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HomeMy WebLinkAbout032008 - PR Comm MinutesApproved 05/15/08 CITY OF A TA SCA DERO PA RKS AND RECREA TION COMMISSION MINUTES Thursday, March 20, 2008 7:00 P.M. Regular Meeting REGULAR SESSION: 7:00 P.M. Chairperson Sechrist called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. and Commissioner Dunn led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Chacon, Dunn, Hatch, Istenes, Marks, Vice Chairperson Butz and Chairperson Sechrist. Absent: Student Representatives Buck -Moyer and Carden (Excused) Staff Present: Community Services Director Brady Cherry, Deputy Director of Public Works — Operations, Recreation Supervisor Jennifer Fanning and Administrative Assistant Shannon Sims. COMMUNITY FORUM: Student Representative Buck -Moyer joined the meeting. Eric Greening mentioned that at a recent workshop developing ideas for downtown and the vicinity, the Stadium Park Master Plan was the fourth highest priority out of about sixty. He wanted to inform the Commission in case they were contacted and encouraged them to attend the City Council meeting next Tuesday to voice their opinions. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: MOTION: By Commissioner Chacon and seconded by Commissioner Marks to approve the agenda. Motion passed 7:0 by a roll -call vote. COMMISSION/ YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS: Vice Chairperson Butz informed the Commission that she has tickets available to purchase for the April 22nd Templeton Rotary family event to see the professional Harlem Ambassador Basketball Traveling Team. The event will take place at Atascadero High School. Commissioner Chacon had an opportunity to go visit the Colony Park Community Center. He said he was impressed by how well organized it was. He said there were great activities taking place and he specifically likes the tutoring program. He plans on contacting Cuesta Community College to see if they can get some students to do some community service work and help with the tutoring lab. Commissioner Istenes said that San Gabriel Elementary School had received grant approval for Safe Routes to Schools. She also spoke about Commissioner Workshop and said that all but Atascadero trail brochures were available. She requested the Atascadero brochures be distributed more widely. Student Representative Buck -Moyer apologized for being late to the meeting. She had a track meet for her school. Chairperson Sechrist mentioned the 2008 SLOCAPRA Workshop. Commissioner Chacon noted that at the Workshop he liked the focus on kids, the use of the parks, and the Bill of Rights for kids. Commissioner Marks inquired about the status of Stadium Park. Community Services Director Brady Cherry said the City is in the process of trying to get an easement. PRESENTATION: 1. Presentation to Outstanding Community Services Department Volunteer Sam McMillan. PRC Minutes 03/20/08 Community Services Director Brady Cherry presented Sam McMillan with the award. He commended him on his many dedicated years of service to children of all ages within the community. A. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes — January 17, 2008 ■ Staff Recommendation: Commission approve the Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the January 17, 2008 meeting. [Community Services] 2. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes — February 21, 2008 ■ Staff Recommendation: Commission approve the Parks and Recreation Commission Special Meeting Minutes of the February 21, 2008 meeting. [Community Services] Chairperson Sechrist pulled Item A-2. Item A-2 was tabled to the next meeting. Chairperson Sechrist requested that the minutes (Item A-2) be reviewed for accuracy. He thought that his comments on Page 5 were over summarized. MOTION: Vice Chairperson Butz and seconded by Commissioner Hatch to approve Consent Item A-1. Motion passed 7:0 by a roll -call vote. A discussion about the process of Parks and Recreation Commission recommendations being relayed to Council in a timely manner ensued. Community Services Director Brady Cherry explained that the minutes are the official record of the meeting. He explained the process and importance of the minutes. PUBLIC COMMENT: Eric Greening requested that his comments on the February 21, 2008 Minutes (Item A- 2) be reviewed. He referred to Page 4 and said he wasn't questioning whether it was legal, but he was questioning the assumption that it was a taking. Chairperson Sechrist closed the Public Comment period. Commissioner Comments: Commissioner Hatch inquired if there was any City policy that says if an item is to be presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission there is a required amount of time that must expire before that item can appear on the City Council agenda. PRC Minutes 03/20/08 Chairperson Sechrist said this was one of the topics spoke about at the joint Mayor/Chair meeting that he recently attended. He said he would be addressing more of this issue later in the meeting when he gives his update. B. MANAGEMENT REPORTS: 1. Atascadero Lake Water Quality Improvement Project / Floating Wetlands Presentation ■ Fiscal Impact: None. • Recommendation: Informational item only. [Public Works] Deputy Director of Public Works — Operations Geoff English gave a brief presentation and introduced LynneDee Althouse, Ph.D. with Althouse and Meade, Inc. LynneDee Althouse, Ph.D. introduced fellow biologists May Perry and Cassie Murphy. She gave a power point presentation on the proposed floating wetlands concept. She explained the causes and possible solutions pertaining to water quality issues. May Perry and Cassie Murphy showed examples of floating materials to the Commissioners and answered their questions. 01 1100191IT, I LTJ 1:4►k6 Ernie Porter, Community Member, spoke of past problems with and around Atascadero Lake. He stressed the importance of the pipeline working correctly. He said he thought the floating wetlands were an excellent idea. Chairperson Sechrist closed the Public Comment period. Commissioner Comments: A discussion amongst Commissioners and LynneDee Althouse, Ph.D. ensued. Topics such as monitoring, harvesting, cost, baseline data assessment, aeration systems, materials and temperatures were discussed. Student Representative Buck -Moyer said that she's part of an organization at her school who would be happy to donate their time to help with this project. Commissioner Dunn commented on the duck feeding being a problem at the lake. She inquired if it would be possible to post signs prohibiting. Commissioner Istenes mentioned that AGP Video advertises the City on Channel 20 and that most of the pictures shown represent only domestic fowel, not native. Deputy Director of Public Works — Operations Geoff English said that he's been working with a Cal Poly senior who is preparing an educational campaign discouraging feeding the ducks for his senior project. PRC Minutes 03/20/08 PUBLIC COMMENT: Ernie Porter, Community Member, spoke about the problem of people feeding the domestic ducks at the lake. Chairperson Sechrist closed the Public Comment period. Chairperson Sechrist recessed the meeting at 9:00 p.m. Chairperson Sechrist called the meeting back to order at 9:06 p.m. 2. Paloma Creek Park Plavaround Reolacement Proiect / Graahics and Theme Options ■ Fiscal Impact: None. ■ Recommendation: Commission review and select an option for the Paloma Creek Park Playground Structure graphics and theme panels. [Public Works] Deputy Public Works Director — Operations Geoff English presented the staff report. PUBLIC COMMENT: None. Commissioner Comments: Commissioners discussed various options for themes and logos. Commissioner Istenes commented that our own unique graphics are no additional charge. She said that since it is only March, and delivery is not until August, there would be time to have a contest in the schools with June deadline. She said that "Building the Dream" should have Atascadero children and residents involved. The majority of the Commission thought that the Building Dreams theme should be incorporated near the small playground structure for the younger kids, and that the Sports theme should be incorporated near the larger structure. C. COMMITTEE & LIAISON REPORTS: 1. Atascadero Youth Task Force - Next meeting 04/04/08 at 8:00 a.m., Colony Park Community Center Community Services Director Brady Cherry reported that there will be a Special Breakfast Meeting on Friday, April 11 th at 8:00 a.m. at the Colony Park Community Center. Youth initiatives and issues pertaining to community youth will be presented by school district officials. He clarified that there will be no meeting on April 41h PRC Minutes 03/20/08 D. STAFF COMMENTS/ ANNOUNCEMENTS: 1. Mark Your Calendar: ■ Zoo Easter Egg Hunt — Saturday, March 22nd ■ Sunken Gardens Flea Market, Saturday, April 19'" at 8:OOam 2. Colony Park Community Center Update 4. Parks Project Update Community Services Director Brady Cherry reviewed upcoming special events. Recreation Supervisor Jennifer Fanning presented an update on the Colony Park Community Center. She informed the Commission that Recreation Coordinator — Sports Courtney Jones will be filling in for her while she is on maternity leave. Deputy Director of Public Works — Operations Geoff English mentioned that a new pre- fabricated restroom has been delivered to Atascadero Lake Park and is anticipated to be open in the next three weeks. He also mentioned the Atascadero Lake Parking Lot Improvement Project which, if approved, will start in approximately 3-4 weeks. Chairperson Sechrist reported on the joint Mayor/Chairperson meeting. Below were the four topics that he asked questions of: Orientation for New Commissioners and Annual Training for All Commissioners — The Commissioners Manual is completed and should be finalized and available soon. When it is ready, it will be agendized and reviewed by the Commission. In the meantime, there is a website Commissioners can refer to www.robertsrules.com as a resource. Goals of Council for Commissioners — Reviewed 2008 Parks and Recreation Commission Workplan at the meeting. The Council seemed to be in agreement with topics selected. Scheduling a Joint Meeting with the Council to Discuss Goals — Committed to having a joint meeting in September for the Parks and Recreation Commission and the City Council. No specific date was set. It was also suggested that Commissioners contact their individual Council Member to discuss and update them on issues. Communication Process of Recommendations to Council — Time issues were discussed. City Manager Wade McKinney suggested that after the Commission makes a Motion, Community Services Director Brady Cherry repeat the Motion back to the Commission and have Commissioners agree that it was the interpretation they intended. Chairperson Sechrist said they also discussed the Resource Conservation District Trail Project. It was confirmed that this item, if re -scoped, would come back to the Commission before it is finalized. PRC Minutes 03/20/08 Chairperson Sechrist elaborated on the discussion on the issue of Council voting on items without knowing the Commission's recommendations. Council agreed that it was a problem. Part of the problem lies in that some projects are time sensitive and can't wait a period of time in between Commission/Council meetings. He also pointed out that minutes have to be approved before they are final. Vice Chairperson Butz said the Mayor/Chair meetings are a great way to improve communication between Council and Commissions. Commissioner Hatch asked if the issues with forwarding the recommendations to Council is a logistics problem. Community Services Director Brady Cherry mentioned that the City Council agenda packets require a lot more time for preparation. Reports are due 3 weeks in advance. He said he would agree with City Manager Wade McKinney's suggestion that he repeat back motions to the Commission and then he will relay to Council. Commissioner Chacon suggested that when staff writes the recommendation on the staff report, it be worded exactly as they would have the Commission make the motion. This way it can easily be read back by the Commission incorporating any changes/additions. Community Services Director Brady Cherry said that for every staff report that is brought to the Commission, he will create a slide to present to the Council with the Commission's recommendation. Chairperson Sechrist said it's helpful to have two -option recommendations (one accepting, one denying). Commissioner Istenes thought that if there was a split vote, the reasons why Commissioners voted the way they did should be relayed to Council. Community Services Director Brady Cherry said that the recommendation relayed to Council is either to approve or not to approve. He suggested that if Commissioners have concerns or want to relay why they voted a specific way, they contact Council Members or appear at the Council Meeting to speak. E. ADJOURNMENT: Chairperson Sechrist adjourned the meeting at 10:04 p.m. MINUTES PREPARED BY: Shannon Sims, Administrative Assistant PRC Minutes 03/20/08