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Home My WebLink About03/06/2014 B A K E R S F I E L D Staff: Rhonda Smiley, Jacquie Sullivan, Chair Assistant to the City Manager Willie Rivera Bob Smith SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE of the City Council - City of Bakersfield Thursday, March 6, 2014 12:00 p.m. City Hall North – Conference Room A 1600 Truxtun Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93301 A G E N D A 1. ROLL CALL 2. ADOPTION OF JANUARY 9, 2014 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS 4. DEFERRED BUSINESS A. Update Regarding the Possible Expansion of Mesa Marin Sports Complex, Phase 2 – Tandy / Hoover B. Discussion and Committee Recommendation Regarding Adoption of the 2014 Committee Meeting Schedule - Smiley 5. COMMITTEE COMMENTS 6. ADJOURNMENT B A K E R S F I E L D Committee Members: Rhonda Smiley, Assistant to the City Manager Jacquie Sullivan, Chair Bob Smith Willie Rivera AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING Thursday, January 9, 2014 12:00 p.m. City Hall North First Floor - Conference Room A 1600 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield CA 93301 The meeting was called to order at 12:03 P.M. 1. ROLL CALL Committeemembers Present: Councilmember Jacquie Sullivan, Chair Councilmember Bob Smith Councilmember Willie Rivera Staff Present: Alan Tandy, City Manager Dianne Hoover, Rec. & Parks Director Rhonda Smiley, Asst. to the City Manager Ken Trone, Parks Superintendent Steven Teglia, Asst. to the City Manager Raul Rojas, Public Works Director Chris Huot, Asst. to the City Manager Nick Fidler, Asst. Public Works Director Caleb Blaschke, Management Assistant Kevin Barnes, Solid Waste Director Virginia Gennaro, City Attorney Sal Moretti, Solid Waste Superintendent Richard Iger, Associate Attorney Luda Fishman, Solid Waste Business Manager Thomas Geddes, Associate Attorney Don Anderson, Real Property Manager Others Present: Theo Douglas, Bakersfield Californian 2. ADOPT OCTOBER 24, 2013 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Adopted as submitted Community Services Committee Meeting Agenda Summary Report Thursday, January 9, 2014 Page 2 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS None 4. DEFERRED BUSINESS A. Community Beautification Projects – Hoover / Rojas Recreation and Parks Director Hoover stated there are two completed community garden projects on City property which are functioning with the help of volunteers and members of Keep Bakersfield Beautiful Committee (KBB). An ongoing issue is funding and payment of the water source. Volunteers originally agreed to reimburse the City for water bills; volunteers for one garden paid only the first two months and no payments were received for the second garden. Staff is actively seeking sponsors to donate funds to cover water costs to continue the gardens. City Manager Tandy stated funding grants are currently being used to cover water costs, although those funds will expire soon. Solid Waste Director Barnes stated the KBB Committee is involved with several community projects including: - The Great American Cleanup; - The Freeway Cleanup Program; - The Ongoing Highway Tree Planting Project; - Adoption Programs; - Community Cleanups (litter and graffiti); - Community Gardens; and - Other special projects, programs, and events. He also stated all the projects are evaluated by staff and the KBB Committee for feasibility. Projects selected have a committee or community member willing to commit their time and effort freely, therefore, supporting community beautification efforts at the least cost to the City. Committee Chair Sullivan asked if there was funding available for the City to pay the water bill for the two completed gardens. City Manager Tandy stated the City is currently doing so with donations and is seeking alternatives for long term funding. Committee member Rivera asked what the effect might be if the Committee decided not to install any new community gardens for a short period of time as it would relate to efforts for installing the long awaited garden on Martin Luther King Boulevard. Solid Waste Director Barnes stated there would be no impact on the Martin Luther King Boulevard project. Community Services Committee Meeting Agenda Summary Report Thursday, January 9, 2014 Page 3 Committee member Smith stated the KBB supported events and programs list was very impressive. Mr. Smith asked what would happen if a group of volunteers were to approach KBB to install a community garden if it was decided to not install any new gardens for a short period of time. City Manager Tandy stated that due to the current experience with the two present gardens, it would not be prudent to install any new community gardens at this time. If a long term funding source can be secured for the community gardens it would not be necessary to delay the installation of additional gardens, as there would be no impact to the City General Fund. Committee Chair Sullivan stated she supported the City paying for the water bill on the two completed gardens. Solid Waste Business Manager Luda Fishman stated KBB is always reaching out for sponsorship. There is a lot work that goes into the gardens; several groups routinely have asked for assistance with maintenance equipment, security where vandalism occurs, additional lighting, etc., all of which amounts to additional costs. Committee member Smith made a motion to receive and file the report. The motion was unanimously approved. 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Discussion and Recommendation regarding the Possible Expansion of Mesa Marin Sports Complex, Phase 2 - Tandy City Manager Tandy provided a brief power point presentation of the current Mesa Marin Sports Complex and its future expansion. The facility opened in June of 2011 to an enormous success. Currently, there are 185 local teams playing at the park, and an average of 20 regional tournaments per year held at the park, drawing another 15,000 participants and fans. The Mesa Marin Sports Complex is located across from the City in the Hills residential development. The original developer doubled the amount of normal park acreage in the development to 20 acres; 10 acres are developed, while an adjacent 10 acres are not. If the City in the Hills residents are amenable, the undeveloped 10 acres could be shifted through a land exchange to help pay expansion costs for the 20 acres available at Mesa Marin. Single-family housing could be constructed on the City in the Hills site for lots and homes identical in size and value to the surrounding neighborhood. It would also allow for park functions that are not suitably located immediately adjacent to single-family homes. Such functions would include major sports fields, a dog park, and a skate park, among others, which could be placed at Mesa Marin. The addition of acreage to Mesa Marin Sports Complex could provide land for eight softball fields, five soccer fields, playgrounds, restrooms, a wet playground, a dog park, a skate park, and picnicking areas. Community Services Committee Meeting Agenda Summary Report Thursday, January 9, 2014 Page 4 Committee Chair Sullivan stated the location of the Mesa Marin Sports Complex is in an ideal location and the possible expansion plan would provide benefits to all in the surrounding area. Committee member Smith stated bike and walkway paths could also be considered as part of the expansion. He offered a motion to receive the Committee comments on the draft master plan for the expanded facility, and to adjust it accordingly; also to hold a community meeting with the elected representative of Ward 3 and the City in the Hills residents to discuss the concept. The land trade/purchase discussions can proceed if the residents prove to be agreeable. Staff will need to identify with neighborhood input, what amenities are desirable and affordable for the next construction phase. The motion was unanimously approved. B. Discussion and Committee Recommendation Regarding Adoption of the 2014 Committee Meeting Schedule - Smiley Committee Chair Sullivan requested the calendar be revised due to conflicts with her schedule and resubmitted for approval at the next meeting. 6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS None 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 1:03 P.M. cc: Honorable Mayor and Council We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships. DH Department of Recreation and Parks DATE: February 27, 2014 TO: Community Services Committee Jacquie Sullivan, Chair Willie Rivera Bob Smith FROM: Dianne Hoover, Director SUBJECT: Mesa Marin Sports Complex – Expansion Proposal At the direction of the Community Services Committee, Vice-Mayor Ken Weir and City Manager Alan Tandy, along with various city staff, hosted a public meeting on February 13th regarding the park land exchange in the City in the Hills community, located in Ward 3. Approximately thirty-five community members attended the meeting. The proposed land exchange would involve trading a current undeveloped ten acre park land in the City in the Hills community for a total of twenty acres just south of the current Mesa Marin Sports complex. By acquiring these additional twenty acres, the sports complex could include four more softball fields, soccer fields, picnic areas, playgrounds, a spray park and a skate park. If the land exchange occurs, the Mesa Marin Sports Complex would occupy approximately eighty acres between Highway 178 and Route 184, just east of Bedford Green Drive. At the February 13th meeting, City staff presented the proposed land exchange concept, and Vice-Mayor Weir then addressed questions and comments, with the assistance of City staff. Some of the major issues that were discussed are as follows:  The crossing at Highway 178 from City in the Hills to Mesa Marin is a safety issue, especially for children. Staff explained that a traffic signal with a pedestrian crossing will be installed at the intersection of Canteria We enhance the quality of life through a variety of programs, parks, and partnerships. and Bedford Green Drive across Highway 178. In addition, the City has agreed to install a sidewalk along Canteria that will extend to Highway 178.  Multiple housing units might be constructed on the existing ten acre park land. The residents were assured that only single family homes would be allowed.  Residents wanted assurance that they would have the ability to use the fields when not being used by leagues and tournaments.  Adequate water to operate a park of that size and scope. Staff explained that there will be plenty of water available for this park.  The community wants to be able to have further input into the various park amenities proposed, such as lighting, the skate park, type of sports fields, and access. They were assured that if the exchange project progresses, they will have the opportunity to participate in the discussions related to the development of the park.  There was concern about the possibility of further financial impacts to the homeowners in the area. As explained at the meeting, there will be no new property assessments associated with the development of the park. At the conclusion of the meeting, Vice-Mayor Weir asked the attendees at the meeting to indicate their opinion regarding the project. The overwhelming response to the proposed land exchange was positive, with only a few dissenting opinions. The staff recommendation is to proceed with negotiations to complete the proposed land exchange to allow the expansion of the existing Mesa Marin Sports Complex facilities. All meetings will be held at City Hall North, First Floor, Conference Room A Adopted: DRAFT Community ServicesCity Council Meetings Committee Meetings 3:30 Closed Session 12:00 p.m.5:15 p.m. Public Session Holidays - City Hall Closed MARCH SMTWTHFSSMTWTHFSSMTWTHFS 123411 56789101123456782345678 1213141516171891011121314159101112131415 192021222324251617181920212216171819202122 26272829303123242526272823242526272829 3031 APRIL MAYJUNE SMTWTHFSSMTWTHFSSMTWTHFS 123451231234567 678910111245678910891011121314 131415161718191112131415161715161718192021 202122232425261819202122232422232425262728 27282930252627282930312930 JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER SMTWTHFSSMTWTHFSSMTWTHFS 1234512123456 6789101112345678978910111213 131415161718191011121314151614151617181920 202122232425261718192021222321222324252627 272829303124252627282930282930 31 OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER SMTWTHFSSMTWTHFSSMTWTHFS 12341123456 567891011234567878910111213 12131415161718910111213141514151617181920 192021222324251617181920212221222324252627 2627282930312324252627282928293031 30 League of California Cities Annual Conference - September 3-5, 2014 Community Services Committee Calendar January 2014 Through December 2014 JANUARY FEBRUARY