Additional $125,000 approved for park master plan – Some Islanders are opposed
Published 4:39 pm Monday, November 24, 2008
By Ruth Longoria
The City Council voted unanimously on Sept. 5 to allocate an additional $125,000 to pay consultants and landscape designers to move ahead with the final scope of work for the evolving Luther Burbank Master Plan.
The additional funding was despite a packed council chambers as many residents showed up for the Tuesday night meeting to urge the council to reconsider the direction the plan is currently going.
“We’re watching you spend our money, and as citizens we want you to know that,” Islander Diane VanDerbeek told the council, moments before it voted on the park plan, which brings the tab for consulting and landscape fees to more than $200,000.
“I appreciate the fact that the city is having visioning workshops to encourage community involvement, I just think they’re going about it the wrong way,” VanDerbeek said after the meeting. VanDerbeek said she believes the consultant fees are exorbitant and that there is no need for landscape designers.
Several residents agreed with her, including park activist Sue Stewart, who said she’s concerned about what is being called the “scope of work” and if that means specific plans are moving forward without allowing for a citizen vote, such as many of those who’ve attended the visioning workshops have requested of city staff.
“There’s a need for a public vote for anything that changes the character of Luther Burbank Park,” she said.
But the council apparently agreed with Councilman Steve Litzow, who said residents will have a lot of opportunities to provide input in the process during the nearly one dozen planned meetings and gatherings that are upcoming.
Councilman Sven Goldmanis acknowledged VanDerbeek’s concerns about finances, but said he’s concerned about the communication problem occurring between council and residents.
“People are now trying to figure out what the word `scope’ means,” Goldmanis said. “I am concerned about how we translate.”
Councilman Dan Grausz also expressed frustration with what he considers to be misinterpretations during various phases of the Master Plan process.
“No one is talking about putting in stadiums, stores or restaurants,” Grausz said. “There is no secret agenda.”
Island Parks & Recreation Director Pete Mayer said he’s excited that the plan is moving forward.
“There is some attempt to keep the process from moving forward, but a 6-0 council vote should say something,” Mayer said. “Several councilmembers were involved in the visioning process and a lot of hard work has been done. Now comes the fun part.”
A Luther Burbank Master Plan Kickoff Meeting is planned from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday (Sept. 24) at the park. Town Hall meetings about the plan also are planned in November and January.
“There will be plenty of opportunities for the community to take part in this and express themselves,” Mayer said. “My job is to facilitate and get input from as many individuals and groups as possible, without validating one group over another.”
