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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-01-04 PRC MinutesI:\Parks & Rec Commission\2004\Minutes\12.01.04 minutes.doc Parks and Recreation Commission MINUTES City/County Library Conference Room, 990 Palm Street Wednesday, December 1st , 2004 7:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Peter Dunan called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. ROLL CALL: Chair Pete Dunan, Commissioners: Gary Clay, Bill Pyper, Don Dollar, Ty Griffin, and John Knight. ABSENT: Commissioner Jill Lemieux. STAFF: Director Paul LeSage, James Bremer, and Ashley Blake. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES: The minutes of the November 3, 2004 meeting were amended and approved as submitted. 1. Volunteer of the Month Chair Dunan presented Phil Lang as the Volunteer of the Month. 2. Brown Donation LeSage presented this staff report. Commission discussed the item. Recommendation: Recommend to the City Council that a donation for the purchase of a shade structure be accepted. (Pyper/Clay: unanimous). 3. Cerro San Luis Natural Reserve Conservation Plan. LeSage introduced Neil Havlik, Natural Resources Manager, who presented this staff report. Public Comment: Carter Collins, SLO resident – being a student at Mission College Prep, he states he is in full support of keeping the “M”. Pam Hetherington, ECOSLO – supports keeping the “M” for student even though it is not a natural area/trail to the mountain. Commission discussed the item. Griffin – not in favor of the Lemon Grove plan, suggested that eucalyptus be removed. Knight – questioned the Lemon Grove’s historical value, suggested that more Ranger time be used to patrol the mountain and that a sign for Cerro San Luis be placed close to the parking lot. Clay – would like to see guidelines made for the colors/decorations of the “M”, asked for a glossary of terms related to the staff report, and questioned the definition of a “natural species” for the area. Pyper – would not like to see guidelines made for the colors/decoration of the “M”. Dunan – stated his dislike of the “M” for safety reasons and for the nuisance the “M”, “P” and “SL” bring the city, however, he supports the plan. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes for December 1, 2004 Page 2 Dollar - expressed following general comments: thinks in general it is a good plan, but has some general comments and questions, and some specific recommendations; Natural Resource Perspective - the "M" on the side of the mountain is not appropriate. But, since the City Cultural Heritage Committee found the "M" to be of cultural significance, he will leave that issue alone; Fire Planning Perspective - questioned if any alternate scenarios were considered, such as, making more of the area Habitat classification particularly by expanding the large Habitat area southward, wondered if all the Management area is really needed for effective fire fighting and if an objective of the City Guidelines for Open Space is to maximize the amount of area classified as Habitat; Wildlife Report - not included with the Draft Plan, it would be good to have a copy with the Draft to gain a different perspective; Grazing - would like the quantifiable amount of RDM (residual dry matter) left at the end of the grazing season, 1,200 lb. per acre. Thinks that is a good number and would also like if there is a clearly defined season for grazing; Implementation Schedule - understands the Plan is to cover 5 to 7 years, however, the Implementation Strategy only includes years 1 and 2. Need to add from page 26 and 27, items # 4.7, 4.9, 4.10, 4.11, and 4.12 as they are not listed in the Implementation Strategy; Page 27, item 4.11 - add noise abatement as another reason to work with CalTrans on planting trees along US 101 by Cerro San Luis. It is very noisy hiking up Cerro San Luis; Lemon Grove - clarify the water situation. Will water be available (even in low flow periods) for native plants and animals, or only for cattle? Clarify standards for private parties to maintain the area. What are those standards?; "M" - clarify standards for maintenance and care of the "M". Also, what color? How to handle vandalism? Expressed the following specific recommendations: Implementation Strategy - work to link trails in Cerro San Luis not only with the Morros, but with other trails such as Laguna Lake Open Space and Park. Connectivity of trails is part of the City Parks and Recreation Element. Work discreetly with land owners to gain ROW (right of way) or easements; Implementation Strategy - move connection of Cerro San Luis to Morros Project trails, from “When Funds Become Available” to Years 1-3; Spread of exotic plants - be proactive in native coastal scrub habitat and remove small patches of exotic plants that are invading, especially mission figs and pepper trees. Native coastal scrub habitat is very valuable for native wildlife; Spread of exotic trees, page 27, item 4.10 - change the size from 6" DBH to 12" DBH to help reduce the impact of exotics on Cerro San Luis. When hiking at Cerro San Luis, it is very noticeable that there are many exotic plants and trees, more so than at other City Open Spaces; Financial Impacts - add more Ranger funding "when funding becomes available". By being more proactive in patrol and care of heavily used Open Spaces, such as Cerro San Luis, we may help prevent the need for large scale resource rehabilitation projects such as on Bishop Peak or the Irish Hills. Cerro San Luis gets regular heavy use and some of it is very susceptible to high erosion. Ranger funding provides good benefit for cost. Recommendation: Recommend to the City Council: 1. The Cerro San Luis Natural Reserve Conservation Plan be approved, including: • Retaining the “M” and providing safe and proper access thereto; • Eliminating the current unauthorized trails accessing the “M” and restoring their natural condition; • Retaining the Lemon Grove and providing for private efforts to restore it; • Fencing the unnamed drainage near the open space entrance to exclude livestock and provide for vegetation enhancements there; and • Undertaking various activities for control of the spread of exotic tree and shrub species, and fuel management activities in the eucalyptus groves at the site. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes for December 1, 2004 Page 3 2. The individual comments and recommendations from Commissioners be forwarded to the Council. (Dollar/Clay: unanimous). 4. Directors Report LeSage briefed the Commission on the following projects: Major City Goals Opening of Damon –Garcia Sports Field Results from Therapy Feasibility Study Use of school district for Department’s youth programs Commission Workshop on February 26, 2005 – input given 5. Staff Reports James Bremer, Recreation Supervisor, presented the staff report on the Departmental updates. Todd Beights, Parks Maintenance, updated the Commission with various park projects. 6. Committee Reports Commissioners gave reports on Committees they attended. Tree Committee – Joint Use Committee – Mayors Youth Task Force – Jack House Committee – Pyper Open Space – Dollar Golf - Therapy Pool – LeSage Landscape Parkways- 7. Communications None. 8. Adjourned The meeting adjourned at 8:57 pm to the January 5, 2005 meeting.