RED HILL COMMUNITY PARK JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY

Board of Directors Meeting 

 

August 3, 2004

 

DRAFT MINUTES

 

 

1.      CALL TO ORDER

 

Chair Breen called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm on August 3, 2004 in the San Anselmo Town Council Chambers.  Chair Breen introduced himself and defined the purpose and composition of the JPA. Other Board members introduced themselves and indicated the organization they represent.

 

2.      ROLL CALL

 

Present:  Breen, Lopin, Thornton, Walter, Wright         Absent:  None

 

3.       OPEN TIME FOR PUBLIC EXPRESSION

 

Gil Deane, 25 Carlson Court, asked about the specific acreage of the dog park as indicated on the park design.  He commented on the unfairness of the park design to the community of dog owners.

 

Heather Mitchell, 1st Street, San Rafael, reported on the town population by age group to indicate the various uses of the park. She asked the Board to check the noise impact on the area.

 

Nancy Ocata, P.O. Box 520, indicated her concern on the financial situation of the Town and the school district.  She requested clarification of Hal Brown's donation.

 

Tony Noseri, Oak Springs Drive, expressed support for the park as coach of Youth Soccer League. The shortage of fields has resulted in soccer teams practicing on blacktops and football fields.

 

Mike Slot, informal representative of the LaCrosse community, expressed his support for the park.

 

Brock Green, who has been involved in youth sports for many years, commented on limited field space.  The park design is a compromise for both dog users as well as field users.

 

Ellen Padromo, 20 El Cerrito Avenue, commented that Memorial Park use was too dense for dogs and soccer practice space is very limited.

 

Ann Swett, 2 Olive Avenue, commented that the name of the park should be "recreational area" rather than dog park. She requested data that supports moving the tennis courts, which are very expensive, and commented on the need for balance.

 

4.       APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Louise Mathews, Foothill Road, indicated that her question regarding the JPA’s contact with Red Hill Shopping Center regarding the impact of pass through traffic was omitted.

 

Ann Swett corrected the spelling of her name.

 

M/S/C (Wright/Thornton) to approve the minutes of the July 6, 2004 meeting as amended.

 

5.      W-TRANS TRAFFIC STUDY REPORT

 

Dalene Whitlock, principal at Whitlock & Weinberger Transportation, Inc, reported on her traffic counts on Sunny Hills and Sais during peak periods of weekday evening commute and midday Saturdays.  Based on counts, the average of all traffic counts was at Level D. The study focused on whether a traffic signal is needed. Based on collision history and the congestion that would be generated by additional signals, it was not deemed warranted.  Parking counts were taken at Shaw, the school, Sunny Hills, etc to capture all possible park trips. Standard trip rates for the area were doubled, some diversion through the Shopping Center was assumed, and the resulting level still remained at Level D which is deemed acceptable. The only recommendation from the study for mitigation relates to the landscaping at southwest corner of the site.

 

In response to a question by John Wright regarding communication with the Red Hill Shopping Center, Director Ron Little indicated that they are currently contacting them. Ms. Whitlock clarified for John Wright that the park will result in an impact but that it is within the level deemed acceptable by Town policy. The new trips added by this park will occur during non-peak commute periods, i.e. weekday evenings and weekends.

 

In response to a question from Heather Mitchell about using the densest day, Dalene Whitlock assured the Board that they used the busiest times in their study.

 

Elaine Snyder, Greenfield Avenue, indicated the need to include a shopping center representative for their input. Peter Breen indicated that Ron Little will give them the opportunity to bring forward their interests.

 

Gil Deane, Carlson Court, asked for confirmation that the Planning Commission will be included in this process to address the CEQA issues. He asked about the degree of error in the study, and how many more trips would change the outcome of the report.

 

Louise Mathews, Foothill Road, indicated that the traffic study was not approved at the last meeting, only discussed.  She distributed written comments regarding the study to the consultant and Director Little.  John Wright responded that the Town has jurisdiction regarding the traffic study rather than the Board, which accepted the study as adequate. The Town's Planning Commission will hear it for approval.  Bob Walters clarified that the consultant did not use previously acquired skateboard park data in the traffic study but did perform counts in this study to include the Memorial Park traffic.

 

Nancy Ocata, P.O. 520, asked about the traffic count on Shaw Drive and how emergency vehicles would access the area.

 

Ann Swett, 2 Olive Avenue, asked if traffic standards are created by town or county. Ms. Whitlock responded that methodologies are national including the definition of the levels of service, A through F.  Local entities decide in their General Plan on their own acceptable level of traffic flow.  San Anselmo's standard level of D is very common and allows for smaller streets and slower traffic.

6.      TREASURER’S REPORT

 

Treasurer Janet Pendoley presented the balance sheet and profit and loss statement for the period ending July 31, 2004. She reported that $27 was received in interest income during this period. There were no expenditures. As of July 31st, the JPA's assets totalled $53,569.

           

7.      ROSS VALLEY SCHOOL BOARD LIAISON REPORT

 

Lori Lopin indicated no report.

 

8.      FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE REPORT

 

Dee Katson reported that the major donor campaign continues, with ongoing contacts with donors.  The public campaign will be focused on sports and back to school events.  Grant applications are being submitted, although the US Soccer Foundation has recently changed their rules, disallowing funds for field construction.  They offer discounted package deals, included their prescribed vendors, purchase of turf, goals, signage for advertising, and lights.  She indicated there is some interest in having lights in the park. Dean Nyberg, Parks Director, indicated that Town parks are closed one half hour after sunset, so there is no need for lights. The concern for the nearby apartment complex and the noise factor has always been factors in limiting park hours. Bob Walters commented that lighting the park in the same time pattern as the Shopping Center might increase the field and dog park usage in fall and winter months. Katson indicated that the committee needs to move rapidly to analyze the data if the JPA wishes to take advantage of this opportunity. Deadline for letter of inquiry is October 1st. Lori Lopin mentioned the need to factor in the cost of operating lights. Bob Walters indicated that the potential for additional rental income should be considered also. Ron Little will research the current technology of light diffusion, perhaps by field trip.

 

Louise Mathews, Foothill Road, commented that the noise study presented at the May meeting indicated that there would be no noise after 8 pm.  The issue of lighting is important to the neighborhood.

 

9.      REPORT FROM PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION

 

Gene Childs, chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission, reported that the commission formed a subcommittee which is comprised of Dean Nyberg, Jack Martel, and Gene Childs.  He referred to his written report on their preliminary thoughts on using the urban park rules for this park, a six page document that he summarized.  He indicated the general direction that the subcommittee may go in developing park protocols. The next subcommittee meeting will address methods of public input and will be held on August 24th from 4 pm to 5 pm in the Town Council Chambers. Dean Nyberg will post notice.  Lori Lopin commented that all park uses must be approved by the Ross Valley School District. She asked about providing a smoking area, given it is school property.  John Wright confirmed that the lease agreement requires RVSD final approval of park rules.

L. M.  spoke in favor of not allowing smoking. She asked about limits on parking at the park. Peter Breen indicated that the Town will address that issue in the Planning process.

 

10.  EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

 

·        Action Items

 

Resolution on EOE Policy:  Director Ron Little reported that most grant applications require a policy of non-discrimination by contractors and sub-contractors hired by the JPA.  Using the Tam District's policy as a model, Ron Little presented the draft policy.

 

M/S/C (Lopin/Thornton) to approve the resolution as presented.

 

Resolution on Endorsing Grant Applications:  Not currently needed.  If needed in the future, the resolution will come back to the Board as a consent item.

 

·        Discussion Items:

 

Abey Arnold Design Schedule: Ron Little presented the proposed schedule for the final design development process, pointing out two public meetings scheduled for September 10th and October 1st with submission of a final report on October 22nd.  He believes that it is realistic timeline. John Wright indicated the importance of communicating to the public that the process begins with the preliminary design and moves forward from that point.

 

Scheduling of Next JPA Meeting:  The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 7th . Ron Little will be away for first three Tuesdays in September. Dean Nyberg, Parks Director, volunteered to staff the meeting in Ron’s place.

 

11.              ADJOURNMENT

 

Chair Breen asked for future agenda requests by Board members. Items for the agenda can be forwarded to Peter Breen or Ron Little by the Thursday prior to the meeting.

 

He adjourned the meeting at 9:15 pm.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

Janet Pendoley

Treasurer, Red Hill Community Park JPA

Finance and Administrative Services Director, Town of San Anselmo