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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/26/2000 PRC MinutesCITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION HEARING BOARD ROOM OF S.C.A.Q.M.D. 21865 E. Copley Drive OCTOBER 26, 2000 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Finnerty called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The audience was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Commissioner St. Amant. ROLL CALL: Present: Chairman Annette Finnerty, Vice Chairman Patty Anis and Commissioners Hull, and St. Amant. I Commissioner Torres was excused. i Staff: Bob Rose, Director of Community Services; Gary Olivas, Recreation Superintendent, Kim Crews, Contract Class Specialist and Marisa Somenzi, Administrative Secretary. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: Award of Certificates and Stipends to Volunteens by Commission. - RECESS: Chair/Finnerty recessed the meeting at 7:15 p.m. RECONVENE: Chair/Finnerty reconvened the meeting at 7:30 p.m. MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE: None Offered. 1. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1.1 Approval of Minutes of September 28, 2000 Regular Meeting. i 1.2 Approval of Minutes of September 28, 2000 Joint Meeting with the Traffic & Transportation Commission regarding the Trails Master Plan. Chair/Finnerty asked for the following corrections: --Change Chair/Morris to VC/Virginkar in the Call To Order and the signature line. OCTOBER 26, 2000 PAGE 2 PARKS & REC COMMISSION Upon motion, duly seconded, the Minutes of the September 28, 2000 Regular Meeting were approved as submitted and the Minutes of the September 28, 2000 Joint Meeting with the Traffic & Transportation Commission were approved as corrected. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: St. Amant, VC/Anis, Chair/Finnerty NOES: COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: Hull ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Torres 4. NEW BUSINESS: 4.1 Tennis Court Rules - Staff report by CSD/Rose. Several residents requested for the City Council to abolish the six (6) ball limit rule that is now in place for tennis court use in Diamond Bar. The City Council directed the Parks & Recreation commission to consider this request. The six (6) ball limit rule has been in place since the City's incorporation. The reason for the rule is 1) to make it obvious when an unauthorized instructor is teaching tennis lessons illegally on the public tennis courts, and 2) to control the City's .liability by limiting the number of unattended tennis balls -that may stray onto adjacent tennis courts and become a tripping hazard for other players. Staff recommends that no changes be made to the tennis court rules. Ray Nava, 22911 Colombard Lane #2, spoke in favor of abolishing the six (6) ball limit rule. Residents should not be penalized because unauthorized instructors are using public tennis courts. Andrew Wen, 23545 Goldrush Drive, spoke in favor of abolishing the six (6) ball limit rule. Individuals and families should not be penalized because_ unauthorized instructors are using the courts. Mark Dalli, MADDOG Racquet Sports, 21450 Golden Springs Road, spoke about how pirate teachers cost his legitimate business several thousand dollars each year. He supports enforcement of Municipal Code 12-00-080 regarding Rule #5, a maximum of six (6) balls except for city approved tennis instructors. In other communities, pirate teachers are arrested for illegal trespass after one warning and one ticket. The city should consider OCTOBER 26, 2000 PAGE 3 PARKS & REC COMMISSION installing a fence between courts with an opening in the middle. Mary Su, 1081 S. Grand Avenue, said she has read staff's report where 13 adjacent cities were surveyed and none of the cities indicated they have the six (6) ball rule. She is against the six (6) ball rule. She needs a basket of tennis balls for her and her son to practice for 30 minutes. Tom Liu, Chinese-American Association Vice President, said he enjoys playing tennis and he was shocked to discover that he has been violating the six (6) ball rule. He is a member of a tennis club which allows him to practice with a basket of tennis balls. Everyone who plays tennis is very careful about stopping play when stray balls come onto their court. He suggested that the city find another way to deal with illegal private instructors and place a fence between courts. Simon Shu said that as an architect he believes the installation of a small divider between the courts is a cost-effective solution., As others have stated, it is difficult to produce actual play in a 30 minute time -frame when you spend your time chasing tennis balls. Residents should not be held hostage by private teachers who have a self-serving interest. John Chang, Walnut resident, said he enjoys playing tennis at Ronald Reagan Park. A limit of six (6) balls on the tennis court compromises the spirit of the game. The liability issue has to do with the courtesy of the player who does not pick up his tennis balls. He is against the six (6) ball rule. Myung Yun Kim, 1213 Longview Drive, has enjoyed playing tennis with his family for many years. He was surprised to learn about the six (6) ball rule and he is opposed to it. He believes the liability concerns are between licensed and un -licensed teachers and there should be other methods for resolving this issue instead of penalizing the individual players. Charles Lin, 20839 E. Cliffside Lane, enjoys playing tennis almost every week. He does not know anyone who follows the six (6), ball rule. It is an unrealistic rule. He recommended abolishment of the six (6) ball rule. Jian Liang Tsai, 791 S. Leyland Drive, said he believes citizens of Diamond Bar should have the freedom to play tennis and not be penalized because `T of the issue of unauthorized instruction. During 30 minutes of play he does not -have time to chase balls and effectively complete his play. He is opposed to the six (6) ball rule. OCTOBER 26, 2000 0!!`4PAGE 4 PARKS & REC COMMISSION A speaker on behalf of Wai Wai Cheng, 20532 E. Oak Meadow Lane, said that Ms. Cheng would like the enjoyment of playing tennis without having the problem of picking up balls. She respects rules and she believes the current rule is impractical. Therefore, she requests that the Commission consider revising the current six (6) ball rule. Danny Tarpley, The Dan Tarpley Tennis Academies, Inc. spoke against the six (6) ball rule. Most of the people present this evening are concerned with improving their individual games and have no involvement in unauthorized instruction. He believes the rules are penalizing the residents and not correcting the problem. Robert Prows, 23781 Little Quail Avenue, participates on the D.B.H.S. varsity, team and he is not in favor of the six (6) ball rule. In order to improve your game you need' to use more than six (6) balls. He pointed out that there is fencing between'courts at Pantera Park+and he is in favor of the city putting up dividers between the courts at other parks. ` Takashi Wakamatsu, 22000 Birdseye Drive, said he believes the City applies the wrong rule to control something beyond the control of the residents. This rule punishes residents who want to play tennia. It appears that the six (6) ball rule has been invoked to protect ;one instructor and the City should not be involved 0 this manner. He wants to know if the City has ever been sued due to someone being injured by tennis balls being on the court. This rule does not do anything, other than to restrict the average citizen's enjoyment of the sport: Jerry Chiang, 928 Sunnyhill Place, practices tennis for at least two hours each day and plays in USDA Junior Tennis Open Tournaments. How is he supposed to practice with only six (6) balls? It will waste so much of his time. He would like for the Commission to recommend that the rule be changed. Tim Soong, MD, 2868 Oak Knoll Drive, said that he practices sports medicine and in all of his years of practice he has never treated anyone who was injured by stepping on a tennis ball. There is already a rule to prohibit illegal instruction, Rule #8 and why should legitimate players have to worry about being restricted by the six (6) ball rule. He plays tennis three times a week. He asked how many lawsuits have been filed as a result of abuse of the six (6) ball rule. Liability should be the last consideration. Tennis is a good sport and he wants to continue enjoying the game. The only person '..iLi.'.' 111i.-.1.sa; ridt..n.v�.;P�,tlilw_iss.!dik�i,..,n.lt�4ki,:iV.4d.�liiFtll-.n�atlMI,�IJ;I€ .-n....6I-Ai4 W,�4,�, - - - -- ---- --- -- _ OCTOBER 26, 2000 PAGE 5 PARKS & REC COMMISSION who has spoken in favor of -the six (6) ball rule is protecting his own interests. He believes it is time to eliminate the rule and the resulting harassment. Derek Liu, Hacienda Heights, is against the six (6) ball rule. Bill Bush runs the Tennis Anyone program in Chino Hills and D.B. It is true that if you want to be good at the game of tennis you need to use a lot of tennis balls. In terms of liability, he has been teaching tennis for about 10 years and he has never seen a child injured by stepping on a tennis ball. He _is against the six (6) ball rule because he believes that whatever rules are in place should go toward promoting the interest of tennis which is a great sport enjoyed by many people. Bill Bush responded to C/St. Amant that it would be very impractical to question everyone who has a bucket of balls. However, the City could enforce the matter by having a list of authorized pros who contract with the City who have the recommended liability insurance to meet all of the v n requirements along with the proper I.D. LJ Mark Dalli believes there should be stronger penalties for pirate instructors ! who blatantly ignore the rules. F CSD/Rose responded to a previous speaker that the City has never had a claim -filed nor a loss reported -in the past 10 years for a player stepping on a tennis ball. CSD/Rose indicated to Chair/Finnerty that he does not know the cost of erecting barriers between tennis courts. However, if the Commission recommends barriers he does not believe cost would be an issue. Ray Nava suggested the City post a sign indicating a telephone number that should be called in the event of unauthorized instruction. Chair/Finnerty made the point that unauthorized teachers would not be on the tennis courts if parents did not allow their children to take lessons from them. C/St. Amant concurred that a sign be posted to indicate "No Unauthorized Instruction" along with the amount of the fine. C/Hull and C/St. Amant volunteered to serve as Ad Hoc Committee members �.w..' to consider the "six (6) ball rule" and to make its recommendation to the OCTOBER 26, 2000 PAGE 6- PARKS & REC COMMISSION i Commission at its November 16 meeting. The Ad Hoc Committee concurred to meet at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, October 27. RECESS: Chair/Finnerty recessed the meeting at 9:10 p.m. RECONVENE: Chair/Finnerty reconvened the meeting at 9:15 p.m. 2. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: 2.1 Recreation Program Update. RS/Olivas presented staff's report for the following events: i 1. Cross Country 2. Youth Basketball 3. Adult Basketball 4. Adult Softball 5. Special Events 0"r, - 2"dAnnual Hall of Horrors and Fall Fun Festival - Little Racer Grand Prix 6. Recreation Guide 7. Contract Classes 8. Tiny Tots 9. Adult Excursions 2.2 Recreation Program Quarterly Report - Summer, 2000 Report by RS/Olivas. 2.3 Senior Bus Excursion - Evaluation Report Report by CSD/Rose. He complimented Dorothy Schmid on a job well done. 2.4 Capital Improvement Program Update a. Skate Park CSD/Rose presented staff's report. The facility is fenced and the contractor is in the process of making certain that the grass is in and thriving. b. Pantera Park Ball Field Lights F -i i OCTOBER 26, 2000 PAGE 7 PARKS & REC COMMISSION CSD/Rose reported that the lights are on and operating on a timer. 2.5 Trails Master Plan Update. CSD/Rose presented staff's report. 2.6 Diamond Bar Community Foundation - Oral Report by Chair/Finnerty. 2.7 Proposed Fireworks Show - July 4, 2001 - Status Report CSD/Rose presented staff's report. Staff presented this matter to the City Council at its October 17 meeting. Staff will present its follow up recommendation to the City Council at its November 21St meeting based upon their questions and concerns. A letter is being sent tomorrow to over 500 residents adjacent to Sycamore Canyon Park. The letter contains a comment card regarding the possibility of a fireworks show. The golf course and Calvary Chapel parking lots have been made available to the City. 3. OLD BUSINESS: None I j 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS: C/St. Amant reported that representatives from the D.B. Bicycle Club who are interested in having a bike race in conjunction with the City Birthday Celebration attended this morning's Birthday Celebration Meeting. He has not been able to determine who owns the -area in the 1100 block of Clear Creek Canyon and the 1800 block of South Diamond Bar Boulevard which may be flood control property. He spoke with Ron Roy, owner of the hockey center that closed. The small court is still available. It is 110' x 50' (5500 square feet). The dasher boards are available and he has two scoreboards. The original cost of the entire package was $66,544.83 and he has offered it to the City for $20,000. The small scoreboard is probably practical as it can be moved by two people. The large scoreboard is unwieldy but one of the best he has ever seen. Its original price was $10,000. All of this equipment is being offered at less than one-third the original cost. There is a possibility that the large court is still available because it has not been picked up. He reported on his walk through of Summitridge and Maple Hill Parks. The Summitridge Park exercise equipment appears to be termite infested or suffering from wood rot. C/Hull reported on his inspection of Sycamore Canyon Park on October 6. He will conduct his Pantera Park visit on Friday, November 3 at 9:00 a.m. VC/Anis reported on her walk through of Heritage Park. OCTOBER 26, 2000 PAGE 8 PARKS & REC COMMISSION ADJOURNMENT: C/Hull moved, VC/Anis seconded, to adjourn the meeting. There being no other business to come before the Commission, Chairman Finnerty adjourned the meeting at 10:19 p!m. Respectfully bmitted, 0 ose Secretary Attest: . t - Chairma Anvrette Finn rty