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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. G:\ADMIN\Parks & Rec Commission\2006\Minutes\4.5.06 minutes.doc Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes for April 5, 2006 Page 2 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 G:\ADMIN\Parks & Rec Commission\2006\Minutes\4.5.06 minutes.doc Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes for April 5, 2006 Page 3 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. G:\ADMIN\Parks & Rec Commission\2006\Minutes\4.5.06 minutes.doc Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes for April 5, 2006 Page 4 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. G:\ADMIN\Parks & Rec Commission\2006\Minutes\4.5.06 minutes.doc