HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-07-09 PRC Minutes1-1
Parks and Recreation Commission
MINUTES
Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA
Wednesday, October 7, 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 Steve Davis
ABSENT: Vice Chair Craig Kincaid
STAFF: Director Betsy Kiser, Marti Reynolds, Doug Carscaden
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES:
MOTION: (Regier/Hatch) Approve the September 2, 2009 minutes as submitted.
Approved: 5 yes: 0 no: 2 absent (Kincaid, Davis)
(Commissioner Davis entered the meeting after the motion.)
1. Volunteer of the Month
The October Volunteer of the Month is the California Conservation Corps (CCC) Summer Corps
Youth Program. The Summer Corps participants were local high school aged youth who worked
this past summer, Monday through Friday, on various restoration projects throughout the county.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funded the program, allowing participating youth
the opportunity to learn skills related to trail building and conservation as well as interpersonal
and social skills, teamwork and leadership.
Three different crews from Oceano, Nipomo and San Luis Obispo built the second loop of the
Johnson Ranch trail, a distance of approximately one mile. They also assisted with the building
of five bridges, hauling materials and minor construction. The work the crews did will enable the
City to open the trail to the public six months earlier than planned. The first loop of the Johnson
Ranch Trail opened in May and has become very popular with hikers and mountain bikers.
CCC member Aloni Carlotti commended the partnership between Cuesta College, San Luis
County Office of Education (SLOCOE) and the City of SLO and the significance of providing
60 low income kids a minimum wage summer job. A crew mentor for 16-21 year olds, she feels
she grew from the experience and thanked the City for resources and sponsors. CCC member
Shilo Marquez, a mentor for the Paso Robles CCC, feels the program is a good experience in
which mentors can see a little bit of themselves rub off on others. Dominic Santangelo, Regional
Director for the Los Padres Center also spoke highly of the five leaders he chose for this
endeavor.
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October 7, 2009
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2. Public Comment
(Out of original order of the agenda)
Jim Woolf, San Luis Obispo. Spoke of the need to develop a trail link into Sinsheimer Park from the
Railroad Safety Trail. Would like an established route and would like to work with the Bicycle
Advisory Committee and Parks and Recreation Commission to find funds and a through route.
Interested and willing to work hard on the project.
Bonnie Long, San Luis Obispo, resides in the Laguna Hills Park area. Described the five acre Park
parcel as secluded and commented on its use by local neighbors as a dog park used for training and
socialization. Park Rangers have informed her of the leash law and although it is understood, she and
others in the neighborhood have recently been ticketed by Police for violation of the dog off-leash
law. Feels few people are present during early morning hours and that there are no issues with dogs
and owners at that time. Proposes that time periods during the day be set aside for dog off-leash use,
namely 7:30 to 9 a.m. and 5:30 to 7 p.m. These time periods offer the freedom to enjoy the park with
neighbors and dogs without the worry of being ticketed. Feels this is an acceptable use as this is not
a destination park, per se, and the majority of users are responsible neighbors in a 3-4 block vicinity
who are willing to monitor the area and pickup after their pets. Requests PRC approve a dog off-
leash area in the Laguna Hills Park on a trial basis.
3. Plus 3 Network Fundraiser – Kiser
Director Kiser explained to Commissioners the recent partnership between the Parks and
Recreation Department, Running Warehouse and Plus 3 Network for a 6-month fundraising
endeavor for the department. Plus 3 Network is an online social network that manages and
rewards members for fitness activities by linking them with corporate sponsors and chosen
causes. Running Warehouse is our corporate sponsor and Parks and Recreation their cause.
They have offered to contribute $4,999 to be divided equally between childcare programs and
the new skate park.
The system allows online documentation of exercise/training by individuals and assigns a
monetary value of a few cents per mile or hour of exercise which varies depending on the
activity. Documentation may be hand entered or downloaded from a GPS in which case
monetary value triples due to verifiable miles. Parks and Recreation agreed to participate after
obtaining permission from the City Attorney regarding the City Donation Policy. Many Parks
and Recreation employees have already started to log their exercise activities and recruit other
participants.
More information and the opportunity to join this fundraiser can be found at
www.plus3network.com/signup/slo-rw
Chair Lemieux expressed her support and the support of the Commissioners.
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October 7, 2009
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4. Staff Report – Carscaden
Ranger Services Supervisor Doug Carscaden provided a photo presentation to the
Commissioners on Creek Cleanup Day which was co hosted by the Land Conservancy on
October 3, 2009. Carscaden estimates that 80-90% of waste found in creeks is from the homeless
population and encampments along the creek. Described creek areas in and around the city and
the varying cultures of groups and inhabitants in them. Highlighted beginning of channel to SLO
Creek, Marsh Street and an area near Prado Day Center used overnight and checked regularly by
Rangers Services as well as cemetery and Elks Lodge staff. Another example was an area of
Stenner Creek where the discarded items of college students are collected by the homeless and
stored in the creek area. Rangers work closely with Police to try and keep the areas clean and
uninhabited. During Creek Cleanup Day Biologist Freddy Otte accompanied Ranger Carscaden
in walking SLO Creek from Mission Plaza to Los Osos Valley Road and Stenner Creek, and
tributaries of French and Prefumo Creeks and Old Garden Creek –more than 4 miles of creek
area and 18 sites. This year a 30-yard container was filled with garbage and well over 500 lbs. of
glass, aluminum and cardboard were collected. Also notable was the accumulation of cigarette
butts. One of the main reasons for this cleanup is to help populations of steelhead trout survive in
the creek. A special thanks to SLO Baked who sponsored participants in the cleanup with
breakfast, the contracted disposal assistance received, and the volunteers themselves. Expressed
deep satisfaction in seeing members of the community participate and ‘give back.’
A question was honored by the Chair from a member of the public audience regarding how long
it takes for homeless encampments to be rebuilt after being dismantled. Director Kiser indicated
that it is an endless cycle taking very little time to reestablish encampments. Ranger Services
personnel were commended for their hard work.
5. Director’s Report– Kiser
Director Kiser briefed the Commission on the following projects:
Contract executed with RRM Design for the development of the plans and specifications
for the skate park. Work has begun.
Successful Volunteer Recognition BBQ held on September 23.
Both movie nights went well with 300 participants at the Rotary co-sponsored event and
100 or so at the Mission Plaza movie.
The Meadow Park Community Garden easement agreement has been developed for
HOA; first planning meeting with Rotary clubs scheduled.
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Icons of an Era Public Art Dedication scheduled for Saturday, October 10, 1:00 p.m. at
the Freight Warehouse.
Biennial Advisory Body Training scheduled for October 15, 2009, 5:30 p.m. at the
Ludwick Community Center. Mandatory training for PRC members.
Skate Park grant submitted to Tony Hawk Foundation for $25,000.
6. Committee Reports
Commissioners provided the following reports:
Tree Committee – Kincaid Joint Use Committee – Hensinger
Youth Sports Association - Davis Jack House Committee – Hatch
Open Space – Havas Golf – Regier
Bicycle Committee – Havas
Although not present, Commissioner Kincaid emailed information from the last meeting of the
Tree Committee that was distributed to Commissioners in his absence.
Commissioner Davis reported that the Youth Sports Association will meet the following week.
Commissioner Havas met with Natural Resources Manager Neil Havlik and reported on Open
Space, including the status of Froom Ranch and an upcoming fundraiser for land acquisition;
Johnson Ranch bridges near completion and kiosk to be updated with new signs; pathway
through Stenner Springs and meeting with staff of co-owners Camp SLO, negotiations with
USFS to manage portion of property, FASTA moving forward, concern for landscape restoration
prior to impending weather and due to Nacimiento pipeline erosion.
Commissioner Havas attended the bi-monthly Bicycle Advisory Committee which met
September 17. Highlighted was a presentation by Octagon Barn who have a high interest in
completing the Bob Jones Trail from the Ranger Services area to the Octagon barn. Director
Kiser added that a presentation on the Octagon Barn will be on the November PRC agenda.
Commissioner Havas volunteered for Bike Rodeo, voiced concerns over hazardous bollards at
Meadow Park and Bridge Street which will be removed. Havas continues to work with 3CMB.
Commissioner Hensinger reported there was no meeting of the Joint Use Committee last month.
Commissioner Hatch reported on the last meeting of the Jack House Committee. Items loaned
from the Historical Society were returned as requested. Some trees against the fence behind the
gazebo are to be replaced with vines that will still be a suitable backdrop for photos but dissuade
the homeless from retiring there. Sprinkler repairs ongoing. The house will reopen in December
for the December 11-13 Christmas tour. The Jack House Tea went well but discussed only
holding event every other year. Kay Kaetzel, a Jack House descendent, recently passed away.
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Commissioner Regier reported on the Laguna Lake Golf Course. Cal Poly’s golf class is
beginning in October this year rather than September. Will advertise in the Mustang Daily to try
and encourage use of the course. Aerating greens and other complications may have contributed
to lower use recently (down 2000 rounds for the year). The food concession will be moving
inside in October and utilizing an area of the Pro Shop. Concerned nearby residents of the course
proposed gates enclosing the park after an elderly neighbor was assaulted. As golf participants
often stay longer in the evening than staff, self-closing one-way gate at front of course is being
considered.
Chair Lemieux will attend the Mayor’s Quarterly Luncheon on October 8 and deliver the
Commission update.
7. Communications
Commissioner Havas inquired as to the existence of a Sister City for San Luis Obispo: a Palo Alto
bicycle group he recently hosted had discussed the benefit of relations with their sister city in
France. Director Kiser will connect Commissioner Havas with Brigitte Elke, who has information
on San Luis Obispo’s Sister City.
Ron Regier questioned Committee members interest in public speaker’s comments relating to the
dog off leash hours and requested it be placed on a future agenda. Director Kiser will research and
place on December agenda and notify surrounding neighbors.
Director Kiser sought direction on subject of dog park (reference letter).
Chair Lemieux inquired about public comment regarding bicycle route from Railroad Safety trail to
Sinsheimer. Director Kiser indicated the Bicycle Committee has oversight of master plans for all
bike paths. This connector hasn’t risen to a level of priority at this point. Although can look at the
plans there is no funding at this time. Direction should officially come from Bicycle Committee.
Commissioner Havas also commented on the Committee as a starting point.
Director Kiser indicated that Council gave direction to pursue a no-smoking ordinance for
downtown outside areas and incorporating a park component. Pismo Beach, Arroyo Grande and
Atascadero have already passed similar ordinances. Will include on the November PRC agenda.
8. Adjourned
The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m. to the November 4, 2009 meeting of the Parks & Recreation
Commission.
Approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission on November 4, 2009.
__________________/Sgd/_________________________
Martha M.S. Reynolds, Supervising Administrative Assistant