HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-07-07 PRC Minutes1-1
Parks and Recreation Commission
MINUTES
Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA
Wednesday, November 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, Vice Chair Bob Wolf, Commissioners: Rick May, Craig
Kincaid, David Hensinger, Don Dollar and Kylie Hatch
ABSENT:
STAFF: Director Betsy Kiser, Shannon Bates and Marti Reynolds
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES:
MOTION: (Kincaid/Hatch) Approve the October 3, 2007 as submitted.
Approved 7 yes: 0 no: 0 absent
1. Public Comment
None.
2. Volunteer of the Month - October
Kevin Christian is this month’s volunteer of the month. As part of his efforts to promote bicycle safety
awareness through the Bicycle Advisory Committee, Kevin has volunteered for the Parks and
Recreation Department’s Bike Rodeo for the past three years. Kevin is currently the Chair of the
Bicycle Advisory Committee and has been a member of the committee since April of 2004. With his
involvement in the Bicycle Advisory Committee, Kevin is an instructor for bicycle safety classes such
as the Safe Routes to School program, that promote cycling awareness in the community. Cycling
classes are free for participants and can be found by visiting SLOBikeLane.org. Kevin graduated from
Cal Poly in 1983. He then moved to Croton-on-Hudson, New York and commuted via train and bike
into Manhattan to work for Time Warner. In 1999, a return to California brought Kevin and his wife
back to San Luis Obispo where they chose to raise their son, now ten years old. Kevin currently
spends his time as a stay-at-home dad and part-time lecturer on quality management at Cal Poly.
Cycling is Kevin’s greatest interest and hobby; he enjoys cycling on the road, mountain biking, racing
and has toured New Zealand and Iceland.
Mr. Christian spoke to the Commissioners about the City’s recent Silver Award presented by the
League of American Bicyclists in recognition of our outstanding efforts to encourage bicycling in our
community, as well as community outreach programs in coalition with the Bicycle Advisory Council,
Bike Rodeo and partnership programs such as recent training of the City’s bicycle patrol officers.
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3. Senior Center Parking Lot Design – Kiser
Director Kiser provided background information on the Senior Center parking lot, stating that the
seniors have been requesting parking at the facility since 1988. The issue has come before the Parks
and Recreation Commission (PRC) and Council a number of times over the years, each time
resulting in denial of the lot. Past PRC minutes indicate that by 2005, nearly half of the
Commissioners believed a parking lot made sense, but chose instead to forward a recommendation
to Council for the addition of four-hour on-street parking zones in an attempt to meet the parking
needs without taking parkland. During the development of the 2007-09 Financial Plan, seniors once
again came forward during the community forum with a request for the construction of a parking
lot. This time, Council supported the request and approved a major City Goal that included, among
other objectives, a directive to construct the parking lot behind the Senior Center primarily for the
seniors using the facility.
On October 11, 2007, staff presented a draft parking lot design prepared by public works staff, to the
community for comment. Thirty plus seniors and two neighbors participated (out of the 247 noticed)
in the public input meeting held at the Senior Center and provided suggestions relative to perimeter
fencing, loss of handicapped parking spaces on the street, landscaping and future lot management.
Director Kiser presented the PowerPoint presentation that was provided that evening and asked the
Commissioners to 1) comment on the parking lot design and 2) recommend an amendment to the
Mitchell Park Master Plan removing the area behind the Senior Center designated for a specialty
garden and replacing it with a parking lot. June 2008 is the approximate start of construction with
anticipated completion in two months.
Commissioners discussed the topic and provided the following feedback:
Chair Lemieux and Commissioner Dollar expressed frustration with the process that allowed the
parking lot to move forward even though the PRC historically opposed construction of the lot.
Director Kiser pointed out that their role as an advisory body is to provide input to Council for use
by Council to make decisions. Ultimately, final decisions rest with Council.
Commissioner Wolf saw no problems with the specifics of the design but was surprised with the
elimination of parking spaces on Santa Rosa Street. He supports staying at the Senior Center
building and feels the facility should have parking.
Commissioner Dollar can see why the Seniors would like to stay at the site but is concerned that the
parking lot makes winners of some and losers of others. The seniors gain parking but the
community loses valuable downtown parkland. He would like to see the City mitigate the loss of
the 6,000 sq. ft. of parkland to hardscape by purchasing an equal amount of land somewhere else in
the downtown. He also recommended that if, eventually, the facility isn’t used as a Senior Center,
then the parking lot should be converted back into active park space. In thinking of future
generations of use, he does not support the construction of the parking lot.
Commissioner May stated he supports the plan mostly due to his mother’s use of the Senior Center
and her support of the parking lot, and, because he has been involved in other park’s issues, he sees
that in every park there are times of no use and pointed out the City of San Luis Obispo is not
impacted as much other cities can be. He thinks the plan is perfect.
Commissioner Hensinger stated most of his input is based on his observations at the community
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meeting and, unless information was poorly disseminated to neighborhood, feels the area behind the
Senior Center is currently under-utilized. Is in favor of the plan and believes design is decent. He
pointed out that once establish use, his opinion is that the paving will remain a permanent fixture in
the park.
Commissioner Hatch feels the parking lot is good for that space and sees the barbecue area as the
only current use. It will be a positive addition for those seniors having difficulty walking from the
parking garages or using public transportation because of routes or boarding difficulties. Feels
giving more spaces is good and design is fine.
Chair Lemieux stated that this may be the 3rd or 4th time the subject has come before the Committee.
Just focusing on the layout of the plan, she is surprised that it only measures 6,000 square feet; that
it seems larger maybe because it wraps around the building. She would like to protect loss of
parking spaces on curb, but wants to make sure there is safe egress with enough visibility with trees
and other cars. Regarding the senior use only policy – if the area moves forward as parking lot, she
would like to see it used more like the lot at the Parks and Recreation offices located off Emerson
Park which are permitted only during day use. Although she would like to see the lot dedicated for
seniors, she feels if there are too many rules around its use that it makes it not open for friendly
neighborhood use. She would like to see it not too limiting and there as part of community, not
walled off as a “fortress”.
Director Kiser commented use will most likely be Monday through Saturday from 7:30am to
6:00pm and will work with the seniors on that.
Chair Lemieux stated she appreciated Commissioner Dollar’s opinion but doesn’t believe the lot
would revert back to park space if the Senior Center converted to another use. Feels the Senior
Center has more needs than we can put “band aids” on and that it comes down to dedication and the
future needs to serve twice as many people. Need to start thinking of that possibility now of moving
to a larger space and accommodating all needs since it will probably take 4-5 years. Does not want
to amend the plan but rather mend the situation.
Director Kiser reminded the Commissioners that $30,000 has been allocated in the budget to study
the need for a new Senior/Community Center and that will be pursued in the spring.
Commissioner Wolf questioned locations of four-hour zones and clarified the16 spaces along Pismo
Street. Wants to be convinced that everything reasonable has been done to address parking concerns.
Director Kiser read the October 25, 2005 Council note from the CAO that supported parking
changes to Pismo Street.
Both Commissioners Hatch and Dollar stated perhaps the Park Master Plan could call for park there
to attract use. Hatch said he could see that the parking lot could be converted to a basketball court
for teens perhaps. Feels had it been utilized for anything productive in the first place, it may not be
so easy to picture as a parking lot.
Commissioners discussed further the senior center and that realistically it is “busting at the seams”
and that future needs will only place more demand on it – a new structure can’t be in busy center
area and will most likely be outside of town. Director Kiser advised this discussion will be a part of
the needs study.
Commissioner May posed that if the center reverts to something else, where parking is not needed,
he would like to see parking revert back to parkland.
Commissioner Hatch added a comment as to pervious concrete used in parking lot would have high
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runoff during heavy rains and feels better in areas like the northwest where rains are light and
constant. Is four times more expensive and not a smooth walking surface.
Director Kiser explained it is the pilot program to try the product in a small space. NPDES requires
reduction in runoff; fines can be assessed for polluting streams. Pilot for absorbing back into the
earth.
MOTION: (May/Kincaid) Approve an amendment to the Mitchell Park Master Plan removing the
area behind the Senior Center designated for a specialty garden and replacing it with a parking lot.
Approved 4 yes: 3 no: 0 absent
MOTION 2: (Dollar/May) Recommend to Council that the City mitigate the loss of Mitchell Park
land to parking lot (6,000 sq.ft.) by purchasing land in the downtown area equal in size to area lost
for parkland use.
Approved 7 yes: 0 no: 0 absent
MOTION 3: (Dollar/Wolf) In the future, if the Mitchell Park Senior Center reverts to a use other
than a Senior Center, at that time return the parking lot to an active park use.
Approved 4 yes: 3 no: 0 absent
4. Staff Report
Recreation Manager Shannon Bates provided a presentation on the Public Art program. Highlighted
were privately funded art in public places and public art in private development. Recreation Manager
Bates explained funding and showed examples of art in existence within the City.
Commissioners discussed the lifespan of these works of art, what happens to a piece of art if
development changes hands, requirements for repairing damages. The process of selecting artwork,
jury, ARC and Council reviews was also discussed.
Chair Lemieux expressed her happiness that public art came to the Parks and Recreation Department,
also personally likes the maps available on the website for use when visitors come to town.
5. Director’s Report
Director Kiser briefed the Commission on the following projects:
Attended the CPRS Administrators Institute in Monterey last weekend
Sinsheimer Stadium proposals are due November 15. Proposal review committee to hear
presentations from respondents on November 26. Recommendations too Council on
December 18.
Roller Hockey Rink expansion stakeholders meeting with the Wallace Group November 13
from 5:30 to 7:30pm on site and at the Ludwick Center
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Met with RRM Design as the consultants on the Skate Park project – proposal to the
Director within a week or so to conduct needs assessment. Will present outcome of study to
Council in February and seek additional funding if necessary.
Public works personnel beginning plans for Senior Center Remodel – preparing two plans
to increase kitchen space
Damon Garcia turf was damaged by use two weekends ago, probably due to the rain.
Requests for use have increased but must be denied because of turf damage issues. Kiser
met with Public Works to develop a project plan for a solution. The goal is for a quality
facility that can be used as much as possible in the manner intended. For now, closed at
parking lot entrance from non-permitted users and patrolled by Rangers and facility staff.
Hole No. 3 at the golf course is moving fast now, may be completed by Christmas 2007
Next week will hold interviews for two irrigation system proposals at the golf course
Golf Carts to be delivered any day
Jack House fence replacement scheduled for January and February
Bocci Ball Courts finished November 8 – benches will be installed soon. A dedication will
occur sometime in December.
Cheng Park was submitted for Facilities and Park Design awards
California & Pacific Southwest Recreation & Park Training Conference, Long Beach,
February 26-29, 2008 - funding for attendance by two Commissioners – possibly
Commissioner Hatch
6. Committee Reports
Commissioners provided the following reports:
Tree Committee – Kincaid Joint Use Committee – May
Mayors Youth Task Force – Wolf Jack House Committee – Hatch
Open Space – Dollar Golf – Lemieux
Commissioner Kincaid reported on the Tree Committee meeting and the ongoing approval process
and update of tree regulations. Commissioner Kincaid reminded, for those interested, there is still a
vacancy on the Committee.
Commissioner Wolf is now on the Mayor’s Youth Task Force (MYTF) – Director Kiser to get
information on next meeting.
Commissioner Dollar reported on Open Space and the Johnson Ranch Draft Conservation
Management Plan which will come before the PRC in December, in the meantime the draft is
available for view if desired. Stenner Springs will be the next area for a Management Plan and will
have some impacts from military base.
Commissioner May was traveling during the last Joint Use Committee meeting and had no report.
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Commissioner Hatch is now assigned to the Jack House Committee meeting after last month’s
meeting, but will not be able to attend the next meeting as he will be out of town.
Commissioner Lemieux reported on the Golf Course stating she and Supervisor Todd Bunte began
regular meetings. Eight golf carts are to be delivered soon. Last year over $20,000 was made on
golf cart rentals due to their high demand for use. In the future fees may be raised, but even with a
raise would most likely still be the lowest fee in the county. Discussed promotional ideas such as a
partnership with the Tribune and will further discuss with the Director. Also reported first tee going
well.
7. Communications
Commissioner Kincaid offered some information on signage at Holes 6, 7, 8 and 9 from personal
observance: yardages are the same, hole numbers are missing (from damage) on some.
Commissioner Hatch had some information from attending Sinsheimer Old-timers’ Meeting.
Commissioner Hensinger would like to discuss recreational swim hours at Sinsheimer Pool as an
agenda item in the future. Does not feel there are opportunities for toddlers etc. to use from end of
summer to beginning of next summer. Director Kiser will arrange a meeting with the Pool Supervisor,
Robin Perrin, for history and background.
8. Adjourned
The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m. to the Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting on December 5,
2007, in the Council Chambers.
Approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission on December 5, 2007.
( signed )
_________________________
Martha M.S. Reynolds
Supervisory Administrative Assistant