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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-16-07 Study SessionDUBLIN CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION Monday, April 16, 2007 Council Chambers MINUTES OF MEETING Mayor Chinnici-Zuercher called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Mayor Chinnici-Zuercher, Vice Mayor Lecklider, Ms. Salay, Mr. Keenan, Mr. Reiner {arrived at 7:20 p.m.). Mrs. Boring and Mr. McCash were absent (excused) Staff members present were Ms. Brautigam, Mr. Hahn, Mr. Earman and Ms. Karagory. Mayor Chinnici-Zuercher stated that tonight's study topic is the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Mr. Hahn introduced Mr. Kline of Kinzelman, Kline & Gossman. Dick Horton was also present from Bucker, Willis & Ratliff, a sub consulting firm on the project. Mr. Kline stated that he would be presenting an overview on the project to date and soliciting Council input. Vision Oriented Community Goals • Create and strengthen strong ties with the community through citizen- based planning, participation and equitable distribution of resources. • Continue to improve and enhance facilities and programs. • Promote a safe, healthy and inclusive environment for recreational and leisure activities. • Take a leadership role in protecting, interpreting and promoting cultural, historic and natural resources. • Consistently provide a wide range of recreational opportunities accessible to all through quality parks and special facilities. • Leverage resources and forge strategic ties to achieve or exceed our mission. • Promote and support the visual arts throughout the community. Mr. Kline stated that the intent is to establish the basis whereby the entire community will be provided facilities -not to satisfy everyone but to provide a broad enough base whereby the attempt can be made to do that. This study has identified lands that could be developed, pursuant to Council's goals. It also identifies who else is providing community services and programs. In those cases, the City could either not provide the service or could pursue a formal partnership whereby the City is associated but does not have the responsibility. PubliclStakeholder Involvement Mr. Kline stated that meetings are being held with all the major stakeholders to identify their interests and concerns. Dublin's existing park system is top within the nation, and the feedback they received indicates that the community appreciates it. When the final Dublin City Council Study Session Monday, April 16, 2007 Page 2 draft of the master plan has been completed, it should be presented to the community. The Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission may be the appropriate body to do that. Mr. Earman noted that the focus of the master plan is not primarily on incorporating all the existing "wants and needs," but to prepare for the future needs of the community. Mr. Kline stated that the master plan will integrate the land use plan. Ms. Salay requested an example of the type of strong ties with the community that he perceives. Mr. Earman responded that an example would be the sharing of facilities. Looking at the program component of the plan reveals that the space is too limited for the amount of programming the City is trying to offer. Part of the problem may be that the City is trying to provide more than it should. Dublin serves more than City residents with its Parks and Recreation programs. The City will experience more growth; how will that be accommodated? One example is the Wyandot camps. Every year, the community response is greater than the space available. Through partnership, there may be the opportunity for space in the Hilliard school facility. Partnership is one of many options. Ms. Salay inquired if the City is turning away City residents or school district residents from the Wyandot camp program. Mr. Earman responded that Dublin residents have first registration, after which, if space remains, school district residents may enroll. Mr. Kline listed the facilities inventory study components: park character, connectivity, site structures, site furnishings, land cover, park access, park activities, community input and Dublin GIS base mapping and supplementation, and the Coffman Park site plan. Pedestrian, bikeway and path connectivity were also evaluated, including: bikepaths, sidewalks, natural surfaces, M~RPC review, regional connectivity, and future connections. Along with the need to identify any existing breaks in the system is the need to determine how the bikepath system will be extended into future development areas, and what the City's park system will be comprised of. To begin with, the National Parks & Recreation {NPR) guidelines are used although some of the descriptions da not fit Dublin. However, it is helpful to know how Dublin's park system compares with the national standard to determine future plans for Dublin's parks. The various park space designations are: regional parks/metro parks; community parks; neighborhood parks; greenways and open space. Using those 5 designations, Dublin's park system can be defined and tailored. Within those spaces, the density of recreation development is defined. Mr. Hahn noted that there are underlying policy guidelines that may govern the park spaces. For example, one unwritten policy is that the City will not rent space in a neighborhood park, but it will do so within a community park. Dublin City Council Study Session Monday, April 16, 2007 Page 3 Mr. Kline responded that the implication of that policy might be that the City would want to place 3-season shelters within the community parks. These are popular with families and organizations for group events. Mr. Kline noted that in conducting the park assessment, the City's GIS department provided base information, which was very helpful. After completing their study, they were, in turn, able to provide additional information to the City for the GIS database. Their study covered: groundwater, flood zone, soils, forest cover, scenic roadway buffers, stream buffers, wetlands and species preservation. They compiled all the information logistically for base mapping, which will allow the City to build up a data file where all of the elements are layered in and ranked. That helps to create a composite, which could enable the City to determine what areas should have the highest level of protection and preservation and the least amount of development. Some of the report may appear to be subjective, but the criteria is real and the report reflects sound land- use planning. Mr. Hahn stated that this information will be helpful in the future. Before future development occurs, staff will have an understanding of how that parcel may fit into the community's needs either from an environmental focus or what components in that parcel complement surrounding land that is within the park system. One of the end products of this Parks and Rec Master Plan will be that instead of the City following the developer's lead, the developer would have foreknowledge of the City's expectations for the land. Mr. Earman reviewed the recreation programming analysis. In determining the level and quantity of service to the community, the City is very reactive. It would be preferable to adopt a more strategic approach in developing its program. The analysis identifies the core program, staffing levels, management practices, and who is being served. Program methodology was evaluated with the intent of developing systems to facilitate better management of the program and to meet national standards. This covers creation and development, program evaluations, pricing guidelines, and cost recovery; also, demographic trends, such as population growth and age group interest. In evaluating opportunities far growth, staff is aware of the space limitations, particularly at the Rec Center. Other aspects of the analysis include: assess community needs, maximize services to core programming, analyze alternative service providers, develop outreach programs, create new partnerships, and consider additional recreation facilities. A community survey, somewhat similar to the survey Community Relations conducts every 2 years, would be conducted to obtain valuable community input. Mayor Chinnici-Zuercher inquired if it could be incorporated into the existing Community satisfaction survey. Dublin City Council Study Session Monday, April 16, 2007 Page 4 Ms. Brautigam responded that it could, but it is important not to make the survey too long or it could discourage completion of the survey. Ms. Salay inquired if the focus of the survey would be on future needs. Mr. Earman responded that although the intent of staff would be to develop a 10-year plan for the future, citizens respond according to their current needs. So, much like the City's CIP, a long-range Parks and Rec Master Plan would need to be updated regularly. It is important to realistically evaluate the space needs before planning to construct additional space. The core programs should be consolidated, and ancillary programs could be located elsewhere. Mr. Keenan responded that there are many other clubs or fitness centers that are being used by the community. Mayor Chinnici-Zuercher noted that she thought the Master Plan was the product of the assessment. Philosophically, she would like to know his view of the role of government in providing recreational services to residents versus the rule of the community as a whole to provide that. That component should be evaluated and recognized in the master plan as opposed to strictly the government's role in the provision of these services. She is concerned that the perspective will imply that the government must be all things to all people. Mr. Earman responded that the intent is to evaluate the service of all other stakeholders. Duplicating efforts may not be a good thing. An example is the LifeTime Fitness Center. Dublin did not view it as a competitor but a partner in the provision of recreational services. Ms. Salay responded that there are two types of clientele: one prefers community services, the other prefers mare expensive or specialized services. If the City is turning patrons away due to full programs, it is important to incorporate other services. Again, if volume of use is an issue, it is important to limit the facilities to Dublin residents. Mayor Chinnici-Zuercher agreed. To meet the needs of Dublin's residents, it has become necessary to limit Dublin's facilities to residents, including corporate residents, within Dublin's geographic boundaries, not the school district. Mr. Keenan responded that perhaps it would be better to tier the fee structure. Ms. Brautigam responded that a restructured fee schedule would be provided to Council later this year. Ms. Salay noted that would make the other facilities more attractive to residents of the school district. Mayor Chinnici-Zuercher stated that she has been asked why LifeTime Fitness was not situated more strategically within the community. She suggested that a news column be written to explain the reasoning behind the strategic location of the various facilities, public and private. Dublin City Council Study Session Monday, April 16, 2007 Page 5 Mr. Earman referred to the partnership opportunity with the Hilliard School District. Mayor Chinnici-Zuercher stated that is true. However, Hilliard is a very large school district, and they face a challenge in providing services to their own residents. Mayor Chinnici-Zuercher noted that she would be meeting this week with the principal of the new Hilliard school within Dublin -- Washington Elementary School. The last few months, they have been discussing the partnership needs with that school only. The principal is agreeable to working with the City to address certain issues, such as the Wyandotte camps. Mr. Keenan stated that the new redistricting boundaries may impact this situation as well. Ms. Brautigam responded that the new boundaries will impact a couple of areas, such as along Shier Rings Road. Mr. Earman responded that it is possible to strategize and create a win-win environment without impacting anything else in the City. Mr. Keenan inquired which municipality would provide the DARE program to Washington School. Ms. Brautigam responded that Hilliard School District would do so. Mayor Chinnici-Zuercher stated that this would work only as long as there is neighborhood districting. Ms. Brautigam responded that the situation may change when Hilliard builds the additional 6th grade school in that area. Dublin will need to make a decision on how it wishes to deal with that school. Mr. Keenan stated that it is a tax issue. Does Dublin place a police officer in every school building? Ms. Salay responded that they are placed only in the middle and high schools, except for the DARE officers. They are placed in the elementary schools. Mr. Keenan responded that if Hilliard places a DARE officer in Washington School, Dublin may need to place a police officer there for other purposes. Ms. Brautigam agreed. Mayor Chinnici-Zuercher stated that other models may be adopted in the future. Presently, the taxpayer receives the value of his/her tax money. If the people served are not Dublin residents, there may be some concern. Mr. Keenan noted that part of the issue for Hilliard schools is their residential density. Ms. Salay agreed. A recent report indicated that the City of Hilliard has the highest birth rate in the State of Shia. Mr. Hahn stated that it was his original anticipation that Dublin would need to identify another land site for the location of future athletic fields. However, this analysis indicates that the City's existing inventory has the capacity to meet future needs. Due to the diversity of other recreational opportunities, both youth soccer and baseball Dublin City Council Study Session Monday, April 16, 2007 Page 6 project a flat future growth. This addresses the existing service program, not higher- end, club programs. The lacrosse program is conducted at Emerald Fields, and the soccer and baseball programs are conducted at Avery and Darree Fields. The youth organizations are satisfied with the accommodations. Mayor Chinnici-Zuercher responded that the arrangement does substantially involve the use of school property. Mr. Keenan inquired about the potential for use of Glacier Ridge Metro Park. Mr. Hahn responded that the Metro Parks are not interested in having ballfields. Ms. Salay noted that at one time Ohio Premier Soccer Club was interested in acquiring their own facility. Mr. Hahn responded that OP continues to work on that goal, as well as MOSSL. While it is beneficial if a government entity provides the facility, they recognize the need to fund their awn facility. It is difficult for a municipality to dedicate the level of resources the clubs need, as the entire community does not benefit. Vice Mayor Lecklider inquired from whom they would seek funding. According to the existing agreement, the organization can collect a certain amount of fees. Mr. Hahn responded that the recreational club had an agreement with the City authorizing them to collect a field fee for a limited time. Once they reached a certain amount, they were authorized to use the funds to build a concession stand at Darree Fields. They no longer collect that fee. Ms. Ott stated that OFC and OP collected the funds and turned it over to DSL. DSL was the repository and responsible for any improvements to be made at either Avery or Darree Fields. They no longer pay a field fee, only a management fee to DSL far taking care of scheduling field times. Mr. Reiner noted that he had a conversation recently with an engineer who asked that he pass along his thanks to Council for providing a facility for the Columbus Cricket Club in Dublin. Mr. Hahn stated that they share the facility with lacrosse -when lacrosse season ends, cricket begins. They play throughout the summer up to October. The cricket pitch on the field is the only permanent installation, and it does not present a conflict in the lacrosse field. They mark the remainder of the field with flags. The City provides only the land itself. Mr. Hahn stated that the remainder of the information addresses visualization of the program, strategies and budget priorities. Mayor Chinnici-Zuercher inquired when the plan would be finalized. Mr. Hahn responded that it would be completed in 2007. Dublin City Council Study Session Monday, April 16, 2007 Page 7 Mayor Chinnici-Zuercher noted that if components of the project are to be included in the CIP, the plan would need to be completed before the CIP hearings later in the summer. Mr. Hahn responded that the entire plan would not be finalized, but certain items that reflect both the Parks & Open Space Plan and Council goal-setting would be ready for CIP review. Mayor Chinnici-Zuercher stated that it is important to place a higher priority on the completion of Dublin's bikepaths over ensuring connectivity to outside bikepaths. Mr. Hahn agreed. When staff looks outside Dublin's borders, it is to better to understand the strategies of other entities and perhaps be of help to them. Staff member, Laura Karagory attends GreenWay forums, which consists of strategizing about bikepaths in ways other than financial. Mayor Chinnici-Zuercher noted that she is surprised that federal funds are not available for regional bikepath development. Another item important to pursue is the use of school buildings in all off hours. Historically, when communities focus on ways to meet their needs, they utilize the school buildings, which everyone has paid for. It is more efficient to pay for upkeep and maintenance of those buildings than to build more buildings. Mr. Earman responded that the plan does address the need for a joint use agreement with the school district to clarify how those buildings may be scheduled. Currently, the arrangement varies between schools due to the school principal's individual preferences, and the City is often a lesser priority. Mayor Chinnici-Zuercher stated that 24-hour usage should also be pursued when possible. The LifeTime Fitness facility is open 24 hours/7days a week and their classes are free, which makes the fee very reasonable. Ms. Salay noted she is aware that the master plan completion deadline is not specific, but will it be completed some time in 2007? Mr. Keenan stated that the CIP review is in August and the budget hearings are in November, so he would assume the plan would be completed by November 2007. Mr. Hahn agreed. Ms. Salay stated that the land use portion of the program would be ready for the Community Plan. Mr. Hahn stated that it would. The two plans are complementary. Although the Parks and Open Space Master Plan provides more detail, the Community Plan's land use plan is the basis for many of the master plan's assumptions. Ms. Salay stated that when the Community Plan is completed, Planning will have a good understanding of the land that remains for development. Dublin City Council Study Session Monday, April 16, 2007 Page 8 Mr. Keenan stated that some developers have shared their suggestions/comments. Would those be considered during this study? Mr. Hahn responded that for this year's CIP review, Council has requested that staff present them options for addressing projects in certain areas that will be the City's responsibility. Mr. Keenan stated that there are also some potential private/joint partnerships, such as the piece across from Jerome High School that Stavroff Company has suggested for a development of a basketball court. Mr. Hahn stated that any type of facility would be used. The question is by whom, and if that is Council's preferred direction. Today, that part of the plan is undecided. Ms. Salay stated that one exception to Dublin resident usage of facilities is the Miracle League field and playground. Mayor Chinnici-Zuercher agreed, noting that it is named, "The Central Ohio Miracle League Field." The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Clerk of Council