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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-07-07 PRC MinutesG:\ADMIN\Parks & Rec Commission\2007\Minutes\05.07.07 minutes.doc Parks and Recreation Commission Special Meeting MINUTES Council Chambers, 990 Palm Street Monday, May 7, 2007, 7:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Lemieux called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Chair Jill Lemieux, Commissioners: Don Dollar, Rick May, Bob Wolf, and Craig Kincaid ABSENT: STAFF: Director Betsy Kiser, Todd Bunte and Marti Reynolds CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES: The minutes from April 4, 2007 were approved as submitted. 1. Public Comment None. 2. Volunteer of the Month - April Commissioner Lemieux introduced Volunteer of the Month Ron Skow. Ron was recognized for his assistance as a volunteer Marshal at Laguna Lake Golf Course for the past five years. In the evenings after the Pro Shop Starter and the paid Marshal’s have gone home, people often jump the fence and decide to play golf for free and at times even night golf. Ron Skow lives on the #8 Hole and roams the course taking care of any problems. He also helps on weekends and if, for instance, a power cart breaks down, he is always there to help tow it in. Ron and his wife Doris have lived in San Luis Obispo since 1957. Both retired, Ron worked at KATY radio station in San Luis Obispo as an engineer, sales representative and announcer. His wife Doris was a personal secretary for Alex Madonna for 47 years. They have one son and two grandchildren. Ron’s hobbies include golf and horses. 3. Conceptual Design of Laguna Lake Park Disc Golf Course – Scott Martin Scott Martin of RRM Design provided Commissioners with a handout to accompany his presentation on the Laguna Lake Park Disc Golf Course. The SLO Throwers have been working for the last 1-1/2 years to develop the course, which is part of the Laguna Lake Master Plan. A temporary course has been in existence since December 2005. An 18-hole course is planned, whereas the currently used Sinsheimer Disc Golf Course is only a 9-hole course. Martin pointed out that careful consideration was given to the mapping of the course to avoid conflicts with the memorial grove, playground, barbecue pavilion, and dog park area. Becoming a non-profit organization six months ago, SLO Throwers will now be able to accept donations as well as show “sponsored by” signs on the course to encourage more community assistance. Currently the SLO Throwers have 1/3 of the funds needed for this project and propose to use what is available now to put in baskets only for the back 10 holes of the course. (Cost is $600/hole for basket, bench, sign and tee pad). Parks and Recreation Commission – Minutes May 7, 2007 Page 2 of 5 Commissioners asked for clarification on who would be responsible for moving the “holes” or baskets. Martin stated park rangers would be given the key to the course although SLO Throwers will provide someone for this task, as well as for general maintenance. Martin mentioned the benefits of having increased (healthful) activity in a park that at times attracts shady characters. He reiterated the careful consideration given to hole placement around the dog park and playground. No baskets will be placed within 50 feet of the barbecue pavilion. A 4’x8’ tee pad with sign and bench will be placed each hole. Keeping these items grouped within a 20’ circle allows for ease in maintenance (i.e. for mowing). Commissioner Wolf commented on his love for this fast growing sport and his appreciation for both the physical and mental skill required of the game, which is also a great low impact, inexpensive family sport as well. Commissioner Wolf noted the potential for increased traffic at the lake. Wolf also described the secure metal donation boxes used at various disc golf courses and suggested that we consider using such a system to generate maintenance and replacement funds. Commissioner Dollar noted dog park users concerns and questioned placement of Holes #9 and #18 near the dog park and the memorial grove, respectively. He requested that activity be watched at Hole #9. He also asked if it was possible to use lower impact materials for the pads than concrete. Martin indicated that most other choices are either more expensive or not as stabile. He discussed the need for a pad that provides adequate traction for safely throwing the disc, and that if the course was eventually used as a tournament course, concrete would the material of choice. Director Kiser noted the requirement for the concrete pad to be flush with the ground for ease of maintenance and so as not to be a tripping hazard. The pad is typically 4” to 6” in thickness and therefore would not be difficult to remove if necessary in the future. Commissioners May and Lemieux both expressed their appreciation of the SLO Throwers as a group and their well thought out work. MOTION: (Wolf/Kincaid) Approve the conceptual design for the Laguna Lake Park Disc Golf Course. Approved 5 Yes: 0 No: 0 Absent 4. Laguna Lake Golf Course Fund Rate Review – Kiser Director Kiser presented the golf course fund rate review. Kiser explained that it is the financial policy of the Council that the golf course be subsidized each year by the General Fund due to its inability to generate revenues sufficient for both operations and capital improvements. Kiser reviewed the assumptions for the review including: rounds will increase by 3% annually; costs for daily operations will increase by 3% annually, except for utilities; the golf cart fleet will be replaced with 8 new leased carts with offsetting revenue; greens fee revenues are expected to increase by 3% annually; and the second cell tower lease is expected to be delayed until 2008 due to AT&T’s purchase of Cingular wireless (expected revenue of $25,000/year) Parks and Recreation Commission – Minutes May 7, 2007 Page 3 of 5 Commissioners discussed limitations of the 9-hole course being self-supporting without a full-sized driving range, but that we still have a good product for the price and good customer base. The golf course is a welcoming place to both experienced and beginner players, seniors and youth with approximately 45,000 rounds of golf played per year. The Commissioners discussed raising the Friday rates and the cost of playing a 2nd round. Also discussed by Commissioners and Supervisor Todd Bunte was the consideration of purchasing an electric utility cart, and engineered netting designs for the driving range. MOTION: (Kincaid/Dollar) 1. Review and discuss the 2006-07 annual golf fund financial and rate review, including proposed operating program changes and capital improvement project requests contained in the 2007-09 Financial Plan, pending final review and adoption on June 19, 2007. 2. Recommend to the City Council a) to authorize a General Fund operating transfer of $414,400 for 2007-08 and $271,700 for 2008-09: and b) adopt a resolution approving the following fee increase, effective July 1, 2007: Add Friday to the weekend rate, therefore increasing the daily use rate for Fridays by $1.00. Approved 5 Yes: 0 No: 0 Absent 5. Staff Reports Golf Course Supervisor Todd Bunte gave the Commissioners a history of the issues surrounding Hole #3. During a time when revenues were hoped to increase by encouraging Cal Poly use through student discounts and twilight rates, an increase in strong players came with it. Since then, golf balls increasingly end up in area housing causing damage and raising neighbor concerns for safety. The situation is further enhanced by prevailing winds, with Hole #3 being of the most concern. Supervisor Bunte discussed various options being designed by an architect for hole re-positioning, which would provide optimal buffer zones. Commissioner May offered suggestions including the use of a bunker on the back of the green which would cause golfers to lighten up on their swings. 6. Director’s Report Director Kiser briefed the Commission on the following projects:  May 5 was the SLOCAPRA Commissioner Training meeting at Hearst Castle.  The dedication for the Perpetual Hope public art piece located in Mitchell Park was May 3 at 12:30 pm and included attendance by the parents of Elaina Macedo, the child who was the original inspiration for this piece.  September 20, 2007 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. is the City Advisory Body Training. The Chair is asked to recommend topics, however; any Commissioner is welcome to email Director Kiser with ideas. Parks and Recreation Commission – Minutes May 7, 2007 Page 4 of 5  Council continues to interview for Commissioners. Next week David Hensinger will be recommended to the PRC at which point we will only need to fill one more position.  A response from the Jack House Committee is still needed regarding the Park Tour. As with the PRC, the JUC noted their particular interest in visiting El Chorro and Stockton fields as well as the Therapy Pool. The Park Tour will be held July 11th from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. with spouse/significant other welcome for the barbecue at the close. The tour will start and end at Laguna Lake Golf Course.  Director Kiser met with the SLO Coastal Unified School District Assistant Superintendent – Business Services regarding the annual joint use agreement. No changes were recommended.  The Therapy pool has been filled with water to help cure the concrete and check for problems. Director Kiser visited the public art artist to see the progression of his work which is coming along nicely. The dedication for the art and pool opening will be concurrent sometime in June or July.  The Beeson Public Art RFP was released and proposals received May 2. Family & friends donated $10,000 in memory of Mr. Beeson and the City matched the funds. The art will be located in front of the SLO Little Theatre. The theme for the piece is related to the arts and disabilities, both areas which were dear to Mr. Beeson. The public art jury meets on May 9.  Agreements were successfully negotiated with the SLO Blues and the Rattlers with the continued help SLO Creative Mediation. Evaluations of the 2007 season will begin in August. Although a function of the JUC, this particular controversial topic will come before the PRC prior to going to Council. 7. Committee Reports Commissioners provided the following reports:  Tree Committee – Kincaid  Joint Use Committee – May  Mayors Youth Task Force – no report  Jack House Committee – Wolf  Open Space – Dollar  Golf – Lemieux Commissioner Kincaid reported on his first Tree Committee meeting. Two permits were discussed one of which was approved. San Luis Obispo is a “Tree City USA” and will be having a 25th anniversary celebration. Commissioner Dollar reported on Open Space and his recent attendance at a public workshop on the Conservation Plan for Johnson Ranch. A draft plan will go before council regarding a potential loop trail. Also discussed two railroad properties uphill toward Cuesta Grade and the Brughelli Ranch greenbelt. Commissioner May reported on the Joint Use Committee’s meeting and the re-election of Nancy Cochran as the chair and Terry Conner as vice chair. Commissioner May also commented on finding the process regarding Sinsheimer stadium use very interesting and that the teams communicated well. Parks and Recreation Commission – Minutes May 7, 2007 Page 5 of 5 As a Jack House Committee meeting had not occurred since Commissioner Wolf’s assignment to it, Commissioner Lemieux relayed information from the most recent meeting on April 11. Lemieux reminded there will be a Mother’s Day Concert at the Jack House May 13 and that a field trip is scheduled for the next Committee meeting on May 9. Director Kiser noted the Rotary Club de Tolosa has agreed to rebuild the fence in front of the Jack House using Douglas fir. Commissioner Lemieux had little more to report on the Golf Course than was already discussed during the course of the night’s meeting. 8. Communications None. 9. Adjourned The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. to the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting on June 6, 2007, in the Council Chambers. Approved by Parks and Recreation Commission on 8/1/2007. ___________/S/______________ Martha M.S. Reynolds Supervisory Administrative Assistant