HomeMy WebLinkAbout031600 PRC MinutesMINUTES
CITY OF ATASCADERO
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
MARCH 16, 2000
7:00 P.M.
ATASCADERO CITY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
ROTUNDA ROOM
6500 PALMA AVENUE
ATASCADERO
ITEM 1— CALL TO ORDER:
The Parks and Recreation Commission meeting was called to order by Madam Chair Butz at
7:20 p.m.
ITEM 2 — ROLL CALL:
Madam Chair Butz
Vice -Chairman Hood
Commissioner Kudlac
Commissioner Kock
Commissioner Mathews
Commissioner Gobler
ABSENT:
Commissioner Dempsey
STAFF PRESENT:
Community Services Manager Geoff English, Ellen Perkins, Administrative Secretary
ITEM 3 — FLAG SALUTE:
Commissioner Mathews led the flag salute.
ITEM 4 — PUBLIC COMMENT:
None
ITEM 5 — MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 17,2000:
Commissioner Kock moved, Kudlac seconded to approve minutes as submitted. Passed 6 Ayes,
0 Nos. Vice -Chairman Hood abstained from voting on minutes.
ITEM 6A — STADIUM PARK TEMPORARY USE POLICIES:
Community Services Manager Geoff English briefed the Commission on his staff report, which
stated that the Stadium Park Committee had reconvened to introduce suggestions for temporary
use of the Stadium Park. He went on to report that there had been two meetings and a walk-
through of the Stadium Park and thanked the members of the audience who were present, that
had been a part of that Committee. They were Eric Greening, Joan O'Keefe and Livia
Kellerman.
Mr. English presented the staff recommendation to be passed on to the City Council in the form
of changes to Resolution Number 92-97 which include:
Item three deleted and insert: public assembly events upon approval of the Assistant City
manager, providing the following conditions are met:
1. Event holder submits the following plans prior to approval:
➢ Parking and transportation plan;
➢ Fire safety plan in cooperation with fire dept;
➢ ADA handicap accessibility plan;
➢ Have a security plan, or at a minimum, notify the APD
2. Some rules be adhered to by the organizer of event:
➢ All events to be restricted to daylight hours including set-up and clean-up;
➢ Picnic style seating on the ground with blankets and folding chairs only;
➢ Trash disposal required by event holder; and refundable security deposit;
➢ Restrictions of use due to hazardous weather conditions;
➢ Portable restrooms to be required and removed on same day;
In addition to the changes to the Resolution, the Focus Group Committee recommended that
certain physical improvements be made to Stadium Park prior to the approval of any events and
those recommendations are:
➢ Improve or re -grade the road based on an approved grading plan;
➢ Address drainage in bowl and on road based on an approved grading plan;
➢ Fill trip hazard in the bowl area outside the dripline of the trees based
upon an approved grading plan;
➢ An area to be cleared for placement of portable restrooms;
➢ The appropriate environmental review prior to any work;
If the above changes are approved, staff recommends that the focus group be reassembled once
again, with the effort toward putting on a "test" function; that being a concert by the Community
Band, and invite the public. The Community Band has indicated that they want to do it. It was
also suggested that the event is promoted and a limited number of tickets are made available
either by donation or free.
Commissioner Kock asked about item "G" with regard to vehicles in the area. Mr. English said
he does not consider vehicles delivering equipment "traffic". The Resolution currently precludes
parking and only allows authorized vehicles.
Commissioner Mathews stated that he wanted to add to the above-mentioned changes to the
Resolution. The item stated Improve or re -grade the road based on an approved grading plan;
to read Improve or re -grade the road based on an approved grading plan, following City -
approved tree protection measures.
Commissioner Gobler inquired about liability insurance. Mr. English stated that there is a
process in place that requires the event holder to provide a Certificate of Liability Insurance for
one million dollars naming the City as an additional insured.
Vice chairman Hood asked if the $100 security deposit would be enough for a large group. Mr.
English said he will bring in staff to pick up trash, and went on to say that the focus group
discussed it and they didn't want to discourage people from having their events, but as an
afterthought, maybe it should be more for a big party.
Madam Chair complimented Mr. English on his report and the points made from the focus group
meeting; she thought he did a good job covering everything.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Zoe Sava, 9502 Yerba Buena, Santa Margarita, California. Ms. Sava is the Artistic Director for
the Central Coast Shakespeare Festival. They are celebrating their 10 -year anniversary this year.
She stated that their dream is to have their "home" at an outdoor facility and to grow into a
professional repertory company. She feels that the Stadium Park has the best venue of any they
have seen in the County. She came to the meeting to show their support for the Stadium Park
project.
Eric Greening, 6600 Lewis Avenue, Atascadero. Mr. Greening stated that the first event in the
Stadium Park should include the band, but suggested that someone from the Shakespeare Theater
do a soliloquy to see how the spoken word plays with no amplification, to test the space and
voice sounds; or perhaps some delicate musical instruments. He also said that the Atascadero
High School drama department wants to participate in some fashion as well.
Another subject Mr. Greening brought up was the language in item one; approve and re -grade
the road. He felt the work in the bowl itself should be limited to weed abatement and minimal
smoothing of erosion -caused trip hazards. Any more work to the road may cause an
environmental review, which may eliminate anything happening in the bowl this summer.
Livia Kellerman, 5463 Honda, Atascadero, California. Ms. Kellerman thought the restrooms
should be out of sight. She liked the idea of the Atascadero High School band or Mr. Greening's
orchestra playing at the bowl. She said it would be the first official program in Stadium Park in
50 years. She thought that the Historical Society's ice cream social could be held there as well.
Ms. Kellerman wanted the Shakespearean group to provide a list of what is required to put on a
festival. Can we use a portable stage, what kind of lighting is required? This could be the
ultimate list to have for all performances. She hoped we could keep the price down, so groups
can afford to come and perform. She would like to see groups be "portable" so we can keep
Stadium Park a park when there are no performances going on.
Commissioner Gobler commented that he thought the Stadium Park is a tremendous asset to the
community and would like to clarify the rules, and supports making changes to allow better use.
Vice Chairman Hood said the changes would be very beneficial and would allow the facility to
be used quickly.
Vice Chairman Hood moved to approve the staff recommendation to include the changes to
Resolution Number 92-97 regarding the short term Stadium Park rules and public -use policies
while following City -approved tree protection measures.
Commissioner Mathews seconded the Motion and it was carried 6 ayes, 0 nos.
Madam Chair Butz thanked Mr. English and the focus group for all the hard work and for
coming to the Parks & Recreation Commission meeting. She also thanked the Shakespearean
Company for coming.
ITEM 6B — PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION GOALS 2000:
Commissioner Gobler needed clarification on item #12 as to whether or not it meant the
Atascadero Lake quality. Mr. English said he would change that language on the goals list. He
went on to say that he will be discussing water quality next month with Brady Cherry, Director
of Community Services and Steve Kahn, Director of Public Works, as well as someone from the
private sector and has plans to ask for money in the budget to fix the water quality at Atascadero
Lake.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Allan Thomas, 9520 Marchant Way, Atascadero, California. Mr. Thomas said the neighborhood
group met with Brady Cherry, Director of Community Services, regarding the lake path and said
he could supply notes from that meeting if anyone was interested. He asked if money came
through the bike fund, is the path going to be more geared to bikers? He would like to keep the
path a "walking" path. He suggested a focus group be formed to allow the community to get
involved so they can stress their opinions.
Mr. English said that this item would be brought before the commission. There will be ample
public view and input. Mr. English also said that he had not heard about the path being suited for
bikes and as far as he knew, there were no conditions on the money for the lake path.
Eric Greening, 6600 Lewis Avenue, Atascadero, California. Mr. Greening said he does not want
the path to look like an extension of the driving surface; he would like it to be separate from the
surface that people drive on.
Joan O'Keefe, 9985 Old Morro Road East, Atascadero, CA 93422, expressed her concern about
the naming of the Youth Center and agreed that it was an important issue.
ITEM 7 — NEW BUISNESS:
ITEM 7A — CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTMENT OF STUDENT
REPRESENTATIVE TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION:
Madam Chair Butz briefed the Commission on the applicant for student representative, Michell
Kim. Ms. Butz said Ms. Kim serves on the Atascadero Youth Task Force and her attendance has
been very good. Ms. Butz has spoken to Ms. Kim, who said she is very excited about the
possibility of serving as the student representative on the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Commissioner Mathews said he has seen her enthusiasm at the Atascadero Youth Task Force
and thinks she would be a great candidate.
Commissioner Gobler said he thought her answers were very responsive on her application. He
asked about the process of searching for a student representative.
Mr. English said that he advertised in the newspaper, and he also sent the information to the
counselors at the Atascadero High School.
Madam Chair Butz said Ms. Kim had learned about it through her leadership class at the High
School.
MOTION: Commissioner Gobler moved to accept the application and recommend to
the City Council to appoint Michell Kim as the student representative for the Parks and
Recreation Commission. Seconded by Commissioner Kudlac. Motion carried 6 ayes, 0
no.
ITEM 8 — COMMITTEE REPORTS:
ITEM 8A — ARCC:
Next meeting is March 23, 2000 at 6:30 p.m. at the Youth Center.
ITEM 8B — YOUTH TASK FORCE:
Madam Chair Butz said that the collaborative health grant that George Dodge (Community Link)
applied for was awarded. The award was for $75,000 per year for three years, and will assist in
longevity to the Community Link as well as support the Youth Task Force. Paso Robles and
Oceano received the award as well. The next meeting will be April 4, 2000 at 7:00 a.m. at the
Youth Center.
ITEM 9 — CORRESPONDENCE:
Madam Chair Butz said she received a thank you note from Jim Ericson regarding the Blue Oak
Trail at the Stadium Park.
ITEM 10 — COMMISSIONER COMMENTS:
Commissioner Gobler asking about the Stadium Park and was wondering if that is an appropriate
name, is it always going to be called that? Can we call it something else?
Mr. English said it has always been called that. However, there is nothing written anywhere that
says it has to be named that. He continued to say that there is a Naming Policy and there could
be a recommendation to the City Council to change the name.
Madam Chair Butz wanted to go on the record to say that the meeting tonight, previous to the
Parks and Recreation Commission meeting with the City Council, is a historic meeting regarding
the Youth Center. She said she was so happy to have had it, and they should keep pushing the
process along.
Commissioner Gobler asked what the next step would be.
Mr. English said that the next step is to hire an architect to start preliminary site plans, design a
footprint and artist rendering. Then, take those three things and ask local legislators to include it
in the State budget process. Then, bring it back to the Commission for public comment, work on
the changes and if it is okay, bring it back to the City council to get a working plan. Mr. English
said that staff would make a recommendation.
ITEM 11— STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COMMENT:
See item 7A
ITEM 12 — STAFF COMMENTS:
ITEM 12A — CURATOR'S REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 2000:
Claudia Collier, General Zoo Curator, is on vacation and was not present. Her Curator's Report
for February 2000 was attached.
ITEM 12B — COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT ORGANIZATIONAL CHART:
Mr. English reported that the organizational chart had changed. Streets, Parks and Wastewater
are now under the auspices of the Public Works Department.
ITEM 12C — PROPOSITION 12 INFORMATION:
Mr. English informed the Commission that Proposition 12 had passed. He was hoping for
information to pass out, but it was not available. He went on to explain that they need to develop
a Capital Improvement Plan for when the funds become available. He said the amount of money
to be available for Atascadero would be about $225,000. We have gone without any
improvements in the last 10 years, and the main focus is on repairing and renovating buildings
and park facilities that have gone without. That plan will come before the Commission in June
2000.
ITEM 12D — SLOCARPA COMMISSIONERS WORKSHOP:
Madam Chair said the workshop was good and very beneficial. Vice -Chairman Hood agreed.
Mr. English said that he would get the prioritized lists from Pete Jenny that was developed at the
workshop. One of the main intents of the workshop was to see if there are potential partnership
collaborative efforts.
Commissioner Gobler said that he would like a report regarding the potential joint venture with
Templeton in reference to having a cooperative effort on the development of a soccer facility
either in northern Atascadero or southern Templeton that would benefit both communities.
Templeton has 40 acres of property on the Atascadero border.
ITEM 12E — ATASCADERO LAKE PARK DECORATIVE LIGHTS:
Mr. English said that a press release would be going out next week regarding the installation of
13 additional lights at the Atascadero Lake Park. The Parks and Recreation Commission
recommended and the City council approved this project. Next week, five PG&E poles will be
coming down and within two weeks, new lights will be put up.
ITEM 12F — ATASCADERO LAKE PARK HOUSE DEMOLITION:
There will be a press release within the next two weeks in reference to the two houses at the
Atascadero Lake Park. It was determined that they were not worth saving and will be destroyed
in a couple of months, pending a permit from the air Pollution Control Board. These two houses
will be burned down, but until then the Police and Fire Departments will use them for training.
ITEM 13 - CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
April 15, 2000 is Festival of the Oaks; May 20, 2000, Children's Day in the Park. Madam Chair
Butz said that ARCC will have a booth at the park and hopefully there will be some information
to provide regarding the Youth Center. Ms. Butz announced to the Commissioners that there
would be a discussion about Children's Day in the park at the next ARCC meeting if any
Commissioners were interested.
MOTION: Commissioner Mathews moved to adjourn, it was seconded by Vice
Chairman Hood and it was passed unanimously 6 ayes 0 nos.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ellen M Perkins
Administrative Secretary
Department of Community Services