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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/02/2012 - PB&R CommissionCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting October 2, 2012 — 6pm 1) CALL MEETING TO ORDER — 6:oo p.m. 2) ROLL CALL Present: Kathy Hamilton, Chair Tom Anderson, Vice Chair Ron Cole Roy Englebrecht Phillip Lugar Marie Marston Jack Tingley Staff: Laura Detweiler, Recreation and Senior Services Director Mark Harmon, Municipal Operations Director Sean Levin, Recreation Superintendent Sonia Villalvazo, Department Assistant 3) NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC 4) CONSENT CALENDAR A. Minutes of the September 4, 2012 regular meeting. Recommendation: Waive reading of subject minutes, approve and order filed. B. Parks & Operations Division Activity Report. Recommendation: Receive /file monthly Activity Reportfor activities and upcoming projects. C. Recreation & Seniors Services Activity Report. Recommendation: Receive /file monthly Activity Reportfor activities and upcoming projects. Motion by Commissioner Marston, to approve the Consent Calendar, as presented. Motion carried by acclamation. g) CURRENT BUSINESS A. Proposed Community Emergency Preparedness Supply Storage Container within Irvine Terrace Park Superintendent Levin presented details of the report including background and previous meetings and addressed the need for an encroachment permit to allow Irvine Terrace Community Association to install a Community Emergency Preparedness Supply Storage Container within Irvine Terrace Park. Because the recommended location is a park, the item is being presented to the Commission for review and consideration. He noted that this request is unique in that the Irvine Terrace Community Association has no place to install the proposed container within their property and the ability to place the container in a nondescript area with no impact to views or open space. Discussion followed regarding the proposed location for the container, whether the container will be higher than the wall. Superintendent Levin affirmed that it will be higher than the wall but stated there are trees that will screen the container. Ensuing discussion pertained to vehicular and pedestrian access to the container, the size of the container and security. Discussion followed regarding the possibility of screening the container, like similar containers within the City and efforts to shield the container from view from Pacific Coast Highway. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission October 2, 2012 Page 2 In response to an inquiry from Commissioner Marston regarding the agreement, Senior Civil Engineer Dave Keely reported that the agreement will last as long as the City is willing to allow the container and that the City may terminate it at any time. Discussion followed regarding the responsibility for maintaining the container and whether the HOA will pay for the trees to screen the container, if necessary. Director Harmon reported that he would commit to meet with staff and the HOA to determine the type of screening necessary. HOA representative Brian Jones committed to pay for any landscaping deemed necessary to screen the container. Mr. Jones stated that the Fire Department will have access to the container. Commissioner Lugar noted the need to screen the container since it would be viewed from Pacific Coast Highway. Chair Hamilton opened the public discussion. Jim Mosher commented on the conditions set by the HOA within the agreement and the design of the wall. Chair Hamilton closed the public discussion. Motion by Commissioner Englebrecht, to forward their recommendation of an encroachment permit to allow Irvine Terrace Community Association to install a Community Emergency Preparedness Supply Storage Container within Irvine Terrace Park to the City Council. Motion carried by acclamation. B. Special Tree Removal — 320 Evening Canyon Road Staff presented details of the report noting that the recommendation to remove two Special City Trees because of the severe decay and safety concerns. City Arborists reviewed the condition of the trees and recommend removal. They will be replaced with the same types of trees and staff will act to mitigate the potential wide crawl of the trees. Staff noted that the Coral trees are prunned every year to eliminate limb failure. Discussion followed regarding the rate of growth of the specific type of tree and removal of root structures. Chair Hamilton opened the public discussion. Jim Mosher suggested that cost consideration be given in the future regarding the selection of appropriate trees. Chair Hamilton closed the public discussion. Motion by Commissioner Lugar to recommend removal of two Special City Trees — City Erythrina caffra (Kaffirboom Coral) located adjacent to 32o Evening Canyon Road. Motion carried by acclamation. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission October 2, 2012 Page 3 6) AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION, ACTION OR REPORT (NON - DISCUSSION ITEM) Commissioner Anderson commented on the progression of the Irvine Avenue project and wondered regarding the status of the proposed palm trees. Director Harmon provided an update of the project and reported that staff is waiting on delivery of the date palm trees. Shrubs will be installed next week and staff anticipates completion of the project in mid- November. In response to Commissioner Tingley's inquiry regarding possible educational opportunities with the nearby school, Director Harmon affirmed that staff will be committed to talk about the project with the school. 7) PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON - AGENDA ITEMS Jim Mosher commented on parkways and right -of -ways along public streets noting that often political signs are placed there. He expressed concerns regarding the proliferation of political signs and questioned the City's policies on allowing these on parkways. Director Harmon reported that it is illegal, at any time, in the City of Newport Beach to place signs on public parkways, but that the City of Costa Mesa allows them. Discussion followed regarding the property line between Costa Mesa and Newport Beach and removal of signs after the election season is over. Director Harmon reported that candidates are responsible for removing signs within a certain amount of time after the election. In response to an inquiry from Commissioner Lugar, Mr. Mosher provided the location of the signs observed. Discussion followed regarding enforcement of the sign ordinance and removal of signs. Bruce Hensley requested that the Commission consider discussing removal of the time limitations of play on the volleyball court at China Cove Beach. He stated that the reason cited was because the beach is too crowded and asserted that it is not the case. Art Kish Costa Mesa, spoke in support of Mr. Henley's request and noted that volleyball players strive to be cooperative and inclusive. Sandy McDougal spoke in support of the previous speakers stating that the beach should be used as other public beaches in Newport Beach and asked that the restrictions on allowable play times be rescinded. Steve Vrebalovich spoke in support of lifting the prohibited hours of play so that players may use the courts during daylight hours. He noted that the information used to develop the restrictions is dated and that the beach is not crowded during the hours of ii:oo a.m. to 3:00 p.m. He felt that when new information is available, it is appropriate to reconsider the matter and asked that the Commission place the matter on a future agenda. He reported speaking with Superintendent Levin regarding complaints from residents relative to the use of the courts and was informed that there have been no complaints in the last two years. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission October 2, 2012 Page 4 Dan Purcell reported that the beach has become a nicer area, stated that there are adequate volleyball facilities in the City and suggested new locations for volleyball courts. He opined that volleyball players can be intimidating to others and that other locations can be found for volleyball and he would be in favor of its removal. It was noted that for the Commission to discuss the item, it must be placed on a future agenda. A straw vote of Commissioners resulted in a vote of 4 — 3 against placing the matter on a future agenda. The item will not be placed on a future agenda. 8) ADJOURNMENT — 6:49pm Submitted by: Department Assistant Approved by: Othv Hal ' ton, Chair