Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Special Meeting Tuesday, April 26, 2011 7:00 PM HILLTOP PARK CENTER, 871 JESSIE STREET MONTEREY, CA 93940 MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Canepa, Federico, Marotta, McCarthy, Woodward Commissioners Absent: Cooney, Menendez-Herbst Staff Members Present: Recreation and Community Services Director Kay Russo, Community Services and Library Director Kim Bui-Burton, Recreation and Community Services Manager Cindy Vierra, Chief of Planning, Engineering and Environmental Compliance Chip Rerig, Assistant Director Plans and Public Works Hans Uslar, Parks and Maintenance Superintendent Doug Stafford, Recording Secretary Teresa Nash CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMENTS None. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 1. Recommendation to City Council Regarding Use of Archer Park Center and Archer Park by Bay View Academy (BVA) Charter School Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission recommended conceptual approval to the City Council for the use of Archer Park Center (APC) and Archer Park by Bay View Academy (BVA) Charter School and to also address the relocation of First Night Monterey (5-0-2, Cooney, Menendez-Herbst absent) Parks and Maintenance Superintendent Stafford presented the staff report stating that Bay View Academy (BVA) is now requesting the use of Archer Park Center (APC) and Archer Park for their charter school. He stated that the City needs to decide if this use is important enough to the citizens and is concerned that the New Monterey Neighborhood residents have not had enough notification of this proposed use. He said that the park, playground equipment and BBQ area would not be available for public use during school hours (8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) and that First Night Monterey would also have to vacate the building. He stated that BVA originally requested shared use of Hilltop Park Center (HPC) and/or a combination of HPC and APC at the City Council meeting of Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Just prior to the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting of Thursday, April 21, 2011, BVA withdrew their request for shared use of HPC and then requested the use of APC and Archer Park. BVA’s first choice is use of Bay View Elementary School, but Monterey Peninsula Unified School District (MPUSD) has stated that is not an option. MPUSD offered the use of Del Monte School to BVA and they have until May 4 to accept or decline using Del Monte School. Bill Shaw, BVA President, stated they have met all of the conditions of Monterey County Office of Education with the exception of securing a facility. He is asking the Parks and Recreation Commission for a clear recommendation to the City Council on their request to use APC and  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Tuesday, April 26, 2011 Archer Park. He said the current Bay View Elementary School site would be perfect, but that’s not an option at this time. He said that APC and Archer Park is the best location and best chance for this school to get established; it’s a delicate thing to start a new school and it needs a lot of support. BVA plans to install four portables on the grass at Archer Park. He also stated that once Bay View Elementary School is closed, the park and play equipment would be available for public use during the day. He commented that if this request is approved, there will be an open formal planning process for everyone to voice their opinions. He feels this will provide a critical need to the City and that there are a lot of families in Monterey who are worried about the quality of public schools. Commissioner Woodward asked how many students BVA plans to have for their first year. Bill Shaw stated they will have 165 students from Kindergarten through 5th grade and that two classrooms would be located in APC and four classrooms would be located in the portables. He said they plan to increase the number of students each year. Commissioner Marotta stated that the zoning changes would take at least 90 days to complete and asked if they plan to open the charter school for this upcoming school year. Bill Shaw stated they have talked about the possibility of using Del Monte School for the first year or to hold off for one year to get a facility site worked out. Commissioner Marotta asked about their budget for rental of the City’s facilities and if they would be able to afford fair market value rent. Brian Greenshields, BVA Vice President, stated that Bay View Elementary School has been in existence for over 100 years and that the most important thing in a community is schools. He said good schools give value to a community and MPUSD is dying, and they want us to fail in establishing a quality charter school. He stated that a lot of families have left the District and that the International School has over 300 children on their wait-list. Commissioner McCarthy stated that the terms of the charter school does not guarantee New Monterey kids would get in because of other restrictions. He also stated that the City is looking at $5 Million in budget reductions and our approval would be in concept only at this time. Bill Shaw stated they plan to ask the City Council for a reduction in rent for the first couple of years and the $70,000 they have budgeted for a facility will go towards the cost of the portables. Commissioner Marotta asked if the $70,000 budgeted would be enough to cover the cost of the portables, upgrades to the building, including ADA compliancy, and utilities. Chief of Planning, Engineering and Environmental Compliance Rerig stated there are a lot of building code and zoning issues to look at if the Council approves this request and directs staff to move forward. Howard Fosler, New Monterey Neighborhood Association President, said that New Monterey is the largest neighborhood in Monterey and it’s about to lose its elementary school that’s been there for over 100 years. He stated that not having a school in this part of Monterey is affecting property values and that families with children are moving to areas with better schools. He stated it’s important for us to give BVA the opportunity to become a success. John Arquilla, resident on Archer Street across from APC, said he feels strongly about keeping a school in New Monterey but that one issue that needs to be addressed and studied is traffic control. He said a lot of neighbors support First Night Monterey’s use of APC; that schools improve property values; and the citizens of the community want this. Ellen Martin, First Night Monterey (FNM), said she spoke in favor of BVA at the City Council meeting, but also reminded them that FNM is a low impact user of the facility and that the neighbors like that. She also stated that they are accepting applications for Summer Art Camp Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday, April 26, 2011 2  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Tuesday, April 26, 2011 and asked that the City give them enough notice and time to relocate if they approve BVA’s use of APC. She also informed the Commission that the Archer Park area is used all day by the public. Susan Ushakoff, resident on Archer Street across from APC, said that both her children attended preschool at APC and asked why the City isn’t putting more pressure on MPUSD to let BVA use Bay View Elementary School. She said if the City approves BVA’s request to use APC and Archer Park, they need to look at the parking and traffic issues. Erika Shaw commented that MPUSD wants BVA to fail. The City has always been supportive of our vision to retain a school in New Monterey. She said her kids attend Hilltop Park Center Afterschool Program, which is a great program, and there would not be a need for it if there is no school in New Monterey. Victor Ushakoff, resident on Archer Street across from APC, stated that if Ellen Martin of FNM had not told them of this meeting, they wouldn’t have known anything about it. He stated that parking is an issue and there would be no park left for public use. Trisha Jimenez, resident on Irving Avenue, said her kids go to Bay View Elementary School and the Hilltop Park Center Afterschool Program. She stated she likes the charter school goals and is disappointed that HPC is not an option; she supports the charter school; believes our community needs it and needs to work together; and they are striving for good for our kids. Matt Bosworth, FNM Board Member, said he feels so much for the Bay View parents, they are very dedicated and are in a difficult situation. He wanted to remind the City’s decision makers that FNM is a community outreach organization and they are the last celebration of the year that brings families together. As the treasurer for FNM, he stated they are breaking even now and want to continue to move forward. He stated FNM will be impacted too and said both programs are very important. Gabe Almader, resident on Archer Street, said he has two kids that went to Bay View Elementary School and that it is more than a school, it’s a family, and MPUSD is using our kids as political pawns. The MPUSD Board will be known as closing a school that’s over 100 years old; it’s a travesty closing Bay View Elementary School as it was one of the highest performing schools in the State. He stated that BVA has looked at Bay View Elementary School, Hilltop Park Center and now Archer Park Center to use as their school facility. This is affecting businesses and property values. He said it’s an embarrassment of what MPUSD is doing to our education system. Commissioner McCarthy suggested that Mr. Almader take this speech to the MPUSD School Board. Camilo Wilson, BVA Board Member, stated your support of BVA here does not guarantee approval; we will open one way or another. Ideally, we want to be here in this neighborhood and encouraged the City to take advantage of this situation and secure a school in New Monterey. Joanna Greenshields, resident on Archer Street, stated they have worked on developing this charter school for the past 18 months and it has been very traumatic to lose Bay View Elementary School. She said that many friends are taking their kids to other school districts or private schools and wants the City to benefit from retaining a school in New Monterey. She said Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday, April 26, 2011 3  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Tuesday, April 26, 2011 the people involved in BVA are hardworking, talented and intelligent and she is proud of everyone involved. She hopes the City can do something for our children and community. Commissioner McCarthy stated that he lives on Jessie Street and his kids went to preschool at HPC then to Bay View Elementary School, then to Colton School, then to charter school and then to private schools because of the same reasons parents are stating tonight. What is before the Commission is conceptual approval of BVA using APC and Archer Park, and I would like to see if we can make something work for FNM too. Commissioner Federico stated her three children started out in MPUSD and then went on to graduate from private school. She said it is difficult for her to see where MPUSD has gone and she also hopes the City can work with FNM to find them some space. She said this is a very emotional issue and that BVA still has a lot of hoops to go through. Commissioner Canepa said we hear you loud and clear that we need a school in New Monterey. He also heard that FNM is viable for the entire community. He thanked everyone and appreciates them attending this meeting. Commissioner Woodward stated that she went through this fight six years ago when Monte Vista School closed and that she supports charter schools. She also stated that open space is very important to us and suggested that BVA get a bigger group together throughout Monterey, it’s not just a neighborhood issue, it’s a community issue, and she also suggested taking this fight to the ballot. Commissioner Marotta said he has concerns about the timeline through the Planning Department for zoning changes and the upgrades that would need to be done to the APC building. He asked if we approve the use of APC and Archer Park for BVA’s use and they don’t open this fall, is Del Monte School out of the picture? He also asked about BVA putting all their money into fixing up APC when they have stated they will need a larger facility in two years. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra stated that the City is in a $5 Million budget deficit and that APC is not ADA compliant. It would be a large cost to the City to try to move HPC programs to APC and allow BVA the use of HPC. Commissioner Marotta said BVA could get into Del Monte School with less money and we could revisit the shared use concept of HPC or continue to work with MPUSD on obtaining the use of Bay View Elementary School. On a motion by Commissioner McCarthy, seconded by Commissioner Federico and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission recommend conceptual approval to the City Council for the use of Archer Park Center (APC) and Archer Park by Bay View Academy (BVA) Charter School and to also address the relocation of First Night Monterey (FNM): AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Canepa, Federico, Marotta, McCarthy, Woodward NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Cooney, Menendez-Herbst Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday, April 26, 2011 4  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Tuesday, April 26, 2011 NEXT MEETING Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting, Thursday, May 19, 2011 - 7:00 PM  The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission is Thursday, May 19, 2011 at 7:00 p.m., City Council Chambers. ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair Marotta adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Kay Russo Mike Marotta, Vice Chair Recreation and Community Services Director Parks and Recreation Commission Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Tuesday, April 26, 2011 5