Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting Thursday, March 21, 2013 7:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Baldwin, Canepa, McEwen, Menendez-Herbst, Perske Commissioners Absent: Marotta, McCarthy Staff Members Present: Recreation and Community Services Manager Cindy Vierra, Park Operations Manager Louie Marcuzzo, Sports Center Manager Jeff Vierra, Senior Planner Todd Bennett, City Engineer Tom Reeves, Recording Secretary Teresa Nash CALL TO ORDER CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 1. Thursday, February 21, 2013 Action: Approved as submitted (5-0-2, Marotta, McCarthy absent). ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS None. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 2. Provide Recommendation on Use Permit 13-057 Requesting Approval to Operate a Bicycle and Quadricycle Rental Operation to be Located at 685 Cannery Row Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission approved the request to operate a bicycle and quadricycle rental business at 685 Cannery Row (5-0-2, Marotta, McCarthy absent). Senior Planner Todd Bennett presented the agenda report stating that City Council policy is to limit the number of quadricycles on the Recreation Trail to 36. He noted that the Knight’s request has been revised from six (6) quadricycles to ten (10) quadricycles for the 685 Cannery Row location. He stated that Frank and Michelle Knight operate three locations in Monterey for rentals, retail sales, and tour sales. He said the addition of these 10 quadricycle brings the total to 18 for the Knights and that Bay Bikes has the other 18 quadricycle permits. Mr. Bennett stated there will be no outdoor display at this location and that access for the quadricycles to the Recreation Trail will be from the northern building exit exclusively. Commissioner Canepa inquired if bicycles also need to exit from north side only. Senior Planner Bennett stated that Traffic Engineer Deal did not have a problem with the bikes exiting from either side.  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, March 21, 2013 Commissioner McEwen inquired if people renting the quadricycles get instructions on the Recreation Trail rules and regulations. Michelle Knight, Adventures by the Sea, stated yes, we provide training and give them instructions on safety and sharing the Recreation Trail. She said they must have a valid driver’s license and sign a waiver to drive the quadricycles. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst inquired why they are moving. Michelle Knight said we’re expanding our business and trying to get bikes off the 299 Cannery Row site to give more room for kayaks at that location. She said this will also help generate business for our other shops. Commissioner Perske reaffirmed there are no kayak rentals at this location. Michelle Knight stated people can buy vouchers at the 685 Cannery Row location to rent kayaks from their other locations. Frank Knight, Adventures by the Sea, stated that when looking at their shop there is about a 20 foot buffer with landscape and the Recreation Trail in that area is very wide. He said with our business being spread out we can monitor quadricycle users better and other users to obey the rules and be safe. He also said that with the success of the Clement and the Aquarium, we’ve always wanted to be in that area. Frank Donangelo, Cannery Row Company, stated they welcome the Knights to our building, they are good neighbors. He said that previously directly across the trail there was a bicycle rental business located there, people can see in both directions, and the Recreation Trail plan talks about bicycles on almost every page. Sharon Dwight, president of New Monterey Neighborhood Association, said she is really pleased that the Knight’s rental businesses give directions and guidance for anyone using the quadricycles and that they also talk to bicyclists to slow down for the safety of all trail users. Commissioner Canepa stated he supports the recommendation and increase from six (6) to ten (10) quadricycles. The Knights have been down on the trail and a part of the community for a long time. This new location gives more people the opportunity to ride along Cannery Row. Commissioner Perske said last month we were talking about safety on the Recreation Trail with all the different types of uses. Some of the problems on the trail arise from the surreys, they’re slow moving and take up a lot of room, and when the trail is crowed it’s hard to pass them. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst said she’s more annoyed by the locals riding fast on the trail, the tourists are going slow and enjoying the view and ride. She said it’s mostly impacted on the weekends and that during the week isn’t as busy. Commissioner Perske inquired if there are any regulations to having advertising on the quadricycles. Frank Knight stated the only advertising would be for their businesses. On a motion by Commissioner Menendez-Herbst, seconded by Commissioner Baldwin, and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission approved the request of Frank and Michelle Knight to operate a bicycle and quadricycle rental business at 685 Cannery Row, with a limit of ten (10) quadricycles at this location: AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Baldwin, Canepa, McEwen, Menendez- Herbst, Perske NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Marotta, McCarthy Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, March 21, 2013 2  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, March 21, 2013 3. Review and Comment on Park and Recreation Related Proposed Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) Projects for Fiscal Year 2013-2014 Action: The Commission reviewed the proposed NIP projects for Fiscal Year 2013-2014 and provided comments for the NIP Committee. City Engineer Reeves presented the agenda report and stated that one project has been modified: NM-2, Drake/Belden Dog Park – the applicant is no longer requesting it to be a dog park, they just want to request acquisition of the property for a park. Commissioner Perske felt that for project NM-5, Scholze Center Meeting Room Audio Loop Installation, there should be grants available for this type of project. City Engineer Reeves stated that project CW-8, MYC Teen Room Wall Construction, may come off the list and be done by City staff; project CW-10, Recreation Trail Pedestrian Trail, the submitter wants to have a separate path for pedestrians and that he may be willing to change his proposal to put up signs and educate users that it’s a multi-use trail to encourage safety for all users. Mr. Reeves said one idea would be to have a speed limit for the trail. He noted that project CW-20, Parks and Recreation Master Plan, will probably be pulled as it does not meet Council’s criteria for NIP projects. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst inquired if Quarry Park is on a monthly schedule for maintenance. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo stated that if there is a danger we’ll take care of it, but we mostly keep the path clear and smoothed out. He noted water is not available to irrigate for new plants. City Engineer Reeves referred to Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo on project NM-02, Drake/Belden Park because it would be adding park land. Mr. Marcuzzo reported they are having trouble maintaining the parks we have now due to budget cuts in staff. Commissioner Baldwin said it’s hard to get familiar with each project and compare it to the master plan. He said whether they conform or not should be something staff should confirm, if they didn’t conform, they wouldn’t be on the list. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra stated that staff looked at the projects and there weren’t any that did not conform with the Master Plan. The only proposed project that didn’t conform was the Drake/Belden Dog Park because the Master Plan only calls for one dog park in Monterey, but now that it’s changed to just land acquisition for a park, it does conform. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst noted that some of these projects stay on the list for years. Commissioner Canepa said now that the NM-02 project has changed to acquisition of land for a park, it conforms to the Master Plan. He inquired if the property is for sale. City Engineer Reeves stated there is a process we have to go through before we approach the property owner. City Engineer Reeves said regarding project CW-10, Recreation Trail Pedestrian Lane, the proposal is to separate the trail so you can not cross over into the other lane. He stated that the Recreation Trail is a multi-use trail and is not just for bicycles. Commissioner Canepa said he would never approve creating separate lanes – the bicyclists just need to slow down. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, March 21, 2013 3  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, March 21, 2013 Commissioner Menendez-Herbst said the “Monterey on the Move (MOM)” plan moves the faster bicyclists up to Wave Street and should help with the congestion and safety on the trail. City Engineer Reeves inquired if the commission would be supportive of widening the trail. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra stated if there were the opportunity we would want to widen it in some areas or create areas for people to step off the trail. Commissioner Baldwin said the bicyclists can be put into two groups – the fast and the slow riders; it’s the group of bicyclists that go fast that cause the issues. Commissioner McEwen said the problem is speed differential – if everyone is going the same speed there are no problems. She said in some areas it’s not safe to ride on the street, so she uses the Recreation Trail. She said if we make the streets safer for bicyclists that would unload the trail for other users. It would be worth paying a lot of attention to the MOM plan and recognize that the trail is so beautiful – let everyone use it – don’t limit it. Sharon Dwight, NIP Alternate Spokesperson, reported there are four (4) projects that may fall off the list: DM-04, DM-09, DM-14, and CW-20; and nine (9) projects that she would like the Commission’s opinion on whether they conform to the Master Plan or not and if they meet the Council’s criteria for NIP projects: DM-06, Tide Avenue Fence Construction - do you want a fence there and if so how tall; DM-07, Tide Avenue Sand Barriers – do you want a sand fence or some other type of fencing and is that something you think we need to do; DM-10, Del Monte Beach Boardwalk Improvements – is raising the height of the railroad ties desirable; DM-16, Tide Avenue Bike Racks - are there locations where you would or would not want to install bike racks; CW-10, Recreation Trail Pedestrian Lane - feedback previously given is very helpful; MV- 09, Monte Vista Playground Improvement – the PTA raised money and NIP added money for play equipment, when the school was closed the play equipment was moved to Colton School – it was the School District’s decision to move the equipment; NM-02, Drake/Belden Park – our area plan calls for acquisition of park land and there is a shortfall of acreage for parks, this parcel is unbuildable and it has lovely trees on it, we would propose it gets mowed once a year and install a park bench. If the neighbors decide to want a dog park there, we will come back later; NM-04, Cypress Park Repairs/Upgrades – the proposal should say a 30” box tree, not a 3” box tree; NM-11, Recreation Trail Prescott to Reeside Repairs - added Reeside and Hoffman to this proposal. She stated that the City Council funded CW-08, MYC Teen Room Wall Reconstruction; and for CW-10, Recreation Trail Pedestrian Lane – include multi-national signage to project proposal. Commissioner Perske thanked Sharon for her thoughts, comments and work on this year’s list of projects. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst stated that the Commission is to only advise if a project does not conform to the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra stated the Commission can give your comments on any projects to Mr. Reeves and he will pass them on to the NIP Committee. City Engineer Reeves stated that projects are turned in and then revised along the way as they acquire more details of what the project request actually entails. Sharon Dwight, NIP Alternate Spokesperson, stated that all comments have been noted and that the scope of the projects may be modified and downsized as they go through the process. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, March 21, 2013 4  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, March 21, 2013 INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 4. Monthly Report - Parks Division - February 2013 Action: Report received. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra reported on the California Park and Recreation Society (CPRS) Conference that was recently held in San Jose. Six staff members attended and they all went to different sessions to include youth development, leadership, how to grow as a recreator, programming, how to breathe new life into programs, marketing, social media, seniors, wellness, staff motivation, building lasting relationships with people in our communities, State legislature, field maintenance, skate parks, BMX facilities, what are new trends – adult parks and playgrounds, water parks, spray parks, extreme activities. She also reported that the budget has been submitted; the Summer/Fall 2013 Activities Guide will be available on April 1 and that registration starts on April 3; summer job application deadline is Friday, March 22 and we already have about 80 applicants; and the Pee Wee Baseball and Socko programs are starting. Sports Center Manager Vierra reported that spring break camps are going well; the pool deck recoating started last week and is a NIP project; staff is getting ready for summer and we only need to hire a few new staff for summer due to a lot of returning staff this year. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo reported they held the 57th Annual Cutting Day last Saturday and they had a good turnout; the Scholze Park sidewalk and the Monterey Bay Park sea wall is almost complete; the Casanova Oak Knoll Park play equipment project should be completed next week and we also cleaned up their BBQ area; he attended the CPRS conference and said there is some pretty nice play equipment available now. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra reported that OMBA is doing the 4th of July parade and will be going to Council to ask for waiver of fees, and that Monterey County Pops! wants to do a laser light show and concert at Jacks Park and will also ask the Council for a waiver of fees. She also met with a group who is interested in bringing back La Posada and another group interested in bringing back the Tree Lighting Ceremony. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Canepa said that Window on the Bay Park is coming along and looks really pretty. It’s spring time and things are getting green again. He appreciates all the Parks Division’s ongoing maintenance. He stated that he would never agree to separate the Recreation Trail – everyone just needs to get along and share. NEXT MEETING Thursday, April 18, 2013 ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair Perske adjourned the meeting at 8:34 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Cindy Vierra Louis Perske, Vice Chair Recreation and Community Services Manager Parks and Recreation Commission Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, March 21, 2013 5