MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING April 16, 2008 Chino Hills Civic Center 2001 Grand Avenue, Chino Hills, California

Transcription

1 MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING Chino Hills Civic Center 2001 Grand Avenue, Chino Hills, California I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Gannon called the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of the City of Chino Hills to order at 7:02 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Vice Chair Roman Nava led the Assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. III. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Chair Robert Gannon Vice Chair Roman Nava Commissioners Ron Nadeau Mike Kreeger Greg Higgins Student Member Patricia Ingrassia ABSENT: Ex Officio Member Fred Youngblood, Jr. ALSO PRESENT: Larry Ryan, RJM Design Group, Inc. Michael S. Fleager, Community Services Director Jonathan Marshall, Recreation Manager Commissioner Mike Kreeger arrived at 7:04 p.m. IV. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS None. V. ACTION ITEMS 1. March 19, 2008 PARKS AND RECREATION MEETING MINUTES On motion by Vice Chair Nava, seconded by Commissioner Higgins, with Commissioner Nadeau abstained, the Minutes of the Meeting of March 19, 2008 were approved. Motion carried.

2 Page 2 2. Review of Multiple Park Conceptual Plans Director Fleager introduced Larry Ryan of RJM Design Group, Inc. who gave a presentation on the following projects: Big League Dreams development of one additional lighted ball field Bird Farm Park development of two lighted baseball fields, two soccer fields, Tot lot, restroom building and parking Civic Center Park removal of existing City Hall buildings, renovation of approximately 1500 sq. ft. Library building and 7200 sq. ft. Fire Dept. building, development of a temporary neighborhood park, playground and Tot lot, and activity areas for basketball, volleyball, exercise/fitness equipment and picnic areas Crossroads Park additional restroom building English Springs Park - additional restroom building Galstain Park playground/tot lot, parking expansion, picnic structures, tennis courts, soccer field, and restroom Grand Avenue replacement of turf for two soccer fields Los Serranos Tennis Center eight to ten tennis courts, 3000 sq. ft. tennis/community building, vendor/exhibit areas, parking McCoy Equestrian Center Master Plan Mystic Canyon Recreation Building 2,800 sq. ft Recreation building Richland Pinehurst Park Soccer fields, playground, restroom Torrey Pines Park 2,800 sq. ft Recreation building, playground/tot lot, and parking lot Chair Gannon inquired if the presentation is part of the budget process for review of the proposed improvements. Director Fleager stated it would. The Commissioners raised the following question during the presentation: Big League Dreams: Chair Gannon inquired about the grade level of the complex for the Big League Dream project. Director Fleager stated that the additional field would be grade level with the rest of the existing fields. Commissioner Kreeger asked if this would be a non-replica field. Mr. Ryan stated that it would be a hybrid without the complexity of the true replica wall. Director Fleager added that staff was working with Big League Dreams (BLD) to transition into a minor league replica field. Commissioner Nadeau inquired if the field would be fenced. Director Fleager stated that it is already fenced. Commissioner Higgins inquired if there would be sufficient parking. Director Fleager responded there would be.

3 Page 3 Bird Farm Park: Vice Chair Nava inquired about the height of the fencing. Director Fleager stated that it would be consistent with the existing chain link fence surrounding the site. Commissioner Kreeger inquired about the land deal issue with the Chino Valley Unified School District. Director Fleager stated a Bill was submitted this Legislative Session with a letter of support from the School District. He added that he feels hopeful that the legislation will pass to allow the sale so that the City and the School District can move forward to negotiate a deal. Commissioner Kreeger inquired if the site will have artificial turf. Director Fleager responded that it would probably be natural turf since the School District will be using the facility as well. Commissioner Nadeau inquired if the maintenance will also be a shared cost between the School District and the City. Director Fleager stated that details in regards to the sale of the property and long-term commitments have not been determined. Commissioner Higgins asked Mr. Marshall if there is a demand for a smaller size soccer field by the sports organizations. Mr. Marshall stated that there is a demand. Vice Chair Nava asked Mr. Ryan where the location of the fence line is in regards to the basketball courts. Mr. Ryan stated that it follows through the property lines and that the basketball courts would be on school property. Vice Chair Nava inquired if it two half-courts instead of a fullcourt would be possible so that the bouncing of the balls would not create noise at night. Director Fleager that a couple of half courts could be discussed. Civic Center Park: Chair Gannon inquired if the Civic Center would be a location for an aquatics center, if sometime in the future, the City elects to put one in the City. Director Fleager stated that the site is identified in the Park Master Plan for an Aquatics site. There will be two pools, a community center, and a gymnasium. Commissioner Kreeger asked if there is a restroom facility on site and Director Fleager stated that each facility would have a restroom. Vice Chair Nava inquired if the Community Center is indicated on the plans. Director Fleager responded that the Community Center is the current Fire Department building, the Recreation building is the current one on site, and the Clubhouse/Teen building is the current children s wing of the Library.

4 Page 4 Crossroads and English Springs Park: Chair Gannon inquired if the additional 600 square feet would be to the existing restroom or if a new restroom would be added. Mr. Ryan responded that the architect is looking into what would be cost effective. Chair Gannon stated that the existing building, especially on the female side, is inadequate when there are events at the Crossroads Park. Chair Gannon stated that 600 square feet is inadequate to the demand during special events at the Crossroads Park and the addition should be at least double that square footage. He added that English Springs Park holds weddings and small events of which 600 square feet would be adequate. Galstain Park: Commissioner Kreeger asked if the tennis courts would be lit. Director Fleager responded they would. Grand Avenue Park: Commissioner Higgins asked if the turf installation would require the area to be re-graded. Director Fleager stated it would. Los Serranos Tennis Courts: Commissioner Kreeger inquired if this project would be similar to BLD where you pay to play. Director Fleager stated that this was not part of the discussion yet, however this site is viewed more as a City-run recreation facility instead of a private/public partnership. Commissioner Kreeger asked if the location would have a food vendor snack stand. Director Fleager stated that the staff counter is envisioned to have a snacks and refreshments. Commissioner Higgins inquired if the Pro-shop concession area would be a private Pro-shop. Director Fleager stated that it was not at this time. Chair Gannon asked who the property owner is and Director Fleager stated that it is the Greening family. He stated his concern about the project reverting to private ownership once the lease is up. Vice Chair Nava inquired how many parking stalls are proposed for the project. Mr. Ryan stated that it is approximately 250 stalls. Mystic Canyon Recreation Building: Chair Gannon inquired if the building is going to be renovated. Director Fleager stated that Public Works staff is doing a marvelous job in maintaining the facility.

5 Page 5 Commissioner Kreeger asked if this is a permanent building. Director Fleager stated it would be a new building. The Commission thanked Mr. Ryan for his presentation. VI. STAFF REPORTS/COMMENTS Update on Construction Projects RENOVATION OF THE MCCOY RESIDENCE Director Fleager reported that the McCoy Residence is very close to completion. The furnishings are available and are on site. SKATE PARK is still in the CIP. Chair Gannon inquired if there is an expected date when this will be seen added in the program. Director Fleager stated that there is no expected. Commissioner Kreeger inquired if staff is starting to take reservations for the McCoy Residence. Director Fleager stated that the revised fee schedule would go to City Council prior to accepting reservations for the facility. Commissioner Higgins inquired about the Mobile Recreation Vehicle. Director Fleager stated that once the vehicle and the cost are identified, staff will be meeting with the grantors in coming up with a budget and a timeline. The Commissioners thanked Director Fleager for his report. VII. COMMITTEE UPDATES: Commissioner Nadeau reported that the Water Reduction Committee had a lengthy meeting because of the amount of information that they are given during the meeting. In the February meeting, the following goals were set: forming a contingency plan for water operations based on anticipated supply reduction; develop enhanced water conservation program and outreach; and, revise the water conservation ordinance. Vice Chair Nava reported on the 4 th of July Committee meeting the following activities have been confirmed as: Wagon Parade Wrigley Field: Picnic games, eating contests, bubble gum blowing, main stage band, food vendors, face painting, and inflatables. Tiger Field: Teen and Kid Zone featuring the BMX stunt shows, video game area, rock band station, trampoline bungee, and a rock wall. Yankee Field: (Aquatic area) Slip and Slide, Water Tag, Super Splash Slide, Tidal Boat Lagoon, and a toddler water area.

6 Page 6 VIII. COMMISSIONER REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Commissioner Kreeger thanked Student Member Patricia Ingrassia for her time and dedication in being a part of the Parks and Recreation Commission as Student Member for Vice Chair Nava stated that he had the opportunity to be at the Shoppes Job Fair and there were 2,338 applications that were passed out and about 1,000 applicants turned away. He commented it might be a good idea to search for another location for the proposed Community Center at Pipeline Avenue due to the Tehachapi Line Project. Vice Chair Nava stated that he attended the Easter Egg-Citement. He thanked staff for their hard work during this event. Vice Chair Nava inquired about traffic control during the event. He inquired if police patrol could be used to control the pedestrians and traffic. Director Fleager after the improvement at Grand Avenue and Peyton Drive is completed; the traffic situation will be better. He added that Council has directed Engineering staff to implement several changes to the intersection. Staff will continue to monitor the traffic at the events. Vice Chair Nava inquired about parking for the past days at Alterra Park. He stated that residents have parked on Soquel Canyon but there was nothing to indicate that any repair work being done. Director Fleager stated he would look into that matter. Vice Chair Nava distributed flyers for the Planes of Fame 2008 Air Show. The stated that Chino Airport was the training site for pilots during World War II and documentaries with pilot interviews were made and available for purchase. He is hoping to see his fellow Commissioners at the Chino Airfield. Student Member Patricia Ingrassia stated that it has been an honor to learn from the Commissioners. She appreciates the opportunity that she was given and it has been an excellent learning experience for her and she is very grateful for it. Commissioner Higgins inquired about any budget impacts for Chino Hills State Park. He attended a presentation and there have been a number of articles regarding budget cuts. Although he did not see Chino Hills State Park on the list of closures, he knows that it is one of the proposed action items or budget considerations on the State level. Director Fleager stated that State budget shows very little indication of where the cuts are going to occur. The City is moving ahead with its budget in a very cautious fashion. Staff is monitoring it but has not heard anything on the State budget at the present time. Commissioner Higgins stated that the new Community Park staff manages the daily operations very well. He noticed that damage from skateboards is visible

7 Page 7 particularly on railings behind the backstop areas and metal railings. He also noticed that soccer kids practicing in different areas of the outfields by kicking the balls into the fence. Mr. Marshall stated that staff constantly updates and informs the league presidents of situations such as that. As far as skateboarding, staff has cracked down on wheeled toys at the park sites and would certainly alert staff to keep monitoring these areas. Commissioner Higgins thanked Ms. Ingrassia for her participation and involvement in the Commission and extends his best wishes to her career. Commissioner Nadeau thanked Ms. Ingrassia for her participation. He also stated that Public Facilities and Operations staff maintains the parks very well. Chair Gannon thanked Ms. Ingrassia for her participation and stated how the Commission has had the best and the brightest as Student Member for the Parks and Recreation Commission. IX. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:42 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Carmen Fructuoso-Canter, Commission Secretary