Joint City Council / Planning Commission Beachfront Park General Plan Meeting

CITY OF CRESCENT CITY Mayor Isaiah Wright Mayor Pro Tem Blake Inscore Council Member Raymond Altman Council Member Jason Greenough Council Member Kelly Schellong Chairman John Wendt Vice-Chairman Ray Walp Commissioner Betsy Dewar Commissioner Brad Kime Commissioner Candace Tinkler AGENDA SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY 210 BATTERY STREET CRESCENT CITY, CA 95531 MONDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2023 6:00 P.M. ZOOM PHONE NUMBER: 1 (253) 215-8782 ZOOM WEBINAR ID: 856 7106 0878 MUTE / UNMUTE PRESS *6 RAISE HAND PRESS *9 The public may access and participate in the public meeting using one or more of the following methods: 1) Attend the meeting in person, public comment at the podium will be allowed. 2) Participate live online via Zoom (details below) or by utilizing the link to join the meeting posted on both the City of Crescent City – City Hall Facebook page and the City of Crescent City website (www.crescentcity.org), public comment may be made by using the raise hand feature on Zoom; 3) Watch the meeting via livestream on YouTube (channel: City of Crescent City, California), public comment may be made by calling in to the meeting using the Zoom phone number; 4) Public comments may be made in advance by submitting written comment via publiccomment@crescentcity.org or by filing it with the City Clerk at 377 J Street, Crescent City, California, 95531. All public comments (via email or mail) must be received by the City Clerk prior to 12:00 p.m. the day of the meeting. Please identify the meeting date and agenda item to which your comment pertains in the subject line. Public comments so received will be forwarded to the City Council and posted on the website next to the agenda. Written public comments will not be read aloud during the meeting. Notice regarding Americans with Disabilities Act: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in the meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s office at (707)464-7483, ext. 223. Notification 48 hours before the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting [28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title II]. For TTYDD use for speech and hearing impaired, please dial 711. A full agenda packet may be reviewed at City Hall, 377 J Street, Crescent City, CA or on our website: www.crescentcity.org OPEN SESSION 1|Page 2/27/23 COUNCIL/COMMISSION AGENDA  City Council Call to order Planning Commission Call to Order City Council Roll call Planning Commission Roll Call Pledge of Allegiance PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD Any member of the audience is invited to address the City Council on any matter that is within the jurisdiction of the City of Crescent City. Comments of public interest or on matters appearing on the agenda are accepted. Note, however, that the Council is not able to undertake extended discussion or act on non-agendized items. Such items can be referred to staff for appropriate action, which may include placement on a future agenda. All comments shall be directed toward the entire Council. Any comments that are not at the microphone are out of order and will not be a part of the public record. After receiving recognition from the Mayor, please state your name and city or county residency for the record. Public comment is limited to three (3) minutes. The public is additionally allotted three minutes each in which to speak on any item on the agenda prior to any action taken by the Council. PLANNING COMMISSION CEREMONIAL ITEMS 1. Oath of Office for Planning Commissioner Candace Tinkler CITY COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR 2. Letter of Support for Harbor District’s Application for Coastal Conservancy • Recommendation: Authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of support to the Crescent City Harbor District for their grant application through the Coastal Conservancy to repair Citizen’s Dock NEW BUSINESS 3. Beachfront Park General Development Plan • Recommendation: Hear staff report • Technical questions from the Council and Commission • Receive public comment • Further Council and Commission discussion • Planning Commission: Consider and approve the Beachfront Park General Development Plan • City Council: Consider and approve the Beachfront Park General Development Plan ADJOURNMENT Adjourn to the regular meeting of the Crescent City Planning Commission on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. in the Flynn Center, 981 H Street, Crescent City, CA 95531. Adjourn to the regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Crescent City on Monday, March 6, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the Flynn Center, 981 H Street, Crescent City, CA 95531. POSTED: February 24, 2023/s/ Eric Wier, City Manager 2|Page 2/27/23 COUNCIL/COMMISSION AGENDA  Vision: The City of Crescent City will continue to stand the test of time and promote quality of life and community pride for our residents, businesses and visitors through leadership, diversity, and teamwork. Mission: The purpose of our city is to promote a high quality of life, leadership and services to the residents, businesses, and visitors we serve. The City is dedicated to providing the most efficient, innovative and economically sound municipal services building on our diverse history, culture and unique natural resources. Values: Accountability Honesty & Integrity Excellent Customer Service Effective & Active Communication Teamwork Fiscally Responsible 3|Page 2/27/23 COUNCIL/COMMISSION AGENDA  CITY OF CRESCENT CITY Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance for Public Officers and Employees The Execution of this Oath is Required by Article 20, Section 3, of the Constitution of the State of California, I, Candace Tinkler, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true and faithful allegiance to the Constitution of the United States and to the Constitution of the State of California; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties upon which I am about to enter. Candace Tinkler, Planning Commissioner _____________________________________________ NAME AND TITLE OF PUBLIC OFFICER/EMPLOYEE SIGNATURE OF PUBLIC OFFICER/EMPLOYEE Subscribed and sworn to before me this 27th day of February, 2023. ____ Robin Altman, City Clerk ______________________________________________ NAME AND TITLE OF OFFICER ADMINISTERING OATH SIGNATURE OF OFFICER ADMINISTERING OATH 1  CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT TO: MAYOR WRIGHT AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: ERIC WIER, CITY MANAGER BY: ASHLEY TAYLOR, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND RECREATION DIRECTOR DATE: FEBRUARY 27, 2023 SUBJECT: LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR HARBOR DISTRICT’S APPLICATION FOR COASTAL CONSERVACY GRANT FUNDING ______________________________________________________________________ RECOMMENDATION • Approve submission of a letter of support to the Crescent City Harbor District for their grant application through the Coastal Conservancy to repair Citizen’s Dock BACKGROUND The Crescent City Harbor District is submitting a grant application to the California Coastal Conservancy to repair Citizen’s Dock, located in the Crescent City harbor. Citizen’s Dock, built in 1965, is a critical piece of harbor infrastructure and is currently failing. In order to avoid catastrophic failure as a result of climate related natural hazards, such as tsunamis, storm surges, and sea level rise, it must be replaced. If Citizen’s Dock becomes inoperable, it would be an economic disaster for the commercial fishing fleet, the local economy, and habitat. A new dock would be designed to address climate resilience and expand accessibility providing waterfront access to a coastal area that has no existing pedestrian access. ITEM ANALYSIS The Crescent City Harbor District has requested that the City provide a letter of support to accompany their grant application. Because repairs to Citizen’s Dock would have positive economic impacts for Crescent City as a whole, staff believe providing a letter of support is prudent. FISCAL ANALYSIS There are no fiscal impacts related to this action. 2  Harbor District Letter of Support 2 February 27, 2023 STRATEGIC PLAN ASSESSMENT GOAL 1: SUPPORT QUALITY SERVICES, COMMUNITY SAFETY, AND HEALTH TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND EXPERIENCE OF OUR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS A. Enhance collaboration with other agencies and the community to better aid the public B. Ensure that information shared between departments, with other agencies, and with the public is both accurate and timely D. Provide and maintain an efficient, adequate infrastructure to provide for both current and future community needs E. Target economic development improvements that provide additional benefit by enhancing the quality of life for residents GOAL 2: PROMOTE A THRIVING LOCAL ECONOMY B. Support community organizations that provide measurable services to the community D. Collaborate with other jurisdictions and non-profits to maximize regional effectiveness and amplify funding opportunities ATTACHMENTS 1. Letter of Support to the Coastal Conservancy for the Crescent City Harbor District proposed repairs to Citizen’s Dock 2.21.2023 Douglas Bosco, Chairman California State Coastal Conservancy 1515 Clay St Oakland, CA 94612 Dear Chairman Bosco, I am writing to express my support for the Crescent City Harbor District's proposed Crescent City Harbor Citizens’ Dock Planning and South Beach Access Improvement Project. The project will plan and design a new Citizens’ Dock that will be resilient to sea level rise and tsunamis, and will construct a new restroom serving South Beach in the Crescent City Harbor in Del Norte County. The project overall will provide economic benefits for an underserved community by enhancing tourism and the commercial fishing industry. The new Citizens’ Dock facilitated by the project’s planning component will revitalize the waterfront in the Crescent City Harbor, sustaining the fishery and providing visitor amenities for locals and tourists. It will sustain jobs and promote sustainable economic development for the commercial fishery, by providing a working commercial fishing dock and home to all the major support services for the local commercial fishing fleet: fish buying buildings, hoists, boat tie ups, product loading area and the icehouse. The dock will provide a new tourist attraction adjacent to the County's largest concentration of motels. This will allow visitors to safely watch a working commercial fishing fleet and ocean wildlife close-up, by providing a new pedestrian walkway and coastal access, which connects to the existing California Coastal Trail. The project will pilot the incorporation of habitat features into infrastructure and will include educational and engagement areas for youth and adults to learn about local history, commercial fishing, marine life and habitat, stewardship and resilience efforts needed to address climate change and rising sea levels. Constructing a restroom adjacent to South Beach will enhance coastal access, by providing bathroom and shower facilities to locals and tourists who visit South Beach in a place where there currently are none. It will assist in making South Beach accessible for all with ADA compliant parking spaces, ramps, and stalls, and it will allow hikers on the California Coastal Trail easy access to bathrooms and outdoor showers. I respectfully encourage you to support this important project to enhance resilience of a coastal community in Del Norte County. Sincerely, Isaiah Wright Mayor of Crescent City  CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT TO: MAYOR WRIGHT AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL CHAIRMAN JOHN WENDT AND MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION FROM: ERIC WIER, CITY MANAGER BY: ASHLEY TAYLOR, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND RECREATION DIRECTOR DATE: FEBRUARY 27, 2023 SUBJECT: BEACHFRONT PARK GENERAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN RECOMMENDATION • Hear staff report • Technical questions from the Council and Commission • Receive public comment • Further Council and Commission discussion • Planning Commission: Consider and approve the Beachfront Park General Development Plan • City Council: Consider and approve the Beachfront Park General Development Plan BACKGROUND In December 2021, the City was awarded $5 million in Statewide Park funding under Prop 68. That funding will be used to complete the following features in Beachfront Park: (1) Park Entry at Stamps Way; (2) Bike Park - Pump Track; (3) Tolowa Cultural Interpretive Area with Indigenous Plantings; (4) One Mile Class 1 Trail/Exercise Loop; and (5) New ADA Playground. The City was also granted $177,952 in Prop 68 Per Capita funding, which the Council approved to fund the Paths of Culture project on the west side of the park adjacent to the pool and Tolowa Cultural Interpretive Area. Earlier this year, the City conducted a very robust competitive procurement process to select a team of design professionals to create the final design of the above-described elements of Beachfront park and to oversee their construction. The City received three  Beachfront Park GDP 2 February 27, 2023 proposals from teams that were all highly qualified and able to perform the work. One team, however, stood out as being the right fit for this particular project. The GreenWorks team was able to communicate an understanding of both the importance of this project to this community and the City’s vision of creating a shared space inclusive of a multitude of uses that can be enjoyed by everyone that lives and visits here; uses such as recreational opportunities, historical and cultural education and experiences, live entertainment, venues for large and small celebrations or gatherings, etc. Upon the unanimous recommendation of the city selection panel, the City Council approved an agreement with GreenWorks, PC on June 20, 2022. ITEM ANALYSIS The first task in completing this scope of work was for the Greenworks team to develop a General Development Plan (GDP) for the Beachfront Park Area. As stated in the scope of work for the professional services agreement “The General Development Plan will set the theme, elements, style, and signage of the Park through a thoughtful consideration of the arc of the region from the Tolowa People through today. The General Development Plan will focus on what the City and key stakeholders define as the desired future visitor experience(s). This will be done while taking into consideration an assessment of budget allocations prepared previously while also considering the long and complicated history and the changing economy of Del Norte County.” Over the past several months, the Greenworks team conducted in depth Site Analysis of the park and surrounding areas, including 30 community stakeholder interviews, and 12 Intercept Interviews with Park users. The consultant team led field trip to visit examples of amphitheaters, universal play and innovative parks with a City contingent. They have led discussions on integrating Interpretive Stories and Park Planning as well as helped facilitate multiple meetings with the Tolowa Cultural Committee including a regional site tour led by committee members. As a result of this outreach and engagement the following Project Design Objectives were used to guide the creation of General Development Plan: 1. Create a sense of identity, unity, and cohesion throughout Beachfront Park 2. Make Park visually enticing from Front Street Possible ideas include: a. Evaluate parking & streetscape options on parking side of Front Street b. Create framed view corridors through the park from Front St.  Beachfront Park GDP 3 February 27, 2023 c. Create a permeable Park edge that allows entry from multiple locations 3. Ensure visitors on Highway 101 are attracted to park with elements visible from S- Curves. 4. Embrace wind in the park 5. Weave Tolowa and other stories throughout the Park. 6. Create opportunities for community gatherings of various scales. Possible examples include: a. Fire pit b. Gathering or drum circle c. Sister City ceremonial plaza 7. Create a place that is uniquely Crescent City. A place of pride for locals and an attraction for visitors 8. Enhance the visibility, function, and experience of Elk Creek 9. Design acknowledging the odors that can commonly come from the WWTP 10. Connect the East and West parts of the site with stories and spaces The GDP presented represents the outcome of this work and will be the guiding document to lead the design work. Through this evaluation of the Park and vision of future possibilities, it is important to acknowledge the City partnership with the State Parks, National Parks, and Redwood Parks Conservancy, to task (Contract amendment #2) the Greenswork’s team with bringing on an Architect to evaluate potential of re-inventing the Cultural Center as a multi-Agency Del Norte Discovery Center. With the approval of the GDP and implementation of proposition 68 funding to complete phase 1, this project will be transformative for our community. This project would not be possible without the continued relationship and partnership with Tolowa Dee Ni' Nation, E lk Valley Rancheria, Tolowa Nation, and all of our community partners. All of which havebeen so generous with their time and valuable input to make sure this project representsour community and will have lasting benefits.  Beachfront Park GDP 4 February 27, 2023 FISCAL ANALYSIS There are no direct fiscal impacts for approving the GDP. Although overall construction costs of the proposed improvements and ongoing maintenance cost should be considered when approving the GDP and incorporated in design elements. STRATEGIC PLAN ASSESSMENT This action supports the following Strategic plan Goals: • GOAL 1: SUPPORT QUALITY SERVICES, COMMUNITY SAFETY, AND HEALTH TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND EXPERIENCE OF OUR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS A. Enhance collaboration with other agencies and the community to better aid the public. D. Provide and maintain an efficient, adequate infrastructure to provide for both current and future community needs F. Incorporate health considerations into decision-making across departments and policy areas by: Examining methods to maintain, enhance, and expand park and recreation facilities • GOAL 2: PROMOTE A THRIVING LOCAL ECONOMY C. Research and implement methods to increase local tourism and funding for tourism promotion. D. Collaborate with other jurisdictions and non-profits to maximize regional effectiveness and amplify funding opportunities. ATTACHMENTS 1. Proposed Beachfront Park General Development Plan  43 43 45 10 37 42 38 44 18 6 18 40 4 22 36 21 39 9 35 33 41 20 23 7 34 19 17 11 32 2 24 16 8 25 15 1 12 5 3 26 29 2 31 30 27 28 13 14 LEGEND: 1 BATTERY POINT OVERLOOK PLAZA 16 COVERED SHELTER 31 PLANTING STRIP (TYPICAL) 2 EXISTING RESTROOM TYP. ALL OTHERS PROPOSED. 17 EXISTING SHELTER 32 FRED ENDERT MUNICIPAL POOL 3 MAINTENANCE BUILDING AND YARD 18 EVENT SPACE 33 BUS PARKING (3) 4 FENCED DOG PARK (SMALL AND LARGE DOGS) 19 PARKING LOT 34 TOLOWA GARDEN EDIBLE PLANTS 5 LABYRINTH 20 EXISTING PLAY AREA 35 TOLOWA GARDEN MEDICINAL PLANTS 6 ASPHALT PUMP TRACK 21 INCLUSIVE PLAY AREA 36 TOLOWA GARDEN CEREMONIAL PLANTS 7 DIRT JUMP ZONE 22 HIGH POINT 37 TOLOWA ENTRY PLAZA 8 NORTHCOAST MARINE MAMMAL CENTER 23 SISTER CITY PLAZA 38 TOLOWA INTERPRETIVE PLAZA TOLOWA INTERPRETIVE 9 TENNIS AND PICKLEBALL COURTS 24 EVENT STAGE 39 DISCOVERY CENTER TRAIL EXTENTS 10 RECONFIGURED PARKING AREA 25 AMPHITHEATER 40 RIPARIAN FOREST 11 GREAT LAWN WITH SOCCER FIELDS 26 GRASS TERRACES 41 ELK CREEK OVERLOOK 12 BERM WITH A MASSING OF GRASSES 27 KINETIC SCULPTURE 42 POINT OF HONOR N 13 TOLOWA INTERPRETIVE TRAIL 28 WATERFRONT PLAZA 43 GATEWAY SIGNS 14 WATERFRONT OVERLOOK 29 AMPHITHEATER BERM 44 DAYLIGHTED ELK CREEK 15 PICNIC AREA 0’ 60’ 120’ 30 WATERFRONT OVERLOOK 45 EXISTING TETRAPOD AT S CURVES GENERAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN - PRELIMINARY FEBRUARY 2023 BEACHFRONT PARK CRESCENT CITY, CA