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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRC 06-03-2015 Minutes_FINALi Parks and Recreation Commission ` 71 Meeting Minutes Council Chambers 990 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Wednesday, June 3, 2015, 5:30 p.m. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Whitener called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. ROLL CALL: Chair Jeff Whitener, Vice Chair Ron Regier and Commissioners Ryan Baker, Susan Olson, Michael Parolini, Douglas Single and Susan Updegrove ABSENT: Michael Parolini COUNCIL: None STAFF: Shelly Stanwyck, Melissa Mudgett, Rich Ogden, Bob Hill, Doug Carscaden, Freddy Otte Public Comment Cathy Marvier, San Luis Obispo Resident and regular senior user of the Sinshiemer therapy pool several times per week, addressed her concern about younger children interfering with water therapy sessions during the midday hours. She asked the Commission to consider a dedicated time for deep - end therapy and adjust slightly the hours of therapy pool during the time of year that Rec Swim is open and an alternative for children and their parents is available. Director Stanwyck responded that a temporary change to the hours, on a pilot basis, could be accommodated for a several weeks at the start of the summer session. During the pilot will solicit user feedback about the change and will report back to the Commission. 1. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES (Committee) Motion: (Olson/Updegrove) Approve Meeting Minutes of May 6, 2015 as amended. Approved: 6 yes: Ono: 1 absent 2. CONSIDERATION OF AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL REGARDING: UPDATE OF BISHOP PEAK CONSERVATION AND OPEN SPACE PLAN (Hill) Natural Resources Manager (Bob Hill) and City Biologist (Freddy Otte) presented to the Commission an update of the Bishop Peak Conservation and Open Space Plan. Staff Hill reminded the Commission that there were two public meetings held in May for community feedback. Last week review with the Planning Commission resulted in additional Commission recommendations as follows; • Address emergency access alternatives • Remove consideration of Patricia Drive access location • Encourage transportation mode shift • Continue work with neighbors on parking control • Do not promote Bishop Peak as a tourist destination • Add additional Ranger staffing as a priority Hill noted that the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve has several unique features such as historic rock climbing areas; grazing rights, horseback riding, single -use trails for hiking only (no mountain biking), memorial benches, two water tanks and a stock pond. He emphasized that the 2015 plan is an update of the existing 2004 conservation plan. Currently there is a total of 7,000 acres in the City's open space program. Bishop Peak open space is comprised of 352 acres and has approximately 4.1 miles of trails with two authorized trailhead access points. Staff Hill reported that on an average weekday, Bishop's Peak has 400 users and increases to 1,000 users on the weekends. Staff shared photo monitoring comparisons from 2004 to current. City Biologist, Freddy Otte, presented to the Commission an overview of animal and species habitat that occupy Bishop Peak open space.. The updated plan addresses erosion and widening issues of Bishop Peak trails, added trail signage along trails and at trailheads. . Hill added that Natural Resources staff will continue to work with Transportation City staff and neighbors to address traffic calming issues and parking circulation in accordance with transportation standards. He clarified for the Commission that the future designation of Bishop Knoll property, should future develop occur, would be the consideration of a special project area for trailhead parking along Foothill Blvd. Staff will continue with a proactive outreach and promotion of partnership efforts through City's Good Neighbor Policy. Staff Hill reminded the Commission that rock climbing is only allowed in specific areas and there will be a continued outreach and education effort with the climbing community. Commission Comment Commissioner Olson asked for clarification of emergency response times. Staff Hill responded that most incidents occur on south side and that the Fire Department's (Station 3) historical access has been at top of Highland Drive (through Brittany Court, access through with has recently been revoked by the property owner). He continued that the Planning Commissions' recommendation was to remove Patricia Drive as an improved emergency access point. Commissioner Single asked of there was a sign at Foothill Boulevard informing users of the unauthorized entrance and if there was any plans to close this location to access. Staff Hill responded that property owner's sign informing users of trespassing on private property often gets removed. He added that there could be a future opportunity for the development of the Bishop Knoll property which would designate the Foothill Boulevard location as an approved access point. Vice Chair Regier asked Staff Hill to further explain Planning Commissions' recommendations. Staff Hill responded that he will continue to work with neighbors on parking controls and demand reduction alternatives through a transportation mode -shift, such as provided bike racks at trailhead and transit -to- trails phone application. He added that he believed parking districts limits two parking spaces per property. Vice Chair Regier asked about additional Ranger staffing recommendation by the Planning Commission. Staff Doug Carscaden shared that, as part of the City's Major City Goal for Open Space Maintenance, staff is proposing one new full -time Ranger position and temporary staffing. City Council will be receiving this recommendation as part of the 2015 -17 Financial Plan budget hearings in June. The current Ranger staff positions are focused on patrol of open space, 35 parks, creeks and illegal encampments. Staff Carscaden said that citations are focused on education and compliance. Csti Y+ IS Public Comment Dave Blakey, a San Luis Obispo resident, thanked staff for their efforts. He asked the Commission to receive the community's feedback and strongly advocate for additional Ranger staff. He shared his opinion in support of removing the Patricia Drive location as an access point. Barry Epperson, a San Luis Obispo resident and a self - described "outdoor addict ", said that trail incidents mainly occur on the south side and he encouraged the development of the Bishop Knoll property for trail access and parking to be included in the 2015 Conservation Plan update. He asked Commission to recommend to Council additional Ranger staffing. Carolyn Huddleston, resident of Templeton and Board of Directors for EcoSLO, communicated with Commission about the existing partnership with the City and EcoSLO for docent led hikes and workdays for trail maintenance. She offered the use of the SLO Stewards newsletter as a way to promote education of users and good trail stewardship. She would like to see the Commission seek a goal of one Ranger staff for every 1,000 preserved open space acres. She added that optimally she would like to see 7 -8 Ranger staff for the program. Phillip Ruggles, Patricia Drive resident, thanked Staff Hill for his Conservation Plan efforts. He asked the Commission to support institution of a hiking program to better track trail use and hold users accountable. He asked Commission to recommend to Council additional 7 -8 Ranger staff. Harry Busselen, Skyline Drive resident, said that having 100,000 users annually and the future expansion and development of Cal Poly is having a significant impact on the City's open space. The impact is diminishing this open space asset as the community is "loving it to death ". Commission Comment Vice Chair Regier said he comfortable with Planning Commission recommendations and supports the increase of more than one additional of Ranger staff. He would like to see the City pursue options for parking to relieve current pressures on the neighborhoods. Commissioner Olson said she is concerned about the timely response of emergency responders to incidents. She would support additional parking options as well as the addition of Ranger staff. Commissioner Updegrove supports addition of Ranger staff and improved trail signage. She is concerned with trash receptacles and doggy bags as this is not in support of ecological mindset of "pack in — pack out ". She would like to see better programs on community education. Commissioner Baker said he supported additional Ranger staff and improved trail signage. Director Stanwyck shared with the Commission an overview of the Major City Goal budget request which is recommending one additional Ranger staff Chair Whitener expressed that the City has been successful in acquiring open space without additional staff for maintenance. Director Stanwyck responded that current and future land acquisitions will include the identification of additional staff resources. Motion: (Regier /Updegrove) The Parks and Recreation Commission recommend to the City Council adoption of the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve Conservation Plan 2015 update. 3 5�'s 1 tafi Qr Approved: 6 yes: Ono: 1 absent Motion: (Regier /Baker) The Parks and Recreation Commission strongly encourages the City to hire more than one new full time ranger in the 2015 -17 Financial Plan. Approved: 6 yes: Ono: 1 absent 3. COMMUNITY INPUT FOCUS: LAGUNA LAKE GOLF COURSE UPDATE ( Stanwyck, Mudgett, Ogden) The Director of Parks and Recreation (Shelly Stanwyck), Recreation Manager (Melissa Mudgett) and the Recreation Supervisor (Rich Ogden) presented to the Commission an update on the Laguna Lake Golf Course. Director Stanwyck reminded the Commission about the reasons for the Golf Program reorganization, which included preparation for a key retirement, a sharing of resources, an increase of services offered to seniors, an intended focus on maintenance and programming, an increase to new programming efforts and providing effective and sustainable operations of the course. Staff Mudgett said the final phase of the reorganization and approval of the proposed additional Golf Programs Coordinator position would be presented to the City Council in June as part of the City's budget hearings. She added that if the proposed position is approved, recruitment would begin in July- August with hiring anticipated in September. Staff Ogden shared with the Commission an update about the current Golf Course Operations Survey. The intent of the survey is to learn more about the Pro Shop operations and identify user needs and desires. Staff Ogden presented to the Commission an overview of survey questions and early survey results received thus far. The operations survey will remain open until the end of June. Public Comment Ruth Starr, long -time resident of the Laguna Lake Golf Course and former course employee, communicated with the Commission her past work experiences and her love of the golf course program. She asked the Commission to allow her to continue the sale of used golf club merchandise at the course while staff continues to analyze survey feedback and decisions are made about future course merchandising. Commission _Comment Chair Whitener thanked Ms. Starr for her continued service and support of the Laguna Lake Golf Course. 4. UPDATE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LAGUNA LAKE NATURAL RESERVE CONSERVATION PLAN COMMUNITY INPUT (Hill) Hill provided the Commission an update on the implementation of the Council approved Laguna Lake Natural Reserve Conservation Plan. Years 1 -3 are the implementation phases and include dredging and sediment management strategies. The early implementation program includes improved signage and ADA accessible trail path as recommended by City Council. Key components of the early implementation work program includes work to create sediment basins and repair erosion, update of soil samples, sediment removal plan, disposal of sediment, eradication of non- native invasive species (salt cedar). Hill added that there will be continued meetings with Friends of the Laguna Lake who have expressed concerns that funding not allocated in the out years of the Capital Improvement Program for these projects. Hill reiterated Council's commitment for the implementation of the Laguna Lake Natural Reserve Conservation Plan. 4 Commission Comments Vice Chair Regier asked if there have been any unforeseen concerns. Hill shared that there have been some issues with the dry basin and people getting stuck in the mud. Public Comment None 5. DIRECTOR'S REPORT ( Stanwyck) Director Stanwyck provided a brief update, in the interest of time, on current Parks and Recreation programs. She said that this is a great time of year for Parks and Recreation with school ending and readying for summer camp. Last day of school is June 11th. Recreation Department highlights are as follows: • Recreation Sports have Jr. Giants starting this summer. This program allows youngster to play baseball for free. Practices are weekdays at Emerson Park with Saturday games at Throop Park. • So far, Triathlon has over 800+ participants registered. Triathlon is on July 26`h • The City is hosting its first Friday Skate Night at SLO Skate Park which is geared towards youngsters (12 years and under) during the summer. 6. SUBCOMMITTEE LIAISON REPORTS • Adult and Senior Programming_ Commissioner Baker reported 77 teams have registered for Adult Summer Softball and practice started Monday. The Santa Rosa ballfield netting is anticipated for installment this summer. He added that Pickleball is being played at the LCC and Meadow Park. The Senior Center Active Exercise class had a record number of participants. He shared that the Senior Center was advising of increased transient activity in Meadow Park. In addition, the Senior Center Executive Board was awarded the Senior Programs for 2015 by the Area Agency on Aging. • Bicycle Advisory: Vice Chair Regier said he did not attend the meeting and there was no report. • City Facilities (Damon Garcia, Golf, Pool & Joint Use Facilities): Commissioner Parolini was absent. No Report. • Jack House Committee: Commissioner Updegrove left early. There was no report provided. • Tree Committee: Commissioner Olson reported on 3 tree removals and shared an interesting proposal where the Home Owner's Association recommended tree removal but the Homeowner opposed. She reminded the Commission about the purpose of Tree Committee reviews as trees may be located on private property but really considered a City tree. • Youth Sports: Commissioner Single reported about discussions on field use and scheduling. He noted that the group works together cohesively. He said the group recommended some field improvements for Damon Garcia Sports Complex. 7. COMMUNICATIONS Chair Whitener said the Water Response Strategy was provided by the Utilities Director, Carrie Mattingly. He would be happy to share this information with the Commission. Commission Single asked if Meadow Park softball field could be watered during drought restrictions. Director Stanwyck said conservation strategy was to continue watering play areas. "T Y - fi IS 0 Adjourned at 8:30 pm to the July 1, 2015 Regular Meeting located in the Council Chambers at 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo at 5:30pm. Approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission on July 1, 2015. Melissa C. M gett, Parks and Recreation epartm Manager N