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Home My WebLink About12-05-12 PRC Minutes1-1 Parks and Recreation Commission MINUTES Council Chambers 990 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Wednesday, December 5, 2012, 5:30 p.m. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Steve Davis called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. ROLL CALL: Commissioners: Craig Kincaid, Steve Davis, David Hensinger, Ron Regier, Jeff Whitener and Susan Updegrove ABSENT: Michael Parolini STAFF: Shelly Stanwyck, Marti Reynolds, James Bremer, Devin Hyfield, Bridget Fraser Public Comment Facilities and Aquatics Supervisor James Bremer introduced Devin Hyfield as the new Aquatics Coordinator at SLO Swim Center. 1. Consideration of Minutes MOTION: (Henderson/Whitener) Approve the November 7, 2012 minutes as submitted. Approved: 6 yes: 0 no: 1 absent (Parolini) Chair Davis approved reordering of the agenda items as follows: 2. Presentation: Santa Rosa Park Playground Equipment Replacement Review & Approval - Bridget Fraser City Engineer Bridget Fraser gave a PowerPoint presentation to the Commissioners explaining the history and plans for replacement of the Santa Rosa Park playground equipment which was originally installed in 1995 as part of several playground renovation projects. 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 for 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 (considered the standard useful life of playground equipment). Preliminary cost estimate is $270K funded through Measure Y General Funds and a Housing Related Parks Program Grant. The existing park had a raised area and wall feature that obstructs the view of certain play areas from parents. Removing this feature will add 30 percent more space to the park. Plans are to install the new play equipment by late summer or fall of 2013. Engineer Fraser then introduced Leif McKay, Landscape Architect with RRM Design Group, who worked on the design of the replacement equipment, focusing on end-user needs. McKay gave an Parks and Recreation Commission Draft Minutes – December 5, 2012 Page 2 of 6 1-2 overview of the public outreach program. A neighborhood workshop was held on May 30 to preview the two playground layout options which were chosen from seven proposed layouts including a nature theme. The workshop directly involved children at Bishop Peak Elementary School and residents near the park to see what specifically would be intriguing to them. Children were allowed to draw out favorite features or ‘dream parks’. The nature/forest-themed model was selected as best suited for the desires of the children and layout of the park. Commissioners discussed and made inquiries as to timing of replacement, funding and design. MOTION: (Kincaid/Regier) Recommend Council approve the proposed improvements to the playground area at Santa Rosa Park Playground Equipment as presented. Approved: 6 yes: 0 no: 1 absent (Parolini) 3. Presentation: Johnson Park Playground Equipment Replacement Review & Approval – Bridget Fraser City Engineer Bridget Fraser gave a PowerPoint presentation to the Commissioners explaining the history and plans for replacement of the Johnson Park playground equipment which, like Santa Rosa Park, was also originally installed in 1995 as part of several playground renovation projects. This project will also correct accessibility issues by replacing the sand surfacing with wood fiber and installing ramps for access from the sidewalks. Predominate users of the play area are preschool and elementary school-aged children. Preliminary cost estimate is $126K funded through Measure Y General Funds. Although 570 invitations were mailed to the neighborhood and posted on Facebook as well as a webpage, attendance was extremely low for the September 18 workshop. The traditional- themed model with a variety of components was selected as the best-suited layout for the park. Commissioners entered into discussion and Commissioner Whitener noted that he would prefer the PRC be involved in the replacement of playground equipment at an earlier stage such as during the vision process. MOTION: (Whitener/Updegrove) Recommend Council approve the option for replacement of Johnson Park Playground Equipment as presented. Approved: 6 yes: 0 no: 1 absent (Parolini) 4. Volunteer of the Quarter – Davis It is with great appreciation that the Parks and Recreation Commission recognizes the outstanding volunteer for the quarter, Marv Daniels. Marv has been volunteering his time to the Parks and Recreation department for years. In addition to assisting with trail building at the large TrailWerks event, Marv has also donated apple trees from Parks and Recreation Commission Draft Minutes – December 5, 2012 Page 3 of 6 1-3 his fruit-growers group to the Triathlon. Recently he has been even more involved with the Rangers by assisting with Wednesday workdays and recruiting others to ‘come out and play in the dirt’ too. From the day many months ago when Marv asked if he could make a posting on the "meet-up" site his new nickname was born: “Meet-up Marv”! Now every Wednesday, Marv, or members of his group come out and help the Rangers make new trails in the Irish Hills area, most recently helping to make the connection from Froom Ranch to Johnson Ranch. Just since September, Wednesday workdays have accumulated over 700 hours of volunteer labor. Besides being a “joy to work with”, Marv’s witty comments and great knowledge of history and the natural environment are very much appreciated. Thank you "Meet-up Marv" for all your efforts in the area of trail construction and maintenance. 5. Review of Citywide Proposed Advisory Committee Goals, Discussion of PRC’s Final Adoption of Recommended Goals to Council - Stanwyck/Davis Commissioners discussed and evaluated the 2012 Major City Goal recommendations and edited to reflect perceived current needs. The 2012 Adopted Major City Goal Recommendation is as follows: Promote Provide for Active and Healthy Lifestyles for our community city residents through City programs, further investment in plans, programs and facilities and policies. Objectives 1. Commit financial support for recreational facilities, activities, and programs Increase Ranger Staffing to improve public safety and neighborhood wellness by increasing Ranger Staffing Implement Sinsheimer Stadium Study Recommendations Construct the Santa Rosa Skate Park Construct lit tennis courts at Emerson Park Fund an update of the Parks and Recreation Element Complete the Railroad Safety Trail, Bob Jones multi-use trail, and bike boulevards 2. Expand recreational opportunities (for example): Form community partnerships to increase sports programming Build additional open space trails Support Parkway development MOTION: (Regier/Whitener) Approve final goals as edited for recommendation to the City Council for the 2013-15 Financial Plan. Approved: 6 yes: 0 no: 1 absent (Parolini) Parks and Recreation Commission Draft Minutes – December 5, 2012 Page 4 of 6 1-4 Director Stanwyck informed Commissioners of the next steps in the goal setting process and upcoming public workshop. 6. Director’s Report – Stanwyck Director Shelly Stanwyck reported to the Commissioners on the following events: Reindeer Run was well attended Saturday with 200 runners and a break in the rain. Councilman John Ashbaugh represented Santa Claus. Over 180 volunteers worked a rainy Trailwerks Day the prior weekend with CCCMB. One volunteer was injured and required transport two miles down trail. Staff is working with volunteers weekly with multiple sessions to get the trails completed as people are trying to hike/bike them already. The connection will open up 15 to 20 miles of trail in the Irish Hills/Froom Ranch/Johnson Ranch area. The Holiday Parade is this Friday as sponsored by the Downtown Association and including Parks and Recreation’s assistance. Sports is winding down for the Holiday break; 3-on-3 Basketball is underway but will shut down for two weeks coinciding with school closures. Holiday closures at Meadow Park, the Senior Center and the LCC to complete annual maintenance start mid-month; users have been informed. Administrative Assistant III, Joyce Arredondo retired November 30. Her replacement, Jen Barker, has been hired as an Administrative Assistant I. Jen has been with the department many years as a Youth Services limited benefit employee. Community Services Supervisor, Meghan Burger will be transferring at the end of the month to serve as the Youth Services Supervisor to replace John Macon. This creates a Community Services and Events Supervisor vacancy which will be under recruitment in the future. The Teen Coordinator position formerly held by Casey Fodness has also become vacant. Other positions available in the Youth Services division include part-time support staff and the full-time Youth Services Coordinator position. 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 most recent meeting of the Tree Committee and routine approvals and disapprovals. There will be no meeting in January; a full agenda in February is expected. Commissioner Kincaid reported on Open Space and his recent meeting with City Biologist Freddy Otte. New City Natural Resources Specialist Bob Hill started this week. The Froom and Johnson Ranch trail connections are almost complete; access is still from Johnson Ranch. The stormwater compliance audit is completed. Parks and Recreation Commission Draft Minutes – December 5, 2012 Page 5 of 6 1-5 Commissioner Updegrove reported on the Jack House Committee: the Victorian Christmas Open House began last Sunday and continues this weekend; period costumes are on loan from the history center. Discussions included removing the elevator, maintenance on the gazebo and utilizing the buggy shed as a workshop area to increase the capacity for indoor facility use. Commissioner Parolini was not present although emailed a report on the School District regarding mud football at Laguna Lake and working toward access to lighted courts. Commissioner Regier reported on the status of the Golf Course stating rounds were down 3% for November compared to last year and revenue was down 20%. Year-to-date rounds were down 3% and revenue 1%. A new replacement fleet of (green) golf carts has been received. Golf Course Operations and Maintenance employee Willie Long is retiring on December 13 after 11 years. Commissioner Regier had no report for the Bicycle Advisory Committee Commissioner Whitener reported on Damon Garcia sports field and hybrid rye grass condition stating Field A is in poor condition due to rains and is showing a large bare area of sand. Commissioner Regier shared his conversation with Public Works regarding re-directing soccer play areas as needed. 8. Communications Director Stanwyck informed Commissioners the new Public Works Director, Daryl Grisby, begins December 17. 9. Adjourned The meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m. to the January 9, 2013 meeting to be located in the Library Meeting Room. Approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission on January 9, 2013. __________________/sgd/_____________________________ Martha M.S. Reynolds, Supervising Administrative Assistant