HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-03-12 PRC Minutes1-1
Parks and Recreation Commission
MINUTES
Council Chambers
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Wednesday, October 3, 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, Jeff Whitener, Susan Updegrove, David
Hensinger, Craig Kincaid, Ron Regier and Michael Parolini
STAFF: Shelly Stanwyck, Marti Reynolds, James Bremer, Bridget Fraser, Charles
Bourbeau, Pam Ricci, Derek Johnson
Public Comment
None.
1. Consideration of Minutes
MOTION: (Hensinger/Updegrove) Approve the September 5, 2012 minutes as submitted.
Approved: 6 yes: 0 no: 1 absent (Parolini: Arrived 5:33 p.m.)
2. Volunteer of the Month - Davis
Director Stanwyck reported on the annual Volunteer Appreciation Banquet held September 19 at
which Ann Ream was honored with the Martha Schwartz Volunteer of the Year Award and Bill
Thoma was given the Wes Conner Award.
3. Emerson Park Playground Equipment Replacement Review & Approval – Fraser
Engineer Bridget Fraser gave a PowerPoint presentation to the Commissioners explaining the history
and plans for replacement of the Emerson Park playground equipment which was originally installed
in 1997. According to California State Playground Safety Regulations, public agencies are required to
bring playgrounds and play equipment installed before 1999 into compliance with current playground-
related standards set forth by the American Society of Testing and Materials and the guidelines set
forth by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Parks and Recreation also has a policy of
scheduling play equipment replacement on a 15-year cycle (the standard useful life of playground
equipment). Fraser then introduced Ann Sieber, Landscape Architect with the Wallace Group who
assisted with design of the replacement equipment. A neighborhood workshop was held on September
11 to preview the two options of playground layout. Although over 350 invitations were sent,
attendance was low and preferences were evenly split. Staff therefore recommends the garden-themed
layout rather than the traditional structure as it more complements the community gardens and a
traditional structure exists nearby at Mitchell Park. Commissioners discussed and stated their
preference to be the garden-themed layout as well.
MOTION: (Kincaid/Hensinger) Approve the proposed improvements to the playground area at the
Emerson Park Playground and forward the recommendation to the City Council.
Approved: 7 yes: 0 no: 0 absent
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4. 2013-15 Financial Plan Overview and Development of PRC’s Goals - Bourbeau
Finance Director Charles Bourbeau gave the Commissioners a PowerPoint presentation and overview
of the 2013/15 Financial Plan and addressed the City’s biannual goal setting process. Bourbeau
suggested the Commissioners consider five to seven projects that will be of the highest priority over
the next two years. Council objectives of 2011/13 were also highlighted. Bourbeau also discussed
alternative approaches and exploring other revenue sources or partnering opportunities.
Commissioner Kincaid indicated a desire to review past goals and consider their completion rather
than submitting new ones. Director Stanwyck advised first goal-setting deadline is in November which
will give her an opportunity to get more information for Commissioners.
Commissioners entered into discussion on goal setting and last season’s “umbrella goal” and the
pursuit of over-achieving that goal through greater connectivity in regards to health and wellness;
economic development; link to healthy environment and community; ‘Happiest City in North
America’ significance. Also discussed the topic of parkways and bicycle boulevards outlined in the
Cal Poly students’ Park Element presentation this year as being a potential goal.
5. Presentation: SESLOC’s Plan for Development at 3807 Broad Street - Ricci
Senior City Planner Pam Ricci gave a PowerPoint presentation and conceptual review on the campus
master plan for SESLOC credit union located adjacent to the Damon-Garcia Sports Fields. Ricci
provided history of the agreement with SESLOC and use of the property. Informed Commissioners of
review stages, the final design review is scheduled for the Architectural Review Commission’s
consideration October 15.
Director Stanwyck introduced Derek Johnson, Director of Community Development, who gave an
overview of SESLOC’s plans for the eight-acre area to the Commissioners. Plans include a 35,000 sq.
ft. two-story office, 5,000 sq. ft. retail area, ATM kiosk and 165 parking spaces of which only 133
(1/300 sq. ft.) is required. Negotiations continue for terms and conditions of overflow parking.
Commissioners commented on weekend parking observances and concerns regarding overflow
negotiations critical to function of Damon Garcia events. Discussed possible joint use.
Chris Dufour, Project Landscape Architect with RRM Design Group, was introduced. Mr. Dufour
outlined conditions and layout of the street surrounding the project area and explained it’s unfeasibility
for parking use. Commissioners inquired about other parking layout alternatives.
Commissioners also discussed background information on parking availability at Damon Garcia.
Commissioner Whitener informed it was a decision made by citizens and users of the facility to keep
parking space to a minimum and thus allow more field space and that users would provide a solution if
needed (such as shuttle service).
Senior Planner Ricci assured Commissioners that SESLOC is aware of the desire of the community
for overflow parking and, because of the limited time frame, is very interested in getting started with a
solution and the project.
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6. Presentation: Margarita Area Fees – Johnson
Community Development Director Derek Johnson gave a PowerPoint presentation to
Commissioners to report on fees involved in the Margarita Area Specific Plan (MASP). Director
Johnson gave background on how park impact fees could be one of many components responsible
for slowing down the production of the housing development. Discussed pre-annexation agreement
(prior to adoption of the Specific Plan) that indicated a lower parkland impact fee amount:
Developers had assumed a lower fee to estimate financing. A settlement agreement therefore
required the City to consider an adjustment in initial parkland fees. This fee adjustment did not
change the amount of parkland development. A 10-acre park is to be constructed as part of the
MASP according to Policy 3.13.1 of the Parks and Recreation Element that directs the City to
develop 10 acres of parkland per every 1,000 residents. Explained the Land Use Element Policy
1.13 and costs borne by development and the reduction of the amount of park fees applied to the
Sports Fields. An amendment is proposed to remove a portion of the Damon Garcia Sports Fields
from the responsibility of the MASP and amend the fee structure to give direct fee credit to
development that dedicates parkland. Park impact fees have become a barrier to residential
development, DG has evolved to be a community-wide benefit and park fees are not shared equally
between those who contribute parkland and those who do not.
Commissioners discussed feeling uninvolved in initial MASP stages. Inquired about financial
responsibilities of developers, other pre-annexation agreements (none), community-wide resource
funding, general fund use for building of D/G, and percentage of construction costs that go to fees
(35-40%).
Commissioner Regier exited the meeting at 7:20 p.m.
7. Staff Report: Sinsheimer Stadium Use – Bremer
At the September 5 meeting of the PRC, it was requested that staff return with an analysis on the
use of Sinsheimer Park Baseball Stadium during 2012. Recreation Supervisor James Bremer,
realizing a broader timeframe of review would be more helpful, created a profile of the past six
years of use by the Stadium’s four major user groups – Men’s Baseball, Babe Ruth, the Blues and
the Rattlers and summarized uses and trends. Bremer noted that, with the loss of Dan Ainsworth,
manager of Men’s Baseball League, there has been less dialogue between the users
Bremer reviewed the priorities of use for the benefit of the Commissioners. Bremer also explained
the history of land ownership by the school district and how the stadium was built voluntarily by
local contractors primarily for use by youth baseball noting this history is supported by newspaper
clippings found from the 1970s. Bremer broke down financial information on league earnings and
fees. Explained the challenges of scheduling for each organization, for example; collegiate teams
begin scheduling for the next year just after the last game around June as they need to turn in
schedules by November for the upcoming year, however; youth teams don’t have registration
information until months later around February.
Commissioners discussed use of the stadium on Saturday nights by youth baseball and the deadlines
and maximum number of dates as decided by the (now disbanded) Shared Use of Recreational
Facilities Committee. Commissioners inquired about last year’s schedule and tournaments or games
that couldn’t occur due to schedule conflicts. Also discussed were possible consequences or fees if a
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field is not used by a team that has it reserved and thereby is unavailable to another team for use.
Funding used for maintenance was also discussed. The next meeting with user groups is November
15. Director Stanwyck stated a staff report will be provided Commissioners after that meeting.
8. Director’s Report – Stanwyck
Director Shelly Stanwyck reported to the Commissioners on the following events:
Munchkin March: New Halloween event this year replacing Halloween Hoopla.
Staff Transitions:
o James Bremer has taken on the additional duties of the Pool since the retirement of
the Pool Supervisor, Robin Perrin and is now the Facilities and Aquatics Supervisor.
o John Macon, Youth Services Supervisor, is resigning effective the end of December.
o Willie Long, full-time Golf Course Maintenance employee, is retiring in December.
o The Youth Services Coordinator position has been approved by the City Manager for
recruitment.
Ranger Workday is November 17 and will focus on connecting Johnson Ranch to Irish Hills.
All school sites with the exception of Hawthorne are full and have waiting lists for
childcare.
There will be 15 more Box Art decorations during the Plein Aire Festival Saturday, October
6. Commissioner Parolini inquired about QR codes on boxes to identify artists.
Creek Clean Up had 117 volunteers and 6,380 pounds of trash was removed.
Next month Peggy Mandeville will give an overview of the Bicycle Plan.
9. 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
School District– Parolini
Commissioner Hensinger reported on the most recent meeting of the Tree Committee: trying to
increase number of members currently at 7. Arborist trying to negotiate with owner of Gas Station
on Santa Rosa regarding replanting.
Commissioner Kincaid reported on Open Space topics after having met with Freddy Otte regarding
Johnson Ranch wetland, cleaning of lower Laguna Lake, pool downstream of Forbes Pond, concern
with new trail impacts and encouragement of Friends of Laguna Lake. Requested bathometric
survey be explained to PRC in future by Freddy Otte.
Commissioner Regier was not present to report on the Bicycle Advisory Committee.
Commissioners Parolini reported on the School District. Parolini met with Arnie Silacci of the
School District regarding Ranger patrol of school property and areas under patrol, irrigation
contractor, dead grass problems, pocket park, vines behind football field, unsealed flooring at C.L.
Smith and negative communication with contractor. Director Stanwyck discussed updating Joint
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Use Agreement to work toward better communication.
Commissioner Updegrove reported on the last meeting of the Jack House Committee. Topics
discussed were the October 14 Halloween Haunted House, an increase in weddings at the Jack
House, designing souvenir glasses for brides and grooms, the design of a new logo and examining
current fees.
Commissioner Regier was not present to report on the status of the Golf Course.
Commissioner Whitener reported on Damon Garcia sports field and hybrid rye grass condition,
setting up regular meetings and a tour of the field with Adam Basden.
10. Communications
Commissioner Parolini relayed a complaint from the public regarding amplified sound at Mitchell
Park on Sunday.
11. Adjourned
The meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m. to the November 7, 2012, meeting of the Parks & Recreation
Commission to be located in the Parks and Recreation Office Conference Room.
Approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission on November 7, 2012.
/Sgd/
________________________________________________
Martha M.S. Reynolds, Supervising Administrative Assistant