HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-03-07 PRC Minutes1-1
Parks and Recreation Commission
MINUTES
Council Chambers, 990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA
Wednesday, October 3, 2007, 7:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Lemieux called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Chair Jill Lemieux, Vice Chair Bob Wolf, Commissioners: Rick May, Craig
Kincaid, David Hensinger, Don Dollar and Kylie Hatch
ABSENT:
STAFF: Director Betsy Kiser, Bridget Fraser, Casey Paterson, Todd Beights and Marti
Reynolds
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES:
The minutes from September 5, 2007 were approved as submitted.
1. Public Comment
None.
2. Volunteer of the Month
None.
3. French Park Playground Equipment Replacement – Fraser
Engineer Bridget Fraser of the Public Works Department presented the Commissioners with a
PowerPoint presentation detailing replacement of the French Park Playground equipment. The
equipment currently in use is from 1989. Layouts of the new choices within the budget were passed
out to the Commissioners. The August 8th public meeting invitations were sent to 400 families of
which approximately 10 families attended. There was no clear preference as to style of new
equipment. Staff chose the traditional structure and added two more swings; the capacity for use
being approximately 50 children. Seating will be oriented to the west to capture sunset views.
Commissioners discussed the project with Ms. Fraser who clarified questions on maintenance and
informed them that there were not many of this fairly new type of equipment installed yet and
therefore not many use reports available. Ms. Fraser also clarified that neither concrete pads for
benches nor the benches themselves were part of the budget. Commemorative bench program
utilization was then discussed as well as surface types. Todd Beights, Parks Maintenance
Supervisor, indicated that strong prevailing wind on the site has replaced sand and raised turf and is
therefore concerned wood surfaces might migrate as well.
MOTION: (Hatch/Wolf) Approve proposed improvements to the play equipment at the French Park
Playground and forward the recommendation as is to the City Council.
Approved: 7 Yes: 0 No: 0 Absent
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October 3, 2007
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4. Selection of PRC Member for San Luis Obispo Baseball Stadium RFP Review
Director Kiser updated the Commissioners on the City Council’s October 2, 2007 review of the
2008 SLO Stadium Uses. Council approved all 6 recommendations and slightly changed No.1.
Council took public comment from representatives of the SLO Blues as well as received a letter
supporting the proposal and recommendations from the SLO Rattlers. Director Kiser reviewed the
criteria established for the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the 2008 SLO Stadium use by semi-pro
baseball teams and reviewed the timeline process. The Review committee is to meet next week and
develop a rating system for evaluating proposals and responses to criteria.
Commissioners pondered the SLO Blues willingness to comply with the rules and asked if there was
anything we could create that reviews their conduct. Kiser stated Recommendation No. 2 of the RFP
criteria was designed for that purpose. Issues that were not complied with in the past would now be
conditions of a new benchmark. Chair Lemieux recommended language be added to No. 2 to the
effect that conduct in 2008 may influence the contract in 2009 (until moves to a 3 to 5 year process).
Director Kiser added that we will ask the teams to measure their compliance with the terms of any
agreement.
Commissioner May offered that the enormous challenges of last year had much to do with the
makeup of personnel running the program within the SLO Blues. Changes in management made a
clear difference the last few weeks of the season.
Chair Lemieux feels that if more teams have the opportunity to apply, it will behoove the previous
organization to perform to higher standards.
Commissioners then discussed their concerns with how the teams propose to resolve conflicts in the
future, a mechanism they can abide with that is acceptable, elaborating on what “conflict” is in
terms of scheduling, concessions and shared equipment. It was noted that each team commented on
financial liability and the Commission discussed that perhaps a statement of ability to perform for
the entire season is needed, i.e., obligated time agreement where if team withdraws before the
season is over, said team is still responsible for user’s fee. Discussed that as a safety net contract or
“cancellation policy”, this may be possible in an agreement but not in the proposal. Also discussed
by Commissioners was the possibility of requesting teams to submit a business plan and a budget.
Chair Lemieux reminded to consider the role of the City is to manage the facility, not the teams.
Director Kiser added that request might be relevant if the goal was obtaining the highest dollar.
Short discussion followed on other municipalities with single bonded teams.
Regarding question of fence banner space by Commissioner Kincaid, Director Kiser explained that
permission was needed from all other stadium users for banners to remain up every night. The SLO
Rattlers use an electronic portable sign, therefore banner removal is not an issue between the semi-
professional teams. Director Kiser clarified that it is the team’s business as to if there should be an
additional mechanism for sharing advertising, as there is for concessions.
Regarding the RFP Criteria:
Commissioner Hatch suggested 3e) “signage and banner”also note advertising.
Chair Lemieux added 3c) “spectator management plan” state security or safety plan.
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October 3, 2007
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Chair Wolf then suggested 3c) read “spectator management and security plan.” Director Kiser
indicated this was part of 3d) parking last year. All agreed on changing the wording in 3c) to
“security and safety plan.”
The proposal review committee to meet October 12, 2007, the tight timeline is in consideration of
the teams’ desire to move ahead. Director Kiser stated that the proposal review committee member
selected should be impartial. Other subcommittee members are Doug Perrin, Director, Parks and
Recreation, City of Arroyo Grande; Shelly Stanwyck, Assistant City Administrative Officer, City of
San Luis Obispo; Jay Walter, Director, Public Works, City of San Luis Obispo; and Michael
Parolini, Joint Use Committee. Commissioner Hensinger volunteered to be the primary Parks and
Recreation Commission representative. Commissioner Hatch volunteered to serve as the alternate
representative.
MOTION: (May/Kincaid) Appoint Commissioner David Hensinger, and Commissioner Kylie Hatch
as alternate, to sit on the proposal selection review committee for 2008 Stadium use.
Approved 7 Yes: 0 No: 0 Absent
5. Staff Report
Parks Maintenance Supervisor Todd Beights introduced himself to the Commissioners and briefed
them on statistics of Parks Maintenance. Stated there are 30 parks in the City to maintain, not
considering the “mini parks”, 180 acres of parkland, and 65 maintained by private contract. These
facilities use 66 million gallons of water a year (as an example, the average household uses 90,000
gallons/year). Parks Maintenance budget is $2 million with two dozen employees. Supervisor Beights
listed projects they have completed recently or are working on such as the Santa Rosa turf renovation,
Laguna Lake Park entrance sign, Sinsheimer Stadium improvements (prisoners will be repainting as
well as repairing the chain link fence), outfield drainage, Santa Rosa chain link fence, Damon Garcia
turf enhancement (tractor-mounted sprayer purchased), Damon Garcia recycled water project (2
million gallons/month used in the summer months), and the Laguna Lake pontoon reharvesting boat
(no algae blooms this year). Supervisor Beights stated they strive to keep all parks useful, appealing
and safe.
The Commissioners questioned Supervisor Beights on such topics as restroom replacement at Laguna
Lake and dog park concerns, the use of the Rodenator™ at the SLO Stadium, and early replacement of
play equipment at Santa Rosa (parts no longer available).
6. Director’s Report
Director Kiser briefed the Commission on the following projects:
Rani Shah hired as Recreation Supervisor for Children’s Services
A new Recreation Coordinator position will be developed in the weeks ahead
Annual Volunteer Barbecue a success
Commissioners thanked for attendance at Advisory Body Training
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October 3, 2007
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California & Pacific Southwest Recreation & Park Training Conference, Long Beach,
February 26-29, 2008 - funding for attendance by two Commissioners
Recently distributed Neighborhood Services/Cal Poly packets included magnets with Parks
and Recreation information
Senior Center Community Meeting on the proposed parking lot October 11 at 5:30 p.m.
Roller Hockey Rink Stakeholders meeting October 24 from 5:30-8:30pm at the Ludwick Ctr
RRM Design Consultant for Skate Park - meeting in near future
Jack House fencing agreement signed with Rotary in November
MOU signed with Sierra Vista for their interim use of 17 spaces of Santa Rosa lot while
their new parking structure is being built. ($75/space/month for 14 months beginning
November 1. Revenue goes to the General Fund).
Bocci Ball Court construction has started and should be completed in 3-4 weeks
Commemorative Bench Program in full swing
Eight Golf Carts have been ordered and should arrive in 3-4 weeks
Request for Bids for the Irrigation System at the Golf Course have been released
$5,800 for Hole #3 approved by Council October 2
The Beeson Piece public art is out – Foothill Bridge will be the next project
7. Committee Reports
Commissioners provided the following reports:
Tree Committee – Kincaid Joint Use Committee – May
Mayors Youth Task Force – no report Jack House Committee – Wolf
Open Space – Dollar Golf – Lemieux
Commissioner Kincaid reported on the Tree Committee meeting. There is still a vacancy on the
committee. Processed tree application to Architectural Review.
Director Kiser is reviewing the responsibilities of the Mayor’s Youth Task Force (MYTF).
Currently there have been too few and irregular meetings to warrant committee member attendance.
The MYTF’s purpose is to release grants. Both Director Kiser and Chair Lemieux asked
Commissioners if anyone would be interested in joining or switching. Commissioner Wolf then
offered to switch from the Jack House Committee to the Mayor’s Youth Task Force. In the future
Commissioner Hatch will attend the Jack House Committee meetings in lieu of Commissioner
Wolf.
Commissioner Dollar reported on Open Space. Neil Havlik, Natural Resources Biologist, will
present Johnson Ranch Open Space to the Committee in December. Local land conservancy
received another $350,000 this year for land at Camp SLO (Chumash Peak off Felsman Loop). New
conservation easement will be announced in two weeks.
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October 3, 2007
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Commissioner May reported on the Joint Use Committee meeting. Committee member Parolini
chosen as review committee member for the Request for Proposal. A grant was awarded to Men’s
Senior Baseball.
Commissioner Lemieux reported on the Jack House Committee meeting stating they are moving
forward with new sign purchase. Need volunteers for December holiday decorations on the first
Thursday in December.
Commissioner Lemieux reported on the Golf Course. Major projects (Hole #3 and golf carts)
already mentioned in Director’s report. Will start meeting with Todd the third Tuesday of each
month.
8. Communications
Commissioner Wolf confirmed 9 holes of Disc Golf is place now at Laguna Lake with no complaints.
9. Adjourned
The meeting adjourned at 8:56 p.m. to the Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting on November 7,
2007, in the Council Hearing Room.
Approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission on November 7, 2007.
/S/
_________________________
Martha M.S. Reynolds
Supervisory Administrative Assistant