City of Lafayette Minutes Parks, Trails and Recreation Commission

Transcription

1 City of Lafayette Minutes Parks, Trails and Recreation Commission LAFAYETTE COMMUNITY CENTER March 14, 2018 Sequoia Room, 500 St. Mary s Road, Lafayette, CA 7:00 p.m. 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Singer called the Parks, Trails and Recreation Commission meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Carol Singer, Vice Chair Mark Poole, Commissioners Geoff Bellenger, Joe Dougherty, Lauren Herpich, Peter Read, Stephanie Stevens, and Bob Zenoni Absent: Commissioner Alison Hill Staff Present: Director of Parks, Trails and Recreation Jonathan Katayanagi 3. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Commissioner Stevens moved to adopt the agenda; Vice Chair Mark Poole seconded the motion, which carried by voice vote: (8-0-1): Ayes: Chair Singer, Vice Chair Poole, Commissioners Bellenger, Dougherty, Herpich, Read, Stevens and Zenoni, Noes: None; Absent: Commissioner Hill 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Requested amendment: Page 2 lines stated that all projects put forth by the Commission will have to undergo an EIR environmental analysis process. Page 2 line 66 the some sport field turf projects. Page 6 line 270 Commissioner Dougherty Bellenger asked if there should be an estimated Page 2 lines changed from paraphrasing to written statement from Ms. Callister and include that the statement was from Deborah Callister and Bruce Callister. Page 2 line 131 moved up by a year it will may overlap. Vice Chair Poole stated that the meeting minutes are paraphrased and not verbatim. Deborah Callister asked if the meetings are recorded and Chair Singer stated that the audio is recorded. Ms. Callister asked if the audio of the meetings is available to the public. Director Katayanagi stated that the audio is not broadcast but the recordings may be made available to members of the public that request the file. Parks, Trails and Recreation Commission Meeting Page 1 of 6 March 14, 2018

2 Commissioner Herpich requested that it is clarified in the minutes that the allocation of funds in the CIP budget will not push the Leigh Creekside Park project earlier in the timeline, the funds are being allocated provided that the project moves forward. This would address concern that members of the public have shown. Chair Singer suggested that this be discussed under agenda item 6. Commissioner Bellenger moved to approve the minutes with the requested amendments; Commissioner Read seconded the motion, which carried by voice vote: ( ): Ayes: Chair Singer, Vice Chair Poole, Commissioners Bellenger, Dougherty, Read, Herpich, Stevens, and Zenoni Noes: None; Absent: Commissioner Hill; Abstained: None 5. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None 6. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN (CIP) A. Status Update: Staff will bring an updated draft to the April 11, 2018 PTR Commission Meeting Director Katayanagi stated that due to the short turnaround of meetings, an updated draft of the CIP has been delayed. He should have an updated draft to the Commissioners by the meeting on April 11, Commissioner Zenoni stated that some of the projects in the timeline are straightforward projects that could be completed relatively quickly such as weatherized trails whereas projects have more encumbrances such as fundraising and environmental reviews. He is concerned that the CIP does not indicate that some projects could be completed now with allocated funds and other projects may take more time or may never be completed. Commissioner Bellenger stated that Table D should include the discussion regarding the status of the projects as well as any concerns or conditions. Vice Chair Poole stated that some projects that have been placed high on the priority list have contingencies such as environmental reviews that need to be obtained. If the conditions are not met, the project will not be approved and it will have to be removed from the CIP. Vice Chair Poole gave the Bike Park as an example of a project that was removed from an earlier CIP because the contingencies were not met. If this happens, the Commission will have to revisit the project priorities and adjust the timeline. He stated that the Brook Street Park project is still contingent on the proposal and design, but it is a high priority project for the Commission. Vice Chair Poole agreed with Commissioner Zenoni s statement, but he was unsure of the resolution. Chair Singer suggested that there could be clarification in the CIP that the projects are listed based on the Commission s priority level for each project. She stated that even though contingencies slowed down the completion of the Jennifer Russell Building renovation project, the Commission had it listed as a high priority project for many years. The priority level of some projects should not change based on contingencies. Commissioner Zenoni stated that though the CIP is not a budget, members of the public could confuse it for a budget since it discusses the yearly allocation of funds. Chair Singer stated that the City Council has asked for the estimated costs for projects in previous CIPs so the cost estimates should be included in the current CIP. Commissioner Zenoni agreed that the costs should be included. Parks, Trails and Recreation Commission Meeting Page 2 of 6 March 14, 2018

3 Commissioner Herpich voiced concern that members of the public may not understand that many of the projects listed in the CIP have conditions that will need to be met to be approved. She suggested adding an asterisk or bullet point to draw attention to any contingencies in a project. Commissioner Herpich stated that it should be made clear that the suggested budget in the CIP is preparation for projects in the CIP timeline that have met all of the contingencies listed with the specific project in the Project List. Commissioner Zenoni stated that the addition of more asterisks and footnotes may cause the table to become hard to read. Vice Chair Poole agreed with Commissioner Zenoni and suggested adding a paragraph instead of an asterisk. Commissioner Dougherty stated that document is useful for the Commission to help plan the allocation of funds in the budget. He suggested maybe changing the title to the Projected Timeline to clarify that it is an internal budgeting planning tool. Commissioner Bellenger stated that the document as a whole should communicate what the Commission would like to say about the future projects. He agreed that the use of asterisks could clutter up the tables with information that would already be in the report. Commissioner Bellenger suggested that the Commission holds any further comments until Director Katayanagi presents the new CIP draft at the next Commission meeting. Vice Chair Poole stated that many of the comments that the Commissioners discussed are briefly addressed in the second paragraph of the introduction. He suggested highlighting that paragraph and then restating it on page 6 when the specific projects and their priorities are discussed. This will help reiterate that the CIP is a planning tool for the Commission. Commissioner Herpich suggested putting the text in bold, highlighting, or underlining the second paragraph in an effort to draw attention to it. Director Katayanagi suggested restating some of the information from the introduction when the table is introduced or placing it under a Project Timing subheading. Commissioner Bellenger stated that it could also be in the recommendation. Chair Singer suggested that the Commission make another assessment when they receive the new draft at the next meeting. 7. PARKS A. Parks Maintenance and Operations: Staff will give a status report on recent park maintenance and operations. Director Katayanagi presented the staff report from Parks Maintenance Supervisor Greg Travers. Mr. Travers stated that he has been preparing the fields for Little League Opening day. Travers was asked to throw the opening pitch for the season but it was rained out. Little League did not have the opening day celebration, but team pictures were still taken at Stanley Middle School. There were a few electrical issues including a light bulb that had to be special ordered for the flag pole. Mr. Travers stated that there have been ongoing maintenance concerns for the Brook Street Park play structure and the structure is approaching the end of its useful life. Director Katayanagi and Mr. Travers are going to meet with a representative from Professor Playground about play structures for Brook Street. B. Park Projects: Director Katayanagi and Chair Singer will provide status updates on ongoing park projects including Deer Hill and Leigh Creekside Park Director Katayanagi updated the Commission about Leigh Creekside Park. Staff is working with PlaceWorks to review comments submitted on the new EIR draft based on the Notice of Preparation. Parks, Trails and Recreation Commission Meeting Page 3 of 6 March 14, 2018

4 PlaceWorks will consolidate the comments and meet with Director Katayanagi to review them. The next step is to shape some of the focused Environmental Impact Report. Director Katayanagi stated that he can only talk about the Deer Hill project in a very limited capacity. Ordinance 641 that is the basis for The Homes at Deer Hill Project will be on the June ballot as a referendum. City Council has selected ballot language. Moving forward Director Katayanagi is allowed to provide records but is not allowed to work for or against the ballot measure. C. Prop 68: Park and Water Bond: Staff will provide a brief introduction to Prop 68 Director Katayanagi stated that Prop 68 is part of SB 5 that puts a $4 billion bond supporting parks on the ballot. If the bond passes Lafayette will receive the minimum of $200,000 which is the minimum any city the size of Lafayette can receive. There may even be a possibility of applying for some competitive grants. Director Katayanagi has reached out to Mayor Tatzin and asked if will be writing a letter of support for Prop 68. Chair Singer asked if the $200,000 can be used for facilities and parkland. Director Katayanagi stated that he believes it will include park improvements as well as parkland. Chair Singer voiced her support of the Proposition. 8. TRAILS A. Trails Maintenance and Operations: The Trails Subcommittee will give a status report on recent maintenance and operations activities. Commissioner Zenoni stated that the first quarter trail inspections have been completed. He stated that the Moraga Road to Reservoir Rim Trail Eagle Scout project has almost been completed. The Boy Scout Ryan Barba has fixed the rotting pieces on the entry barrier and put in some edging. Mr. Barba plans to install a sign at the Reservoir Rim Trail entrance but he had to contact East Bay MUD to determine the location, since it is on their property. Director Katayanagi stated that East Bay MUD asked Mr. Barba to contact them directly, and he has not seen any communication. Commissioner Zenoni stated that he had asked Mr. Barba to update him on the progress and he has not heard from him. Chair Singer asked if there is currently a sign at the Reservoir Rim Trail entrance. Commissioner Zenoni stated that there is a sign, but it is under a tree and is not close to the trail. He stated that the Trails Subcommittee has agreed on a new trail marker standard that will be used at the entrances to all of the trails. The Trails Subcommittee will work with the Youth Commission to assemble the signs and then install the new markers. Commissioner Zenoni stated that the new trail markers will be a 4x4 post with aluminum plaques. The plaques will have the city logo, trail name, an arrow pointing to the entrance, and a few reminders, such as keep your dog on leash. Commissioner Bellenger added that if the plaque will include the hiker symbol and if the posts will be pressure treated. Director Katayanagi stated that some signs will include a no parking symbol. He stated that the new standard will be similar to the trail signs across the bridge in Community Park. Commissioner Zenoni stated that the top of the post will be 4 out of the ground. B. Master Plan & Easements: The Trails Subcommittee will give a status report on recent activities. Commissioner Zenoni stated that the subcommittee will have a Master Plan draft by the next subcommittee meeting in April. Commissioner Bellenger stated that the City Planner, Steve Goetz Parks, Trails and Recreation Commission Meeting Page 4 of 6 March 14, 2018

5 is assisting with the Master Plan. 9. Community Center A. Staff will give a status report on recent maintenance and operations activities. Director Katayanagi stated that the Father/Daughter dance was Western themed. There is a discussion about rotating the themes for the dances: Western, Hawaiian and Super Hero. These themes are easy to dress up for by wearing a cape or a cowboy hat. Director Katayanagi stated that more games have been introduced over the past few years. There was a photo booth and everyone got to bring pictures home at the end of the night. The event sold out a few days before and staff encouraged people to carpool to the dance because of limited parking. Commissioner Dougherty stated the dance wasn t near Little League opening day which may have been helpful for the dads who are involved with Little League and attend the dance. Director Katayanagi stated that staff would take that into consideration in future years. Director Katayanagi stated that there have been many requests for more after school programs at the elementary schools. Originally when the Recreation Department started offering classes at the schools, Happy Valley did not want to be involved. But now Happy Valley parents are requesting after school enrichment programs at their school and Director Katayanagi and John Warshaw are working with the PTA to begin offering classes two days a week in the fall. Mr. Warshaw will visit the school next week to look at the room to see if it will work for classes. He stated that Husky House cannot take on enrichment programs because their after school programs are full. The new spring guide is out with Bird Watcher Ben on the cover and registration has begun. The hip hop classes and Skyhawks classes fill very quickly. Commissioner Read asked if there have been any roof leaks and Director Katayanagi stated there is one in Lupine today that was patched by staff quickly. 10. Tracking List: The Commission will discuss unfinished business that needs to come back to the board. Chair Singer asked if there have been any updates regarding A.D.A. requirements as they relate to park facilities. Director Katayanagi stated that he has not received an update from the City Attorney s office, but he will need an answer before the CIP can be completed. Vice Chair Poole stated that he understands that the standards will be based on the specific project, but it would be helpful to know what the basic standards are. Commissioner Herpich agreed that it would be helpful to know A.D.A. standards and stated that the Parks Subcommittee needs to know if there will have to be adjustments made for a ramp at Brook Street Park. Chair Singer asked if it has been decided where Plaza Park jurisdiction will fall. She stated when it was built the Commission did not want responsibility for the park and wanted the City Offices to oversee it. Director Katayanagi stated that the City Offices still oversee the use, but there is potential that it will begin to go through the permitting process in the Park and Recreation Office. The Parks and Recreation Administrative Assistants are working on a draft permit request form that the office could utilize and the reservations would be entered in the reservation software Active that the department currently uses. Chair Singer asked if the Commission would have control over the park and if any users would have priority. If the Parks and Recreation Office started managing the permitting, it would be Parks, Trails and Recreation Commission Meeting Page 5 of 6 March 14, 2018

6 similar to booking the Group Picnic Area at the Community Park. He stated that when drafts are completed they will be brought forward for review by the PTR Commission. Director Katayanagi stated that Public Works would continue to be in charge of maintenance of the park. Commissioner Herpich asked if there is a date set for a creek cleanup at Leigh Creekside. Director Katayanagi stated that he has not heard if there is a creek cleanup planned from the Creeks Committee. He stated that the Creeks Committee usually alternates between the Community Park and Leigh Creekside Park. Chair Singer stated that the creek at Leigh Creekside is in need of a cleanup. Director Katayanagi stated that it is close to Mr. Travers inspection time and he will usually include a creeks inspection. 11. Commission Reports: Individual Commissioners will report on activities that pertain to parks, trails and recreation business. These reports are informational only. Commissioner Dougherty reported about the School Board meeting. He stated that they have decided not to move forward with the parcel tax because their research showed the dollar amount that would have been authorized would most likely not be enough so they decided to hold off. The schools will have a surplus for this year but may revisit the idea of a parcel tax next year. Commissioner Dougherty stated that there was a Bond Review meeting that he was unable to attend, but he received notes from the meeting. He stated that Burton Valley Elementary construction of the Kindergarten rooms will utilize the existing classroom space; no new buildings will be constructed due to the earthquake fault line that was located at the proposed site. Happy Valley Elementary will eliminate two Transitional Kindergarten classrooms, so field space may not be affected but he has not seen the final plans. Springhill Elementary will use an existing classroom for the science classes instead of constructing a new room. They may also relocate a wing to the north side of the field where the baseball field is, but there may be a fault zone problem. Stanley Middle School s construction of the new building has been postponed until April. The tennis courts will be removed, the teacher parking lot will be extended and a fenced in tennis court area without nets will be constructed. 12. SELECTION OF AGENDA TOPICS FOR THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING AND EXPLANATION FOR REMOVING CURRENT TOPICS A. CIP B. Parks C. Trails D. Tracking Items 13. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:02 p.m. to the next regular meeting on Wednesday, April 11, 2018 at the Lafayette Community Center. Parks, Trails and Recreation Commission Meeting Page 6 of 6 March 14, 2018