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HomeMy WebLinkAbout051905 - PR Comm MinutesApproved July 21, 2005 CITY OF A TASCADERO PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES THURSDAY, May 19, 2005 7:00 P.M. REGULAR SESSION: 7:00 P.M. Commissioner Mathews called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. and Commissioner Sechrist led the Pledge of Allegiance. RECREATION COMMISSION BUSINESS: OATH OF OFFICE: 1. Administration of Oaths of Office Newly -appointed Parks and Recreation Commissioners Barbie Butz and Robert Livick, Jr. were sworn in by City Clerk Marcia McClure Torgerson. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION REORGANIZATION: 1. Appointment of Chairperson — The Deputy City Clerk, Grace Pucci, will accept nominations from the Commissioners. MOTION: By Commissioner Butz and seconded by Commissioner Jack to nominate Commissioner Mathews to the position of Parks and Recreation Commission Chairperson. Motion passed 7:0 by a roll -call vote. 2. Appointment of Vice -Chairperson — The new Chairperson will accept nominations from the Commissioners. PRC Minutes 05/19/05 Page 1 of 7 MOTION: By Commissioner Jack and seconded by Commissioner Castaneda to nominate Commissioner Sechrist to the position of Parks and Recreation Commission Vice -Chairperson. Motion passed 7:0 by a roll -call vote. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Ausman, Butz, Castaneda, Jack, Livick, Sechrist and Chairperson Mathews. Student Representatives Buck -Moyer and Solkshinitz Absent: None Staff Present: Community Services Director Brady Cherry, Deputy Public Works Director Geoff English, and Recording Secretary Grace Pucci. COMMUNITY FORUM: Eric Greening updated the Commission on the Transportation Enhancement grants, and stated that the SLOCOG Executive Committee has indicated interest in possibly funding the Atascadero / Templeton bicycle/pedestrian/equestrian connection in the next round of grants. Commissioner Jack asked for a future agenda item requesting permission from the City Council to proceed with development of a Master Plan for Stadium Park. There was Commission consensus to place this item on the June Parks and Recreation Commission agenda. Chairperson Mathews closed the Community Forum period. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: MOTION: By Vice Chairperson Sechrist and seconded by Commissioner Jack to approve the agenda. Motion passed 7:0 by a roll -call vote. COMMISSION/ YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS: Commissioner Butz reminded those present of the Wine Festival coming up in June and of Children's Day in the Park this coming weekend. She also announced that there is an article on the Carlton Hotel in Sunset Magazine this month. PRC Minutes 05/19/05 Page 2 of 7 Commissioner Ausman gave an update on the Economic Forecast, Tuesday Evenings in the Park and the Downtown Market Night, which continues on Wednesday evenings. Student Representative Solkshinitz spoke about the Battle of Bands in Paso Robles and suggested much can be learned from the events of that night. He also indicated that many students were disappointed with the City Council's decision to retain the interior sidewalks in the Sunken Gardens Plan. Student Representative Buck -Moyer updated those present on upcoming High School events: the Junior and Senior Prom will be held May 28th, and the Choir Showcase will be on June 4th at the Templeton Performing Arts Center. Chairperson Mathews announced that the California Relief Network will hold their annual retreat August 12, 13, and 14 in Atascadero at the Lake Pavilion. A. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes — April 21, 2005 ■ Staff recommendation: Commission approve the Parks and Recreation Commission minutes of the April 21, 2005 meeting. [Community Services] Commissioner Mathews referred to page 5 of the April 21St Minutes and asked for a correction under Item F, changing the next meeting date to May 19, 2005. MOTION: By Commissioner Butz and seconded by Commissioner Jack to approve Item #A-1 as amended. Motion passed 6:0 by a voice vote. (Livick abstained) B. PUBLIC HEARING: 1. Presentation by D.J. Funk of the Upper Salinas- Las Tablas Resources Conservation District on the Upper Salinas River Corridor Enhancement Project and proposed trail connections and improvements along portions of Atascadero Creek. Community Services Director Brady Cherry spoke about the project and introduced Mr. Funk to the Commission. D.J. Funk, Executive Director of the Upper Salinas -Las Tablas Resource Conservation District gave the staff report and answered questions of the Commission. Mr. Funk introduced Monica Hunter, Planning and Conservation League Foundation, and Adriana Morales, Biologist and Water Shed Coordinator. Vice Chairperson Sechrist left the hearing. PRC Minutes 05/19/05 Page 3 of 7 PUBLIC COMMENT Steve LaSalle, Atascadero Historical Society, expressed the Society's enthusiasm for the plan. Joan O'Keefe stated her support for this plan and asked several questions regarding whether permission from homeowners was received, ongoing maintenance, signage for trails and picnic areas, signage for pets and enforcement of leash laws. John Shahan spoke about his property which adjoins the creek, expressed his concern with habitat clearance along the creek, city work on a drainage pipe near his home, and traffic flow in his area. Mike Getty stated he lives near the creek and expressed concern about period flooding, traffic, cost of maintenance, and public safety. He would like to see the area remain natural. Eric Greening expressed enthusiasm for the concept, but raised the following issues: the nature and timing of the environmental review, how much of the work to be done is mechanical, the importance of not fragmenting areas of cover, additional impacts from pets and children, stabilization and its impacts to habitat. Gary Magino indicated he has a business near the creek and stated his support for the plan. Mike Jackson stated his property backs up to the creek and expressed concern regarding the habitat in the area, flooding in areas where trails are proposed, traffic in the Via Bridge area, feral cats, and the changes to creek and habitat from city projects. Fred Frank, Atascadero Land Preservation Society, stated they are in support of the project and indicated the people in charge of the project will be very sensitive to the habitat needs. He offered ALPS assistance in responding to property owner's concerns. Karen Larsen spoke about the creek and stated her support for the trails. Jim Patterson expressed his support for the project, and stated it is important to be aware of habitat issues as the city expands into the undeveloped areas. Irene Bishop spoke about Stadium Park and requested that the public and land owners be notified when new trails are proposed. Ellen Beraud, Atascadero Land Preservation Society Board Member, stated her support for the plan and asked when future workshops would be held to look at the details. Lisa Mifset stated her support for the plan and for more outdoor spaces for activities. PRC Minutes 05/19/05 Page 4 of 7 Ursula Luna, Creek Chair for Atascadero Historical Society, stated that the sensitively for the creek environment is evident in this plan and this may help alleviate current problems with inappropriate use of these areas. Dominick Santangelo, Camp Director for California Conservation Corps (CCC), stated they are honored to be involved with this project, and spoke about the young people involved in the CCC who will be working on the project. John Shale continued his comments regarding habitat development in this plan and impacts to his property from people using the trail. He would like to see property owners have some means of legal recompense for potential problems. Joan O'Keefe spoke about the need for a 30 foot creek setback, and asked if the pathway will allow for youth to enter the Youth Center from the creek. She also stated the importance of having a Management Plan for Stadium Park. Eric Greening spoke again about the environmental review process and stated this can be an excellent project if close attention is paid to the details. Chairperson Mathews closed the Public Comment period. D.J. Funk addressed issues raised during the Public Comment period and answered questions of the public Commissioner comments were as follows: Commissioner Castaneda suggested a public workshop on the project before it goes to the City Council. Commissioner Butz stated she appreciates all the public input and would reserve her comments until the Commission has more detailed information. Commissioner Ausman indicated he looks forward to discussing issues raised tonight, especially those that pertain to the community. Commissioner Livick stated it was important to think not only of building the trail, but maintaining it as well. Commissioner Jack stated he does not want to wait until a design is complete, and asked if there could be a committee or workshop allowing for more participation in the process as it goes along. Community Services Director Brady Cherry stated the Commission can form an ad hoc committee to work with staff, and indicated he would put an item on the next agenda to allow the Commission to form an ad hoc committee. PRC Minutes 05/19/05 Page 5 of 7 Chairperson Mathews stated the city must contact specific property owners to address their concerns, and indicated that maintenance and how it will be accomplished is important. He encouraged those who support this plan to contact their City Council representatives. He would also like to see Stadium Park issues addressed, specifically a management/master plan, enforcement of rules, and maintenance. Student Representative Solkshinitz expressed concern with young people using the trail inappropriately and indicated that giving young people more and better choices might help to lessen the problem. C. COMMITTEE & LIAISON REPORTS: 1. Children's Day in the Park, May 21, 2005. 2. Atascadero Youth Task Force — Next meeting June 7, 2005, 7:00 a.m. Pavilion Lakeside Room. D. STAFF COMMENTS/ ANNOUNCEMENTS: 1. Sunken Gardens Improvement plans approved by Council Director Cherry discussed the plans as approved by Council. Student Representative Buck -Moyer commended the Commission for doing a good job at considering all public input, and felt the City Council did not do this for the Sunken Gardens project. She stated it is important for this Commission to have more contact with the City Council. PUBLIC COMMENT Eric Greening stated he was disappointed with the final result of the Sunken Gardens project and indicated that a Sunken Gardens Master Plan should have been prepared first for public input. He would like to see some sort of public information flyer posted on the construction site. Chairperson Mathews closed the Public Comment period. 2. Special "Movie in the Park", 6/4/05 Paloma Park 3. Wine festival, June 24 & 25/05 4. Acquisition of open space parcels next to Home Depot and along Traffic Way near Chico Rd. 5. Summer Concert Series at the Lake start date is July 2nd 6. Summer Recreation Guide published & in distribution 7. Lake Park Playground Enhancements 8. Parks & Recreation Commissioners Workshop at Hearst Castle. A list of email addresses of Commissioners from other cities has been created; anyone not on the list should email Director Cherry. PRC Minutes 05/19/05 Page 6 of 7 E. ADJOURNMENT: Chairperson Mathews adjourned the meeting at 9:33 p.m. to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission on June 16, 2005. MEETING RECORDED AND MINUTES PREPARED BY: Grace Pucci, Recording Secretary PRC Minutes 05/19/05 Page 7 of 7