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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/15/1971Roll Call MINUTES ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA September 15, 1971 - 7:30 P. M. City Hall Present: Emmons Blake, John C. Brown, Myron Graham, T. Keith Gurnee, Kenneth E. Schwartz Park and Recreation Commission Present: D. Van Harreveld, James Douglas, Robert Janssen, Jean Ferrini, Marion Sinsheimer, James Webb Absent: Wes Conner City Staff Present: R. D. Miller, Administrative Officer; W. Flory, Park and Recreation Director; Jim Stocton, Park and Recreation Supervisor; Lane Wilson, Park Forman; Joyce Levin, Recreation Supervisor. At the request of Mayor Schwartz, D. Van Harreveld opened the meeting with an introductory statement of plans for expansion and improvement of the City's park and recreational program. He then asked Mr. Flory to describe those plans. W. Flory, Director of Parks and Recreation, outlined his long -range plans for recreation and included the recreation supervisor's proposed expanded program for the immediate future. This would, of course, involve the addition of personnel and additional expense. He stated the only full- time person to be added in the near future should be a full -time secretary in place of the part -time one at present. He outlined the park needs of the community including the necessity for maintenance of Mission Plaza, Meadow Park and the baseball park. In the course of his remarks, he questioned free swimming programs as had been proposed by the Council stating he knew of no other community which did this. Councilman Graham questioned whether it would be possible to raise the 204 tax levy and asked if this would be the answer or if some other alternative would serve. R. D. Miller, Administrative Officer, pointed out that in many other communities the school districts contributed substantial amounts of money to off -set City payroll for recreation purposes. The possibility of a utility users tax was also mentioned with part of the proceeds going to the recreational program. Mayor Schwartz presented several remarks on the subject. He stated that there were an infinite number of choices starting with doing nothing in the recreational field and going to a very sophisticated City program. The City Council had of course, rejected the idea of doing nothing. They might now discuss how far to go and how to finance the agreed upon program. Mayor Schwartz stated this was a critical time in the growth of the com- munity and a good time to talk about ultimate plans. He asked the Council and Commission to consider the meaning of recreation, does it mean parks or does it mean activities such as an organized athletic program? He mentioned passive forms of recreation and introduced the concept of "the recreational unit" and where it should be centered. 1 1 City Council Minutes September 15, 1971 Page 2 Mayor Schwartz felt a recreational program involved five elements all of which would cost money: land, physical facilities, personnel, maintenance, and ordinance and /or policies. He stated that the Council should decide whether they wanted a series of parks in the City or a City within a park. Another question raised was that of the City obtaining fee title or using other methods of obtaining property including dedication by sub- dividers, acquisition of scenic easements, tax relief to cooperative land ' owners, etc. In summarizing this portion of hi-s remarks, Mayor Schwartz said we should talk about basic philosophies before formulating a program. Councilman Blake asked about the feasibility of separating the park and recreation programs. W. Flory, Park and Recreation Director, stated this but had returned to a combined operation. there was often a manager coordinating the two lined his concept of basic recreation units st plan areas, then going to play fields and then as swimming pools and golf courses. that some cities had tried Even in the large cities functions. He then out - 3rting with neighborhood specialized facilities such R. D. Miller, Administrative Officer, stated one of the basic future needs was to gain necessary.staf.f to maintain new areas such as Mission Plaza, Meadow Park and the baseball field. He stated that he felt thses should be maintained in a meticulous manner so as to be a credit to the community. D. Van Harreveld "stated the prime purpose of any program should be to help the kids now while they need it and while they're still kids. He felt_ that "program" should be emphasized rather than acquisition of additional land and facilities. Mayor Schwartz asked the Council for its thoughts on the matter. 1 Councilman Brown felt that the recreation people should come up with their recommendations on priorities and it should be up to the Council to get the money. Councilman Gurnee felt the City had enough facilities but needed an expan- ded program. He felt the upcoming meeting with Simon Eisner, planning consultant, should be helpful. Councilman Blake felt the Council shared the frustration of the Park and Recreation Commission in not being able to finance an adequate program. He felt the Capital Improvement Program was very significant and was working well. He further stated that priorities developed for program development by the Park and Recreation Commission would receive his support. Councilman Graham favored joint use of school district facilities as much as possible and felt that meetings of the Park and Recreation Commission should have representation from the School Board and youth groups._ Mayor Schwartz noted an earlier comment from Mrs..Sinsheimer on the frus- tration which had occurred over the years. However, he hoped that through developing a set of priorities and doing a selling job to the public, pro- gress could be made in the near future. Mayor Schwartz asked about the ordinance on control of park activities ' including the prohibition of motor vehicles leaving the paved surfaces. D. Van Harreveld stated that the Park and Recreation Commission had pre- viously given its approval of this ordinance and asked Mr. Flory to make their opinion known to the City Council and to request funds to implement the necessary barricades, fencing, etc. Mayor Schwartz asked the Administrative Officer to have the proposed ordinance placed on the agenda of the next Council meeting as well as a letter from Mr. Flory outlining the request of the Park and Recreation Commission for implementing funds. On motion of Councilman Blake seconded by Councilman Brown, the meeting was adjourned. Motion carried. APPROVED: November 15, 1971 PATRICK, CITY CLERK