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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/2/2005 - Agenda PacketCity of Newport Beach Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Tuesday, August 2, 200S - 77pm — My Council Chambers AGENDA ORDER AND ROLL CALL PRESENTATION TO OUTGOING COMMISSIONERS SEATING OF NEW COMMISSIONERS ELECTION OF OFFICERS DIRECT'OR'S COMMENTS • Director Knight • Director Harmon • City Council Actions PUBLIC COMMENTS Members of the public are invited to comment on non - agenda items of public interest. Speakers are limited to three minutes. NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC All matters listed under Consent Calendar 1-3 are considered by the Commission to be routine and will all be enacted by one motion in the form listed below. The Commission Members have received detailed staff reports on each of the items recommending approval and there will be no separate discussion of these items prior to the time the Commission votes on the motion unless members of the Commission, staff, or the public request a specific item to be discussed and /or removed from the Consent Calendar for separate action. The City provides a yellow sign -in card for those wishing to address the Commission to assist in the preparation of the minutes. If you do fill out the card please place it in the box at the table. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Minutes oftheJune 7,2005 regular meeting. Reootnnwndatfon: Waive reading ofsubject minutes, approve and orderftled. 2. Park & Operations Division Activity Report. ' Recommendatiort: Receiv% filemonthlyActiuityReportfor activities and upcomingprojects .. 3. Recreation & Senior Services Activity Report. Recomnterufatiom Receivelfil emonthlyActivityReportforactivitiesandupcomingprojects. NEW BUSINESS 4. Marina Park — Presentation Recommendation: Recewe&Pile 5. Eagle Scout Project at Irvine Terrace Park Re�nunendaliott: Consider request by Eagle Scout Justin Towers to construct & install fence railing at Irvine Terrace Park. 6. Temporary Lights at Mariners Park Recommendation : Consider request by AYSO 97 to use temproary fights at Mariners Park from October t to December II, 2oo5from dusk to Spm. COMMITTEE REPORTS — • Park Development • RSS • Finance • Rec& Open Space Element • Seniors • Beach Activities • Ad Hoc — community SerniceAward - Special Tree Committee — Donation —Youth Sports Liaison FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - Matters which Commissioners may wish to place on a future agenda or raise for discussion. ADJOURNED CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH Parks, Beaches £t Recreation Commission Regular Meeting June 7, 2005- 7pm Convened 7:11 pm ROLL CALL Present: Debra Allen Tim Brown Roy Englebrecht Bill Garrett Greg Ruzicka Val Skoro Tom Tobin Staff: Marie Knight, Recreation ii Senior Services Director Mike Pisani, Acting General Services Director Dan Serreno, Parks Et Tree Superintendent Teri Craig, Administrative Assistant DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS Director Knight stated that she had distributed a presentation for MarinaPark and reminded them that last November the proposal for a resort /hotel was defeated by the voters and a citizen committee was formed and is currently looking at alternative uses for the property and Commissioner Allen, a member of that committee was asked to bring back the submission made by the Commission in 2000. She went on to say that Commissioner Allen and Superintendent McGuire have been working on resurrecting the proposal and will present it to the Council on July 21 at 4pm. She asked that the Commissioner review it and if they have questions or suggestions to please filter them through Commissioner Allen. Director Knight announced that the 24`" Annual CdM 5k Run was held last Saturday and was very successful and congratulated staff members Matt Lohr and Sean Levin for all their hard work and thanked Chair Tobin for assisting in opening the event. She went on to say that staff is gearing up for the summer and remarked that training was being held for all the past time staff and announced that Jim Gubser would be leaving and that recruitment for that position had begun. Acting Director Pisani officially introduced Dan Serreno as the Parks Et Tree Superintendent and began May 13. PUBLIC COMMENTS None CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Minutes of the April 5, 2005 regular meeting. waive reading of subject minutes, approve as written and order filed. 2. Item pulled by Commissioner Englebrecht 3. Recreation it Senior Services Activity Report. Receive /file monthly Activity Report for activities and upcoming projects. 2. Park and Tree Division Activity Report. Commissioner Englebrecht stated that he had read the May report and remarked about the view concern made by residents on Cliff Drive and noted that he realized that staff was going to discuss this next month but asked for a status report on trimming, etc. Superintendent Serreno stated that WCA had begun to trim those trees and that the process has begun but noted that this is a hand operation and that they must climb the trees without the use of Parks, Beaches 8 Recreation Commission Regular Meeting June 7, 2005- 7pm Page 2 equipment that it will be a slower process but suspects that it will take about a week to complete the pruning of the trees. Commissioner Ruzicka asked if there was some king of "super deep" pruning being done and then reassess it in two months to see if that was satisfactory. Commissioner Englebrecht asked if this had been brought up last month when he had not been in attendance. Commissioner Ruzicka stated yes. Director Knight stated that it had not been brought up as an agenda item but rather a request during public comments and therefore the General Services staff had remarked that they would be coming back to the Commission with a full report. Superintendent Serreno stated that he had met with residents and that they were satisfied with the process that staff would be taking and would discuss it more after it had been completed. Commissioner Garrett asked what a park enthusiast is defined as. Superintendent Serreno stated that they are referring to Dr. Vandersloot. Commissioner Garret also asked about the security and crime issues. Superintendent Serreno stated that he was made aware of it from the previous meeting but have not talked to staff but that there is one hedge in front of the trees that will be pruned down. Director Knight stated that it had been reported that there had been an increase in activity of vandalism at that park and that Park Patrol and the PD have stepped up their patrol of the area and that it seems to have lessened. Motion by Commissioner Ruzicka to approve items 1 -3 of the Consent Calendar. Motion carried by acclamation. NEW BUSINESS 4. Sunset Ridge /Cal Trans West Future Park Site - Director Knight reminded the Commission that the property at corner of PCH and Superior Ave adjacent to the Banning Ranch property is one of the last three park related projects that have been identified by the City for development. She stated that the other two Back Bay View Park and the Newport Village Park are in various stages of development and that it is now time to mover forward with this property. She stated that it is the Council's desire that the community be heavily involved in the eventual outcome of the type of park as it is zoned as open space. She stated that several months ago the City issues a RFQ was done with an emphasis on community input process. The firm selected was RJM Design Group, Inc. based on previous experience on past projects and excellent references. She stated that Bob Muting form RJM will make a brief presentation outlining the proposed community outreach plan to be used to garner input from the public on the type of park that is to be developed. She stated that the Park Development Committee has seen this presentation and felt that both the Commission and the Council should have input into this process before we proceed further. She reminded the Commission and the audience that many phone calls have been received and that tonight's discussion is only related to the process to garner input and that no discussion regarding the design of the park will take place tonight. She went on to say that extensive public noticing went out announcing this meeting and will be done again when we are ready for go forward with the Parks, Beaches it Recreation Commission Regular Meeting June 7, 2005- 7pm Page 3 community outreach meetings. She stated that Assistant City Manager Kiff and Council Member Rosansky have been working diligently because the Stated has decided to renig on the previous deal to purchase the land from Cal Trans and to lease it to the City. She went on to say that several lobbyists have been hired and received a call today indicating that it looks as though staff will be able to move forward with an arrange that will eventually allow us to purchase the land so that the property is ours versus a lease. She stated that at somewhat the original purchase price proposed. She stated that at each place an email from Dave Kiff with information on how to forward a letter to the state asking them not to go back on the deal. After the presentation by Bob Muting, Commissioner Skoro asked if dates had been selected. Director Knight stated that there will be some difficulty with logistics as a location needs to be selected that will hold at least 100 people with tables and chairs and that there are very few facilities like that and the other problem is that through July that there are General Plan visioning meetings already set up and but a definite date will not be set until RJM feels that they have all the information they need. The hope is possibly August and maybe September. The plan is to have a meeting place at the library and transport them by bus for the site visit and then back to the library for a workshop. Chair Tobin opening the public discussion Sandra Miller asked if there would be a limit on the number of people that participate in the process. Director Knight stated that during the first meeting that there would not be a limit but as you can see but at the second meeting they would not be going backwards and so any decisions that were discussed at the first would not be discussed again, but noted that as always the public is always welcome at any public meeting. Donald Richard asked for confirmation of the location of the park. Director Knight stated that it is the vacant land across Superior on the west side. Bob Leonard from Lido Sands asked for the information in Sacramento and asked for the timeframe. Director Knight stated that once a consensus is complete on the master plan and then funding for the type of park will be a issue as it could cost anywhere from 3 to 6 million dollars. Frank Jenes noted that he understood that Cal Trans owns property on both sides of Superior - a small parcel on the east side between Sunset View and the Ride Along area and a large parcel on the west side and that both sides are going to be planned for. Director Knight stated that the 14 acres and the 1.2 acres would be included in the entire process. She asked Mr. Jenes to address any additional questions to Public Works Director Steve Badum. Michael Lombardi asked what amount of weight is given to community input. Director Knight stated that the Commission would be participating as well and then on to the Council. She stated that there is always the discussion of financial constraints. Parks, Beaches l3 Recreation Commission Regular Meeting June 7, 2005- 7pm Page 4 Discussion ensued regarding the status of the purchasing of the property and the involvement of the Coastal Commission. Chair Tobin closed the public discussion 5. Naming of Park Site Located Behind the Newport Beach Central Library - Director Knight stated that the naming of the park site located behind the Newport Beach Central Library was discussed at the March 15, 2005 Park Development Committee meeting and at that time the Committee decided to obtain input from the community on the name for the park. Staff worked with the Daily Pilot on an article that ran April 5`h and also in the Newport Navigator inviting the public to submit appropriate names. She stated that four hundred and twenty -five suggestions were received, with only a handful of duplicates. The Park Development Committee met on May 17, 2005 and recommended that the Parks, Beaches £t Recreation Commission forward to City Council on June 14 the following names: Centennial Park Newport Beach Central Park Newport Central Park Commissioner Allen stated that she would be out of town on June 14 and would endorse whatever name(s) the Commission moves forward with. Commissioner Englebrecht stated that the list has no imagination and is disappointed that nothing more imaginative was given. Chair Tobin asked if he had a suggestion. Commissioner Englebrecht stated no. Director Knight stated that the Commission has the ability to add any names to the list. Commissioner Ruzicka suggested that the three go forward to Council. Discussion ensued regarding the selection on three names versus one name. Commissioner Skoro stated that it is obviously up to Council to decide on a name. Chair Tobin opened the public discussion, hearing none the discussion was closed. Motion by Commissioner Garrett to forward the Centennial Park, Newport Beach Central Park and Newport Central Park to the Council. Commissioner Englebrecht stated that he is embarrassed as a Commission to forward those names. Chair Tobin stated that there are some people here that would dispute those comments. Commissioner Englebrecht suggested sending the Council the list and let them decide. Substitute Motion by Commissioner Ruzicka to forward the three names along the entire list of 425 names to City Council for their consideration. Motion carried by the following votes: Ayes: Allen, Brown, Garrett, Ruzicka, Skoro, Tobin Parks, Beaches it Recreation Commission Regular Meeting June 7, 2005- 7pm Page 5 Noes: Englebrecht 6. Volleyball Teachine Center on the Beach between 15th l3 16th Streets - Director Knight stated That there is a recommendation before you to add 3 new sand volleyball courts between 15th @ 16th Streets off the boardwalk adjacent to the restrooms. She stated that the City has operated volleyball classes have been conducted at Corona del Mar State Beach for the past 20 years, during that time, the following issues have arisen: • The beach area is utilized more by sunbathers and results in lack of space for beach volleyball classes taking place. • Conflicts with the fire pits and beach volleyball users. The fire pits cannot be removed per Coastal Commission. • The demand for more beach volleyball classes. Classes continue to fill up to maximum and generate waitlists for those hoping to get into the class. • With the renovation of the beach in fall 2005, the ability to expand the number of courts at CDM does not exist and there is a probability that a few of the existing courts will be moved and /or removed. This proposal is to find a feasible alternative for the City volleyball classes so they can expand without impacting the beach and weekend players. She stated that this is the most logical location in looking for a wider stretch of beach and that the Recreation Activities Committee met on April 26, 2005, to discuss this issue. They voted to recommend by a 2 -1 vote to place 3 courts between 15`h and 16`h Street. For total of 6 courts to be used for teaching City run volleyball classes. She stated that there is a great interest on what will happen to the courts at the Corona del Mar State Beach but that will need to wait until October or so until those plans are complete. She stated that with the addition of these three courts that it would move all the volleyball court classes from CdM State Beach to this location. Volleyball Instructor Ron Hanks stated that he felt that this location would be a good arrangement for teaching classes although parking could become an issue; but it would open up the courts at CdM State Beach for more open play. Chair Tobin opened the public discussion The following people spoke out against the placement of the courts at 15`h Et 16`h Streets and asked staff to look at other locations and or different placement of the courts as it was too near their homes and or the boardwalk. Charles Banks Parks, Beaches Et Recreation Commission Regular Meeting June 7, 2005- 7pm Page 6 7. Betty Banks Inez Garrett Alan Garick Sharon Fritz Linda Grant Don Regan stated that he felt that this would be a good location. Chair Tobin closed the public discussion Commissioner Ruzicka asked staff to go back and work with the homeowners on different placement of the courts. Motion by Commissioner Ruzicka to place the courts at 15th it 16`h Streets but to look at a different configuration after meeting with the homeowners. Substitute motion by Commission Allen to ask staff to look at other locations and or different configurations and to bring back to the Commission. Motion carried by acclamation. Chair Tobin and Commissioners Brown and Garrett will meet at proposed location with staff and residents to discuss location and placement before the next meeting. Policy and Addendum to Field Allocation and Use Policv - Director Knight stated that on this issue the Commission is being asked to approve Revisions to the Youth Sports Commission Criteria and Responsibilities, Field Allocation ft Use Policy and Addendum to Field Allocation and Use Policy. She went on to remind the Commission that two years ago driven by the increasing requests for field resources and problems between some user groups that utilize the fields that staff worked with the Recreation Activities Committee and YSC members to create an allocation formula and polity that would assist staff in the ongoing challenge of meeting the ever- growing needs for field resources. The YSC is not an appointed group but rather one that was formed consisting of representatives from the recreational sports organizations that staff works with on a regular basis. She noted that the purpose of bringing the group together was to discuss the use, allocation, maintenance, renovation, security of the fields and the permit system. The main focus for field resources remains to those organizations that are providing activities most closely matched with the City's services and programs. The idea is that everyone plays and none are turned away unless of course we are unable to have complete teams and there is no tryout process. The current field allocation and YSC has for the most part worked well and has provided a more cooperative organization between staff and the sports organizations. She noted that staff has refined the process and in some cases added clarifying language to the policy in order to enforce it and to accommodate the growing need for fields. The main change to the policy is to the allocation percentages and have been made with a lot of input from both the public and the YSC members and the Recreation Activities Committee. There has been an increase from club level teams requesting field space and typically offer higher competition level then the YSC level and although not all some do not have a residency restriction. Although these groups make up a small percentage of the youth population playing sports overall in out fields, staff feels now that they should be made part of the allocation process and are although Parks, Beaches Et Recreation Commission Regular Meeting June 7, 2005- 7pm Page 7 they are lower in the classification ranking but in the past they were not even part of the process. A few points to remember that the need in our community for field space continues to outpace our resources and because we are dealing with changing numbers we anticipate that we will need to come back every few years to tweak the policy and adjust the numbers. And noted that staff continues to caution all the YSC organizations that the City cannot be expected to bear the entire burden of this problem and that some of the responsibilities needs to lie within the organizations to implement some registration cutoff policies so that they do not continue to sign up children and expect the City to accommodate that growing need with resources that the City does not have. Staff has spent a lot of time reviewing the policy and considering input. All YSC organizations and club teams were given the opportunity to provide input into the process and know that this policy does not satisfy everyone 100% but that it is the most fair and equitable way to handle it. Commissioner Allen stated that bottom line it is a work in progress and this is a step. Discussion ensued regarding the difference between the rental permit Chair Tobin opened the public discussion Tim Epp stated that he had believed in the past that club teams had been demonized but that now has seen the other side of that but that the underlying premise is flawed as kids are treated differently and that they should all be treated the same regardless of whether they are more talented then others and believes that the allocation needs more work and that it is not fair but that this is a work in process and believes it should be treated as such. Marlyn Howe noted that most of the 10 -15 years olds do not belong to groups that have the everyone plays philosophy, that kids play to make themselves better. She went on to say that it just does not seem fair, and that these kids should have as much access to fields as the younger ones. She went on to say that everyone should keep in mind that this policy is a work in progress and thanked staff for listening to them. Bill Howen stated that he is associated with the Stammers Football Club and that they are 110% supportive of this allocation. He stated that club kids are about 10% of the youth population and that it seems fair, Barry Zimmerman, AYSO 97 representing Region 97 stated that it is a matter of choice that kids that belong to club levels choose to do that and that AYSO 97 represent over 1000 kids and that every child only has to pay $23 for a uniform versus what club team levels must pay and $85 for the entire package and believes that those kids should have first allocation of the fields and that teams such as Slammers should be behind AYSO. Discussion ensued regarding questions made by Jeff Braun on advanced player and club team levels under the general recreation definition. Jim Percival stated that he is concerned that staff is atlowing what is called Plus Teams that are related to AYSO entities write the rules. He stated that he believes that it is not fair to dissuade children from excelling and that the distinction regarding paid trainers or not and focus on residency threshold that much could be eliminated regarding what qualifies and what does not. He asked next year for staff to look at this again regarding these definitions. Parks, Beaches Et Recreation Commission Regular Meeting June 7, 2005- 7pm Page 8 Chair Tobin closed that public discussion Motion by Commissioner Enelebrecht to approve the Revisions to the Youth Sports Commission Criteria and Responsibilities, Field Allocation Et Use Policy and Addendum to Field Allocation and Use Policy. Motion carried by acclamation. COMMITTEE REPORTS Finance - Nothing to report Park Development - Commissioner Skoro that there would be a brief park dedication at Back Bay View Park on July 9 at 9am. Rec Et 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 - Nothing to report. Special Tree Committee - Nothing to report. Youth Sports Liaison - Superintendent McGuire stated that there would be a meeting the week of July 15. - Donation - Commissioner Brown stated that they are waiting for the first meeting to be set up. Director Knight stated that they are waiting for Acting Director Pisani to get up to speed on that. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Commissioner Ruzicka asked if there was anything ever happened regarding those that had forged signatures on those petitions for tree removals in Corona del Mar. Director Knight stated that the City Attorney had reviewed that issue and has decided that they will not pursue any action. Discussion ensued regarding this subject. Commissioner Garrett stated that he would like the Commission to be education on how value is assigned to specific trees. ADJOURNMENT- 9:01 pm Submitted by: Teri Craig, Admin Assistant