The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2007-10-15; Parks & Recreation Commission; MinutesMinutes of: PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Time of Meeting: 5:30 P.M. Date of Meeting: October 15, 2007 Place of Meeting: City Council Chambers CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Craig called the Regular Meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Chairperson Craig, Commissioners Cooper, Hubbard, Lyons, and Martyns Absent: Commissioners Comstock and George Staff Members Present: Ken Price, Recreation Director Mark Steyaert, Park Development Manager Kyle Lancaster, Public Works Superintendent - General Services Judi Vincent, Management Analyst Sue Spickard, Recreation Services Manager Mick Calarco, Recreation Services Manager Lori Swenk, Recreation Area Manager Kevin Granse, Recreation Supervisor Charles Balteria, Recreation Specialist Gian Lauro, Recreation Area Manager Carl Pope, Recreation Area Manager Bonnie Elliott, Recreation Area Manager Gail Lynn, Recreation Area Manager Debbie Jo McCool, Administrative Secretary Pam Drew, Associate Planner ANNOUNCEMENTS None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Lyons, the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on September 17, 2007 were approved. AYES: Chairperson Craig, Commissioners Copper, Hubbard, and Lyons NOES: None ABSTAIN: Commissioners Martyns ABSENT: Commissioners Comstock and George INTRODUCTIONS None. Parks and Recreation Commission - 2 - October 15, 2007 PRESENTATIONS On behalf of the Parks and Recreation Commission, Chairperson Craig acknowledged the retirement of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Leo Pacheco, and gave a presentation. Ken Price, Recreation Director, gave a presentation to Mr. Pacheco on behalf of the Parks and Recreation staff. PUBLIC OPEN FORUM Bill Berghoff from Sportsplex USA, 8995 Via Andar, San Diego, CA 92122 made a presentation to the Parks and Recreation Commission at Commissioner Hubbard's request. He expressed interest in entering into a public/private partnership with the City of Carlsbad when the right facility and amenities are identified. He explained that his company currently has a public/private partnership with the City of Poway to operate their arena soccer facility. He stated that his company also has an arrangement with the City of Santee to build a 48 acre, $27 million complex. He mentioned further details and figures on the proposed arena soccer facility in Santee and stated that his company also has an arrangement with the City of Fairfield in northern California. He also encouraged the commission to visit the arena soccer facility in Poway and to talk to the mayor of Poway regarding their public/private partnership. APPROVAL OF AGENDA ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Lyons, the Agenda for September 17, 2007 was approved. AYES: Chairperson Craig, Commissioners Cooper, Hubbard, Lyons, and Martyns NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Commissioners Comstock and George CONSENT CALENDAR 1. AB # 1007-1 SUMMARY REPORT - (ACTION) To accept, approve and file the September 17, 2007 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Summary Report 2. AB # 1007-2 RECEIPT OF DONATIONS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY GRANTS PROGRAM- (ACTION) To accept donations of cash and products in support of the Recreation Department's Opportunity Grants Scholarship Program, and to recommend acceptance by the City Council 3. AB # 1007-3 UPDATE ON LA COSTA CANYON PARK- (INFO) To receive a follow-up report regarding progress made at La Costa Canyon Park, in relation to prior reports of disruptive basketball play, and the status of the Park's restroom remodeling project. Parks and Recreation Commission - 3 - October 15, 2007 ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Lyons, AB #1007-1, AB #1007-2, and AB#1007-3 of the Consent Calendar were approved. AYES: Chairperson Craig, Commissioners Cooper, Hubbard, Lyons, and Martyns NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Commissioners Comstock and George DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS 4. AB # 1007-4 ARENA SOCCER SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT- (ACTION) Mark Steyaert, Park Development Manager, presented a report on the Arena Soccer Subcommittee's findings regarding identifying a site for an arena soccer facility. He explained that on February 6, 2007, Mr. Jeff Kuester gave a presentation to the City Council on the concept of entering into a public/private partnership to construct a temporary arena soccer facility at Aviara Community Park, on the site where the Park's Community Center is proposed to be built. Mr. Steyaert explained that staff could not support the site and referred to a letter from the Recreation Director to Mr. Kuester dated September 5, 2006, which was attached to the City Council Agenda Bill. After hearing Mr. Kuester's request, the City Council's action was to have staff investigate public/private partnership policies and guidelines. The City Council also requested that the Parks and Recreation Commission recommend potential sites for an arena soccer facility. Mr. Steyaert reported that the Commission's Arena Soccer Sub-committee looked at potential sites, came up with six possible locations within the City, and subsequently narrowed it down to two. He explained that a rating form was used which evaluated the Pros and Cons of each site, as it relates to visibility, neighborhood disturbances, parking, and infrastructure. He reported that the subcommittee has recommended the Aviara Park site as the first choice and the Poinsettia Park as the second choice. Commissioner Hubbard commented that Mr. Kuester has stated that Aviara Park was the only park he would consider for an arena soccer facility. She stated that his concern was high visibility and the concessions. She expressed her concerns that the community center at Aviara Park would not go in for another 10-15 years. Mr. Steyaert stated that if it is determined a good idea to have an arena soccer facility, we would go through the RFP process to other businesses for proposals. He explained that we cannot sole source this to one business. Questions and discussion about the proposed sites included the following issues: • Bleachers/seating • Parking • How important is high visibility • Public/private partnership • Temporary site at Aviara Park Mr. Steyaert pointed out that he is on a goal team that is looking at financial issues and that the City has a $20 million shortfall to finish the parks that are currently on the books, which might make it difficult to have the City fund a new facility. Parks and Recreation Commission -4- October 15,2007 The Recreation Director clarified that the work staff is doing on the public/private partnership policy and guidelines is not just for arena soccer but is broader to include possibly tennis courts, skate parks or ball parks. Chairperson Craig stated that it is premature to identify an appropriate site. ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Hubbard, AB #1007-4, to accept and file a staff report was approved. AYES: Chairperson Craig, Commissioners Cooper, Hubbard, and Lyons NOES: None ABSTAIN: Martyns ABSENT: Commissioners Comstock and George 5- AB # 1007-5 SKATEPARK SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT- {ACTION) Mark Steyaert, Park Development Manager, presented a report on the Skatepark Subcommittee's findings regarding identifying a site for a skatepark facility. He said that on July 17, 2007 staff presented a proposal from the Parks and Recreation Commission to the City Council to expand the existing Skate Park at the Safety Center. He reported that City Council directed staff to 1) work on further exploring the costs involved with the proposed expansion and 2) work with the Parks and Recreation Commission to evaluate potential sites for an alterative skate park. Mr. Steyaert explained that the Commission's Skatepark subcommittee reviewed several sites for a proposed skatepark, and has recommended the Reservoir site as the first choice and the Hosp Grove site as the second choice. Pam Drew, Associate Planner, explained that the Reservoir site is zoned for residential use and would have to be changed to open space in the General Plan. She stated that the Conditional Use Permit amendment would have to go to the City Council and could take a minimum of six months, and up to a year, at the maximum. Commissioner Cooper asked about the Hosp Grove site and the environmental impacts there. Pam Drew responded that it looks like there is sensitive vegetation at that site and mentioned that possibly the area could be fenced off. She stated that an environmental review could add months, and up to a year, to the process. Commissioner Craig asked if the Reservoir site had any environmental issues. Pam Drew responded that she is not an expert but, in her opinion, it did not appear that there was any sensitive habitat at that site. Commissioner Craig commented that it would be zoning issues at the Reservoir site versus environmental issues at Hosp Grove. Ms. Drew concurred. Commissioner Hubbard mentioned a new publication, Public Skatepark Development Guide, as a great resource manual. Commissioner Martyns commented that he would like to contact Tony Hawk because he knows him personally. He also asked why Pine Park was eliminated as a potential site. Mr. Steyaert responded that Pine Park site was eliminated because residents were opposed to a previous plan to expand the ball field onto the proposed location, and that they were Parks and Recreation Commission -5- October 15,2007 promised an ornamental garden, which is on the original master plan. He explained that there was a citizen's workshop in 2006 and that the residents commented that they wanted an even bigger ornamental garden. He further explained that the previous plan had never gone forward to the City Council to be approved, but that it is staff's opinion that a skatepark would not be very well received in this location. There was discussion on whether staff should wait to inquire from some experts in the skateboarding business on the two possible sites before presenting a potential site to the City Council. The Recreation Director commented that dealing with the environmental issues would be a staff project. The Recreation Director also commented that he would like to meet with the City Manager, and report back to the Commission, regarding the construction costs of the proposed skatepark expansion at the Safety Center, before it goes to the City Council. ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Cooper, AB #1007-5, to accept and file the staff report was approved. AYES: Chairperson Craig, Commissioners Cooper, Hubbard, Lyons, and Martyns NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Commissioners Comstock and George 6- AB # 1007-6 PINE AVENUE PARK - AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION AWARD-(INFO) Mark Steyaert, Park Development Manager, provided information to the Commission regarding the award recently presented by the American Public Works Association for Pine Avenue Park. He commented that the project was recognized for the public input process (with four public workshops), as well as the public art, design, and environmental aspects of the Park. ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Lyons, AB #1007-6, to accept and file the staff report was approved. AYES: Chairperson Craig, Commissioners Cooper Hubbard, Lyons, and Martyns NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Commissioners Comstock and George 7. AB # 1007-7 COMMUNITY ACTIVITY GRANT-CITIZEN REVIEW COMMITTEE (ACTION) Chairperson Craig explained that Commissioner Lyons has agreed to represent the commission on the Community Activity Grant Citizen Review Committee for one year. Parks and Recreation Commission - 6 - October 15, 2007 ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Cooper, AB #1007-7, to appoint Commissioner Lyons to serve on the Community Activity Grant Citizen Review Committee was approved. AYES: Chairperson Craig, Commissioners Cooper, Hubbard, Lyons, and Martyns NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Commissioners Comstock and George COMMITTEE/COUNCIL REPORTS None. AGENDA ITEMS FOR FUTURE COMMISSION MEETING 1. Hidden Canyon Park Follow-up 2. Historical Tree Report ADJOURNMENT ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Cooper to adjourn the Regular Meeting at 7:05 p.m. to AYES: Chairperson Craig, Commissioners Cooper Hubbard, Lyons, and Martyns NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Commissioners Comstock and George Respectfully submitted, Michele Hardy Minutes Clerk