HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-01-07 PRC MinutesParks and Recreation Commission
MINUTES
Parks & Recreation Department, 1341 Nipomo St.
San Luis Obispo, CA
Wednesday, August 1, 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, Vice Chair Bob Wolf, Commissioners: Rick May, Craig
Kincaid, David Hensinger, and Don Dollar
ABSENT:
STAFF: Director Betsy Kiser, Sheridan Bohlken, and Marti Reynolds
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES:
The minutes from May 7, 2007 were approved as submitted. The minutes from June 6, 2007 were
approved as amended.
1. Public Comment
None.
2. Volunteer of the Month
There was no Volunteer of the Month for July.
3. 2008-09 Draft Work Program – for information only
Director Kiser reviewed the items on the 2008-09 Draft CIP Project Management Plan and Timeline
and explained its use as a briefing tool for the Commissioners before the Fall. Specific highlights
were as follows:
Bids will be reviewed in late October for Golf Course Irrigation repairs.
Golf Cart lease will be signed by mid-September with carts in use by the end of the month.
The Neighborhood meeting for French Park Playground Equipment Replacement is
August 8 at 6:30 pm which will include review of two plans. The subject of camera
surveillance to curtail or monitor vandalism will also be brought up at that time. Kiser
reiterated that, if the Commissioners attend, Brown Act requires they do not discuss the
topic while they are there.
The Jack House Fence donation by Rotary was approved by Council last week.
The Roller Hockey Rink stakeholder’s meeting will not be able to meet on October 17, as
originally planned due to conflicting meetings. A new date will be decided soon. Will
plan to expand the rink by 30’ with new fencing and lighting. This proposal will be
presented to PRC in February.
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August 1, 2007
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The Skatepark Needs stakeholder’s meeting will be held in December with the plan
coming to the PRC in March and Council March 22. If additional funding is needed based
on the results of the meeting, staff is positioned to request additional CIP money during
mid-budget discussions.
There will be a synthetic turf site visit on August 30th at 8:30am in preparation for the Fall
study session requested by Council. Director Kiser presented the idea of installation of
synthetic turf at SLO Baseball Stadium rather than Stockton Field. Except for Cal Ripken
Youth Baseball, Stockton Field is only large enough to allow other for practice by other
sports groups and can’t be used for formal games, whereas SLO Stadium can. The
community would benefit more from synthetic turf on SLO Stadium. Commissioner
Dollar thought it might be wise to move forward first with the field with the most support
(Stockton Field) to generate more appeal for other fields.
The Commission will see the parking lot design for the Senior Center in November and
approve changes to the Mitchell Park Master Plan to allow for the lot. Director Kiser
recapped the controversy of a parking lot within a park setting. When the neighborhood
meeting date is set the Commissioners will be informed. A professional facilitator will be
utilized at this meeting.
The Senior Center Needs Study will be developed later in the Spring and will come to the
Parks & Recreation Commission in preparation for the June Council meeting.
The Commissioners expressed their appreciation of the timeline spreadsheet and asked that they be
updated as changes occur.
4. Selection of PRC Member(s) for Synthetic Turf Site Visits
Commissioners Kincaid, Hensinger and Wolf will plan on attending. Commissioners were
forewarned, again with reference to the Brown Act, that if greater than four attend, two separate cars
will have to be taken.
5. Selection of Recipient for the Wes Conner Award
Commissioners reviewed the criteria for the Wes Conner award. Director Kiser listed those names
nominated by staff at a recent meeting as follows:
John Rosetti, Roller Hockey
Lee Hollister, Babe Ruth/Janssen Foundation
Jim Neville, Recreation services business for special needs, on PRC 8 years, once chaired
Frank Warren, Friday Night Live
Richard Kriet, JUC, Girl’s softball
Dan Sutton, Cal Ripken, donations for Stockton renovation
Barry Karlskint, past PRC member, chair, youth sports
Upon reflection, Commissioner Lemieux spoke in opposition to the limitation originally requested
by the Conner family that only San Luis Obispo residents be qualified for this honor. Richard
Kriet’s original criteria were retrieved and reviewed. Lemieux suggested we discuss nominees the
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August 1, 2007
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remainder of the meeting and move forward in September to clarify and fine tune the criteria during
which more nominations may develop.
Commissioner Dollar requested Terry Conner be notified of September’s agenda and the potential
changes to the criteria at that time.
Commissioner Wolf mentioned that the orientation toward sports is not listed as part of the criteria
but perhaps should be in light of the recommendations. Commissioners Lemieux and May spoke in
favor of a broad spectrum of interests and differing levels of participation being supported by the
award.
No action was taken. Criteria and nominee profiles will be brought back to the September meeting, at
which time additional nominations will also be accepted. In the meantime, Commissioners are to
reflect on the criteria and, if nominating in September, as suggested by Commissioner Kincaid,
accompany the nomination with a biography. Commissioner Dollar requested a nomination sheet as a
reference be provided for the next meeting as well.
6. Staff Reports
Recreation Coordinator Sheridan Bohlken introduced herself to Commissioners and briefed them on
the Teens, Seniors and Boomers programs she supervises within the department. Of the various
programs, Bohlken focused in particular on the recent success of the 2007 Teen Idol contest. Video
excerpts from the contest were shown to the Commissioners. The contest, which began several years
ago more informally at Farmer’s Market, has grown to eight participants this year with over 200
audience members. Recreation Coordinator Bohlken commended the volunteer assistance of Andy
Morris; master of ceremonies, and Vance Fahie; musical director, whose donated time were crucial to
the program’s success. Programs such as Teen Idol promote local youth interested in the professional
entertainment industry by giving them a vehicle to gain experience and become more comfortable in
front of an audience.
Commissioner Kincaid suggested future contests have a public interest story follow-up printed in the
SLO City News or other periodicals.
7. Director’s Report
Director Kiser briefed the Commission on the following projects:
The SLO Triathlon, held on July 22, was once again a great success with over 900
participants.
August 19th marks this year’s Art in the Garden at the Jack House. Proceeds from this event
go to Art After Dark. Invitations were very recently mailed but provided to Commissioners
at the meeting as well.
The Fall Registration Fair for Children’s Services programs and classes is August 4th at the
Ludwick Community Center from 10am to 12pm.
The Volunteer Appreciation Banquet will be September 19th, also at the Ludwick Center.
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August 1, 2007
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Council approved the Rotary fence donation, as well as the Hole #3 design proposal.
The Therapy Pool & Public Art dedication July 26th went well. Programs for physical
therapy treatment and exercise will be available to the public soon.
The French Park Neighborhood Meeting will be August 8th at 6:30pm.
The Synthetic Turf field visit will be August 30th at 8:30 am.
The Park Tour on July 11 was a success (Commissioner Dollar thanked the staff and
particularly commended Rich Ogden and Director Kiser).
The Joint Use Subcommittee has been meeting with staff to discuss recommendations for
2008 SLO Stadium use. The next meeting of the Joint Use Committee will be August 28th.
Recommendations will go before PRC in September and Council in October.
The Beeson Art piece “Bee Bee Works His Magic” proposed for the Little Theatre site was
selected by the jury and reviewed and approved by the ARC. The art will go before Council
August 24.
8. 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 was unable to attend the last Tree Committee meeting and, although he had
nothing to report, expressed interest in the outcome of the Mission Plaza Silk Tree.
Commissioner Dollar had no report on Open Space.
Commissioner May reported there was no Joint Use Committee meeting in July due to the Park
Tour, however; commented on the weekly subcommittee meetings in that they are looking at
solutions to such issues as cost and maintenance of the stadium, field use, and compartmentalizing
of rules. A final subcommittee meeting will occur on August 10th. Both the SLO Blues and the
SLO Rattlers are expected to be at the August 28th Joint Use Committee Meeting.
Commissioner Wolf reported on the Jack House Committee meeting of June 13 during which the
fence donation was discussed as well as the Fire Department’s resolution regarding maximum
capacity during tours. Commissioner Wolf also noted that the Mother’s Day event was slightly
more successful than Family Fun Day.
Commissioner Lemieux reported on the Golf Course and recommended those who did not attend
the Park Tour visit the Hole #3 and bridge sites at the course. Director Kiser clarified for the
Commissioners the question of Holes #6 & 7 revitalization and Hole #5 renovation in process.
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August 1, 2007
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9. Communications
Commissioner Wolf’s son will be playing at Linnea’s on August 16th and on August 24th
Commissioner Wolf will be performing “Nickel and Dimed” at the Little Theatre.
10. Adjourned
The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. to the Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting on September 5,
2007, at the Council Chambers.
Approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission on September 5, 2007.
/S/
_________________________
Martha M.S. Reynolds
Supervisory Administrative Assistant