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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-06-2019 PRC MinutesCity of San Luis Obispo, Agenda, Planning Commission Minutes PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Wednesday, November 6, 2019 5:30 p.m. REGULAR MEETING Parks and Recreation Council Chambers 990 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Rodney Thurman ROLL CALL: Vice Chair Rodney Thurman, Commissioners Kari Applegate, Keri Schwab, Robert Spector, Adam Stowe, and Andrew Webber ABSENT: None PUBLIC COMMENT: At this time, people may address the Committee about items not on the agenda. Persons wishing to speak should come forward and state their name and address. Comments are limited to three minutes per person. Items raised at this time are generally referred to staff and, if action by the Committee is necessary, may be scheduled for a future meeting. Public Comment: Sallie Joyce Higgins and Tess Stapleton (SLO Resident): We represent the Central Coast Carousel Committee; our goal is to bring a custom one-of-a-kind carousel to the City of San Luis Obispo. We envision creating a carousel with whimsical animals that represent the Central Coast. We are securing a financial sponsor and would like to inquire if Laguna Lake Park could be a place for the carousel project. Anita Smith (SLO Resident) – On behalf of many tennis players to return the Joanna Santassiere Memorial tennis courts back to the tennis players. We understood that once the pickleball courts were built, the tennis courts would be returned to tennis play. It is very difficult to play on the courts with the multiple striping that was created for the temporary pickleball courts. The other courts in the City are difficult to use during the day, i.e. the high school and Sinsheimer courts. I have a petition with over 100 signatures to return the Joanna Santassiere Memorial tennis courts to tennis only. Submitted petition to staff. Parks and Recreation Committee Minutes for November 6, 2019 2 | Page CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES 1. Minutes of the Parks and Recreation Committee of September 4, 2019. ACTION: APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION FOR SEPTEMBER 4, 2019. CARRIED 6:0:0:0 to approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Body for the regular meeting of 09/04/19 as motioned by Webber and second by Applegate. AYES: APPLEGATE, STOWE, THURMAN, WEBBER, SCHWAB AND SPECTOR NOES: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE ABSENT: NONE   CONSENT ITEMS NONE BUSINESS ITEMS 2. North Broad Street Neighborhood Park (Kloepper – 30 minutes) This is the 3rd revision and combines the comments from the September meeting to formulate a potential final design. The goal is to endorse the design in order to bring Recommendation: 1. Final review of North Broad Street Neighborhood Park Layout; and 2. Provide any additional direction on the North Broad Street Neighborhood Park Project. Staff Kloepper provided a presentation on the third revision for the North Broad Street Neighborhood Park at the corner of Lincoln and Broad, with the design by the consultant group Cannon. The 3rd revision layout includes the summary of feedback from September 4th meeting to combine the layouts. Staff Kloepper did indicate the parking is only eliminated on one side of Broad Street, which forces safer parking access in the neighborhood. There is currently no lighting at the park, there is power on the street with the potential for future enhancements and the potential for solar lighting in the pathways. Parks and Recreation Committee Minutes for November 6, 2019 3 | Page Public Comment T. Keith Gurnee – (SLO Resident): The Broad street neighborhood is under parked. A few minor recommendations are to monitor the park for a homeless hangout. The biggest issue I have is the lack of parking for the park, with the elimination of parking it will cause cars to only go faster coming off the freeway. I do like the idea of perimeter fencing. Strongly recommend keeping the onsite parking on both sides of Broad Street. Commissioner Comment Commissioner Applegate: Is the parking eliminated on Broad Street. Can you clarify the reasoning behind the freeway onramp/offramp not being closed off. Commissioner Spector: I would like to know the safety zone plan for the park, fencing, cameras and lighting; as needed for all parks. Question for the corn hole court location, is there a reason why the Bocce court was removed. Before this plan is approved I would like to see a comprehensive safety plan that speaks to all these issues. Can you speak to lighting, my concern how this affects a neighborhood park and attracts the unwanted behavior this might bring once it is dark in the park. Vice Chair Thurman: Comment on the planting, I appreciate the drought tolerant and native plants. I am concerned about the purple fountain grass; it does have the potential to be invasive and the park location is near a creek. How many Gingko trees will be planted. Question on the ADA accessible garden plots, the reason for number of plots assigned ADA and the spacing of plots. My preference is for a cemented raised bed option. Commissioner Stowe: Question regarding shade at the picnic table areas. Commissioner Webber: Comment on the ADA garden plots, there are plots that are raised where a wheelchair can slide (roll) under the bed, with drainage in the middle of the bed, so can you come in on both sides, similar to a tabletop. Summary of Commission Comments: We like the overall design. We would like to note security enhancements, lighting, raised ADA garden plots, cemented garden plots, and native plantings only. 3. Parks and Recreation Master Plan and General Plan Element Update (Avakian/Scott – 1 hour) Recommendation: Review, discuss, and provide consensus agreement on identified Themes/Strategies, Goals, and Project Ideas for the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and General Plan Element Update. Recommended PRC Discussion Items and Action: 1. Review and receive public comment on Draft Themes/Strategies, Goals, and Project Ideas. Parks and Recreation Committee Minutes for November 6, 2019 4 | Page 2. Identify any additional ideas, which can be shared with staff prior to or during the public meeting. Are there modifications, deletions, or additions that should be included? 3. Provide consensus agreement on identified Themes/Strategies, Goals, and Project Ideas for the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and General Plan Element Update. Staff Senior Planner Shawna Scott provided an overview of the draft themes and strategies, as a context for the draft goals presented tonight: Goal 1: Build Community and Neighborhoods; Goal 2: Sustainability; Goal 3: Safety; Goal 4: Parks, Facilities and Amenities; Goal 5: Fiscal Responsibility. Public Comment Brian O’Kelly (SLO Resident): Representative for the Pickleball community. Today we had 44 people at French Park; playing on tennis courts, people also waiting; we would like you to address pickleball in 20-year plan; For the Master Plan, it is typical to see a pickleball center. We would like to a pickleball center with an additional 8 courts at French Park or another suitable location. Peter Meertens (SLO Resident): Resident of Sinsheimer Park neighborhood and representing the neighbors who oppose the lights at the Sinsheimer Tennis Courts. The high school has built wonderful new tennis courts; please use common sense planning; night time activity at Laguna Lake; think more broadly about lights on the courts; lighting is expensive; I am encouraged about acquiring school district land; school districts provide unique opportunity; communication with school district/facilities. Jeff Whitener (SLO Resident): Process concerns; and question about table; how does this fit into the final document (Master Plan); I was thinking of a more clearly defined document; this seems more out there; is this what final document will look like, or will it be a more direct document; great ideas; needs to be defined better; how are we quantifying our goals; would like to see where we are at as a City meeting recreational goals; types of activities and quantifiable needs (how many courts for example do we need); looking at park standards (where are we now and what do we need). Steve Davis (SLO Resident): Looking to the future, I would like something that 10-15 years from now has guidelines for parks and recreation to do things; look at long-term guiding principles; looks at acreage needs; look at what we do not have in the city; how to find land; concern about amount of housing and population base, plus workers, and growth; we need 100’s of acres of land; how to incorporate this much land in the City; need vision in Master Plan to give freedom to do what we need to do. Ed Gravell (SLO Resident): Representative of the Blues and the High School Baseball team. I am surprised to see that there is not much in the presentation for enhancements at Sinsheimer Stadium. The document online, not much in there; call-out (irrigation drainage project); nothing in Community Needs Assessment about facilities; nothing in plan about upgrading facilities and what is going to happen with that property (Sinsheimer) – either attention is given to baseball field or it will be worn out; City has not done much with Parks and Recreation Committee Minutes for November 6, 2019 5 | Page facility; building in really poor shape, does not support needs of community/stadium; working with community, people could get involved to make it a reality. Izzy Ibarra (SLO Resident): I would like to talk about Irish Hills and riding my E bike in the Irish Hills. I would like to inquire why I cannot ride my E bike on the trails. I question that the E bike is damaging the trails more than a regular mountain bike, all it is providing a little more assistance in pedaling on the trails. John Smigelski (SLO Resident): Resident of the Laguna Lake Park neighborhood, I would appreciate more focus on the maintenance of the park and the daily/nightly use by transient behavior in the park. The large development across the street will create new needs for the park and I do not see any futuristic plans for the park that is prioritized. idea for boardwalk/wildlife viewing, not funded anywhere, in existing plan; large development (San Luis Ranch) coming in, how to address their needs; funds coming from San Luis Ranch that should be directed towards Laguna Lake Park; nothing in this plan addresses what the community wants for Laguna Lake Park. Commissioner Comment Vice Chair Thurman: Staff brought a lot of details; jumped over broad picture; we don’t have broad view; it’s too myopic; doesn’t give much latitude; I do believe we need a broad vision of goals; then we can move into the details. The themes are great and the guiding principles, I do have notes on every goal presented. I do question the next steps and how we should move forward with the comments tonight. Quantifiable goals for the acreage over the next 20 years. In general Goals are good, no major issues; wants to share other ideas with staff regarding projects Commissioner Applegate: I appreciate the goals and believe they represent the community feedback. I do want to see Sinsheimer facilities to be added to Goal 5. I also have notes that I will share with staff. Commissioner Spector: We have come a long way; the themes and strategies, core beliefs; not saying things strongly enough; need guiding principles; design excellence = commitment to best practice, highest standards; should be driven by commitment to best practices; and a commitment to health, safety, security; if safety is a core belief, address right up front; reality of future, commitment of collaboration needed for survival; no statements about increasing capacity to keep up with needs; need for quantitative yard stick, how to keep up; no statement here about seniors; mainstreaming seniors; seniors want a senior center that is focal point of aging services; access to range of medical care, services at center; services needing to be accessible, manageable, and affordable; programming needs to look big; need to look at Sinsheimer Park as a totality; not just elements; need a plan for Sinsheimer Park and Laguna Lake Park (look at in totality, including neighbors); both decentralizing and centralizing at the same time; intergenerational neighborhood centers; Emerson amphitheater; create vitality within neighborhood; just say we should have a pickleball center; thinks we are on right track; needs to look at big picture and small picture at the same time as we move forward. I believe the themes/strategies could be bolder that will incorporate more of a best practice, core beliefs and values. I am looking for, here’s where we are now; based on that we want *this*; then goals, etc. The Goals make sense; we need more space, needs to be said in Goal strongly that there is a need for more space; say it up front, powerfully. Parks and Recreation Committee Minutes for November 6, 2019 6 | Page Commissioner Stowe: General comment about Goal 5, land acquisition should be the number one priority, critical for plan to succeed. Commissioner Webber: At ATC they were talking about a special kind of fast track; some process that gives PRC ability to fast-track; more to front of line or we can move forward with short term, safety focused projects. 4. Appointment Chair and Vice Chair of Parks and Recreation Commission (Thurman – 10 Minutes) ACTION: APPOINTMENT CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR OF PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION. Commissioner Applegate nominates Commissioner Thurman for Chair and Commissioner for Vice Chair Spector. CARRIED 6:0:0:0 to approve the nomination of Commissioner Thurman for Chair and Commissioner Spector for Vice Chair. Motion by Schwab, second by Webber. AYES: APPLEGATE, STOWE, THURMAN, WEBBER, SCHWAB AND SPECTOR NOES: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE ABSENT: NONE SUBCOMMITTEE LIAISON REPORTS & COMMUNICATIONS 5. Subcommittee Liaison Reports (Vice Chair Thurman – 15 minutes) a. Adult and Senior Programming: Commissioner Spector: Seniors have a wide range of classes and programming and going on trips and collaborating with other local senior groups. b. Active Transportation Committee: Commissioner Webber: They are progressing with their Master Plan effort and they have a map of potential bike boulevards. I encourage the commission to attend the Active Transportation Committee, it affects pedestrians and cyclists. c. City Facilities (Damon Garcia, Golf, Pool & Joint Use Facilities): Commissioner Applegate: Aquatics: Due to staffing shortages and to stay compliant, the SLO Swim Center has offered limited pool access or had to close for Noon lap on multiple occasions over the last couple of months. Parks and Rec is currently working with the Human Resources Department to develop solutions to the staffing issue. Therapy pool opened at the end of September after the re-plastering project. The SLO Swim Center will be received a digital Parks and Recreation Committee Minutes for November 6, 2019 7 | Page ad display. Parks and Rec will be able to feature pool programs, videos and divisional events to the public. Facilities: Jack House Gardens are closed for renovations. Will reopen in April 2020. All fields, excluding Damon-Garcia are now closed for maintenance to reopen in January and February 2020. The bridges in Meadow and Exposition Park will be under construction for replacement starting in December through January. The Meadow Park building will be closed during construction (limited access to facility). Golf: The Volunteer perk program at the Laguna Lake Golf Course has been modified. For completion of the daily checklists, Ball Pickers receive (1) Volunteer Round Card and Marshalls receive (2) Volunteer Round Cards. The cards do not expire and can be utilized by family and friends. Maintenance recently installed sod to the greens on holes #6 and #7 to repair damaged areas. Holes are set to reopen November 12. The excess sod was used to repair the putting greens at the entrance to the course. Night Golf in October had over 50 participants. Night Golf will continue on November 14. Community Services: September Scramble was held on September 28 with over 500 participants. Volunteers from Cal Poly provided assistance with the event. The Boo Bash had over 1000 community members with 500 goodie bags distributed. Great family event with a kid-friendly haunted house and activities. Emerson Park and Santa Rosa Park hosted a City sponsored Food Truck night aimed at activating the park. Attendance was over 100 per event and will become a monthly event within City parks. The Golf Course will host the annual Gobble Wobble on Thanksgiving Day expecting over 500 athletes. d. Jack House Committee: Commissioner Schwab: September meeting planning for Christmas tours, docent trainings and a commemorative plaque for the building and the ADA accessibility. e. Tree Committee: Commissioner Thurman: No meeting in October. Arbor Day event last weekend, Islay Park received 4 new trees. ECOSLO has taken over the California Relief Grant and have planted 17 trees of the 120 needed by next April. f. Youth Sports Association: Commissioner Stowe: YSA met October 16, AYSO, SLO Tigers, SLCOSD…. Will be rewriting their bylaws. 6. Directors’ Report (Avakian - 5 minutes) It has been an amazing first 7 weeks. The night hiking pilot program is in its final year of the two-year program, which began November 3rd. The public art manager worked with local designer iiiDesign for new colorful parking kiosk booths. The Activity Guide for Winter/Spring will be open for registration on December 2nd. City Council approved funding to partner with First 5 for a study session on a County wide study on childcare. Continue work on extension of agreements with our current partners as we move through adoption of the Master Plan. Former Mayor Schwartz passed away a few weeks ago, there will be a celebration of life at the Jack House Gardens on November 30. 7. Communication None Parks and Recreation Committee Minutes for November 6, 2019 8 | Page ADJOURNMENT at 7:45 pm To the Public Workshop of the Parks and Recreation Committee as approved by the PRC to Wednesday, December 4, 2019, at 5:30 p.m., Council Chambers, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California. APPROVED BY THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION: 12/04/2019 The City of San Luis Obispo wishes to make all of its public meetings accessible to the public. Upon request, this agenda will be made available in appropriate alternative formats to persons with disabilities. Any person with a disability who requires a modification or accommodation in order to participate in a meeting should direct such request to the Parks and Recreation Department at (805) 781-7300 at least 48 hours before the meeting, if possible. Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (805) 781-7107. Meeting audio recordings can be found at the following web address: http://opengov.slocity.org/WebLink/1/fol/61014/Row1.aspx