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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-19-2011 Approved PCSC MinutesPARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Minutes CITY OF DUBLIN December 19, 2011 The December 19, 2011 Regular Meeting of the Parks & Community Services Commission was called to order at 7:01 p.m. at the Dublin Civic Center, Dublin, California, by Chair Elias. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair Elias led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Commissioners (Cm.) Present: Commissioner Absent: ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Bafaiz, Boboc, Mack, Totaro, Elias Jones 3.1 BRIEF INFORMATIONAL ONLY REPORTS FROM SENIOR CENTER AND YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEES Senior Center Advisory Committee Advisory Committee Chairperson Diane Bonetti reported that two members of the Advisory Committee recently resigned. She reported that the Advisory Committee continues to work on its Welcome Packet, a 2012 boutique event, and the 2012 Car Show. Youth Advisory Committee Cm. Bafaiz reported that the Advisory Committee is working on four upcoming events: an indoor concert, the Teen Job Fair, the Car Show, and a Rock `n Jump fundraiser. 3.2 PUBLIC COMMENTS Mr. Rich Guarienti, Dublin resident, congratulated Ms. Diane Lowart, Parks and Community Services Director, on her upcoming retirement. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 4.1 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 19, 2011 On a motion by Cm. Boboc, seconded by Cm. Mack, and by a vote of 5-0-1 with Cm. Jones absent, the Commission voted to approve the September 19, 2011 minutes as presented. 4.2 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF OCTOBER 17, 2011 On a motion by Cm. Mack, seconded by Cm. Boboc, and by a vote of 4-0-1 with Cm. Jones absent and Chair Elias abstaining, the Commission voted to approve the October 17, 2011 minutes as presented. Chair Elias abstained from the vote due to his absence during the October 17, 2011 meeting. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS -None P&CSC Meeting Minutes -December 19, 2011 -Page 2 of 5 PUBLIC HEARING -None UNFINISHED BUSINESS -None NEW BUSINESS 8.1 FALCON SPORTS PARK MASTER PLAN UPDATE Mr. Paul McCreary, Assistant Director of Parks and Community Services, presented the specifics of the item as outlined in the Staff Report. Vice Chair Totaro asked if asked if the Fallon Sports Park Master Plan would need to be updated to include lighting on the proposed soccer fields. Mr. McCreary stated that the Master Plan would need to be updated and an environmental impact report would need to be prepared to consider the impact of the additional lighting, as lighting for those two soccer fields were not evaluated in the original environmental impact report. Mr. Bill Fee, Project Consultant, discussed the Lower Terrace in further detail as outlined in the Staff Report. He highlighted the topographical grade changes and the proposed improvements and amenities of the project. Mr. McCreary further discussed the cost implications of the proposed project as outlined in the Opinion of Cost document labeled as Attachment 4 to the Staff Report. Chair Elias opened the floor to public comment. Mr. Todd Barnes, with Dublin United Soccer League and Dublin High School Soccer, expressed his appreciation for the current Fallon Sports Park facility. He spoke in favor of adding synthetic turf soccer fields, and soccer field lighting. He stated that Dublin United Soccer would work towards identifying additional funding opportunities to aid the City with the overall project costs. Mr. James Fulwiler, with Dublin United Soccer League and Dublin High School Soccer, agreed with the prior speaker and spoke in favor of synthetic turf soccer fields and soccer field lighting. Ms. Michele Haubert, Dublin resident and soccer player mom, agreed with the prior speakers and spoke in favor of an additional restroom building. She suggested the consideration of portable restrooms in the interim. Mr. Shane Heddy, with Dublin United Soccer League, agreed with the prior speakers and spoke in favor of synthetic turf soccer fields, soccer field lighting, and an additional restroom facility. Mr. Bob Smith, with Dublin Little League, spoke in favor of baseball field lighting during the First Phase of the project. Mr. David Haubert, with Dublin United Soccer League, expressed his appreciation for the current Fallon Sports Park facility and spoke in favor of synthetic turf soccer fields and soccer field lighting. Seeing no additional public comment, Chair Elias closed the floor to public comment. Chair Elias asked about the parameters of the current study. Mr. McCreary explained that Staff was instructed by the City Council to re-look at phasing options for the Lower Terrace that would include two P&CSC Meeting Minutes -December 19, 2011 -Page 3 of 5 soccer fields and a 90-foot baseball field. The timeline and feasibility of the next phase would be based upon available funding. Vice Chair Totaro asked about the upcoming public meetings regarding the project. Mr. McCreary stated that the next discussion would be at the February 7, 2012 City Council meeting to consider the Fallon Sports Park Master Plan, and subsequent discussions would occur at the Budget Hearing meetings in March, April, and June 2012. Cm. Boboc disclosed that he has a child that plays soccer. He asked if the proposed parking would be adequate for the full build out of the Lower Terrace. Mr. McCreary stated that a parking study established that the current plans for parking would be adequate. He stated that future phases include additional parking at the Lower Terrace. Ms. Diane Lowart, Parks and Community Services Director, added that parking in the Lower Terrace would be expanded once the City's temporary offices at the park are relocated. Vice Chair Totaro asked about the proposed restrooms for the Lower Terrace. Mr. Fee explained that the restrooms would not be single unit facilities and pointed out the locations of the restrooms on the diagram. Vice Chair Totaro stated that the City should consider the ability to make Fallon Sports Park the premier sports park facility in the Bay Area. He asked if the proposed costs of the project were based on the future value of the dollar. Mr. McCreary stated that the available funding and construction costs are based on the current value of the dollar. Vice Chair Totaro asked if additional savings could be realized if the project's timeline was accelerated. Ms. Lowart stated that the likelihood of future decreasing costs is unlikely; however the timeline of the project depends on identifying available funding. Vice Chair Totaro asked if the proposed Emerald Glen Recreation and Aquatic Complex is encumbering the largest pool of Public Facility Impact Fees for capital improvement projects and Mr. McCreary said yes. Vice Totaro asked about wind breaks for the Lower Terrace. Mr. Fee stated that initial wind breaks would probably be chain-link fencing with wind screens until the maturation of long-term plants. Vice Chair Totaro commended Staff and the Consultant on the work they have done on the study thus far. Cm. Mack suggested that volunteers be used to search for grant and/or partnership opportunities for funding. She stressed the importance of solidifying grant or other funding opportunities to present to Staff before a City Council decision is made. Cm. Bafaiz stated that she is in favor of synthetic turf soccer fields, soccer field lighting, and more restroom facilities. Chair Elias disclosed that his daughter plays soccer, and that he plays adult baseball and has advocated the construction of a 90-ft baseball field at Fallon Sports Park. He asked about the proposed orientation of the baseball field. Mr. Fee explained that the proposed base locations and orientation of the baseball field is the best fit for the topography of the site. Chair Elias stated that a restroom facility should be installed near the baseball field, as well as baseball field lighting in the first phase of the Lower Terrace. He further spoke in favor of synthetic turf soccer fields, a jumbo soccer field, and soccer field lighting. P&CSC Meeting Minutes -December 19, 2011 -Page 4 of 5 Vice Chair Totaro asked if there would be room to expand both of the proposed soccer fields. Mr. Fee explained that there would not be enough room to expand both soccer fields. Vice Chair Totaro asked about the space between the two fields. Mr. Fee stated that the area is currently proposed for concrete paving for placement of shade structures and player benches. Vice Chair Totaro asked for clarification regarding how the Commission's recommendation to the City Council could be affected by the availability of funding. Mr. McCreary explained that it is anticipated that the Master Plan Update for the Lower Terrace, as presented, could be funded by Public Facilities Fees for construction by 2017. Vice Chair Totaro expressed his desire for the project to be constructed sooner than 2017. McCreary stated that would require the City Council to change the priorities set forth in the current CIP, particularly deferring the Emerald Glen Recreation and Aquatic Complex. The Commission decided to recommend approval of the project in two motions; first to recommend approval of the Revised Master Plan for the Lower Terrace as presented, and second to recommend approval of the First Phase Option for the Lower Terrace with alternate amenities. On a motion by Cm. Boboc, seconded by Cm. Mack, and by a vote of 5-0-0 with Cm. Jones absent, the Commission voted to recommend approval to the City Council of the Revised Master Plan for the Lower Terrace as presented. The Commission briefly discussed their suggestions for park amenities to be included in the First Phase. On a motion by Vice Chair Totaro, seconded by Cm. Boboc, and by a vote of 5-0-0 with Cm. Jones absent, the Commission voted to recommend approval to the City Council of an alternate First Phase Option for the Lower Terrace that includes Items 1 - 7, Baseball Field Lighting, Items 9-10, and Baseball Restroom and Soccer Field Lighting as indicated on the Opinion of Costs document (Attachment 4 to the Staff Report). 8.2 UPDATE ON PARK AND FACILITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS Mr. Paul McCreary, Assistant Director of Parks and Community Services, presented the specifics of the item as outlined in the Staff Report. Vice Chair Totaro asked about the Dublin Swim Center modernization study. Mr. McCreary explained that the study is to identify needs for enhancement and renovation to the existing Center in the future. Vice Chair Totaro asked about the Emerald Glen Recreation and Aquatic Complex project. Mr. McCreary explained that design is starting again and that Staff will be seeking approval of the City Council to re-evaluate the program and phasing plan that was established for the facility six years earlier in order to better meet the current needs of the community. Vice Chair Totaro asked if the re-evaluation of the project could provide opportunities for trade-offs with other projects. Mr. McCreary explained that restructuring the phasing plan could free up funds for other projects; however, standards for park and public facilities are established by the Parks and Recreation Master Plan which is based upon the needs of the community at build out, and that eliminating one amenity for another would need to be addressed in the update to the Park and Recreation Master Plan. Vice Chair Totaro asked if there were funding sources other than Public Impact Fees. Mr. McCreary and Ms. Lowart said yes; however, such decisions would have to be decided by the City Council. Mr. McCreary pointed out that funding for annual maintenance costs also needs to be considered as a part of the overall project costs. P&CSC Meeting Minutes -December 19, 201 I -Page 5 of 5 OTHER BUSINESS 9.1 BRIEF INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS FROM PARKS & COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSIONERS AND/OR STAFF Vice Chair Totaro reported that he attended the Veterans' Day event at the Dublin Senior Center. He commended the City's Maintenance Division, MCE, for being proactive in the upkeep of the Heritage Park and Museums site. Chair Elias informed Staff of a mud pit at Fallon Sports Park that needs to be eradicated. Ms. Lowart stated that she has enjoyed working with the Commission and thanked them for their support over the years. Mr. McCreary provided program updates. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:58 p.m. Resope'ctfully submi 4~ Rhonda Franklin Administrative Aide APP OVED f ~~~~ ~.l Chairperson