MEASURE DD COMMUNITY COALITION MEETING
JUNE 20, 2005
LAKESIDE GARDEN CENTER
Agenda committee: Naomi Schiff, Jennie Gerard and Simon Waddington
Minutes by Judith Ming, Administrative Asst., Friends of Oakland Parks and Recreation
In Attendance:
Chabot Park Highlands Homeowners- Ken Benson
Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee- Ron Bishop
Lake Merritt Institute- Elizabeth Borowiec
East Bay Garden Center- Bruce Cobbledick
District #2 Council Member- Jennie Gerard
Friends Of Oakland Parks & Recreation- Tom Guarino
Lake Merritt Institute- Stana Hearne
Friends of Parks & Recreation - Judy Johnson, Judith Ming, Don Walls, Danny Wan
Jack London Aquatic Center- Robert Kidd
City Of Auditor’s Office- Michael Kilian
Golden Gate Audubon Society- Caroline Kim
Guest- Jenny Lin
District7 (Reid)- Pat Mossburg
Guest- Rhanesis Muncada
Public Works Agency- Joel Peter
East bay Bicycle Coalition- Rick Rickard
Community and Economic Development Agency- Kerry Jo Rickett-Ferris
Guest- Courtney Ruby
Oakland Heritage Alliance- Naomi Schiff
Waterfront Action- Sandy Threlfall
Coalition of Advocates for Lake Merritt- James Vann
East Bay Garden Center- Susan Veit
Jack London District Assoc.- Simon Waddington
East Bay Regional Parks District- Brian Wiese
The meeting was called to order at 8:00 P.M. by chair Simon Waddington. The attendees introduced themselves. There was a review of the Agenda and comments on the minutes of May 2005. The minutes were passed. John Sutter, who chaired the Oak to Ninth task force, had announced he would be out of town and was not able to attend.
OAK TO NINTH DISCUSSION:
Open space at Oak to Ninth: Presentation of consensus position by the Task Force: James Vann, Ken Benson, John Sutter, Don Walls and Dave Stein. The final draft was presented and discussed again. Every one came to a final vote. There were (3) abstentions Robert Ridd, Jenny Lin and Rhamess Muncada. Everyone else voted Yes. Each person is urged to take the “DD Draft 6.2” statement to his or her organization for individual endorsement in addition to the Coalition’s endorsement as a “sense” of Coalition’s attendees. In addition, the now-endorsed statement shall be put on the Measure DD web site and distributed to the mayor, city council members, Planning Commission members, and CEDA, Public Works and Planning agency managers. The statement should also be circulated to the media, and to the proposed developer. Mr. Muncada was a guest that made a presentation is it physical or possible to put a new ballpark stadium in the open space at Oak to Ninth and housing? It was dicussed at one of the earlier meetings that the space was to small and no room for parking and housing. Also a traffic problem. Most people felt that this still would not work. Mr. Muncada posted the committees comments on his web site (www.newballpark.blogspot).
Fountains in the lake: What is the relationship of fountains to water quality problems? Is the City committed to installing fountains? Update on discussion with City by Liz Borowiec, John Bowers, and/or Andrew Wong. There are 4 fountains and 2 need repair.
There are problems with the oxygen level and water quality in the lake. Status- Mr. Wong is willing to provide $10,000 a year for electricity. Testing is being done on how much power is needed to keep the oxygen level down and lights running. More discussion to follow.
Lakeside Garden Center Demonstration on the Gardens entry gates and fences- Bruce Cobbledick and Susan Veit. A video was shown on entry gates and fences to the garden which were plan. Entry gates 1,2, and 3. There were wire gates and fences show in the North Carolina Asheville Arboretum. These were pieces and works of art. Some had turtle, trees, leaves and animals in the design. The gates were made of wire in different designs. It was discussed, how to get this project funded. Maybe Art Fund money could be used. Is it a Measure DD Project? May be a Public Art- project. It will take more discussion.
A flyer was passed out Volunteers needed summer evenings. Every Tuesday evening 5:30 to 7:30 June 7th though September 27. Restore the Sensory Garden for the visually impaired. For more information call Susan 510-763-1959 or SUSANBV2@YAHOO.COM.
The next meeting date is on September 19th at the Garden Center in The Ebell Room.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 P.M.