Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-16-2013 Approved P&CS Minutes PARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Minutes CITY OF DUBLIN December 16, 2013 The December 16, 2013 Regular Meeting of the Parks and Community Services Commission was called to order at 7:04 PM at the Dublin Civic Center, Dublin, California, by Chair Totaro. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair Totaro led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Commissioners (Cm.) Present: Ballesteros, Boboc, Mack, Totaro, Sung Commissioner Absent: Elias ORAL COMMUNICATIONS 3.1 Brief Informational Only Reports from Senior Center and Youth Advisory Committees Senior Center Advisory Committee Member Ms. Diane Bonetti reported that the Advisory Committee is evaluating the Senior Center Lunch program, provided by Spectrum, for improvement and expansion opportunities. She reported the Advisory Committee continues to look into marquee sign options and costs. She reported on the Hometown Heroes event held on November 2, 2013 and the Holiday Craft Boutique held on November 16, 2013. Both were successful events. She reported the Bingo program is doing well and making a profit for the Dublin Senior Foundation. Cm. Sung reported on the October and December Youth Advisory Committee meetings. The Advisory Committee reviewed the Youth Mini Grant Program requirements and applications. The Advisory Committee also received a presentation from a Dublin Librarian for the '90s Nostalgia Night' scheduled for January 11, 2014. She reported on the Tree Lighting Ceremony event which took place on December 5, 2013. 3.2 PUBLIC COMMENTS—None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 4.1 October 21, 2013 On a motion by Cm. Boboc, seconded by Cm. Mack, and by a vote of 5-0-0 with Commissioner Elias absent, the Commission voted to approve the minutes of October 21, 2013, as presented. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS—None PUBLIC HEARING—None UNFINISHED BUSINESS— None NEW BUSINESS 8.1 Jordan Ranch Neighborhood Park Conceptual Design Alternatives Mr. Douglas Rooney, Parks and Facilities Development Coordinator, presented the specifics of the item as outlined in the Staff Report. P&CSC Minutes—December 16, 2013—Page 2 of 5 Chair Totaro asked if the Jordan Ranch Neighborhood Park will be the last park built in eastern Dublin. Mr. McCreary, Parks and Community Services Director, stated there will be additional parks in eastern Dublin at Positano, Jordan Ranch, Wallis Ranch, Moeller Ranch and at the Dublin Crossing development. Mr. Bart Ito, Project Manager from GSM Landscape Architects, presented the Jordan Ranch Neighborhood Park Conceptual Design options. Chair Totaro asked about the size of the Jordan Ranch Neighborhood Park. Mr. McCreary and Mr. Rooney mentioned comparable parks to use as a size reference. Cm. Boboc asked if there would be a parking lot for the Jordan Ranch Neighborhood Park. Mr. Ito stated there would not be a parking lot; however, there is existing street parking along Jordan Ranch Drive. Chair Totaro asked about the horseshoe pits. Mr. Ito stated that the pits are provided at the parks, but the public will need to bring their own equipment. Ms. Gretchen McCann, Principal Landscape Architect from GSM Landscape Architects, presented the Jordan Ranch Neighborhood Park Preferred Conceptual Designs 1 and 2. Cm. Ballesteros commended Mr. Rooney and GSM Landscape Architects on the variety of tools used to reach out to the community for input. She asked if the parking availability could be increased. Mr. Rooney stated there is a cul-de-sac on the east and west sides of the park and both sides of Jordan Ranch Drive with parking available. Cm. Ballesteros stated that she likes Preferred Conceptual Design, Site Plan 2 better because of the space for the volleyball and basketball courts and the sails above the playground area. She asked if a picnic area on Site Plan 2 was removed. Mr. Rooney stated the picnic area is more compressed instead of two separate picnic areas as on Site Plan 1, but both plans have about the same seating capacity, which is for 50 to 60 people. Cm. Ballesteros asked if there would be BBQ pits in the picnic areas, and Mr. Rooney said yes. Cm. Ballesteros restated that she likes Preferred Conceptual Design, Site Plan 2, since the picnic seating capacity is the same. Cm. Boboc asked if the residents had a preference in having the play area closer to the houses. Mr. Rooney stated the play area in Preferred Conceptual Design, Site Plan 1 is closer to existing houses; however, there will be houses built on the other side of the park and the play area will have a greater impact on the new homes once they are built. Cm. Mack stated she prefers Preferred Conceptual Design, Site Plan 2 because of the sidewalk that cuts through the park and she likes the play equipment better. Cm. Sung stated she liked Preferred Conceptual Design, Site Plan 2 because of the modern aspect. She asked if there is going to be shade over the park benches throughout the park. Mr. Rooney stated the park's details have not been worked out yet, but Staff could consider incorporating shade trees over the benches. P&CSC Minutes—December 16, 2013—Page 3 of 5 Cm. Sung asked how wide the open turf area is by the basketball courts on Site Plan 2. Mr. Ito stated the narrowest area is about 20 feet wide. Chair Totaro stated he liked Preferred Conceptual Design, Site Plan 1 because the rectangular shape of the open turf area was more conducive for a pick up soccer game. He also stated having the path around the park was a nice feature. He asked if Site Plan 1 could incorporate the shade sails over the play areas as in Site Plan 2. Mr. Rooney stated because Site Plan 2 has economic advantages due to having less concrete, plants and shrubbery, it could accommodate the added costs of the shade sails. Chair Totaro asked if there is an opportunity to extend the walkway around the turf area in Site Plan 2. Mr. Rooney stated there is already an open space trail and public sidewalk on the north and south sides of the existing turf area. The trail would not be much different than the public sidewalk and would take away from the turf area and be more costly. On a motion by Cm. eallesteros, seconded by Cm. Mack, and by a vote of 5-0-0, with Cm. Elias absent, the Commission voted to recommend approval of the proposed Preferred Conceptual Design, Site Plan 2 for the Jordan Ranch Neighborhood Park as presented to the City Council. 8.2 Fallon Sports Park Phase II Ms. Rosemary Alex, Parks and Facilities Development Coordinator, presented the specifics of the item as outlined in the Staff Report. Chair Totaro asked about the timeline for the project. Ms. Alex stated that upon City Council approval, the preparation of the construction documents will begin. The project will go out to bid in late 2014, with construction starting in early 2015, and an anticipated opening date of summer 2016. Mr. Bill Fee, Carducci and Associates Consultant, presented Phase II improvements based on the input received from local sports user groups. Cm. Boboc asked about the wind direction at Fallon Sports Park. Mr. Fee stated the wind normally blows from the west. Chair Totaro asked about the size of the restrooms. Mr. Fee stated there is a new code beginning in January 2014 which requires more restroom stalls for women than men. Using this code and computing the number of persons that will be using the fields will determine the size of the restrooms. Chair Totaro commented that having adequate restrooms will make Fallon Sports Park a premier facility. Mr. Paul McCreary, Parks and Community Services Director, stated Staff will look into the cost benefits of having the restrooms for regular weekday and weekend use versus renting additional units when needed for tournaments. The addition of a multipurpose room could also affect and increase the size of the restrooms. Mr. McCreary stated that due to the Impact Fee Program having better receipts last year and this year, Staff is proposing to finish the lower terrace landscape during Phase II as part of the Capital Improvement Program. Chair Totaro asked if there is anything that can be done to finish the upper terrace, such as the netting on the upper soccer fields. Mr. McCreary stated those improvements have not yet been discussed, but Staff has extensive notes from the local sports groups regarding the balls going over the fields. Any P&CSC Minutes—December 16, 2013—Page 4 of 5 improvements to the existing fields and amenities could not be funded by Public Facility Fees and would require another funding source. Cm. Boboc asked if the sun analysis for the baseball field was also for the softball fields. Mr. Fee stated the sun analysis is for hardball as it is a 90-foot baseball field. Chair Totaro asked about the levels of seating on the soccer fields. Mr. Fee stated there will be three tiers of seating on the soccer field. Cm. Ballesteros asked if the modular building for preschool would have restroom facilities, and Mr. Fee said yes. Cm. Ballesteros asked how the north side of the park will transition to the lower portion. Mr. Fee stated there would be a 10 to 15 foot embankment between the sections. There will be nets on the upper field to keep the soccer balls from going down to the lower fields. Other alternatives to contain the balls could also be considered. Cm. Mack commented she was concerned about the restrooms because there seems to be a lot of soccer fields for just one bathroom. Mr. Fee stated the restrooms would accommodate the facility. Chair Totaro asked if soccer groups were going to assist with the cost of the meeting room at Fallon Sports Park. Mr. McCreary stated the multipurpose room would be a City Facility that would be owned and operated by the City. The soccer groups and others may be able to rent the room when not in use for City programs, but the room would not be a space dedicated only for soccer groups. Mr. McCreary stated that in addition to the amenities the soccer groups requested, the cost for another synthetic turf field and lighting would cost around $2 million. The City is working on other funding sources so as not to completely burden the soccer groups with the costs. Chair Totaro asked if the baseball field will be lighted, and Mr. McCreary said yes. Chair Totaro stated Phase II is a great plan. He stated it would be a great premier facility and can accommodate high school or college games to enhance sports in the City. Mr. McCreary asked the Commission if there was anything they would like to suggest or have changed before Staff takes the plan to City Council. Aside from ensuring adequate restrooms, which is being looked into, the Commission liked the Fallon Sports Park Phase II Plan. OTHER BUSINESS 9.1 BRIEF INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS FROM PARKS & COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSIONERS AND/OR STAFF Cm. Ballesteros attended the Tree Lighting Ceremony and the Breakfast with Santa events. Cm. Boboc took his son to the Dublin Sports Grounds baseball fields. He asked if that was allowed since the fields are closed. Mr. McCreary stated the City is not allowing organized use on the fields. Cm. Boboc asked if the coyote decoys were working to control the geese on the fields. Mr. McCreary stated the coyote decoys are working well, though they need to be moved from time to time. P&CSC Minutes — December 16, 201 Page 5 of 5 Cm. Mack asked if the City will match Youth Fee Assistance Program (YFAP) donations and how long can donations be made for this fiscal year. Mr. McCreary stated the City will match what is donated to the YFAP for up to $5,000 and donations will be accepted through June 30, 2013 for this fiscal year. Cm. Mack attended the Schaefer Ranch Park Grand Opening and Hometown Heroes events. Cm. Mack asked if the parks can be included in the branding. Mr. McCreary stated if the consultants determine our parks are part of what makes the City unique and different and is a reason people and companies want to come to Dublin it may be included in the City's branding and marketing plan. Cm. Sung attended the Tree Lighting Ceremony. She asked why the outdoor tree was replaced for this year's event. Mr. McCreary stated the irrigation changed to recycled water which has a higher salt content. The previous redwood tree was removed because the salt in the soil is not good for the redwoods. It was replaced with an evergreen tree which fairs better under those circumstances. Cm. Sung informed the Commission that Dublin Elementary had a Holiday Boutique event. Chair Totaro attended the Schaefer Ranch Park Grand Opening, Hometown Heroes event, and the Heritage Park Holiday Concert. Chair Totaro asked about the recent changes at the Dublin Sports Grounds fields. Mr. McCreary stated Dublin Little League requested to reconfigure one of the softball fields to a new 50/70 field for their intermediate division. The softball field is being converted and the construction costs are being donated by MCE. The field will be facing southeast. The fields will be closed until March 1, 2013 to be ready for the upcoming seasons. Mr. McCreary provided program and project updates. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:55 PM Respectfully submitted, Jennifer Kra/ ksy Senior O ece Assistant APPROVED: Chairperson