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HomeMy WebLinkAbout110206 - Special Meeting MinutesApproved November 16, 2006 CITY OF ATASCADERO Parks & Recreation Commission **SPECIAL MEETING** MINUTES Thursday, November 2, 2006, 7:00 P.M. Chairperson Mathews called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. and Commissioner Butz led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Butz, Castaneda, Jack, Livick, Sechrist and Chairperson Mathews Student Representative Buck -Moyer Absent: Commissioner Ausman Others Present: Recording Secretary Grace Pucci Staff Present: Community Services Director Brady Cherry, Deputy Public Works Director Geoff English. A. PUBLIC HEARING: 1. Veteran's War Memorial Project for Sunken Gardens ■ Fiscal Impact: Unknown at this time. May involve memorial maintenance, irrigation redesign and relocation of irrigation. PRC Minutes - Special Meeting 11/02/06 Page 1 of 7 Approved November 16, 2006 ■ Recommendation: Commission discuss the War Memorial Alternatives, and provide recommendation on the memorial location to City Council. [Community Services] Colonel Bill Hatch, Chairman Veterans Memorial Committee, gave a presentation on the memorial. Community Services Director Brady Cherry gave the staff report and answered questions of the Commission. The Recording Secretary read the following letters into the record: ■ Phil Dunsmore (Exhibit A) ■ Alfred Fonzi (Exhibit B) ■ Mari Dunsmore (Exhibit C) ■ Donald and Gwen Bullard (Exhibit D) ■ Dee Carroll (Exhibit E) ■ Janice Nelson (Exhibit F) ■ Kim Lacey (Exhibit G) ■ George Dodge (Exhibit H) PUBLIC COMMENT Steve La Salle, Vice President Atascadero Historical Society, read into the record a letter explaining the Historical Society Board of Director's opposition to the Sunken Gardens location for the memorial and suggesting alternate sites. (Exhibit 1) Lee Perkins stated she was in favor of the memorial; however she thinks the Sunken Garden location is not appropriate, and suggested placing it on a hill across Atascadero Lake from the Pavilion. Tracy De Vita Bass stated her concerns with the aesthetics, placement and scale of the memorial, and suggested revamping the public art policy for Atascadero. Matt Kokanan encouraged the city to recognize the sacrifice of its veterans and urged placement of the memorial in a location where it can be easily seen. Raymond Jansen stated there should be more artistic input into the memorial, and suggested a location in front of the Chamber of Commerce facing the City Hall. Steve Martin, Executive Director Atascadero Main Street, explained that their Board of Directors and Design Committee voted to recommend a location next to the Administration Building at its south west corner. Joan O'Keefe stated that she supports the memorial, but that the present recommended location in the Sunken Gardens is not the best site for it. She encouraged more thoughtful planning and consideration of other designs. PRC Minutes - Special Meeting 11/02/06 Page 2 of 7 Approved November 16, 2006 Sally Tipman expressed her concern regarding the artistic excellence of this project and would like to see something worthy of its position in the community and that the process should be open to public entries. Brandon Istenes commented that the current location is over zealous and excessive and was concerned that it would impede the functioning of the Sunken Gardens as it currently serves the community and would detract from the beauty of the site. Doug Marks explained why he would like the memorial located at a site other than the Sunken Gardens. He suggested placing it in the south west corner of the Rotunda Building in the lawn area. Chuck Ward stated his support for the memorial and spoke in favor of placing it in a prominent location in the Sunken Gardens. Brad Humphrey urged an alternate location outside of the Sunken Gardens for this or any other memorials. He spoke in support of more public input, more information about the memorial and for a Sunken Gardens master plan. Ned Thompson spoke in favor of the memorial and stated it should go in the Sunken Gardens. Kevin Brim asked the Commission not to rush this decision and stated he would like to see other artists' designs that might be simpler. He indicated the Sunken Gardens belongs to everyone and he prefers to not see the memorial in that location. Jeff Van den Eikhof stated that he had designed the newly refurbished Sunken Gardens when he was working for the city, that he supervised the construction and attended all the meetings: His concern was the scale of the project, and he explained how all elements in the Gardens were scaled down to avoid blocking the views. Tim Haley, Marine Corps League, explained why he likes the design of the memorial and stated he would like to see it located between the fountain and the Rotunda in the Sunken Gardens. Brian Atwell commented that he finds the Sunken Gardens a very peaceful location, which has a feel of respect for the memorial. He favors the location between the fountain and Rotunda. Jacqueline Sladen spoke about her experiences in the Sunken Gardens and the Rotunda, and stated she favored placing the memorial in the Gardens. Kathleen Aragon read a letter from Rosemary Dexter into the record which stated she did not favor the statue and felt it did not belong in the Sunken Gardens as it was too large and blocked the view of the Rotunda. PRC Minutes - Special Meeting 11/02/06 Page 3 of 7 Approved November 16, 2006 Kathy Baker stated she considers the Sunken Gardens the center of town, that her son died in Iraq and she would be honored to have the memorial in the Sunken Gardens. Anne Hatch spoke about working with the Veterans Memorial Committee and of the importance to military veterans and their families that they be recognized for their sacrifice and service. Al Fonzi, US Army Retired, questioned why it is taking so long to recognize those who have been lost to war and stated that it is important to honor their service and remember their sacrifices. Zoe Duty spoke in favor of the memorial and thinks it should be on the south west corner of the Veterans Memorial building. Shirley Moore read a letter she had received from Leroy Dodge stating his support for the memorial and reviewing the names and sacrifices of some of those who will be recognized on the proposed wall. Carlos Morales, California Army National Guard, stated he was in Iraq and would probably be back there again. He thinks the memorial is beautiful and should be in the Sunken Gardens. Glen Sawyer, Past Commander of the VFW Post in Atascadero, stated they back the memorial and its location in the Sunken Gardens. Cordelia Perry stated her son has signed up for the military and will be leaving in July. She thinks if size is the issue, then it should be revamped and shrunken. She spoke in favor of the Sunken Gardens location and stated that the community must thank our soldiers. Chairperson Mathews recessed the hearing 8:58 p.m. Commissioner Castaneda left the hearing. Chairperson Mathews called the meeting back to order at 9:06 p.m. Colonel Hatch spoke again in favor of the memorial and the Sunken Gardens location. Chairperson Mathews closed the Public Comment period. Commissioner Butz recounted a proposal put forth by Bob Wilkins to place the memorial in the south west corner by the historic Veteran's Memorial Building and that Palma would be closed off permanently with the proposed pavers flowing right up to the building. This would create a plaza and increase the size of the Sunken Gardens at the same time. PRC Minutes - Special Meeting 11/02/06 Page 4 of 7 Approved November 16, 2006 Commissioner Comments/ Summary of Public Comments: 1. Did not hear any opposition during the Public Comment period to having a memorial in Atascadero. 2. The most critical issue at this time appears to be the decision on the location. 3. It was felt that many individuals were concerned that this is being rushed into too quickly. 4. One of the beauties of the garden is its openness and it is important not to compromise that. 5. Because of the scale of the proposed memorial, it may not fit with the scale of the Sunken Gardens. 6. It is important to find a prominent location in the center of town for the memorial. 7. The veterans need recognition and it is the right thing to do for the community. 8. If the memorial is in the right location, the size will not become an issue. 9. Because of the history and design of the Sunken Gardens as well as E.G. Lewis' vision for it, this may not be the right location for the memorial. 10. The large vacant lot on the corner of Highway 41 and Portola could be designed around the memorial to compliment it. This site is part of the Lake Master Plan and has been designated for a passive park. This site also has a lot of parking space available. 11. It is important not to hide the memorial in an obscure location. 12. The Commission must consider the entire park system and make the appropriate decision for the long run. 13. Consideration could be given to a location within the new Community Center, as it is a new park and might accommodate this. 14. The site on the south west corner of the Rotunda building was discussed. Colonel Hatch expressed concern with this location because of the time frame before construction is even started on the Rotunda. Because the committee is raising money in the public sector, they must have a plan and date of completion. There was Commission discussion regarding the importance of not rushing into a decision and taking time to determine the best possible location for the memorial. It was suggested that an ad hoc committee be formed to visit the sites discussed this evening and come up with a recommendation for the Commission. MOTION: By Commissioner Butz and seconded by Commissioner Livick to recommend to the City Council to form an ad hoc committee made up of members from the Memorial Committee, the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Planning Commission, City Council and Main Street, the purpose of which is to choose a location for the memorial. The Commission supports the memorial itself and would like to see it located within the city of Atascadero. PRC Minutes - Special Meeting 11/02/06 Page 5 of 7 Approved November 16, 2006 Community Services Director Brady Cherry suggested that to save time it would be better for the Commission to just form the ad hoc committee with the members as described, and then come back with a report to the Council. Commissioner Butz withdrew her motion. Commissioner Livick withdrew his second. MOTION: By Commissioner Butz and seconded by Commissioner Livick that the Parks and Recreation Commission supports the idea of the project and wants it to move forward. In addition, the Commission is to form an ad hoc committee to determine a location for the memorial with representation from the Memorial Committee, the Parks and Recreation Commission, the City Council, the Planning Commission, Main Street, Chamber of Commerce, and the Historical Society to visit the suggested sites and come up with a location for the project and recommend it to the City Council. Motion passed 5:0 by a roll -call vote. B. ADJOURNMENT: Chairperson Mathews adjourned the meeting at 10:08 p.m. to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission on November 16, 2006. MINUTES PREPARED BY: Grace Pucci, Recording Secretary The following exhibits are available for review in the Community Services Department: Exhibit A - Phil Dunsmore, letter Exhibit B - Alfred Fonzi, letter Exhibit C - Mari Dunsmore, letter Exhibit D - Donald and Gwen Bullard, letter Exhibit E - Dee Carroll, letter Exhibit F - Janice Nelson, letter Exhibit G - Kim Lacey, letter Exhibit H - George Dodge, letter Exhibit I — Steve La Salle, letter Chairperson Mathews reconvened the meeting at 10:11 p.m. for the purpose of selecting members to the Site Selection Committee for the Veteran's War Memorial. The following individuals were selected: PRC Minutes - Special Meeting 11/02/06 Page 6 of 7 Approved November 16, 2006 Parks and Recreation Commission Representatives: Jay Sechrist Barbie Butz Paige Buck -Moyer Planning Commission Representative: Roberta Fonzi Veteran's Ware Memorial Committee Representative: Colonel Bill Hatch The committee was directed to reach out to the other entities and organizations named in the motion to fill the remaining positions. Chairperson Mathews adjourned the reconvened meeting at 10:12 p.m. MINUTES PREPARED BY: Grace Pucci, Recording Secretary PRC Minutes - Special Meeting 11/02/06 Page 7 of 7