Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/02/2006 - PB&R CommissionMAY 2, 2oo6 APPROVED PB &R COMMISSION MINUTES CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH Parks, Beaches Et Recreation Commission Regular Meeting May 2, 2006 - 7pm Convened 7:11pm ROLL CALL Present: Debra Allen Tim Brown Allen Doby Bill Garrett Phillip Lugar Tom Tobin Absent: Greg Ruzicka Staff: Mark Harmon, General Services Director Dan Sereno, Parks ft Tree Superintendent Andrea McGuire, Recreation Superintendent Celeste Jardine -Haug- Senior Services Manager Teri Craig, Administrative Assistant COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD The OASIS Senior Center front office volunteers were presented with a plaque and certificates Millie McGinley Holly Wall Ruby Suikki Elaine Nelson Mary Young Dottie Quay Terry Eagan Mary Shoemacher Vinnie Listman Pat Troutman Sue Caraco Vinnie Listman Pam Clauson Harriet Rouseau DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS Director Knight thanked Chair Ruzicka for his participation at the Spring Egg Hunt which had over 3000 in attendance; and reminded the Commission of the 25`h Annual CdM 5K on June 3. Director Knight also noted that before the end of the meeting that they would need to discuss the date for the July meeting as it falls on Independence Day. Director Harmon stated that Council Policy B -17 had gone to Council and that they had asked for some minor changes to be made and would go again at May 9h Council meeting. He also noted that the DeAnza Tree Reforestation issue would be carried until the next Commission meeting as the HOA would be discussing the issue this month. Superintendent Serreno announced that the City of Newport Beach had been named Tree City USA for the 16`h consecutive year and given the Tree City Growth Award for the 11 th consecutive year. PUBLIC COMMENTS None CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes of the April 4, 2006 regular meeting. Director Garrett asked that the appointment of the Budget Committee be included in the April minutes. 2. Park and Operation Division Activity Report. Receive /file monthly Activity Report for activities and upcoming projects. 3. Recreation It Senior Services Activity Report. Receive /file monthly Activity Report for activities and upcoming projects. Parks, Beaches £t Recreation Commission Regular Meeting May 2, 2006 - 7pm Page 2 Motion by Commissioner Allen to accept items 2 -3 and item 1 as amended of the Consent Calendar. Motion carried by acclamation. OLD BUSINESS 4. Volleyball Court Placement at CdM State Beach - Commissioner Brown stated that this item had begun to be discussed in January and remarked that in the two years that he had been on the Commission that he had spent as much time on any other issue. He stated that this issue began with a public hearing in January devoted to the location of the volleyball courts and was well attended and believed that everyone was afforded the opportunity to speak. He went on to say that a number of issues that were brought up and at that night five layouts were presented and came away with all being rejected and with a couple of new ideas. Commissioner Brown stated that a new placement plan was formulated and that he and the Recreation Committee met with several groups at the beach. He stated that the one thing that came through was that it was important to cluster the courts and having five courts at the end of the beach was very important. He also noted that they tried to consider beach visitors as well it was decided that the space between court 5 and court 6 is an area where access to the beach was needed and the one thing that was pointed out by staff again and again is that there are people that would also Like to use the courts as well that are not are not part of a group but are at the beach to enjoy the day and that the court up by the fire pits would be for family use. He stated that he was confident that Exhibit B was the most appropriate Layout for the courts. Director Knight stated that an asphalt sidewalk out to the beach would be constructed for ADA accessibility to the beach and that it would be located near the handicapped parking. She also noted that after discussion with the lifeguards the tower could be moved forward a little further and that some fire pits could be moved around. She also stressed that until the construction fences come down that the courts might need to be moved around a little bit and that there would be at least 85 feet between the volleyball courts and the fire pits. Commissioner Doby noted his concern about only having one court at a location for the public use. Director Knight stated that in time they might be able to add one more. Commissioner Lugar stated that it seemed that Exhibit B fit the need for all. Vice Chair Garrett opened the item for public discussion The following people spoke in support of Exhibit B with a few minor adjustments: Courtney Watson distributed a slightly altered plan of Exhibit B and noted that by tilting the courts that another could be added and that by having a court by itself would not be conducive for use and suggested that it be moved but loved having the four courts together. Tracy Raszewski - appreciates all the time spent and urged that the Commission approve that plan that Ms. Wilson had distributed. Bill Thomas stated suggested a little movement of the court and asked if there was a little flexibility with the layout once the beach was complete and also agreed with the slightly altered plan offered. Parks, Beaches it Recreation Commission Regular Meeting May 2, 2006 - 7pm Page 3 Ben Koontz thanked the Commission and believed that the layout is so close and that they could probably live with it like it is but wanted to know if there would be enough sand and noted that the Lone court would not be usable because of its location to the fire pits. Council Member Nichols stated that he had some ideas for some funds for additional sand at China Cove and questioned Director Harmon on the handicapped access and made some other suggestions. Director Harmon stated the he believed that Council Member Nichols idea is not the intent of what handicapped access is. Council Member Nichols stated that this sidewalk would ruin the beach. Director Knight stated that this is an ADA issue and that we are probably bound by the ADA Act to provide access. Council Member Nichols stated that the sidewalk could be at the other end as well. Director Knight stated that she believed that we would be frowned upon if the sidewalk was placed away from the amenities provided at the beach such as the restrooms, etc. Virginia Stockwell supported the altered plan provided to the Commission. Liz Ogden stated that she believed that the Coastal Commission did not approve the lifeguard parking and that the site plan would need to be amended and approved by the Coastal Commission again. Director Knight stated that the area Ms. Ogden is talking about is denoted as lifeguard parking and that it is open for access and is the entry to the garage and is not a parking area but must remain open. Matt Cox stated that he believed that this plan is a trial by error and that everything could be moved easily in the future. Brian Holba stated that sometimes in life you take 90% of what you want and suggested that the alternate plan be approved. Carrie Evans appreciated the walkway down to the beach and recommended the alternate plan. Frank Medio stated that he believed that this is a good solution and suggested that the sand at the last court needs to be Leveled. Don Regan stated that he supported the alternate plan as provided. Bruce Colbert stated he urged the approval of the "balanced" Exhibit B - and that by using this plan courts would be located at least 150 feet away from the fire pits. Carl Nelson stated that he believed that one of the courts could be moved around as everything is used. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting May 2, 2006 - 7pm Page 4 Vice Chair Garrett closed the public discussion Commissioner Allen asked questions about the sand from the redevelopment area. Director Knight stated that she had talked to Tom Rossmiller and that it would take about a year at cost of $200,000 Director Harmon stated that new sand will be brought in at the end of construction and that the bushes have been trimmed and that anymore would kill them. Commissioner Brown stated that he believed Exhibit B was predicated that there are more people that use the beach then just the volleyball players but would support adding another court. Commissioner Tobin stated that if there are changes to be made they can be made later; lets see how it works. He urged approval of Exhibit B. Commissioner Allen stated that she could approve Exhibit B with the caveat of adding another court. Vice Chair Garrett moved that Exhibit B be approved with an additional court being added to court #11. Motion carried by acclamation. NEW BUSINESS 5. Shade Structures at Bonita Canyon Sports Park - Director Knight stated that staff wanted to bring this to the Commission for a little bit of an update and information because many of the commissioners had been involved in the Bonita Canyon Sports Park (BCSP) and the opening and staff have been working for the last several years with the Youth Sports Groups (YSG) since the opening on some improvements. She stated that some storage sheds were placed out there for the YSG to have extra storage. Because this project took such a long time to complete there was dollars that were saved up and the restriction on those dollars is that they have to be used at the BCSP. She went on to say that one of the things that staff continues to hear is that shade is needed. Although a thousand trees were planted at the park but it will take some time before they can offer the shade that is needed. Director Knight stated that staff proposes that the shade structures be placed over all the bleachers at fields 1 -4 and three picnic areas. She noted that the YSG are ecstatic about them and that staff would like to with the Commission's blessing forward the request to Council at their next meeting. She stated that after the approval from Council that it would take about 6 weeks to install them at that they should be in place before the hot summer months. Commissioner Tobin stated that he had taken a look at this and noted that he goes to a lot of sporting events and if people can tough it out and sit in sun and wear a hat with a little sunscreen. He went on to say that we don't have luxury boxes at the City athletic fields and believes that the shade structures are a little too posh for him and that it is the epitome of throwing money down a rat hole and that he cannot believe that an expenditure like this would be approved and that there must be other ways that we can use that money. He went on to say that it could be used to pay off the bond issue would be an idea. Director Knight stated that unfortunately the dollars can only be used for improvements at BCSP Parks, Beaches li Recreation Commission Regular Meeting May 2, 2006 - 7pm Page 5 Commissioner Tobin stated that he had seen the options and he would put the money back in the pot of pay off the bond and that again the structures are too posh and refurbishing the shade structures in the future will be an issue especially with the seagulls that the color will change to tan, green and white. Again he noted that it is quite an expenditure and believes that this is pushing it too far and asked if this would be done at other parks to keep people out of the sun. Commissioner Allen stated no - just on her side of the bay because they are very posh. Commissioner Tobin stated that he does not cross the PCH. Vice Chair Garrett stated that he is confused about exactly what staff is asking for. He went on to ask if staff is looking for a recommendation to forward to Council or Director Knight stated that staff is looking for input before the item is forwarded to Council. Vice Chair Garrett asked if this item needs to be voted on? Director Knight stated that it is an information item and as an information item it does not need a vote of approval but staff is looking for the commission's input and if it is felt that this is something that funds should not be spent on or if it is fine; or you don't like to color; they shouldn't be over the picnic area, etc. - that is what we are looking for. Commissioner Allen stated that while she appreciates that the item was brought forward to the Commission because it is helpful for the Commission to know this type of information before it goes to Council. She went on to say that she believes that it is a little posh but that she likes that. Commissioner Tobin asked if she had seen the park. He asked if when going to football games at the coliseum that they should be placing all games in the shade or the Rose Bowl and again he stated that this expenditure is pushing it and that it is a great idea to keep the little folk out of the sun but $60,000 is too much. Vice Chair Garrett stated that he in inclined to agree with Commission Tobin and that it seems to be extravagant and from a business stand point what is the return on investment on this - although it does not need to be because it is a City entity but for the money he cannot see the value in it and does not believe that he could reasonable recommend this to Council and went on to say that he might be embarrassed that his name is attached to this expenditure. Director Knight stated that as far as a return on investment it just improves the park and that is the return and that this park is highly used and it is non stop and that if we did not have to take the park out of circulation for field maintenance to reseed that it would be used 24/7. She went on to say that again we have a very active YSG on a regular basis and that they have invested a lot of dollars into this park as well and it is just not the City maintaining all the sports fields that the YSG put hundred of thousands of dollars into the fields and as an investment back to them and they are requesting shade and that this not just over the sports fields but also the picnic tables as well and we do not have a covered picnic shelter at this park and we get request from all those that request to reserve a picnic area where in other parks we do have covered areas. Parks, Beaches IY Recreation Commission Regular Meeting May 2, 2006 - 7pm Page 6 Director Knight stated that she believes that this is a nice amenity — extravagant or posh — it is not uncommon in a lot of the new sports parks to have a shaded area. Commissioner Lugar stated that he agrees with Commission Tobin and Vice Chair Garrett on this and that they look great but that the dollars could be better spent in other places. He stated that he attends sports events all the time and that he expects to bring his own shade. No other comments were given. COMMITTEE REPORTS - Park Development - Nothing to report. Recreation Activities - Director Knight stated that within the next couple of weeks staff will be receiving information gathered from the public regarding embarking on a capital campaign to rebuild the Senior Center. Ad Hoc Committees: Youth Sports - Director Knight stated that the next meeting was scheduled for June 21 at 5pm. o Community Service Award - Nothing to report o Budget - Nothing to report. Discussion ensued regarding July 4th meeting - staff will contact Commission with alternative dates. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Bike Trails ADJOURNMENT- 8:29pm Submitted by: Teri Craig, Admin As istant