CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Hofstadt called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.

ROLL CALL: Present were Chair Eileen Hofstadt, Vice Chair Ernie Rodrigues and Commissioners Sandra Myers, Lanny Brown and Blythe Lind. Staff members present were Roger Stromgren, Landscape/Facilities Manager, and Edie Keller, Administrative Supervisor.

PRESENTATION(S): Vice Chair Rodrigues led a brief time of reflection for the four fallen officers from Oakland. He advised the Commission that the memorial service would be held Friday, March 27, and that condolences had been extended from the City of Brentwood to the City of Oakland.

AGENDA REVIEW: NONE

CITIZEN COMMENTS: NONE

CONSENT CALENDAR:
1. Approve minutes of regular meeting of February 26, 2009.
2. Accept Recreation Division monthly report and Recreation Manager project status report. (P. Scherff)
3. Accept Parks Division monthly report. (B. Margesson)
4. Accept results of Ellis & Associates audit of the Brentwood Family Aquatics Complex. (M. Kaiser)
5. Approve proclamation for May as National Drown Prevention Month. (S. Barry)

 Motion to approve items 1-5 of Consent calendar.
Motioned: Rodrigues
Second: Myers
Ayes: 5
Noes: 0
Excused: 0

SCHEDULED MATTERS:
6. Discuss park related issues for Sciortino Ranch Development Project (C. Bronzan)
Craig Bronzan presented his staff report on the Sciortino Ranch Development, for the purpose of providing an overall background of the project. The staff report is presented in three parts: Part 1) overview of the proposed development by Community Development staff, including what approvals the developer is requesting from the City Council and Planning Commissionand a timeline of actions necessary; Part 2) an overview of the current park development standards and how the developer is requesting consideration for changes; and Part 3) an overview of the project by the developer. Several staff representing the Developer then gave a presentation on the project.

Based on current standards staff recommends the developer be required to meet the 5 acres per 1,000 population requirement as any deficiency in park acreage puts the burden on the City to go out and find replacement acreage. The 100 foot minimum standard has been used in the past as anything less than 100 feet provides little opportunity for any design outside of landscape and a trail. Developers in the past have provided spaces less than 100 feet wide, however that acreage was not counted in the park acreage or credited for park fees. These smaller spaces also become more expensive to maintain as opposed to larger parks, and can not be designed to truly function as a park. Based on current standards, staff recommends that all credible park acreage be a minimum of ½ acre in size and a minimum of 100 feet wide. The developer is recommending park spaces called “paseos” which are smaller than ½ acre in size and are smaller spaces than the City currently allows for credit for park acreage. These paseos are suggested to be a minimum of 30 feet wide and link to park areas in order to be considered for park credit as a part of the 1/3 community requirement. The City cannot give developer fee credits for any property that is not owned by the City. Therefore, staff does not recommend any fee credits be given for private spaces. Additionally, the City has always required developments to meet park acreage in public park applications. Our gated communities, who have parks within their gates, have been required to either pay fees or build public parks outside of their gates. The developer is requesting pedestrian connectors that are a minimum of 15 feet wide and link to parks (or other village greens, town squares, and path ways) in order to be considered for a 50% park credit. Small, narrow spaces can not be designed to truly function as parks and are very expensive to maintain. Based on current standards staff does not recommend the developer be given any park credit either in acreage or fee credits for pedestrian connectors. All developments are required to comply with the Contra Costa Clean Water Program Storm Water Guidelines through the use of self-treated areas, bio retention facilities, flow-through planters and other approved devices. As a part of any park design, it is expected that park space will be used to accommodate these requirements based on run off from within the park acreage. The Developer is requesting that up to 15% of park spaces can be dedicated for biofiltration of water from adjacent uses. The park designs will have to take care of their individual storm water issues within the park acreage. However, providing park space for adjacent use areas reduces the overall acreage that can be used in the park. As a result, based on current standards staff does not recommend the use of parks for storm water treatment for adjacent uses.

At 8:00p.m. when the developer had completed the presentation portion of their project, a resident, Steve Lopez, spoke on behalf of the residents in the area, as he had received a postcard with the meeting information, but that most of his neighbors had not received it or spoke only Spanish and therefore, didn’t understand it. He informed the Commission that they were all concerned that the City might compromise their current park standards and would like to be on record as being against this development as presented.

After the resident was done speaking, a couple of representatives of the developer spoke, again, stating that they did not want the City to consider their project as a compromise, but rather as a new approach.

The Commission then asked questions and provided feedback on the park development issues related to the project. They were very concerned that the developer was attempting to have our parks standard requirements adjusted to fit their development requirements, and therefore compromising the standards that the City has worked so hard to create and enforce.

The Commission and staff concluded that the developer’s plan is very creative regarding the maximum use of a relatively small land parcel, but they were resolute about not compromising our park standard requirements. They also felt that the plans were still in the first stages of presentation, and requested that the developer come back to the Commission when they have finalized their plans, specifically as relating to the parks.

7. ACTION ITEM: Discuss the openings on the Playful City USA Play Task Force.
(S. Barry/B. Gary)
Sue Barry presented this staff report informing the Commission that the Parks and Recreation Department’s staff is currently in the process of re-applying for Playful City status for 2009 and is seeking additional members to join the Play Task Force, a group of Brentwood citizens, business owners and city government who meet quarterly to discuss how the City of Brentwood can promote play within the City. Interested members will participate in planning events and programs and are requested to register as a KaBOOM! Playmaker on the KaBOOM! website. Staff would like to invite the interested Commissioners to join our task force. Commissioner Hofstadt volunteered to continue on the task force and Commissioner Lind volunteered to join as a new task force member.

 Motion to reappoint Commissioner Hofstadt and appoint Commissioner Lind.
Motioned: Brown
Second: Hofstadt
Ayes: 5
Noes: 0
Excused: 0

8. ACTION ITEM: Approve alternative options to the existing tile program for the Veterans Park Memorial Rose Garden. (R. Stromgren)

Staff is requesting approval of the sign as shown in the staff report. Len Bregman also presented the proposed headstone, which would read “Their last full measure of devotion” quoted from Abe Lincoln. He also informed the Commission of the festivities that are planned for the May 25th celebration. His only concern is gathering an accurate list of fallen soldiers, although the tiles can be added at a later time. Craig Bronzan, Parks and Recreation Director, suggested that Kathy Leighton, local historian, may be a good source of Brentwood soldiers’ names. Commissioner Lind inquired as to whether City departments had been informed of the tile program, to which Mr. Bronzan confirmed “yes”.

 Motion to approve above item 8.
Motioned: Rodrigues
Second: Myers
Ayes: 5
Noes: 0
Excused: 0

9. ACTION ITEM: Approve the water feature operation hours at Rainbow’s End and Blue Goose Parks. (R. Stromgren)
The water feature at Rainbows End Park has had the daily hours set from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Staff will be setting the hours at Blue Goose Park to match Rainbows End. The water feature cycle is approximately 2-3 minutes. Commission suggested that, since the City is trying to conserve water, that it might be advisable to compromise on the months of operation. It was agreed that April 15 through October 15, from 10am to 7pm.

 Motion to approve above item 9.
Motioned: Rodrigues
Second: Myers
Ayes: 5
Noes: 0
Excused: 0

STAFF COMMENTS

Craig Bronzan informed the Commission that the City Manager has asked, in the spirit of conserving paper, whether the Commission would approve of an electronic version of the Agenda Packet? Commissioners stated that they would like the electronic version, but would like to have a paper copy for writing their notes on at the meeting. Sue Barry, Recreation Supervisor, informed the Commission that the Brentwood Men’s Club gave a generous donation of $1650, and that she would like approval to send them an official thank you on behalf of the Commission. The Commission approved. Edie Keller, Administrative Supervisor, informed the Commission that we will be recommending that Blue Goose Park be added to the rentable parks list to City Council. She also advised the Commission that the Starry Nites concerts will be held this year at City Park.

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS

Commissioner Brown advised the Commission that he will be out of town at the next meeting.

Commissioner Myers inquired whether we will be having the Fun Run this year. Staff responded that we will no longer be doing this event, but we are working with John Muir right now to take this event over. The details are being worked out. John Muir may be looking at holding this event this fall.

Commissioner Rodrigues commented that Apple Hill Park playground is looking great. He also stated that the City Council Meeting to honor Craig Bronzan as Outstanding Professional of the year went very well.

Commissioner Lind inquired as to the status of the restrooms at Blue Goose Park. Roger Stromgren, Landscape/Facilities Manager, responded that the plumbing issues are being resolved and they will reopen soon. He also advised the Commission of the hours of restrooms in the City parks as: Winter = November through February are 8am – 2:30pm
Summer = March through October are 8am – Dusk

A suggestion was made that for the customer satisfaction surveys that are handed out at the end of a class session can be completed online to maintain confidentiality instead of handing to the instructor.

REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Craig Bronzan would like to have the Commission prioritize programs.

ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.