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Ms. McGovern would like to move forward with the open space area west of <br />.... 680, but has not heard any discussion regarding the knoll area. She asked if that was <br /> because it was to remain unchanged? <br /> <br /> Mr. Rasmussen responded that the Phase I specific plan indicated it was to <br /> remain open space with the exception of a special use park, such as a tot lot for the <br /> residents in the immediate area. <br /> <br /> Ms. McGovem liked the idea of bocce ball courts and horseshoe pits spread <br /> throughout the park. She supported the idea of one or two all weather fields <br /> somewhere in the park. She wanted more information on pedestrian/bicycle paths in <br /> the area. The people would feel this was less of a sports park and more of a multi-use <br /> park if they could see those trails. Many people she has talked to seem to think the City <br /> has a financial surplus and that as soon as the specific plan is adopted, construction will <br /> start immediately on all the components of the park. She asked staff to clarify what <br /> funding is really available. <br /> <br /> Mr. Fialho said there is less than $7 million set aside for this project. About $4.5 <br /> million is currently dedicated for the thirteen-acre Phase I sports fields. That leaves <br /> very little left for the remaining components on about three hundred acres. It will take <br /> quite a bit of saving over time or some comprehensive funding strategy to improve that <br /> site in the short term. <br /> <br />- - Ms. McGovern agreed with other members to remove Plans B, C and E. <br /> <br /> Mr. Sullivan expressed interest in moving the cultural arts center to the northeast <br /> corner and liked the suggestion for Mr. Fotheringham to develop a proposed design <br /> before making a final decision. He did have concems about parking along the frontage <br /> of Bernal Avenue. He felt some creativity was necessary to hide the parking. He noted <br /> there is a black box theater planned for downtown and at the same time this plan <br /> proposes a theater near downtown. He wondered if that could be a conflict. He liked <br /> the opportunity to have a teen center near the arts center and wondered if that would be <br /> lost by moving the arts center to the northeast corner. He was concerned about having <br /> a seven-story theater building near downtown. He would like to see elevations or some <br /> computer generated visuals. He felt it was great the sports and arts groups worked <br /> together, but wished they had consulted with the neighbors. He believed Plan A, <br /> without the ACE station, was the best plan. He had serious concerns about an <br /> amphitheater next to the neighborhood and suggested moving it somewhere else. The <br /> neighborhood should be involved in that planning. He favored a less intensely used <br /> park, more natural and spread out, with a creek going through it. He wanted to leave <br /> options for tennis courts or basketball courts. He liked the idea of an all weather field, <br /> but not to the exclusion of casual use. There should not be a sports park that no one <br /> can use unless they are on a sports team. He also supported eliminating Plans B, C <br /> and E. He wanted to maximize the open space. He did not believe this is the right <br /> place for an ACE train station. The EIR will have to consider that alternative, but he <br /> preferred it to be elsewhere. He believed Measure V specified that everything on the <br /> Bernal property was to be open for public use and questioned including a private youth <br /> <br /> Joint Workshop <br /> City Council and Parks and Recreation Commission <br /> 11 05/12/05 <br /> <br /> <br />