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HomeMy WebLinkAboutii - Draft Minutes - 12-01-1998CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting December 1, 1998 — 7pm CONVENED AT 7nm ROLL CALL Present: Beek, Franklin, Glasgow, Pfaff, Sinclair, Skoro, Tobin Staff Present: LaDonna Kienitz, Community Services Director /City Librarian David Niederhaus, General Services Director Steve Hunt, Senior Recreation Manager Teri Craig, Executive Secretary II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Pfaff to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of November 3, 1998. Motion.carried by acclamation. III. PUBLIC COMMENTS None IV. CONSENT CALENDAR 4. Senior Services Items removed from Consent Calendar 1. Correspondence — Correspondence acknowledged from Jim McGee, November 3, 1998; John, French, November 10, 1998, Jim and Wendy Erickson, November 16 and November 19, 1998; Travis Grant, November 17, 1998; and to Jim & Wendy Erickson, November 19, 1998. Correspondence added from Jan Vandersloot, representing SPON', December 1, 1998, requesting the Commission to follow through with their motion of July 7, 1998 and forward a letter to City Council stating that the land behind'the library should remain open space 2. Park and Tree Division - Director Niederhaus reported that because of the prediction of rain and several flooding complaints from residents, temporary beach berms have been erected. To date there has been one complaint, and after assuring the resident that the berms were only temporary, the resident withdrew his complaint. Director Niederhaus stated that he has received information that the Cameo Shores Association had inadvertently approved the illegal tree trimming of City parkway trees on Milford Drive. Staff will investigate. 3. Recreation Services — Senior Recreation Manager Hunt stated that the Youth Sports Commission meeting has been rescheduled to December 3, and reminded the Commission about the winter wonderland on December 12 from 10am - 1 pm at Grant Howal'd Park. 5. Bench Donation — Director Niederhaus introduced Linda Wenger, the donor, to the — Commission. The Commission thanked Ms. Wenger for her donation of the.bench. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting December 1, 1998 Page 2 6. Tree Donation — Director Niederhaus introduced Lynda Badham, Troop Leader and representative of the donor, Brownie Girl Scout Troop 2072. Ms. Badham invited the Commission -to the tree planting on Saturday, December 5. The Commission asked Ms. Badham to relay their thanks to the Brownie Girl Scout troop. Motion by Commissioner Glasgow to accept items 1 — 6 on the Consent Calendar. Motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Beek, Franklin, Glasgow, Pfaff, Sinclair, Skoro, Tobin Noes: None Absent: None Abstain: None V. DISCUSSION ITEMS 7. Review of FY 1999/00 Capital Improvement Projects — Director Kienitz stated that Senior Managers Hunt and Jardine -Haug were available to answer any questions regarding CIP projects for recreation or senior services. Commissioner Skoro stated that that the amount listed for Bonita Canyon should be higher. Director Kienitz stated that this item could be on the agenda again in January after more information is received. She also reminded the Commission that this report is just preliminary. Trustee Skoro asked if the schedule for the budget hearings would be the same as last year. Director Kienitz stated that she expected them to be the same. Director Niederhaus stated that the requests for Capital Improvements Projects are a reflection of what is realistically felt that the department will receive due to limited funding other than what the General Services Department actually needs. Commissioner Skoro stated that it is important that the Budget Committee meets and is present at the budget meetings to support staff. Director Niederhaus reviewed the Parks Division preliminary CIP proposal. He stated that none of the items proposed included athletic field improvement funding. 8. Bonita Canyon Park — Chair Beek stated that an architect from the School District is reviewing the present plans of the park. Staff hopes to have an answer within two weeks regarding where the District would build a school if it were needed within the 10 year period. 9. Santiago Drive Parkway Street Tree Redesignation — Director Niederhaus stated that staff had contacted Mr. Welsh regarding the illegal planting of two Bradford Pear trees in front of 2130 Santiago Drive and' informing him that they would be removed at his expense and replanted at Mariners Park. The designated street tree for Santiago Drive is the Magnolia. Chair Beek opened the public hearing. Chris Welsh, 2130 Santiago Drive, stated that he has had four of his neighbors sign the petition for redeisgnation of the parkway tree to the Bradford Pear. He stated that when he planted the two Bradford Pear trees, he had no idea that there would be a problem as there are many of that type on Santiago. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting December 1, 1998 Page 3 Commissioner Pfaff suggested that the trees be removed from the median and moved to Mr Welsh's property. Mr. Welsh stated that the reason that the trees were planted in the current location is that it curbed the glare of the lights from cars coming down the street. Director Niederhaus reminded the Commission that only one tree can be planted in the parkway due to Council policy and the location would have to be in the center of the lot and not at the corner. He felt that if the Commission were to approve the retention of the pear tree, it would be against Council policy and pose a liability to the City. Mr. Welsh stated that he had already removed ficus trees at his own expense. Chair Beek closed the public hearing. 'Commissioner Skoro stated that he felt the Commission was trying to meet the homeowner halfway and suggested that Mr. Welsh canvass his neighborhood to change the designated tree. Motion by Commissioner Skoro to deny the request to change the designated street tree from Magnolia to the Bradford Pear tree. Motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Beek, Franklin, Glasgow, Pfaff, Sinclair, Skoro, Tobin Noes: None Absent: None Abstain: None 10. Back Bay Rugby Club — Chair Beek thanked staff for the information contained in the report. Senior Recreation Manager Hunt stated that the City does not have a co- sponsorship program for adult sports and establishment of a co- sponsorship with an adult league would set precedent. Chair Beek opened the public hearing. Travis Grant stated that he was hopeful that with approval of co- sponsorship that more residents of Newport Beach would join the Club. He stated that the Club is certainly willing to help pay for field use as the sponsored groups are currently doing. Chair Beek asked if the current membership of the Club is 30. Mr. Grant said yes, which would make it 50% residents of Newport Beach. The number'of club members on the application include others who are not actual players. Chair Beek stated, that the current sponsored groups have made substantial monetary arrangements for the fields and stated that it would be helpful if the Club would continue paying the costs for the use of the park, Mr. Grant stated that the Club is completely financed for the year and would be willing to pay the same fees as he would if they were not a sponsored group. He noted that the best thing the Club can offer is the relationship and volunteerism in the community. Director Kienitz stated that the youth organization requirement is 50% resident and that according to the application, the Rugby Club does not meet those guidelines. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting December 1, 1998 r' Page 5 Commissioner Sinclair stated that she is a resident of that same area and feels that by living there it just "comes with the territory." Stacy Madsen, 120 251h Street, stated that she was surprised that this issue is even a topic of discussion. She stated that she owns a duplex in that area and the volleyball courts are what attract renters to her property. She also stated that Mr. Hartwell has misrepresented himself, as he is not the homeowner, she would be extremely upset if one of her tenants were to send a request of this kind to the City. She believes that the beach is thereto be used and to play volleyball. She also noted that she is on the beach all the time, and has never noticed any offensive language or rowdiness. She stated that she is frustrated that Mr. Hartwell did not even follow the directions for removing a volleyball court by doing a petition. But that she will do one of her own if this becomes an issue. Eric Thurner, 2406 E. Oceanfront, stated that he has lived in this area for three years. The volleyball court is,an essential problem; the group that uses this specific court is there three to four days a week. The problem is that they are exactly in front of the property. He recommended that the court be moved to the end of the street where there is more beach. Staff would be willing to contact police to possibly monitor this area. Chair Beek closed the public hearing Chair Beek stated that this item would be continued to January meeting. 12. History of Bonita Creek — Report accepted and filed by Chair Beek with thanks to staff. 13. Subcommittee Reports • Liaison Committee - no new information. • Open Space Committee - no new information. • Budget — no new information. • Liaison with Oasis - no new information. • Naming of Parks - no new information. • Community Services Award - no new information. • Skateboard — Commissioner Franklin stated that a tour of the area with the architect from purkiss -rose is scheduled for next week. VI. Future Agenda Items Removal of Volleyball Courts Status of Marina Park - re: Tidelands Decision Tree Removal- 620 Orchid Avenue VII. ADIOURNMENT- 9:30pm SUBMITTED BY: - TERI CRAIG, COMMUNITY SERVC9 EXECUTIVE SECRETARY (I