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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/25/2018 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 JANUARY 25, 2018 CALL TO ORDER: Chair/Sulakhe 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: Commissioner Grundy led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Dave Grundy, Kim Hsieh, Vice Chair Benny Liang and Chair Manisha Sulahke Absent: Commissioner Lew Herndon was excused. Staff Present: Ryan McLean, Assistant City Manager; Anthony Jordan, Parks and Maintenance Superintendent; Christy Murphey, Recreation Superintendent; Crystal Knox, Recreation Supervisor, Monique Saliu, Recreation Coordinator, and Debbie Gonzales, Administrative Coordinator. MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE: None CALENDAR OF EVENTS: As presented by ACM/McLean 1. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1.1 Approval of Minutes for the November 16, 2017 Special Meeting. C/Grundy moved, VC/Liang seconded to approve the November 16, 2017 Special Meeting Minutes. Without objection, the motion was so ordered. 2. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: 2.1 RECREATION PROGRAM UPDATE — RS/Murphey 2. 1.1 Bridal Show Update — RC/Saliu C/Hsieh asked how many vendors this year compared to last year and RC/Saliu said that last year 50 vendor spots (the maximum) were sold out. This year there is a potential for having 54 vendors. C/Hsieh asked how many could be accommodated (capacity) with all of the vendors. RC/Saliu said that last year the average was about 320-375 throughout the day. Full room capacity seating accommodates 800 without the booth space and perhaps 300-350 standing room. Because JANUARY 25, 2018 PAGE 2 P&R COMMISSION the event is expanding to the entire facility it will be more spread out. C/Hsieh felt that the fashion show would enhance the bridal show event. ACM/McLean announced that the City's new website re -design went live this afternoon. This is a work in progress and there will be a lot of new content available. The new site is much more user-friendly and easy to navigate. He encouraged Commissioners to look at the new website and contact him with any questions or concerns. ACM/McLean thanked staff for their work on a number of projects including the Fees and Policy Document, the new pickleball program and the work that has been done to make the bridal show even better. Chair/Sulakhe said that she has visited a few bridal shows because her daughter is getting married this year. The East Indian bridal shows always include a fashion show and she is very glad staff is including the fashion show in the bridal show events.. Should staff need help with vendors such as for henna which is becoming very popular let her know. They need only two chairs. 2.2 MAINTENANCE REPORT — PMS/Jordan 2.2.1 Power Point Presentation - Lorbeer Middle School & Paul C. Grow Park — PMS/Jordan C/Hsieh said that PMS/Jordan mentioned Bermuda grass. A lot of homeowners are using Marathon and St. Augustine. But- in the fields and parks what type of grass is being used and why is that preferred over others. PMS/Jordan said that for sports fields, Bermuda type grasses are preferred because of growth habits. They have rhizomes and stolons which are modified stems. The rhizomes are underground and the stolons are above ground so that even if the top of the grass is sheared off, there are viable root parts in the ground that can regenerate growth. Marathon type sod has no rhizomes and stolons, just individual plants. As long as there is a full stance of the individual plants it provides a nice playing surface but once there is wear and tear which wears the grass off it is unable . to recover and leaves a bare spot. The problem with St. Augustine is the above -ground stems which are a lot more fibrous and heavy so a young person playing soccer, for example, might get his cleat caught when attempting to kick the ball which leads to injuries. 2.3 C.I.P Projects—ACMIMcLean The Larkstone Park project is substantially complete. The developer (Lennar) is also building the housing project immediately adjacent and across the street from the school and is responsible for completing the punch list items that remain for the park and are working with the County to finalize the transfer of sewer and storm drain infrastructure. The City may require a maintenance period on all of the onsite landscaping and once the developer has completed the work for which they are responsible JANUARY 25, 2018 PAGE 3 P&R COMMISSION (punch list and transfer of infrastructure) the City will take over the maintenance period. Once the project is complete the City will schedule a park dedication event (_date pending) similar to the one that was held for Diamond d Can on Park. The dedication will likely be held on a Saturday and will be a large event to celebrate the opening of this new park. Upon visiting the site one realizes a great view down into Los Angeles on a clear day and across the valley. The park has some very nice amenities which will very likely see a lot of use. The City purchased property located across the street from the YMCA on Sunset Crossing Road last summer and is in the process of beginning its design and looking at some very high-level conceptual plans for the site while putting together a grant application to receive state funds to help with the design and construction costs. This project will be brought to the Commission as it proceeds for review of design and staff will be working with the surrounding neighborhood to solicit their input and comments for what they would like to see in their neighborhood park. ClGrundy asked for an update on securing FEMA funds for Sycamore Canyon Park remediation. ACM/McLean said that staff continues to work with FEMA on that project. There has been some back and forth on the status of the staircase and staff is working with State Office of Emergency Services and FEMA on this issue. As previously stated, staff is working to get that open by summer to make sure it is accessible for patrons who attend Concerts in the Park and use the trail. At the same time, the City is attempting to maximize the return from the federal government to make sure the General Fund remains intact. VCILiang asked for an update on the Tres Hermanos project. ACM/McLean responded that the City of Industry has not yet announced what project they are pursuing at that location.. Staff assumes and believes that it is some type of solar energy project. Diamond Bar has entered into two lawsuits related to that project on CEQA grounds and procedural grounds related to the redevelopment agency and the successor agency. At this point, this is a matter that rests with the Courts. ChairlSulakhe asked if the YMCA would be a park or some other type of recreation and ACM/McLean reiterated that the project will be a neighborhood park. Some of the amenities that have been discussed include inclusive play equipment, hard courts, walking paths, exercise equipment, etc. which will be determined through the design process and neighborhood feedback. VCILiang asked if the YMCA site would be similar to Washington. ACM/McLean explained that the YMCA site (2-3 acres) is larger and provides more options than Washington which is a much smaller site. JANUARY 25, 2018 PAGE 4 P&R COMMISSION 2.4 List of Pending Commission Requests — ACM/McLean Regarding the request for special needs input prior to finalizing plans for Heritage Park, this project is still in the works to secure a designer. As previously mentioned, staff is looking into special needs programming options for the YMCA Park which is a clean slate opportunity and at the same time looking at redesigning options for Heritage, both of which will be brought to the Commission. ACM/McLean noted that at the next Commission meeting in February staff is planning to bring forth a list of capital projects that are currently on the books that will be items for the next fiscal year budget for the Commission's review and prioritization. This will likely include items like the YMCA design and construction as well as, other items staff has been working on at various parks throughout the City. 3. OLD BUSINESS: None 4. NEW BUSINESS: None 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS: C/Hsieh wished everyone a Happy 2018 and thanked staff for all they do, She is very excited about the bridal show and other things that will be happening with all of the new people who have been brought on. She feels an energy with the new changes and new developments. VC/Liang thanked staff for their informational reports. He attended SnowFest last Saturday which was a total success. He had a good time watching the kids enjoy themselves. Kudos to staff and the City for all they provide for the community. C/Grundy said he has been on the Commission for 16 years. He recently spoke with Councilmember Lyons who appointed him to the Commission. As everyone knows, the reappointment for Commissioners is upcoming. When he spoke to C/Lyons he told her that while he enjoys serving on the Commission he would be equally pleased to have someone else who may be more connected to the current sports and recreation activities serve as well. He believe that having fresh blood with different ideas is always a good thing. While C/Lyons did not have a replacement in mind he told her he would use the opportunity to say that if someone is interested in serving as the Parks and Recreation Commissioner for Councilmember Lyons to let her know. He explained that if she did not have someone to recommend in his stead, he would be happy to continue serving on the Commission. C/Grundy thanked staff for their great reports and said he loves -the PowerPoint presentation and that he is looking forward. to seeing the new website. Chair/Sulakhe thanked ClGrundy for his many years of service. She believes that the current Commissioners are pretty dedicated and C/Grundy would be JANUARY 25, 201$ PAGE 5 P&R COMMISSION missed because the Commission needs his expertize. He thanked staff and wished everyone a Happy New Year. The SnowFest brings smiles to a lot of kids and is a lot of fun. She believes the bridal show will be another big success and every year she sees additions and improvements. She is going to go home and browse the new website. She thanked PMS/Jordan for explaining the differences in grasses and staff for all they have done and are doing. She Wished everyone a great 2018. ADJOURNMENT: Upon motion by ChairlSulakhe, seconded by C/Grundy and with no one objecting and no further business before the Parks and, Recreation Commission, ChairlSulakhe adjourned the meeting at 7:40 p.m. The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 25 day of January , 2018. Respectfully/Su RYAN,MQ,LEAW, SECRETARY Attest: MANISHA SULAHKE, CHAIR v