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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PR - 2010.10.21MEETING MINUTES Regular Meeting of the Burlingame Parks & Recreation Commission Thursday, October 21, 2010 The regular meeting of the Burlingame Parks & Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairperson Castner-Paine at 7:03 pm at Burlingame City Hall, 501 Primrose Road, Burlingame. ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Castner-Paine, Carlton, Fisher, La Mariana (arrived at 7:50pm) Eaton, Shanus Commissioners Absent: Hesselgren Staff Present: Director Skeels; Administrative Secretary Helley Others Present: Leslie McQuaide — 1439 Montero Ave.; Mary Hunt & Charles Voltz — 725 Vernon Way; Kevin M. Woolen; Constance Cohen — 605 Lexington Way; Frank Frost — 1005 Burlingame Ave. PUBLIC COMMENTS None MINUTES The Minutes of the September 16, 2010 regular meeting were approved with the following change: Old Business Page 1— Field User Policy Review to read: "Supervisor Barry recapped the changes that the Field Users group discussed at their September 9th meeting. The first four items were approved. After discussion on the following items, it was concluded that the policy would be used through a season to see how all the components work. The items to be looked at next year to assess how they affect the usability of the policy and the users are: 1) Develop 1 1/2 hour time blocks for user groups to pick when they request field space. 2) Monitor user group's original field request to actual field use for the season. Commission concluded that Barry would have autonomy to monitor the policy and it's components over the next year and report back to commission on any needed changes at that time." OLD BUSINESS A. Signa e in n City Parks — Director Skeels reported that it has been determined the item will be taken to City Council prior to the Commission & staff doing any further work. B. Dogs off Leash in Public Parks — Skeels stated that City Council did not approve the Commissions recommendation of adding afternoon hours to the ordinance. Council has directed the Commission to review the entire policy as it stands. Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes October 21, 2010 — Page 2 Chairperson Castner-Paine opened the item to public comments. From the Floor Charles Voltz spoke: • Spoke before Council to recommend that Commission look at the broader issue of dogs off leash in parks. • Disagreed with the morning hours being put into place as people disobey the ordinance that is in force during the other hours. • Enforcement — feels it is not appropriate use of sworn P.D. time • There a many "scoff -law" users who disregard the posted hours; this creates the problems we are seeing the park • A number of people are afraid of dogs, particularly seniors, who should have undeterred access to the park • Alternative suggestions: Victoria Park and/OR the West end of Washington Park both are low use areas and enforcement would be easier in terms of visibility. Mary Hunt spoke: • Burlingame has a dog park for off leash purposes • Taxpayers are entitled to use the park free from fear of off leash dogs • Noted on the sign with morning off leash dog hours, the end time has been scratched off Constance Cohen spoke: • Current designated area for off leash hours is a tranquil area for the public not an appropriate active area for dogs • Owns a dog and always walks it on a leash • Feels there should be better signage designating the current area and any future area • Current dog park is not a good location, the area is windy and cold Chairperson Castner-Paine closed the public comments on the item, thanked the public for their comments and opened Commission discussion on the issue. Commissioner Eaton stated he is an owner of three dogs. He stated he 1) sees it as an enforcement issue; 2) feels an appropriate time bracket has been chosen, hours chosen are not prime park use hours; 3) Everyone has a right to use the park; 4) unsure if moving the designated area is the answer; 4) feels the grass area near Carolan has too much traffic with no fencing; 6) the dog park is next to the sewer treatment plant, hence the offending smell. Eaton stated that he personally feels it is ok to allow dogs off leash during designated times and areas in public parks. Eaton proposed that notification be given to the Cuernavaca and Washington Park neighbors for opportunities of discussion. Commissioner Carlton stated she was hesitant upon the original extension of hours to the afternoon due children in the park. Carlton stated she is a dog owner but does not walk her dog off leash. Carlton noted if the west end of Washington Park is considered there absolutely must be enforcement as the area is adjacent to the high school and the kids walk through the area daily. Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes October 21, 2010 — Page 3 Commissioner Fisher stated he agreed that this is an enforcement issue. He felt that people who truly want to participate in the off leash hours would keep to the hours posted. He suggested a request to the police to pick a random day or two each week to come by the park and issue citations to those not complying. Commissioner Shanus noted the current dog park is too small and the surface is too rough on dog paws. Shanus suggested: 1) enforcement be done by parking patrol personnel; 2) locate a fenced area so dogs cannot bolt into traffic 3) feels the issue is not the designated time, it is the current designated area. Shanus suggested the west end of Washington Park as an alternative location. Commissioner La Mariana stated the addition of the afternoon hours was supported on low complaints and experiences of several fellow commissioners who had good experiences with the morning hours; however, he has spoken with other citizens who have not had good experiences. He stated any dog off leash area should be well marked, signage should be clear and enforcement consistent as well as in a low traffic area. Skeels explained that staff has talked to the police regarding setting up a random day check in the park utilizing the parking enforcement officers for this task. The enforcement problems are occurring from 9 am to close. Chairperson Castner-Paine suggested a sub -committee of commissioners and users of the off -leash hours be formed to determine hours, areas and enforcement. She mentioned that the "scoff -law" off leash dog owners will likely not participate in the group. Castner-Paine summarized the issue: 1) Staff to talk to police regarding alternate forms of enforcement; 2) Leave the morning hours of 6-7:30 am in place at Washington and Cuernavaca Parks 3) Place item on the November agenda so Commissioner Hesselgren can weigh in on the issue. NEW BUSINESS A. Community Garden Proposal — Leslie McQuaide presented the idea of a community garden in Burlingame on or around Bayside Field/Murray Field Area, specifically the possible areas of. a) at Bayside Field behind field #2 fence (adjacent to the dog park and the bay trail); or b) near the playground area at Murray Field. The garden would: • Consist of 18 5x4' raised organic beds with an 8ft locked fence surround • Have clear rules/guidelines regarding weeding/maintenance by paying members • Produce would be for personal use only • Children must be supervised • A small shed for storage would be available • No dogs allowed • The garden would be used for education purposes for scouts and other groups. The paying group members will be responsible for maintaining the area; there will be no City responsibility. The group also knows the agreement with the City for the space would be on a year to year basis. The group would also provide any necessary insurance and be supported by grants and donations. Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes October 21, 2010 — Page 4 Commission discussion included the concerns of liability, proximity to the soccer field at Murray, the possibility of using the far end of the parking lot at the golf center and/or extending the area near the playground into the unused driving range shelters at the far end of the driving range. MOTION by La Mariana (seconded by Carlton): Commission supports the concept of a community garden at any of the three locations at Bayside and Murray Fields (the area between field #2 at Bayside and the dog park, area near the play structure at Murray and the back of the parking lot closest to the hill overlooking the trail by the lagoon). MOTION PASSED 6-0. B. Washington Park Tennis Court Lights — Skeels reminded Commission the issue is the hours of use for the operation of the lights at the Washington Park Tennis Courts. Commission had received a request from a neighbor to change the hours of use from the current end time to 10 pm, citing that loud users have been in the courts until as late as 1:30 am. Commission acknowledges the receipt of 8 emails from tennis court users requesting an 1 1pm end time. Commissioner Carlton asked Frank Frost, 1005 Burlingame Ave., what was the origin of his complaint regarding the hours of use, the actual hours or the noise of the players. Frank responded the young tennis players have been on the courts being loud and obnoxious until 1:30 am. Commissioner Castner-Paine noted the difference of people who want to play tennis by choice and someone who is trying to sleep. Commission suggested the hours of use be limited to 10 pm during the weekdays and 1 1pm on the weekends. Commission also suggested that staff investigate whether the timer will allow multiple shutoff times to be programmed into the system. Commission recommended staff to check all parks signs to be sure the closure hours were correct and legible to users. Commission concurred that a l0pm end time during the week was reasonable. MOTION by Eaton (seconded by Carlton); Commission makes policy for the hours of operation of the lights at the Washington Park Tennis Courts to end at 10pm. MOTION PASSED 6-0. C. Status of December Meetiniz — Commission deferred until November meeting when new commissioners would have been appointed. REPORTS/HANDOUTS Staff Reports 1. Monthly Report — Attached; Skeels reported that the Holiday Tree Lighting will be on December 3rd at City Hall. 2. T-Mobile Cell Tower Installation Update Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes October 21, 2010 — Page 5 3. Commissioner Training 4. Commissioner Appointment Status — Application Deadline extended to November 1" Interview will take place on November 8th 5. Correspondence - None Commissioner Reports Commissioner La Mariana noted it has been a pleasure to serve on the Commission. Commissioner Eaton stated it has been nice working with La Mariana, Carlton and Fisher. Commissioner Carlton noted it has been an honor to serve on the Commission. Commissioner Fisher stated serving on the Commission has been a wonderful experience and can see re -applying again in a few years. Commissioner Shanus stated is was nice working with the three Commissioners as well. Shanus also reported that the Burlingame High School Play-a-thon Fundraiser would be on Saturday October 30th in front of the train station. NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission is scheduled to be held on Thursday, November 18, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at Burlingame City Hall. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:45 pm. Respectfully submitted, Joleen Helley Recording Secretary