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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMins 2007 06 June_FINALUNAPPROVED MINUTES Board of Recreation and Parks Minutes of June 27, 2007 Meeting Page 1 of 6 BOARD OF RECREATION AND PARKS MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING June 27, 2007 CALL TO ORDER El Salvador Recreation Center 1825 W. Civic Center Drive Santa Ana, California 5:40 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE J. Stroud ROLL CALL BOARD OF RECREATION AND PARKS MEMBERS/STUDENT REPS PRESENT: Frank Acosta, Joshua Havlik, Tish Leon, Max Madrid, Ken Nguyen, David Orea, Julie Stroud, Wendy Tobiska STAFF/CONSULTANTS PRESENT: Ron Ono, Administrative Services Manager Lorraine McCarty, Community Affairs Manager Joseph Straka, Assistant City Attorney Katherine Bowers, Cable Consultant Athena Martinez, Board Secretary PRESENTATIONS EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH PRESENTATION – July, 2007 Amber Alva was not able to attend, award will be presented next month. SPECIAL SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY PRESENTATION – June, 2007 Wendy Tobiska was present to receive this award as teacher at the Orange County High School of the Arts. CONSENT CALENDAR MOTION: J. Stroud SECOND: D. Orea VOTE: AYES: Acosta, Havlik, Leon, Madrid, Nguyen, Orea, Stroud, Tobiska (8) NOES: None (0) ABSENT: (at voting) (0) 1. MINUTES Approve Minutes of Regular Meeting held on May 23, 2007. 2. RECORDING SECRETARY’S REPORT The June 27, 2007 agenda was posted on the doors of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency Headquarters office and the doors of Council Chambers on May 18, 2007. UNAPPROVED MINUTES Board of Recreation and Parks Minutes of June 27, 2007 Meeting Page 2 of 6 3. ABSENCES All members were present. (J. Havlik arrived at 5:47 p.m.) ** END OF CONSENT CALENDAR ** BUSINESS CALENDAR NEW BUSINESS (F. Acosta arrived at 5:51 p.m.) 1. TOUR OF EL SALVADOR COMMUNITY CENTER Peggy Calvert, Recreation Program Coordinator led all present on a 15-minute tour of the newly renovated center. 2. CONCORD/CAMBRIDGE RESERVOIR Staff provided updates as follows: Resident, Colin Gawronski, had previously approached the Water Department regarding the possibility of the community landscaping the reservoir site and the City maintaining the landscaping. The Water Department approved the concept of the community landscaping the site, but the Public Works Agency does not have the resources to maintain the landscape. Mr. Gawronski was then referred to Parks, Recreation and Community Services (Agency) The Agency initially agreed to maintain the site with the following conditions: the neighborhood become a city-recognized neighborhood association; the neighborhood association would obtain a non-profit, 501(c)3 status; the developed site be open to the public for use. The purpose for the non-profit status of the neighborhood association was so that the Agency would be able to enter into agreement with the neighborhood association to maintain the landscaping of the site and the Association would be an official non-profit organization to solicit donations. Staff conducted further research on this project after the initial discussions as noted above, and concerns raised were: the site could not be designated as a public park due to plans for future reservoir expansion; the potential for public concern when land is taken back by the Water Department for a reservoir after becoming adjusted to having a landscaped open space; impacts to the Agency’s budget for additional landscaping needs. The Agency is rescinding the offer to maintain this site due to the concerns raised. Thom Coughran of the Water Department has indicated to Staff that once the reservoir expansion occurs, the remaining open space would be landscaped. The City Manager’s Office has been contacted by the neighborhood association and a site visit is pending. UNAPPROVED MINUTES Board of Recreation and Parks Minutes of June 27, 2007 Meeting Page 3 of 6 Commissioner Stroud indicated that she has personally visited the site and has been in direct contact with Mr. Coughran, who informed her at that time that the space needed for the future expansion would be approximately one-fourth of the existing space. The Board will be apprised of updates after the City Manager visits the site. PUBLIC COMMENTS Colin Gawronski, Fairbridge Square Neighborhood Association Thanked the Board for expressing support of beautifying the site. Residents are still dealing with problems at the site such as illegal dumping and other undesireable activities. Most residents want to see this site cleaned up and beautified now to deter these activities, especially if proposed well expansion is at least three years away. The Association is only asking that the site look nice and is not a blight to the community. Most of the residents do not have a problem with the installation of a fence, as long as what is behind the fence looks nice. Howard DeCruyenaere, Santiago Creek Greenway Alliance Has lived in Santa Ana since the 1960s. Has worked with Agency staff on Santiago Creek projects. Currently views site as an industrial site, which in his opinion does not reflect well for Santa Ana as an entrance into the City. Believes that the neighborhood association and the Agency could at least plant trees now and not wait. Expressed that the recent freeway expansion and large block wall needs some softening around the perimeter and trees would work. Being a water reservoir site, the lot could be used as a great educational opportunity about water, where it comes from, keeping the ocean clean, etc. Stated he is very much opposed to fencing off the area and restricting community access. Staff indicated to Mr. DeCruyenaere that the Cambridge Street frontage of the reservoir and the reservoir landscaping is a public works responsibility. The Board of Recreation and Parks can only address issues related to park sites. The Public Works Agency has a similar board/commission that gives them recommendations and his comments should be directed to the Environmental and Transportation Advisory Committee (ETAC). Chair Acosta requested that when the City Manager conducts his visit of the site, that staff convey the Board’s preference to leave the site open and not fence it in. Commissioner Havlik suggested that PWA obtain figures on the future water demands of the well in order to have a better understanding of the space that is actually needed for the expansion project. UNAPPROVED MINUTES Board of Recreation and Parks Minutes of June 27, 2007 Meeting Page 4 of 6 3. BUDGET UPDATE Agency submitted a request for an additional $500,000 to be added to the 2007- 2008 Fiscal Year base. The increase requested for additional funds was needed for the landscaping contract and utility increases. This request was not approved and Agency adjustments were made to award the landscape contract. The balance of the Agency budget was approved. 4. NOMINATIONS FOR SPECIAL SERVICE AWARD TO THE YOUTH AND COMMUNITY OF SANTA ANA None at this time. UPCOMING EVENTS Staff invited Board Members to the two events scheduled for June 30th (El Salvador Center ribbon cutting at 10:00 a.m. and the Independence Day Concert and Spaghetti Dinner at the Godinez High School Performing Arts Center at 5:30 p.m.). Event calendars for July and August 2007 were reviewed and discussed, of special note: July 17: State of the Agency and Picnic, El Salvador Center August 4: Antique and Classic Car Show, Portola Park August 11: Madison Park Walk-a-Thon, Faire and Concert August 25: Zoofari Staff confirmed the Santa Ana River tour for Saturday, November 10, 2007 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. STATUS/UPDATES 1. COMMITTEE ON FIELD USE (CoFU) – The issue of soccer leagues reserving fields and subletting to leagues outside of the reservation system was discussed. A policy is being drafted stipulating that leagues who are caught doing this will be expelled from the system. SAUSD has indicated that they will implement the same. The committee also reviewed the new requests for fields and a wait list has been generated. Strike letters and warnings were reviewed, and many leagues have requested extensions to response time as the fifteen days given is not enough time. Residents around some athletic fields have raised concerns about amplified sound. CoFU cannot require sound permits, however the City Code does address this issue. Fields at Hector Godinez High School will be closed from July 1 through September 1, and all teams utilizing those fields have been notified. The fields will still be accessible for pubic use, but no organized sports will be allowed during this time, and the Agency is working to accommodate teams/leagues that have been displaced during these three months. SAUSD/City joint use fees will supercede previous fee structures. 2. OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE – Fisher Park improvements were discussed. “Mothers of Floral Park” within the Flower Park neighborhood have requested improvements of playground equipment for older children. Conceptual plans were presented and approved by residents. Cost estimates are being prepared and another meeting will be scheduled with this community. Memorial Park concession stand expansion request from Pop Warner was reviewed. Pop Warner built the existing concession stand and adjacent restrooms with their own funds and manpower and are now requesting to expand to provide additional storage space. UNAPPROVED MINUTES Board of Recreation and Parks Minutes of June 27, 2007 Meeting Page 5 of 6 The request will go before the neighborhood association for their approval and will come before the Board for recommendation. 3. SANTA ANA HEALTH AND FITNESS TASK FORCE – No report. 4. EVENTS AND PROGRAMS COMMITTEE – Discussed the June 30th Kiwaniis Dinner to raise funds for the Barrier Free Basketball Court. Also discussed the idea of an Independence Day parade as suggested by Carlos Bustamante. 5. GRAFFITI/VANDALISM RESTITUTION – Will Hayes has been designated as the Chairman for the Graffiti Task Force. The current budget for the Graffiti Task Force is $150,000. The Public Works Agency as allotted an additional $150,000 for a total of $300,000 in Fiscal Year 2007-2008. SAUSD has launched a new anti-graffiti campaign throughout every school level. Madison Park Neighborhood will be identifying a “graffiti free zone” along the P & E Bike Trail at the Walk-a-Thon, Faire and Concert on July 21, 2007. 6. CABLE UPDATES The Mayor’s State of the City address has been completed and will begin airing soon. Coverage of the Animal Serenade at the Zoo will air in July. Time Warner is staying the course regarding outstanding issues. Laura Sheedy of the City Attorney’s office is overseeing cable issues and documentation continues. 7. COMMUNITY CONTACT REPORTS AND UPDATES – Commissioner Havlik requested that the Agency’s response to the concerns raised by the Boy Scouts Soccer Program be provided at the next meeting. 8. PENDING ITEMS/ACTION ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS Update from the July 12 ETAC meeting regarding the trees removed by the County in the Riverbed. Staff presentation on the recent improvements/projects being done at Santiago Park. Request for a more welcoming entrance into Santiago Park when entering from the Discovery Science Center side. COMMENTS STAFF/CONSULTANT COMMENTS R. Ono Council to present proclamation that July is Parks and Recreation Month at the July 2 meeting. Chair Acosta and Vice Chair Leon to attend and accept the proclamation on behalf of the Agency and Board. Council approved the renaming of Logan Park to Chepa’s Park during the June 4 meeting, and also requested that a plaque indicating Chepa’s accomplishments be installed. The Logan Neighborhood Association indicated they would provide funding for both the new park sign and plaque. BOARD COMMENTS M. Madrid Congratulations to Wendy Tobiska on this evening’s well-deserved recognition. Will be out of town the month of August and would lik to be excused from the August 22 board meeting. UNAPPROVED MINUTES Board of Recreation and Parks Minutes of June 27, 2007 Meeting Page 6 of 6 J. Havlik As he was appointed to this Board by the School Board, they requested that he provide updates on his Board of Recreation and Parks service at a recent School Board meeting. His report included items such as the increase in summer programming and successes in joint use efforts. In turn, the School Board provided the following for him to share with the Board: An estimated 40% of students will be active with SAUSD summer programs; free meals will be distributed at 20-30 sites for children 18 years of age and under; Summer School will be in session through the end of July; School Board has issued a directive to SAUSD to increase communications between SAUSD Public Information Offices and the Agency. While touring the El Salvador, noticed that only one staff person was wearing a City uniform staff. This was an issue at previous meetings and was very surprised to see this, especially considering that center staff has been long aware that the Board would be meeting here this evening. J. Stroud Would like to know date of next Fisher Park Neighborhood Association meeting. Would like to know who is on the Graffiti Task Force and when they meet. T. Leon The Pio Pico Softball Tournament fundraiser, organized by Councilmember Martinez, will take place this weekend at Memorial Park from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The initial goal was to obtain twelve sponsors at $250 each and currently there are 24 sponsors committed. There will be a concert on the greens of the Reagan Building, directly across from the Bistro, on July 22. Was very disappointed at the turnout of Board Members at the Mother’s Day Celebration in May. Aside from herself, only Commissioner Havlik attended with his family and was alone at a table set for eight. Commissioners should make every effort to attend Agency- sponsored events, especially when there is an Agency cost incurred. NEXT MEETING Wednesday, July 24, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. in the large conference room of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Administration Building, located at 888 W. Santa Ana Blvd. in Santa Ana, California. Motion to adjourn meeting. MOTION: J. Havlik SECOND: T. Leon VOTE: AYES: Acosta, Havlik, Leon, Madrid, Nguyen, Orea, Stroud, Tobiska (8) NOES: None (0) ABSENT: (at voting) (0) MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:15 P.M. _____________________________ Athena Martinez Recording Secretary