2002 OCT 08 CC MINMINUTES OF THE
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE EL SEGUNDO CITY COUNCIL
RECREATION & PARKS COMMISSION
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2002 — 7:00 P.M.
300 E. Pine Avenue (George E. Gordon Clubhouse), El Segundo, California
CALL TO ORDER — Mayor Gordon at 7:05 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER — Chairman McCaverty at 7:06 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Gordon
Mayor ProTem Jacobs
Council Member Gaines
Council Member McDowell
Council Member Wernick
ROLL CALL
Commissioner Bundy
Commissioner Fearn
Commissioner Glynn -Rich
Commissioner McCaverty
Commissioner Randall
- Present
- Present
- Absent
- Present
- Present
- Absent
- Absent
- Present
- Present
- Present
City Manager, Mary Strenn introduced staff and gave direction on the process and purpose of the
meeting.
A. COMMUNITY CENTER PUBLIC WORKSHOP
1. Receive public input regarding potential revisions to the design of and concerns
regarding the Community Center Project located at 300 E. Pine Avenue and
Recreation & Park Master Plan.
LPA Associates presented an overview of the proposed center and the master plan for the
recreation park. They presented the process that was gone through for the development of the
Community Center and the information gathered from the public workshops held.
Public Comments:
Tom Lindsey, resident, spoke against the gymnasium on the scout lot, and suggested that we
further try and persuade the School Board to accept the gym on one of their campuses. He also
stated that he doesn't know of anyone who is interested in having a gym in recreation park.
Joe Brandin, resident, stated that this workshop was a good idea, and should have been done a
year ago. He also stated that he felt the current building is good and could be used much more
efficiently.
Carl Jacobson, resident, requested confirmation of the size of the parking lot re- stripping. LPA
stated that there would be enough space. He stated that a School Board Member had indicated
that a new gym built next to the existing high school gym might be possible, and there may be
grant funds available for joint use of a gymnasium.
Carol Well, resident, requested clarification of the number of classrooms in the current
configuration. She also said that no additional classrooms have been added to the proposed
project. LPA stated that even thought no more classrooms have been added, the proposed
classrooms would be more user friendly and would be larger. Ms. Wells stated that separating the
gym from the proposed building is a good idea, and possibly the gym could be built in stages.
Susan Richardson, resident, stated she was pleased that the preschool play yard is separate from
the elementary school age play yard. She felt the new facility should be used for a larger display
for arts, crafts, and cultural projects. She also stated that the gym floor may restrict its use for other
activities.
Donna West, resident, stated that LPA had done a good job in trying to make the gym fit, but she
had not heard a lot of support for the gym. She also asked if there were no gym, could there be
more classrooms built in that space. She also asked what would happen if the whole 6 million
dollars was not spent.
Susan Truax, resident, spoke regarding the need for a wooden floor dance space.
Pam Roach, resident, spoke about how skate boarders may use the new space. She also asked
about moving the play yard closer to the baseball field, and the possibility of baseballs being hit
into the lots. She further stated that partitioned rooms are very difficult to hold meetings in when a
class is being held adjacent to the meeting room.
Lorrie Poiry, resident, stated she felt that the arts needed more attention. She felt that putting a
basketball court over the existing court would be a good compromise.
Christopher Porry, resident, supported the arts portion of the proposed building and stated he was
in favor of increasing the arts and drama portion of the building.
Kitty Crowley, resident, asked if the gym was to be air conditioned. LPA stated it would be. She
asked if the increased play area were added, would the open green space be reduced. LPA stated
that it would be reduced.
Linda Poepoe, resident, stated that no one present tonight spoke in favor of a gym. She further
stated that if there were people who wanted a gym built they would be there tonight to support the
idea. She did not feel that a gym could be used for very many other events because of the flooring
and that the theater space could not be used for other events due to the increased number of
programs that would be presented. She also stated that someone could coordinate the use of the
school district classrooms and other city buildings for meetings and programs.
Olivia Potinger, resident, spoke in favor of classrooms.
Rick Sobosky, resident, spoke in favor of the gym and explained the need for one.
2
Jane Turino, non - resident, spoke against the project.
John Morton, resident, asked if Plan "G" was a larger than Plan "A ". He also stated that the gym
space had not been reduced.
Jan Cruickshank, resident, spoke against the gymnasium. She also suggested a shuttle bus might
be put into service for large events to alleviate parking problems. She also read correspondence
from resident Liz Garnholz.
Lori Choquette, resident, spoke in favor of a new building. She further stated that classroom space
needed to be increased and a larger venue was needed for the theater.
Anthony Hedayat, resident, spoke about the perceived disagreement between the arts and sports
facilities. He further stated that most of the existing sports facilities are in better shape and better
maintained than the current facilities for drama. He further stated that the gym did not fit within the
existing space. Supported a quality theater space.
Kerry King, resident, requested clarification of the square foot area for the tiny tot lots.
Mathew Rice, resident, spoke regarding the gym fitting into the current configuration. He stated
that he would like to see a gym built but it would be a better to explore other sites.
Linda Pollard, resident, stated she has consistently requested that the building size be reduced
and space be used more efficiently. Stated that if the additional foot print was expanded towards
the west, no green space would be lost. She suggested a multi -use room could be developed that
could be used for dance and athletics, and perhaps upgrading the Joslyn Center with a second
story for dressing rooms and a theater space.
Paulette Caudill, resident, asked if there was a master plan for the rest of the facilities in the city.
She suggested that perhaps a city -wide use master plan be created for the best use of all city
resources.
Bill McCaverty, Chairman of Recreation and Parks Commission, stated that the many
recommendations were appreciated and the Commission wanted to reflect the community's
desires when making a recommendation to the Council.
Council discussed the input received from the community. Council stated that they were very
receptive to community feelings and were trying to do the right thing for everyone concerned.
Noted that moving the proposed gym to another sight might be a good resolution. A master plan
for all the parks may be considered, and maybe there could be a better use for other parks. With
the input from the Community Center Public Workshop, Council felt they could bring all the
suggestions together and come up with a feasible plan.
ADJOURNMENT at 8:40 p.m.
l tA'c/Vt i
Cindy ortesen, City Clerk