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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/25/1993 PRC MinutesCITY OF DIARUND BAR MINUTES OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION FEBRUARY 25, 1993 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Ruzicka called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. at the AQMD, Hearing Room, 21865 East Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California. PLEDGE OF The audience was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by ALLEGIANCE: Chairman Ruzicka. ROLL CALL: Commissioners: Medina, Johnson, Vice Chairman Schey, and Chairman Ruzicka. C/Whelan arrived late. Also present were Community Services Director Bob Rose, Administrative Assistant Kellee Fritzal, and Recreation Supervisor Marla Pearlman. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Jan. 7, 1993 & VC/Schey requested that the Minutes of January 7, Jan. 28, 1993 1993 be corrected on page 7, fourth paragraph, to properly indicate "NPDES". Motion was made by VC/Schey, seconded by C/Medina and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to approve the Minutes of January 7 & 28, 1993, amended accordingly. Chair/Ruzicka stated that C/Medina has indicated that he must leave the meeting early. OLD BUSINESS: Senior Citizen CSD/Rose reported that, of the 1,765 surveys mailed Subcommittee to Diamond Bar seniors in January of 1993, 385 Update surveys have been returned. The Commission's packet contains the results calculated from 202 of those surveys. Fifty seven additional surveys have been reviewed since preparation of the packet, which served to reinforce what has already been calculated. It is recommended that the Senior Citizen's Sub -committee schedule a meeting date to review the final results, and to make plans to meet with the Council Sub -committee. C/Medina questioned the accuracy of the result that indicates that only 3% of the Seniors do not drive. He suggested that staff send new forms to the Chinese Association, and perhaps the Filipino group, along with a translator, because they too feel that more than 3% do not drive. Perhaps there should also be an open forum before the City Council. It is important to get an accurate result because the Dial -A -Ride program would be beneficial to those Seniors that do not drive. February 25, 1993 Page 2 VC/Schey pointed out that the younger, more active seniors may have responded before. the elderly seniors that are more likely not to drive. CSD/Rose reported that staff has the results of 27 surveys, that were separately tabulated, received from a Chinese Association meeting in. which a moderator translated the entire survey to the - group. A separate survey was also done for the Lively Seniors. These results, along with the survey done for the senior community at large, are the results indicated in the staff report. Chair/Ruzicka pointed out that, because certain groups may have a high percentage of people who do not have transportation, this may not justify taking action to bring in some type of public transportation. CSD/Rose stated that the sub -committee will be discussing the types of transportation available to the City. The Senior Sub -committee concurred to meet March 9, 1993 at 4:30 p.m. at City Hall. City's Fourth C/Medina reported that he met with the Birthday Birthday Celebration Committee, consisting of Don Gravdahl Celebration and Lydia Plunk, to discuss the event as outlined in the handout he presented to the Commission. It was indicated that they would like to proceed with C/Medina's idea for next year's Fifth Celebration event. He then reviewed the following events planned for this year: a parade from AQMD to Peterson Park from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.; a cultural presentation from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; a cake cutting ceremony from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.; a concert in the park from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.; booths from the various groups; and banners to advertise the event placed at the four entrances into the City. Chair/Ruzicka expressed his concern regarding the costs associated with banners, as well as the insurance responsibility. C/Medina stated that the Historical Society .has donated $200 dollars, and the DBIA has donated $600 dollars towards the celebration. CSD/Rose stated that the Commission can authorize the use of the backstops on the baseball fields, similar to what is done for Concerts in the Parks. There has also been some discussion to develop an February 25, 1993 Page 3 entry signage in Diamond Bar, however, the idea, at this point, is only conceptual. C/Medina reported that it was also suggested that the event include a drawing contest, perhaps a scenery of the City, and the winner would receive a prize. Chair/Ruzicka suggested that an article be included in the Highlander and/or the Windmill to advertise the event. VC/Schey suggested that the Ranch Festival group be contacted about incorporating the Ranch Festival with the City's Birthday Celebration. CSD/Rose stated that the two events, which are held about six months apart from each other, relatively compliment each other, and there is a possibility that the Ranch Festival may be involved in the Birthday Celebration. He pointed out that the Birthday Celebration may get lost within a large event as the Ranch Festival, if the two events were to be combined. Parks Master Chair/Ruzicka requested an update from the Plan Update Inventory and Sites Facilities subcommittee. C/Johnson stated that he toured all the parks with staff, and took pictures to make a pictorial map, which he will present to staff upon completion. Upon touring the facilities, he noted the following: the hard courts, basketball courts, tennis courts, and field use were all being occupied at the time, indicating that there is not enough of these facilities available; another basketball court could be installed at Ronald Reagan Park by the sloped area because it is relatively unused open space; none of the parks have volleyball facilities; there needs to be more softball and baseball fields; the City should look into the possibility of absorbing the fee paid to the Walnut Unified School District for use and scheduling of their fields, in order to get maximum utilization of those fields; and drainage in the tot lots needs to be fixed. Chair/Ruzicka requested an update from the Park Standards subcommittee. VC/Schey stated that, before the tentative park standards can be established, the Commission needs to add their comments on the Parks Standard matrix developed by staff. February 25, 1993 Page 4 CSD/Rose noted that the foul line measurements on the City parks have been completed, but not yet added to the Park Standards matrix. Also, the School District facilities have not yet been added to the list, as was discussed at the last meeting. Even though the referendum successfully overturned the Resolution approving the General Plan, and there is no immediate urgency to develop the Parks Master Plan, we still want to continue with the progress already made on the Parks Master Plan document. VC/Schey suggested that the Commission add their recommended standards to the matrix so that they can be discussed in more detail at the next meeting. COMMISSIONER C/Medina reported that he attended a Taggers COMMENTS: Awareness meeting with the Walnut Valley Sheriff Department and they indicated that taggers are now arming themselves because of the fierce competition between tagger groups. Glendora's Ordinance stipulates a fine of $2,000 for anyone convicted of graffiti, and perhaps the City should consider such an Ordinance. C/Medina then reported that he recommended to Mayor Miller that Father Potthoft, who is retiring from St. Denis, be given a certificate of recognition. He also reported that there have been many complaints regarding smoking at the Oak Tree Lanes, and he would suggest that the City consider restricting smoking from the bowlers area. CSD/Rose stated that a draft graffiti ordinance, developed by staff, and modeled after the Glendora Ordinance, will go before the City Council graffiti sub -committee for review and recommendation to the City Council. VC/Schey requested that staff place discussion of the graffiti matter as an agenda item. C/Medina excused himself from the meeting. NEW BUSINESS: Priorities Staff is currently preparing for the budget Matrix preparation process for the 1993-94 fiscal year. To assist staff in this process, it would be helpful for the Parks and Recreation Commission to establish it's priorities for funding, based on the Commission's priority matrix and the requests from the community over the past six months. The attached list of 25 items has been developed by 1 1 J February 2S, 1993 Page 5 staff for the purpose of developing Commission goals for the 1993-94 fiscal year. Chair/Ruzicka submitted his prioritized list to staff. The number one priority is the completion of the Parks Master Plan, and the the number two priority is the development of Pantera Park. C/Schey suggested that the development of Pantera Park, and item #7, the installation of lights at Peterson Park, item J5, the repair and adjustment of the Heritage Park lights, and item #8, the mitigation of the Peterson Park turf condition, be combined as the number two priority. CSD/Rose, in response to Chair/Ruzicka, explained that $1.47 million dollars of Pantera's funds are coming from a grant, and there is an additional $575,000 dollars of discretionary funds that could go towards Pantera Park or other items that may be of higher priority. Furthermore, there is also $187,000 dollars in Quimby funds that are available. The Commission may recommend, to the City Council, how to utilize the various funds available towards the betterment of the parks. C/Whelan arrived to the meeting. Chair/Ruzicka suggested that the Commission consider replacing the grass in the medians with plants that are drought resistant as an additional item to the Prioritized Matrix since the grass is costly to maintain. C/Schey pointed out the expense involved with doing such an item. He also pointed out that medians landscaped with plants also require maintenance, such as weeds, litter, etc., and sometimes is not as attractive as grass. C/Schey, referring to the item regarding the replacement of the equipment at Maple Hill Park, suggested that it be reworded to indicate the replacement of hazardous or outmoded playground equipment Citywide so that Maple Hill is not solely targeted. CSD/Rose explained that item is so worded because the equipment at Maple Hill is the original playground equipment installed by LA County, and the only one that has not been replaced since incorporation. Staff has also received a notice from the manufacturer of the equipment that there is a recall on the slide. Even though the manufacturer has sent the piece to mitigate the recall issue, the staff remains concerned regarding February 25, 1993 page 6 some of the other features of the equipment. Furthermore, the equipment cannot be retrofitted to meet ADA standards, and must be replaced. C/Schey, referring to item 120, cover dumpster enclosure with chain link at all parks, inquired if it has really become a significant problem because chain link is an ugly installation. CSD/Rose stated that because people are dumping various items, such as tree branches, oil filters and rags, it was felt that such an installation may be necessary for health and safety reasons. The Commission concurred to prioritize the list and submit it to staff as soon as possible. C/Johnson suggested that fixing the drainage, specifically at Peterson Park and Sycamore Canyon Park, be added to the list, as well as the installation of additional basketball courts, specifically at Ronald Reagan Park, and volleyball courts. There should also be lights installed at some of the basketball courts. He also suggested that a plunge or a swimming pool be added to the list, or that an agreement with the Hills Club, the YMCA or Diamond Bar High School for use of their pool, if available, be established. RFP Staff is currently preparing an RFP seeking the services of a landscaped architect to design the development of Pantera Park. The development is planned in phases and will include a turf park, with the adult size ball diamonds, two regulation soccer fields, rest rooms, parking lot, tot lot, and future development of three lighted tennis courts, and a lighted basketball court. It is recommended that the Commission recommend to the City Council the approval of releasing the RFP seeking the services of a landscape architect to design the development of Pantera Park. CSD/Rose stated that the development of Pantera Park will be designed so that it will be a phased development. It will be determined, at a later date, as to exactly which of the facilities would be in the first phase and which facilities will receive some of the discretionary money from Proposition A so that it is in the first phase. Staff has received approximately 12 letters of interest from landscape architectural firms, and they have been asked to provide a proposal in two segments showing the technical information and the costs associated with the project. Staff's goal is February 2S, 1993 page 7 to accomplish this project as quickly as possible within the guidelines of Proposition A. VC/Schey suggested that staff consider a two tier, RFQ/RFP, process to help determine the more qualified firms, or to structure the RFP in such a way to eliminate the firms inexperienced in designing parks of this type. CSD/Rose, in response to C/Whelan, stated that the actual concept plan of Pantera Park would be done following the selection of a landscape architect. Adopt -A -Park The Chamber of Commerce conducted an auction on Peterson Park Sunday, February 1, 1993 to financially support the City's Adopt -A -Park program. Specifically, the proceeds will be offered to support the youth athletic facilities at Peterson Park. It is recommended that the Commission provide suggestions for improvements to athletics facilities at Peterson Park to be forwarded to the Chamber of Commerce. CSD/Rose, in response to VC/Schey, stated that the Chamber of Commerce did raise approximately $7,000 dollars, however, they have not yet indicated how much of that amount will be made available for use at Peterson Park. The Chamber has indicated that they would like to contribute to an item that they would be able to place their name on it, such as picnic tables, so that their work is acknowledged. VC/Schey suggested that a honor walk, placing a the with the groups name in the cement, be created for groups that donate money to the parks that is used in a general way rather than a specific item. C/Whelan suggested that the Chamber use the money to buy the shade structure needed for the concession stand at Peterson Park. C/Johnson suggested that the Adopt -A -Park subcommittee consider putting out a press release commending the Chamber for their efforts. The Commission suggested that the Chamber be given a City tile in recognition for their efforts, perhaps to be given at their annual installation dinner held in April of 1993, as was suggested by C/Johnson. February 25, 1993 Page 8 INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: Recreation RS/Pearlman presented the staff report regarding in the staff Update the recreational update as presented Staff is currently looking for additional report. facilities to hold the contract classes, specifically at the northern end of the City. The Diamond Point Swim Club has indicated that they may be willing to allow the City to use their facilities. The track meet, scheduled for April 17, 1993, may be postponed to April 24th since the City's Birthday Celebration is scheduled April 18, 1993. RS/Pearlman reported that, because of all the rain this year, staff has decided to start an athletic hotline number, 714-990-7629, for informational purposes only, to inform coaches or parents if scheduled games have been canceled or not. South Pointe The City is currently receiving comments on the Master Plan DEIR for the South Pointe Master Plan. At the last User Group subcommittee meeting, the User Groups requested that the Commission seek the maximum amount of park space that could be obtained in the proposed park plan as possible. The Commission will discuss strategies related to this request. Chair/Ruzicka reported that the User Group has indicated that concept plan alternative 13 seems to allow for a greater amount of usable park space area. VC/Schey pointed out that with some minor reorientation of the school site, it might be possible to create a joint parking lot of the school and the park, and, with a minor relocation of the gymnasium, the athletic field and the gymnasium could be incorporated with the park site to create more available active space. The Commission then discussed the alternatives proposed for the South Pointe Master Plan while viewing the plans provided by staff. VC/Schey suggested that it might be more appropriate for the City to take less commercial property and get more physical improvements in the park area. __ C/Johnson noted that there could also be shared parking with the commercial site and the park. 1 1 February 25, 1993 Page 9 VC/Schey requested staff to present the modified version of alternative concept plan #3 to the consultants. VC/Schey, recognizing that the Canyon is being sacrificed for public purposes, suggested that the Commission also include in their recommendation to the City Council that an inventory of areas with similar types of environments be established in order to prioritize those areas that will be uncompromised. He then stated that perhaps it should also be recommended to the City Council to establish the 57 freeway, north into Diamond Bar, as a scenic corridor, for purposes of creating a setback from that freeway, and preserving some of the habitat of the area. ANNOUNCEMENTS; C/Whelan apologized for arriving late to the meeting. He then announced that because he has been transferred to Palm Desert, this will be his last meeting as Parks and Recreation Commissioner for the City. C/Johnson thanked staff for the tour they gave him of the parks. VC/Schey requested staff to review the drainage system at the tot lots. CSD/Rose reported that the Community Service Conference will be held in Brea this year, and those interested in attending must notify staff prior to April 9, 1993. ADJOURNMENT: Motion was made by C/Johnson, seconded by VC/Schey and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to adjourn the meeting at 10:15 P.M. Attest: J e Ruzi ka Chairman Respecti ly, Bob Rose Secretary