HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/28/2014 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
AUGUST 28. 2014
Chairman Owens called the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting to order at 7:00
p.m. in the City Hall Windmill Room, 21810 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA 91765.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Hsieh led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Present: Commissioners Dave Grundy, Kim Hsieh, Vice
Chairman Benny Liang and Chairman Ted Owens
Absent: Commissioner Lew Herndon was excused
Staff Present: Bob Rose, Community Services Director; Jason
Williams, Senior Facilities Maintenance Worker; Andee Tarazon, Community Services
Coordinator; Crystal Knox, Community Services Coordinator, and Debbie Gonzales,
Administrative Coordinator
MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE: None
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: As presented by CSD/Rose
1! 611:01-111 1101-11
1.1 Approval of Minutes for the July 24, 2014 Regular Meeting.
C/Grundy moved, VC/Liang seconded, to approve the July 24, 2014
Minutes as presented. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES:
COMMISSIONERS
NOES:
COMMISSIONERS
ABSTAIN:
COMMISSIONERS
ABSENT:
COMMISSIONERS
2. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
Grundy, VC/Liang, Chair/Owens
None
Hsieh
Herndon
2.1 Recreation Program Update - CSC/Tarazon
C/Grundy said he noticed revenues were down across the board for all
venues and asked why they went down and CSD/Rose said. he believed it
was not that revenues were down but when the money comes in, which is
what is reported. Sometimes the money is paid months in advance and
the report indicates the amount of money that actually came
AUGUST 28, 2014 PAGE 2 P&R Ckffi� M
in during the month in which it was received and not necessarily the
month of the actual space rental. As a result, the revenue fluctuates
throughout the year and usually revenues are good overall and
accordingly, he plans to provide the Commission a report next month that
shows that the revenue has been good for all facilities and venues.
C/Grundy said he noticed that the revenue for contract classes exceeded
projections and congratulated staff on getting the numbers up.
Apparently, more people are taking classes which does not necessarily
equate to more revenue. CSD/Rose said that CSC/Knox would address
in her report this evening how staff is always looking for new classes and
new experiences for the students. There is a solid core of classes for
which people regularly sign up such as tennis and hot button classes with
good instructors that provide greater numbers. It is a time-consuming
challenge for staff to keep up with what is available.
Chair/Owens asked how this year's Concerts in the Park attendance
compared to last year and CSC/Tarazon said that attendance was
definitely up this year and staff received a rash of compliments on the
band selection.
2.1.1 PowerPoint Presentation on Contract Class Summary— CSC/Knox
Chair/Owens asked what percentage of participants are non-
residents in the contract classes and CSC/Knox responded she did
not have the information at hand but would look it up and get back
to the Commission. Chair/Owens asked where tennis lessons are
held and CSD/Knox responded that most are held at Ronald
Reagan. The tournament tennis program participants practice at
Ronald Reagan and the tournaments are held at Ayala High School
in Chino Hills or at Carbon Canyon Regional Park. There are
several instructors who provide classes Monday through Thursday
from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m.
C/Hsieh asked if the City provided after-school tutoring classes.
CSC/Knox explained that AGI offered such a program but it was
not very successful. However, many of the schools offer such
programs. This semester the City will offer a book club for children
and over the summer the City provides math and science
programs. AGI provides programs for computer use, science,
writing, reading and SAT prep. C/Hsieh said she understood that
some counties have book clubs and walking programs for adults
and CSD/Rose said that reading programs are provided by the
library. The City provides parks to walk in but to organize a
program and have people pay a sufficient fee for an instructor
would riot be feasible. The City has taken people on hiking trails to
initiate them and teach them where the trails are located. Once
people learn the parks and trails system, they take advantage of
these uses on their own so that they do not have to pay an
AUGUST 28, 2014 PAGE 3 P&R COMMISSION
instructor.
Chair/Owens asked if the tennis lesson instructor provides tennis
racquets and CSC/Knox said that attendees provide their own
racquets and tennis balls. All instructors are certified which is one
of the reasons that class is booked.
2.2 Parks Report — SFMWANilliams
2.2.1 Power Point Presentation on Grandview Trail and Grandview Trail
Link — SFIVIW/Williams
C/Hsieh asked if there were plans to develop the Upper Sycamore
Canyon area which is quite beautiful and serene. CSD/Rose said
the area is fairly rustic and not in the 20 -year plan to develop.
Certainly, a trail could be developed that would go all of the way to
Diamond Bar Boulevard with access to Sycamore Canyon Park
across Diamond Bar Boulevard; however, the Grandview Trail
project is a $600,000 project for a 3,000 foot trail and the
suggested Sycamore Canyon trail is much, much longer and
difficult if not impossible to phase. In addition, such a trail would be
very costly.
C/Hsieh asked if staff was concerned about the wildlife in the area
of the Grandview trail. SFMW/Williams said there was a good
chance that people would encounter wildlife along the trail. Staff
has seen a lot of deer, rabbits, some bobcats, etc. For the most
part, wildlife wants nothing to do with humans. The biggest
irritation at the bottom of the trail was the angry bees that had
resided in the area for a considerable amount of time and they
were removed from the area and relocated by a beekeeper.
2.3 CIP Projects — CSD/Rose
2.3.1 Construction of Grandview Trail and Grandview Trail Link —
Update provided by SFIVIW/Williams under 2.2.1. CSD/Rose
reported that this project should be completed by mid to late
October and upon completion there will be the usual opening
ceremony and public dedication.
2.12 Update on Status of Diamond Canyon Park — CSD/Rose said
that Lennar Homes continues to work on the construction
documents for this project. Staff is working with LA County Public
Works about a trail easement along the Brea Canyon Channel
(flood control channel) which would eventually lead to the LA
County Schubarum Trail.
AUGUST 28, 2014 PAGE 4 P&R COMMISSION
2.3.3 Design of Heritage Park Improvements — CSD/Rose stated that
staff completed its review and is recommending a consultant to
council for award of contract on September 16. At that point the
conceptual design process will begin for the improvement portion
which will involve a significant amount of public input.
C/Hsieh asked when the steps from Pantera down to the dog park would
be completed and CSD/Rose responded that this would be part of the
Pantera Park project for which a design and RFP must be done to obtain
a contractor. It is likely that it will be a year or so before the project is
completed.
2.4 List of Pending Commission Requests:
a) Silver Tip Park to Pantera Park Trail — Staff has developed a grant
request due October 1 to pay for better improvements at the trail head
at Silver Tip Park. In order to use grant funds, a portion of the trail that
is located on water district property must be moved about 15 to 20 feet
off of that property. In the meantime, there is and will continue to be a
walkable trail in operation.
b) Staff met with Pomona Unified School District regarding future
improvements at Lorbeer Middle School and other school district sites
including Golden Springs Elementary/Middle Schools. CM/DeStefano
is not interested in doing a non-binding MOU until it is determined
whether or not a -new stadium will be coming to the area which will
result in funds to the City. Staff believes that if the City of Industry
stadium project is not approved by next spring it will not be forthcoming
and Industry will move forward with its Business Park development.
c) The special needs have been included in the Heritage Park RFP and
discussions with the consultant. These discussions will continue
through the RFP and public input segments of the process. Again, it is
most likely that the stairs will be done in about a year.
d) CSD/Rose said he was told there Would be more programming listed
on YouTube during the summer but he has not had an opportunity to
look into whether or not that occurred.
e) The matter of a description to be added to the bottom of each trail has
been added to the multi-year CIP list.
C/Hsieh complimented the Community Services staff on their hard work and said
that as she was exploring the City and sifting on one of the park benches at
Silver Tip Park and found the park to be in good order and very serene. She felt
badly that not too many people were using the park because it is such a nice
place.
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3. OLD BUSINESS: None
5. ANNOUNCEMENTS: I
C/Hsieh said she enjoyed the Concerts in the Park series this year and
especially the music of the 80's.
C/Grundy said he enjoyed teaching a referee class at the Diamond Bar Center
on Saturday, August 16. The class was originally scheduled in a different venue
that became unavailable, and staff was very accommodating by allowing the use
of the Pine Room (at the Diamond Bar Center). Staff did a great job setting up
and taking care of the facility. Residents from Diamond Bar and other cities
attended the class and everyone was impressed. Staff does a great job and their
hard work pays off by making the City more attractive, clean and up-to-date for
the residents and non-residents alike. He thanked staff for the reports this
evening. As they always are, tonight's reports were very informative.
VC/Liang said that as always, he appreciates staff's informative reports. He
visited the Diamond Bar Center recently and noticed that all of the chairs had
been replaced and that the new chairs look very nice. He asked if at the next
meeting the Commission could be provided data regarding how many senior
citizens use the parks. CSD/Rose said that staff knows the scheduled use of the
parks but does not have information on drop -ins. Staff could speak to the
various programs and number of participants which are facilitated by the seniors
as well. VC/Liang said he would appreciate the information.
C/Grundy recalled that the Parks Master Plan survey contained information that
might be helpful with respect to park usage by seniors.
Chair/Owens thanked staff for the reports and apologized to staff for not
attending the baseball barbecue. He thanked staff for the summer programs and
said he received a lot of positive feedback from attendees.
ADJOURNMENT: With no one objecting and no further business before the Parks and
Recreation Commission, upon motion by C/Grundy seconded by VC/Liang,
Chair/Owens adjourned the meeting at 8:08 p.m.
AUGUST 28, 2014 PAGE 6 P&R COMMISSION
The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 29tblay of September -, 2014.
Respectf S itted,
BO '8`E RETARY
Attest:
TED OWENS, CHAIRMAN