Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-09-16 PRC MINS City of Chula Vista Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday - 5:00 p.m. September 16, 2010 Lauderbach Community Center 333 Oxford Street Meeting called to order by Chair John Vogel at 5:00 p.m. Staff Present: Buck Martin, Director of Recreation Richard Hopkins, Director of Public Works Matt Little, Assistant Director of Public Works Rick Ryals, Real Property Manager, Public Works Mandy Mills, Redevelopment and Housing Manager Lt. Phil Collum, CV Police Department Alan DeLa Pena, Chula Vista Police Officer Frank Carson, Recreation Supervisor III Andy Trujillo, Transit Manager, Public Works Agnes Bernardo, Parks Manager Guests: Dana L. Richardson, Community Health Improvement Partners Brent Boyd, Metropolitan Transit Systems Irma Rodriguez, Chula Vista resident Dottie Kessey, Chula Vista resident Retha Hill, Chula Vista resident Donatella Lopez, Cambios Con Fe Irma Acuna, Chula Vista resident Cindy Shaw, UFE Acts Margarita Holguin, Chula Vista Community Collaborative Lorraine Jones, Chula Vista resident Alfredo Perez, Chula Vista resident Barbara Lugo, Chula Vista resident Chuey Zamora, Chula Vista resident Esther Del La Torre, Chula Vista resident Gerardo Guevara, Chula Vista resident Esther Lopez, Chula Vista resident Lorenzo Rodriguez, Chula Vista resident Elva Arredondo, Chula Vista resident Susan J. Cushman, Chula Vista resident Lucy Olivas, Chula Vista resident Bertha Stantford, Chula Vista resident Evelyn Tinervia, Chula Vista resident Lily Carter, Chula Vista resident Tina Gerri, San Diego resident Cora Yurson, San Diego resident Marialena Aguilar, Chula Vista resident Richard E. Preuss IPS Francisco Garcia, Chula Vista resident Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting — September 16, 2010 2 1. Roll Call/Motion to Excuse Members Present: Commissioner Garza, Commissioner Vogel, Commissioner Chambers; Commissioner Scott (arrived at 5:10) Members Absent: Commissioner Cien-Mayer, Commissioner Serrano MSC — Garza/Chambers to excuse Commissioners Cien-Mayer and Serrano from tonight's meeting. 2. Oral Communications 3. a. Approval of Minutes — May 20, 2010 — MSC Garza/Scott to approve meeting minutes. 4. Information Items - a. Recap of August 2, 2010 Lauderbach Community Center Meeting — Ms. Mandy Mills, Redevelopment and Housing Manager provided a recap of the meeting held previously at the Center. She reported that a survey was taken from the community on what they wanted at the Center and current views of the Center. Concerns/views include: • lack of safety, • lack of activities for youth and children; • create a safe environment for the church community; • bathrooms do not feel safe; • not a friendly place for children; • dogs are intimidating and human waste and trash an ongoing maintenance challenge. She also noted changes that would be considered for the center would include: • convert the building into a daytime Neighborhood Center/after hours event rental space, • re-activate the park; • make physical improvements to the park and building to support the new use of educational workshops, recreational programming, volunteer opportunities, and a meeting space for community based groups; • Improve signage; lighting levels; fencing between park and church; security cameras; physical improvements to building (plumbing, HVAC, paint/other aesthetic items). Results of the survey were shared and special note was made that the majority of those that were surveyed also noted that they would not pay for services (parenting classes, support groups, exercise equipment, after school activities for kids, nutrition class). Ms. Mills also discussed Community Infrastructure Ideas that include: • establishing a community watch group, • encouraging local groups to co-adopt the park (clean-up efforts, etc); Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting — September 16, 2010 3 • help community groups establish special events at the park such as summer concerts, holiday events, farmers markets. The process to get the Center open involves determining the financial impact of operations; issuing an RFQ/P; selecting a management group; obtaining approval from the City Council; repairing the building; securing programs, and finally reopening the Center in 2011 . Members from the Oxford Senior Club voiced their approval of the plan for the center and wanted to ensure that the meeting schedule of their club would not be infringed upon. Commissioner Chambers asked if the funds derived from facility would go to the City's general fund or to the facility. Ms. Mills responded that the facility would be considered self-sustaining. Commissioner Scott asked if the plan was to have a contractor to revamp facility and offer various programs and classes. Ms. Mills responded that the City would handle the physical improvements to the facility and that a contractor would handle scheduling/providing services and marketing of the services offered. In addition, the City would be involved with ensuring the building is used as intended. Lt. Phil Collum from Chula Vista Police Department addressed safety concerns and noted that it was not illegal for individuals to be at the park; however, if an individual is involved in illegal activity then it becomes a problem. In addition, he noted that the Police Department patrols the park and center continually throughout the day and night because of previous illegal activities. He further noted that community usage of the park dissuades the negative influence. Community comments: • If community does not feel safe in the area, then the center would not be used. • Is there assistance to provide homeless (mental/additional issues). Commissioner Scott suggested support groups (non-profits) to hold classes and services for the homeless at the center. Ms. Mills responded that programming of the facility would be provided by a variety of providers. Ms. Lily Carter of the Oxford Senior Club asked if input from the seniors was considered, and also announced that their club utilizes the center for their meetings, bingo games; potlucks, anniversaries, birthday celebrations and small swap-meets. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting — September 16, 2010 4 b. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design — Mr. Dana Richardson, Director of Advocacy and Community Health presented information on community based crime prevention strategies that would reduce the threat of violence in neighborhood public spaces through Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL). Mr. Richardson explained that HEAL has become a national priority, and noted that if the community does not feel safe in their communities, then they would be less likely to utilize local parks, public transportation, etc. Mr. Richardson explained that the Prevention Institute is coordinating an innovative pilot program that is funded by the Convergence Partnership to develop approaches that would incorporate safety strategies into healthy eating and physical activity. He further noted that in Western Chula Vista, rates of violence and risk factors for chronic disease are significantly higher than for other residents in the region. Other points covered include: • Community teams were developed and their job is to increase community engagement and advocate for improved safe public parks that support physical activity. • Community Teams work in close partnership with youth, community adults and partner organizations and conducted assessments at 6 locations in western Chula Vista • Informational meetings with elected officials, city departments, and staff to communicate needs for improvement in their community were held and the team recommended physical design improvements and policy changes to improve safety and promote physical activity in the neighborhood. • The West Chula Vista community team anticipates that their advocacy efforts will lead to infrastructure and landscaping improvements, increased lighting, and the integration of culturally-appropriate designs in public venues to support physical activity. • Their advocacy efforts will also increase the capacity of decision makers to understand the ways that changes to the built environment can support safety and health. • Recommendations based on Crime Prevention Through environmental Design — A crime prevention strategy that promotes the proper design and effective use of the built environment, which can lead to reduced criminal activity, a reduction of the fear of crime and improved quality of life • Disorder Indicator of 6 sites around Chula Vista were shared — (2) parks, (1) neighborhood and (3) trolley stations and each site depicts crime increasing over the years; • Additional recommendations for improvement to parks and business centers include: lighting, lighting and art in/around parks; cut down overgrown shrubbery in parks, engage commerce center businesses in planning to address transient/homeless related safety issues that affect quality of life in the parks; strictly enforce existing alcohol and tobacco laws. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting — September 16, 2010 5 • Discussion and recommendations were given regarding all 6 sites that were visited. Mr. Hopkins, Director of Public Works noted that he appreciates insight of HEAC effort and would take ideas and hopefully incorporate into park maintenance. c. Blue Line MTS Maintenance and Rehabilitation Project— Mr. Brent Boyd, Senior Transportation Planner of the Metropolitan Transit System discussed the Trolley Renewal Project (TRP). He explained that the TRP is a $619 million reinvestment in the rail infrastructure system, and includes 57 new low floor trolley vehicles; 33 new station platforms; 22 grade crossings are being replaced; new stat-of-the-art passenger amenities; new overhead wire, track, switches and signaling; and this investments also would create thousands of jobs. He further stated that the project is needed because the Blue Line is approximately 30-years old; the electrical wire is worn, the system has increased maintenance costs; and mechanical wheelchair lifts are inefficient. Mr. Boyd also explained the budget for the project and the funding source; and explained the impacts of the construction project and also noted that the construction would be done three phases. He stated that construction would be done only on weekends, which require shut down of service in both directions and that MTS would operate bus bridges to every affected station. Work begins at the San Ysidro line and would be work north. d. Sub-committee concerning "Park Safety" — Chair Vogel explained that he was interested in developing a subcommittee for park safety. Mr. Hopkins explained that the city has a Safety Commission and it would be beneficial if the two Chairs talked or both commissions had a meeting. 5. Unfinished Business - None 6. New Business - None 7. Written Communications - None 8. Staff Comments - a. Recreation — Mr. Buck Martin, Director of Recreation reviewed the Parks and Recreation Commission staff report. b. Public Works — Mr. Hopkins (Director of Public Works) talked about the opening of Mount San Miguel Park being held on September 20 @ 5:00 pm; Council Meeting on October 5 @ 4:00 pm regarding $12.5 million budget gap and significant reduction in staff throughout the City. 9. Commissioner Comments - Commissioner Chambers commented that he was happy to see community members at tonight's meeting and appreciates staff diligence and dedication to the community. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting — September 16, 2010 6 Commissioner Scott also commented that she too appreciates the community attending tonight's meeting. 10. Other - None Adjournment at 7:30 p.m. to the regularly scheduled meeting of November 18, 2010.