Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/25/2017 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 MAY 25. 2017 CALL TO ORDER: Chair/Sulakhe 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: C/Herndon led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Dave Grundy, Lew Herndon, Kim Hsieh, and Chair Manisha Sulakhe Absent: Vice Chair Benny Liang was excused. Staff Present: Ryan McLean, Assistant City Manager; Anthony Jordan, Parks and Maintenance Superintendent; Christy Murphey, Recreation Superintendent; Monique Saliu, Recreation Coordinator and Debbie Gonzales, Administrative Coordinator. PRESENTATION OF 2017 SOCCER SPORTSMANSHIP AWARDS — RS/Murphey MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE: None CALENDAR OF EVENTS: As presented by ACM/McLean. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1.1 Approval of Minutes for March 23, 2017 Regular Meeting. C/Grundy moved, C/Hsieh seconded to approve the Minutes of March 23, 2017 Regular Meeting. Without objection, the motion was so ordered with C/Liang being absent. 1.2 Approval of Minutes for April 27, 2017 Regular Meeting. C/Herndon moved, C/Hsieh seconded to approve the Minutes of April 27, 2017 Regular Meeting. Without objection, the motion was so ordered with C/Liang being absent. 2. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: 2.1 RECREATION PROGRAM UPDATE — RS/Murphey MAY 25, 2017 PAGE 2 P&R COMMISSION C/Hsieh asked the ratio of children to staff member and RS/Murphey responded one staff member per 10 kids. C/Herndon said he was interested in the low attendance for the DB4Youth dances and wondered if the City was having too many dances which led to dampened enthusiasm or is it just a little passe and RS/Murphey responded that there are only two dances a year and she doubts it is because there are too many events. It is more likely that it is a little passe and staff is looking into different activities instead of a dance that might attract more participation. C/Hsieh asked the cost for the 10 -week Summer Day Camp and RS/Murphey responded $175 per week, $185 for the Disney weeks and $165 for the July 4th week. 2.1.1 Power Point Presentation on Diamond Bar Center — RC/Saliu C/Grundy asked how the pictures were taken (special camera or special technique) and RC/Saliu responded it is a type of fisheye camera that can take 360 degree images which are cut and pasted together. C/Herndon asked if there was a map that showed each room and its capacity, etc. and RC/Saliu said yes, it is a part of the outstanding materials for marketing and were already on the City's website. Chair/Sulakhe said she attended a wedding which was set up in the circular drop-off area and asked if the City intended to showcase that. RC/Saliu said staff intends to showcase that. It was difficult to stage with donations. However, it is advertised to guests and there are other photos from outstanding events with that setup, with food trucks and with dinner tables and buffet tables as well as, activities and games. ACM/McLean noted that this concept was brought forward by RC/Saliu which she thought was an innovative way to market the facility in a way that was not being done. She got the approvals and the budget put together, managed the project from the City Attorney's review through what is being viewed on the screen including securing the donations for staging. It is no small feat to stage the entire facility in one day. Obviously, she had support from her colleagues but she is applauded for her work on this project which he believes will assist the City for some time in the future. It is a very nice addition which will give prospective renters an idea of what the facility really looks like that they may not have gotten from standard photos. He thanked RC/Saliu for her efforts in making this happen for which she received applause from the Commissioners. C/Grundy recommended a letter of appreciate for MAY 25, 2017 PAGE 3 P&R COMMISSION RC/Saliu from the Commission for her efforts and accomplishments. 2.2 MAINTENANCE REPORT — PMS/Jordan 2.2.1 PowerPoint Presentation on Maple Hill Park— PMS/Jordan. C/Grundy asked if the maintenance staff sprayed to kill the poison oak. PMS/Jordan responded yes. Once the poison oak begins to encroach too close to areas where people congregate the City pays a contractor to mechanically remove the plant. He has not found spray that will kill the plant. He has a couple of staff members who are not allergic to poison oak and will actually physically remove the plant which is the best that can be done. 2.3 CIP PROJECTS—ACM/McLean 2.3.1 Pantera Park Trail/Steep Canyon Connector — This project is substantially complete. The Notice of Completion will go to the June 6 City Council meeting. The dedication will be held on Wednesday, May 31 at 6:00 p.m. at the Pantera Park Trailhead. People are traversing the trail now and taking advantage of the great views from the top. Staff decided to hold the dedication event on an evening as summer begins which gives the public an opportunity to enjoy the great views near the sundown hour. He hopes everyone will join in the dedication and tour the trail. He showed photos of the new trail with new signage and split rail fencing. 2.3.2 Longview Park South — This project is in the beginning stages and is expected to be completed in 60 working days (late summer/early fall). This project is almost a mirror image of the updated Stardust Park that was completed earlier this year. Longview Park South will include new playground equipment, ADA Accessibility Improvements, various landscaping and ornamental features, benches, tables, new drinking fountains and irrigation. 2.3.3 Larkstone Park — This project continues to .progress and is being completed by Lennar Homes, the housing developer of the housing project immediately adjacent to the park and South Pointe Middle School. As previously mentioned, the lower park has been completed and Lennar is working on the upper more active park with the playground and tot lot area. Staff anticipates completion of this project in late 2017 and as more updates are available he will bring those to the Commission along with additional photos at the June 22 meeting. C/Hsieh walked the beautiful Pantera Park Trail. She circled it twice to double the 1.6 miles instead of extending her walk to other MAY 25, 2017 PAGE 4 P&R COMMISSION areas. The trail is challenging and because her little dog had already walked three miles she had to carry her up the trail. She noticed the gazebo near the top but when she got to the top she wished for something to cover her head on a hot day and she wondered if there was funding available to have a gazebo at the top. ACM/McLean said that the gazebo was not part of the original design. It was recently completed and there are no plans at this time to further augment the project, but as the City does with any project, staff continues to review them over time and the request is something staff could possibly consider at a later date. C/Hsieh said that because Pantera Park is used so much by the residents it would be nice to have some exercise equipment at the facility which could be located next to the children's play area in the open space or further back or spread out. People are health conscious and do use the park frequently. She wondered if staff could consider that as well. ACM/McLean said he will take the comments to the budget planning session to see if it is something that can be inserted into the planning budgetary resources. At this time the City is in the budget process and there is not currently funding planned for that at this time but it can be looked at going forward. It is a component that has been added to one of the newest parks at Diamond Canyon and is something that is available at other locations in the City. C/Hsieh said she believed the doggie bags were working. 2.4 LIST OF PENDING COMMISSION REQUESTS — ACM/McLean — No updates at this time. 3. OLD BUSINESS: None 4. NEW BUSINESS: None 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS: C/Herndon thanked staff for their diligence. He wondered with the new trail's steep hills if there was any rain damage. PMS/Jordan responded that it has held up well. There are cobble swales adjacent to the trails which work pretty well to stave off the rains. C/Herndon asked if there was any update on repair of Sycamore Canyon Park. ACM/McLean responded that staff continues to work with representatives from FEMA and City staff met with a FEMA staff member this week. Staff provided the representative with estimates for what is anticipated to be the cost to repair. The City is proceeding and understands the frustration of folks who are frustrated that the park is not available but staff needs to be sure to follow the FEMA process so that the City's General Fund is protected by making sure the City is reimbursed to the greatest extent possible through the program which was a local, state and nationally declared disaster MAY 25, 2017 PAGE 5 P&R COMMISSION and is therefore eligible for reimbursement. C/Hsieh thanked staff for their hard work, reports and updates. C/Grundy thanked staff for the reports and efforts and again thanked RC/Saliu for proposing and following through to the Google 360 view which looks great and is a good use of technology. She did a sensational job. He thought the City Birthday Party was great and the park presented really well. Another very successful party for which he congratulates the City. Chair/Sulakhe echoed her colleague's comments. She felt the 360 view presentation was very nice and understood that it required a lot of work, innovation and thinking about the variety of ways the Center can be utilized. She liked the presentation about the seminar setup as well as the entertainment function. She thanked RS/Murphy for the wonderful job she does with the little kids. Thank you to all for their participation. ADJOURNMENT: With no one objecting and no further business before the Parks and Recreation Commission, Chair/Grundy adjourned the meeting at 7:59 p.m. The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 22 day of June 2017. Respectfully Su Attest: MANISHA SULAKHE, CHAIRPERSON— RETARY