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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/02/2005 - PB&R CommissionCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH Parks, Beaches 8: Recreation Commission Regular Meeting August 2, 2005- 7pm Convened 7:11 pm ROLL CALL Present: Debra Allen Tim Brown Allen Doby Bill Garrett Phillip Lugar Greg Ruzicka Val Skoro Tom Tobin Staff: Marie Knight, Recreation B Senior Services Director Mark Harmon, General Services Director Michael Pisani, Deputy General Services Director Dan Serreno, Parks & Tree Superintendent Teri Craig, Administrative Assistant Director Knight introduced new General Services Director Mark Harmon to the Commission. Director Harmon stated that he wanted to thank his team at the City of Newport Beach and noted that it was probably a well worn phrase when you say welcome to the family but in the two days that he has been in place he stated that he has truly felt like family. He went on to say that he has been fortunate enough to be asked to be the new General Services Director and that he has spent the last 10 years with the City of Claremont as the Community Services Director and noted that as that Director he was asked to do many of the things that the General Services Director does here with the exception of the beach. He stated that the beach aspect would be something new to team. Director Harmon again stated that it was truly an honor and privilege to work for the City of Newport Beach. He also noted that he has worked for the cities of Pasadena and Santa Maria and spent about 22 years in municipal service and the change here is the most exciting and looks forward to working with the directors and the Commission. PRESENTATION TO OUTGOING COMMISSIONERS Director Knight stated that the next order of business is somewhat melancholy because we have to say good -bye to someone who has been a commissioner for 8 years and has been very active. Commissioner Skoro thanked the Commission and stated that he had been so lucky to have worked with such great staff and that they deserve a raise. He stated that he has been fortunate to have worked on the development of 6 parks, with 4 of them being dedicated and working on the G -1 Policy. He stated that he will truly miss being a part of the Commission but that he would stay active. Commissioner Ruzicka stated that he would like to interject a comment and that is it is difficult to preface these comments adequately with the sincerity that they clearly deserve. He went on to say that he wished Commissioner Englebrecht were here tonight. He asked how can you characterize these two gentlemen like Val and Roy, the term gentleman is almost condescension, class, integrity, wit, dedication to cause are all clearly appropriate. He stated that what could be said except consummate gentlemen, the epitomy of class. Several years ago he stated that he had believed that term limits were a good idea but tonight he stated that he is not too sure. He noted that he believed that he spoke for the entire Commission and hopefully the entire City when he said Job Well Done with extraordinary dedication and distinction. He went on to say the he salutes Commissioners Skoro and Englebrecht on jobs well done; far beyond the call of duty. He stated that he would sincerely miss both of their cogent and salient insights on any matters in the City. Parks, Beaches ft Recreation Commission Regular Meeting August 2, 2005- 7pm Page 2 Chair Tobin stated that they are a real class act. Evelyn Hart, Liaison for the Friends of OASIS thanked Commissioner Skoro for his support of the Friends OASIS and personally for his community outreach and passion for parks. She stated that she was sorry that Commissioner Englebrecht was not here as she had thought he always worked towards setting good policy and noted that Director Knight and her staff do an excellent job. She went on to say that in the mail Commission Skoro would be receiving a membership card for the Friends of OASIS that will be good for the next two years. SEATING OF NEW COMMISSIONERS New Commissioners Doby and Lugar took their seats and gave a brief background about themselves. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Chair Tobin opened the nominations for Chair for FY 2005/06. Motion by Chair Tobin to elect Commissioner Ruzicka as Chair. Commissioner Ruzicka made a few opening comments and he stated that he would make every effort to distinguish himself as Chair. Hearing no other nominations, Chair Tobin closed the nominations for Chair Ayes: Allen, Brown, Doby, Garrett, Lugar Ruzicka, Tobin Motion carried. Chair Ruzicka opened the nominations for Vice Chair for FY 2005/06. Motion by Chair Ruzicka to elect Commissioner Garrett as Vice Chair. Hearing no other nominations, Chair Ruzicka closed the nominations for Vice Chair Ayes: Allen, Brown, Doby, Garrett, Lugar Ruzicka, Tobin DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS Director Knight stated that she had just a couple of updates regarding Sunday Funday on August 20 at Bonita Canyon Sports Park reminding the Commission that this event began with the opening of Bonita Canyon and it was so much fun that it was decided to make it an annual event. She announced that the tennis courts at Mariners Park should reopen next week and the library is of course still under construction. She invited the Commission to hear the Jumpin Jozz Band that will be playing at the OASIS Senior Center on August 14 for $3. Director Harmon stated that since it was just his second day he really did not have much to report. PUBLIC COMMENTS None CONSENT CALENDAR Parks, Beaches ii: Recreation Commission Regular Meeting August 2, 2005- 7pm Page 3 1. Minutes of the June 7, 2005 regular meeting. waive reading of subject minutes, approve as written and order filed. 2. Item pulled by Commissioner Garrett 3. Recreation Et Senior Services Activity Report. Receive /file monthly Activity Report for activities and upcoming projects. Motion by Commissioner Brown to accept items 1 and 3 of the Consent Calendar. Motion carried by acclamation 2. Park and Tree Division Activity Report. Commissioner Garrett asked staff questions regarding tree trimming at Cliff Drive Park. He stated that he was assuming that the tree trimming had met with resident's approval and asked for insight. Jan Vandersloot stated that he had looked at the trees before and after and believes that staff did a good job and hoped that it would last and that possibly there could be a couple of view blocking trees that might need attention and hoped that the residents were satisfied. Motion by Commissioner Allen to accept item 2 of the Consent Calendar. Motion carried by acclamation. NEW BUSINESS 4. Marina Park - Director Knight stated that this item is a presentation and noted that the Commission may know that there was an Ad Hoc Committee appointed to discuss future use of the Marina Park project and have been meeting for several months and some organizations including your Commission made a presentation to that Ad Hoc Committee as to their thoughts on how that land should be utilized in the future. She noted that Protect Our Parks and has asked to make a presentation to the Commission tonight and were told they could give a 5- minute presentation and entertain any questions that the Commission might ask. She stated that this is an informational report only and the Commission will not be asked for any action. Chair Ruzicka reiterated to Tom Billings that this item is limited to 5- minutes. Presentation was made by Tom Billings stating that this is normally a 30 -40 minute presentation and introduced their executive committee. He stated with Measure L defeated and that this area being designated as REOS as recreation, environmental open space and can now feel confident that it will be used as a park. He stated that the handout goes through the park requirements but gave a brief overview and noted that they had done a lot of outreach in the past 6 months and summarized three key components: 1) needs to be open to the entire community; 2) not a park for revenue it should be only about the use by the community; and 3) that it be oriented around marine recreation suited to the express needs of the people in that area. He reviewed the rendering entitled Window to the Bay and noted that it is broken into 3 zones - the right is for marine recreation - the middle is the window to bay - and the left side is called the children's zone which includes the girl scouts, playground tot lot and picnic area. Mr. Billings stated that what people wanted for the right side is access to the bay for kayaks, sailboats and canoes but not for motorized boats and in addition he stated that they had met with the Recreation Department and got some feedback on how to expand the City's sailing program. He stated that the area is being changed and would be more oriented to a floating dock and is more oriented to the City sailing program, boat storage, meeting and class rooms. So the right side incorporates a much expanded facility for City program and possibly co use Parks, Beaches It Recreation Commission Regular Meeting August 2, 2005- 7pm Page 4 by the UCI sailing center. The middle would be a window to the bay and that there would not be as many tree that are depicted in the rendering and to the left is the children's zone is a tot lot with an expanded facility for the girl scouts which they need, He stated that this is what they are all about and looking for support. Commissioner Doby asked questions about parking. Mr. Billings stated that there were 120 spaces available and then the girl scouts have their own reserved area at the end. Commissioner Garrett asked if the transient docks would be administered by the Harbor Patrol or by the City. Mr. Billings stated that it probably would be used as it is today but that it could change. Commissioner Garrett asked if the aquatic center would be similar to the Newport Aquatic Center where the public can store kayaks, etc. Mr. Billings stated that after discussion with Superintendent McGuire that it would encompass a variety of uses and that the City would work on the configuration of that area. Val Skoro stated that there should be a significant window to the bay. Director Knight stated that she is disappointed that Protect our Parks failed to recognize that there are two facilities currently operating on the Peninsula and that there are many City programs that operate out of a building on the Peninsula and would hate to see an expansion of a facility for youth from all over Orange County to the detriment of a facility that currently serves Newport Beach youth. She asked Mr. Billings that as they move forward with these presentations to please recognize the fad that there are current programs serving the youth of Newport Beach at that location and we do graciously as a City provide a home for the Girl Scouts of Orange County however she takes exception to the expansion of their facility and the elimination of a facility that serves the residents of Newport Beach. Mr. Billings stated that he agrees 100% and that they went down the wish list they tried to be everything to everybody and are now learning that they cannot be that and that the City must and should come first and apologized that they did not talk to Recreation first and that this plan is certainly subject to change. Chair Ruzicka opened the public discussion; hearing none the discussion was closed. 5. Eagle Scout Project at Irvine Terrace Park - Parks Et Tree Superintendent Sereno stated that Eagle Scout Justin Towers has done a lot of leg work on this project including meeting with the homeowner association and invited him to do a brief presentation to the Commission. Justin Towers stated that he would be building a 500 foot fence around the perimeter of Irvine Terrace Park and would be a split rail type fence. He stated that the reason for the fence is to stop cars from driving onto the grass area of the park. Mr. Towers stated that Parks staff had suggested this project to him and that it had taken him a little over a year of working on it and hoped that the Commission would support this project. Parks, Beaches Et Recreation Commission Regular Meeting August 2, 2005- 7pm Page 5 Commissioner Allen stated that she was very impressed with the outreach and commended him for that and stated that they must have been impressed that the HOA would donate but that the president donated to the project. Chair Ruzicka opened the public discussion Val Skoro stated that he is on the Irvine Terrace Board and that they had heard this presentation and had also been impressed by this young man. He stated that the fence would be built under City control and endorse the project. Chair Ruzicka closed the public discussion Motion by Commissioner Allen to approve the request by Eagle Scout Justin Towers to construct and install fence railing at Irvine Terrace Park. Motion carried by acclamation. Temporary Lights at Mariners Park - Director Knight stated that AYSO 97 has requested to use temporary lights at Mariners Park from October 1 to December 11 from dark to 8pm. She noted that this request has been made in the past and approved and that there are some restrictions on the _lighting. One of the lights would be at the existing library shining west towards the middle of the field and the other would be placed closer to the school with it shining east towards the middle of the field and no lights at any time would shine towards the homes on Mariners Drive. She noted that AYSO 97 has been very diligent in working with the neighbors to be sure that the lights are not intrusive and have accommodated those requests in the past. Commissioner Doby asked if the noise from the generators had caused any problems with the neighbors in the past. Director Knight stated that staff have not received any complaints in the past and are generally placed far enough away from the homes to not cause any problems. Chair Ruzicka opened the public discussion Jeff Braun, AYSO 97 stated that this is very important to AYSO because they are comprised of about 1800 children, 1000 of them reside in Newport Beach. He stated that they currently have access to only 3 fields, Mariners, Bob Henry and Peninsula Park and not one of those have lights. He stated that it is a virtual impossibility to accommodate those 1800 children without the use of lighting. He stated that AYSO 57 has allowed them to use Lincoln on Tuesdays and Thursday from 6 to 9pm. He stated that the purpose of having lighted fields is to allow the younger children the use during day light hours and allow the older ones to practice under lights. He noted that the schools with Measure A do not provide access to the fields to AYSO until 5:30pm and do not allow any temporary lighting. Tom Anderson and his daughter Paige spoke recommending the approval of temporary lights. Chair Tobin closed the public discussion Motion by Commissioner Doby to approve the request by AYSO 97 to use temporary lights at Mariners Park from October 1 to December 11, 2005 from dark to 8pm. Motion carried by acclamation. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting August 2, 2005- 7pm Page 6 COMMITTEE REPORTS • Finance - Nothing to report • Park Development - Commissioner Allen stated the park behind the Central Library has been named Newport Center Park and that an anonymous donor is willing to underwrite the development of that park. Sunset Ridge is still on track. • Rec fr Open Space Element - Nothing to report. o Recreation Activities - Nothing to report. o Seniors - Nothing to report Beach Activities - Commissioner Garrett asked that a meeting be set up once Director Harmon gets himself acquainted. He stated that he would like to have a discussion to consolidate some of the committees. o Ad Hoc Community Service Award - Nothing to report. Discussion ensued regarding efforts that have been made to get names but it has not been very successful. Discussion ensued regarding the possibility of expansion. Director Knight stated that the Daily Pilot has not printed press releases and that possibly the Commission could forward a letter. She stated that there is a difference for news and a call for news. Special Tree Committee - Nothing to report. Youth Sports Liaison - Nothing to report. Donation - Nothing to report. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 1. Commissioner Garrett asked that an agenda item be listed to discuss that some of the committees be consolidated or eliminated. 2. Commissioner Garrett asked for an informational report on Marina Park at next meeting 3. Director Knight stated that a status report would be given on the volleyball on the beach issue. Director Knight stated that the Recreation Department has been extremely impacted by the Centennial and are the lead department in helping to plan the activities. The Launch is October 2 at the Newport Dunes featuring the Beach Boys from 11 am to 5pm and that the final event will be October 8, 2006 ADJOURNMENT- 8:28pm Submitted by: Teri Craig, Admin Ass Cant