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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-01-2015 PBR Minutes CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting September 1, 2015 – 6:00 PM 1) CONVENE MEETING OF THE PARKS BEACHES & RECREATION COMMISSION TO ORDER – 6:02 PM 2) ROLL CALL Present: Ron Cole, Chair Roy Englebrecht, Vice Chair (Absent/Excused) Tom Anderson Kathy Hamilton Laird Hayes Walt Howald (Absent/Excused) Marie Marston Staff: Dave Kiff, City Manager Laura Detweiler, Recreation & Senior Services Director Mike Pisani, Municipal Operations Director Dan Sereno, Landscape Manager Justin Schmillen, Recreation Manager Teri Craig, Administrative Support Specialist 3) ELECTION OF OFFICERS Administrative Support Specialist Teri Craig, acting as Secretary, read instructions to the Commission with details for the election of Chair and Vice Chair. She declared the position of Chair to the PB&R Commission for FY 2015/2016 and called for nominations. Commissioner Marston nominated Commissioner Howald. Commissioner Anderson nominated Vice Chair Englebrecht. Motion by Chair Cole, second by Commissioner Anderson to close nominations. Motion carries unanimously with Commissioner Howald and Vice Chair Englebrecht, absent. Chair Cole opened public comments. Seeing none, the public comments period was closed. Secretary Craig read off the written votes as follows: Commissioner Anderson voted for Vice Chair Englebrecht. Commissioner Hamilton voted for Commissioner Howald. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Minutes September 1, 2015 Page 2 Commissioner Hayes voted for Commissioner Howald. Commissioner Marston voted for Commissioner Howald. Chair Cole voted for Commissioner Howald. Secretary Craig stated that Commissioner Howald was the new Chair for the FY 2015/2016 PB&R Commission by a vote of 4 to 1. Chair Cole opened nominations for Vice Chair of the PB&R Commission for FY 2015/2016. Commissioner Hamilton nominated Commissioner Marston. Commissioner Anderson nominated Commissioner Hayes. Motion by Commissioner Anderson, second by Commissioner Hayes to close nominations. Motion carries unanimously with Commissioner Howald and Vice Chair Englebrecht, absent. Chair Cole opened public comments. Seeing none, the public comments period was closed. Secretary Craig read off the written votes as follows: Commissioner Anderson voted for Commissioner Hayes. Commissioner Marston voted for Commissioner Marston. Commissioner Cole voted for Commissioner Marston. Commissioner Hamilton voted for Commissioner Marston. Commissioner Hayes voted for Commissioner Marston. Secretary Craig congratulated Commissioner Marston as the new Vice Chair for the FY 2015/2016 PB&R Commission by a vote of 4 to 1. Commissioner Cole asked to have the seating of Commissioners included in the October PB&R Commission agenda. Vice Chair Marston took over the gavel for the rest of the meeting. 4) NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC 5) CONSENT CALENDAR A. Minutes of the August 4, 2015 meeting. Recommendation: Waive reading of subject minutes, approve and order filed. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Minutes September 1, 2015 Page 3 B. Parks & Operations Division Activity Report. Recommendation: Receive/file Activity Report. C. Recreation & Seniors Services Activity Report. Recommendation: Receive/file Activity Report of past and upcoming projects and events. Vice Chair Marston opened public comments. Jim Mosher stated that he submitted corrections to the minutes of August 4, 2015, in writing before the meeting. Vice Chair Marston closed public comments. Motion by Commissioner Anderson, second by Commissioner Hayes to amend the Minutes of August 4, 2015 as discussed and accept Consent Calendar items 5B-5C. Motion carries unanimously with Chair Howald and Commissioner Englebrecht, absent. 6) CURRENT / NEW BUSINESS – Staff Report A. Proposed Conceptual Plan for Permanent Pickleball Courts at Bonita Canyon Sports Park West/Field 6 Recommendation: Review and provide feedback on the proposed conceptual plan for four permanent pickleball courts at Bonita Canyon Sports Park West/Field 6. - Recommend conceptual plan and consideration of 2016/17 CIP funding allocation to City Council to complete permanent pickleball courts at Bonita Canyon Sports Park West/Field. Recreation Manager Justin Schmillen provided details of the report addressing background, prior Commissioner consideration and actions, volunteers, schedules, average attendance over the last year, demonstrations, quarterly tournaments, classes, other interests expressed by players, rationale for choosing San Joaquin tennis courts for striping, challenges with dual striping and noise and staff actions to address them, parking, exploration of alternative sites, and benefits and impacts relative to Bonita Canyon Sports Park West/Field 6, areas from which residents participate, other sites where Pickleball is played, and staff recommendations. Discussion followed regarding low-noise balls, paddles that help mitigate noise, surface material and volunteers. Recreation Manager Schmillen reported that no negative comments were received from nearby residents of Bonita Canyon Sports Park and that AYSO Region 57 who uses the adjacent soccer fields is in support of the conceptual plan and location. He added that drop-in outdoor play is free, at this time at the San Joaquin courts . Vice Chair Marston opened public comments. Jim Whistler invited Members of the Commission to see residents play and join in the game. He spoke in support of the sport and thanked the City for its support and Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Minutes September 1, 2015 Page 4 Recreation Manager Schmillen for his work as well as Mr. Ken Krum. He addressed the benefits of Pickleball, the number of active players, accommodating different skill levels, and the lack of court space. He encouraged the Commission to consider building at least six to eight courts, at the proposed location and that they are laid out to provide maximum, future growth. Linda King spoke regarding noise mitigation and noted they are playing with a softer ball and that a softer paddle will be developed quickly. She suggested creating a sound- proofing barrier on three sides of the courts and building additional courts to support the community's needs. Ken Krum thanked the Commission and the City for its support, and spoke on available resources. He expressed concerns regarding the future of Pickleball and addressed sound mitigation, the number of Pickleball players in the U.S., consideration of building a total of 12 courts, and suggested a layout of same. In addition, he spoke in support of increasing the number of courts. Jim Mosher spoke in support of maintaining the current park open space and questioned noticing for this item. Additionally, he referenced the proposed budget for this noting that it is a substantial investment and that in his opinion that the majority of Newport Beach residents will probably never play Pickleball. He hoped that the Commission will keep the budget in mind as it makes its recommendations to Council. Joan Kay asked the Commission to continue the forward planning done in the City and consider the needs two- and five-years from now adding that the City needs more than four courts. Diane Anmerscott, USAPA Ambassador for Huntington Beach, reported there are approximately 200 people playing Pickleball, per week, who are primarily, seniors. She addressed increased marketing and that Pickleball will grow, exponentially, in years to come. She spoke in support of increasing the number of courts and added that the sport is taught in local high schools in Huntington Beach. Bob Mulvihill spoke in support of Pickleball and reported there is no place in the City where one could drop in and play. He commented on the popularity of tournaments and suggested the need for at least, twelve courts in the City. Jerry Dreyfuss commented on the growing popularity of Pickleball. Vice Chair Marston closed public comments. Discussion followed regarding the suitability of the location of the proposed courts and whether additional courts could be built, other sites considered for future courts, impacts of adding courts, possible noise studies and noise mitigation, parking, avoiding encroaching on AYSO soccer fields, utilization of tennis courts, peak usage, and opportunities to be more strategic in terms of programming. Ensuing discussion followed regarding other cities that program Pickleball and whether Newport Beach Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Minutes September 1, 2015 Page 5 residents use those facilities and returning the courts at San Joaquin Hills into strictly, tennis courts. Discussion continued regarding tournaments, the City being pro-Pickleball, balancing the needs of different people, costs and the possibility of converting basketball courts to Pickleball courts. Additionally, discussion followed regarding continuing to promote drop-in play, courts at Newport Coast, youth offerings and the possibility of working with the school district to explore using school courts. Director Detweiler addressed next steps which includes City Council’s consideration of funding in the 2016/17 CIP process to design and construct the courts. Recreation Manager Schmillen identified the boundaries and opportunities for additional fees. Director Detweiler commented on the grading needed to accommodate additional courts and the lack of parking to support more than four courts. Motion by Commissioner Anderson, second by Commissioner Cole to recommend forwarding the conceptual design and the consideration of FY2016/17 CIP funding allocation to City Council to complete permanent pickleball courts at Bonita Canyon Sports Park West/Field. Motion carries unanimously with Chair Howald and Commissioner Englebrecht, absent. Recreation & Senior Services Director Detweiler and Recreation Manager Schmillen thanked the community, volunteers and staff for their support of Pickleball. B. Reforestation Request – 204 Tustin Avenue Recommendation: Consider reforestation request of Robert & Sini Corbin of 16 Queen Palm trees located at 204 Tustin Avenue due to view obstructions. The species and number of replacement tree(s) are yet to be determined. Landscape Manager Dan Sereno provided a brief staff report. He addressed background, prior Commission consideration and discussion, results of an informal survey of neighbors and species and number of replacement trees. Discussion followed regarding the maximum height of the proposed replacement trees, and potential replacement trees.   Vice Chair Marston opened public comments. Robert Corbin commented on the importance of views to community members and on impacts to property values. He thanked staff and the Commission for their support and to Bob and Carol Clark for helping to collect resident signatures. Robert Clark commented on results of the neighborhood survey noting that the majority of neighbors were in favor of the project. He thanked the Commission and staff for their consideration. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Minutes September 1, 2015 Page 6 Howard Tolo felt that the proposed size of replacement trees are too large for that area. He noted that tree trimming and tree maturity are different things and expressed concerns with their size at maturity and during trimming. He expressed concerns regarding the obstruction of views. Vice Chair Marston closed public comments. Motion by Commissioner Hamilton, second by Commissioner Hayes to accept staff recommendations on the request of Robert & Sini Corbin of 16 Queen Palm trees located at 204 Tustin Avenue due to view obstructions. Motion carries unanimously with Chair Howald and Commissioner Englebrecht, absent. 7) PARKS, BEACHES & RECREATION COMMISSION / STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS, AD HOC UPDATES OR MATTERS WHICH MEMBERS WOULD LIKE PLACED ON A FUTURE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION, ACTION OR REPORT (NON-DISCUSSION ITEM) Director Detweiler provided updates and information on related programs and classes. She stated she would be happy to arrange for a tour of Marina Park to any Commissioner interested. She addressed new sculptures at the Sculpture Garden and the Arts on the Green exhibition. City Manager Dave Kiff reported that he had approved the removal of trees on Poppy Avenue. He added that residents on Poppy will be notified and addressed the number of trees to be removed and/or replaced. 8) PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Jim Mosher commented on the matter of dog parks and their use. 9) ADJOURNMENT – 7:47 PM Submitted by: ________ Teri Craig, Admin Assistant Approved by: _____ Marie Marston, Vice Chair Teri Craig Marie Marston