Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMins 2007 03 Mar_DraftUNAPPROVED MINUTES Board of Recreation and Parks Minutes of March 28, 2007 Meeting Page 1 of 7 BOARD OF RECREATION AND PARKS MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING March 28, 2007 CALL TO ORDER Administration Building of Parks, Recreation and Community Services 888 W. Santa Ana Blvd. Second Floor Santa Ana, California 5:35 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE M. Madrid ROLL CALL BOARD OF RECREATION AND PARKS MEMBERS/STUDENT REPS PRESENT: Frank Acosta, Max Madrid, Ken Nguyen, David Orea, Julie Stroud, Wendy Tobiska, Juan Guadarrama STAFF/CONSULTANTS PRESENT: Gerardo Mouet, Executive Director Ron Ono, Administrative Services Manager Lorraine McCarty, Community Affairs Manager Katherine Bowers, Cable Consultant Joseph Straka, Assistant City Attorney Athena Martinez, Board Secretary PRESENTATIONS SPECIAL BOARD PRESENTATION – FEBRUARY, 2007 Timothy Whitacre, outgoing Board Commissioner, was present to receive this award for his many years of service to the Board. CONSENT CALENDAR MOTION: W. Tobiska SECOND: M. Madrid VOTE: AYES: Acosta, Madrid, Nguyen, Orea, Stroud, Tobiska (6) NOES: None (0) ABSENT: (at voting) Havlik, Leon (2) 1. MINUTES Approve Minutes of Regular Meeting on February 28, 2007. 2. RECORDING SECRETARY’S REPORT The March 28, 2007 agenda was posted on the doors of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency Headquarters office and the doors of Council Chambers on March 23, 2007. 3. ABSENCES Excused absence of J. Havlik and T. Leon. ** END OF CONSENT CALENDAR ** UNAPPROVED MINUTES Board of Recreation and Parks Minutes of March 28, 2007 Meeting Page 2 of 7 BUSINESS CALENDAR NEW BUSINESS 1. HECTOR GODINEZ HIGH SCHOOL JOINT USE AREA PERIMETER FENCE UPDATE Item presented to the Board as Receive and File only, no action to be taken. Bob Nelson from SAUSD shared the following:  School is temporarily operating as Valley West for the 2006-2007 school year while the actual Valley High School campus is being re-modernized. The School District was able to save millions of dollars by doing this.  Hector Godinez High School (HGHS) will open as a fundamental school in September, 2007. This school was very much needed in the School District due to the increase in number of high school aged students.  The current joint-use agreement at HGHS is of great benefit to both the City and the School District by developing additional recreational facilities, a performing arts theater, a three-court gymnasium, nine basketball courts, an athletic field with track and two baseball diamonds. The City will program all these facilities during after school hours and on weekends.  There are two objectives for the proposed fence; to maintain the intent of the joint-use agreement for proper programming of the facilities for public use after school hours, and for student safety during school hours.  Student safety during school hours is imperative, and the School District would be remiss if every possible proposal was not thoroughly explored.  The School District is proposing to install a fence around the campus with eleven 10-foot gates in strategic locations, to be locked open during joint-use hours.  A Joint-Use Technical Committee has been established to work closely on programming. Q & A Q: Will the proposed wrought iron fence be standard black in color or will it be different? A: The fence will be powder coated and black, with landscaping around some designated areas. Gates will be strategically placed around walkways and parking lots. Q: What is the funding source for the fence? A: Some funding from Measure C monies and other sources such as federal grants. Q: The original agreement between the City and SAUSD indicated there would be no fence built around the high school campus. How is this being done with an existing agreement? A: An amendment to the existing agreement will need to go before Council for approval. Q: Who will be responsible for programming facilities during joint-use hours? A: The City’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency. Q: How much will facility users pay? A: There are currently flat fees, but modifications to the fee structure are being proposed to consider youth groups, non-profit youth groups, residents, etc. Q: Where will the money generated by reservations go? A: Monies will go to the School District for maintenance of the facilities. Q: Who is currently responsible for maintenance of Centennial Park? A: The City. UNAPPROVED MINUTES Board of Recreation and Parks Minutes of March 28, 2007 Meeting Page 3 of 7 PUBLIC COMMENTS Tom Lamere  Windsor Park Neighborhood Association is directly impacted by this proposal.  The neighborhood lost use of a community park when Jackson School was built as the playground was fenced in.  Traffic issues came of that decision as well.  The community looses a lot of access when fencing goes up.  Very surprised that the City only requires that 51% of soccer players be Santa Ana residents. Feels it should be 100%. Steve McGuigan  Attended three of the four presentations made by the School District regarding the proposed fence and received varying information at each.  The fence was not presented as a proposed project.  When the item was on the agenda and the neighborhood was aware and in attendance, the School District was a no show. The presentation was finally made at a meeting when not on the agenda so meeting attendance was low.  Safety of the students is also a concern of the residents, however there is no fence at the elementary school that his son attends, why is one needed at a high school?  Could understand the need for a fence around the ball diamonds due to baseballs.  Advised that neighbors of the park are watching this issue closely. Jose Lucero, District Representative for Senator Lou Correa  Stated that Senator Correa is concerned about the potential loss of open space with the proposed fence.  Stated that Senator Correa is concerned that residents will lose use of park space.  Feels that the proposed fence height and style will not prevent a ball from going out of the fenced area.  Stated that Senator Correa urges City and School District to consider public opinion. 2. CONCORD/CAMBRIDGE RESERVOIR Executive Director G. Mouet shared that the neighborhood association would need to be formally established and recognized as a non-profit entity in order for the City to enter into agreement with them on this proposed project. Also, additional communication needs to occur with the Water Department as to the type of project to be done. Q & A Q: Why is this neighborhood being required to obtain non-profit status when Saddleback View was not required to do so? A: Saddleback View Park was planned, designed and funded by the City, the reservoir project will be supported entirely by the residents and the property is not being purchased solely for a park. 3. RENAMING OF LOGAN PARK The Logan Park Neighborhood Association is requesting that Logan Park be renamed to Chepa’s Park. Staff researched the City’s Municipal Code regarding procedures regarding naming of facilities and this action is in compliance with the municipal code. UNAPPROVED MINUTES Board of Recreation and Parks Minutes of March 28, 2007 Meeting Page 4 of 7 PUBLIC COMMENTS Allen Baldwin, Orange County Community Housing  He and his organization are very supportive of this action and feels it will be a great recognition of Chepa’s efforts. Sam Romero  In his opinion no other person has done more for her neighborhood than Chepa did.  Before the site became a park, the empty lots attracted a lot of problems and there was always broken glass and other stuff around.  Chepa was able to get volunteers to keep the lot clean on a regular basis until the City assumed the maintenance responsibility. Zeke Hernandez, Santa Ana LULAC #147  Read letter from his organization supporting renaming Logan Park to Chepa’s Park. Michael Andrade, Chepa’s Grandson  Can recall many times he attended various functions with his grandmother to receive these types of recognitions and she was proud of every one of them.  The renaming of this park to Chepa’s Park would be a great honor for the future generations of her family. Most are still local.  Knows that his grandmother would be very proud and honored by this. At this point Executive Director G. Mouet read a letter from the Historic French Park Association in support of this action. Motion to recommend to the Planning Commission and to City Council to approve the re- naming of Logan Park to Chepa’s Park. MOTION: J. Stroud SECOND: W. Tobiska VOTE: AYES: Acosta, Madrid, Nguyen, Orea, Stroud, Tobiska (6) NOES: None (0) ABSENT: (at voting) Havlik, Leon (2) 4. YOUTH SERVICES UPDATE Executive Director G. Mouet reviewed handout on Youth Services updates as presented at the Parks, Recreation, Education and Youth Council Committee meeting.  The Agency is developing an eight-week program that will introduce thirty students to the public government system.  The Youth Expo continues to grow.  A Youth Master Plan and resolution is being developed.  Intermural intermediate sports will be implemented.  An increase to the Agency’s annual operating budget has been requested to support the above programs. UNAPPROVED MINUTES Board of Recreation and Parks Minutes of March 28, 2007 Meeting Page 5 of 7 5. TWIST-BASLER HOUSE The house is scheduled to be moved to Cabrillo Tennis Center. The current tennis center is in a temporary structure and the master plan was to have a permanent tennis center. Staff has submitted a grant request for $1.5 Million dollars for improvements to the house once moved. Staff will provide more information and proposed designs at the next regular meeting. 6. BOARD RETREAT The Board retreat is confirmed for Saturday, April 7, 2007 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 7. NOMINATIONS FOR SPECIAL SERVICE AWARD TO THE YOUTH AND COMMUNITY OF SANTA ANA - YMCA of Orange County for their efforts toward a very successful California YMCA Youth and Government event in February (presented in April). - Coach Ray Roman for his efforts with Netz for Life (presented in May). - Regional OCC Program (presented in June). Motion to approve nominations as listed and to be presented at future meetings as indicated. MOTION: W. Tobiska SECOND: K. Nguyen VOTE: AYES: Acosta, Madrid, Nguyen, Orea, Stroud, Tobiska (6) NOES: None (0) ABSENT: (at voting) Havlik, Leon (2) UPCOMING EVENTS Event calendars for April and May, 2007 were reviewed and discussed, of special note: April 22: OCHSA Animal Serenade fundraiser for Barrier Free Basketball Courts May 18: Ribbon Cutting for new synthetic turf at stadium May 19: Nutrition and Fitness Fair at Hector Godinez High School At this point discussion ensued regarding protective covering for synthetic turf during special events such as the May Mother’s Day Celebration and the December Children’s Winter Holiday Party. STATUS/UPDATES 1. COMMITTEE ON FIELD USE (CoFU) – Strike letters for four leagues were reviewed, with hearings scheduled for next month. Currently, all adult baseball fields at HGHS are being programmed. Committee is now discussing possibly extending park hours not to go past the City’s ordinance of 11:00 p.m. 2. OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE – No report. 3. SANTA ANA HEALTH AND FITNESS TASK FORCE Momentum is building on additional joint-use opportunities. Jeannie Jurado has been promoted to Recreation Supervisor and will be working toward these efforts. Committee currently focused on the May 19th Nutrition and Fitness Fair. There has been much progress on the Madison trail maps. 4. FUNDRAISING/PARTNERSHIPS SUBCOMMITTEE – Currently focusing on and working toward the OCHSA Animal Serenade on April 22nd. UNAPPROVED MINUTES Board of Recreation and Parks Minutes of March 28, 2007 Meeting Page 6 of 7 5. GRAFFITI/VANDALISM RESTITUTION: Graffiti is still pretty rampant throughout the City. The Court Referral/Graffiti Task Force is now solely under the Agency and supervised/escorted by Agency staff only. Funding provided by the Public Works Abatement Fund. Santa Ana Police Department had previously been involved by escorting task force participants to ensure their safety. Several months ago, SAPD reassigned to other areas of the city due to various needs. Due to the elimination of police escort, task force participants now only work in the City’s parks, recreation and senior centers, and trails. 6. CABLE UPDATES Cable Consultant K. Bowers introduced herself to new Board Members and explained her role and scope of service. Time Warner is really struggling with customer service and is in break of many items in the current franchise agreement. Complaints are being received at an accelerated rate. Time Warner has appointed a new Executive Director. Time Warner has been asked to slow down the roll out of new services and to provide better training of staff. Time Warner could eventually be fined for material breach of the franchise agreement. Issues with Time Warner are a nationwide problem. 7. COMMUNITY CONTACT REPORTS AND UPDATES – Reviewed and discussed. 8. PENDING ITEMS/ACTION ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS COMMENTS PUBLIC COMMENTS Noted above throughout New Business section of these minutes. STAFF/CONSULTANT COMMENTS G. Mouet The Agency has been very busy with the growing focus on youth services. Introduced Assistant City Attorney Joe Straka. A. Martinez On behalf of Board Member J. Havlik, announced the birth of new baby girl. L. Lazarine-McCarty Distributed flyers announcing the Mother’s Day Celebration. K. Bowers  Is available to any Board Member to answer questions on cable issues. BOARD COMMENTS M. Madrid Shared information on three youth shelters serving youth ages 11-17. W. Tobiska Will not be able to attend the May 18th Stadium Ribbon Cutting as she will be attending her son’s college graduation. UNAPPROVED MINUTES Board of Recreation and Parks Minutes of March 28, 2007 Meeting Page 7 of 7 K. Nguyen Will work with school board of Garden Grove Unified School District to fill the vacant seat on the Board. Thank you to K. Bowers for assisting with cable coverage of theTet Festival and to all the Council Members that attended the event. D. Orea Thank you for the warm welcome. Very glad to be on the board. Expressed interest in participating on the Health and Fitness Task Force. J. Guadarrama Thank you for having me. F. Acosta Welcome to new Board Members. NEXT MEETING Wednesday, April 25, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. at the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency’s Administration Building, located at 888 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, California. Motion to adjourn meeting. MOTION: W. Tobiska SECOND: K. Nguyen VOTE: AYES: Acosta, Madrid, Nguyen, Orea, Stroud, Tobiska (6) NOES: None (0) ABSENT: (at voting) Havlik, Leon (2) MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:13 P.M. _____________________________ Athena Martinez Recording Secretary