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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-06-21; Parks & Recreation Commission; MinutesMinutes of: Time of Meeting: Date of Meeting: Place of Meeting: CALL TO ORDER MINUTES PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION 5:30 P.M. June 21, 2021 Zoom Meeting Chair Luna called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Chair Luna, Commissioners Simons, Thorp and Steketee Commissioner Allemann was absent. Vice Chair Martinez joined the meet- ing at 5:32 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ANNOUNCEMENTS None APPROVAL OF MINUTES ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Simons and a second by Commissioner Thorp, the minutes of the March 15, 2021 Parks & Recreation Commission meeting AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: were approved. Chair Luna, Vice Chair Martinez and Commissioners Simons, Thorp, Ste- ketee and Sebahar. None None Commissioner Allemann PRESENTATIONS None CONSENT CALENDAR: None PUBLIC COMMENT None 1. SR# 0621-1 ADOPT PARKS & RECREATION MEETING CALENDAR The Commission discussed the proposed meeting calendar. Chair Luna proposed chang- ing the start time to 5:00 p.m. After brief comments by Commissioner Simons and Vice- Chair Martinez, it was decided to leave the start time at 5:30 p.m. ACTION: On motion by Commissioner Simons and duly seconded by Vice Chair Mar- tinez the proposed Parks & Recreation Meeting Calendar for FY 21/22 was approved. A YES: Chair Luna, Vice Chair Martinez, Commissioners Simons, Thorp, Steketee and Sebahar NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Commissioner Allemann 2. SR # 0621-2 DEAD HERITAGE TREES -DISPOSITION OF TREE STUMP/BURL ON GRAND AVENUE The Commission received a report from Parks & Recreation Director Kyle Lancaster on dead heritage trees and the disposition of the stump and burl on Grand Avenue. Kyle Lancaster reported that after monitoring the heritage tree's condition for months after being treated for insects, the tree was determined to be dead by four certified arborists. Staff posted 30-day notices regarding the tree's removal and no appeals on the decision to remove the tree were received . Kyle Lancaster reported the Parks & Recreation Commission serves as the city's tree board. He further discussed the Community Forest Management Plan along with the fol- lowing portions of two chapters and an appendix that address the disposition of dead city- owned trees: • Chapter 6, Page 37 -Heritage Tree Program When a heritage tree reaches the point of needing to be removed out of safety or practicality concerns, the tree may have an extended use and be further memori- alized through the Green Waste, Wood and Tree Recycling Program (Chapter 8). By capturing this valuable wood product, the tree may continue to serve a purpose beyond the typically associated public benefits. It may become art in the form of carving, or tables that others may admire. • Chapter 8, Page 319 -Community Green Waste, Wood and Tree Recycling Any trees that are cut down, dismantled or harvested by the city are subject to be potentially repurposed. • Appendix A, Page 383 -Carlsbad Municipal Code chapter 11.12 -Trees 11.12.090. D. All tree removal, whether by city or applicant, shall include the re- moval of the stump and the removal of all stump grinding chips and the backfilling of the hole created by stump removal with a good quality topsoil suitable for the replanting of a replacement tree. Kyle Lancaster further explained the actions related to this tree. In this case, staff intended to -and subsequently did -arrange for the salvaged wood from the tree to be delivered to local mills for woodworking projects. Mr. Lancaster understood that portions of the trunk were to be used as bar tops for some local restaurants. At the time the tree was being scheduled for removal, Don Christiansen (resident) asked about the possibility of repur- posing the tree trunk as a historic public art piece or bench. Staff advised of the intent to deliver the salvaged wood from the tree to local mills and offered to consult with Library & Cultural Arts Department staff on his inquiry. There wasn't an interest in repurposing the tree trunk, due in part to the limited visibility and pedestrian activity at this location. Mr. Christiansen later provided public comment on the concept of repurposing this tree's trunk into a public art piece or bench at the November meetings of the Arts Commission, the Parks & Recreation Commission and the Historic Preservation Commission. None of the three Commissions acted on his request. On Nov. 22, 2019, the tree was removed to the stump and the stump itself was scheduled for grinding and removal within the following two weeks. On Nov. 24, 2019 Mr. Christian- sen left a message for staff, expressing thanks for consideration of his request and sug- gesting similar consideration for other dead heritage trees. On Dec. 4, 2019, Mr. Christian sent an email to the City Council requesting that the tree's stump and burl be removed, and "that citizen input be solicited for the 'highest and best use' of what remains ... to create an artistic and historic bench". The City Manager in- structed staff to refrain from the stump removal and to seek the City Council's direction on the request in the spring of 2020. The following options were provided for the Parks & Recreation Commission, with option one recommended by staff: Option 1 -Remove tree stump/burl from the public right away. Pros: • Acknowledges the procedure to grind the stump/burl is consistent with previous street tree removals, under the Community Forest Management Plan, Appendix D (CMC Chapter 11.12 -Trees and Shrubs). • Supports staffs determination to not pursue this repurposing, due in part to limited visibility and pedestrian activity. • Recognizes the three Commissions did not act to consider an item on this concept. • Addresses the expressed desire of the property owner. Cons: • Does not address the expressed desire of the resident that the tree stump and burl be carved into a public bench. Option 2 -Pursue citizen input, design and carving of the tree stump/burl into a public bench. Pros: • Increase public awareness of certain large heritage tree species in the village. • Acknowledges the concept of heritage trees having an extended use and being further memorialized, while continuing to serve a purpose beyond those typically associated public benefits, under CFMP, Chapter 6 -Heritage Tree Program. • Addresses the expressed desire of a resident for a public bench. Cons: • Creates an inconsistency with the standard for right of way furnishings in the Vil- lage. • Provides limited access for disabled persons (i.e., as called for under the Ameri- cans with Disabilities Act). • Requires a high level of maintenance to preserve the wood. • Lacks specific funding in the budget for carving and maintenance. • Doesn't support staffs determination to not pursue this repurposing, due to limited visibility and pedestrian activity. • Doesn't recognize the three Commissions that didn't act to consider. • Doesn't address the expressed desire· of the property owner. Staffs recommendation was to proceed with Option 1. Mr. Christiansen emailed the following comment to staff's recommendation: "Thank you for the straightforward response. I continue to see the stump as a low-cost starting point to display historic functional art. The more "the Village" is torn down and replaced with multi story buildings the more important it is to keep some reminders of the way things were." (6/11/21 email). Recommended Action: Advise the City Council to direct staff to remove the stump/burl of a dead heritage street tree from the public right of way on the south side of Grand Avenue, immediately east of Jefferson Street. ACTION: On motion by Vice Chair Martinez and duly seconded by Commissioner Si- mons, the Commission advised City Council to direct staff to remove the tree stump. AYES: Chair Luna, Vice Chair Martinez, Commissioners Simons, Thorp, Steketee and Sebahar NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Commissioner Allemann 3. SR# 0321-1 DEPARTMENT REPORT Recreation Services Manager Mike Pacheco and Parks Planning Manager Kasia Trojan- owska reported on recently completed, ongoing and upcoming Parks & Recreation De- partment programs, events and park projects. Chair Luna stated that when the opportunity arises, he would like Parks & Recreation Department to pursue the connectivity of the South Shore Agua Hedionda Lagoon (Hub Park) Trail along the lagoon to the freeway underpass. Vice Chair Martinez complimented the Parks & Recreation staff on the job they are doing and mentioned a great experience at The Crossings Golf Course and Kyle Lancaster responded he provided that feedback during the recent golf course steering committee meeting. Commissioner Thorp inquired about the contractor that is currently servicing the commu- nity parks. Staff explained that Nissho of California is our current contractor and we are expecting good performance and are seeing a positive start up. Commissioner Simons asked if we stopped requiring reservations at the Alga Norte Aquatic Center and Mike Pacheco responded that all facilities were back to normal oper- ating hours, with the exception of the Senior Center, and that reservations were no longer needed. Commissioner Sebahar was encouraged to see progress in the parks and would like to see access to a more robust trail system. Kyle Lancaster informed him that it's staff's desire, as well as that of the City Council, to pursue the South Shore Aga Hedionda La- goon (Hub Park) Trail connectivity. Commissioner Steketee asked if the properties adjacent to Hub Park were also owned by SDG&E. She also inquired about the Buena Vista Reservoir Park completion date. Staff responded that SDG&E is the owner of the properties adjacent to Hub Park and the city is working with the contractor to finalize the schedule for the Buena Vista Reservoir Park and anticipated it would open mid to late summer. COMMITTEE/CITY COUNCIL REPORTS None AGENDA ITEMS FOR FUTURE COMMISSION MEETING ADJOURNMENT ACTION: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: On motion by Commissioner Simons and a second by Vice Chair Martinez, the meeting was adjourned at 6: 17 p.m. The next meeting of the Parks & Recrea- tion Commission will be July 19, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. Chair Luna, Vice Chair Martinez, Commissioners Simons, Thorp, Steketee and Sebahar. None None Commissioner Allemann Charlene Buckalew Minutes clerk