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HomeMy WebLinkAbout101906 - PRCommMinutesApproved November 16, 2006 CITY OF A TASCADERO PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES Thursday, October 19, 2006 7:00 P.M. REGULAR SESSION: 7:00 p.m. Chairperson Mathews called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and Commissioner Livick led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Jack, Livick, Sechrist and Chairperson Mathews Student Representative Buck -Moyer Absent: Commissioners Ausman (joined the meeting at 7:04 p.m.), Butz (joined the meeting at 7:06 p.m.) and Castaneda (joined the meeting at 7:12 p.m.). Others Present: Recording Secretary Grace Pucci Staff Present: Community Services Director Brady Cherry and Deputy Public Works Director Geoff English. COMMUNITY FORUM: None PRC Minutes 10/19/06 Page 1 of 6 Approved November 16, 2006 APPROVAL OF AGENDA: MOTION: By Commissioner Livick and seconded by Commissioner Jack to approve the agenda. Motion passed 4:0 by a roll -call vote. Commissioner Ausman joined the meeting. COMMISSION/ YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS: Student Representative Buck -Moyer spoke about Homecoming Week, and explained the history of Hessian Day. Commissioners Jack, Sechrist and Chairperson Mathews reported on the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Youth Center. Commissioner Butz joined the meeting. 1. A City Council recruitment is underway to fill the youth representative seat on the Park & Recreation Commission vacated by Christopher Solkshinitz. Community Services Director Brady Cherry announced that there has been one application so far for the Student Representative position, that an ad was placed in the Atascadero News seeking applicants for the seat, and explained that they hope to have the City Council interview applicants for the position next month. A. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes — September 21, 2006 ■ Staff Recommendation: Commission approve the Parks and Recreation Commission minutes of the September 21, 2006 meeting. [Community Services] MOTION: By Commissioner Jack and seconded by Commissioner Ausman to approve Item #A-1. Motion passed 6:0 by a voice vote. B. PRESENTATION: 1. Upper Salinas- Las Tablas Resource Conservation District Video PRC Minutes 10/19/06 Page 2 of 6 Approved November 16, 2006 DJ Funk, Resource Conservation District, updated the Commission on the trail project and gave the video presentation. Commissioner Castaneda joined the meeting. C. MANAGEMENT REPORTS: 1. Veteran's War Memorial Project for Sunken Gardens ■ Fiscal Impact: Unknown at this time. May involve memorial maintenance, redesign and relocation of irrigation. ■ Recommendation: Commission review the War Memorial Alternatives, and provide recommendation on the memorial location to City Council. [Community Services] Colonel Bill Hatch, Chairman Veteran's War Memorial Committee, gave a PowerPoint presentation on the Memorial Project. Community Services Director Brady Cherry explained that the Commission is being asked to determine the best location for the project and reviewed the available options. Colonel Hatch and Director Cherry answered questions of the Commission. Each Commissioner thanked Col. Hatch and the Committee for their dedication to the project. Commissioner Comments: Vice Chairperson Sechrist commented that because of the current and future uses of the Sunken Gardens, having the green area on both sides of the fountain open, especially near Palma, is important and in addition makes the park beautiful and a valuable asset. For this reason he prefers using one of the side area options. Commissioner Butz suggested placing the back of the memorial along the north side of the park almost to the street near the fountain. In this location the trees would soften the site and visitors could hear the fountain and utilize the benches. She stated she was not comfortable with the memorial blocking the historic city hall, but thought it needed to be in a place where it would be a real focal point. Commissioner Ausman spoke about the impacts on visitors when they view the various Veterans Memorials around the country and felt this memorial would be a draw for the entire west coast. PRC Minutes 10/19/06 Page 3 of 6 Approved November 16, 2006 Commissioner Livick stated that the historic nature of the gardens must be preserved, but at the same time it is important to recognize the prominence of the memorial so placement at the side of the gardens seems appropriate. Commissioner Jack, spoke in support of alternative E and of its appropriateness for the memorial, and explained that an opposing area directly across the park would provide a balance if another project were placed there in the future. This location would provide more open area and better visibility from EI Camino Real. Commissioner Castaneda expressed her support for location E and stated she would like the center corridor free from visual obstacles. Student Representative Buck Moyer commented that she would like the memorial to be fully visible from either direction on EI Camino Real. She stated that location E would make it look prominent if cut into the hillside, but may not be visible when driving north on EI Camino Real. Chairperson Mathews indicated he tends to lean toward the E location, which would answer the issue of North County Christian School's use of the center area. He likes this vantage point from south bound EI Camino Real as there are no overhanging trees and the location would be a prominent one. PUBLIC COMMENT Steve Martin, Executive Director Atascadero Main Street, spoke about Main Street's roll in providing the non profit umbrella for the project, and of the importance of strong community consensus regarding the memorial and its location. He suggested the committee give their presentation to representatives of Main Street, the Chamber of Commerce, etc., and indicated he would like the memorial to be highly visible from EI Camino Real. The Recording Secretary read into the record a letter from Brad and Valerie Humphrey outlining their concerns regarding the memorial. (Exhibit A) Ann Hatch commented that the community must decide what they want to achieve with this memorial as well as the effect of the surrounding environment on the experience and message the memorial will convey. She would like it to be in a prominent location, but one that also allows for private reflection. Tim Haley, Marine Corps League, stated the League endorses the project wholeheartedly and suggested that the fundraising bricks could be used to honor veterans from outside the area. Glen Sawyer, Commander of the Atascadero VFW Post, stated their support for the project and that the memorial should be out in the open, in the middle of the gardens where everyone can see it. PRC Minutes 10/19/06 Page 4 of 6 Approved November 16, 2006 Chairperson Mathews closed the Public Comment period. There was Commission discussion regarding an additional public hearing for the memorial. Colonel Hatch agreed that it would be prudent to open the discussion up to a public forum, and that they could wait for the public process to take place and still meet their deadlines. Community Services Director Brady Cherry stated a meeting could be set for two weeks from tonight and that it would be advertised in the media and the community and local organizations would be invited to attend. MOTION: By Commissioner Ausman and seconded by Vice Chairperson Sechrist to continue this item for two weeks and hold a special session on November 2, 2006 to conduct a public hearing on the Veteran's Memorial. Motion passed 7:0 by a roll -call vote. There was a brief discussion on the height of the memorial. Col. Hatch indicated that from the design committee's viewpoint, the height could be reduced to six feet if needed. 2. Exoansion and Imorovement of the Georae C. Beatie Skate Park ■ Fiscal Impact: Installation of fence along Atascadero Creek at rear of property. All other ramps and improvements will be donated by Mobley's Board Shop. ■ Recommendation: Commission review proposed Skate Park Improvements. [Community Services] Community Services Director Brady Cherry gave the staff report and answered questions of the Commission. Brady Cabe, Skate Park Manager, discussed what has been learned since the park has opened and explained the improvements they are proposing. Mr. Cabe answered questions of the Commission. Austin Miller explained how Mobley's will fund the suggested improvements and spoke of their commitment to the community and its children. PUBLIC COMMENT — None MOTION: By Commissioner Ausman and seconded Commissioner Livick to accept the improved skate park plans as proposed. Motion passed 7:0 by a roll -call vote. PRC Minutes 10/19/06 Page 5 of 6 Approved November 16, 2006 D. COMMITTEE & LIAISON REPORTS: 1. Atascadero Youth Task Force - Next Meeting November 7th, 2006, 7:00 a.m. at the Pavilion. 2. Traffic Way Naming Contest - Verbal Report, Jack/Ausman: Commissioner Jack reported that they have worked with staff, met with the school district, and this week 3000 flyers will be distributed through the school system. Responses are expected next week with a deadline of October 31St. It was decided that Commissioners Jack and Ausman, Student Representative Buck Moyer and a city staff member would sort through the responses and present a final list of names to the Commission. 3. Stadium Park Committee: Color coded surveys are out and are due back October 27th. They are being tabulated daily as over 75 are being received each day. E. STAFF COMMENTS/ ANNOUNCEMENTS: 1. Tuesday, 5:00 p.m. ribbon cutting ceremony for Paloma Park. 2. Recreation Center Sponsorship Catalogue 3. Colony Days - 10/20/06 — 10/22/06 4. Senior Health Faire — 10/28/06 5. Joint Commission/Council meeting, Comments. 6. Zoo Boo — Two days, 10/27/06 & 10/28/06. 7. Holiday Boutique — 11/18/06, Lake Pavilion 8. Zoo Utility Master Plan under construction. 9. Ice Rink coming to Atascadero during the Holidays! F. ADJOURNMENT: Chairperson Mathews adjourned the meeting at 9:40 p.m. to the continued meeting on November 2, 2006. MINUTES PREPARED BY: Grace Pucci, Recording Secretary The following exhibit is available for review in the Community Services Department: Exhibit A — Brad and Valerie Humphrey, letter PRC Minutes 10/19/06 Page 6 of 6