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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRPC Min 2014-01-22 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE SEAL BEACH RECREATION & PARKS COMMISSION HELD JANUARY 22, 2014 I. CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Seal Beach Recreation & Parks Commission was called to order at 6.00p.m. by Chair Sustarsic in the City Council Chambers, 211 8th Street, Seal Beach. II. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Sustarsic, Bennett, Watson, Powell, and Sosenko Also present: Patrick Gallegos, Administrative Manager Tim Kelsey, Recreation Manager Dana Engstrom, Community Services Coordinator III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved as submitted. IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Seal Beach resident, Kim Shear, expressed her concern for the amount of dog feces that isn't getting picked up from dog owners. She believes the non- compliance comes from residents and suggests the City reach out to the community to promote awareness. Ms. Shear would also like to see signs posted at the parks as well as the fine associated with not picking up after your dog. Seal Beach resident, Francine DeFrance, lives along the greenbelt and would love to see more places for people to exercise however, she prefers the open green space rather than the placement of the adult exercise equipment. V. CONSENT CALENDAR Commissioner Watson moved, Commissioner Bennett seconded, and the motion carried unanimously, that the Commission approve the Consent Calendar. 1. Meeting Minutes of November 20, 2013. VI. SCHEDULED MATTERS 2. Benches on the Public Beach- Study Session The City of Seal Beach complies with Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990. If you need assistance to attend this meeting, please telephone the City Clerk's Office at(562)431-2527 at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting. Thank you. Tim Kelsey informed the commission he was given direction to create conditions within a permitting process for benches on the public beach. Staff identified the main goals as accessibility, uniformity, maintenance, and safety. Commissioner Sustarsic opened it up to the public for comments for consideration: George Moreno stated that the number of benches should be limited. Pete Arnold would prefer colored benches within reason, simplicity, standardizing the bench size, attached benches to table, if the bench isn't attached he would suggest that the bench and table can't be "x" feet apart, limit the number of benches within a 100 feet span, and assign a number to the bench that is visible on a plaque affixed to the bench and corresponds to number on paperwork. Permits should be kept at a minimal fee at around $25- $50. Mr. Arnold would hope the fee wouldn't be higher deterring people from applying for the permit. Richard Dudash would like to see that the benches are small so they can easily be moved. Susan Gavinport recommends the permit application include a standard size bench with a picture of the bench and locations where they can be purchased. There should be a minimal fee since the bench owner will have to cover maintenance costs. She does not want to see any old lawn furniture used in lieu of benches. Marjean Walsh likes the idea of colored benches giveing them a beach feel. She prefers wood benches that are attached to the table. Her recommendation is to affix a sticker that states the benches are for public use. Ms. Walsh liked the idea of the Lions Club policing the maintenance of the benches and she is willing to work with the City on whatever is reasonable and fair. Darren Denos feels everyone is on the same page and agrees that the home owner should maintain the bench. Prefers a permit that is reusable. Mr. Denos likes the colored benches and feels it adds a nice touch to town. He ended by thanking the Commissioners and City for taking time to work through this. Barbara Arnold would like to see that the plaque on the bench indicate it's for public use and have a number system to identify the bench with the permit. She would also recommend that a picture of the bench is submitted with the application for the City to keep on file. Ms. Arnold believes having a bench is a privilege and if the owner isn't in compliance the bench can be revoked. Kim Shear does not own a bench however; she has a lot of guests who have enjoyed using the benches over the years. She appreciates the The City of Seal Beach complies with Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990. If you need assistance to attend this meeting, please telephone the City Clerk's Office at(562)431-2527 at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting. Thank you. Commissioners and City working with the residents to come up with a solution. Commissioner Bennett suggested a $150 permit fee as a starting point. She also inquired as to how many times we need to issue a permit. Commissioner Watson would like to see that all benches indicate that they are for public use and have a pathway between them. Her number one concern is safety and maintenance of the bench is kept in good repair. Commissioner Sosenko liked all the recommendations brought forward from the residents. Tim Kelsey's goal is to make the conditional use permit as efficient as possible. Tim Kelsey also suggested a two strikes policy where an initial notice would be sent to the bench owner that was out of compliance followed by a final notice if necessary. All comments will be considered when creating a draft permit and will be brought back to the Recreation & Parks Commission prior to going to City Council for approval. The overall consensus of conditions from the Commission and residents were- 1. Permanently affixing a sign/ plaque that indicates that the bench is for public use 2. Color unregulated 3. Affixed benches 4. Unregulated chains and wires 5. Bench owner to maintain the upkeep of the bench 6. Standardize bench size of 6'- 8' 7. Picture of bench submitted with permit application 8. Location of bench indicated on a map 9. Numbered benches 10. Two strikes policy if owner of bench is not in compliance Things to consider: 11. Are applicants required to live on the boardwalk? 12. Should the number of permits distributed be limited? There are currently 12 benches on the beach. 13. Should the bench material be regulated? 14. Should the distance between the benches be monitored? 3. Centennial Organization- Oral Report Tim Kelsey provided an update to the Commissioners regarding the planning of the Centennial event in 2015. An outline of setting up an executive committee will be presented to Council at the January 27, 2014 meeting. The proposed five areas of the executive committee comprise of Celebrations, History, Marketing, Merchandising, and Fundraising. The City of Seal Beach complies with Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990. If you need assistance to attend this meeting, please telephone the City Clerk's Office at(562)431-2527 at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting. Thank you. Tim Kelsey discussed some possible centennial projects: 1. Upgrading the pier entrance 2. Improvement of City Signs 3. Permanent garage to display the Antique Fire Engine Commissioner Watson informed the commission that traditionally Recreation & Parks Commissioners would organize the Founders Day events that were held annually. Founders Day begin to celebrate every five years at the mark of the 85th anniversary. Commissioner Watson was appalled that this needs to go to Council as the City has traditionally supported the Founders Day Committee rather than functioned as the leader. She feels there is a lack of trust with the Founders Day Committee. Commissioner Watson would like to see that one Recreation & Parks Commissioner represent each of the five areas of the executive committee. Commissioner Bennett volunteered to work on the marketing component and Commissioner Sustarsic volunteered to work on the celebrations component of the executive committee. On behalf of the City, Patrick Gallegos expressed his appreciation for everything the Founders Day Committee has done. He informed the commissioners that the Council wants to welcome the community to help with the planning of the Centennial. The City has no intent of excluding anyone who has helped in the past but rather encourage new residents to join the committee. Recreation & Parks Commissioners that would like to volunteer are encouraged to do so. Mr. Gallegos informed the commission that Tim Kelsey will mention in his presentation to Council at the January 27, 2014 meeting that there are already volunteers who would like to fill spots on the committee. He will also inform City Council that Commissioner Sustarsic is available for feedback if needed. Commissioner Sosenko is excited for the Centennial and wants everything to go well. She understands that the Centennial is a big milestone for the City and the City is raising the profile to get more people involved. Commissioner Sustarsic also feels that the Centennial is an important milestone for the City and wants everything to go well. Commissioner Powell inquired whether there is anything in writing that spells out what needs to take place for the Centennial. If there isn't, he asked Commissioner Watson if she could write something up that can be presented to City Council showing there has been some collaboration providing them with some comfort. 4. Reorganization- Oral Report Commissioner Watson moved, Commissioner Powell seconded, and motion carried unanimously to re-elect Schelly Sustarsic as the Recreation & Parks The City of Seal Beach complies with Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990. If you need assistance to attend this meeting, please telephone the City Clerk's Office at(562)431-2527 at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting. Thank you. Commission Chair. Commissioner Watson moved, Commissioner Bennett seconded, and motion carried unanimously to elect Craig Powell as Vice Chair of the Recreation & Parks Commission. VII. COMMISSION CONCERNS Commissioner Watson would like the City to consider giving the donated $30,000 from past Founders Day events back to the Founders Day Committee for events related to the Centennial. She would like this to be an item on the March Recreation & Parks Commission agenda. Commissioner Bennett requested an update on the pool. Tim Kelsey informed her that the RFP is completed and goals need to be established in order to move forward with a conceptual design. VIII. STAFF CONCERNS Tim Kelsey informed the commission that the strategic plan has been in place and the City continues to work on the goals established with part-time staff. The membership has increased, an equipment contract has been established, and the first regional tournament in years is in the works. Members have complemented the Tennis Center staff on doing a great job. City staff is going to recommend an increase in staff at the next budget session. Tim reported that this is the best year the City has had with the Tennis Center. Tim Kelsey informed the Commission that $25,000 was donated to the City for improvements to the North Seal Beach Center. City staff is looking into some possible ADA improvements within the next year. IX. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:47 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at the Council Chambers, 6:00 p.m. The City of Seal Beach complies with Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990. If you need assistance to attend this meeting, please telephone the City Clerk's Office at(562)431-2527 at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting. Thank you.