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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-01-12 PRC Minutes1-1 Parks and Recreation Commission MINUTES Council Chambers 990 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Wednesday, February 1, 2012, 5:30 p.m. CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chair Gary Havas called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. ROLL CALL: Commissioners: David Hensinger, Ron Regier, Jeff Whitener and Susan Updegrove ABSENT: Craig Kincaid, Steve Davis STAFF: James Bremer (on behalf of the Director), Marti Reynolds, Casey Fodness, Amy Voorhies, John Macon Public Comment None. 1. Consideration of Minutes MOTION: (Hensinger/Updegrove) Approve the January 4, 2012 minutes as submitted. Approved: 6 yes: 0 no: 2 absent (Kincaid, Davis) 2. Volunteer of the Month - Havas It is with great appreciation that the Parks and Recreation Commission recognize the outstanding volunteers for the month of February. On Saturday, December 3, over 40 volunteers provided event support for the first Reindeer Run of the Parks and Recreation Department. A group of three volunteers stood out among them all: Christopher Watanabe, Garrett Morris and Jacob Hymas. They were incredibly helpful inside the senior center serving pancakes at breakfast with Santa, operating the photo booth and staying with staff until the bitter end to help clean up the entire facility. Christopher is studying Physics and German at Cal Poly. He has volunteered for the Parks and Recreation Department acting as a referee for youth sports. He volunteered for the Reindeer Run so he could continue contributing to the community in a fun, spirited event. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes – February 1, 2012 Page 2 of 6 1-2 Jacob is currently studying abroad in Spain and Garrett is not able to attend the meeting as he is in class tonight (he is studying Nutrition at Cal Poly). Garrett has had some of his fondest memories at organized races and not one of them would have been attainable without a great volunteer staff. He thought it would be appropriate to be on the other side. Garrett says, “I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the holidays than helping out with a nice community 5k!” At the close of Reindeer Run, they were rewarded with leftover pancake batter and orange juice but tonight’s recognition is more in line with the dedication and hard work they put into the event. Thank you all very much for your support of the San Luis Obispo Parks and Recreation Department. [Read but issued certificates to Mr. Watanabe after item 3.] 3. Parks & Recreation Element Update & Policy Discussion (Jenna Higgins, Emily Lipoma, Katie Mineo, Catherine Tarone - 30 minutes) Commissioners were given a list of selected policies before the meeting began. Katie Mineo summarized results of public surveys conducted over the last several months at Farmer’s Market, the high school and various mini parks throughout the city. Various user groups were asked to identify favorite and least favorite parks and desired changes. Open space areas rated the most favorably with a common request for more pathways than trails and more areas for dogs to be off leash. Overall everyone appreciated the maintenance and cleanliness of parks. Emily Lipoma referenced a policy list handout for discussion with items needing closer alignment. Commissioners discussed. Emily also encouraged email comments. Commissioner Updegrove inquired about the acreage (10 per 1,000 residents) policy. Ms. Lipoma indicated that overall the policy is not met but that the numbers now do not include open space. Also discussed feasibility of five acre per neighborhood policy which could mean 4-500 acres of parkland within city limits: NRPA suggest 6-11 acres. Our current statistics would be higher if included joint use and county properties. Need to review Park Element for appropriateness of the current numbers suggested for the City. If user needs are changing then a five acre per neighborhood requirement is suggested. Intention is to have appropriate policy for user needs that also fits for greatest amount of time in future. Asked Commissioners to consider wording of Element with this in mind in their comments. Recreation Supervisor Bremer referenced school site uses and Cal Poly demographic. Desire is to focus on City property while acknowledging other organizations use and needs within the City as well. Offered to compile a list for Commissioners. Commissioner Hensinger felt statistics should include Sinsheimer. Lipoma stated Sinsheimer was included but not as joint use area. Commissioner Whitener asked for definitions of Parkland versus Parkway and Pathway. Recreation Supervisor Bremer defined Parkland as an area included in jurisdiction of the City requiring park maintenance, of which there are four levels; from Class 1 being pristine conditions to Class 4 open space. Bremer went on to define a Pathway as a belt or green area connecting from one park to another via path, bridge or grass strip. Lipoma agreed Parkland and Parkway need more definition in Element. Ms. Lipoma asked Commissioners to consider how they felt the City would want to define in future. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes – February 1, 2012 Page 3 of 6 1-3 Commissioner Whitener inquired about the public’s desire for pathways and Lipoma indicated more walking paths over an extended area (like Bob Jones) were of interest than trails. Surveys indicate public is generally very happy with existing areas. Chair Havas asked about other municipalities’ definitions and any other additional definitions we may need. Lipoma indicated other areas define policy as they wish to listing Salinas as an example of needing plans for extending park space in regards to flood safety. Recreation Supervisor Bremer explained Quincy Act and State requirements for setting aside development funding. Commissioner Updegrove felt can’t leave out open space in statistics. Commissioners also discussed definitions of accessibility and Bremer encouraged review committee to check with the Community Development Department on definitions before wrap into policy. Lipoma requested Commissioners review and respond on all policies in policy handout and additional policy listing to be emailed in the next day. Comments and suggestions should be emailed to Director Stanwyck by February 10. Jenna Healy closed the presentation by stating they look forward to hearing commissioners comments. Although no outreach to senior center as of yet they are looking into it as a future survey area. Commissioner Whitener asked for input from seniors and not just at senior center giving example of boomers who will be future seniors soon. The group plans to present an update on the Recreation element at the March 7 PRC meeting. 4. Presentation: Jack House Revenues (Casey Fodness, Interim Community Services Supervisor – 15 minutes) Interim Community Services Supervisor Casey Fodness presented the Commissioners with a PowerPoint outlining 2010-2011 fiscal year revenues and expenditures for the Jack House including Public Works figures. Fodness summarized revenues from tours, gift house and special events such as the Victorian Tea, Haunted House and Christmas as totaling $3,600. Revenue from permits (mostly weddings) totaled $17,349. Expenditures for program maintenance totaled $6,095 including contract services, special events and cost of materials for resale. Of this, $4,600 was for gazebo assessment and repair. Promotions and publications totaled $8,390. Public Works landscape and maintenance equaled $23,435; $19,145 being labor costs. Building maintenance totaled $30,025 but noted in this case the figure is for the 2011 calendar year, not the fiscal year. A net amount of $47,000 is therefore expended each year with the majority being for maintenance. Fodness pointed out the Parks and Recreation related figures do not include staffing costs. Commissioner Updegrove asked about a comparison with past years to which Fodness indicated three years were compared for the summary without noticeable difference. Commissioner Updegrove inquired about Jack House funding provided by family each year and if any of those funds could offset costs. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes – February 1, 2012 Page 4 of 6 1-4 Recreation Supervisor Bremer indicated it was most likely for specific maintenance projects and would not be available for regular maintenance needs. Commissioner Whitener inquired about the gazebo for which a temporary fix in the form of bracing is planned to maintain the structure through the wedding season. Commissioners Regier and Updegrove inquired about fundraising potential efforts and the possibility of Friends of the Jack House in the future and if an organization such as that would be self-run. [Public Comment: Jack House Docent Dee Dee Mulliner answered to the affirmative from the audience.] 5. Agenda Forecast (Bremer on behalf of the Director – 15 minutes) Discussed next meeting location as being at Meadow Park. Nearby residents will be notified approximately one week prior of meeting location. Commissioners had nothing else to add to the forecast. 6. Monthly Report: Increasing Play at Damon Garcia Sports Fields – Davis and Whitener Commissioner Whitener reported there was no meeting in the last month but that the fields are looking very good. The bulk of use is over for the time being. Kudos were given to Public Works regarding maintenance scheduling. Whitener feels the fields are much better looking than they were last year at this time. Group will meet again in early March. 7. Director’s Report –Bremer On behalf of Director Shelly Stanwyck, Recreation Supervisor James Bremer briefed the Commissioners on the following projects: Facilities: Resurfaced gym floor at LCC, outdoor parks completed with maintenance schedule. Department Council Agenda Reports- February 21: SURF Priorities for Sinsheimer Park and Stadium and PRC and SURF Recommendation to combine duties into one advisory body, the PRC includes amended Bylaws to accomplish the same. Rangers: Developing plan for upcoming spring work day with 3CMB, Froom Ranch trail is informally open all the way to the top and the road. Youth Services: Kids Night Out this Friday night at LCC from 6:30-8 p.m. Will share photos at next meeting. Youth Sports: Basketball ongoing, Futsal coming up soon, Diamond sports starting soon, Hockey will start in the spring, YMCA is doing school demos to increase interest, Babe Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes – February 1, 2012 Page 5 of 6 1-5 Ruth opening ceremony is Saturday, March 3 from 10 -11:30 a.m. at Sinsheimer. Last weekend the high school ran a fundraiser – would like to see a fundraiser for soccer at both areas. AYSO fundraiser is this coming weekend. Tuesday-Thursday Drop in Play is 12-2 p.m. Adult Sports: Soccer at Damon Garcia, Rugby at Damon Garcia, 3 on 3 Basketball, Softball Season Registration starts February 13, play starts March 5. Five teams requesting play on the same night. Pool: Boilers have reached the end of their equipment life (12 years old and 10 is a good run) the manufacturer of course no longer makes this model and Public Works cannot get parts for the three boilers anymore. We have an emergency replacement CIP going forward at the mid-year budget b/c if they fail it will get cold quick and our patrons, the high school, and the swim team won’t want to get in the water – a major problem. Fingers crossed that it doesn’t go too soon. Commissioners were given the Advisory Body Recognition dinner flyer as a reminder of the March 1 event. 8. Committee Reports Commissioners provided the following reports:  Tree Committee – Hensinger  Joint Use Committee – Whitener  Youth Sports Association - Davis  Jack House Committee – Updegrove  Open Space – Havas  Golf – Regier  Bicycle Committee – Havas Commissioner Hensinger had reported the Tree Committee met Monday and reviewed several issues which were reviewed by City Council. Noted that the Tree Committee and City Arborist ultimately have only limited ability to approve or disapprove requests and hopes the Council makes clear that they have the ability to veto suggestions from the Tree Committee. Arbor Day is Saturday. Commissioner Davis was not present to report on the Youth Sports Association (YSA). Commissioner Whitener was able to comment on a recent meeting with Director Stanwyck, Recreation Supervisors James Bremer and Rich Ogden and Commissioner Davis with Russell Miller and Arnie Silacci of the School District. It became apparent that the School District will not bend on $30k requirement for field usages – could mean end of YSA. Explained creation of YSA in lieu program that identifies fields wherein City contributes $20k and youth $10k (or roughly $5/player). Without the help of City funds anymore, will raise to $15/player which is not feasible for the community at large. Discussed using non-school district sites as an alternative. Funds would then go to general fund not fields. Commissioner Hensinger asked if the situation was known by the administrative contacts involved and if there was a way to meet the challenge by communicating with different administrators. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes – February 1, 2012 Page 6 of 6 1-6 Bremer added that at the meeting Russell Miller forgave the last payment due. Commissioner Davis is willing to work with Youth Sports but would expect a tangible equivalent of $30k. Commissioner Havas reported on his most recent communications regarding Open Space with Neil Havlik. Slow movement on the Gold Tree Tract and hoping for Council agenda item in March with completion in May; Irish Hills trails open at lower end of Froom Canyon; working on trail license with the Filipponis to allow biking/hiking connection to Johnson Ranch; Stenner Springs skills area progressing well; Agricultural Area Master Plan donor agreement with CCAN expected to be finalized in March; Bob Jones Trail connection with bridge over Prefumo Creek is contemplated; anticipate recording easement of Righetti Hill open space by February; PG&E has suspended work on Reservoir Canyon property; Foster/Spangler Easement was finalized before the end of 2011. Commissioner Havas reported on the Bicycle Advisory Committee meeting. Topics included bike plan revisions, land at Vista del Lago, Laguna Lake. Long range Class I bike path to Orcutt Road. Neil Havlik will look into necessity of land designation. Commissioner Whitener reported on the last meeting of the Shared Use of Recreational Facilities Committee. Received the PRC’s recommendation to absorb the SURF Committee – will go before Council on February 21. Will put together work list of last few years and forward this background information to the PRC. Commissioner Updegrove reported on the most recent meeting of the Jack House Committee. Tour fee is being raised to $5; the County Band is scheduled to play on June 24; theme for the Mother’s Day Tea will be “Purses on Parade.” Discussed events focusing on fundraising and participation in saving the gazebo. Commissioner Regier reported on the Golf Course stating with the dry, warm weather rounds and revenues are up slightly from last year. Six dangerous trees near the entrance to the golf course were removed. The Ladies’ Club is donating funds for re-landscaping. On January 21 the 2nd annual special hero’s tournament was held for 60 players; a BBQ followed. The Achievement House concession is seeing steady improvement although Pro Shop sales are down 24%, most likely due to less space available now for merchandise--looking at new strategies. 9. Communications None. 10. Adjourned The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m. to the March 1, 2012, meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission to be located in the Council Chambers. Approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission on March 1, 2012. _____________________/Sgd/_______________________ Martha M.S. Reynolds, Supervising Administrative Assistant