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Home My WebLink About10-05-16 PRC Minutes Minutes PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION 5 October, 2016 Regular Meeting of the Advisory Body Committee Commission CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order on the 5th day of October, 2016 at 5:32 p.m. in the City Council Chambers located at 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California, by Chair Whitener. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Greg Avakian, Susan Olson, Keri Schwab, Douglas Single, Rodney Thurman, Vice Chair Susan Updegrove and Chair Jeff Whitener Absent: Commissioner Keri Schwab. Commissioner Douglas Single exited the meeting at 6:30pm. Staff: Parks and Recreation Director Shelly Stanwyck, Recreation Manager Melissa Mudgett, Recreation Supervisor Facilities, Devin Hyfield, Parks Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Hendricks PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Joel Orth, SLO Resident, expressed his concern about the significant waitlists for afterschool care. Director Stanwyck shared information about State licensing requirements, School District space limitations and budget restraints for the hiring and training of additional staff. She added that staff continues to look at enrollment trends with the future closure of Diablo and the impacts to the School District. PRESENTATIONS, INTRODUCTIONS, APPOINTMENTS None CONSENT AGENDA AND CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES ACTION: APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 7, 2016 AS AMENDED BY VICE CHAIR UPDEGROVE, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THURMAN. 1. Consideration of Minutes CARRIED 6:0:0:1 to approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Body for the meeting of 09/07/2016. AYES: AVAKIAN, OLSON, SINGLE, THURMAN, UPDEGROVE, WHITENER NOES: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE ABSENT: SCHWAB Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of October 5, 2016 Page 2 PUBLIC HEARINGS AND BUSINESS ITEMS 2. Presentation: Impacts of the Drought on City Turf & 2016 Renovations Parks Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Hendricks provided the Commission with a brief overview of the Parks Maintenance activities, conditions of the drought via State water restriction mandates on the City’s turf facilities as well as upcoming field renovations. Staff Hendricks alerted the Commission on the severe impacts of the watering restricting and the inability to renovate turf. He expressed strong concerns that the inability to restore turf during the 10-week renovation period will significantly impact recreational play and future uses of the fields in 2017. He added that Parks Maintenance has two full-time staff dedicated to the Damon Garcia Sports fields. Public Comment Steve Davis, SLO Resident and plays soccer at Damon Garcia said he felt the turf conditions at Damon Garcia this year have been worse. He asked the Commission to consider this time of severe degradation as an opportunity to rethink the turf fields. He also recommended putting together a user’s group to facilitate communications and interactions between staff and users. Commission Comments followed. Commissioner Avakian asked if the City Staff has explored artificial turf. Staff Hendricks responded that the only viable field for artificial turf is the upper field as the lower fields are located in a flood zone. Director Stanwyck said artificial turf was last studied 8-10 years ago and it would be timely to research this alternative again. Commissioner Olson asked about limiting play in response to the safety concerns of play on irregular surfaces. Director Stanwyck refreshed the Commission about the Departments’ Strategic Planning goals which included expansion of additional facilities for purchase and development and an exploration of ways to convert fields to year-round artificial turf. Commissioner Single asked if resources could be diverted to the Damon Garcia location. Commissioner Thurman commented on potential health effects of artificial turf products. He asked about replanting of parks with sustainable and drought tolerant plantings and trees. Staff Hendricks responded affirmatively. Chair Whitener asked about the average usage of Damon Garcia Sports fields. Staff Hyfield said the annual average is approximately 35 hours/per field weekly. Chair Whitener asked about flexibility of changing watering restrictions to allowing 3-days/week. Staff Hendricks responded that City would be required to prove that it had 3-years’ in water reserves at the current conditions before the State would consider lifting restrictions. 3. Review and Recommend to Council Adoption of Proposed 2016 Box Art Project Recreation Manager Melissa Mudgett presented the proposed 2016 Box Art designs and traffic locations for the Commission to consider. The Architectural Review Commission and Cultural Heritage Committee have previously reviewed the proposed box art designs and concur with the Art Jury’s recommendation for approval as the designs are consistent with Historical and Public Art guidelines. Commission Comments followed. Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of October 5, 2016 Page 3 The Commission expressed its support of the proposed box art designs and the expansion of the public art program. ACTION: RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL THAT IT APPROVE THE BOX ART MURAL DESIGNS AND LOCATIONS, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMITTEE AND ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION, AS MEETING HISTORICAL AND PUBLIC ART GUIDELINES FOR THE 2016 BOX ART PROJECT, MOTION BY COMMISSIONER OLSON, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER AVAKIAN. CARRIED 5:0:0:2 to recommend Council approval of the 2016 Box Art Project designs and locations. AYES: AVAKIAN, OLSON, THURMAN, UPDEGROVE, WHITENER NOES: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE ABSENT: SCHWAB, SINGLE COMMITTEE COMMUNICATIONS Director’s Report Director Stanwyck provided a brief overview of current Parks and Recreation programming.  Reminder: Annual Parks Tour on Friday, October 14th at 8:15AM. Updated about the schedule and Pickleball Court options.  A Big Thank you to Vice Chair Updegrove for speaking at the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner at the Jack House.  The first ever September Scramble Kid Adventure obstacle course Golf Course was a success!!! Almost 370 kids participated!  Bike Rodeo last Saturday was another smash hit!  City Council to review 2016 Box Art project on October 18, 2016  October 22nd “Make a Difference Day” – Laurel Lane Community Garden Clean-up  Boo Bash – Meadow Park – October 28th 5:00PM  Ranger trail construction on Cerro San Luis connect the M trail  Bishop Peak fuel reduction with con-crews; removed 12 beds of cut wood and 20 trailers. 11,000 hours of work.  No citations in open space this weekend; all dogs on leash and no after-hour violations  Next meeting consideration of Advisory Body goals as part of the 2-year Financial Planning process. Commission Communications LIAISON REPORTS  Adult and Senior Programming: Commissioner Single was absent. No Report.  Bicycle Advisory Committee: Commissioner Olson said the BAC discussed improving bollards and State Route 227 study, Edna Price Canyon Trail made a short-term top priority. BAC working on developing City Budget goals.  City Facilities (Damon Garcia, Golf, Pool & Joint Use Facilities): Commissioner Avakian said Cal poly has started classes at the Golf Course. Golf rounds stead in September. Reminder that kids play free Saturday with a paying adult. Night Golf offered again on October 15th. September Scramble was a huge success! Pink Charity Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of October 5, 2016 Page 4 Tournament on October 29th. Re-Sodding of the putting greens to reopen in November. SLO Swim Center performing live action trainings. Reported on Damon Garcia sports use. The Ludwick Community Center will be used as a polling place. Meadow Park lighting will be replaced in early October. The Sinsheimer Playground project will be re- bid adding a slight delay to project construction. Field allocation requests will be emailed to users this week.  Tree Committee: Commissioner Thurman shared that the Urban Forest division now has a part-time staff position to help review urban forestry plans and tree removal applications.  Jack House Committee: Vice Chair Updegrove reported that the Jack House Committee is discussing limiting the use of the house and gardens for private weddings during public hours. There are mold issues in some of the paperworks collections. The Committee will be analyzing humidity in the house and discuss options. The Jack House will be hosting the annual flower exhibits in May 2017. The Committee is working on developing a deaccessioning plan.  Youth Sports: Commissioner Schwab was absent. No report. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:22 p.m. to the Special Meeting of the Annual Parks Tour on October 14, 2016 at 8:15AM. The next Regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission is scheduled for 02, November, 2016 at 5:30 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California. APPROVED BY THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION: 10/05/2016 Melissa C. Mudgett, Recreation Manager