Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting Thursday, January 21, 2016 7:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Baldwin, Carnazzo, McEwen, Spangler Commissioners Absent: McCarthy, 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 Planner Elizabeth Caraker, Principal Engineer/NIP Coordinator Jeff Krebs, Recording Secretary Teresa Nash CALL TO ORDER CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 1. Thursday, November 19, 2015 Action: Approved as submitted (4-0-2, McCarthy, Menendez-Herbst absent). ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS Richard Ruccello passed around a flyer for the Monterey Public Library Wine & Chocolate Fundraiser scheduled for Friday, February 19 and encouraged everyone to attend. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 2. Receive a Report on the Parks and Recreation Master Plan Existing Conditions Report and Discuss Various Policy Options (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Report received. Community Services Director Bui-Burton provided some background information and introduced Principal Planner Elizabeth Caraker, who presented results of the community outreach efforts, inventories, and needs assessments. She stated we need to start identifying big policy issues and noted the Commission will have a joint meeting with the City Council next month. She introduced Mindy Craig from BluePoint LLC, the consulting firm for the Parks and Recreation Master Plan (PRMP) Update.  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, January 21, 2016 Ms. Craig reviewed the update process to date stating multiple community and group workshops have been held and an online survey was also available to the public. She stated the number one concern identified was maintenance and safety. She noted the survey shows that people feel that parks and recreation in Monterey are excellent; walking was the number one activity with 70% of people surveyed using the Recreation Trail; parking availability for facilities was also a concern. Other issues expressed were the need for better restrooms, better safety, enhancements to parks, more swimming pools, soccer fields, waterfront recreation uses, and expansion of the Monterey Sports Center. Monterey is not growing but has a huge visitor impact; we want high quality parks but need to also budget for maintenance. She stated the Recreation Trail has huge usage along with huge issues; the Cannery Row area of the trail is a very congested area and there is not a lot of space for expansion; we need to provide additional options for this challenging situation. One idea is to create visual pedestrian zones to help push more people towards businesses. The Custom House Plaza is also very congested and should be connected to downtown; Wharf II needs to be proactively designed for better pedestrian flow. There is a need to create areas to draw people to the east side of the trail going towards Seaside. She said the Monterey Sports Center is super successful and they are at capacity for programming; there is a need to add an expansion for more aquatics, fitness, and connect the facility with to the waterfront; Hilltop Park Center does not feel like a community center, there is no clear entrance; the Monterey Youth Center is well used, but the teen room is underutilized. She showed three possible locations for a lighted basketball court at Monterey Bay Park. She said Dennis the Menace Park is both a challenge and an opportunity; it is a jewel for the City and part of its history, possibly bring park equipment back to original artful play structures. Other needs identified were competitive and ocean swimming, pickle ball, dog parks/areas, adult/senior oriented programs, better serve teens, and overall park enhancements. Commissioner Spangler said she likes the New York idea of color on the ground for directions instead of signage. Ms. Craig said that too many signs create a visual distraction; we need to create simple things so people don’t have to think about it. Ms. Craig inquired if a sports complex at Ryan Ranch Community Park or on the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District (MPUSD) property on Olmsted Road is something to pursue and what type of complex should be developed. Commissioner Carnazzo said he has traveled all over with baseball teams and has seen a lot of great sports facilities. There is such a need for multi-purpose fields in Monterey, soccer is huge; we are all trying to share the same existing fields. Commissioner Spangler inquired if there is a formal process with MPUSD for the use of their property on Olmsted Road. Director Bui-Burton stated that talks with the MPUSD superintendent are very preliminary at this time. Commissioner Spangler stated the current dog park is underutilized. Mindy Craig noted it’s not a very attractive park, it’s small and in the shade; there is a clear desire for additional dog parks and they want beautiful spots not just dirt runs. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 21, 2016 2  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, January 21, 2016 Richard Ruccello, Casanova Oak Knoll Neighborhood President, said the City is in a TOT bump this year and that the commission needs to ask for more money and then advocate for it; you need at least six people to show up, the homeless do it and they get funding. He said Casanova Oak Knoll Park is a 1.3 acre park and a very popular BBQ area; the upper area is where the neighbors get together; we need another dog park but not in that area. There has been discussion about areas that are not buildable in the Ryan Ranch area; the FAA says no buildings are allowed, no gathering of people, it’s a bad location. He said the City needs to build up maintenance funding. He said the people that want outdoor basketball courts cannot afford to go to the Sports Center. Sharon Dwight, New Monterey NIP representative, feels that the online survey was not a good example of resident interest; it showed 50% using Soldier Field, which has a high level of security and is not easily accessible. She said there is an upper area at the Lower Presidio that needs to be addressed. She noted that NIP has funded remodels of bathrooms, paid for upgrades to Oak Newton Park, and restrooms at Monterey Bay Park were funded but have not been built. She said the City of Monterey has some fabulous facilities and we need to spend some money to maintain them. We want to remodel the Monterey Youth Center and encouraged the commission to submit a project and do the remodel in phases. Great walking areas in neighborhoods should be included; the Multi Modal Plan already calls for routes for bike paths, there are alternatives to using the Recreation Trail, that’s what we need to develop. The Commission thanked Mindy for her presentation and are excited to move forward on the master plan update. 3. Receive Report on Anticipated Site Improvements for Locating 1-2 Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) Funded Outdoor Basketball Court(s) with Lighting, in the Area Along the Recreation Trail by Shoreline Park (Vicinity of Foam Street and Cannery Row) (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Report received. Community Services Director Bui-Burton noted that staff has moved forward with Commission direction from their November 19 meeting to continue to explore the installation of a basketball court near Shoreline Park and to also continue to pursue joint use of the Coast Guard basketball court. Principal Engineer/NIP Coordinator Krebs noted that at Shoreline Park 5 parking spaces would be removed, a 6-foot vinyl fence would be installed, and the lighting could tie in with the existing Recreation Trail lighting. This option would require Coastal Commission approval due to tree and parking space removal, a water treatment bio-filtration system would need to be installed, it will need an archeological survey, and excavation will be done. The removal of the Cypress trees will require Architectural Review Committee (ARC) review. He noted that he has not heard anything from the Coast Guard regarding joint use of their existing basketball court, which would be the best location. Mr. Krebs said he wants to make sure the Commission is comfortable with this plan and if this is still the site you want to pursue. Commissioner Spangler inquired if the ARC and Coastal Commission reviews/approvals need to be done within the set 12-month period for this project. Mr. Krebs stated that construction of the basketball court(s) needs to begin within that 12-month period. He said the Coastal Commission’s concerns are storm water runoff, loss of trees, loss of parking spaces, and lighting. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 21, 2016 3  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, January 21, 2016 Commissioner McEwen inquired if the Cypress trees could be relocated instead of removed. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo stated they are too big to move. NIP Coordinator Krebs stated this is an underutilized park area, there are public restrooms in the area, and the lighting wouldn’t be a beacon. He said staff is working with local native groups on the archaeological concerns. Commissioner Spangler said we didn’t pick one of the sites that Mindy Craig suggested in the PRMP and inquired if community members stated they did not want a basketball court at Monterey Bay Park. She also inquired what happens to the funding if the Coast Guard says we can use their court. Mr. Krebs stated the money would be returned to NIP. Commissioner Baldwin stated he likes the location and design and wants to move forward with this site and also continue to pursue the Coast Guard’s basketball court. Richard Ruccello said the request was that the basketball court be lighted and have full access. The parking along Del Monte Avenue is going away because the Transportation Agency of Monterey County (TAMC) is going to create a bike lane. He said the proposed court is not regulation size, its 10’ short; this project has been so frustrating, every location has issues, but still feels the Figueroa Avenue site is the best location. Sharon Dwight, said when we walked the Shoreline Park site she thought the court would be oriented sideways so we wouldn’t lose any trees. She agreed with Mr. Ruccello that this site isn’t really optimal but that parking is available and lights won’t be an issue. She feels we should also continue to pursue the use of the Coast Guard basketball court. Commissioner McEwen stated the consensus of the Commission is to continue pursuing the Shoreline Park site and joint use of the Coast Guard basketball court. 4. Review Proposed Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) Projects for Fiscal Year 2016–2017 and Provide Guidance to Staff (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Report received. Community Services Director Bui-Burton gave a brief background on the NIP process and said the Parks and Recreation Commission’s role is regulated by the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and noted the update will not be completed prior to the NIP submittal deadline; the timing may not be quite right to submit projects for the upcoming fiscal year. She stated that community members will be submitting projects like pickle ball courts and Jacks Ball Park improvements. She encouraged the Commission to submit any projects they would like. She noted that staff will present the Facility Assessment Reports at a future meeting. Commissioner McEwen inquired if one could propose funds for architectural assessment for revamping the Hilltop Park Center with the language in there based on the perimeters of the PRMP; it would be one way to use the funding now. Commissioner Spangler inquired how we address requesting more maintenance funding. Director Bui-Burton stated that would be done during the budget process; it’s always useful for the Council to hear about those needs. Commissioner McEwen said at the next meeting we will hear more about the facilities assessments for the recreation facilities. Director Bui-Burton stated the final version was just completed and a City engineer will present these at the meeting. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 21, 2016 4  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, January 21, 2016 Sharon Dwight, NIP Alternate Spokesperson, said there will be a policy change in the NIP manual; we want to find out more about City facilities; March is the opportunity for the commission to tell us what is needed. We ask the City Council in January which big project they want done as a City-wide project; we rely on the Parks and Recreation Commission to tell us what projects need to be done City-wide for recreation facilities; and we rely on staff to tell us what needs to be done in the parks. She stated that NIP has to pay for all staff costs; we can’t do what we do without your help. She noted that the Monterey Youth Center has a master plan and funding for projects can be done in phases. She stated that she will be submitting Phase I improvements at Hilltop Park Center. Commissioner Baldwin stated he is not personally qualified to come up with an NIP project on behalf of the Park and Recreation divisions. He is more than happy for staff to come up with projects and then have the commission prioritize them to send on to the NIP Committee. Director Bui-Burton noted that is how it has operated in the past, once we have the PRMP done, we can do that again. Commissioner Baldwin said our job is to listen to staff and hopefully reflect what the community really wants. Director Bui-Burton said that staff appreciates the Commission’s support, but we also count on the Commission to bring us information and ideas. Commissioner McEwen stated this is a transition year, the Commissioners can still make recommendations even though we haven’t had input from staff this year. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra reminded them the deadline to submit NIP projects for Fiscal Year 2016-2017 is Friday, February 12. NIP Coordinator Krebs said he receives all requests, some are very detailed and some are very vague. He encouraged them to get projects submitted before the deadline. Director Bui-Burton noted that individual nomination forms could be submitted now and then the Commission could prioritize those proposed projects for submittal to NIP at their next meeting. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra stated the Monterey Youth Center Master Plan is very old and needs to be updated. NIP Coordinator Krebs suggested doing a design first, and then each following year they know exactly what is going to be built and ask for that funding. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 5. Monthly Report - Parks Division - November 2015 Action: Report received. 6. Monthly Report - Parks Division - December 2015 Action: Report received. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra reported summer job recruitment is underway; we are bringing back the Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 26 at Jacks Park; just completed a very successful Flag Football season and staff will be talking to the Presidio about retaining access to Soldier Field for our 2016 youth field sports programs. Sports Center Manager Vierra reported they are very busy with fitness; the youth basketball program is full; and he is hopeful the updated Parks and Recreation Master Plan will include an expansion for the Sports Center, there are a lot of programs we can’t offer due to lack of space. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 21, 2016 5  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, January 21, 2016 Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo reported the Skateboard Park is finished and looks really nice; we are still waiting for the artificial turf to arrive for Sollecito Ball Park. NIP Coordinator Krebs reported the turf is coming from Georgia and they will not meet deadline in completing the field. Manager Marcuzzo reported the shade structure has been installed at Casanova Oak Knoll Park; installed security lights at Oak Newton Park; installed a fish-shaped bike rack at Fisherman’s Wharf in an effort to put artwork out there. NIP Coordinator Krebs reported that Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District gave the City $20,000 in grant money for ADA access to the Dennis the Menace Park walkways. Community Services Director Bui-Burton stated we have terrific staff doing wonderful things every day. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Carnazzo said great job as usual. Commissioner McEwen said she appreciates everyone’s patience; there was a lot to go through tonight. Visit a park! NEXT MEETING Thursday, February 18, 2016 ADJOURNMENT Chair McEwen adjourned the meeting at 9:41 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Kim Bui-Burton Ellen McEwen, Chair Community Services Director Parks and Recreation Commission Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 21, 2016 6