Day 1999.07.07CS

A motion was made by Commissioner Garland, and seconded by Commissioner Lloyd-Butterfield to approve the agenda. Commissioner Thurmond then requested that Item 9a – FACILITY EXPANSION GRANT APPLICATION, be moved prior to Item 8a due to a staff member needing to leave the meeting early. A motion was made by Commissioner Garland, seconded by Commissioner Lloyd-Butterfield, “ to amend the motion to move Item 9a prior to Item 8a” . Motion carried.

Director Celestre stated that Public Comments is for members of the public to address items not on this meeting’ s agenda. There were no comments from the public at this time.

St. Vincent’ s Foster Family Agency of San Rafael has sent a letter of correspondence informing the Commissioners of a foster parents program for children, and requesting input of any families who would take the children. Commissioner Lloyd-Butterfield volunteered to research and forward this correspondence to the appropriate person.

Another letter addressed to Bob Farrington and Don Kidder from Mr. Bob Melvin, discusses Atascadero Lake in San Luis Obispo in relation to what is going on at Lagoon Valley Lake. It was requested by Commissioner Lloyd-Butterfield, and agreed that this letter be deferred until Item 8b – SECOND REVIEW OF DRAFT LAGOON VALLEY LAKE MANAGEMENT PLAN AND PRELIMINARY REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN is discussed.

A motion was made by Commissioner Thurmond, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, “ to approve the consent calendar as presented in the packet” . Motion carried. Commissioner Johnson did inquire as to an update on action items on the agenda for the Cultural Arts Advisory Committee. Advisory Committee Chair Gideon stated that he was elected as Chair, and Helen Allen was elected Vice-Chair for the Committee.

Director Celestre stated that over the past several years, the City has entered into numerous public and private partnerships and many of those have been in the area of recreation. There have been facility use and land lease agreements with several local youth sports groups who have made improvements at some of the fields. Scoreboards have been donated, and infield sod has been installed on a baseball diamond. The Vacaville Youth Soccer League (VYSL) has entered into a land lease agreement with the Redevelopment Agency for several acres at Centennial Park under construction for four soccer fields.

At this time, a grant program is being introduced for approval. The program is designed to assist the local youth sports organizations to make improvements to their fields or facilities. The grant packet explains the program; the applicants would have to be registered non-profit organizations within Vacaville which would be eligible for grants up to $25,000. A complete proposal would have to be submitted with a timeline for completion. The Council has approved $150,000 towards field improvements related to growth.

Volunteers from the organizations have done some improvements, such as the electrical work on the scoreboards. Only those facilities included in the 1993 D.I.F. study would be eligible to receive the grant. The skate park would not be eligible since it was not included in the development impact fee study. The improvements must be related to growth, (e.g., lights on the fields allows more games to be played).

Director Celestre stated that corrected copies of the Facility Expansion Grant Application program have been distributed to members of the Commission. This program will be presented to the City Council on July 13 for their approval. Director Celestre then introduced Chip Wallace, Sports Supervisor, who will work with the Commission and Staff. The groups will be required to provide a match in funds.

An amendment process will be done on the Park and Recreation Master Plan, and an update of the City’ s General Plan, but Lagoon Valley is not currently eligible to be included. Commissioner Johnson suggested that this document should state that the non-profit organizations were domiciled in the City of Vacaville.

A motion was then made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Lloyd-Butterfield, “ to approve the Facility Expansion Grant Program, criteria, and approval process, and forward the program to City Council for final approval” . Motion carried.

Director Celestre gave an update on the operating and CIP budgets which the City Council recently approved. The Department will increase and bring in new programs which will increase revenue, along with a Measure I contribution, and $900,000+ from the City’ s General Fund. This will increase the Department’ s operating budget.

Two positions, a Recreation Manager and a Recreation Supervisor, will be filled within the Department which will provide more efficient operation. The CIP budget was approved which includes several projects— the roofs at the Brickhouse and the pool, expansion and rehabilitation at the Three Oaks Pool and work on the master plan design and construction drawings for a new lap pool, and furniture and a communication system for the Senior Center. Construction of the lap pool would be in the second year budget. Money is set aside to master plan a softball complex; update the Parks and Recreation Master Plan; create an access road and parking for Centennial Park; and the facilities expansion grant.

Director Celestre stated a Planning Commission meeting was held on June 30 with regard to Lagoon Valley Lake. From that meeting, and the two public forums held last year a lot of public input has been received from many sources. Bob Farrington, City Landscape Architect, then introduced the consultants from LSA; Scott Cressey and George Molnar. LSA is working on the Lagoon Valley Lake Management Plan. The consultants attended the meeting on June 30, and approximately 25 people from the public also attended the meeting. Some concerns expressed at that meeting included upper watershed management, need for more re-vegetation of the hillsides, less grazing, fire prevention, succession of plant materials and native vegetation, use of sediment at the bottom of lake, control of black fish, cost of capital improvements and maintenance, and sediment removal.

Landscape Architect Farrington distributed updated copies of a Preliminary Master Plan map, and reviewed the timeline for the Master Plan process. This agenda item is for information only. LSA Consultant, Mr. Molnar, stated that the draft plan suggests the options the City can take in order to accomplish its goals and plans for the Lagoon Valley Lake.

At this time, several residents of Vacaville addressed the Commission with their concerns and suggestions for the management of Lagoon Valley Lake. Those present and addressing the Commission were Delbert Berg, Vern Sandusky, Ted Swiecki, Cami McBride, Roberto Valdez and son, Gavin; Patricia Rathke, Ernest Kimme, Janine Jordan, Cynthia Schroeder, Jim Knight, Ron Humphreys, and Donna Harr. Mr. Berg presented a model of the lake in which he stated and demonstrated that if the water were allowed to flow out of the lake, it would take the sediment at the bottom of the lake with it which would take care of the siltation problems. Donna Harr stated that the lake plan needs to be looked at, taking the good from this plan and using it.

Due to the lengthy discussion of this agenda item, a tape recording of this meeting in its entirety, as well as details of each speaker’ s presentation on Item 8b is available for review at the City of Vacaville Community Services Department, 40 Eldridge Avenue, Suite 14, Vacaville, California, 95688, phone number (707) 449-5654.

In response to comments regarding realignment of Rivera Road, Director Celestre stated that it is not within the Commission’ s jurisdiction to act on the overall Lagoon Valley Policy plan; the Commission lacks that authority. Landscape Architect Farrington stated that a meeting will be held with the consultants next week to review and discuss the capital improvements list. There are several jurisdictional agencies which still need to respond on the lake management plan.

Senior Supervisor Fox announced that all summer programs are up and running, and doing well with a number of camps being offered. Plans are currently being made for the Fall Events Guide, September – December.

Director Celestre stated that the 4^th of July celebration and fireworks display was successful. She added that applications are currently being accepted, and interviews will be held for the Commission on Aging on August 17. The first meeting will be held in September. Mayor Fleming has not yet filled the vacancy on the Community Services Commission.

On discussion of the budget, Director Celestre added that general fund dollars have been set aside for large projects which include $90,000 for the matching funds for the skateboard park; $10,000 for a mural; $50,000 for the construction of a shaded masonry grandstand type of structure at Keating Park (Field 2); $50,000 for improvements to the Caliguiri property; and Council also set aside $200,000 for Lagoon Valley.

The Vacaville Youth Round Table is working on a Youth Master Plan. The Round Table is divided into subgroups. Senior Recreation Supervisor Fox is a member of the 0 to 5 age subgroup, and Director Celestre is a member of the 7 to 12 year old group. The Commissioners were encouraged to become a part of the Youth Round Table, and participate in the age group of their choice.

Commissioner Thurmond stated that she was impressed with the many suggestions for Lagoon Valley Lake. Commissioner Garland thanked all participants in the meeting tonight and who had diverse interests. Ms. Garland also commended the Department on the Hershey Track Meet event which was held recently. Commissioner Kallirai stated that tonight’ s meeting was very educational on Lagoon Valley Lake. Commissioner Johnson thanked those involved in this meeting, as well as Department staff for the recreation programs which are offered, and the progress being made for the development of the skateboard park. He also thanked the Cultural Arts Advisory Committee and the exiting members who had served on that Committee. Commissioner Johnson urged the process for the Council’ s appointment of a seventh member for the Community Services Commission move ahead quickly.