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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-09-17; Parks & Recreation Commission; MinutesMinutes of: PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Time of Meeting: 5:35 P.M. Date of Meeting: September 17, 2007 Place of Meeting: City Council Chambers CALL TO ORDER Vice Chairperson Lyons called the Regular Meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Vice Chairperson Lyons, Commissioners Comstock, Hubbard, and George Absent: Commissioners Craig, Cooper, and Martyns Staff Members Present: Ken Price, Recreation Director Mark Steyaert, Park Development Manager Kyle Lancaster, Public Works Superintendent - General Services Judi Vincent, Management Analyst Mick Calarco, Recreation Services Manager Lori Swenk, Recreation Area Manager Jesse Almada, Recreation Specialist ANNOUNCEMENTS None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Comstock, the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on August 20, 2007 were approved. AYES: Vice Chairperson Lyons, Commissioners Comstock, Hubbard, and George NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Commissioners Craig, Cooper, and Martyns INTRODUCTIONS None. PRESENTATIONS None. PUBLIC OPEN FORUM None. Parks and Recreation Commission -2- September 17,2007 APPROVAL OF AGENDA ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Comstock, the Agenda for September 17, 2007 was approved. AYES: Vice Chairperson Lyons, Commissioners Comstock, Hubbard, and George NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Commissioners Craig, Cooper, and Martyns CONSENT CALENDAR 1. AB #0907-1 SUMMARY REPORT - (ACTION) To accept, approve and file the August 20, 2007 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Summary Report. 2. AB #0907-2 RECEIPT OF DONATIONS FOR THE 2007 HOT RODS AND COOL TREAT EVENT - (ACTION) To accept donations of products in support of the 2007 Hot Rods and Cool Treats event, and recommend acceptance by the City Manager. ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Comstock, AB #0907-1 and AB #0907-2, of the Consent Calendar were approved. AYES: Vice Chairperson Lyons, Commissioners Comstock, Hubbard, and George NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Commissioners Craig, Cooper, and Martyns DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS 3. AB # 0907-3 SENIOR CENTER EXPANSION UPDATE - (INFO) Mark Steyaert, Park Development Manager, presented an update on the Senior Center Expansion project to the Commissioners. He explained that the project started several years ago when the City purchased a portion of the Senior Center from the Carlsbad Unified School District, which was the bottom floor and the top floor totaling 14,245 square feet. He further explained that the City made the decision that the bottom floor would be an expansion for senior activities and the top floor would house the Recreation Administration offices, which are currently at City Hall. He stated that the construction is well under way and is scheduled to be complete in mid-October. Mr. Steyaert displayed slides and explained the floor plans of the expansion project. Commissioner Hubbard asked if there will be exercise programs at the Senior Center that will be available to all Carlsbad residents. Mr. Steyaert stated that not all the programs have been worked out yet. He also stated that the fitness center will be used for more than just seniors and possibly the non-seniors would have the later hours available to them, with the seniors using the fitness center during the day. Parks and Recreation Commission - 3 - September 17, 2007 Commissioner Hubbard asked if the new computer lab at the Senior Center would become the third location within the City available to Carlsbad residents. She stated that other locations included Dove and Cole Libraries. Mr. Price responded to Commissioner Hubbard's inquiry, regarding the new computer lab at the Senior Center, by stating that this would be the third location in the City with computer classes. ACTION: On motion by Commissioner George, AB #0907-3, to receive an update report was approved. AYES: Vice Chairperson Lyons, Commissioners Comstock, Hubbard, and George NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Commissioners Craig, Cooper, and Martyns 4. AB # 0907-4 CITIZENS' CONCERNS REGARDING HIDDEN CANYON PARK (ACTION) Lori Swenk, Recreation Area Manager, gave a presentation to the Parks and Recreation Commission on the citizens' concerns regarding Hidden Canyon Park and discussed City Council Policy 28. She highlighted the citizens' concerns: • Noise and safety associated with the gasoline powered generators that provide the power to the inflatable party jumps • Location and placement of the designated picnic area for rental • Size of the rentals and frequency • Parking • Skateboarding She stated that staff has chosen not to allow the gas powered generators any longer and will use electrical outlets instead, which will help to alleviate the noise issue. Ms. Swenk reported that since April 2006 when the park opened that 25 rental permits have been processed for the designated picnic area and that 13 of the permits have been for an inflatable party jump. She explained that a permit is required for an inflatable party jump and needs to be rented from a company that is authorized by Risk Management who has the proper insurance. Ms. Swenk commented that the posted park hours in all of our community parks are from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Ms. Swenk requested that staff be given additional time to evaluate the residents' concerns and to review City Council Policy 28. She said that 30-60 days would be sufficient time to prepare a report for the Commissioners. Commissioner Comstock asked if staff has called the police to step up the patrol of the Park. Ms. Swenk responded to Commissioner Comstock's inquiries by stating that park staff had called the police regarding residents' concerns and that the police will increase patrols of the parks. Parks and Recreation Commission -4- September 17,2007 Commissioner Hubbard asked how many complaint letters regarding the inflatable party jumps have been received. Ms. Swenk said that she received two letters in June 2007 and August 2007. Commissioner Hubbard asked if we have changed the generator situation since then. Ms. Swenk responded that we have changed the generator situation towards the later part of the summer. Commissioner George commented on after hours noise, skateboarding problems at all parks, and complimented staff regarding the generator situation. Beth Thomas, 2669 Vancouver Street, Carlsbad, said that there have been six inflatable party jumps next to her property. She described that a small generator has decibels of 90-95. Her concern was the noise from the generator. She said that she did attempt to call someone about it but was unable to get ahold of anyone. Her other concern was the parking issue with the parking lot completely full all the time with the overflow parking on Vancouver Street. She added that another concern was the disturbance to gnatcatchers due to the noise level. She requested an environmental report if there was one done. Mr. Price clarified that the staff has set an informal limit to 50 people per event, but that it is not in our Council Policy 28 - Facility Use Regulations or in the municipal code which is the key for enforcement. He stated that the staff would be reporting back to the commission on this issue. John Thomas, 2669 Vancouver Street, Carlsbad, said that there are 14 homeowners that have given him permission to speak on their behalf. He explained that he wrote a letter in June 2007 regarding his concerns at the park. He thanked the Commissioners for addressing the generator noise issues from the party jump houses and that within 5 days of sending his letter there were signs up notifying people that a permit is required and that the party jump houses needed to be in designated areas. He said that he is in favor of a ban of the inflatable party jumps in this park. Paul Santy, 2693 Vancouver Street, Carlsbad, stated that he authored one the letters of concern. He looked at the recommendation from staff and stated that they failed to address the parking and traffic issue. His concern was the party jumps and the additional children in a small and confided space. He stated that the jump houses are now designated to be placed by his house. He commented on the Planning Department's report to the Planning Commission when the park was being proposed. He further mentioned that in the report it stated that since the park is passive and small that it would be unlikely to attract users from the surrounding area. He stated that we can all agree that this is not the case. He also stated that he thinks the party jumps are not suitable for the park and respectfully asked the Commissioners to ban the jump houses. Molly Williams, 2689 Vancouver Street, Carlsbad, said that she is a four year resident and that she was informed the park was planned to be a low-impact neighborhood park (a passive park). She explained that within the last six weeks it has been calmer. She said that the inflatable party jumps are set up for 6-8 hours and are permitted for up to 20 children. She stated that this causes parking problems on her street and the residents do not have any parking for their guests. She said the homes are built around the park and the homes have no air conditioning and therefore they need to keep their windows open. Parks and Recreation Commission -5- September 17,2007 Commissioner Comstock encouraged the residence to call staff with any problems. He said he is in favor of staff coming back with a full report in two months. ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Comstock, AB #0907-4, to receive a report from staff and direct staff to bring a full report on the issues back to the Commission in two months was approved. AYES: Vice Chairperson Lyons, Commissioners Comstock, Hubbard, and George NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Commissioners Craig, Cooper, and Martyns 5. AB # 0907-5 COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS - (ACTION) Ken Price, Recreation Director, updated the Commissioners on the committee assignments for the Parks and Recreation Commission. He stated that Chairman Craig had been in contact with other commissioners regarding these assignments. He also stated the golf course and Zone 5 Park sub-committees have been dropped and due to the vacancy of Leo Pacheco, we have added Dr. Martyns to the Trail and Street committees. ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Comstock, AB #0907-5, to endorse appointments to standing committees was approved. AYES: Vice Chairperson Lyons, Commissioners Comstock, Hubbard, and George NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Commissioners Craig, Cooper, and Martyns 6. AB # 0907-6 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION HOLIDA Y MEETING -fACTION) Judi Vincent, Management Analyst, recommended to the Commission that our December Commission Meeting and annual Holiday Dinner event be held on Friday, December 7th, 2007 at the Leo Carrillo Ranch. Ms. Vincent stated that the Commission meeting would start at 5:00 p.m. with a light agenda followed directly with the Holiday dinner. ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Comstock, AB #0907-6, to designate a date and location for the December Commission meeting was approved. AYES: Vice Chairperson Lyons, Commissioners Comstock, Hubbard, Cooper and George NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Commissioners Craig, Cooper, and Martyns COMMITTEE/COUNCIL REPORTS 1. Commissioner Hubbard updated the Commissioners on the Arena Soccer. She commented that an official report would be on next month's agenda. She informed Commissioners and staff present that Mr. Jeff Kuester, who originally approached the Parks and Recreation Commission -6- September 17,2007 City on the concept, has provided information indicating that there are 14,630 players in just North County area, excluding Escondido, Poway, and San Marcos. She also provided the Commission with additional information regarding arena soccer in various cities in North County. 2. Mark Steyaert, Park Development Manager, presented an update on the Skate Park committee. He stated that there is a tour scheduled next Monday with the sub- committee to try to identify an alternate site from the Safety Center. He also stated that the Council has asked us to do two things: 1. To verify the cost of expanding the Safety Center complex and 2. To locate potential alternative sites. AGENDA ITEMS FOR FUTURE COMMISSION MEETING 1. La Costa Canyon Park - Update 2. Facility Use Regulations ADJOURNMENT ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Comstock to adjourn the Regular Meeting at 7:00 p.m. to The Crossings at Carlsbad Recognition Event on September 26, 2007 and Boards and Commissions Annual Appreciation dinner on October 5, 2007. AYES: Vice Chairperson Lyons, Commissioners Comstock, Hubbard, and George NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Commissioners Craig, Cooper, and Martyns Respectfully submitted, Michele Hardy Minutes Clerk