HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-07-2021 PRC AgendaCity of San Luis Obispo, Agenda, Planning Commission
Agenda
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
July 7, 2021
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Based on the threat of COVID-19 as reflected in the Proclamations of Emergency issued by both the Governor
of the State of California, the San Luis Obispo County Emergency Services Director and the City Council of the
City of San Luis Obispo as well as the Governor’s Executive Order N-29-20 issued on March 17, 2020, relating
to the convening of public meetings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of San Luis Obispo will
be holding all public meetings via teleconference. There will be no physical location for the Public to view
the meeting. Below are instructions on how to view the meeting remotely and how to leave public
comment. Additionally, members of the Parks and Recreation Commission can attend the meeting via
teleconference and to participate in the meeting to the same extent as if they were present.
Using the most rapid means of communication available at this time, members of the public are
encouraged to participate in Commission meetings in the following ways:
1. Remote Viewing - Members of the public who wish to attend the meeting on Zoom:
• https://slocity-
org.zoom.us/j/98371542448?pwd=bk1OSW5HUzBhZFk1M1lUN0M1MGQ3UT09
• Call in: 669-900-6833
• Meeting ID: 983 7154 2448
• Passcode: 871172
• Find your local number: https://slocity-org.zoom.us/u/aJQS14BJz
2. Public Comment - The City Council will still be accepting public comment. Public comment can be
submitted in the following ways:
• Mail or Email Public Comment
o Received by 3:00 PM on the day of meeting can be submitted via email
to advisorybodies@slocity.org or U.S. Mail to City Clerk at 990 Palm St. San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. All
emails will be sent to Commissioners and saved as agenda correspondence however we cannot
guarantee emails received after 3:00 PM on the day of the meeting we be sent out to Commission or
uploaded to the website prior to the meeting starting.
• Verbal Public Comment
o In Advance of the Meeting - Call (805) 781-7164; state and spell your name, the agenda item number
you are calling about and leave your comment. The verbal comments must be limited to 3 minutes. All
voicemails will be forwarded to the Council Members and saved as Agenda Correspondence.
Voicemails will not be played during the meeting.
o During the meeting – Joining the webinar (instructions above). Once the meeting has started please
put your name and the item # you would like to speak on in the chat box. During public comment for
the item your name will be called, and your mic will be unmuted. Contact the office of the City Clerk
at cityclerk@slocity.org for more information.
Parks and Recreation Committee Agenda for July 7, 2021
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All Comments/Correspondence received will be saved as part of the record for the meeting.
Wednesday, July 7, 2021
5:30 p.m. REGULAR MEETING Via Webinar
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Rodney Thurman
ROLL CALL : Commissioners Kari Applegate, Rick Blair, Kari Howell, Adam Stowe, Andrew
Webber, Vice Chair Robert Spector, and Chair Rodney Thurman
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.
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES
1. Minutes of the Parks and Recreation Committee of May 5, 2021
CONSENT ITEMS
N/A
BUSINESS ITEMS
2. Receive Presentation on the update to the Mitchell Park Grant Project
a. Provide input and direction on recommendations regarding proposed recreational
amenities at Mitchell Park. (Hyfield – 30 minutes)
3. Directors Report (Avakian – 30 minutes)
a. Update on Parks & Recreation Blueprint for the Future
b. Staffing Updates
c. Spring and Summer Program Updates
Parks and Recreation Committee Agenda for July 7, 2021
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SUBCOMMITTEE LIAISON REPORTS & COMMUNICATIONS
4. Subcommittee Liaison Reports (Chair) – 15 minutes)
a. Adult and Senior Programming: Commissioner Spector
b. Active Transportation Committee: Commissioner Webber
c. City Park and Rec Facilities: Commissioner Applegate
d. Jack House Committee: Vacant
e. Tree Committee: Commissioner Thurman
f. Youth Sports Association: Commissioner Stowe
5. Communication
ADJOURNMENT
To the Regular Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Committee as approved by the PRC to
Wednesday , August 4, 2021, at 5:30 p.m
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
Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of May 12, 2021 Page 1
DRAFT Minutes
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Wednesday, May 12, 2021
Special Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission
CALL TO ORDER
A Special Meeting of the San Luis Obispo Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order
on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. via teleconference by Chair Thurman.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Rodney Thurman, Vice Chair Robert Spector, Commissioners Kari Applegate,
Rick Blair, Kari Howell, Adam Stowe, and Andrew Webber
Absent: N/A
Staff: Parks and Recreation Director Greg Avakian, Recreation Manager Devin Hyfield,
Recreation Manager Lindsey Stephenson, Senior Planner Shawna Scott,
Administrative Analyst Aleah Bergam, and Administrative Assistant III Jeff
Andrews
PUBLIC COMMENT ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
NONE
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Consideration of Minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of April
7, 2021.
ACTION: UPON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER STOWE, SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER BLAIR, CARRIED 7-0-0-0 the Parks and Recreation Commission
approved the Minutes of the Regular Parks and Commission Meeting of March 3, 2020.
CONSENT ITEMS
N/A
BUSINESS ITEMS
2. Senior Planner Shawna Scott reviewed the City’s Draft Parks + Recreation
Blueprint for the Future: 2021-2041 (Parks and Recreation Plan and General Plan
Element Update) that will supersede the 2001 Parks and Recreation Master Plan
Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of May 12, 2021 Page 2
and General Plan Element. A Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact
pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is recommended for
the project; Project Address: Citywide; Case GENP-1942-2018, EID-0150-2021;
Zone: Citywide; City of San Luis Obispo.
a. Commissioners Provided input on direction and suggestions identified by the City
Council during the May 3, 2021 Study Session on the Parks + Recreation
Blueprint for the Future: 2021-2041 (Parks and Recreation Plan and General Plan
Element Update) and provided recommendations on the Plan for City Council
consideration. Extensive discussion with City staff.
b. Upon motion by Chair Thurman, seconded by Commissioner Webber second,
carried 7-0-0-0, commission approved, with edits, recommendation to send
Blueprint to the Planning Commission.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Friend of SLO Dog Parks offered thanks for the Blueprint and looks
forward to possible volunteer opportunities to support their effort.
3. Recreation Managers Devin Hyfield and Lindsey Stephenson gave a presentation
relating to a Resolution Updating the City’s Comprehensive Fee Schedule to Include
New and Updated Youth Services, Aquatics, and Golf User Fees Scheduled as a
Consent Item for City Council on May 18, 2021
a. Commissioners provided comment on the updated program and service fees and
recommended City Council acceptance of the updated fee schedule.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
4. Directors Report (Avakian – 15 minutes)
a. Youth programs are active
b. Childcare – summer and fall registrations are open
c. Tails and Trails book series at Meadow Park completed in April, DeVaul Park is set
up for May
d. Junior Ranger Camp registration for June and August is full
e. Miossi Open space is open and Rangers continue to work on trails and signs
f. Fuel reduction is a priority for Ranger Service
g. Events and Facility permits are in high demand for summer as we reopen
h. Neighborhood events and ‘Block Parties’ being coordinated by staff for summer with
more info to be released next month
i. Aquatics planning for swim lessons, family rec swim, trainings based on County
Health guidelines for spring and summer.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
SUBCOMMITTEE LIAISON REPORTS
Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of May 12, 2021 Page 3
5. Subcommittee Liaison Reports
a. Adult and Senior Programming: Commissioner Spector
i. Center possibly to open in the fall
b. Active Transportation Committee: Commissioner Webber
i. No report
c. City Facilities (Fields, Golf, Pool, & Joint Use Facilities): Commissioner Applegate
i. Devin: recreational pods new for this summer; swim lesson registration
opens 5/17; pickleball community forum for Mitchell Park on Wed May
19th; Damon Garcia closing end of May for renovation, opens in September
d. Jack House Committee: Vacant
e. Tree Committee: Commissioner Thurman
i. No update
f. Youth Sports Association: Commissioner Stowe
i. No update
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m. The next Parks and Recreation Commission meeting is
scheduled for Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at 5:30 p.m., via teleconference.
APPROVED BY THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION: XX/XX/2021
Parks and Recreation Commission
Agenda Report Meeting Date: 07/07/2021
Item Number: 1
DATE: July 7, 2021
FROM: Greg Avakian, Parks and Recreation Director
Prepared By: Devin Hyfield, Recreation Manager, Parks and Recreation
SUBJECT: Update to the Mitchell Park Grant Project
RECOMMENDATION
1. Provide input and direction on recommendations regarding proposed recreational amenities at
Mitchell Park.
BACKGROUND
In 2018, the State of California invested in the largest grant funding for critically underserved communities with
the passage of Proposition 68: California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor
Access for All Act. Recognizing the need for underserved communities to have equitable access to outdoor
recreation facilities, the bond also provides funds for new parks and rehabilitation of current parks that will help
attract new and diverse visitors.
On October 20, 2020 Council authorized staff to submit a project proposal to apply for a grant for Mitchell Park
Pickleball Courts and authorized the Assistant City Manager to execute the necessary grant documents and
appropriate the grant amount into the Parks and Recreation Department’s budget upon grant award (Resolution
No. 11179)Staff received notice in December 2020 that the project was approved and the City was awarded a
contract with State Parks for $177,952 in per capita grant funding to be spent on Mitchell Park Pickleball
Courts. The full proposed project budget is estimated to be more than the grant award, and so additional funding
in the amount of $32,048 was approved and appropriated by Council from the Quimby Parkland-in-lieu fund for
a combined project budget of $210,000. Additional funding from Parkland-in-lieu fees were approved and
appropriated by Council due to project scope and necessary budget.
Preliminary Project Selection
Feedback from the public outreach surrounding the update to the Parks and Recreation Blueprint for the Future
highlight the public’s desire for more activities within downtown parks and also identified a lack of inventory of
Pickleball Courts. Mitchell Park is a centrally located park and is well-liked as a gathering place near
downtown. The public have expressed concerns to City staff and members of the Parks and Recreation
Commission regarding the low activation of the park and current utilization of the park. Staff proposed
installing Pickleball Courts which would activate the park and provide more multi-generational recreational
opportunities for members of the community to help address public concern.
Mitchell Park Community Workshop
Parks and Recreation staff hosted a virtual community workshop on May 19, 2021, to discuss the proposed
project at Mitchell Park. Around 20 members of the public provided feedback regarding the location of the
City of San Luis Obispo, Title, Subtitle
Parks and Recreation Plan and General Plan Element Update
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pickleball courts and potential addition of other amenities within Mitchell Park. Overall, the feedback from the
workshop was not in support of the installation of the two pickleball courts but expressed ideas for other passive
amenities to revitalize the park such as the installation of shade structures at the permitted BBQ seating area,
bocce or shuffleboard courts and chess tables. The community expressed the desire to maintain the integrity of
the park for social gatherings, special events, open green areas, and rallies. There were also concerns regarding
the impact to the parking lot reserved for SLO Senior Center members as well as surrounding neighborhoods if
pickleball courts were to be installed.
Staff Recommendation
Based upon the feedback from the community workshop and the potential installation of a large concrete pad
within the main portion of the park, staff recommend an alternative site location at a different park for dedicated
pickleball courts and to proceed with the revision of the grant to include a shade structure and updated BBQ area
with additional seating and fencing, installation of two bocce courts adjacent to the playground, and installation
of four chess tables next to the parking lot fence.
Staff have reviewed the proposed updates to the amenities at Mitchell Park with Public Works and have
determined that the amenities will be equal to or less than the original grant amount with no further need to
supplement with Quimby Funds. These funds can be utilized for future projects when identified.
Next Steps
Review timeline for grant resubmittal based upon recommendation from Parks and Recreation Commission
including updated amenities, project scope and timelines for public outreach, project budget adoption, and
installation.