HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PR - 2008.03.20MEETING MINUTES
Regular Meeting of the Burlingame Parks & Recreation Commission
Thursday, March 20, 2008
The regular meeting of the Burlingame Parks & Recreation Commission was called to order by
Chairman Dittman at 7:00 pm at Burlingame City Hall, 501 Primrose Road, Burlingame.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Hesselgren, Shanus, Castner-Paine (left at 8:1Opm), Comaroto (left
at 8:20pm), Carlton, La Mariana, Fisher
Commissioners Absent: None
Staff Present: Parks & Recreation Director Schwartz,
Account Clerk III Butler
Others Present: None
MINUTES - The Minutes of the February 21, 2008 regular meeting were approved as submitted.
PUBLIC COMMENTS — None
OLD BUSINESS
A. Arsenic Update — Director Schwartz reported that the synthetic grass is scheduled
to be installed in mid -April. Commissioner La Mariana stated that the repairs to
the track have been completed.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Allowing Dogs Off -Leash in City Parks — Chairperson Hesselgren presented
information from several cities that allow dogs off leash from 5:00 to 9:00am.
Wear and tear on the park was not a problem and the residents who walk their
dogs do a very good job of policing the area. Hesselgren suggested a trial
program in Washington Park from 5:30 to 7:30am for a few months.
Commissioner La Mariana stated that he is a dog owner and sees a need for this
type of area. He noted that there are occasionally aggressive dogs at the Dog Park
and this gives another option. As long as the selected area is not used for sports
events, he is supportive of the trial project.
Commissioner Shanus said that the gravel at the Dog Park tears up the paws on
some dogs and asked if the trial period should take place at more than one park.
Parks & Recreation Commission
March 20, 2008 Minutes — page 2
Hesselgren suggested that this may be a volatile issue for the community, so she
would like the trial at one park and then, assuming it goes well, the program could
go Citywide.
Commissioner Castner-Paine agreed with the concept of a trial program at
Washington Park before considering this at other parks.
Commissioner Carlton noted that the Police Department would need to be diligent
about enforcing the hours carefully so the ending time does not get extended.
Commissioner Fisher asked how the public would be made aware of the program
and suggested that the trial program should also be conducted at Cuernavaca Park
so residents from the northern section of the City would not have to drive to
Washington Park. Hesselgren responded that the dog owners would let each other
know about this through word of mouth.
Commissioner Comaroto expressed concern over the program due to the potential
feces that would be left on the lawn areas.
MOTION by Castner-Paine (seconded by Carlton): To recommend to the City
Council to waive the off -leash dog ordinance until 7.30am each day for the
Eastern most lawn area of Washington Park behind the Recreation Center and
the upper field at Cuernavaca Park for a period of 90 days. MOTIONPASSED
6-1 (Comaroto opposed).
B. Parks Facilities — This item was tabled until Commissioner Castner-Paine has
time to prepare more information.
C. Capital Improvement Prot
Director Schwartz described the status of the City's Capital Improvement Project
(CIP) budget to the Commissioners. Prior to the drop in the economy, the City
was able to invest $7 to 8 million annually into the CIP's. From 2002 to 2006, the
City had to drastically reduce that amount, as the City's revenue was not covering
its operating expenses. In the past two years, the City has been able to fund the
operating budget, but only a portion of the CIP's. Where the City has determined
that the CIP critical need for an on -going basis is $4 million to maintain the
current condition, the City Council will only be able to consider funding $2.5
million of CIP projects for the 2008-09 fiscal year.
The items on the list from the Parks & Recreation Department include
improvements to the parks' pathways, a new boiler for the Aquatic Center (City's
share — 65% of total cost), synthetic grass on Bayside Park fields 3 & 4 and funds
for a tree planting program that can be used as a cash match for upcoming grants.
Parks & Recreation Commission
March 20, 2008 Minutes — page 3
Schwartz stated staff s priority of Bayside Park field is based upon the feedback
from the various non-profit groups, the field already has lights, there are no
neighbors in the area and the project would give the community approximately
2,000 new hours of usable playing time. In addition, the field would save
hundreds of hours annually in maintenance time and hundreds of thousands of
gallons of water. The opportunity to receive a substantial savings on the cost of
the material and installation are also key factors for moving forward with the
project at this time.
Schwartz has requested the City Council fund $150,000 so the project's pre -
construction phase can be completed in the upcoming fiscal year. The Council
has asked staff to work with the field user groups to gather their financial support
for the project before the City's budget meetings in June. Staff has called a
meeting of the user groups for April I". Commissioners Shanus and La Mariana
volunteered to represent the Commission at the meeting.
Commissioner La Mariana stated his support for the synthetic grass field at
Bayside Park. He spoke about the positive environmental impacts of the field
such as saving water and fertilizer. He asked if the carpet can be recycled at the
end of its useful life. (Staff later asked the manufacturer and learned the material
can be recycled).
MOTION by Comaroto (seconded by La Mariana): The Commission supports
the renovation of Bayside Park Fields 3 & 4 with a synthetic grass field for year
round usage. MOTIONPASSED 6-0 (Castner-Paine absent).
D. San Mateo Union High School District Fees — Commissioner Shanus had asked
that a couple of news articles be distributed to the Commissioners about the San
Mateo Union High School District's proposal to increase fees for its facilities.
Schwartz stated that the SMUHSD Board of Trustees, at their March 13th meeting
approved "an increase in fees and the ability of the administration to negotiate
with the cities and non-profit groups to develop standardized fees and to hire a
part-time facilities position and to recoup as much of the direct costs as possible
using the proposed fee schedule as a starting place for the negotiations."
Commissioner Fisher asked what leverage the community has in this matter and if
the City should consider an injunction to stop the District's proposal. Schwartz
replied that staff representatives from Burlingame, Millbrae, San Bruno and San
Mateo met to learn the current arrangement each City has with District and to
discuss their shared interests. Schwartz suggested waiting to see where the
negotiations go before taking more aggressive steps, but reminded the
Commissioners that a portion of their role is to talk to the public about these
issues to learn the concerns of the individuals or groups.
Parks & Recreation Commission
March 20, 2008 Minutes — page 4
REPORTS/HANDOUTS
A. Staff Reports
1. Monthly Report — See attached.
2. 2007-08 Revenue Report — See attached.
B. Commissioners
1. Commissioner Shanus acknowledged the great job the Parks crews did to
prepare the ballfields for BYBA's opening day despite the rain.
2. Commissioner Carlton reported that the Cuernavaca Playground
Committee has reviewed plans from three different companies and is
focusing on imaginary plan equipment.
3. Carlton also reported that staff has not contacted her yet to discuss Art in
the Park sponsorships.
4. Commissioner Fisher reported that the Walk of Fame Committee reviewed
the four applications and will recommend two individuals. The two are
Martha Rosman May, a 32-year volunteer who started the Burlingame
Historical Society, and Mary Janney, who has been involved in
Burlingame Rotary, the Burlingame Community for Education and other
community groups for over 20 years.
5. Chairperson Hesselgren reported that she, Shanus and La Mariana met to
discuss giving the resident rate to local businesses. The committee is
considering placing a coupon in the Chamber of Commerce newsletter that
businesses can redeem at the Recreation Center for the resident rate. The
committee will talk to Georgette Naylor, Executive Director of the
Chamber, before the next Commission meeting.
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission will be held on Thursday, April 17,
2008 at 7:OOpm in Conference Room "A" of Burlingame City Hall, 501 Primrose Road.
There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at
9:20 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Joleen Butler
Account Clerk III