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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-04-17 PRC Minutes Minutes PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION 04 October 2017 Regular Meeting of the Advisory Body Commission CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order on the 4th day of October 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 Avakian. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Greg Avakian, Vice Chair Rodney Thurman and Commissioners Susan Olson, Keri Schwab and Jeff Whitener Absent: Commissioner Keri Schwab was tardy, arrived at 5:38 p.m. Staff: Parks and Recreation Director Shelly Stanwyck, Recreation Manager Melissa Mudgett, Associate Planner Rebecca Gershow, Natural Resources Manager Bob Hill PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Cheryl McClain, SLO Resident, said she appreciated that the City now records meeting proceedings. CONSENT AGENDA AND CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES ACTION: APPROVAL OF THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION FOR SEPTEMBER 6, 2017. 1. Consideration of Minutes CARRIED 4:0:0:1 to approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Body for the regular meeting of 9/6/2017 as motioned by Commissioner Thurman and second by Commissioner Whitener. AYES: AVAKIAN, OLSON, SCHWAB, THURMAN, WHITENER NOES: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE ABSENT: SCHWAB PUBLIC HEARINGS AND BUSINESS ITEMS 2. Consider a Recommendation to Council on the Project Plan for the Parks and Recreation Element and Master Plan Update Director Stanwyck updated the Commission on the changes to the draft project plan for the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and General Plan Element update. Staff Rebecca Gershow said the draft project plan was also circulated to City staff, and is consistent with feedback provided. Changes included: additions to the preliminary stakeholder, clarification of staff Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of October 4, 2017 Page 2 roles, addition of Environmental Analysis as a project deliverable and simplifying the draft project schedule. Staff Gershow said the Commission’s guidance tonight will be used to finalize the project plan, move forward with a refinement of the Request for Proposal for consultant selection. Staff Gershow asked the Commission to consider the selection of a Commissioner for participation on the consultant selection team. Director Stanwyck provided a review of Commission correspondence received and staff response; reiterating the focus is on updating the Parks and Recreation Element and Master Plan. Natural Resources Manager, Bob Hill, articulated that the foundational process with any update is to ensure consistency between various elements of the General Plan. Staff Hill added that only passive recreational opportunities (such as hiking, bird watching, bicycle use) are currently allowed within the City’s open space. Staff Gershow provided a more detailed overview of changes in the draft project plan. Public Comment Carla Saunders, SLO Resident, said she has served on various City steering committees (including LUCE, Environmental Quality Task Force, Natural Resource Roundtable). Ms. Saunders asked the Commission to consider publishing a legislative draft to improve public transparency, and with a specific reference to the Open Space ordinance. Staff Hill responded that a legislative draft can sometimes be challenging when there are profound changes to a document. He continued and offered that a preamble in the document, summarizing changes, could be a solution. Director Stanwyck added that reference to Open Space ordinance could be added to the project plan. Director Stanwyck expressed that it is too soon to determine which process or document would be best and that this determination would be made following feedback from the consultant and when having a better understanding of the nature and extent of the update to the respective policy documents. Commission Comments followed Commissioner Whitener disagreed with the reference in the Commission correspondence which indicated the Parks and Recreation Element as “secondary” to other elements in the General Plan. Director Stanwyck said that all adopted Elements in the General Plan are considered equal. Chair Avakian asked when the Open Space and Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE) were updated. Staff Hill said the Open Space Element was updated in 2006, and the LUCE in 2014. Vice Chair Thurman said a preamble would be helpful and less cumbersome than a legislative draft. CARRIED 5:0:0:0 to recommend that the City Council Approve the Project Plan for the Parks and Recreation Element and Master Plan update with the changes made during Commission discussion and referencing the Open Space Ordinance in the Project Plan as motioned by Commissioner Whitener and second by Commissioner Schwab. AYES: AVAKIAN, OLSON, SCHWAB, THURMAN, WHITENER NOES: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE ABSENT: NONE Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of October 4, 2017 Page 3 By consensus, the Parks and Recreation Commission nominated Vice Chair Thurman to serve on the Consultant Selection Team for the Parks and Recreation Element and Master Plan update. 3. Update of the Summer Kids Play Free Golf Pilot Program Staff Melissa Mudgett provided an update of the 2017 Kids Play Free Summer Golf Program. The pilot program was designed to introduce the younger demographic (14 years and under) to the game of golf and encourage them to become life-long players of the sport. Staff Mudgett added that during the Kids Play Free pilot program, youth could accompany a paying adult (typically their parents/grandparents) to the golf course and be exposed to the game in a relaxed and encouraging environment. The primary goal of the pilot program was to help build family connections through accessible recreation opportunities. Staff Mudgett spoke about the campaign efforts used in marketing the pilot program. Staff Mudgett said the pilot program resulted in a significant increase of 340% (nearly 4 times the total number of youth golfers) over the same period last year. Staff recommends continuing the pilot program on a modified basis and expanding the program to include weekends, observed holidays and school district breaks to encourage youth to continue playing golf throughout the rest of the year. She concluded that staff will continue to track program participation and anticipate returning to the Commission with program recommendations in the Spring. Public Comment None Commission Comments followed Vice Chair asked what the age was for youth to play alone unattended. Director Stanwyck said the typical age is 12-15 years depending upon their knowledge of the course rules. Receive and File the 2017 Kids Play Free Golf Pilot Program Update. 4. Overview Presentation Impacts of CalPERS Changes on City Fiscal Health Director Stanwyck presented to the Commission information about the City’s Fiscal Health Response Plan. She added that this presentation will be provided to City staff and the public on Thursday, October 5, 2017. Director Stanwyck provided an overview of the California Public Employee Retirement System (CalPERS) changes and the impacts of the increased costs on the City’s fiscal health over the next 10-year period. Director Stanwyck talked about proactive steps the City has implemented in response to this issue, the City’s retirement benefit tiers, City obligations to CalPERS and the interactive process for developing the Fiscal Health Response Plan. Staff will present Council with a Fiscal Health Response Plan for its consideration in December. The following April, Council will approve a strategic budget direction and then adopt a balanced budget in June. Director Stanwyck shared the city email for questions fiscalhealth@slocity.org and information will also be provided on the City’s website at www.slocity.org/fiscalhealth. She concluded, stating that the City is San Luis Obispo remains committed to providing excellent services and continued investment in its infrastructure. Public Comment None. Commission Comments followed Chair Avakian asked how health care costs are factored into this issue. Director Stanwyck responded that health care is a separate negotiated benefit specific to each union group. Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of October 4, 2017 Page 4 Director Stanwyck added that the City does not provide the benefit of retirement medical healthcare. Vice Chair Thurman expressed his support of the multifaceted approach to solving the City’s fiscal issues. COMMITTEE COMMUNICATIONS 5. Director’s Report Director Stanwyck provided a brief update of current Parks and Recreation programming and City updates. • September Scramble a HUGE SUCCESS – over 500 registered. Visit Parks and Recreation Facebook page for photos. • Sinsheimer Playground will not be open for the Parks Tour • Employee health monthly initiatives included outdoor aerobics and aqua fitness • Upcoming events: ▪ Night Golf Tonight 10/5 ▪ Ranger Trail Workdays on 10/7 and 10/21 ▪ Ranger Led Hike Bowden Ranch 10/15 ▪ CPRS Fall Forum at the LCC 10/19 ▪ Staff CPR Training on 10/18-10/19 ▪ Pink Golf Tournament on 10/20 ▪ Public Art Maintenance at Oh’ Great Spirit with Rotary Monday Noontime Club 10/21 ▪ Annual Parks Tour 10/27 ▪ Boo Bash at Meadow Park on 10/27 ▪ Gobble Wobble on Thanksgiving LIAISON REPORTS 6. Subcommittee Liaison Reports • Adult and Senior Programming: No report. Liaison position is currently vacant. • Bicycle Advisory Committee: Commissioner Olson said the BAC meets every other month. There was no report. • City Facilities (Damon Garcia, Golf, Pool & Joint Use Facilities): Chair Avakian reported that the Golf Course has done very well with summer programming. Cal Poly and Cuesta College have started classes. Night Golf is tomorrow night, Pink Tournament and Gobble Wobble (proceeds to SLO Food Bank), SLO Throwers fund raiser at the Laguna Lake Golf Course (proceeds used to maintain Laguna Lake Park Disc Golf Course). Pool Recreation Coordinator is currently attending training. • Tree Committee: Vice Chair Thurman said he did not attend the Tree Committee Meeting. Gary Havas, SLO Resident, said he attended the Tree Committee meeting and reported that the tree outside of the Granada Hotel will remain. • Jack House Committee: Commissioner Whitener reported that he missed the Jack House Committee meeting. Staff Mudgett summarized the draft Jack House project plan for developing policies for the management, maintenance and operation of the historic home. • Youth Sports: Commissioner Schwab said the YSA will meet next month. No Report. Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of October 4, 2017 Page 5 Commission Communications Parks and Recreation Commissioner interviews are scheduled for the week of October 10th. Chair Avakian and Council Members Gomez and Riviore will serve on the interview panel. Chair Avakian, Vice Chair Thurman, Commissioners Schwab and Whitener will attend the Parks Tour on October 27th. Chair Avakian said the annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner at the Jack House was a success. Director Stanwyck said the Commission will have an opportunity to adjust the January 2018 meeting date to better accommodate schedules. Chair Avakian said he will be absent for the November 1, 2017 Commission Meeting. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:07 p.m. to the Special Parks and Recreation Commission Parks Tour scheduled for October 27, 2017 at 8:00 a.m. The next Regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission will be held on November 1, 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: 11/01/17