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Following that public hearing, the Council approved Option A which calls for undergrounding of the drainage swale running through Lions Wayside Park. The Council concurred with the Parks and Recreation Commission regarding recommendations to repurpose the granite blocks currently found within the drainage swale and to extend the paved plaza area up to Railroad Avenue. The Council also provided direction to staff and consultants to work to create a noteworthy entryway into both parks and the downtown area. In response to this direction and in order to emphasize the aspects of the park that were important to the community, Parks and Recreation Commission and City Council, several elements included in the original schematic diagrams were eliminated. These include the rose garden and children's adventure play area. Richard Larson, Landscape Architect, provided a brief overview of the Downtown Parks and Trail Master Plan, the goals of which are reflected in the Master Plan being presented for the Council's consideration. He stressed the key points of the proposed plan, which call for integration of the Firehouse Arts Center into the parks, improvement and relocation of the existing bandstand to accommodate a larger audience area, expansion of the great lawn area, and establishing the parks as a gateway to the downtown area. He briefly reviewed the proposed schematics in Lions Wayside Park, describing how the relocated bandstand and paved plazas serve to integrate the Firehouse Arts Center into the park. He also reviewed proposed changes at Delucchi Park, at which the major function in terms of active use is to support the activities of the farmer's market coming off of West Angela Street. Improvements include expanded lawn and paving areas, a revamped parking area and direct pedestrian access to the major activity centers within the two parks. Councilmember Brown asked how it was decided to completely remove the children's play structure. Mr. Larson explained that based on the direction and feedback received, the primary functions of the park seemed to be prevailing more towards an informal use or audience area than the formal uses that come with a more active play area. He said it also related in part to the fact no one location seemed particularly appropriate for such a use, either impinging on the predominate uses or being too far from those uses to allow for appropriate parental supervision. Councilmember Brown asked and Mr. Larson confirmed that the area around the eucalyptus tree is bioswale, composed of native grasses, and could accommodate light play although that is not its design. Councilmember Narum asked if Mr. Larson felt the great lawn area had been maximized to the fullest extent possible. Mr. Larson said he felt it was maximized to its most functional level and estimated an increase of at least 50% over its current size. He explained that in addition to the formalized audience area, which includes grading changes to encourage visibility, the informal rough lawn, existing plaza, new plaza and potentially the area between the streets all present viewing opportunities during a concert. Mayor Thorne opened the item for public comment. Matt Morrison recalled that during its review in July 2013, the Council indicated a general preference for minimizing the volume of trees within the great lawn area. He noted, however, that under the current dry conditions some of the only green areas left are those situated under high canopy trees. Based on the likelihood of the public enjoying food and beverages in this area regularly, he cautioned against the use of reclaimed water for irrigation and therefore consider the Council consider the strategic placement of some trees to maintain a more efficient, pleasant and usable green space. Mayor Thorne closed public comment. City Council Minutes Page 4 of 8 October 7,2014