01-16-2001 - Request for Netting at Walmerado Park Pinto Field & Cortez Park Major & Mino Fields• City of West Covina
Memorandum
AGENDA
TO: Daniel G. Hobbs, City Manager
and City Council ITEM NO. L-1
DATE January 16' 2001
FROM: Tom Hatch PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
Community Services Director
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR NETTING AT WALMERADO PARK PINTO
FIELD AND CORTEZ PARK MAJOR AND MINOR FIELDS
11
SUMMARY: West Covina American Little League and West Covina Youth Pony
Baseball have requested that foul ball netting be installed at Walmerado
Park Pinto field and Cortez Park major and minor fields. The leagues are
indicating that it will increase the safety for spectators.
BACKGROUND:
The presidents of West Covina American Little League and West Covina Youth Pony
Baseball asked to meet with Mayor Herfert to discuss foul ball netting needed to protect
spectators during games. Mayor Herfert has asked that the following requests be placed
on the January 16, 2001 City Council agenda for action:
American Little League - In the 2000-2001 Capitol Improvement process, West
Covina American Little League requested that foul ball netting be installed at both the
major and minor fields at Cortez Park. The project was evaluated and slated to be
included in the fiscal year 2001-2002 CIP funding schedule. Because Of safety
concerns, American Little League would like this project to begin immediately.
• West Covina Youth Pony Baseball - Because of numerous near accidents from foul
balls, the league has requested that foul ball netting be installed to protect spectators.
DISCUSSION:
Following a meeting with the presidents of the two leagues, Mayor Herfert asked that the
requests for foul ball netting be placed on the January 16, 2001 City Council agenda.
Below is a summary of the requests:
West Covina American Little League - Staff called a local fencing contractor who
has done work for the city, to ask about their bid of $8,000, given to American Little
League for installing netting on the foul lines to the dugout at both major and minor
fields. This was to be accomplished by extending existing poles at these fields. Staff
from Community Services Department and Building Division contacted the fencing
company, providing them with additional information and asked for a written bid.
With the additional information, the company did submit a bid of $10,500 for both
fields ($5,200 for the minor field and $5,300 for the major field). After reviewing the
bid, staff believes that the existing 2 '/2" poles are not adequate for the extension.' A
complete analysis of the footing and the poles would be required to determine if they
would be sufficient to accommodate the 16-foot extension necessary to support
higher fencing'. Staff has determined that although the extension would initially be
cheaper, they are recommending that new polls be used with heavier UV protected
netting. It is also recommended that for maximum safety, the netting be extended to a
minimum of 30 feet high and run from the dugout 30 feet past the bases on the foul
line, at a cost of approximately $25,000 for the two fields. This will help to insure the
integrity of the netting, as well as provide a long-term solution to safety issues
associated with foul balls.
West Covina Voutl&ny Baseball — Early in 2000, perime fencing at the Pinto
field was installed by the City. League officials are now requesting that foul ball
netting be installed on the same field. Following consultation with staff from the
Building Division, staff is recommending that the same type of netting be used for
Cortez fields from the backstop to the end of the dug out on both foul lines. Staff
estimates that this will cost approximately $15,000. Because the field is on West
Covina School District property, the addition of netting will need their approval. It is
also worthy of note that the School District often requires that the State Architect be
involved.with and approve certain projects that takes place on school premises.
FISCAL IMPACT:
If City Council determines that the two projects should be done prior to the CIP process,
funding would need to come from the General Fund Reserves in the projected amount of
$40,000 ($25,000 for the two fields at Cortez Park and $15,000 for Walmerado Park
Pinto Field). Another option for the two Cortez Park fields, which are in Park District E,
is to use $25,000. in Park Dedication Funds. Sufficient funds are not available in Park
District D for Walmerado Park Pinto Field.
If City Council determines that the Leagues should request the netting as a part of the
normal CIP process, the funding source. for the projected budget amount of $40,000 is to
be identified as part of the 2001-2002 CIP process.
RECOMMENDATION:.
That City Council:
1. Ask that the Leagues requesting the netting to submit these requests to the
Community Services Commission Capitol Improvement Project (CIP) Sub
Committee as part of the 2001-2002 CIP process; or
2. Approve the requests from American Little League and West Covina Youth
- Pony Baseball to install foul ball netting, funds to come from the General
Fund Reserve or Park Dedication Funds for Park District E, account number
174-320-3154-7700.
Prepared by:
r4w'., _ _
:�
Community Services Manager
Reviewed and approved by:
IV4
'foK hatch
Community Services Director
Reviewed and approved by:
Arti4ie
ZY
Assistant City Manager/Acting
Finance Director
Z:\Council Action Request Reports\staff report of walmerado and cortez park fencing jan 15,2001 council meeting.doc