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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-07-27 Parks & Recreation Agenda PacketPARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION July 27, 2021 AGENDA 7pm Agenda posted according to PAMC Section 2.04.070. ********BY VIRTUAL CONFERENCE ONLY******* Pursuant to the provisions of California Governor’s Executive Order N-29-20, issued on March 17, 2020, to prevent the spread of Covid-19, this meeting will be held by virtual teleconference only, with no physical location. The meeting will be broadcast on Midpen Media Center at https://midpenmedia.org. Members of the public who wish to participate by computer or phone can find the instructions at the end of this agenda. To ensure participation in a particular item, we suggest calling in or connecting online 15 minutes before the item you wish to speak on. https://zoom.us/join Meeting ID: 999 3789 9745 Phone: 1(669)900-6833 I. ROLL CALL II. AGENDA CHANGES, REQUESTS, DELETIONS III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Members of the public may address the Commission on any subject not on the agenda. A reasonable time restriction may be imposed at the discretion of the Chair. The Commission reserves the right to limit oral communications period to 3 minutes. IV. DEPARTMENT REPORT V. BUSINESS 1. Ad Hoc and Liaison Updates – Chair – Discussion (15min) ATTACHMENT 2. Presentation from Friends of Palo Alto Parks and Palo Alto Recreation Foundation – Informational Chair Cribbs – (45 min) 3. Park Improvement Ordinance for the Boulware Park Project – Peter Jensen – Action (60 min) ATTACHMENT VI. TENTATIVE AGENDA FOR AUGUST 24, 2021 MEETING VII. COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS VIII. ADJOURNMENT PUBLIC LETTERS ADA. The City of Palo Alto does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities. To request accommodations, auxiliary aids or services to access City facilities, services or programs, to participate at public meetings, or to learn about the City's compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, may contact 650-329-2550 (voice), or e-mail ada@cityofpaloalto.org This agenda is posted in accordance with government code section 54954.2(a) or section 54956. Members of the public are welcome to attend this public meeting. Public Comment Instructions Members of the Public may provide public comments to teleconference meetings via email, teleconference, or by phone. 1. Written public comments may be submitted by email to ParkRec.Commission@cityofpaloalto.org 2. Spoken public comments using a computer will be accepted through the teleconference meeting. To address the Commission, click on the link below to access a Zoom-based meeting. Please read the following instructions carefully. A. You may download the Zoom client or connect to the meeting in- browser. If using your browser, make sure you are using a current, up-to-date browser: Chrome 30+, Firefox 27+, Microsoft Edge 12+, Safari 7+. Certain functionality may be disabled in older browsers including Internet Explorer. B. You may be asked to enter an email address and name. We request that you identify yourself by name as this will be visible online and will be used to notify you that it is your turn to speak. C. When you wish to speak on an Agenda Item, click on “raise hand.” The Staff Assistant will activate and unmute speakers in turn. Speakers will be notified shortly before they are called to speak. D. When called, please limit your remarks to the time limit allotted. E. A timer will be shown on the computer to help keep track of your comments. 3. Spoken public comments using a smart phone will be accepted through the teleconference meeting. To address the Commission, download the Zoom application onto your phone from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and enter the Meeting ID below. Please follow the instructions B-E above. 4. Spoken public comments using a phone use the telephone number listed below. When you wish to speak on an agenda item hit *9 on your phone so we know that you wish to speak. You will be asked to provide your first and last name before addressing the Commission. You will be advised how long you have to speak. When called please limit your remarks to the agenda item and time limit allotted. https://zoom.us/join Meeting ID: 999 3789 9745 Phone:1(669)900-6833 June 22, 2021 ADA. The City of Palo Alto does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities. To request accommodations, auxiliary aids or services to access City facilities, services or programs, to participate at public meetings, or to learn about the City's compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, may contact 650-329-2550 (voice), or e-mail ada@cityofpaloalto.org This agenda is posted in accordance with government code section 54954.2(a) or section 54956. Members of the public are welcome to attend this public meeting. PALO ALTO PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION AD HOC/LIAISON ASSIGNMENTS AD HOC COMMITTEE MEMBERS STAFF LIAISON July 2021 Update Baylands Tide Gate Greenfield, Reckdahl Daren Anderson We recently received and reviewed notification from Valley Water (VW) regarding plans to omit the levee trail surface improvement work which had been planned as part of the project proposal presented to PRC last month, and for which a PIO recommendation was received. Instead of proactive levee trail surface improvement work, VW would arrange for repairs to be done as needed. While this eliminates the planned Adobe Loop Trail closure planned for 10/15/2021~1/31/2022, it potentially introduces uncertainty and risk. The Ad Hoc has requested to meet with VW to review changes, questions, and required assurances that City staff has appropriately raised regarding this change. Options are for PRC to elect not to review the plan update and forward the PIO recommendation to CIty Council for consideration, or for PRC to review and reconsider the PIO recommendation at a future meeting. CIP Review CY21 Moss, Brown, LaMere Daren Anderson Dog Park and Restrooms CY21 Brown, Cribbs Daren Anderson Foothills Nature Preserve Moss, Greenfield,Reckdahl Daren Anderson The Ad Hoc met with Daren and Ranger Lisa Myers. Given the lower level of urgency associated with FNP visitation, we agreed to focus on a single update recommendation to City Council this year (in November?), considering a permanent visitor limit and entry fee waivers. Weekday entrance fee collection is needed before these can be fully assessed. In addition, open space policy will be reviewed for photography/videography and special events, leading to a future separate agena action. We also discussed potential issues with dogs at Towle Campground and guidelines when the preserve is closed. Fund Development CY21 Cribbs, LaMere, Brown Kristen O'Kane Ad hoc met with Presidents of PA Recreation Foundation and Friends of Park New Recreation Opportunities LaMere, Cribbs, Reckdahl Kristen O'Kane Ad Hoc met at Baylands Athletic Center to Discuss 10.5 acres. Ad Hoc with staff to discuss potential location for Skate park and expand the team to include female skatersRacquet Court Policy Brown, Reckdahl Adam Howard Side Walk Vendor Policy Brown, Greenfield, Moss Daren Anderson LIAISON MEMBER(S) STAFF / CONTACT Aquatics Cribbs Sharon Eva Baylands 10.5 Cribbs Daren Anderson Community Gardens Brown Catherine Bourquin Cubberley Moss Kristen O'Kane Field Users Greenfield Adam Howard Artificial Turf Fields at Mayfield Soccer Complex and El Camino Park: A couple years ago, the synthetic turf infill material at El Camino Park was melting and forming into globs during hot weather. The vendor determined that the infill material was not properly rated for this climate location, and the field was shut down to replace with appropriately rated material. The same improperly rated infill material was used to refurbish the fields at Mayfield a few months after El Camino Park was originally refurbished. The "melting infill" problem was not observed at Mayfield at the time this problem was addressed at El Camino Park, but now a significant problem is observed at Mayfield. In addition, more melting infill has been observed at El Camino Park. Apparently, this problem is due to original infill that was not completely removed during the initial attempt to address this problem in late 2019. Staff is working with the vendor to develop a solution. Any solution is likely to result in fields being shut down for 3-4+ weeks. Cubberley Turf and Track - a couple new signage iterations have been reviewed and are now being shared with select stakeholders for feedback before the signs are sent out for fabrication. Golf LaMere Lam Do GSI Pam Boyle Rodriguez? MROSD - Hawthornes Area Planning Greenfield Daren Anderson Palo Alto Recreation Foundation Cribbs Adam Howard PAUSD / City Reckdahl Kristen O'Kane Safe Routes Greenfield Rosie Mesterhazy Skateboard Park LaMere Adam Howard Sustainability Brown Christine Luong Urban Forestry Greenfield, Reckdahl Daren Anderson Ventura Plan Reckdahl Clare Campbell Youth Council Cribbs Adam Howard TO: PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DATE: JULY 27, 2021 SUBJECT: BOULWARE PARK RENOVATION PROJECT (CIP PE-17005) – PARK IMPROVEMENT ORDINANCE RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends the Parks and Recreation Commission (Commission) recommend that City Council adopt and approve a Park Improvement Ordinance (Attachment A) authorizing the renovation of the playground and park amenities at Boulware Park (Exhibit A). BACKGROUND In 2017, the City Council approved the Capital improvement funding of $495,000 to address park maintenance needs in fiscal year 2018. The renovation included infrastructure, accessibility, and maintenance improvements. The project was postponed to fiscal year 2019 due to budget constraints. During that period, the adjacent property located at Birch Street and owned by AT&T was put up for sale. In an effort to add new parkland to the Ventura neighborhood, one of the densest populated neighborhoods in the city, and one having limited open space, the city pursued the purchase of the parcel. Upon finalizing the purchase of the land in 2019, the city re-engaged the community-based design process to determine how the existing Boulware Park and the newly purchased property would be developed into one contiguous park. The land was also adopted by City Council as dedicated parkland in 2019, shortly after the purchase. Community Outreach Process All materials presented to the community and the Parks and Recreation Commission in prior meetings can be viewed at the project web site at www.cityofpaloalto.org/boulwarepark On November 9, 2019, the first community meeting was held at Boulware Park. The goal of this meeting was to allow the community the opportunity to provide input on what park facilities should be considered in the renovation and expansion of Boulware Park. The community was requested to provide input on different park facilities and ranking them based on preference and priority. The facilities presented were drawn from existing facilities at Boulware Park and facilities that were highlighted in the Parks Master Plan to be considered as part of all park renovation projects. Attendees at the community meeting were asked to place sticker dots next to their desired facility choice, and to prioritize the choices. These facilities included: Existing Facilities at Boulware Park  Playground  Basketball Court  Group Picnic Area  Open Turf Area Master Plan Park Facilities  Restroom  Dog Park  Community Garden  Loop Walking Path  Adult Fitness  Pickle Ball  Shaded Seating Areas  Habitat/Native Planting  Security Lighting Upon completion of the first community meeting, an on-line version of the facility survey was released for those who could not attend. A total of 62 community members responded to the survey. Input from the community and survey as well as an initial draft park plan were presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission (Commission) for review and input on January 28, 2020. The Commission stressed the importance of aligning the proposed park plan with the recommendations of the North Ventura Coordination Plan and expressed support for the initial draft plan including support for a dog park, the removal of a section of Ash Street to combine the two parcels of land, a restroom room closer to the playgrounds and limiting built park facilities along the edge of Matadero Creek for potential creek restoration. A second community meeting was held on February 27,2020. This was a joint meeting with the North Ventura Coordination Plan. As the closest adjacent park to the proposed redevelopment area, Boulware Park is important in providing open parkland to the area. Along with long term consideration of the larger development including creek restoration, connection to the park and overall park use the community was presented three draft plan options of the overall park design for input. The draft park design combines both the existing parkland and newly purchased AT&T property as well as a portion of Ash Street. The design options and included facilities were developed from input from the first community meeting and guidance from the Parks Master Plan. Each of the three designs were presented to the community to provide their input. This was done by both writing on the printed copies of the plans as well as the use of sticky notes. A third community meeting was held on December 7, 2020 via web cast at 11am and 6pm to review the draft park plan layout. Based on the three previous options, input concerning the North Ventura Coordination Plan, Parks Commission and community input a final draft plan was presented. The overall park plan includes the following amenities (bold items are existing park amenities that are found in the current Boulware Park):  Inclusive playground (both tot (2-5) & children (5-12))  Basketball Court  Restroom  Dog Park  Turn around Drop-Off  Open Turf Area  Loop Pathway  Picnic Area  Shaded Seating Area  Bocce court  Covered picnic area  New head-in and accessible parking stalls along Lambert Ave. Environmental amenities included in the overall design include:  Runoff filtration gardens  Native habitat gardens  Net increase of 20 trees The plan was supported by the community who attended the meeting including the locations of the proposed site amenities, the location of the restroom closest to the playground, the added head in parking along Lambert and the removal of the section of Ashland Street. The community was also supportive of leaving a proposed 65’ setback of built structures along the creek for future creek restoration. The Commission was presented the proposed park plan and community feedback on January 26, 2021. Community comments at the Commission meeting expressed support of the overall park plan design and for the addition of native plants. The Commission was supportive of the park design and the flexibility it provides for future restoration of Matador Creek. The Commission also expressed support for funding and implementing the renovations project as soon as funding was available. DISCUSSION Staff requests the Parks and Recreation Commission recommend that Council adopt a Park. Improvement Ordinance for the proposed improvements at Boulware Park, per the Exhibit B attached. FUNDING Capital improvement funding of $495,000 was approved by City Council in 2017 to address park maintenance needs in the 2018 fiscal year. To cover the costs of developing the new parkland and renovation of the existing park, including incorporating a segment of Ash Street into the park area the City Council approved an additional $2.7 million dollars for the expanded project in fiscal year 2022. Total Capital improvement funding for the project is $3.2 million. NEXT STEPS • City Council Adopt PIO: Fall 2021 • Bid Document Preparation: Fall/Winter 2021 • Project Bidding: Spring 2022 • Council to Approve Contract: Spring 2022 • Project Construction (120 Days): Summer 2022 • Construction Completion Fall 2022 POLICY IMPLICATIONS The proposed recommendations are consistent with Policy C-26 of the Community Services element of the Comprehensive Plan that encourages maintaining park facilities as safe and healthy community assets; and Policy C-22 that encourages new community facilities to have flexible functions to ensure adaptability to the changing needs of the community. ATTACHMENTS Attachment A: Draft Park Improvement Ordinance Exhibit A: Draft Park Improvement Plan PREPARED BY Peter Jensen Landscape Architect City of Palo Alto