HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/04/1999 - PB&R CommissionCOMMISSION
Minutes
May 4, 1999
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
is Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission
Regular Meeting
May 4, 1999 — 7pm
CONVENED AT 7:021)m
1. ROLL CALL
Commissioners
Present: Beek, Franklin, Glasgow (arrived at 7:07pm), Pfaff (arrived at 7:05pm), Sinclair, Skoro,
Tobin
Staff Present: LaDonna Kienitz, Community Services Director /City Librarian
David E. Niederhaus, General Services Director
Steve Hunt, Senior Recreation Manager
Teri Craig, Executive Secretary
11. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Commissioner Skoro to approve the minutes of April 6, 1999. Motion carried by
acclamation.
III. PUBLIC COMMENTS
• Jan Vandersloot, 2221 E. 161h Street, presented documentation to the Commission regarding the
illegal removal of trees at 2118 Serrano Street. He stated that he had pictures that showed that four
trees were removed illegally instead of three that had previously been reported.
Director Niederhaus stated that staff has no record of four trees at that location but did state that
records were not kept at that time.
Mr. Vandersloot asked that Buffalo Ranch Park be added to the list of suggested names for Bonita
Canyon.
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Removed at the request of Commissioner Skoro
2. Removed at.the request of Commissioner Franklin
3. Removed at the request of Chair Beek
4. Senior Services — Received and filed.
5. Bench Donation —Accept donation of one bench at West Jetty View Park from Judy Clarke.
Motion by Chair Beek to approve the Consent Calendar except for those items removed (1, 2, and
3). The motion carried by acclamation.
• Items removed from Consent Calendar
1. Correspondence — Commissioner Skoro stated that a additional correspondence had been
received from The Irvine Company regarding the name for Bonita Canyon. Commissioner
Glasgow stated that the committee will meet on May 13 to discuss the suggested names.
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Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission
Regular Meeting
May 4, 1999
Page 2
Correspondence from -Paul and Paul DeCapua, April 5, 1999; Camerone Jelly, April 7, 1999;
Mike McKean, April 26, 1999; Carol Hoffman, April 26, 1999, was received and
acknowledged. An additional correspondence from Carol Hoffman, April 29, 1999, was added.
And acknowledged.
2. Parks and Trees Division — Commissioner Franklin questioned whether the neighborhood
should be informed of the berm on MacArthur Road.
Director Niederhaus stated that that height of the berm is what was expected, but could not
comment on the east side. Commissioner Glasgow directed staff to forward a letter to the
Public Works Department thanking them for their work and support on the Bonita Canyon
project.
3. Recreation Services — Chair Beek directed staff to draft a letter to City Council stating that the
reason the Commission put the Newport Theatre remodel- project on hold for 30 days was to
enable staff to confirm that Council had declared it a "Beautification Project," which under the
guidelines of the G -1 Policy provides an exception to the prohibition on tree removals.
Chair Beek also asked staff to forward a thank -you to the Senior Center for their volunteers that
acted as docents on the HM Bark Endeavour.
Senior Recreation Manager reported that Arbor Day event was a great success due to the
combined efforts from General Services and Community Services. Chair Beek asked that
Recreation Coordinator Trenton Veches be thanked.
Motion by Commissioner Franklin to accept items 1 — 3. Without objection, motion carried by
acclamation.
V. DISCUSSION ITEMS
6. Tree Removal Appeal — Director Niederhaus stated that additional correspondence and a
cover sheet to the encroachment permit had been added to the staff report. He stated that staff
had looked over the area where the tree sits and as of today there is no hardscape damage.
Director Niederhaus stated that Brazilian Peppers are no longer used in the parkways of the
City and that this tree will eventually cause a problem but at this time the Council G -1 Policy
does not permit them to remove the tree.
Chair Beek asked if there has been hardscape damage. Director Niederhaus stated that it
appears that there has been in the past but that the policy specifically stated that it must be
repeated damage.
Chair Beek opened the public.hearine
Mrs. Ayres, 2800 Cliff Drive, stated that they are longtime residents and want to beautify the
area. She stated that it is not economically feasible to install a sprinkler system when the root
system is so invasive. She stated that it is their intention to plant at least three more tree on
the site but they would be located near the house and not in the parkway as they feel it is too
narrow.
• Jan Vandersloot stated that the G -1 policy needs to be enforced. He stated that this area has
been "ethnically cleansed" of parkway trees. He reminded the Commission that there is no
justification to remove this tree and that by granting approval would only lead to more
requests for tree removals. He recommended that a root barrier be added.
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Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission
Regular Meeting
May 4, 1999
Page 3
Director Niederhaus stated that any tree planted in that last five years has a root barrier. He
also stated that the location of this tree is in a harsh environment and that it is the wrong tree
for that area. Nevertheless, the G -1 policy is very specific.
Chair Beek closed the public hearing
Commissioner Glasgow stated even though this is the wrong tree for that location that the
Commission is between a, rock a hard place. Director Niederhaus stated that common sense
would tell us to remove this tree and replace it with a more appropriate tree.
Director Niederhaus stated that staff is working on a report to City Council regarding
reforestation on a single dwelling. He also stated that possibly if a sprinkler system was
installed that could cause substantial damage to the trees
Motion by Commissioner Skoro to deny removal appeal request of two Brazilian Pepper
parkway street trees at 2800 Cliff Drive. Motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Glasgow, Franklin, Pfaff, Sinclair, Skoro, Tobin
Nays: Beek
Discussion ensued regarding a change to the previous action just taken. Director Kienitz
suggested that a commissioner who had voted for the previous motion could recall the motion
or make a new motion.
Motion by Commissioner Pfaff that removal appeal be tabled for 60 days.
Ayes: Beek Glasgow, Franklin, Pfaff, Sinclair, Tobin
Nays: Skoro
Commissioner Franklin asked if it was procedure for any change to the G -1 policy be routed
through the Commission.
Chair Beek stated that any recommendations made to City Council regarding the G -1 policy
should be forwarded to the Commission so that they have the opportunity to discuss it at the
appropriate time with the Council.
7. Subcommittee Reports
• Liaison Committee -No meeting.
• Open Space Committee- No new information.
• Budget — Director Kienitz stated that the CIP budget should be released at any time.
The budget review process should begin at Council on May 10.
• Liaison with Oasis -'No new information
• Naming of Parks - Commissioner Glasgow stated that a committee meeting will be
held on Wednesday the May 13, 3pm at the Central Library. Carol Hoffman,
representing The Irvine Company, reiterated the suggestion of either Buffalo Ranch
Park or Periera Sports Park. Ms. Hoffman stated that The Irvine Company commends
the City for selecting EPT for this contract. Commissioner Glasgow asked Ms.
• Hoffman the status of the entrance corners for Bonita Canyon. Ms. Hoffman stated
that she would look into it and get back with the information.
• Community Services Award - No new information.
• Skateboard — No new information.
Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission
Regular Meeting
May 4, 1999
• Page 4
Paul Helms stated that he was here to address the Commission because of an ad in the paper regarding
the clean up of the beach. He stated that he had cleaned the McFadden area beach himself for a two -
month period last year.
Chair Beek asked Director Niederhaus to inform the Commission of the schedule for the cleaning of the
McFadden area.
Mr. Helms also suggested naming Bonita Canyon "Gabrielano" after the first settlers of the area.
VI. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Chair Beek asked staff to check on the availability of the Recreation & Open Space Element
document, how it is utilized in the City, and the availability for the public to purchase copies.
VII. ADIOURNMENT- 8:16pm
SUBMITTED BY: � VL: La '
TERI CRAIG, COMMUNIT ERVICES ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
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