Perfect. Well, welcome. And we'd like to call to
order with the roll call, please, if you don't mind, Tony.
» Yep. Absolutely. So, we'll start with Chair Charlie Harrington,
» present. >> Vice Chair Nick Markman,
» present. >> Committee member Wayne Stacy,
» present. Committee member John Sherm present and um committee member Ma
Burksund has uh excused herself and we also have council leaison Jane Cooper
» present. >> Thank you Tony. Okay. Um we're going to
do a slight reshuffle of the agenda. We'd like to move uh what is item number
five to be the next immediate item. So, it'll happen next and that is the
updates by the lane subcommittee on the report to city council on the Beach Road
Strip. Um, great. Do I need to ask for anything
permission for that? No, that's fine. >> No. Um, I think it in my uh Yeah, you
you're bringing it forward is is the way to do it.
» Okay, great. Um well I don't have much of an update on this largely because uh
the timing of our meetings as everyone knows we meet rather infrequently um
which I want to discuss later. Um but there was a previous city council
meeting um where it came up where the lane subcommittee of this very committee
would be providing a survey and report to city staff and city council
specifically on the revocable licenses associated with the strip. Um parks,
open spaces and lanes um responsible for stewardship of parks, open spaces of
lanes of which the strip being designated as a park is one of those
things. Um when we met with city council, we believed uh we stated that
we would be coordinating with the planning department in terms of
receiving materials. So the update we have um on this is that we stated we
would not be active on this during the summer other than setting up the
document exchange which has taken place. So we wanted to say thank you to Rebecca
and Sammy as well as Jane for your help in gathering the records. Um we have
received a number of recorded revocable licenses, staff reports, drawings,
photos, meeting minutes. Uh these are all provided securely to the
subcommittee. Um MA shares that she's started to review those and the plan is
that we are going to create similar to the lane survey last year a little
tracker document where we can look into all of those and provide updates and um
you know again the framing for this was to provide an asset to city staff and
city council when looking at these things uh because they do come up time
to time. Um when the survey draft is completed, I would I believe we'll
hopefully target um you know early fall, we will be
sharing it with this committee and sharing it with uh you Tony and city
staff. So that's mainly the update I have on that topic. Jane,
» can I ask a question just for clarification for myself and everybody
here? Uh when you say that this committee is looking at all revocable
licenses, are you talking about ones that are the lanes and in public space
or are you saying this committee is looking at all private revocable
licenses? So, um, if you own a home and your, uh, pier goes down
to the water and there's a revocable license,
but it's not a lane. >> Are are we looking at private revocable
licenses? I I don't know that I have the exact distinction you have in mind, but
the the lanes you can think about as one component of what this uh survey is
looking at and then the recreation zone designated as the strip of which some of
those peers and and uh docks may be cutting across that's also in
consideration. So, okay, >> I think the goal is to sort of work down
that entire stretch that is designated as um park.
uh and I don't have the exact list of documents we've received, right,
» from uh the planning department. I expect there may be some additional
documents that we need to request as we start to look into that.
» Do you have any any guidance in that regard? No, I mean I think you know I
think we have to be careful if we're looking at private ownership versus okay
» when it's on a lane which we've been running into where the lanes uh an
individual home has a revocable license on the lane itself and it hasn't been
kept up and I think that's how so that access for the public
» but certainly these other ones are not public access They're privately owned
except for going under, >> right?
» Anything go walking under, but other than that, I I would not know where our
influence would come. >> Yeah, I the main guidance was in in
terms of what is impacting public access, whether it's on a lane or on the
navigable area along the strip. But I >> yeah just to to jump in to provide a bit
of context um from the council's perspective um I believe that this is uh
part of their discussion on RL's uh in in general and um their sort of
protocols on how they um how they manage their RL um approval decisions. Um so
this is uh input into into that um deliberation for them. Um the um
conversation I had with with the city manager um was that really the the value
that the uh that this committee can provide is um kind of digging into
details and um discussing with with staff how to um present those to council
and how they can be of value to to council um to the city council with
their uh with their work. Um yeah and and and apart from that I think um I
don't think there are any specific action items um that will you know that
are that are lined up for this. Um I think any of the you know if if there
are any issues that are that are found and and you know highlighted um you know
the city's position is not to um to to to police um actions that you know or
activities that have happened you know over over many many years. Um so um
yeah, I think um it's it's a work in in progress and I think it's something that
um will be continually coordinated with staff and uh and certain council
members. >> Thanks for that context. And you know
again this falls within the um responsibilities of this committee to
provide these surveys and and I might even call them acts of acts of service
to help city council with that periodically as requested. So thank you
for that context. Does the committee have any comments or
questions on this item?
» The my understanding is that section of the island is half recreational, half
open space. Are we only covering the recreational portion?
» Uh the remitt as I understand is to cover both recreation and open space.
» Thank you.
Is there any public comment on Zoom relating to this item?
» Fair enough. >> Okay. Is there any public comment in the
in the room on this item? >> Yes. Please step forward and if you
don't mind stating your name and your address and uh also pressing the button
so your mic turns green. That was a lot of instructions. I'm
sorry. I can repeat them. and I've got it green. Um Albert
Richards, I'm at 266 Beach Road. Uh Jane, you mentioned uh kind of in the
preamble as we were in our discussions that uh building isn't allowed on the
strip. Um that's a subject of debate. Uh, and I think I've seen in past uh um
planning approvals a reference to an 1898 deed that says no structures are
permitted on the strip. That begs the legal question of what is a structure
and how was that defined in 1898 in that document which is unclear. The document
itself is between the Belvadier land company and Belvadier. The land company
still exists. We have an opportunity to clarify that such that it becomes
something that does not become the subject of multiple lawsuits in the
future. And I would take it I would strongly advise the city to engage uh
with the land company to make that as flexible as possible such that we don't
use that document in a backhanded manner to create someone's own definition of
structure in order to back into a preferred solution and instead have it
be as flexible as possible going forward such that the city has the remit to uh
use the strip as it sees fit. Uh one of the dangers there is right now is if
there's a failure uh and there is let's say a walkway that
goes across is that a structure? Um and if somebody wants to put a walkway or a
platform, is that a structure? And if they already exist and the city decides
that that is a structure, the city is basically taking the legal view that the
strip has already reverted to Belvadier land because Belveter land the deed says
if there's a structure on the strip, it reverts to Belvader land ownership.
Uh so if you're in a situation that if there's a failure below somebody's house
and uh then you have two different parties that can potentially uh uh be
actioned. One is the city because it owns or two is the Belvader Land Company
because someone can claim that the land has actually already reverted to
Belvader Land Company because of that deed. And that is just an incredible
legal clagmire that I would strongly encourage the city to have a rational
conversation with Belvadier Land, get a nice flexible arrangement uh that we can
move forward as a city for the benefit of the overall community.
Certainly from a uh existing standpoint and from a uh
what's essentially the the pattern and practice of the city has
been to deem a walkway or a platform or something like that not a structure
because you've approved it a lot in the past, most recently at our neighbors.
And I would be more than happy to have people come down and take a look at
what's going on down there. Uh we have a stairway that goes all the way down uh
even though the lane next to us does not. Um which is a subject of a
different discussion. Uh but uh I I I think if you know it it one
of one of the things that concerns me is in the past it appears as though people
have been making decisions about that area who have never visited it. And uh
again open invitation to come take a look. uh and uh uh I would I would
encourage us to have a rational conversation about what works best for
the entire community as we go forward.
» Thank you. >> Yes, chair.
» Do you remember the instructions? >> Well, fortunately, it's still green.
» Uh yeah, and sorry, Tony, >> if I if I could just jump in to say um
there is uh and I should have said this in the beginning, but um we don't
normally have we're not normally this popular. Um if um there is usually a
time limit for for comment which is 3 minutes. Y
» okay >> I will abide by the additional
instruction. >> Um two points regarding
» sorry your name and your address 222 beach road.
» Thank you. >> So uh two points regarding um building
on the strip. One is um the house at 228 Beach Road, which the Murray's currently
own, was developed by the Tevises, who were the original owner, some of the
original owners of the Belvadier Land Company. And you can find in the um
historical records the massive staircase that they built on the hill when the
hill was bare that goes over the strip to the water. They are the people that
deeded the strip to the city. So why would they do something that thought was
bad? There's a little um discontinuity there. The second thing I would say
regarding structure is that left to its own devices, the strip will naturally
fall into the water. It is to the benefit of the city to
allow people to put walkways and other structures and I would say even plants
on the strip to maintain the integrity of the hill.
» That's it. >> Thank you.
I'm sorry. Is Am I up?
» Not sure if you heard Chris there, but we can hear you now, Mark.
» Oh, I'm sorry. Um, well, um, I I appreciate the prior comments. Mark
Conroe, 310 Beach Road. Um, I I'm my question, I guess, very fundamentally,
is what problem are we trying to solve? uh it seems like it's uh pedestrian
beach access and sort of ir irrespective of where the strip begins and ends. If
that's the goal, then I think we should be trying to achieve that goal. Uh and I
would echo what Bird says is to come out there to uh have uh anybody who wants
two parks and wreck and others to come out there and see what kind of beach
access there is both under various conditions. under high tide there is
really no beach access because the water comes up to the hillside and and uh as
members of the parks and reccks know four months ago I met with them and
trying to facilitate a solution. I think we came up with a solution as it relates
to 310 and 312 beach road in terms of having access at
relative high tide. Um but there is in some parts of the strip you can't get by
certainly at high tide. Um, so again, I would just h have us try to focus on uh
what problem we're trying to solve. If it's from pedestrian access along the
beach, then I think we we can all uh try to work together and achieve that.
That's all.
Thank you, Mark.
U I I may respond directly to Mark. Mark. Um I was among the group of people
that went with Mark and others and uh there were city staff and Mika and
others went down and visited the spot where Mark pointed out and um I'll also
state that I tried I do personally try to go down to the strip as much as
possible. Even this past weekend I jumped in at the beach and was swimming
with my kids which was a delight. Um uh one of the things I was going to bring
up in my um next comments was relating to another responsibility of this
committee which is to be involved in planning um commission uh responses to
things that are adjacent to parks, open spaces and lanes. Um I would first like
to say thank you to the planning department for being um very proactive
in providing us with these materials and I think the relationship there is uh
really solid in terms of alerting to us when there is a development along a lane
or related to a park. So I think that that's going well and it's often um it's
often on the responsibility of the chair to review these because this committee
does not meet so frequently. So, um they're representing um you know the
stated objectives of park open space which is to effectively steward the
recreational zones, parks, open spaces and lanes of which the lanes often come
up into these considerations as does the strip. And some of the things that we do
look
for stewarding these these areas. So I think there's been lots of useful uh
discussion today that'll be really helpful for that. So thank you.
» Can I get clarification? Are you seeking comment on project?
» Uh not at this meeting. I'm more saying that I'll be working on uh collaborating
on a parks open spaces lanes comment on that project.
I would love to have public input if you if you don't mind.
» Yes. Thank you. >> Just a quick comment from a neighbor.
Anything that helps support the hillside, any peers that keep it from
sliding down, that is a huge public benefit. You mentioned public benefits.
If that's what you're looking for, it's a great project.
» I appreciate it. Thank you. And I'll just also round up by saying
that um if anybody has any questions, they're welcome to contact staff and um
uh you know we can provide updates or let people know where uh where the city
is on it. >> Great. And I you know again thank you to
this committee for ongoing work in like the working on um protecting and and
beautifying these areas. So thank you. I think that covers this item which was
item number five. With that um we can move to item number two which is
comments from the chair of which I have none. Um so let's move on to a report
from public works director Tony Boyd.
Thank you Chair Charlie.
As we all know, we had late rains this year and we received a flush of growth
in vegetation and weeds and the city's contractor is continuing trimming of
vegetation along roadsides and lanes. Uh this is primarily for fire fuel
reduction and additional fire fuel work is planned for the city's open space
properties on West Shore, which will consist primarily of removal of dead
vegetation and debris. Um and Pagota Lane, where overgrowth of ivy and weeds
has created a thicket. This work will improve the views from Pagod Lane as
well as the health of the trees, but it will likely require consistent
additional maintenance over the next couple of years to really improve the
site until routine fire fuel reduction maintenance is established.
Artists View was trimmed a couple of weeks ago uh in what is now annual fire
fuel reduction work on that property. Speaking of artists view, I can provide
the update that structural engineering design work is complete and the RFP
packet has been put together uh to post the artist view deck project um for
bidding. Um look out for the posting on uh Friday in the Marin INJ and um it'll
be on in our usual online channels. The deadline for bids is July the 30th,
after which a contractor will be selected and provided with a notice to
proceed. Staff anticipates this project to be completed in the fall.
The city's crew has been very busy every Tuesday since the end of June with the
curbside pickup program. This program encourages residents to clear fire fuel
vegetation from their property by offering a free pickup on Tuesdays
through June. And this year was a very big year as many residents clearly took
advantage of the program. As summer starts to warm up, irrigation
becomes critical in the parks, especially where turf is concerned.
Alberto and his crew have been working on issues with the system at Tom Price
Park, which has led to dry areas in the grass. The trouble appears to stem from
the manganese deposits that have built up over the years on the inside of the
pipes, valves, and sprinkler heads. The new manganese filter that was installed
last year has improved water quality. However, the residual deposits remain. A
mini project to replace 19 valves is planned for the next few weeks which
will hopefully address this issue as well as improve the functioning of the
system as a whole. And uh those are my comments and if
anyone has any questions they're welcome to ask.
May we have an update on the removal of the playground mounds,
which I I believe is done. >> Yes. Um well, it's partly done. Um some
of the mounds have been removed. Um and but I can hand it over to Chris for that
update. >> Yes. Just a quick update on the mound
removal. So the tan mounds have been removed. As you probably have seen,
there's a remaining wave themed mound near the tan mounds that will be
removed. um in the next week or so. Um that's just kind of been rescheduled
just due to make sure the coloring is consistent with what is existing and
that it's more aesthetically pleasing. Doesn't look like a repair. That's more
of a a a themed um wave. So that's the update. So in the next um let's see the
eth probably by within the next two weeks it'll be removed and replaced.
Thank you Chris.
question.
» Are there any comments on staff report from Zoom? Chris,
» there are no comments. >> Are there any comments from the room on
staff report? Okay, we can move on. Okay, we're into
schedule items. Number four is the update and discussion on lanes.
Tony, I believe you gave some degree of update of this in your report, but do
you have anything to add for item A? >> Yeah. Uh, yes, I can add a couple of
details um related to maintenance and repairs. Um, there has been tree work
that's taken place and some handrail repairs. Tree work was completed at Park
Lane to improve the views from the new seating area. Um and I can report that I
visited the site with council leaison Jane Cooper uh to discuss further
improvements um and uh enhance that view uh further.
Um more to come on that tree work is also was also done at the bottom of
Hawthorne Lane or Centennial Park uh to thin the overgrown vegetation, remove a
plum tree and cut back two plum trees where their branches uh were overhanging
the pathway. Um
and yeah, next in line will be Pagota Lane,
uh where extensive work is needed for, uh as I mentioned, both fire fuel
reduction and general maintenance. Um and then trimming around street lights
at lane entrances. And I will report back on these at the next meeting. And I
will hand over to Chris for an update on the handrail repairs as well as
improvements to the park lane seating area.
Yeah, quick update on the hand railway pairs. So, we've completed all those on
MLAN Lane except for the ones on I think we discussed this last meeting on top of
near beiew. So, we're still kind of scoping out how to approach that one
because the fire hydrant we can't put the railing on the new metal railing on
that side. There's an existing wood with private improvements, lighting, water
fixtures. So, that that's still being scoped out.
best way to install that. Whether it's to replace it in wood and kind or to put
a metal railing there and then engage with the neighbor how to relocate those
utilities.
» All right. >> And Chris, you have an update on the um
park lane seating area? >> Yes, I do. So, I heard back from the
contractor today, the bench brackets, they have to be fabricated. It's
customized because the how it bends down the lip a little bit. So, right now
those are in the shop getting galvanized for protective coating. Um, so those
will be expected to be done next Thursday
and then once they get those back they can begin with the bench install. So,
I'm anticipating the following Monday, July 20th. Hopefully, they can get
started on that and then it shouldn't be too labor intensive to install that.
They said a week, so maybe a week or two to get that done. So hopefully by the
end of July, beginning of August, they can have that installed.
» Thank you. Well, I had a comment on um the
maintenance and repairs on Pigota. Are you able to describe the the scope
of what the work is? Because I know when you're sitting on that bench, there's a
fair degree of overgrowth that's preventing what could be a rather nice
view. So, um are you able to describe the plan? Yeah.
» Um, yes. And without um being there or having a picture, it's a little tricky,
but basically there's uh there's a lot of ivy uh that's growing up among the
trees and um just, you know, blocking uh a lot of light to the trees. So that the
health of the trees is suffering. One of the trees may need to be removed um
because um it only has um foliage at the very tips of its branches uh with no
internal um uh branch structure. Um um and that's a process that we would
need to we will need to go through with uh the planning department uh to remove
a tree. Um but the majority of the work is removing dead branches, thinning the
trees, uh removing brushy vegetation and ivy uh from the trees. Um there's one um
uh area below pagod lane as you as you walk up from beach road um as you're
sort of walking up the hill on the right hand side there's some there's some
vegetation out there. There's actually a dead tree over there that's kind of
hanging over the road. Um and yeah, so that's that's going to be removed. Um,
and yeah, I mean, apart from that, it's it's thinning and um and removing some
of the the um uh scotch broom and some of the weedy weedy material on the site.
» Great. It could be useful to do it before and after from se sitting at the
bench. Um >> Yeah. Okay.
» Yeah, that's that's a great idea. Yeah. And and one one concern, you know,
speaking to Bartlett out there, uh, who who will be doing the work, um, is that,
you know, it's going to leave a lot of bare soil. Um, and, um, that it's not
going to look great. Um, at least initially, uh, there's going to need to
be some some sort of growing back by some of the vegetation, and that's where
a couple of years of of of work comes in. Um, so this is really a a sort of a
three or four year project to to make it a little bit more groomed. Um, and even
though it's a natural uh landscape, it does need work uh to to uh to be
maintained.
» Maybe we'll go through items A and B. Does the committee have any comments or
questions on items A and B from this section?
Did we decide not to proceed with any further landscaping on parkland? Uh
mulch or stuff on the side that was part of the original plan
mostly my concern is just stabilization but I curious
» we did not reach a decision. I don't I don't think I think um mulch I think um
aesthetically would be uh would be a good idea. Um
and I think um I think there are quite a few things that we can do um to improve
improve that site. Um and I think
now that we've moved away from that that area as a project area and as a general
maintenance area, I think um you know general maintenance funding would be uh
probably the best way to do that. um just have smaller maintenance projects
out there that um you know cumul cumulatively improve improve the site.
Um and I know that that you um uh you know that uh we had a couple of emails
back and forth about about that site some of the details there. So I'm happy
to to continue that and and pick up where we left off.
» Yeah. Then maybe it go I mean if we're doing kind of more view stuff maybe it
kind of all gets wrapped into one just a just overall plan versus um kind of bare
dirt at this point. >> Yeah. Happy happy to give some thoughts
next time I next Thursday when I sit down on the nice new bench I'll ponder
it.
» Any other comments from the committee council member? Okay. Anyone on Zoom
want to comment on item 4 A or 4B? No comments from Zoom.
» Any comments from the room? Okay, let's go on to item 4C, which is the lane
subcommittee update, which largely has uh become the survey subcommittee. So, I
gave a brief update on um the expansion of that. Um, we originally had talked
about earlier in our plan for this year in our letter to city council that we
were going to be expanding our lane survey which we provided to city staff
la last year to inform development of improvement of lanes as well as
maintenance. And Tony, you you've acknowledged uh the utility of that
already. We're going to be expanding that to cover open spaces and parks and
recreation space. Um, with the ask uh to focus on the strip area first. that's
pushed that um to the sort of first part of our priority in terms of getting the
survey done. Um but we're also still we've built the tracker out for the
additional parks and open spaces again using exhibit six in the Belvadier
general plan to inform what those are. So we're going to go through and
hopefully have um as useful of a survey with photos of the different um city
parks and things like that. So that'll include Centennial Park, um the Oak Mini
Park, and some of the other some of the other areas as well as um this the large
park here. So we plan to have that done by end of the year and that will be part
of the package with which we hopefully present our next report to city council.
We'd like to review that internally here first. So we'll make sure that's done
ahead of um ahead of probably our next meeting, if not the second one. um
regarding one of the projects which was to develop an improved lanes map.
Council member Peter Marks offered some assistance in that regard from a digital
perspective and he shared some cool ideas there. Um I'm now just
realistically thinking it might be nice to incorporate feedback from the rest of
the survey into that prior to endeavoring on updating any maps. I also
think this could be useful as the city's beginning to think about the next major
general plan and things like that to try to be aligned with whatever document we
produce could be helpful in that regard. Um my other update before I go to a
question is that I met with Roger Felton who is um I would say the guru of the
lane signs. Uh it was amazing. Um he's got a lot of a flipboard of every lane
sign and who painted it and when. It was really fun and he and I have been
working with city staff on improving some of the dilapidated lane signs and
adding some where they where they are missing. So, um, we've got that out and
thank you to city staff for providing us with some of the boards to do that and
I'm hopeful before the end of the year we'll get some neat new signs and some
improved signs. And that was one of the things in the survey that we pointed out
that some of the beautiful art is fading away. And then the last thing update I
have is we had talked about some collaboration with some of the emergency
preparedness initiatives which I've not followed up on. I'm wondering Jane if
you have any updates on that. >> Uh no you know uh we didn't have a a be
ready belvier meeting in um June >> and so we're also behind it.
» Okay. Okay. Well, we're here. >> Okay. Okay.
» That is my update on item 4 C. Any comments or questions from the
committee? Okay. Anyone on Zoom?
Sorry, Chris. We should have you sit in that seat.
» No, no comments on Zoom. >> Okay. Any comments from the room?
» Yes. Step right up.
» Me again. Um, I have a dream and I actually don't know if it's a lane or
not. I I I think it might be strip. It might not be. Um, but I walk up and down
Beach Road quite a bit and as I come up to the end of those big uh um uh palm
trees next to the yacht club and then you keep up and you look over the edge
and you see all the erosion on the supports for Beach Road and I know you
guys get to work on that at some point in time. Uh but while you're thinking
about that, uh I would love for the someone on the lanes committee to
consider uh um making a walkway from the southernmost palm tree to that lovely
beach uh which you could do at a much better angle with a lot fewer steps than
the current metal graded uh walkway that no dogs can go down. Um and uh uh it it
if you could do that in coordination with uh improving the supports, it's a
it's a great little beach that gets very little use. And uh I just think it's an
amazing public a uh uh asset that we're not uh maximizing. And in terms of of uh
use and ability to access the water, which is what we're all about, I would
love it if you guys would consider that. >> We have the same dream. Um, uh, that's
the same beach that I went with, uh, my kids this weekend. I would say it was
not, it was not so easy, uh, to get there. We went through that sort of deer
path. Um, but yeah, uh, in fact, I've actually seen some historic documents of
some sketches of that in our minds, and I do think that that is within the realm
of what we've talked about for the future, and um, would love to follow up
on on suggestions that you or anyone else might have in that regard. Um,
thank you. Okay.
All right, I'll close out this item.
We will now move on to item six, discussion of the 2027 parks, open
spaces, lanes report to city council, uh identifi identification and selection of
priority projects, including lane restoration. So, why is this on here
now? It's the middle of the year. This report is due in January. Um I'm, you
know, I I tend to procrastinate much more than this. It's mainly because we
don't meet that frequently. So, we want to make sure that we're aligned and
talking about this. We brought this up in a previous meeting um using the
feedback coming from the lane survey to drive what our priority was. And I'll
I'll remind folks um in prior years there was uh a whole host of strategic
priorities. And then it it uh when you're prioritizing everything, it
became hard for city council to focus on certain actions. And for the last two
years, we've been endeavoring to identify one priority project. Um, and
you know, I'm sort of giving it away here, but including lane restoration
projects when we last discussed um the there was an idea that we would look at
the lane survey results, look at the top prioritized opportunities for lane
improvements and come up with a suggestion there. I will also say that
something else that we said in our previous letter that is still on the
table is the uh improvements to Centennial Park. Jane, you had some
great suggestions on that in a previous meeting. Um in some of the previous um
references I was talking about about going down to the strip, we actually
went down with city staff on one such lane that was identified in the survey
as a high opportunity for water access and this is Cliff Lane on Beach Road. Um
there is a uh walkway to get down. Um, some of this is some of this uh requires
you to go through a sort of passable gate to get down to it, but then
eventually you come to a nice curved track down that looks like historically
this may have been one of the places the boats and feries went down, but you can
basically come all the way down to a pocket beach. It very much looks like an
opportunity for um restoration of one of these lanes that would give uh water
access. And um that's currently near the top of what I'm I'm thinking of
gathering together for this. But of course, Centennial Park is something
we've talked about for a while. Um, and I wanted to see, you know, between those
two or something else if the committee has other directions that they would
like the chair to take in drafting this report because hopefully the chair,
myself, um, at least for the time being, will be preparing that for our next
meeting. So, I'll I'll open it up for comments or suggestions.
» I think those are great and thank you for all the hard work, Charlie. One
thing I mentioned at the last meeting that I'd like to at least think about
for consideration for the 2027 plan is Belvadier Way. Again, the uh the the
road path. >> Yep.
» Um there's massive erosional concerns under undermining the bench up there.
The gates at both end are falling off. the the the covert is a constant mess um
when it comes to winter and getting clogged and running over the edge and
stuff like that. Um so maybe some of this is general, maybe some of this is
more in the purview of of of us, but I think we should consider that for
allocating some some time and energy and at least discussion.
» Thank you for reminding me. I know we talked about that last time, but I'll
I'll include that. >> John, anything? Oh, I I agree with what
you're flagging there and, you know, just making sure that we're looking at
maintenance and where there's, you know, safe evacuation routes.
» Thanks, >> Wayne or Jane. That rhymes. Anything?
» Well, I appreciate all of it. Also, um, my dream is Centennial Park and cleaning
that up, but I love cleaning up everything. And I think Belvadier Way, I
walk up and down that a lot. And it it is um at times it seems a lot more awful
than it is and other times it some seemed like that erosion was held
together but lately it really washed away. So yeah, it's probably something
that deserves focus on that. And then of course the cliff lane. I did go down
that and um I needed to be a little bit younger but I did it and the steps were
a little too wide for me. >> But um but it seems like there wasn't
there was a little bit at the top that needed help and a little bit at the
bottom that needed help and otherwise it was in great shape. So it seemed worth
really fixing up those two areas and then that's done. Yeah,
» that was an that's like an easy one. >> That's how that's was has been my
opinion there, too. So, that's why it might be it might be nice to prioritize
that >> earlier.
» Yeah, >> Wayne, I see you reaching for your mic.
Well, anytime anybody talks about easy velvet construction,
I went I was wondering if if the city's looked at any of that in terms of what
it would take to to bring things up to code and make that happen just just to
have a feel for are we in a in the realm of budget possibility or is this a dream
for our children? I don't know that um Antonio, you can correct me if there's
proactive actions you're taking outside of recommendations from this group as it
relates to restoration projects like that. I I would expect that
investigation could happen after we direct you to look into this, but could
you clarify?
» Yeah. Um it's yeah, both both points here. Um I think it isn't always as easy
as it seems. um you know when you have lanes that in this case have have a gate
at the top which uh is used for for a residence um so to remove that and to
establish a a public uh pathway entrance up there um would be the complication
there physically not too difficult to do but um you know uh having agreement on
how that's done would be the would be the hard part. Um
yeah, and that's I I definitely agree that of the lanes uh on that side of
Beach Road, that's one of the few that's actually a feasible construction
project. Um and it looks like it has served that um
you know that's provided that service before. Um, interesting that it has
those um those posts, the black posts that you see around Balvadier uh the
very old railings, the black posts with the round ball knob on the top. Um that
there are some on that lane. Um so it was clearly uh you know a city um access
route at some point. Um, and it would be it would be I mean it would be wonderful
to to bring it back as a um you know bring it back into the uh facilities
that are that are available to residents. Um yeah, but uh like I say, I
mean it's um it's it's sometimes a lot more nuanced or delicate to to work
through the um through the issues of what's there um and and how it's
currently being used. >> Yeah, I don't know that there was easy.
It might just be relative. Um, but uh maybe I would love with those three
things in mind. Of course, I'll open it up for for feedback, but maybe that's
something I can follow up with you on in terms of at least sketching out high
level what um like a budget might look like at a high level for those three
things that we talked about. Um, and I realize there's a lack of specificity
particularly around Belvadier Way and additionally Centennial Park, but maybe
that's something you and I can collaborate on, Tony.
» Yeah, absolutely. Um yeah, I think um yeah,
as far as bringing it up to code, um I don't think very many of the lanes are
up to code. Um they're rustic, you know, pathways and trails. So, um I think a
budget could be, you know, very a very realistic, you know, we we should be
able to put one together fairly fairly easily. Um and yeah, be happy to do
that. >> Thank you. Yeah, we I think we had
discussed maybe like the sort of railroad tie style approach which seems
to be like replacing some of the stuff that may have already existed and
deteriorated at the top, but then as Jane talked about, most of the rest of
it with the exception of the the staircase down is seemingly in in very
good shape. >> Yeah. Okay.
» Right. >> What's the property address that's goes
with the gate? I don't know if the top >> I I think it's 270.
» Okay. And we have had gates before on
revocable licenses areas as long as they're never locked and they're always
open. Then um I think I remember one of those on an upper side of Beach Road,
not the not the beach side, but the other one. And there was a long
discussion about as long as the gate is always left unlocked for public access
should there be a need for it. So, I don't know that you actually I mean
that's a discussion and something to find out about if we need to remove the
gate or just make sure that it's always open. And then of course there's no sign
there so it no one would ever know it was lane.
» I if we were to endeavor on this as the priority and we move forward,
» we would put a sign, right? I'm assuming. Yeah. And quick correction, I
think it's 290. >> Okay.
» Oh, 290. Okay. I think I think the address with
» with the gate >> with the gate is 290 not 270. Yeah.
» Yeah. >> Okay. Yeah, I think it's 290. That that
rings a bell. All right. Um, thank you for this. I I feel empowered to with
your ideas and and comments. Um, I'll open it up to Zoom.
No comments on Zoom. >> Okay. Are there any comments from the
room? >> Okay,
fantastic. Uh, we are now on item seven, update on fiscal year 2026 27 capital
improvement project requests. Tony, would you take it away, please? Excuse
me. Yes, absolutely. Um, this is really just um I realized that um I I probably
mentioned this before, so it's a it's an update, but um u the the committee is
not always aware of of the the CIP fund funding um mechanism and how it does
approve projects in the park. Um so just an update on on what has been approved
for this year. uh community park restroom um has an upgrade and uh the
community park ir uh irrigation well uh which has been in the works for a while
but um that uh has been funded and um and then the two smaller maintenance
ones are San Rafale Avenue uh pathway improvements um which is just repairs to
the the DG path out there um and then the mulch uh replacement out there too
um as a as a small CIP fund So those will be happening and we're
strategizing uh on how to get these completed uh in the next few weeks.
Well, the strategizing is happening in the next few weeks, not the not the
projects. Um on the San Rafale Avenue
improvements, since you brought it up, the rocks
that went in at the end where we are adjacent to Tibon's property. So there's
the culvert where the stream comes out. Is that there? Who did that? Did we do
that or did Tibbron do that? >> That was
» uh that was a Tibberon project. Yeah. Yeah, there's a part of that. So the uh
the jurisdiction line is is very close to that. And um there was a part of that
section was collapsing. So they did a a project to just shore it up.
» Yeah. Thank you. >> Can I ask for details on the restroom
improvements? Um Well, I don't really have any
details. Um, but um yeah, I I uh will happily uh provide an
update and um but what I can say is is that um we are getting an architect on
board. Um there's there there's a renovation in the police department as
well that's also been approved. Um so we'd like to get an an architect on
contract that can do uh work on both of them. Um, and yeah, as soon as we have
some some plans and and some concepts, um, be happy to share them.
» Um, just reminding of feedback that we previously received around adding purse
hooks in the stalls. Um, and that might be possible to do
sooner rather than later. Um, and also just checking in on baby changing areas.
» Thank you for the reminder. >> Okay,
» great. Uh, any other comments on this item from the committee?
Anything on Zoom, Chris? >> No questions from Zoom.
» Any comments from the room? No. Okay, here we go. Item eight, discussion and
possible motion on new committee chair and vice chair.
No one's No one's >> that discussion is always very quiet.
» Exactly. Was waiting. Um, yeah. So, this committee meets infrequently. Um, I
believe last time we talked about the, you know, the term being eligible for
two years. I don't know exactly when the start date ends and whatnot, but it
might we're we're approaching the cycle where I'll be hitting two years as
chair. I know having read the code I can switch over to vice chair or someone
else could step into that and you can alternate between those two roles but it
um it either is time or will be time soon for uh someone to become the new
chair.
» Yes sir. >> So I'd like to start with that's very
disappointing. >> You've done a great job.
» Thank you. So, uh, it shouldn't go without being said that if you get a
third year, I'd still put you there. >> Thank you.
» I second that.
» Did we I'm forgetting stuff.
Um, did we look at the terms? We did that a couple meetings ago when we
looked at the terms and we thought about amending the terms.
Is this anybody recalling this? Did did we ever go anywhere with that as far as
clarifying or amendments and did that get pushed through?
» Yes, it did. And um it uh it was changed to a two-year term um as the uh I think
one year is um standard. It can be extended to two years if I remember
correctly and after which a new chair would be uh would be in place and that
previous chair can return at some point to be chair again.
» So term a term limit of of two two terms. Yeah. So Tony, when is the date
by which we need to? Do you know? Is it this meeting? We have
to >> It got It was confused because Jenna
left. The previous chair left to go to planning. So I don't know when I don't
know when exactly it was. I'm sure it could be figured out.
» Yes. Um I'm sure it can. And um I'd be happy to just get that clarified. Um
» well just to make it easy is the thought we need a new chair by next meeting.
» I think that would be good to aim for. Yes. Um I I think if there's any reason
that it's not we can um skip that that item on the next agenda. Um but I think
it's on the agenda for discussion at this meeting and at the next meeting um
we should plan to u have a have a nomination and a vote. So, I think one
of the things that we keep running into in the city is all the different start
and stop dates of committee chairs. And um I was just thinking since we're by
the time we have another one or two meetings that the city council makes all
their changes on the you know who becomes mayor, vice mayor, etc. every
meeting in December and so you don't have to think about it
ever. It's always December. So maybe we want to line up with that. So it would
be a couple more months, but um like maybe in if we have I forget if we have
a meeting in November or early December, then that would be the appropriate time
and then we'd get on a schedule and then I think it would be great if we could
get planning commission also on the same schedule and it would just make it
easier for everybody instead of having to remember all the different stop and
start dates of each committee. I definitely agree.
» So, I don't know. Just I'm just throwing it out there as a thought.
» That would be that would be December. >> December.
» And then when Charlie, when do you report? When do you submit or sorry,
when do we submit our uh report? >> We present I believe in Feb.
» The Feb meeting. >> I think it would be largely drafted at
that point. >> Okay.
» That's all I'm solving for is kind of handoff at the 11th hour.
effectively it's meant to represent the >> the prior year
» the prior year so it'll be a report and then this um
» and then I think also during that presentation I would be as former chair
could come and comment on certain sections and maybe like maybe I would
give I could give a report on the previous year and then the new chair
could give an update on the priority for the next year and that might be a nice
passing of the baton. So, I would be supportive of that we put
this on that December agenda and then just mark it for December turnovers.
» Okay, I'm fine with that. >> Okay,
I guess is there a motion to make a decision and switch chairs in December?
» I move that we move in December to switch chairs.
» Is there a second? Second. All in favor? I
» I Yes. I Okay, fantastic. There any comments on Zoom from that illuminating
discussion? >> There's no comments from
» Are there any comments from the room? Surprise. All right. Um, perfect. We're
moving on to future items. Discussion of possible items to be placed on the
agenda of upcoming meetings. One thing that did come to mind for me was whether
or not this group, we've had a lot of challenges scheduling this and it feels
somewhat ad hoc. And I wonder if a um well, it's not ad hoc, it feels ad hoc.
Um to clarify it. I wonder if we might consider a more regular schedule perhaps
six times a year or five times a year and it's like every third x every third
Thursday or something like that. I I I think um that would help some of this
dialogue move along, I think. Um and hopefully it would help with
availability and things like that to just bake this into your collective
schedule. So, um right now we're on the deck to meet four times. I would
consider bumping that to five, if not six, and then have maybe if it's six, it
could be every other month on some Wednesday or something like that. Don't
need to debate it now, but that is my proposal that we think about that and
that be an agenda item for the future. Okay.
And try I'd love the the next time to be able to talk about
the budget for each of the the priorities just so we know what's in the
realm of possibility. >> Great.
» That will help with the report to city council.
» You mean the the each of the three things we talked about? Okay.
» And when I say budget, how much would be parks and lanes? How much would be
maintenance standard maintenance of how it would be
divided up? >> Great.
I'd love in the next meeting to get an update from John. I know that you had
been had some level of dialogue with the Tibrron Parks Commission as it relates
to opening up different access points in Tibbron. So, if you could provide an
update in the next meeting, that would be helpful.
» Absolutely. And MA is going to meet with uh the Tan representatives in the coming
week. Okay,
Tony, do you have any items on your on your docket?
» No, I think that's a pretty good list. >> Okay. Yeah.
» Anyone else, Jane, or others? No. Okay. Anyone on Zoom have any ideas?
» Uh, no, they don't. >> Okay.
Any suggestions? No. Okay. With that, we've moved on to open forum. This is an
opportunity for any citizen to briefly address the parks and open space
committee on any matter that does not appear in this agenda. Upon being
recognized by the chair, please state your name, address, and limit your oral
statement to no more than three minutes. Matters that appear to warrant a more
lengthy presentation or committee consideration may be agendaized for
further discussion at a later meeting. First, turn to Zoom. Is there anyone who
would like to speak in the open forum? >> There is no one on Zoom that wants to
speak. >> Sad. Um, anyone in the room? I knew it.
Okay. Um, you you've heard the instructions.
» Three minutes and counting. Start the timer.
» Started yet. There we go. Um, I know you discussed paddle board access. Um, and
something that I would love to see which doesn't necessarily get to paddleboard
access is the corner of what I think is Main Street and Beach Road. Uh, I
believe somebody said there was actually a plan which uh was based off of
something in Denmark which had some steps that went down to that beach. Um,
and you could even make kind of a higher place to step over so you get a bit of a
retaining wall there as well. I would love to see that beach accessible. Uh, I
know parking is a bit of a concern because people are worried people might
bring in paddle boards. I actually have a picture if anyone wants to see it of a
gentleman taking a kayak out there. Uh he was kneedeep uh and that's to the top
of his knee in muck. So uh unless you're at high tide, nobody's going in and out
of there with paddle board. Uh the beach though is a lovely little place. It I
could see a grandkid or a dog having a great time. I don't think it would
create a parking problem because I don't think it's going to be a big paddleboard
access point except occasionally uh at high tide. Um but just anything that can
get people closer to the water I'm in favor of. So, one minute and whatever.
But
» I think technically we think of it as AR, but I think technically it's
» Yeah. >> You're the three-way intersection,
right? It's a three-way intersection there. The other road coming from
Woodlands.
» Okay. Thank you. Is there a motion to adjurnn?
Yes. I'll I'll move to adjurnn. Is there a second?
» Second. All in favor? >> I
» I We are journed.
I love this.