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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2002/10/17City of Chula Vista Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday — 6:00 p.m. October 17, 2002 Public Works Ctr 1800 Maxwell Rd Meeting Called to Order by Chair Lauren Weidner at 6:10.m. 1. Roll Call /Motion to Excuse Members Present: Commissioner Salcido, Chair Weidner, Commissioner Rude, Commissioner Perondi, Commissioner Ramos, and Commissioner Strahl Members Absent: None Staff Present: Buck Martin, Director of Recreation Sunny Shy, Assistant Recreation Director Dave Byers, Deputy Director /Public Works Operations Andy Campbell, Director of Building and Parks Construction Mary Hofmockel, Principal Landscape Architect John Krizan, Landscape Architect Patricia Ferman, Landscape Planner Ed Hall, Principal Recreation Manager Brian Cox, Principal Recreation Manager Catherine Burciaga, Office of Budget and Analysis Richard Zumwalt, Planning Department Guests: 2. Approval of Minutes a. August 15, 2002 — MSC (Pero ndi /Salcido) — Vote — 5 -0 -0 -0 b. September 19, 2002 — MSC (Rude /Salcido) — Vote — 5 -0 -1 -1 (Perondi Abstained) Information Items Presentation by Cathy Burciaga of Budget and Analysis on RecDIF. Function is to decide /determine ways to fund the parks once costs are determined. Slide show presentation and explanation of why increase came about and why it is needed. Ms. Burciaga presented the executive summary. In response to a question from Ms. Weidner, Director Campbell explained that the additional amount is driven by the fact that we've seen an increase in per household occupants. That's why the fees exceed 100% Having no additional comments, the commission thanked staff for their presentation. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes — October 17, 2002 2 Live Steamers Scott Lewis, representing Live Steamers noted that he had no objection to postponing the railroad expansion until the end of soccer season (January 2003), as long as they would be able to start on the expansion then, with no other delays. Commissioner Strahl asked about the safety of users in the area because of the possibility of errant golf balls. Ms. Weidner referred the question to staff to look at the appropriateness of fencing at the park and report back at the next meeting. The Commission also asked if the horse rink would stay in the new the master plan. Director Campbell noted at this point, it would. MSUC (Rude /Salcido) to accept staff report and recommendations. Neighborhood Park at Sunbow Discussion centered naming the park and lighting of the fields. Commission concerned about storage area for soccer equipment and field lighting for soccer area, why were these left out? Staff responded that there would be a pad available for storage; it would not be permanent The environmental section had reviewed the lighting for baseball fields. Staff would need to look at lighting in that (soccer field) section and need to analyze or revisit the EIR. Budgetary reasons also kept them from adding to the amenities. Sunny noted that the baseball fields are usually lighted because a lot of recreation programs use the fields; this brings in revenue for the department. Staff also reminded the commission that an EIR had been done. If they wanted to specifically change lighting, a new EIR may have to be done. Additionally, the area where the soccer field is placed may not be feasible to light, as the field is too close to housing in the area. The Commission expressed concern over the safety of the tiered skate park area and also asked if the park would be fenced. Consultant responded that an expert in the skate rink field, who has helped design skate parks all over the world, designed the park. There would be no fencing around the skate park. In response to a question from the Commission regarding the dog run area security, staff responded that the area would be double gated, to keep dogs from getting out when another user is coming in. There are plans for two different dog areas; one to accommodate large and one to accommodate small dogs. Discussion turned to naming of the park. Chair Weidner said she was ok with the name "Veterans' Park" Chair Weidner asked if the flagpole would be lit and if there was a veterans theme to the park. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes — October 17, 2002 3 Sunny responded yes to the flagpole and explained that the "Heroes' Walk" was developed at the request of the veterans. Mr. AY Casillas made two points: Why is the name of the park an issue when most residents at the community meeting expressed their desire to name it Veterans' Park and He does not like the name "Heroes' Walk" It is very subjective and can be ultimately used for anyone considered a "hero ", depending on who you speak to. (Le., a sports nut may want an athlete named in the walk.) It should be an honors walk for those with a background in the community. Mr. Bob White noted that at all community meetings, except the third, the vote was unanimous to name the park Veterans' Park. At the last meeting, the vote was 15 to 1. He finds the word "hero" distasteful and thinks the park should encompass Police, Fire and Military personnel. Messer's. Dan Murray, Bobby Price, and Steve Miliken voiced their support of the name Veterans' Park; it goes along with the footprint of the area. Mr. Walter Smith, a resident of the Veterans' Home, suggested the walk be called the "Walk of Honor" Commissioner Strahl: Likes the name Veterans' Park Commissioner Rude: Concurs Commissioner Ramos: Concurs. Also noted that AYSO can help with funding on lights at soccer field. Chair Weidner: Asked how many lit softball fields there were v soccer fields. Hall responded there are 7 lit softball fields with 3 overlays for soccer. There are no dedicated lit soccer fields. Chair Weidner noted she also supports name of Veterans' Park. Stated that in fairness to the developer she was reading the list of proposed names for the park submitted by Sunbow. Chair Weidner noted that the names submitted had nothing to do with the community and all had " Sunbow" in them; personally, she found this insulting. She also suggested including the Coast Guard as part of those who would be honored. Then again, voiced her concern about more lit softball fields. She would like the soccer field lit. Commissioner Perondi: Said it was a great design; he was also concerned about lighting. Commissioner Salcido: Suggested "Patriots Park ". Said he won't approve anything without lighting of fields and adequate storage facilities for the soccer area. Ms. Hofmockel (Principal Landscape Architect) noted motion approved only if field is lit, staff has to do research and may have to come back in November. As far as funding for lights, the commission would have to select something to remove from the park. Responded to questions Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes — October 17, 2002 4 that the standard cost to install lights on a basketball court would be about $70,000, the cost of lighting a softball field is about $150K; a multi -use would be around $100K Commissioner Salcido: Would not support without lighted multi -use field Commissioner Rude: Supports additional lighting Commissioner Ramos: Considers lighting for soccer important, possibly switch the lighting from the baseball field to the soccer field. Commissioner Perondi: OK with switching lighting, supports 1 field being lit Commissioner Strahl: Will not support without lighting Chair Weidner: Commission needs more information and options so they can get it (the plan) right the first time. She asked staff to look into the possibility that the EIR would be violated and if not, what would they have to give up in the plans to get the field lit? Mr. Richard Zumwalt (Planning Department) Noted the EIR would have to be amended and explained the process. MSC (Salcido /Rude) to name the park Veterans' Park (5 -0 -1 Strahl opposed) Mr. White asked for a clarification of the motion. Weidner stated the "walk" would be designated as the "Walk of Honor ". The motion that just passed was to name the park exclusively. Mr. White asked if they (veteran representatives) should come back to the subsequent meetings. MSC (Salcido /Rude) to designate the "Walk of Honor" to include the five branches of the service, and Police and Fire Personnel) AY Casillas, thanked Commission, pointed out that other agencies can honor other "heroes ", it was wise decision to limit the walk to those branches named. Appointment of Francisco Rios to Commission. Mr. Rios stated he would take the oath of office at the October 22 Council meeting. COMMISSION COMMENTS Commissioner Strahl asked about the status of security lighting at the golf course. He also asked for copies of the inspections and the report by Jim Allen. Mr. Byers (Public Works Operations) stated that the report was not available to the public yet as it was being used in negotiations. As soon as it was released, he would make it available to the commission. Commissioner Strahl also asked when the Rohr Master Plan would be done and requested a copy of the current Master Plan. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes — October 17, 2002 5 Chair Weidner asked about Jerry Foncerrada and Sunny Shy's retirement. What was going to be done? What had commissions done in the past? She would like the commission to recognize him with a plaque or resolution. Adjournment at 9:15 p.m. to the scheduled meeting of November 21, 2002 at 6:30 p.m. in the Mercy Building Conference Room. Submitted by: Alice Kemp, Administrative Secretary Public Works Operations