Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2002/06/10City of Chula Vista Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Monday - 6:30 p.m. June 10, 2002 Mercy Building 430 F Street CV Meeting Called to Order by Chair Lauren Weidenr at 6:55 p.m. ROLL CALL /MOTION TO EXCUSE Members Present: Commissioner Strahl, Commissioner Radcliffe, Chair Weidner, and Commissioner Perondi Members Absent: Commissioner Salcido MSC (Perondi /Radcliffe) to excuse Commissioner Ramos and Commissioner Rude. Vote 4 -0 -0 -3 Staff Present: Sunny Shy, Assistant Recreation Director Dave Byers, Deputy Director of Public Works Operations Mary Hofmockel, Principal Landscape Architect Nora Smyth, Deputy City Attorney Ed Batchelder, Planning Department Information Item - Brown Act and Charter Review - (Nora Smyth) Chair Weidner provided a brief synopsis of May's Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting which includes direction given by the Commission to staff in terms of commissioner input on park plans. Chair Weidner inquired if the synopsis given violated the Brown Act? Deputy City Attorney Smyth responded that no, the synopsis provided does not violate the Brown Act if the Commission reviews the park plans at a regularly scheduled meting. She further stated that this does violate the City Charter. In addition, Ms. Smyth stated that each board and commission is empowered through the City Charter or ordinance, and the Parks and Recreation Commission is a chartered commission (#611). Ms. Smyth also read a portion of the City Charter, as it relates to parks, and it states the "the Parks and Recreation Commission shall have the power and duty to act in an advisory capacity through the City Council in all matters pertaining to parks, recreation, and playgrounds." Ms. Smyth also talked about the public workshop process, and stated that it wouldn't be appropriate for board or commission members to attend the workshops. Less than the majority of the commission could a workshop, but if the majority or quorum attended those meetings, the City would have to provide City staff to ensure the Brown Act was not being violated. Commissioner Radcliffe stated that the Commission has been invited to each workshop for years. Parks and Recreation Commission - June 10, 2002 Chair Weidner commented that the Parks and Recreation Commission would not vote on any of the proposed park plans. However, this would simply be an opportunity for the commission to view the park plans and provide their concerns and input on the respective plans. Chair Weidner also stated that it is important for staff to know the concerns of the commission when evaluating a park plan, as well as, the criteria the commission has on whether to vote to approve or disapprove a plan. Ms. Smyth stated that that would be considered as violating the Chula Vista Charter, because it is outside of the charter. Ms. Smyth stated that staff would make appropriate recommendations on a park plan. The Commission would then provide an advisory opinion to the City Council as to recommending or not recommending a particular park plan, as presented by staff. Chair Weidner stated that that gives the impression that the Commission is a rubber - stamp whereby they would approve a park plan because staff recommends it. In addition, if the commission does not approve a park plan, staff will present it to Council anyway, and the commission becomes point -less. Assistant Director of Recreation Shy stated that the Commission could approve a park plan with considerations. Staff will then include those considerations in the Council Report. Chair Weidner stated that the park planning system has been extremely inconsistent up until recently. Principal Landscape Architect Hofmockel responded that the only parks that have had scheduled workshops are those where the community is already in place. The City is currently trying to have the parks developed, built, and in place before the community moves in. Chair Weidner asked about checks and balances on park plans for neighborhood parks. Ms. Smyth responded that if the commission were not recommending a park to the City Council, staff would reflect that in their Council Agenda Report. If the City Council so desires, they can direct staff to obtain further input why the Commission does not recommend a park plan. In addition, Ms. Smyth stated that if a pattern is developed where the Commission is not recommending park plans, then that's where the check - and- balance will come into play. Ms. Hofmockel stated that staff is presenting a new way of approaching park plan concepts, since there is a lot more staff in the department, that can provide technical expertise to the park plan design. Ms. Hofmockel also stated that the City hires consultants under a three -party agreement, where the City is the main client. Staff will provide a report that will include detailed and specific information on a park alternative. The report will also explain why the preferred alternative was selected, input from the consultants, staff, and information gathered from the community. Ms. Hofmockel also stated that it was her hope that any questions that the Commission might have would be covered and answered in the staff report of the preferred alternative park in terms of explanation, etc., so that the commission could make a recommendation to the City Council, with considerations if any. The City Council could then look at those considerations and instruct staff whether or not to implement Commission considerations or not. 2 Parks and Recreation Commission - June 10, 2002 Chair Weidner then responded and asked if it was premature of staff to have presented the plans at May's Commission meeting. Ms. Hofmockel responded that the May Commission Meeting was not a presentation of the plans for recommendation by the Commission. Those plans were used as an example of the park development process. In addition, Ms. Hofmockel also stated that staff erred, and should have identified to the commission that this was a park development process. Commissioner Strahl stated that as a member of the Parks and Recreation, he is there to receive recommendations from staff on a park plan. He also stated that he depends on staff, the experts on park development, to provide discussion on the park concepts, and provide the best possible plan for development. Commissioner Strahl requested clarification on attending public workshops, because he stated that in the past he enjoyed attending the workshops. Also, he asked if he would attend as an individual and not as a commissioner. Ms. Smyth responded that yes he could attend but, if other commissioners were present, that it's best if commissioners not discuss the subject matter. Deputy Director Byers asked if the majority of commissioners do attend a workshop, would one commissioner have to leave the workshop. Ms. Smyth responded that if the majority of commissioners attended a public workshop, that it's best if one of them left. Remaining commissioners cannot comment or discuss the subject matter. Only serve as observers. General Plan - Ed Batchelder, Planning Department Mr. Batchelder talked about the General Plan Update and process. Discussion held on the long -range plan for the community, that includes the City's blueprint, long term strategies, as well as, short term strategies. The General Plan is updated every 10 years, because of the changing circumstances in the City. The Plan will also help to develop goals and polices, in addition to revitalizing western Chula Vista. Discussion held on future population growth, and job growth. Current population is 190,000. Mr. Batchelder discussed the overall work program that consists of regional commercial analysis, transportation analysis /transit study, housing analysis, land use distribution analysis, environmental impact and public facilities and services analysis. Discussion held on the level of services that the City wants to obtain for different issues, including current parks and recreation thresholds. Commissioner Strahl asked if overcoming the land deficiency in the western portion of the City was being addressed it the General Plan. Mr. Batchelder responded that yes, it was being addressed. 3 Parks and Recreation Commission - June 10, 2002 Discussion held on the overall schedule of implementation of the plan, which is to be completed by 2004. Discussion held on what the commission would like to see in the future. The Commission thanked Mr. Batchelder for his presentation. Commissioner Comments Commissioner Strahl requested a status update on the contract with American Golf and City of Chula Vista, specifically to include clarification on who or what department monitors aspects of the contract, and who negotiates. Also, update on future plans or general plan on the development of the golf course, vacant lot adjacent to the course, etc. Deputy Director of Public Works Byers responded that at the budget meeting that he attended earlier in the evening, Assistant City Manager Morris talked about the American Golf Course. And one of the considerations is that the developer wants to develop the south -side parcel; in addition, they are considering taking the area where the Club House is located and expanding that land, and placing the Club House on the other side of the course, where Rohr Manor is located. Staff Comments Assistant Director of Recreation Shy presented Commissioner Radcliffe a plaque thanking her for all of her years of service, and for her commitment and dedication and participation in programs and services. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. to July 18, 2002 Respectfully submitted, Margarita Cellano 4