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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-04-09 PRC Minutes1-1 Parks and Recreation Commission MINUTES Council Chambers, 990 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA Wednesday, March 4, 2009, 7:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Jill Lemieux called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Commissioners: Gary Havas, David Hensinger, Kylie Hatch, Ron Regier and Craig Kincaid ABSENT: STAFF: Director Betsy Kiser, Bridget Fraser, Rich Ogden, Christine Wallace, and Marti Reynolds CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES: MOTION: (Kincaid/Regier) Approve the February 4, 2009 minutes as amended. Approved: 6 yes: 0 no: 0 absent 1. Public Comment None. 2. Review of Design and Specifications for the Santa Rosa Roller Hockey Rink Renovation - Fraser City Engineer Bridget Fraser gave the background of the Santa Rosa Roller Hockey Rink, its original construction and plans for refurbishing and expanding the rink as part of a Major City Goal adopted by Council for the 2007-09 Financial Plan. Engineer Fraser illustrated the design work which was started in December of 2007 by the engineering firm Wallace Group. Two design options were presented to Council; one based on a budget of 225K, the other based on complete removal and replacement at 325K. On November 18, 2008, Council directed staff to proceed with the second option to remove and replace the rink. Upon approval by the Parks and Recreation Commission, and after subsequent architectural review by the Community Development Department, construction documents will be prepared and the project will be advertised for bids. The project will return to Council for award of a contract. Proposed groundbreaking would be August 1, 2009. Engineer Fraser and Daryl Goo of the Wallace Group answered questions from the Commissioners regarding design in correlation with the skate park, viewing areas, steps to reduce cracking, budget options – features that could be removed, budget backing (primarily Parkland Development funds and Janssen Foundation), and impact of time closed for Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes March 4, 2009 Page 2 of 5 1-2 construction. The Chair opened the floor for Public Comment. Bill Masey, San Luis Obispo, supports the hockey rink renovation. Coached hockey at SLO High School; he and his son both play the sport. Feels cracks open enough to be dangerous although middle section seems alright to pass for now. Feels will get a lot of use if fixed. Would like to see the sport grow. Appreciated the backing received in support of the project. Commissioners asked Mr. Masey opinion on tournament and revenue potential and proximity of other cities with state of the art rink facilities, both indoor and outdoor. Commissioners also discussed base material further with Mr. Goo. MOTION: (Hensinger/Kincaid) Following architectural review by the Community Development Department, approve the preparation of construction documents for presentation to the City Manager for approval to advertise for bids. The project will then return to Council for award of a contract and approval to proceed with construction. Approved: 6 yes: 0 no: 0 absent 3. Heritage Oaks Major Sponsor Donation – Kiser Recreation Supervisor Rich Ogden provided the Commissioners with background information on the past five years of support from Heritage Oaks Bank as a sponsor of the SLO Triathlon, which included donating race bags in exchange for their logo printed on participant shirts. For the 2009 SLO Triathlon, Heritage Oaks Bank has proposed a contribution of $5,000, as well as advertising, volunteer support, and race bags with the request that their name appear along with the existing name of San Luis Obispo Triathlon. This would not be a title sponsorship but rather a presenting or co-sponsor (“presented by the City of SLO and Heritage Oaks”). Director Kiser explained that in accordance with the City’s Donation Acceptance Policy, any donation of $5,000 or more needs to be approved by the City Council, requires a written donor agreement, and appropriate recognition. The proposed sponsorship would be over $7,000 including in-kind services in addition to the cash contribution. Commissioners clarified there have been no previous sponsors and that this cost assistance would supplant that which is used from the general fund for the event. Discussed first right of refusal consistency and not tying together an amount or timeline or assuming same level of coverage in future. City Attorney reviews tomorrow. MOTION: (Havas/Regier) Enter into an agreement with Heritage Oaks Bank for sponsorship of the San Luis Obispo Triathlon in exchange for $5,000 in cash and other in-kind services. Approved: 6 yes: 0 no: 0 absent Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes March 4, 2009 Page 3 of 5 1-3 4. Volunteer of the Month The March Parks and Recreation Volunteer of the Month is Mike McGourty of the Cracked Crab in Pismo Beach. In December, Mike was the featured chef for the Global Gourmet class where he demonstrated how to cook Christmas Gumbo, local Dungeness crab, seafood stuffed whole crab, oysters and apple cobbler. Mike’s enthusiastic demonstration and his vast knowledge of seafood combined with numerous delicious dishes made for one exciting night. Mike has put on two cooking demonstrations for the City of San Luis Obispo and we appreciate his time and continued effort to give back to the community. Mike grew up on the east coast and graduated from the University of Denver in Colorado. He has traveled extensively throughout the United States, enjoys golfing, cheering on the Boston Red Soxs and listening to the Grateful Dead. The San Luis Obispo Parks and Recreation Department expresses appreciation to Mr. McGourty and his volunteer efforts. 5. Staff Report - Wallace Recreation Supervisor Christine Wallace gave a presentation to the Commissioners on the Community Garden Program, both current garden locations and proposals for the future, as presented to Council last month at its request. The Community Gardens began in 1975 as a Cal Poly Senior Project and now number 67 plots ranging from 4’x6’ to 26’x30’. Current garden locations include Emerson Park, Laurel Lane and Broad Street. Potential future areas under discussion are Isla Vista, Matthews Open Space, Meadow Park, and Rodriguez Adobe as well as expansion of the area utilized at Emerson Park. Recreation Supervisor Wallace discussed the inappropriateness of Calle Joaquin Open Space as a community garden due to visibility and accessibility issues as well as soil conditions. A Master Plan will be developed for this site within two years. Director Kiser shared discussion with Rotary Clubs, who are considering donating time, materials and labor for the construction of a community garden at Meadow Park to use as their legacy project for 2009. 6. Director’s Report– Kiser Director Kiser briefed the Commission on the following projects: • Two Commissioners will be sworn in next month: returning Commissioner Kylie Hatch and Steve Davis. • The new contractor resumed work on the Senior Center. Work is to be completed mid- April. Work has also started on the parking lot. • New Bob Jones Trail Enhancement Project – Concept Plan developed; moving forward with minor engineering requirements and preparing contract documents; construction to occur in September or early October to create a wetland basin, planting therein, Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes March 4, 2009 Page 4 of 5 1-4 installation of about 500’ of new side trail and building rest stop area. Grant requires work to be completed by end of year. • The operating budget reduction target for P&R is $444,000 which will result in the loss of programs, services and staffing and include several areas for increasing fees. • Working with 2009-10 Presidents from 3 Rotary Clubs for donation of a Community Garden at Meadow. Donation will come to them for approval, as will design. • Commissioner’s training went well at Hearst Castle which included a tour of Piedras Blancas Lighthouse and elephant seal sanctuary. • The Advisory Body Dinner is scheduled for March 19 at 5:30 p.m. at Ludwick Community Center. Most Commissioners still need to RSVP to the City Clerk. • District VIII Awards Banquet scheduled for Friday, March 20, 2009 in Atascadero. RSVPs needed by this Friday. If desired, Commissioners may attend with the 7 staff that are going. We will be receiving several awards, to be announced that evening. 7. Committee Reports Commissioners provided the following reports: Tree Committee – Kincaid Joint Use Committee – Lemieux Mayors Youth Task Force – Regier Jack House Committee – Hatch Open Space – Havas Golf – Hensinger Commissioner Kincaid reported on his attendance at the recent Tree Committee meeting; illegal tree removals reported by local citizens at Buena Vista. Mayor’s Youth Task Force meetings have been suspended. Commissioner Havas reported on Open Space and relayed information recently received from Natural Resources Manager Neil Havlik regarding 1) open space budget allocation, easement projects between Bishop Peak, Port San Luis, Froom Ranch, 2) Johnson Ranch trail work; set for early May opening 3) Stenner Springs’ new trail opening in a week; water pipeline through trail caused severe erosion, 4) South Hills hiking trail from end of Mitchell, 5) Froom Ranch Land and Water Conservation Grant application in, 6) Tank Farm remediation and redevelopment EIR going slow. Chair Lemieux was unable to attend the February 24 Joint Use Committee. At the meeting, new JUC Committee Members Stephen Cairns and Stew Jenkins were sworn in. The 2009 Annual Work Program was endorsed and accepted. The current JUC bylaws were approved as written. A subcommittee was formed to review requests for the Facility Grant Program and will meet at Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes March 4, 2009 Page 5 of 5 1-5 noon on Thursday, March 12 and report to JUC March 24 to recommend allocations for the March 2009 Facility Use Grant Cycle. As a budget reduction option, the Facility Use Grant program was proposed to be suspended for two years, the allocation to the Facility Enhancement Program in 2009-2011 reduced to $20,000/year and suspending the remainder of the Facility Enhancement Program for two years, both grant programs will be re-evaluated in November 2010 for continuance and recommendations for future funding should the City’s fiscal situation improve. A list of user groups in the last 5 to 10 years who have benefited from the grant has been developed as an aid for that November 2010 meeting so as not to lose sight of its benefits. Commissioner Hatch reported on the February 11 Jack House Committee meeting where discussion included annual budget, marketing, plant identification stakes, brochures for programs offered and next year’s programs, using donation money toward docent costumes, and combining the grand reopening in May with the Mother’s Day event. Commissioner Hensinger reported on the Laguna Lake Golf Course, stating they are happy with all the recent rain, however it has kept attendance and therefore revenues down for the month. Opening of new Hole #6 in April. Rate review to come before the PRC in May. 8. Communications None. 9. Adjourned The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. to the April 1, 2009 meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission at the Council Chambers. Approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission on April 1, 2009. /Sgd/ _________________________ Martha M.S. Reynolds Supervising Administrative Assistant