Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting Thursday, October 19, 2017 7:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Baldwin, Hofmann, McCarthy, Menendez-Herbst, Panetta, Spangler Commissioners Absent: McEwen Staff Members Present: Community Services Director Bui-Burton, Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra, Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo, Recreation Supervisor Leon, Principal Engineer/NIP Coordinator Krebs, City Forester Morton, Administrative Assistant I Tannahill, Recreation Intern Jenson, Recording Secretary Nash CALL TO ORDER PRESENTATIONS 1. Highlights of Summer Programs (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Presentation received. Recreation Intern Bryce Jensen presented a slideshow highlighting our summer programs and afterschool program; this presentation is one of his internship projects. Commissioner McCarthy inquired if staff does the inservice training or do we pay for training. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra stated staff does the majority of training and we also have some paid professionals for training on discipline, leadership, CPR/First Aid, and child abuse. We also have special training to accommodate kids with diet restrictions or medical issues. 2. Presentation on City Forestry Program (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Presentation received. City Forester Steve Morton gave a presentation on the City’s Forestry Division. He noted there are currently three members of the Forestry Division; they used to have 11 people and were recognized as the best in the state. He said they enforce the City Tree Ordinance, do inspections, and receive a lot of public calls for tree inspections to determine the health or if it’s a problematic tree. He said they manage and supervise programs to maintain greenbelts; fire danger is a huge issue this year and the City has a 28 year relationship with CalFire. He stated the City has a contract with West Coast Arborist for doing the majority of the division’s tree work and they are catching up with the removal of dead trees.  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, October 19, 2017 City Forester Morton said their Division’s main goals are to preserve the forest, retain wild plants, and remove invasive plants. He noted they also train constantly to keep up their credentials; and amazing research is being done on trees. The Commission thanked Steve for his presentation. CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 3. Thursday, August 17, 2017 Action: Approved as submitted (6-0-1, McEwen absent). ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS Esther Malkin, Monterey resident, reported that she has been working with the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District to come up with some ideas to increase the use of Laguna Grande Park to deter vagrancy; acquire grant funding; and work with the Audubon Society. She said there are a lot of older residents in our neighborhood and suggested adding a senior-type workout area. Jill Johnson, Villa del Monte neighborhood resident, said there are limited opportunities for older adults; many are on limited income; having a public fitness area in the park is a great idea; promotes health and well-being; decreases fall risks, decreases increase of repeat cancer; and provides a good quality of life. Laguna Grande Park seems perfect; it’s lighted and there is parking. Very supportive of this idea. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 4. Approve Location of Portland Loo Restroom at Monterey Bay Park (Exempt from CEQA Article 19, Section 15306, Class 6) Action: Approved location of Portland Loo Restroom at Monterey Bay Park (6-0-1, McEwen absent). NIP Coordinator Krebs stated these restrooms were originally approved as an NIP project in FY1999/2000. He said the concrete platform will have to be raised about 18” because it’s located within the flood zone, the project will need to redo the ADA parking spaces, realign the Recreation Trail, and will need Coastal Commission approval. Commissioner Spangler inquired if lighting will be a concern for the Coastal Commission. NIP Coordinator Krebs stated there is existing lighting on the Recreation Trail and more lighting will be added; and that no parking spaces will be taken. He said they will want to address the sea level rise for that location. Community Services Director Bui-Burton stated this is the location identified in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan for a public restroom. Commissioner McCarthy inquired about the maintenance of a Portland Loo restroom. NIP Coordinator Krebs stated there is one at Simoneau Plaza and has been easy to maintain. It is stainless steel and open at the floor level so people cannot hide inside. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, October 19, 2017 2  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, October 19, 2017 Commissioner Baldwin inquired if there will be any landscaping and directional signs included in this project. NIP Coordinator Krebs stated there was a previously approved NIP project to install directional signs for public restrooms; and ARC will have to approve the landscaping. Commissioner Panetta inquired if the project is fully funded now. NIP Coordinator Krebs stated as it is anticipated, yes; soil remediation is the unknown wild card on this project. On a motion by Commissioner Panetta, seconded by Commissioner Baldwin, and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission approved the location of a Portland Loo restroom at Monterey Bay Park: AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Baldwin, Hofmann, McCarthy, Menendez- Herbst, Panetta, Spangler NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: McEwen 5. Receive Report on Monterey Amberjacks (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Report received. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra reported the inaugural season went very well; they did not sell alcohol this season, but will request it for next year along with adding sponsorship banners. The number of restrooms was not enough, so a portable restroom was added. She said staff met with Andrew Dunn and he was very pleased with Monterey and their first season here. For next year they will be requesting field use for Friday, Saturday and Sunday so there will be more games here next season; he will devote more time for marketing; and they will play in Hollister on Thursday nights. She stated that at the next meeting staff will bring their formal request to the Commission. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst inquired if there were there any problems or issues at all. Manager Vierra stated the only complaint was that people attending the game had to walk across the parking lot to use the restroom. Commissioner McCarthy inquired if there were any problems with the El Estero Snack Bar. Manager Vierra stated no, it went really well. Commissioner Spangler asked if staff has talked to other cities where they play to see if they have any issues. Manager Vierra stated that Monterey is very unique in comparison to other locations; in other cities where they play they have full use of the facilities and concessions; and have a much higher attendance at their games. 6. Receive Report from Dogs in Parks Subcommittee (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 stated this is a priority for the Commission’s work program. The goal is to identify parks where dogs could be on leash and to receive public input. At this point, we have received over 600 surveys online; the deadline for the survey is Friday, November 3. Staff will bring the results to the November meeting. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, October 19, 2017 3  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, October 19, 2017 7. Receive Report from Recreation Trail Subcommittee (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 stated that during the process to update the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, there was a lot of interest to the make the Recreation Trail safer and more attractive for users. At the May 18 meeting, the Commission reviewed the Whitson Engineering report on the Recreation Trail and a subcommittee was appointed. She stated staff will also look at the Multi-Modal Mobility Study and grant opportunities to fund some of the recommendations from the Whitson Study. Commissioner McCarthy noted the portion from the Wharf to the Coast Guard pier is the primary area that needs widening; there may be some money available that would enable us to do this project. We need to get a comprehensive plan; get an overview of the project and get more public input. Jason Wachs, said he is the submitter of this project through NIP and it’s been almost a seven year journey to get the City to look at safety on the trail. He said the project was awarded $52,000 for a study to look at ways to make the Trail safer. Part of the proposal was to put international signage on the Trail; and to create a separate path for pedestrians. He feels that the Whitson Engineering Study did not do what was approved by NIP. He encouraged the Commission to divide trail. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 8. Monthly Report - Parks Division - August & September 2017 (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Report received. 9. Monthly Update - Parks and Recreation Work Plan - October 2017 (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Report received. Recreation and Community Services Manager Vierra reported the Winter 2017/Spring 2018 Activity Guide comes out on Monday, October 23 and registration begins Wednesday, October 25; there are Halloween and holiday programs at the centers; the Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair at Casanova Oak Knoll Park Center will be held on Saturday, November 4; Scholze Park Center will hold their Halloween Luncheon on October 25; the upcoming play! Monterey Travel Program trip is for Beach Blanket Babylon; the youth soccer program is wrapping up and the flag football program begins in November. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo reported the courts at Via Paraiso Park have been resurfaced; the bocce ball courts have been completed at Veteran’s Memorial Park; working on the landscaping at the Conference Center; and the fountain was removed at Custom House Plaza. Community Services Director Bui-Burton reported the Council approved the purchase of new elliptical equipment for the Sports Center; there has been a series of bicycle thefts at the Sports Center, so the bike racks have been relocated closer to the entrance. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, October 19, 2017 4  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, October 19, 2017 COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner McCarthy asked for an update on the teen center. Director Bui-Burton stated staff is working with the Library and the Community Foundation to apply for a grant. Commissioner Hofmann encouraged the Commission to go see the newly striped pickle ball courts at Via Paraiso Park, they look great. The club will be hosting a grand opening in November and the players are very excited and thankful to the City. Manager Vierra reminded the Commission that the days of use will switch soon and then staff will review the process. Commissioner Spangler inquired if there are other cities with recreational trails that we could look at for examples of shared use. Director Bui-Burton stated the challenge is they are not on the coast and we will need Coastal Commission approval for any changes; the Whitson report gives us a good starting point. Commissioner Spangler inquired if the City is going to acquire more of Laguna Grande Park and about installing play/exercise equipment for adults. Director Bui-Burton stated there is an exercise par course around Lake El Estero and an elliptical piece of equipment has been installed at Scholze Park. Commissioner Spangler said it might be helpful to have an NIP representative give a presentation at our next meeting before we get to the next NIP cycle. Commissioner McCarthy said visit a park! NEXT MEETING Thursday, November 16, 2017 ADJOURNMENT Chair Spangler adjourned the meeting at 8:33 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Kim Bui-Burton Lacy Spangler, Chair Community Services Director Parks and Recreation Commission Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, October 19, 2017 5