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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/15/2001IRWINDALE COUNCIL CHAMBER 5050 N. IRWINDALE AVENUE IRWINDALE, CALIFORNIA 91706 The Irwindale PARKS & RECREATION session at the above time and place. MAY 15, 2001 TUESDAY 6:00 P.M. met in a Tuesday special ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Erlinda Duran, Paula Fraijo; Vice Chair Belen Zepeda; Chair Dan Diaz. Absent: Commissioner Theresa Chico Also present: Rod Posada, Director of Public Works; Dan Grijalva, Recreation Manager; Camille Diaz, Assistant City Manager; and Linda Kimbro, Deputy City Clerk. IRWINDALE PARK MASTER PLAN Nick DeLorenzo presented an overview of the plan recommended. The main focus of the plan is to establish a master plan for Irwindale Park and a budget sufficient to take advantage of a financing opportunity to generate bond proceeds to help construct the park. This is the first step of what would include public input to be able to locate amenities specifically and then eventually go into a design phase of the park. The plan developed was a result of the public hearing and the three primary functions that will go into the park. An executive summary report and map was presented. The location decision and programming considerations for the: • Library/Learning Center/City Hall Expansion • Skate Park • Child Care Facility • Park West (3.75 acre site) • Civic Center Storage • Irwindale Park Enhancements • Irwindale Boulevard Bridge were presented. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MAY 15, 2001 SPECIAL MEETING PAGE 2 Maxine Nunez, (16041 Calle del Norte) spoke in opposition to the Skate Park being located directly in front of her house. She thinks this should be located at Irwindale Park West. She stated her belief that the kids would be skating through the park illegally in order to get to the actual skate park. She conveyed her opposition to taking away any green space in front of the recreation center as this is used for fiestas and other city events. Further, if the skate park is located there, it will attract people from other communities who might not be as respectful of the residents around that area. She expressed concern that it might be unsafe for the children in the area because it is located directly where police cars exit at fast speeds, and the increased noise and traffic will make the area look more like a business rather than a residential area. Ms. Nunez also listed names of other residents of Calle del Norte and Ayon who are equally opposed to this proposed location; all of who favor the location of Irwindale Park West. Commissioner Fraijo asked if this master plan report reflected public input or the administration at City Hall. Nick DeLorenzo stated that all the comments and data received had been summarized. They considered space utilization in this plan and explained their reasoning for their recommendations. The skate park is approximately 150' from the curb, which is the same distance from residents at both sides. Commissioner Duran asked if consideration had been given to converting the existing tennis court area into the skate park. Mr. DeLorenzo replied that the tennis area is the same distance to residents with closer proximity to the Police Department, which they considered to be a benefit for supervision. Carmen Rodriguez (16041 Calle del Norte) stated that the park has been safe so far, but is concerned about the young girls passing through the park at night on their way back from tutoring. Diane Martino (16041 Calle del Norte) expressed her concern about the traffic from the police department and the traffic from the post office. Further, the residents located near Irwindale Park West will have a sound wall while those on Calle del Norte do not. She also feels that the Police Department should not be babysitters to the children using the skate park instead of taking care of the residents. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MAY 15, 2001 SPECIAL MEETING PAGE 3 David Matinez, (4636 Fraijo) agreed with the previous speakers and stated his belief that the skate park should be located at Irwindale Park West, and the park should not lose the existing green space. He also asked where the funding for these changes was coming from. Commissioner Fraijo said it was her understanding that the funding was coming from the refinancing of bonds at a lower interest rate. Assistant City Manager, Diaz confirmed. Benjie Garcia stated his opinion that there should be more lights installed and that the skate park should be at Irwindale Park West with staffing of 4 people. Chair Diaz asked Nick DeLorenzo if changes could be made in the future. Mr. DeLorenzo said that during the bond process, which could take 3-6 months, there would be opportunities for more input during a design phase. The cost of the skate park will be the same at either location. Commissioner Fraijo commented that as a parent she would feel safer if the children were in the park, instead of across the street. She suggested that the parents should supervise the children and said that there is no intention of having the Police patrol the area. She did note, however, that by having the park located near the Police Department it seems to have discouraged accidents from happening. Assistant City Manager Diaz reiterated that the Commission is not being asked to accept a particular plan, rather the actual process was to begin with public input to establish some type of budget for the project, and this was only the beginning in a quite long process. She suggested that the Commission could approve the concept. If there are any specific concerns that they would like to communicate to the City Council about the site locations of any one of the elements being considered, they could do so. Commissioner Fraijo asked if they needed to approve plans 1, 2, or 3 this evening. Mr. DeLorenzo explained that the budgets were included in the packets merely as options. Mike Diaz, (4644 Nora) asked if the decibel measurements could be taken as he is concerned about the added noise levels. He also asked if the skate park would be fenced and submerged. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MAY 15, 2001 SPECIAL MEETING PAGE 4 Benjie Garcia asked if the open area by Martinez Street could be considered because it has areas for ingress and egress and the area could be fenced. RECOMMENDATION CHAIR DIAZ Suggested they proceed with draft opinion (1). MOTION Chair Diaz made a motion to proceed with draft opinion (1), second by Commissioner Fraijo. The motion was unanimously approved, Commissioner Chico was absent. SPONTANEOUS There were no speakers. COMMUNICATIONS ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to conduct, the meeting was adjourned at 6:49 p.m. Dan Diaz, Chair ATTEST: Linda J. Kimbro, CMC Deputy City Clerk