HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-06-08 PRC Minutes1-1
Parks and Recreation Commission
MINUTES
Council Cambers, 990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA
Wednesday, February 6, 2008, 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: Craig Kincaid,
David Hensinger, Don Dollar, Rick May and Kylie Hatch
ABSENT:
STAFF: Director Betsy Kiser, Marti Reynolds, Christine Wallace
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES:
MOTION: (Kincaid/Dollar) Approve the December 5, 2007 minutes as corrected.
Approved: 7 yes: 0 no: 0 absent
1. Public Comment
Stephen Lamb of 1251 Buchon commented on the Mitchell Park Proposed Parking Lot. Mr. Lamb
wanted to clarify the large neighborhood response to the subject. Hopes the Parks and Recreation
Commission (PRC) will listen to neighbors, consider how the park is used, and think carefully about the
parking lot issue. He stressed the value of a social support network, and feels resources need to be
safeguarded now for future generations. Concerned the process violates the Master Plan and stressed
importance in keeping its integrity. He referenced the recent meeting and views of the Cultural
Heritage Committee and the personal feeling that a healthy commission functions based on long term
vision and being open to continual community dialogue. Mr. Lamb asked the Commissioners to
consider placing the topic on the agenda for the March PRC meeting.
2. Volunteer of the Month – January
Marilyn Darnell was named the volunteer of the month. Marilyn has been a Jack House Docent since
1998 and more recently completed the book The House that R. Jack Built. Marilyn began work on
the book in January 2007 and presented the rough draft to the Jack House Committee in April.
After hearing about the book, Chuck Crotser began to produce sketches of the house and items
within the house that would be used throughout the book. In the fall Marilyn and Chuck
approached the Cal Poly University Graphics Systems to ask that the book be printed. With the
overwhelming approval of the Jack House Committee to fund the printing, the first run of books
was delivered just before the Christmas Open House. It is now available for sale at the Wash House
and will be made available soon at the Novel Experience in downtown San Luis Obispo. During
the writing of the book, Marilyn lost her husband Robert to cancer. Writing the book became her
refuge during his illness and is truly a labor or love. Marilyn and her family moved to San Luis
Obispo in 1992. She has two sons, Craig and Brian. Marilyn has been a freelance writer having
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pieces published in the Journal, PLUS magazine and The Tribune.
Marilyn expressed the sentiment that dreams do come true and that when opportunity knocks you
must take it which is what happened in 2007. She credited Chuck Crotser with putting on paper
what she saw in her head and that they had a perfect collaboration. Marilyn’s dream is for the book
to be in shops all over the City of San Luis Obispo and that docent numbers grow and students and
teachers use the information.
3. Joint Use Agreement Between the San Luis Coastal Unified School District and the City of
San Luis Obispo
Director Kiser explained that this was the end of the 5th year of the original agreement and an opportune
time to look at the agreement and identify any necessary changes. The agreement was brought before
the Joint Use Committee on January 22, 2008. The Director pointed out the proposed modifications
listed in the staff report which include 1) incorporating Addendums 1 and 2 into the master document,
2) the option for a rolling extension has been eliminated, 3) the Maino Batting Cages have been added
to the joint use facilities, 4) section 6.5 and 6.7 of addendum 1 have been combined to reflect $30,000
provided to SLCUSD each year through the Youth Sports Association (YSA) and the City for field
repairs in return for field use fees, and 5) fees have been adjusted to reflect 2007-08 rates. The School
Board reviewed and approved these amendments on February 5, 2008. Staff is asking for the PRC’s
endorsement before taking to Council on February 19.
Commissioner May clarified that the Joint Use Committee gives $20,000 to YSA not the school
district. YSA then identifies projects, funds the projects, and completes them under the supervision of
the school district. YSA decides on projects for the year at their annual meeting in January and will
inform PRC on financial spending details in the future.
Commissioner Wolf questioned if there are any staff concerns; only the electronic key system, which
seems to function well for the school district and therefore will remain unchanged.
Commissioner Dollar asked about payment from SLCUSD for patrol services of park rangers under
Section X of the agreement. He asked if the payments went toward hiring additional rangers to keep up
with the additional tasks. Director Kiser clarified that there is no direct exchange of funds for the ranger
services, rather the facilities bill from the school district is reduced accordingly. However, the ranger
workload is manageable with current staff as the sites involved are all enroute to parks included in
regular patrol.
MOTION: (Wolf/Kincaid) Endorse the Joint Use Agreement between the San Luis Coastal
Unified School District (SLCUSD) and the City of San Luis Obispo for joint use of facilities and
provision of programs and forward a recommendation to the City Council for final approval.
Approved: 7 yes: 0 no: 0 absent
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4. California Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights (COBR)
Director Kiser explained this “feel good” proclamation. The amount of time children are outdoors
has decreased significantly in the last 20 years with the advancement of technology being a
contributing factor. In turn this can affect a generational appreciation of the need to conserve the
environment for the future. Governor Schwartzeneggar passed a proclamation in June of last year
which the San Luis Obispo County Association of Parks and Recreation Administrators
(SLOCAPRA) has endorsed. Proclamations are being taken forward by SLOCAPRA members for
passage by respective cities. The PRC’s endorsement of the proclamation will ensure it goes to
Council on February 19. The concept of COBR is what the Parks and Recreation Department
naturally embraces and provides.
Commissioner Dollar suggested the age of 14 may not be ambitious enough and that 11 may be
better. Director Kiser explained the age was already part of the COBR program.
Commissioners Wolf and Lemieux discussed examples, such as the Jack House, of the “celebration
of heritage” being connected to the outdoors.
There were no additions to the proclamation.
MOTION: (Kincaid/May) Endorse the California Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights and forward
a proclamation to the City Council recognizing the bill.
Approved: 7 yes: 0 no: 0 absent
5. Staff Report
Recreation Supervisor Christine Wallace of the Special Events division provided a presentation
highlighting filming and the film permit process within the City. Before the Visitors and Conference
Bureau’s Film Commission (VCB) was formed in 2004 there were no real policies regulating filming in
the city limits. Once formed, policies were developed cooperatively with the City for the City process.
This year we received 11 applications. Application fees are reasonable at $106, the 3-page form is
simple to complete, and repeat customers are occurring more frequently. There is no application fee if
the commercial is tourism based. Insurance information is collected with a mandatory $1 million
minimum coverage contract, adding to that as needed on a case-by-case basis. Parking or street issues
are kept as low impact as possible; a 30-day notice is required for permits involving street closure. For
the most part, the local public and business owners have been cooperative and realize the benefits of
filming.
There has recently been a huge influx of vehicle commercials. A portion of Higuera and Marsh are
apparently perfect at a certain vantage for vehicles to do laps around a small area with the finished
product appearing as though it were filmed in San Francisco. (This type of filming usually occurs
during the middle of the night). As a side note, the County’s Turri Road in Los Osos is also a particular
favorite of that industry.
Also, with San Luis Obispo being only three hours from Los Angeles, reality shows come up to stage
situations at Farmer’s Market and MTV has even done some filming at Bubblegum Alley. Other films
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include B rated “teen” movies and student projects.
6. Director’s Report
Director Kiser briefed the Commission on the following projects:
• The dedication for the new Bocce Ball Courts and reinstalled Community’s Bridge benches
public art will be March 7th. Invitations will be sent soon. In the meantime the benches
have been tagged by vandals twice already.
• The Skate Park needs assessment had its first workshop on January 19th with 22 attendees.
The vote was for a new in-ground skate park. The next meeting will be March 1st. PRC will
review results of study and if necessary, forward a mid-year capital improvement project
request to Council for design.
• Roller Hockey Rink Renovation – Stakeholder’s Meeting February 13th will be a smaller
more focused group. Engineers now determining cost of recommended improvements. Can
do a certain amount with our funds and more if users can raise additional funding.
• There was a meeting with the seniors on the proposed interior renovations for the Senior
Center Remodel. Construction will start on or around June 8th through approximately
September 9th. Programs in building will be relocated, but use is slower during the summer
months.
• February 23 is the Commissioner’s Training at Hearst Castle. Commissioners Lemieux and
Hatch will be attending with the Director.
• Chair Lemieux expressed her appreciation to Commissioner Hatch who will be attending the
California SW Parks & Rec Training Conference at the end of the month in Long Beach.
Eight Parks and Recreation staff members will also be attending.
• Director Kiser gave Commissioners each a copy of the new “Prescription Trail Brochure” -
a collaborative effort between the cities involved in SLOCAPRA.
• The Amgen Tour of California will return on February 21st. There will be an advertisement
in the Tribune February 7th. Volunteers are still needed and should contact Sports
Supervisor Rich Ogden. Team High Road made SLO their “permanent home” and will have
a publicity event this Saturday at Art’s Cyclery.
• The synthetic turf study session was cancelled for February 12th. Council requested a cost
benefit analysis. Review of parkland development funding and SLO Stadium versus
Stockton field. Director Kiser explained that staff felt we should step-back to review the
needs of the community rather than the product itself. Proposing to hire a consultant to
complete an in-depth needs assessment, taking into consideration options such as the interest
expressed at the last Joint Use Committee meeting on use of Holt field; the needs of user
groups; alternatives to synthetic turf. If synthetic turf appears appropriate after the
assessment, will proceed with that recommendation to PRC and Council.
• Director Kiser explained that since the Mitchell Park Master Plan amendment was reviewed
by the PRC, the project has taken a new direction due to input from a Councilmember and
subsequent outcry from the community.” Although the issue won’t be returned to PRC as
was suggested by Mr. Lamb, the PRC’s recommendation with caveats will be presented to
Council (1-to-1 land replacement, return to parkland if no longer a Senior Center). The
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proposed amendment was taken by Community Development to the Cultural Heritage
Committee (CHC) for review from an historical perspective. The CHC evaluated solely on
historical and cultural aspects and denied. The ARC will review architectural perspective
on March 3rd at 5pm. Report to go to Council March 18th for final decision taking into
consideration PRC, CHC and ARC input. Invitations to the meeting at the Senior Center in
October were sent to neighbors within 500 square feet of the center as well as advertised in
the news and website. Historical documentation is being gathered that will soon be posted to
the website for public viewing.
Commissioners said they welcome the public expression of opinions and views and that perhaps
more advertisement of PRC meetings would encourage that as well as their own effort to “get
the word out.” Commissioner Kincaid reminded also that sometimes people “vote” by not
showing up. Commissioner Hatch felt it unfortunate that complaints are heard after the fact.
• Little Rec’ers staff recently discovered that licensing is needed when providing 12 hours or
more of childcare per week for preschoolers, rather than the 15 hour limit for school-aged
children. Therefore there is an immediate need for licensing which will require a special
meeting of the PRC to approve a resolution supporting the licensing. Commissioners agreed
to meet at 4pm this coming Wednesday.
• The annual Advisory Body Recognition Dinner will be March 13th at the Ludwick
Community Center from 5:30 to 8pm.
7. 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 which will have a full board by April.
Allen Root will be transitioning from the ARC and there are four applicants. The new sign at
Laguna Lake looks good. Neighborhood planting on Higuera was done by a private group with
their own funds. Arbor Day will be April 26th at Laguna Lake. There is a new brochure.
Nominated two heritage trees (by the Jack House and end of San Luis Drive). Updating tree
ordinance and policy on planting and trimming trees within the City.
Commissioner Wolf had nothing to report for Mayor’s Youth Task Force; the next meeting will be
March 13th.
Commissioner Dollar reported on the Open Space Committee. There are three proposed
development projects with potential for open space and the potential to connect to existing open
space. Discussed Chevron proposal for Tank Farm property. Will see more trail maps this summer
at trailheads showing open space.
Commissioner May reported on the Joint Use Committee. There were two main discussions last
month, that being the joint use agreement between the City and the School District and a review of
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usage at Sinsheimer and contracts between both pro baseball teams. Individual agreements will go
to Council in March between City and each team.
Commissioner Hatch reported on the Jack House Committee meeting and promoted the new book
The House that R. Jack Built as a great gift idea. The Jack House remains closed until April 1st
(since January). Currently Rotary is replacing the picket fence. Fire sprinkler repairs starting next
October may cancel the Christmas Open House which was attended by 193 people this year.
Commissioner Lemieux reported on the Golf Course. Play numbers were down by half in January
due to rain. Now experiencing drainage issues and need to ask Council for funding approval for a
drainage system. New circuit breakers are also needed for charging the new golf carts. Cost
estimated at $2,000. Winds blew down the poles and netting by Hole 5. Engineering feels all
netting needs to be replaced and that new netting should be 40’ in height (as opposed to 30’ of
existing). Cost may be up to $50,000.
8. Communications
Commissioner Wolf mentioned $3,000 was donated by a disc golf member.
Commissioner Dollar spoke on public participation at PRC meetings and desire to see more notices
such as advertisement in the paper (more than the agenda notice), staff reports available ahead of time
and notices at affected areas themselves.
Commissioner Hatch is still getting comments on Damon Garcia from coaches regarding rugby
problems playing on fields. Director Kiser informed Public Works and Parks and Recreation are
putting together a project plan and aware of situation but also mentioned Saturday the soccer fields
were in great shape.
9. Adjourned
The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. to the Parks & Recreation Commission Special Meeting on
February 13, 2008, at the Parks and Recreation Office.
Approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission on March 5, 2008.
/S/
_________________________
Martha M.S. Reynolds
Supervisory Administrative Assistant