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Home My WebLink About03/01/1994 - PB&R CommissionParks, Beaches ( i y `' �'° o (i i� t Item V & Recreation March 1, 1994 Commission Citv Council Chambers 7 p.m SD .all to )rder 2011 Call City Manager Overview of City Budget for 1994/95 Staff Present: LaDonna Kienitz, Community Services Director David E. Niederhaus, General Services Director Marcelino Lomeli, Park and Tree Maintenance Superintendent Nancy Beard, Recreation Superintendent Dottie Flohr, Secretary I. PROCEDURAL MATTERS Item #1 - Call to Order The meeting of the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission was called to order at 7:00 P.M. Item #2 - Roll Call Roll call was taken. Commissioners Compton, Demmer, Glasgow, Grant, Herberts, Schonlau and Vandervort were present. Item #3 - City Manager - overview of City Budget for 1994/95 Kevin Murphy, City Manager, addressed the Commission and introduced Dennis Danner, the City's Finance Director. Mr. Murphy explained ` the budget process which begins each fall and is based upon forecasts and assumptions. The forecast for the 1994/95 fiscal year anticipates a $3 million gap between revenues and expenditures. To fill this shortfall, Department Directors were requested to submit .their individual operating budgets 4.5% lower than 1993 -94 levels. Should the State take an additional $2 million, Directors were asked to submit reductions totaling 7.5 %. It is the intent that these reductions will avoid the appearance of punishing the public, however, it will be difficult not to affect service at the 7.5% reduction level. Each Director has been asked to minimize impacts on the front line services and research privatizing and consolidating services between and within departments and other cities. Mr. Murphy explained that the new Central Library, which will open this summer, will be an incredible facility and the finest on the West Coast, however, it will add an additional annual operating cost of $715,000. There will be a $200,000 savings next year from consolidating the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Department and the Library and privatizing tree trimming. The early retirements in 1993 -94 cost $800,000 for 18 people, but will result in a savings of over SD .all to )rder 2011 Call City Manager Overview of City Budget for 1994/95 Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission ( ) m March 1, 1994 \00so- - 9 s m Pae2 o City Council Chambers 7 p,. m. INOEX 0 $1 million in 1994 -95. Mr. Murphy reported it is important to understand major revenue sources, the two most important being the property tax and sales tax. It is anticipated there will be a 3% increase in the sales tax after being down 19% during the 1991 -92 and 1992 -93 period. Assumptions are also made that the sales of the properties at 4210 River Avenue, the Fire Station on Marine Avenue, and the West Newport Library will bring in over $1 million. It is further anticipated that the increase in the Beacon Bay lease will provide $550,000 and there may also be rent increases at Marinapark. Mr. Murphy reviewed the Capital Improvement Projects over the past four years which has resulted in a 35% decline. This money is prioritized for safety and liability groups. No new taxes or fees are anticipated. Mr. Murphy pointed out that two years ago the budget was reduced $2 million by the State shifting the funds to the schools. Last year they transferred $1.3 million for the same purpose. Mr. Murphy explained the proposed personnel reductions and the M &O expenditures, 96% of which are fixed. In response to questions from Commissioner Glasgow, Mr. Murphy explained that the City's budget was $112 million four years ago and this year it is $90 million. This will undoubtedly have an affect on park maintenance, however, we will do the best we can. Mr. Murphy stated his purpose is to educate not only the Council, Boards and Commissions, but also to inform the public. There will be a community newsletter transmitted to clarify these important budget issues. In response to a question from Commissioner Vandervort, Mr. Murphy explained that 45% of the total budget is for the Police and Fire Departments. Mr. Murphy pointed out that we are one of the only cities that does not charge for refuse ( operations which cost $3 million annually; it is also expected that landfill fees will rise. The City's•COSts for refuse will most likely be addressed in the near future. In response to a question from Commissioner i � Schonlau regarding privatizing the rest of the Motion Aves i CITY O NEWPORT B 'I Parks, Beaches & Recreation commission S d� �0 0 March 1, 1994 Page 3 City Council Chambers 7 p.m INDEX ,pproval of linutes ;ommunicatio Park and Street Tree Division tree crew, Mr. Murphy explained that most cities keep a small crew since emergencies and call backs are very expensive. Director Niederhaus added that there have been no complaints and productivity has been very successful since West Coast Arborists were hired to do the tree trimming. Chair Grant inquired if commercial events and other sources of revenue should be pursued. Mr. Murphy explained that any parking problems would have to be addressed, however, Commissions can conduct fundraisers provided they are well organized, have a high profile base and are approved by the City Council. On behalf of the Commission, Chair Grant thanked Mr. Murphy for his presentation. Item #4 - Approval of Minutes - Meeting of February 1, 1994 X Commissioner Glasgow motioned the minutes be X X X X X X •X approved as presented. Unanimous. At Commissioner Compton's request, Chair Grant announced that Newport Elementary School would be added as a discussion item should it not be addressed during Public Comments. Item #5 - Communications Director Kienitz referred to the request and response concerning the parking, site at Marguerite and 5th Avenue and stated this correspondence is submitted for the Commission's information. II. INFORMATIONAL AND COMMITTEE REPORTS Item #6 - Park and Street Tree Division Marcy Lomeli updated the Tree Division portion of the report submitted as follows: "In the month of February, 1,364 trees were trimmed (1,250 by West Coast Arborists, 114 by City staff); 82 trees were planted; 25 trees were removed....." He also corrected the number of tree plantings from 60 to 82. Mr. Lomeli presented a progress report prepared by West Coast Arborists. He then highlighted the first two months of the tree maintenance contract, during which time 1,906 city trees have been trimmed; data has been provided for the tree inventory with work ` records for each tree maintained; and they have recycled 187 tons of greenwaste produced from trimming operations. Commissioner Vandervort questioned if the public or ,service 'organization could pick up INDEX ,pproval of linutes ;ommunicatio Park and Street Tree Division CITY-OF NEWPORT BEACH Parks, Beaches & Recreatio•n Commission _ y °> March 1, 1994 ( ) 10, dol, 0 ° Page �o �0s ns °o City Council Chambers 7 p.m. INDEX tion on tion m tee tnd ;pace :tee ttee ttee Li ai si greenery for their own use. Mr. Lomeli stated this should not be a problem and that those interested should contact the Urban Forester. Director Niederhaus also pointed out that over the years the City has, upon request, provided palm fronds for Easter services. Mr. Lomeli announced that proposals have been finalized and two contractors will be recommended for the deep aeration and soil amending program in March at Lincoln athletic fields. Item #7 - Recreation Division Recrea Divisi Nancy Beard commented that the memorandum on North Star Beach is for the Commission's information. Chair Grant reported Frank Robinson contacted him and he will be making recommendations for site improvements. Item #B - Recreation Program Committee Recrez ProgrE Chair Grant reported the committee met and Commis I discussed budget constraints as they pertain to user groups. Nancy Beard advised that the pool users will meet the end of March; and that since the fields have been scheduled through summer, the youth sports commissioners will not meet again until August. Item #9 -'Park and Open Space Committee Park Open Commissioner Vandervort stated she attended Commi the CPRS Conference in February and will present her report under Discussion Items. Item #10 - Budget Committee Budge Commi Director Niederhaus reported he will participate and provide the General Services budget information at the next Budget Committee meeting. Item #11 - Tree Committee Tree Commi Commissioner Herberts reported she attended.a seminar hosted by Alex Shigo, tree expert at the Landscape Industry Show in Long Beach with Marcy Lomeli and John Conway. She stated she found the show very informative. ( 1 \ Item #12 - Oasis Liaison Oasis No report. III. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mr. Shawn Thayer, 477 Prospect Street, tion on tion m tee tnd ;pace :tee ttee ttee Li ai si �; i i. 1 � � � � ". *�• �; '� illy, �... i. ' 1. .1 Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission y wh March 1, 1994" 0" 6 _ tv Page 5 e - 0- '5 A4 o o mh City Council Chambers 7 p.m. INDEX, a addressed the Commission and thanked them for approving the volleyball courts adjacent to Newport Elementary School. Mr. Thayer referred to the athletic field grass area at Newport Elementary School which is in need of renovation. He has already met with Marcy Lomeli, Commissioner Compton and the school district on this subject. Through fundraising, the PTA and private donations, he felt there would be enough funds to renovate the grass; the school district would provide the water system; and they would request that the City provide grading equipment and labor so that a park like atmosphere can be created and enjoyed by the entire community. Mr. Thayer anticipated there would be two phases to this project. The first phase would be to completely renovate the field area. The second phase would be to construct a low wall of approximately 1811 around 3 sides of the field to function as a burm to protect the sod from blowing sand. The only objection to the wall would be neighbors, however, they would ( be willing to go through all the involved agencies to obtain approvals for the wall. Chair Grant advised that this matter cannot be an action item at this meeting, however, it can be agendized as such with a public hearing for recommendation to the City Council. Director Niederhaus pointed out that even minor grading along the beach requires approved permits. Furthermore, the entire site is owned by the City and is subject to a 50 year lease agreement approved by the City Council in 1960. Commissioner Compton explained that the grassy area is the only site affected. It would cost $56,000- $70,000 to renovate the area including the proposed wall, however, it is the general consensus that the grass would not last due to the blowing sand. According to the lease, the school can make improvements with approvals from the City and all required agencies. Chair Grant informed Mr. Thayer that this ^ Commission has historically supported joint venture projects and that this matter can be agendized for review at their next April meeting. ( j IV. ACTION ITEMS Item #13 - Arts Commission Proposal Arts Motion X Commissioner Herberts moved that the subject Commission Ayes X X X X X X X sculpture be stored until a perfect location Proposal can be found. Unanimous, �' ;�I r r. l r Parks. BeGaches & Recreation Commission March 1, 1994- �6o m Page 6 �i o City Council Chambers 7 p.m. INDEX Motion Ayes X X X X X X X X Item #14 - Bench Donations Director Niederhaus reported there are two bench donations before the Commission for approval, one at "L" Street Park and the other along Ocean Boulevard in Corona del Mar. Director Niederhaus added that the Department looks forward to receiving such donations and that respective plaques will be provided and installed per City policy. Commissioner Compton motioned to approve the two bench donations. Unanimous. Chair Grant recommended the Daily Pilot be notified of these and any future donations. Director Niederhaus agreed and will comply. Item #15 - Council Policy G -1. Retention or en ch Dona on Cou -1 Removal of Park and Parkway Trees 'G During discussion, Commissioner Herberts made the following recommendations to the proposed G -1 policy as submitted: ( Page 1, Item 3, to read... "Have contiguous property owners be desirous of retaining the tree if special treatment other than standard sidewalk and curb repair is necessary to retain it." Page 2, Item 1: Delete "However, the Committee members shall not contact either personally or in writing individuals who live adjacent or near any tree recommended for removal." Attachment 1 - Neighborhood Trees: Following Candlestick Lane, etc. (Baycrest), add the following streets: Commodore, Starlight, Glenwood and Sandalwood. Motion X Commissioner Compton moved to accept Policy G- Ayes X X X X X X X 1 as corrected. Unanimous. V. DISCUSSION ITEMS Item #16 - Review of Commission Goals Re Co Director Kienitz explained that, although the GO Go Community Services Department's goals are separate from the commission's, her personal goal is to begin gathering the technical data in preparation for the development of the Recreation and Open Space Element of the n_ General Plan by the Planning Department. As ( \ further information, the Task Force Committee Members are currently working on a Mission Statement and unifying features of the new department. Chair Grant suggested the Commission's Mission and Goals and Objectives be reviewed again as ncil Poli( view of mmission als r �,; , Parks. BeGaches & Recreation Commission March 1, 1994 Page 7 o h X City Council Chambers 7 p.m. INDEX a discussion item at their April meeting. Commissioner Vandervort concurred and pointed out the report does not need to be finalized until July 1, 1994. ord %Loral Item #17 - Ford /Loral Development evelopment Nancy Beard corrected the last sentence of paragraph 2 in the subject report to state that ... "five acres of land for every 1,000 persons, or $6,894 per dwelling unit." Ms. Beard advised that the report submitted explains what may occur as a result of the potential development of the Ford /Loral property. Chair Grant opened the meeting to public hearing and John Douglas, Principal Planner, addressed the Commission. Mr. Douglas explained that the Recreation and Open Space Element does not call for any additional parcels in the development area and, with the Commission's approval, in lieu fees will be accepted. The development would be comprised of up to 500 homes generating about $3.4 million of in lieu fees. In lieu fees can be used for land acquisition, improvements and /or rehabilitation of existing parkland. Director. Kienitz reported that an In Lieu Fee Policy is' being drafted. The policy will detail the criteria for expenditures of in lieu fees. Chair Grant stated his approval of the in lieu fees as opposed to the land dedication if it were found that the in lieu fees were' available for City wide park development. If the funds are found to be available only in the zone in which they are collected, he would prefer the land dedication in substitution of the in lieu fees. Commissioner Schonlau stated he felt there is a need for either allowing money to be spent in other zones or readjusting the zone boundaries. Commissioners Glasgow and Compton voiced their support for accepting in lieu fees from the Ford /Loral development. \a Item #18 - The Brown Act The Brown .Act Commissioner Vandervort summarized the history and revisions to the Brown Act. It is important to know that effective April 1, all meetings, including those.at committee level, must be posted 72 hours in advance, minutes taken and mailed to anyone requesting them. Director Kienitz explained that the City Attorney will be providing information on the C I TY OF Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission March 1, 1994' Page 8 City Council Chambers 7 p.m. IrDDC Brown Act and this will be transmitted to the commission. VI. EMERGENCY ITEMS VII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission adjourned at 9:45 P.M. The agenda for this meeting was posted on February 22, 1994 at 11:00 A.M. outside the f 1 City Hall Administration Building. ( I i