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HomeMy WebLinkAbout031507 PR Comm MinutesApproved April 19, 2007 Y _ CITY OF ATASCADERO 19$ 1TPr' n 19 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES Thursday, March 15, 2007, 7:00 P.M. REGULAR SESSION: 7:00 P.M. Chairperson Sechrist called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. and Commissioner Butz led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Butz, Marks, Mathews, Jack and Chairperson Sechrist Student Representative Carden Absent: Commissioner Engstrum (excused absence) Student Representative Buck -Moyer (excused absence) Others Present: Recording Secretary Grace Pucci Staff Present: Community Services Director Brady Cherry and Deputy Public Works Director Geoff English. OATHS OF OFFICE: 1. Administration of Oaths of Office — Newly appointed Commissioners Barbie Butz and Jonalee Istenes will be sworn in by City Clerk, Marcia Torgerson. City Clerk Marcia Torgerson administered the Oath of Office to newly appointed Commissioners Barbie Butz and Jonalee Istenes. PRC Minutes 03/15/07 Page 1 of 7 Approved April 19, 2007 Commissioners Butz and Istenes joined the meeting. COMMUNITY FORUM: Eric Greening welcomed the new and returning Commissioners and suggested a copy of the Atascadero Native Tree inventory be given to every Commissioner and Student Representative. He also suggested that the Commission do another outdoor tour of the city's recreational facilities, as the days are staying light longer. Chairperson Sechrist closed the Community Forum period. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: MOTION: By Vice Chairperson Jack and seconded by Commissioner Marks to approve the agenda. Motion passed 6:0 by a roll -call vote. COMMISSION/ YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS: Commissioner Jack reported on a presentation he attended at the San Luis Obispo Botanical Gardens, and stated a representative can give a PowerPoint presentation about the project to the Commission. There was Commission consensus to agendize the presentation on the San Luis Obispo Botanical Gardens for a future Commission meeting. Commissioner Butz gave an update on the Wine Festival and indicated volunteers are needed. Commissioner Marks announced that Challenge Day is scheduled for April 3rd and 4th at the Junior High School, volunteers and donations are needed, and the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life will be held August 18th and 19th and they are seeking community support, volunteers, and fundraising assistance. She also spoke about students seeking senior projects or internships and suggested a project to address safety issues for walking and cycling on the trails in Heilmann Park and golf course. Commissioner Mathews stated that Heilmann Park and golf course is a county facility so perhaps the issue should be directed to county parks, and as he is a County Parks Commissioner he suggested Commissioner Marks write a letter for the Commission to sign on to, which he would take to a future meeting. PRC Minutes 03/15/07 Page 2 of 7 Approved April 19, 2007 There was Commission consensus to direct the Community Services Director to agendize Commission approval of a letter to the County Parks Commission for the next meeting. Commissioner Mathews reported on the Printery Rehabilitation Project Committee, to which he has been appointed by Mayor Luna, and spoke about the historic preservation issues for the project. Chairperson Sechrist spoke about the recent tour of downtown Atascadero and expressed concern with the lack of public restrooms in the downtown. Director Cherry reported that there is to be a City Council sponsored workshop and the Planning Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission will be invited to attend. He suggested this would be a good time to bring up the issue of restrooms in the downtown and any other issues the Commissioners feel are of importance. Commissioner Jack reported that the City Council has selected new names for Traffic Way Park and the new youth center. The park will be called "Colony Park" and the youth center will be named "Colony Park Community Center." Student Representative Carden reported on Challenge Day at the High School and stated many students said it was a moving experience and a good program. A. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes — February 15, 2007 ■ Staff Recommendation: Commission approve the Parks and Recreation Commission minutes of the February 15, 2007 meeting. MOTION: By Vice Chairperson Jack and seconded by Commissioner Marks to approve Item #A-1. Motion passed 5:0 by a roll -call vote. (Istenes abstained) B. MANAGEMENT REPORTS: 1. PowerPoint Presentation of Current Status of Park Facilities Community Services Director Brady Cherry and Deputy Public Works Director Geoff English gave the staff report and answered questions of the Commission. PRC Minutes 03/15/07 Page 3 of 7 Approved April 19, 2007 PUBLIC COMMENT Eric Greening suggested that perhaps the fees as currently calculated for new impacts are not taking into account the full life cycle costs, and observed that some of most expensive items in the figures presented were auto -accommodating items and should be treated as auto related costs rather than park related costs. He also cautioned the Commission before making any decision on acquisition of open space to look at the numbers in the cost breakdown and to distinguish between costs for built facilities versus the maintenance of open space. Chairperson Sechrist closed the Public Comment period. Commissioner Mathews read a letter into the record from ANTA President Joan O'Keefe explaining why the Board disagrees with the recommendations in the report regarding open space easements. Chairperson Sechrist suggested Commissioner comments be held until the staff report on Item #2 was given. Chairperson Sechrist recessed the meeting at 9:36 p.m. Chairperson Sechrist called the meeting back to order at 9:45 p.m. 2. Policy Discussion Concerning Parks, Open Space, Trails and Recreation Facilities ■ Fiscal Impact: None. ■ Recommendation: Discuss and provide policy recommendations. Deputy Public Works Director Geoff English gave the staff report and answered questions of the Commission. Community Services Director Brady Cherry suggested this item be brought back on the next agenda with a menu of funding mechanisms for parks and recreation facilities. PUBLIC COMMENT Eric Greening pointed out that during the great depression much open space was acquired and many parks and trails were built. He commented that the community has responsibilities to the entire eco system which requires open space acquisition to preserve trees and wildlife habitat. He spoke of the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement and the requirement for sequestration. Chairperson Sechrist closed the Public Comment period. PRC Minutes 03/15/07 Page 4 of 7 Approved April 19, 2007 Commissioner Comments: Commissioner Marks 1. Would like to see a similar presentation with a much broader display for the public in order to raise community awareness and support for the current needs. This could be a work session including highlighting the needs, and the goal of the session would be to seek out a variety of funding sources, to bring in those funds and put them to the most effective use. 2. Suggested putting together a brochure for contributions such as that used for the Colony Park Community Center. Vice Chairperson Jack 1. Agreed it is important to make the public aware of the current needs so they can understand what the city is facing and how it plans to address it. 2. Would like to invite Mayor Luna or Council Member O'Malley to address the Commission as to what is realistic from the standpoint of utilizing specific funding sources. 3. Suggested Commissioners start attending Council meetings and speak about parks and recreation needs and funding, especially now that the meetings are being televised. Commissioner Mathews 1. Suggested bringing this item up at the March 26th meeting of the Commission Chairs and Vice Chairs with Mayor Luna and Mayor Pro Tem Brennler, and sharing some of suggestions from tonight's meeting. 2. Suggested giving a similar PowerPoint presentation to the City Council. 3. During the budget process, seek an increase in General Funds for the Parks Program. 4. He could not support anything that would not accept opportunities for open space acquisition. 5. Should look at a sales tax increase or bond issue. 6. Explore sharing zoo support throughout the county as it benefits the entire county. 7. Work with the local news media to raise public awareness of the problem. Commissioner Butz 1. Could work closely with the Chamber on these issues. 2. Should have articles in the Atascadero News, with pictures, to increase the community's awareness of the problem. 3. Must look at maintaining facilities once the repairs are made. 4. Questioned how high on the City Council's list is this need for parks and recreation facilities. Commissioner Istenes 1. It is the job of the Commission to make this issue a priority to the City Council. PRC Minutes 03/15/07 Page 5 of 7 Approved April 19, 2007 2. Must look at partnering with the schools, Cal Trans, Department of Fish and Game, etc. to increase awareness of each others projects. 3. Could increase volunteer participation by publishing a calendar in the local paper outlining all organizations that are doing volunteer projects. 4. Look at incentives to encourage volunteerism i.e. gloves, hats, etc. 5. Look for sponsors to adopt trash cans or other park structures. Chairperson Sechrist 1. Would like to see a PowerPoint presentation to the City Council. 2. The Commission should make this a priority for the Council by speaking with Council Members and going to their meetings. 3. Could put together a letter to the City Council stating the importance of making this a priority. 4. Important to build a reserve for parks facilities. 5. Public Education is important. 6. No land should be refused when offered to the city. C. COMMITTEE & LIAISON REPORTS: 1. Atascadero Youth Task Force - Next meeting: April 3, 2007, 7:00 a.m. Lake Pavilion. 2. Stadium Park Planning Committee (Commissioners Mathews/Jack): Next meeting: April 12, 2007. At the last meeting Geoff English took direction from the Committee to get utility estimates for a budget request to Council to get water and power into the bowl. D. STAFF COMMENTS/ ANNOUNCEMENTS: Community Services Director Brady Cherry reported on the following: Summer City Magazine/ Recreation Guide 2. Americorps worker, Gary Wood/Volunteer program 3. Recreation Center Construction on schedule 4. Next Stadium Park Planning Meeting: 4/12/07, 6:30pm 5. Council Action on Traffic Way Naming Chairperson Sechrist announced that he will be out of town for the May 18th meeting. PRC Minutes 03/15/07 Page 6 of 7 Approved April 19, 2007 E. ADJOURNMENT: Chairperson Sechrist adjourned the meeting at 11:02 p.m. to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission on April 19, 2007. MINUTES PREPARED BY: Grace Pucci, Recording Secretary PRC Minutes 03/15/07 Page 7 of 7