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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-23-2005 Approved PCSC Minutes CITY OF DUBLIN, PARKS AND COMMUNITY-SERVICES COMMISSION OF— 2005 The meeting of the Parks and Community Services Commission was called to order at 7:03 p.m. at the Dublin Civic Center,Dublin, California,by Chairperson Flores. Pledge of Allegiance Chairperson Flores led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call Commissioners Present: Flores, Guarienti, Cain, Muetterties, Jones and Smith Oral Communications-None Approval of Minutes ON A MOTION BY CM. CAIN, SECONDED BY CM. GUARIENTI AND BY UNANIMOUS VOTE, THE COMMISSION VOTED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF APRIL 18, 2005 AS PRESENTED. Written Communications-None Public Hearing-None Unfinished Business 7.1 Fallon Sports Park Master Plan—Review of Final Draft Parks and Facilities Development Manager Herma Lichtenstein reported that at the June 21, 2004 Parks & Community Services Commission Meeting, Carducci and Associates presented the three Master Plan alternatives and the preferred scheme of the Task Force. The Commission selected Scheme B as the preferred design and recommended that the design be referred back to the Task Force to reevaluate the space requirements of the two 90' baseball diamonds and to consider removal of the baseball diamonds to allow for program flexibility in the future. Staff returned to the Task Force and looked at options for the baseball field area. At that time the consultants refined the Master Plan with updated engineering information received from the developer and our engineering department. As a result, the grades were adjusted leaving space for only one 90' baseball field. Additionally the parking was reconfigured to allow for access per Traffic Engineering requirements. The Task Force at that time was in favor of retaining one 90' baseball field in the plan. The Task Force subsequently approved the overall design of the master plan and gave general direction on the first phase of the improvements. The consultants, Carducci and Associates, then finalized the phasing plan with cost estimates and prepared a draft master plan for Staff review in November 2004. Subsequent to the completion of the Master Plan, Staff moved forward with environmental documentation to determine if any issues would impact the design. At this time it has been determined that no impact exists that would affect the design and Staff could move forward with completion of the Master Plan. Lichtenstein introduced Vince Lattanzio of Carducci and Associates, to give a brief overview of the design process and the adjustments made to the final master plan. Mr. Lattanzio stated that a series of five meetings were conducted with the Task Force. Preliminary designs were developed by the Task Force which were pared down to three options, Option A, B and C. Lattanzio reviewed the three options and indicated that Option B was preferred by the Task Force. From there, and after receiving input from the Commission, the final draft Master Plan was developed. Lattanzio referred the specifics of the design for the Commission utilizing the overhead screen. Minutes—May 23,2005 Page 2 of 5 ' Commission Input Cm. Guarienti stated that looking at what will be in Phase I, he sees three restrooms. If that is correct, he felt that the restrooms should be highlighted, as it is usually an issue with people. Lattanzio stated that there will be restrooms in the area near the basketball and tennis courts, softball fields, BMX and at the end of the play area. No matter what the activity,people would not have too far to walk to a restroom. Cm. Guarineti asked exactly where the loop trail will be located. Lattanzio stated that the Phase I area incorporates almost a full loop by connecting to the sidewalk temporarily, until the upper terrace is developed. Then there will be an internal walkway through the whole site. Until that time, you will be able to circumvent the site with a roadway and public walkway as the next phases come in. Cm. Cain stated that in examining Phase I, it looks like it includes those activities that require lighting, whereas the upper and lower terraces do not have a lot of lighted areas. Lattanzio stated that the lighted areas include baseball, softball, soccer, parking lots, courts and parking lot. The lighting was balanced to keep it centralized as much as possible to provide what we consider to be the least impact to the surrounding neighborhoods. Cm. Cain asked if the BMX area will require lighting. Lattanzio replied, no. It is not the kind of activity that you would want going on at night. Public Input Jim North, 11622 Juarez Court, stated that currently there are two 90' diamonds in the City, one at the Dublin Sports Grounds and one at Emerald Glen. The one at Emerald Glen is convertible, meaning that it can be used as a 90' or 80' diamond. Many of the 13-14 year olds are not physically equipped to play on a 90' diamond. In Dublin we have four teams of children above the age of 12 that play on the bigger diamond, three of the teams play on the 80' diamond and one on the 90' diamond. From a youth prospective, Little League would prefer that the field be made into an 80' diamond which could be converted to a 90' diamond. Marina Amin, Investment Real Estate Company, 327 Mary Street, Pleasanton, inquired as to the timeframe for the project. Lowart stated that we don't have a timeframe at this time. The City Council will be considering on June 20, 2005 an update to the Five Year CIP. At that time we will be recommending to the City Council that the first phase of development start in Fiscal Year 2007-2008. We do not anticipate that any facilities will be available until Fiscal Year 2009-2010. The timing is based on when the infrastructure will be out to the site and when funding is available to construct it. Amin asked if Fallon Road was the only access to the fields. Also, what is BMX? Lattanzio stated that there will be no vehicular access from Fallon Road. There is only pedestrian access off of Fallon Road. BMX is a bicycle jumping and racing dirt course which attracts primarily teenagers. Lattanzio wanted to point out to the Commission that BMX trail is sunken into the area. It is very well hidden and screened with earth berms to help reduce the noise. Cm. Muetterties asked what was next to the BMX trail. Lattanzio stated that it is the existing fire station on Fallon Road. Ms. Amin asked if the BMX is level with Fallon Road? Lattanzio stated that it is down about 25'. Cm. Cain stated that he has not seen a more professional presentation than what we are looking at tonight for the Fallon Sports Park Master Plan. In reviewing the facts and figures, it seems that 2/3 of the estimated cost for this project is for non-related sports facilities, leaving 1/3 for sports fields. He recognizes that all of this is important to the overall park concept. He complimented Staff on a job well done. Cm. Guarienti stated that as a representative of the Commission to the Fallon Task Force, he applauds the process, as it was very well done. We learned some things from Emerald Glen and the improvements show the end result. There was a lot of good public input, particularly those that recognized bocce and cricket as things that should be given consideration. Minutes—May 23,2005 Page 3 of 5 Cm. Jones voiced concern regarding the parking. At this time of the year when sports such as little league and soccer are in full swing, he does not feel that there will be enough parking available at this site. He asked if there will be on-street parking. Lattanzio stated that the Task Force addressed parking and wanted adequate parking but did not want to over-park. There is space for 67 cars along Lockhart on the park side and 60 to 70 along the other side of Lockhart. The adjacent elementary school can also be used for overflow parking after school hours. Lowart pointed out that it would be highly,unlikely that the City would schedule several tournaments (little league, soccer,BMX) at the same time. Staff will make sure that they do not over-schedule the facility. Cm. Jones asked if the additional building area is going to include a snack bar for little league and soccer. Lattanzio stated that the intention is to provide restrooms, storage and opportunities for snack shacks in each of the locations. Cm. Smith felt that the Fallon Park Master Plan design was very professional. Cm. Flores concurred with Cm. Cain that Carducci Associates did a great job given the direction they received from the Task Force. She stated that when this item came to the Commission last June, it was made very clear that the Commission thought it was too ambitious. Although everyone liked Scheme B it was recommended that the baseball fields be removed. However she feels that it is still too ambitious with the one field remaining. She hopes that there will be some flexibility as we move forward with removal or rearrangement of part of the lower terrace. Lowart stated that the goal of a Master Plan is to identify what could happen on the site,but given the size of the park and the timeframe for build-out of the park,there is room for flexibility. As pointed out in the Staff report, there is an adopted standard for baseball fields in the Parks & Recreation Master Plan. In order to meet that standard at build-out, two 90' diamonds are needed. If they are not at Fallon another location needs to be found or the Master Plan standard needs to be amended. Cm. Flores asked if we revise the Master Plan, do we need to check with Dublin Little League to see if they will need a 90' diamond. Lowart stated that is another reason why we have to be flexible in the development of the plan, to continue to look at our demographics and keep in contact with our sports groups to see exactly what their needs are. Mr. North's comments regarding flexibility to change the 80' diamond to a 90' diamond is possible providing that it is built as a 90' diamond. Cm. Cain asked if the Dublin Sports Grounds was built out. Lowart stated, yes. Cm. Cain asked if there was room Emerald Glen for a baseball field. Lowart stated that at Emerald Glen there is still an area that has potential for another 60' baseball field but would be contingent on what we do with the recreation and aquatic centers. Cm. Jones asked about the chances of making an 80' diamond into a 60' diamond. Cm. Flores asked if grading would allow for it in the upper-terrace. Lattanzio stated that it would be very tight and that retaining walls would be needed. 'Cm. Cain asked if there was going to be a water feature. Lichtenstein stated that it is still optional. Cm. Cain stated. that the plans refer to the possibility for public art, which would not be under the Parks Commission but rather under the Heritage Commission. Lowart stated that when we have done public art in a park, it has been a joint process with final approval from the City Council. When we are ready to move forward, we will go to the City Council to get consensus from them, as public art is paid for from the General Fund. North stated that in regards to the conversion of one of the baseball fields from a 60' to an 80' diamond, that would be problematic logistically due to the pitching mound. There is a 9' difference between the pitching mound of a 60' field than there is on a 90' diamond. You would have to physically move the mound on the 60' mound and is easier to do on an 80' diamond. Right now out at Emerald Glen there is a second 60' field at the Minutes—May 23,2005 Page 4 of 5 eastern end of the park which is rarely used by Little League. If you were to think about conversion, it might be a trade off to convert the 60' diamond to a 90' diamond. ON A MOTION BY CM. GUARIENTI, SECONDED BY CM. MUETTERTIES AND BY UNANIMOUS VOTE, THE COMMISSION VOTED TO DIRECT THE FINAL DRAFT OF THE FALLON SPORTS PARK MASTER PLAN TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL. Cm. Cain at 7:50 p.m. requested that the Commission take a 10-minute recess. The Commission concurred. The meeting reconvened at 8:00 p.m. New Business 8.1 Fiscal Year 2005-2006 Update to the Capital Improvement Program Lowart briefly summarized the projects completed during Fiscal Year 2004-2005 which included: Shannon Community Center Improvements — Building Analysis, Emerald Glen.Park Phase II, Emerald Glen Park Activity Center, Park Play Area Renovations, Installation of Lighting for Soccer Field#3 &Baseball Field #3, Installation of Softball Field Safety Netting, Parks &Recreation Master Plan Update and Fallon Sports Park Master Plan. In addition, she summarized the projects included in the proposed CIP Update 2005-2006, which included: Dublin Historic Park Master Plan,Murray Schoolhouse Exhibit Restoration, Emerald Glen Park Phase III, Emerald Glen Park Recreation and Aquatic Complex, Park Play Area Renovations, Dublin Ranch Neighborhood Parks, Dublin Sports Grounds Renovation, Fallon Sports Park, Senior Center Construction, Park Furniture Replacement, Stagecoach Park Assessment District Water Meter, Dougherty Hills Dog Park and the Shannon Community Center Reconstruction. Unfunded projects which have been included in the CIP but are expected to occur beyond the timeframe of this CIP include: completion of the final phase of Emerald Glen Park; one additional neighborhood park in the Dublin Ranch development; construction of Fallon Sports Park; Community Theater/Cultural Arts Center; Eastern Dublin Parks; construction of Emerald Glen Park Community Center; Schaefer Ranch Neighborhood Parks; and Transit Center Park. The City Council will conduct a Public Hearing on the CIP and Fiscal Year 2005-2006 Budget on June 20, 2005 ' at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of the Dublin Civic Center. ON A MOTION BY CM. CAIN, SECONDED BY CM. JONES AND BY UNANIMOUS VOTE, THE COMMISSION VOTED TO CONFIRM THE PROJECT PRIORITIES AS PROPOSED BY STAFF. Other Business Brief INFORMATIONAL ONLY Reports from Parks & Community Services Commissioners and/or Staff Cm. Cain asked if Paul has scheduled a tour of the facilities? Lowart replied that he is looking at a tour in July. Cm. Guarienti stated that he wanted to acknowledge Wells Middle School leadership class. They took the seniors to an A's game, paid for the BART tickets, game tickets and meals. He wrote a letter to the leadership teacher and to the student he was with. Everyone was very impressed with all the students. He reported that he and Cm. Jones attended the St. Patrick's Day and Day on the Glen Liaison meeting. There were a lot of good ideas. He attended the Bray Commons dedication and was very impressed with the dogs catching the Frisbees. He inquired as to when the Shannon Playground will be completed. Lowart stated it is anticipated that the Shannon Playground equipment should be installed by the end of this week and open to the public. The outstanding component is the bridge which is being installed across the water play feature. • Minutes—May 23,2005 Page 5of5 Cm. Guarienti stated that he will not be able to attend the June 27 meeting. Cm. Jones reported that there were a lot of new ideas expressed at the Day on the Glen Liaison meeting. He took his granddaughter to the Bray Commons dedication and she had a real good time. She particularly liked McGruff. Cm. Flores commented that it was nice to see the private swim lessons blocked out with the times, which made it a lot clearer and easier to read. Cm. Jones invited everyone to the Lions Club Motorcycle Poker Run and BBQ at Emerald Glen Park on June 4. Staff Reports: *Staff is in the process of accepting summer registration. Online registration has greatly increased. *We are moving forward with the design of Shannon Community Center. *The Dublin Historic Master Plan went to the City Council last week with the consultant recommendation. She will be meeting with the consultant next week and setting up a public input schedule. *June is Erik's last meeting and Friday,May 27 is the deadline for student representative applications. *Dub Town Jam drew about 250 kids. Adjournment Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, • Char J. Young f Administrative Technician APPROVED: t4 ir v _ :LIB 11 airp- son