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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.2 DRAFT Minutes 04-21-2014 PARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Draft Minutes CITY OF DUBLIN April 21, 2014 The April 21, 2014 Regular Meeting of the Parks and Community Services Commission was called to order at 7:25 PM at the Dublin Civic Center, Dublin, California, by Chair Totaro. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair Totaro led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Commissioners (Cm.) Present: Ballesteros, Boboc, Elias, Mack, Sung, Totaro Commissioner Absent: None ORAL COMMUNICATIONS 3.1 BRIEF INFORMATIONAL ONLY REPORTS FROM THE SENIOR CENTER AND YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEES Senior Center Advisory Committee Vice Chair Mack reported that at the last Senior Center Advisory Committee Meeting the Committee discussed the Farmers' Market. Vice Chair Mack reported on the Live Healthy Dublin "Step 2 It Challenge", City water conservation efforts, that the Dublin Senior Foundation bingo program continues to do well. Vice Chair Mack reported that Ms. Micki Cronin, Assistant Director of Parks and Community Services, attended the last Senior Center Foundation Meeting and they discussed the Holiday Boutique. Vice Chair Mack informed the Commission the Grand Opening of Passatempo Park and the Annual Car Show at the Heritage Park and Museums will be held on May 3, 2014. Youth Advisory Committee Cm. Sung reported that at the last meeting, the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) discussed the Youth Benefit Concert, the Annual Car Show, the Student Representative for the Parks and Community Services Commission application and the Youth Advisory Committee Member application. Cm. Sung reported that the YAC raised $540 during the St. Patrick's Day Festival for the City's Recreation Fee Assistance Program. Cm. Sung informed the Commission that the YAC Chair and Vice Chair are scheduled to present their annual report to the YAC at their May 28, 2014 meeting and to City Council in June. 3.2 PUBLIC COMMENTS None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 4.1 March 17, 2014 On a motion by Cm. Boboc, seconded by Vice Chair Mack, and by a vote of 6-0-0 the Commission voted to approve the minutes of March 17, 2014, as presented. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS None PUBLIC HEARING None UNFINISHED BUSINESS None P&CSC Draft Minutes—April 21, 2014—Page 2 of 5 NEW BUSINESS 8.1 Jordan Ranch Neighborhood Park Play Area Design Alternatives Mr. Doug Rooney, Parks and Facilities Development Coordinator, presented the specifics of the item as outlined in the Staff Report. Chair Totaro asked about the size of the Park. Mr. Rooney stated the park would be approximately 4.5 acres. Cm. Elias asked about the differences in the amount of open space in the playground area between Option One and Option Two. Mr. Rooney stated Option One is larger from a play area perspective due to the type of play equipment requiring a larger fall zone and surface area so it appears to have more open space. Cm. Ballesteros commented on Option One having less walkable area on the play structure as compared to Option Two's play structure. Mr. Rooney stated Option One has a greater emphasis on climbing whereas Option Two has more "occupy-able" space on the play structure. Mr. Balagi, Dublin resident, asked about maintenance for the shade structures. Mr. Rooney stated he did not have the exact information on the life of the shade structure material; however, they would need to be replaced in the future. In addition to the shade structures, trees would be planted around the play area and over time would provide more shade as they matured. Mr. Balagi asked if the walkway by the creek area has any future design plans. Mr. Rooney stated the walkway is in an open space area and will most likely remain in its natural form. Cm. Ballesteros asked if the shade structures would be shaped like an umbrella. Mr. Rooney stated that during the conceptual design phase, the shade structures were originally triangular in shape. However, due to expenses, an alternative structure called the "Tornado" has been selected. Cm. Ballesteros commented on the play equipment features she liked in Option Two compared to Option One. Cm. Ballesteros stated she likes Option One but felt that Option Two was more usable. Cm. Ballesteros expressed her safety concerns with Option One's climbing wall structure. Mr. Rooney stated Staff could work with the designer to alter the relationship of the mound to the climbing structure to mitigate the concern of injuries. Cm. Elias asked about the height of the mound located near the climbing structure. Mr. Rooney stated the mound is approximately 30 inches high. Cm. Ballesteros commented that she liked the alternative option of adding a third play structure rather than a basketball court. Mr. Rooney stated Staff looked at alternative options that would allow for a larger play area in exchange for other amenities. Cm. Boboc stated he likes Option One because of the climbing wall since it is a unique feature as compared to other Dublin parks. Vice Chair Mack stated she likes Option One and that it is crucial to have play areas for children. P&CSC Draft Minutes—April 21, 2014—Page 3 of 5 Cm. Elias stated he likes Option Two. He stated Option One has good aspects but appears empty. Cm. Elias stated Option Two has better spatial elements and more activities for children. Cm. Elias asked if planting a more mature tree for shade would be a more suitable alternative than an artificial shade structure. Mr. McCreary, Parks and Community Services Director, stated a smaller tree would establish and develop better over time rather than a larger, mature tree as they tend to not transplant well. Mr. McCreary stated Staff will research the life of the canvas, the warranty and the cost for replacement on the proposed shade structures. Mr. McCreary recommended to the Commission that they not sacrifice park amenities in order to create an elaborate play structure area as it could become the expectation for all future neighborhood parks and to also consider other amenities for adults and those who have outgrown the play structures. Mr. Rooney stated 17% of the construction budget for Jordan Ranch Neighborhood Park would be spent on the play area, whereas the basketball court, volleyball court and shade structures combined only account for 5% of the budget. Cm. Elias stated he is not in favor of replacing any of the amenities with additional play structures. Cm. Elias stated it is important to offer variety as residents have interests in amenities other than play structures. Cm. Sung asked about the purpose of the mounds in the play structure areas. Mr. Rooney stated the mounds are part of the fall zone as it provides a rubber surface and a shorter fall. The mounds also provide some nature play aspects in a familiar environment as well add a unique feature. Cm. Sung stated she likes Option Two because parents may see Option Two as more safe than Option One and the small children area provides a creative facet. Chair Totaro asked why Staff prepared the amenity exchanges for additional play equipment. Mr. McCreary stated City Council requested the amenity exchange information in order to compare Jordan Ranch Neighborhood Park to other recently built parks in Dublin. Chair Totaro stated that he likes Option One but prefers Option Two as more children can play at the same time on the play structures. Chair Totaro commented that he likes the new shade structures but hopes they are equipped to deal with the sun and the wind. Chair Totaro also stated that he does not think the basketball or volleyball court should be exchanged for additional play structures. On a motion by Cm. Elias, seconded by Cm. Sung and by a vote of 5-1-0, with Cm. Boboc voting nay, the Parks and Community Services Commission voted to recommend approval to the City Council of Jordan Ranch Neighborhood Park, Option Two, with no amenity exchanges for additional play equipment. OTHER BUSINESS 9.1 BRIEF INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS FROM PARKS & COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSIONERS AND/OR STAFF Vice Chair Mack reported that she attended the opening Farmers' Market. Vice Chair Mack commented that there were many children in attendance. P&CSC Draft Minutes—April 21,2014—Page 4 of 5 Chair Totaro asked about the progress of the Shannon Park Water Play Area Renovation Project. Mr. McCreary stated the Shannon Park Water Play Area Renovation Project is waiting on an item for the filtration system and is scheduled to open Memorial Day weekend. Vice Chair Mack reported she attended the April Spring Luncheon at the Senior Center, catered by Green Lantern. Vice Chair Mack informed the Commission that Green Lantern will also be catering the Mother's Day Luncheon at the Senior Center on Thursday, May 8, 2014. Cm. Boboc asked about the one of the sports fields at Emerald Glen Park being taped off. Ms. Cronin stated the area was taped off for the City's Eggstravaganza Easter Egg Hunt event. Cm. Ballesteros reported she attended the follow up St. Patrick's Day Festival Logistics Meeting. Overall, the Festival was a success. Mr. McCreary informed the Commission that there is a community survey on the City website. If the survey results in any trends Staff will come up with strategies for changes to the Festival next year and present them to the Commission. Cm. Boboc asked about the cost of the Emerald Glen Recreation and Aquatics Complex (EGRAC) Public Art Proposal from Mr. Todji Kurtzman. Mr. McCreary stated currently $170,000 of the EGRAC Public Art Project budget is dedicated to Mr. Kurtzman's art piece. Mr. McCreary introduced the Commission to the new Parks and Facilities Development Coordinator, Ms. Megan Tiernan. Mr. McCreary stated a few of the projects Ms. Tiernan will be working on. Mr. McCreary updated the Commission on the City's water conservation efforts in response to the drought. Chair Totaro asked if the reduced operational schedule of the City's park water play features will include the newly renovated water play area at Shannon Park. Mr. McCreary stated Shannon Park's water play area will be included in the reduced operational schedule. Chair Totaro asked about the trinket that will be given out to attendees at the Passatempo Park Opening. Ms. Cronin stated the item is an insulated lunch bag. Chair Totaro asked where the lunch bag was made. Ms. Cronin stated she was unsure, but would find out where they were made and report back to the Commission. Chair Totaro further asked for the status of the, "Buy American" work plan. Mr. McCreary stated it was never requested of Staff by the City Council. Ms. Cronin and Mr. McCreary provided program and project updates. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM. Respectfully submitted, Jennifer Kransky Senior Office Assistant APPROVED: P&CSC Draft Minutes—April 21,2014—Page 5 of 5 Chairperson