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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007/02/05 - Minutes - SpecialFebruary 5, 2007 CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING A. CALL TO ORDER A special meeting of the Rancho Cucamonga City Council was held on Monday, February 5, 2007, in Rancho Cucamonga Hall at the Rancho Cucamonga Central Park Community Center located at 11200 Base Line Road, Rancho Cucamonga, California. Mayor Donald J. Kurth, M.D. called the meeting to order at 4:15 p.m. Present were Councilmembers: Rex Gutierrez; L. Dennis Michael, Sam Spagnolo, Diane Williams, and Mayor Donald J. Kurth, M.D. Also present were: Jack Lam, City Manager; Pamela Easter, Assistant City Manager; James Markman, City Attorney; Marcia Godwin, Assistant to the City Manager; Kimberly Thomas, Management Analyst III; Fabian Villenas, Management Analyst III; Linda D. Daniels, Redevelopment Director; Mahdi Aluzri, Deputy City Manager/Community Development; Joe O'Neil, City Engineer; Karen McGuire-Emery, Sr. Park Planner; Trang Huynh, Building and Safety Official; Kevin McArdle, Community Services Director; Dave Moore, Community Services Superintendent; Nettie Nielsen, Community Services Superintendent; Paula Pachon, Management Analyst III; JoAnn Gwynn, Community Services Supervisor; Captain Pete Ortiz, Rancho Cucamonga Police Department; Chief Peter Bryan and Management Analyst II Pamela Pane, Rancho Cucamonga Fire Protection District; and Debra J. Adams, City Clerk. B. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS No communication was made from the public. C. ITEM(S) OF BUSINESS C1. DISCUSSION REGARDING FUTURE POTENTIAL CITY PARK PROJECTS Jack Lam, City Manager, stated the Council had previously met in the summer 2006 and that staff would like to update the Council about what is possibly being proposed for the future. He stated there may be some funding available and that it is important for the staff to find out the priority projects from the Council. Kevin McArdle, Community Services Director, presented a staff report referring to the notebook of information distributed to the Council, which is on file in the City Clerk's office. He stated that once staff gets direction from the Council they will work on those projects identified. Mayor Pro Tem Williams asked if we have met the goals for the teens and youth. Kevin McArdle, Community Services Director, stated we continue to expand our services to the teens, and that we have made great strides to meet their needs. Special City Council Meeting February 5, 2007 Page 2 Councilmember Spagnolo referred to the survey mentioned by Mr. McArdle and asked since the survey is about seven years old and had only been completed by 500 people, if we would be using this as a base line and talking to more people now to see what the needs are. Kevin McArdle, Community Services Director, felt this information is still accurate and applies to today's needs. He felt in a few years another needs analysis might be done. At the completion of Mr. McArdle's presentation, the Council expressed their priorities. Councilmember Gutierrez stated he would like Central Park to be the number one priority. He would like to see an aquatics center there. He mentioned the possibility of underground parking at this location. He suggested park benches around the existing center. He stated he still likes the Cucamonga Beach idea. He felt we might want to charge people that use the park that are from out of our City. He stated he would like to see the passive area built, but possibly not put in the lakes. He stated he would like to see the park clear in the middle. He felt the Napa site seems problematic. He stated the Northeast Park has great potential, but would like to focus on Central Park. Councilmember Spagnolo stated he agreed with Councilmember Gutierrez's ideas on Central Park. He wanted to be sure that any swimming pools that are put in meet the standards of the "Rancho way." He liked the idea of a regional aspect at this park. He stated he has concerns with Northeast Park. He stated he agrees with Councilmember Gutierrez's comments about Napa Park. Councilmember Michael liked the idea of an aquatics center and wanted to help Councilmember Gutierrez get his Cucamonga Beach. He stated he would like there to be a balance for a recreation pool and competitive pool. He stated he was not sure about the tennis facility. He stated his number one priority would be the aquatics center. He felt we should consider building the fire station within Central Park, and added he would like us to use as small an area of land as possible for the station so there is more land available that can be used for the community to enjoy. He stated his next priority is Northeast Park and would like to see more fields. He stated his third priority would be the passive area for Central Park. He stated he felt it is important to build something only if we know where the O & M money will come from. Mayor Pro Tem Williams stated her top priority is the aquatics center and felt it would get a lot of use. She stated she liked the idea of Cucamonga Beach as suggested by Councilmember Gutierrez. She stated she would like to look at underground parking at Central Park. She liked the idea of passive park space and felt that should be left open. She agreed with Councilmember Michael about fitting the fire station on as small an area as possible. She liked the idea of the Redevelopment Agency providing funding assistance for some of these ideas. She felt we need the fields desperately at Northeast Park. She felt the dog park needs a face lift. She felt the Napa Park site is a "hold and see" She urged the City to be wise and that O & M considerations are important. She stated she is not in favor of Freedom's Flame being at Central Park and felt it should go some place else. Mayor Kurth felt this is a good opportunity to build out Central Park. He stated he was not sure of the tennis facility, fire station and parking lot proposed to be built on the west side. He felt the open space area should have a spiritual feel. He felt we should look to see if soccer needs are increasing or decreasing. He felt the land should be used for what will benefit people the most. He felt we should start over with Central Park and wipe the slate clean. He felt all of this should be looked at again. He wasn't sure Freedom's Flame should be there. He felt Northeast Park was a great opportunity and hated to see this not used. He felt the Napa site has a lot of challenges. He felt possibly the best thing for the City is to purchase some other land. He stated he would hate to see Central Park full of parking lots. Kevin McArdle, Community Services Director, stated he is hearing the Council saying to maximize open space and put lots of trees and grass around the proposed buildings. Mayor Pro Tem Williams asked if we need this many tennis courts at Central Park. She agreed this should be left as open as possible. Special City Council Meeting February 5, 2007 Page 3 Kevin McArdle Community Services Director, stated the west side of the park would be on a' plateau, but the open space would have a very passive feel. Councilmember Michael asked if we would have to go through an EIR for the buildings proposed on the west side of the park. Kevin McArdle, Community Services Director, stated we would need to update the EIR. Councilmember Michael didn't want the City to use any more land than is necessary for the fire station at this location. He mentioned the sign for Freedom's Flame that was approved to be placed at Central Park. He stated things change and felt Freedom's Flame should go to another location. He felt this should be addressed and re-evaluated by the Council. Mayor Pro Tem Williams stated she would also like to discuss Freedom's Flame going in at the park. She stated it was in the plans to have a memorial at Central Park for those that have lost their lives in war, and felt 9-11 could be included in that memorial. She stated she wasn't sure a large amount of land should be taken by the Freedom's Flame monument. She didn't think Freedom's Flame should be a thing that is attracting visitors from all over. She did not feel tax payer dollars should go into the Freedom's Flame monument. She stated if the City were able to obtain millions of dollars from the State, it should not be spent on Freedom's Flame and should be used towards something that would benefit more of our residents. She stated she would like the Council to take an action to take Freedom's Flame out of the park. Councilmember Gutierrez stated he would like that action to be on the next available agenda for the Council to consider. He felt we should do this as quickly as possible. Mayor Pro Tem Williams felt it would be good for people to put out their ideas what can be done with the park. Kevin McArdle, Community Services Director, summarized the priorities he heard from the Council 1. The top priority is the development of the Family Aquatics Center at Central Park, with the goal of maximizing the open space area throughout the park as it continues to develop. 2. The second priority is the development of lighted athletic fields at Etiwanda Creek Park. 3. With regards to the proposed Napa Street Soccer Complex, the City should continue to explore this option, as well as other options that may become available for development of a sports complex in the City. 4. The City should continue to look for alternatives to acquire additional land for future parks. It was also noted the Council agreed with the underground parking idea at Central Park. Jack Lam, City Manager, stated staff will consider all of the Council's comments when bringing back additional information to the Council. Councilmember Michael felt staff should find out if the tennis courts are important to the public. Special City Council Meeting February 5, 2007 Page 4 D. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Moved by Williams, seconded by Gutierrez to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m. Res ectfully s fitted, Citnv[G/~_i bra J. Ada MC City Clerk/Records Manager Approved: February 21, 2007