HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/27/2014 PRC MinutesCITY OF DIAMOND BAR
MINUTES OF THE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
DIAMOND BAR CITY HALL - THE WINDMILL ROOM
21810 COPLEY DRIVE, DIAMOND BAR, CA 91765
MARCH 27,2014
Chairman Dave Grundy called the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting to order
at 7:02 p.m. in the City Hall Windmill Room, 21810 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA
91765.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Vice Chairman Owens led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Present: Commissioners Lew Herndon, Kim Hsieh, Benny
Liang, Vice Chairman Ted Owens, Chairman Dave
Grundy
Staff Present: Bob Rose, Community Services Director; Anthony Jordan, Parks and
Maintenance Superintendent; Christy Murphey, Recreation Superintendent; Mickey
McKitrick, Recreation Specialist; Robin Crawford, Community Services Coordinator,
and Debbie Gonzales, Administrative Coordinator.
A. PRESENTATION OF 2014 YOUTH BASKETBALL SPORTSMANSHIP
AWARDS - RS/McKitrick.
RECESS: Chair/Grundy recessed the meeting at 7:10 p.m.
RECONVENE: Chair/Grundy reconvened the meeting at 7:34 p.m.
B. SELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR FOR THE PARKS AND
RECREATION COMMISSION:
C/Herndon nominated C/Owens to serve as Chairman of the Parks and
Recreation Commission. C/Liang seconded the nomination. There were no
other nominations offered. By unanimous vote, C/Owens was proclaimed
Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission.
C/Grundy nominated C/Liang to serve as Vice Chairman of the Parks and
Recreation Commission. C/Hemdon seconded the nomination. There were no
other nominations offered. By unanimous vote, C/Liang was proclaimed Vice
Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission.
MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE: None Offered.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: As presented by CSD/Rose.
MARCH 27, 2014 PAGE 2 P&I2 COMMISSION
1.1 Regular Meeting Minutes for February 27, 2014 — approve as submitted.
C/Grundy moved, C/Herndon seconded, to approve the Minutes of the
February 27, 2014 regular meeting as submitted. Motion carried by the
following Roll Call vote:
AYES:
COMMISSIONERS:
C/Herndon, Chair/Owens,
C/Grundy, C/Liang
NOES:
COMMISSIONERS:
None
ABSTAIN:
COMMISSIONERS:
Hseih
ABSENT:
COMMISSIONERS:
None
1.2 Transmittal of Parks and Recreation Commission Handbook.
2. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
2.1 Recreation Program Update — RS/Murphey
C/Herndon asked if the City charged for the senior special events and
RS/Murphey responded that the events were $15 per senior for the
dances. C/Herndon asked if staff would provide a financial report on this
item and RS/Murphey responded that staff would include a recap of the
senior dances in the next report.
Chair/Owens asked if there were enough poles to relocate the banners on
Golden Springs Drive and RS/Murphey responded affirmatively.
CSD/Rose said they were all moved to Diamond Bar Boulevard and no
one was left out. RS/Murphey indicated that there are spaces left to fill.
2.1.1 Power Point Presentation on the Diamond Bar Center Comment
Cards and update of the Bridal Show — CSC/Crawford
2.2 Parks Report — PMS/Jordan
2.2.1 Power Point presentation on Silver Tip Park Trail and infield
renovations — PMS/Jordan.
C/Grundy asked how long the infield renovations would last and
PMS/Jordan responded that once the teams start using the fields
they begin to deteriorate. It will last quite awhile depending on the
care it is given after each use. The benefits are long-lasting
because everything is graded and compacted and it adds to the
playability, especially following a rain because the water sheets off
instead of puddling. The better the maintenance after the games
the longer the fields will last. C/Grundy asked if anything was
added to the infill dirt to inhibit plant growth and PMS/Jordan
responded "no."
MARCH 27, 2014 PAGE 3 P&R COMMISSION
C/Hsieh asked if the objective of the renovations was to soften the
dirt and level the fields to address drainage issues. PMS/Jordan
responded that the fields are leveled for drainage and for playability
and safety.
C/Hemdon asked if sports teams lost time during the renovations
and how many fields were renovated. PMS/Jordan responded that
eight fields were renovated (two at Peterson, two at Pantera, one
each at Summitridge Park, Heritage, Paul C. Grow and Sycamore
Canyon Park). There was no downtime. Two fields per day were
completed and by the time the fields are finished they are playable.
The fields were finished by about 2:30 p.m. in time for user group
play. C/Hemdon suggested that the staff have maintenance
training sessions for the coaches so they know how to properly
maintain the fields.
PMS/Jordan responded to Chair/Owens question about the
sophistication of the renovation that the fields are laser leveled and
the total cost of renovation per field is about $3,000.
2.3 CIP Projects — CSD/Rose
2.3.1 Construction of Grandview Trail and Grandview Trail Link _
CSD/Rose reported that this project will connect the west parking
lot of the Diamond Bar Center over to the Canyon Loop trail and
will create an opportunity for hikers to walk completely around the
350 acres of open space that the City owns adjacent to the
Diamond Bar Center. Staff is waiting for the contractor to finish
submitting paperwork and bonds and once received, the pre -
construction meeting will be held. Staff anticipates construction will
commence early to mid-April and take about four months to
complete.
2.3.2 Update on Status of Site D Public Park — CSD/Rose stated that
Lennar Homes is working on the conceptual plan. Lennar is very
anxious to keep this project moving forward. Grading has started
on Site D and Lennar hopes to have model homes up by March
2015 and would like to have the park completed as part of that
phase. Once the conceptual plan gets through staff it will come to
the Commission for review and approval. Staff has been given a
mailing list from the Planning Department of about 1,200 individuals
and the Planning Department indicated that 30 or 40 of those
individuals might come to the Commission meeting to talk about the
park plan. The Commission has already provided a great deal of
feedback to Lennar based on the community meetings and the
input from the Commission has been included in the conceptual
plan. The goal is to have Lennar Homes help with the presentation
of the conceptual plan when it comes before the Commission in the
MARCH 27, 2014 PAGE 4 P&R COMMISSION
next couple of months.
2.3.3 Design of Heritage Park Improvements — CSD/Rose said that
staff continues to work on the expanded scope of the project. The
initial concept was based on 2012 ADA rules and there are several
ADA related items that need to be updated based on the new 2014
rules for incorporation into the RFP which will, by necessity, be
reviewed by Building and Safety.
C/Grundy asked about items mentioned during a prior Commission
meeting regarding the addition of LIV shades and swings for special
needs and CSD/Rose said that all of those items are being
considered as well as, renovation of the building, and redo of the
Tot Lot area with additional play equipment.
Chair/Owens asked if staff planned a community meeting to review
the plans and CSD/Rose responded yes, there would be a public
meeting. When the City moves forward with the Heritage Park redo
it will hire a consultant who will lead the public input process and all
different users will be invited to attend a couple of different
meetings.
C/Herndon asked if the ball field is lighted and whether there are
any improvements contemplated for the ballfield. CSD/Rose
explained that it is a 200 foot field and homeowners surrounding
the park do not seem to have issues with the lighting. During the
public meetings staff will be able to determine whether it is an issue
and if so, a change out of the ball field lights to a more efficient and
directional lighting system may be considered.
2.3.4 Larkstone Park Update — CSD/Rose reported that Lewis Homes
is working on a revised Park Plan and staff is awaiting information
from Lewis Homes about their desire to move forward with this
project due to the upswing in the economy.
2.3.5 Pantera Park Trail — CSD/Rose stated that PMS/Jordan showed
the Pantera Park Trail above the dog park that connects to Silver
Tip Park during his Power Point presentation. Staff was notified
this week by the State of California that Diamond Bar has been
awarded another Habitat Conservation Grant for $181,000 and the
funds will be used to help improve the access up the Pantera Park
Trail by creating a new access. The City also applied for a Land &
Water Conservation Grant to help supplement the Habitat
Conservation Grant which will be awarded next fall. In the
meantime, the design of the trail will begin as other grants are
being sought to finish the funding for the project.
2.4 List of Pending Commission Requests — CSD/Rose reported that the
California Conservation Corp is working on the trail from Silver Tip Park to
MARCH 27, 2014 PAGE 5 P&R COMMISSION
Pantera Park and that they have completed about a third of the trail. The
funds for this project are from Proposition A At -Risk Youth funds which
should be sufficient to complete the project. At some point funds will be
added to provide a nice trailhead at Silver Tip Park.
C/Hemdon said that he and C/Grundy met with DCM/McLean and
CM/DeStefano last week to discuss the Pony League. The main objection
to the City getting involved with the Pony League fields is that they are not
ADA compliant. Very few of the school fields are being utilized in the field
allocation process and CM/DeStefano and DCM/McLean committed to
investigate the possibility of having more school facilities available in the
field allocation programs for the youth sports groups. C/Hemdon said he
would appreciate updates on this matter on behalf of the Commission.
Chair/Owens asked how receptive the school districts are to working with
the City in making improvements to their facilities for their use and for the
community use. WVUSD school board and the PUSD Superintendent
have indicated an interest in working with the City on facilities
improvements at South Point Middle School and Lorbeer Middle School.
C/Hemdon said that several months ago he made a presentation to the
WVUSD and at that time he requested they set aside $500,000 of their
funds from the Site D proceeds. He received feedback from C/Lyons that
led him to believe the request was approved at the trustee level. He
asked CSD/Rose to clarify that matter.
C/Grundy said that Chaparral and Evergreen used to be used for practice
fields and wondered if the improvements that were made would disallow
the facilities from being used as a practice field. CSD/Rose said that both
fields can be used as practice fields. C/Grundy asked if CSD/Rose knew
why they were no longer being used and CSD/Rose said he understood
the school districts were working directly with AYSO, Girls Softball, Pony
League, etc. The City was never involved. C/Grundy asked why there
was never a joint use agreement with Diamond Ranch High School and
CSD/Rose responded it was strictly the use of the facilities. In general,
high schools use their facilities quite extensively so it is usually tough to
get the community into those facilities.
3. OLD BUSINESS: None
4. NEW BUSINESS: None
5. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
C/Hsieh thanked staff for the warm welcome and expressed how much she
looked forward to serving on the Parks and Recreation Commission.
MARCH 27, 2014 PAGE 6 P&R COMMISSION
Chair/Owens welcomed C/Hsieh to the Commission.
C/Hemdon thanked staff for doing a fantastic job and it is a pleasure to receive
staff's reports and learn what is happening around the City. Next week he will be
reviewing parks in Hawaii and he will report back to the Commission.
C/Grundy welcomed C/Hsieh to the Commission and thanked staff for the
reports. Ile loves the Power Points because they do a great job of telling the
story. He collected a lot of material at the conference and offered to share it with
his colleagues. He said he noticed grading along Grand Avenue where the
proposed stadium is to be located. CSD/Rose responded that the City of
Industry is doing work that is required whether it is a stadium or a commercial
development. C/Grundy said he would be interested in more information as it
becomes available.
C/Liang welcomed C/Hsieh and thanked staff for their presentations.
Chair/Owens congratulated staff on obtaining a grant for the trails system.
ADJOURNMENT: C/Herndon moved, C/Liang seconded, to adjourn the Parks and
Recreation Commission meeting. With no one objecting and no further business before
the Parks and Recreation Commission, Chair/Owens adjourned the meeting at 8:27
p.m.
The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 29 day of APRIL 2014.
Respedtfully)Submitted,
pbi� KdEt, SECRETARY
Attest:
TED OWENS, CHAIRMAN