Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting Thursday, February 21, 2019 7:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Gibson, McCarthy, McEwen, Menendez-Herbst, Spangler Commissioners Absent: Panetta Staff Members Present: Parks and Recreation Director, Interim Recreation and Community Services Manager, Park Operations Manager, Administrative Assistant II CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Menendez-Herbst called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. ROLL CALL PRESENTATIONS 1. Presentation on Hilltop Park Center Programs (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Presentation given. Recreation Coordinator Katie Clark gave a presentation on the many programs at Hilltop Park Center. 2. Presentation of Submitted Parks and Recreation Related NIP Projects (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Presentation given. NIP Staff Coordinator Jeff Krebs gave a presentation of the submitted Parks and Recreation related NIP Projects. There were 118 project submittals, approximately 70 of which were Parks and Recreation related. NIP Representative Sharon Dwight mentioned the Downtown 2 request for a shower station near the restrooms at Wharf 2. Corner of Franklin and Figueroa parklet, including a trash enclosure but may not want to build a trash enclosure at that location. There are at least two projects proposing mutt mitt stations. Skyline Forest 3, the bike path reconstruction from Highway 68 down to Viejo Road. There are two sections of the Vet’s Park bike path, NIP will want the Commission’s input on section one. Commissioner Spangler asked NIP Staff Coordinator Krebs if the exercise equipment request for the Del Monte Beach Spray Avenue Tot lot would even fit into that small space. Krebs stated it has been noted and will be scoped and looked at. Commissioner McCarthy asked for clarification in regards to the New Monterey Hawthorne Bolio Bicycle Ramp Phase 1. NIP Staff Coordinator Krebs stated that currently Hawthorne Street dead-ends at Bolio Road. This project would open up that dead-end so bicycles would have the opportunity to come down Hawthorne and through the Lower Presidio Park to help keep the bicycles off the highly congested area of the Recreation Trail.  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, February 21, 2019 Commissioner McEwen asked for clarification about the request for showers at Figueroa Street. Krebs clarified the location as the restrooms on the beach at the top of Wharf 2. Commissioner Spangler asked for clarification in regards to the multiple project submissions for pickleball courts. Krebs stated the requests are for a 4-court at Via Paraiso, a 6-court at Via Paraiso and a 6-court at Laguna Grande. CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 3. Thursday, January 17, 2019 Action: Approved as submitted (5-0-1, Panetta absent). ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS None. PUBLIC APPEARANCE Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, February 21, 2019 2  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, February 21, 2019 4. Review and Prioritize Parks and Recreation Commission Submitted Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) Project Requests for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed and prioritized the Parks and Recreation Commission submitted NIP project requests for Fiscal Year 2019- 2020 with the following projects as the highest priority: Dennis the Menace Train Code Compliant Play Equipment (CW-7), Montecito Park Phase 4 including Volleyball Court (VDM-6), Via Paraiso Basketball Court (MV-12), Laguna Grande Park Volleyball Court (DMG-5), Scholze Park Phase 4 Walkways and/or Outdoor Fitness Equipment (NM-8), New Dog Park (CW-5) and Jacks Ballpark Artificial Turf Infield (DT-8) (5-0-1, Panetta absent). Director McClure Huckaby provided a ranking sheet for the commissioners to help them prioritize the submitted projects. Interim Recreation and Community Services Manager Leon reviewed the following fourteen submitted projects: Dennis the Menace Train, adding code compliant play equipment in the park, but not removing the existing train; refurbishing the basketball court at Via Paraiso; adding a new dog park with locations to be determined; upgrading the playground equipment at the Monterey Youth Center; upgrading the volleyball court at Laguna Grande; adding a parklet to the front of the Monterey Sports Center; Montecito Park Phase 4, including the volleyball court; adding a flex surface to the basketball court at Fisherman’s Shoreline Park; Scholze Park Center walkways and outdoor fitness equipment; adding artificial turf to the infield at Jacks Ballpark; replace the lights at Sollecito Ballpark; upgrade the El Estero par course equipment that was installed in 1994; replace the 26-year-old water slide at the Sports Center; tint the windows of the Kids Zone at the Sports Center. Commissioner McCarthy asked NIP Staff Coordinator Krebs if taking the wall down from the Via Paraiso basketball court would make it a full size court. Krebs stated it would have to be scoped but more than likely it would be high school sized. Commissioner McCarthy asked about the location of the train-themed equipment within the Dennis the Menace Playground. Director McClure Huckaby clarified the location, which is to the left of the entrance, and provided a layout as to the location. Commissioner Spangler asked if the submitted request is for a dog park or dog runs. Director McClure Huckaby said it is a dog park and staff is vetting three potential locations. Sharon Dwight, NIP representative, stated that an exact location for a dog park would need to be determined by the end of April; disappointed the existing train will not be moved out of Dennis the Menace Playground; asked the commission be aware of the submittals for pickleball at Via Paraiso and Laguna Grande; it was mentioned at the NIP meeting that the parklet in front of the Sports Center should incorporate the use of a more permeable surface and to not use more concrete; regarding Scholze Park, adding exercise equipment would be more of a priority than adding the walkways. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, February 21, 2019 3  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, February 21, 2019 Jay Zwagerman, Monterey resident, during last month’s Field Sports Presentation he recalled hearing that the Laguna Grande volleyball court is barely used which was very different than tonight’s presentation where it was stated that the court is highly utilized. Putting in the 6-court pickleball court at Laguna Grande would be more cost efficient than adding a new court at Via Paraiso since the ground is already flat. They have rented the Monterey Sports Center gymnasium for the first ever indoor tournament this Saturday. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst asked if parking is an issue for pickleball players at Via Paraiso and Jay stated it is not. Commissioner Spangler said Laguna Grande Park needs to be activated as much as possible but asked Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo if the 6-courts at Laguna Grande would actually fit into that neighborhood and the scheme of the park. Marcuzzo said the neighborhood has submitted the project request for the upgrade of the volleyball court. Commissioner Spangler asked if staff thinks it is feasible to add pickleball courts next to the existing basketball court at Via Paraiso, as opposed to replacing the basketball court with pickleball courts. NIP Staff Coordinator Krebs said each area would need to be scoped. Barbara Lange began playing pickleball about a year ago. This is a physical, social activity and thinks having permanent pickleball courts is a great way to revitalize a park. Once the votes were tallied, Interim Recreation and Community Services Manager Leon provided the list of priorities as follows: 1. Dennis the Menace Train Code Compliant Play Equipment; 2. Montecito Park Phase 4 including Volleyball Court; 3. Via Paraiso Basketball Court; 4. (Tie) Laguna Grande Park Volleyball Court and Scholze Park Phase 4 Walkways and/or Outdoor Fitness Equipment; 5. New Dog Park or Dog Runs; 6. Jacks Ballpark Artificial Turf Infield; 7. Upgrade Monterey Youth Center Playground Equipment; 8. (Tie) Sollecito Ballpark Lights and El Estero Par Course; 9. Monterey Sports Center Parklet at Front Entrance; 10. Monterey Sports Center Feature Attraction Water Slide; 11. Fisherman’s Shoreline Park Basketball Court Rubberized Surface; 12. Monterey Sports Center Kid Zone Window Tinting. On a motion by Commissioner McCarthy, seconded by Commissioner McEwen, and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed and prioritized the Parks and Recreation Commission submitted NIP project requests for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 with the following projects as the highest priority: Dennis the Menace Train Code Compliant Play Equipment (CW-7), Montecito Park Phase 4 including Volleyball Court (VDM-6), Via Paraiso Basketball Court (MV-12), Laguna Grande Park Volleyball Court (DMG-5), Scholze Park Phase 4 Walkways and/or Outdoor Fitness Equipment (NM-8), New Dog Park (CW-5) and Jacks Ballpark Artificial Turf Infield (DT-8): AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Gibson, McCarthy, McEwen, Menendez- Herbst, Spangler NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Panetta Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, February 21, 2019 4  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, February 21, 2019 5. Request to Change Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Time and Provide Direction to Staff (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission voted to change the monthly meeting day and time to the second Wednesday of each month starting at 5:30pm (5-0-1, Panetta absent). Director McClure Huckaby said due to the availability of the Council Chamber, the earliest the meeting could take place with the current schedule of the third Thursday of each month, would be 6:30pm. The option of moving to the second Wednesday of each month is available and the start time could be 4:30pm, 5:00pm, or 5:30pm. Commissioners Spangler and McCarthy both expressed concern about doing it earlier than 5:30pm as it would be harder for the public to attend. Commissioners McEwen and Menendez-Herbst both prefer Wednesday at 5:00pm; Commissioners McCarthy and Spangler prefer Wednesday at 5:30pm; and Commissioner Gibson prefers Wednesday at either 5:00pm or 5:30pm. Sharon Dwight, Monterey resident, stated that having a later meeting time encourages public participation. On a motion by Commissioner Menendez-Herbst, the Parks and Recreation Commission’s monthly meeting will take place on the second Wednesday of each month starting at 5:00pm. The motion died due to a lack of a second. On a motion by Commissioner McEwen, seconded by Commissioner Gibson, and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission’s monthly meeting will take place on the second Wednesday of each month starting at 5:15pm: AYES: 2 COMMISSIONERS: McEwen, Menendez-Herbst NOES: 3 COMMISSIONERS: Gibson, McCarthy, Spangler ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Panetta On a motion by Commissioner McEwen, seconded by Commissioner Gibson, and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission’s monthly meeting will take place on the second Wednesday of each month starting at 5:30pm: AYES: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Gibson, McCarthy, McEwen, Menendez- Herbst, Spangler NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Panetta Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, February 21, 2019 5  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday, February 21, 2019 INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 6. Parks and Recreation Department Monthly Report (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Report received. Director McClure Huckaby stated that moving forward, this report will include updates of the NIP projects and grants that staff will be applying for. Commissioner McCarthy asked about the Recreation Trail renovation project listed on the report. Park Operations Manager Marcuzzo said it is a CIP project near the mural between Reeside and Drake Avenues. To make the area more inviting, a few boulders have been placed and new shrubs have been added. Director McClure Huckaby said she will be attending the California Park and Recreation Society’s Annual Conference in March. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Vice Chair Menendez-Herbst extended her thanks to the Forestry Division for being so well prepared for the storms. Commissioner Gibson thanked Director McClure Huckaby for taking the time to meet with each Commissioners individually. NEXT MEETING Thursday, March 21, 2019 ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair Menendez-Herbst adjourned the meeting at 8:45pm. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, ______________ Kristi McClure Huckaby Suzanne Menendez-Herbst, Vice Chair Parks and Recreation Director Parks and Recreation Commission Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, February 21, 2019 6