Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Special Meeting Monday, March 23, 2015 7:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Baldwin, McCarthy, Perske, Spangler Commissioners Absent: Carnazzo, McEwen, Menendez-Herbst Staff Members Present: Community Services Director Kim Bui-Burton, Recreation and Community Services Manager Cindy Vierra, Sports Center Manager Jeff Vierra, Park Operations Manager Louie Marcuzzo, Principal Engineer/NIP Coordinator Jeff Krebs, Recording Secretary Teresa Nash CALL TO ORDER ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS None. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 1. 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: The Parks and Recreation Commission approved the proposed park and recreation-related Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) projects submitted for Fiscal Year 2015-2016 for conformity and advised the NIP Committee of inconsistencies with the Parks and Recreation Master Plan (4-0-3, Carnazzo, McEwen, Menendez-Herbst absent). Community Services Director Bui-Burton said the commission will review the proposed park and recreation-related NIP projects for FY 2015-2016 and confirm that all proposed projects are in conformance with the Park and Recreation Master Plan (PRMP). She stated the existing PRMP was published in 1986, with several updates done throughout the years. She said that she also researched the Beach Master Plan (BMP) of 1992 and found that all proposed projects conform to the PRMP; noting there are inconsistencies in some areas where things didn’t exist or are not as originally approved. Commissioner Spangler inquired if the BMP is in conformance with the PRMP. Director Bui- Burton said the BMP evolved from the PRMP; and said the BMP talks about phased plans in that area. Commissioner Spangler asked if the PRMP is the umbrella plan. Director Bui-Burton stated yes.  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Monday, March 23, 2015 Commissioner Spangler inquired what is considered a low-cost temporary basketball court. Principal Engineer/NIP Coordinator Krebs said it would be done with a minimal amount of grading, 1-1/2” of asphalt and would not have a lot of amenities. Director Bui-Burton stated the Council only wants temporary improvements until the Waterfront Master Plan (WMP) is completed and adopted. Community Services Director Bui-Burton reported the City has a 50 year lease with the Army for the Lower Presidio Historic Park. Commissioner Spangler asked what the future of the site will be when the lease is up. Director Bui-Burton reported we don’t know at this time; this is an incredibly historic area, expensive to work on and archeological surveys make projects more involved. Principal Engineer/NIP Coordinator Krebs stated that NIP is still trying to define the scope of work for the proposed projects; this will come back to the commission so they can review the final parks and recreation-related proposed projects and descriptions; they evolve throughout the process. Sharon Dwight, NIP Alternate Spokesperson, commented on several projects: DMG-2, Laguna Grande Park Recreational Enhancement, talks about adding lighting so soccer can be played after dusk; City policy is parks close at dusk. She asked if commissioners want lights in the park; DT-2, Jacks Park Entrance Baseball Statute, the proposed statute is just a little larger than the one there; MV-4, Monterey High School Softball and Athletic Field Renovation, NIP funded this project years ago, NIP took the money back because the high school doesn’t want the public to use their fields; NM-8, Lower Presidio of Monterey Walkway, Phase II, the walkway has been installed, the ramp needs to be redesigned with ADA access to Pvt. Bolio Road; OG- 2, Oak Grove Tot Lot Acquisition, a tot lot is part of the Oak Grove area plan; SF-2, Lower Wyndemere Log Drops Additional Funding, the cost has gone up so much we had to add another increment/phase to this project; VDM-2, Montecito Park Safety Improvements, will other park amenities remain if a full basketball court goes in; CW-2, Window on the Bay-Monterey Bocce Center, the Beach Master Plan has been approved by the Coastal Commission and until the Waterfront Master Plan is adopted, we have to go by what the BMP says; CW-9, San Carlos Beach Sidewalk and Step Repair, it would be helpful if a member of the commission comes to speak on that project; CW-22, Window on the Bay – Basketball Courts, this project is in the coastal zone and is premature until the WMP is adopted, there is no plan for that area; and CW- 29, Lower Presidio Historic Park Initial Improvements to Allow Public Use, we can’t put anything in the ground, suggested trimming of trees instead of removing. Commissioner Perske stated that item NM-7, Belden/Drake Open Space, was previously submitted as a dog park. Sharon Dwight said that all neighbors liked the idea, but a dog park will have to wait until the PRMP is updated, we just need to have some open space with a bench or two. Katrina Hintze, Villa Del Monte NIP alternate representative, VDM-2, Montecito Park Safety Improvements, this is a highly dense area of apartments and is a very popular park, safety issues are the sand on the concrete is slippery, lights are supported by neighbors if turned off by 10:00 p.m. and would not shine in windows, it is a very dark park and attracting unwanted people and the neighbors would feel safer with some lighting; and VDM-1, Ferrante Park BBQ Picnic Upgrade, this area should be set up for neighbors to use, instead of just for watching baseball games. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, March 23, 2015 2  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Monday, March 23, 2015 Commissioner Spangler said there is a lot of soccer playing at Montecito Park, and asked if turning the basketball court and making it full-court will affect that use. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo noted that we put the tables there to discourage soccer. Principal Engineer/NIP Coordinator Krebs said staff looked at that during their site walk and have added a small fence to keep balls from going in the street. Bill McCrone, Old Monterey Foundation (OMF) Secretary, discussed item CW-29, Lower Presidio Historic Park Initial Improvements to Allow Public Use, stating the City entered into an agreement for the Lower Presidio Historic Park and that nothing has been done to implement the master plan since 2002. He said it has been 18 years since the City took over that park; it is a tremendous historic asset, the most historic site on the West Coast. Most citizens do not even know this park exists because there is not enough signage. He said the OMF is taking this project on as their premier project to get traction and implement the master plan. He said if funded, it will create a park where none exists. He stated the priorities are signage, fencing, walkways, tree removal/thinning, and a walkway from the Museum to the Sloat Monument. He said the OMF is asking that the commission gives this project their highest priority for NIP funding; we are a non-profit organization and any donations are tax deductable. He noted that the Colton Hall Museum and Cultural Arts Commission assigned this project as their #1 priority; we ask that the Parks and Recreation Commission do the same. Commissioner Spangler said she would like to see the video of the proposed basketball court at Window on the Bay and inquired about parking. Principal Engineer/NIP Coordinator Krebs said there is parking available in the area and an ADA space will be added. Katrina Hintze inquired how high the fence would be. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo stated it would be no more than 4’ high. Commissioner McCarthy noted this project may conform to the PRMP but may not be consistent with other plans; our charge is to determine if proposed projects meet the PRMP. Community Services Director Bui-Burton stated the BMP is referenced in the PRMP; we use the PRMP as the guiding document. She said having multiple outdated plans does make it a challenge for staff and the commission. Commissioner Baldwin stated the commission’s primary responsibility is to confirm that all proposed park and recreation-related projects conform to the PRMP. On a motion by Commissioner Perske, seconded by Commissioner McCarthy, and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission approved the proposed park and recreation-related projects submitted for Fiscal Year 2015-2016 and that they conform to the Parks and Recreation Master Plan: AYES: 4 COMMISSIONERS: Baldwin, McCarthy, Perske, Spangler NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 3 COMMISSIONERS: Carnazzo, McEwen, Menendez-Herbst NEXT MEETING Thursday, April 16, 2015 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, March 23, 2015 3  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Monday, March 23, 2015 ADJOURNMENT Chair Baldwin adjourned the meeting at 8:38 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Kim Bui-Burton Vance Baldwin, Chair Community Services Director Parks and Recreation Commission Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, March 23, 2015 4