HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-06-13 PRC Minutes1-1
Parks and Recreation Commission
MINUTES
Council Chambers
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Wednesday, March 6, 2013, 5:30 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Davis called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Commissioners: Steve Davis, Craig Kincaid, Susan Updegrove, David
Hensinger, Jeff Whitener, Ron Regier and Michael Parolini
ABSENT: Partial absence: Parolini, Kincaid
STAFF: Shelly Stanwyck, Shannon Bates, Marti Reynolds and Bob Hill
Public Comment
None.
1. Consideration of Minutes
MOTION: (Kincaid/Updegrove) Approve the February 6, 2013 minutes as submitted.
Approved: 6 yes: 0 no: 1 absent (Parolini)
2. Volunteer of the Quarter - Davis
It is with great appreciation that the Parks and Recreation Commission recognizes the outstanding
volunteer for the quarter, Dina Kim.
Dina is a Liberal Studies student at Cal Poly who specializes in Child Development. She has been
volunteering with the SLO Teens program at Laguna Middle School since the start of the 2012-
2013 school year and has been a great asset to the program. Not only does she bring her knowledge
and experience acquired from her studies at Cal Poly, but she also has a unique and fun personality
that is contagious amongst the teens in our program. Because of Dina’s commitment to the
program, she has been able to be a positive influence in her many individual relationships with the
teens. Dina has been an extremely valuable member of the SLO Teens team and we are proud to
recognize her for her hard work and dedication to the youth of San Luis Obispo.
3. Consideration of and Recommendation to Council of Preferred Project for the Construction
of the Santa Rosa Skate Park per the Council’s Major City Goal for 2013-15 - Bates
Recreation Manager Shannon Bates presented Commissioners with a brief overview of the history of
the Santa Rosa Skate Park which began with a Needs Assessment and Community Forums in 2007,
and resulted in a Master Plan and fundraising efforts. This January, City Council adopted a Major City
Goal to complete the skate park using a combination of public funds, donations and grant funding. To
accomplish the goal, staff is drafting a work program. At a Special Meeting April 9 the Council will
consider all of the proposed Major City Goal work programs to accomplish the 2013-15 priorities.
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Bates then presented a cost summary of the approved design for the skate park and identified
alternatives and features of Options A, B and C as follows:
Option A, the Designed Master Planned Skate Park, includes all six public art elements; design &
engineering is 100% complete - $1.2 million needed (existing funds total $973k) for a total of
approximately $2.2 million.
Option B, Skate Park Less Amenities, includes entire 15,500 square foot skate park and all elements
but no cultural amenities such as the amphitheater, entry features, plaza, stage and public art - $861k
needed (total is $1.8 million).
Options C, Street Course Skate Park, would essentially cut the park in half to 7,200 square feet,
although would still be 2,200 square feet larger than the current park, with reduced sports lighting but
basic improvements - $126k needed (total is 1.07 million).
Results from a skate rally, Facebook poll, etc. show the majority of community want Option A.
Another Community Forum will be held on April 4 in the Library at 5:30 p.m.
Director stated Council gave broad goal originally with potential one-time funding. Explained the
drawings for the designed Master Planned Skate Park are currently 95% complete and design finished
so that building permits could be pulled ‘as is’ if approved.
Public Comment
Jacob Roads, San Luis Obispo. Uses Santa Rosa Skate Park every night, feels features of Option A
good and would be happy if even just half the amenities as shown in Option B.
End of Public Comment.
Commissioners made inquiries regarding funding and built-in inflation factors (10% contingency,
some cushion). Commissioners also inquired about trade-offs. Staff explained it would not be possible
to do Option B and add to later due to the challenge of fitting specific public art pieces back into
performance area. Commissioners and staff also discussed current cost estimates and possibility they
could raise with the cost of materials if wait to do a portion of one option later; however discussed
public art as a possible separate option. Also clarified that grants would potentially no longer be
available for the project if Option B or C were chosen. Other ‘lost costs’ would include public art,
planning, design and construction moneys as well as cost to redesign.
Director stated staff anticipates user preference to continue to be Option A since that has been the
result of five years of user group input without redesign.
Commissioner Regier asked that it be noted he supports Option A and concerns Option B may cost
more than appears because of retrofitting.
MOTION: (Hensinger/Kincaid) Recommend Council recognize the PRC’s preferred option, Option
A, to complete the Santa Rosa Skate Park as supported by public testimony. Recommend expansion
of Option B would result in more expense.
Approved: 6 yes: 0 no: 1 absent (Parolini)
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(Commissioner Parolini arrived.)
4. Proposed Map Addendum to the Irish Hills Conservation and Open Space Plan – Hill
Natural Resources Manager Bob Hill gave a presentation to the Commissioners explaining the
proposed map addendum (not changing substance, just adding detail). Hill gave the Commissioners a
brief history of property purchases and private easements beginning in 1998 up through the 2003 Irish
Hills Conservation Plan and the 2010 acquisition of Froom Ranch and updated Conservation Plan and
ultimately Council’s adoption of that plan in 2011. Hill stated Johnson Ranch has become increasingly
popular since finishing the trail connection to Irish Hills. Now that Ranger and Natural Resources staff
know the land more intimately they are contemplating the rerouting of trail networks originally
outlined in the Conservation Plan. Hill stated he and Natural Resources and Ranger staff have spent
time in the field with topography maps outlining areas of minimal impact for trail re-routing while
keeping in mind maintenance needs, sensitive plant communities, user safety, as well as an enhanced
user experience. Also hope to provide both single and multi-use trails in the process. Hill feels the
Ranger Services team construct state of the art trails and, because of the team’s expertise, is confident
there would be minimal impact. Will interact with trail users and conduct surveys to better understand
their wishes prior to construction. Seeking Commissioners’ review, input and recommendations of the
proposed trail layout.
Commissioners inquired about maintenance and safety issues and signage. Hill explained issues with
slope, traffic and wear concerns, connector to Mountain Brook Church area and that there is a big
enough network of users now to be a safety issue. Also discussed bog thistle area closure, increased
growth in trail running sport, mountain bike use, integrating boulders in design as boundaries. Hill also
explained partnering with Open Space goal includes Fire Department for fire abatement concerns.
Commissioner Kincaid expressed his full support of the addendum, the excellent work the Ranger
Services division are doing and how much more enjoyable the trail is than he expected.
(Commissioner Kincaid left the meeting.)
MOTION: (Whitener/Parolini) Recommend Council adopt the proposed map addendum to the
trails depicted in the adopted Irish Hills Natural Reserve Conservation Plan Update to reflect in-
the-field conditions.
Approved: 6 yes: 0 no: 1 absent (Kincaid)
5. Discussion of Planning Opportunities for the Commission and Identification of
Preferences - Stanwyck
Director Stanwyck gave Commissioners background on the Land Use Element and that updating it
is due before Parks and Recreation Element. Parks and Recreation working with Community
Development Department (CDD) to update the Parks and Recreation Element but can’t be
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completed until CDD completes Land Use Element (2015). Master Plans for Parks. Ultimately, as
new parks come up, will be part of planning process.
Commissioners discussed and requested Sinsheimer Park and Laguna Lake modifications be
agendized in the future. Director also suggested pop-up park opportunities such as off-leash dog
parks.
Chair Davis noted that with a bigger approach could do better job if look at ahead of time.
Commissioners Whitener and Parolini expressed being part of planning process for Bishop Peak
next year as an example.
6. Director’s Report – Stanwyck
Director Stanwyck reported to the Commissioners on the following:
Facilities & Pool: Spring break at the end of the month, Rec Swim and the summer season, Jack
House opens to the public the week of the first of April with an Easter Egg Hunt on the 30th of this
month.
Rangers: Ranger Doug Carscaden out for a few weeks on paternity leave; seeing lots of traffic at
Johnson Ranch/Irish Hills and out of town use as well as multi-use seems to be on the rise from trail
runners to mountain bikers and all ages; successful creek cleanup yesterday with staff and contract
cleaners just prior to rainfall (eight encampments found). Continued work on four major City goals
or other important objectives which discuss open space maintenance and by extension our rangers.
Youth Services: Successful Teen event last weekend. Spring Break Camp occurs at the end of the
month.
Sports: Adult softball is in full swing weather permitting. Youth basketball is winding up. Babe
Ruth and Little League started this week. Team tennis is being played on Sunday afternoons as
organized by the coaches.
Community Services: Three Movies in the Mission chosen for summer.
Playgrounds: Plans are circulating for review on Santa Rosa Park, Johnson Park, and Emerson is
getting ready for construction
7. Committee Reports
Commissioners provided the following reports:
Tree Committee – Hensinger Golf - Regier
Open Space –Kincaid Bicycle Committee –Regier
Jack House Committee – Updegrove Damon-Garcia Sports Field - Whitener
School District– Parolini Youth Sports - Davis
Commissioner Hensinger reported on the Tree Committee meeting stating all requests for tree
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removal approved. Asking City Attorney for guidance regarding solar panels and trees blocking sun
from neighbor’s solar sources. Will be adding to Committee members to more consistently achieve
a quorum. Arborist did not recommend relaxation of slack lining rules.
Commissioner Kincaid was not present to report on Open Space.
Commissioner Updegrove reported there was no quorum for the last meeting of the Jack House
Committee. Further investigation is being done into the use of the carriage house.
Commissioner Parolini reported on the School District stating no comment from the District this
month. Director Stanwyck stated has been working with the School District on tennis court lights.
District shut off lights because soccer using then damaged; working on getting the lights back on.
Commissioner Regier reported on the status of the Golf Course stating rounds for the month of
February were down 6% percent and revenue 5% percent. Rounds and revenue for the year to date
were both down 6 percent as well. Revenue decrease could be partially due to discounts and
specials offered (with the intention of bringing new golfers to the facility) that existing golfers were
probably using. Good roster of tournaments; optimistic for rest of the year. Equipment maintenance
staff saved $2500 by performing yearly maintenance themselves by grinding the cutting unit reels.
Staff is experimenting with new mowing pattern on areas surrounding greens, letting rough-cut
areas grow hoping to make the course more playable for the average golfer as balls will stop near
the green.
Commissioner Regier reported there was no meeting of the Bicycle Advisory Committee.
Commissioner Whitener reported on the Damon Garcia sports field. Whitener met with Adam and
Brian; fields not showing new growth. Germinating seeds in bag to combine with mulch. Test patch
doing well--may use for spots. Still begging for fresh water as using recycled is essentially watering
the field with salt (collegiate fields flush with fresh water twice a year). Concerned that user
numbers turned in are not accurate or that counter is off.
8. Communications
Commissioner Whitener may have a volunteer of the quarter for spring.
Commissioner Updegrove commented on the “For the Love of Cities” presentation.
9. Adjourned
The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m. to the April 3, 2013 meeting to be located in the Council
Chambers.
Approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission on 4/3/13.
/Sgd/
________________________________________________
Martha M.S. Reynolds, Supervising Administrative Assistant