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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-15-12 PRC Minutes1-1 Parks and Recreation Commission MINUTES Council Chambers 990 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Wednesday, August 15, 2012, 5:30 p.m. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Steve Davis called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. ROLL CALL: Commissioners: Steve Davis, Craig Kincaid, Ron Regier, Jeff Whitener, Susan Updegrove and Michael Parolini ABSENT: David Hensinger STAFF: Shelly Stanwyck, Marti Reynolds, James Bremer, Freddy Otte and Michael Codron Public Comment None. 1. Consideration of Minutes MOTION: (Updegrove/Kincaid) Approve the May 2, 2012 minutes as amended. Approved: 6 yes: 0 no: 1 absent: (Hensinger) MOTION: (Whitener/Regier) Approve the June 27 Special Meeting minutes as submitted. Approved: 6 yes: 0 no: 1 absent: (Hensinger) 2. Volunteer of the Month - Kincaid In lieu of volunteer recognition for the month of August, Director Stanwyck reported on the heroic efforts of Teen Programs Specialist Casey Fodness earlier in the day. Fodness was conducting a field outing kayaking in Morro Bay when one of the participants became unresponsive and required assisted breathing until medics could arrive. The participant was released home in good condition later in the day. Other medical responses this month were experienced during the SLO Triathlon and included successful efforts in resuscitating a participant. Parks and Recreation Commission Draft Minutes – August 15, 2012 Page 2 of 6 1-2 3. Proposed Rotary Donation: Discussion of Consistency with Laguna Lake Nature Park Master Plan and Recommendation to Council Regarding Acceptance – Stanwyck Deb Linden, retired City of San Luis Obispo Police Chief and current Rotary member, gave the Commissioners background information on another collaborative Rotary endeavor. Linden introduced Annie Shanks, President of San Luis Obispo Daybreak Rotary and Carl Dudley, President of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa Rotary. It is the desire of these Rotary chapters to replace the existing, aged PAR course equipment at Laguna Lake Park with durable and long-lasting equipment. The Commissioners were asked to first determine if the project would be consistent with the Laguna Lake Master Plan then to consider recommending Council’s approval as the donation is over $5,000 in value (total is approximately $15,000 including signage). Commissioners discussed and clarified questions of conformance with the Master Plan and City policy; the pathway of the loop course; location and proximity to the disc golf course; removal of old course stations; layout of course, signage included; fiscal impacts with maintenance (which should be minimal, mostly weed abatement), and questions regarding disabled access. Public Works recommends leaving the stations that are the farthest out. Staff discussed including a City funded kiosk adjacent to the equipment to memorialize the first course created by Dr. Paul Spangler as well as provide information about the park including trail maps of which there are none in the park at this time. Director Stanwyck noted the layout is consistent with more modern exercise principles and can be extended to include the dog park area. Chair Davis and Vice Chair Kincaid thanked the Rotary representatives for their contributions toward making San Luis Obispo “a great place to live.” MOTION (Whitener/Parolini) Find the Rotary Club’s donation of a replacement PAR Course at Laguna Lake Nature Park consistent with the policies of the Laguna Lake Master Plan and recommend acceptance of the donation by Council. Approved: 6 yes: 0 no: 1 absent: (Hensinger) 4. Consideration of Request for Reservation of One of the Sinsheimer Park Tennis Courts Tuesdays from 8 – 10 a.m. - Bremer Recreation Supervisor Bremer gave background on the existing scheduled use by men’s and women’s tennis groups at Sinsheimer Park. The Commissioners were asked to consider a request submitted by Mr. Roger Card and Mr. Dick Bray to modify the current use conditions to limit Tuesday morning priority reservations to two 2-hour blocks from 8 to 10 a.m. and 10 a.m. to noon. Commissioner Parolini added information on the history of scheduling decisions that came before the former SURF Committee for resolution. Public Comment Dick Bray, San Luis Obispo with Roger Card, San Luis Obispo. Spoke on finding solutions other than monopolizing two non-reserveable courts and explained his group/league use and desire to prevent fragmentation of available time that a 9 to 11 a.m. schedule brings. He requested Parks and Recreation Commission Draft Minutes – August 15, 2012 Page 3 of 6 1-3 Commissioners modify current the Priorities and Conditions for use of Tennis Courts at Sinsheimer Park to limit Tuesday morning Priority #4 reservations to 8 to 10 a.m. and 10 to 12 p.m. Carol Hall, San Luis Obispo has spent 20 years in the women’s tennis league. Plays in Wednesday group from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Explained that, to her understanding, the Tuesday women’s group didn’t want to change to an 8 to 10 a.m. schedule because of childcare conflicts. Commissioners questioned both speakers about number of participants and groups, utilization of courts and details of schedule conflicts. End of Public Comment. Chair Davis requested time for more research prior to making a decision. Item to be placed on the September agenda. Commissioner Whitener expressed concern regarding appropriateness of an advisory body making scheduling decisions. Requested PRC be removed from decisions on priorities of use. Director Stanwyck explained staff is following policy as it presently exists. Suggested Commissioners allow one time use for women’s league as they have a match prior to the meeting on August 29 but that staff would return to the PRC for consideration of modification to use priorities at its next meeting. MOTION (Regier/Parolini) Assuming women’s league applies for use, approve court use August 29 and hold further decisions of scheduling until next meeting of the PRC on September 5. In the interim, direct staff to discuss compromise with groups and review priorities of use. Approved: 6 yes: 0 no: 1 absent: (Hensinger) 5. Review and Comment on Reservoir Canyon Conservation Plan - Otte Assistant City Manager, Michael Codron introduced City Biologist Freddy Otte. Otte gave a PowerPoint presentation to Commissioners providing information on the history of use of Reservoir Canyon and the details of the Reservoir Canyon Conservation Plan. Also shared information regarding existing rare plant and animal species, management concerns due to damage by public and erosion, loop trail development and challenges of steep grade, wildland fire management, creek crossings and bridge options, better signage and the holistic vision for the trailhead. Also discussed were four legal agreements including PG&E access to transmission lines and five towers, use of water from a spring on Bowden Ranch, a floating easement for road access across 40 acres of private property owned by Michael Sheffer, a permit for watering cattle in the creek from adjacent Trutio property and the use of spring water on the Bowden Ranch portion of the reserve. An environmental review was conducted for potential impacts and mitigation. The conservation plan was reviewed by the public in January and went before the Planning Commission (PCC) June 27. The plan will go before Council in October. Otte recently met with property owner Mr. Michael Sheffer regarding trail design and routing. Public Comment: Mark Sheffer, San Luis Obispo, owner of 40 acres along Reservoir Canyon for 35 years. Access through his property is necessary to cross and access the top of the ridge. Fears property will Parks and Recreation Commission Draft Minutes – August 15, 2012 Page 4 of 6 1-4 experience more damage from off-trail use and that ability of his family to enjoy the property as they had in the past will be lost to them in the future. Attended June PCC meeting where language was requested that could help compensate for loss of use. Discussed recent meeting with Codron and Otte who he commended but feels price of compensation is less than what property is worth. If trail cannot be relocated or impact minimized, will pursue compensation for what is lost. Thanked the PRC for their efforts and time. Commissioners questioned Mr. Sheffer on communications with (retired) Natural Resources Manager, Neil Havlik, signage proposed, details of property access, history of trail, road maintenance, proximity to Cal Poly bridge, technical challenges of avoiding traversing the appealing meadow area. End of Public Comment Commissioners discussed topics of rare plant and animal species with Otte as well as signage, reviews done on compensation, the lack of options for trail loop rerouting and the incorporation of a log by Rangers to collect data on use. MOTION (Kincaid/Regier) Recommend Council’s approval and adoption of the Reservoir Canyon Natural Reserve Draft Conservation Plan as presented. Approved: 6 yes: 0 no: 1 absent: (Hensinger) 6. 2012 Volunteer Dinner – Identify Nominees for Wes Conner Award - Stanwyck Recreation Supervisor Stanwyck presented information on the Wes Conner Award which will be presented to the recipient on September 19 at the annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. Prior recipients and current nominees were discussed by Commissioners. MOTION (Kincaid/Regier) Nominate and Award Bill Thoma as the recipient of the 2012 Wes Conner Award. Approved: 6 yes: 0 no: 1 absent: (Hensinger) 7. Margarita Area Fee Modification – Discuss Letter to Council and Council Agenda Report - Davis Chair Davis discussed letter he sent to Council regarding modifications to the Margarita Area impact fee structure and the hope that it was a one-time modification to recreational fees. Director Stanwyck explained that Council’s intent was to modify area wide fees as it was determined Damon Garcia sports fields had regional benefit and that the Margarita area was carrying larger share of those fees. Staff agreed with commissioners that when there are policies affecting PRC goals, they should be brought to the PRC for review. Commissioner Whitener expressed feeling that the City made a mistake in not updating the Parks and Recreation Element along with the General Plan Land Use and Circulation Element updates. If fee schedule is updated, it needs to come before PRC or pay in long run. Staff indicated that they would have the Community Development Director, Derek Johnson attend a future PRC meeting to discuss Parks and Recreation Commission Draft Minutes – August 15, 2012 Page 5 of 6 1-5 the other element updates status. 8. PRC Opportunities to Advance Recreation Facility and Program Needs of the Commission in 2012-13 - Davis Commissioners discussed and supported being more proactive while still respecting commissioner roles and those of Council. Also discussed was the desire to engage more community attendance at meetings other than when issues of interest are on the agenda because they are in jeopardy. Chair Davis will work with Director Stanwyck on strategies. 9. Monthly Report: Increasing Play at Damon Garcia Sports Fields – Davis and Whitener Commissioner Whitener reported the sports fields look as good if not better than they have in years. The maintenance window has been narrowed down and is impressed with the increased communication and collaboration with staff in the last year. Commissioner Parolini added that not all the public is aware of the fairly recent availability of Tuesday and Thursday drop-in play. 10. Director’s Report – Stanwyck Director Shelly Stanwyck briefed the Commissioners on the success of the SLO Triathlon and the slight changes made each year in an effort to improve the smoothness of the operation. Stanwyck also shared information on the two medical emergencies that were handled professionally by staff and with favorable results for the patients who were released the same day. The Director reiterated this is an event that is meant to encourage community wellness and not competition. Commissioner Regier commended staff as he was able to witness one of the emergencies first hand. 11. Committee Reports Commissioners provided the following reports:  Tree Committee – Hensinger  Jack House Committee – Updegrove  Open Space –Kincaid  Golf – Regier  Bicycle Committee –Regier  Damon-Garcia Sports Field - Whitener Commissioners Whitener and Davis asked for Commissioner Parolini’s participation with Cal Poly and the School District as a liaison and he agreed. Commissioner Hensinger was not present to report on the Tree Committee. Commissioner Kincaid reported on Open Space after meeting with retired Natural Resources Manager, Neil Havlik, who informed him an agreement was reached with the Filipponis to connect to Irish Hills trail. Parks and Recreation Commission Draft Minutes – August 15, 2012 Page 6 of 6 1-6 Commissioner Regier reported on the Bicycle Advisory Committee meeting during which the 2012 Bicycle Transportation Plan was reviewed. Commissioner Updegrove reported on the most recent regular meeting of the Jack House Committee. Discussed was the recent Bridal Fair which was well-attended and provided information to many event planners that were previously unaware of Jack House offerings. Currently a fee comparison with similar venues that hold weddings and events is being conducted. The Jack House is considerably lower in cost than other outdoor venues. Commissioner Regier reported on the Golf Course stating rounds were up 8% and revenue up 8% as well compared to July of last year. 300 play cards were recently sold and staff participated in an alcohol awareness class meant to help in assessing customers who may be a potential risk if renting equipment such as the golf carts. Commissioner Whitener stated Youth Sports met regarding the raised fees that will be in effect for the upcoming school year in 2013/14. Fees will be raised from $5 to $15 per player. 12. Communications Commissioners Regier and Kincaid will both be out of town for the September 5 meeting. 13. Adjourned The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. to the September 5, 2012, Meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission to be located in the Council Chambers. Approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission on September 5, 2012. /Sgd/ ________________________________________________ Martha M.S. Reynolds, Supervising Administrative Assistant