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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-15-2006 Approved PCSC & HSC Joint Meeting Minutes CITY OF DUBLIN JOINT MEETING OF THE PARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION AND HERITAGE AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION MINUTES OF: May 15,2006: The Special Joint Meeting of the Parks and Community Services Commission and the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission was called to order at 7:03 PM at the Dublin Civic Center, Council Chambers, Dublin, California, by Parks&Community Services Commission Chair Flores. Pledge of Alleziance Chair Flores led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call Parks&Community.Services Commissioners Present: Flores, Guarienti,Jones,Muetterties and Cain. Parks&Community Services Commissioners Absent: Hart Heritage&Cultural Arts Commission Present: Acuff,Fasulkey,Halket,Mack,Von Heeder-Leopold Heritage&Cultural Arts Commission Absent: Lussie and White Oral Communications-None Approval of Minutes-None Written Communications-None Public Hearing-None Unfinished Business 7.1 Dublin Historic Park Draft Master Plan Parks and Facilities Development Manager Herma Lichtenstein reported that one of the City Council Strategic Goals for 2004-2005 is to "Expand and enhance Dublin Historic Park". She gave a brief overview of the history of the project to date and reported that Royston Hanamoto Alley and Abey (RHAA) have now completed the Dublin Historic Master Draft Plan Report and site plan. Lichtenstein introduced Aditya Advani, Consultant, RHAA. Advani presented the Dublin Historic Park Draft Master Plan to the Parks&Community Services Commission and the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission. Commissioner Comments Cm. Vonheeder-Leopold asked if Phase 4 could go follow the completion of Phase 1. Advani stated that Phase 4 could follow the completion of Phase 1. Cm. Vonheeder-Leopold asked if there was a provision for the possibility of the pavilion being a little larger. Advani stated that the exact size of the pavilion has not been determined yet therefore there is some flexibility with this component of the park. Cm. Acuff asked how much extra mobilization costs will be incurred by completing this plan in phases rather than completing the work as one project. Advani advised that the mobilization costs would be approximately 40-50% less. Cm. Jones asked if the amount was close to 4.6 million dollars. Advani stated that the amount would be considerably lower because your mobilization costs would be higher for the entire job vs. breaking the mobilization fees out into Phases. Lichtenstein clarified that the bottom line mobilization figure is actually about 10% of the construction costs only. Minutes—May 15, 2006 Page 2 of 4 Cm. Vonheeder-Leopold asked if Lichtenstein could provide an estimate as to the additional costs the City will incur by completing this plan in Phases. Lichtenstein advised that she could provide a figure however, she cautioned to keep in mind that if the project moved forward as one job, the City may have to float a bond to pay for the Historic Park and pay interest on those funds so either way, additional costs would be incurred. Cm. Guarienti felt that the streetscape improvements should be completed as soon as possible since funding is already in place. Cm. Guarienti suggested starting work at Phase 5 and/or combining Phase 4 and Phase 5 into one job. These changes could reduce mobilization costs and would provide the Heritage Center with the much needed improvements,up front,rather than waiting until the end of the project to complete this work. Lichtenstein, reminded the Commissioners that the first item to be completed in this project, streetscape improvements, is being funded by an MTC Grant and must be acted upon this year in order to comply with the grant conditions. Lichtenstein also advised the City has noticed a marked increase in vandalism costs since the closure of the Shannon Community Center. We are learning that leaving buildings vacant attracts vandalism. Lichtenstein would like to demolish the buildings in Dublin Square as indicated in Phase Ito keep vandalism clean up and repair costs down during the Master Plan process. Cm. Acuff asked if we were any closer to knowing if we can acquire Dublin Square. Parks & Community Services Director Diane Lowart advised that acquiring this land is part of a much larger process that the City is undertaking. The City is working on the Specific Plan process, a General Plan amendment and environmental review. Until the City Council actually adopts an amendment to the General Plan and has a Specific Plan that designates this area as park land we cannot move forward with the acquisition of the property. She reviewed the tentative schedule for a public hearing with City Council on August 1, 2006 and informed the Commissions that the City Council will be asked to decide on four different actions: 1. Complete an amendment to the General Plan to re-designate Dublin Square and several others parcels of land from retail/commercial to park and public recreation. 2. Adopt a Specific Plan for the area which identifies these parcels as park areas. 3. Approve Environmental documents. 4. Adopt an amendment to the Parks Master Plan and adopt the Dublin Historic Master Plan Cm. Acuff was concerned that estimates for the site acquisition costs were not realistic. Lowart advised that the property negotiations, in a situation like this, are very tricky. A land appraisal had been completed but certainly we would have to revisit that appraisal at the time of purchase and adjust costs accordingly. For the purpose of this master plan,we use current figures and then every year staff revisits costs to adjust for fluctuations in the market. Chairperson Mack asked if the streetscape project needed to be started by the next calendar year or the next fiscal year. Lowart advised that the funds need to be encumbered by the end of the next fiscal year. This means we have to have a project identified and be in a position to start the work in order to fulfill the requirements of the grant. Public Comment Chair Flores asked all persons interested in making a public comment on this issue to come forward. Sue Hagan, 6572 Donlon Way, Dublin, asked if the sound wall was going to extend to Donlon Way. Advani answered that the sound wall would extend to Donlon Way. Hagan asked if it would be possible to run the high voltage lines underground. The historic trees in this area get pretty chopped up by the tree trimmers when they are being pruned to accommodate the voltage lines and this creates an unsightly image of the area. Minutes—May 15,2006 Page 3 of 4 Hagan,advised their dog kennel borders the cemetery expansion and she is worried that people may not want to be disturbed by the dogs especially while attending a funeral or service. Hagan suggested putting some type of a fence to shield the public from having to view or be bothered by the dogs. Beth Wood, 10750 Inspiration Circle, Dublin, stated that she likes the vision of the Draft Master Plan but asked if anyone considered having the fresh water feature completed at the beginning of the Phases. Wood advised that the Fresh Water feature was originally discussed as being completed at the beginning of the project because we wanted to use the Freshwater Corner as a draw to the public from Dublin Boulevard. Heritage& Cultural Arts Commission Comments Cm. Vonheeder-Leopold thought that putting the high voltage lines underground was a good idea. Lichtenstein advised that the MTC grant is strictly for pedestrian type improvements that would make the area more walk-able. The under grounding is actually across the street, adjacent to the historic trees. Cm. Fasulkey stated that she was very pleased with the draft plan. She asked if we move forward with the streetscape improvements during the first part of this plan and heavy construction is started later, will the streetscape be ruined by heavy equipment. Advani advised that,they have left entrance and exit points for the contractors to use as their staging area. Cm. Fasulkey asked if the school and church would still be open during construction. Lichtenstein responded that they would. Vice-Chairperson Halket asked what the time frame would be for doing this project in phases vs. simultaneously. Advani advised that, assuming all funding was in place, from start to finish the entire Plan would take approximately 3-4 years to complete. Vice-Chairperson Halket likes the order of:the phases presented tonight because the public would be able to start using and enjoying the park as soon as possible rather than completing the cemetery expansion first. Cm. Fasulkey asked if we would be putting in mature trees. Advani advised size range of the trees would range anywhere from 15 gallons up to a maximum 24 gallons. Lichtenstein advised that they try to use 24 inch box trees whenever possible. Cm. Acuff asked if we are ready to discuss artwork yet. Lichtenstein answered that it is still too early to talk about the artwork for this project. Lichtenstein advised the Commissioners that each Commission should vote separately. Chair Mack asked for any comments and/or motions on the Dublin Historic Park Draft Master Plan. ON A MOTION BY CM. ACUFF, SECONDED BY CM. VONHEEDER-LEOPOLD AND BY UNIANIMOUS VOTE OF THE COMMISSIONERS PRESENT, THE HERITAGE AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION APPROVED THE DUBLIN HISTORIC PARK DRAFT MASTER PLAN AS PRESENTED WITH CONSIDERATION TO BE GIVEN TO THE COMMENTS MADE. Parks & Community Services Commission Comments Chair Flores asked for comments and/or motions on the Dublin Historic Park Draft Master Plan. Cm. Guarienti stated he was impressed with the professionalism of this project. Cm. Guarienti advised that his suggestion about phasing the project differently was just a way of giving other options. Chair Flores stated that she likes the ideas and feels that everyone has done an amazing job on this plan thus far. Minutes—May 15,2006 Page 4 of 4 ON A MOTION BY CM. GUARIENTI, SECONDED BY VICE-CHAIR JONES AND BY UNIANIMOUS VOTE OF THE COMMISSIONERS PRESENT, THE PARKS & COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION APPROVED THE DUBLIN HISTORIC PARK DRAFT MASTER PLAN AS PRESENTED WITH CONSIDERATION TO BE GIVEN TO THE COMMENTS MADE. New Business-None Other Business-None Adjournment Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.by Chair Flores. Respectfully submitted, Christie Marks Senior Office Assistant APPROVED: /(ii/ 1,11 / ai :: son • •