HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/13/2005 - PB&R CommissionCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission
Regular Meeting
January 13, 2005 - 7pm
Convened 7:02pm
ROLL CALL
Present: Debra Allen
Tim Brown
Ray Englebrecht
Bill Garrett
Greg Ruzicka
Val Skoro
Tom Tobin
Staff: Marie Knight, Recreation l3 Senior Services Director
David Niederhaus, General Services Director
Teri Craig, Administrative Assistant
Director Knight updated the Commission on the success of the Winter Wonderland carnival in
December despite the snow falling at the wrong location. She stated how proud she was of the staff
in moving everything over to Grant Howald Park on time and had twice as many participants than in
years past. She went on to say that the Division C Flag Football Team will be honored at the Council
meeting on January 25 because they took second place in the City -wide tournament and took first
place in the Orange County tournament and is the first team in Newport Beach history to place in the
Southern California tournament where they took second place. She stated that these kids did an
awesome job! She also stated that there will be an updated presentation on the plans for Newport
Village Park at the same Council study session at 4pm. Also Bernie Svalsted and members of the
public will be making an offer to the Council that they convene a community member committee to
fundraise for some of the costs of Newport Village. Director Knight introduced Christine Stempleski,
the new Recreation Coordinator who is overseeing the aquatics program, contract classes as well as
working on special events. She went on to say that Christine comes from the City of Hawthorne with
a great deal of experience. Christine Stempleski gave a brief overview of her experience and thanked
the Commission for their time.
Director Niederhaus stated that at the last Council meeting, a brief synopsis of the storm of January
6 -11 was discussed. He highlighted that the swells went over the 8ft sea walls and that there was
literally fish in the street, particularly at the Balboa Pavilion and substantial flooding occurred at
Cannery Village. He stated that the good news was that there was no substantial private or public
damage except that the beaches are now covered with residue from the storm.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Evelyn Hart, Friends of OASIS liaison stated that all is going well at the Senior Center with over 3000
members. She stated that the OASIS Center will need to be rebuilt and asked that the Commission
support that when it becomes time to build, that a major fundraiser will be held in March.
Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission
Regular Meeting
January 13, 2005
Page 3
Director Niederhaus stated that he is always open that there are possibilities for mistakes and
that is why City staff offered to complete a petition by the 21 � of this month, and if there was no
change, then staff would remove the trees as directed on November 16.
Discussion continued regarding staff checking for accuracy of petitions submitted by the public.
Director Knight again reminded the Commission that the only issue that could be discussed under
this item are corrections to the minutes and the Commission cannot engage in discussion of items
not listed on this agenda.
Commissioner Ruzicka asked if anything could be done regarding the reforestation.
Director Niederhaus asked if staff could check on the action that could be taken and discuss it at
the end of the meeting. Everyone acquiesced.
2. Parks & Tree Division Activity Report. Commissioner Skoro complimented staff on the
monthly report and asked how much money was spent on tree maintenance?
Director Niederhaus stated that Council was generous with this budget and stated that
"problem trees" are causing $1.2 M annually on public utilities and infrastructure. He went on
to say that almost 100 "problem trees" have been removed and so that figure will start to go
down. He noted that 217 trees will be planted and that the 2 to 1 tree plantings are
continuing. Director Niederhaus stated staff is saving more problem trees than removing and
that he is quite proud of the tree and concrete division and that they spend about $110,000 on
root pruning, etc., problem trees.
4. Donation of a Dog Nuisance Dispenser. Commissioner Garrett asked if all the dispensers
within the City are privately funded.
Director Niederhaus stated yes and that they are monitored by the hand sweepers but are
replenished by the vendors.
Motion by Chair Tobin to approve items 1 -4 of the Consent Calendar). Motion carried by
acclamation.
NEW BUSINESS
5. Proposed Council Policy B-17 (Accepting Donations to Recreation & Senior Services
Proerams) and Revisions to Council Policy G -5 (Park & Street Improvement Donations -
Director Knight stated these policies with amendments were forwarded to City Council. Staff
then received some input from Council Member Webb and Council has asked that this item be
returned to the Commission for further consideration of some Council Member Webb's comments
and for further review of the polity. In addition, staff will look at internal Council policies that
may exist in other departments that relate to the acceptance of donations and how they are
handled to be sure that the policy is consistent intemally across the board. She went on to say
that Council Member Webb's comments have been provided and that staff is requesting that an
ad hoc sub - committee be appointed.
Parks, Beaches it Recreation Commission
Regular Meeting
January 13, 2005
Page 5
Director Niederhaus stated that his staff had not been included on that decision but that
the order had been cancelled because of the price. He went on to say that all types of
benches had been included and asked that comfort not be judged until you have had the
opportunity to sit on it, as some look uncomfortable but are surprisingly comfortable.
Commissioner Ruzicka stated that since there are so many listed that the selection be
limited to 10 or 15.
Director Niederhaus stated that the bench list that has been used in the past is attached
and that possibly there should be some additions and or deletions made.
Commissioner Allen suggested that this issue be referred to the new ad hoc sub-
committee who will also be reviewing the donation policy. Chair Tobin agreed.
Chair Tobin opened the public discussion; hearine none the public discussion was closed.
Chair Tobin stated that he had a question regarding old business. He went on to say that it
appeared from the August 3 Commission meeting regarding that the urns...
Director Knight reminded Chair Tobin that this item is not on the agenda and cannot be
discussed.
Chair Tobin asked where it could be discussed.
Director Knight stated that it could be listed as an item for future discussion at the end of the
meeting.
Chair Tobin stated that Council had questions regarding this issue.
Director Niederhaus stated that the ad hoc sub- committee would meet to discuss the donation
policy and the bench list and so two agendas would be done.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
• Finance - Nothing to report.
• Park Development - Commissioner Skoro stated the Committee would meet January 18 and will
discuss a plan for outreach to the community for Cal Trans West; he also stated that Newport
Village will be updated at the Council Study Session on January 25.
• Rec fz Open Space Element - Nothing to report.
• Recreation Activities - Nothing to report.
• Seniors - Director Knight stated that things are going very well and that a cooperative agreement
has been drafted by former City Attorney Burnham and that it will be forwarded to the Friends
for their review within a week or two.
• Beach Activities - Nothing to report but asked staff to set up a meting within the next 60 -90
days.
• Ad Hoc
Community Service Award - Nothing to report.
Youth Sports Liaison - Nothing to report
Parks, Beaches ft Recreation Commission
Regular Meeting
January 13, 2005
Page 7
Director Knight stated that she realizes that commissioners can become frustrated that they are
not allowed to discuss issues that are not on the agenda and reminded the commission that these
meetings are taped and are public information and that staff must abide by these rules.
Director Niederhaus reminded the Commission that when items are placed on future agendas that
it needs three members to agree that it should be added; but is unclear why this item (regarding
the smoking urns) should be on the agenda. Commissioner Garrett suggested that Chair Tobin read
the Council minutes from the meeting where the urns were discussed. Discussion ensued regarding
the use and need of the urns.
ADJOURNMENT- 8:43pm
Submitted by:
Teri Craig, Admin Assistant