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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2003/03/20City of Chula Vista Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday - 6:30 p.m. March 20, 2003 Mercy Building 430 F Street Meeting called to order by Vice Chair Don Salcido at 6:39 p.m. Staff Present: Buck Martin, Director of Recreation Dave Byers, Director of Public Works Operations Shauna Stokes, Assistant Director of Recreation Mary Hofmockel, Principal Landscape Architect John Krizan, Landscape Architect Ted Nelson, Recreation Supervisor III Shaun Ellis, Recreation Supervisor II Guests: Dan Krivitz, De Lorenzo Incorporated Landscape Architects Brian Russo, Fast Pitch Girls Softball 1. Roll Call /Motion to Excuse Members Present: Commissioner Rude, Commissioner Salcido, Commissioner Weidner, Commissioner Strahl, Commissioner Rios, Commissioner Perondi (arrived at 6:45 p.m.) Members Absent: Commissioner Ramos 2. ACTION ITEMS a. Approval of Minutes of February 20, 2003 - MSC (Weidner /Salcido) (6- 0 -0 -1) (Ramos absent) to approve the minutes with the following correction: Reflect Commissioner Ramos and Rios as excused absence. b. Naming of Tiffany Park Tot Lot for Diana Cousino - Mr. Byers (Director of Public Works Operations) informed the Commission that at the October 8, 2002 City Council meeting, Mr. Max Branscomb addressed the City Council and proposed that Tiffany Park be re- dedicated /renamed in the name of Diane Cousino (who devoted her time to community organizations). Mr. Byers also commented that staff conducted research, and determined that the school and park were named after Burton C. Tiffany, who was a former Superintendent of the Chula Vista Elementary School District. Staff does not recommend that the park name be changed, but recommends that the tot -lot be named in Ms. Cousino's honor paid for by Ms. Cousino's friends. MSC Weidner /Strahl (6- 0- 0- 1)(Ramos Absent) accept the report and recommendation by staff, and rename the tot -lot at Tiffany Park to Ms. Diane Cousino with the plaque to be provided by the community 3. INFORMATION ITEMS a. Brown Act Update - Move to April 17, 2003 meeting. Ms. Smyth of the Attorney's Office was unable to attend tonight's meeting. J: \Parks & Rec \Parks and Recreation Commission \Minutes & Reports \2003 minutes and reports \MINUTES 2003 \3 2003 PR Comm.doc Prepared 3/20/03 Parks and Recreation Commission March 20, 2003 Page 2 b. Tennis Facilities Report - Mr. Cox (Principal Recreation Manager) informed the Commission that the City Council received correspondence in January from the City's former Tennis Professional, Mr. Frank Chaboudy, whereby he expresses the need for a tennis facility in Chula Vista. Mr. Cox also discussed current tennis facilities and programs in Chula Vista that include 17 public tennis courts, 15 of which are lighted. In addition, the Parks and Recreation Master Plan (MP) proposes an additional 17 tennis courts throughout future neighborhood parks. Future tennis program includes developing a needs assessment survey of the community. Mr. Cox also stated that the MP does not anticipate or plan for a tennis tournament facility, because of the acreage involved. 8 -10 tennis courts would be needed for such a facility, and any reallocation of tennis courts could result in the loss of other proposed recreation amenities for that park site. Tennis Center tournament facility would include 8 -10 tennis courts, spectator seating, restroom and parking (2 '/2 - 3 acres depending on the number of courts). The cost for such a facility would be approximately $4.5 million dollars (if on City land), additional cost if the City would have to purchase the land. Commissioner Weidner stated that this would be a misallocation of resources to extend tennis facilities in the City. Commissioner Rude commented that the City should continue to maintain existing courts and not allocate funds for a facility. Chair Perondi stated that he acknowledges concern made by Frank Chaboudy, but it would be a misallocation of funds for a tennis facility. Commissioner Strahl stated that he is not in favor nor does he support the request made by Frank Chaboudy for a tennis facility. It was the Commission consensus to not accept the report for a tennis facility. C. Recware Software Upgrade for Class Registration - Mr. Cox (Principal Recreation Manager) informed the Commission that the Department recently purchased a software upgrade (SAFARI - cost was $28,500) for registration purposes. The upgrade allows the Department is take on -line registration, the use of credit card, and provide statistical and demographic information. Registration software is on a network system, and registration capability is at all recreation facilities. Mr. Cox also informed the commission, that the new system is also available for the park reservation system. Recreation Supervisors in the department received training and they in turn will train part -time staff. To date, 1,011 registrations and 63 on -line registrations have been received. It is anticipated that on -line registration will be used for upcoming day camps, and athletic programming. Commissioner Rios asked if a link was available off of the City website. Mr. Cox responded that this is available through www_Active_com (in association with SAFARI). The website has been updated for access through the City's website. d. EastLake Vistas Park - Mr. Krizan (Landscape Architect) discussed the proposed park site within the EastLake Vistas. The Landscape Architecture Division coordinated a design competition for the design of the park. Four firms were selected to submit design concepts, and one was selected as most appropriate. The selected park concept will be developed into a proposed Park Master Plan and presented to the Commission at a future date. The committee reviewing the Parks and Recreation Commission March 20, 2003 Page 3 four submittals included: Mr. Buck Martin, Director of Recreation; Mr. Dave Byers, Director of Public Works Operations; Mr. Luis Hernandez, Principal Planner, Planning Department, Ms. Hofmockel, Principal Landscape Architect, and Mr. John Krizan, Landscape Architect. DeLorenzo Incorporated developed the selected park design "Mountain Hawk Child's Story". e. Field Closure - Chair Perondi stated that he wanted to inform the Commission that when reviewing this topic, to remember that it is important that safety is a priority. Mr. Cox (Principal Recreation Manager) informed the Commission that at the January 2003, Mr. Jim Dunn of AYSO 116 expressed concern regarding his organization's disproportionate lack of access to playing fields due to scheduled field closures for field maintenance. Recreation and Parks staff met to develop a closure schedule that would accommodate and address Mr. Dunn's concerns, while maintaining the field closure concept. The field closure schedule for Discovery Park will be adjusted to July 21- August 3. Voyager Park, however, will be more problematic due to its year -round use for soccer. Parks staff will make every effort to complete renovation of the fields as close to mid - August as possible. Staff informed the Youth Sports Council of the field closure changes at their monthly meeting of February 13, 2003. Discussion held on AYSO 116 not following appeals process set in place by the Youth Sports Council. Commissioner Rude asked that staff notifies YSC participants about the appeals process set in place, when sports organizations are unhappy with field allocations. 4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Lack of adequate fencing between the new Live Steamers Right -Of -Way and Golf Course - Mr. Byers (Director of Public Works Operations) informed the Commission about the expansion of the Live Steamers track in Rohr Park. The Commission asked that staff look at the appropriateness of fencing between the Park and Golf Course to protect park users from errant golf balls. In addition, kids jump from Rohr Park to the Golf Course and steal golf balls or cut across to the shopping center. As a result, staff obtained quotes for fencing to replace the four -foot high fence with an 8 -foot green vinyl coat fence. The four -foot fence will be used to separate the Live Steamers' Right -of -way from the soccer fields, to prevent soccer balls from rolling across the tracks. In conjunction with this project, fencing at ballfield # 18 will be installed (outside of the light poles). b. Status of security lighting at Golf Course Parking Lot - Mr. Byers (Director of Public Works Operations) informed the Commission that American Golf had been given notice regarding fixing the lights by March 1, 2003 or the City would have the work done. The lights were fixed on 3/3/03. Staff is checking the lights on a weekly basis to ensure they are working properly. C. Entrance to Golf Course - Mr. Martin (Director of Recreation) informed the commission about the possible relocation of the entrance to the Chula Vista Golf Course. In addition, a few years back, there was recommendation made about relocating the entrance to the golf course because of the way the traffic moves. Commissioner Strahl stated that there are huge ramifications and believes is the beginning of infrastructure development for commercial property. In addition, Commissioner Strahl requested that this item be placed on the agenda for April to discuss ramifications of this project. Parks and Recreation Commission March 20, 2003 Page 4 Mr. Strahl went on to say that in the reconfiguration of the golf course, a significant amount of park would be taken out. In addition, the golf course generates $400,000 per year for the City (15 %), and that the current lease is 50% below the standard average. The City should receive 25% to 30% or $800,000 per year. Commissioner Strahl also stated that the Commission and public should look at Rohr Park as a recreational area holistically, and not allow commercial development, which would have a tremendous impact to Rohr Park. The Commission should look at revisiting the Rohr Park Master Plan, and consider upgrading. Chair Perondi stated that he would like to see visuals of the Rohr Park programming so that they (the Commission) may be more informed in order to have quality discussion of Rohr Park. Discussion held on having a GPS map of Rohr Park, and information on the cost associated with conducting an assessment. Ms. Hofmockel (Principal Landscape Architect) responded that an assessment would cost approximately $150,000, and would take about 1 -year to complete. Chair Perondi stated that he was surprised to read in the newspaper of the new Library being built in this area. Commissioner Strahl stated that a study was conducted in 2000 and advised the City on options for realignment. Commissioner Strahl stated that he wants the Commission to become aware of issues in the development of land adjacent to Rohr Park and within Rohr Park and Golf Course, and in addition, to consider this area as a recreational area. Chair Perondi recommended that this item be brought forward as an Information Item in May to include a visual plan of the park, municipal golf course, and adjacent land. The information should include park concept, flow of park, park overlay, and current programming. 5. NEW BUSINESS a. Rohr Park Field #18 Field Allocation Mr. Cox (Principal Recreation Manager) informed the commission that lights were installed at Rohr Park Ballfield #18 in September 2002. Additional lighting will accommodate multiple use of the field for both adult sports and youth sports organizations. The new lighting will allow for: Adult softball games two nights per week (three games per night) beginning in Spring 2003 with a third night added beginning in Summer 2003; Accommodation of 12 additional softball teams that have been on a waiting list Use by the YSC groups on remaining nights Discussion held on Field Allocation Table on Page 3 of the report. Parks and Recreation Commission March 20, 2003 Page 5 It was the consensus of the commission to support staff's recommendation and approve the proposed direction of field allocation by the Recreation Department. 6. WRITTEN COMMUNICATION - None 7. COMMISSION COMMENTS - • Commissioner Rude requested that the Web Page is updated. • Chair Perondi apologized for being late to tonight's meeting. 8. STAFF COMMENTS a. Recreation Strategic Plan - Mr. Martin talked about the Strategic Plan, and thanked Chair Perondi, Commissioner Strahl, and Commissioner Salcido for their time to the Strategic Plan. b. April 17, 2003 Meeting - Mr. Martin talked about the budget process, and a proposed fee increase /analysis that the department wants to implement prior to the new fiscal year. A special meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission is requested so that a report can be presented to the City Council on April 22, 2003. MSC Strahl /Rude (6- 0 -0 -1) (Ramos Absent) to have the special meeting to discuss Fee Analysis on April 9, 2003 at 6:30 p.m. at the Public Works Center. 9. PUBLIC COMMENTS - Mr. Brian Russo thanked Recreation staff for meeting with him regarding Max Field /softball fields for his league. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Submitted by: ,,'''',,..,,���,, Margarita Cellanno Recreation Department