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Home My WebLink About02/28/2019 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 FEBRUARY 28. 2019 CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chair Sulakhe called the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting to order at 6:41 p.m. in the City Hall Windmill Room, 21810 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA 91765. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Orona led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Tommy Orona, Aaron Salo and Vice Chair Manisha Sulakhe Absent: Commissioner Hsieh and Chair Benny Liang Staff Present: Ryan Wright, Parks & Recreation Director; Anthony Jordan, Parks and Maintenance Superintendent; Christy Murphey, Recreation Supervisor; Monique Weeks, Recreation Coordinator; and, Robin Crawford, Administrative Assistant. MATTERS FROM THE AUDIENCE: Dave Reynolds said he loved the architecture, footprint and design of the Diamond Bar Canyon Park and he understood that the developer of Willow Heights funded the project. At the bottom of the park near the demonstration gardens he noticed much of the vegetation is floating away and hoped the City could revisit those areas to see what might be done to restore the area. PMS/Jordan stated that Mr. Reynolds is correct. Those demonstration gardens have proven to be a very difficult environment for the plants to thrive, especially with the cold freezing weather Diamond Bar has had. Plants have been lost for the past couple of seasons and there is funding in the current fiscal year budget to replace several of the plantings. However, it remains a challenging environment. Cold air and freezing water drains down to the demonstration gardens at the lowest elevation of the park. While it is difficult for some of the species to survive and thrive in that area, staff will continue to keep the areas appropriately planted. VC/Sulakhe introduced incoming Commissioner Salo who spoke about his residency and business background. CALENDAR OF EVENTS: As presented by PRD/Wright. In April the Commission is invited to join with the community at the City's 3011 Birthday Anniversary celebration. It will take place on April 13th at Pantera Park from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. On Saturday April 20th Breakfast with the Bunny will take place at the Diamond Bar Center, with seating sessions at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Tickets for this event are $10 per person which includes breakfast, games, crafts and photos with the bunny. This new event replaces the Easter Egg Hunt. On behalf of City staff, PRD/Wright welcomed new February 28, 2019 PAGE 2 P&R Commissioner Salo. 1. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1.1 Approval of Minutes for January 24, 2019 Regular Meeting. C/Orona moved, VC/Sulakhe seconded to approve the Minutes of the January 24, 2019 regular meeting. Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote: AYES: COMMISSIONERS: Orona, VC/Sulakhe NOES COMMISSIONERS: None ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONERS: Salo ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: Hsieh, Chair/Liang 2. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: 2.1 FEBRUARY RECREATION PROGRAM UPDATE — RS/Murphey 2.1.1 DIAMOND BAR CENTER EVENTS AND HEALTHY DIAMOND BAR PROGRAM - RC/Weeks C/Orona questioned the drop in the Bridal Show attendance and RC/Weeks responded that the advertisement started later than usual this year due to adding new events and staff is working to schedule in new events. RS/Murphey further explained that staff is discussing the possibility of holding the Bridal Show every other year. Sometimes attendance varies and there is no apparent reason attendance was lower this year. In spite of the lower attendance, staff has received very positive feedback from the vendors. VC/Sulakhe said she felt one major difference was that last year there were more vendors than this year. Every other year is a good plan which gives the City the opportunity to book ahead. VC/Sulakhe asked if anything different was planned for the spring Corporate Showcase such as more outdoor activities. RC/Weeks said that staff is working with the Regional Chamber of Commerce to design the plan and because it will be held during daytime hours, there is an opportunity to show off the outside. The event will be held in the Grand Ballroom and utilizing the patio area will be an option this year which will provide an opportunity to showcase the view from the back patio. In addition, the event will offer a more intimate seating arrangement where lunch will be served with tray -passed appetizers by partnering with local restaurants. February 28, 2019 PAGE 3 P&R VC/Sulakhe asked how many Youth Basketball participants would be present for the March Commission meeting and RS/Murphey said there are five teams each having about 10 players plus their family which could mean 50-100 will attend the March meeting. 2.2 FEBRUARY 2019 MAINTENANCE REPORT — PMS/Jordan 3. OLD BUSINESS: None 4. NEW BUSINESS: 4.1 HERITAGE PARK AND SUNSET CROSSING CONCEPTUAL PLAN UPDATE: PRDNVright stated that the landscape architect was secured and approved by the City Council in January and staff is working with the landscape architect to create the conceptual plan for Sunset Crossing as well as, the Heritage Park improvements which will focus on the community center and adjacent park and picnic area behind the facility. The first step in this six to eight month process is a public survey for the community to provide their input on what they see as their vision for these two facilities and the amenities that make these facilities special and a part of the Diamond Bar inventory. The surveys will be available on Monday, March 4th through April 22nd and will be online at the City's website and hard copies will be available at the Diamond Bar Center, City Hall, and Heritage Park. Staff would prefer that these surveys be completed online which will assist staff in tabulating the results electronically. Surveys can be completed for one or both parks and are short and easy to complete. Staff will continue to update the online page dedicated to these projects throughout the process so residents can remain in touch with what is taking place. In addition, individuals can submit their email address to receive information and notifications of upcoming community meetings. The plan is to proceed through this process through public input, working with staff, working with the Commission at a future date as well as community meetings to create designs for both facilities with options that staff will take back to the City Council for consideration late summer of 2019. Once approved, the funding process will begin and if successful will commence construction. C/Orona asked if the Commissioners would automatically receive notification emails or if they should place their emails on the City's website. PRDNVright said that early next week staff would send information to the Commissioners with the link which will allow Commissioners to submit their thoughts as well. VC/Sulakhe asked if staff would be sending out surveys and PRDAVright explained that the City makes the surveys available to the entire public because this is a public input process and do select recipients. People who offer their emails will be sent notification of upcoming meetings, February 28, 2019 PAGE 4 P&R COMMISSION project updates, when the items go to the Council and information about construction. C/Salo asked if the surveys would be directed to only Diamond Bar residents or if the survey would be open to those living outside of the City and PRD/Wright said the survey was open to the community and anyone who is able and wishes to log onto the website or pick up a hard copy of the survey may do so. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS: C/Orona asked if the Sycamore Canyon project was scheduled to start in March and PMS/Jordan responded that staff is looking at a late March/early April start. C/Orona thanked staff for another month of hard work. He welcomed Commissioner Salo to the Commission and looked forward to working with him. C/Salo thanked staff for their hard work and reports. VC/Sulakhe thanked the Commissioners and staff and welcomed C/Salo. She thanked PMS/Jordan for his response to Mr. Reynolds which is a very good example of a resident receiving an immediate and positive response. She said staff did a great job with the Bridal Show. She thanked RS/Weeks for the update on the different programs and felt it was positive that staff was seeking expansion of the corporate showcase, a definite insight into gaining more revenue. She looks forward to learning more about the surveys. ADJOURNMENT: With no one objecting and no further business before the Parks and Recreation Commission, Vice Chair Sulakhe adjourned the meeting at 7:16 p.m. The foregoing minutes are hereby approved this 28 day of March 2019. Respectfully Submitted, �. RYAN WRIGHT, SECRETARY Attest: VICE CHAIR MANISHA SULAKHE