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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-26-1998 Approved P&CSC Minutes The February 26,1998 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 Chairman Cramer. Pledge of Allegiance Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chairman Cramer. Roll Call Commissioners Present: Chapman, Wong-Gillmore, Cramer, Swalwell and Schmidt Commissioners Absent: Cobb-Adams Oral Communications-None Approval of Minutes-None Written Communications-None Public Hearing-None Unfinished Business-None New Business Preliminary City Park Master Plan Director Lowart reported that one of the 1997 high priority goals adopted by the City Council was to develop a master plan for City Park which is located on Tassajara Road between Central Parkway and Gleason Road on the Santa Rita property in Eastern Dublin. She report that a Task Force was appointed by the City Council to assist with the development of the City Park Master Plan and that the City has contract with the landscape architecture firm of David L. Gates&Associates,Inc. to prepare the City Park Master Plan. Ms. Lowart reported on the status of the City Park Task Force and reviewed the concept behind the City Park Master. She then explained that the park would be developed in phases and that four preliminary options for Phase I have been developed and will be reviewed for the Commission by the consultant. She also indicated that the park will be financed by Public Facilities Fees which are assessed on all new development in the City and that the current fee does not cover the cost to development City Park as it is now designed. Consequently,the fee will most likely need to be increased. Director Lowart introduced Linda Gates of David L. Gates and Associates who serves as the project manager for the City Park Master Plan.. Ms. Gates stated the Task Force had to look at the current facilities in Dublin and population projections, to determine the ultimate needs of the community. They also looked at uses that were not identified in the Park Master Plan, such as a skateboard park. The Task Force discussed the image, character and ambiance they wanted to see in the City Park, and conducted several workshops to talk to the community to determine the highest priority. The conclusion was to develop a park that had something for everyone. David Gates was then introduced and commented that that the Task Force was very responsive and were very easy to work with. He proceeded to show slides of the proposed components for the 56 acre City Park. Commissioner Wong-Gillmore asked how many phases of development there would be. Director Lowart replied that we • a now just planning the first phase and the subsequent phases will depend on how fast development proceeds and funding. She indicated that the first phase could be available by late summer of 1999. MINUTES -FEBRUARY 26, 1998 PAGE TWO George Zika, the Chair of the City Park Task Force, thanked Diane Lowart, Linda & David Gates for running an excellent Task Force. He briefly introduced the members of the Task Force to the Commission and audience. He stated that the hardest decision the Task Force had to make was determining how to pay for the park and what to build first. Mr. Zika briefly summarized the four Phase I options for the Commission and audience. He indicated that the Task Force selected Option D,because it provided something for everyone. Public Input/Comments: Selena Anderson, 4774 Finch Way,Dublin, felt that the Task Force tried to get as much as they could in Phase Ito meet everyone's needs. With the proposed growth, Summerhill Homes will be constructing a development north of California Creekside,which will include a new elementary school. This means more families with small children. The Task Force worked really hard in planning Phase I and hopes that the Commission will approve the plans for Phase I as presented. Jeff May, 4748 Mangrove Drive, Dublin, stated that the Task Force worked hard on this project and he would like to know that the money is going to be there to see the project through. Mark Fouse, 8702 Edenbury Lane, Dublin, stated that it was very obvious that a lot of work has gone into this plan, and there is no question that it is a great plan. However,the Commission needs to be realistic and realize that there is another project that is extremely important and impacted by the ultimate design of this particular park, i.e. the Dublin Sports Ground renovation. In order to do the renovation, alternate fields would have to be identified. Mr. Fouse suggested that the Commission seriously direct Staff to look at this issue more fully, and come up with a timeline as,to how and when the timing would occur for the Dublin Sports Grounds renovation. Richard Guarienti, 8279 Rhoda Avenue,Dublin, indicated that Option D was the best plan for the money. Chris Hanover,4727 Fawn Way,Dublin, lives in the new development there and stated that this park would be their only community park. Since there are no parks in the development the children just play in the streets. Eric Dettenrieder, 7623 San Sabana Road, Dublin (Senior Division Director for Dublin Little League) questioned the orientation of the baseball fields and indicated that at Murray School the players are blinded by the sun at 5:00 p.m. in the middle of May. He also questioned whether there was adequate room for foul balls without them going onto the street and thought that maybe the tennis courts were too close to the ballfields. Justin, 7800 Hillrose,Dublin, indicated that he had attended a few meetings to see what was going on with the skateboard park. All the parks in Dublin and the Civic Center have signs prohibiting skateboarding. He stated that he is very happy to see a skateboard park included in this park plan. Chairman Cramer closed public input. Chairman Cramer asked Mr. Gates if he could address Mr. Dettenrieder's question regarding the orientation of the fields and their proximity to the street and tennis courts. Mr. Gates stated that for the purposes of the master plan,these areas are oversized. There will be adequate space and there will also be berms and fencing. The tennis courts will have a dropped grading and fencing on top of the grade. Chairman Cramer asked Director Lowart to address the Dublin Sports Grounds Renovation timeline. Director Lowart stated that the Dublin Sports Grounds Renovation has been on the books for several years now, and has been put off because there was a concern that there would not be conveniently located fields for the groups to play on. Last year when the Commission reviewed the CIP, the thought was that if there are adequate ball fields included in the City Park design, we would be able to move forward with renovation in two phases. There are other alternative fields that can be made available in addition to the City Park, the high school fields and Wells Middle School. In the next couple of months Staff will present an update of the Capital Improvement Program to the Commission, and will be taking a hard look at schedules and finances. • MINUTES-FEBRUARY 26, 1998 PAGE THREE Commissioner Wong-Gillmore asked if Staff knew whether there were plans are for field improvements at the new school site? Director Lowart replied that it was her understanding that they would be similar to other elementary schools, grassy fields but no designated playing fields. Commissioner Swalwell stated that both Dublin Little League and the Dublin United Soccer League are aware that there is going to be some inconvenience experienced during the renovation of the Dublin Sports Grounds. Commissioner Chapman stated that there will be limited fields available during the renovation and that everyone will be inconvenienced. As long as programs are not being cut back and kids are not being eliminated from programs, it is something the groups are going to have to live with. Commission Discussion of Park Concept Commissioner Wong-Gillmore felt that Option D makes the most sense as it provides something for everyone. Commissioner Schmidt questioned whether funding would be available for Option D? Director Lowart replied, that sufficient funds should be available. However, she cautioned that it would be necessary to re-evaluate the Public Facilities Fee to make sure that adequate funds are being collected from new development. Commissioner Chapman asked whether the four ball fields would accommodate the total growth. Mr. Zika pointed out that there is a sports park twice the size of the City Park planned in the Eastern Dublin area. Commissioner Chapman felt that the proposed park is going to be a park that everyone is going to want to come to. He recommended that we get started as soon as possible. Commissioner Schmidt stated that it is important that we provide a playground for the new young families in that area. Commissioner Swalwell felt that the Task Force has addressed the needs of the community. Chairman Cramer stated that the Task Force has been a good group,a group with many different personalities,which was needed to serve the needs of the community. This group of people worked very hard to try to pull together as many things as possible for as many people as possible,to start this park off. It is an absolutely fantastic piece of work. Commissioner Wong-Gillmore asked whether it would be more advantageous to build four tennis courts as opposed to just two. Ms. Gates responded affirmatively. Commissioner Wong-Gillmore recommended that all the tennis courts be completed at the same time. IT WAS MOVED BY COMMISSIONER SWALWELL AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SCHMIDT TO APPROVE THE CONCEPT OF THE PRELIMINARY CITY PARK MASTER PLAN AS PRESENTED. (UNANIMOUS) IT WAS MOVED BY COMMISSIONER WONG-GILLMORE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SWALWELL TO ACCEPT OPTION D AS PRESENTED, AND TO INCLUDE THE ADDITIONAL TWO TENNIS COURTS AS PART OF THAT OPTION. (UNANIMOUS) Commissioner Wong-Gillmore asked if there was representation from the development community in attendance and whether an increase in the Public Facilities Fee would impact their projects. Craig Champion, Summerhill Homes, stated that there is no question that they would be impacted by the timing of an increase in the Public Facility Fees. He also stated that they certainly want the park and it would be a great community asset. Discussion followed on the process that would be undertaken to increase the Public Facilities Fee. Ms.Lowart stated that the process would not be complete much before the end of the Fiscal Year. • MINUTES-FEBRUARY 26, 1998 PAGE FOUR The Commissioner directed Staff to re-evaluate the Public Facility Fees. Proposed Names for City Park Director Lowart stated that concurrent with the development of the master plan for the park, it is necessary to determine a name for the park. The City Park Task Force has suggested the following three names for the park 1)Emerald Park, 2)Emerald Glen or 3)Dublin Glen,which are listed according to priority. Chairman Cramer asked if anyone from the audience wished to make suggestions. Floyd Shreeve, 8497 Beverly Lane, Dublin (Representative from the Dublin Historical Preservation Association), suggested naming the park"James Witt Dougherty Park". The Commission concurred that Dublin should be in the name of the park and favored Dublin Glen. IT WAS MOVED BY COMMISSIONER CHAPMAN AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SWALWELL TO FORWARD THE THREE NAMES AS SUGGESTED BY THE CITY PARK TASK FORCE TO THE COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT "DUBLIN" BE IN THE NAME OF THE PARK. (UNANIMOUS) Other Business Bri f INFORMATIONAL ONLY Reports from Parks& Community Services Commissioners and/or Staff Commissioner Schmidt stated that he felt it was good to have the opportunity to meet with the City Council and other committees, and to finally establish the responsibilities of the Committees to the Commission and vice versa. Commissioner Chapman explained to the audience,that the City Council met with the Commission, the Senior Advisory Committee,Heritage Center Advisory Committee and Youth Advisory Committee to discuss working relationship and to establish how more efficiently the public can be served. Commissioner Swalwell stated that he enjoyed meeting with the City Council and various committees. He thanked Commissioner Schmidt for his assistance in establishing the Youth Advisory Committee. Director Lowart reported on the following: •City Council Goals and Objectives Meeting at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers on March 16. • The date change for the next Parks&Community Services Commission meeting to March 23. •The 15th Annual St.Patrick's Day Festival on March 14 and 15. Adjournment Being no further business,the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _ iii Char J.Young Administrative Sec-ttary APPROVED: Chairman