Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program Committee Meeting

MINUTES NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM COMMITTEE Second Follow-up Meeting Thursday, April 17, 2014 7:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL 580 PACIFIC STREET MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA NIP Representatives & Aguajito Oaks NIP Rep Morgan Alternates Present: Casanova-Oak Knoll NIP Rep Ruccello Del Monte Beach NIP Rep Fields Del Monte Grove-Laguna Grande NIP Rep Alley Del Monte Grove-Laguna Grande NIP Alt Baker Fisherman Flats NIP Alt Rowley Monterey Vista NIP Rep Jannasch Monterey Vista NIP Alt Venza New Monterey NIP Rep Dwight New Monterey NIP Alt Hayter Oak Grove NIP Alt Green Old Town NIP Rep Harrison Old Town NIP Alt Ricketson Skyline Forest NIP Rep Duke Skyline Ridge NIP Rep Conway Villa Del Monte NIP Rep Mucha Staff Members Present: NIP Staff Coordinator Reeves, Recording Secretary Allen Capital Programs Coordinator Francis, Senior Engineer Williamson, Parks Operations Manager Marcuzzo CALL TO ORDER NIP Staff Coordinator Reeves called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Twelve neighborhoods were represented, with Alta Mesa and Deer Flats unrepresented. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. March 27, 2014 Sharon Dwight made a motion to approve the March 27, 2014 minutes as amended. Merrily Alley seconded the motion. The motion was approved by twelve Representatives, with Alta Mesa and Deer Flats absent. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mr. Reeves opened the floor for Public Comments on items not on the agenda. Jose Fausto, Foothill School President, spoke in support of FF-4 Foothill School Olmsted Drop-off Re-Configure and said how important it would be to modify the drop-off because it is a safety issue and a benefit to the community and the neighborhood. Joe Sweeney, resident of Monterey Vista neighborhood, spoke in support of MV-5 Via Del Rey/Herrmann Right Turn Lane Elimination but said the cost should be reduced. He said  Neighborhood Improvement Program Committee Minutes Thursday, April 17, 2014 reengineering the entry, adding the student drop off, and some of the other elements in the Traffic Engineer’s design were not required to make it a safer intersection. Having no further requests to speak, Mr. Reeves closed Public Comments. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 2. Purpose of Follow-up Meeting Mr. Reeves said the purpose of the meeting was to review the New Monterey neighborhood through Citywide projects and for the Committee to receive public comments on those projects. 3. Preparation for Project Selection Meeting Mr. Reeves asked the Committee to review the Conflict of Interest map to insure that they did not have a conflict of interest with any of the proposed projects. He advised the Committee members to watch the broadcasts of any meetings they had missed. 4. Direction from City Council April 15, 2014 Meeting Regarding Policy Determination for Street Sweeping Signage Program, NIP Driveway Reconstruction Projects, and NIP Homeless Campground Study Project Mr. Reeves advised that Council determined that they do not support a street sweeping signage program, so those programs would not be eligible this year. They determined that only two of the driveway reconstruction projects have a public benefit for sidewalk access, so OT-3 Larkin 423 Driveway Reconstruct and OT-4 Franklin 599 Driveway Reconstruct would be allowed, but OT-1 Larkin 301 Driveway Reconstruct, OT-2 Franklin 602/604 & Larkin 392/394 Driveway Reconstruct, and OT-6 Larkin 475 Driveway Reconstruction would not qualify. Mr. Reeves reported that Council is working on a regional solution for the homeless so they determined that the CW-30 Homeless Campground Study project is premature at this time. He said Council indicated that it might be appropriate for the project to be resubmitted when solutions are in place. Mr. Rowley made a motion to remove DMB-4 DMB Street Sweep Schedule Signage, OT-10 Old Town Street Sweep Schedule Signage, OT-1 Larkin 301 Driveway Reconstruct, OT-2 Franklin 602/604 & Larkin 392/394 Driveway Reconstruct, OT-6 Larkin 475 Driveway Reconstruction, and CW-30 Homeless Campground Study from the FY2014/15 project list, with OT-3 Larkin 423 Driveway Reconstruct and OT-4 Franklin 599 Driveway Reconstruct to remain on the list. Mr. Ruccello seconded the motion. The motion was approved by twelve Representatives, with Alta Mesa and Deer Flats absent. NIP INFORMATIONAL REPORTS 5. NIP Spokesperson Reports Alternate Spokesperson Dwight said information from the April 15, 2014 City Council was discussed under Item #4, and there was nothing else to report. Neighborhood Improvement Program Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, April 17, 2014 2  Neighborhood Improvement Program Committee Minutes Thursday, April 17, 2014 PUBLIC APPEARANCE 6. Van Tour Follow-up Meeting to Discuss Specific Projects in Oak Grove – Citywide Neighborhoods and Take Public Input Mr. Reeves advised the Committee of the following updates on projects that were reviewed at previous meetings. DF-2 Deer Forest Dr Resurface/ADA Upgrade – The project would be for six ADA ramps with an estimate of $60,000. DMG-1 Mr. Reeves advised that DMG-2 has been combined with DMG-1 with a revised title of LG Park/Virgin/Montecito ADA/Ped Access. FF-7 Augusta Pl/Etna Pl/Via Isola Resurface/ADA Ramps – Ms. Dwight asked if slurry could be used as a less costly alternative. FF-8 Foothill School Sports Field Improvements – The estimate has been increased to $25,000 to cover the cost of processing the MOU. Review of New Monterey projects was continued from the April 10, 2014 meeting. The Representatives reviewed their projects with the following information. New Monterey NM-13 Presidio Child Care Center Paint & Playground Gates – Ms. Dwight advised she is working with staff to rewrite the scope to keep the estimate at $60,000. NM-16 Taylor 600 Blk Walkway ADA Upgrade Ph 2 – Ms. Dwight advised the project had been withdrawn. Ms. Dwight advised her neighborhood priorities as follows: Priority #1 NM-7 Belden 300 Widening Priority #2 NM-6 Drake Belden Open Space Priority #3 NM-5 David/Prescott Radar Speed Signs Priority #4 NM-14 Hilltop Park Security Light Replacement Priority #5 NM-18 Foam/Lighthouse Corner Landscaping Priority #6 NM-13 Presidio Child Care Center Paint & Playground Gates Priority #7 NM-10 Cannery Worker Shacks Refurbish Priority #8 NM-12 Presidio Pathway to Serra Monument Ms. Dwight stated that she would fully fund the following projects with base allocation: NM-8 David Open Space NM-11 Presidio Historic Park Stables Ph 1 Mr. Reeves opened Public Comments for New Monterey neighborhood projects. Michelle Knight, Cannery Row Business Association President, spoke in support of NM- 19 Rec Trail Beautification Ph 1 and said the business association is continuing to work on upgrading the Recreation Trail. She said the removal of the train created a desolate space in an area that is a much-used resource for both the residents and visitors. Andy Cardinalli, New Monterey resident, spoke in support of NM-7 Belden 300 Widening and said with increased traffic there is a desperate need for modern sidewalks and driveways, the sidewalks are not safe especially for the elderly residents, and the street is so narrow on this block that trucks and emergency vehicles cannot get through without blocking access to through traffic. He also spoke in support of NM-6 Drake Belden Open Space. Dennis Copeland, Museums and Cultural Arts Manager, asked for support of Neighborhood Improvement Program Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, April 17, 2014 3 Neighborhood Improvement Program Committee Minutes Thursday, April 17, 2014 NM-10 Cannery Worker Shacks Refurbish, NM-11 Presidio Historic Park Stables Ph 1, and NM-12 Presidio Pathway to Serra Monument. He said the Worker Shacks are the only remaining example of housing for the fishing and cannery seasonal workers in the area and provide information about the history of that era. He said that some of the most important historical sites on the west coast are located in the Lower Presidio Park. Having no further requests to speak, Mr. Reeves closed Public Comments for New Monterey. Oak Grove Mr. Green advised that Oak Grove does not support OG-2 Sloat Ave Resurface/Crosswalk Improvement and OG-3 Sloat at Fifth Crosswalk Warning System because the neighborhood wants the Navy to participate since both projects benefit the school more than the neighborhood. Mr. Green advised Oak Grove priority as follows: Priority #1 OG-4 Fifth St (Sloat to Ocean) Resurface Mr. Reeves opened Public Comments for Oak Grove neighborhood projects. Having no requests to speak, Mr. Reeves closed Public Comments for Oak Grove. There was a request from the audience that the schoolchildren in the audience be allowed to speak for public comments. The Committee concurred and decided to take public comments for all the rest of the projects. Mr. Reeves opened Public Comments for the rest of the projects. Stefan, second grader at Bay View Academy, asked for approval of VDM-2 Del Monte School Playground Equipment. He said he and the other children would play on the swing, slide, and monkey bars on weekends and after school. Colleen Sullivan, Old Town resident, spoke in support of VDM-1 Casa Verde/ Helvic/ Portola/ McNear Area Improvements Design and said she taught at the school for several years and that it was always a tricky intersection to get through safely, especially for those who live in the neighborhood. She said she also supports VDM-2 as long as it is a joint effort between the City and the school district, and that the school district pays their fair share. Elisa Tacconi, Bay View Academy Principal, spoke in support of VDM-2 and said the school currently only has two very small areas with play equipment for about 12 children, that they are using the parking lot and field for a playground for the rest of the children. She said the school district had confirmed $20,000 in funding and guaranteed public access to the sports field. She provided a folder of letters from the children and parents asking for support of the project. Collette, a student at Bay View Academy, asked for support of VDM-2 and said the school has a buddy bench to sit on to make friends, but some kids are not comfortable sitting on it. She said playground equipment would be a nice way to make a new friend. Collette’s mother, Diane, also spoke in support of VDM-2. Clyde Roberson, Monterey Vista resident, thanked the Committee for their years of service and thanked Mr. Reeves, and said he will be missed after he retires. Mr. Roberson, in support of VDM-2, said the school kids need the playground equipment, but the neighborhood children need it also. Rose Ohlinger, applicant for VDM-1, asked for support of the project, but said she is more concerned about the safety of the children in the intersection and the liability issues. She said she would like a neighborhood entry sign and that she is concerned that the sign has not been pursued more aggressively. Shira Diallo, Bay View Academy parent and resident of Old Town, spoke in support of VDM-2 and said the school has developed many community partnerships and takes advantage of all that Monterey has to offer. She said her kindergartener was scared to start school Neighborhood Improvement Program Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, April 17, 2014 4 Neighborhood Improvement Program Committee Minutes Thursday, April 17, 2014 because the children have to play in the street. She said families of children who attend Bay View Academy live all over Monterey, so the project provides a benefit for the at large community, not just the local neighborhood. She also said she supports OT-7 Watson Resurface Franklin to Scott. Paul Orihuela, teacher at Bay View Academy, said the students were excited about the playground equipment and that VDM-2 would provide an opportunity for the children to learn to share, cooperate, and keep the play area clean. John Wilkes, Veteran’s Park Attendant, spoke in support of CW-19 Veteran's Park Repairs, and said a barrier is needed by the basketball court to prevent the basketballs going into the street, which is very unsafe for the children who chase the basketballs into the street. He said he also supports CW-32 Veteran's Park Bocce Ball Court. Yasser Mohsenpour, Monterey student, spoke in support of CW-19 and said he and his friends would use the basketball court more often if it was resurfaced and the three-point line was added. Udo Rehfeldt, New Monterey resident, spoke in support of CW-29 Sister City Park Signage/Beautification and said the park needs identifying signage so residents, students, and visitors can learn the names of Monterey’s sister cities. He said the park provides increased visibility that the City is internationally connected, promotes community pride and education, and welcomes visitors. Richard Burton, resident of New Monterey, spoke in support of CW-34 Bicycle Lane Improvements, and said he recently converted to bicycle transportation and has realized how important it is to improve the bicycle infrastructure. Nancy Selfridge, representing Steve Vagnini who is the applicant for CW-31 Golden State Theatre Acquisition Ph 1, advised he has withdrawn the project. She also spoke in support of VDM-2 and said she is proud to be a substitute teacher at Bay View Academy because it is a great school. She said that the playground is needed for the students and that the neighborhood children would use it after school. Having no further requests to speak, Mr. Reeves closed Public Comments, but said the public would have the opportunity to speak during review of the rest of the projects. Old Town Ms. Harrison advised Old Town priorities as follows: Priority #1 OT-9 Van Buren 300 Blk Gutter Drainage Ph 1 Priority #2 OT-5 Cedar/Franklin ADA Ramps Priority #3 OT-7 Watson Resurface Franklin to Scott Ms. Harrison stated that she would fully fund the following project with base allocation: OT-8 Old Town Landscape/Irrigation Mr. Reeves opened Public Comments for Old Town neighborhood projects. Rosemary Robert, Old Town resident, asked for support of OT-9 Van Buren 300 Blk Gutter Drainage Ph 1 and said notices were sent to all the property owners, with positive response from some, but no negative feedback. Maryanne Finocchi, Old Town resident, asked for support of OT-9 because it is so difficult to get in and out of cars parked along that section of street. She asked for support of OT-5 Cedar/Franklin ADA Ramps and said this project is the last in the series of ADA ramp projects on Franklin and would complete the goal of the Old Town Area Plan to make the street safer for pedestrian travel. Colleen Sullivan, Old Town resident, also asked for support for the Old Town priority projects, especially OT-5. Having no further requests to speak, Mr. Reeves closed Public Comments for Old Town. Skyline Forest Mr. Duke said that SF-2 Wyndemere Lower Canyon Drainage Ph 3 would become phase Neighborhood Improvement Program Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, April 17, 2014 5 Neighborhood Improvement Program Committee Minutes Thursday, April 17, 2014 three of four phases with the estimate reduced to $300,000. Mr. Duke advised Skyline Forest priorities as follows: Priority #1 SF-1 SF Greenbelt Fuel Reduction Priority #2 SF-2 Wyndemere Lower Canyon Drainage Ph 3 Priority #3 SF-3 Veteran's Park Dr Bicycle Safety/Ped Path Mr. Reeves opened Public Comments for Skyline Forest neighborhood projects. Having no requests to speak, Mr. Reeves closed Public Comments for Skyline Forest. Villa Del Monte Mr. Ruccello presented a video he made of the Bay View Academy drop off and intersection which shows the problem of the interface of pedestrians and vehicles when parents were picking up the students after school. He said the situation needs to be corrected as soon as possible. On question from Ms. Morgan, Mr. Mucha said the school district has not done a traffic study for this area. Ms. Fields said the situation is more traffic safety than beautification of the neighborhood. Mr. Mucha advised both Villa Del Monte projects are a priority. Mr. Reeves opened Public Comments for Villa Del Monte neighborhood projects. Katrina Hinze, Villa Del Monte Alternate, said the problem is not just with the school drop off, but also the trucks blocking the lane while unloading at the BiRite Market. Ruth Ohlinger asked for immediate risk management measures to mitigate the dynamics of BiRite trucks loading and unloading in the morning and the danger to the many parents who walk their children to school. Having no further requests to speak, Mr. Reeves closed Public Comments for Villa Del Monte. Citywide CW-1 Colton Hall Restoration/Preservation Ph 2 – Mr. Copeland thanked the Committee for supporting Phase 1, and advised that he had found out that the roof on Colton Hall was in worse condition than he had realized. CW-7 Jacks Park Backstop/Hardscape Renovation – Mr. Marcuzzo advised that the pavement and first base bleacher elements have been removed from the project scope. CW-12 FS1 Fresh Air Supply Compressor – Mr. Ruccello advised that the Fire Department is involved in a CERT training so there was no one available to attend the NIP meeting, but he received an email from the Fire Chief advising that this project is the Fire Department’s Priority #1 project. CW-13 FS1 Exhaust Extractor Installation – Mr. Ruccello advised that this is the Fire Department’s Priority #3 project. CW-18 FS1 Fire Safety Clothing Storage – Mr. Ruccello advised that this is the Fire Department’s Priority #2 project. CW-32 Veteran's Park Bocce Ball Court – Ms. Conway advised that the Skyline Ridge association members unanimously support the project, that it does not have to be a professional court, and asked for the project to be rescoped with a lower estimate. Neighborhood Improvement Program Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, April 17, 2014 6  Neighborhood Improvement Program Committee Minutes Thursday, April 17, 2014 CW-33 Library Community Room Projection Improvement – Inga Waite, acting Library Director, said the project would reduce the tripping hazards and enhance the room for community use and classes for students, and verified that the Library Board did not prioritize their two projects. CW-34 Bicycle Lane Improvements – Mr. Duke gave a presentation on the need for implementation of the City’s bicycle plan. He said the study starts a process that will take decades to implement fully. Mr. Reeves opened Public Comments for Citywide projects. Katrina Hinze, Villa Del Monte resident, said one of the reasons she moved to Monterey was because of its bikeability and walkability. She said she sees people commuting on bikes every day on the Rec Trail. Having no requests to speak, Mr. Reeves closed Public Comments for Citywide project. 7. Set Proposed Project Priorities The Representatives stated their neighborhood priorities during the discussions under Item #7. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS Max Green (Oak Grove) said he was going to withdraw CW-30 this year before it was pulled, but hopes that he can work with the regional solution as it develops. Olivia Morgan (Aguajito Oaks) had no comment. Tom Rowley (Fisherman Flats) quoted ‘We will either find a way or we will make one,’ by Hannibal, and said this is the motto of NIP. Jayme Fields (Del Monte Beach) said she was glad to hear from the folks from Bay View Academy and advised that the school was engaged in a presentation of music and arts by the students that evening and those that came to the NIP meeting had to run over from the presentation. Richard Ruccello (Casanova Oak Knoll) encouraged the public to attend and speak during the voting night meeting next week and said this is the democracy from the bottom up that people have been talking about, and a way residents can change the city they live in. Dennis Duke (Skyline Forest) said his time had been taken up during his presentation about the need for the City’s bicycle plan. Sharon Dwight (New Monterey) echoed what Mr. Ruccello said, and she appreciated seeing so many share their passion in support of their projects. She thanked Mr. Reeves and Ms. Allen who make the Committee’s work possible, but also thanked the many other staff who worked so hard to understand the scope of the projects and came up with true estimates. She commended the completion of the quiet room at the Library, but is asking staff to correct the situation that traps all the cool air in the quiet room. Hans Jannasch (Monterey Vista) said everything he wanted to say had already been said, but added his thanks to staff for working with him. Neighborhood Improvement Program Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, April 17, 2014 7 Neighborhood Improvement Program Committee Minutes Thursday, April 17, 2014 April Harrison (Old Town) thanked staff and said she enjoyed hearing the public participation because it is very important to her. Harry Mucha (Villa Del Monte) said he got a kick out of the comments from the kids, and their interest in participating. He said that it is a fantastic opportunity for children to participate in local government that he does not remember having when he was growing up. Mary Conway (Skyline Ridge) had no comment. Merrily Alley (Del Monte Grove-Laguna Grande) had no comment. Mr. Reeves thanked all the staff who worked on NIP this year and said it was a great team effort to accomplish the estimates in house. He said it was a good learning opportunity for all of the staff and would help to keep things going after he retired. NEXT MEETING Mr. Reeves advised that the next meeting would be the Project Selection Meeting on April 24, 2014 in the Council Chamber at 7:00 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Reeves adjourned the meeting at 10:30 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Kim Allen Tom Reeves Recording Secretary NIP Staff Coordinator Neighborhood Improvement Program Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, April 17, 2014 8