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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-07-12 PRC Minutes1-1 Parks and Recreation Commission MINUTES Meadow Park Building 2333 Meadow Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Wednesday, March 7, 2012, 5:30 p.m. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Craig Kincaid called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. ROLL CALL: Commissioners: Craig Kincaid, David Hensinger, Ron Regier, Jeff Whitener, Susan Updegrove, Steve Davis and Gary Havas ABSENT: STAFF: James Bremer (on behalf of the Director), Marti Reynolds, Todd Beights and Meg Evans Public Comment None. 1. Consideration of Minutes MOTION: (Havas/Whitener) Approve the February 1, 2012 minutes as amended. Approved: 7 yes: 0 no: 0 absent 2. Volunteer of the Month - Kincaid It is with great appreciation that the Parks and Recreation Commission recognizes the outstanding volunteer for the month of March. This generous person has volunteered a multitude of hours in assisting the Ranger Services staff build bridges in our open space areas. Our volunteer of the month is known for his sharp wit and fun perspective on many different topics as well as his unconventional perspectives. He is known for his ability to think outside the box and is always extremely positive and very fun to be around and work with side-by-side. In addition to volunteering his time with the Parks and Recreation Department, this person also regularly donates his time to the Central Coast Concerned Mountain Bikers on projects in open space areas such as Stenner Springs, Froom Creek and Irish Hills. He also contributes his time and talent to the Bicycle Coalition doing such things as volunteering as a bike valet for various events. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes – March 7, 2012 Page 2 of 6 1-2 Our volunteer’s background explains why he is so knowledgeable on the subject of carpentry and the proper function and use of tools for these volunteer efforts: he had a cabinet and furniture making business in Martinez after graduating from Cal Poly. He has donated thousands of dollar’s worth of industrial equipment (a table saw, radial arm saw and band saw) to Ranger Services. Like many who have gone to school here, San Luis Obispo called him back several years ago for which we are very fortunate as this person has also faithfully volunteered his time as a Commissioner on this advisory body. If it isn’t obvious who our volunteer of the month is by now, it is our own Commissioner Gary Havas. Gary is about to embark on an extended United States cross-country bicycle trip and, while we will miss him, we wish him only the best of luck. Gary Havas, we thank you very, very much for your support of the San Luis Obispo Parks and Recreation Department. 3. Outgoing Member Appreciation – Bremer Recreation Supervisor James Bremer honored outgoing Shared Use of Recreational Facilities (SURF) Members Michael Parolini and Jeff Whitener with commemorative plaques. The SURF Committee will be absorbed by the PRC in April after 45 years of service since its formation in 1967 as the Advisory Review Board on Joint Recreation Use of School District Property. Since then it underwent three other changes in title; in 1981 it became the Advisory Committee on Joint Recreation Use of School District Property, in 2005 the Advisory Committee on Joint Use of Recreation Facilities and finally in 2011 the SURF Committee. Both Mr. Parolini and Mr. Whitener spoke of their positive experiences with the Committee and that they will continue to care about the issues that the PRC will now be addressing. SURF Members Jesse Bilsten and David Robbins were unable to attend. 4. Staff Report – Bremer Recreation Supervisor James Bremer gave a PowerPoint presentation to Commissioners and oriented them to the duties and responsibilities of a Playground Equipment Inspector. Measurement tools were also on hand for Commissioners to view. Commissioners and audience in attendance gathered outside the Meadow Park facility to view examples of size requirements and safety concerns first hand on the new equipment. Bremer also illustrated the latest changes in design and differences between play sets for different age groups. Commissioners reconvened inside at 6:15 p.m. Note: At this time, Chair Kincaid excused himself from the remainder of the meeting. Vice Chair Havas assumed the role of Chair. 5. Staff Report on Park Maintenance – Beights Parks and Urban Forest Supervisor Todd Beights introduced Parks Maintenance Supervisor Meg Evans. Beights and Evans discussed both accomplishments and ongoing concerns in the routine daily Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes – March 7, 2012 Page 3 of 6 1-3 maintenance of Meadow Park including, but not limited to, problematic issues with transient individuals. Evans informed Commissioners the park was once known as vodka alley among other things but the last six months have improved due to the new play equipment and the increased family presence as well as. The Parks and Urban Forest Maintenance crew will host Arbor Day at Meadow Park this year during which time more than 12 trees will be planted. 6. Parks & Recreation Element Informational Update - (Higgins, Lipoma, Mineo, Tarone - 30 minutes) Cal Poly Parks and Recreation Element team members Jenna Higgins, Emily Lipoma, Katie Mineo and Catherine Tarone gave a PowerPoint presentation to Commissioners. Team members asked for feedback from Commissioners to be included into the final product. They then highlighted changes to the general policy including removal of some outdated policies (for those items already accomplished such as the therapy pool). Included with their updates were the annexation policy, garden policy, parkways, additional recreation areas (off-leash dog park, skate park), temporary park space, senior and teen multi-use center. Commissioners then entered into discussion with the group and inquired about the temporary park programs in other cities, potential and existing parkways and pathways, and pondered ideas on the multi-use community center. There is recognition that what appeals to seniors in the future will most likely be different than past senior interests. The Commissioners complemented the group on their work. The final draft of the Park Element update will be given to the Parks and Recreation Department in the near future and then agendized for the PRC at a later date. 7. Monthly Report: Increasing Play at Damon Garcia Sports Fields – Davis and Whitener Commissioner Whitener reported no new observations and that the meeting had been postponed until next month. February survey results were given to the commissioners. 8. Director’s Report –Bremer On behalf of Director Shelly Stanwyck, Recreation Supervisor James Bremer briefed the Commissioners on the following subjects: SURF Committee status and absorption of duties; new PRC board member appointments in April, will table chair and vice-chair assignments as well as subcommittee appointments until May. Will also review bylaws and work program ideas Park Tour Ideas: be prepared to give suggestions next month; consider Froom Creek Trail hike Adult Sports: Softball started Monday, March 05. 79 teams enrolled; using three Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes – March 7, 2012 Page 4 of 6 1-4 fields--El Chorro 1 & 2 and Santa Rosa. Also 3 on 3 Basketball is on Monday nights at the Ludwick Center Youth Basketball: High School Basketball ends March 31. Youth basketball just ended. Community Events: The Roc N Flow Skate park event is March 31 at Santa Rosa Park; there will be bands, vendors, art, and a beer garden The Senior Center Luncheon will be April 18 at noon The Jack House opens April 1; the Easter Egg Hunt will be held there April 7 Youth Services is busy with minimum days and regular programming. Rangers are recruiting for backfill positions, FASTA is finishing the first of three trails. A wall ride is almost complete. April 14 is a joint work day with CCCMB at Froom Creek; Rangers are plotting new trail paths from Froom to Johnson Ranch. Front Desk and Facilities staff are seeing increased activity as we enter the spring season as sports venues and events are on the rise, and both indoor and outdoor facility use grows. Also minimum days at local schools have increased the activity at the front desk as well. There will be a City Clerk farewell gathering at the Jack House March 28 Vice Chair Havas thanked Mr. Bremer for updating the Commissioners and his ever-present enthusiasm. 9. 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 reported on the most recent meeting of the Tree Committee; had some quorum-related issues regarding certain decisions and need more members on the committee. Judged Arbor Day posters, heritage tree plaque, discussed the unique Osage orange tree species in Meadow Park and the need for a female of the species. Commissioner Davis reported that next month there will be an executive board meeting of the Youth Sports Association (YSA). They did meet with the school district recently and the decision was made by the district to waive the last payment due; still working with us creatively on the $20k Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes – March 7, 2012 Page 5 of 6 1-5 that is now on the burden of the youth groups to pay. Commissioner Havas reported on recent information received regarding Open Space from Neil Havlik. Current projects include; Laguna Lake dredging plan, Reservoir Canyon, Goldtree lots, waiting to hear on grant applications from last fall. Commissioner Havas did not attend the Bicycle Advisory Committee meeting. Commissioner Whitener did not attend the last meeting of the Shared Use of Recreational Facilities Committee. Commissioner Updegrove reported on the most recent meeting of the Jack House Committee. The Jack House is currently closed for cleaning; a new marketing brochure is on the website; planning is underway for the Easter Egg Hunt and Mother’s Day activities; there is a Bridal mixer in July to promote use of the facility. Commissioner Regier reported on the Golf Course stating the course is in great shape. Statistically, there were 35% more rounds played this year plus 35% more revenue (since July rounds are up 7% and revenue 3%). He noted last year’s figures include revenue from snacks sold in the pro shop before the Achievement House concession began. 10. Outgoing Member Appreciation – Bremer Recreation Supervisor James Bremer presented outgoing Commissioner and Vice Chair Gary Havas with a plaque commemorating his service on the Parks and Recreation Commission since 2008. Commissioner Havas thanked staff and his fellow PRC members and mentioned plans to remain active by attending future meetings as a concerned citizen. 11. Communications None. 12. Adjourned The meeting adjourned at 7:41 p.m. to the April 4, 2012, meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission to be located in the Council Chambers. Approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission on April 4, 2012. /Sgd/ ________________________________________________ Martha M.S. Reynolds, Supervising Administrative Assistant