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Home My WebLink About02-02-2016 PBR Minutes CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting February 2, 2016 – 6:00 PM I. CONVENE MEETING OF THE PARKS BEACHES & RECREATION COMMISSION TO ORDER – 6:00 PM II. ROLL CALL Present: Walt Howald, Chair Marie Marston, Vice Chair Tom Anderson Ron Cole Roy Englebrecht Kathy Hamilton Laird Hayes Staff: Laura Detweiler, Recreation & Senior Services Director Mike Pisani, Municipal Operations Director - Maintenance Sean Levin, Recreation & Senior Services Deputy Director Dan Sereno, Landscape Manager Justin Schmillen, Recreation Manager Kevin Pekar, Landscape Supervisor Teri Craig, Administrative Support Specialist III. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CONSENT CALENDAR – Mr. Mosher voiced his concern that he is now unable to pull specific items to discuss and will only have three minutes to discuss the Consent Calendar in general unless a Commissioner has pulled an item. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Minutes of the November 3, 2015 meeting. Recommendation: Waive reading of subject minutes, approve and order filed. B. Parks and 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. D. Pulled by Commissioner Anderson E. Pulled by Commissioner Englebrecht F. Pulled by Commissioner Englebrecht Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Minutes February 2, 2016 Page 2 Motion by Vice Chair Marston, second by Commissioner Cole, to accept Consent Calendar Items No. 5A, 5B and 5C. Motion carries unanimously. D. Tree Donation - Castaways Park Recommendation: Approve tree donation by Linda Beimfohr at Castaways Park for Alan T. Beimfohr. Staff provided details of the staff report. Commissioner Anderson reported talking with the Beimfohr family and they had asked if it was a possibility to revise the plaque to read “In Loving Memory of…” rather than “In Memory of…”. He then asked staff for clarification of Council Policy B-17. Discussion ensued regarding the possibility of amending Council Policy B-17 in the future but approving the requested wording at this time. Directors Detweiler and Pisani recommended that the Commission approve the requested change and that staff will forward the amended policy language to the City Council for their review and approval during the scheduled review of all Council Policies. They noted that should the City Council deny the amendment, then staff would change the plaque back to read “In Memory of…” Chair Howald opened the public comments. Jim Mosher expressed concerns with the requested action by the Commission as it was not in compliance with Council Policy B-17. Chair Howald closed public comments. In response to questions from the Commissioners, Director Pisani clarified that item IV-F includes only a request for approval of the standard bench dedication plaque specified in Council Policy B-17, and not the one shown in the staff report. Motion by Commissioner Anderson, second by Vice Chair Marston, to approve the tree donation by Linda Beimfohr at Castaways Park with a plaque indicating “In loving memory of Alan T. Beimfohr”, with the caveat that should Council deny the amendment, then the plaque would be redone to read “In memory of Alan T. Beimfohr.” Motion carried unanimously. E. Bench Donation - Mariners Park Recommendation: Approve bench donation by Lizzy McNeill at Mariners Park for Allister McNeill. F. Bench Donation - Mariners Park Recommendation: Approve bench donation by Newport Harbor Baseball Association at Mariners Park for Zach Cornwell. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Minutes February 2, 2016 Page 3 Commissioner Englebrecht indicated he has misread the title of the aforementioned bench donations and did not have anything to discuss further. Chair Howald opened the public comments. Seeing none the public comments were closed. Motion by Commissioner Englebrecht, second by Vice Chair Marston, to approve Items IV-E and IV-F. Motion carried unanimously. V. CURRENT BUSINESS A. Drought Update - PowerPoint Presentation For Information only. Manager Sereno introduced Landscape Supervisor Kevin Pekar to the Commission, commented on his background and job history and deferred to him for a presentation. Supervisor Pekar provided details of a PowerPoint presentation to the Commission with an update regarding the current drought and the conservation efforts being taken by the City. Chair Howald opened the public comments. Jim Mosher indicated it would be interesting to know about the City’s water usage and commented on the information included in the City’s website. He alleged that the City may be disappointed with the performance of residents relative to water conservation. Chair Howald closed the public comments. Supervisor Pekar addressed the City’s water use and opportunities for water conservation. B. Follow-Up to Denial of Tree Removal Request - 901 Chestnut Place Consider staff's recommendation to deny request of Dan & Katherine Heinfeld to remove one City Eucalyptus tree at 901 Chestnut Place. Manager Sereno provided details of the staff report addressing background, the Commission’s previous consideration of the matter, and qualifications of the Arborist/Consultant, Walter Warriner. Arborist/Consultant Walter Warriner provided a brief summary of his report addressing the risk assessment process including the likelihood of failure, impacts, root conditions and trunk defects. He addressed categorizations, and findings and conclusions with respect to the subject tree. He presented recommendations including that the tree be structurally pruned to remove defective limbs, but not be Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Minutes February 2, 2016 Page 4 pruned for at least three years, and that the tree be inspected annually, to determine if there is any change in its structure. In response to Commissioner Englebrecht’s question, Manager Sereno reported that the City paid for the assessment of this tree and addressed the cost. Discussion followed regarding clarification of the recommendations, structure pruning to remove defective limbs and the extent of pruning to be done in three years. Chair Howald opened the public comments. Jim Mosher spoke in support of staff recommendations to keep the tree and commented on the risk assessment, the tree affecting the sewer system and costs associated to the Arborist travelling from Hawaii. Consultant Warriner noted that he works in both Hawaii and California. He explained why he does not feel that the subject tree will fall and addressed the direction that the tree would fall, if it were to fail. He explained that roots are not predatory and explained how they could affect the sewer system. Dan Heinfeld commented on the increased likelihood of failure and listed concerns relative to the subject tree. He addressed the beetle infestation, the fall zone of the tree, the occupancy rate of his yard and the risk rating of the tree. Mr. Heinfeld stated that he fails to understand why the City would subject him and his neighbors to this kind of a risk. Robert Montgomery commented that this tree does have some issues; but it is a beautiful tree and should not be cut down, and that the tree was there before the homeowner moved in and should remain. Consultant Warriner addressed the difference between low- and moderate-risk. He noted that there is always some level of risk for any street tree and addressed the importance of considering the likelihood of failure (imminent or probable). Chair Howald closed the public comments. Discussion followed regarding the City’s liability in terms of now having a written report that categorizes the level of risk as low and moderate and the potential for limb failure. Discussion continued regarding the report, conclusions and recommendations. Motion by Commissioner Cole, second by Commissioner Anderson, to support the staff's recommendation and the Arborist/Consultant to deny the request of Dan & Katherine Heinfeld to remove one City Eucalyptus tree at 901 Chestnut Place. Motion carries by the following roll call vote: Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Minutes February 2, 2016 Page 5 Ayes: Anderson, Cole, Hamilton, Hayes, Howald, Marston Nay: Commissioner Englebrecht C. Request by the Newport Harbor Baseball Association (NHBA) to Install One Bullpen at Mariners Park on Baseball Field #1. That the PB&R Commission consider staff’s recommendation to approve the request by Newport Harbor Baseball Association (NHBA) to install one (1) bullpen at Mariners Park on baseball field #1, a dedicatory plaque donated by NHBA consistent with Council Policy B-17, and waive the 10% maintenance fee for the bullpen area. Installation would be contingent upon NHBA obtaining all necessary City of Newport Beach Community Development Department permits prior to construction. Manager Justin Schmillen provided details of the staff report. He addressed the NHBA, details of their proposal and the proposed plaque. . Jim Stowell commented on the NHBA’s experience in the City and their proposed investment. He provided suggested language for a memorial plaque. Commission Members commented on the contributions of the Cornwell Family to the Newport Beach community. Discussion followed regarding location of the plaque. Chair Howald opened the public comments. Jim Mosher commented on the proposed project and Council’s policy relative to donations, use of the facility by other organizations and construction approval and compliance with the City’s Building Code. Jim Stowell stated the fencing of the proposed project would extend only 50 feet from the existing backstop and would give room for through traffic and other park activities. He also stated that the organization is currently using temporary fencing, but it is not safe or stable. Chair Howald closed the public comments. Motion by Commissioner Anderson, second by Commissioner Hayes, to approve the request by Newport Harbor Baseball Association (NHBA) to install one (1) bullpen at Mariners Park on baseball field #1, a dedicatory plaque donated by NHBA consistent with Council Policy B-17, and waive the 10% maintenance fee for the bullpen area. Installation would be contingent upon NHBA obtaining all necessary City of Newport Beach Community Development Department permits prior to construction. Motion carries unanimously. VI. ANNOUCEMENTS / FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Minutes February 2, 2016 Page 6 PB&R Commission / staff announcements / Ad Hoc Committee updates or matters which members would like placed on a future agenda for discussion, action or report (non-discussion item). Director Detweiler announced the recent Grand Opening of Marina Park as well as upcoming events. Additionally, she commented on a new home improvement program for seniors (SHARP), and an upcoming speed-dating event for seniors. Director Pisani provided an update on Poppy Avenue trees and addressed the review schedule for the project. Manager Sereno provided a brief update of City trees recently affected by strong winds and staff cleanup efforts. VII. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Jim Mosher commented on Eucalyptus trees still standing along the bike trail, the blackball issue and the Harbor Commission’s establishment of goals and objectives. VIII. ADJOURNMENT – 8: 10 PM Submitted by: ________ Teri Craig, Admin Assistant Approved by: _____ Walt Howald, Chair gxÜ| VÜt|z jtÄà [ÉãtÄw