Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-06-2021 PRC Minutes Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of October 6, 2021 Page 1 Minutes PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Wednesday, October 6, 2021 Regular Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission CALL TO ORDER: Chair Robert Spector A Meeting of the San Luis Obispo Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order on Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at (5:35) p.m. via Teleconference. ROLL CALL: Vice Chair Kari Howell, Commissioners Kari Applegate, Rick Blair, Kris Roudebush, Adam Stowe, and Andrew Webber Present: Chair Robert Spector, Commissioners: Howell, Blair, Roudebush, Stowe, Webber Absent: Kari Applegate Staff: Parks and Recreation Director Greg Avakian and Administrative Assistant III Lisa Russell, Recreation Manager Meghan Burger and Recreation Manager Devin Hyfield PUBLIC COMMENT ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA SLO Swim Center: Paula Dooley- Concerned about the reduced hours for SLO Swim Center. Suggested a failure in anticipation of staffing problem. Suggested that Commission review hiring and staffing procedures. Retention problem needs to be addressed. Thomas Fowler- SLO Swim Center Master swimmer. Not having lifeguards is going to impact the swim club/Seahawks. Why don’t we have access to more lifeguards, especially with the college students back in town? Bike Park: Frans Bloom- Mountain Bike Park near Costco. Bicycle Pump tracks. Want to be sure that we can have discussion about this topic and the tracks that were there. Chair Spector: By next meeting, staff to provide additional information to the Commission to understand the staffing issues and come up with a plan for moving forward. Commissioner Blair: Requested a resources review Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of October 6, 2021 Page 2 Chair Spector: Received comments regarding the conditions of the bathrooms at Sinsheimer area. Lots of details to consider. Vice Chair Howell: Level of understanding for all of us to mitigate any confusion. Commissioner Stowe: SLO Swim Center. Need to find out what’s going on with other pools in the area. Could Swim Club members volunteer to help out in the interim? Director Avakian: Park bathrooms are part of a larger scope project. Part of the Mini Master plan for Sinsheimer Park. Many projects had to be put on hold due to findings of Master plan. City Facilities are involved in reviewing for safety and sanitary standards. Discussions with investors on revamping the bathrooms. What can we do short term in the interim, is the question. We are all disappointed in the Swim Center situation. We opened the pool earlier than most of the Central Coast region. A facility project closed the pool in mid-August. Additionally, there is currently a 40% reduction in pool staff. All P&R staff are supporting with the staffing issues, as much as possible. Working with all colleges, high schools and the Seahawks and additionally we’re offering free Lifeguard Training classes (if hired by City) to assist in finding recruits. Difficult to find young people available with in-person school returning. Most of the state has not completely opened their pools. Advertising, and reaching out to a wide breadth of the public. Parks and Recreation helped the Seahawks by reducing their fees as they were rebuilding their programs. All of our programs are having trouble recruiting for staffing. The entire City is facing the same recruitment challenges and we can not run our programs at full throttle without being fully staffed. We can revisit this in November if the Commission would like to if the pool is unable to be up and running at 100%. Chair Spector: Questions for the Director? Commissioner Roudebush: Appreciate your efforts. Why was lifeguard training delayed? Director Avakian: The Red Cross has strict requirements for lifeguard training that were not able to be conducted safely during the pandemic based on in-person instruction and skills, as well as maintaining adjusted class ratios. Hyfield: Pushed opening dates towards end of October because there were not enough people to hold the training class and we’re hoping there will be more students who sign up. It’s a 2-week class. Spector: High profile subject. Would like staff to come back and let us know how things are going. Any comments? No additional comments. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1) Consideration of Minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of September 1, 2021. Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of October 6, 2021 Page 3 ACTION: Approved and seconded motion for September Minutes. UPON MOTION BY COMMISSIONER (Stowe), SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER (Blair), Motion CARRIED. 10/01/21 the Parks and Recreation Commission approved the Minutes of the Regular Parks and Commission Meeting of September 1, 2021, as presented. BUSINESS ITEMS 2) Welcome new Parks and Recreation Commissioner, Kris Roudebush (Spector – 5 Minutes) Roudebush: Has a previous history with P&R. Was a Park Ranger, currently works at First 5 SLO and is a private practice therapist. Spector: Welcome aboard. 3) Mitchell Park Grant Update (Hyfield – 15 Minutes) Recommendation: Receive staff presentation and made recommendations of amenities to support grant parameters. Staff have been working on this project since last year. The flyer went out to the community and held community workshops. • May workshop takeaways • September workshop updates • Discussion of survey results. 50 respondents. o Social Gathering Area – Shading ▪ Yes to having Shading o Social Gathering Area – Seating (tables, chairs and benches). Rounded tables and benches with a back were preferred. o Fencing – around the BBQ area. F a boundary. Split between yes/no to fencing. o Bocce Courts - various types of courts presented. Yes, people wanted courts and in favor of having lighting. o Chess Tables – SLO does not have any currently in the parks. Type of materials and designs presented. Yes, to chess tables and the stone style was preferred with back support seating. o Other amenities proposed – Raised stage, Workout signage, Interactive signage. Yes to staging. No workout signage. Yes to interactive signage. o Safety lighting – options presented. • Focusing on a new BBQ area near Senior Center. Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of October 6, 2021 Page 4 Spector: Comments from Commissioners? Vice Chair Howell: Lots of ideas. This is great. Benches and Chess tables which can be accessible for those who use wheelchairs. Also assure that lighting is accessible from the path. Hyfield: All would have access by cement walkway. Director Avakian: Some of these things will come out in the design process. More than just physical and many amenities are called out in the Blueprint. Vice Chair Howell: Have a focus for homeless support. Maybe interactive signage has emergency phone numbers. Commissioner Blair: Lets help the homeless and dogs! Fencing – people don’t generally like fencing. Define What is the purpose? Lighting – very important for pathway and sectional. Commissioner Roudebush: Accessibility. Bocce court and Chess Table accessibility. Can we provide supplies? Shade covers – maybe consider maintenance and sustainability. Hyfield: supplies. Senior Center members could bring their own equipment from the center for use. Hard cover shading may have longer life span and all would be brought forward in the design phase. Director Avakian: All design ideas will be bought forward and all would be budgeted. Commissioner Roudebush: Pathway lighting is less intrusive to neighborhood. Commissioner Stowe: Where would Bocce courts be? On board with all-inclusive seating and chess. Director Avakian: Avila Ranch and Righetti Ranch. Sinsheimer and Meadow Park to look at additional amenities, perhaps pickle ball. Commissioner Webber: Second to Howell in supporting the homeless community. Informational Signage would be good. Doggie bags would be good. Bocce Courts would be great but defer to the community, walk in style. Fencing to delineate the space would be good. Lighting – get as much information as possible from the community in advance. Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of October 6, 2021 Page 5 Hyfield: Raised Bocce court will have a gate. For all of this we would provide information back to the Commission and to the community with a professional presentation during the design phase. Chair Spector: We want synergy with the needs of the Senior Center and a compliment to the neighborhood. Safety, lighting, and security are all covered. Low maintenance fencing is best. In favor of hard cover shade based on maintenance. I’m a raised stage advocate and it makes a statement as a community gathering spot. Not concerned about the Chess tables. Very accessible to wheelchairs. An absolute need is doggie bags. All this will encourage the homeless to be better neighbors. Chair Spector: Thanks Devin 4) Parks & recreation Blueprint for the future Priorities Update (Avakian – 60 minutes) Recommendation: Receive staff presentation and make recommendations for potential locations and next steps for the following amenities/projects: a. Dog Park(s) – Staff Slide Presentation Laguna Lake Park. Review of current infrastructure and Additional Amenity Ideas. Staff recommendations reviewed. Chair Spector: Active dog owner committee. Commissioner comments? Vice Chair Howell: Very supportive. I live near there and want to hear more. Proposal sounds reasonable. Easy win to please the community. Commissioner Blair: I support 100% the concept. Encourage community participation. Look beyond this to additional dog parks. Director Avakian: Righetti has a footprint we are exploring for additional dog parks. Commissioner Roudebush: I support this work. Don’t want to lose land for parking. Commissioner Stowe: Fully in support of all proposal. Needs to be fenced in and that should be done ASAP. Current parking is not sufficient, so we need more. Commissioner Webber: I’m in support of all amenities. Irrigation system is very important. Need a rinse station. Need more dog parks. Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of October 6, 2021 Page 6 Chair Spector: Wouldn’t it be great to build a state-of-the-art dog park that the community is behind. We recognize the need for multiple dog parks. I’m all for it. Director Avakian: Thank you. And we appreciated the patience of the public while the Blueprint was in process. Chair Spector: Public Comment? No public comment. b. Bike pump track(s) – Irish Hills/Costco Area Background review. A “need to have in the community” identified. No apologies for removal of unauthorized track build behind Costco on designated Open Space. Ranger staff spent many hours trying to return the trails to the Natural Reserve Conservation Plan. The illegal track also put the city at liability. Bike Pump Track Opportunities were presented for each location: Laguna Lake Park, Sinsheimer Park/Railroad Safety Trail and Bob Jones Trail. Two design types presented: Dirt/Natural Surfaces and Hard/Multi- use Surface. These would cater to the variety of public audiences. Location pros and cons presented for each location and design were presented. -Laguna Lake -Sinsheimer -Bob Jones Trail Director Avakian: Laguna Lake. Could be 3-6 months for development. Temporary build could be at any of these locations, followed by a permanent build. Vice Chair Howell: Hopefully heard needs from biking community and let’s start a short-term solution and support long term build. Bike enthusiasts should take the lead on location. Not in support of the Bob Jones trail area. Commissioner Blair: Eco Howell comments on location. Bob Jones trail not a good choice for a number of reasons and not as desirable as other two. Could we have both types of surfaces. Jumps vs. pump tracks at the various locations. Good to move forward quickly. They look like good locations. Commissioner Roudebusch: Eco same concerns about Bob Jones as an inferior choice. Both Sinsheimer and Laguna Lake look like good suggestions. Sinsheimer might push parking into neighborhoods and could be an impact. Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of October 6, 2021 Page 7 Commissioner Stowe: High priority need like dog parks. Immediate need and we should do it right. Accessibility is key and Bob Jones does not meet the criteria. Feasible by batting cages at Sinsheimer but the best choice is Laguna Lake Park for quick build and long-term plan. Commissioner Webber: Pump track and jump difference defined. There is a need for both. They don’t both need to be at the same spot. Support short term build. Need studies. Sinsheimer seems difficult and Laguna seems like a good choice. Chair Spector: Eliminate Bob Jones trail. Proceed with Short Term plan and choose that as the same location for the long-term trail. Would like to see a study to support. Could make a case for both locations. Convey the plan to the community on both short and long-term plans. Public Comments: Wolfgang Kaml: Righetti Ranch Hill as another location. Develop to connect to the city and Bob Jones trail. Director Avakian: Policies for Open Space also limit what we can build where. Could add at community park at Righetti. Open Space or natural reserve are off limits. Christie O’Hara: All points well taken. Laguna is the best spot. Consider the large audience is our Youth. Bike Park vs. Pump Track. SLO does need Bike Park. Chair Spector: Thank you Tate Isaacs: Sr. at SLO High. Timeliness would be good so a short-term proposal is great and would avert creation of illegal jumps. Laguna Lake would be great for short-term and long-term solution. Perhaps a smaller solution at Sinsheimer could work and would be great to have facilities at to locations. Support of Bike Park at Laguna Lake and is valuable for Mountain Bike Community. Jeff Jantos: NIKO coach. Is the intent to close trailhead at Costco? Laguna is a great place for all bikers Kristina Olmos: Laguna Lake is the first choice. Vote for Laguna and Keep trees. Rick Denman: New to the area, but have experience with Track racing. US Olympic festival. Track cycling is extremely difficult to get to from here. Take a look at the Lexux velodrome. Director Avakian: Welcome to our community Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of October 6, 2021 Page 8 Chair Spector: Thanks to everyone in the community for your participation. 5) Staff Reports (Avakian – 15 minutes) a. Blueprint: Final edits from Blueprint received and P&R Blueprint is now on the website. 3.5-year project (2018-21). Implementation by a Tier system: 1/Critical, 2/Strategic, 3/Visionary. a. Was comprised of many community surveys, workshops, Commission meetings, Planning commission meetings and City Council Study sessions. City wide inventory, needs, assessments, access, gaps and priorities identified. Listed following but not in priority order: • Swim Center Expansion • Athletic Fields • Dog Parks • Indoor Facilities • Update Playgrounds • Special Recreation Facilities • Sports Courts Current CIP Projects 2021-23: 202 Projects. A consultant is assisting in prioritization. • Emerson Park • Cheng Park Revitalization • Eto • North Broad Street Park • Parks & Rec Office • Mitchell Park Enhancement Grant • Prop 68 Grant Application Updates were provided on the following future development projects: • Righetti Ranch Development • San Luis Ranch • Avila Ranch • Froom Ranch – stalling with the developer b. Discussion: Park and Facility Tours for PRC – Oct. 22 or 29th. Avakian needs confirmation on the date. Need 3-4 hours of their time. Oct. 22nd from 8:30 – 1pm was agreed upon. c. Staffing Updates – New SLO Mayor and Councilperson. Making Broad Street safer for Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of October 6, 2021 Page 9 pedestrian and bike crossing. Swim Center looking for staff. d. Devin Hyfield, Recreation Manager Update: Aquatics • Modified Schedule through the remainder of the month • Staff are currently actively recruiting • Will be holding an emergency Lifeguard Training class October 22-24 Facilities • Annual Fall Renovation is underway fields closing down weekly. Fields will begin to reopen in January 2022 • Sinsheimer Stadium irrigation project is continuing as scheduled. Once completed, park maintenance will be focusing on regrowing the turf at the facility. Potential reopening of the facility will be February/March. • Jack House will be closed for its annual renovation at the end of the month. Staff expect a return to normal wedding season for 2022. • Staff are accepting Field Allocations for all sport for the first half of 2022. Golf • We continue to see high numbers of golfers, especially in the afternoon with the return of Cal Poly. • Weekly Night Golf is returning to the course starting Thursday, October 7 from 7-9 PM • With the upcoming Day light savings time change, hours will begin to adjust. Starting 11/7, the course will be closed at 5 pm. • The Restaurant Request for Proposal is currently accepting applications for concessionaires. • Maintenance staff continue to address course conditions. • After closing Hole 10 for a two-week period, the green, tees and fairways are coming back nicely. • Staff have received a much-needed piece of equipment that will assist with exposing leaks quickly. The Ditch Witch vacuum excavator will improve the amount of time it takes to expose a leak allowing staff to repair leaks quicker – cutting down the amount of time the irrigation system needs to be turned off. e. Meghan Burger, Recreation Manager Update: a. Michelle Rolle promoted from Youth Services Coordinator to Youth Services Supervisor. Many new staffing hires in the Youth Services Department b. Community Gardens update c. Senior Center update d. Public Art, Maria Molteni Art project: Mural on back of Fremont Theater and east side of Woodstock’s building. Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of October 6, 2021 Page 10 f. Fall Programs g. CPRS District 8 Department Award received. Thanks to all P&R Staff and Commissioners Chair Spector: Subcommittee Reports 6) Subcommittee Liaison Reports (Chair - 15 minutes) a. Adult and Senior Programming: Commissioner Blair b. Active Transportation Committee: Commissioner Webber. Moving past blueprint and prioritizing tier one projects. c. Jack House Committee: Commissioner Applegate No update d. Youth Sports Association: Commissioner Stowe No update. 7) Communications ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:27 p.m. The next Regular Parks and Recreation Commission meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. via teleconference. APPROVED BY THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION: October 6, 2021