Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting Thursday, March 19, 2015 7:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Baldwin, McCarthy, McEwen, Perske, Spangler Commissioners Absent: Carnazzo, Menendez-Herbst Staff Members Present: Community Services Director Kim Bui-Burton, Recreation and Community Services Manager Cindy Vierra, Sports Center Jeff Vierra, Park Operations Manager Louie Marcuzzo, Principal Planner/NIP Coordinator Jeff Krebs, Senior Engineer Laurie Williamson, Principal Engineer Robert Harary, Recreation Coordinator Sara Ziel, Recreation Coordinator Nate Cota, Recreation Coordinator Ksenia Berkoff, Recreation Coordinator Rachel Deis, Recording Secretary Teresa Nash CALL TO ORDER CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 1. Thursday, January 15, 2015 Action: Approved as submitted (5-0-2, Carnazzo, Menendez-Herbst absent). ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS None. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 2. Receive Dennis the Menace Park Train Engine Accessibility Report and Provide Direction to Staff Action: Report received. Direction given to staff to hold a public meeting for the community’s review and input; if major changes are presented it will come back to the Parks and Recreation Commission for review; if no major changes are presented it will go on to City Council for their review and approval (5-0-2, Carnazzo, Menendez-Herbst absent). Community Services Director Bui-Burton introduced Senior Engineer Laurie Williamson who will give the presentation.  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, March 19, 2015 Senior Engineer Williamson said the train was built in 1924 and when it was retired in 1956, it was donated to the City and moved to Dennis the Menace Park. In 2000, the State of California established minimum safety standards for playground equipment and it was determined that the train engine was not in compliance. Since that time, the City has installed a warning sign requiring adult supervision and declaring the train to be an historical exhibit and a white picket fence was also installed around the train. In 2011, City legal and risk management staff provided a playground safety compliance analysis and concluded the train was not in compliance with current playground safety requirements. In February 2012, a five-foot chain- link fence was installed as a temporary measure to prevent public access to the train. In December 2012, the firm of MIG, Inc. was hired to review the existing conditions and found there may be alternatives to removing the train from the park. In August 2013, a permanent decorative black metal fence restricting access to the train was installed. In FY 2013-2014, the Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) funded a study for $35,000. In 2014, MIG, Inc. met with staff, did research and site visits and completed a draft report for the City. Senior Engineer Williamson said the results of the report states The existing steam train contains many opportunities for injury, including: head entrapment, protruding features and vertical angles that may cause strangulation, heights that may result in serious injury from falls, and railings that do not provide adequate safety or protection. The consultants conclude that “therefore, climbing on and over the train is not a viable option due to safety and accessibility concerns.” She stated MIG’s recommendations focus on restoration where the train may be maintained as an integral part of the playground by restoring components of the existing train, proving limited access to areas on the side of the train modified to eliminate safety hazards, and providing additional elements that support play and learning. This includes ideas for enhancing play value through the inclusion of train yard elements adjacent to the train, such as: a custom sculptural train play structure, operational interactive controls, i.e. train whistle, bell, headlamp, etc., play activity panels that are train-related, a “kid-sized” train station or ticket booth, platform adjacent to the train, and an accessible ADA ramp from ground level to the platform. She said the Concept Plan is to relocate the fencing, add a play structure that kids can climb on, add a train platform with benches and a ticket booth, add a water tower structure, and be able to see inside the train cab. Senior Engineer Williamson noted that NIP only funded the design study portion of this proposed project, not the construction. Commissioner McCarthy noted that access to the train is important and asked if staff have talked to any kids to see if they are interested in a design like this. Senior Engineer Williamson stated no but that MIG is a playground design firm and have a lot of experience in playground design. Commissioner Baldwin inquired if there has been a public review of this plan where the consultants could present the plan in detail to the community. Community Services Director Bui-Burton said typically the Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) meeting is the forum for public comments, Principal Engineer Robert Harary said the presentation of the draft plan was discussed and in order to save costs, staff presented the plan. He said no separate meeting was planned. Senior Engineer Williamson also noted the draft plan was sent to Bryan Flores and Clayton Payton, members of the “Save the Dennis the Menace Park Train” community group and they both liked the design. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, March 19, 2015 2  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, March 19, 2015 Commissioner McEwen said it is a beautiful design and very elegant solution to have a kid-sized train for them to play on safely with several fun elements; we should build on what we have and not waste it. Commissioner Perske asked if the cost estimate includes design and engineering fees; and does staff know how much that would be? Principal Engineer Harary stated this may be a phased project; we have to go to NIP to request funding. He stated it’s at least $300,000 if built today. Commissioner Spangler said her 10 year old son and friends have great memories of the old train and it would be hard for them not to find a way to get in or on the train. She likes the ticket booth idea and suggesting having the kids pay a quarter to get a token to make a train whistle blow; overall I think it’s really great and would make a great statement when you walk into the park. She also noted that it’s not too far off from the Centennial of when the train engine was built in 1924; it would be fun to celebrate that. Sharon Dwight, NIP Alternate Spokesperson, said that NIP funded the design because we wanted the kids to have some access to the train. It would be great to have a public meeting on this so the community can have their input. She said with the new rules for ADA access, we must have all the funding before we can do the project; it may have to be done in phases. She said this plan does not show how the design relates to Dennis the Menace Park; we need to know how it fits in with the entire park and how much space will it take up. Recreation Coordinator Cota said he envisioned having a train whistle or steam with a freestanding clock so you know when it’s going to go off. He suggested where the platform ends, we could continue to raise the platform so the kids could go through the cab; also look into putting in a scale train and sell tickets for that. Commissioner Baldwin stated as a former playground safety inspector, we knew there was no way we could make access to the train safe and meet playground safety standards. Commissioner Perske said removing the train should still be considered as an option due to the cost. Commissioner McCarthy said this issue has had a lot of public input already and feels we need a cost benefit analysis before paying $250,000-$300,000 for the construction of this draft plan; that’s the value of having a public meeting; we need to do that before it moves forward to the City Council. Community Services Director Bui-Burton affirmed the commission feels a public hearing should be done next to include community input on the draft plan, discuss future maintenance of the train, and noted several commissioners are concerned with the cost of this project. Sharon Dwight, NIP Alternate Spokesperson, stated the cost of everything has gone up, so to the NIP Committee we may have to do this project in phases, $300,000 is not a lot of money. On a motion by Commissioner McEwen, seconded by Commissioner Spangler, and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission received the Dennis the Menace Park Train Engine Accessibility Report and provided direction to staff to hold a public hearing for the community’s review and input; if major changes are made it will come back to the commission for review and approval before going to the City Council for their review and approval: Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, March 19, 2015 3  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, March 19, 2015 AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Baldwin, McCarthy, McEwen, Perske, Spangler NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Carnazzo, Menendez-Herbst 3. Review Park and Recreation Related Proposed Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) Projects for Fiscal Year 2015-2016 for Conformity to the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and Advise the NIP Committee of Inconsistencies with the Parks and Recreation Master Plan Action: Item tabled; a special meeting will be scheduled for review due to new information provided (5-0-2, Carnazzo, Menendez-Herbst absent). Commissioner Baldwin stated that new information was provided today that the commission and staff have not reviewed; he proposed tabling this item to a special meeting; noting it is time critical to meet prior to March 31. Bill McCrone inquired why this item is being continued and what information was newly discovered. Commissioner Baldwin stated the Beach Master Plan of 1992 makes references to certain items listed as proposed 2015-2016 NIP projects. He said that the commission and staff need time to review this new information as it relates to the parks and recreation related projects. Community Services Director Bui-Burton stated staff will set up a special meeting and will send the agenda packet to individuals who are interested in attending that meeting. On a motion by Commissioner Perske, seconded by Commissioner McEwen, and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission tabled this item due to new information provided; a special meeting will be scheduled prior to the March 31 deadline for the Parks and Recreation Commission to review proposed NIP projects: AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Baldwin, McCarthy, McEwen, Perske, Spangler NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 2 COMMISSIONERS: Carnazzo, Menendez-Herbst 4. Highlights of Community Center Programs Action: Presentation received. Recreation Coordinator Sara Ziel gave a Power Point presentation highlighting community center programs and provided the Commission with enrollment statistics and other pertinent program information. Commissioner Perske noticed there are no duplicate classes and asked how staff decides where to hold the classes. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra said some instructors may only want to teach at a certain center; and staff works together to come with locations and different curriculum. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, March 19, 2015 4  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, March 19, 2015 Commissioner Baldwin inquired how many teens and youth does the Youth Center have on a daily basis. Recreation Coordinator Cota said they have a core group of kids that come, and on some Thursday nights we may have 30 or more. We also work with Colton Middle School to have school dances. Commissioner Perske asked if many high school kids use the Teen Room. Coordinator Cota said they have some, but they don’t want to hang out with seventh graders. Commissioner Spangler said she has two kids in the gymnastics program and they love it; Miss Renee does a great job. Commissioner Baldwin said to please tell all the community center staff members that we were really impressed. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 5. Monthly Report - Parks Division - January 2015 Action: Report received. 6. Monthly Report - Parks Division - February 2015 Action: Report received. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo reported the Portland Loo has been installed at the Transit Station, and the 59th Annual Cutting Day is this Saturday in Friendly Plaza. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra reported staff is wrapping up summer recruitment and the application deadline is tomorrow; the Junior Track and Socko programs are beginning and the Summer/Fall 2015 Activities guide will be out March 30 with registration beginning April 1. She also reported that tomorrow all three preschools will be at Hilltop Park Center for a community helper’s day; Scholze Park Center held their monthly luncheon this week with 100 seniors attending; staff is working on new marketing ideas; and we have a new Regular Part-time Administrative Assistant starting in our office on March 30. Sports Center Manager Vierra said they are filled to capacity in some areas and commended the Sports Center staff. He reported that camp programs start next week for the school break; many outside groups are using the pools; the Special Olympics group just finished with basketball and now their swimming program begins for training for this year’s Special Olympic events; Bay View Academy is there for morning and afternoon session; Trinity Christian High School and AB Ingraham are there on Wednesdays; and we will be participating in a few upcoming parades. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra reported the World Games for Special Olympics Torch Run will go through Monterey on a short route on the Recreation Trail from San Carlos Beach Park to the Wharf; the World Games for Special Olympics has not been in the United States for 16 years. Recreation Coordinator Cota said the new turf soccer field at Laguna Grande Park is really nice and is always in use. Commissioner McCarthy asked if the soccer field can be reserved. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra stated yes, with a fee. Commissioner Perske inquired if Monterey has problems with all the dead sea lions. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo stated not here, but up in Santa Cruz. Community Services Director Bui-Burton stated the launch ramp by the Coast Guard Pier has been closed off due to the number of sea lions coming up onto the ramp and docks. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, March 19, 2015 5  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, March 19, 2015 Community Services Director Bui-Burton reported that Monterey High School Baseball has made the decision to not have fundraisers at Sollecito Ballpark; the City is reviewing requirements that all groups would have to follow for selling food and getting the required licensing. She said several of our centers have partnerships with outside organizations, the Youth Center has the community homeless youth group, Scholze Park Center has many groups whose programs really make a difference for the seniors; she is proud of the work we do. She noted that staff met with Principal Planner Elizabeth Caraker who will be working on the Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update and reviewed the schedule. She said staff is working on the budget process, and this year City departments are submitting a two-year budget. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Spangler said she feels very thankful for the hard work of the staff and that her children get to benefit from it. Commissioner McCarthy said after a long day of work, it’s nice to come here and see all this good stuff going on. Commissioner McEwen said these meetings are such a positive part of her day; she thanked everyone for their hard work. Commissioner Baldwin said he is thankful for what we have in Monterey; and told staff that we do appreciate all of your hard work. Commissioner McCarthy said “visit a park!” NEXT MEETING Thursday, April 16, 2015 ADJOURNMENT Chair Baldwin adjourned the meeting at 8:19 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Kim Bui-Burton Vance Baldwin, Chair Community Services Director Parks and Recreation Commission Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, March 19, 2015 6