HomeMy WebLinkAbout061908 P&R Meeting Min.REGULAR SESSION:
CITY OF A TA SCA DERO
PARKS AND RECREA TION
COMMISSION
MINUTES
Thursday, June 19, 2008
7:00 P.M.
Chairperson Sechrist called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. and Commissioner Istenes led
the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Commissioners Dunn, Chacon, Hatch, Istenes, Vice
Chairperson Butz and Chairperson Sechrist.
Absent: Commissioner Marks (excused)
Others Present: Administrative Assistant Shannon Sims.
Staff Present: Deputy Public Works Director Geoff English and
Administrative Services Director Rachelle Rickard.
COMMUNITY FORUM:
Eric Greening encouraged the Commission to scrutinize and participate in the processing of the
general plan amendment for Eagle Ranch.
Commissioner Istenes attended a National Parks Service meeting regarding the Anza Trail.
She encouraged the City to do their part with helping with GIS mapping.
Student Representative Buck -Moyer joined the meeting.
Chairperson Sechrist closed the Community Forum period.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
MOTION: By Vice Chairperson Butz and seconded by Commissioner Hatch to
approve the agenda.
Motion passed 6:0 by a roll -call vote.
COMMISSION/ YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS:
Vice Chairperson Butz presented the Atascadero Wine Festival brochure that will be distributed
for the upcoming event.
A. CONSENT CALENDAR:
No reports.
B. MANAGEMENT REPORTS:
1. Fish Habitat Presentation (California Department of Fish and Game)
■ Fiscal Impact: None.
■ Recommendation: Informational Item Only. No Action Required. [Public
Works]
Deputy Director of Public Works — Operations Geoff English gave brief staff report and
introduced Mike Hill with the Department of California Fish and Game.
Commissioner Istenes abstained from this Item and dismissed herself to sit in the
audience.
Mike Hill presented a power point presentation and relayed information about the history and
findings on various lakes. He explained the spawning phases and processes and elaborated
on electrofishing procedures. He explained in great detail the issues and findings associated
with Atascadero Lake. Mr. Hill answered questions of the Commission.
LynneDee Althouse, Ph.D., Althouse and Meade Biologists, updated the Commission on the
construction and placement of the floating island that is located near the island in the lake.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Eric Greening thanked both of the presenters and inquired about the sustainable yield in terms
of pressure that can be accommodated. Mr. Greening also inquired if birds are taken into
consideration as well. Mike Hill responded to Mr. Greening's inquiry by stating that Trout are
re -stocked every two weeks and if fishing pressure increases they put more fish out.
Commissioner Istenes inquired if California Fish and Game would ever get involved with
funding a study. Mike Hill responded that the Department of Fish and Game would not; a study
would have to come out of the City's budget.
Chairperson Sechrist closed the Public Comment period.
Commissioner Dunn expressed concerns about the accuracy of who counts and watches. She
also inquired about digging deeper and adding rocks at the bottom of the lake. Mike Hill
responded that very good Wardens are in charge of counting and that digging deeper really
wouldn't be a feasible option.
Commissioner Istenes re joined the Commission.
2. Proposed Ban of Tobacco -Use in Outdoor Recreation Areas, Parks and
the Charles Paddock Zoo
■ Fiscal Impact: Approximately $1,200 for signage and education materials.
The Tobacco Control Program can help with some of these initial costs.
■ Recommendation: Commission review the policy issues, receive public
comment and recommend regulation of smoking in outdoor recreation
areas to the City Council. [Community Services]
Deputy Director of Public Works — Operations Geoff English reviewed basic details of this item
and introduced Christina LeFevre.
Christina LeFevre, Health Education Specialist with the County of San Luis Obispo County
Health Department Tobacco Control Program presented a powerpoint presentation promoting
banning tobacco use and answered questions of the Commission.
Commissioner Chacon commented that the hardest aspect of the proposed ban will be the
enforcement.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Denise Carigo, an Atascadero High School student, read a prepared statement about how
smoke hurts everyone, even animals.
Maggie Carigo is involved with lots of organizations and wants to help establish the precedence
that tobacco use is not acceptable in our community.
Deidre Millage, San Luis Obispo County Drug and Alcohol Services, works with 10 different
organizations within the county and is representing several roles. Ms. Millage said that youth
smoking is a community problem.
Lane Hanson, resident of Atascadero and Chairperson of County Tobacco Control Coalition,
spoke about the progress being made in reducing second hand smoke both in and outdoors.
Chairperson Sechrist closed the Public Comment period.
Vice Chairperson Butz questioned what other county parks are involved. Christina LeFevre
responded that Pismo, Arroyo Grande Fields, Morro Bay Beach are currently smoke free. Ms.
LeFevre said that County parks are not smoke free yet.
Commissioner Hatch expressed her appreciation for the time, energy and commitment to this.
She expressed concern when taking away people's rights and thinks education would be a
better and more productive route.
Commissioner Istenes expressed worry about enforcement and discrimination.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Maggie Carigo gave a positive example of how someone could deal with enforcing the
ordinance.
Chairperson Sechrist closed the Public Comment period.
Commissioner Dunn expressed appreciation and commented there will always be people who
think that their rights supersede others and she thinks that's a poor excuse.
Commissioner Chacon congratulated the Atascadero High School students for pressing forward
with this issue and reminded them they have the responsibility to tell their piers to stop smoking
when they see them doing it.
Chairperson Sechrist relayed his appreciation for the efforts to help people stop smoking. He
believes, however, that something like this infringes on the rights of people and has concern
about enforcement issues.
Commissioner Hatch said she appreciates people who are passionate. She does not like
smoking, personally, but respects the freedoms of everybody. She doesn't think we have right
to pick and choose which behaviors people around us have.
Student Representative Buck -Moyer spoke about peer pressure and thinks that creating smoke
free areas help to create positive peer pressure.
Commissioner Istenes suggested giving people smoking areas instead of all out banning. She
also suggested having kids to community service to pick up cigarette butts.
MOTION: By Commissioner Hatch and seconded by Commissioner Istenes to
accept the ban within the perimeter of the zoo and within 25 feet of
any outdoor public seating area which would include ball fields and
bleachers.
Motion failed 3:3 (Chacon, Dunn and Butz opposed).
More discussion ensued amongst commissioners.
MOTION: By Commissioner Dunn and seconded by Vice Chairperson Butz to
recommend that staff come back to us with a proposal with regulation of
smoking in outdoor recreation areas and the Charles Paddock Zoo.
Further discussion took place by commissioners.
MOTION: By Commissioner Dunn and seconded by Vice Chairperson Butz to
recommend that staff come back to the Commission with several
different proposals, ranging from an all out ban on smoking at the
Charles Paddock Zoo and in all outdoor recreation areas, a proposal
that is more moderate in scope that has designated areas in which
people are not to smoke and possibly an additional proposal where
there is even a smoking area for smokers so that the Commission can
review and forward it to the City Council.
Motion passed 5:1 by a roll -call vote (Sechrist opposed).
3. Mid -Year and Mid -Cycle Budget Revisions
■ Fiscal Impact: None.
■ Recommendation: Informational Item Only. [Administrative Services]
Administrative Services Director Rachelle Rickard presented the staff report with a powerpoint
presentation and answered questions of the Commission.
C. COMMITTEE & LIAISON REPORTS: (The following represent standing
committees. Informative status reports will be given, as felt necessary.):
1. Atascadero Youth Task Force — NO MEETING IN JULY. Next meeting
08/07/08 at 7:15 a.m., Atascadero Junior High School Library.
Deputy Director of Public Works — Operations Geoff English reviewed this item.
D. STAFF COMMENTS/ ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. Mark Your Calendar:
■ Free Swim Day— Saturday, June 21st at Atascadero High School Pool.
■ Atascadero Wine Festival — Saturday, June 21 st at Atascadero Lake Park from
11:30am — 4:OOpm.
■ Summer Concert Series (The Shamblers) - Saturday, June 28th at Atascadero
Lake Park from 6:30 — 8:30pm.
■ Summer Concert Series (Big Daddy's Rhythm & Blues Band) - Saturday, July
5th at Atascadero Lake Park.
■ Ice Cream Zoofari — Saturday, July 12th at the Charles Paddock Zoo.
2. Colony Park Community Center Update 3. Parks Project Update
Deputy Director of Public Works — Operations Geoff English reviewed upcoming events.
E. ADJOURNMENT:
Chairperson Sechrist adjourned the meeting at 10:25 p.m.
MINUTES PREPARED BY:
Shannon Sims, Administrative Assistant