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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2004/03/18City of Chula Vista Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Thursday - 6:30 p.m. PSB Conference Rooms 2 & 3 Meeting called to order by Chair Larry Perondi at 6:30p.m. Staff Present: Buck Martin, Director of Recreation Jack Griffin, Director of General Services Shauna Stokes, Assistant Recreation Director Brian Cox, Principal Recreation Manager Ed Hall, Principal Recreation Manager Mary Hofmockel, Principal Landscape Architect Mary Radley, Landscape Architect Larry Eliason, Parks and Open Space Manager John Krizan, Landscape Architect Ted Nelson, Recreation Supervisor III Patricia Ferman, Landscape Planner II Krista Reinhart, Landscape Planner I Paul Hellman, Planning Department March 18, 2004 276 Fourth Ave Guests: Karolyn Kmet- Moran, Secretary, Chula Vista National Little League Roll Call /Motion to Excuse Members Present: Commissioner Salcido, Commissioner Perondi, Commissioner Strahl, Commissioner Rios, Commissioner Rude, Commission Weidner (arrived at 6:40 p.m.) Members Absent: Commissioner Ramos MSC (Rios /Rude Vote 5 -0 -1 -0 Weidner late) to excuse Commissioner Ramos from tonight's meting 2. Action Items a. Approval of Minutes of January 22, 2004 - MSC (Strahl /Salcido Vote 5 -0 -1 -1 Ramos absent and Weidner late) to approve the meeting minutes as presented. b. Approval of Skate element options at Heritage Park - Ms. Reinhart (Landscape Planner 1) discussed the response to the Commission's request for alternate locations for the skate facility. Ms. Reinhart stated that site visits were made to the park to assess two potential locations for the skate facility. Discussion of the original location was discussed, which is located in the northwestern portion of the park south of Monarch Drive and next to the existing parking lot. J: \Parks & Rec \Parks and Recreation Commission \Minutes & Reports \2004 minutes and reports \2004 minutes \PRC Minutes of 3 18 04.doc Prepared 1/23/04 Parks and Recreation Commission March 18, 2004 Page 2 Ms. Reinhart discussed the alternate location adjacent to the fire department turnaround area and storage building that houses the electrical room and equipment for Parks maintenance. Discussion held on both alternatives and skate par needs to serve a variety of ages and levels. Commissioner Salcido asked how this skate facility would be controlled to keep it from being used after it is closed. Mr. Martin (Director of Recreation) responded that the City has an Ordinance that would prohibit such use, and that the Park Rangers and /or Chula Vista Police Department would enforce the ordinance. Commissioner Weidner asked why the second alternative site was located to the western area of the park behind the pool and not the center of the park as previously discussed. Ms. Reinhardt responded that there was a cost issue associated with that location. Commissioner Weidner commented about noise concerns. Staff responded that they would look at additional mounding in this area. It was the consensus of the commission to select alternative A, the original location of the skate element as presented in January, and also that the skate element serve a variety of ages and levels of skateboarders. MSC (Rude /Rios Vote 6 -0 -0 -1 Ramos absent) to approve Location A for a skate facility in Heritage Park C. Approval of the Draft Master Plan and name of Harborside Park at Oxford Street - Ms. Patricia Ferman (Landscape Planner II) presented the Draft Park Master Plan for a public neighborhood park located on Oxford Street. Points covered by Ms. Ferman include: • Park site is located in the Montgomery Area, along the north side of Oxford Street west of Broadway Street. • The site is approximately 5.21 acres and is undeveloped and vacant at this time. • Adjacent to Harborside Elementary School, Broadway Plaza to the east and the San Diego County Department of Health and Human Services building to the west. Surrounding land consist of residential, commercial, light- industrial development, and the San Diego Trolley (San Ysidro Southern Line). Existing neighborhood parks in the immediate area. The proposed draft park master plan site includes the following elements: playground areas, gazebo or picnic shelter, various picnic areas, basketball courts, skate play area, outdoor classroom, multi - purpose field, pathways, restroom, and parking. Parks and Recreation Commission March 18, 2004 Page 3 • Two workshops were held on 11 /24/03 and 12/5/03 to review the two -parK design alternative. • Design goal was to create a park that would welcome the community and make a visitor feel welcome. • Park design concept was inspired by the St. Peter's plaza at the Vatican in Rome, Italy. • Park elements include: basketball courts, children's play areas, skateboard play area, multipurpose field, outdoor classroom, gazebo, amphitheater area, picnic facilities, parking and a restroom. Ms. Karolyn Kmet- Moran, Secretary to the Chula Vista National Little League addressed the Commission. Points covered by Ms. Kmet -Moran include: • Requesting a field at this new park site • Junior and senior players have to play in a field outside of the Chula Vista (Lucky Waller Park) • Disagrees that 1 field will take up 2/3 of the park space • By CV National League calculations, it would only take up' /4 of the space • Requesting that the City meet the needs of the community • Requesting that the City assist in possible relocation • This is the only league in the City not supported by the City Of Chula Vista • Mr. Martin is currently working with them to receive funds for renovation of fields at the school • Loss of parking to east due to Costco expansion parking needs Commissioner Salcido stated that this was a wonderful plan. Commissioner Perondi expressed his concern about the outdoor classroom being in the corner and it attracting undesirable activity, also stated that overall, the park plan is impressive, and stated that his concerns with not enough lighting. Mr. Griffin (Director of General Services) responded that lighting could be added as an option since no residential was around. Commissioner Rios stated that he is glad to see a park in this area, and would like to see no organized sports programmed here. Commissioner Weidner asked for clarification on the field size needed by the Little Leagues. Ms. Ferman responded that by adding a field, a portion of the trees, and other park elements would be removed. Commissioner Salcido stated that there is a need for more softball fields in area, and raised the question about other western park development. Discussion held about access to the County parking lot, County leasing the parking lot, and the fact that they do not own the parking lot, and they patrol the parking lot. Mr. Martin (Director of Recreation) responded that he would return in April with information regarding parking issues. Parks and Recreation Commission March 18, 2004 Page 4 MSC (Salcido /Strahl Vote: 5 -0 -1 -1 Ramos absent and Weidner abstention because not enough information is provided with regards to the fields) to approve the proposed Draft Park Master Plan for the 5.21 -acre public neighborhood park site on Oxford Street. MSC (Strahl /Rude Vote: 6 -0 -0 -1 Ramos absent) to accept the recommendation for the name for the park as Harborside Park. 3. Information Items a. Report regarding disclosure of Golf Inspection by Jim Allen - Mr. Martin (Director of Recreation) informed the Commission that staff was advised by the City Attorney's office that the report in question should be kept confidential in the event of litigation towards American Golf developing. Mr. Martin also stated that he would try to answer questions to the best of his abilities, but would defer to City Attorney's Office. Commissioner Strahl expressed his concerns about the public not having access to the report, and not having one designated staff member to address golf course matters. It was the consensus of the Commission to have the following two items on the Commission Agenda for April. Request from the City Council that they designate a staff person is responsible for the total operation of the golf course (to include the golf course, operation of the course, pro -shop, driving range, restaurant and bar, parking lot, etc.). Establish a golf course committee that meets on a regular basis (ad hoc), to include a representative from the City, American Golf, Men's and Woman's Club, seniors, and a member at -large to discuss the issues of the golf course, and prepare a report to the Parks and Recreation Commission on a regular basis. Mr. Martin (Director of Recreation) stated that he would contact the City Attorney's Office for a recommendation on how to handle this request. b. Field Allocation - Mr. Cox (Principal Recreation Manager) discussed the Youth Sport Council Field Allocation Revision report. He informed the Commission that in order to better facilitate consistent use of Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD) sports fields by member organizations of the Youth Sports Council (YSC), the Recreation Department and YSC are in the process of revising the procedures involved in requesting use of elementary school facilities. He further stated that the new procedure includes approaching the elementary schools eight months in advance of the desired use rather than the present one to two months. C. Veteran's Community Park Workshop - April 8, 2004 - Mr. Cox (Principal Recreation Manager) informed the Commission of a community workshop for Veteran's Community Park is scheduled on Thursday, April 8, 2004 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at Hedenkamp Elementary School on East Palomar to discuss the lighting issue. Representatives from Recreation, General Services and MUSCO Lighting will be in attendance. Parks and Recreation Commission March 18, 2004 4. Unfinished Business - Page 5 a. Commission Field Trip - Chair Perondi asked that Margarita e -mail all Commissioners with dates of the proposed field trip. The purpose of the field trip is to visit the new park sites coming on -line, and suggested that a Saturday be considered for this trip. 5. New Business - a. Consolidation of morning lap swim at City pools - Update - Mr. Martin (Director of Recreation) discussed the information item presented to the Commission that proposes eliminating morning adult lap swim at one pool during the Fall, Winter and Spring sessions. Both pools will be open during the busy summer session. 6. Written Communications - None Commission Comments - Commissioner Weidner discussed the on -line registration for recreation classes. Commissioner Rude discussed the article in the Union Tribune with regards to Positive Coaching. Commissioner Strahl stated that he would like to see Recreation receive more funding for programming. Chair Perondi stated that the City is doing a great job in implementing new facilities for the community. 8. Staff Comments - a. Recreation Department Monthly Report - Mr. Martin (Director of Recreation) discussed the monthly report. b. Mr. Eliason (Parks and Open Space Manager) informed the Commission of the Community Fair at the South Chula Vista Library. c. General Services - Mr. Griffin (Director of General Services) informed the Commission that Harvest Park opened 3 weeks ago. In addition stated that the City has expended $55 million in new parks and recreation facilities. d. Mary Hofmockel informed the Commission that she would be moving to Colorado and that today was her last day as a Chula Vista employee. 9. Public Comments - None 10. Other - None Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. to the next Commission meeting on April 15, 2004 Submitted by: Ma�rg�a�rit Ilan °, Recording Secretary