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Home My WebLink About03-02-16 PRC MinutesParks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Council Chambers 990 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Wednesday, March 2, 2016, 5:30 p.m. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Whitener called the meeting to order at 5:3lp.m. ROLL CALL: Chair Jeff Whitener, Vice -Chair Ron Regier, Commissioners Ryan Baker, Susan Olson, Michael Parolim, Douglas Single, Susan Updegrove ABSENT: Ryan Baker COUNCIL: None STAFF: Shelly Stanwyck, Melissa Mudgett, Rich Ogden Public Comment Mary Jane Leimer thanked Commissioner for Open Space and trails. Advocate for more open space for dog off -leash and dog parks. She commented that the $600 citation for dog off -leash is too steep and that the Laguna Lake Park is the only area in San Luis to let dogs exercise freely. She identified that the community is underserved in dog services and proposed Terrace Hill, Sinsheimer Park, and French Park as possible locations for dog parks. Directors Stanwyck clarified that the City has a leash law applicable to parks and open space areas and that that the City Council adopted a major city goal to protect open space through maintenance and active patrol. The $561 off -leash infraction includes Superior Court fees of over $450. Staff will return to Commission at a later date with some discussion of off leash dog park locations and costs associated. 1. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF FEBRUARY 3, 2016. MOTION. (Updegrove/Regier) Approve the Minutes of February 3, 2016 as amended. Approved: 6 yes: 0 no: 1 absent 2. PICKLE BALL PILOT PROGRAM UPDATE (Ogden/Mudgett) City Recreation Supervisor, Rich Ogden, presented a summary of results for the Pickle ball Pilot Program. The Program began in March 2015 with the intent to provide Pickleball programming over a 12 -month period to assess the community need and impacts to existing oversubscribed resources. Existing City court surfaces of the Ludwick Community Center, Meadow Park and Stoneridge Neighborhood Park (all basketball courts) were identified as having the potential for shared use and have been used for Pickleball and other programming this past year. SLOPB (Pickleball) Club representatives, John Stocksdale and Bobbi Binder, provided an overview of the pickleball sport and the success of the newly formed pickleball club which has grown to 120 members. City staff sought Commissions input regarding the pilot program offerings, criteria and about possible next steps for the Pickleball Pilot Program and possible direction to staff. Public Comment Peggy Koteen, SLO Resident and tennis advocate, was not in support of multi -use by Pickleball at French Park as this location is already impacted and the city is underserved in tennis facilities. Bob Goldman and Sally Brooks-Shulke, Board members for SLOPB Club, spoke about their love of the sport. Weekly there are 20-40 people waiting to play Pickleball and encouraged the Commission to consider expansion of the emerging sport. Vicente Del Rio, tennis advocate, commended the pickleballers on their efforts. He was worried about emerging conflicts between the tennis and pickleball groups. While he supporting use of pickleball, he did not want to see this sport expand at the expense of tennis as tennis facilities are woefully underserved in San Luis Obispo. He reminded the Commission about the tennis survey last year that provided 134 responses about the needs of the tennis users. Kathryn Thomas, Morro Bay Pickleball Ambassador, said there was a new type of paint for pickleball court striping to be used on tennis courts. She added that there have been two pickleball tournaments in Morro Bay, drawing players from all over. Colin Jones, tennis and pickleball player, acknowledged that there are limited recreational court resources in SLO City and supported a reasonable sharing of facilities at French Park on a temporary basis. Barry Franz, Stoneridge Park resident and speaking on behalf of this wife Barbara Franz, asked when the painting specifications will be developed for permanent court markings at this location. He added that a local contractor has offered these painting services for free. Steve Davis, Tennis Advocate, shared a letter from community member (Scott Cleare) about concerns of temporary tape lines and multi -use at French Park. With the SLO Highs School tennis courts under construction this summer, it will push more tennis users to Sinshiemer, French and Islay Park tennis courts, reducing the time for recreational tennis. Mr. Davis said he would be in support of shared use with a clear delineation of time. He would like to see clear communications and the tennis/pickleballers work together to advocate for facilities. Several pickleball enthusiasts (Greg Macedo, Karen Howard, Robert Broughton, Kevin Duffy and Dave Buckner) concluded the public comment period with testimony about their love of the sport and the physical and social benefits pickleball adds to the quality of life. They urged the Commissioners to consider shared use at the French Park location twice weekly. Commission Feedback 1. Continued Pilot Program. The Commission was in support continuing the Pickleball Pilot Program at its current level. 2. Expansion of Pilot Program. The Commission would support expansion of programming for facilities that are identified as being currently underutilized. 3. Use of the French Park Tennis Court and Facility Use Feedback. The Commission requested staff to develop additional public outreach and engagement which included a recommendation for a user survey about the current and future uses at existing locations, including French Park, before any program expansion occurs. The intent for this survey and the public engagement would be to identify impacts to current users and to continue to lay the foundation for success and the possible expansion of the Pickleball sport. 2 4. Five Year CIP. The Commission was not in support of dedicating the New Parks Amenities Capital project (CIP in 2017-19) funding for pickleball. The Commission would, however, be in support of reviewing future budget requests vetted as part of the City's financial planning process. The Commission urged the Pickleball group to consider fund raising efforts in support of dedicated court construction. The Commission encouraged pickleball players to work collaboratively with the tennis and basketball players for shared facility use. The Commission shared that it has been engaging developers about this emerging recreational need in hopes to address pickleball as part of future community designs. 5. COMMUNITY FOCUS INPUT — RECREATIONAL SPORTS (Ogden) This item was postponed to next month to allow for greater outreach. 6. STATEMENT TO COUNCIL REGARDING PARKS AND RECREATION ELEMENT (Regier/Single) MOTION. (Regier/Single) Authorize Parks and Recreation Commission Chair, Jeff Whitener, to submit a letter to City Council expressing their desire of an update of the Parks and out of date Recreation Element of the General Plan. Approved: 6 yes: 0 no: 1 absent 7. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Director Stanwyck addressed the three current Parks and Recreation Commissioner vacancies and encouraged the Commissions to share this Advisory Body opportunity with any interested parties. She presented an overview of Parks and Recreation Department upcoming items which included Rangers workday this week (35 members of Psi Kappa Phi) and cleared 7,500 pounds of trash. Monthly Ranger reported about citations issued for dog off leash, smoking and night hiking infractions. Most citations were written for Cerro San Luis Open Space. The annual Egg Hunt will be held this year at the Laguna Lake Golf Course March 26. Director Stanwyck noted that this is a busy time with staff getting ready for Spring Break Camps and minimum childcare days. 8. SUBCOMMITTEE LIAISON REPORTS ■ Adult and Senior Programming= Commissioner Baker was absent, no report. • Bicycle Advisory: Vice Chair Regier said the BAC did not meet, no report. + City Facilities (I)amon Garcia. Goll'. Pool & Joint Use Facilities): Commissioner Parolini said the Golf Restroom is currently under construction. The Golf Course hosted the first ever "Night Golf' with approximately 40-50 rounds played. He said it was a lot of fun. • Jack House Committee: Commissioner Updegrove reported that the Jack House elevator restoration project is progressing. Friends of Jack House have joined "Art After Dark" with monthly events on the first Friday of the month. • Tree Committee: Commissioner Olson said there was a routine Tree Committee Meeting. Nothing additional to report. • Youth Sports: Commissioner Single said YSA reported $12,000 in program funding. Youth Rugby reported an increase in participation. 9. PRESENTATION OF APPRECIATION PLAQUE FOR COMMISSIONERS REGIER, PAROLINI AND BAKER (Stanwyck) Plaques of appreciation for outgoing Parks and Recreation Commissioners, Ryan Baker, Michael Parolini and Ron Regier were presented. 10. COMMUNICATIONS 3 Staff Mudgett reminded the Commission about the Public Art Master Plan Community Workshop on May 6`h at the Ludwick Community Center. Commissioner Parolini asked that the Parks and Recreation Commission be involved in the Open Space Roundtable Adhoc Committee. Director Stanwyck said she would share this request with the Natural Resources Manager, Bob Hill. Commissioner Olson urged the Commission to consider being proactive in designated off -leash dog park areas. Director Stanwyck said this item will return to the Commission at a future meeting Commissioner Updegrove encouraged all Commissioners to complete the #PixonPeaks challenge. She added that #PixonPeaks received an Award of Excellence for marketing campaign through the California Parks and Recreation Society (CPRS). Adjourned at 7:57pm to the April 6, 2016 Regular Meeting in Council Chambers, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. Approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission on April 6, 2016. Melissa C. udgett, Parks and Recreatio Departm. Manager 4