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Home My WebLink About112008 MinutesApproved January 15, 2009 CITY OF A TA SCA DERO PA RKS AND RECREA TION COMMISSION MINUTES Thursday, November 20, 2008 REGULAR SESSION: 7:00 P.M. Chairperson Sechrist called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. and Commissioner Hatch led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Dunn, Hatch, Istenes, Marks, Vice Chairperson Butz and Chairperson Sechrist Absent: Commissioner Chacon (excused) Others Present: Administrative Assistant Shannon Sims Staff Present: Community Services Director Brady Cherry, Acting Public Works Director Geoff English and Recreation Supervisor Jennifer Fanning COMMUNITY FORUM — None. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: By Commissioner Marks and seconded by Commissioner Dunn to approve the agenda. Motion passed 6:0 by a roll -call vote. Page 1 of 7 COMMISSION ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS Commissioner Butz spoke about the upcoming Coates for Kids event and encouraged participation and donations. Commissioner Dunn suggested checking with local elementary schools for donations from their Lost and Found for the Coates for Kids event. Commissioner Hatch extended her thanks to the City and staff for their support of the Veteran's Memorial Project. A. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes — October 16, 2008 ■ Staff Recommendation: Commission approve the Parks and Recreation Commission minutes of the October 16, 2008 meeting. [Community Services] 2. Memorial Object Placement Request — Tree Dedication at Atascadero Lake Park Memorial Grove (Sibbach) ■ Fiscal Impact: None. ■ Recommendation: Commission recommend approval to the City Council of a request by Gere Sibbach to dedicate a memorial tree to be planted at Atascadero Lake Park Memorial Grove, Site #7, in memory of Norman L. "Larry" Booth. [Community Services] Community Services Director Brady Cherry pulled Item A — 1. Commissioner Istenes asked that Item A — 2's recommendation be read into the record out of respect for the person who passed. MOTION: By Commissioner Dunn and seconded by Commissioner Marks to approve Consent Item #A — 2. Motion passed 6:0 by a roll -call vote. Community Services Director Brady Cherry announced that, per the request of Commissioner Istenes, the following sentence be added to A — 1, on page 5, Item C, under Commissioner comments: "Acting Public Works Director Geoff English indicated that the cost of the doggy bags around the lake is presently running in excess of $2,000 year." And, in addition, the following sentence be added to page 6, under Item C: "Mr. English mentioned staff is looking into the option of creating a dispenser and asking the public to donate plastic grocery bags to stock it." Page 2 of 7 Commissioner Marks asked that on Item A-1, page 3, under Public Comment, "resident" be added following Christina LaFevre's name. She also asked that on page 4, under Christina LaFevre's Public Comment, "By Atascadero High School Students" be added after the word was. A discussion about minutes and the approval process ensued. MOTION: By Commissioner Dunn and seconded by Commissioner Marks to approve Consent Item #A — 1 with the addition of the sentences, "Acting Public Works Director Geoff English indicated that the cost of the doggy bags around the lake is presently running in excess of $2,000 year" and "Mr. English mentioned staff is looking into the option of creating a dispenser and asking the public to donate plastic grocery bags to stock it." Also, with the addition of the words "By Atascadero High School Students." Motion passed 6:0 by a roll -call vote. B. MANAGEMENT REPORTS: 1. Charles Paddock Zoo Front Entrance and Restroom Imarovement Proiect ■ Fiscal Impact: Restroom replacement $263,000 and Zoo front entrance $500,000 of budgeted Redevelopment Agency Funds. ■ Recommendation: Commission review the staff report and approve the new restroom location in the Charles Paddock Zoo. [Community Services] Commissioner Istenes abstained and excused herself to sit in the audience. Community Services Director Brady Cherry announced that Zoo Director Alan Baker would be giving the report. Zoo Director Alan Baker gave the report and answered questions of the Commission. PUBLIC COMMENT Jonalee Istenes, resident who lives near the zoo, expressed appreciation for the efforts to "Go Green" in the design. She recommended moving the doors in final design away from seated people in the giftshop/snack area. She also said she spoke to the Lakeside Christian Church and the pastor is willing to propose an option to use their parking lot so Park and Ride wouldn't be needed. Chairperson Sechrist closed the Public Comment Period. Page 3 of 7 Acting Public Works Director Geoff English spoke about approved funding for frontage improvements to the Atascadero Lake Park and answered questions of the Commission. PUBLIC COMMENT Jonalee Istenes inquired about what happens to the plaques after they are removed. Chairperson Sechrist closed the Public Comment Period. A discussion ensued about options for donor plaques that are no longer being displayed. Commissioner Hatch commented that, for the record, the Veteran's Memorial should not be referred to as a "war memorial." She elaborated on the lighting surrounding the memorial. Commissioner Marks expressed appreciation for the educational components of the plan. MOTION: By Commissioner Dunn and seconded by Vice Chairperson Butz to approve the new restroom location in the Charles Paddock Zoo. Motion passed 5:0 by a roll -call vote. (Istenes abstained) Commissioner Istenes rejoined the Commission. MOTION: By Commissioner Dunn and seconded by Vice Chairperson Butz to place on a future agenda that the Parks and Recreation Commission discuss the possibility of what to do with donor plaques that are no longer displayed or used due to the fact that what they were used for displaying is no longer viable. Motion passed 6:0 by a roll -call vote. 2. Turf Reduction Proposal for Atascadero Parks ■ Fiscal Impact: Minor fiscal impacts related to staff time for necessary irrigation modifications. ■ Recommendation: Commission recommend approval of the removal of approximately 25,300 square feet of turf from various Atascadero City -operated parks to accommodate for additional turf installed in the "Great Lawn" area of Atascadero Lake Park. [Community Services] Commissioner Istenes abstained and excused herself to sit in the audience. Acting Public Works Director Geoff English gave the report and answered questions of the Commission. Page 4 of 7 PUBLIC COMMENT Jonalee Istenes, lives near the lake park, asked the Commission to re -seed removal areas as natural grassland at Paloma Park and to have a path identified. She also mentioned that ANTA is looking for receiver sites and is already working out by equestrian arena. Chairperson Sechrist closed the Public Comment Period. Acting Public Works Director Geoff English addressed questions about Paloma Creek Park and tree planting and answered questions of the Commission. A discussion ensued amongst Commissioners. MOTION: By Commissioner Dunn to approve the park turf reduction in the proposed areas with the exception of not removing #5, the small lawn near the dock area of 1200 sq. ft. but removing #6, the Ranger House Lawn which is 1500 sq. ft. for a net gain of 300 sq. ft. A discussion ensued amongst Commissioners. Commissioner Istenes rejoined the Commission. MOTION: By Commissioner Dunn to approve the park turf reduction areas with not removing #5, and instead removing #6 last. MOTION: By Commissioner Dunn and seconded by Commissioner Marks to approve the park turf reduction in areas #9, #11 and #15 which is just the Paloma Creek Park and the Fire Station. Motion passed 6:0 by a roll -call vote. MOTION: By Commissioner Dunn and seconded by Commissioner Marks to also approve the park turf reduction for #3, the upper bandstand area, but not remove #5, the small lawn near the dock area and in place of that gain 300 sq. ft. by removing the Ranger House Lawn. Motion passed 5.0 by a roll -call vote. (Istenes abstained) 3. Atascadero Creek Trail and Restoration Project ■ Fiscal Impact: Final costs unknown at this time. ■ Recommendation: Commission receive and file. [Community Services] Community Services Director Brady Cherry gave the report and answered questions of the Commission. Page 5 of 7 Acting Public Works Director Geoff English answered questions of the Commission. PUBLIC COMMENT - None 4. Annual Holidav Special Meetina (December 2008 ■ Fiscal Impact: None. ■ Recommendation: Commission consider holdingy the Annual Holiday Special Commission Meeting on December 18t , 2008. [Community Services] Community Services Director Brady Cherry gave the report and answered questions of the Commission. MOTION: By Commissioner Vice Chairperson Butz and seconded by Commissioner Marks to hold the Annual Holiday Special Commission Meeting on December 18th, 2008. Motion passed 5:0 by a roll -call vote. (Istenes abstained) C. COMMITTEE & LIAISON REPORTS 1. Atascadero Youth Task Force — 11/02/08 at 7:15 a.m., Community Link. Community Services Director Brady said the Atascadero Youth Task force will meet the first Tuesday in December and are moving the meeting location to the Atascadero High School. D. STAFF COMMENTS/ ANNOUNCEMENTS: 1. Mark Your Calendar: ■ Bug Zone — Opens Monday, November 17th ■ Wine & Wassel/Tree Lighting — Friday, Gardens ■ Holiday Musical Walk Around the Lake - Sunken Gardens 2. Paloma Park Ballfield Lighting Project Update 3. Red River Hog Exhibit 4. Zoo Accreditation Progress December 5th, Sunken Saturday, December 6th Community Services Director announced the new Youth Representative to the Commission will be Mathew O'Connell. He also announced EI Dorado Broadcasters have decided not to put on the ice skating rink this year and reviewed listed Staff Comments/Announcements. Acting Public Works Director Geoff English said he will notify the Commission of the upcoming Santa Rosa Bridge ribbon cutting. Page 6 of 7 E. ADJOURNMENT: Chairperson Sechrist adjourned the meeting at 9:55 p.m. MINUTES PREPARED BY: Shannon Sims, Administrative Assistant Page 7 of 7