HomeMy WebLinkAbout051800 PRC MinutesIuI Leto 1 *1
CITY OF ATASCADERO
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
MAY 18, 2000
ITEM 1— CALL TO ORDER:
Vice Chairman Hood called the meeting to order at 7:05.
ITEM 2 — ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: Vice Chairperson Hood
Commissioner Dempsey
Commissioner Gobler
Commissioner Kock
Commissioner Kudlac (arrived late)
Commissioner Mathews
ABSENT: Madam Chair Butz
STAFF PRESENT: Geoff English, Community Services Manager
Ellen Perkins, Administrative Secretary
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Vice -Chairman Hood led the flag salute
SWEARING IN OF MICHELL KIM
City Clerk, Marcia McClure Torgerson swore in the new Parks and Recreation student representative Michell Kim.
ITEM 4 — PUBLIC COMMENT:
None
ITEM 5 — MINUTES OF APRIL 20,2000:
MOTION: by Commissioner Kock and seconded by Commissioner Gobler to approve the
April 20, 2000 minutes as presented
Motion passed 5:0
ITEM 6 - SPECIAL PRESENTATION — SANTA MARGARITA LAKE FREE SHUTTLE PROGRAM:
Mr. Sullivan explained that last year the mission of this program was to improve access to one of the regional facilities.
Funding this year came from contributions from Ride -On, providing transit service from Santa Margarita to Santa
Margarita Lake primarily to coincide with swimming lessons. With the success of last year's program, this year
funding has come from SLOCOG as well as the Air Pollution Control District. This year's program will be a ten -
week program beginning on June 19 and will run through August 25, 2000. There will be three round -trips, Monday
through Friday starting in Atascadero, rather than Santa Margarita, but will connect with CCAT. The Atascadero
Unified School District is providing the bussing this year and is getting the word out to all of the students in the school
district; with teachers providing instructions to the students on how to read the schedules. This program is for anyone
who wants to ride.
Parks and Recreation Commission
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Mr. Sullivan went on to say that he hopes that in the future, there will be access to all the lakes and camping facilities,
which would include Lake Nacimiento out of Paso Robles and Lopez lake out of Arroyo Grande. There is currently a
Youth Pass available for $20.00 which will provide access to the lakes.
Community Services Manager Geoff English asked where the shuttle will drop off the riders. Mr. Sullivan said the
bus drops the passengers off near the lake and people will have to walk to their destinations. He went on to say that
ultimately there would be 23 miles of trails at Santa Margarita Lake. Mr. English said there is going to be a free drop-
in program at the Jr. High School this summer and asked if the students could ride the shuttle. Mr. Sullivan said that
there would not be a problem with the students riding the shuttle; it will also be a good opportunity to ride the bus free.
The bus will leave from City Hall and go south and then return north. Mr. English said this is a great idea and Vice -
Chairman Hood thanked Mr. Sullivan for his presentation.
ITEM 7 — OLD BUSINESS:
ITEM 7A —YOUTH/COMMUNITY CENTER ACTION PLAN
Mr. English briefed the Commissioners regarding the site. It has not been formally adopted by the City Council, but
will be going to the City Council within the next month. There needs to be a formal notice sent to residents in the area
to let them know what is being considered so the residents can come to a public meeting and voice their opinion.
Mr. English recommended a time -line (action plan) with specific objectives and dates. He went over the Action plan.
Mr. English said staff has requested funding from the State and has put a request in the City budget this year for
$100,000 for the design work, and has identified this as a priority. The City Manager and staff have also endorsed this
as a priority. Funds could come out of park development fees or impact fees or possibly Prop. 12 funds, if they are
available. A cost estimate of design and construction plans will be approximately one tenth of the cost of the building.
If funding does become available, staff anticipates possibly breaking ground as early as August 2001 and be in the
building as early as February 2002. Mr. English asked the Commissioners if they had any questions about the time
line.
Commissioner Gobler thought the schedule was focused on the architectural aspect, but asked if it was all
encompassing. Mr. English said it includes the whole project. Mr. English said the City would hire a firm and then go
through a bid process. Proposals will be reviewed and brought back to Commission and City Council. The Public
Works Director will be overseeing the project. Commissioner Gobler asked if the Parks and Recreation
Commissioners would have input. Mr. English said there would be workshops at the Parks and Recreation
Commission meetings or if necessary on a different night, and the Commission will have input. Mr. English ensured
the Commissioners that the design plans will go through this Commission before Council adopts them.
Vice -Chairman Hood commented that he thought that the five-month time line was very aggressive. Mr. English said
because of the type of structure, it would be easy to build.
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Mr. English informed the Commissioners that the City Council has sent a letter to the Atascadero State Hospital with a
formal request to lease additional property for the purpose of the Paloma Creek Park expansion. He went on to say that
the staff at the State Hospital seemed to be cooperative, but an agreement needs to be in place determining how much
property is available to be leased. It should take about six months to hear from them. There have been discussions
with the hospital concerning meeting room space that they are in short supply of, and perhaps an exchange could take
place with them for the property. The details need to be worked out. An expansion concept drawing was submitted to
show the hospital what the City had in mind. The demand is high for sports fields in this town, and Prop. 12 has a
grant for soccer field development, so we could possibly get some funds. However, the on-going maintenance costs
would be a problem.
Mr. English asked the Commissioners if they had any questions. Vice -Chairman Hood asked how much the City paid
the State for the existing lease of the Paloma Creek Park facility. Mr. English said approximately $100.00 per year.
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An exchange of services may be an answer to money. There would have to be restrooms, pedestrian bridges, road
improvements, parking lots, electrical, etc., and all at a substantial cost. Barney Schwartz Park in Paso Robles cost 4.8
million.
Commissioner Gobler asked about the exchange of services. Mr. English said he had not been involved with the
discussions so he was not sure what was involved in that exchange.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
George Sullivan commented that this property is on a floodplain and would stay wet, and perhaps the watering would
not be a problem. Mr. English said the City's Wastewater plant is close by and there have been discussions on using
the Wastewater's reclaimed water to irrigate the property.
ITEM 8 — NEW BUSINESS:
ITEM 8A —REQUEST TO BUILD A WARM-UP ARENA AT PALOMA CREEK PARK
Mr. English briefed the commission on his staff report. The City and the Paloma Creek Riding Club maintain the
arena at Paloma Creek Park together. The Riding club makes physical improvements and does maintenance. They
have indicated that they need a bigger arena due to the type of events they put on. They would like to take out one
fence, extend the arena, and put in a new warm-up arena at the end of the existing arena. Mr. English said that staff is
in favor of the riding club's plans and want to encourage them to upgrade the facility, which would bring in more
riders. This project would be paid for and the work done by the riding club with no cost to the City. The City has
approximately $25,000 in CDBG funds to put in a bridge from the arena to Paloma Creek Park.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Paloma Creek Riding Club Vice President Shannon Clark addressed the Commission with the riding club's plans to
upgrade the Paloma Creek Park Arena. Ms. Clark stated that Geoff had reported correctly about the placement of the
warm-up arena. Ms. Clark also informed the Commission that this plan was something that the riding club wanted to
implement ten years ago and would like to stick to the original plan for the arena. They have conducted fundraisers and
have been promised donations for groundwork, and they are working on having piping donated through Mobile Oil
Corporation. Welding crews at Paso Robles Boy School will help for free, but are looking for a welding trailer. Ms.
Clark also stated that the more room they have for exercising the horses, the better. She said there are six sprinklers
with good water pressure, which they will water by hand, and keep up the mowing. They have planted trees, painted
the booth and put an addition onto the barbecue pit.
Commissioner Kudlac asked about the bridge. Mr. English said the plan is to put in two bridges.
Commissioner Gobler voiced his concern with softball players and disturbing the horses. Ms. Clark said that there is
no problem with softball players. Mr. English said there was no conflict but additional parking must be considered.
Commissioner Kock asked if the lights are bright. Ms. Clark said the City needs to come and adjust them so they don't
shine on the on -coming traffic.
MOTION: by Commissioner Kudlac and seconded by Commissioner Dempsey to expand
the existing arena and build a new warm-up arena.
Motion passed 6:0
Mr. English said this item would go to the City council in June.
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ITEM 9 — COMMITTEE REPORTS:
ITEM 9A — ARCC:
The next meeting, May 25, 2000 at 6:30 p.m., at the Youth Center.
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The next meeting, June 6, 2000, 7:00 a.m. at the Youth Center:
ITEM 10 — CORRESPONDENCE:
ITEM 10A -JACK O'CONNELL LETTER REGARDING THE PROPOSED YOUTH/COMMUNITY
CENTER
Mr. English said the letter is encouraging. When they went to see Mr. O'Connell, his aide told us that none of Mr.
O'Connell's requests had ever been rejected, so it looks promising for funds. We may need letters written by the Parks
and Recreation Commissioners to the state budget committees. Mr. English said he would contact the commissioners
in the next two weeks.
ITEM 10B -BRIAN POTTER RESIGNATION LETTER
Enclosed in Agenda packet.
ITEM 11— COMMISSIONER COMMENTS:
Commissioner Mathews reminded the Commission that Saturday is Children's Day in the Park and help is needed. Set
up isat7am.
Commissioner Gobler remarked that the Lake Park looks so much better since the two houses were removed. Mr.
English said parking is going to be used in the area where the houses once stood.
ITEM 12 — STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES COMMENTS:
Vice -Chairman Hood welcomed Michell Kim to the Commission.
ITEM 13 — STAFF COMMENTS:
Mr. English told Michell to speak up whenever she has a comment about any item and Vice -Chairman Hood reiterated
that statement. Mr. English also told her to bring anything to the meeting that she wants to discuss.
ITEM 13A — SUGGESTED ROUTES TO SCHOOLS -
Mr. English brought back the subject regarding Monterey Road School and the bike lane. The map from last month
was correct and Mr. English said that there was no bike path, and he would talk to the Community and Economic
Development Department to find out why it is not on there. Mr. English said he could get a copy of Suggested Routes
for the Commission if they wanted a copy.
The City Council will be reviewing options for the Youth Center and giving direction to staff on where to go long
term. The Parks and Recreation Commission voiced their opinion about keeping the building, now the City Council
will discuss its fate. Staff will recommend that we make the skate park a separate lot, retain the lot and return the
Masonic Temple building to the Masons. It will be discussed at the next City Council meeting on Tuesday May 23,
2000
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ITEM 13B — ALP DECORATIVE LIGHTS:
Community Services Manager Geoff English said the bases are poured for the additional 13 lights and the news media
will be coming to watch them as they are hoisted up.
ITEM 13C - ALP HOUSE DEMOLITION
Community Services Manager Geoff English said he has thanked the Public Works Department as well as the Parks
and Streets for their good job with the house demolition. The area will be used as parking for the Atascadero Lake
Park.
ITEM 13D - BIKE WEEK ARTICLE
ITEM 14 — CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
ITEM 15 — ADJOURNMENT:
Gail asked about the Hot El Camino Nights; Geoff said the car club has backed out and there is nobody sponsoring or
running it. It probably won't happen, but maybe next year.
MOTION: by Commissioner Dempsey and seconded by Commissioner
Mathews to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m.
Motion passed 6:0
MEETING RECORDED AND MINUTES PREPARED BY:
Ellen M Perkins
Administrative Secretary
Department of Community Services
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Parks and Recreation Commission
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