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Home My WebLink About04/24/2008 PRC MinutesCITY OF DIAMOND BAR MINUTES OF THE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION S.C.A.Q.M.D./THE GOVERNMENT CENTER AUDITORIUM 21865 Copley Drive Diamond Bar, CA 91765 APRIL 24, 2008 CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Low called the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the SCAQMD/Government Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA 91765. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Owens led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Dave Grundy, Ted Owens, Vice Chairman Lew Herndon, and Chairman Ruth Low. Absent: Commissioner Benny Liang was excused. Staff Present: Bob Rose, Director of Community Services; Anthony Jordan, Parks and Maintenance Superintendent; Christy Murphey, Recreation Supervisor II; Mickey McKitrick, Recreation Coordinator, and Marisa Somenzi, Senior Administrative Assistant. MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Bobby Delgado asked if the City of Industry planned to build a football field at the Diamond Bar Honda site. CSD/Rose responded that the City is aware that a football stadium will be built in the City of Industry, not on the Honda dealership side but on the other side of the hill. CALENDAR OF EVENTS: As Listed in the agenda and reported by CSD/Rose. He also stated that tomorrow is the Arbor Day Celebration at Pantera Elementary School at 9:00 a.m. 1. CONSENT CALENDAR Approval of Minutes for the March 27, 2008 Regular Meeting. C/Owens moved, C/Grundy seconded, to approve the Minutes of the March 27, 2008 Regular meeting as corrected. Without objection, the motion was so ordered with Chair/Low abstaining and C/Liang being absent. 2. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 2.1 RECREATION PROGRAM REPORT — RSII/Murphey APRIL 24, 2008 PAGE 2 P&R COMMISSION RSII/Murphey responded to C/Owens that the proceeds from photos were not significant. Chair/Low asked if there was interest in a community garden to be maintained by seniors and other interested parties. CSD/Rose said the matter did not come up during prior Parks Master Plan discussions but could be a matter to include in the update for the Plan. Chair/Low suggested the vacant parcel next to the Diamond Bar Library would be a good location. CSD/Rose responded to C/Owens that the cost -per -participant for the Easter Egg Hunt was $6.43. 2.2 PARKS REPORT — PMS/Jordan PMS/Jordan responded to C/Grundy that vandalism is about the same with the exception of the theft of bronze plaques that were taken from the monument signs and copper wiring taken from ball field lights. VC/Herndon asked if Peterson Park had more vandalism than other parks and PMS/Jordan said there tended to be more graffiti inside the Skate Park and there have been break-in problems at the Peterson Park and Pantera Park snack bars as well. Peterson Park probably has slightly more vandalism. 2.3 CIP PROGRAM REPORT — CSD/Rose a. Batting Cages at Peterson and Pantera Parks — Construction commenced this week and should be completed toward the beginning of June. b. Trail Access at Steep Canyon at Clear Creek Canyon and at the Diamond Bar Center — The plans and specs are completed and ready to go out to bid within the next couple of weeks. C. Sycamore Canyon Park Trail — Phase III — In plan check d. Sycamore Canyon Park Trail — Phase IV — Staff received seven proposals from design firms. Staff is recommending award of contract to Architerra, a Rancho Cucamonga firm with significant experience in trail design work. This matter goes to the City Council on May 6 or 20. e. Sycamore Canyon Park ADA Retrofit Phase IV —Staff received seven proposals and contract was awarded to Matlock Associates on April 15. The firm has submitted a conceptual plan that adds an additional toilet in the women's restroom, a companion restroom for a total increase of two fixtures. f. Storage Container Pad at Pantera Park — RJM Design Group is finalizing the design. C/Grundy asked if staff had an idea about the usage of the (Sycamore Canyon) playground since it was renovated. PMS/Jordan said there were no hard numbers but there are tons of kids using it. RSII/Murphey said APRIL. 24, 2008 PAGE 3 P&R COMMISSION that Sycamore Canyon Park is rented out further in advance of other parks. C/Grundy asked if the trail redesign would provide an easier gradation. CSD/Rose said that it would be very intrusive to the hills and switchbacks are not recommended because hikers have a tendency to cut through switchbacks and severely erode the slope. The redesign includes several rest stop benches and steps to ease the climb. VC/Herndon asked if prior to finalization the Commission would see plans for trail revisions. CSD/Rose said staff would bring the plans to the next meeting. Chair/Low asked about the final cost for the batting cages and CSD/Rose said he believed it was $150,000 plus design costs of $20 to $25,000. The original budget was $150,000. Chair/Low asked if there was any progress on Larkstone Park. CSD/Rose said that the park was being funded and built by the developer. The design is finished and the company that provided the design work sold the project to Lewis Homes. VC/Herndon wanted to see the design and CSD/Rose said he would bring it to the next meeting. VC/Herndon asked if there was some reason the Commission did not see designs before they were sent to the Council and CSD/Rose said he was under the impression that the Commission gave input on Larkstone Park. VC/Herndon requested that designs come back to the Commission for final consideration before being moved forward to the City Council. C/Owens asked if the color rendering was revised. CSD/Rose said he believed it was and reiterated that he would bring the information to the next Commission meeting. 3. OLD BUSINESS: None 4. NEW BUSINESS: 4.1 Batting Cages Use Policy — CSD/Rose asked for Commission input and recommendation for City Council approval of the draft Batting Cages Use Policy as proposed by staff. He explained the policy. Following discussion, C/Grundy moved, VC/Herndon seconded, to recommend City Council approval of the Batting Cages Use Policy. Without objection, the motion was so ordered with C/Liang being absent. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS: C:/Owens spoke about the City's Birthday Celebration. CSD/Rose said there were more rides and crafters this year. According to statistics, there was an increase in attendance up about 40 percent over last year with revenues to match. He also spoke about artificial turf and asked about the Commissioners' role on Arbor Day. CSD/Rose said there were no specific requirements — it was just an event to be enjoyed. APRIL 24, 2008 PAGE 4 P&R COMMISSION C/Grundy said the Easter Egg Hunt was fun and the park looked sensational. The City Birthday Party was a great event and it appeared to him that attendance was up and there were more booths. He thanked the City for supporting the AYSO Cottontail Tournament. People attending from other cities participating at Pantera Park remarked, ,Wow! You guys get to play here?" Chino Hills completed the new community center park in Astroturf and C/Grundy recommended that staff check with Chino Hills to see whether it is a viable playing surface and whether comments have been positive or negative. VC/Herndon said he was impressed with the City Birthday Party and complimented staff on an outstanding job. Attendance was very good and people were very enthusiastic about the many events available to them. He announced that just before he came to tonight's meeting he was coaching the Diamond Ranch baseball team. The team won their game which should qualify the team for the CIF playoffs for the second time in 10 years. Chair/Low thanked her colleagues for electing her as Chair of the Commission. She felt the Commission was instrumental in promoting many things that have reached the residents. She attended the soccer tournament and said the park looked awesome. The kids looked very professional in their uniforms and the park was packed with people. The Easter Egg Hunt and the City birthday Party were great events and she felt the layout of the birthday party was superior this year. The seating for the pancake breakfast (Easter Egg Hunt) was well-done and the pop up tents were good. She attended the CPRS Conference in March and was disappointed that D.B. was not among the best of the best. However, there were a couple of exhibits that were outstanding and shared the exhibits with her colleagues. She mentioned a beach town that held a pumpkin race and thought it would be a fun thing to do with the local colleges. She also talked about "Art in the City" in San Ramon featuring art by school children and local artists which is art for free featuring movable exhibits placed on lampposts throughout the City. She thanked staff for a great job on the events and said she looked forward to the Concerts and Movies in the Park series. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business before the Parks & Recreation Commission, Chair/Low adjourned the meeting at 8:07 p.m. Attest: C airman Ruth Low