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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-03-17 PRC Minutes Minutes PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION 3 May 2017 Regular Meeting of the Advisory Body Committee Commission CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order on the 3rd day of May 2017 at 5:31 p.m. in the Parks and Recreation Administration Conference Room located at 1341 Nipomo Street, San Luis Obispo, California, by Chair Whitener. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Greg Avakian, Suzan Ehdaie, Susan Olson, Keri Schwab, Douglas Single, Rodney Thurman and Chair Jeff Whitener Absent: Commissioner Schwab joined the meeting at 5:40pm, Commissioner Single joined the meeting at 6:15pm, Susan Olson absent Staff: Parks and Recreation Director Shelly Stanwyck, Recreation Manager Melissa Mudgett PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Don Green, SLO Resident, spoke about the Vista del Collados neighborhood (Priolo Martin park) and desired vegetation maintenance of the willow trees and pyracantha in the open space and in the park to increase public safety and ensure views of the neighborhood. He requested another meeting with City staff and the Commissioners in June. Director Stanwyck suggested that another City meeting should be scheduled. CONSENT AGENDA AND CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES ACTION: APPROVE THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 5, 2017 AS AMENDED, MOTION BY COMMISSIONER THURMAN, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER AVAKIAN. 1. Consideration of Minutes CARRIED 5:0:0:2 to approve the amended minutes of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Body for the meeting of 4/5/2017. AYES: AVAKIAN, EHDAIE, SCHWAB, THURMAN, WHITENER NOES: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE ABSENT: OLSON, SINGLE PUBLIC HEARINGS AND BUSINESS ITEMS Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of May 3, 2017 Page 2 2. Appointment of Chair and Vice Chair Jeff Whitener nominated Commission Avakian to serve as Chair and Commissioner Thurman to serve as Vice Chair of the Parks and Recreation Committee ACTION: BY CONSENSUS, THE COMMITTEE APPOINTED COMMISSIONER AVAKIAN CHAIR OF PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION AND COMMISSIONER THURMAN VICE-CHAIR OF PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION. CARRIED 5:0:0:2 to appoint Commissioner Avakian as Chair and Commissioner Thurman as Vice Chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission. AYES: AVAKIAN, EHDAIE, SCHWAB, THURMAN, WHITENER NOES: NONE ABSTAIN: OLSON, SINGLE ABSENT: NONE 3. Review and Agreement of Subcommittee Appointments By consensus, the Committee selected subcommittee appointments. Commissioner Ehdaie announced she would no longer be serving as a Parks and Recreation Commissioner as she is relocating out of the area. Committee Liaison Adult and Senior Programming Doug Single Bicycle Advisory Susan Olson City Facilities (Damon-Garcia, golf, pool, joint use) Greg Avakian Jack House Committee Whitener Tree Committee Rodney Thurman Youth Sports Association Keri Schwab 4. Updates to Laguna lake Park Dog Off-Leash Area Maintenance and Survey Staff Mudgett provided a brief update of the maintenance activities at the Dog Off-Leash Area. She added that currently the City has an “off-leash” area at the Laguna Lake park but does not have a “fenced dog park”. The closest fenced dog park is located at El Chorro Regional Park (Highway 1 across from Cuesta College), which is approximately 4 miles outside of city limits and about 9 miles from the Laguna Lake park. To identify future needs, the Parks and Recreation Department will be conducting a user survey. Staff Mudgett added that Parks and Recreation Department staff continue to actively seek grant opportunities for dog park improvements. Currently, the Parks and Recreation Department will be researching the national PetSafe dog park grant awarding $25,000 for the construction of new dog parks. Staff Mudgett said she anticipates that Parks and Recreation staff could return to the Commission in June with the survey results and to seek approval of the grant application. Public Comment John McKenzie, SLO Resident and dog owner, supports the current maintenance activities but would like to advocate and promote for a design plan of a fenced -in dog park at Laguna Lake. He added that having a fully designed plan would support future construction of a new dog park as construction efforts and amenities could be phased-in as funding permits. Mr. McKenzie encouraged the Parks and Recreation Commission to seek private donations and volunteer work to make this project a reality. Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of May 3, 2017 Page 3 Commission Comment. Commissioner Whitener, asked about public outreach. Staff Mudgett responded that public outreach will be consistent with the City’s adopted Public Engagement Manual. Posters directing users to the survey will be posted at county dog parks, veterinary hospital, pet stores and non-profit groups. Information about the survey is also provided on the City’s website, Parks and Recreation social media and via emails to user groups. Chair Avakian asked for clarification of future development and if those plans included neighborhood dog parks. Director Stanwyck responded affirmatively. Vice Chair Thurman was in support of improving the surface materials at this dog off-leash area and is interested in learning more about the survey results. 5. Presentation Outdoor Ping Pong as Public Art Staff Mudgett provided an update of the City’s Public Art Master Plan and the short-term goals. In alignment with the Master Plan goals, staff is proposing a creative functional art opportunity for the City in support of community placemaking with the integration of a recreational activity and public art. Staff is proposing an activation of several city park spaces through outdoor recreational ping pong tables serving as a canvas for public art. Using the adopted Public Art Guidelines, these outdoor ping-pong tables would then be commissioned for art murals by local artists. The Commission was asked to evaluate and prioritize locations best suited for this functional art type. Staff presented the proposed park locations for consideration; i. Sinsheimer Park, flat grassy area adjacent to pool and parking lot drop-off ii. Meadow Park, near shuffleboard cement area adjacent to community building iii. Emerson Park, on blacktop near bocce ball courts Public Comment None Commission Comment. Chair Avakian expressed concern about the ping-pong table design as allowing places for people to “hide” and encourage bad activity. He recommended a solid table. Vice Chair Thurman was in support of park locations proposed. He asked for confirmation on how the project would be funded. Director Stanwyck confirmed that funding would be allocated by Council from the Public Art Fund. She continued that outdoor ping-pong as public art is a unique opportunity to leverage public art funding while supporting a recreational activity. Vice Chair Thurman recommended soliciting a local business make the ping pong tables. By consensus, the Commission was in support of outdoor ping pong tables as public art. ACTION: BY CONSENSUS, THE COMMITTEE SUPPORTS THE IDEA OF OUTDOOR PING PONG TABLES AS PUBLIC ART; SINSHIEMER, MEADOW AND EMERSON PARKS AS THREE LOCATIONS FOR ARTISTIC PING PONG TABLES, THE USE OF PUBLIC ART FUNDS TO ACCOMPLISH THIS FUNCTIONAL PUBLIC ART PROJECT, AND RECOMMENDS STAFF EXPLORE SOLID TABLE PRODUCTION THROUGH LOCAL BUSINESS. MOTION BY VICE CHAIR THURMAN, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER SINGLE. Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of May 3, 2017 Page 4 CARRIED 6:0:0:1 to recommend locations for artistic ping pong tables, allocation of public art funds to accomplish this functional public art project, and exploration of ping pong tables by local business. AYES: AVAKIAN, EHDAIE, SCHWAB, SINGLE, THURMAN, WHITENER NOES: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE ABSENT: OLSON COMMITTEE COMMUNICATIONS 6. Director’s Report Director Stanwyck provided a brief update of current Parks and Recreation programming and City updates.  Council in support of pursuing an update to the Parks and Recreation Element as part of the Preliminary 2017-19 Financial Plan. Director Stanwyck summarized the process moving forward. Commissioner Whitener provided feedback that a separate task committee should be developed for this process, similar to the L.U.C.E. Director Stanwyck said staff will return to the Commission with a draft project plan.  Summer Registration opened May 1st.  Open Space updated kiosks will have new maps, blade trail signs and color coating for ability level. Grand reveal of new kiosk is planned for June. LIAISON REPORTS 7. Subcommittee Liaison Reports  Adult and Senior Programming: Commissioner Single reported that he met with Pickleball and they would like more days to play. Director Stanwyck shared that Pickleball is scheduled to play Wednesdays at the Ludwick Community Center, Mondays*Wednesdays*Fridays at Meadow Park, Tuesdays*Thursdays at French Park Basketball court and Monday*Thursdays at French Park tennis courts. She added that preliminary budget request has been submitted for Council’s consideration for dedicated courts at French Park.  Bicycle Advisory Committee: Commissioner Olson was absent. Director Stanwyck gave report on her behalf. She said the BAC is working on a Bike Master Plan. They are considering requiring large events to have bike permits (bike valet).  City Facilities (Damon Garcia, Golf, Pool & Joint Use Facilities): Chair Avakian reported that Lifeguard training, league diving championships have just concluded. Damon Garcia fields are now closed for maintenance. The Jack House is opening in May with Art After Dark. First Tee is at the golf course on Tuesdays & Thursdays. Kid Free Saturdays are planned for the summer.  Tree Committee: Chair Thurman said there was nothing new to report. Tree Committee only reviews City-Street tree removals. He recommended regular communications and updates about city park tree removals would be helpful.  Jack House Committee: This assignment is currently vacant. No report.  Youth Sports: Commissioner Schwab reported on YSA Meeting. They are working on collecting the annual field payments. They are looking for youth football coaches. Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of May 3, 2017 Page 5 Commission Communications Chair Avakian thanked the former Chair Whitener for his continued efforts in advocating for the update of the Parks and Recreation element. Commissioner Ehdaie expressed her enjoyment of participating in the Parks and Recreation Commission Advisory Body as she regretfully will be moving out the area. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. to the regular Parks and Recreation Commission scheduled for 07, June 2017 at 5:30 p.m., in the Parks and Recreation Department Conference Room located at 1341 Nipomo Street, San Luis Obispo, California. APPROVED BY THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION: 06/07/2017