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PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
APPROVED Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting on Thursday, February 15, 2018
1. CALL TO ORDER
The duly noticed regular meeting of the Burlingame Parks & Recreation Commission was called to
order by Chair Lewis at 7:04 pm at the Burlingame Recreation Center, 850 Burlingame Ave,
Burlingame.
2. ROLL CALL
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Lewis, Malekos- Smith (arrived at 7:10), Baum, Schissler, Palacio &
Matthews
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Milne
STAFF PRESENT: Parks & Recreation Director Glomstad, City Attorney Kane,
Sustainability Coordinator Sigalle Michael & Recording Secretary
Helley
OTHERS PRESENT: Megan Colford, Lime Bikes
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Baum made a motion to approve the January 18, 2018 minutes. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Schissler and was approved. 5-0-2. (Milne & Malekos-Smith absent)
4. CORRESPONDENCE/PRESENTATIONS
Megan Colford, the Bay Area General Manager of Lime Bikes, introduced Lime Bikes. Lime Bikes is
hosting a six month pilot in the City of Burlingame. The organization has a full staff to respond to
customer concerns/complaints, move bikes from low to higher ridership areas, maintain the bikes, swap
batteries and generally engage with the community. Two types of bikes are available — regular pedal
bikes and e-assist bikes that do not exceed 12-15 mph. The organization has a free smartphone
application called "LimeBike — Your Ride Anytime" and customers use this to scan the QR code to
unlock the bike. The cost is $1 for a 30 minute ride. The app includes bike locations and estimates the
walking time and distance from the bike closest to the user. In an outreach effort based around rider
education, including parking & riding etiquette as well as helmet wearing, Colford recently met with the
Burlingame Girls High School Track and Field team. The group received bike helmets, t-shirts and
stickers and Colford spoke about being an ambassador to their peers about biking etiquette. Colford
plans to do similar events at middle schools and other organizations. She encouraged Commission to let
her know if they have any ideas for groups to include in the outreach effort.
Commission expressed concern about the apparent lack of helmet use by the riders. Due to the
spontaneous nature of the use of the Lime Bike, most users will not be carrying a helmet with them for
use. Colford responded to the concerns stating the organization is considering the option of offering a
free helmet to users when they sign up for the program. Concerns regarding helmets being provided
Parks & Recreation Commission
APPROVED Minutes February 15, 2018
include hygiene issues and securing helmets. Other possible ideas for helmet storage at various locations
such as the library and the train station were discussed.
Commission thanked Colford for taking time to visit and educate the Commission and the community
about the Lime Bike program.
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
6. OLD BUSINESS
None
7. NEW BUSINESS
a. Discussion Regarding Proposed Amendments to Bicycle Regulations in Parks
City Attorney Kane introduced the item and noted this is an informational item to gather the
commissioners input.
City staff and the Traffic, Safety and Parking Commission (TSPC) have recently reviewed Burlingame
Municipal Code Chapter 13.52. That chapter was determined to be in need of updating in light of
current State law and best practices for regional cities. While staff s recommendations initially focused
on such issues as the requirement for a bicycle license, the discussion at the TSPC included a broader
review of the chapter. One of the recommendations from TSPC was that the restriction on riding
bicycles in parks be removed, and that riding be allowed subject to a speed limit and a requirement to
yield to pedestrians. Because that recommendation relates to park regulations, staff determined that this
Commission's input should be received before the combined recommended revisions are brought to
Council for action.
The TSPC reviewed the conflicts with the current California Vehicle Code and various safety issues in
detail, and made recommendations which will be incorporated into the draft amendments that are
presented to council. These relate to such issues as baby/child seats on bicycles, when bikes are allowed
to ride two abreast, and other issues relating to traffic safety.
The primary issue staff would like this Commission's input on is BMC Section 13.52.180. That section
currently provides:
13.52.180 Riding on park or playground,
It is unlawful for any person to ride, drive or operate a bicycle, motorcycle or motor scooter in or on
any public park or playground within the city. (1941 Code § 1222.3, Ord. 483, (1949))
The TSPC recommended that bikes be allowed in parks, but that they should yield to pedestrians using
park walkways. The TSPC also discussed whether a speed limit should be imposed for bikes in parks,
with a majority of Commissioners appearing to favor that mechanism. One possibility is to omit
enacting a single speed limit for parks and instead allow for posted speed limits to be adjusted based on
the pathways in question by rule rather than ordinance.
Commission discussion included the pros/cons of specific wording in the code. The final consensus was
to recommend allowing bikes in parks and to omit enacting a single speed limit for parks and instead
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APPROVED Minutes February 15, 2018
allow for posted speed limits to be adjusted based on the pathways in question by rule rather than
ordinance.
b. City Attorney Report on Open Meetings and Conflicts
City Attorney Kane presented background on the Ralph M. Brown Act, Open & Public V update that
governs public meetings and legislative bodies. She provided examples of inadvertent serial meetings
that can put Commissioners in a compromising position. Responses and actions were also provided for
Commissioners to follow to remain transparent and in compliance with the governing Brown Act Rules.
8. STAFF AND COMMISSIONER REPORTS
a. Parks & Recreation Department Reports
Director Glomstad reported the upcoming events: Arbor Day, March 7th, 10:30 am at Pershing Park;
Spring/Summer camp registration begins March 7th and the Commissioners Dinner, March 9th. The
Muddy Mile event on February loth at Murray Field was a huge success.
She also reported Coordinator Mike Noce has accepted a position with Menlo Park and the recruitment
for a replacement is being conducted.
b. Commissioners Reports
Commissioner Matthews updated the Commission on the success of the Parks & Recreation
Foundation's Flea Market and Muddy Mile event.
9. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
None
10. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 8:06 pm.
The next meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission is scheduled to be held on Thursday, March
15, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. at the Burlingame Recreation Center.
Respectfully submitted,
Joleen Helley
Recording Secretary
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Parks & Recreation Commission
APPROVED Minutes
February 15, 2018