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