened the public hearing • Marta Hayden, Newport Beach Visitors 8 Conference Bureau stated that she could find no reason that a ban of this sort would cause a deterrent in tourism but that the reality is that there is a litter problem and something should be done about that. Richard Luehrs, Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce stated that he had contacted many business owners and that none had a problem with the banning of smoking. He commented that Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting August 3, 2004 • Page 5 regarding the enforcement issue it would be preferred not to have headlines about enforcing the no smoking rule but it be enforced by complaint only. Dennis Baker, Arts Commission, stated that the urns on display here are hideous and suggested that more investigation be made in ones that work and look good within the City. The following people spoke in support of a ban on smoking at the beach and opposed any designated smoking areas, that visual clutter is also a concern: Stephanie Barger; Earth Resources Jim Walker Nancy Skinner Elie Erpenbeck Louise Fundenberg Kay Mortenson Karla Duesterberg Christine Crahan Alexander Machowsky Jesse Low Wendy Brooks Ray Halowski, Surfrider Foundation stated that the Commission is focusing on the wrong issue that litter is the issue, cigarettes right or wrong are legal and we just need to get people to change their habits. Discussion ensued regarding the "urns" and the consensus was that they should be called receptacles and that the ones displayed at the meeting will not work and that staff should investigate other receptacles. Chair David Colley, Arts Commission offered guidance from the Arts Commission regarding smoking receptacles. Chair Tobin closed the public hearing Chair Tobin stated that it seemed that no one was in favor of the types of receptacles displayed here at the meeting. Motion by Commissioner Ruzicka to: • Support a no smoking ordinance on the beach • Not designate smoking areas. • Investigate the best placement for smoking receptacles. • Investigate alternative types of smoking receptacles. Motion carried by unanimous vote. OLD BUSINESS 6. Committee Reports • Finance - Nothing to report. LJ Parks, Beaches Et Recreation Commission Regular Meeting August 3, 2004 Page 6 • Park Development - Commissioner Skoro stated the meeting for August had been cancelled but looked forward to a September meeting just to stay in touch and hear what specifically is occurring. • Rec l3 Open Space Element - Nothing to report. • Recreation Activities - Nothing to report. • Seniors - Nothing to report. • Beach Activities Nothing to report • Ad Hoc Community Service Award - Superintendent McGuire stated that she would contact the Commissioners for a future meeting. Youth Sports Liaison - Nothing to report FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS • Donation Brochure- September • Irvine Terrace Park Encroachment • Review of Council Policy G -5 possibly requiring approval of HOA where benches will be installed or gage number of benches in parks. • Liability Aspects at Marina Park • Ordinance 11.04 — Conduct in Parks • Special Tree Committee appointment - October • Staff report on Fire Rings • ADJOURNMENT - 8:49pm Submitted by: • Teri Craig, Admin Assistant