HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/28/2008 PRC MinutesCITY OF DIAMOND BAR
MINUTES OF THE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
S.C.A.Q.M.D./THE HEARING BOARD ROOM
21865 Copley Drive
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
AUGUST 28, 2008
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Low called the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting to order at 7:07
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, Community Services Director; Anthony Jordan, Parks
and Maintenance Superintendent; Christy Murphey, Recreation Supervisor; Mickey
McKitrick, Recreation Specialist, and Marisa Somenzi, Senior Administrative Assistant.
PRESENTATION OF 2008 CITY YOUTH BASEBALL SPORTSMANSHIP AWARDS:
MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE: None Offered.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: As Listed in the agenda and reported by CSD/Rose.
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
,Approval of Minutes for the July 24, 2008 Regular Meeting.
C/Owens moved, C/Grundy seconded, to approve the Minutes of the July 24,
2008 Regular meeting as presented. Without objection, the motion was so
ordered with C/Liang being absent and VC/Herndon abstaining.
2. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
2.1 RECREATION PROGRAM REPORT — RS/Murphey
VC/Herndon thanked RS/Murphey for providing previous year
comparisons on her reports per his request because it is very helpful to
him.
C/Owens asked if staff had to cancel classes due to failure to reach the
required minimum. RS/Murphey responded yes. Typically, some classes
AUGUST 28, 2008 PAGE 2 P&R COMMISSION
are canceled each session. C/Owens congratulated staff on the
Sycamore Canyon program. He asked how many adult basketball
leagues there were and RS/Murphey responded six leagues.
Chair/Low noticed the Diamond Bar Center facility rental had declined
from 62 to 55 and wondered why. RS/Murphey said she has not had an
opportunity to compare statistics. The revenue increases are directly
related to the increase in charges.
RS/Murphey responded to C/Owens that 4h of July Celebration expenses
were considerably less than what was anticipated and was similar to
expenses for last year compared to what staff budgeted.
2.2 PARKS REPORT — PMS/Jordan
C/Grundy asked if staff felt the suspects found stealing copper wire from
Sycamore Canyon Park might be the same individuals who had been
stealing copper wire from other City parks. PMS/Jordan said although it
might be possible he did not believe it was necessarily related to other
incidents.
C/Grundy asked if the parents would be held responsible for the
vandalism at Pantera Park to which CSD/Rose responded "yes."
C/Grundy said that in his view parents need to accept responsibility for the
actions of their children. PMS/Jordan responded to C/Grundy that staff
intended to replace wiring vaults at parks. PMS/Jordan stated that the
work is ongoing and scheduled as needed. PMS/Jordan responded to
C/Grundy that he was not aware of any type of alarm system because the
wires are only generated when the lights are activated. C/Grundy pointed
out that there are passive alarms that measure continuity similar to Ohm
meters. PMS/Jordan said he would discuss the matter with the City's
electrical contractor.
VC/Herndon asked staff to send a letter to the staff member who alerted
the Sheriff's office to the incident. VC/Herndon asked if the Lorbeer
Middle School turf was getting a good root system this year. PMS/Jordan
responded that the turf is coming in very well and looks strong. However,
no amount of rooting will provide a consistent amount of wear. As
CSD/Rose mentioned during the last meeting the adults that were
previously using the field are no longer allowed on the field which should
help to keep the field in a much better condition. CSD/Rose responded to
VC/Herndon that the City suffered damage at Pantera Park because the
vandals cut through the chain link fencing and the City is definitely seeking
restitution.
PMS/Jordan responded to C/Owens that he has not looked at the amount
to replace the damaged trash cans at Pantera Park. Typically, concrete
trash enclosures cost about $400-$500 each. Two cans were damaged.
C/Grundy said the City should seek full replacement costs including labor,
AUGUST 28, 2008 PAGE 3 P&R COMMISSION
etc. to make this occurrence is completely reimbursed and made whole.
PMS/Jordan responded to C/Owens that Lorbeer Field was closed about
12 weeks.
Chair/Low commented that in her opinion the faux bronze plaque was a
brilliant concept. She said that if the City has an employee recognition
program the staff member who was instrumental in having the vandals
arrested should be recognized.
2.3 CIP PROGRAM AND SPECIAL PROJECTS REPORT — CSD/Rose
a. Emergency Generator Project at Diamond Bar Center — contract
has been awarded; construction to commence in November.
b. Trail Access at Steep Canyon at Clear Creek Canyon and at the
Diamond Bar Center — construction on the Steep Canyon trail
commenced three weeks ago and last Monday at the Diamond Bar
Center.
C. Storage Container Pad at Pantera Park — work commenced this
week; work scheduled to be completed by the end of October and
the contractor believes he will be finished within three weeks.
e. Sycamore Canyon Park Trail — Phase III — Construction documents
receive yesterday and are proceeding through Plan Check.
f. Sycamore Canyon Park Trail - Phase IV — construction documents
are expected to be completed by the end of November.
g. New cell sites at Diamond Bar Center — two cell sites are currently
under construction one for Verizon and one for T -Mobile. The
equipment boxes are located on the Summitridge Drive side of the
property and the mono elm antennae will be located on the upper
portion adjacent to the parking lot on the east side.
2.3 Parks Master Plan Update — CSD/Rose reiterated there will be a
subcommittee meeting on September 22. The contractor/consultant is
scheduling interviews with stakeholders and will be contacting
Commissioners as well for interviews to take place September 22 through
26.
3. Chair/Low asked for an update on the batting cages and RC/McKitrick responded
that Diamond Bar Girls Softball and Diamond Bar Destroyers are currently using
the cages and everyone seems pleased. He said he was getting a lot of calls
about how individuals can reserve space.
VC/Herndon said he noticed there were 18 individuals at the Parks Master Plan
community meeting. He asked if staff received good comments and feedback
and whether there was anything unexpected brought up by the participants.
CSD/Rose said there was nothing unexpected. The meeting reinforced a lot of
what staff has been hearing over the past few years. Some of the seniors are
beginning to indicate they would like to have a dedicated senior facility and
lighted ball fields was another request that was voiced. Both of these issues
have been discussed in the past.
AUGUST 28, 2008 PAGE 4 P&R COMMISSION
Chair/Low felt the turnout and ideas were good. Some individuals brought up the
matter of a teen center as well.
CSD/Rose responded to C/Owens that the Parks Master Plan meetings are
better attended than most community meetings. Lack of attendance may
indicate that residents are generally satisfied with the services in the City. Every
resident was notified of the meeting through the City Newsletter and reinforced
with flyers, postings, news releases, DBTV3, and on the City's website.
Chair/Low pointed out that August is a challenging month for meetings.
VC/Herndon said it seemed to him that the seniors have significant access to the
Diamond Bar Center which is the City's finest facility and wondered why there
was discontent about that facility not being adequate. CSD/Rose responded that
when seniors visit other city facilities there are dedicated spaces. In the
Diamond Bar Center all rooms are portable and can be used for different events.
A dedicated space limits the space to activities of interest to seniors only and
when the seniors see dedicated spaces at other city's facilities they like to think it
is possible for dedicated space in D.B. Seniors see their numbers growing and
feel there is a need for dedicated space.
C/Owens asked about the status of the City's intent to purchase land at
Washington and Lincoln. CSD/Rose responded that the land is proposed to be
used for a mini-park/low-intensity pocket park and is in escrow and should close
in about nine months.
4. OLD BUSINESS: None
5. NEW BUSINESS: None
6. ANNOUNCEMENTS: C/Owens wanted to know if the City would again be
selling name plaques at the Diamond Bar Center. CSD/Rose responded that he
understood that the Diamond Bar Community Foundation intended to offer this
service but that he had not seen any official announcement. He said staff would
follow up.
Chair/Low wished everyone a Happy Labor Day weekend and congratulated staff
for a wonderful summer.
ADJOURNMENT: C/Owens moved, C/Grundy seconded, to adjourn the meeting.
With no further business before the Parks & Regeati!Sbmitted, Commission, Chair/Low
adjourned the meeting at 7:59 p.m. ,
RespectfuJ�y
Bl b ybsle, Secretary
Attest:
C firman Ruth Low