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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PR - 2009.02.19MEETING MINUTES Regular Meeting of the Burlingame Parks & Recreation Commission Thursday, February 19, 2009 The regular meeting of the Burlingame Parks & Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairman Shanus at 7:02 pm at Burlingame City Hall, 501 Primrose Road, Burlingame. ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Shanus, Castner-Paine, Carlton, Fisher, La Mariana, Eaton, Hesselgren Commissioners Absent: None Staff Present: City Manager Nantell; Parks & Recreation Director Schwartz; Recreation Superintendent Mutto; Parks Superintendent Foell; Administrative Secretary Joleen Helley; Recreation Intern Jeannette Gonzalez Others Present: Tara Pratt -2116 Easton Drive; Benoit Delaveau — 1825 Forestview Ave, Hillsborough; Tom O'Connor — 411 Rollins Rd. MINUTES The Minutes of the January 15, 2009 regular meeting were approved as submitted. PUBLIC COMMENTS — Tara Pratt acknowledged and commended the subcommittee that worked on the pool safety concerns for what she felt was a balanced look at what has been going on and what the concerns are. Tara is still concerned; however, that we are three months after the committee has met and feels we are still a long way off from safety improvements. Having swum several times in the past weeks, once being during the rain, she noted the entire lifeguard staff was off the deck standing in the office door for seventy minutes. She implored the Commission that something must be done about this basic safety issue. This is very frustrating to her and this issue has not seemed to improve. Tom O'Connor has not been to the pool; however, he noted that at the last meeting changes were to have been made within a week. OLD BUSINESS A. Staff Recommendation of Aquatics Committee Report — Supervisor Mutto reported that an in-service training was held for the lifeguard staff on January 31 st, another is scheduled for February 28th and then the larger in-service will be held in early June before the summer programs begin. Each lifeguard will be rated at least twice a month. This is a permanent random evaluation done by two different people. Commissioner Carlton inquired what the ramifications were if a check came out negative. Mutto stated that the employee would initially be spoken to about the issue, and then written up on if a second occurrence. If a third incident occurred the employee would be relieved of duty. In response to Pratt's concern regarding the rainy day safety concern, Mutto stated that a tent will be put up during rainy days to allow the guards to remain on deck. Commissioner Eaton asked what the rainy day Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes February 19, 2009 — Page 2 protocol was for other pools in the area. Mutto reported that lifeguards will stand under overhangs during the rain. She also reported that the aquatics management staff attends regular meetings with other cities aquatics staff and that is their protocol as well. Management was not happy to hear that staff was chatting and they have been reprimanded for that action. Eaton noted that the intent of the sub -committee was to write up a document within a week. Mutto noted that the Aquatics Coordinator is on maternity leave, but the information has already been disseminated to all of the lifeguards. The manual will be updated prior to the summer in-service including the new items from the work of the sub -committee. A hard copy of the manual will also be made available to all lifeguards. Commissioner Fisher asked if there was any discussion with the user groups for input on the manual. Mutto confirmed that staff had met with representatives from the Burlingame Aquatic Club regarding the manual and several other issues. Mutto informed the Commission that Alyse Goni will be filling in for Lindsy McLeod during her maternity leave. Alyse has been a guard and Pool Manager for the City and a Pool Manager at San Bruno. Commissioners agreed that the manual needs to be updated, including opening and closing procedures, before the busy season starts. Commissioner Carlton requested a copy of the material covered at in-service training. B. Update on City Budget Status — Schwartz reported that at the January 5 meeting, City Council took some budget balancing actions for the 2008-09 fiscal year. With roughly three million dollars in reductions to the General Fund budget facing the City for the 2009-10 fy, department heads and mid -managers have worked together to determine which items will have the least amount of impact on customer service, creating and balancing the impacts within the organization. Positions in many different departments will be affected and capital improvement projects will be the hardest hit area. Grant opportunities, fundraising and other resources will be looked at much closer. Health and safety issues would be the only Capital Improvements approved. In March, staff will report back to Commission regarding the current budget status and the capital improvement projects that may be on hold. NEW BUSINESS A. Plans regarding Parks & Recreation Director Vacancy— City Manager Jim Nantell commended Schwartz for his twenty-three years of service to the City and the tremendous loss that will be felt in the Managers' office as well as the City as a whole. Schwartz has been globally active in the organization and contributed to and taken the lead on numerous projects that have benefitted the organization itself, local non -profits and the citizens of Burlingame. Nantell stated that the solution he is looking for would be a long term situation. Nantell will be making a decision within the next two weeks regarding the position. Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes February 19, 2009 — Page 3 Nantell then spoke on his ideas for covering the position of Parks & Recreation Director and asked the commissioners to brain storm traits they would like to see in the new Director. The following options and cost impacts were also discussed and deliberated: 1) Merge Parks & Recreation with Library (Savings $200K); 2) Move Parks to Public Works and Recreation to Library (Savings $200K); 3) Share Parks & Recreation Director and or Library Director with another jurisdiction (Savings $100-200K); 4) Hire a half time Director (Savings $100K); 5) Keep vacant and have City Manager cover (Savings $200K); 6) Ask one of the Superintendants to play lead role and report to City Manager (Savings $200K); 7) Have Superintendents team direct the Department (Savings $200K) B. Needs Assessment Survey — Intern Gonzalez explained the City's Parks & Recreation Master Plan and the Needs Assessment Survey section of that plan. The intent of the survey is to gauge the community's perception of the current parks and programs, as well as to identify other recreational opportunities the City could offer. Surveys were handed to the Commissioners to distribute to a wide variety of citizens. Surveys will be made available on the website and at all City Facilities. The Youth Advisory Committee will be distributing the surveys among the community as well (i.e. local businesses, assisted living/retirement homes). The completion date for the information to be included in the updated master plan is mid May. REPORTS/HANDOUTS A. Staff Reports 1. Monthly Report — attached. 2. Schwartz distributed information to the Commissioners regarding the upcoming Arbor Day celebration at Bayside Park on Saturday, March 7, 2009 at 9:00 am. 3. Schwartz also requested two Commissioner volunteers for the Walk of Fame 2009 Review Committee. Commissioners Hesselgren volunteered to assist with the review committee. 4. Revenue Report — attached B. Commissioner Reports 1. Commissioner Hesselgren inquired as to which entity was responsible for maintenance of the walkway near the Peninsula Tennis Club and the Parks yard. The walkway is in need of repair. She is also concerned about safety in terms of lighting in the area as the walkway is used by many in the evenings. Staff stated that they would find out if it was the City or the High School District and report back. Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes February 19, 2009 — Page 4 2. Hesselgren also inquired as to why the Elm and a pine next to it were taken down in Washington Park and if there was plans to replace those trees and the light pole at the back of the park that was disabled when a tree fell on it. Staff has been informed by Public Works that it will take six weeks to replace the light pole that was downed by the pine tree. 3. Commissioner Carlton reported that Cuernavaca Park was open and looked great. She recommended that if you have not been by the park, please take a ride by and see what a wonderful job was done by everyone. The neighbors seem satisfied and the contractor did an excellent job. 4. Carlton thanked the Parks & Recreation Department for letting the high school Lacrosse team practice on Murray field when the district was unable to allot them field space at the high school. She also thanked Schwartz for a tremendous 23 years of service. 5. Commissioner La Mariana also thanked Schwartz for his years of dedicated service. 6. Commissioner Shanus reported that the fence at Bayside 1 has been put up. NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission is scheduled to be held on Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at Burlingame City Hall. There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 9:25 pm. Respectfully submitted, Joleen Helley Administrative Secretary Burlingame Parks & Recreation