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Home My WebLink About11-01-06 PRC MinutesParks and Recreation Commission MINUTES Council Chambers, 990 Palm Street Wednesday, November 1, 2006 7:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Lemieux called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. ROLL CALL: Commissioners: Jill Lemieux, Richard Kriet, Gary Clay, Don Dollar, and Ty Griffin ABSENT: Bill Pyper, John Knight STAFF: Director Betsy Kiser, Neil Havlik, Freddy Otte, Marti Reynolds, Robin Perrin CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES: The minutes from October 4 were amended as follows: The last sentence first page on Item #3 should read “Commissioners felt that benches, but not necessarily monuments, provide an actual purposeful service or benefit to the public…” The minutes from the September 6th meeting will stand as corrected as follows: “Don Dollar stated in the August 2 meeting that, in the future, mitigation projects should only be permitted in open space that has an approved management plan.” 1. Public Comment Public comment made by Kathy Cunningham regarding South Hills will be included in Item 3 below. 2. Volunteer of the Month - October There was no volunteer of the month for October. 3. South Hills Natural Reserve Conservation Plan - Havlik Don Dollar and Gary Clay recused themselves from the hearing due to the proximity of their personal residences to the South Hills boundary. Natural Resources Manager Neil Havlik presented a PowerPoint on the South Hills Natural Reserve Conservation Plan project (SHNR), which will guide the management and development of this approximately 130 acre site over the next five to seven years. The plan’s main focus is to protect the existing resources at SHNR and balance recreation use, fire safety and resource protection. Issues on the site include wetlands, plant species, rock cistern, erosion of dirt road accessing communication site, wildfire preparedness plan, and development of a trail system. Council will make a decision on a subordinate trail on Lawrence Drive for local access. Presumably Mitchell Drive was closed off by the current owner of the development. The Chair invited public comment at 7:50pm. Kathy Cunningham, 640 Lawrence, spoke regarding the Lawrence Drive access, preferring to keep it restricted to walk-in only. Currently the older neighborhood must access the open space through the new neighborhood. Cunningham also spoke of a trail in existence before Stoneridge and other neighborhoods were built. She disagrees that the focus of hikers is simply to get to the top, stating many people desire a less strenuous hike. She would like to have access to the trail system on Lawrence Drive. G:\ADMIN\Parks & Rec Commission\2006\Minutes\11.01.06 minutes appvd.doc Parks and Recreation Commission – Agenda November 1, 2006 Page 2 of 4 G:\ADMIN\Parks & Rec Commission\2006\Minutes\11.01.06 minutes appvd.doc Barry Frantz, 477 Stoneridge, spoke in favor of the South Hills Natural Reserve stating its scenic value is appreciated by everyone, not just its value as a natural reserve. Frantz is opposed to cutting a trail into the hillside for reasons of erosion, feeling off-trail hiking is minimal. He stated there is more need for fences and controlling bikers. He would like to see the area kept as natural as possible by remaining as untouched as possible. Arnold Jonas, 2437 Cumbre Court, discussed access at the site and the existing trail created primarily by cattle. Feels a formal trail would create difficulties and the need for winter maintenance due to rain erosion. A trail would also be intrusive to the viewshed from the immediate neighborhood. Feels Neil’s solution to not address a trail system at this time is appropriate. Neighbors currently use an existing trail and are generally polite about not accessing it through the back of someone’s property. Supports adoption with Neil’s proposed changes, feels speaks for neighbors as well. Recommends Commission support staff recommendation to City Council. Joe O’Donnell, 7350 Santa Ynez, Atascadero, represented mountain bikers who use the area. O’Donnell stated that well-designed trails are far better than volunteer trails in terms of less damage and easier maintenance. He requested Commissioners to consider the inclusion of bike trails in the SHNR. Some discussion regarding alternative names ensued. The bikepath was further clarified in that the fire access road would be both a bicycle and hiking trail. Calle Jasmine access is part of the Margarita project meeting the existing NW/SE fire access road inside the open space to be dedicated around the tank to Stoneridge Drive. The east would access Damon Garcia in Margarita Specific Plan. Recommendation: Recommend to City Council that the South Hills Natural Reserve Conservation Plan be approved as amended, including: 1. Formally accepting the name “South Hills Natural Reserve” for the site 2. Completion of an improvement program for the access road to the communication sites located on private property to the west of the Reserve; 3. Development of a formally identified trail system for pedestrians and bicyclists, including certain routes restricted to pedestrians only; 4. Placement of protective fencing at identified locations within the Reserve, especially on the southwest, to protect sensitive resources in those locations; 5. Development of interpretive and informational signage to assist visitors; 6. Ultimate removal of livestock grazing on the property; and 7. A wildfire preparedness plan, involving management of fuel loading at the urban/wildland interface. Motion: (Kriet/Conner) 3 yes: 0 no: 2 absent (Knight, Pyper) 2 recused: (Clay, Dollar) Recused Commissioners Clay and Dollar then returned to attend the remainder of the committee meeting. 4. Advisory Body Goals The Commission identified their highest priority goals for the City to accomplish over the next two years. Finance Director Bill Statler will consolidate these goals for all the advisory bodies and return them for final review by the Commission in December. At that time, additions can be made, other advisory body goals can be incorporated or supported, or redundant goals removed. Final revised goals Parks and Recreation Commission – Agenda November 1, 2006 Page 3 of 4 G:\ADMIN\Parks & Rec Commission\2006\Minutes\11.01.06 minutes appvd.doc are due to Bill Statler on December 28, for preparation for Council review. Highest goals were as follows: 1) Conversion of Stockton Field to synthetic turf; 2) Resume funding levels for open space acquisition; 3) Research components for Senior/Community Center. Recommendation: Adopt the three highest priority goals as listed, in no particular order, for submission to Council. Motion: (Griffin/Kriet) 4 yes: 1 no (Dollar): 2 absent (Knight, Pyper) 5. CAPRCBM Award Nomination Request – Commission Kiser informed the Commission of the upcoming award nomination opportunity for an outstanding commissioner or professional. Recommendation: Nominate Paul LeSage, previous director of the Parks & Recreation Department. Motion: (Kriet/Griffin) 5 yes: 0 no: 2 absent (Knight, Pyper) Commissioner Clay then excused himself at 9:37 to a prior commitment as all motions were finished for the evening. 6. Staff Reports SLO Swim Center Supervisor Robin Perrin showed Commissioners a sample of the public art proposed for the Therapy Pool. Perrin gave a presentation on the aquatics program at Sinsheimer Pool, highlighting the activities for the summer, including programs such as Baby and Me, Water Polo Camp, Springboard Diving, Lifeguard Training, and a special training opportunity for the lifeguards to experience open ocean rescue techniques with the local Coast Guard. 7. Director’s Report Director Kiser thanked the Commissioners for their goal-setting efforts then proceeded to brief the Commission on the following projects: • The Board of Supervisors will hear the Parks & Recreation element for the County on November 14th at 9am. Pete Jenny encouraged the Commissioners to view the element online and provide citizen input • $90,000 was approved for Damon Garcia overflow parking and construction started • Laguna Lake Golf Course Bridge replacement will be taken forward as a mid-year budget request • Cheng Park has opened and will be dedicated on December 15th at 11am. Invitations are forthcoming • Therapy pool bids will be opened on December 1st Parks and Recreation Commission – Agenda November 1, 2006 Page 4 of 4 G:\ADMIN\Parks & Rec Commission\2006\Minutes\11.01.06 minutes appvd.doc • Shannon Bates was selected as the new Recreation Manager. Her previous position as Children Services Supervisor will be advertised outside of the City in hopes of achieving a larger pool of candidates. • The artist who has created the art design for the Therapy pool will attend the December PRC meeting • The Mitchell Park public art piece, Perpetual Hope, will be powder coated next week and footings in by Thanksgiving • Relocation sites for Love and Double Joy on Palm Street Parking Garage are being proposed because of the new development 7. Committee Reports Commissioners gave reports on Committees they attended: Tree Committee – Dollar Joint Use Committee – no report Mayors Youth Task Force – no report Jack House Committee – no report Open Space – Dollar Golf – Lemieux Commissioner Dollar stated that Katie Hall has moved to Los Osos and therefore created an opening in the Tree Committee. Commissioner Lemieux advised of the Jack House Docent appreciation dinner at 5:30pm Wednesday, November 8th at the Ludwick Center. Lemieux also noted the three Parks & Recreation articles in SLO Journal Magazine including a spotlight on Director Kiser. Commissioner Dollar reported on railroad land near Cuesta Grade and the $60,000 needed to leverage easement purchase. Both this and the Brughelli Ranch, which still needs $200,000, have more than halfway met their funding goals in one months time. 8. Communications None. 9. Adjourned The meeting adjourned at 10:07 p.m. to the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting on December 6, 2006, at the Council Chambers. Approved by Parks and Recreation Commission on December 6, 2006. /s/ ________________________ Martha M.S. Reynolds Supervising Administrative Assistant