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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/13/2005 CALLED TO ORDER ATTENDANCE CITY OF SANTA ANA SANTA ANA RIVER TASK FORCE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 13, 2005 SANTA ANA POLICE DEPARTMENT COMMUNITY ROOM 60 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA SANTA ANA, CA 92702 3:20 P.M. TASK FORCE MEMBERS Present: JOCELYN P. ANDREWS, STEPHANIE BARGER, JIM DONOVAN, STEVE EATON, JUDD GUICE, STEPHEN HART, CECILIA P. IGLESIAS, CHANDRA JOHANNESSON, JEANNIE KIM-HAN, JERRY KING, PATRICIA A. MICHEL, KEN MORRIS, BARBARA L. MUIRHEAD, PATRICIA McGUIGAN, MARY ANNE SKORPANICH, JULIE STROUD, DICK ZEMBAL MEMBERS Absent: FRANK ACOSTA, JUAN GONZALEZ, CAL RIETZEL, KEVIN THOMAS, NAEEM SIDDIQUI, GARY WOOD STAFF Present: SOURI AMIRANI, DAN BOTT, KEVIN EATON, SUZI FURJANIC, BENJAMIN KAUFMAN, PATRICK MITCHELL, GERARDO MOUET, MARTHA NUNEZ, RON ONO, CARLA THOMPKINS ELECTED OFFICIALS Present: NONE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC Present: LANCE M. NATSUHARA FACILITATOR: STEVE PONTELL 1 DECEMBER 13, 2005 SANTA ANA RIVER TASK FORCE MINUTES CONSENT CALENDAR MOTION: Mary Anne Skorpanich SECOND: Pat McGuigan NOES: Jocelyn P. Andrews, Stephanie Barger, Jim Donovan, Steve Eaton, Stephen Hart, Cecilia P. Iglesias, Chandra Johannesson, Jeannie Kim-Han, Jerry King, Ken Morris, Barbara Muirhead, Patricia McGuigan, Mary Anne Skorpanich, Julie Struod None (0) VOTE: AYES: ABSENT: (at voting) Frank Acosta, Juan Gonzales, Judd Guice, Patricia Michel, Cal Rietzel, Naeem Siddiqui, Kevin Thomas, Gary Wood and Dick Zembal 1. MINUTES Approve Minutes of Regular Meeting on December 13, 2005. 2. RECORDING SECRETARY'S REPORT The February 14, 2006 Agenda was posted on the doors of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency Headquarters office and the City Council Chambers on February 10, 2006. I BUSINESS CALENDAR I Dick Zembal arrived at 3:25 p.m. Patricia Michel arrived at 3:30 p_m Judd Guice arrived at 3:43 p.rn. 1. REVIEW OF THE BROWN ACT Benjamin Kaufman, Chief Assistant City Attorney gave a presentation on the Brown Act. A handout was distributed to all attendees. 2. PRESENTATION OF SANTA ANA RIVER MAINSTEM PROJECT Lance Natsuhara, Manager of the Santa Ana River Main Stem Project with the County of Orange made a presentation of the Santa Ana River Mainstem Project. A handout of the presentation was provided to attendees. 3. ORANGE COUNTY FUNDING FOR SANTA ANA RIVER STUDY -Juan Gonzalez Tabled for next meeting. SANTA ANA RIVER TASK FORCE MINUTES 2 DECEMBER 13, 2005 4. REVIEW OF THE SANTA ANA RIVER TOUR Steve PonTell stated the meeting would concentrate on trades and balances, and alternatives/issues to research. Pat McGuigan asked if another field trip could be scheduled and facilitated by the County of Orange. Stephanie Barger stated that she would be willing to facilitate the tour. Executive Director Gerardo Mouet stated that a field trip GOuld be scheduled between January 10, 2006 and March 14,2006. Jerry King asked if a blowup of the Golf Course could be made to make additional space for recreation purposes, opportunities and constraints of the facility. Mary Anne Skorpanich asked what the status of the Fire/Training Facility is. Gerardo Mouet stated it being used as a training facility but it will be developed. At this point, he is not sure what it will be. 5. RIVER IMPROVEMENTS IN OTHER AREAS - Dan Batt Dan Batt gave a presentation of different areas where river improvements have been made by different States. The areas of improvement included San Antonio River, Arkansas River, Spokane River, Rio Salado, and Guadalupe River. A handout of the presentation was provided to attendees. Julie Stroud asked how the Vista Village improvements had affected the river. Dan Batt stated that the flood control maintained its integrity. Jerry King stated that the Army Corps of Engineers are in the process of finishing the Prado Dam and that the Santa Ana River should be looked at as a habitat. Barbara Muirhead stated that water is lacking at the Santa Ana River. Areas visited during the field trip were good but her concern is the Santa Ana River and its lack of water. Pat McGuigan asked if the Pueblo Arkanas has a conservancy project in place after the development of the Pueblo project. Dan Batt stated that the Pueblo Project works closely with the Army Corps of Engineers. In addition, Pat McGuigan stated that natural rain causes a river to rise, and how does Arkansa deal with this system. Dan Batt stated that a continuous system is in place of the wells and recycling water. Ken Morris stated that the Santa Ana River is mainly for control overflow and that Dan's presentation did not present this condition. Protection of property should be taken under consideration and that we need to be careful with what we propose. Patricia Michel asked if we put rocks will that stop the flow of water. Ken Mon i~ responded that it would change the "q" value. SANTA ANA RIVER TASK FORCE MINUTES 3 DECEMBER 13, 21>~5 Stephanie Barger stated that the water flow of the San Diego River is not the same as the Santa Ana River and they are doing good things, nature has survived throughout the years. The Facilitator stated that we needed to concentrate on the alternatives and trade offs. 6. INTRODUCE OPPORTUNITIES ALONG SANTA ANA RIVER The Task Force brainstorm on the different sites of opportunity and balances of activities: a. Uses of the river The Task Force brainstorm on the areas of interest and the elements of possibilities that could be added to these areas. Centennial Park IFire Training Area . Water element Irest stop . Passive open area City of Orange . Joint city project Orange and City of Anaheim (ask developers to set aside funds for the enhancement of the River). . Ask developers to put money aside for development Edna Park . Adjacent to 17'h Street . Recreational area, rest areas and restrooms Edinger Horse Trail . Half acre owned by the County - next to it has strong potential as staging areas . Have to add pedestrian access Elementary School Across the River . Large public restrooms & play area. Work with SAUSD for joint use uniting communities Fairview Triangle . Rest areaNiewing area Ferrall Gas Site . Find out who owns the site - Flood Control owns the land? . Opportunity for pocket parks and common access to trails Forrest Paul . 22 Freeway for smaller staging areas . Garden Grove Blvd. and Memory Lane, potential acquisition . Joint project with Santa Ana and City of Garden Grove MacArthur . Golden Loop trailhead (talk to Southern California Edison) . Restoration . City bike trail connection SANTA ANA RIVER TASK FORCE MINUTES 4 DECEMBER 13. 2005 McFadden Triangle . Rest stops . Restoration Railroad Right-of-Way . Re-establi~h Trussel . Habitat for bats and swallows Willowick Golf Course . Habitat Enhancement . School Joint Use b. Balance of Activities After the areas of opportunities were brainstorm, the Task Force proceeded to list the potential polices of Parks. Small passive parks added along the river Access points Cross overs Parking access Habitats Linkages (other amenities) Signage (River, Small Passive Park, etc.) Landscaping Water Holding - finding places to store water while circulating) Materials Joint use facilities Maintenance Interpretative information Leveraging existing facilities 7. DISCUSSION ON WHAT OTHER AGENCIES ARE DOING IN THE RIVER A list as to what other cities are doing along the river was presented to the task force. Stephanie Barger suggested we contact the City of Huntington Beach to find out what the City is doing along the River. Jeannie Kim-Han stated she needed more information on the policy and goals used by other cities. 8. DISCUSS SHORT-AND LONG-TERM GOALS FOR SANTA ANA RIVER The Facilitator asked everyone what their thoughts were as to how the City viewed the River: Stephanie Barger - she would again like to see it as a river. Jim Donovan - There are sections of the river that can be seen from Orange. Mary Anne Skorpanich - She would like the Orange County Water District to capture every drop. Steve Eaton asked if we could add water to the river from the Go'f Cours" SANTA ANA RIVER TASK FORCE MINUTES 5 DECF.MBER 13, 2QO~ Stephen Hart stated that water can be realized at a lower rate, there can be water throughout the zone. Dick Zembal - In spite of the Water District's efforts, more of the water ends at the ocean. Teaming with the River Park adjacent to the River and there has been a lack of vegetation due to the flood of 190 years ago. Stephen Hart asked if there was a liability assessment. Was it self insured? Lance Natsuhara stated the County is self insured, protection is provided for the facility (flood control). Steve PonTell asked the Committee if it was everyone's consensus of the permanent basic changes - would it be a priority? Julie Stroud what are the opportunities for the green spaces. Is the City planning on developing Willowick? Executive Director Gerardo Mouet stated that eventhough Willowick is located in the City of Santa Ana, it is owned by the City of Garden Grove. Dick Zemba I stated that from the biological diversity point of view, there is a responsibility to maintain. There are people asking for multiple use. A lot can be done, but done realistically. Jeannie Kim-Han stated she was not sure which goals are primary. However, she would like to see more water in the River. Gerardo Mouet stated that a report needs to be compiled stating what could work. It will make it back to City Council as a guide to what needs to be done at the Santa Ana River. Steve PonTell stated that if water could be redirected into the Rive without any danger to the community, would it be a good element to have for the River? May Anne Skorpanich suggested we set long-term goals/ideas. Stephanie Barger stated that we create a mission statement and derive our goals from there. What is going to get us to the mission statement? Julie Stroud asked the why the committee was here, are we being realistic or do we have a wish list? She wants more green space and needs to look at the flow of water and money. The Facilitator sated that everyone needed to look at the conceptual level and not worry about money. This is an opportunity for the Task Force to plan for long term. As a committee, priorities and principals need to be established. Dick Zembal stated that in all planning done at other cities, the first step is to look at what is open and available, and to set a plan aside and policies for those individual areas. SANTA ANA RIVER TASK FORCE MINUTES 6 DECEMBER 13, 2005 The committee brainstormed and revised goals for Santa Ana River. The Facilitator made changes and stated the staff should refine and bring Cl new copy. The foilowing are the refined goals: 1. Identify opportune areas for implementation and Innd acquisition thot beaut,fy the riverfront while protecting privacy, and preserving flood control protection end safety. 2. Seek innovative methods to achieve goals of plan while maintaining a balance between recreation, restoration, water quality and flood protection. 3. Expand and enhance educational programs that reconnect the public to the River. 4. Create trail linkages and staging areas to increase public access and links to other Cities, County and State amenities and expand concessions to increase recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. 5. I ncrease use of river as a non-motor transportation system promoting its status as a National Recreational Trail and enhancing the multiple uses of the River Trail. 6. Use the River to unite the community, to improve property values, and to enhance the image of Santa Ana. 7. Ensure long-term maintenance of Santa Ana River open space improvements. 8. Identify opportunities to restore water to the Santa Ana River and to incorporate water features into open space areas along the River. 9. Ensure that future projects and city policies incorporate the goals. After revising the goals for the River, the Facilitator suggested to Staff that the following chapters be drafted for the draft document and submitted to the Committee for the next meeting: o Principles o Opportunity Walk of the River o What is going to be the policy of the parks along the river. (concepts behind the park and materials) SANTA ANA RIVER TASK FORCE MINUTES 7 DECEMBER 13. 2005 COMMENTS 1. PUBLIC COMMENTS- None 2. TASK FORCE MEMBER COMMENTS Steve Eaton stated he feels the committee is going on two directions Jim Donovan stated he liked the committee had spoken of different alternatives. He felt it would be good if he could achieve the pocket parks. Mary Anne Skorpanich - A conduit for conductivity what other things we are to be connected to. Barbara Muirhead - Agrees with Mary Anne Skorpanich- we need to look at the connectivity we already have. Believes the committee is moving along. Jocelyn Andrews - stated she likes the connectivity concept and making use of what we have. Stephanie Barger- Agrees with the issue of connectivity, right-of-way of mass transit. She would also like to see sand replenishment into the river. Dick Zembal stated that we need a plan that concentrates on maximizing all the open space. Jeannie Kim-Han would like to see the Golden Loop in Santa Ana finished and promote the educational aspect while involving universities, and that the River is to be used by residents and tourists. Cecilia P. Iglesias stated she was happy to be part of the committee and suggested that members of the City of Fountain Valley needed to attend the meetings, and that the SAUSD should send an honor student to attend the meetings if a staff person was not available. Pat McGuigan stated that she represents residents of the west side of the river and is very supportive of the City of Santa Ana for creating the committee. Julie Stroud stated the trussell would be something interesting to open, and that the area by Spurgeon is double, and Memory Lane could be incorporated. Ken Morris stated the Task Force is headed on a positive direction. He reminded everyone of the restrictions along the River. Sometimes things will work and not work along the River. His intent is to attend the meetings and support the City. Patricia Michel stated she likes what she has heard so far and believes the committee can accomplish their task. SANTA ANA RIVER TASK FORCE MINUTES 8 DECEMBER 13, 2005 Jerry King stated we are in our way to enhancing the River and not to lose site of the balance. 3. STAFF COMMENTS: Executive Director Gerardo Mouet thanked everyone for attending. ADJOURNMENT -7:10 P.M. '2J"{2<ci_. 6;/. M rtha Nunez, Rec I'c._ ,,: (>.z~ din~. tary ',./ SANTA ANA RIVER TASK FORCE MINUTES 9 DECEMBER 13, 2005