2009-05-06
CITY OF ENCINITAS
YOUTH COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
MEETING DATE: May 6, 2009
4:30 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Present: Chairperson Novack, Commissioners Michelle Ferreirae, Nick
Ferreirae, Ogden, Lawson, Marow, Marianna and Alec Jolly.
Also
Present: Recreation Supervisor Rubenstein and Administrative Coordinator
Dakovich.
Absent: Vice Chairperson Felzer.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
4. CLOSING AND ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Approval of Minutes for Meeting of April 1, 2009.
COMMISSIONER MICHELLE FERREIRAE MOVED, COMMISSIONER OGDEN
SECONDED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 1, 2009 MEETING.
MOTION CARRIED 8-0.
5. OLD BUSINESS
None.
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. Update on Hall Property – Parks & Recreation Director Chris Hazeltine.
Chairperson Novack reviewed the staff report and introduced and welcomed
Parks & Recreation Director Hazeltine to the meeting.
Director Hazeltine thanked the Commission for the opportunity to present an
update on the Hall Property, shared a brief history of the site and asked for
questions.
Commissioner Marow asked what problems with the EIR prompted the lawsuit.
Director Hazeltine advised that citizens in the area wanted a more passive site,
with limited lights, noise, and traffic. Citizens also questioned if this was
appropriate use of the site and shared concerns regarding the previous use
of chemicals on the property (formerly greenhouses).
Chairperson Novack asked the timetable for the project done in phases, and
could the park be used as developed.
Director Hazeltine responded project timetable depends on available funding,
with $9 million currently available. He also noted the park would be usable as
available.
Commissioner Ogden asked for a project finish date.
Director Hazeltine noted the lawsuit is scheduled to be heard August, 2009 and
with a judicial ruling in our favor, current funding would permit preparation of
construction documents, and the actual Phase 1 project could theoretically start
in 18-24 months and be completed within three years.
Commissioner Marow noted two unnamed areas on the site plan and asked what
they were.
Director Hazeltine advised the one area was a dry creek bed. The other area is
an easement held by Raspy Growers, who operate a business bordering the
park.
Chairperson Novack asked if MacKinnon Street bridge and Santa Fe Avenue
were adequate to access the park site.
Director Hazeltine responded the access streets are not ideal but they will work.
Commissioner Alec Jolly asked if the City had any ideas what Raspy Growers
planned to do.
Director Hazeltine advised they currently showed no interest in leaving their
business site, felt the park might be a retail opportunity for their floral products.
Commissioner Alec Jolly asked if what is being presented is the final plan.
Director Hazeltine responded the plan is defined and any deviation from the
plan would create a need for more studies. If the plan calls for less intense use,
no study would be necessary, but any intensification of use would definitely call
for more studies and further analysis.
Commissioner Alec Jolly suggested expanding the skate park.
Director Hazeltine advised expansion plans for the skate park were already being
discussed.
Commissioner Marow asked the amount of parking spaces provided.
Director Hazeltine advised there were 419 parking spaces available. He further
noted that the City was working with Cal-Trans regarding the widening of I-5
Freeway and the impact on the park site.
Commissioner Marow noted the buffer zone near the I-5 Freeway and asked
what was planned for the area.
Director Hazeltine advised the buffer zone slope will be planted.
Commissioner Ogden asked if lights were included as part of the park site and if
hours of use had been established.
Director Hazeltine noted the General Plan currently does not allow structures
over 30 feet and an amendment would have to be approved by City Council to
allow lighting over 30 feet. He also advised that hours of usage had not been
determined as yet.
Chairperson Novack asked the difference between CEQA and an EIR
(Environmental Impact Report).
Director Hazeltine advised CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) defines
the process that EIR’s must follow.
Commissioner Alec Jolly noted the several planting areas on the plan and
suggested the possibility of a community garden.
Director Hazeltine responded that decisions about the planting areas would be
made by City Council.
Chairperson Novack and the Commission thanked Director Hazeltine for his
presentation.
7. COMMISSIONER’S CORNER
A. Commission
Chairperson Novack reminded the Commission to submit their Youth
Commission applications before the deadline May 27.
Commissioner Marow requested the status of the Youth Commission Attendance
Ordinance.
Chairperson Novack advised the ordinance will be effective May 8, 2009. He
further advised that the City’s Environmental Specialist will be speaking at the
June meeting.
Commissioner Alec Jolly advised his school, High Tech High International, had
started intercession, a senior project to encourage students to sign up for
classes at the school or Community College.
Chairperson Novack asked for information on the Community Grant Program that
Commissioner Alec Jolly had volunteered for.
Commissioner Alec Jolly advised he had received an information e-mail on the
program and was waiting for further direction.
Commissioner Michelle Ferreirae noted students at San Dieguito Academy are
involved in AP and Star testing. The Academy’s prom will be May 29 at the
Grand Tradition, Fallbrook.
Commissioner Nick Ferreirae noted Diegueno Middle School having Star testing
all week.
Commissioner Ogden advised the La Costa Canyon High School prom will be
held May 30 at The Wave House, Pacific Beach, theme – Sunset Escape.
Chairperson Novack noted San Dieguito Academy participated in the recent
California State Championship Debates.
Commissioner Marianna Jolly advised her school, High Tech High International,
prom is May 16, theme Moulin Rouge. She also noted school is involved in Star
testing.
Commissioner Lawson noted her school, Oakcrest Middle School, was involved
in Star testing this week. She also advised the school participated in “Pasta for
Pennies” fund raiser for Leukemia.
Commissioner Marow advised that Friday, May 8, is Pajama Day at Oakcrest
Middle School.
Chairperson Novack shared that San Dieguito Academy had participated in a
fund raiser for abandoned babies in Uganda.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 5:25 p.m.
NEXT MEETING: JUNE 3, 2009