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Home My WebLink About11/02/1996 Minutes - Town Hall Meeting with Parks and Rec Comm.JOINT TOWN HALL MEETING CITY COUNCIL and PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION NOVEMBER 2, 1996 CALL TO ORDER: Mayer An aari called the meeting to order at 9:16 a.m. at the Heritage Park Community Center, 2900 S. Brea Canyon Rd., Diamond Bar. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Dexter MacBride ROLL CALL: Council Members Harmony, Herrera, Werner, MPT/Huff, M/Ansari Parks & Recreation Commissioners Law, Medina, O'Connor, VC/Finnerty, C/Tye Also Present were Terrence L. Belanger, City Manager; Bob Rose, Community Services Director; Kellee Fritzal, Assistant to the City Manager and Lynda Burgess, City Clerk. 2. MASTER PLAN OF PARKS AND FACILITIES: CSD/Rose introduced Purkiss Rose -RSI Consultants Steve Rose and Jim Pickel, and Recreation Programming Specialist Susan Jones; Chris Coleman, Al Gobar Associates; Nick Conway, Arroya; and Allen Fishman, Charles Abbott & Associates. CSD/Rose explained that the Parks Master Plan will include a list of the City's current parks inventory, identification of residents' needs and desires for parks and recreation, and development of the plan. Currently, the Community Services Division has 5 full time staff members (Director, Superintendent of Parks & Maintenance, Parks Maintenance Worker, Secretary and Senior Coordinator), 8 part time staff (3 tiny tots staff, 4 maintenance workers). The City employs consultants to maintain the parks (Accurate Landscape and Maintenance) and staffing for athletics, contract classes and summer day camp (City of Brea). The City's recreation program includes youth and adult athletics, contract classes (arts & crafts, exercise, dance, etc), summer day camp, youth excursions, adult excursions, senior citizens programs, tiny tots programs, and picnic and building reservation programs, Concerts in the Park summer series, annual City Anniversary celebration and an adopt -a -park program. He presented a video displaying City park sites, district park sites (5 mini parks in Landscape Maintenance District #39 funded by property owner special assessment monies), and school sites which present opportunities for possible joint use agreements and improvements to the facilities. In response to Merrier, CSD/Rose explained that Heritage Park has lighting and that Conditional Use Permits are in place to provide lighting for Peterson Park, Pantera Park and Lorbeer Middle School football field. NOVEMBER 2, 1996 PAGE 2 JOINT TOWN HALL MEETING In response to a member of the audience, CSD/Rose indicated that ballfield and stadium lighting is slated to be installed at Diamond Ranch High School. These fields will be available for community use. Further, he stated that the City uses D.B. High School for recreation programs and anticipates doing the same at Diamond Ranch. Allen Fishman, Landscape Architect, Charles Abbott Associates, presented three conceptual plans and cost estimates for a proposed mini -park at the cul-de-sac of the western terminus of Sunset Crossing Rd. The plans vary significantly in activity level and related development costs. All concepts involve demolishing the street and replacing the 43 lost street parking spaces by converting the "Christmas Tree" lot to a parking lot (42 spaces). All concepts maintain compatibility with the existing and future YMCA facilities. Scheme #1 incorporates a competition level roller hockey rink, a skateboard park, 42 parking spaces in the Christmas Tree lot and 14 additional potential parking spaces (current driveway and undeveloped portion of the existing lot), Little League baseball field, restrooms and concession stand. Scheme #1 construction costs are estimated to be approximately $900,000 which includes a 10% contingency. Mr. Fishman responded to C/Werner that his firm's plan calls for security lighting. Field lighting is deferred based upon its impact to the surrounding -- community. The ballfields do not include lighting. CM/Belanger reported that the Proposition A Safe Park Bond Act currently on the ballot will spinoff $278,000 to the City for general purposes. The City was not successful in securing a specified amount of money for specific development in the bond issue. CSD/Rose indicated that the more intense elements of the proposed park were requested by the YMCA. The original concept was toward a more passive use. Current proposals include a range of passive and active uses. The Little League supports Proposal #2 in lieu of the more intensive development. The existing ballfield is used primarily for Little League and D.B. Girls Softball practices during off-seasons. The ballfields shown are on YMCA owned property. The Little League property fields are not indicated on the proposed Sunset Crossing Rd. Pocket Park Plan. He further indicated that two access points are available for servicing the current flood control channel located on the south side of the YMCA property - one at the end of the cul-de-sac and one to the east of the YMCA property. Staff is recommending that the Challenger League field remain in place unless and until the program moves to another location in the district. Regarding the Lanterman property, he stated that staff has had discussions with the Little League but that the City must obtain State legislation in order to use State- — owned property which is within Pomona's sphere of influence. This issue is not part of the Parks Master Plan. The concepts presented are based upon information received by the City from the community. The Parks & Recreation Commission has received input from citizens seeking roller NOVEMBER 2, 1996 PAGE 3 JOINT TOWN HALL MEETING hockey and skateboard facilities. The City recently received a letter from children living on Palomino Dr. who are interested in a skateboard facility. The proposed plans include program facilities that are not available anywhere else in the community. The YMCA currently offers a roller hockey program at Chaparral Middle School for approximately 100 youth. M/Ansari mentioned that the City has six passive parks which include tot lots. There is no such park near Sunset Crossing Rd. CSD/Rose explained that the City has been in constant contact with Tom Sawyer, Little League President, during the concept plan preparation. Chair/Tye, Parks & Recreation Commission, explained that the pocket park concept began with the community effort to close Sunset Crossing Rd. from the proposed MRF. The Commission concurred that the proposed Site #1 best meets community needs that are not currently being met. WAnsari explained that requests for roller hockey and skate board facilities received from citizens during Council meetings was used to assist in the proposal formulation. CSD/Rose indicated that the City is very challenged with respect to available park space and the offering of amenities to the community. National standards indicate two acres of parkland per 1000 residents. Assuming a population of about 55,000, D.B. should have about 110 developed parkland acres. With the addition of Pantera Park, the City would enjoy only about 60 acres of developed parkland. The Parks &;Recreation Commission saw the proposed Sunset Crossing Rd. proposal as an opportunity to offer the community amenities not currently available. C/Wemer asked the attendees to consider where, in consideration of Plan #3, where would be a better place to relocate the Challenger Baseball. CSD/Rose responded to VC/Finnerty that most Challenger Baseball participants are D.B. residents. CSD/Rose responded to MPT/Huff that L.A. County included the D.B. Golf Course in their ratios for park acreage. The City does not include the golf course in its statistics. With respect to school sites, when the City enters into specific agreements for guaranteed amenities use, the facility may be included in the ratio. Within the limited use capacity, schools are not included in park acreage ratios. CM/Belanger responded to MPT/Huff that the standard relates to property owned by a municipality. The City does not compute the golf course because it does not own the golf course and it is not generally available for all purposes. The City does not own school facilities. School facilities are available through the school districts. Any facilities used to a meaningful NOVEMBER 2, 1996 PAGE 4 JOINT TOWN HALL MEETING extent, such as the Paul C. Grow Park school owned property, are included in the ratios. In response to MPT/Huff, CM/Belanger stated that the City would not exceed its quota because it is a golf course and not a park. Golf courses and parks are categorized differently under the Master Plan process. MPT/Huff asked for clarification of the formula. CM/Belanger stated that before D.B. was a City, L.A. County used the golf course in its park acreage ratio formula. People would argue that there was not enough parkland in D.B. and others would claim that, in fact, D.B. has 250 acres of parks, which included the golf course. When the City incorporated, L.A. County decided to keep the golf course and grant the City the actual 50 acres of existing park land. Half of the City's parkland is vertical and unusable except for aesthetic value. Many of the parks do not accommodate adult uses. A Master Plan attempts to provide parks and recreational facilities to a much larger population than is currently served. CSD/Rose reported that what is now the Christmas tree lot would be paved for parking. In addition, there will be Sunset Crossing Rd. street parking available. The Little League is discussing gating their facility further into the facility to accommodate additional parking on their area. Steve Rose, Purkiss Rose - RSI, stated the workshop will break into separate discussion groups. Questions will be held to the end of the workshop. Parks Master Plan ratios are based upon the City's demographic makeup demands. He indicated Focus Session One will consist of the following groups: Group I - Program, Group II - Sites and Facilities, Group III - Recreation Trails and Group IV - Operation/Staffing. Today's workshop will focus on research and analysis. No decisions will be made today. Purkiss Rose is interested in hearing the community's concerns. He indicated that his firm has evaluated the existing parks and their opportunities will be discussed by two of the groups. Susan Jones, RSI, stated the program group will discuss what kinds of things citizens like to do in the community, and the things that aren't happening that the residents would like to see happen. Chris Coleman, RSI, stated that, with respect to financing, a community survey will be conducted to determine its needs. These needs are calculated from the survey results that reveal how often people participate in what specific activities, and what kinds of facilities are needed to support the participation. In addition, the Master Plan considers funding for the facilities and programs desired by the community. Steve Rose stated that 500 residents will be telephone surveyed and a comparison of results will be analyzed along with the results of the workshop NOVEMBER 2, 1996 PAGE 5 JOINT TOWN HALL MEETING in order to obtain a good cross-section of the community's demands. The second phase is a planning phase which looks at parks and facilities standards, programs such as recreational trails and bicycle routes, costing and funding and acquisitions. The second workshop will reveal the results of the surveys. The final phase will be the preparation of an action plan to prioritize development and conclude beneficial agreements with the school district, in order to meet active and passive Community needs. Steve Rose stated the first workshop session will be "Let's Spot the Issues", a review of the existing facilities and programs to determine gaps. He asked the participants to rank park maintenance. The next portion will be individual group presentations (3 minutes each followed by Focus Session Two to prioritize the concerns and recommendations, concluded by a second individual group presentation (3 minutes each). Susan Jones reported that her group discussed the following issues: Transportation for youth to and from programs, safety issues (providing safe places for programs such as skateboard and roller hockey), drop-in basketball play areas, a place for seniors to congregate and participate in activities, special programs for pre-schoolers and teenagers as well as adults and senior citizens, bicycling, programs for developmentally disabled and physically challenged, integrated programming with Lanterman State and other agencies, and a community swimming pool. Chris Coleman spoke about funding. A suggestion was made that instead of the City funding maintenance, organizations could provide maintenance or funding to pay for maintenance. She referred to a funding flow chart. The operating budget is derived from recreation fees, from building rentals, and approximately $1 million of general fund tax money that supports parks and recreation. The costs are the administration of the Community Development Department, the individual park operating costs, the recreation programs, and landscape maintenance of parks and City treescapes. Other sources of funds such as landscape maintenance districts are used to finance some of the pocket parks and medians. Proposition A transit funds are used for excursions and day camp trips. Community Development block grants are used for some senior excursions. Some discussion was held regarding the opportunity to use, expand and upgrade school sites. If the City provides funds to upgrade school facilities, the City needs to have a guarantee that the residents will benefit from the expenditure. Presently, park maintenance is limited by general fund revenue. Unless there is an increment in the tax base to raise the overall general fund, there are no more funds available for park maintenance. Therefore, alternative funding sources needs to be considered. Some suggestions included special benefits assessments (special tax on every household dedicated to park maintenance), using transient occupancy tax, user group contributions, private donations, volunteer labor, a community foundation, adopt -a -park programs, concessions and corporate sponsorships. NOVEMBER 2, 1996 PAGE 7 JOINT TOWN HALL MEETING districts, using a benefits assessment in obtaining land for building new facilities (depending on what facilities are needed, which will be revealed by the Parks Master Plan), and implementing a non-profit foundation as a vehicle for collecting donations. Jim Pickel stated that with respect to Sites and Facilities, the first priority is land acquisition. The second priority is to prioritize the land from small parcels to large parcels, and determine what the land would be used for such as passive areas for small parcels and sports complexes and a civic center/multi-purpose center for larger areas. The third priority is for a multi - purposes facility which would incorporate a library, public gymnasium and several simultaneous activities. This multi-purpose facility would also accommodate large city groups. The fourth priority is lighting of current park field areas. The fifth priority is a sports complex. The sports complex could accommodate one type of sport or many types of sports and generate revenue for the community including the business merchants. The example was that amateur softball cannot come to D.B. because there is no facility large enough to accommodate that type of tournament play. Steve Rose reported that the Recreation Trails and Bike Routes second session group felt that the Tonner Canyon area should be included in the -- Trails Master Plan. He questioned if there is a Master Plan to add to the Parks Master Plan. If not, it is imperative that the Parks Master Plan indicate that trails be part of the outline, and that open space, ridges and valleys be preserved. Other suggestions were to provide bike racks at trail heads and schools. The group questioned how many people use bicycles at'a mode of work transportation. If there is a need, bicycle racks could be placed at Park -n -Ride locations. The group discussed looking at whether current bike crossings are safe. There was some discussion regarding a City ice rink. Steve Rose concluded by stating that his group will analyze the workshop input in conjunction with the ongoing research, complete the telephone survey, and return the information for the next workshop in approximately six weeks. 3. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to discuss, M/Ansari adjourned the meeting at 12:05 p.m. A-X� 10U_A,� L DA BURGE=SS, City Clerk T ATTEST: