Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Special Meeting Wednesday, March 13, 2019 5:30 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Gibson, Gorman, McCarthy, McEwen, Menendez-Herbst, Panetta, Spangler Commissioners Absent: None Staff Members Present: Parks and Recreation Director, Interim Recreation and Community Services Manager, Sports Center Manager, Park Operations Manager, Administrative Assistant II CALL TO ORDER Chair Panetta called the meeting to order at 5:30pm. ROLL CALL PRESENTATIONS 1. Introduction of New Commissioner - Shelby Gorman (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Presentation given. Director McClure Huckaby introduced Commissioner Shelby Gorman. 2. Presentation on Don Dahvee Creek Path Design (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Presentation given. Nathaniel Milam, Whitson Engineers, gave a presentation on the Don Dahvee Creek Path Design. This project was funded by NIP last year and is currently in the first step which is preliminary design. The next step is finalizing the design and the last step is construction. The project consists of updating the trails in several different segments and adding an ADA parking lot at the trailhead. CONSENT ITEMS Approval of Minutes 3. Thursday, February 21, 2019 Action: Approved as submitted (7-0-0) ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS Resident Lorna Moffet requested that Parks purchase and plant the native wooly milkweed, because the eradication of the milkweed is deterring monarchs from coming to Monterey. She also stated the importance of Parks utilizing non-toxic pesticides.  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Wednesday, March 13, 2019 PUBLIC APPEARANCE 4. Review Park and Recreation Related Proposed Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) Projects for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 for Conformity to the Parks and Recreation Master Plan (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed three NIP Project submittals for conformity to the Parks and Recreation Master Plan as follows: 1. Pickleball (DMG-4, MV-2, MV-6): the Parks and Recreation Commission moved to support the project as submitted for either a 4-court or 6-court pickleball court at Via Paraiso Park, with the 6-court option being the first choice, giving the tennis court back to the tennis players if the 6-court is approved and not requiring additional parking; 2. Lake El Estero Portland Loo (CW-27): the Parks and Recreation Commission agreed to support a study for the need of public restrooms; 3. Recreation Trail Improvements for Pedestrians and Bicyclists (CW-19): the Parks and Recreation Commission collectively agreed to recommend to the applicant to refine the proposal to provide temporary striping and symbols between the Wharf and the Coast Guard Pier with funding to support a study to monitor usage of that area of the recreation trail. Director McClure Huckaby introduced Nathaniel Milam of Whitson Engineers and Javier Hernandez, Engineering Assistant with the City of Monterey. Hernandez provided the commission an updated list of the preliminary NIP projects. Milam and Hernandez reviewed the following projects: PICKLEBALL (DMG-4, MV-2, MV-6): The applicant for project DMG-4 rescinded their application. MV-2 4-court or 6-court pickleball court options at Via Paraiso, the recommendation is for a 4-court with the potential of changing to a 6-court in the future. This location is next to the existing basketball court. The 4-courts would have fencing around it and seating outside the fence. ADA parking would be in the tennis court lot with an ADA compliant path leading to the court. Engineering staff will cost out 4 versus 6 courts. Commissioner McCarthy thinks it would be better to just do the 6-court option as opposed to the 4-court then going back to add the other 2 courts in the future. Commissioner McEwen said the additional two courts look like it would be a lot more expensive to add since that area is not flat. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst expressed concern about the lack of parking at that park. Commissioner Spangler suggested looking into the upper parking lot near the group barbecue area for additional parking or putting in the ADA parking there with a path down to the courts. Commissioner McCarthy asked if we have received any feedback from the neighbors around that park, would like to see outreach done so they can express their opinion. Mark Thomas, President of Monterey Bay Pickleball Club, stated the application was changed to a request for a 4-court instead of 6 mostly because of cost. The club would like to keep the tennis court priority times if they are only getting the 4 permanent courts. NIP is looking for PRC’s input, wanting to know if the commission supports this project request. Goal is to get PRCs support so NIP will push the project forward. Parking is already an issue but they do not want to use the NIP funds towards fixing that existing issue. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, March 13, 2019 2  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Wednesday, March 13, 2019 Monterey Vista resident Jean is hoping the Commission is in support of this project. Sharon Dwight, Alternate NIP Spokesperson, sees the need for dedicated pickleball courts and thinks the 6-court option would be ideal so tennis can have their court back. ADA costs are part of the factor. The same people that are playing there now are the same ones that will be playing there on the permanent courts so parking won’t be a factor. Barbara Lange, started playing Pickleball this past year and parking has never been an issue. The main issue is the wait time and having permanent courts would alleviate this. It would be the same people playing with the same amount of cars. Jay Zwagerman said they sought out neighborhood input a couple of years ago when they first started playing at Via Paraiso and they received nothing but positive feedback. The club could increase their dues to help with ongoing maintenance and court resurfacing. He pulled the applications for the pickleball courts on the Laguna Grande volleyball court (DMG-4) and the Via Paraiso basketball court (MV-6) after seeing the list of priorities from the last Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting. With approximately 30 people showing up to play each day, the wait time is about 20 minutes and having permanent courts will alleviate this issue. An unidentified woman expressed her wishes for dedicated courts and compared other California cities and the amount of dedicated courts they have. Commissioner Spangler asked how many ADA parking spots would be needed? Nathaniel Milam of Whitson Engineers said the amount of ADA stalls is based on the amount of existing parking spots. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst suggested adding a set of stairs from the top parking lot down to the new courts on the right side, similar to the existing staircase to the left of the group barbecue area. Milam stated they are looking for the commissioner’s guidance on the following: - Does the Commission wish to comment on the applicant’s proposal? - If only 4 new courts are constructed, applicant would like to maintain the use of the existing pickleball courts. Is this feasible? - Does the Commission want the cost estimate to include development of new parking area due to increasing the court numbers? - Does the Commission wish to provide any other comment? Commissioners McEwen, Gibson, McEwen, Menendez-Herbst, Panetta and Gormon all agree that the 6-court option is the way to go. Commissioner McCarthy said the vigilance of the pickleball players is how things get done but he would like to hear from the neighbors and would like to see the cost difference between the 4 and 6 court options. Commissioner Spangler finds it hard to judge without estimated costs and suggested phasing the project. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, March 13, 2019 3  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Wednesday, March 13, 2019 On a motion by Commissioner McEwen, seconded by Commissioner Spangler, and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission moved to support the project as submitted for either a 4-court or 6-court pickleball court at Via Paraiso Park, with the 6-court option being the first choice, giving the tennis court back to the tennis players if the 6-court is approved and not requiring additional parking: AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Gibson, Gormon, McCarthy, McEwen, Menendez-Herbst, Panetta, Spangler NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None LAKE EL ESTERO PORTLAND LOO (CW-27): Engineering Assistant Hernandez stated CW-27 has been revised since its original submittal and is now just a study. The applicant is looking for a public restroom that has 24-hour access which would contradict the park closing hours of 10:00pm to 6:00am. The loo is the exact same as the one located at Simoneau Plaza. Commissioner McCarthy thinks it is premature to discuss the location for placement when this request is really just for a study for the actual need of additional public restrooms. Sharon Dwight stated that the public restrooms located at the Beach House adjacent to Wharf 2 are closed when that building closes and there is a need in that area but probably not the areas indicated around Lake El Estero. Director McClure Huckaby referred to the staff report on this issue. The City has funded a Portland Loo near Monterey Bay Kayaks, which is currently in the design phase. There are many existing restrooms within the El Estero Park Complex. All 35 public restrooms are closed and locked by 10:00pm and based on the study, hours of operation will need to become policy direction from Council. RECREATION TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS (CW-19): Nathaniel Milam of Whitson Engineers stated there are four parts of the proposed improvements: 1. Restripe the existing concrete trail into three lanes. 2. Add a 4’ decomposed granite pedestrian path adjacent to the existing concrete trail. 3. Provide graphic symbol signage to pavement designating bikes or pedestrians only. 4. Add corrugated steel in between the existing railroad tie retaining wall to protect bike pedals from snagging. Traffic counts were done on the trail between the Wharf and the Coast Guard Pier in December 2017 and the trail averaged 3,000 people per day, three-quarters of which were pedestrians. The configuration across from the Tin Cannery Outlets in Pacific Grove is the proposed usage for segregated use. An engineering study recommendation is to make the pedestrian lane 12 feet wide, if segregated. Due to the scope of this proposal, a feasibility study should be done. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, March 13, 2019 4  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Wednesday, March 13, 2019 Does the Commission wish to comment on the proposals? - Change striping from two lanes (mixed use) to three lanes (segregated use) and provide signage and pavement markings. - Add 4’ minimum decomposed granite pedestrian path. - Modify or replace railroad tie wall to avoid pedal snags. Commissioner McEwen stated concern for the bottleneck area and for segregating the mixed usage. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst thinks a study should be done because this is a problem and something needs to be done about it. Commissioner McCarthy stated concern for re-striping the pavement, doesn’t think it is effective. He would like to get bikes off of the congested areas. Commissioner Spangler asked if there are actual rules/etiquette sign posted on the trail. Manager Marcuzzo stated yes there are signs. Jason Wachs, applicant, had an accident on the trail several years ago and feels that dedicated bike and pedestrian paths are the only way to solve these safety issues on this poorly designed recreation trail. He feels that universal graphics are far better than wording, with the amount of international guests on the trail. He decided to submit this project to NIP this year and hopes the Commission will support his request. Mike Gunby, uses the recreation trail many times during the week as a walker and cyclist. The problematic area is between the Wharf and the Coast Guard Pier and it needs to be fixed as soon as possible. There is a constant struggle between bicycles and pedestrians. Suggested looking at other cities, a 3’ green lane in the middle for bikes which would limit the amount of striping that would need to be done. Sharon Dwight said that the NIP has already funded a study for the widening of the path. They also funded additional signage but doesn’t know if that money was ever used. Brought up the Hawthorne-Bolio Bike Path submittal (NM-2), thinks that is a good place to address getting bikes off that highly congested area of the recreation trail. NIP needs guidance from the Commission if they want to go from a mixed use recreation trail to a separated trail. Commissioner McEwen would like to get a viable, safe bike path off of the recreation trail and likes the Hawthorne-Bolio submittal. Commissioner McCarthy feels the ultimate solution is to get the cyclists to just slow down in this problem area. He thinks cyclists will not like being diverted off of the recreation trail to go through lower Presidio. Commissioners Spangler and Panetta both liked the idea of a green bike lane. Commissioner Gibson likes the idea of signage. Commissioner McEwen said a decision needs to be made whether it’s kept as a mixed trail versus segregated trail. Director McClure Huckaby clarified that the green paint/bike lane is not a part of this proposal but this specific issue could be put on the agenda for a future meeting. Commissioners McCarthy, Menendez-Herbst and Panetta all like the idea of re-striping it and utilizing international symbols as proposed, to see if that helps in the highly congested area between the Wharf and the Coast Guard Pier. Commissioner Gibson thinks pedestrians need more space. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, March 13, 2019 5  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Wednesday, March 13, 2019 The commissioners collectively agreed to recommend to the applicant to refine the proposal to provide temporary striping and symbols between the Wharf and the Coast Guard Pier with funding to support a study to monitor usage of that area of the recreation trail. Director McClure Huckaby brought up the dog park (CW-5) and needs to postpone looking at a location to next year. Would like to push forward the mutt mitt stations and signage in the parks to support the new ordinance allowing dogs on leash in parks. This would revise the NIP submittal for a dog park to dog amenities in parks. All commissioners support changing the scope of the request. Sharon Dwight said the NIP would like to see water fill stations in parks that already have water. Director McClure Huckaby will change the submittal from a request for a dog park, to adding dog amenities in all parks that allow dogs on leash (mutt mitt dispensers, water fountains, etc). 5. Adopt Resolution 2019-1 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Time and Day (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Adopted Resolution 2019-1 (7-0-0). The Commission unanimously agreed to adopt the resolution changing the day and time of Regular Meetings to the second Wednesday of the month at 5:30pm. 6. Review 2019 Parks and Recreation Work Plan (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed the 2019 Parks and Recreation Work Plan and moved to have Commissioner Gormon as the lead for Artful Parks with Commissioner Gibson as the alternate, and Commissioner McEwen as the leaf for NIP Meetings/Voting Night with Commissioner Spangler as the alternate. Director McClure Huckaby reviewed the work plan and would like a lead and alternate for the list of projects. The assignments do not have to be made tonight, with the exception of the Artful Parks, Monterey 250 Public Art Sub-Committee and the NIP Meetings/Voting Night. All other projects can be assigned at the next meeting to give the commissioners more time to review the list. Commissioner Gormon volunteered as the lead and Commissioner Gibson will be the alternate. Commissioner McEwen volunteered for the NIP Meetings/Voting Night and Commissioner Spangler will be the alternate. On a motion by Commissioner McCarthy, seconded by Commissioner McEwen, and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission moved to have Commissioner Gormon as the lead for Artful Parks with Commissioner Gibson as the alternate, and Commissioner McEwen as the lead for NIP Meetings/Voting Night with Commissioner Spangler as the alternate: AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Gibson, Gormon, McCarthy, McEwen, Menendez-Herbst, Panetta, Spangler NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, March 13, 2019 6  Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Wednesday, March 13, 2019 INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 7. 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. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Spangler said she appreciated the bullet-pointed project questions provided by NIP. Commissioner Menendez-Herbst asked about donating the stipends they receive as a group to the Campership Program. Director McClure Huckaby said it can be done individually but not as a commission. NEXT MEETING Wednesday, April 10, 2019 ADJOURNMENT Chair Panetta adjourned the meeting at 8:51pm. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Kristi McClure Huckaby Kathleen Panetta, Chair Parks and Recreation Director Parks and Recreation Commission Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, March 13, 2019 7