City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: 02/05/13 Item Number: A-1
PRCS COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM: (Continued from the December 4, 2012 PRCS
Commission Meeting) – (1) Receive and Review Public Input Regarding the
Proposed Fox Hills Park Basketball Court Improvement Project (PZ-960); and (2)
Consideration of a Recommendation to Staff Regarding Implementation of the
Project.
Contact Person/Dept.: Dan Hernandez,
PRCS Director
Phone Number: (310) 253-6655
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification: (Email) Subscribers of Culver City News and Events, Parks, Recreation
& Community Service Department Updates, Meetings and Agendas – Parks, Recreation,
and Community Services Commission, Senior Citizens (01/22/13 and 01/31/13);(Email)
Interested Parties from the 12/04/12 PRCS Commission Meeting (01/22/13 and 01/31/13);
(Email) Fifteen Residents – Fox Hills Park Neighborhood (01/24/13 and 01/31/13); (Email)
Fox Hills Park Neighborhood Association (01/31/13).
Department Approval:Dan Hernandez
(01/30/13).
City Attorney Approval: N/A
Chief Financial Officer Approval: N/A City Manager Approval: N/A
RECOMMENDATION:
This Agenda Item is continued from the December 4, 2012 PRCS Commission
meeting. Staff recommends that the Parks, Recreation and Community Services
(PRCS) Commission(1) receive and review public input regarding the proposed Fox
Hills Park Basketball Court Improvement Project (PZ-960); and (2) consider making
a recommendation to staff regarding implementation of the Project.
BACKGROUND:
Over the past few years, staff has been approached by members of the Fox Hills
community who have requested that local youth have the opportunity to play
regulation youth basketball at the Park. Currently, such play cannot be
accommodated since the basketball court is configured as two half-courts. In past
years, the topics of both basketball and organized youth sports at Fox Hills Park
were high profile issues that sparked spirited debate among area residents.
During the years of 1980 and 1981, there were numerous problems at Fox Hills Park
relating to noise, group size, violation of park rules and excessive use of the
basketball court by drop-in players late into the night. In order to address the
concerns voiced by residents, the City Council voted to relocate the picnic areas,
limit the size of picnic groups, eliminate the basketball hoops and provide more City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
enforcement of park rules. Since that time, measures have been taken to increase
opportunities for organized youth sportsat Fox Hills Park. Below is a summary of
some of the changes that have occurred at the Park over the years:
Date Body Action
07/21/81
PRCS
Commission
A Public Hearing regarding resident complaints at Fox
Hills Park is held.
08/24/81 City Council
Several Council Actions are taken to restore order at the
Park, including the removal of the basketball standards,
an earlier closing time and the prohibition of large
groups/activities.
07/16/96
PRCS
Commission
Sends letter to City Council recommending that
basketball be allowed to resume at Fox Hills Park.
09/24/96
City Council
and PRCS
Commission
During a joint-meeting, the Council directs Commission to
conduct extensive public outreach and hold a public
meeting on the issue.
09/09/97 PRCS
Commission
Hears testimony from the community and once again
recommends that the City Council consider allowing the
resumption of basketball at Fox Hills Park. The
Commission notes the establishment of the Park Patrol
and the development of the Hauptman Hoop Lock as
factors that will mitigate the previous negative impacts to
the neighborhood.
01/12/98 City Council Approves a 90-day trial period for one basketball
standard at Fox Hills Park with play be limited to the
hours of 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and
12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
03/16/98 –
06/13/98
PRCS
Department
90-day trial period held at Fox Hills Park; monitored by
Recreation staff.
06/29/98 PRCS
Commission
Results from the trial period are favorable and the one
half-court is left in the Park to remain open during the
specified hours. A follow-up was scheduled to investigate
adding another half-court.
09/14/98 City Council Approves the addition of another basketball half-court
and the implementation of a Park Permit system at Fox
Hills Park.
September
2000 through
December 2000
City Council The American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) is
allowed to practice on the field at Fox Hills Park for a
limited time due to the closure of the High School fields
for renovations.
06/05/01 PRCS
Commission
Recommends to the City Council that Departmental
sports activities and special events and picnic use by
permit for large groups is allowed at Fox Hills Park.
04/14/03 City Council The City Council approves organized youth sports at Fox
Hills Park on a six-month trial basis. As a result, AYSO is
allowed to practice on the field again.
10/13/03 City Council Approves continuing the permitting of local, organized
youth sports activities at Fox Hills Park.
City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
December 4, 2012 PRCS Commission Meeting
As noted previously, this Agenda Item is continued from the December 4, 2012
PRCS Commission meeting.Extensive public outreach was done to notice the
December 4 discussion: 518 postcardswere mailed to the occupants of residences
adjacent to Fox Hills Park along Buckingham Parkway and Green Valley Circleon
November 13, 2012; emails were sent to over 3,000 subscribers of the City’s email
notification systemon November 21 and 29, 2012; a slide noticing the Agenda Item
appeared on Channel 35/37 from November 26 through December 4, 2012; and,
notices were posted at Fox Hills Park from November 27 through December 4, 2012.
A summary of the public comment received on or before December 4, 2012 is
included on the table in the “Discussion” section of this report.
Also of interest from the December 4 meeting, the following information was culled
from the Park Patrol logs for Fox Hills Park for the twenty-three (23) months from
December 2010 through October 2012. This information, along with the “Calls for
Service Report” below it, seems to indicate that excessive noise and large disruptive
gatherings are no longer issues at Fox Hills Park.
Infraction Logged by Park Patrol Incidences
Dog in Park with Owner/Companion 38
Illegal/Unauthorized Parking 3
Smoking 3
Trainer Using Park for Personal Business 3
Biking 2
Dispute between Patrons 2
No Permit 2
Skateboarding 2
Stray Dog 2
Unauthorized Signs 2
Digging/Metal Detector in Park 1
Dispute between Patron/Staff 1
Golfing 1
Graffiti 1
Improper Use of Water Fountain 1
Personal Grill 1
Soccer on Tennis Courts 1
Tree Climbing 1
Total 67
City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Culver City Police Department Calls for Service Report for
Fox Hills Park: January 1, 2012 – December 4, 2012. Incidences
Noise/Nuisance Complaint relating to a Person or Persons 7
Noise/Nuisance Complaint not relating to a Person or Persons 3
Extra Patrol Requested 3
Marijuana/Drugs 2
Suspicious Person 2
Injured Person (usually related to fire) 2
Animal Control 2
Call/Report to Main Desk 1
Theft 1
Total 23
DISCUSSION:
The Fox Hill Park Basketball Court Improvement Project (PZ-960) was funded and
approved by the City Council during the Fiscal Year 2012/13 Budget Hearings.The
project proposes to convert the existing half-courts at Fox Hills Park to one oversize
full court incorporating two smaller side-by-side youth basketball courts within the
larger court to allow for improved recreational use (Attachment A).
Over the past two years, some City Council members, the PRCS Director and the
Parks Manager have attended Fox Hills Neighborhood Association meetings and
spoken to past and present members of the Association Board and other Fox Hills
neighborhood residents regarding the upcoming project. This evening’s meeting
provides community residents with another opportunity express their views on the
proposed court renovations.
Summary of Public Comment
POSITION on Fox Hills Park Basketball
Court Improvement Project
Recorded
on or before
12/04/12
Recorded
after
12/04/12 TOTAL
Support 1 2 3
Conditional Support – (1) Will support if
hoops are closed and locked after children play
to discourage adult play; (2) Will support if the
activity is regulated / supervised by adults. 2 0 2
Oppose 7 1 8
Conditional Opposition – Oppose if foliage
and habitat are disrupted or destroyed either
during or after construction. 1 0 1
City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
All public comment received by staff during the period December 5, 2012
through5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 29, 2013 regarding the basketball court
renovation is provided as Attachment B. Any public comment on the issue received
since that time will be placed on the dais for the Commissioners and/or be read into
the record at this evening’s meeting.
The Proximity of the Fox Hills Basketball Court to the Nearest Residence
In 1998, staff prepared a memo listing the distance from the basketball courts at
several Culver City park locations to the nearest residence. Staff believes that this
information is still relevant today and may be of interest to Commissioners and the
public:
Distance from Basketball
Court to Nearest Residence
(in feet)
Park or Playground
30' La Ballona Playground
45' Blanco Park
71' Blair Hills Park
87' Lindberg Park
97' Veterans' Memorial Park
110' El Marino Park
145' Culver West Alexander Park
195' Syd Kronenthal Park
278' Fox Hills Park
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
Should the PRCS Commission make a recommendation to staff to proceed with the
implementation of the Fox Hills Park Basketball Park Improvement Project, the
Project will entail purchasing new basketball standards and hiring a contractor to
resurface and re-stripe the court, with the total cost estimated not-to-exceed
$20,000. There are currently sufficient funds available in Account Number
41980000.730100.PZ960 (Park Facilities Fund - Quimby Fees/Fox Hills Park
Basketball Court Renovation)for this expenditure.
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Aerial view of the proposed Fox Hills Park Basketball Court Improvement
Project (PZ-960).
City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
B. Public comment received regarding the Fox Hills Park Basketball Court
Improvement Project from December 5, 2012 through5:30 p.m. on Tuesday,
January 29, 2013.
MOTIONS:
That the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission:
1. Receive and review public input regarding the proposed Fox Hills Park
Basketball Court Improvement Project (PZ-960); and,
2. Make a recommendation to staff to begin implementation of the Project;
OR
3. Provide staff with alternate suggestions.
MEETING DATE: February 5, 2013
AGENDA ITEM: (Continued from the December 4, 2012 PRCS
Commission Meeting) – (1) Receive and Review Public
Input Regarding the Proposed Fox Hills Park Basketball
Court Improvement Project (PZ-960); and (2)
Consideration of a Recommendation to Staff Regarding
Implementation of the Project.
ATTACHMENTS
Pages
A. Aerial view of the proposed Fox Hills Park Basketball Court
Improvement Project (PZ-960).
1
B. Public comment received regarding the Fox Hills Park
Basketball Court Improvement Project from December 5, 2012
through 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 29, 2013.
2 - 3
ATTACHMENT A
Proposed Fox Hills Park Basketball Court Improvement Project (PZ-960)
Page 1
Public Comment Received Regarding
The Fox Hills Park Basketball Court Improvement Project
from December 5, 2012 through 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Page 1 of 2
Emails (3):
*****************
From: BEVERLY POLOKOFF
Sent: Monday, January 28, 2013 6:13 PM
To: Reynolds, Patrick
Subject: Re: Fox Hills Basketball Courts
I spoke to some of the "regulars" in the park today, and no one understands what the
nay-sayers are complaining about. Some of us are in the park every day. If the CC City
Council has approved this project, then the nay-sayers need to convince the Council to
change their vote. If the Council has voted to make these improvements, Parks and
Rec cannot make changes. The issue would need to go back to the Council. So, it
seems to me that they are just "venting" to the Parks and Rec Commission, and they
are out of order.
Beverly Polokoff
A Fox Hills Park Neighborhood Resident
*****************
From: Calvin Liang
Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 3:33 PM
To: Reynolds, Patrick
Subject: Basketball park proposal comment
Hi Patrick – My name is Calvin and I will be a new resident of the beautiful culver city
starting February 3rd 2013. I love basketball so my question to you is where exactly is
this proposed court? And if passed when will it be ready to be played on? Thanks!
Calvin Liang
A Fox Hills Park Neighborhood Resident
ATTACHMENT B
Page 2Public Comment Received Regarding
The Fox Hills Park Basketball Court Improvement Project
from December 5, 2012 through 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Page 2 of 2
From: Tricia Cochee
Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2013 10:35 AM
To: Reynolds, Patrick
Subject: RE: Response Email for Fox Hills Park Basketball Comments
Importance: High
Dear Mr. Reynolds,
I am a long-time Culver City Fox Hills resident - when my family first moved to the Fox
Hills area, the mall was just being built and the park was not even a park yet! Saying all
that to say that we have seen the changes both good and bad and back to good,
through the years. We are aware of the previous problems that have existed at the park
and do not wish to revisit those problems. I understand there is conversation about
making the basketball court an adult full size court. Let me just say that the full name
of Fox Hills park is Fox Hills Mini Park, emphasis on "mini"! It's a small park, not big
enough to be a dog park, which the Fox Hills residents fought on that account, and it's
not big enough or designed to have a full size adult, competition league basketball court
which the Fox Hills residents will fight on this account as well. The park is a family park,
young mothers and fathers play with their children in the park playground, on the grass,
in the paddle tennis courts-when they can get a court- and on the basketball half court.
It is already difficult at times, to get a tennis or paddle tennis court for a "family friendly"
game, so we know that if the basketball court is turned into an adult full size court, that
will be nonexistent for "family friendly", "child/youth friendly" basketball. The parking is
an issue, a big issue. It's already an issue when the children's soccer games are
happening. It's an issue with the tennis and paddle tennis games that are already
happening. It's an issue with the volleyball games that are already happening, even at
night. It's an issue with the residents and the friends and family of residents. It's a big
issue!! Fox Hills residents are already feed up with the parking issue. Saying all that to
say that we would like to keep our Fox Hills Mini park family friendly and the parking
issue to a minimum as much as possible. We have enough activities going on in the
park without full grown men running into older people on the walking path, which is just
right next to the basketball court, there is no separation, no barriers, and we want to
keep it friendly and family oriented park! Thank you!!
Tricia Cochee
Fox Hills Resident
Page 3