Post date: Jan 4, 2012 5:33:52 AM

Questions we asked of Cindy Rebhan are in black, Cindy’s answers are in blue, and follow-up questions are in red.

a) Can we have a copy of the as-built plans (or at least the contractor redlines) so we can better plan tree locations and other requests?  A request was submitted to Public Works asking assistance in receiving them from Contractor . Chuck received copies of what appear to be design documents, which are appreciated, but we would like to keep this item open until the contractor shares actual as-builts

b) Can chain on gates be locked OPEN on weekends, as well as during the week?  Tony indicated staff will be more diligent in chaining the gates. He stated he has replaced 3 sets of locks to date as a result of chained locks being removed. We have an idea on what is occurring and I am following up with the appropriate party. This item appears to be resolved, Thank You!

c) Can the Taylor St Gate be opened and not locked until after all soccer players leave?  Park staff will open the gate and I have coordinated with Sports Reservations to have the Field Attendant lock after soccer play. Soccer players need to confirm if this is resolved.

d) Can the bathrooms stay open until the soccer players leave?  I have reminded the Contract Manager to remind the custodian of closing hours. Soccer players need to confirm if this is resolved.

e) Will Portable restroom facilities be provided at the soccer field/dog park until the Soccer Clubhouse is built?  I have reminded the Sports Reservation Office to adjust fees and place a portable unit for a March 1 start. Sounds good, we will keep this as an open question until March.

f) Can the hours be posted at the dog park, including which days it is closed for cleaning, and the policy on closure for wet grass?  I am working on language and will share with Chuck once drafted. After language is approved the City will make the signs and post. Will keep this question on the list until it is resolved.

g) Can we get speed limit signs for entering the park from Jackson, or speed bumps?  I sent an email to Public Works asking if they acted on the initial request. Once confirmed I will take appropriate actions and update you on outcome. Will keep this question on the list until it is resolved.

h) Can “No Smoking” signs be posted at the dog park, soccer fields and at the children’s play areas, and how can that be enforced?  I am still concerned about having too many signs throughout the park but Park staff will purchase some “no smoking” signs and post at the Dog Park, Soccer Fields and Tot Lots. Will keep this question on the list until it is resolved.

i) What can the neighbors do when they know someone is letting their dog loose to use the park as a bathroom, and not cleaning up after it (sometimes accompanied by the owner)  Rules violations: SJPD is the enforcement arm for the CSJ. Options discussed were that WNA would draft a letter and post on “offender’s” vehicles or if contact information is emailed to me I will send something out on “official” letterhead. Thank you.

j) Can we get a bulletin board at the bathrooms?  Bulletin Board: I can meet you on-site to determine location and next steps for this request. Let me know when you are available. We have heard that a bulletin board is available and confirmed that it should be installed under the light on the South Side of the Restroom, but it has not yet been installed.

k) Can we get a key for the custodial closet at the bathrooms so that volunteers can store a graffiti clean-up cart there?  Unfortunately, I can not approve this request as the chase/custodial closet is not available due to custodial and park maintenance supplies. We are recommending use of the Tuff Shed for graffiti storage items or other WNA storage needs. Neighborhood needs to assess this proposed solution.

l) Why is the park closed on holidays? (gates and bathroom not open on Veteran’s day)

 Holiday closure: There is only one park staff member on-duty in this district during the holidays and they open all park gates. The gates should be open every holiday. As a result of budget reductions 2-3 years back restrooms have been closed on winter holidays (Veteran’s Day – President’s Day). I have requested the new custodial contract to verify if this action is still effective and will update you with any changes. Cindy, please review this situation: on Dec 25, Dec 31 and Jan 1, the gates were locked and the bathrooms were not open. There were more people in the park on New Year’s weekend than I have ever seen before. Cars were parked all up and down Jackson and 22nd streets. How would an emergency vehicle access the dogpark area with the gate locked? And due to the locked gate, there was no law enforcement presence in the parking lots, which we are happy to see during the week. It seems like a risky situation. Plus, on the days of heaviest use, there was no restroom available.

m) Can informal soccer teams get access to the soccer field when it is not otherwise scheduled? (otherwise, they play on the grass in the circle, which will eventually damage the grass)  Unfortunately, not supported at this time. I have shared the request with Sports Reservations and will update you with updates. What can we so that the local folks have a place to play soccer, but not tear up the grass in the circle? The informal soccer players are making an effort to change where they put the goals, but there are already bare spots in the circle. The master plan document mentions community access to the soccer fields. Community members watched the 2 fields being built for 8 years with the hopes that they could play there as they did for many years before the park was closed. We know this is a difficult issue, but we need to continue to discuss this and would appreciate any suggestions that the City could make.

n) What would it take to get additional water fountains at the play area and near the basketball court?  I am still pursuing this request. Thank you; if this is a very costly undertaking, please touch base with the community to ensure that it is the best use of limited funds.

o) No sign are posted for height or weight limits for the small dog park. Butcher Park has a 40# limit, and Campbell, at the perk ponds, has a 18" height at the shoulders for the small dog sections.  Drafting language and will share with Chuck. Once approved Parks will make signs and post. What can be done about the people who are bringing large dogs into the small dog area? One guy said he was in the small area because his "dog is aggressive and does not get along with the other dogs." He remained there while 2-3 people with small dogs turned away (afraid to confront the owner.) There was a second man with a large dog in the small area an other day.

p) Have the lights been adjusted at the soccer fields so that they do not make the back yards of adjacent homes lit up like daylight?  MUSCO Lighting will be on-site November 29 to change visors and adjust lamps a few degrees to reduce glare to residential housing. If glare is still unacceptable MUSCO will come back out. All work being provided under warranty through MUSCO. The adjustments took place, thank you; the neighbors need to confirm if the results were acceptable.

q) What can we do to get Community Gardens back at the park as soon as possible?  Community Gardens: No City action is planned at this time. Funding seems to be the hold up. We know this is a difficult issue, but we need to continue to discuss this and would appreciate any suggestions that the City could make.

If you have additional questions, please either email them to watsonparksj@gmail.com or attend the meeting on January 10, 2012 at 7:00 PM Joyce Ellington Library