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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRC 9-2-15 Minutes_FINALF Parks and Recreation Commission r4� r Meeting Minutes Council Hearing Room 990 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Wednesday, September 2, 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: None COUNCIL: None STAFF: Shelly Stanwyck, Lindsey Stephenson, Dave Setterlund, Rich Ogden, Chris Woods, John Rickenbach (contract planner) Public Comment Cathy Marvier, said she was happy that the hours of the therapy pool were adjusted. She presented a thank you letter to the Commission for their efforts. She added that the information about the pending pool closure has been very helpful. Rob Davidson, spoke in support of the Laguna Lake Natural Resource Plan. He would like to see the updates of the Laguna Lake Master Plan include upgrades to the parks infrastructure at the same time as lakeside road improvements and the boat ramp are in need of repairs. Arnold Ruiz, Resident of SLO, spoke in support of the Laguna Lake Master Plan and recommended now as the ideal time to excavate the lake. He recommended the building of a reservoir (canal) in lake while dry. 1. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES (Committee) Motion: (Single/Updegrove) Approve Meeting Minutes of July 1, 2015 as amended. Approved: 7 yes: Ono: 0 absent 2. INTRODUCTION OF RECREATION COORDINATOR FOR GOLF AND SENIOR PROGRAMS, CHRIS WOODS (Stanwyck) Rich Ogden, Recreation Supervisor, introduced the newest Parks and Recreation staff member, Chris Woods. Chris was hired as the Recreation Specialist for Golf and Senior Programs. He comes to the City with extensive experience in Recreation Management, Aquatics, Golf, and Skate parks. He most recently served as the Director for a Colorado Parks Department. Mr. Woods expressed to the Commission that he is happy to be a part of this community and is looking forward to expanding the programming at the golf course. 3. COMMUNITY INPUT FOCUS: COMMUNITY GARDENS AND DOG OFF LEASH AREA ( Setterlund, Stephenson) cn �3 Director Stanwyck provided an overview of the Community Input Session. This month's focus is on Community Gardens and the Dog Off -Leash Area. Community Garden Program: Dave Setterlund, Recreation Supervisor Community Services, presented to the Commission an overview of the community garden program. Currently there are four community gardens city -wide. There are a total of 119 plots and waiting lists for each garden. He added that there are regular monthly/bi- monthly gardens workdays. He shared that the gardens provided an added benefit for community place- making. A new community garden, to be located at Laguna Lake Golf Course, will exclusively use recycled water. He anticipated construction of the new garden by early 2016. Commission Comments: Commissioner Single said he was on the waiting list for 2 years and was very excited to finally get his own garden plot. Commissioner Single asked if he had the ability to section off the inside of his plot area. Staff Setterlund confirmed that this was okay and recommended working with other fellow gardeners. The Commissioner expressed that he has lived in numerous cities and has not seen a better coininunity garden program than the City of SLO. Chair Whitener asked how water rationings are affecting the community gardens. Director Stanwyck said the City is looking to future recycled water use as infrastructure is made available. Educational programs are offered on gardening best practices. Commissioner Single recommended signage for "limiting water waste" to help with conservation efforts. Staff Setterlund responded that this is something staff can accommodate. Commissioner Single recommended adding a picnic table at each community garden so that gardeners could socialize and share vegetables with each other. Commissioner Olson asked about the process for neglected plots. Staff Setterlund shared that the process includes a weekly review and follow -up "TLC" letters with remedy timelines. If neglect is not addressed, gardeners could be removed from the plot. Public Comment: Janet Santacqua expressed concerns about the Emerson garden even with more evening police patrol of transient populations. She asked the Commission to consider adding portable restrooms for gardeners to use. She asked is a trash can to be placed at the garden and additional signage for "No Smoking" in the gardens. She invited the Commissioners to come visit the community gardens. Constance DePiero, a gardener at Meadow Park, said a shed would be helpful for storage and the Rec Specialist staff to keep gardeners informed via email. She added that the garden workdays are helpful. She would like to have permanent signs added at Community Gardens explaining the purpose of the gardens. She would also like to see a quicker over -turn of neglected plots. She recommended numbering on plots and community on -line or physical bulletin board and pollinator boxes (bee boxes). She asked is gardeners could be required volunteer hours for a community garden area for weed abatement and care. Bobby Binder, gardener at Meadow Park, said he recently graduated as a master gardener, and she also recommends planting flowers to attract bees for pollination. She reconiinended contracts be renewed annually with a reminder of the rules. 2 Katherina Koller, a gardener at Meadow Park, thanked SLO for the community gardens as a great way for seniors to get out and socialize. She added that Meadow Park has beautiful internal art piece but is concerned with vandalism and homeless persons in the gardens. She supported additional signage stressing the "beauty of the community garden" but it is not there for picking. She also supported the addition of picnic tables. She would like to see the a plot reserved for special educations and ADD children. Rita Mills, community gardener, thanked the Commission for the community gardens program. She would like to see more enforcement of the rules (unruly plantings) to improve moral and compliance. She supported additional signage that explains the intent of the community gardens and porto- potties. Bradlee Kirkman, resident of SLO. He shared that he lives in an apartment so he is very thankful for the community garden program and is happy to see expansion of the community gardens. He supported the idea of providing community planting recommendations and recommendations for how much water to use. Dave Buckner, a community gardener, reminded the Commission that SLO is a smoke -free city. He thanked the Commission for the Community Garden Program. Director Stanwyck responded that the community input and recommendations could be addressed and some improvements made to the gardens. Staff will report back to Commission in 6 months with any update to the program. Dog Off -Lease Area Staff Lindsey Stephenson, Parks and Recreation Analyst, presented to the Commission an update for the Dog Off -Leash Area project improvements. This project addresses safety concerns with dogs and vehicular traffic as well as infrastructure preservation of the restrooms. The project includes wood fencing, appropriate to the area, along the restroom and parking lot. The "area" will be demarcated by boulders to provide a visual barrier to the project area. The project design will come before the Parks and Recreation Commission for review and recommendations. The project cost is $50,000 in 2015 -16 with ongoing maintenance funds identified every 3 years. Staff Lindsey added that staff will work on developing an email group list to support community outreach with dog park users. Commission Comments: Commissioner Parolini asked what type of boulders and indicated they should match the geological conditions of the area. Staff Stephenson responded that the Public Works Department will present conceptual designs prior to the Commission's review. Commissioner Single asked who enforces the off -leash laws. Staff Stephenson responded that the Police Department is responsible for enforcing leash laws in the parks and the Rangers are responsible for enforcing leash laws in the Open Space. Director Stanwyck said the fine for dog off - leash is $560. She added that the new "leashes" (promoting the program) have been provided to Parks Maintenance staff to pass out to the community. She further added that the Commission could address recommendations for Council review as part of the Financial Planning process. Commissioner Updegrove and Olson recommended adding a fenced dog park for dogs to be off - leash. Director Stanwyck shared that the Commission could address recommendations for Council n "e *,- �*Z" review as part of the Financial Planning process. Commission Olson also recommended including a better watering stations for the dogs. Public Comment: Wendy Ayers, resident, asked that better signage for "off- leash" and "on- leash" boundary areas be added to the project. She would also like to see signage to address "un- neutered/unsprayed animals not being allowed ". She recommend better weed abatement with concerns for fox -tail management. She would like to see the trash cans emptied on a more frequent basis. Diane Anthony, resident, would like to see parking lot signage for "slow down — be careful of dog area" and signage for "Leash is required beyond this point, the fine is $560" as this might encourage compliance. She expressed her concern for Parks Maintenance weed abatement and recommends mechanical weed abatement over use of chemicals. Director Stanwyck said she supported "kind" signs, parks maintenance weed abatement, laminated signs for bulletin board to communicate when the project will be coming forward again for Commissions' review. 4. CONCEPTUAL REVIEW OF PARKS PROPOSAL FOR AVILA RANCH (John Rickenbach) John Rickenbach, City of San Luis Obispo Contract Planner, presented to the Commission a conceptual plan for Avila Ranch, how the project meets City requirements and asked for the Commissions' feedback about items to address /include as part of the project. Avila Ranch is a 150 acre project located on the North side of Buckley Road. This project is consistent with the Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE). The project is estimated to include up to 700 homes and approximately 15,000- 20,000 square feet of commercial space. Approximately half of the project site preserved for open space with 19 acres of public parks and a realignment and restoration of Tank Farm creek. Contract staff Rickenbach spoke about the City's development requirements which calls for parks of 10 acres per 1,000 residents and neighborhood parks of 5 acres per 1,000 residents with a 1 mile maximum distance from residents. The proposed Avila Ranch projects exceeds this requirement at 19.7 acres of public parks. Contract staff Rickenbach added that it would be the expectation to build the park first and then take the fee credits as part of phase 3 of the development. He added that the developer would be responsible for development of parks within their area. Commission Comments: Commissioner Updegrove recommended adding to the proposed project design a community garden, pickleball courts, an off -leash "fenced" dog area, tot -lots and picnic areas in pocket parks to meet some of the recreational needs. She supported access to creek and liked the bike areas and trails presented in the conceptual design. She asked about the higher density residential area and the requirement to cross a major street. Contract staff responded that there will be a residential connector path. Commissioner Parolini said that the 3.0 linear area for trails as presented in the conception design is for open space, and not parks, and that this acreage should not counted towards the overall parks acreage requirement. He added that parking will need to be addressed as part of the Avila Ranch 4 Cpl project plan. Parking area should not come from the overall parks acreage. Commissioner Parolini recommended adding drinking fountains in mini -parks and mutt -mitts waste receptacles. Commissioner Baker would not support the building of ballfields as part of this project unless they are built to regulation size; otherwise he recommends multi -use fields. He added that parks need more shade which could be provided by the planting of trees or shade structures at resting areas. Vice Chair Regier asked about the siting of the neighborhood park. Stephen Peck, project proponent, responded that the park would be centrally located at the intersection of two residential development areas. He further added that the parking will be combined for the retail space and the parks to maximize use. Commissioner Single asked if any elementary schools are located within this project. Director Stanwyck responded that the old Pacheco school at Grand Avenue and the old Jr. High (which are being used for other purposes) could be reopened if determined to support this need. She added that the School District is developing a 20 -year plan for growth in which these needs would be addressed. Commissioner Single said he would like to see youth sports addressed as part of this development project. Commissioner Olson asked if the project included a club house. Contract staff Rickenbach said this had not yet been determined. Commissioner Olson asked if the project would include community bathrooms. Contract staff Rickenbach responded that his assumption was yes. Commissioner Olson asked if the community bathrooms are calculated into the total parks acreage requirement and contract staff responded yes. Commissioner Olson asked about the planting of street trees. Project proponent, Mr. Peck, said that there would be a mix of plantings as prescribed by a Biologist would include both landmark and riparian trees. Public Comment: Lea Brooks, from the SLO Bike Coalition, reminded the Commission of the City goal of encouraging 20% trips by bikes. She added that the bicycle parking and trail networks should connect trails to parks, houses and the Octagon Barn. She would like to see a Class II bike lane merged with Class 3 trails for a concerted effort of mixed use. Mr. Peck responded that the project's conceptual design has evolved to meet the City Council's goal for increased open space and parks. As the project proponent, he will continue to seek feedback from the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Bicycle Advisory Committee. Ann Wyatt, a nearby resident, said she was excited about the proposed project and the Octagon Barn Committee was interested in connectivity of the trails. She urged the Commission to consider the importance of the connectivity of trails as part of this project and feedback to applicant to keep high density to allow for maximum amounts of both open space and parks. She urged the Commission to recommend to the applicant that trails to be built as part of the first phase of the project and direct applicants to provide for safe and amenable bike parking. 5. SELECT WES CONNER AWARDEE FOR 2015 (Whitener) Director Stanwyck reminded the Commission that the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner is on September 22, 2015 and it is the time to recognize a devoted, civic minded volunteer, for their contributions to parks for the Wes Connor award. The Commission discussed potential nominations. Motion: (Single / Regier) Select Barry Karleskint and Nancy Roberts (in Memorium) to receive the 2015 Wes Conner Award. Approved: 7 yes: Ono: 0 absent 6. SELECT ANNUAL PARKS TOUR DATES AND TOPICS (Whitener) Director Stanwyck proposed a parks tour in the morning with a lunch to follow and an afternoon optional hike. Possible dates were discussed by the Commission as well as tour locations. Chair Whitener confirmed that the annual Parks Tour will take place on Thursday, October 29, 2015 and will include the following locations; SLO Skate Park, Laguna Lake Golf Course, Sinshiemer Pool (pool replaster project), Laguna Lake Park (and Dog Area) and the Laurel Lane community garden. 7. DIRECTOR'S REPORT ( Stanwyck) Barbara Franze, resident of Stoneridge Park, spoke to the Commission about the court lining for pickle ball courts at this location. She urged the Commission to support the painting of permanent court lines as the temporary paint are being removed and vandalized on a regular basis. She added that they have a professional contract painter who is willing to volunteer his services. Staff Melissa Mudgett said that Parks and Recreation staff are working with the Parks Maintenance staff to develop painting specifications. Staff will return to Commission for review of painting specifications. Director Stanwyck provided a brief update on Parks and Recreation projects and programs. She added that there will be several consent items for the Commission to review in October and November which include the Parks and Recreation Strategic Planning and Stakeholder input session, the review of a proposed amendment to School District Joint Use Agreement and information about a Community Needs Assessment. 8. SUBCOMMITTEE LIAISON REPORTS • Adult and Senior Programming: Commissioner Baker reported adult sports are 4 weeks' into Season. The fields have recently undergone some lighting repairs. He reported that the Triathlon participation was down slightly from last year but the event went well. The SLO Senior Center is adding a Tai -Chi class and will be closed Monday for Labor Day. The Senior Center Newsletter has a list of all activities. Bicycle Advisory Vice Chair Regier said that the next BAC meeting will be in October. There is no report at this time. City Facilities (Damon Garcia, Golf, Pool & Joint Use Facilities): Commissioner Parolini said he met with Utilities staff and the City is unable to provide potable water for field renovations due to the State drought and water restrictions. He provided a link to the most recent aerial photos of Damon Garcia Sports field. Commissioner Parolini added that he will have a meeting with the Cal Poly athletic director to pursue an option for public use of lit tennis courts while Cal Poly school is out of session. Jack House Committee: Commissioner Updegrove reported that the Jack House Committee is monitoring the proposed PB Companies development which is adjacent to the Jack House. N. }.- A Jack House sub - committee is working on obtaining permits for an ADA accessible ramp for the carriage house. The piano was recently tuned for the Phoebe Hearst musicale in November. The Jack House Committee is recommending a pilot program of Victorian Garden games to be played on Sundays in the gardens, The Jack House Committee is also considering discontinuing wedding events on Sundays. The Jack House elevator shaft removal project will go to bid in November 2015 with construction anticipated in January to April 2016. She added that on lieu of "Haunted Jack House" that this year they will be hosting the "Ghost Stories of Old San Luis ". • Tree Committee: Commissioner Olson was absent. There was no report. • Youth Sports: Commissioner Single said there was no report as the YSA had not met. 9. COMMUNICATIONS Recreational and Parks Maintenance Commissioner Parolini does not support removing park amenities. He urged the Commission to focus resources on parks and infrastructure maintenance. Commissioner Parolini shared information about a past event and permittee. He expressed concerns that the Laguna Lake Renaissance Fair, a special event applicant, was not held responsible for clean -up and park repairs following their event. He is concerned about destruction of restroom facilities of dog off -leash area. He added that the restrooms at Damon Garcia Sports Field are also in failing condition and needs a coat of paint before further deterioration occurs. He asked the Commission to recommend the City Council allocate funds for Parks facility and infrastructure maintenance on a proactive and preventative basis. He identified that the Santa Rosa ballfield chain link fence was in need of repair. He asked the Commission to agendize parks infrastructure maintenance needs for Council consideration. Commissioner Single responded that deferred maintenance is a result of budgetary constraints and not a personal issue. He recommended that the Commission assist in identification of maintenance needs for City staff. Director Stanwyck recommended that concerns about deferred maintenance should be addressed to the Public Works Director. Commissioner Updegrove said the Jack House had similar concerns and now performs an annual facility walk- through with City staff to identify maintenance needs and prioritize repairs and recommended that this could be a practice by the Parks and Recreation facilities subcommittee liaison as well. Adjourned at 8:26pm to the October 7, 2015 Special Strategic Planning Input Session Meeting located at Meadow Park Community Building, located at 2333 Meadow Street, San Luis Obispo at 5:30pm. Approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission on October 7, 2015. Melissa C Mudgett, Recreation Manager