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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Packet_04282021CITY OF SEAL BEACH RECREATION &PARKS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING AGENDA Wednesday,April 28,2021 6:00 PM ALL COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF WILL PARTICIPATE VIA TELECONFERENCE District 1 —Brooke Mabe District 2 —Jim Dunphy District 3 —Tom Payne District 4 —Ann Saks District 5 —Christine Bittner Community Services/Recreation Tim Kelsey,Recreation Manager ◾City Hall office hours are 8:00 a.m.to 5:00 p.m.Monday through Friday.Closed noon to 1:00 p.m. ◾The City of Seal Beach complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act.If you need assistance to attend this meeting please telephone the City Clerk's Office at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting at (562)431-2527. ◾Copies of staff reports and/or written materials on each agenda item are on file in the Department of Community Services. RECREATION &PARKS COMMISSION AGENDA INFORMATION SHEET The following is a brief explanation of the Recreation &Parks Commission agenda structure: AGENDA APPROVAL:The Recreation &Parks Commission may wish to change the order of the items on the agenda. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:Those members of the public wishing to provide comments are asked to send comments via email to the City Clerk at gharper@sealbeachca.gov or via the comment icon on the City’s website at https://www.sealbeachca.gov/Government/Agendas-Notices-Meeting- Videos/Council-Commission-Meetings before 5pm on April 28,2021.Comments provided via email will be posted on the City’s website to review by the public.Any documents for review should be sent to the City Clerk prior to the meeting for distribution.No action can be taken by the Recreation & Parks Commission on these communications on this date unless agendized. CONSENT CALENDAR:Consent Calendar items are considered routine items that normally do not require separate consideration.The Recreation &Parks Commission may make one motion for approval of all the items listed on the Consent Calendar. SCHEDULED MATTERS:These items are considered by the Recreation &Parks Commission separately and require separate motions.These transactions are considered administrative and public testimony is not heard. STAFF CONCERNS:Updates and reports from the Director of Community Development and Community Services/Recreation or the Recreation Manager are presented for information to the Recreation &Parks Commission and the public. COMMISSION CONCERNS:Items of concern are presented by the Recreation &Parks Commissioners and discussed with staff. NOTICE REGARDING PUBLIC OBSERVATION AND PARTICIPATION IN THE RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSION MEETING To comply with Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-29-20 and the Amended Order and Guidance of the Orange County Health Officer issued March 18,2020 the City of Seal Beach hereby gives notice of the “means by which members of the public may observe the meeting and offer public comment”for the Recreation and Parks Commission meeting on April 28,2021.Due to the need for social distancing and the prohibition on public gatherings set forth in the County Health Officer’s Order,all participation in the above-referenced meeting will be by teleconference for the Commission Members and staff only.Because of the unique nature of the emergency there will NOT be a physical meeting location and all public participation will be electronic. PUBLIC COMMENT:Members of the public may submit comments on any item on this Recreation and Parks Commission meeting agenda via email to the City Clerk at gharper@sealbeachca.gov or via the comment icon through the online portal at https://www.sealbeachca.gov/Government/Agendas-Notices-Meeting-Videos/Council- Commission-Meetings.All email comments the City Clerk receives before the start of the meeting will be posted on the City website and distributed to the Commission Members.Email comments received after that time will be posted on the City’s website and forwarded to the Commission Members after the meeting. THIS NOTICE AND ELECTRONIC PARTICIPATION PROVISIONS SET FORTH IN THIS NOTICE ARE PROVIDED PURSUANT TO SECTION 3 OF EXECUTIVE ORDER N-29-20. I.ROLL CALL II.AGENDA APPROVAL By Motion of the Recreation &Parks Commission,this is the time to: (a)Notify the public of any changes to the Agenda;and, (b)Re-arrange the order of the Agenda;and/or, (c)Provide an opportunity for any member of the Recreation &Parks Commission,staff, or public to request an item be removed from the Consent Calendar for separate action. III.PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS (VIA EMAIL ONLY) At this time,members of the public may address the Recreation &Parks Commission regarding any items within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Recreation &Parks Commission,provided that the Recreation &Parks Commission may undertake no action or discussion unless otherwise authorized by law. Those members of the public wishing to provide comments are asked to send comments via email to the City Clerk at gharper@sealbeachca.gov or via the comment icon on the City website at https://www.sealbeachca.gov/Government/Agenda-Notices- Meeting-Videos/Council-Commission-Meetings before 5:00 pm on April 28,2021. Comments provided via email will be posted on the City website for review by the public.Any documents for review should be sent to the City Clerk prior to the meeting for distribution. IV.CONSENT CALENDAR Items on the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine and are enacted by one motion unless prior to enactment,a member of the Recreation &Parks Commission, staff,or the public requests a specific item be removed from the Consent Calendar for separate action. V.SCHEDULED MATTERS 1.Gum Grove Nature Park Update Request:Receive and file the update. VI.STAFF CONCERNS VII.COMMISSION CONCERNS VIII.ADJOURNMENT IX.NEXT MEETING:Wednesday,May 26,2021 COMMISSION STAFF REPORT DATE: April 28, 2021 TO: Honorable Chairperson and Commission Members FROM: Tim Kelsey, Recreation Manager SUBJECT:Gum Grove Nature Park Update ________________________________________________________________ SUMMARY OF REQUEST: The Recreation and Parks Commission to receive and file a status update on Gum Grove Nature Park. BACKGROUND: Gum Grove Nature Park is a 10-acre nature park with the main entrance located at Crestview and Avalon Ave. Gum Grove Nature Park was originally deeded to the City of Seal Beach in 1989. The area is heavily wooded with various species of Eucalyptus trees often referred to as “gum” trees. The park is habitat and refuge for many rare and endangered birds, reptiles, insects, and small animals. The park is open to the public 7 days a week from sunrise to sunset. The park is passive in nature and can be used for various activities such as walking, jogging and bike riding. On April 23, 2018, the City Council adopted a management policy pertaining Gum Grove Nature Park that outlines restoration activities that would take place within the park. The intent of the policy is to achieve and maintain a healthy and stable ecosystem within Gum Grove Nature Park. The policy provides management framework for how the nature park will be maintained and enhanced (Attachment A). As part of the management policy the City will also be installing new signage that identifies the flora and fauna throughout the park along with identifying the approved path of travel within the park. On June 22, 2020, the City Council approved a professional services agreement with B&B Nursery for the purchase and installation of five Coastal Live Oak trees to be installed east of the entrance to Gum Grove Nature Park. The trees identified in this agreement were a box size of 96-inches. The cost of the project is being paid for from funds recovered from a past litigation involving the illegal removal of several City trees within Gum Grove Park. Following the execution of this agreement project work commenced with the digging of holes necessary for installation of the previously noted trees. Shortly after the earthwork began, City staff was made of aware of a high probably of cultural resources being Page 2 discovered within the area of work. As a result, all work was immediately halted while staff conversed with the Gabrieleno Tongva San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians. Staff was subsequently made aware of the need to obtain a Coastal Development Permit and filed an application accordingly. Staff also contacted an archeologist to assess and evaluate the project and prepare a cultural monitoring report. Upon completion, the report was provided to the Coastal Commission. During their April 16, 2021 meeting the California Coastal Commission considered the City’s permit, which was unanimously approved. The project approval includes a few conditions. As a result, staff is now further engaging with the archeologist for monitoring, reaching out to the Gabrieleno Tongva San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians for tribal monitoring, and also in communication with B&B Nursery to address certain conditions and prepare for installation. Staff remains hopeful that the project will be able to proceed in the next few weeks. Once the tree installation portion of the project has been completed staff will begin work on the installation of the new signage. RECOMMENDATION: The Recreation and Parks commission to receive and file an update on Gum Grove Nature Park. 1. Attached A – Gum Grove Nature Park management policy 1 of 1 (400-18) CITY OF SEAL BEACH COUNCIL POLICY & ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTIVE SUBJECT: GUM GROVE NATURE PARK MANAGEMENT POLICY SECTION 400 INDEX NO. 18 ISSUE DATE 04/23/2018 COUNCIL APPROVAL 6810 CITY MANAGER APPROVAL 1. SCOPE This policy applies to the restoration, preservation, and maintenance work to be implemented on City property in, at, and around Gum Grove Nature Park. 2. PURPOSE AND INTENT The intent of this policy is to achieve a healthy and stable ecosystem in Gum Grove Nature Park, and to create strategies to increase the biodiversity of trees, conserve existing trees and native vegetation, improve the regeneration and recruitment of gum tree species, manage insect and disease pressure on blue and red gum eucalyptus, and improve structural diversity. The purpose of the plan is to provide a management framework for preserving, enhancing, and restoring trees and vegetation in the Park. The plan will address potential threats in the Park, map trails and paths of travel in the Park, and enhance the corresponding aesthetic and recreational experience for people who use the Park. The City of Seal Beach proposes to implement a management plan for Gum Grove Nature Park. The age of the grove, forest pathogens, illegal acts by individuals, and recent drought conditions have caused a considerable decline in the health of the grove and the amount of vegetation in the Park. This plan includes implementation of vegetation management activities to improve the conditions in the grove, including removing dead, unhealthy, structurally unsound trees and non‐native understory vegetation. The policy will guide the City as it begins the process of installing signage for path of travel; planting new trees; native plant restoration; managing defensible space; and maintaining trails. 3. POLICY It is the policy of the City of Seal Beach to create a short term and long term, comprehensive plan for a sustainable urban forest on public property in Gum Grove Park. This plan will include management, preservation, restoration, and 2 (400-18) implementation, and will enhance the level of health and sustainability to the entire ecosystem of the Park. The City Manager and staff are authorized to implement the following activities on public property in, at and around Gum Grove Nature Park: A. Management Management activities include: 1) removing dead, dying, unhealthy and structurally unsound trees in the designated walking path, 2) controlling weeds that would compete with desired native vegetation, 3) preventing sprouts from diseased or decayed stumps (these sprouts would also contain decay), and 4) planting new trees along with diversifying the species of gum trees. Approximately four acres will be replanted to diversify the gum species of eucalyptus throughout the grove, with planting of coast live oaks at the entrances of the Park. Over time, as sprouts die and are replaced, decay continues to develop. For this reason, future tree generations are going to be susceptible to issues like breakage and blow-down and the presence of decay in old stumps, future regeneration must rely on planting rather than sprouting. Manage insect and disease pressure: The blue gum eucalyptus in the grove has been attacked by pests such as the long-horned borer (Phoracantha spp.), snout beetle (Gonipterus scutellatus), and tortoise beetle (Trachymela sloanei). Under normal conditions, these insects are not a significant problem for blue gum. However, under conditions of monoculture and extended drought, they will attach to stressed trees in large numbers. The goals and objectives of the Management Activities shall include:  Clearly define path of travel with signage  Preserve and protect the safety of Gum Grove Park users and adjacent residential properties  Improve and enhance the current health and stability of the ecosystem  Maintain and ensure public access to the Park This policy was developed based upon several elements: The first element was defining policy/plan success in four areas: 1) Reserve and ecosystem health, 2) visual and natural aesthetics, 3) public safety, and 4) public access. From the City’s perspective, a successful policy/plan will provide short-term and long-term management strategies and actions that would improve safety, reduce hazards, promote a sustainable ecosystem, include a replanting strategy, and employ a management policy. B. Objective  The development of a city policy to govern the installation, removal, and maintenance of trees in Gum Grove Nature Park.  Preservation of existing trees in the grove.  Identification of possible hazards, established risk-reduction program. 3 (400-18)  Restore the ecosystem of the grove with California natives, along with diversifying the type of gum tree species in the grove.  Managing defensible spaces. C. Maintenance Restrictions  No trees or vegetation shall be planted or removed in the grove unless approved by the Director of Public Works or designee.  All work to be performed in Gum Grove shall have prior authorization by the Public Works Director or designee.  Only the designated trail of the Nature Park shall be maintained. All other areas in the grove shall remain in its natural state unless there is an eminent hazard that is confirmed by the Public Works Director or designee.  Use of herbicides in the grove is prohibited, and any unnecessary tree work during bird-nesting season (March to August) should be avoided and in accordance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.  Monitor pests and disease on a quarterly system and keep record of changes of health, pests, and any other conditions in the grove. Removals  All potential dead, dying, or tree hazards must be assessed for possible nesting within guidelines of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act before being approved for removal.  All removals of dead trees, branches, or any part of the tree shall be chipped on site and not to be removed from grove. Planting  All trees planted in the grove shall be in different sizes, ages, and species of eucalyptus to diversify the grove by adding strength to the current stability of the ecosystem.  Any trees planted in the grove must first be approved by the Public Works Director or designee.  All trees will be planted within the proper time of month to assure success of survival of the trees and to the ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) standards. D. Signage in Designated Path of Travel  At each entrance signage will clearly show path of travel.  Signs shall be designed by Public Works Director or designee.  Each sign will show map of Nature Park and map of approved designated path of travel on the trail.