HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-07-2021 PRC Minutes
Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of July 7, 2021 Page 1
Meeting Minutes
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Wednesday, July 7, 2021
Regular Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission
CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the San Luis Obispo Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order
on Wednesday, July 7, 2021, at 5:30 p.m. via teleconference by Chair Thurman.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Rodney Thurman, Vice Chair Robert Spector, Commissioners Kari Applegate,
Rick Blair, Kari Howell, and Andrew Webber
Absent: Adam Stowe
Staff: Parks and Recreation Director Greg Avakian, Recreation Manager Devin Hyfield,
Recreation Manager Lindsey Stephenson, Senior Planner Shawna Scott,
Administrative Analyst Aleah Bergam.
PUBLIC COMMENT ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
NONE
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Consideration of Minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission Special Meeting
of May 5, 2021.
ACTION: UPON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER WEBER, SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER SPECTOR, CARRIED 6-0-0-1 the Parks and Recreation Commission
approved the Minutes of the Special Parks and Commission Meeting of May 5, 2021.
CONSENT ITEMS
N/A
BUSINESS ITEMS
2. Receive Presentation on the update to the Mitchell Park Grant Project
a. Commissioners provided input and recommendations regarding the alternative
amenities provided by staff as a response to the May 19, 2021 public engagement
meeting surrounding the Mitchell Park Pickleball Court grant project. At the
Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of July 7, 2021 Page 2
community workshop, the public was concerned with building pickleball courts.
In response, staff suggest modifying the capital project to include passive amenity
enhancements such as bocce courts, shaded gathering areas, seated benches and
tables, and chess tables in place of pickleball courts. Commissioners
recommended staff move forward with passive recreational amenities instead of
pickleball courts and work with the Senior Center Board and the public on
specific passive recreation features. Commissioners also wanted to ensure long-
term, durable shade structures and suggested that the development of the shaded
gathering areas to be designed as an outside program area (classes, lectures,
activities, meetings). Commissioners suggested including educational plaques on
flora and fauna as well as leaf imprints into cement. Commissioners encouraged
staff to design the amenities with minimal impact to trees.
b. Commission recommends updating the Mitchell Park Grant project to include
alternative amenities in replace of Pickleball Courts, with continued public
outreach to solidify passive recreational amenities.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
3. Directors Report (Avakian – 30 minutes)
a. Shawna Scott, Senior Planner provided a Blueprint update
i. Council did approve on July 6, 2021, the adoption of the Parks and Recreation
Blueprint for the Future, and did in their motion, direct some changes to the
plan such as:
1. Add a small clarification to the policy 1.2 in the Element component
regarding parkland standard (10 acres per 1,000 resident) which
includes recognizing Open Space when assessing the area need
2. Looking at amenity standards, Council directed staff to utilize resident
standard not daytime population, but noting quantity of amenities can
be elevated based on need
b. Staffing Updates
i. Jeff Andrews, Admin III, in a temporary assignment in Human Resource,
temporary replacement is Lisa Russell
ii. Able to elevate Site Specialists to Site Director positions and currently
onboarding new staff in these roles
iii. Ranger Service Specialists are elevated to Ranger Maintenance Workers, with
staff recruitments scheduled for late July
iv. Lindsey Stephenson is retiring and last day is July 8, 2021. Taking another
opportunity with a local non-profit in August.
c. Community Services had first Monday Meet-up on Monday, June 28, with food
trucks, DJ, and over 300 people in attendance. There are three more planned this
summer. Bringing back Friday night Skate (last Friday of the month at Skate Park).
Moving into Monster Skate Series which is county wide. Provided an overview of
Contract Class offerings.
d. Summer Camp (KIDVenture) is back at two sites, Sinsheimer is the full day camp and
CL.Smith is for those in summer school. Averaging about 110 kids between two
Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of July 7, 2021 Page 3
camps. Will be returning to the pool.
e. Public Art will be working with SLOMA on a community partnership (two-year pilot
program) on bigger projects such as roundabout sculptures, Anholm Greenway,
Downtown Mural and Placemaking program.
f. Aquatics out of COVID-19 restrictions, back to normal summer programming. Able
to increase number of children in group swim lessons.
g. Facilities – a lot of indoor facilities closed due to other uses. Ludwick is available for
rentals through mid-September.
h. Golf Course – hosted women’s day, introducing new program, doing open days on
the greens, closing course for public to come enjoy course as a park for the day
i. Emerson Park Grant site visit was held on July 6. Staff anticipating any award
announcements to occur in late August or September.
j. Start of the new fiscal year and new financial plan began on July 1.
PUBLIC COMMENT: A public comment regarding need and desire for more dog parks and
emphasized quick build dog parks.
SUBCOMMITTEE LIAISON REPORTS
4. Subcommittee Liaison Reports
a. Adult and Senior Programming: Commissioner Spector
i. Center has officially opened as of July 5
ii. Hours are from 9am-1pm
iii. Board meeting on Monday, July 12
b. Active Transportation Committee: Commissioner Webber
i. No report
c. City Facilities (Fields, Golf, Pool, & Joint Use Facilities): Commissioner Applegate
i. No report, refer to Director’s Report
d. Jack House Committee: Vacant
e. Tree Committee: Commissioner Thurman
i. Tree removal applications
f. Youth Sports Association: Commissioner Stowe
i. Youth Sports wrapped up for summer, getting ready for Fall
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:58 p.m. The next Parks and Recreation Commission meeting is
scheduled for Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at 5:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers.
APPROVED BY THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION: 08/04/2021