Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Special Meeting Monday, January 9, 2017 7:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Baldwin, Carnazzo, McCarthy, McEwen, Menendez-Herbst, Panetta, Spangler Commissioners Absent: None Staff Members Present: Community Services Director Bui-Burton, Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra, Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo, Field Sports Coordinator Susic, Administrative Analyst/Housing Aldrete, Finance Analyst Anderson, Recording Secretary Nash CALL TO ORDER ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS None. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 1. Recommend to City Council Approval of Major Special Event Use Permit at Sollecito Ballpark for Dates in May, June and July 2017 by the Pecos League of Professional Baseball Clubs and Recommend Conditions for a License Agreement Regarding Field Use, Alcohol Use, Admission Fee, Temporary Banners (Exempt from CEQA per Section 15304(e)) Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission recommended City Council approval of a major Special Event Use Permit at Sollecito Ballpark for dates in May, June and July 2017 by the Pecos League of Professional Baseball Clubs and recommend conditions for a License Agreement regarding field use, alcohol use, admission fee, and temporary banners for a trial one-year period for 2017 (7-0). Community Services Director Bui-Burton said the City was approached by Andrew Dunn of the Pecos League requesting the use of Sollecito Ballpark for a new team called the “Monterey Amberjacks.” She noted this league is not affiliated with any Major or Minor League teams; the players receive weekly stipends and stay with host families. Because of the complexity of this request, the Pecos League will be required to have a License Agreement with the City; and staff is also recommending a one year trial period. She reviewed staff’s recommendations for this request. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst inquired if any local teams or groups would be losing time on the field. Director Bui-Burton said staff worked with the existing schedule and left time open so it would not take field use time from other groups. Sports Coordinator Susic stated this would take away some practice times for City league teams; adding the Pecos League eliminates any extra time.  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Monday, January 9, 2017 Commissioner Menendez-Herbst inquired if the alcohol sales would only be allowed during the Pecos games and also noted that parking in that area is limited. Director Bui-Burton stated that alcohol sales would only be permitted during the Pecos Leagues games and that sales would cease after the seventh inning. She also stated part of the challenge with parking is not knowing how many people will attend the games. Commissioner McEwen inquired what the capacity is for spectators at Sollecito Ballpark. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo said capacity is 600-700 people. Commissioner McCarthy said we have staff time included in their field use costs and asked what staff would be doing during the games. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra stated that in order for the Pecos League to have access to the score booth and lights, we will have staff there to get set up and supervise the area. Commissioner McCarthy said since this a for-profit organization, is there any way to increase their fees. Director Bui-Burton stated these fees are based on the City’s Fee Schedule. Commissioner Baldwin said the ticket prices seem pretty steep if you want to get young kids to come to the games. Manager Vierra noted the Pecos League plans to have different promotions, like two tickets for the price of one. Commissioner Carnazzo said he is not comfortable with beer sales that close to Dennis the Menace Park. He likes the idea as long as it does not take field time away from local youth teams. Sports Coordinator Susic noted the Pecos League will not have any practice times; they had proposed 27 games in Monterey; and the only times we had available is in the evening on Saturdays and Sundays. Commissioner McCarthy said he is also struggling with the beer issue; it is not for just this league, if another group comes in we may have to allow them to have alcohol too. Director Bui- Burton noted beer sales are a very important part of the League’s business plan; there’s always an understanding that if there should be an issue it will be dealt with; which means it may be stopped. She said staff thought long and hard about Dennis the Menace Park, the Youth Center, and the Skate Park proximity. The Pecos League will be required to use City-approved private security and the Police Department will also make it part of their watch. Commissioner Carnazzo said the El Estero Snack Bar should not be left out of the negotiations with the Pecos League; that place is an icon in Monterey. Director Bui-Burton stated the Snack Bar concessionaire, Carol Bruno, has been notified and will negotiate directly with the Pecos League. Mike Anderson, Monterey resident and City employee, said he just moved here and is a baseball fan; he appreciates the one year trial period. He also felt that Monterey residents should have input on the team name, as “Amberjacks” are not located here. He lives in the Oak Grove neighborhood and inquired how late the lights will be on. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo stated after the game is finished, it takes about half an hour to close up. Joe DeRuosi, Monterey Pony Baseball, noted their board discussed this proposal at length, and feel it’s good for the City. He also said the field upkeep should be in the agreement with the Pecos League. He said that he works with at-risk kids and does not feel alcohol should be allowed at this location. It’s a great idea but should also work for the community and the kids. Commissioner McCarthy said he is disappointed there isn’t a Pecos League representative here to answer questions; it would have been very helpful and informative. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, January 9, 2017 2  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Monday, January 9, 2017 Commissioner Panetta inquired if the State Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) require a security person at the sale site. Director Bui-Burton stated the City is requiring a security guard and that servers also have to go through ABC training. Commissioner Panetta asked if the money collected for the existing banners goes to a scholarship fund. Joe DeRuosi, stated the money collected goes directly back to field maintenance and scholarships. Commissioner Panetta questioned that the Pecos League would be able to put up banners at no cost. Director Bui- Burton stated staff is recommending the Pecos League is only allowed to put up their banners during their league play. Commissioner McCarthy inquired if banners are a money maker for the Pecos League. Field Sports Coordinator stated that ticket sales, beer sales and banners are their three main sources of revenue. Commissioner Spangler inquired if staff has talked to anyone from a city where they are already playing. Manager Vierra stated Mr. Dunn was still working on agreements with other California cities; and noted that these other cities are turning over their field to the Pecos League. Commissioner McEwen stated our situation is marginal as far as parking and all the other ball field users, banners, and alcohol. She feels we should go forward with this proposal for a year to test the waters; at this point, it’s unpredictable for us and them. On a motion by Commissioner McCarthy, seconded by Commissioner Menendez-Herbst, and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission recommend City Council approval of a major Special Event Use Permit at Sollecito Ballpark for dates in May, June and July 2017 by the Pecos League of Professional Baseball Clubs and recommend conditions for a License Agreement regarding field use, alcohol use, admission fee, and temporary banners for a one-year trial period for 2017: AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Baldwin, Carnazzo, McCarthy, McEwen, Menendez-Herbst, Panetta, Spangler NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None 2. Recommend that the City Council Amend Monterey City Code Section 23-4 to Permit Alcohol in Frank E. Sollecito, Jr. Ballpark With A Valid Written Permit (Not a Project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission recommend that the City Council amend Monterey City Code Section 23-4 to permit alcohol in Frank E. Sollecito, Jr. Ballpark with a valid written permit (7-0). Community Services Director Bui-Burton noted the Commission recently approved allowing alcohol at Colton Hall Lawn, Friendly Plaza, Monterey Bay Park and the Lower Presidio Historic Park. She said an ordinance is approved by the City Council and given a first and second reading before becoming valid. She said alcohol use must be tightly controlled and if they don’t follow the conditions within the agreement the use can be revoked. Commissioner Spangler inquired that if another group wanted to sell alcohol at the Sollecito Ballpark, would it be approved at staff level or come to the Commission for review and approval. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra stated alcohol would only be allowed with a Special Event Permit and any new event requests come to the Commission for approval. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, January 9, 2017 3  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Monday, January 9, 2017 Commissioner McCarthy inquired if there is a way to rescind this amendment to the ordinance if the Pecos League does not work out. Director Bui-Burton stated if the Pecos League withdrew their request, we could pull the ordinance if it’s before the second reading of the ordinance at Council level. She noted that we added the Lower Presidio Historic Park to the ordinance last fall and we have not had any requests yet. Manager Vierra also noted that people wanting to have alcohol on the Colton Hall Lawn or at Friendly Plaza have chosen not to do it because of all the requirements. Director Bui-Burton stated that if there were issues with alcohol at any of these locations we could re-examine the ordinance and propose future changes. On a motion by Commissioner Carnazzo, seconded by Commissioner Panetta, and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission recommend that the City Council amend Monterey City Code Section 23-4 to permit alcohol in Frank E. Sollecito, Jr. Ballpark with a valid written permit: AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Baldwin, Carnazzo, McCarthy, McEwen, Menendez-Herbst, Panetta, Spangler NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None NEXT MEETING Thursday, January 19, 2017 ADJOURNMENT Chair McEwen adjourned the meeting at 8:14 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Kim Bui-Burton Ellen McEwen, Chair Community Services Director Parks and Recreation Commission Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, January 9, 2017 4