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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-09-1995 Approved P&CSC Minutes The May 9, 1995 meeting of the Parks and Community Services Commission was called to order at 7:33p.m. at the Dublin Civic Center,Dublin,California,by Chairman Trimble. Pledge of Allegiance Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chairperson Trimble. Roll Call Commissioners Present:Chapman, Cramer,Jones,Lampe,Wong-Gillmore and Chairperson Trimble Oral Communications-None Approval of Minutes IT WAS MOVED BY COMMISSIONER CHAPMAN AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WONG- GILLMORE TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF APRIL 9,1995 AS PRESENTED. (UNANIMOUS) Written Communications Written communication from the Briarhill Homeowners'Association Diane stated that the Briarhill Homeowner's Association has requested that the Commission place two park related items on the agenda, the need for 1) a neighborhood park for the Briarhill area and; 2) trailhead parking for the Hansen Hill Ranch Development. Diane reported that the closest park serving the Briarhill area is Mape Park and in close proximity are Dolan Park and Shannon Park. The Parks and Recreation Master Plan adopted in 1994 does not include development of an additional neighborhood park in the Briarhill area either now or in the future. As part of the Hansen Hill Ranch Development, the developer is required to construct an 8ft wide aggregate base access trail along the Martin Canyon Creek, however is not required to provide a staging area for the trail. The Hansen Hill Ranch Development will provide 16-18 parking spaces along the projects street frontage on Silvergate Drive which Staff believes is adequate. Mr. Tom Ford has proposed several changes to the Hansen Hill Ranch Development. The Planning Commission and the applicant for the development have received the proposal, but have not responded. For the Commissions information,the Hansen Hill Ranch Development was approved in 1989 and the City has a eight year development agreement with the applicant. The only changes that could be made to the development agreement would be at the request of the applicant. Mr. Tom Ford, 7262 Tina Place, Dublin (Briarhill), voiced his concern regarding the lack of a neighborhood park to serve the Briarhill area, as well as inadequate parking at the trailhead. He stated that the City will receive $246,000 in impact fees which are intended to be used for parks and recreation, and it is hoped that these monies will be used to service those areas lacking these amenities. He stated that the parking at the trailhead is totally inadequate and suggested that if the developer would donate the meadow area at the bottom of Silvergate, it could be used for a park and parking. With the anticipated 650 homes in the immediate Briarhill area,there is essentially no park. The closest park from the corner of Hansen and Silvergate is Mape Park which is 9/10 of a mile accessible by roads only. The streambed does not permit walking to the park as it is full of poison ivy and is dangerous. The fmancial status of the Briarhills Homeowner's Association does permit them to service the recreational needs of their residents, which are primarily adults and seniors. The Association pays approximately $60,000 a year to maintain their pool and also pays taxes on the facility,with no assistance from the City. Mr. Ford thanked Diane for her time and assistance and requested the Commissions support in the Briarhill Associations campaign for a park,trailhead parking and recreational programs. MINUTES-MAY 9, 1995 PAGE'TWO Commissioner Trimble stated that the Master Plan specifies 1.5 acres per 1,000 for a neighborhood park and 3.5 acres per 1,000 for a community park. Of the parks and recreational space that is in close proximity to Briarhill, there is over 10 acres of parks and recreational area available. Mr. Ford stated that these parks are of very little use to the Briarhill residents. Commissioner Trimble thanked Mr. Ford and stated that the Commission will monitor the Hansen Hill Ranch Development and keep the Briarhill Association informed if any changes should occur. Public Hearing-None Unfinished Business-None New Business Art in the Parks Program Diane stated that the Dublin City Council and the Parks and Community Services Commission did approve in concept the Art in the Parks Program presented by the Dublin Fine Arts Foundation in 1993. Since that time they have moved forward with the projects. ' Lynne Baer, Consulting Director for the Dublin Fine Arts Foundation, stated that also in attendance is Linda Jeffery, President of the Foundation, the selection committee for Alamo Creek Park, Colleen and Don Evans, and for Kolb Park Robin Rankin and Barbara Gifford. Ms. Baer reported that the committees conducted meetings and discussed how the parks are used and the kind of art that would work for each park. Each art model was reviewed by Public Works Department representatives Steve Loweree and Lee Thompson, addressing maintenance and public safety issues. Alamo Creek Park-Ms. Baer stated that the piece of art selected for Alamo Creek Park is by Dublin, Ireland born artist, Alan Counihan, called Black Pool, commissioned for $20,000. The work will be made of black granite consisting of two elements - a stone slab with a pool measuring 8x7 feet with a polished surface carved to resemble a pool of water. The pool will be surrounded by four stone seats inscribed with Celtic and Indian weave patterns. The work will be placed at the base of the slope below the parking lot. Kolb Park- The piece of art selected for Kolb Park is by Baile Oakes, Mendocino County environmental artist, called "dust to dust", commissioned for $15,000. The form of the art is a spiral constructed out of old growth redwood and will be sited on the crest of the hill facing Brighton Drive. She pointed out that the artists original idea was to permit the public to carve their initials into the spiral and after each year, would paint the initials, a different color for each year. However, this was discussed with Officer DiFranco and Steve Loweree and the idea was not accepted. The Foundation went back to the artist and he decided to eliminate this element of the art. Ms. Baer reported that the funding for the art projects is coming from $5,000 received in grants from the Tri- Valley Community Fund, $1,000 from Bank of America and $2,000 from the Alameda County Art Commission. Additional funds will be raised from neighborhood fund-raisers, contacting local businesses and it is planned to request$10,000 from the City. It is not anticipated that there will be any problems in raising funds and when these projects are completed,the Foundation will pursue projects for the next parks. Commissioner Chapman asked if the projects will be constructed on site or off site? Ms.Baer replied,off site and their installation would be coordinated with Public Works. Commissioner Wong-Gillmore inquired as to the maintenance cost to the City. Ms. Baer replied, none. Diane added that when the City accepts structures, there are accepted on the basis that there would be little or nor maintenance costs incurred. IT WAS MOVED BY COMMISSIONER CRAMER AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER JONES TO ACCEPT THE ART PROJECTS AS PRESENTED BY THE DUBLIN FINE ARTS FOUNDATION FOR ALAMO CREEK PARK AND KOLB PARK (UNANIMOUS) MINUTES-MAY 9, 1995 PAGE/THREE Chairman Trimble thanked Ms. Baer for her presentation and all the hard work and energy the Dublin Fine Arts Foundation put into this program. He indicated that he is looking forward to the celebration when the art projects are presented at Alamo Creek Park and Kolb Park. Dublin Sports Grounds Renovation Diane reported that in May of 1990 the City Council adopted the Dublin Sports Grounds Master Plan Report, and briefly summarized the improvements for each phase and their timelines for the Commission. She indicated that the improvements identified in the Master Plan Report are divided into three phases in order to allow development to take place as funds become available, and also to allow for continued use of the portions of the facility during the renovation. The City Council at their meeting of May 8 approved the agreement with Singer and Hodges Inc. for landscape architectural services for Phase I improvements. It is not the City's intent to make major changes to the Master Plan, but if there are items that are not desirable at this time, minor modifications could be made. Public Input Margaret Garlock,President of Dublin Little League, 6939 Langmuir Lane, Dublin, stated that in regards to Phase II the reorientation of BB#3, the league is absolutely opposed to moving the 90' diamond since they have just spent$15,000 on a scorebooth there. She reported that the last of the foundations for the scorebooths were poured last night. The league would like to see the money that would be used to move BB#3, put into electrical for the scorebooths. She recommended that when the trenches are being dug for the drinking fountains that the electrical could be done at the same time. Commissioner Cramer stated that it with the sizable expenditure of funds that Dublin Little League has put into building the scorebooths, why was the issue of reorientation of BB#3 not addressed before construction started? Diane replied, that that when DLL came to the Commission last year asking for permission to build the scorebooths, the consensus of DLL at that time was that they were interested in moving the field. The recommendation to reorient BB#3 was solely included based on DLL's request in 1990. The reorientation of the field was based on the concern that during certain times of the day, the sun was in the players eyes. However, if DLL does not feel that the reorientation of the field is a necessity at this time,then Staff would not have a problem with it. Commissioner Chapman indicated that he did not understand the logic behind the proposal for the relocation of BB#3, as the sun is going to be in someone's eyes at some point. Therefore the logic has to beyond this, for the proposal to be made in the first place. Commissioner Jones pointed out that the relocation was also to reduce the number of foul balls going into the parking lot. Commissioner Cramer stated that if BB#3 is not relocated, how much money would it save? Diane stated about $50,000. Commissioner Wong-Gillmore asked if the cost of the improvements have been updated, and are funds available for construction? Diane replied,that the cost of the construction for the last several years has remained fairly flat, but adjustments are made for inflation each year when the CIP is updated. Staff estimates when the funds will be coming into the City and schedule the projects based on those estimates, and the current CIP is based on those estimates and are currently being reviewed. Commissioner Wong-Gillmore asked if there are estimates available for Phase I? Diane stated that the total cost for Phase I is $127,510 and includes bleachers at $4,200, an additional field at $70,000, drinking fountains at $15,000,with a contingency of about$13,000. The balance of the budget is for design and inspection. Commissioner Trimble stated that he knows that Dublin United Soccer's Premiere Tournament is scheduled for the Labor Day weekend and hopes that the construction could be delayed until after the tournament. Also, the staging for the construction with piles of gravel and equipment in the parking lot, would be a burden to the tournament. Diane stated that the schedule outlined is based on the best case scenario and the only fluctuation would be the timing for City Council meetings. MINUTES-MAY 9, 1995 PAGE FOUR Commissioner Cramer felt that this would be quite an encroachment on the soccer field there. Diane stated that if the field is to be constructed,the soccer field would have to be shortened. Commissioner Cramer stated that Staff will probably be hearing from the Dublin United Soccer League,and Adult Soccer League. Diane stated that there is no way that the renovation can be done without impacting someone. Commissioner Cramer asked if it would be possible to have someone show him the dimensions of this soccer field? Diane replied,yes. Commissioner Jones stated that he would like to see the 90' diamond stay where it is, but when Phase II is started, felt it should be geared around the time that the high school fields become available. Diane stated that she has written confirmation from the high school stating that they do not plan to let anyone onto the fields until Fall 1997, which seems to be extreme. Commissioner Wong-Gillmore asked if Staff is working with the schools in developing a timeframe so that some uses may be moved there? Diane replied, it will depend on the outcome of the Community Facilities Task Force recommendations. Commissioner Trimble inquired about the possibility of additional lighting for the sports grounds. Diane stated that Phase III includes some lighting modifications to the softball fields, and recommended that it would be appropriate to address this item at that time. Commissioner Trimble asked if there are any plans for expanding the snackbar? He felt that a shaded patio structure on the west side of the snackbar and additional space to accommodate the carts and maintenance equipment as well as storage for soccer and baseball supplies. Diane stated that there has been discussion for some improvements,however none regarding expanding the size of the snackbar. Commissioner Chapman felt that additional restroom facilities at the sports grounds needs to be considered, preferably facilities at the other end of the sports complex. Margaret Garlock,Dublin Little League, stated that DLL would like to move the bleachers at field#3 up closer to the scorebooth and bring the dugouts in, the batting cages could be put in without having to cut into any part of the fields. Diane recommended that when DLL is ready to proceed with the batting cages,that measurements be taken to see whether or not this modification can be done. Other Business Brief INFORMATIONAL ONLY Reports from Parks& Community Services Commissioners and/or Staff Commissioner Chapman stated that at the last meeting of the Facilities Task Force,that they split into two groups, a fields group and a gymnasium group. He stated he is happy to report that the meeting ended with proposals for three new gyms at Valley,Wells and Dublin High School. Commissioner Chapman inquired as to the plans for the Teen Task Force. Diane stated that due to lack of Staff time,plans have not yet been made for the next meeting. Commissioner Lampe encouraged the Commissioners to attend the Blood Drive scheduled at Dublin High School on Monday,May 15 between 8am-2pm. Commissioner Jones stated that he has heard that the dirt on the softball fields between first and second base, is like a sand pit in one area, hardpan in another, and then back into a sand pit. Diane stated that the infield mix on both of the softball fields will be replaced between the Spring and Summer seasons. It is anticipated that the bids for the infield mix will go out to bid this fiscal year and the work,next fiscal year. Commissioner Trimble stated that the Graffiti Task Force made their recommendation to the City Council at their meeting last night and felt it was well received. The next step is getting through the budget process will be the largest obstacle. It is anticipated that some publicity should be out soon regarding the program G.R.A.V.E. (Graffiti Restitution and Vandal Education). MINUTES-MAY 9, 1995 PAGE FIVE Diane stated that the application period is now open for Student Representative with a deadline of May 19. Diane reported that the Commission needs to schedule a special meeting this month to review the budget CIP, and suggested Thursday, May 25 at 7:00pm. All Commissioners indicated that they would be able to attend, except Commissioner Cramer. Diane indicated that she could meet with him prior to May 25 for his input and pass on to the Commission. Letters will be sent to the sports groups,neighbors of parks scheduled for development and also schools. Adjournment Being no further business,the meeting was adjourned at 9:37pm. Respectfully submitted, Char J.Young Administrative Secretary