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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-03-20; Parks & Recreation Commission; MinutesMINUTES Meeting of: Date of Meeting: Time of Meeting: Place of Meeting: PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION March 20, 1989 5:00 p.m. City CounclI Chambers COMMISSIONERS CALL TO ORDER: Vice-Chairperson Lawson called the Meeting to order at 5:04 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Vice-Chairperson Lawson, Commissioners Castner, Knox, Strayer and Welshons. Absent: Commissioners Dahlqulst and Morrison. Staff Present: David Bradstreet, Director, Parks and Recreation Keith Beverly, Senior Management Analyst Doug Duncanson, Parks Superintendent APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of the Regular Meeting held February 27, 1989, were approved as amended. The Scribe Report was approved by the same motion. APPOINT SCRIBE; Commissioner Strayer was appointed Scribe for this meeting. PUBLIC OPEN FORUM: There were no requests to address the Commission. PRESENTATIONS; There were no presentations. APPROVAL OF AGENDA; Parks and Recreation Commission accepted the Agenda as presented. CONSENT CALENDAR; Commissioner Welshons requested I terns #1 and #2 be removed from the Consent Calendar. WAIVER OF AGENDA TEXT READING; Parks and Recreation Commission waived the reading of the text of Agenda Items at this meeting. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR: 1 .AB #389-1 DIRECTOR'S REPORT. Commissioner Welshons commented that the report had been written by Debbie Thornton, Intern In the Parks and Recreation Department, and she complimented her on a nice Job. Ms. Welshons also stated that the renovations at the Community Swim Complex are complete and the pool Is now open. 04 Lawson Castner Knox Strayer Welshons Lawson Cas t~ner Knox Strayer Welshons MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION March 20, 1989 Page 2 COMMISSIONERS ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR: (Continued) Keith Beverly stated that the Carlsbad 3rd and 4th grade basketball leagues won the County Championships In Spring Valley last weekend. Parks and Recreation Commission accepted the Director's Report for February - March 1989. 2. AB #389-2 COMMISSION INQUIRIES. Commissioner Welshons stated that the block wall has been painted over by the Parks Maintenance Division at the Levante open space lot. She asked whether this could be used as a park and Dave Bradstreet said that lot was designated as open space only. The last direction from the Commission was to look for a means of selling or trading that lot. Mr. Bradstreet added that he did not know whether It could be developed due to the steep slopes, but the Department will Investigate the feasibility of development. Commissioner Castner said this Commission had given the direction to sell this lot, and If It were to be changed from open space, that would have to go before the voters. Vice-Chairperson Lawson commented that this property would not fit Into any of the park categories at the present time and Mr. Bradstreet agreed. Mr. Bradstreet said the Department feels this lot Is a liability and It Is to be sold. However, he added that perhaps It could be used for a passive trail system. Parks and Recreation Commission accepted AB #389-2, Commission Inquiries. PUBLIC HEARING: 3. AB #389-3 DOG ORDINANCE AMD ALTERNATIVES. Dave Bradstreet gave the staff report on this Item, referring to the material contained In the packet. He said the revised Ordinance, as reviewed and acted upon by the Council, prohibits dogs from Carlsbad parks and beaches and excludes the lagoons. The revised Ordinance does not apply to dogs accompanying unsighted persons or dogs participating In shows or classes sponsored or authorized by Parks and Recreation, or dogs assisting peace officers. Mr. Bradstreet said that Council wanted this Commission to make a recommendation prior to June 1, 1989. The previous ordinance allowed dogs on the Carlsbad beaches as long as they were on a leash, but they were not allowed In any park, except for dog shows. There Is a dog nuisance ordinance on the books. The existing ordinance has always been In effect. Lawson Castner Knox Strayer Welshons Lawson Casfner Knox Strayer Welshons X X X X X X X X X X X X MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION March 20, 1989 Page 3 COMMISSIONERS PUBLIC HEARING: (Continued) Mr. Bradstreet stated that at the February 27, 1989, meeting, the Commission activated the Sub-Committee to review and hold meetings on this Item, and report back to the Commission this evening. The Sub-Committee consisted of Commissioners Dahlqulst, Morrison and Welshons, with Commissioner Lawson the Alternate, and staff member was Lynn Chase. Commissioner Welshons gave the report, showing a map Indicating the border of OceansIde and Carlsbad and the one area that Is Carlsbad beach, north of the seawall. The area south of the seawall Is State Beach and dogs «re allowed along the blufftop on a leash, but banned from 'State beaches. Sgt. Welch of the San Diego Animal Control attended both meetings held by the Sub-Committee and was present at this meeting to answer questions. The Commission discussed the necessity for educating the public as to the leash law and the pooper-scooper law and expressed surprise at the lack of knowledge of fhese laws as far as the general public Is concerned. The police have to prioritize their calls, and beach calls with regard to dogs are low on the list. Vice-Chairperson Lawson opened the Public Hearing at 5:43 p.m., and Issued the Invitation to speak. J. M. VlgM stated he was neither a dog lover nor a dog hater, but Is concerned about dogs running loose on the beach due to the danger to small children, and the lack of conformance with the poopei—scooper law. He felt the poopei—scooper taw could not be enforced, but the nuisance law of dogs running loose on the beach could be enforced. He stated he hoped this Commission would recommend no dogs on the beach. Don Jackson, 260 Normandy Lane, stated he was In favor of the amendment prohibiting dogs on the beach. This was due to the health, safety and sanitation factors, not to mention the nuisance factor and unslghtlI ness. He asked whether Carlsbad was to be run by the dogs or enjoyed by the people. Evelyn Casteel, 3710 Sierra Morena, spoke In favor of allowing dogs at the beach early In the morning or late In the evening when they are not crowded. She felt that with the pooper-scooper law, It would be easy to control the problem of the dogs leaving a mess on the beach. She felt the dogs should be allowed on the beach. Elizabeth Fltzpatrlck stated the majority of owners of dogs are law-abiding, but the ones who do not obey the law will continue to do the same things and allow their dogs to be a nuisance. She was In favor of allowing the dogs on the beach. 05 MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION March 20, 1989 Page 4 COMMISSIONERS PUBLIC HEARING; (Continued) Larry Murphy, 3720 Hibiscus Circle, stated he enjoys walking on the beach, but does not enjoy seeing the dog leavings. He told of a visitor from Los Angeles not happy with the dog situation on the Carlsbad beaches, and he felt there Is no way to train the people to pick up after their dogs. Theodore Uber, 3740 Hibiscus Circle, stated he enjoys the beach and would like to see the amendment to the ordinance put In force. Vice-Chairperson Lawson stated Mr. Uber's letter had been received and would be part of the record on this Item. Nancy Koontz, 773 Camel la Place, stated she had spoken before the Commission several times on this matter. She spends a lot of time at the beach and wants to be able to walk her dog there. She felt the pooper-scooper law could be enforced as well as the nuisance law. The public needs to be educated as to the laws and Informed of a fine If they do not comply. Ms. Koontz suggested that strict enforcement at the outset would result In people complying with the laws. Since no one else wished to speak on this Issue, the Public Discussion period was closed at 6:03 p.m. Dave Bradstreet reminded the Commission that the beach area from the Buena Vista Lagoon south to Oak Street Is private property and not City beach. Commissioner Strayer felt there must be a compromise to allow dogs on some beaches at certain times, without a total ban. Commissioner Knox supported the ban, stating the beaches are for people. She suggested looking at the walkway along Batlqultos Lagoon as a potential area to have an open-air run for dogs. Commissioner Castner stated he did not favor dogs on the beach, as he felt the beach was for people and children, and only a small percentage of dog owners clean up after their dogs. He supported the total ban. Commissioner Welshons stated that Commissioner Dahlqulst had left a note stating she would support and vote for Recommendation #2 of the Sub-Committee, which Is to forego the amendment and allow the ordinance to remain Intact, with emphasis on educating the public that there are leash and nuisance ordinances In effect. The nuisance ordinance should be posted on the signs at beach access points. Commissioner Welshons said she supported educating the citizens and looking for other areas for dog walking; such as Batlqultos Lagoon. She thought there should be reasonable restrictions and time restrictions. Vice-Chairperson Lawson stated his support for a compromise, allowing dogs on the beaches In some manner; seasonable use, with six months allowing dogs and excluding them April, May, June, July, August and September. MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION March 20, 1989 Page 5 COMMISSIONERS PUBLIC HEARING: (Continued) Commissioner Castner salrl there should be a trial period, and when the recommendation goes to Council, they will act upon It and It will be subject to a trial basis. Commissioner Knox stated she would support that If the educational part was continued and signs were posted, along with a trial basis. Vice-Chairperson Lawson stated that seasonal times could be enforced, but he felt that time limits could not be enforced. Commissioner Welshons disagreed, saying the times cou l.d be prior to 8:00 a.m. and after 6:00 p.m., and also IncVudlng the winter months. Commissioner Strayer said the people do not know the rules and he felt the restrictions should be something simple and easy to remember. He suggested combining seasonal restrictions and time restrictions. The suggestion was made to make the restriction period May through September. Parks and Recreation Commission recommended to the City Council to establish seasonal restrictions, with no dogs on the beach during the months of May through September. Commissioner Castner voted In opposition as he felt dogs did not belong on the beach; with the beaches being for people and children. Commissioner Welshons made a motion, and Commissioner Strayer seconded the motion, to consider dogs on the beach before 8:00 a.m. and after 6:00 p.m. during the summer months. The motion fat led. Vice-Chairperson Lawson stated he opposed the motion as It was too complicated. Commissioner Knox stated she could not support anything beyond the allowing dogs during the six winter months. Commissioner Castner stated he opposed It. Commissioner Welshons commented the Sub-Committee recommended educating the public, posting signs and placing additional trash cans. Also the ordinance should Include the current wording of the County and State where they exclude signal and service dogs. She also stated that signs should be placed Indicating where the City beach ends and the State beach begins; with a good working relationship with the press regarding the levying of fines to encourage dog owners to follow the ordinances. Vice-Chairperson Lawson said that the use of other trail systems In other parts of the City should be examined by staff and the Open Space Committee. 06 Lawson Cas fner Knox Strayer Welshons Lawson Castner Knox Strayer Welshons MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION March 20, 1989 Page 6 COMMISSIONERS DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS: 4. AB #389-4 REQUEST FROM HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION. Dave Bradstreet reported on the request from the Historic Preservation Commission regarding the relocation of the grave site of Leo Carrlllo's horse, Conquistador. Marjorle Howard-Jones, 4823 Argosy Lane, Historic Preservation Commissioner, stated this was one of the Items the Commission felt overlapped with the Parks and Recreation Commission as far as responsibility, and they wished to establish communication. Commlsslo'ner Howard-Jones stated that when the alignment of the road Is determined, It should be Investigated whether or not the grave would be disturbed. At that time, the determination should be made as to whether to move the grave to Carrll lo Ranch, or If the grave of the horse Is not at that site, the cross would be moved. Vice-Chairperson Lawson stated there needed fo be communication between the two Commissions and Mr. Bradstreet added that If staff felt there was a need for a Parks and Recreation Commissioner to attend a Historic Preservation Commission meeting, he would let them know. Commission discussion determined It was too soon to ascertain whether or not the grave should be moved onto Carrl 1 lo Ranch. Parks and Recreation Commission approved In concept the request of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding the relocation of the grave of Conquistador and filed the report. With the addition that when the final alignment of Melrose Is determined and there Is more Information available on this graveslte, the Item will be returned for further action. Mrs. Howard-Jones reiterated the desire of the Historic Preservation Commission to have Commission contact. Vice-Chairperson Lawson stated that no Commissioner from the Parks and Recreation Commission was to speak for this Commission, but communication does need to take place, and It was agreed to have someone attend the Historic Preservation Commission meetings on an as- needed basts. 5. AB #389-5 REQUEST FROM PAY N PLAY RACQUETBALL OF AMERICA. Charles Hohl, 23165 Vista Way, Lake Forest, explained the request for this facility, stating there would be approximately 3,000 players In Carlsbad who would use this facility. The price of land had precluded the company buying a site, and Inasmuch as they work with the parks, schools and churches, they felt a public facility would be advantageous to the City. Lawson Castner Knox Strayer Welshons X X X X X X MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION March 20, 1989 Page 7 COMMISSIONERS DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS: (Continued) Mr. HohI continued, stating the general public cannot afford private clubs, and this facility would be available to the public at all times. In answer to Commission query regarding parking, Mr. HohI explained they would use the existing parking at the park site and would only require one parking stall per court. The four courts proposed for Installation would be fully automated and be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Mr. Hoh! Indicated they were asking for a spot In the Lake Calavera area or some other future park. Parks and Recreation Commission accepted and filed the report and directed staff to consider the Pay N' Play Racquetball request during future park planning proposals. 6. AB #389-6 ALTA MIRA PARKS ITE CONDEMNATION ACTION. Dave Bradstreet gave the staff report on this Item, stating the Commissioners could review the file In his office on this matter. Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed and filed the report on AB #389-6. SCRIBE REPORT; Commissioner Strayer gave the Scribe Report. ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion, the Meeting of March 20, 1989, was adjourned at 7:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted,lly submitted, Harriett Babbitt Minutes Clerk 07 Lawson Castner Knox Strayer Welshons Lawson Castner Knox Strayer Welshons