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Home My WebLink About09-02-2020 PRC Minutes Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of September 2, 2020 Page 1 Minutes PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Wednesday, September 2, 2020 Regular Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the San Luis Obispo Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. via teleconference by Chair Thurman. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Kari Applegate, Rick Blair, Sommer Sheffield, Andrew Webber, Vice Chair Robert Spector, and Chair Rodney Thurman Absent: Commissioner Adam Stowe Staff: Parks and Recreation Director Greg Avakian, Senior Planner Shawna Scott, Recreation Manager Devin Hyfield, and Administrative Assistant III Jeff Andrews PUBLIC COMMENT ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Consideration of Minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of July 8, 2020. ACTION: Chair Thurman noted a correction for minor grammatical error. UPON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER APPLEGATE, SECONDED BY VICE CHAIR SPECTOR, CARRIED 6-0-1-0 (COMMISSIONER STOWE ABSENT,) the Parks and Recreation Commission approved the Minutes of the Regular Parks and Commission Meeting of July 8, 2020. BUSINESS ITEMS 2. Parks and Recreation Master Plan and General Plan Element Update Senior Planner Shawna Scott, and consultants from WRT, PROS, and Wallace Group (Bianca Koenig & Michael Svetz) provided a PowerPoint presentation on the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and General Plan Element Update and responded to Commission inquiries. Commissioner Blair questioned if multiple pickleball courts were made together would there be a cost savings, Ms. Koenig said there would be cost savings with multiple courts made; if there was bocce ball and other activities available which were not in the presentation, Mr. Svetz said this was just a snippet of what’s available; cost of ownership Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of September 2, 2020 Page 2 question, answered by Mr. Svetz. Vice Chair Spector asked about permitting and consulting costs, Ms. Koenig provided an answer; labor hours question per acre, Mr. Svetz provided an answer; is each park managed as a totality, or based on the individual amenities in the park, Mr. Svetz answered that it is managed as a complete park, along with each asset individually; asked where the vision statement was, it’s in the July meeting update. Chair Thurman asked about management system as far as labor and expenditures, Mr. Avakian said park maintenance falls under public works and Parks & Rec works with them for labor and expenditures, and having a master plan and consultants, infrastructure and positive relationships help keep on track as we invest finances and resources into parks and amenities. Mr. Avakian thanked staff and consultants for their work on the update. Commissioner Blair asked about an amenities list, Shawna Scott, Devin Hyfield & Greg Avakian responded, as well as Mr. Peter Winch (WRT). Commissioner Sheffield asked about formatting questions, Shawna Scott & Greg Avakian responded. Commissioner Applegate asked are we considering budget or community input first, Shawna Scott & Greg Avakian responded. Public Comment John McKenzie - Asked, regarding dog parks, if the Commission reviewed his letter, and do they agree with the suggested changes. Chair Thurman and Greg Avakian thanked him for his comments and letter. --End of Public Comment-- ACTION: No action taken. Senior Planner Shawna Scott will share the presentation via PDF. Commission and City staff to discuss additional questions based on prioritization via email, as needed, within 2 weeks. SUBCOMMITTEE LIAISON REPORTS 3. Subcommittee Liaison Reports A. Adult and Senior Programming: Commissioner Spector • They have not been meeting, things are on hold B. Active Transportation Committee: Commissioner Webber • They were meeting at the beginning of the year; things have cooled down. New paving and speed bumps, Pismo bike lane, plans are available online C. City Facilities (Fields, Golf, Pool, & Joint Use Facilities): Commissioner Applegate • Defer to Devin – refer to director report D. Jack House Committee: Vacant E. Tree Committee: Commissioner Thurman • Met in the last 2 weeks, addressed tree removals, Ron Combs to retire in December, hiring to continue F. Youth Sports Association: Commissioner Stowe - Absent UPDATES Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of September 2, 2020 Page 3 4. Director Report Recreation Manager Devin Hyfield provided an update on Aquatics, Facilities, Golf, Sports A. Aquatics – only open in July and August for lap swimming with limited attendance; working on rooftop at Swim Center, to be closed during construction; SLO Seahawks have a block of the pool; private swim lessons start next week, go through end of October, lessons sold out very quickly; Kudos from Director Avakian to the SLO Swim Center Staff including Coordinator Shawn Tucker on successful reopening plans which are being adopted by Cal Poly B. Facilities – majority of staff focused on OpenSLO, maintaining and sanitizing tables and chairs; no longer renting tables and chairs as we’ve received nice stainless steel sets; program will continue to be evaluated through the fall as weather changes; OpenSLO soon to be self-service as staff pivot to assist with youth sports; Youth sports permits allowed with moderate restrictions put out by County and State agencies; field closures will happen for maintenance C. Golf – very busy with limited hours & tee times; evaluated and adjusted tee times and group sizing; only ADA golf carts available for rental; no tournament or club play permitted, but working with organizations to try and accommodate within guidelines; while golf course hours dropped dramatically due to COVID-19, paid rounds have stayed steady D. Sports – staff are assisting with sports, OpenSLO, youth services; clinics and contract classes to use parks and fields; adult recreation leagues not permitted under current COVID-19 guidelines Director Greg Avakian’s update: A. Fitness gyms (Fitness in the Parks program) offered to use City parks as part of OpenSLO program, currently 11 businesses using 6 different park locations, very successful program well received by businesses and their clients, will most likely extend program through end of October B. Community Gardens – Emerson cleaned up with Laurel and Meadow on schedule soon, virtual gardening class coming soon C. Youth Sports – shifted from leagues and games to clinics and camps; pickleball, golf, basketball, soccer being looked at as options, using current staff as leads while adhering to current COVID-19 guidelines D. Senior Center – Not authorized by County and State to reopen yet; looking at virtual classes and activities as options for citizens; conference call to take place with senior center staff E. Youth Services – 7-week summer camp very successful; SPARK (SLO Parks And Rec Kids) program started August 24th, following all CDC guidelines and recommendations; remote learning at school sites; second session starts September 8th; SLCUSD paying for half of program for in-district children F. Open Space & Rangers – routine trail maintenance; Miossi Open Space trail design, scheduled to break ground on new trails in 7-10 days; Whale Rock trail complete; planning new trail Mines Hill at Tank Farm & Orcutt, new trailhead and system similar to Islay Hill; COVID-19 has brought complications on working with transient population, partnering with PD and County; 30-40% increase in trail use since March & Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of September 2, 2020 Page 4 April has possibly resulted in more trash on the trails, will look into starting a social media campaign; will discuss about permanent pandemic trail signage G. Public Art – Greg discussed Parklets and barrier wraps, upcoming artwork for greenway project (bike paths/roadways) H. Jack House – not operational; virtual tours are available; park area is closed to public; JHC is not meeting due to current closure I. Righetti Ranch – there are park locations in the area, will research amenities and present to the commission J. Froom Ranch – park location will be at top of road against Irish Hills open space; Parks & Rec to use barns and buildings for Rangers and equipment K. Islay Park Playground – complete and going through final inspection in the next few days, fencing coming down shortly L. Parks & Recreation Youth Services Supervisor Megan Burger was honored by First5 as a Hands-On Hero for the month of September; YS staff including coordinator Michelle Rolle have been incredible during COVID-19 with super successful summer camp and start of the fall child care program (SPARK) ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. The next Regular Parks and Recreation Commission meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at 5:30 p.m., via teleconference. APPROVED BY THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION: 10/07/2020