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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/04/2003 - PB&R CommissionMARCH 4, 2003 APPROVED PB &R COMMISSION MINUTES CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH • Parks, Beaches Et Recreation Commission Regular Meeting March 4, 2003- 7pm CONVENED AT 7:02pm ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Allen, Garrett, Ruzicka, Skoro, Tobin Absent: Beek, Englebrecht Staff: Marie Knight, Recreation ft Senior Services Director David Niederhaus, General Services Director Andrea McGuire, Recreation Superintendent Teri Craig, Administrative Assistant DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS Director Knight stated that Superintendent McGuire had been selected for the Dorothy Palen Award. She announced that the regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday, June 3 would be changed to Wednesday, June 4, beginning with a study session with Costa Mesa's Commission at 6pm and adjourning to the regular meeting by 7:30pm. Director Knight stated that the JPA's with the School District would be the topic of conversation. • Director Knight stated that the Park Patrol report would be scheduled for the Commission's April or May meeting. Director Niederhaus stated that the discussion on how to move forward with the Tree Policy would be discussed at City Council on March 11. Director Niederhaus stated that after a lengthy inspection at the Bonita Canyon Sports Park, the maintenance period would begin on March 1 and end for the Mid and East Park on June 1. The West Park will be hydroseeded around the middle of March if weather permits. PUBLIC COMMENTS Tom Hyans, Newport Beach Community Association, requested that the Commission take an official stand on MarinaPark. Mr. Hyans stated that the proponent states that recreation activities will continue as they are today, but Mr. Hyans stated that as years go by the Hotel will become more active and that the use will be diverted. Linda Grant, President, Balboa Nautical Association thanked Mr. Niederhaus for the care of the pharmacy ficus tree. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Minutes of the regular meeting of February 4, 2003. 2. Item pulled by Director Niederhaus • 3. Item pulled by Commissioner Skoro 4 Bench Donation Request. Accept donation of bench from Paul 8 Linda Donahue to be installed Corona del Mar State Beach Parks, Beaches ft Recreation Commission Regular Meeting • March 4, 2003 Page 2 2. Parks % Tree Division Activity Report - Director Niederhaus reported that the City of Newport Beach has been selected as Tree City USA for the 13`" consecutive year and for Tree Growth for the 12`h year. Jan Vandersloot, Balboa Arbor Association stated that he is still unclear as to how we receive this award as he does not believe that the City has tree ordinance or a tree committee and does not believe that the Parks, Beaches ft Recreation Commission serves to satisfy the condition required to be selected . Director Niederhaus stated that the City does have tree ordinances and that the Commission satisfys that condition requiring a Tree Committee. 3. Recreation ii Senior Services Activity Report - Commission Skoro personally congratulated Superintendent McGuire as the recipient of the Dorothy Palen Award. He also urged the Commissioners to attend the Special Olympics. Motion by Commissioner Skoro to accept items 1 through 4 of the Consent calendar. Motion carried by acclamation. • NEW BUSINESS 5. Field Allocation for Youth Sports Commission - Director Knight stated that the Field Allocation report is a draft proposal and that they are looking for input from the Commission before presenting it to the Youth Sports Commission later in March. The item will then come back to the Commission for final approval at the April meeting. She noted that currently there is no formal policy that arranges field use. However, many of the youth sports organizations have requested that a fair and equitable formula and process be created. Director Knight stated that staff has worked very hard to provide a equitable distribution of fields based on number of residents served by each organization. She also stated that the formula establishes priorities of use based on the time of year and that 65% will be allocated in the Fall to Football and Soccer and in the Spring to Baseball; 25% will be allocated to those organizations considered to be "off- season" and 10% is for City maintenance use and community use. Commissioner Skoro asked if non - residents were charged a fee. Director Knight replied not at this time, but a new fee schedule will be forward to the Commission at a later date. Commissioner Skoro asked if Costa Mesa and Irvine provide fields on a per resident basis as Newport Beach does? • Director Knight stated that she would obtain that information for the April meeting. Director Knight highlighted some of the changes in the Field Allocation Policies and Procedures — Parks, Beaches £t Recreation Commission Regular Meeting • March 4, 2003 Page 3 The reference to "Co- sponsored" organizations will be changed to "member organizations" Stronger language has been included regarding compliance with field maintenance requirements Designated primary and secondary priorities are to fulfill only game requests and later staff will work with members to support the need for practice fields on a space available basis. Membership is provided to only those organizations that are currently offering programs NOT offered by the City. She noted that this would affect NJB, and that they would need to rent the gym as a non - profit organization. Commissioner Tobin asked why the requirement is just 50% residents and not more. Superintendent McGuire stated that staff did not want to create a hardship as the territories of these groups are based on Costa Mesa and Newport Beach. She stated that the number of residents are calculated in the number of allocated fields so those organizations serving more residents are allocated more fields. Discussion ensued regarding compliance and a three strike policy that Costa Mesa now • uses. Staff will be looking to implement a similar policy in the future. Chair Allen opened the public discussion Council Member Nichols questioned the reasoning behind not opening the Bonita Canyon Sports Park, and asked what staff can do to speed up the process as the grass is looking really green. Director Niederhaus stated that the grass has not rooted itself, that there are still irrigation problems and that green grass has been helped with the influx of rain. Chair Allen closed the public discussion Director Knight thanked Commissioners Allen and Ruzicka for meeting with staff earlier in the week; and reminded the Commission that staff will return at the April meeting for their approval and review of the policy. 6. Corona del Mar State Beach Revitalization Proiect - Dave Kiff, Assistant City Manager introduced George Berger, Senior Engineer. Mr. Berger stated that they are looking for input from the Commission and the public on the conceptual designs. He stated that a Public Meeting was scheduled for March 10. He also noted that they hoped to return in May for the Commission's approval of the • conceptual plans before introduction to the Council. Robert Jorgensen and Jason Briscoe of Robbins, Jorgensen and Christopher AIA, presented a PowerPoint on the three conceptual designs for the Corona del Mar State Beach Revitalization Project. He stated that the concession facility operates on behalf of the City and that the lease from the State has been extended for 35 years. Parks, Beaches £t Recreation Commission Regular Meeting March 4, 2003 • Page 4 Mr. Briscoe stated that some of the design objectives were: Safe beach going environment for the public Improve lifeguard presence Foster environmental awareness of tide pools Maintain the natural, aesthetic appeal of the beach, the bluffs and view. Minimize impact of new structures Design roofscapes Buildings to be attractive yet vandal proof, easily maintainable for the harsh beach environment Mitigate conflicts between fire pit users, volleyball players and beach goers Size beach facilities for existing level of beach usage Mr. Briscoe stated that the proposed opening date is Easter 2005. George Berger noted that parking brings in the most revenue at the site. Commissioner Skoro asked why fire pits were included when the residents clearly do not like them. • Mr. Berger stated that the Coastal Commission believes fire pits are a good amenity and that staff believes that the project would not be approved without them. Discussion ensued regarding the number of volleyball courts (10), and space for Lifeguards. Mr. Berger stated that staff and the architects are just now beginning the outreach of the community for their input. He stated that surveys had been sent out and that there is a hot link on the City's web site. Chair Allen opened the public discussion Dennis Baker, resident, asked the architects to consider unisex bathrooms, possibly a parking structure and noted his concern about the encroachment on the sand. Jan Vandersloot, resident, asked the following: That the PowerPoint presentation be available online Staff names and phone numbers also be listed online Increased parking - possibly a shuttle Awareness of environmental protection of the tide pools should be added to the design objective Council Member Dick Nichols commented on the following: • No additional lifeguard tower is needed A garage for a vehicle is not needed Buses should only be allowed in the parking lots and not parked on residential streets Tide Pool rangers should be available on weekends with the ability to arrest if needed Parks, Beaches Ft Recreation Commission Regular Meeting March 4, 2003 • Page 5 Questioned how the fire pit users and volleyball players interact. • Concerned about the notification of residents - he stated 221 residents were not enough of a survey Tom Hyans, resident, stated that 30 years ago when McFadden Square was being designed, all sorts of promises were made - the garage door at the lifeguard station would remain closed; staff would not park in the parking lot, etc. He stated that everyone of those promises were broken and believes the same kind of things will happen in Corona del Mar. Chair Allen closed the public discussion. Commissioner Tobin stated that he had never see a more committed group than that of the City lifeguards. Commissioner Skoro stated that this was a good start and looked forward for more information in the future. 6. MarinaPark Walkway Fence Gates- Director Niederhaus stated that this item had been placed at the request of Commission Skoro. He stated that he had talked to Mr. Cooper • who manages the property and that the gates have reduced the stray dogs, bicyclists and skateboarders; Mr. Bendetti stated that the gates are never locked and that he does not believe that the signs discourage people from coming in. Commissioner Skoro stated that he believes that the gates should not be there and that they are intimidating. Discussion ensured regarding signage. Commissioner Garrett stated that he was ambivalent, asked if there was some kind of compromise that could be made. He stated that he was curious of what kind of comments would come from the Police if asked. Chair Allen opened the public discussion Ed Dillon, resident of MarinaPark and speaker for many of the residents, stated that many of the coaches are built on the last step and therefore when they step out of their house they are stepping directly onto the sidewalk, which concerns many of their elder residents if skateboarders and bicyclists are allowed. Dennis Baker, resident, stated that he can attest to the fact that the gates put people off. • Jan Vandersloot, Balboa Arbor Society, stated that he agrees with Commission Skoro, that the gates should be removed as it is publicly owned land. Council Member Dick Nichols stated that this area of land is pristine and that it could be ruined with a lot of use. He concurred that the gates could be a deterrent but if you are a Newport Beach resident then you should be aware that it is open. Parks, Beaches ii Recreation Commission Regular Meeting March 4, 2003 • Page 6 Chair Allen closed the public discussion Motion by Commissioner Skoro to remove the gates at MarinaPark. Motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Allen, Ruzicka, Skoro, Tobin Nays: Garrett 8. Community Service Award - Director Knight stated that during the Department staff retreat one of the goals was to increase public awareness, one of the suggestions was to resurrect the Community Service Award. Discussion ensued regarding revisions of the policy. Director Knight asked the Chair to appoint an Ad Hoc Committee to meet with staff to discuss revisions. Chair Allen appointed Commissioners Garrett, Ruzicka and Tobin. 9. Naming of City Parks - Commissioner Skoro stated that he and Commissioner Beek had met as the appointed Park Naming Ad Hoc Committee last month because of the influx • of letters this past year after the death of Rosalind Williams requesting that the Commission name a park in her honor. He stated that they both felt strongly that a public park should not be named after any one person and recommended that the Commission move to revise Council 1 -9, by striking out #B.4., and deleting the words Parks or from paragraph D. Chair Allen opened the public hearing Dennis Baker, resident of Newport Beach concurred with the Ad Hoc Committee's recommendation and urged the commission to support the recommendation. Chair Allen closed the public hearing. Motion by Commissioner Garrett to accept the Park Naming Ad Hoc Committee's revision's of Council Policy 1 -9 and forward to the City Council for their review and approval. Motion carried by acclamation. 10. Upper Bavview Landing - Director Knight stated that the project should go to the Coastal Commission in April. Discussion ensued regarding the timeline for the park. • Commissioner Allen opened the public discussion Jan Vandersloot, Balboa Arbor Society asked the Commission to gather more information on vegetation and agreed that the bluff could be cut down if a complete restoration was done as a native vegetation park. He stated that he had walked the park and that there was a profusion of wild flowers and that coastal sage scrub was Parks, Beaches Ft Recreation Commission Regular Meeting March 4, 2003 Page 7 popping up over the park. He also noted that there are three areas of emerging wet lands and that they should be protected. Chair Allen reminded Mr. Vandersloot that the park is looking as well as it does because of the influx of rain over the last couple of weeks. Council Member Dick Nichols stated he is very concerned that the pristine view would be wiped out by low income buildings and feels that it is not an appropriate location for it. Dennis Baker, member of SPON and Earth Resources stated that he has been following the progress of the park and supports the status. Chair Allen closed the public discussion 11. Committee Appointments and Reports Liaison to Youth Sports Commission - Chair Allen stated that she and Commissioner Ruzicka had met with staff to discuss field allocations discussed earlier in the meeting. Finance - Director Knight stated that a meeting will be scheduled after staff meet • with the City Manager. Park Development - Next meeting is February 18, 2003. Recreation Ft Open Space Element - nothing new to report. Recreation Activities - nothing new to report Seniors - Commissioner Tobin stated that he and Commissioner Skoro had attended a meeting with the Friends of OASIS, the City Manager, and staff to look at ways to open up the lines of communication. Director Knight stated that she will keep the Commission informed on any further developments in this area. Park Naming - Commission Allen disbanded the Ad Hoc Committee. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Bonita Canyon Turf Issues Irvine Terrace Park Encroachment Issues Field Allocation Community Service Award Park Patrol ADJOURNMENT - 9:35pm Submitted by: • Teri Craig, Admin As stant