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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/27/1996 PRC MinutesCITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION BOARD HEARING ROOM OF S.C.A.Q.M.D. 21865 Copley Drive JUNE 27, 1996 CALL TO ORDER: - Chairman Tye called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The audience was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by C/Law. ROLL CALL: Present: Chairman Tye, Vice Chairman Finnerty, Commissioners Law, Medina, O'Connor Staff: Community Services Director Bob Rose, Community Services Supervisor Wendy Bowman Chair/Tye requested the Parks and Recreation Commission add "Sale of Land in Diamond Bar" to tonight's agenda on an emergency basis. C/Law made a motion, seconded by C/O'Connor to add "Sale of Land in Diamond Bar" to the agenda under New Business. C/Medina requested a copy of the article referring to the sale be provided to all Commissioners prior to the vote. Said article was provided to each Commissioner. The motion to approve adding "Sale of Land in Diamond Bar" to the agenda was carried 5-0. MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Bob Arceo, 1106 #D South Cleghorn Drive, stated there is a lack of parking spaces available for the senior citizens at Heritage Park. He further stated the Heritage Park facility is too small to accommodate the senior citizens group. Mr. Arceo requested the City clean up the sidewalk area between Clear Creek Lane and Mountain Laurel Way. C/Finnerty suggested that the senior citizens could help solve the parking shortage by June 27, 1996 Page 2 carpooling. Parks & Recreation Commission C/Law suggested some Heritage Park functions could be rescheduled to relieve the parking situation. He further suggested the Tiny Tot's group could be scheduled for the afternoon freeing up parking spaces in the morning hours for the senior citizens group. He indicated diagonal parking on Brea Canyon Road would allow a larger number of vehicles to park close to the facility. CSD/Rose responded to C/O'Connor that there are generally three staff vehicles present during Tiny Tot group functions. C/O'Connor requested that with the exception of disabled persons, staff park their vehicles on Brea Canyon Road on Tuesdays. She stated she would be opposed to a 100 percent handicapped parking lot at Heritage Park. CSD/Rose responded to Chair/Tye that there are currently 36 parking spaces at Heritage Park, five of which are handicapped spaces. State requires two of 36 spaces be mafked "Handicapped Parking". CSD/Rose stated Diamond Ride provides taxi service from a residents home to Heritage Park. C/O'Connor suggested the Sheriff's Department traffic enforcement be assigned to mitiigate traffic at 12:00 noon on Tuesdays. CSD/Rose explained that parents drop off and pickup their children for the Tiny Tot program. He indicated he will request that staff park on the street during the Senior Citizens G joup functions. i CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. Approval of'Minutes of May 23, 1996 Regular Meeting C/O'Connor requested that paragraph 1, Page 8, ANNOUNCEMENTS change the third sentence to read: "She indicated that participants pay $10 each to play on Walnut Valley Unified School District fields during the AYSO Fall',and Spring sessions. However, there is no use of the school district facilities for the Cottontail tournament." VC/Finnerty requested the spelling of Chaparral be corrected in the third sentence, paragraph 1 under ANNOUNCEMENTS. VC/Finnerty made a motion, seconded by C/Medina to approve the minutes as _ June 27, 1996 Page 3 Parks & Recreation Commission corrected. The motion was approved 5-0. CSD/Rose responded to Chair/Tye that staff did not send a letter to the schools requesting their input and participation in the 1997 City Anniversary by the end of the school year. C/O'Connor responded to CSD/Rose that the letters should be sent immediately. She offered to assist staff in drafting'the letter. CSD/Rose stated the City of Brea will not be involved in the 1997 City Anniversary planning. 2. User Group Meeting. fVC/Finnerty reported on the user group meeting which was held on Thursday, June 20 at Heritage Park Community Center. Twelve of the 17 organizations requesting facilities were represented at the meeting. AYSO was the largest group organization present. Overall, facilities were allocated to organizations } that will serve over 3,000 youth sports participants for the period of August 1 through December 31, 1996. CSD/Rose stated staff will provide a user group schedule at the July 25 Parks and. Recreation Commission meeting. He thanked VC/Finnerty for her participation and assistance with the user group meeting. OLD BUSINESS - None NEW BUSINESS: 1. Parks Master Plan. CSD/Rose read the staff report into the record. He indicated that at its meeting June 18, the City Council approved $50,000 in the 1996-1997 Fiscal Year Budget for the development of a Parks Master Plan. The Parks Master Plan serves as an extension of the Resource Management Element of the General Plan and becomes the tool from which future park development and recreation programming needs are identified and prioritized. It is staff's intent to hire a consultant to assist staff with the completion of the Parks Master Plan. The first step is to develop a Request for Proposals (RFP) that will be used to obtain the Consultant. The task now before the Commission is to update the scope of work in the draft RFP. June 27, 1996 Page 4 Parks & Recreation Commission CSD/Rose suggested some items that may be included for consideration in the RFP. A Parks Master Plan can be inclusive of various kinds of information such as a recreation element of programming, parks information (Diamond Bar currently has approximately 45 acres of developed parks. The national standard -dictates that Diamond Bar should have 110 developed acres of parks to serve the community), facility plan (park and public buildings including a Library, City Hall, Senior Center, Theater, Gallery, Community Room for meetings, etc.), trail element, youth master plan (mental health, tutoring, etc), and others. The current RFP budget will cover the basic elements of a Parks Master Plan including current inventory, statement of, goals and plan for achieving the goals, and citizen survey. Staff recommends that the Parks and Recreation Commission appoint two Commissioners to the Parks Master Plan subcommittee to assist staff with the update of the draft RFP. VC/Finnerty requested that staff provide the subcommittee with demographics of Diamond Bar. Chair/Tye appointed C/Law and VC/Finnerty to the Parks Master (Plan subcommittee to assist staff with the update of the draft RFP. The five members of the Parks and Recreation Commission will participate in the review of the draft RFP at its next meeting. The subcommittee agreed to meet July 2, 1996 at 1:30 p.m. at City Hall, 21660 E. Copley Drive. OLD BUSINESS - None INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: 5. Recreation Update. CSS/Bowman introduced Colleen Callahan, Recreation Specialist who is in - charge of Contract Classes. CSS/Bowman presented the following update: ADULT SPORTS Adult basketball and softball leagues are currently four weeks into the 1 WE 4 June 27, 1996 Page 5 Parks & Recreation Commission i season. The next leagues are scheduled to begin approximately August 25. CONTRACT CLASSES Registration is currently being held for the summer session with classes which will begin on June 24 and continue through mid September. To date, $13,542.00 in revenue has been generated. Some of the more popular classes are Under the Sea Shells, Children's Pottery, Spanish for Kids, Mommy and Me Gymnastics, Tennis, Hatha Yoga, and Computer classes. ADULT EXCURSIONS k There are three excursions planned for the community over the summer months. The Pageant of the Masters and Laguna Art Festival on July 14 is full with 35 participants enrolled and a waiting list is being taken. An �- "Evening Under the Stars" at the Hollywood Bowl with Carol Burnett is filled. Revenue generated to date for these two excursions is $4,081.00. Space is available for the Las Vegas two night stay at the Golden Nugget. YOUTH BASEBALL The 4-5, 6-7, and 8-9 divisions for the summer youth baseball league j are filled. There are currently 402 participants enrolled in the league generating $22,110.00 in revenue. Due to the overwhelming response, staff is considering increasing the number of teams. Registration is still being taken for the 10-11 and 12-13 divisions and waiting lists are being taken for the other divisions. Coaches have received rosters and equipment and practice began the week of June 17. Coaches attended a June 6 training workshop with guest speaker Nick Fuscardo, Fullerton College head coach. Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Sgt. Mark St. Amont provided equipment and cadets to fingerprint the coaches. DAY CAMP A June 15 training workshop for Day Camp staff was conducted by Scott Bowman, Irvine Unified School District and 1995 Teacher of the Year. Staff was trained in activities ranging from quiet games to more complex sports and cooperative team building activities. Staff was also June 27, 1996 Page 6 Parks & Recreation Commission I„IIIIIf'F�y, presented with handout materials. Day camp began June 17 with 29 campers enrolled. The beginning week theme was "Tubular Safari" and excursions were made to Chino Skate Express/Haloz Laster Tag and Wild Rivers. The second week theme is "Escape" with excursions to Magic Mountain and the Kirkorian Theater. Thirty nine participants enrolled for the second week. EMERGENCY AGENDA ITEM: 1. Sale of City Owned Property. CSD/Rose stated this item refers to the Water District property which is owned by the City. City Council will consider the sale of the property at their regularly scheduled July 2, 1996 meeting. The Parks and Recreation Commission has unanimously voted to discuss this item during tonight's agenda. Chair/Tye stated he is concerned about the lack of park land in Diamond Bar. He further stated he does not like to hear that 6.5 acres of Diamond Bar, land is being referred to as "surplus property". He requested that the Commission ` recommend to the City Council that the land not be sold and used for City purposes such as a Senior Citizens Center or park. VC/Finnerty stated she does not have a problem with selling the property as long as the proceeds are earmarked for the purchase and development of more suitable park land. C/O'Connor stated her understanding that the property in question would provide an access road to the Arciero project. VC/Finnerty indicated that Mayor Ansari had suggested the property would be suitable for a Nature Center. Chair/Tye reiterated his belief that the Commission should act immediately to tell the City Council that this property should not be sold. CDD/DeStefano joined the meeting in progress. In response to VC/Finnerty, CDD/DeStefano stated the property in question was part of the 1991 South Pointe Master Plan. In October, 1994, Frank Arciero received approval from the City of Diamond Bar for 91 single family homes on June 27, 1996 Page 7 Parks & Recreation Commission about 45 acres west of Brea Canyon Road, south of the South Pointe Middle School site and south of Rapidview Drive and Glenthorpe Drive. Incorporated within the City Council decision was the property that is now the subject of disposal. A Condition of Approval stated that Mr. Arciero must enter into an agreement with the City to swap the 6.5 acres of surplus land for other property or purchase the site. Mr. Arciero has approached the City to purchase the property in order to develop 16 additional homes on the property. Mr. Arciero is implementing the conditions that were placed on his property in 1994. Earlier this year the City made the final payment on -the 4 acre Walnut Valley Water District property in question and now is the sole owner. The purpose of the purchase was to control the future destiny of the property. In addition, there is approximately 2.5 acres of excess right-of-way that the City is looking to dispose of and that Mr. Arciero is seeking to acquire to complete his project. The site is approximately 100 feet above Brea Canyon Road. There is less than one acre of flat property at the site which renders it unsuitable for public purposes. CDD/DeStefano responded to VC/Finnerty that in 1994 Mr. Arciero intended to swap the City owned six acres for the six acre Lot 92 and 93 property. CDD/DeStefano proceeded to the podium and drew a map of the site which included the City owned land, the Arciero project site and the surrounding area bordered by Brea Canyon Road, Pathfinder Road, Pathfinder Homeowners Association, and the Walnut Valley School District property. He outlined the property under consideration for sale by the City Council including the internal and external roads. He pointed to the Arciero tract consisting of 91 single family residences and to the strip of land between the tract and Brea Canyon Road which is the City owned property under consideration. CDD\DeStefano indicated the original Condition of Approval for the Arciero tract consisted of taking the four acres of Walnut Valley Water District property, plus the 2.5 right-of-way now owned by the City and swaping it for six acres of graded property within the Arciero tract. In lieu of exchanging the property, Mr. Arciero's Condition of Approval allows him the option to purchase the 6.5 City owned property outright. Arciero intends to subdivide the two parcels (lots 92 and 93) and include the property within the current tract. Chair/Tye remarked "so at this time, he (Arciero) is not interested in a swap at all". CDD/DeStefano responded that at this point, Mr. Arciero's offer it to buy the property outright in lieu of the swap which was an option open to Mr. Arciero as part of the 1994 contract. I ri In response to C/O'Connor, CDD/DeStefano stated that developers that June 27, 1996 Page 8 Parks & Recreation Commission subdivide property are required to provide the City with park land or,with money set aside for park creation or expansion. Mr. Arciero would provide the City with park in lieu funds of approximately $130,000 to $150,000. A 91' unit project would not generate sufficient acreage for a park. CDD/DeStefano referred to the map drawing and indicated to VC/Finnerty that the only dedicated street will be an access road to South Pointe Middle School from Brea Canyon Road to the terminus of Larkstone Drive. All of the access points and the interior streets will be private. In response to VC/Finnerty's question, Quimby Act specifies that park inlieu funds must benefit the residents of the project. VC/Finnerty stated that Diamond Bar lost the benefit of Quimby Act in!, lieu park fund monies because Los Angeles County put the money into an interest bearing trust account and moved 15 years worth of interest into its General Fund which resulted in 15 years of economic loss to the City. The funds were no longer valued at the original $137,000. She further stated she would be opposed to the City conducting business in the same manner. CDD/DeStefano responded to Chair/Tye that Mr. Arciero absolutely could not use part of the Quimby Act funds as part of the purchase price for the 6.5 acres. By virtue of the City's approval of the project and the attached conditions; Mr. Arciero may exercise the conditions as, stated. Responding to C/O'Connor, CDD/DeStefano stated he is not aware of any other Arciero residential land holdings in Diamond Bar. C/Law stated the City bought the property for $400,000 and Mr. Arciero has offered to purchase the property for $1.3 million dollars. He. asked CDD/DeStefano if Mr. Arciero could use Quimby funds toward the purchase of the City owned property. CDD/DeStefano responded that in his opinion, the City would not entertain such an offer. Quimby funds are to be used specifically for recreational facilities. CDD/DeStefano confirmed Chair/Tye's comment that Mr. Arciero has presented an offer to the City to purchase the property for $1.3 million dollars. C/O'Connor asked why the City originally purchased the property. CDD/DeStefano responded that the City purchased the land to control its destiny. Four years ago the City's Master Plan incorporate a 30 acre piece of commercial property which would have included the 6.5 acres under June 27, 1996 Page 9 Parks & Recreation Commission E consideration. Chair/Tye stated he feels this is a "done deal". CDD/DeStefano responded to Chair/Tye that the City Council has adopted a resolution of intent to sell the property. Chair/Tye commented that the property acquired in a swap would be six flat acres of useable park space. CDD/DeStefano responded indicating that the City paid $400,000 for property and the question is whether swaping that property for another six acres is better than obtaining $1.3 million dollars on a $400,000 purchase and using the money to create a park or enhance park facilities. VC/Finnerty asked if City Council intends to earmark the sale proceeds for parks and park facilities. CDD/DeStefano responded to VC/Finnerty that staff's recommendation is for the City Council to direct staff to proceed with the steps �- necessary for the sale of the property and to deposit proceeds into a specific F park and facilities development fund. C/Law stated he objects to the City making a profit i -n lieu of retaining the land because the citizens will be cheated out of park facilities that the City lacks. VC/Finnerty stated the City needs to add to its inventory of parks and not just refurbish existing parks. She is concerned that if the City gives away 6.5 acres it cannot be recaptured. She indicated she agrees with Chair/Tye. CDD/DeStefano responded to C/Finnerty that the new area does not have a landscape assessment. It is planned to be a Homeowners Association controlled maintenance program for the perimeter open spaces. It will be part of the overall Citywide landscape and maintenance district. CDD/DeStefano referred C/Law to the Arciero Diamond Ridge project in response to questions concerning the contractors product intent. Diamond Ridge includes a substantial amount of open space. However, the project does not include a park. . Responding to VC/Finnerty, CDD/DeStefano stated discussions regarding Larkstone Park are proceeding between the City and the Walnut Valley School District. June 27, 1996 Page 10 Parks & Recreation Commission Responding to Chair/Tye, CDD/DeStefano indicated the City owns the excess public road right-of-way and the four acres that used to house the water reservoir for a total of 6.5 acres. Mr. Arciero originally intended to swap six of his flat acres for the property the City owns. At this time, Mr. Arciero wants to buy the 6.5 acres from the City and, through a separate process, propose an additional 16 units. Chair/Tye stated his understanding that the City currently holds six unusable acres. CDD/DeStefano responded that the City's current property is hillside property with an elevation change of about 100 -feet between Brea Canyon Road and the top of the property. VC/Finnerty indicated that the C; y is contractually obligated to proceed with either the swap or the sale. C/Law stated that the Commission should recommend to the City Council that the City complete the property swap and use the six flat acres received in the swap for a park. Chair/Tye stated Mr. Arciero has chosen to exercise his option to purchase rather than swap the land. CSD/Rose responded to C/O'Connor that if the Parks and Recreation Commission wishes to make a recommendation to the City Council a spokesperson should be appointed to appear on behalf of the Commission and speak to the Council at the July 2, 1996 meeting. CDD/DeStefano stated that as an alternative to CSD/Rose's recommendation, the Commission could request that staff write a memorandum to the City Manager detailing the thoughts and conclusions of the Parks and Recreation Commission. He further stated that each Commission member could discuss their opinion to their respective Council person. VC/Finnerty made a motion, seconded by C/O'Connor that the Parks and Recreation Commission exercise all three of the previously stated alternatives. CSD/Rose responded to Chair/Tye and stated that he would report to the City Manager and indicate that "at last night's Parks and Recreation Commission meeting an emergency item was placed on the agenda as a result of a newspaper article regarding the proposed sale of the surplus land. The conclusion of the Commission was that they recommend that rather than sell the surplus property, it would be more beneficial to the community to swap the 6.5 acres considered surplus land to Arciero for six acres of flat land that could III June 27, 1996 Page 11 Parks & Recreation Commission be designated as a future park". Chair/Tye called for the question. The motion was approved 5-0. Chair/Tye appointed VC/Finnerty to be the Parks and Recreation Commission's designated representative at the July 2, 1996 City Council meeting. ANNOUNCEMENTS: C/O'Connor asked for a definition of "pocket park" and who is responsible for maintaining the pocket park. CSD/Rose responded that there are five pocket parks in District No. 39. Four pocket parks are owned by the original developers, and one pocket park adjacent to Summitridge Park was acquired by the City through a delinquent property tax sale. Pocket park maintenance is paid for by the property owners of District No. 39 through property tax payments. Pocket parks are not included in the City's park inventory. C/Medina stated a Senior Citizens Bowling League has been formed at the Oak Tree Lanes. Oak Tree Lanes will provide free bowling and instruction on July 18 at 10:00 a.m. ANNOUNCEMENT: The next City anniversary subcommittee meeting is scheduled to be held at 9:00 a.m. on July 12 at City Hall. ADJOURNMENT: C/Law made a motion, seconded by VC/Finnerty to adjourn the meeting at 9:50 p.m. The motion was approved 5-0. Attest: Steve ye Chairman Respectfully Submi d, Bose Secretary