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HomeMy WebLinkAboutO.B. 1 BACKSTOPS 03-16-92OLD BUSINESS NO. 1 3-16-92 \ N' L 11 - Inter- om E: March 11, 1992 i WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER F -R 0TO: COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT S u B J ECT: BACKSTOPS AT COLUMBUS TUSTIN FIELDS RECOMMENDATION: Appropriate $25,000 from the Park Development Funst ff for m work with provements to the fences at Columbus Tustin P theand School District to develop the Public Works Department and specifications. ALTERNATIVES: 1. Continue existing program: no change to fence or backstops. 2. Appropriate $25,000 from the Park Development Fund for Park and direct improvements to the fences at Columbus Tustin staff to work with the Public Works Department and the School District to develop specifications. FISCAL IMPACT: Staff has identified two alternatives for imprvems nts to attach the fences at Columbus Tustin Park. One proposal approximately 620 feet of 25 foot high ball barriernettingsto the existing 6 foot high fence around the park (Exhibit A). uld bring the total height of the fence to 31 feet in ole courses.red would as. The netting, similar tth A second, used less effective alternative, be suspended from wooden poles.with 15 foot high chain is to replace selected areas of fencing link fence. The Department is requesting that $25,000 from the Park Development Fund be appropriated.for fencing improvements. BACKGROUND: At the February 18, 1992 meeting of the City CouncilColumbus lmemTusben Potts requested a report on the backstops softball fields because a claim has been filed against the City for y for damages caused by afoul ball sportsThese ields leagues,a usetournament rentals the Community Service's adult p and for the Tustin High School girls' softball program. Tis revenue from the adult sports leagues and tour projected at $176,000 for fiscal 1991-92. by On January 14, 1992 the rear window of an automobilineBo le ard.enThe a foul ball from field #4 located °Irvine Boulevard at the time. On automobile was legally parked February 23, 1992 an automobile traveling on Irvine Boulevard had the windshield broken by a foul ball from field #1 which n solocated at the intersection of Irvine and Prospect. cnuary 1988 there have rch 5th another windshield was broken.Since the City for damages to been two others d b m foul ballsfiled g automobiles caused Y T problems roblems at Columbus Tustin Park are not caused by inadequate backstops. The function of the backstops at the park is to capture f oul balls hit behind home plate. The backstops at 60 feet wide and were Columbus coructed tin Park are 18 feet high by The to exceed the standards for softball field complexes (Exhibit been B ) . caused damages that have occurred at Columbus Tustin par b foul balls hit in front of home plate and out ° robl Yems with majority of accidents have occurred reet. Field #4• This field is located lo est to the There is a 6 foot high fence that follows the perimetert he park The fence is the property on Irvine Boulevard and Prospect Avenue •In order to stop foul balls of the Tustin Unified School District . be from being hit out of the park this fence Would reould vuireo the substantially increased in height. The City q permission and cooperation of the School District to proceed with the project. DISCUSSION OF ALTERNATIVES: 1. Continue existing program: no change to fence or backstops. The City would not have to appropriate , funds for nochanges to the fences at Columbus Tustinclaims for damages from foul balls to the program . So far the c However, at Columbus Tustin Park have been relatively amithe future. The the City may suffer from larger c City is aware that there have previously been Some amages act causedby foul balls being hit out of the park and so required. 2. Appropriate $25,000 from the Park Development Fund for improvements to the fences at Columbus Tustin Park the School d direct P Department an staff to work with the Public Works Departm District to develop specifications. By appropriating funds for improvements to the fences at Columbus Tustin Park the City would attempt to minimize its prob liability. The City could alleviate the some of Howe caused by foul balls being hit outP City would have to appropriate $25,000 from the Park Development Fund for those improvements. The expenditure of $25,000 can be justified by considering the recent number of claims and the related liability. SUMMARY = The parking lot at Columbus Tustin Park will be bopen ems bit May willn92. otp parking pr While this lot will alleviate many address the problem of softballs being hit out of the park into traffic and at cars parked legally on Irvine Boulevard. ark would not prevent at the p softballs from being hit out o Improvements to the backstops the park into the street. The only wayto prevent foul balls from hitting automobiles the would property install a higher fence around Districtthe par and se the City would have to of the Tustin Unified School Districto obtain permission from the District to make any improvements to the fence. Staff will work with the Public Works Department and the Schfol District to develop specifications for the bes Columbus Tustin Park. While installing a higher fence would would still the number of balls hit into the street, it decrease not eliminate the problem. Gary Magi 1 Recreation Supervisor Susan M. Jones Recreation Superintendent Attachments: Exhibit A Exhibit B GM2:FIELDS.GBK Roy en White, Director Comm & Administrative Services 1 lii \'J'•1 d3 Exhibit A )+ JK M OEM T 1 Exhibit B 'Iwo• inter • 11 1, E: DECEMBER 171 199 TO: WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER FROM: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SUBJECT: DESIGN STANDARDS REGARDING COLUMBUS TUSTIN PARR, BALL DIAMONDS t to our request, the staff has checked with esomere con Pursuan Y the generally acknowledged Softball Association (ASA), staff confirmed expertise regarding adult softball. In addition, the standards with a firm who has designed and constitedeStatest softball complexes in California and the ateColumbus Tustin Park You may rest assured that the cal is cforobackstops that are 12 feet exceed ASA standards. ASA oot high by 30 foot wide; the backstops high by 2 4 foot wide or 18 feet high by 60 feet wide. at Columbus Tustin are 1 Shoul ou have fu ther questions, Roy een A. White, Director Administrative Services Department cc: Susan Jones Randy Westrick RAW/md RAW3 : sftblmem feel free to call me.