HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-02-2022 PRC MinutesCity of San Luis Obispo, Agenda, Planning Commission
Agenda
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
FEBRUARY 2, 2022
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Based on the threat of COVID-19 as reflected in the Proclamations of Emergency issued by both the Governor
of the State of California, the San Luis Obispo County Emergency Services Director and the City Council of the
City of San Luis Obispo as well as the Governor’s Executive Order N-29-20 issued on March 17, 2020, relating
to the convening of public meetings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of San Luis Obispo will
be holding all public meetings via teleconference. There will be no physical location for the Public to view
the meeting. Below are instructions on how to view the meeting remotely and how to leave public
comment. Additionally, members of the Parks and Recreation Commission can attend the meeting via
teleconference and to participate in the meeting to the same extent as if they were present.
Using the most rapid means of communication available at this time, members of the public are
encouraged to participate in Commission meetings in the following ways:
1. Remote Viewing – Members of the public who wish to attend the meeting on Zoom:
• https://slocity-
org.zoom.us/j/87307101009?pwd=WUxYSTdxcmJTbWg1MHNKcFlTVGhUUT09
• Meeting ID: 873 0710 1009
• Passcode: 123492
• Call In: 1 669-900-6833
• Find your local number: https://slocity-org.zoom.us/u/kcl64ZD8OJ
2. Public Comment - The City Council will still be accepting public comment. Public comment can be
submitted in the following ways:
• Mail or Email Public Comment
o Received by 3:00 PM on the day of meeting can be submitted via email
to advisorybodies@slocity.org or U.S. Mail to City Clerk at 990 Palm St. San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. All
emails will be sent to Commissioners and saved as agenda correspondence however we cannot
guarantee emails received after 3:00 PM on the day of the meeting we be sent out to Commission or
uploaded to the website prior to the meeting starting.
• Verbal Public Comment
o In Advance of the Meeting - Call (805) 781-7164; state and spell your name, the agenda item number
you are calling about and leave your comment. The verbal comments must be limited to 3 minutes. All
voicemails will be forwarded to the Council Members and saved as Agenda Correspondence.
Voicemails will not be played during the meeting.
o During the meeting – Joining the webinar (instructions above). Once the meeting has started, please
put your name and the item # you would like to speak on in the chat box. During public comment for
the item your name will be called, and your mic will be unmuted. Contact the office of the City Clerk
at cityclerk@slocity.org for more information.
All Comments/Correspondence received will be saved as part of the record for the meeting.
Parks and Recreation Committee Minutes for February 2, 2022
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Wednesday, February 2, 2022
5:30 p.m. REGULAR MEETING Via Webinar
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Robert Spector
ROLL CALL : Vice Chair Kari Howell (present), Commissioners Kari Applegate (present), Rick
Blair (present), Kris Roudebush (present), Adam Stowe (absent), and Andrew
Webber (present)
PUBLIC COMMENT: At this time, people may address the Committee about items not on the
agenda. Persons wishing to speak should come forward and state their name and address. Comments
are limited to three minutes per person. Items raised at this time are generally referred to staff and, if
action by the Committee is necessary, may be scheduled for a future meeting.
Kathy – Provided an overview of the concerns from the Therapy pool walking group. Concerns about
the scheules and class times and pool closures. Issues concerning the cold temperature of the pool.
Would like to restore the previous schedule times, temperature of the pool continues to be an issue and
to issue refunds to walkers who are not able to complete their session. Move Pilates class to another
time, post the temperature of the pool clearly.
Director Avakian - Responded in detail to concerns about maintenance issues which continued. They
were problems with the sensors. Them manufacturer was called out again. Was 7-10 days working on
the issue and we did provide some refunds at that point. Now working on consistency with the
temperature control. Working closely with City Maintenance. The piping and heating systems are
challenging.
Hyfield – A lot of detailed information is forthcoming in my report. There were lots of delays with
the contractor and the supply change for parts. We opened in December but could not maintain a
consistent temperature. The manufacturer mechanics could not come out to the site until after the
holiday season. From January 20th there seems to be more consistent temperature control. We are
working closely with Public Works to continue work on the sensors and what can be done.
Director Avakian – The schedule issues at the pool (January) were impacted by staffing issues for
morning and mid-day. If we have a failure in the system we will refund. Our Pool Coordinator is
working closely with Maintenance Staff.
Chairman Spector – Totally understand. This is not a buracuratic problem and we are sensitive to
this issue and will do all that is possible to correct it.
Director Avakian - Program staff is doing all they can at this point. We understand how important
the Therapy Pool is for the Community. It is a high priority for us to continue to push to have the
situation fixed.
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Commissioner Blair – Is City staff always restricted from making repairs? Because of warranty and
resources?
Director Avakian – Because equipment had been recently installed in the November timeline, and the
issue happened in December, it had not been handed off to the City Maintenance team, because it was
in still “in warranty” for replacing the sensor.
Fran Edwards – I also use the Therapy Pool. Is the hiring of the Lifeguards what limits us from
having our full Therapy Pool schedule? If so, can the Therapy Pool have priority for the Lifeguard
assignments as the slots are filled.
Director Avakian - We’re close to 85% back to pool operations. We have to find people who can fill
those time slots, morning and mid-day.
Hyfield – We have a variety of Lifeguard Red Cross training sessions upcoming in February and April.
We would also like to hold an Open House so the community can learn more about the Swim Center
and becoming a Lifeguard.
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES
1. Minutes of the Parks and Recreation Committee of November 3, 2021
Approved (Commissioners Blair and Howell)
CONSENT ITEMS
NA
BUSINESS ITEMS
2. Receive and Review Current Project Updates: Director overview of the following
projects – (Avakian – 20 minutes)
a. Emerson Park: Fitness equipment replacement, department office
renovation, State Park Prop 68 Grant timeline and upgraded park
amenities.
Commssioner Applegate: Will the field size at Emerson Park be reduced and will
that impact organized team sports?
Director Avakian: It is an “overflow” field. More for practice rather than for
organized games because it is a bit too small. Perhaps Santa Rosa Park can provide an
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alternative. Our goal is to maintain this as a neighborhood park. It is a three acre park.
More of an informal park for the neighborhood rather than for formal organized sports
activities.
Commissioner Roudebush: Congratulation on the Grant Award and excited to see
the new elements. Will New exercise equipment be accessible while the resurfacing is
going on.
Director Avakian: When the resurfacing and fencing projects are in play, there will
be some interruption, however the rest of the park will be usable. Safety and risk
management is taken into consideration for the dog park inclusion.
Commissioner Webber: Hours of the park 6-9 p.m. will schedule change with the
new lighting? Assure we talk to the neighborhood about lighting.
Director Avakian: WE have talked ot neighbors and received input from the
neighborhood. It would be low level street lighting, safety perminiter lights. There
could be several options. Light timers, lights could be focused on specific areas in the
evening. Park hours are up to 10pm per city oridanance.
Chair Spector: Function and design in park. Hope field could be used in multiple
ways. Very exciting project. Congratulations.
Commissioner Stowe: Congratulations on the grant. There is very good directional
LED lighting now available.
Director Avakian: Important that there is field and grass area that is not only dog
park and how we design it. Thank you for comments.
b. Mitchell Park: State Grant funding and timeline and park amenities.
Chair Spector: Clarification on timeline for completion?
Director Avakian: Designs will start in spring 2022. Usage to possibly begin in
Spring 2023.
c. Laguna Lake Park: Status of dog park enhancement and bike park.
Commissioner Stowe: Looks great and what the public wanted. What is the fencing
timeline?
Director Avakian: We will communicate that to our user groups when we know.
SLO Throwers Group and Dog Groups in particular. We will get professional
opinions from fencing company and over the next two months we will have more
information.
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d. Cheng Park Enhancement
Commissioner Roudebush: The park has a large transient population. What is the
consideration for increased lighting?
Director Avakian: This is a CIP project. Large Bamboo has taken over and
unfortunately it provided a barrier where unwanted activity was occuring. There is
new fencing that has been installed and it has reduced unwanted activities.
Architectural lighting.
Commissioner Webber: Thanks for brining lighting up Commissioner Roudebush.
e. Eto Park Enhancement
f. North Broad Street Park Project
g. Righetti Ranch Park System
h. San Luis Ranch and Avila Ranch Developments
Commissioner Stowe: You may not want to comment. Which funding and build
model do you prefer?
Director Avakian: The property was sold and developed in Margarita however they
have not sold off that last parcel, so the community still does not have a park. Pros
and Cons to both City or Developer park build. Timing wise is beneficial for the
developer to do it, but for amenities control, the city has more control but could take
longer. The model is more of a developer build and hand off to the city.
Commissioner Roudebush: Can you provide a Cal Poly Linear project update? Can
those ideas be brought in later for consideration?
Director Avakian: The city has done this collaboration throughout the years.
Envision a park. I worked with a class (student landscape architects) on the Linear
Park project. We will provide more on their vision and we will consider what they
presented.
Commissioner Stowe: Complements on setting up this project. Was very impressive.
Thank you for the opportunity to talk to them. It was an outstanding experience.
Chair Spector: Do you have a Broad Street Project timeline?
Director Avakian: Final design this summer and final construction in fall. Rezoned
from Open Space to Park. Public Works and Community Development are all short
staffed. Significantly down project and program managers which has impacted this
project.
Chair Spector: There were a lot of lighting concerns for this park and now lighting is
included in this plan.
Director Avakian: Provided P&R Department Updates
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Commissioner Roudebush: Noticed more Social Media Content. Great increase and
appreciate it.
Commissioner Howell: Appreciate the update on the unhoused community.
Director Avakian: A Homeless Resource Manager has been hired by the city. Lots
of moving parts to that position and hope to get more resources in that department.
Commissioner Howell: Glad City of SLO is making that effort.
Chair Spector: Great to hear about so many exciting projects. We can use Social
Media to give project updates to the community and be aggressive to let people know
whats going on and the progress. Would be a worthwhile effort.
Director Avakian: Agree, however some things don’t have timelines and we can
provide that information publicly until we do. But glad to provide as much as we can.
Commissioner Applegate: Is the PPT available by itself for viewing.
Director Avakian: Yes, all PPT are accessible in the Agenda Packet. I suggest we
take a 5 minute break.
Chair Spector: It is now 7:31 p.m. We will reconveine in 5 minutes.
3. Receive Staff and Program Updates for divisions of Aquatics, Golf, and Facilities
- (Hyfield – 15 minutes)
Recommendation: No Actions
Aquatics:
Commissioner Blair: Very pleased that your staffing levels have increased
and to hear about all of your actions to augment Swim Center recruiting. I
commend you and Shawn and all the others for making it happen.
Golf:
Commissioner Stowe: Is is possible to use “Square” for payments?
Hyfield: Working with City Finance and right now the technology is not in
sync. We hope to solve this soon.
Commissioner Applegate: Wow, I commend you for moving forward in the
face of all of the challenges at the Golf Course during the past year.
Chair Spector: Kudos to you on progressing with all of these challenges.
Hyfield: As shout out to my team for all of their efforts during these situations
and getting things solved.
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Facilities:
Commissioner Stowe: Much tagging recently in many Parks. What does the
city plan to do?
Hyfield: Working with PD for increased patrols and considering cameras.
Trying to clean as much as we can and as quickly as possible. One idea might
be to close restrooms earlier at dusk. Working with Public Works and
Maintenance.
Director Avakian: Tagging and Graffiti is now a PD responsibility and
taking the lead.
4. Receive Staff and Program Updates for divisions of Community Services, Youth
Services, and Public Art - (Burger – 15 minutes)
Recommendation: No Actions
Commissioner Roudebush: The public art program is fenominal. Any update
about the project for the outside of the SLOMA building?
Burger: It is a project run by SLOMA, not by P&R.
Commissioner Applegate: Kudos to you making all of the YS programs
work during this pandemic and for keeping programs open while smiling.
Chair Spector: Its incredible on what’s going on and thank you to you and
your staff.
Commissioner Webber: Congratulations on the Public Park projects.
Chair Spector: Any other comments? None.
SUBCOMMITTEE LIAISON REPORTS & COMMUNICATIONS
Subcommittee Liaison Reports (Chair) – 15 minutes)
a. Adult and Senior Programming: Commissioner Blair
Thanks to Commissioner Spector for all of his hard work over the last 10 years.
Membership down due to current circumstances. Hope to add city staffing to help
support their volunteers.
b. Active Transportation Committee: Commissioner Webber
Not a lot to report. Pavement plan meetings are still taking place.
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c. Jack House Committee: Commissioner Applegate
d. Youth Sports Association: Commissioner Stowe
No report
Communication
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:51 p.m. on February 2, 2022
To the Regular M eeting of the Parks and Recreation Committee as approved by the PRC to
Wednesday , March 2 , 2022, at 5:30 p.m.
The City of San Luis Obispo wishes to make all of its public meetings accessible to the public. Upon request, this
agenda will be made available in appropriate alternative formats to persons with disabilities. Any person with a disability
who requires a modification or accommodation in order to participa te in a meeting should direct such request to the Parks
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Meeting audio recordings can be found at the fol lowing web address:
http://opengov.slocity.org/WebLink/Browse.aspx?id=61014&dbid=0&repo=CityClerk