Council Study Session

MINUTES CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION CITY OF MONTEREY Wednesday, February 24, 2016 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Councilmembers Present: Councilmembers Barrett, Downey, Haffa, Smith, Roberson Absent: None City Staff City Manager, City Attorney, Director of Information Resources/City Clerk, Present: Assistant City Manager, Deputy City Manager, Plans and Public Works, Community Services Director, Principal Planner, Principal Planner CALL TO ORDER Mayor Roberson called the joint meeting to order at 4:05 p.m. Parks and Recreation Vice Chair Lacy Spangler, and Commissioners Vance Baldwin, Dennis McCarthy and Suzanne Menez Herbst were present. Parks and Recreation Chair Ellen McEwen and Commissioner Carnazzo were absent. Planning Commission Chair Hansen Reed, Vice Chair Daniel Fletcher, and Commissioners Paul W. Davis, Mike Dawson, Leon Garden, Stephen Millich, and Ralph Widmar were present. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mayor Roberson opened public comments on items not on the agenda, and there were no requests to speak. The Mayor closed public comments. STUDY SESSION 1. Hold a Joint Session with the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Planning Commission on the Parks and Recreation Master Plan (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) (Plans & Public Works - 201-12) Action: Received and discussed report Community Services Director Bui-Burton introduced the item. Mindy Craig of BluePoint Planning gave the presentation, reviewing the Vision, Key Principles, and Goals, and answered Councilmembers' questions. She asked Council to consider questions regarding the Recreation Trail, Dennis the Menace Park, Sports Center, Community Center, Operations and Maintenance, Sports Complex, Ocean Aquatics/Beach Volleyball, and the possibility of building an outdoor Competitive Pool. Mayor Roberson opened public comments on the item. Frank Sollecito said that Monterey is the best run city anywhere. He said that the Lower Presidio Park needs the Council's help. He said the the Old Monterey Foundation has already raised $150,000 for that park, but it is not mentioned on the City's website. He said it is important not to lose the momentum, and it is City Council Minutes Wednesday, February 24, 2016 important to educate the public. Bill McCrone, Secretary of Old Monterey Foundation, updated the Council and Commissions on their fundraising for the five year program. He said that Phase 1 is scheduled to be completed this year, which is an $800,000 project. He presented the logo and illustrations of proposed signage. He suggested that there be a much larger role in recognizing local indigenous peoples. He asked to predominately feature this project in the Master Plan. Mayor Roberson returned the discussion to the Commissioners and Councilmembers. Chair Hansen Reed thanked staff for the presentation and agreed that the Lower Presidio Park should be predominately featured. Councilmember Haffa agreed, saying that the historical considerations are significant. Parks and Recreation Commissioner McCarthy asked the Foundation representatives to keep them in the loop, and noted that the restrictions on putting anything in the ground is a limitation. Planning Commissioner Dawson said that parks are an economic driver that increase the quality of life and stimulate the economy. Planning Commissioner Garden said that the newly adopted Waterfront Master Plan envisions that area to be a world class destination recreation area. He suggested that due attention be given to the opportunities and noted that there are unique funding possibilities. Planning Commissioner Widmar said that he is very impressed by the work done by the Parks and Recreation Commission and said that he is excited about it. Commissioner Davis agreed said that increasing use of the Rec Trail is an difficult issue. He asked to have more than one small off-leash dog park. He suggested better signage for Huckleberry Hill. P&R Vice Chair Spangler asked to obtain additional information about the Presidio's plans for the future and the current lease. She referenced Tatam's Garden in Salinas as an example of what is being accomplished. Mr. McCarthy noted the tension between maintenance and adding new facilities. Councilmember Downey thanked the Parks and Rec Commission for a very comprehensive plan. She expressed interest in the portion on making the Laguna Grande park more active, as well as Del Monte Beach. She agreed that the Rec Trail is a challenge, and we need to work on bathroom accessibility. Councilmember Barrett supported the mission that embeds quality of life and economic strength, noting that sports centers can create a strong economic engine. He said that he wants to be sure that issues of diversity are addressed so that people of all abilities are included. He suggested that maintenance of existing parks might be offset with revenue generated by new facilities. He asked to analyze the economic benefits of various developments. Councilmember Smith thanked the participants and said that he would provide written comments. He voiced concerns regarding the comments regarding the 500 Cannery Row desal plant and commented on the reference to Pickleball. He asked that the way-finding portion be integrated with other City signage. He supported additional bathrooms, upgrading Dennis the Menace Park, off-leash park, Hilltop Center upgrades, and Lower Presidio Park. He said it is important to adequately address the maintenance and improvement of the Rec Trail. 2  City Council Minutes Wednesday, February 24, 2016 Councilmember Haffa said additional off-leash dog parks are imperative, suggesting that a portion of the beach be opened for that purpose. He supported additional bathrooms, public art, and the Lower Presidio Park. He said that, subject to permitting, commercial uses should be allowed to front the Rec Trail. He noted that congestion is a sign of success, so it is important not to destroy the trail for any of its users. He said that it is imperative to continue to allow bicycles on the trail. He agreed that the Dennis the Menace train should be enhanced. He suggested collaboration for the aquatic center with MPUSD. Mayor Roberson said there is a lot of history behind why things exist they way that they do now. He thanked the Commissioners and noted that a lot of visitors think of the entire city as a park. Mayor Roberson called a recess at 5:29 p.m., then reconvened the meeting at 5:38 p.m. Councilmember Smith left the meeting during the break and was not present. 2. Hold Joint Study Session with the Planning Commission on the Local Coastal Program (Exempt from CEQA per Article 18, Section 15265(a)(1)) (Plans & Public Works - 201-12) Action: Received and discussed report Deputy City Manager Pick introduced the item, and Dr. Dave Revel, EMC Planning Team Leader, presented the report. Councilmember Smith returned to the meeting at 5:55 p.m. Mayor Roberson noted the concern regarding this issue. Commissioner Garden said that he has been following the process for the Local Coastal Plan, noting the difficulties that will need to be addressed in the vulnerability assessment. Mayor Roberson encouraged people to send written comments on the issue, and he encouraged participation. ADJOURNMENT Having no further business to come before the Council or Commission, Mayor Roberson adjourned the meeting at 5:59 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Bonnie Gawf Clyde Roberson Director of Information Resources / City Clerk Mayor 3