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Home My WebLink About08-02-06 PRC MinutesParks and Recreation Commission MINUTES Council Chambers, 990 Palm Street Wednesday, August 2, 2006 7:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER Chair Pyper called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Chair Bill Pyper, Commissioners: Richard Kriet, Gary Clay, Jill Lemieux, Don Dollar, and Ty Griffin ABSENT: Commissioner John Knight GUESTS: Agatha Reardon, Pete Jenny STAFF: Director Betsy Kiser, Marti Reynolds, Sheridan Bohlken, Todd Bunte CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES: The minutes from the June 7, 2006 special meeting were approved as submitted. 1. Public Comment None. 2. Volunteer of the Month - July Commissioner Pyper introduced Volunteer of the Month Agatha Reardon. Agatha is working with Recreation Supervisor Sheridan Bohlken in the Seniors section. Agatha was instrumental in the planning of the Senior Center portion of the 4th of July Celebration. 3. Presentation by County Parks A presentation was given by County Parks Director Pete Jenny on a proposed cooperative golf program between the City and the County that has the potential to increase use at both agency’s golf courses and stimulate new interest in golf. Other joint ventures between the City and County have been successful, such as Bishops Peak trail and the ballfields at El Chorro. Mr. Jenny pointed out the benefits of collaborating with the City and the resources we can share. Laguna Lake Golf Course, for example, represents a 9-hole “nitch” in the market that is good for beginner golfers. The County’s Dairy Creek course offers a driving range that is not available at Laguna Lake Golf Course (LLGC). Todd Bunte pointed out the First Tee program could use Dairy Creek’s driving range to improve their program, new golfers could use LLGC to prepare them for play on the more intimidating Dairy Creek course, etc. Commissioners Griffin, Lemieux, Dollar and Pyper discussed a potential tracking system to measure the success of the program. Concern was raised as to the general state of the industry itself. Mr. Jenny expressed the desire to excite people, especially youth, and reintroduce others to the sportsmanship and honor of the game, and the thought is that this program might be a viable way of doing this. Director Kiser has approved an 18-month trial program that will honor the County’s discount card at LLGC by providing card holders with a 10-play card rate. Golf course Manager Todd Bunte will track use for 18-months and, if it proves successful, staff will return to the Commission for more formal action. G:\ADMIN\Parks & Rec Commission\2006\Minutes\8.2.06 minutes appvd.doc Parks and Recreation Commission – Agenda August 2, 2006 Page 2 of 3 G:\ADMIN\Parks & Rec Commission\2006\Minutes\8.2.06 minutes appvd.doc 4. Laguna Lake Park Neil Havlik presented the staff report to the Commission regarding the Laguna Lake Park Partial Mitigation of Impacts to Rare Plants Occasioned by the Margarita Area Residential Development. City staff have been working with biological consultants for the last year to develop a series of mitigations for biological impacts of the proposed area. Most of the impacts can be mitigated on land owned by King Ventures or on land being purchased from Chevron. However, the sites are not amenable to mitigation efforts for two rare plant species; the adobe sanicle and Congdon tarplant which would be affected by the residential development. It has been determined that Laguna Lake Park offers the best site and both species already occur there naturally. Commissioner Dollar stated that, in the future, mitigation projects should only be permitted in open space that has an approved management plan. Recommendation: Recommend to the City Council that the use of several areas within Laguna Lake Park for partial mitigation of impacts to two rare plant species occasioned by the Margarita Area residential development be permitted. (Kriet/Griffin) 6 yes: 0 no: absent (Knight) 5. Study Session – Understanding the Budget Director Kiser presented a PowerPoint on Understanding the Budget. Using the Parks and Recreation Administration budget as an example, information was provided on how to read and interpret Operating Program Summaries, Supporting Documentation, and Monthly Revenue and Expenditure Summary sheets. Commissioners felt it was a nice summary and made the budget process very clear. Commissioner Griffin requested information on the net cost of programs to the city. Director Kiser provided information on the Cost Recovery policy recommended by the Commission and approved by the City Council which establishes cost recovery ratios and indicated that the recently completed (but not yet available) Cost of Services Study would answer questions about subsidized funding levels. 6. Staff Reports Golf Course Supervisor Todd Bunte reported on improved revenues for 2005-06; First Tee; Cal Poly’s spring golf class; the completed installation of the fuel storage tank; an RFP to be issued this month for a Golf Course Architect regarding Hole #3 relocation; the inclusion of a golf course entry sign in the gift catalog; and the continued removal of trees infected with Pine Pitch Canker. Commissioners expressed interest in type of material that will be used for the replacement sign. 7. Director’s Report Director Kiser briefed the Commission on the following projects: Parks and Recreation Commission – Agenda August 2, 2006 Page 3 of 3 G:\ADMIN\Parks & Rec Commission\2006\Minutes\8.2.06 minutes appvd.doc • Status of Therapy Pool. Project has been through Planning, hopefully out to bid by early spring; RFP for public art released last Friday • Lighting and electrical installed in four art pieces (CIP); Garnett, Railroad Square repaired (Ironwood Pioneers); Icons of an Era finished in three weeks; and the “Storybook” at Duvall Ranch • Council approval of Bylaws July 18 • Contract awarded for Anholm Park • French and Laguna delays due to ADA required work • Update on the status of SESLOC and the Damon-Garcia Sports Fields overflow parking; scheduled to go before Council August 15 The Director also asked for feedback on the Park Tour. It was very well received overall, with the Commissioners stating how particularly helpful the open space walks were and the diversity of facilities visited. The Commission also discussed potentials for future tours including public art, the senior center and children’s services areas; the possibility of starting later in the day; and the desire for a biannual tour if funding ever allowed. 7. Committee Reports Commissioners gave reports on Committees they attended. Tree Committee – Dollar Joint Use Committee – Kriet Mayors Youth Task Force – no report Jack House Committee – Pyper Open Space – Clay & Dollar Golf – Lemieux Commissioner Dollar reported that a walking tour has been scheduled to review the recommendations of the downtown street tree study. Commissioner Dollar discussed the draft management plan for South Hills. Commissioner Pyper reported on the Victorian Games held at the Jack House June 25; the repair of the birdbath; and the upcoming Art in the Garden on August 20. 8. Communications Commissioners Kriet, Griffin and Pyper requested agenda be emailed them in the future. 9. Adjourned The meeting adjourned at 8:52 p.m. to the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting on September 6, 2006 in the Council Chambers. Approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission on December 6, 2006. /s/ ________________________ Martha M.S. Reynolds Supervising Administrative Assistant