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HomeMy WebLinkAbout021507 PR Comm MinApproved March 15, 2007 CITY OF A TASCADERO PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES Thursday, February 15, 2007, 7:00 P.M. REGULAR SESSION: 7:00 P.M. Chairperson Mathews called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. and Vice Chairperson Sechrist led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners, Butz, Jack, Marks, Sechrist and Chairperson Mathews Student Representatives Buck -Moyer and Carden Absent: None Others Present: Recording Secretary Grace Pucci Staff Present: Community Services Director Brady Cherry, Deputy Public Works Director Geoff English, and Recreation Supervisor Jennifer Fanning. OATH OF OFFICE: 1. Administration of Oath of Office - Newly appointed Commissioner Colby Engstrum will be sworn in by City Clerk, Marcia McClure Torgerson. City Clerk Marcia McClure Torgerson administered the oath of office to newly appointed Commissioner Colby Engstrum. PRC Minutes 02/15/07 Page 1 of 8 Approved March 15, 2007 Commissioner Engstrum joined the meeting. COMMUNITY FORUM: None APPROVAL OF AGENDA: MOTION: By Commissioner Jack and seconded by Vice Chairperson Sechrist to approve the agenda. Motion passed 6:0 by a roll -call vote. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION REORGANIZATION: 1. Commission Appointment of Chairperson — Nominations from the Commission. MOTION: By Commissioner Jack and seconded by Commissioner Butz to nominate Vice Chairperson Sechrist to the position of Parks and Recreation Commission Chairperson. Motion passed 6:0 by a roll -call vote. Commissioner Mathews thanked the Commission and staff for the opportunity to serve as Chairperson of the Parks and Recreation Commission. Chairperson Sechrist thanked Commissioner Mathews for his service and spoke of his many accomplishments while serving as Chairperson. Chairperson Sechrist also spoke about his own plans for the coming year. 2. Commission Appointment of Vice -Chairperson — Nominations from the Commission. MOTION: By Commissioner Mathews and seconded by Commissioner Butz to nominate Commissioner Jack to the position of Parks and Recreation Vice -Chairperson. Motion passed 6:0 by a roll -call vote. COMMISSION/ YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS: Commissioner Marks announced that there will be a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society on August 18" and 19t'. The "Relay for Life" will be held at the Paso Robles Fairgrounds and those wishing to participate or contribute should call Mary at 466-7002. PRC Minutes 02/15/07 Page 2 of 8 Approved March 15, 2007 Commissioner Engstrom announced there would be a competition at the Skate Park this weekend entitled "Don't bring your girlfriend." PRESENTATION: 1. Presentation of California Parks and Recreation Society Award to George Dodge for Outstanding Community Service. Community Services Director Brady Cherry presented the award to George Dodge and spoke about his service to the community. A. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes — January 18, 2007 ■ Staff Recommendation: Commission approve the Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the January 18, 2007, meeting. MOTION: By Vice Chairperson Jack and seconded by Commissioner Mathews to approve Item #A-1. Motion passed 6:0 by a roll -call vote. B. MANAGEMENT REPORTS: 1. Veteran's Memorial Project ■ Fiscal Impact: None. Project will be privately funded. ■ Recommendations: Arts in Public Places Committee recommends Commission: 1. Reject the Veteran's Memorial Project design proposal as submitted; and, 2. Recommend that a new process be implemented to select a new design for the Memorial and the project be finalized by November 2007. Staff recommends Commission review the design and project location and recommend approval of the project to the City Council as submitted. [Community Services] Community Services Director Brady Cherry spoke about the project and introduced Colonel Bill Hatch. Colonel Hatch gave a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Veterans Memorial Project and answered questions of the Commission. PRC Minutes 02/15/07 Page 3 of 8 Approved March 15, 2007 Mark Greenaway, project artist, spoke about the memorial and explained the design he has proposed for the bronze sculpture. Joe Ramirez, Arts in Public Places Committee member, explained why he is supportive of the sculpture, explained the research he did prior to voting for the project and answered questions of the Commission. Mr. Ramirez recommended the Commission accept the memorial project as submitted. Commissioner Butz, Chairperson of the Arts in Public Places Ad Hoc Committee, spoke about the process followed by the Committee and her support for that process. Commissioner Mathews and Chairperson Sechrist expressed disappointment that no member of the Arts in Public Places Ad Hoc Committee who had voted against the project was present to explain their reasoning. Mark Greenaway explained that he had not been contacted by anyone on the Arts in Public Places Committee to see the sculpture, they instead looked at a two dimensional flat piece of paper in coming to their decision. Ann Hatch quoted from the Art In Public Places Policy to clarify the charge to the Committee. Joe Ramirez stated that the other Committee members did not offer any concrete suggestions for modification of the memorial. Director Cherry reviewed the timeline for the project and explained why the staff recommendation was to move forward with the project as proposed. PUBLIC COMMENT George Dodge, retired Army officer, encouraged the Commission to accept the project as it is and in the proposed location. Al Fonzi, Vice Chairperson Veterans Memorial Committee, stated he did not think the process of the Arts in Public Places Ad Hoc Committee was a fair one as three members of the Committee spoke publicly at the November 2nd meeting in opposition to portions of the project. These three members were then selected to serve on the Committee and voted to summarily reject the project without notice to the Veteran's Memorial Committee or the artist. Roberta Fonzi spoke about the background and qualifications of artist Mark Greenaway, and drew a comparison between the Art in Public Places Review Committee and architectural review committees. She urged the Commission to vote in favor of the project as presented. PRC Minutes 02/15/07 Page 4 of 8 Approved March 15, 2007 Chuck Miller, Lt. Colonel US Army retired and Past President of the Estrella War Birds Museum, spoke of an exhibit about to open at the museum for which they did not accept any funds from the city. Like the Veterans Memorial Project it was paid for by donations only, and he believes Atascadero will support this project and recommended approval. Bob Wilkins stated his support for this memorial and that this will be an excellent opportunity for the citizens of Atascadero to honor its veterans. Chuck Ward, former Marine and member of the Veteran's Memorial Committee, spoke about artistic judgment and common sense and stated that the Ad Hoc Committee did not view the project correctly. He stated this is not an art project but a memorial and asked the Commission to accept the project as presented. Sharon Recheck stated that though she has been a student of art and serious collector of art for over 30 years, her opinion of this memorial doesn't matter because it is a piece of art that reflects the feelings of the artist and what he wished to convey. She stated the purpose of art is to make us think and create a venue for discussion and learning and on that merit alone it was worth having. Pat Tenor stated he is a veteran and that when he is doing his duty he thinks of those who served before him and he was touched to see that reflected in the statue. He encouraged the acceptance of the project. John Jardine, Viet Nam veteran, stated he was very moved by the sculpture when he first saw it and that this would be an opportunity to put Atascadero on the map as many would come to see the memorial. He encouraged the Commission to accept the project. Ty Fox stated she has two sons currently in Iraq, her late husband was a Viet Nam veteran, and her father served in World War II, Korea and Viet Nam. She said both her husband and father died saddened by the lack of any kind of honor for their service and she thinks this is a meaningful piece and is pleased to see the project. Lon Allen, Veteran's Memorial Committee member, stated he finds the backdrop and bronze statue to be a wonderful design that would honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice and those who returned home. He urged the Commission to send the project on to the City Council with a recommendation for approval. Greg Slane, Planning Commissioner and former Marine, stated this project is what Atascadero needs and urged the Commission to vote for it. Tim Haley, Marine Corps League of San Luis Obispo County, speaking for those who could not be here tonight because they did not come home from conflicts this country has been engaged in, urged the Commission to support the project. Bob Clark, Vietnam veteran, spoke about his belief in this country and of his support for dedicating a place and memorial for those who have served it. PRC Minutes 02/15/07 Page 5 of 8 Approved March 15, 2007 Bob Wilkins spoke about E.G. Lewis and his involvement in World War I, explaining that Mr. Lewis had developed and built a large dehydrating plant in Atascadero and had contracted with local residents for food products that he could dehydrate and send to the troops in Europe. Lt. William John Hatch, United Stated Marine Corp, spoke about his service and his family history in the military. He explained that the memorial was important to him because of its positive energy and spirit, and asked the Commission to honor those who have put themselves in harms way and made sacrifices for our country. Shirley Moore stated she hoped the Commission had already made up its mind and explained how the fundraising for the project is moving forward. Sgt. Paul Huffard, US Army National Guard, stated the sculpture was very moving to him; he has been to Iraq twice and will be leaving again in April. He asked the Commission to approve the project so it could be completed by the time he comes home. Glen Sawyer, past commander Veterans of Foreign Wars of Atascadero, stated he served in World War II and hoped this project would be approved before he is dead. Bob Profit, member of USMC in San Luis Obispo, commented that this would be a wonderful place for them to hold memorials for veterans who had passed on. Ann Hatch, Veterans Memorial Committee secretary, stated that regardless of how the city votes on this project, they will not find a finer group of people than those here tonight. Steve Roberts, former US Army Airborne Ranger, explained that what the Veterans Memorial Committee were looking for in the statue were character traits and values such as loyalty, duty, honor, respect for each other, selfless service, integrity, self discipline and personal courage. Chairperson Sechrist closed the Public Comment period. Commissioner Butz commented that it is important to find positives in what happens in Atascadero and that this has been an opportunity for the public to be part of the Commission meetings and has generated thought and interest. She stated the public exposure from the process should make it easier to raise the funds needed. Commissioner Marks commended the Memorial Committee for their efforts in developing the memorial; the timing is appropriate and the location is wonderful, visible, and easily accessible. She stated she was not comfortable with completely ignoring the Ad Hoc Committee's recommendation and would like to push the committee harder for recommendations as to what improvements would be helpful in meeting their criteria. PRC Minutes 02/15/07 Page 6 of 8 Approved March 15, 2007 Commissioner Butz quoted from the Arts in Public Places Policy, which stated specific reasons for a rejection should be communicated to the proposer, and stated that it had been decided that individual committee members would write a statement and forward that information to the Community Services Director. Director Cherry reported that the only correspondence he had received from the committee was from Mr. Ramirez and a summary report from Commissioner Butz. Commissioner Engstrum stated his concern was that the Commission not get bogged down with policy and if there is an opportunity to examine the policy further that should be done separately. He stated this is the voice of local veterans expressing themselves through a local artist and if this is what the veterans want, he is struggling to understand why the Commission should give so much weight to the artist's committee recommendation. Commissioner Mathews commented that if this project had come forward in the early visionary stages, then following this process may have been appropriate, however at this time it is too late. Though he believes in the process, at this point there is something already in place, and it is time to move the project to the Council. Student Representative Carden commented that more power should be given to a room full of veterans who want this than four artists who served on a committee. Student Representative Buck Moyer stated it seems like the only objections made by the Ad Hoc Committee were aesthetic, and to her and the veterans who spoke, this piece was very moving and that it is important to go forward with the project. Chairperson Sechrist stated that the memorial has done its job by moving so many people and he cannot see how the Commission could even consider rejecting it. Commissioner Jack explained that when this project first came to the Commission he was confused about what it was saying, but since that time he has done reading and research, and considered Mr. Ramirez' evaluation which put words to the sculpture that have been echoed by many different people, and he now has a better understanding of what that statue represents. MOTION: By Vice Chairperson Jack and seconded by Commissioner Mathews to recommend the City Council reject the Arts in Public Places Committee recommendation and approve the current design and location of the Veterans Memorial Faces of Freedom Project. Motion passed 6:0 by a roll -call vote. C. COMMITTEE & LIAISON REPORTS: PRC Minutes 02/15/07 Page 7 of 8 Approved March 15, 2007 1. Atascadero Youth Task Force - Next meeting: March 6, 2007, 7:00 a.m. Lake Pavilion. D. STAFF COMMENTS/ ANNOUNCEMENTS: Community Services Director Brady Cherry and Deputy Public Works Director Geoff English reported on the following items: 1. Summer City Magazine/ Recreation Guide 2. Annual County Parks Commissioner's Workshop 5/5/07, Hearst Castle - Mark Your Calendar Now! 3. Next Stadium Park Planning Meeting: 3/8/07, 6:30pm 4. Father -Daughter Dance 2/9 - SOLD OUT 5. Pavilion lobby carpet, kitchen cabinets and kitchenettes to be replaced this month. 6. City has Americorps Worker, Gary Wood to implement volunteer program. 7. Lake Park Landscape project update 8. Next meeting: Recreation Center Update. Sgt. Paul Huffard returned to the meeting to say thank you to the Commission for what they had done and spoke of a negative experience he had when he first came home from Iraq, when a young woman spit on him and a young man told him he was a baby killer. He stated that this project is a step towards educating some of the younger people in the community so that he and other veterans would not have to apologize for what they are doing. Commissioner Marks spoke about Challenge Day which will be held at the High School on March 12 and 13th, and encouraged volunteer participation in the event. E. ADJOURNMENT: Chairperson Sechrist adjourned the meeting at 9:31 p.m. to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission on March 15, 2007. MINUTES PREPARED BY: Grace Pucci, Recording Secretary PRC Minutes 02/15/07 Page 8 of 8