HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-05-06 PRC MinutesParks and Recreation Commission
MINUTES
City Council Chambers, 990 Palm Street
Wednesday, April 5, 2006 7:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chair Pyper called the meeting to order at 7:00p.m.
OATH OF OFFICE: Commissioners Jill Lemieux and Richard Kriet were sworn in by Betsy Kiser,
acting as Deputy City Clerk
ROLL CALL: Vice Chair Pyper, Commissioners: Gary Clay, John Knight, Don Dollar, Jill
Lemieux, Ty Griffin and Richard Kriet
ABSENT:
STAFF: Acting Director Linda Fitzgerald, Betsy Kiser, Shannon Bates, Christine
Wallace, Ashley Blake, and Todd Beights
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Bill Pyper was nominated for Chair. (Lemieux/Knight) 6 yes: 0 no: Pyper not voting.
Jill Lemieux was nominated for Vice Chair. (Pyper/Griffin) 6 yes: 0 no: Lemieux not voting.
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES:
The minutes from the March 1, 2006 meetings were approved as submitted.
1. Public Comment
Carolyn Smith, a resident behind the third green at the Laguna Lake Golf Course, informed the
Commission about concerns she has for the safety of children and neighbors due to the increasing
number of golf balls being hit over her house and into the cul de sac. She has met with staff to explore
options to fix the problem. She asked the Commission to please be sensitive to these options in order to
resolve the situation.
2. Introduction of the new Parks and Recreation Director, Betsy Kiser
Chair Pyper introduced the new Parks & Recreation Director, Betsy Kiser, to the Commission. Her
first official day is April 6, 2006.
3. Volunteer of the Month
Acting Director Fitzgerald introduced Shaba Mohseni as the March volunteer of the month in
recognition for her work with the Tour of California.
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4. Mitchell Park Community Garden
Acting Director Fitzgerald introduced Christine Wallace, Recreation Coordinator of the City’s
Community Garden program, and Bob Carr, representative for Grace Church. Acting Director
Fitzgerald presented the staff report to the Commissioners.
Commissioners discussed the item.
Public Comment:
Agatha Reardon – San Luis Obispo resident, informed the Commission of the various activities
happening at the Senior Center throughout the entire week and expressed possible concerns that a
community garden would just add to the existing parking issues.
Charles Oldham – San Luis Obispo resident, stressed the concerns that a “community garden” may only
serve those who have a garden plot and will negatively impact the horseshoe pit and barbeque pit users
as well as the parking around the area.
Paul Wilson – San Luis Obispo resident, expressed concern about the visual effects the gardens would
have at Mitchell Park and suggested the project be relocated to another area.
Richard Rall – San Luis Obispo resident and President of the Senior Board, expressed the Board’s main
concern which is the lack of available parking. He stated the Board appreciates the Parks and
Recreation Department and Grace Church’s efforts, yet suggested another location for the gardens since
the Board opposes the gardens at Mitchell Park.
Marie Wilson - San Luis Obispo resident, commented on concerns with the quality of the park since the
gardens would change the flavor of the park. She expressed that she would like to see the area
developed to show the historical aspects of the old school house.
Eric Meyer, San Luis Obispo resident living near Mitchell Park, walks through the area twice a day.
He does not see a lot of activity in the proposed garden area. He advocates more handicapped parking
spaces for the seniors. He also indicated that the park is not just for the seniors and that the change in
use is a good idea.
Commission discussed the item again.
Commissioner Kriet – Liked the proposed project to increase park use, but concerned with there only
being 10 plots and the possible parking issues. Wants item to return to PRC after a more
detailed/concrete plan is developed.
Commissioner Griffin – Suggested having a senior gardening program and stated that a good plan could
be a beautiful, aesthetic addition to the park.
Commissioner Clay – Stated the project would be a positive feature, however, the plans could be more
aesthetically pleasing with functional and social features. Would like to see all stakeholders come
together and come up with other options and possibilities to create a living creation for all the
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community to enjoy.
Vice Chair Lemieux – Appreciates the low cost/fee for garden plots. Clarified that regardless of the
agreed upon use of the area, it will not be a parking lot. Stated that covered storage areas for tools
could aid in the garden’s appearance.
Commissioner Dollar – Would like to see a different design. Stated that the project should be moved to
a future date to have the community come together more, yet he does not want to see a parking lot
installed at all.
Commissioner Knight – Commented how this project would implement the park’s master plan,
however the project does not have to be limited to a community garden. Other options could be a
botanical or rose garden but a parking lot is not a choice.
Chair Pyper – Stated that the visual aspects of gardens do not bother him. Although he is not
completely opposed to a parking lot, the community garden would be a good use of the area. Would
like to see a more detailed design.
Recommendation:
Continue with the item to a later date and direct staff to work with everyone involved to get more of an
agreement about the project.
(Dollar/Pyper) 2 yes (Lemieux and Dollar): 5 no (Pyper, Kriet, Clay, Knight, and Griffin) Defeated.
Recommendation:
Direct staff to meet with all stakeholders invovled to explore other uses for the space and return to the
Parks and Recreation Commission in two months with all findings that do not include a parking lot.
(Knight/Griffin) 7 yes: 0 no
5. Consideration of Draft Bylaws
Acting Director Fitzgerald presented the staff report to the Commissioners.
Commission discussed the item and suggested changes to the draft bylaws, which included: number of
members on Commission, how Commissioners are appointed and length of terms, and clarifications on
Chair responsibilities and committee appointments.
Staff will bring back an edited version of the Bylaws to the Commission at the next meeting.
6. Follow-up on February Study Session
Acting Director Fitzgerald presented the report to the Commission. Commissioners were asked to
categorize the list generated at the February meeting and return the sheet to staff.
Commissioners discussed the item.
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7. Director’s Report
Acting Director Fitzgerald briefed the Commission on the following projects:
▪ El Chorro is moving along with the light installation. The project should be ready in time for
the summer adult softball season.
▪ With the Therapy Pool using some money from Proposition 40, the City will need to update the
Joint Use Agreement with the School District for the Sinsheimer Park to reflect at least a 20-
year tenure.
▪ A meeting with residents near Sinsheimer Park and the SLO Throwers was held to discuss
safety issues around the disc golf course. Recommended changes include adding signage for
both pedestrians and disc golfers along with relocating holes #3 and #5 .
8. Staff Report
Recreation Supervisor Shannon Bates presented a powerpoint presentation focusing on the Children
Service’s section of the department, and concentrating on programs, relationships and environments.
Parks & Urban Forestry Supervisor Todd Beights informed the Commission about the following: the
effects the heavy rain has caused throughout the City, the Damon-Garcia Sports Fields are under a
rotating regeneration schedule, the Recycle Water Project for various parks is being examined, and the
supplies for the LC YC Cheng Park have arrived and the volunteers will begin construction soon.
9. Committee Reports
Commissioners gave reports on Committees they attended.
Tree Committee – Dollar Joint Use Committee – Kriet
Mayors Youth Task Force – Jack House Committee – Pyper
Open Space – Dollar Golf – Lemieux
Pyper assigned new commissioners to each committee:
Tree Committee – Dollar
Mayors Youth Task Force – Knight
Open Space – Dollar
Joint Use Committee - Kriet
Jack House Committee – Pyper
Golf - Lemieux
10. Adjourned
The meeting adjourned at 9:38p.m. to the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting on May 3, 2006 at
the Council Hearing Room.
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