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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 1996 0417 CC REG ITEM 10D- ITEM 10' •I MOO "ARK, �J6co (r- CITY OF MOORPARK _7__ AGENDA REP "' i �� 199Z C'TION: TO: The Honorable City Council - ,'t FROM: Christine Adams, Director of Community Services DATE: March 14, 1996 (Meeting of April 3, 1996) SUBJECT: Consider Parks and Recreation Commission Recommended Priority List of Improvements for Phase II of Arroyo Vista Community Park and Recreation Center SUMMARY: The Parks and Recreation Commission has completed a five month process exploring the possible alternative park features to be included in Phase II of Arroyo Vista Community Park. This report summarizes the Commission's recommendation, and provides the Council with additional information, prepared by staff. BACKGROUND: The City Council adopted a set of goals and objectives for the City in July, 1995 for 1995/96. As part of the goals for the Community Services Department, the Council directed that staff "develop a proposed funding plan and recommended priorities for completion of Arroyo Vista Community Park, and reconcile phasing plans with conceptual master plan." On September 20, 1995, staff presented the City Council with an action plan to address this goal, which was approved by the City Council. This action plan included six steps: 1. As a Commission, create a possible "wish list" of park features and elements for further exploration. This list would not necessarily be contingent upon available funding. Instead, the list would consist of features that the Commission has deemed important to include, which, in their opinion, would best meet the current and future needs of Moorpark. 2. Invite community residents, including representatives from neighborhoods, community groups, and sports groups to future Commission meetings, to provide input as to perceived recreational and leisure needs in Moorpark. 3. Take the "wish list" developed by staff and compare it to the feedback provided by the community, and develop a merged list of features for consideration. Some items 1 000081 or features may drop off the list at this point in the process for lack of support by the commission and /or the public. 4. Staff will identify approximate costs of those features still on the list, and provide this information to the Commission. Staff will also endeavor to project anticipated revenue for the Park Improvement Fund for community park purposes to be received from anticipated development. 5. Utilizing this merged list with approximate costs, the Commission will prepare a final recommendation of Phase II improvements for the City Council to consider and prioritize. The Commission should address how funding should be allocated, based on an established priority list. 6. Upon development of a final priority list, the City Council may consider contracting with a landscape architect to develop a new conceptual design for the undeveloped 30 acres of the park and /or a design for the additional improvements in Phase I, depending on the outcome of the public meetings and the prioritized list of improvements. To date, the Commission has completed Action Steps #1 - #5. Staff has provided cost estimates for park features that were determined to be a priority by the Commission to be improved in the next one to three years. Staff is still researching costs for those items listed as priorities for improvement in the next three to ten years. The Parks and Recreation Commission began hearing public testimony from residents in December, 1995, regarding the public's desire for specific features in Arroyo Vista Community Park. This topic was an agenda item for three months, to insure that all interested persons would have an opportunity to provide input. Based on the public input, and with additional information provided by staff, the Commission has prepared a proposed list of park features, listed in priority order, for the City Council to consider. The priority list, recommended by the Parks and Recreation Commission is as follows: Short Term Improvements ( 1 - 3 Years) 1. Youth Football (With assistance from Packer Football) (Temporary Field) 2. Pave Access Road 3. Multi- purpose Court Lighting 2 00111512 4. Tennis Courts ( 2 - 4 ) 5. Pave Parking Lots #2 and #3 6. Furnish Kitchen Intermediate Improvements ( 3- 5 Years) 1. Lights for Diamonds #2 and #3. 2. More and Possibly Larger Picnic Shelters 3. Soccer Field Lighting 4. Third Softball Diamond 5. Additional Parking 6. Balance of play equipment in existing play area 7. Teen Center 8. Other playground locations and equipment 9. Basketball Court Lines on Multi- purpose court, and basketball poles and rims (8 total) (With assistance from MBA) Long Term Improvements ( 5 - 10 years) 1. Exercise Jogging Course 2. Phase II - Gymnasium, Plus Shower / Locker Facility adjacent to Gym. 3. Aquatics Complex 4. Tennis Courts ( 4 - 8 ) 5. Sand Volleyball 6. Horseshoes . 7. Band Shell (Permanent Outdoor Stage) 8. Lawn Bowling The Commission recommended removing the proposed lake and the passive picnicking and paths from the current plan. Also not included was a proposal for an archery area that was brought forward by a Moorpark senior. Upon Council adoption of the prepared priority list, staff will be recommending that funds be appropriated in 1996/97 to contract with a landscape architect to prepare a revised park design for Phase II of Arroyo Vista Community Park. As this plan is being prepared, staff will also move forward with researching cost estimates for all proposed park features, and future anticipated funding sources for park improvements. Staff estimates that there will be approximately $100,000 in the Community Zone for park improvements at Arroyo Vista Community Park in 1996/97. In their review of the improvements for Arroyo Vista Community Park, three issues became a critical part of the Commission's discussion. Staff is including background on the discussion on each of these issues for the Council's information. Moorpark Packer Youth Football gave testimony at the Commission meeting in December, requesting that the Commission consider the inclusion of land set aside to provide Packer Football with a permanent location for their practice and playing fields. This request was made since the School District had notified the organization that the District was moving forward with their plans to sell the property of the old community high school to a developer. In March, Packer Football had received new information from the District, which indicated that there would be no available fields for the football program in 1996, as grading of the property would begin during the summer. After researching other alternative locations, the organization approached staff and made a presentation to the Commission that Packer Football would donate labor and materials to improve six acres to the immediate east of the developed park area for a temporary football field and practice area. Staff supported this proposal. Even if a new conceptual park design is developed by a landscape architect, the inclusion of these developed six acres fits into the previous park plan, and would allow the City to expand their sports turf area at Arroyo Vista Community Park, without additional capital expenses. The Commission also supported this proposal, and ranked it as their number one priority improvement for Arroyo Vista Community Park. This donation was approved by the City Council at a special meeting on March 13. Construction work began on March 23. Multi - Purpose Court When the funds were appropriated by the Council for the construction of a 20,000 sq. ft. concrete court, the Council specified that the Court be developed so that there could be the potential for "multiple use ", that is, a variety of activities could use the court. When a.private organization stepped forward in 1995 to install permanent roller hockey side boards, in exchange for exclusive use of the court for roller hockey leagues and games, the City Council rejected the offer, indicating there previous position on a "multi -use" facility. The City invested in portable side boards and goals, and in January of 1996, began offering roller hockey leagues for youth and adults. The first league had a total registration of 75 youth. In order to extend the hours of use of the court, the Commission recommended the inclusion of court lighting at this location, and this is one of their priority items as well. At the Commission meeting in February, 1996, Moorpark Basketball Association gave testimony to the Commission regarding their organization's need for more basketball courts, especially those that would be available for evening practices during their season. Moorpark Basketball Association has made financial contributions to the improvement of the Boys and Girls Club gym over the past three years, which benefited the club as well as the basketball program. Moorpark Basketball Association has made an offer to the City to add a different color basketball court striping and the installation of eight (8) basketball poles, boards, and rims to the multi - purpose court at Arroyo Vista Community Park, at no cost to the City. The total donation would be phased over two years, at an estimated total contribution of $10,000. MBA has offered to install all court striping and install four (4) of the eight poles, backboards and rims during 1996/97, with the remaining work to be completed in 1997/98. The Parks and Recreation Commission rejected this proposal as a high priority, stating that adding basketball usage on the court would dilute the ability for the City's roller hockey program to grow. Staff feels that with the inclusion of court lighting, the hours of use can be extended and both sports could be accommodated on the multi -use court. It would be staff's responsibility to appropriately schedule both activities on the court. Staff is recommending that the City Council accept the donation by Moorpark Basketball Association and work with the organization in scheduling the installation. Currently, MBA pays the City a use fee for their use of the gymnasium during their season for practice and games, of approximately $1,700. MBA would need to work with staff to schedule the outside court during their season, but would not be charged for court rental, except for hourly light charges. Tennis In December, 1995, and at the next three Commission meetings, the Moorpark Tennis Club gave testimony to the Commission regarding the need for additional tennis courts in Moorpark. Currently, the Tennis Club, which has been in operation for three years and has a membership of 240 residents, is utilizing the tennis courts at Tierra Rejada Park and at Moorpark College for their tournaments. The Tennis Club provided information to the Commission regarding the popularity of the sport, and the benefits of the sport. Their proposal in December requested that the City build, at its own cost, eight (8) tennis courts at Arroyo Vista Community Park, and pro shop, which the Tennis Club would maintain, operate, and collect fees for lessons and playing time. The net proceeds from these proposed fees would be returned to the City as additional park revenue. Staff was not supportive of this proposal for two reasons. The first involves the high capital investment on the part of the City. Staff estimates that an eight court complex, with a pro shop could cost the city over $400,000, or more. The Tennis Club's proposal in December, identified a net return annually to the City of $22,000. The City currently offers tennis lessons at Tierra Rejada Park on an on -going basis. Since 1993 enrollment in the tennis classes has fallen off. If part of the net proceeds are to be derived from tennis instruction, provided by the Tennis Club, staff feels that the estimated return figure is unrealistically high. (Staff has also learned that in the last year, Oakridge Fitness Center in Simi Valley tore down all of their tennis facilities and racketball facilities to expand their parking lot areas. A representative from Oakridge informed staff that racket sports were not drawing large number of participants as they had in the late 19801s.) The second objection by staff of this proposal has to do with how the annual proceeds would be raised. The Tennis Club offered to maintain and operate the proposed tennis complex, but would do so by charging "membership dues" and charging fees for court time to non - members. Other revenue would be derived from pro shop profits, tennis lessons, tennis camps, and tournaments. The total proposed yearly costs and revenue is attached at the end of this report. Staff is concerned about limiting use through membership for any public facility. The use of tennis courts should be free to all residents, and not be restricted to only those with the ability to pay. 6 Since December, the Tennis Club has attended other Commission meetings, and has modified their initial proposal. At the meeting of the Commission in February, the club requested that the City build one tennis court and the Tennis Club would build a second court at Arroyo Vista Community Park in 1996/97. Staff recommended, in a staff report prepared for the Commission in February, that inclusion of funds for a tennis court be delayed until at least 1997/98. At that time, the Tennis Club would be able to have a year to demonstrate their ability to raise funds (approximately $50,000) for one court, and the City would have a new conceptual design of the park, and where the tennis courts would best be sited at the park. The Moorpark Tennis Club has indicated that they would like a commitment at this time, from the City, that the City is interested in pursuing the construction of additional tennis courts, in order that the club can begin fundraising efforts. The Commission rejected the staff's proposal and recommended to include $30,000 for one tennis court in 1996/97 in their recommended park improvement list that will be forwarded to the City Council as part of the budget process. The Commission further indicated that the court should not be built by the City until the Moorpark Tennis Club provides the funds for their proposed court. The $30,000 proposed by the Commission is based on an estimate that the Tennis Club received from a qualified contractor. However, the price quoted in this estimate, did not include necessary grading, drainage, electrical work, water lines, and other infrastructure work required for the proposed court(s). Including these costs, staff feels that a minimum of $50,000 is a more realistic cost estimate for the construction of a tennis court, with fencing, screens, nets, court surfacing and striping, and lights. In any event, staff does not support the Commission's recommendation for the inclusion of a tennis court as part of the park improvement schedule for 1996/97, for reasons stated above. Finally, it should be made clear that staff is supportive of the inclusion of additional tennis courts in Moorpark, and supports the inclusion of four to eight courts in the conceptual re- design of Arroyo Vista Community Park, that is being proposed. However, tennis court construction is permanent, and staff feels that this type of improvement should be deferred until the revised conceptual plan of the park is completed. Staff informed the Commission that the Specific Plan for the Carlsberg development includes a neighborhood park, which indicates the inclusion of two tennis courts. This improvement could meet and satisfy some of the concerns regarding the lack of tennis courts in Moorpark. 0000817 CONCLUSION The Parks and Recreation Commission has completed its task of developing a priority list of park features for Arroyo Vista Community Park to recommend for consideration to the City Council. Staff is supportive of the priority list for the Short Term Improvements, listed earlier in this report. Staff will be recommending the inclusion of the multi -use court lighting, the asphalt paving of the access road, the contracting of a landscape architect for a conceptual design of Phase II of the park, as well as accepting the donation from Moorpark Basketball Association for the improvements for the multi -use court, to the City Council as part of the budget process for 1996/97. Staff will also forward the recommendation by the Commission for one lighted tennis court to be included in 1996/97 Park Improvement budget at Arroyo Vista Community Park, but staff is not supportive of this recommendation. Staff is also working on a report concerning a Teen Center. Staff anticipates recommending that funding be appropriated in 1996/97 for a modular building to be placed at Arroyo Vista Community Park, near the Recreation Center. This recommendation will be submitted with the budget and will include additional information regarding current and future teen programs. RECOMMENDATION 1) Review the Priority List of Park Improvements for Phase II of Arroyo Vista Community Park, as recommended by the Parks and Recreation Commission; 2) Consider adoption of Priority List with recommended changes by staff (i.e. deferring tennis court construction until after revised conceptual design is completed, acceptance of donated MBA improvements in 1996/97, and moving Teen Center up in order of priority to Short Term Improvements); and 3) Direct staff to advertise for Receipt of Bids for a qualified landscape architect to develop a conceptual design for Phase II of Arroyo Vista Community Park, which would incorporate the priority list of Park Improvements as adopted by the City Council. (Funds to be appropriated in 1996/97) Attachment: Moorpark Tennis Club Proposal 00 MOORPARK TENNIS CLUB /CITY OF MOORPARK TENNIS COMPLEX PROPOSAL A. OVERVIEW I. The City of Moorpark has a severe shortage of tennis courts. There are only 3 unlighted courts at Tierra Rejada Park and 6 poorly lighted courts at Moorpark College with limited availability. 2. There is a need for a place for youth to gather and have supervised activities after school. 3. We propose that the City of Moorpark build an eight court lighted complex with the Moorpark Tennis Club assisting the city in the daily operation while providing a steady stream of revenue for the city. B. ADVANTAGES 1. Will provide a daily supervised afterschool youth program and numerous other youth programs. 2. MTC provides the maintenance of the facility. 3. Security is enhanced and vandalism is reduced. 4. Reservation system for courts. 5. Increased tennis opportunity for all tennis players. 6. Lessons provided. 7. Provide steady stream of revenue to city for other programs. 8. Fulfills the city's need for more tennis courts. 9. Will bring visitors and revenue to city. C. DISADVANTAGES 1. A small fee charged for play —for people who cannot afford fee for play, the 3 courts at Tierra Rejada Park are available. A HISTORY I. The youth of the community have very limited activities and this complex will provide a place for them to enjoy a supervised after school tennis program. This facility can provide a place to gather, a place to play, a place to have a soda and talk, and a place to practice tennis in a wholesome, supervised atmosphere. 2. The City of Moorpark has only 3 unlighted courts. 3. Moorpark College has 6 courts that are available to the public during daylight hours when not being used by the college. 4. Presently there are no tennis courts available where you can reserve a court time. This creates disintegration within the tennis community. Players are going to others cities and clubs to get their tennis in. 5. Many communities use local tennis clubs to assist in the operation of their tennis programs. Examples are Oxnard, Port Hueneme, San Diego, Burbank and Calabasas. 6. Using local tennis clubs to assist in the operation of the tennis facilities, tennis programs change character instead of requiring city funds and resources. They provide a self perpetuating program that provides income for the city to use on other programs. E. SCOPE OF OPERATIONS 1. The city will build the facility with fundraising assistance from MTC. When complete, MTC will enter into a rent or lease back agreement to assist the city in the operation of the complex. 2. MTC will establish the "Moorpark Tennis Academy" for an after school youth program. It will operate from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. MTC will subsidize this program. The cost will be $1.00 per hour. 3. MTC will implement a "Tennis for Tots" program for kids ages 6 -8 to teach essential basic skills for beginning tennis players. This program will also be subsidized by MTC. 4. MTC will provide a "Summer Tennis Camp" which is a series of two -week tennis camps for area youth in the summer during the hours of 9:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. 5. MTC will provide USTA Junior league play for boys and girls in established age divisions and skill levels. 6. MTC will provide league tennis for men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles, mixed doubles and seniors. 7. MTC will make every effort to host at least two Ventura Count Juniors tournaments. y 8. MTC will set up a court reservation system in 11/2 hour blocks to insure participants of court time. 9. MTC will make every effort to host two Ventura County Grand Prix Tennis tournaments. 10. MTC will operate a small administration building to house the storage of equipment, reservation system, small pro shop, and provide snacks and soft drinks. Hours of operation will be 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., 7 days a week, except during inclement weather. We may close at 9:00 p.m. during winter months. 11. MTC will seek individual and corporate sponsorship to help defray construction costs. MTC will conduct an aggressive fundraising that will honor tennis complex donors with permanent displays. 000090. F. YOUTH PROGRAMS 1. MTC will conduct daily, supervised after school tennis clinics. Instructors will conduct tennis instruction, drills, and organized play during the school year. The clinic will be open as soon as school is out and run until 5 or 5:30 p.m. This should be a great aid to families where both parents work. Instruction will be tailored to all ages and skill levels. Cost will be $1.00 per hour. For financially disadvantaged students, there will be no charge. 2. Financially disadvantaged youth will be given free of charge, a youth membership in the tennis club, and as such will enjoy all the privileges of paid membership. MTC will work with the city of Moorpark, the Moorpark police department, the school district and the Moorpark Boys and Girls Club to identify disadvantaged youth to work with. 3. The youth programs will be advertised in local papers, flyers, recreation bulletins and in the schools to ensure all youth are aware of the programs. 4. MTC will collect used rackets and balls from members to provide necessary equipment for youth who do not possess the required items. 5. Fees charged for play, instruction, membership and pro shop profits are a necessity to provide the revenue to MTC to fund the youth programs. The fees also provide the revenue to periodically resurface the courts, replace windscreens and nets, and provide onsite personnel to insure security and prevent vandalism. MTC is of the opinion that organized, scheduled and supervised tennis training is vastly superior to just having a court available for youth to play on. As skills and knowledge increase so does the self esteem of the youth. G. PROPOSED FEE STRUCTURE Membership: entitles a member to reserve a 1 1/2 hour long court time as often as desired. Youth: up to age 18 yrs. $ 75.00 per year Adult: 18 yrs. & over $150.00 per year Family: $250.00 per year 2. Court fees for non - members: Youth: up to age 18 yrs. $2.00 for 1 1/2 hours Adult: 18 yrs. & over $5.00 for 11/2 hours Senior: 55 yrs. & over $4.00 for 11/2 hours 3. Tennis instruction will continue at the same rates currently being charged by the city. The Moorpark Tennis Academy (after school youth program) will be subsidized by the club. Cost will be $1.00 per hour payable monthly. The "Tennis for Tots" program will also be subsidized. 000091. H. PROPOSED YEARLY COSTS AND REVENUE First ear Memberships 75 youth @ $75 /year $ 5,625.00 150 adult @ $150 /year 22500.00 70 family @ $250 /year 17500.00 Total: 295 memberships $45,625.00 Non - member court fees 2000 @ $5 /adult $10,000.00 800 @ $2 /youth 1,600.00 1,000 @ $4 /senior 4,000.00 Total: $15,600.00 Pro Shop Profit Instruction $ 8,000.00 Tennis for Tots 36,480.00 Moorpark Tennis Academy 1326.00 12 800.00 (after school youth program) Youth Tennis Camp 15 000.00 Tournaments ' $6,400.00 Total revenue: $1419255.00 Costs Labor Instructors $59,000.00 Insurance 39,520.00 Electricity /Utilities 3,000.00 Maintenance 11,000.00 Misc. 1,000.00 1,000.00 Equipment Reserve for maintenance 1,000.00 3,000.00 Total cost $118,520.00 Total revenue to city $ 22 705.00 Second year revenue $31,830.00 Third year revenue $42,780.00 +:� MOORPARK TENNIS CLUB-ARROYO VISTA PARK 2101 ATELIER Architecture & Planning 505- 529 -3467 An -1 "�y R N�_' 1, 72.1 0 0 - -PATIO CL( )RrVE- -