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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/28/1994 PRC MinutesCITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION HERITAGE PARK COMMUNITY CENTER APRIL 289 1994 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Goldenberg called the meeting to order at 7:20 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The audience was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Chairman Goldenberg. ROLL C4LL Present: COMitiIISSIONERS MEDINA, TYE, VICE CHAIRMAN RUZICKA AND CHAIRMAN GOLDENBERG COMI4IISSIONER SCHEY arrived at 7:40 p.m. StatE BOB ROSE, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR, MARLA PEARLMAN, RECREATION SUPERVISOR AND SANDY BARLOW, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE Chairman Goldenberg introduced Councilmember Eileen Ansari and asked if she wished to discuss a specific item. She replied that she was only there to observe. APPROVAL OF MINUTES C/ Ruz'eks moved to accept the minutes of February 17, 1994 and C/ Medina seconded the motion. The minutes were approved as read. Char/ Goldenberg asked for the three sets of minutes. from previous meetings. Because Liz was quitting, the minutes were promised for the next meeting to be held on Thursday, May 26, 1994. Councilman Goldenberg felt that this might be a difficult task. l ULD BUSINESS Chair/Goldenberg introduced Larry Ryan from R.J.M. Design Group, Inc. Mr. Ryan explained that his firm looked at hIPHP in terms of ADA They completed the analysis and listed deficiencies with "L' Tot !et signage and the parking lot. ADA does not have to to dons at every park! On the base map overview you can see significant deficiencies with the Rest Room on the walkway of the lot in terms of access and safety according to the Consumer Products Safety Committee and ADA In the tot lot, he recommended to the Commission its demolition. Construction of a new tot lot will be done to accommodate many users as well as provide for both the "challenged" and active play. In addition, Larry recommended working with Ron Mincer who is a quadriplegic and helps make recommendations based upon his life experiences. There are a couple of policy issue areas that need to be decided upon by the city. -The current walk has a slope beyond that which is allowed by ADA At the current slope, the walls must have landings and handrails in order to be accessible according to ADA standards. Councilmember Ansari queried about the cost of the ramps and handrails. C/Ruzicka discussed the cost associated with placing the handrails on both sides of the walkway and redoing the sidewalk. Councilmember Ansari asked Larry's opinion of what he would do. Larry weighed the factors in determining use by handicapped versus active. C/Ruzicka indicated that because of the parks' use, he is against the handrails because the kids use the open area of the park and in running down the hill might run into the handrail. C/Tye added that the intent of ADA is not to spend a lot of money to dramatically change the park, but take to be in the spirit of ADA. C/Medina sugONd.that on the backside of the basketball courts that a walk might be possible to the tennis court. C/Schey indicated that when dealing with a policy issue, -the Commission must look at the intent Of ADA and the overall recreation picture. Opportunities for these program dements are available and we can make sure that they do exist in other nearby areas. C/Ruzicka agreed and indicated that, if questioned, the Commission would be able to verify that other opportunities were available. C/Medina suggested that a backside approach would allow the use of handrails because it is away from children. WRyan indicated that would not work because of the grading requirements CSD/Rose asked Larry Ryan what the deepest sidewalk could be. Larry Ryan explained that the walk is currently 8 90/a. The maximum for a ramp is r/0. CSD/Rose then asked for an estimate of a gradient backside. C/Tye believed it was about 20 feet, so it is a relatively short distance. Lary Ryan indicated that the walls does not just provide access to the tennis areas, but the picnic area as well. So by reconstructing the walls, an accessible covered picnic area can be provided as well, once the policy is fine tuned, the design can also be fine tuned. C/Schey asked if the picnic area can be placed behind the Rest Room. He asked why the Commission would make the play area ADA, but not continue up to the tennis courts? Larry Ryan described the play equipment and proposed ADA access with a circuit through the sand area via a rubber matting surface. Chair/Goldenberg thanked Larry Ryan for his presentation. C/Schey asked what the ad hoc committee recommended. C/Ruzicka explained that the committee recommends that the Commission approve the walkway be brought to standards to a point then, have a new picnic area that is accessible. C/Tye questioned the need for the original retrofit all the way to the Tennis Courts, but preferred limiting the retrofitted walkway to the mid area and add the picnic structure that would be accessible Mr. Ryan int jetted that as of April, 1994 anything at a grade of 5% or greater needs handrails. The walkway could be elongated, but then the wallcway. would eat into the park open area. C/Ruzicka indicated -that the proposed ADA accessible picnic area mixed with other areas a that re not ADA accessible would still show a good faith effort. C/Schey made a motion to recommend to City Council the reconstruction of the walkway be listed as a second priority and the tot lot be of a higher priority. CSD/Rose stated that phasing can be instituted. C/Schey stated that he would prefer a single phase but if one comes before the other then the tot lot should be first. C/Ruzicka indicated that the walkway would include landings and the picnic shelter would include picnic tables and BBQs. NEW BUSINESS: Chair/Goldenberg asked that C/Schey provide the Committee with a GPAC update. C/Schey indicated that the GPAC is advancing, just not very quickly. The pmt topic is the land use element and it does not have much impact on Parks and Recreation. Consideration should be given to future elements and how they impact the P dt R Master phis. There was some controversy due to a perceived influence the developers might have on the Committee. The City Council restructured the voting members so developers no longer have but the still on the committee. People felt it was inn vrights' are Pending the CC Committee M inappropriateGPAC was postponed until May 10 Meeting of May 3. GPAC is moving. band use is the first element to be looked at but other elements such as resources will have the biggest impact on Panics and Recreation. Chair/Goldenberg questioned whether the GPAC understood that its an overview not just CC/R's. C/Schey concurred, but participants concemed that them will not be enough substance to the General Plan which would result in another referendum. At the -same time, there is a group that wants to use regulations, so there is conflict. Resolution is not always easy, but it is moving. C/Ruzicka asked about the current time limit. . Councilmember Ansari indicated that the date is October, 1994. C/Ruzicka is glad to hear that it is moving as long as it keeps moving. C/Schey indicated that the GPAC's desire is to have the meetings move forward, but the question is how fast. C/Ruzicka wanted to know if GPAC has any force of law. C/Schey indicated that it does. it is basically Constitutional. They city can't approve projects without it, nor can they go against it. C/Ruzicka indicated that the General plan plan, is more than just a broad view of the city's future. C/Schey responded that it is not intended to dictate or narrow the viewpoint, but to establish Policies that the city will use as to its development. Along with that, there are ordinances and various codes that work in concert with the General Plan to dictate what goes on. To be approved by October, the documents would need to be written by August to begin the hearing process. C/Ruzicka asked what resources were most important. C/Schey responded that land use, open space and recreational issues are in the general plan and should be looked at by the Commission so that they can forward them to the GPAC so they know the Commission's concepts. C/Tye wondered what about the current development at Golden Springs and Torito Ln. and how it corresponded to the General Plan. C/Schey responded that the application was done prior to all the General Plan upheaval. C/Goldenberg indicated that C/Schey's report had been informational. He wished that more Progress had been made so the Commission could start work on the parks Master Plan. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: 4. Fifth Anniversary Celebration CSD/Rose thanked C/Medina for his efforts with the 5th Anniversary and thanked the staff, especially Recreation, for the time and effort they put in at the Fun Zone and elsewhere they were needed. C/Medina also thanked staff for the work done on the Sth Anniversary. Chair/Goldenberg thanked Marla, Bob and Sandy for their efforts for the 5th Anniversary and disbanded the Ad Hoc Committee. 5. Recreation Program Up -date RS/Penrhnan reported on the following items: The Track Meet was held last Saturday. There. were over ISO children who participated in the event. Those who qualified will be able to attend the SCMAF meet on May 7 at La Puente. The Diamond Bar High School Key Club did an excellent job volunteering for both the Track Meet and the Sth Anniversary. Local vendors donated certificates, prizes and supplies for the 5th Anniversary. They included: - Round Table Pizza K -Mart Coco's Burger King Youth Basketball coaches are still needed. Registration for the program is scheduled for May 7 at Sycamore Canyon Park. Residents are scheduled from gam -12 noon and Non- residents can register from 12 noon - 3 pm. Information for the Summer Brochure was submitted with over 200 classes being offered. New facilities include Dean Homes Swim Club and School ofMusic. CSD/Rose added that schools have called to say how happy they were with the Track and Held program. Diamond Bar finished first in last year's S.G.V.M.AA event. This year there was great participation. The level of professionalism shown was very good. The event is representative of health concerns expressed by the Community. ANNOUNCEMENTS C/Tye contacted Robbins Precast, but they will not donate benches for Heritage Park. In addition, C/Tye asked why Peterson Park is like a Marsh? Can a correction be made in regards to drainage? CSD/Rose indicated that the City has ordered 2 park benches and a matching trash receptacle for Heritage Park. In regards to Peterson Park it has a grade of 1-1/2% to 2% grade. Chris Krug a drainage consultant tried to find a happy medium, but the problem is major. There is a compacted Clay soil condition. It is a problem that can be solved with mO' ney. We could tum down the water, but places that have proper drainage are adversley affected - C/Tye There are also drainage problems at Paul C. Grow Park near the pitchers mound on the field near the parking 'lot. CSD/Rose indicated that he will look into it with the maintenance company, C/Schey thanked Marla for the ample notice regarding baseball sign-ups. He also has some complaints regarding the sprinklers along Diamond Bar & Grand Ave in the medians. He wanted to know if it was possible to move the timers so that they go off later at night or reposition the heads so they are not facing the street. - C/Medina thanked staff for the 5th Anniversary Celebration. He also asked CSD/Rose about certificates of Appreciation for the performers and the donors of banners.. He also wanted to incorporate more recreation programs for Seniors, such as, Bowling. The city would not encumber a lot and Oaktree Lanes would provide a reduced rate for a league. He would also like to see a Tennis Tournament to showcase seniors, children, and adults. The program would be sejf-supporting bemse of entry fees. He also asked about a spanner banner. Chair/Goldenberg indicated that the Commission has discussed snmir+er banners before and they represent a liability. hair/Goldenberg thanked doth Larry Ryan of RIM Design Group, Inc. and CounWmen w Ansari for attending the meeting. — ADJOURNMENT Moved by G Schey, seconded C/ Rusicka and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 p.m. i Attest. f V� Mike Goldenberg. Chairman 1 j my i .OiI ,. " �M