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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 1972/08/02 MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF TIE CITY OF CtIULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA Held Wednesday - 3:00 p.m. August 2, 1972 An adjourned regular meeting of the City Council of Chula Vista, California was held on the above date at 3:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, with the following Councilmen present: Councilmen Scott, Hobel, Hamilton, Egdahl Absent: Councilman Hyde Also present: City Manager Thomson, Director of Parks and Recreation Hall, Parks Superintendent Bradstreet, Recreation Superintendent Smith, Landscape Planner Ortgiesen, Assistant Director of Planning Williams, City Attorney Lindberg REVIEW OF PARK DEVELOPMENT Director of Parks and Recreation Hall turned PLANS the meeting over to other members of his department, but stated that he would be available for comment throughout the meeting. Parks Superintendent Bradstreet presented a brief history of the park development plans leading up to the meeting. He stated that the parks to be discussed at this meeting would be Hilltop Park, Norman Park Center, Halecrest Park, Memorial Park, Rohr Park (lower portion) and General Roca Park; those to be discussed at a later date would be Elmhurst Park, Southwestern College, Garden Park, San Diego Gas and Electric Company right-of-way at Loma Verde and Palomar Parks and Greg Rogers Park. Priorities The priorities of the parks being presented at this meeting are as follows: Hilltop Park (Phase 1 and 2) Norman Park Halecrest Park Memorial Park Rohr Park General Roca Park Assistant Director of Planning Williams com- mented on the relationship to the General Plan that the park development would have. HILLTOP-TELEGRAPH CANYON PARK Mr. Ortgiesen presented a rendering of the proposed park, explaining acreage (10.9), boundaries, design of the park and the types of facilities in the park created to serve the majority age group of patrons (eight to fifteen years of age). The proposed plan calls for a teen center, "adventure play- ground," meadow area, restrooms, picnic areas and small children's play area. Most of the planting will be of nati~eplant material, so as to keep maintenance down to a minimum; however, there will be a couple of high maintenance areas in the park. Swimming pool Mayor Hamilton asked if a joint agreement had been thought about in reference to having a swimming pool in this park. Director of Parks and Recreation Hall stated that there had been some thought on the use of the high and junior high school pools, but that their buildings are always extremely full, and there is also a reluctance on the park of youth to going hack to school for recreation. The agreement with Southwestern College for the swimming pool was discussed, and it was brought out that it is difficult to find a time that does not conflict with Southwestern activities. Mayor Hamilton stated that this agreement should be discussed along with the other items planned for discussion with the College representatives. The proposed gymnasium for this park is small, not comp&table to a high school gymnasium. Grading a~d construction of walkways would be part of the first phase of the park de- velopment plan, irrigation in the second phase and the planting of shrubs in the third phase. The Department of Parks and Recreation is suggesting that the north side of the park be developed first. There was considerable discussion on the pro- posed youth center, or teen center, and the need that exists for it. Mr. Hall commented that it could be used by senior citizens, as well as the youth. It was moved by Mayor Hamilton, seconded by Councilman Hobel and unanimously carried by the Councilmen present that the Council accept the recommendations and presentation made by staff and move ahead in going out to bid for the grading and the planning of the area as presented. NORMAN PARK CENTER Landscape Planner Ortgiesen presented a ren- dering of the Center, stating that plans for Additional improvements this facility would consist mainly of addi- tional improvements. They want to add new shuffleboard courts, improve the landscaping around the park itself and also add horseshoe pitches. This project will be in the 1972-73 Capital Improvement Program. Mr. Ortgiesen added that they are trying to create a more cheerful atmosphere, utilizing flower planting areas, an added entry, sitting areas and open areas of trees. He stated an overhead will be added around the area of the shuffleboard court. Wind problems Mayor Hamilton commented on complaints re- ceived in regards to the wind problems and asked if these had been taken into considera- tion. Director of Parks and Recreation Hall stated that they were and that the wall would be extended so the wind will be blocked off from the shuffleboard courts. Air conditioning Mr. Hall commented on the fact that the air conditioning provided for the Center is not sufficient and that the patrons of the Cen- ter suffer from the heat. He also discussed Satellite programs briefly the possibility of "satellite" pro- grams in lieu of expansion of the facility, stating that experimentation is taking place along these lines in Loma Verde and Rohr Parks. - 2 - Parking problems The parking problem at the Center was dis- cussed and Mr. Hall suggested that an agree- ment might be reached with the churches in the area. Motion to accept plan It was moved by Councilman Scott, seconded by Councilman Hobel and unanimously carried by those Councilmen present that the plan as proposed by staff be accepted. HALECREST PARK Mr. Ortgiesen, in referring to a proposed lay- out of the park, stated that it is a neighbor- hood park, adjacent to Halecrest Elementary School and that this area is under a lease agreement with the State Division of Highways. The City will lease this land at a cost of $100 per year, with the stipulation that there be no run-off onto the state's property; there- fore, 2,000 yards of fill dirt must be imported. He added that the area is generally hilly, the park will be mainly for neighborhood use, about six parking spaces will be provided and there will be access to the school. Mr. Ortgiesen stated that the area could be hydraseeded and that he would like to see a conservation program started in conjunction with the school. He added that barbeque areas have been proposed in the area in which the view of San Diego, the harbor, and parts of Tijuana can be taken advantage of. Also included in the proposed plans are a concrete amphitheater, areas for small children (graduated, according to types of play activities for different age groups), a concrete slide, tricycle area, retaining walls made of telephone polls to preserve naturalness of area, tunnel, and open lawn areas. In answer to Mayor Hamilton's inquiry as to the projec~e8 ~iming of this project, Mr. Ort- giesen stated that he has all the plans and specifications ready to go, and if approved, they could be sent to Engineering as early as the next day to go out to bid. Motion to accept proposal It was moved by Councilman Egdahl, seconded by Councilman Scott and unanimously carried by those Councilmen present that the proposal for Halecrest Park be accepted. The Council agreed that the Parks and Recrea- tion Department should be commended for the quality of work and creativity they have dis- played in regards to the park projects. MEMORIAL PARK Mr. Ortgiesen displayed a sketch of the area and stated that of main concern at this time is the parking area and the eyesore it has created. Plans to overcome this include a fifteen foot buffer of landscaping. He added there will be about 30 percent more parking than at present, located at the rear portion of the gym. Also proposed is a buffer zone of low growing plant material in the area of the amphitheater. Discussion ensued on the possible upgrading of the amphitheater. Mr. Hall added that this had been considered and that it might be brought hack to the Council at a later date. Motion to accept report It was moved by Councilman Hobel, seconded by Councilman Scott and unanimously carried h¥ those Councilmen present that the report on M~norial Park be accepted. There was considerable discussion on the shuffleboard courts in this park. Recreation Superintendent Smith commented that, after hearing talk about the possible removal of the courts, the people who patronize them became quite upset. He said that this pos- sibility is still under study. Parks and Recreation Director Hall mentioned that the land on which these courts are located does not belong to the City, but rather to the Arizona Railway Company, with whom there has been contact. According to them, there is not even supposed to be a structure on this land. Parks Superintendent Bradstreet stated that this land has been under lease since 1934. It is an open green-City beautification lease, under which the City is to maintain the area. According to the agreement, there is to be no structure, unless with the permission of the Arizona Railway. He added that after a survey of these courts, it was determined that very few people use them. The Chamber of Commerce recom- mended that they be removed, as they were an eyesore. The past Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman recommended to the Director of Parks and Recreation that they be removed. Director of Parks and Recreation Hall suggests dressing up the area with plant material until this matter is resolved. ROHR PARK Park Superintendent Bradstreet stated that this presentation is two-fold: (1) the development of the lower portion, and (2) the bringing back of the model railroad. Live steamer railroad Landscape Planner Ortgiesen displayed an over- lay on the map of Rohr Park, commenting that a live steamer railroad is proposed to go around the periphery of the park area. The Live Steamer Railroad Association has all the equipment to go ahead with the railroad. ~4r. Ortgiesen showed the proposed route of the railroad and discussed construction that woul~ have to take place to accommodate it. It is believed that children would derive a great deal of enjoyment out of this and that it is considered to be a safe type of operation. He added that there will be no reduced parking areas or play areas because of this railroad. Director of Parks and Recreation Hall commented on the costs of the project and the fact that the Live Steamer Railroad Association would furnish an insurance policy in the amount of $300,000. There was further discussion on the City's liability and City Attorney Lindberg commented - 4 - tkat the City, named as co-insured, would be afforded protection as such. Mr. Ace Wischtadt As to the danger of this "railroad," Mr. Live Steamer Railroad Wischtadt stated that the trains do not move Association very fast and the equipment operators are ex- tremely conscientious. The stopping distance of the trains was discussed at length. Mr. Wischtadt commented on the safe stopping dis- tance of the trains. Mr. Hall stated that there is a need in this park for a group picnic area. Motion to accept proposal It was moved by Mayor Hamilton and seconded by Councilman Scott that the proposal of the Parks and Recreation Department be accepted and that the City Attorney look into the agree- ment between the Railraod Association and the City to determine the liability of the City in the event of a safety problem. The motion passed by the following vote, to- wit: AYES: Councilmen Scott, Hobel, Hamilton Noes: Councilman Egdahl Absent: Councilman ttyde GENERAL ROCA PARK Landscape Planner Ortgiesen, in referring to the rendering of the Park, stated that the plans for this park include landscaping the area along "C" Street, installing a large drainage ditch, expanding the parking area and the softball diamond. In the area with an abundance of gucalyptus trees, they plan to provide areas for ca~rpouts for organized groups. Parks Superintendent Bradstreet commented that the park is at its total usage at the present time. Katherine Moore Mrs. Moore asked if there will be an entrance 1134 Tobias Drive on both ends of the parking area, to which Mr. Bradstreet answered there would be. Mrs. Moore added that they area should be marked better to indicate ingress and egress. ~lr. Bradstreet commented that there are arrows marking same. It was moved by Councilman Hobel, seconded by Councilman Scott and unanimously carried that the plan as presented be adopted. Director of Parks and Recreation Hall co~aented on the $8,000 left this year for park . development, not specifically designated for any particular area. He stated that there is a need for an irrigation system at this park, and perhaps the solution would lie in the appli- cation of this money for such a system. Children's play equipment Mr. Orgiesen presented a model of the kind of play equipment he would like to see incorporated in the City parks for the use of small children. - 5 - Loma Verde Park Discussion ensued on the problem of vandalism at Loma Verde Park and what the Parks and Recreation Department is doing to try and alleviate the problem until completion of the park. Councilman Scott commented on the fact that the park, recreation center and school do not blend together, due to lack of land- scaping. Mr. Bradstreet stated that the area had been recently hydraseeded and that eventually the facilities would all connect together in a smooth flow. Mayor Hamilton thanked the staff of Parks and Recreation for their very informative presentation. BAYFRONT STUDY Assistant Director of Planning Williams stated that Mr. Warren and Mr. Trull met with representatives of National Steel and Ship- building Company and that National Steel consented to prepare three site layouts which would be ready in a week. Mr. Williams added that a meeting to make a determination on the Bayfront Study could be held any night this week, but that Mr. Warren would not be available at that time. Motion to set date for It was moved by Mayor Hamilton, seconded by discussion on Bayfro~Study Councilman Egdahl and unanimously carried that August 15, 1972 be set as the date for further discussion on the Bayfront Study. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 5:20 p.m. to the meeting of August 8, 1972 at 7:00 p.m. Deputy City'Clerk - 6 -