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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/03/2001IRWINDALE COUNCIL CHAMBER 5050 N. IRWINDALE AVENUE IRWINDALE, CALIFORNIA 91706 OCTOBER 3, 2001 WEDNESDAY 6:00 P.M. The Irwindale PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION met in regular session at the above time and place. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Theresa Chico, Erlinda Duran, Paula Fraijo; Vice Chair Belen Zepeda; Chair Dan Diaz Also present: Steve Blancarte, City Manager; Camille Diaz, Assistant City Manager; Dan Grijalva, Recreation Supervisor; Michael Rados, Public Works Manager; Armando Hegdahl, Records Clerk; and Linda Kimbro, Deputy City Clerk INTRODUCTION OF NEW STAFF ASSISTANT CITY Assistant City Manager Diaz introduced newly hired staff MANAGER DIAZ Armando Hegdahl, Records Clerk, and Michael Rados, Public Works Manager, to the Commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION A motion was made by Commissioner Fraijo, seconded by Commissioner Chico, to approve the minutes of the meeting held September 12, 2001. Motion was approved unanimously. PROPOSED SKATEPARK LOCATION ASSISTANT CITY Assistant City Manager Diaz presented the staff report MANAGER DIAZ detailing the final version of the Master Plan that was approved by the City Council. The location of the park was still not agreed upon by the Council and was therefore forwarded to the Parks and Recreation Commission for further input and recommendation. She also presented a map with the proposed park location and new facilities. Assistant City Manager Diaz also advised that the plaza area at Irwindale Park has also been suggested as a possible location for the skate park, to be designed in a way to also allow for use as a stage area. CHAIR DIAZ Chair Diaz expressed the opinion that, regardless of the skate park location, the youth would still ride their PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 3, 2001 PAGE 2 skateboards at inappropriate areas. He did, however, suggest building the skate park across the street from Irwindale Park. COMMISSIONER Commissioner Fraijo disagreed with placing the skate park FRAIJO across the street, stating that children should not cross major streets unescorted. COMMISSIONER Commissioner Chico suggested moving the tennis courts to CHICO the location across the street and placing the skate park at the current tennis court location, which would allow for supervision from Recreation Staff. ASSISTANT CITY Assistant City Manager Diaz stated that the child care facility MANAGER DIAZ has been proposed to use the space currently occupied by the tennis courts. COMMISSIONER Commissioner Chico suggested implementing a modular CHICO skate park, possibly at the tennis courts or the plaza area, to determine how frequently a permanent skate park would be used. COMMISSIONER Commissioner Duran expressed her opinion that the youth DURAN would not be adequately supervised if the skate park was placed across the street. COMMISSIONER Commissioner Fraijo also suggested placing obstacles and FRAIJO warning signs to deter the youth from skateboarding at inappropriate places. VICE CHAIR Vice Chair Zepeda stated that she is opposed to having the ZEPEDA skate park built at the plaza and that there should not be a problem with the youth being supervised by their parents as they cross the street. ASSISTANT CITY Assistant City Manager Diaz clarified that the Commission MANAGER DIAZ has apparently reached consensus in that a temporary skate park should be built, but has not reached a decision on the location of this park. CITY MANAGER City Manager Blancarte stated that the City Council is BLANCARTE committed to building a skate park for the youth. He also advised that, if the youth still ride their skateboards at inappropriate areas after the skate park is built, there could be some type of disciplinary actions. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 3, 2001 REGULAR MEETING PAGE 3 City Manager Blancarte advised that the map diagram for the skate park that had been recommended for Council approval by the Parks and Recreation Commission had two changes made by the Council: 1) parking at the park would not be eliminated, and 2) in consideration of those living near Irwindale Park, the proposed location for the Skate Park would be changed. He also stated that he liked the idea of placing the skate park where the tennis courts are currently placed and expressed his concerns over the possible problems that may occur as a result of the mixing of basketball players and skateboarders and interference by the skate park with the concerts. He did, however, state that many skate parks have elevations that skaters skate over, and this elevation could be a plateau where bands could perform at concerts. The master planner hired by Irwindale advised that the park would be adequate in size if the skate park was added. However, people who are already used to the park would see it as a loss of land. CHAIR DIAZ Upon question by Chair Diaz, City Manager Blancarte advised that it is anticipated that bids for this project will be accepted within two months and a definitive location needs to be determined by that time. COMMISSIONER In response to a question posed by Commissioner Chico, CHICO City Manager Blancarte advised that the skate park is planned to occupy 5,000 square feet. Other cities have skate parks at a location where they may be observed by staff. Specific signage will also be set up to protect the City from liability. City Manager Blancarte also advised that the City Council is primarily interested in setting up a permanent location and this item may be returned to the Parks and Recreation Commission if it decides to move forward with a modular skate park. RECREATION MANAGER UPDATE RECREATION Recreation Manager Grijalva presented his report indicating MANAGER GRIJALVA that: ♦ Flag football began in September with 48 youth registered: 4 teams with 12 youths per team ♦ Cheerleading also began with 12 resident girls involved ♦ Arts and Crafts class is continuing with 20 youths each Tuesday ♦ Tiny Tots began in September with 20 children involved PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 3, 2001 REGULAR MEETING PAGE 4 ♦ Tumbling sessions will begin on October 15, 2001 ♦ Three adult trips were enjoyed by all who attended: One to the L.A. County Fair •3 One to the UCLA vs. Ohio St. football game ❖ One to the The Paul Rodriguez Comedy Show ♦ Registrations are being accepted for the adult leagues, including basketball and softball leagues ♦ The pool was open through September and averaged about 25 youths per day. The pool will re -open during spring vacation ♦ A pancake fundraiser for the victims of terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, will be held Saturday, October 6, 2001, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. All proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross ♦ A Drug Awareness Workshop will be held November 3, 2001, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ♦ The Fall program has been mailed out and all residents will receive it shortly COMMISSIONER In response to a question by Commissioner Chico, CHICO Recreation Manager Grijalva stated that the Tumbling classes are held on Mondays by age group with the beginning times set at: ♦ 3:00 to 3:45 p.m. for children 1 '/2 to 3 years old ♦ 4:00 to 4:40 p.m. for 4, 5, and 6 year olds ♦ 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. for children 7 and up Tumbling is taught by Lorena Bueno, a UCLA graduate gymnast. COMMISSIONER Commissioner Fraijo recommended having more effort put FRAIJO into coordinating the adult activities. RECREATION Recreation Manager Grijalva, upon a question from MANAGER GRIJALVA Commissioner Chico, indicated that it may be possible to change the date of the carnival back to the Saturday before the actual Halloween date. COMMISSIONER Commissioner Chico stated that she was glad to see how CHICO the football program has started and the amount of parents who attend. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 3, 2001 REGULAR MEETING PAGE 5 COMMISSIONER ITEMS COMMISSIONER In response to a question posed by Commissioner Chico, CHICO Public Works Manager Rados stated that his department has ideas for waste collection in the park, such as increasing the number of waste containers available to decrease the amount of litter that is leftover from the weekends. COMMISSIONER Commissioner Chico suggested using the temporary staff to CHICO help address the trash problem at the park. CHAIR DIAZ In response to a question by Chair Diaz relating to the sign for EI Nido Park, Public Works Manager Rados indicated that the concrete pedestal is currently being built. COMMISSIONER Assistant City Manager Diaz, upon question by CHICO Commissioner Chico, advised that signage at the front of the Recreation building has not been set up since City staff is working on having uniform signage at all City facilities. COMMISSIONER Commissioner Chico expressed her opinion in advising CHICO against using a light purple color for the city entrance signage. SPONTANEOUS COMMUNICATIONS REBECCA BARBOSA Rebecca Barbosa presented a document that she received from the Fire Department, which, in her opinion, reiterates the need to have the breakfast for the victims of the terrorist attack that occurred on September 11, 2001. CITY MANAGER City Manager Blancarte expressed his desire to attend more BLANCARTE Commission meetings now that he is recuperating from his current illness. He also advised that the immediate supervisor to both Recreation Manager Grijalva and Public Works Manager Rados is Assistant City Manager Diaz. The reason for this change is that he wants Manager Rados to be available to coordinate more with the Recreation Department by having the same supervisor. He also wants the Public Works Director to focus more on the technical areas for which he was hired, such as mining and waste hauling issues; road projects, flood issues, sewers, and building constructions at the park. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 3, 2001 REGULAR MEETING PAGE 6 City Manager Blancarte also advised that he prepares a weekly update designed to inform the Council and city staff about what is occurring in the City; these updates are now being sent to Commissioners. He also stated that he is available at any time if anyone has questions. CHAIR DIAZ Chair Diaz expressed his gratitude in receiving City Manager Blancarte's weekly report, stating that it is a very valuable informational tool. COMMISSIONER Commissioner Chico also expressed her fondness of the CHICO weekly report. COMMISSIONER City Manager Blancarte, in response to a question posed by CHICO Commissioner Chico, indicated that various crooked street signs and lights will be replaced with new ones. He also went on to discuss how speed limits are set and how a speed study will be conducted on Irwindale Avenue and a speed hump study will be conducted on surrounding streets. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to conduct, the meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m. Dan Diaz, Chair ATTEST: Linda J. Kimbro, CMC Deputy City Clerk