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Home My WebLink About11/5/2013 - PB&R Commission CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting November 5, 2013 – 6pm 1) CONVENE MEETING OF THE PARKS BEACHES & RECREATION COMMISSION TO ORDER – 6:04 p.m. 2) ROLL CALL Present: Ron Cole, Vice Chair Kathy Hamilton Walt Howald Roy Englebrecht Absent: Tom Anderson, Chair Marie Marston Staff: Laura Detweiler, Recreation & Senior Services Director Sean Levin, Recreation Superintendent Mike Pisani, Deputy Municipal Operations Director Pat Thomas, Deputy Public Works Director / City Engineer Teri Craig, Administrative Assistant 3) NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC 4) CONSENT CALENDAR A. Minutes of the October 1, 2013 and October 23, 2013 meeting. Recommendation: Waive reading of subject minutes, approve and order filed. B. Parks & Operations Division Activity Report. Recommendation: Receive/file monthly Activity Report for activities and upcoming projects. C. Recreation & Seniors Services Activity Report. Recommendation: Receive/file Activity Report for activities for past and upcoming projects and events. D. Tree Donation Request — Castaways Park Recommendation: Approve tree donation in memory of former City Manager Kevin Murphy at Castaways Park by Tina Murphy. E. Community Services Award — Newport Theatre Arts Center (NTAC) Board of Directors Recommendation: Approve nomination to recognize NTAC Board of Directors for 35 years of providing the arts to the community and direct staff to invite the Board to a future meeting for presentation. Motion by Commissioner Howald; seconded by Commissioner Englebrecht to accept items 4A – 4E of the Consent Calendar. Motion carried by acclamation. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission November 5, 2013 Page 2 5) CURRENT / NEW BUSINESS – Staff Report A. Special Tree Removal — 619 & 621 Poppy Avenue Recommendation: Consider request of MOD Staff to remove one (1) City Special tree – Neighborhood Eucalyptus (Desert Gum) tree located adjacent to 619 Poppy Avenue and to remove one (1) City Special tree – Neighborhood Eucalyptus (Desert Gum) trees located adjacent to 621 Poppy Avenue. These removals will mitigate potential liability due to sulfur fungus conks at 619 Poppy and a declining canopy and peeling bark at 621 Poppy Avenue. Deputy Director Pisani provided a brief overview of the staff report to the Commission. Discussion ensued regarding the peeling bark and why staff is recommending only one replacement tree. Deputy Director Pisani stated they would not be replacing the tree at 621 Poppy Avenue because of the proximity to the intersection; he also stated that Council Policy G-6 discusses this as well. Vice Chair Cole opened the public discussion. Ron Yeo commented that it was his opinion that the City over prunes trees and that this is one of the underlying factors that many of the trees in the City are being removed. Jim Mosher commented on the replacement tree — the Australian Willow and noting that it is not listed on the Street Tree Designation List. He urged the Commission to move forward with a recommendation to the Council to amend the list. He went on to say that he found it highly unlikely that staff could not find a suitable Coral Gum tree — the designated street tree. Vice Chair Cole closed the public discussion. Discussion followed regarding Council Policy G-6. Motion by Commissioner Englebrecht; seconded by Commissioner Hamilton to remove one (1) City Special tree – Neighborhood Eucalyptus (Desert Gum) tree located adjacent to 619 Poppy Avenue and replaced with an Australian Willow tree; and remove one (1) City Special tree – Neighborhood Eucalyptus (Desert Gum) trees located adjacent to 621 Poppy Avenue with no replacement tree. Motion carried by acclamation. B. Special Tree Removal — 1739 Candlestick Lane Recommendation: Consider request of MOD Staff to remove one (1) City Special tree – Neighborhood tree located in the parkway at 1739 Candlestick Lane as the tree cannot be safely root pruned without incurring potential liability and possible tree failure. Deputy Director Pisani presented details of the report reminding the Commission that it was tabled in October and they had directed staff to evaluate whether or not there were any engineering steps that could be taken to repair the damage while retaining the tree. He noted that after meeting with Public Works staff it was concluded that redesigning the street by redirecting the curb and gutter would be problematic, impact parking and it would be costly. He commented that several mitigating efforts have occurred over the years to save the tree including pruning, injecting fungicide and fertilization. He noted that the designated replacement tree is the Lemon Eucalyptus but that type of tree is too large for the parkway width Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission November 5, 2013 Page 3 and unavailable; therefore staff recommends either the Crape Myrtle or Southern Magnolia as the replacement tree based on availability. Discussion followed regarding the curb and gutters and agreed that the tree would be too large for its location. Vice Chair Cole opened the public discussion. Jim Mosher reminded the Commission that the decision had been delayed last month until more information was received including pictures and direction from City Council once a decision had been made on the appeal at 300 Poppy. He stated no decision has been made and that a decision by the Commission tonight seems premature. He also commented that the Lemon Eucalyptus is the designated replacement tree for Candlestick Lane. Vice Chair Cole closed the public discussion. Motion by Commissioner Englebrecht; seconded by Commissioner Howald to remove one (1) City Special tree – Neighborhood Eucalyptus tree located in the parkway at 1739 Candlestick Lane and replaced with either the Crape Myrtle or Southern Magnolia tree. Motion carried by acclamation. C. Special Tree Removal — 330 Morning Canyon Road Recommendation: Consider request of MOD Staff to remove one (1) City Special tree – Neighborhood tree located at 330 Morning Canyon Road to mitigate potential liability due to internal decay. Deputy Director Pisani presented details of the report and noted the reason for removal is that the Kafferboon Coral tree displays evidence of decay that has progressed internally and has created a potential for tree failure. He noted that mitigating efforts have been taken over the years such as annual pruning, application of insecticide and fertilization. He noted that the designated tree – Toog – is not available and that staff and the HOA have requested the Kafferboon Coral as the replacement tree. Discussion ensued regarding the mitigating efforts, the replacement tree and the Shorecliffs Property Owners Association request for the type of tree to be planted. Vice Chair Cole opened the public discussion. Phillip Case distributed a letter to the Commission describing his personal struggles with the tree and has requested that the tree be removed for several years. Jim Mosher commented again that he finds it unlikely that staff would not be able to find the designated replacement tree (Toog) and urged the Commission to follow Council Policy. Vice Chair Cole closed the public discussion. Motion by Commissioner Englebrecht; seconded by Commissioner Howald to remove one (1) City Special tree – Neighborhood tree the Kaffeboom Coral located at 330 Morning Canyon and replace it with a 36” box Kafferboon Coral tree. Motion carried by acclamation. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission November 5, 2013 Page 4 D. Special Tree Removal— 531 Hazel Drive Recommendation: Consider request of MOD staff to remove one (1) City Special tree – Neighborhood tree located on Poppy Avenue behind 531 Hazel Drive due to evidence of root decay by the appearance of sulfur fungus conks. Deputy Director Pisani presented details of the report with recommendations to remove one Eucalyptus rudis (Desert Gum) tree located on Poppy Avenue behind 531 Hazel Drive. The tree is listed as a Special City Tree under Neighborhood Trees City Council Policy G-1. Since this is listed as a Special Tree, several mitigating efforts have occurred to prevent limb and tree failures, insect infestation, and promote the overall health of each tree such as annual pruning, application of insecticide to control psyllid infestation, and fertilization to improve the tree's overall health. He also noted that the tree has evidence of root decay by the appearance of sulfur fungus conks. Conks indicate internal decay and potential tree failure at the soil line or below ground. Deputy Director Pisani went on to say that if the removal is approved, an Australian Willow tree will be planted at the same location. He noted that the Coral Gum, the designated street tree is unavailable Vice Chair Cole opened the public discussion; seeing none the discussion was closed. Motion by Commissioner Englebrecht; seconded by Commissioner Howald to approve the removal of one (1) City Special tree – Neighborhood Eucalyptus tree located on Poppy Avenue behind 531 Hazel Drive and replaced with a 36” box Australian Willow tree. Motion carried by acclamation. E. Review of the Conceptual Plan of the CdM Pocket Park Recommendation: Review and approve the CdM Pocket Park conceptual plan located north of the Hobie Surf Shop at 3140 East Coast Highway. Superintendent Levin introduced Deputy Public Works Director/City Engineer Pat Thomas to the Commission. Mr. Thomas commented on the plant materials selected and noted that Council Member Selich is an advocate of the project. Mr. Thomas then introduced Landscape Architect Bob Borthwick of Borthwick Guy Bettenhausen, Inc. who commented that although the project is for a small space of land it would include some plantings, and a 30” retaining wall with cement seating. In response to Commissioner Howald’s question Mr. Thomas stated that the project had a budget of $10,000. Discussion ensued regarding the need for seating more specifically bench type seating and the importance of receiving support from the CdM Chamber and the CdM Business Improvement District (BID). Vice Chair Cole opened the public discussion. Ron Yeo speaking on behalf of the CdM Business Improvement District noted that their goal with this project was to make it pedestrian friendly and believed that this design would fulfill that need. Vice Chair Cole closed the public discussion. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission November 5, 2013 Page 5 Motion by Commissioner Howald; seconded by Commissioner Englebrecht to approve the CdM Pocket Park with the addition of bench style seating and for staff to meet and review the project with the CdM Chamber and BID. Motion carried by acclamation. 6) PARKS, BEACHES & RECREATION COMMISSION / STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS, UPDATES OR MATTERS WHICH MEMBERS WOULD LIKE PLACED ON A FUTURE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION, ACTION OR REPORT (NON-DISCUSSION ITEM) Vice Chair Cole asked for updates from the Ad Hoc Committee:  Community Service Award – Award will be presented at a future meeting.  Lower Castaways – Director Detweiler stated that they had met with David Volz Design and review conceptual designs to include open recreation areas; access to Upper Castaways; launch area; and a staging area for cyclists. The next step is to review potential costs and conditions over the next several months.  G-1 Policy – Next meeting is scheduled for November 14.  Youth Sports Liaison – Commissioner Englebrecht stated that their semi-annual meeting is scheduled for December or January.  Blackball – Vice Chair Cole stated that a community workshop had been held on October 21 with over 150 people in attendance. He stated that the Committee will bring this item to the Commission at a future meeting. Commissioner Howald thanked Chair Anderson and Commissioner Englebrecht for attending the OASIS tour on October 23rd. 7) PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS None 8) ADJOURNMENT @ 7:17pm. Submitted by: ________ Teri Craig, Admin Assistant Approved by: Ron Cole, Vice Chair