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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 - Minutes of August 7 2007 regular meetingI -�e M 1 q[y / 0 7 • CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH Parks, Beaches Ft Recreation Commission Regular Meeting August 7, 2007 - 7pm Convened 7:13pm ROLL CALL Present: Debra Allen Tim Brown Bill Garrett Phillip Lugar Marie Marston Cristine Trapp Absent Greg Ruzicka Staff: Wes Morgan, RSS Director Mark Harmon, General Services Director Dan Sereno, Parks & Tree Superintendent Teri Craig, Admin Asst DIRECTOR COMMENTS • Director Morgan stated that he wanted it to be noted that Library Board Trustee Murciaga had been in attendance during the study session regarding the OASIS Senior Center and the possibility of relocating the CdM Library. Superintendent Levin announced that Christine Stempleski has been promoted to Recreation Manager and will begin September 4. Director Morgan stated that he had included council reports regarding the Newport Center Park and what Council has approved for the middle section of the park —the amphitheater, tot lot, restrooms, parking for 30, and benches. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. ELECTION OF OFFICERS ELECTION OF OFFICERS Secretary Craig opened the nominations for Chair for FY 2007/08. Motion by Chair Garrett to elect Commissioner Brown as Chair. Hearing no other nominations, Secretary Craig closed the nominations for Chair Motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Allen, Brown, Garrett, Lugar, Marston, Trapp 0 Secretary Craig opened the nominations for Vice Chair for FY 2007/08. Motion by Commissioner Lugar to elect Commissioner Allen as Vice Chair. Parks, Beaches ii Recreation Commission • Regular Meeting August 7, 2007 - 7pm Page 2 Hearing no other nominations, Secretary Craig closed the nominations for Vice Chair Motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Allen, Brown, Garrett, Lugar, Marston, Trapp Commissioners took their appropriate seats. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Minutes of the June 5, 2007 regular meeting. Waive reading of subject minutes, approve and order filed. 2. Park and Operations Division Activity Report. Receive /file monthly Activity Report for activities and upcoming projects. 3. Recreation l3 Senior Services Activity Report. Receive /file monthly Activity Report for activities and upcoming projects. 3. Item removed by Commissioner Marston 5. Item removed by Commissioner Allen. 6. Tree Donation. Approve donation of one Coast Live Oak tree from AI Bartholomew to be located at Castaways Park. Motion by Commissioner Allen to accept items 1 -3 and 5 -6 of the Consent Calendar. Motion carried by acclamation. • 4. Bench Donation. Commissioner Marston stated that she had pulled this item because of the space issues at this particular location and noted that when carrying kayaks that it is difficult to maneuver and asked that this bench be relocated so that when people are carrying large items they have direct access to the water. Director Harmon stated that this request is a replacement bench for an existing one that has been approved already and that there is nothing being added as staff also has that same concern of blocking traffic and noted that this bench will be positioned for better access to the water. Commissioner Marston stated that it is difficult to squeeze in between the bench and the tree and asked that it be moved over. Director Harmon stated that they would look at it and try to locate it at the best possible position for access. Chair Brown opened the public discussion-, not hearing any: the public discussion was closed Commissioner Trapp stated that it would be helpful to review these locations if the attachments were in color and possibly aerial positioning. Motion by Commissioner Lugar to approve bench donation from Jim Sinasek to be located at 15th Street Bay Front end. Motion carried by acclamation 5. Bench Request. Commissioner Allen stated that she had pulled this item basically because of the two letters that were received today and asked if staff had comments on these letters from Kim Richardson (500 West Oceanfront) and Jim DeCarlo (510 West Oceanfront) who are very near to where the bench would be located. Parks, Beaches ti Recreation Commission • Regular Meeting August 7, 2007 - 7pm Page 3 Superintendent Sereno stated that letters received were from two adjacent homeowners to the bench and noted that the bench would be located at the end of Island Street in front of 500 West Oceanfront. He also noted that he had received a phone call from Melanie Johnson and 102 East Oceanfront which is very near the location as well. He noted that staff had notified the Beach Community Association and stated that although they did not take a formal vote but the president noted that she did not have a problem with the bench location. Director Harmon asked how many letters were sent out regarding this bench donation. Superintendent Sereno stated approximately 22 -25 letters were sent out about 500 feet from the location. Director Harmon stated that these were the only two in opposition and that in all fairness that the two that did mail replies in are directly across from the location and that their concern was the gathering of people and making noise but there are benches at most street ends and the fact is there are not many location left for beach side bench donations. Commissioner Garrett stated that he knows exactly where this bench would be located and noted that he believed that people just don't want it because it is near their property or "not in my backyard" and with only two complaints received out of 25 that the benefit of having a bench at the street end outweighs these concerns. isDirector Harmon stated that the bench would be located at the end of the street on the beach side of the walkway and not located in front of anyone's house at the end of Island Avenue. Chair Brown opened the public discussion; not hearing any; the public discussion was closed Commissioner Lugar stated that the bench is really not located in front of a house but at the end of the street and agreed with Commissioner Garrett's comments. Motion by Commissioner Lugar to approve the bench donation from Peter Houdeshel to be located on Ocean Front Boardwalk at Island Street. Motion carried by acclamation. DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEMS 7. Reforestation Request. Superintendent Sereno reminded the Commission that this item had been brought forward at the May meeting and staff requested that the item be tabled because of information brought forward by Jan Vandersloot as well as comments from the Commission. Staff had notified 4200 to 4340 Campus Drive and 2101 to 4006 Campus Drive and now has included the Birch Street side as well. He noted that the map displays in green those that are in favor and the blue notes no response and one opposition at 4263 Campus. He stated that verifications of property owners had been made and that many were LLC and LTD but was verified and in conclusion and that this reforestation does meet the G -1 Policy of having 61% in agreement. He also noted that the business owner states that it is the wrong species for the location and that Urban Forrester John Conway agrees. • Commissioner Garrett thanked staff for the site map and noted that he also believed that this tree is the wrong species for that location and that it probably causes .a site hazard for the driveway for the business. Parks, Beaches 8 Recreation Commission • Regular Meeting August 7, 2007 - 7pm- Page 4 Commissioner Lugar questioned why do business owners want to replace the tree after all this time? Director Harmon stated that the application requested and that they are not questioned about their personal feeling about the tree but did note that the business owner did note that the tree is a hazardous condition and noted that he believed that it is a valid concern for cars coming in and out of the property. He noted that staff took a different approach in that it is just not the right tree for that parkway as it is not done growing and there is no room left and believed that there will be hardscape damage that will take place in no time. Chair Brown opened the public discussion Margaret Ferregno representing Pacific West and stated that it is a new business owner and noted that renovations will be taking place and that the tree had caused damage to the asphalt area and that the owner is happy to replace the tree. Jan Vandersloot stated that he still has problems with the request because the signature forms don't appear to be filled out correctly nor are they uniform. He noted that the one from 2101 Dove Street has no signature nor date and if that form is taken out then they do not have 60% in agreement. He also noted that the form from Optima and has Douglas Morehead is the agent and . that John Saunders has signed a letter and that it should have been signed in a petition format. He again stated that this is not representative of a petition and should not be used and wondered why the agent would be allowed to sign and reminded the Commission of the Larkspur reforestation issues. Commissioner Garrett commented that these are commercial properties and cannot compare it to a residential situation and that possibly the G -1 Policy should be amended to reflect that but often times agents sign for owners because the building is owned by a trust and that there is not just one owner. Chair Brown closed the public discussion Director Harmon stated that Commissioner Garrett's point is well made as this is not where we can go and talk to neighbors and noted that this took quite a bit of work for staff to even find out who owned what and confirming that the agent is for what and so forth. He noted that he believed that due diligence has been done and that everything has been done and noted that if this is not approved that he is unaware of what else staff can do. He stated that he believed that the applicant and staff have done everything that can be done. Chair Brown closed the public discussion Commissioner Allen commented that she understands staff concern and believes that it makes sense but is concerned about the one from DMP Properties is not signed although it does appear to have an initial but no persons name appears but that it should be easily solved because someone wants to approve it from the company and noted that it should just be brought back . and signed and concerned that not everyone received the petition. Parks, Beaches & Recreation Commission is Regular Meeting August 7, 2007 - 7pm Page 5 Margaret Ferregno stated that the forms were sent to each address but that this particular one had not been signed correctly and so a letter was sent but that the Parks Department forwarded the petition forms to the addresses. Commissioner Allen is concerned that Mr. Saunders never saw the petition form. Ms. Ferregno stated that yes it had been sent to them. Discussion ensued regarding the proper paperwork and safety and hardscape damage. Director Harmon stated that staff would be happy to take the petition that is not signed back and get a full signature and requested that the Commission approve the reforestation with that caveat. Motion by Commissioner Garrett to approve the reforestation request of five City parkway street trees by Pacific West Asset Management Company at 4200 Campus Drive with the caveat that the owner of 2101 Dove Street completes the petition form with a full signature. Motion carried by the following vote: Ayes: Brown, Garrett, Marston Trapp Noes: Allen, Lugar. • 7. Temporary Light at Bob Henry Park. Superintendent Levin stated that staff recommends approval of the request by American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) Region 97 for temporary lighting at Bob Henry Park from October 29, 2007 through January 31, 2008, Monday through Friday from dusk to 8pm. He also noted The Recreation Division allocates field space for youth sports programs, Youth Sports Commission Member Organizations (YSCMO) and adult sports. There are only 7- lighted ball fields in the City and all are located on the east side of the bay. They are Grant Howald Park (1 field), Bonita Creek Park (3 fields), Arroyo Park (1 field) and Lincoln Athletic Center (2 fields). He stated that in the past AYSO 97 has used temporary lights at Mariners Park over the past four seasons (2003- 2006). With the closure of Mariners Park for renovation, AYSO 97 is requesting to use temporary lights at Bob Henry for the upcoming fall season and then will request use of lights at Mariners Park for the spring 2008 season. AYSO 97 was not allocated any lit field space for the upcoming spring season. Superintendent Levin stated that he did receive one phone call with questions regarding the lights. Commissioner Allen asked is formal notification had been made. Secretary Craig stated that more then 900 postcards had been mailed out to residents within 500 feet. Commissioner Lugar stated that he believed that the light are appropriately placed and is in favor of the request. Chair Brown opened the public discussion Jeff Braun, AYSO 97 Director thanked the Commission for considering this request and that they • have always been cognizant of the neighborhood at Mariners Park and will continue to do so this Parks, Beaches Ft Recreation Commission . Regular Meeting August 7, 2007 - 7pm Page 6 year at Bob Henry Park. Mr. Braun stated that they will only use the lights on Monday through Thursday, until the end of January from dusk to 8pm. Chair Brown closed the public discussion Motion by Commissioner Lugar to approve use of temporary lights at Bob Henry Park by AYSO 97 from October 29, 2007 to January 31, 2008, Monday through Thursday, dusk to 8pm. Motion carried by acclamation. Newport Coast Community Center Dedication Ceremony Plan. Director Morgan stated that at each seat is information regarding staff's efforts to keep the Commission informed of the September 15`h formal dedication and the Sunday FunDay on September 16`h. He stated that new staff has been employed and that they have met with principals from nearby schools. Manager Lohr stated that he believes that the NCCC will become a hub for that community and noted that it was 29 days until the Center opens. He noted that the residents of Newport Coast had received a Newsletter with Newport Coast classes before the Navigator was mailed out to the public. He stated that one of the agreements had been that Newport Coast residents would have first access for classes at the Center. COMMITTEE REPORTS - Chair Brown asked if anybody was interested in switching Committees Commissioner Trapp stated that she was interested in being appointed to the Parks Committee if anyone would like to trade. Parks - Director Morgan reviewed a list of projects to the Commission and noted that it would include more • information as it becomes available. Commissioner Lugar commented that it is still difficult to figure out where parking is for the Back Bay View Park. Director Harmon stated that issue is being discussed but no answers are available yet. Jan Vandersloot stated that he has been involved with Back Bay View Park and some of the problems that are being seen now could have been avoided and should now be corrected, i.e. the reason the parks looks bad is because the City has not been following Special Commission Members 7 of the Coastal Development Permit which requires the City to monitor the planting and replace vegetation that has not survived every three months. He urged staff to replace the vegetation and the reason that they are not surviving is because lack of irrigation and the rabbits that are nibbling away at all the vegetation. He noted that whatever plan is selected that rabbit fencing will have to be installed for a long time and suggested that it be placed now. He stated that there are 6 parking spots on Back Bay Drive on the other side of the Dunes entrance but noted that they are not used because of the lack of signage. RSS - Nothing to report but Chair Brown did ask if the Commission would be involved in the OASIS project. Director Morgan stated that they would as they request Committee input when it begins to look at where they will go during construction and programming. Budget Director Morgan stated that he had attached a FY 2007/08 Budget Update for the Commission. AD - Hoc —Youth Snorts Liaison - Nothing to report — Community Services Award - Director Morgan stated that Superintendent Levin will get more involved and have something for the Committee within the next 60 days. Other —Santa Ana River Vision Plan- Commissioner Trapp stated a meeting had been held June 27 and that neither she nor Commissioner Garrett had been able to attend but will attend the August 22 meeting. —1/1 Marine Memorial Committee- Commissioner Garrett stated the Committee adopted the memorial concept of a bronze wall with a marine and will begin fundraising soon and will need $100,000. Locations are still being discussed but are looking at Buffalo Hills Park. — MarinaPark - Commissioner Garrett stated that the project is proceeding but that there are issues regarding the VFW. Director Morgan noted that the water feature, the playground area closer to the sand, and allowing • staff to work on the community center operations has been preserved along with 2 basketball and tennis courts. - Parks, Beaches Ft Recreation Commission Regular Meeting August 7, 2007 - 7pm Page 7 FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS The following are new or ongoing items to be discussed • Fire pit discussion - safety; regulate what is burned Dog Park • Discussion of possible implementation of Parks Ft Rec Updates on Parks Foundation. Reforestation Request - 4200 Campus Drive • G -1 Policy Discussion • Parking Signage at Back Bay View Park ADJOURNMENT- 8:27pm Submitted by: Teri Craig, Admin Assistant CI r 1 LJ