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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/15/1994 PRC Minutesl 41 CITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION BOARD HEARING ROOM OF.THE S.C.A.Q.M.D 21865 Copley Drive DECEMBER 15, 1994 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Goldenberg called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The audience was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Chairman Goldenberg. ROLL CALL Present: Chairman Goldenberg, Vice Chairman Ruzicka, Commissioners Tye, and Medina. Commissioner Schey arrived at 7:16 p.m. Staff: Community Services Director Bob Rose Recreation Supervisor Marla Pearlman Parks and Maintenance Superintendent Don Hensley Absent: None MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE i None MINUTES 1. Minutes of November 17, 1994 VCIRuzicka moved to approve the minutes, 'seconded by GMedina and carried 3-0. Commissioners Schey and Tye abstained. OLD BUSINESS 2. General Plan Resource Management Element December 14, 1994 Page 2 Parks & Recreation Commission CH/Goldenberg announced that the City Council would conduct a public hearing on the General Plan on 01/09/94. CH/Goldenberg selected C/Sghey to represent the Parks & Recreation Commission at the General Plan meeting. C/Schey expressed his concerns with him representing the Commission because he does not agree with a lot of the General Plan but he would be willing to represent the Parks & Recreation Commission. CSD/Rose reported that this meeting will start at 6:00 p.m. and stated that4he Commission will have the opportunity to go before the City Council with comments and suggestions regarding Parks & Recreation Commission issues. CH/Goldenberg asked if any of the Commssioners had any particular concerns regarding this element of the General Plan. VC/Ruzicka commented that he was displeased with this General Plan Element in the way it was written and he does have a problem with page 111-5, Bast paragraph, regarding the 57 freeway. He asked when this item would be brought up to the City Council for approval. C/Schey advised of the difference between a designated scenic highway and a designated corridor. He advised that the GPAC Committee designated this as a corridor to protect the land from certain kinds of development. VC/Ruzicka also commented on page 6 and asked if we could enter into an agreement with the Boys Scouts for the use of their land. Oscar Law, 2150 Pathfinder advised that this land was donated to the Boys Scouts to be untouched and undeveloped. CSD/Rose stated that it is not unusual to share land resources for recreational uses. VC/Ruzicka commented that this document does not clearly state the lack of parks and recreaiion rac•iliiics and expressed his concerns that the park problem doesn't stand out. C/Schey commented that this element could have addressed the recreation needs of the community a little more eloquently and would like to see a stronger wording in the strategies to meet the Parks & Recreational needs of the December 14, 1994 Community. Page 3 Parks & Recreation Commission C/Tye asked how we can meet these needs if our comments are not taken during the January 9, 1995 meeting. CH/Goldenberg advised each of the Commissioners that they should have direct contact with the City Council and they should discuss these special needs with them. C/Schey advised that in reading the Element, it doesn't limit the Commission to the expansion of more parks, but it denotes the urgency or priority for more i parks. r CH/Goldenberg stated that this General Plan doesn't really have a plan for the future. CSD/Rose stated that the Parks Master Plan is much more specific and the next 20 year vision would address these issues in more detail. � VC/Ruzicka asked if the Park Master Plan, has a year by year plan for the development of the parks and asked if this Plan could tell us where we would { want to be in the next 20 years. i CSD/Rose advised that the Park Master Plan would fulfill that concern. He also advised that item III -12, 1.3.8 shows that the purpose of the Park Master Plan is to show how we plan to resolve the deficiencies, timing and funding challenges with the development of parks & recreation over the next 20 years. VC/Ruzicka asked C/Schey what his major concerns are regarding the element. C/Schey commented that he is mostly concerned with item 1.3.1 in that it doesn't address a sense of urgency. CSD/Rose advised that in the list of goals, the time line to have this item completed is within a year after the adoption of the General Plan. CH/Goldenberg reiterated that C/Schey will represent the Parks & Recreation Commission and asked if there were any issues for the next Council Meeting I that needed to be put on the Agenda. 't I December 14, 1994 91 Page 4 Parks & Recreation Commis ion C/Schey stated that he would like to provide the Council with some specific language that would create a sense of urgency in the document. Pantera Park Development CSD/Rose advised that our landscape architect, Larry Ryan will make a presentation and answer questions on Pantera Park before the Planning Commission on January 9, 1995. He also advised that this is a conditional use permit that the City is applying for to build the park. Upon it's approval, the project doesn't have to go before the City Council, however staff expects to go to the City Council just to keep the Council informed. CH/Goldenberg asked if there was any unforeseeable objections. CSD/Rose advised that there is no unforeseeable objections, however there have been desires expressed to change certain recommendations, i.e., allowing for the lighting of the athletic facilities, redesigning the parking. CH/Goldenberg asked for a volunteer to represent the Commission at this meeting. VC/Ruzicka advised that he would volunteer to be the Parks & Recreation Representative. C/Tye asked who is making these changes and suggestions if the Commission already agreed on this project. CSD/Rose advised that the Parks & Recreation is basically an advisory commission. He commented that we have given our advice and now there are other people that have other responsibilities in the system that are going to look at what we're recommending from many different directions. He also advised that if this project goes forward with a lot of changes, he doesn't want to see the project get stopped %viih a temporary restraining order because some people were not informed of the changes being made. CH/Goldenberg stated that VC/Ruzicka would be the Parks & Recreation Commission Representative for ;he Planning Commission meeting on January 9, 1995 regarding Pantera Park Deveicoment. 11 December 14,. 1994 Page 5 Parks & Recreation Commission NEW BUSINESS 4. C.D.B.G - Grant Request for 1995/96 CH/Goldenberg stated that the Parks & Recreation Commission requested the following funds and asked if we could receive more funds. Senior Programming $ 20,000 ADA Retrofit $150,000 Total Request $170,000 CSD/Rose advised that the City has about $375,000 available this year and we could ask for more. He also advised that this was looked at very objectively by staff in that the Senior Programming number is down because last year's request anticipated a nutrition program which we are not offering. He also advised that $150,000 includes the Maple Hill Park phase II of construction. C/Tye asked if these funds are not used during the year, can they be moved to the next year and would these dollars impact next year's request for additional funds? CSD/Rose advised that in order to carry over into the next year, the City has to complete an Amendment to their contract requesting that it be carried over to the next Fiscal Year. This action would not impact the request for additional funds. However, all of the funds carried over must be approved by the City Council and they have the option to reallocate the funds to another program. C/Medina asked why the funds were cut down. CSD/Rose answered that no funding was available for a nutrition program this year from other Grants. Oscar Law, 2150 Pathfinder stated that the City Council will be requesting more Proposition A & C funds which will open -up more funds for the Parks. CSD/Rose advised that this matter will be on the 01/17/95 City Council agenda and that a Commissioner should be there to represent the Parks & Recreation Commission. CH/Goldenberg volunteered C/Tye to represent the Parks & Recreation December 14, 1994 Page 6' Parks & Recreation Commission Commission at the 1/17/95 meeting regarding the C.D.B.G. Request. C/Tye accepted to represent the Parks & Recreation Commission at this meeting and asked CSD/Rose to advise him more on this issue at a future time. 5. Resolution No. 91-1B of the Parks and Recreation Commission of the City of Diamond Bar establishing the place, day and time of Commission meetings. CH/Goldenberg commented on the imposition on staff to get the Heritage Park meeting room ready for the Parks & Recreation meetings. CSD/Rose advised that the reason the Parks & Recreation Commission meetings have been held in the Heritage' Park Community Center was to give the community the opportunity ro see the building. He .advised that other organizations in the community have been requesting use of this facility. Moving the Parks and Recreation Commission meetings will make Heritage Park Community Center more available for community use. C/Tye asked if we've had to deny classes because of our meetings. CSD/Rose advised that there have been times that the room was shared by both parties. C/Tye moved, C/Schey seconded it to adopt Resolution No. 91-1 B. Motion carried unanimously. 6. Chapter No. 2.32 of the proposed Municipal code regarding the Parks and Recreation Commission. CH/Goldenberg asked CSD/Rose to completely explain this issue. CSD/Rose advised that the Parks & Recreation Commission was established under Ordinance 24, which was adopted by City Council in 1989. Since it's adoption, it has had three revisions which are titled 24A, B & C. All of those Ordinances are now being codified into a. municipal code. He stated that the City of Diamond Bar presently uses the Los Angeles County code as it's basis for ordinances with the City Council aaopting new Ordinances to supplement or replace L.A. County codes. The City of Diamond Bar is creating it's own municipal code book to replace the entire L.A. County code. He stated that' in that process, the Commission has an opportunity to review these Ordinances December 14, 1994 Page 7 Parks & Recreation Commission while they are being codified and make recommendations to the City Council. At some point in the future the City Council will adopt the entire new Diamond Bar municipal code that includes the Commission's input for changes. He advised that staff has reviewed all of the municipal codes that involve Parks & Recreation and the only revision that staff recommends is in the Duties of the Parks & Recreation Commissioners, Section 2.32.050 (CD2:17, item 3) regarding financial aid. Staff recommends that this be changed to read "To recommend joint recreation programming, to render assistance regarding the terms of contractual agreements and to recommend policies and procedures governing the use of recreation facilities." C/Medina stated that our function as Commissioners does not mean that Commissioners perform in the cultural functions of the City. CH/Goldenberg asked if anyone is handling these issues. CSD/Rose advised that the multi -cultural Blue Ribbon Committee handles these types of issues. C/Schey advised that this does not limit or exclude us from continuing to participate in these,programs. VC/Ruzicka commented that the financial aid wording was poor. CSD/Rose advised that this statement was in the very first Ordinance, under Ordinance 24 and it has always been worded in that same way in every revision. He advised that the only similar sample that he could find is in the City of Brea and their Commission is titled Parks, Recreation and Human Services. He advised that a portion of their Human Services program has to do with working with financially troubled people and helping to allocate resources. He also advised that the City of Diamond Bar's wording originally came from several different City sources. CH/Goldenberg asked if the entire recommendation is the quote on the Agenda. C/Schey stated that he does not read this as financial aid, as far as disbursing financial aid, but rather on contractual agreements to receive financial aid. CSD/Rose stated that he sees a need to have this item stated clearly. December 14, 1994 Page 8' Parks & Recreation Commission C/Schey commented that item #6 wording is inappropriate and it should be re- written to read "to advise" not "to negotiate". He expressed another concern of the terms of office for the Commissioners in section 232040, item C. CSD/Rose advised that the intent of that was to establish term dates. C/Schey recommended that the two year wording being taken out along with the statement after the semi -colon (:). C/Schey moved, VC/Ruzicka seconded to accept the re -wording as submitted by staff, plus, to change item #6 to "advised" and strike -out the date. Calll for Roll was unanimous. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 7. User Group Meeting field 11/29/94 CSD/Rose advised that the User Group meeting was on 11/29/94 with 19 people present representing 17 different organizations that were seeking athletic facilities for the use between January 1, 1995 and July 31, 1995. He advised that everyone came out of the meeting equally happy as well as unhappy. VC/Ruzicka stated that the meeting was very successful but very tense. .He stated that there needs to be some policy changes for the facility use to insure that Diamond Bar residents are served first. C/Schey commented that there needs to be a change to create a more rational policy for allocating the use of the facilities. C/Tye agreed with C/Schey's comments, CSD/Rose advised that he will g,.ther information on how other City policies are written and this information can be reviewed at the January Commission meeting. 8. Larkstone Park Status CSD/Rose advised that he received a letter from L.A. County asking the status of the building of Larkstone park, CSD%Rose briefly explained that this land December 14, 1994 Page 9 Parks & Recreation Commission was owned by Arciero and Arciero dedicated land to the school district as.well as 2.87 acres of land for a mini -park. He further advised that in 1989 the school district constructed a portable school, South Pointe Middle School, and these buildings were placed on the park property. The intent as he understood it was for the school district, at some point in the future to remove the portable classrooms to make the land available for the park. It has now come to his attention that the South Pointe Middle School is being developed on the park land. He commented that the park land was grant deeded by quit claim to the City of Diamond Bar for the sole purpose of being used as a park. There is a citizen complaint that L. A. County has received stating that the park land dedicated for Larkstone Park is not being used as a park. L.A. County is now seeking a response from the City of Diamond Bar. He advised that there are several things that can be done, 1) we can go back to L.A. County and request that they strike the portion of the quit claim deed that would revert the property back to L.A. County; and 2) we can go back to the original land owner, �- Arciero, and see if there is a similar type of provision in his agreement with L.A. County that he is willing to forgo; and 3) we can do a land exchange with the school district for replacement land. CH/Goldenberg'asked if the Walnut Unified School District would grant the usage and access to the area of the park. CSD/Rose stated that this is playground area for the school and he would like to see the park in another location. CH/Goldenberg asked how the School District can utilize this property which is not theirs and who is working on this problem. CSD/Rose stated that he's not sure how the School District got the approval to build the school on property that belonged to the City. C/Schey suggested that since the School .District is making use of property that they do not own, that it would be their burden to show why they have built on that land and we can also serve them a similar notice to the County of L.A.'s asking them to vacate. Oscar Law, 2150 Pathfinder stated that the City should issue an eviction notice. VC/Ruzicka asked if anything is being discussed. '�I V December 14, 1994 Page 10 Parks & Recreation Commission C/Tye asked who is the WVUSD working on this issue. CSD/Rose advised that Mr. Chappet, WVUSD and CM/Belanger, City Manager are discussing this issue. He also advised that the City's intent is to trade this land for another piece of school district land. CH/Goldenberg commented that the current land dedicated for Larkstone Park is not a good piece of land for a park and that we need to negotiate for something better. 9. Recreational Program Up -date a. Athletics RS/Pearlman advised that the Winter Diamond Bar Community Newsletter will be in the next week's mailing. She advised that ithe I�P. walk-in registration will be January 14, 1995. She also commented on the lay -out of the brochure in that it is much easier to read. Youth Basketball - This program has been completely filled. She advised that the program will be held at Maple Hill Park from 01/07 - 03/11/95. Sign-ups went very well. She also advised that new portable basketball standards have been purchased. RS/Pearlman advised that the Recreation Staff is not working out of the portable building at Sycamore Canyon Park but rather at City Hall. She advised that skunks have invaded underneath the portable building., RS/Pearlman advised that 4 participants in the youth basketball program } shared a $200.00 scholarship ro pay registration fees, The scholarship was received from john n/icKitrick, President of Heritage Park Recreation Council. The funds came rol"n selling concessions at the Youth Baseball program., She commented that she would like to have a thank you note, with the Mayor's signature, presented to Mr. McKitrick. VC/Ruzicka agreed that a thank you note is appropriate and without people like John McKitrick there would be a lot more problems in our community. CSD/Rose commented that the money that was donated by Mr. December 14, 1994 Page 11 Parks & Recreation Commission McKitrick came from candy sales sponsored by the Heritage Park Recreation Council. He also stated that C/Schey was instrumental in arranging for volunteers to handle much of those sales during the Youth Baseball Program this past Summer. He also advised that he will draft an appropriate thank you letter for the mayor's signature to be forwarded to Mr. McKitrick. C/Schey stated that a certificate for recognition would also be i appropriate. CSD/Rose advised that the Parks & Recreation Commission issued a Certificate of Appreciation to Mr. McKitrick, and that the City Council did so as well. CM/Goldenberg stated that some room in the Diamond Bar quarterly brochure could be made to recognize these special people. i RS/Pearlman advised that such recognition could be included in the Summer brochure when the Youth Baseball program, which is co- sponsored by the Heritage Park Recreation Council is next advertised. CSD/Rose stated that he can recommend that Mr. McKitrick be recognized in the Summer issue of the quarterly brochure. b. Contract Classes RS/Pearlman advised that the Winter brochure was complete and would be distributed to -Diamond Bar residents by the last week of December. She provided a Fall contract class evaluation report that showed an overall rating of classes at 9.0, on a scale of one to ten, ten being the highest. ANNOUNCEMENTS CSD/Rose advised that there are still openings for the Rose Parade bus trip, which is scheduled for January 2, 1995. The $58.00 registration fee includes reserved bleacher seating, luxury bus ride to and from the parade plus continental breakfast. Contact Lillian at Heritage for reservations. N C/Schey commented on youth basketball and that efforts should be made to get additional December 14, 1994 Page 12 Parks & Recreation Commission lighting on the courts for the kids playing at night. C/Medina commented that Mother/Daughter or Father/Son bowling should be added as a Recreation class offering. RS/Pearlman advised that staff can speak to the instructors at the bowling alley to see if they are interested in providing this type of program. C/Ruzicka commented that the Chinese Senior Citizen Group, 40-50 of whom live in Diamond Bar, need some type of facility to hold their meetings. It would be nice to see if Heritage Park Community Center can be made available for this. CSD/Rose advised that he met with Ellen Ku, Diamond Bar Chinese Association, and they discussed meeting at Heritage at no charge. He stated that the Diamond Bar Chinese Association is now deciding on dates, completing an application and verifying their ability to meet the insurance requirements for the usage of the Heritage Park Community Center. ADJOURNMENT At 9:20 p.m., it was moved by VC/Ruzicka and seconded it by C/Schey and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting to the AQMD Hearing Room, 21865 E. Copley, on Thursday, January 26th, 1995. Resp6c�tf�I s mitted, 8'13 R )se Secretary Attest: Mike Goldenberg/// Chairman , � ,,, -r- —,, x.. r• i.� '` ,_�t '.J. �1 .m ,�.INtK ',_d ". T d, .^F'L, i, .i �r.Jnrt�rte Jr. �" o-h�+W"'wE.�J�uT9 e