HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-05-13 PRC Minutes1-1
Parks and Recreation Commission
MINUTES
Council Hearing Room
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Wednesday, June 5, 2013, 5:30 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Davis called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Commissioners: Steve Davis, Craig Kincaid, David Hensinger, Jeff Whitener,
Ron Regier and Michael Parolini
ABSENT: Susan Updegrove
STAFF: Shelly Stanwyck, Marti Reynolds
Public Comment
None.
1. Consideration of Minutes
MOTION: (Regier/Henderson) Approve the May 1, 2013 minutes as amended.
Approved: 6 yes: 0 no: 1 absent (Updegrove)
2. Volunteer of the Quarter – Davis
It is with great appreciation that the Parks and Recreation Commission recognizes the outstanding
volunteer for the quarter, Jackie Johnson. Jackie has contributed many years of volunteer efforts
toward our Las Praderas Pocket Park in the Meadows subdivision. Jackie and her husband have
lived in the Meadows since the subdivision was built in the late 1970s. She is an avid walker,
jogger, and bike rider and is frequently seen doing laps around the neighborhood, waving,
acknowledging home and garden projects, and stopping to chat with neighbors. Jackie is a great
source of neighborhood history. She is always willing to share fun and interesting facts about the
building of the neighborhood and the changes that have taken place there over time. Jackie is truly a
fixture in the Meadows.
In the early 1990s the planned Los Praderas Park was still undeveloped. Jackie joined with a group
of neighbors that urged the City to develop the park. Partnering with a Professor and Cal Poly
students, the group collected ideas from neighbors and created plans and blueprints for the park.
The group lobbied for irrigation, a sidewalk pop-out, and play equipment. Ultimately, the City
decided against the group’s plans, but a bench and walkways were installed.
Lack of irrigation in the park has reduced the landscaping to mostly shrubs and weeds. A few years
ago, neighbors began to notice the poppies that dotted the park in spring began to multiply. Each
year since, the bloom has grown larger. The poppies have become so successful that they nearly
cover the entire park for months during the spring. The reason being that Jackie has spent a great
deal of time every year cultivating the poppies: She weeds the entire park of competition, waters,
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rakes and picks up leaves and debris, trims the overhanging limbs of trees and shrubs intruding
from the creek and cleans up the poppy plants at the end of the season. Jackie also educates the
landscape workers about the presence of the poppies to avoid their demise by mower or weed
whacker. Thanks to Jackie’s efforts, her neighbors now enjoy a beautiful springtime orange poppy
bloom. We are proud to recognize Jackie for her hard work and dedication to the Las Praderas
Park.
3. Review and Approve Joint Use Agreement with School District – Stanwyck
Director Stanwyck gave information to Commissioners on the history of the Joint Use Agreement
which was originated in 1952 under the California Education Code to provide programs for
community recreation. The School District has made property available to the City for recreational
facilities and those subsequent agreements are consolidated into this single Joint Use Agreement. The
City has a need for sports fields, playgrounds, gymnasiums and classrooms (the District designates one
room at each of the five elementary schools and the middle school for before and after school
programs). The District in turn has a need for a stadium, tennis courts and a swim center which are met
using City facilities.
The term of the agreement is five years and is need of renewal at this time. With the retirement of
Russell Miller, Assistant Superintendent, San Luis Coastal Unified School District (SLOCUSD), staff
will be meeting with new SLOCUSD personnel in the fall to discuss potential changes. At that time
changes to the agreement could be proposed and brought before the Commissioners again for an
amendment.
Commissioners discussed current status of agreement, budget definitions, and the obligation to grant
funds. Youth Sports Association involvement and related concerns regarding the burden of payments
being placed on user groups as well as potential future changes. Some future terminology changes
were noted in sections 3.11, 3.3, 3.5 and 6.3.
MOTION: (Regier/Kincaid) Recommend Council approval of the Joint Use Agreement with the
San Luis Coastal Unified School District for the Joint Use of Facilities and the Provision of
Programs.
Approved: 6 yes: 0 no: 1 absent (Updegrove)
4. Presentation: Chevron Project Overview - Dunsmore
Long Range Senior Planner Phil Dunsmore gave an overview to Commissioners and shared a
PowerPoint presentation on the preliminary review of proposed amendments to the Airport Area
Specific Plan as part of the Chevron Tank Farm property project application.
Commissioners discussed and presented questions to Dunsmore regarding Air Pollution District
Requirements, potential shared parking and adjacent business park, lighting for diamond sports, needs
assessment, length of staging of roadwork and parkland development fees.
Director Stanwyck inquired about impacts of reduction to flower mound and potential wind flow.
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Dunsmore explained the result would be less wind because of a wider path to the field.
Commissioner Parolini requested a subcommittee be created in order to produce documents and
statements for the next meeting and in preparation for when this item returns to the agenda in
September.
5. Park Tour Reminder – Stanwyck
Stanwyck reminded Commissioners of the June 26 Special Meeting and Annual Park Tour. The pre-
tour hike of Froom/Johnson Ranch Connector Trail begins at 9:30 a.m. The tour commences at 12:30
p.m. at the Ludwick Community Center.
Public Comment: T.K. Ross received permission from Chair Davis to speak about slacklining.
Stated, at the suggestion of the PRC, he addressed the Tree Committee regarding their consideration to
not restrict slacklining; asked for next steps. He wants to propose to Council a specific section as to
how and when slacklining can occur.
Commissioner Hensinger confirmed that the Tree Committee and City Arborist did concur that
slacklining, when carried out to City ordinances, does not conflict with the City’s urban forest.
Director Stanwyck informed the next step will be for the PRC to agendize this topic as a future item to
propose revisions to the Tree Ordinance. Amendment will then go to the Tree Committee and Council.
Commissioners directed staff to bring to next agenda.
6. Discuss Summer Meeting Schedule - Stanwyck
Director proposed the July 3 meeting be cancelled and the August 7 meeting be postponed until
August 14 or August 21. Commissioners compared schedules and discussed.
MOTION: (Whitener/Parolini) Approve the cancellation of the regularly scheduled July 3 meeting
and that the August 7 meeting be postponed until August 21.
Approved: 6 yes: 0 no: 1 absent (Updegrove)
5. Director’s Report – Stanwyck
Director Stanwyck reported to the Commissioners on the following:
Emerson park playground under construction
Touring Froom Ranch with Directors Friday
Budget Hearings begin next week with adoption of budget potentially on June 17 or June 25 and no
later than June 30.
Special election of Council Member is June 18
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Wedding parties for the season beginning at the Jack House
New Community Services Supervisor Dave Setterlund who was the Recreation Specialist for the
division for the last eight months
Temp Employee Appreciation BBQ last Thursday
Ranger Work Days included notices to neighborhoods re: parolee’s clearing brush/weed abatement
Replacing Pool boilers which will go out for bid and Pool will be closed during replacement
Blues Baseball has begun as well as Junior Giants next week
Summer Camps begin next week
Continue talks with SESLOC; temporary parking lot deconstruction begins soon – there may not be
parking available in Fall
Reservation for programs began online. Online revenue was $30k on registration day May 4 and the
Triathlon had 700 people registered online within 20 minutes.
Commissioner Parolini inquired about user fees paid to Active and Merchant fees built into costs.
Commissioner Hensinger discussed parking issues from increased use of Johnson Ranch trail.
6. Committee Reports
Commissioners provided the following reports:
Tree Committee – Hensinger Golf - Whitener
Natural Resources – Kincaid Bicycle Committee – Regier
Jack House Committee – Updegrove Damon-Garcia Sports Field - Parolini
School District – Parolini Youth Sports - Davis
Commissioner Hensinger reported normal review and consignment of requests during the meeting
of the Tree Committee which now has seven members; reconfirmed there was no dissention from
the Committee regarding slacklining.
Commissioner Kincaid had no report on Natural Resources or Open Space.
Commissioner Updegrove was not present to report on the last meeting of the Jack House
Committee. There was a Mother’s Day social event at the Jack House and the theme was “Oh You
Beautiful Dolls.”
Commissioner Parolini reported that news from the School District was quiet; wrapping up for
summer.
Commissioner Whitener reported on the status of the Golf Course stating rounds for the month of
May were down and rounds for the year to date are slightly down as well. Revenue for the month is
also down, potentially due to the windy conditions. The range netting was replaced; Ladies League
donated a new mailbox; tree stump was removed; flushed greens in May in efforts to dilute sodium
build up. Commissioner Parolini passed along report of early closure concerns.
Commissioner Regier reported on the meeting of the Bicycle Advisory Committee was moved from
May to June.
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Commissioner Parolini reported on the Damon Garcia sports field and reiterated request for potable
water. Seed germination in some areas—germination takes longer with increased salt conditions.
Maintenance and field closure began May 13. New grass but maintenance feels conditions worse at
the end of this season due to increased play. August 1 tournaments start up again. Maintenance
passed along ideas on better signage to help enforce use. Suggested incorporation of Public Art for
ballard sign, bridge grating to reduce canine traffic.
7. Communications
Commissioner Whitener reported vandalism of sprinkler heads, increased presence of youth not
actually playing on the field, and conversation with Tim Townley regarding ability to play at Cal Poly.
8. Adjourned
The meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m. to the June 26, 2013 special meeting and Annual Park Tour which
will meet at the Ludwick Community Center.
Approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission on 8/21/13.
__________________/sgd/___________________________
Martha M.S. Reynolds, Supervising Administrative Assistant