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PRCSC - Discussion of the Turf Consultant’s Report on Park Fields in Culver City and the Findings of the Report Presented at the November 5, 2019 Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission Meeting.
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Meeting Date: December 3, 2019
Contact Person/Dept: Corey Lakin/PRCS-Administration
Phone Number: (310) 253-6682
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification: (Email) Meetings and Agendas - Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission (11/26/19); (Email) Parks, Recreation & Community Service Department Updates (11/26/19); (Website Posting) PRCS Department Homepage (11/12/19)
Department Approval: Corey Lakin, PRCS Director (11/26/19)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) Commission discuss the Turf Consultant’s Report on Park Fields in Culver City (Attachment 1) and the findings of the Report presented at the November 5, 2019 PRCS Commission Meeting (Attachment 2).
BACKGROUND
The importance of commissioning a report by a professional turf consultant has been highlighted over the past several months by community members, the PRCS Commission and staff. The dynamic relationship between field and grounds maintenance practices and the types of activities that take place on park fields in Culver City has been the focus of ongoing discussions. At the January 17, 2018 Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) Commission meeting, PRCS Commissioners requested that staff bring back an agenda item on adult sports in Culver City parks. On February 6, 2018, the Commission received an informational item regarding fields and grounds maintenance from Parks Manager /City Landscape Architect Patrick Reynolds. The report included a Seasonal Maintenance Matrix and a Field Maintenance Overview. During the discussion, the issue of the long-standing prohibition of adult soccer in Culver City parks was raised. Commission Members expressed an interest in gaining a better understanding the background and implications of this prohibition.
The initial discussion regarding the use of field space for adult sports was originally scheduled at the March 21, 2018 PRCS Commission Special Meeting. However, it was determined that in order to increase the level of public engagement, the item would be postponed, more outreach would be done, and the discussion would be held at one of the City’s park and/or recreation facilities. As part of a separate discussion during the March 21st meeting, the Commissioners decided to include the PRCS Director’s suggestion to ask for funding for a Turf Consultant’s report in the letter to the City Council outlining the PRCS Commission’s Fiscal Year 2018/2019 PRCS Department Budget recommendations. Specifically, the letter delivered to the City Council in April 2018 requested $50,000 for a “Turf Consultant to provide recommendations and estimated costs to improve and maintain turf to accommodate all community needs.” During the Budget process, staff was able to identify previously allocated funding that could be used to commission a Turf Consultant’s report thereby eliminating the need for additional funding.
After extensive public outreach, the PRCS Community held a Special Meeting on May 15, 2018 in the Rotunda Room of the Veterans Memorial Building to discuss the use of field space for adult sports in Culver City Parks. The meeting emphasized community input and was held using a workshop format. Several topics, issues, questions, and recommendations were raised at that meeting. The PRCS Commissioners sought additional clarification to a few items and asked that a representative of the City Attorney’s Office be invited to a future meeting to receive additional information and seek answers to some of the Commissioners’ questions.
In response to the Commissioner’s request, Assistant City Attorney Heather Baker attended August 7, 2018 PRCS Commission meeting and responded to questions during the discussion on the use of field space for adult sports. Topics that were covered included a general discussion of the current park prohibitions, the Culver City Municipal Code as it relates to the prohibition of adult soccer and other activities and the possibility of updating the signage in the parks. As part of a separate discussion during the August 7th meeting, an Ad Hoc Subcommittee was formed to review and provide potential recommended updates to the Culver City Municipal Code related to parks and facilities under the purview of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department. The members of that Ad Hoc Subcommittee are Chair Mohammed and Commissioner Rickards.
DISCUSSION
Earlier this year, the City of Culver City entered into an agreement with PRZ Sports Turf Consulting to conduct and assessment of park fields in Culver City and publish the findings in a report. After extensive public outreach, The Turf Consultant’s Report on Park Fields in Culver City was discussed at the November 5, 2019 PRCS Commission meeting (Attachment 1). At that meeting, Mr. Larry Musser, President of PRZ Sports Turf Consulting presented his findings (Attachment 2) and held an in-depth discussion with the Commissioners, staff and meeting attendees (please see the draft meeting minutes on the Consent Agenda). The Commissioners reached consensus that during future meetings they would continue to discuss Mr. Musser’s findings and the next steps in addressing the implications of these findings.
FISCAL ANALYSIS - There is no fiscal impact associated with this discussion.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2019-12-03 - ATT 1 Turf Consultant’s Report on Park Fields in Culver City
2. 2019-12-03 - ATT 2 Turf Consultant’s 11-05-2019 Presentation
MOTION - None required for a Discussion Item.