Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Special Meeting Thursday, October 1, 2015 7:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Baldwin, Carnazzo, McEwen, Menendez-Herbst, Spangler Commissioners Absent: McCarthy Staff Members Present: Community Services Director Kim Bui-Burton, Recreation and Community Services Manager Cindy Vierra, Park Operations Manager Louie Marcuzzo, Principal Planner Elizabeth Caraker, Recording Secretary Teresa Nash CALL TO ORDER The Chair noted that Commissioner McCarthy had recused himself from the meeting due to potential business interest in the area of the Waterfront Master Plan. CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 1. Thursday, August 20, 2015 Action: Approved as submitted (5-1, McCarthy absent). 2. Thursday, September 17, 2015 Action: Approved as submitted (5-1, McCarthy absent). ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS None. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 3. Recommend Adoption of the Waterfront Master Plan Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission recommend that the City Council adopt the Waterfront Master Plan (5-1, McCarthy absent). Community Services Director Bui-Burton noted the commission reviewed the draft Waterfront Master Plan (WMP) on Thursday, June 18 and then held a field trip on Thursday, September 17 to walk the waterfront. She said the Commissioners looked at specific areas of interest including the Recreation Trail, the Lower Presidio Historic Park, and parking to make sure this plan will coordinate with the Parks and Recreation Master Plan (PRMP) which is also in the process of being updated. Principal Planner Caraker led the tour and highlighted areas of recreation and said the WMP will make sure there is flexibility to work with the PRMP.  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, October 1, 2015 Community Services Director Bui-Burton also noted letters were received from Sharon Dwight, the Fisherman’s Wharf Association, and Anthony Lombardo & Associates with their comments and concerns, along with a memo from Principal Planner Caraker in response to the Lombardo & Associates letter. Principal Planner Caraker stated the Architectural Review Committee, Historic Preservation Commission, and Planning Commission have all approved the Waterfront Master Plan to Council for their review and approval. She said the major revisions through these reviews are noted in the agenda report. She said staff responded to the request to remove light rail from the plan; and noted staff has a potential plan and grant money if the Transportation Agency of Monterey County (TAMC) comes through with a plan. She said the corner by the Coast Guard is in two plans, the WMP and the Lighthouse Avenue Plan. She said the names of the parking garages were changed; parking figures were calculated from surveys done to convey information about available parking; that information is on the website. She stated that parking concerns do not need to be addressed in this plan; it will be addressed by project. Principal Planner Caraker stated the focus is on future areas to develop programs or areas for programs for multi-use; and the pedestrian promenade will be wider around the harbor. She noted that slower bicycle riders would have a different route through the parking lot area than the faster riders; we need to maintain a safe separation. She said kayak uses are extremely valuable and we want to encourage that type of activity on the beach and open up the view shed; we need a relocation site for the kayaks and outrigger canoes. She reported that priority Area B is the final piece of the Window on the Bay project and there is still some property to acquire. She said the connection of the parking garages will be on Tyler Street over the tunnel; number of restrooms and locations will be determined in the PRMP and more accessible to people; there will be upgrades to the Wharf restrooms; San Carlos Beach Park will also have restrooms; and there will be hot showers in the Coast Guard pier restroom building. Commissioner McEwen inquired if there will be a bicycle commute lane through the parking lot. Principal Planner Caraker stated it will be a Class 2 bike trail through the parking lot instead of having the faster bicyclists on the walking promenade. Commissioner McEwen asked if Class 2 means it will be shared with cars. Principal Planner Caraker stated yes and there is striping for bikes. Commissioner McEwen stated the most congested area of the Recreation Trail is between the top of Fisherman’s Wharf and Monterey Bay Park. Principal Planner Caraker stated that is part of an NIP project to look at opportunities to widen the Recreation Trail or separate it or add more signage to make people more aware of other users. Community Services Director Bui-Burton noted that in the PRMP, we will look at all of the uses on the Recreation Trail and there will be more emphasis on safety. Commissioner Spangler inquired about the restrictions for uses at Shoreline Park and if this could be a potential location for basketball courts. Principal Planner Caraker stated there is a lot of flexibility in the plan. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst inquired how many parking spaces will be removed. Principal Planner Caraker stated we are not sure how many yet; we still need to go through the design process. Community Services Director Bui-Burton said it’s been a challenge for the Parking Division and we are looking at how spaces are used; if there is safe pedestrian access from the parking garages, and also encouraging events to be held during slower times of the year. Principal Planner Caraker said we may be able to get more spaces based on space size, and potentially add tandem and/or valet parking. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst inquired if the parking garages are filled to capacity in the summer. Community Services Director Bui-Burton stated no, except for the Cannery Row garages. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, October 1, 2015 2  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, October 1, 2015 Principal Planner Caraker said in the future another layer of parking could be added; but it’s too early to design something at this time, we still need to monitor parking and determine when we need to build more; valet and tandem parking is in the plan to maximize use of spaces; and that way-finding signage is very critical to park people efficiently. Commissioner McEwen parked in the Marina lot yesterday and spoke to a woman from Australia who said parking is very confusing. Community Services Director Bui-Burton said the waterfront lot is for single passenger cars and bus pull-through parking, and the marina lot is for more pull-through, live-aboards, and fisherman parking. Staff hopes to implement more technology to help people locate parking spaces and also want to continue to provide the opportunity for a locals parking program at the Wharf. Commissioner Baldwin said all the big events that come here create too much traffic, maybe the transit will be a good alternative. Principal Planner Caraker stated we have the property, we just need Federal grant money and determine if there will be enough ridership; it has to be convenient for people to use. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst asked if there is anything in the plan to incorporate the East and West parking garages to the waterfront lot. Community Services Director Bui-Burton said we are looking at parking in all areas. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst said in this plan there will not be any extra parking created, we are going to make the parking we have more accessible. Commissioner Spangler stated one goal is to get people to ride bikes more and inquired if there are any cities with climates like ours that use bikes more in their tourist areas. Principal Planner Caraker stated the cities that are bike friendly are not climate friendly, like Denver and Washington DC.; San Francisco recently adopted and already built new bike paths. The City just received a grant for outreach and education, to provide incentives, and how to reach potential users. Commissioner Baldwin inquired if we have projected enough restrooms; the ones available now are not visible to the public, i.e. Del Monte Beach House and Monterey Bay Kayaks; and restrooms at San Carlos Beach Park are needed. Community Services Director Bui-Burton stated there are no standards for the number of restrooms required; communities tend to work with what they have, with what water is available. The Portland Loo may also be an option for the Wharf area. Commissioner Baldwin stated more restrooms should be high on the list. Director Bui-Burton stated that will be part of our PRMP update. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst inquired about the bocce ball courts addressed in Sharon Dwight’s letter. Principal Planner Caraker said bocce ball courts are in the Downtown Specific Plan. Director Bui-Burton stated they are also located on State Parks property. On a motion by Commissioner McEwen, seconded by Commissioner Spangler, and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission recommend that the City Council adopt the Waterfront Master Plan: AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Baldwin, Carnazzo, McEwen, Menendez- Herbst, Spangler NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: McCarthy Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, October 1, 2015 3  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, October 1, 2015 4. Receive Report on Parks and Recreation Master Plan Process Action: Report received. Community Services Director Bui-Burton reported that Principal Planner Caraker will be guiding this project and the Commission’s subcommittee members are Vance Baldwin and Lacy Spangler. She said we are excited this is finally getting updated and that BluePoint Planning LLC and Gates and Associates have really jumped in, they have visited all the parks and facility sites. She said the PRMP survey is out and will be available in English and Spanish and encouraged all commissioners to complete a survey online. October will be a busy month with community workshops, survey data collection, and focus groups. Principal Planner Caraker said we are spreading the word about the survey, identifying community needs and what opportunities are available. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra said the survey is available to customers at centers and we will make personal contact with center users to attend the community workshop; we will also have babysitters available so parents can attend. Principal Planner Caraker stated the NIP Committee will meet with the consultants so they can conduct their own neighborhood surveys. Manager Vierra stated we would also like to get the youth involved in this process. Commissioner Spangler said she took the survey and it was very easy to do; she did have trouble finding Dennis the Menace Park and noted that it’s included in the El Estero complex. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 5. Monthly Report - Parks Division - August 2015 Action: Report received. Commissioner Baldwin inquired when can we expect a new commissioner to fill Lou Perske’s position. Community Services Director Bui-Burton stated the Council set a new policy and applicants will go before a public meeting to be interviewed and selected. Commissioner Baldwin reported the Dennis the Menace statue that was found in Florida was sent to us; it has now been sent to the creator to see if he can find any identifying marks to see if it was the one stolen from Dennis the Menace Park in 2006. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo reported the Nanao celebration at Sister City Park was very nice. Commissioner Baldwin said Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo and staff got a lot of pats on the back for doing such a great job on the park, about 25 people from Nanao came to the celebration. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra reported we are working on the PRMP project, the Winter/Spring Activities Guide went to print, staff is busy on Halloween programs, the senior luncheon is on October 28, and soccer is going well at the Presidio. She stated we will meet in November to figure out where we will hold soccer and flag football after this season. Community Services Director Bui-Burton reported the Council approved the purchase of 40 new cycling machines for the Sports Center, at their next meeting they will approve donation money to upgrade areas of the Sports Center, and the current Administrative Assistant II who does the medical billing is retiring and we are changing the title of the position. She noted the Special Event Grant Program is a new program and applicants must apply and submit their event budget and performance measures and then will go through a panel review for funding. She Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, October 1, 2015 4  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, October 1, 2015 reported a proposed project to install artificial turf in the outfield of Sollecito Ballpark will be coming to the commission for review; this project is now over $1M and also triggers ADA improvements. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra reported that this weekend is the Monterey SportsFest with volleyball and ocean events and encouraged everyone to attend. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Carnazzo thanked staff for their hard work. Commissioner McEwen also thanked staff. Commissioner Spangler said she is really impressed with the PRMP process and is excited to be a part of it. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst inquired if there are more transient camps in City parks. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo reported we have been moving them from Laguna Grande Park and that the Police Department has been great in helping us. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst said it’s a big issue and noted in the Parks Monthly Report it shows the homeless percentage is high in the hiker/biker area. Manager Marcuzzo stated there are a lot of people in one camp area, they are not spread out. NEXT MEETING Thursday, October 15, 2015 ADJOURNMENT Chair Baldwin adjourned the meeting at 8:18 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, October 1, 2015 5