Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program Committee Meeting

MINUTES NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM COMMITTEE Second Project Review Meeting Oak Grove – Citywide Thursday, April 4, 2013 7:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL 580 PACIFIC STREET MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA NIP Representatives & Aguajito Oaks NIP Rep Morgan (Arrived 8:26 p.m.) Alternates Present: Aguajito Oaks NIP Alt Foss (Left 8:26 p.m.) Alta Mesa NIP Rep Heuer Casanova-Oak Knoll NIP Rep Ruccello Casanova Oak-Knoll NIP Alt Brassfield Deer Flats NIP Rep Pollacci (Arrived 7:09 p.m.) Del Monte Beach NIP Rep Fields Del Monte Grove-Laguna Grande NIP Rep Alley Fisherman Flats NIP Rep Smith (Arrived 7:03 p.m.) Monterey Vista NIP Rep Jannasch New Monterey NIP Rep Dwight Oak Grove NIP Alt Green Old Town NIP Rep Harrison Old Town NIP Alt Ricketson Skyline Forest NIP Alt Wilson Skyline Ridge NIP Rep Conway Villa Del Monte NIP Rep Mucha Staff Members Present: NIP Staff Coordinator Reeves, Principal Engineer Harary, Recording Secretary Allen, Parks Operations Manager Marcuzzo CALL TO ORDER NIP Staff Coordinator Reeves called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL All neighborhoods were represented. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. None. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mr. Reeves opened Public Comments. Nancy Selfridge thanked the Committee for the time, effort, and care in everything they do at their meetings. Seeing no further requests to speak, Mr. Reeves closed Public Comments. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 2. April 2, 2013 City Council Comments on Proposed FY 2013/14 NIP Projects  Neighborhood Improvement Program Committee Minutes Thursday, April 4, 2013 Mr. Reeves advised the Committee that he had not attended the April 2, 2013 Council meeting and asked NIP Spokesperson Heuer for his report during NIP Spokesperson Reports. 3. April 10, 2013 NIP Van Tour, Potluck, and Meeting Preparation Mr. Reeves requested that the Committee turn in items to be viewed on the van tour by Monday, April 8. NIP INFORMATIONAL REPORTS 4. NIP Spokesperson Reports NIP Spokesperson Heuer reported that he attended the April 2, 2013 City Council meeting and asked the Council to provide their priorities for the FY2013/14 NIP. He advised that Councilmember Selfridge and Haffa said the CW- Wharf 2 Restroom Replacement with two restrooms was urgently needed. He said the other Council priorities were CW-3 DTM Park North Side Path ADA Upgrades, MV-6 Via Gayuba Sidewalk Ph 2, and CW-1 Sollecito Ball Park Field Renovation Ph 2. Mr. Heuer said he would be attending the Mayor’s meeting on Monday, April 8 and asked the Committee if there was anything they wished him to discuss in addition to his topic of ‘Update of 2013 Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) Process’. Ms. Dwight suggested mentioning backlog of projects, new staffing, and the City Council NIP Subcommittee review of progress in August or September. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 5. Response to Questions, Changes to Project Scopes and Estimates from March 28 Meeting Mr. Reeves advised the Committee of the following updates from the March 28 meeting: DMB-6 DMB Boardwalk Repair, Sand Barrier & Fence – Mr. Reeves asked Ms. Fields if an additional revised scope was needed. DMB-12 Beach Way Sidewalk Improvements – Mr. Reeves advised that the project was not valid, as the fence only benefited the adjacent property owner. DMG-3 English Ave 200/300 Blk Concept Design Plan – Mr. Reeves advised the estimate has been revised to $40,000 for the concept design plan. MV-8 Pacific St Bank Stabilization – Mr. Reeves advised that the estimate was $31,000. MV-9 Monte Vista Playground Improvement – Mr. Reeves advised that the estimate has been revised to $185,000 to include replacement of rubber surface for upper playground equipment and a new set of play equipment and rubber surface in a location closer to the buildings. MV-11 Soledad Drainage Improvement – Mr. Reeves advised that the City Attorney’s office confirmed that a culvert cannot be replaced or repaired with public funds. NM-1 Belden 300 Widening – Mr. Reeves advised that the estimate has been revised to $400,000. Neighborhood Improvement Program Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, April 4, 2013 2  Neighborhood Improvement Program Committee Minutes Thursday, April 4, 2013 6. Project Review (Oak Grove – Citywide ) Mr. Reeves and the Committee reviewed the projects and videos from Oak Grove through Citywide with the following concerns and determinations: Old Town OT-1 Franklin 1078 Island Cut – Ms. Harrison said that most of the surrounding residents feel the median successfully slows down traffic. Maryanne Finocchi, Old Town resident, explained that the applicant had originally supported the median project, but found that the median blocked the driveway once it was installed. Colleen Sullivan, Old Town resident, cited an accident that was less severe due to the median’s placement. OT-2 Van Buren 300 Blk Gutter Drainage – Ms. Harrison advised that the applicant asked if there was a lower cost alternative. Mr. Reeves said he would provide an estimate to divide the project into one side of the street or another. Pat Venza, Monterey Vista NIP Alternate, asked about the difference between drainage projects with curb and gutter, and those without. Mr. Reeves assured her that repairs could be made for both types of conditions. OT-3 Franklin/Watson ADA Ramps – Maryanne Finocchi said this project will go towards the neighborhood goal to install ADA ramps at all intersections along the entire length of Franklin Street, and that the goal is supported by the Old Town Area Plan. The Committee questioned the low estimate. OT-4 Watson (Jefferson to Scott) Resurfacing – Mr. Reeves said he received a request for estimate to split the project into three separate blocks. Skyline Forest SF-1 Wyndemere Lower Canyon Drainage Ph 2 – The Committee asked that staff begin the permitting and environmental review processes, so that by the third phase funding request the project would be ready to build, and the Committee would know the final cost to complete the project. Villa Del Monte VDM-4 VDM ADA/Beautification Study – Mr. Mucha said the neighborhood is looking for a way to improve the character and vitality of the neighborhood, as well as encourage the transient residents to want to invest and belong to the neighborhood. Jason Maas-Baldwin, Villa Del Monte Neighborhood Association president and project applicant, explained that there has not been enough cohesiveness in the neighborhood to successfully complete projects. Mr. Ruccello said that Villa Del Monte was one of the neighborhoods designated for revitalization. He said the neighborhood might be eligible for grant funding. It was determined that Mr. Maas-Baldwin would revise the project nomination as a neighborhood needs analysis and revitalization plan. Citywide CW-1 Sollecito Ball Park Field Renovation Ph 2 – Mr. Reeves asked Mr. Marcuzzo to find out if there were any anticipated plans for fundraising. CW- 5 San Carlos Beach Shower Drain Replacement – Mr. Reeves suggested moving the shower closer to the beach as an alternative to replacing the drain, and Mr. Heuer asked for an estimate for the relocation. CW-6 MYC Parking Lot Walkway/Landscape Install – Mr. Reeves confirmed that the project does include lighting for the flagpole. Mr. Reeves also pointed out that Neighborhood Improvement Program Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, April 4, 2013 3 Neighborhood Improvement Program Committee Minutes Thursday, April 4, 2013 the walkway to the west side of the gymnasium room may need to be widened to meet ADA requirements so the estimate may need to be adjusted. CW-7 DTM Park Playground Sand Replacement – The Committee raised concerns about replacing the sand in this particular area. Mr. Ruccello said the sand is a piece of play equipment for the children and removing it would change the character of Dennis the Menace Park. Mr. Heuer said the park has historically been different from parks around the country and should remain unique. CW-8 MYC Teen Room Wall Reconstruction – Mr. Reeves advised that the Council approved funding for this project at their March 5 meeting. CW-9 MSC HVAC Ducting Replacement – Mr. Reeves said the estimate is $631,000. The Committee asked if the project could be phased the NIP portion be reduced by half. Mr. Wilson questioned why the Sport Center was not raising their revenue to pay for the maintenance needs of the building. CW-10 Rec Trail Pedestrian Lane – Jason Wachs, project applicant, said the project was for two components, to improve signage and for a study and design to create separation between cyclists and pedestrians along the Rec Trail from Custom House Plaza to the Coast Guard pier. Mr. Reeves said the estimate was for $12,000 for the signage, and $40,000 for the preliminary design, for a total estimate of $52,000. Mr. Wachs said that visitors, many who do not speak English, are oblivious to the existing signage and do not understand that there is a separate identified bicycle lane. He said visitors and their children wander all over the Rec Trail, endangering themselves and others. Mr. Wilson questioned the use of surreys on the trail, and Ms. Morgan said additional signage would not effectively increase safety for pedestrians and cyclists. CW-17 Wharf 2 Restroom Replacement – Mr. Reeves clarified that the proposal was for one unit with an estimate of $150,000, but the staff estimate of $348,000 was for two restrooms. He also advised that the City would have to go through standard variance procedures as the restroom is in a flood zone. Mr. Ruccello said the city is facing a public health crisis with the number of homeless in the area and the lack of restroom facilities to accommodate them. Council member Nancy Selfridge said the residents and visitors need a restroom that is accessible and clean. She said the current building is too old to be fixed. CW-18 Colton Hall Restoration/Preservation – Mr. Reeves advised that the project would be rescoped into phases. CW-19 Mark Thomas Dr/Hwy 1 Border Landscaping – Mr. Brassfield advised that Caltrans originally installed an elaborate irrigation system along this area, but the system has not been used in approximately 12 years and has deteriorated. CW-20 Parks and Recreation Master Plan – Mr. Reeves advised that NIP Council Subcommittee determined that this project did not meet the requirements of a capital improvement and has been removed from the list. CW-21 MSC Replace Walkway Tiles – Ms. Dwight advised that the Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) supported the project. Mr. Wilson again questioned why the Sports Center did not raise enough revenue for repair and maintenance of the facility. CW-27 North Fremont Median Landscape – Parks Operations Manager Marcuzzo explained that the dying redwood trees would be removed and replaced with a xeriscape of boulders, decomposed granite, with pockets of greenery that could survive with very little watering. He said there is no irrigation available. Neighborhood Improvement Program Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, April 4, 2013 4 Neighborhood Improvement Program Committee Minutes Thursday, April 4, 2013 Mr. Ruccello said North Fremont Street is an entry to Monterey and should be treated the same as Del Monte Avenue. He asked that the project be reevaluated. Mr. Brassfield said if the trees are not replaced the median would have the appearance of a blighted area. Ms. Alley said tall trees are needed for balance, especially if the North Fremont Plan is approved and implemented. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS Mary Conway (Skyline Ridge) had no comment. Harry Mucha (Villa Del Monte) had no comment. April Harrison (Old Town) had no comment. Maxwell Green (Oak Grove) had no comment. Olivia Morgan (Aguajito Oaks) said the Committee has a massive amount of homework to perform. Hank Smith (Fisherman Flats) had no comment. Sharon Dwight (New Monterey) thanked staff for the good estimates. Mr. Reeves said Norm Green did a great job coordinating the estimates this year. Ms. Dwight and the Committee applauded Recording Secretary Allen for her work for them. Hans Jannasch (Monterey Vista) had no comment. Lad Wilson (Skyline Forest) had no comment. Merrily Alley (Del Monte Grove-Laguna Grande) had no comment. Jayme Fields (Del Monte Beach) had no comment. Richard Ruccello (Casanova Oak Knoll) said he completed five months of research on the public health crisis in Monterey and has multiple stories to tell that he cannot share during a public meeting. Rick Heuer (Alta Mesa) had no comment. Mark Pollacci (Deer Flats) had no comment. NEXT MEETING Mr. Reeves advised that the NIP Committee Van Tour is scheduled for Wednesday, April 10, 2013, and asked the members to meet behind City Hall at 3:00 p.m. The potluck dinner will be after the van tour from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Casanova Oak Knoll Park Center (CONA). The follow up meeting for review of van tour projects, and public comment on Aguajito Oaks through New Monterey projects will be held immediately after the potluck dinner from 7:00 – 8:45 p.m. He said the second followup meeting for public comment for the Oak Grove through Neighborhood Improvement Program Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, April 4, 2013 5 Neighborhood Improvement Program Committee Minutes Thursday, April 4, 2013 Citywide projects is scheduled for April 18, 2013, in the Council Chamber at 7:00 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Reeves adjourned the meeting at 10:16 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Kim Allen Tom Reeves Recording Secretary NIP Staff Coordinator Neighborhood Improvement Program Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, April 4, 2013 6