Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting Thursday, June 18, 2015 7:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Baldwin, Menendez-Herbst, Perske, Spangler Commissioners Absent: Carnazzo, McCarthy, McEwen Staff Members Present: Community Services Director Kim Bui-Burton, Recreation and Community Services Manager Cindy Vierra, Park Operations Manager Louie Marcuzzo, Field Sports Coordinator Kyle Susic, Principal Planner Elizabeth Caraker, Recording Secretary Teresa Nash CALL TO ORDER CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 1. Thursday, May 21, 2015 Action: Approved as submitted (4-0-3, Carnazzo, McCarthy, McEwen absent). ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS Sharon Dwight, Monterey resident, said she attended an Old Monterey Business Association (OMBA) meeting and they discussed installing play equipment at Scholze Park; which can’t be done until the Parks and Recreation Master Plan is updated. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 2. Receive Report and Provide Comments on the Draft Waterfront Master Plan Action: Report received; the Commission provided comments regarding restrooms, the Recreation Trail and parking. Community Services Director Bui-Burton introduced Principal Planner Elizabeth Caraker who presented the Draft Waterfront Master Plan for the commission to ask questions and provide comments for staff. She noted that the plan will come back to the commission for final review at a later date. Principal Planner Caraker stated the City’s overall planning document is the General Plan. She noted the City is also preparing to update the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. She said all these plans help the General Plan and we want to make sure they all work with each other; we are also looking to see if there is an opportunity to consolidate some plans.  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, June 18, 2015 Principal Planner Caraker stated this is a long-term visionary plan for the City’s waterfront; staff have completed a comprehensive plan noting the existing conditions and land uses, jurisdictions, parking spaces, harbor, how are they working for us, what are the issues, what do we want to do in the future. Community workshops were held where they developed different plans and alternatives, and developed how to implement goals and alternatives. She noted they still need a plan for the Del Monte Avenue/Washington Street intersection on how to make the intersection more cohesive to accommodate more bicycle and pedestrian traffic. Principal Planner Caraker reviewed the vision for the Monterey Waterfront and said it took a lot of people committed to preserving history, recreation and tourism to come up with all these ideas. During public meetings, the pedestrian promenade, truck turnaround, education kiosks, and relocation of the Beach House and Monterey Bay Kayaks were discussed. The community commented about opening up the rest of the area and to improve circulation and capacity for the boat storage area. Principal Planner Caraker talked about the recreation activities, commercial trucks, repurposing the Passenger Depot area to a multi-use area with education and artistic display; incorporate fun things to draw people to the area. The plan will also enhance the Recreation Trail to maintain safety for bicycles and pedestrians. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst said she’s glad that the bicycle/pedestrian conflict is part of this review and asked what are the plans to reduce the conflicts on Trail. Principal Planner Caraker said the Trail will be marked with signage after it’s determined how wide the Trail could be. Commissioner Perske said the western boundary says San Carlos Beach Park yet the plan goes down Cannery Row. Principal Planner Caraker stated it encompasses that whole area. Commissioner Spangler said this plan also incorporates the Lower Presidio Historic Park (LPHP) and asked how does it work with the City’s lease of the property. Principal Planner Caraker stated the LPHP will be the main plan for that area and that the Parks and Recreation Master Plan (PRMP) will also review it during the updating process. Director Bui-Burton stated it’s a long-term 50-year lease and that the LPHP was developed by the Army. Sharon Dwight, Monterey resident, inquired where the restrooms will be located; the National Standards are to have a restroom within 100’ of recreational activities. We need to be specific in this plan where restrooms are going to be located; we’ve waited for years for restrooms in the waterfront area and already have NIP funding for this project. She feels it’s a mistake to relocate the Recreation Trail by the marina because it would take out too many parking spaces. She noted that the Window on the Bay and East Catellus properties are supposed to be open space; consolidating Monterey Bay Kayaks and the Beach House in one building makes sense because that intersection is already too congested; the multi-use areas are losing too many parking spaces; efficient parking is needed; and retain open space. She is concerned that the City brings in sand every year to prevent water going onto Del Monte Avenue and this document says the Marine Sanctuary is unforgiving about dredging. Chris Shake, Fisherman’s Wharf lessee, said he is very concerned about parking in the Draft WMP; he said we always need parking in the Fisherman’s Wharf area. He encouraged the Commissioners to visit the Wharf area and see how congested it is; we want people to come here. He said the plan doesn’t make sense, we need parking and that need will only grow in the future. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, June 18, 2015 2  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, June 18, 2015 Community Services Director Bui-Burton noted the agenda report shows areas in the WMP that have reference to the PRMP. Principal Planner Caraker noted that all planning documents are living documents; they can be amended as we move forward. We often reference our 1937 plan that talked about the Window on the Bay property and it’s still not finished; we try to update plans every 10-15 years. Commissioner Baldwin inquired if parking was discussed during the public meetings. Principal Planner Caraker stated this is prime real estate and should be used for recreational purposes. Commissioner Perske stated we need to take action now so that this plan coordinates with the upcoming PRMP Update. Community Services Director Bui-Burton said this is the Commission’s first chance to see this draft plan. She encouraged them to spend some time in the waterfront area and see what is going on. Commissioner Baldwin inquired if the updates of 2010 were incorporated in this plan. Principal Planner Caraker stated that all comments were incorporated. Commissioner Baldwin asked if passive versus active recreational activities are addressed in the plan. Principal Planner Caraker stated it is talked about very generally and should be part of the upcoming PRMP Update. Commissioner Baldwin said he understands that State Parks is not going to take out their bocce ball courts and plan to add more courts. 3. Highlights of Field Sports Programs Action: Presentation given. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra introduced Field Sports Coordinator Kyle Susic, who gave an overview of the outdoor Field Sports programs. Commissioner Spangler inquired how the Presido access has affected programs. Field Sports Coordinator Susic said access changed as of January 1; so the last two weeks of Flag Football were held at Jacks Ball Park. He noted staff met with the Presidio Security and has worked out an agreement with them to continue holding our youth programs there. Director Bui-Burton stated that Cindy and Kyle have spent many hours working with the Army for entrance to the Presidio so we can retain our programs and use of this facility. Manager Vierra stated the Garrison Commander is allowing us to use the fields because they have never had any issues with us; the next Garrison Commander may not allow it, we are on a year-by-year trial basis. Commissioner Spangler inquired if the City programs have priority use of the Laguna Grande Soccer Field. Coordinator Susic said it is pretty much a practice field for us and then it’s open to the public. He noted the field is too close to the road and houses so full size goals cannot be installed. Commissioner Spangler asked if there are any indoor soccer facilities in the area. Coordinator Susic said there is an indoor soccer complex in Salinas, but heard that it is run down and not very popular. Commissioner Perske stated that given the limited number of fields, it must be a nightmare to schedule everyone. Coordinator Susic stated between Monterey High School (MHS) and the Youth League, there isn’t very much time available for other groups. Commissioner Perske asked about using the MHS football field. Coordinator Susic stated their schedule is full and that Trinity Christian High School uses it for games on the weekends. Manager Vierra said we are going to work with the new Athletic Director at MHS to work out a schedule so we can make the fields available for other uses. The Commission thanked Kyle for his presentation. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, June 18, 2015 3  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, June 18, 2015 INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 4. Monthly Report - Parks Division - May 2015 Action: Report received. 5. 4th of July Celebration 2015 Action: Report received. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra reminded everyone about the 4th of July activities starting with a pancake breakfast at Fire Station 1, the parade on Alvarado Street, the Lawn Party on Colton Hall Lawn, and the Monterey County Pops! concert at the Golden State Theater. She reported that Whispering Pines Day Camp and the Playground Program started this week, and Camp Quien Sabe starts on Monday. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo reported they are busy supporting Recreation with summer program set up; and removing sand from play areas and replacing with playground mulch. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst asked if there are a lot of homeless camps at Veteran’s Park. Manager Marcuzzo stated it’s not too bad at Veteran’s Park; it’s actually more of a problem in other parks. Commissioner Spangler inquired if there are any parks you think we should look at now for better water conservation. Manager Marcuzzo stated the previous recommendations were for when we really don’t have any water; at this time we are far under our usage. Commissioner Spangler reported there is no vegetation at the Spray Avenue Tot Lot. Community Services Director Bui-Burton reported the City Council passed a two-year budget, the Easter Egg Hunt will return, minimum wage goes up again in January, and Council approved all NIP projects. She invited the Commissioners to the July 7 Council meeting where a proclamation will be presented for “July is Parks and Recreation Month.” She noted due to anticipated low attendance, the July 16 Commission meeting will be canceled and the park tour will be held in September; she also extended an offer for the Commission to visit Whispering Pines Day Camp and Camp Quien Sabe during the summer. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra reported Blue Point of Oakland has been selected as the firm to prepare the Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update. Director Bui- Burton noted this group had some great ideas for youth and community engagement. Manager Marcuzzo stated that we have one year to find a spot for a full-size basketball court and asked commissioners if they had any ideas for a location. Commissioner Baldwin suggested instead of doing a whirlwind park tour, maybe we could just do two or three stops to get out and take more time to really look at the area. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Menendez-Herbst said it is really good to have a review of the Draft Waterfront Master Plan and wants to make sure we have input where the plans overlap, especially regarding the Recreation Trail; we need to stay on top of this project. Commissioner Spangler said staff continually does a great job of preparing for our meetings; Kyle did a great job on his Field Sports presentation. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, June 18, 2015 4  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, June 18, 2015 Commissioner Perske reported this is probably his last Commission meeting as they are moving to San Diego at the end of July. He said that staff is amazing. Commissioner Baldwin said it’s been a pleasure working with Lou, he always had good questions and is a valuable member of the commission; he wished Lou the best on behalf of the staff and commission. NEXT MEETING Thursday, July 16, 2015 ADJOURNMENT Chair Baldwin adjourned the meeting at 8:52 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, June 18, 2015 5