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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/03/1992 - PB&R CommissionCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH Item No. 3 arks, Beaches & Recreation Commission March 3, 1992 City Council Chambers 7 p.m. INDEX Ex- Officio Member Present: Ronald A. Whitley Staff Present: Nancy Beard, Recreation Superintendent Jack Brooks, Park and Tree Mainten- ance Super- intendent Dottie Flohr, Secretary I. PROCEDURAL MATTERS Item #1 - Call to Order Call to Orde The meeting of the Parks, Beaches and Recreation ( Commission was called to order at 7:00 P.M. Item #2 - Roll Call Roll Call Roll call was taken. Commissioners Compton, Demmer, Glasgow, Grant, Herberts, Konwiser and Vandervort were present. _Item 03 - Approval of Minutes - Meetina of pproval of February 4, 1992 4inutes Motion x Commissioner Herberts motioned the minutes be Ayes x x x X. x• x x approved as presented. Unanimous. Item 44 - Adoption of Agenda Adoption of Benda Motion x Commissioner Compton moved to adopt the agenda as Ayes x x x x x x x presented. Unanimous. II. ACTION ITEMS Item 45 - Tree Removal Recuest - Alta Vista Tree Remova' Request Chair Vandervort turned the meeting over to Commissioner Herberts, Chair of the Tree Committee, who reported she had visited the subject site 4 times and again since the trees on the adjacent property were trimmed. Director Whitley explained that this Commission had previously considered Mr. Conant's request CITY OF -NEWPORT BEACH arks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Page 2 City Council Chambers 7 p.m. INDEX for tree removals and had voted to postpone action until after private trees were trimmed. Director Whitley reported he received a call from Bonnie Ballert, 908 Almond Place, who could not attend the meeting. Mrs. Ballert stated that several neighbors have,been trimming their trees for years to try to satisfy Mr. Conant and that they feel removal is totally unreasonable. Director Whitley also reported Jack Brooks and he met with the adjacent property owner who indicated he was willing by written agreement to have his private contractor top the City trees when he trims his private trees. Staff concurs with his suggestion and would prefer the trees be topped, rather than removed. In response to a question from Commissioner ( ) Compton, Jack Brooks explained that the trees in question are those in the public parkway which are smaller in height than the private trees. Trees on private property are subject to the CC &R's which sometimes restrict tree height to the roof line. In response to a question from Commissioner Glasgow, Jack Brooks advised that the City trees can be maintained, however, the problem is trimming them more often that the regular 2 year cycle, which could be alleviated by the adjacent property owner's willingness to do supplemental trimming. Chair Vandervort opened the meeting to Public Hearing and Mr. Roger Conant,, 915 Alder Place, addressed the Commission. Mr. Conant pointed out that at the Commission's November, 1991 meeting it was determined that it was not possible to see if City trees were blocking his view due to trees on private property. Since that time a few property owners have trimmed to some extent and Mr. Conant felt it was obvious now that two City trees are blocking his view. Mr. Conant urged the two City trees be removed so 'that his view can be reinstated. He felt that trimming them would not be effective since they keep growing at the top. CITY OF .NEWPORT BEACH arks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Page 3 City Council Chambers 7 p.m. INDEX Commissioner Herberts reported that when Mr. Conant invited her into his home she observed that, although one City tree needs topping, she could not see over his hedge while sitting down. Mr. Conant informed the Commission that the hedge is trimmed to the fence and cannot be trimmed down. Commissioner Demmer thanked Mr. Conant for giving her the opportunity to visit his home and yard. She agreed the trees are blocking his view and that topping would not necessarily enhance it. She felt Mr. Conant's concerns are with several of his neighbors' trees. There being no further Public Hearing, Chair Vandervort closed the meeting to public ( ) testimony. In response to a question from Commissioner Glasgow, Jack Brooks advised that these City trees were last trimmed a year ago. As stated earlier, the adjacent owner at 901 Almond is willing to top these trees when he trims his own to provide supplemental trimming. Commissioner Demmer pointed out that Mr. Conant's view blockage is also caused by his neighbors' trees, one of which is a rubber tree which is difficult to trim. She felt it was presumptuous to ask two neighbors to trim their back yard trees and also ask the City to remove trees. Not being in favor of a private contractor doing the trimming, she recommended the public trees be maintained by City crews. Motion Commissioner Herberts moved to retain the City trees. In response to an inquiry from Commissioner Compton, Jack Brooks explained staff is willing to accept the adjacent property owner's I`J supplemental trimming proposal as long as the trees are not topped below the previous trimming level. Director Whitley pointed out this trimming would be done in an off year and that this procedure has been allowed in other areas of the City. CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH arks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Page 4 City Council Chambers 7 p:m. INDEX Commissioner Grant commented that the adjacent property owner would rather preserve the trees than have the City forced to remove them. He stated he would recommend the trees be retained. Commissioner Konwiser stated that should the motion pass, he recommends the adjacent property owner be sent a letter authorizing the supplemental topping but removing only the new growth. Mr. Roger Conant addressed the Commission stating this would not be a satisfactory solution since the private trees would not be trimmed lower than the City trees, which would still block his view. Mr. Conant also reported that the CC &R's state a homeowner is precluded from ,planting a tree which, at maturity, would block another t homeowner's view; and that any tree that blocks a view must be trimmed or removed. Commissioner Demmer recommended keeping the parkway trees until the homeowners association addresses this Commission and explains their CC &R's and how they are enforced. Following their presentation, the Commission should again look at the City trees. Ayes x x x x x x x Unanimous. Jack Brooks advised the adjacent property owner will write a letter proposing his supplemental trimming to which he will respond. III. PUBLIC COMMENTS IV. INFORMATIONAL AND COMMITTEE REPORTS Item #6 - Recreation Division Recreation Nancy Beard reported the Special Olympics Division Basketball Tournament held February 29 was very successful with 150 athletes participating. Commissioner Demmer stated she was pleased the City is able to keep the drop -in programs going at the school sites considering the economy. CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH arks, Beaches..& Recreation Commission 'Page 5 City -Council Chambers 7 p.m. INDEX Commissioner Glasgow inquired if the pool lifeguards could help the coaches facilitate pool usage at the Marian Bergeson Aquatic Center. Nancy Beard pointed out that their main responsibility is to guard those in the water. It was then decided that Commissioner Glasgow will present a list of ideas as to how lifeguards can provide additional assistance at the pool. Commissioner Grant recommended new volunteers be sought to serve on the Board of Directors of the Newport Beach Aquatics Club. Nancy Beard advised they are trying to contact volunteers from all areas. Item #7 - Park and Street Tree Division Park and Street Tree Commissioner Grant reported an accident occurred bivision ( ) on Newport Hills East which took out 2 trees and asked that the trees be replaced and the cost billed to the responsible person. Jack Brooks advised this procedure is under the jurisdiction of the Police Department and that they are waiting for a report from them. Commissioner Herberts requested a resident's tree on Portside Way be tested for stability, which Jack Brooks agreed to do. Item #8 - Tree Committee Tree ommittee Commissioner Herberts reported Chair Vandervort and she met with Jack Brooks to formulate a letter which she presented to the Commission. 'The letter is an agreement approving an owner's request for removal of a parkway tree and acceptance of a new tree with conditions for maintenance. Referring to the letter of agreement, Jack Brooks pointed out the Tree Division will have the specific tree in inventory so that it can be immediately replaced upon tree removal. Instantaneous removal and replacement along with the agreement should solve any confusion that may have existed in the past. Commissioner Herberts reported she and Chair Vandervort have been researching Ficus Trees and CITY OF .NEW.PORT BEACH arks; Beaches: & Recreation Commission Page 6" City Council Chambers 7 p.m. INDEX that Chair Vandervort will write the criteria for removal and.replacement which would"be done on an individual basis: This will be presented to the Commission for their additional suggestions and comments. In response to a question from Commissioner Compton, Commissioner Herberts reported Mr. Stuart Williams now has 3 new Australian Willows which were recommended by the arborist and approved by staff. 'Item 49 - Recreation Program Committee Recreation Program Commissioner Grant asked that a clear and current Committee listing of the youth groups be included in the next brochure and Nancy Beard explained they are listed in the back of the brochure under { } Community Resources Guide. Commissioner Glasgow reported the pool users and coaches met and that the swim schedule has been finalized with no major conflicts. Commissioner Glasgow requested $600 be funded by the City to purchase additional poles and a net for the Marian Bergeson Aquatic Center in order to divide the pool from the lap swimmers. Nancy Beard advised the City has agreed to this proposal and will be purchasing them. Commissioner Demmer inquired about the status of the Newport Harbor High School facility. Director Whitley replied that the Booster Club requested $20,000 but City Council approved $5,000. Council did, however, agree to loan them $14,000 to complete the fixtures. In response to a question from Commissioner Grant, Director Whitley explained that 90% of the City's swim programs are held at the Harbor High School pool during the summer months. Item #10 - Park and Open Space Committee ark and -� pen Space Commissioner Compton read a letter received from ommittee the Newport Shores Community Association expressing their thanks to the Commission for helping make Newport Shores Park a reality. They CITY OF. NEWPORT BEACH Parks, Beaches; & •Recreation Commission G - Page 7 y2�00 . � .City Council Chambers 7 p.m. INDEX also mentioned that the park is in continuous use and would like to see it expanded. Item 411 - Beach Committee Beach Committee Commissioner Glasgow presented pictures of the volleyball poles in Santa Barbara which are galvanized and spray painted. Following a'brief discussion, Nancy,Beard explained the department has been attempting to make the City's poles universal, uniform and attractive with a uniform design. Item #12 - Budget Committee Budget Committee No report from Commissioner Konwiser. Item #13 - Oasis Liaison Oasis Liaison Commissioner Demmer reported that at the last Oasis Board meeting it was pointed out that the 1991 official census shows Newport Beach as having 14,055 seniors over 60 years old, which is 21.9 %. 564 seniors rate in the very low income bracket. Commissioner Demmer then passed out a brochure on the Oasis Case Management Program which describes their services for the frail and elderly over 60 years old. Commissioner Demmer reported the new Oasis facility should be open in May to help accommodate their growing number of participants. Item #14 - Chair's Report Chair's Report No report from Chair Vandervort. V. DISCUSSION ITEMS Item 415 - Status of Capital Improvement Projects Status of Director Whitley reported that Public Works has Capital Improvement sent out 4 RFP's to select a consultant for the Projects Bolsa Avenue Mini Park design. The land swap proposed cannot be implemented due to a major sewer line; in addition, there has been a negative response to vehicle access through the CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH arks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Page 8. City Council Chambers 7 n_m- INr)FX park to the residential sites. The preliminary design will be reviewed by this Commission along with public input. commissioner' Demmer expressed her concern that this 'Commission never received a detailed analysis from the Public Works Department on this park. VI. SPECIAL. URGENT OR LAST MINUTE ITEMS VII. ADUOURNMENT There being no further business, the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission adjourned at 8:25 P.M. The agenda for this meeting was posted on February 24, 1992 at 11:45 A.M. outside the City Hall Administration Building. Dottie Flohr, Secretary