CITY OF CRESCENT CITY
Mayor Isaiah Wright Mayor Pro Tem Blake Inscore
'ouncil Member Raymond Altmal Council Member Jason Greenough Council Member Kelly Schellon
Chairman John Wendt Vice-Chairman Ray Walp
Commissioner Betsy Dewar Commissioner Brad Kime Commissioner Candace Tinkler AGENDA
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND
PLANNING COMMISSION
WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY
210 BATTERY STREET
CRESCENT CITY, CA 95531
MONDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2023 6:00 P.M.
OPEN SESSION
City Council Call to order Mayor Wright called the meeting to order for the City Council at 6:07 p.m.
Planning Commission Call to Order Chairman Wendt called the meeting to order for the Planning Commission at 6:07 p.m.
City Council Roll call Council Members present: Council Member Ray Altman, Council Member Jason Greenough, Council Member Kelly Schellong, Mayor Pro Tem Blake Inscore, and Mayor Isaiah Wright
Staff present: City Manager Eric Wier, City Attorney Martha Rice, City Clerk/Administrative Analyst Robin Altman, Public Works Director Dave Yeager, Economic Development and Recreation Director Ashley Taylor, Public Works Maintenance Manager Jason Wylie, and Police Chief Richard Griffin
Planning Commission Roll Call Commissioners present: Commissioner Betsy Dewar, Commissioner Candace Tinkler, Vice-Chairman Ray Walp, anc Chairman John Wendt
Commissioner absent: Commissioner Brad Kime
Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Wright
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
There were no comments from the public.
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PLANNING COMMISSION CEREMONIAL ITEMS
1. Oath of Office for Planning Commissioner Candace Tinkler City Clerk Robin Altman administered the Oath of Office to incoming Planning Commissioner, Candace Tinkler.
CITY COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
2. Letter of Support for Harbor District's Application for Coastal Conservancy • Recommendation: Authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of support to the Crescent City Harbor District for their grant application through the Coastal Conservancy to repair Citizen's Dock
On a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Inscore, seconded by Council Member Schellong and carried unanimously on a 5-0 polled vote, the City Council of the City of Crescent City authorized the Mayor to sign a letter of support to the Crescent City Harbor District for their grant application through the Coastal Conservancy to repair Citizen's Dock
NEW BUSINESS
3. Beachfront Park General Development Plan
• Recommendation: Hear staff report
• Technical questions from the Council and Commission
• Receive public comment
• Further Council and Commission discussion
• Planning Commission: Consider and recommend the approval of the Beachfront Park General Development Plan
• City Council: Consider and approve the Beachfront Park General Development Plan City Manager Wier gave the background of the Beachfront Park Master Plan and the funding that has been awarded for the project. Within the Request for Proposals was the requirement to do a General Development Plan, and GreenWorks was selected for the Plan. Their design team includes Sea Reach, Abbate Designs, and Stover Engineering. Paul Agrimis, of GreenWorks, gave a detailed presentation of the design and how they took inspiration from the local scenery and landscape. He went over the process to create the General Development Plan and that the project will now include the S Curves all the way to Battery Point Lighthouse, which will have an audio story and kiosk. The Park's design includes the Tolowa story piece as well as the Sister City relationship with Rikuzentakata and the story of the boat Kamome. He further reported that funding has been secured to allow for the amphitheater element. Regarding the Cultural Center, the front is being revisioned to make the entrance ground level and the front being all glass. The concrete will be imprinted with traditional Tolowa designs. Susan Jurasz of SeaReach LTD described having outdoor exhibits that will explain to visitors what they can do within the Park, in the city and places close by to explore. Mr.
Agrimis went on to explain the inclusive playground which will be included in the expansion of Kid Town; City Manager Wier went over the maintenance of the playground area. He further stated that in order to get the entire Park done with all of the elements, it would be $50 million, the available funds for the project currently is $8 million. Staff is seeking direction on what are the priorities the Commission and Council have for the Park elements. City Manager Wier stated that the following elements will be developed over the course of time: Sister City piece, Tolowa Coastal Stories, amphitheater and the pump track. The first element to come out will be the pump track and designs for the track will be presented next summer. Vice Chair Walp asked if there was a final rendition of the amphitheater and how soon will it be available for use; Mr. Agrimis stated there is only a working rendition and construction schedule is set for 2025. Council Member Schellong asked what the 2 Page
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capacity is for people to attend a concert there; Mr. Abbate stated it has a capacity for 1,000 people.
Council Member Schellong asked why the amphitheater was placed so close to the water as it is the windiest part of the Park; Mr. Abbate stated the location was chosen due to its beauty and further stated there will be a berm for people to sit on that will decrease the wind. Mayor Wright asked if the 8' lift for the amphitheater would cause an issue for patrol being able to see everything clearly; Chief Griffin stated that patrolling the Park would continue as it has been and the officers will check everything to ensure safety and lawful behavior. Council Member Greenough asked about the food truck area around the amphitheater and if there would be hookups and water available for them; Mr.
Abbate answered in the affirmative. Council Member Schellong spoke of her concern for pedestrian safety with the dolo being at the S Curves and being directed to cross highway traffic; Mr. Agrimis stated that pedestrians will be directed to use the sidewalks and crosswalks to ensure safety. Council Member Greenough asked what the $3 million would cover for the amphitheater; Mr. Agrimis stated it would be used for the infrastructure. Council Member Altman asked if the entire $50 million project is up for discussion tonight, or just the five listed elements; City Manager Wier stated that what staff is seeking is approval of the General Plan and what the Council's element choice would be for the $8 million expense. Commissioner Dewar expressed her appreciation for the recent Beachfront Park General Plan Workshop that the public was invited to as it gave her a lot of insight. Vice-Chairman Walp asked why the amphitheater was farther away from the lighthouse as that was not what he thought the original plan showed; City Manager Wier stated the amphitheater has only moved one section over and that was to make the focus on a multi-functional section rather than just an entertainment venue. The Plan before the Council and Commission gets the most use of the $8 million or would bicyclists use it as well, and what material was going to be used for it; Mr. Agrimis stated that concrete will be used and if bicyclists were to use it, it would be anticipated the riders would be using the walkway for a slow ride. Commissioner Dewar asked if the trees by the Cultural Center along the bike path be removed, or will they remain; Mr. Abbate stated there is no intention to remove those trees. Council Member Schellong expressed her desire to have something on Stamps Way commemorating Bill Stamps, who is known for reporting on the radio about the tsunami as it was happening from the studio. Regarding the Dog Park, City Manager Wier stated the size would be reduced on the small dog side to accommodate the size of the pump track and asked for the Council and Commission's authorization; the Council and Commissioners were in consensus to do so Commissioner Tinkler asked if only the footprint is what is being approved tonight and wanted to confirm each item didn't need to be discussed, and would like to see more funding for additional trees; Chairman Wendt said the particulars can be discussed at future meetings, all that is to be approved tonight is the General Plan. Mr. Agrimis stated that the amphitheater has garnered a lot of discussion the current layout gets the most for the money. Mayor Wright asked why the volleyball court was no longer in the Plan; Mr. Agrimis stated that it wasn't on the list, but can be revisited. Mayor Wright asked if loud noises coming from the pump tract, next to the Marine Mammal Center would be ok and if staff had contacted them to check; City Manager Wier stated the Marine Mammal Center had been contacted and were ok with the noise. Council Member Schellong asked if the USS Emidio monument could be located closer to the Veterans Monument; Mr. Abbate stated that it could be moved and there have been discussions of having a monument garden.
The following resident addressed the Council and Commission:
Mario Westphal: agreed with the General Plan, asked about security, maintenance, and enforcement.
Is concerned with the transient activity. Police Chief Griffin stated that there have been no calls for service regarding the transient activity. He further stated that the overall appearance of the Park has changed dramatically since he has become Chief. When calls for service come in, the officers' response times are very quick.
Council Member Schellong supports having extra staff to keep up with the maintenance of the Park. 3 | Page
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Tamera Leighton: spoke in support and appreciation of the inclusive play area; also asked if there could be a place for the 12-16 year olds as well - oftentimes they run in the play area and smaller children cannot enjoy the space as much, or as safely. Suggested a parkour or fitness course to be added to the plans.
Commissioner Tinkler spoke of her concerns about the amphitheater and asked if some aspects could be changed; Mr. Abbate stated that some modifications can be made. City Manager Wier stated that each element of the Plan will be discussed at future meetings to vet them out fully.
On a motion by Commissioner Dewar, seconded by Commissioner Tinkler, and carried on a 4-0 polled vote with Commissioner Kime being absent, the Crescent City Planning Commission and Architectural Design Committee considered and approved the Beachfront Park General Development Plan
On a motion by Council Member Schellong, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Inscore, and carried unanimously on a 5-0 polled vote, the City Council of the City of Crescent City considered and approved the Beachfront Park General Development Plan
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Wright adjourned the meeting at 8:31 p.m. to the regular meeting of the Crescent City Planning Commission on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. in the Flynn Center, 981H Street, Crescent City, CA 95531.
There being no further business to come before the Planning Commission, Chairman Wendt adjourned the meeting at 8:31 p.m. to the regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Crescent City on Monday, March 6, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the Flynn Center, 981 H Street, Crescent City, CA 95531.
ATTEST:
Daltma
Robin Altman
City Clerk/Administrative Analyst
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