SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
APRIL 24, 2008
SAN LUIS OBISPO VETERANS HALL
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA

Commissioners Present: Rick Mathews, Dorothy Jennings, Pandora Nash-Karner and Paul Teixeira.
Commissioners Absent: Terry Eberhardt
Staff Present:  Ernie Del Rio and Denis Philbin
Call to Order: 6:07 p.m.
OPENING

•    Pledge of Allegiance. 

•    Public Comment. None.

•    Commissioner comments. Commissioner Jennings said there were 2 workdays on the Vineyard Trail, the 15th of March and 2nd of April with lots of help from the Grizzly Academy.  The City of Paso Robles is doing a specific plan for a portion of the city and there is concern for getting the Anza Trail location as part of the process. Commissioner Nash-Karner did a radio show with Jan DiLeo and Pete Jenny. The Cayucos Memorial (Lost at Sea) is proposed to be located next to the Cayucos pier; donation offer includes maintenance. She also said that the Pool Association of Los Osos re-formed and is in talks with the State of California.  Commissioner Teixeira thanked Commissioner Nash-Karner for the use of the Botanical Garden on Saturday, July 19 for an event for Jack Ready Park play equipment.  Commissioner Mathews said that the controversial Veterans Memorial Project in Atascadero was approved and has lots of local business support.  He attended a meeting with the city on how it will be maintained.  The Creston Community Center is being worked on and fundraising is under way.

•    Approve minutes of February 28, 29 and March 27 meetings.  Commissioner Nash-Karner and Commissioner Teixeira made some minor changes to the February 28 minutes.  Motion to approve the February 28, 2008 minutes with corrections made by Commissioner Nash-Karner, seconded by Commissioner Teixeira.  Motion approved 4-0 as amended.  Motion to approve the February 29, 2008 minutes made by Commissioner Nash-Karner, seconded by Commissioner Teixeira.  Motion approved 4-0.  Commissioner Jennings and Commissioner Nash-Karner made some minor changes to the March 27 minutes.  Motion to approve the March 27, 2008 minutes with corrections made by Commissioner Jennings, seconded by Commissioner Nash-Karner.  Motion approved 4-0 as mended.  

                                                                                                                                                                                                           
STAFF REPORTS

•    Trails Committee report.  None 

•    Park Manager’s Report.  Ernie Del Rio reported: a.) We are moving the fence at Los Osos Park but not moving the irrigation.  b.) There is a new BLM trail at Santa Margarita Lake which we need to name (as well as a new group area.) Hope to open the trail in May. The ribbon cutting ceremony tentative dates are 5/9 at 11:00 am, 5/14 at 3:00 pm and 5/16 at 1:00 pm. The Commission will decide which date is best.  c.) The playground at Lopez Lake is completed and looks good.  Its new location is near Mallard Cove. d) The new Reservation Accounting System has started to roll out over the last two days after nine months of work; looks good.  e.) On the quagga mussel issue, the Department of Fish and Game checked Lopez Lake and found it clear.  Boat entry criteria were described as: The boats have to be clean and dry, they need to be decontaminated with hot water under pressure. We need to continue to follow the recommendations of the Department of Fish and Game on how to deal effectively with it. Santa Margarita Lake’s inspection for Quaggas by the Department of Fish and Game will be next week. The cost of this program will be around $200,000. It is not known yet where this money will come from, but the lakes need to be kept open. More information is available on our website. f.) The volunteer contract with ECOSLO is working out well. Nipomo has a group for the two new trails and Templeton has one for the Vineyard Trail.

BUSINESS ITEMS

•    Recommendation of proposed purchase of property adjacent to Dana Adobe in   Nipomo.  A presentation by Dana Adobe Nipomo Amigos (DANA) on purchases of land next to Dana Adobe was attended by: Herb Kandel, Hilda Zacharias and Bob Hill, with the SLO Land Conservancy. Restoration efforts were highlighted and goals discussed. Property is needed to preserve the cultural resources. Zacharias described the process for acquisition of the property. Commissioner Nash-Karner asked for a description of the timeline and why it is necessary to move ahead. Hill described the process to secure the property. Next there was substantial public comment on Dana Adobe. Ethyl Landers (volunteer with DANA) spoke on the value of history and acquisition of the area. Stephanie Franks (South County Advisory Council) said act now to purchase before it is developed. Ed Eby (director, Nipomo CSD) says funds collected in Nipomo should be used there or go back to developers; supports approval by Commission. Leslie Eby voiced her support. Mary Woodson supports the proposal.  Dan Woodson (SCAC) supports the project. Jesse Hill spoke in support of the proposal. Mariah Gonzales (Nipomo High School student) described all the learning and educational opportunities at the Adobe. Tom Wheeler (archaeologist) described searches and digs for cultural resources and supports the project. Brian Dunn (caretaker) supports the project. Abby Lassen supports the project. Ray Deutch (architect) spoke in support of the project. Al Dorio (DANA Board) supports the project.  Helen Dorio (DANA Board) took 900 children on field trips last year and there is a capacity for increase; she supports the project. Felicity Ann (owns property at the south end of the property) supports education and new property to enhance the experience. Joan Gonzales supports acquisition. Joe Dana (DANA Board) supports the project. Harry Walls stated using PFF funds for land purchases are not right – should be used for buildings; decried the lack of public notice for any discussion.  Bonnie Eisner questioned the process and felt it should have come to the community.  Mike Eisner said the master plan for Parks per Jan DiLeo leaves no money left for other projects.  SCAC should have input and defer the funds.  Katcho Achadjian (Board of Supervisors) spoke about taking responsibility for the process of acquisition.  The PCOMM recommendation is not final; the public can still have input, including SCAC.  Board of Supervisors has the last say on funding.  He then fielded questions from the public.  He supports the commission passing the proposal by approving the project on to the Board of Supervisors.  Commissioner Jennings said that PFF funds are for park facilities.  Commissioner Nash-Karner spoke on the Nipomo Master Plan.  She asked the members of SCAC what they really wanted as we have been ready to pull the trigger to develop needed facilities, but it seems to be a moving target. The Dana Adobe funding is a project of opportunity with a short timeline.  She thanked the attendees.  Commissioner Teixeira spoke in support of the project and apologized to SCAC for not communicating details due to the short time line.  Commissioner Mathews spoke about the public process.  He was concerned that SCAC was not notified; but the opportunity can’t be missed.  Commissioner Jennings supports the project as a treasure for the whole county.  Ernie Del Rio said this is a project of opportunity and described the process.  This project rose to the top.  We have money in the bank but no money for maintenance, ergo we can’t build or expand facilities.  Motion to approve the recommendation made by Commissioner Teixeira, seconded by Commissioner Nash-Karner.  Motion approved 4-0

• Approve letters of donation.  Commissioner Jennings moved to approve letters of donation.  Commissioner Nash-Karner seconded.  Motion approved 4-0.

• Adjourn meeting.  Meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

Click on one of the Commissioner's names below to send them an e-mail message.

Dorothy Jennings - Representing District 1 for Supervisor Harry Ovitt

Pandora Nash-Karner - Chair - Representing District 2 for Supervisor Bruce Gibson

Terry Eberhardt - Representing District 3 for Supervisor Jerry Lentall

Paul Teixeira - Representing District 4 for Supervisor Katcho Achadjian

Rick Mathews - Representing District 5 for Supervisor Jim Patterson

ADVISORY COMMITTEES

There are presently three very active advisory committees providing information and support directly to County Parks and the Parks Commission. These groups include the Trails, Golf, and Recreational Element Committees. Click below for available advisory committee agendas, meeting minutes or reports.

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY PARKS
1087 SANTA ROSA STREET
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA 93408
805-781-5930
FAX: 805-781-1102
SLOParks@co.slo.ca.us

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