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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PR - 2012.09.20UNAPPROVED MEETING MINUTES Regular Meeting of the Burlingame Parks & Recreation Commission Thursday, September 20, 2012 The regular meeting of the Burlingame Parks & Recreation Commission was called to order by Chair Hesselgren at 7:00 pm at Burlingame Recreation Center, 850 Burlingame Ave., Burlingame. ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Hesselgren, Baum, Griffith, Eaton, Castner-Paine, Lau, Bullotti Commissioners Absent: None Staff Present: Director Glomstad; Administrative Secretary Helley Others Present: Barbara Plant, Burlingame; Eric Graham, Burlingame; Gloria Mitzer, Burlingame; Jackie Sontag, Burlingame; Jackie Redmon, Burlingame; Dave Suma, Burlingame; Suze Gardner, San Francisco; John McQuaide, Burlingame; Tom Paine, Burlingame; Ralph Brenner, Burlingame; Kasey Bohaboy, Burlingame; Finola & Kieran Muldowney, Burlingame. MINUTES The Minutes of the August 16, 2012 regular meeting were approved. PUBLIC COMMENTS None Chair Hesselgren moved to re -order the agenda items to accommodate those in attendance for Old Business Agenda item 4.B. Community Garden Plans and New Business Item 5.A. Commission approved the re -order. OLD BUSINESS 4.11. Community Garden Plans Director Glomstad summarized information from the August meeting. Victoria Park has been proposed as a potential location for a community garden. Victoria Park has a small playground, a basketball court and a grass area. A sketch of the area with the location of the garden within the park was on display. Chairperson Hesselgren inquired what the actual cost to the City would be. Glomstad replied the actual cost would be about $2,000 to set up the water meter. The rest of the costs (fence, planter boxes, hoses, etc.) would be covered by the garden club. Hesselgren opened the discussion to public comments. Kiernan Muldowney, 235 Victoria Rd, objects to the community garden being placed at Victoria Park. He stated there was the need for more green space for kids to play, not less. He noted that he is not against the actual gardening, just the location of it. Commissioner Eaton asked when the family plays soccer is the grass field available and did he have another location to suggest. Muldowney stated the grass area is where most people walk their dogs and he was unsure of where else the garden could be located. Eaton inquired how often they use Washington Park. Muldowney stated they use Washington Park about ten percent of the time as it is so busy and not enclosed. Commissioner Castner-Paine inquired approximately how many families utilize the park in the summer. Muldowney stated at least four families on the block. Commissioner Baum asked if the dogs in the park were on or off leash. Muldowney responded they were mostly on leash. Commissioner Eaton acknowledged the issue of a community garden taking up space in a small park. The Commission has looked at numerous locations in last several months all over the city, keeping in mind to minimize the impact on the park users. Leslie McQuaide stated that gardeners would not be in the park at night. Hesselgren stated the she visits the park often with kids and has not seen anyone in the prospective area. She feels the city lacks a community garden. Victoria Park has two green space areas and that more people will benefit from a community garden than people who use it. There are other spaces to throw a ball. This garden is taking a small amount of space and the benefit outweighs the detriment. Hesselgren responded to an inquiry about the next steps in the process stating if the commission moves to recommend the location for the garden, then the recommendation will go to City Council. The neighbors will have another opportunity to voice concerns at that future meeting. Motion by Eaton (seconded Lau): Commission moved to recommend the approval of a community garden to be located at Victoria Park. PASSED 6-0-1. (Castner-Paine — abstained) NEW BUSINESS 5.A. Burlingame Aquatic Club Suze Gardner, the Director of the Burlingame Aquatics Club, reported to commission the group assumed the running of the aquatic center from the City in the fall of 2011. The group is running the public programming and their goal is to enhance the programming. This has been done by adding year round lessons, expanding lap swim hours on weekends and expanded rental opportunities. In March the group introduced a new online registration and information system. The Burlingame Aquatic Club is a club; however, there is no membership fee. Gardner was excited to report the recent grant of $3,000 to the group for the purpose of providing free arthritis classes starting in September/October. Gardner reported the past year has been a learning experience, however, it has been a good year and the group has made significant success in utilizing the scheduling to the maximum. OLD BUSINESS 4. A. Parks & Recreation Foundation - Update Griffith reported the Bylaws and the Articles of Incorporation are complete and ready for signatures. After being signed, they will be mailed to the Secretary of State to be processed which will take about six to eight weeks. N Commissioner Castner-Paine requested her lawyer/husband be allowed to talk for her on this matter. Commission consented. Tom Paine, Burlingame, stated after reviewing the documents, Susan voiced concerns regarding providing some way to avoid a "drop away" membership; add to purpose: to "raise funds" not "provide" funds and most importantly noted the documents state "to be done in harmony with the Parks & Recreation Department and City Administration", she felt decisions should lay with the Commission not the director. She also made the observation that a board of fifteen seemed large. Griffith stated it could be changed to minimum of seven and maximum of fifteen. Griffith requested Paine email these suggestions so he can take them into consideration. Castner-Paine stated this commission is dedicated and we need to be sure that the open green space in not lost due to any a possible "vein" in this document used for that purpose. Also suggested was to create a mechanism where the funds can be deposited into an account overseen by a professional perhaps a City treasurer. Commissioner tabled this item until the October meeting. NEW BUSINESS 5. B. Recreation Center Master Plan Glomstad reported Council has budgeted funds for a Community Center master plan and is looking to form a committee to attend meetings for about six months and work with the chosen architect. Outreach has been started with the Lions Club and schools. The role of the committee members is outreach to the community and educating the public reiterating the sanctity of trees, eminent domain is not an option and the Lions Hall is protected. The goal is to build something practical while providing services needed by the community. REPORTS/HANDOUTS A. Park & Recreation Reports 1. Monthly Report — Distributed 2. State Lands on the Bay Front — Glomstad reported having been in contact with the State regarding the State Land property next to Kincaid's restaurant. The Parks and Recreation Department is in the process to apply for use of the land through a long term lease. The thought is to put in a few picnic tables, benches, a grassy area and continuation of the Bay Trail. 3. Dog Park Task Force Update — Next meeting is scheduled for December 14, 2012 4. Mills Canyon — Glomstad reported having walked the canyon with the fire marshal to determine how to create and keep a firebreak without causing more problems. 5. Correspondence —None B. Commissioner Reports None Next Meeting The next meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission is scheduled to be held on Thursday, October 18, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at Burlingame Recreation Center. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:35 pm. Respectfully submitted, Joleen Helley Recording Secretary 3