HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PR - 2008.04.17MEETING MINUTES
Regular Meeting of the Burlingame Parks & Recreation Commission
Thursday, April 17, 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, Carlton, La Mariana, Fisher
Commissioners Absent: Comaroto
Staff Present: Parks & Recreation Director Schwartz,
Account Clerk III Butler
Others Present: None
MINUTES - The Minutes of the March 20, 2008 regular meeting were approved as amended
(page 4, Section B, Item 2 - change "plans" to "equipment" and change "plan equipment" to
"play equipment").
PUBLIC COMMENTS — (Chairperson Hesselgren moved this section until later in the meeting
so a member of the public that previously requested to speak to Commission was able to arrive)
OLD BUSINESS
A. Arsenic Update — Director Schwartz reported that the installation of the synthetic
grass field at Burlingame High School is scheduled to begin on April 18.
B. Capital Improvement Projects — (Because items B & C are affected by each other,
the discussions were combined) Director Schwartz reported that City staff met
with the non-profit groups who use City fields. The groups unanimously agreed
that improvements to Bayside Parks field #3 & 4 is the highest priority for field
improvements within the City, including fields owned by the City, Burlingame
School District and Burlingame High School. They have pledged $350,000 over
5 years for the synthetic turf field at Bayside Park contingent upon any fees
charged by the San Mateo Union High School District for facility/field use. Lynn
Mutto and Schwartz recently had a meeting with the High School District and a
separate meeting with several local City Managers regarding the communities'
use of facilities and fields. There is a series of meetings scheduled in the future to
discuss the needs of all parties. Commissioner Fisher asked if the City had
allocated funds to the BHS football field and aquatics center projects in the past
and if there was a leasing agreement for use over a specified period of time.
Fisher also asked how the Bayside Field would be funded if the groups were
donating over a five-year period. Schwartz responded that the City does have
agreements in place with the SMUHSD and these will be discussed in the
upcoming meetings. For the Bayside project, Schwartz would ask the City
Parks & Recreation Commission
April 17, 2008 Minutes — page 2
Council to use money out of reserves to initially fund the project knowing there is
an agreement in place.
C. San Mateo Union High School District Fees — (see item B above)
NEW BUSINESS
A. Allowing Dogs Off -Leash in City Parks — Schwartz reported that the
Commission's recommendation to allow dogs off leash in Washington and
Cuernavaca Parks until 7:30am each day will be on the City Council agenda for
Monday, April 21.
B. Consideration of Allowing Businesses to Receive Resident Rate on Recreation
Programs - Hesselgren, Shanus and La Mariana reported on the March meeting
of the committee formed to discuss the issue. They identified the stakeholders,
interests and options. The committee recommendation would be to allow
Chamber members only to receive the resident rate via a coupon in the monthly
Chamber newsletter. The coupon would be limited to classes and activities in the
brochure and that copies would be accepted. La Mariana has contacted the
Chamber and they are supportive of the concept.
Commissioner Carlton felt that requiring a business to become a member of the
Chamber, which costs approximately $250 a year, so they can get the resident rate
on recreation classes would not create goodwill with the businesses. The City
provides a list of new businesses in the Chamber that can be used to mail out a
resident rate coupon. Castner-Paine agreed with this.
Shanus said we are not requiring a business to be a member of the Chamber.
Businesses can download the resident rate coupon off the website or get a copy to
use. He said the Chamber was a way to distribute the coupon or perhaps the
coupon could be sent out via the email list serve as a way to help the businesses
get the resident rate.
Schwartz thought the issue before the Commission is to determine whether or not
business owners and their employees should receive the resident rate on
recreation programs. The issue of finding the proper vehicle to distribute the
coupons can be left to staff.
MOTION by Carlton (seconded by LaMariana): For staff to develop a
process to allow local business license holders and their employees to receive
the resident rate for all Burlingame Parks & Recreation programs. MOTION
PASSED 6-0 (1 absent).
Parks & Recreation Commission
April 17, 2008 Minutes — page 3
PUBLIC COMMENTS —
Donna Colson, President of Burlingame Girls Softball, distributed a memo dated April 14, 2008
and addressed the Commission regarding the group's 2009 needs for the use Ray Park. She
updated the Commission to the fact that currently there have been only two complaints of minor
issue regarding their Sunday use of Ray Park. She reported that due to the good weather, the
group has not had to use the park for makeup games on Sundays. The 2008 season for the group
ends on May 15, 2008. Colson said that Ray Park is the safest field because of its restroom
placement and the best maintained for the girls, even with the drop -in cricket team at Ray Park
on Sunday mornings that has been roughing up the infield. Regarding their use of the
Burlingame High School fields, the bathroom access was an issue in the beginning and has
gotten better with construction being completed at the track. There was no electricity for the
ball machine and the infield was not in the best condition. The group may have to raise their fees
if the San Mateo Union High School District fees are imposed. If this is the case, Colson reports
that the group could cut down on their field use if they were more efficient with their practice
schedule. The group has committed to contributing $15 per child for the turfing of Bayside fields
3 & 4, contingent upon not paying the SMUHSD fees.
Colson also mentioned that BGS is willing to move the Billy Sue tournament to Bayside, instead
of Ray Park, if BYBA can rearrange one of their tournaments at Bayside Park so the dates do not
conflict.
La Mariana commented on the December meeting at Ray Park regarding the group's use of the
park and the anxious neighbors who attended the meeting. He inquired as the whether there have
been any complaints since the meeting. Schwartz reported that there have been no complaints
against BGS' use of the park. Hesselgren asked if there had been complaints in the past
regarding the groups use of the field. Schwartz responded that a minor complaint regarding trash
being left in the park was lodged some time ago and that complaints come when the scope of the
use of the park comes up for change. Fisher asked if there were complaints that perhaps did not
come to the Parks & Recreation Department such as being called into the Police department and
not being reported to the recreation department. Schwartz mentioned that this was possible,
however, the Police Department is aware of the sensitive nature of BGS' use of Ray Park and
usually informs him of any complaints. Shanus stated that he lives near that park and that BGS
has been a good neighbor in the sense that they have maintained the park well and have been
respectful.
Fisher pointed out that the 500 hours alluded to in Colson's memo would have to be distributed
to other City fields. He also asked what the status of the batting cage proposal was at Ray Park.
Schwartz said he was unsure at the meeting of how many hours BGS uses District fields but
pointed out that the league has two diamonds to use at BHS. Schwartz reported that BGS has
access to the batting cage at BHS and therefore this issue has been resolved for the immediate
future. He also stated that BGS' proposal was modified to include a portable batting cage that
could be setup and taken down on a daily basis.
Parks & Recreation Commission
April 17, 2008 Minutes — page 4
Hesselgren stated that if the District fees go into effect, there will be a lot of teams displaced and
allocated somewhere else. As an example, she stated that Ray Park fields 1 & 2 could be turned
into a lacrosse field. She would like to wait until the District fees issue is resolved before
proceeding. There is a bigger picture to consider here.
Fisher asked if there is a date to act by for tournament schedules. Schwartz responded that the
youth sports groups set their tournament schedules far in advance and pointed out that as of July
1st the District fees schedule goes into effect. There are a series of meetings scheduled with the
District and other cities in hopes of reaching a solution.
Hesselgren asked if BGS would be required to rent the batting cage at BHS and stated there is an
agreement on the football field and Aquatics Center but not the softball field. BGS has
contributed the batting cage to the District's property. Hesselgren stated that the BGS field space
issue should be revisited in August after determining the direction on the District fees
Castner-Paine suggested that the City or non-profit groups may want to have an accountant look
at the proposed fees and the community's partnership with the District. Schwartz responded that
this is an option that will be considered.
Hesselgren then directed staff to place this item on the August or September meeting agenda
when more information is available regarding the District fees.
REPORTS/HANDOUTS
A. Staff Reports
1. Monthly Report (see attached)
2. 2007-08 Revenue Report (see attached)
B. Commissioners
1. Commissioner Shanus reported that the landscaping at Bayside Park
around the snack shack has been completed and three picnic tables have
been installed. BYBA partnered with the City of Burlingame to make
safety improvements to Bayside (pitching area and paved areas). The non-
profits groups have really taken care of the facilities.
2. Commissioner Castner-Paine noticed that the cinder paving in Washington
Park has been replaced by asphalt. She likes the look of the cinder paving
and feels it is more park like. She inquired if there was a maintenance cost
involved that was cost prohibitive to keeping the cinder paving.
3. Castner-Paine also reported that she attended the Commissioners training
and has a conversation with a Commissioner from Livermore who has had
similar issues with their District. She mentioned that she would be in
contact with that Commissioner to get more information as to how they
achieved some peace.
Parks & Recreation Commission
April 17, 2008 Minutes — page 5
Carlton asked how we got to this point with the District and what
agreements are currently in place. All groups should be able to sit down,
talk about this and come to a conclusion. Schwartz responded that the
increases for use of District facilities are due to the District's financial
difficulties. The new Superintendent informed the cities last December
that the fees for use of District facilities would be increased, but the
amount was not disclosed until after the School Board meeting. Lynn
Mutto, Recreation Supervisor, and Schwartz sat down and figured out the
impacts of the fees on Recreation and non-profit programs. They have
spoken to the District, who agreed to cut the fees in half for the first year
and then go back to the proposed prices thereafter. Mutto and Schwartz
met with the non -profits and discouraged them from going to litigation
with the District over the issue, instead suggesting the negotiations as
suggested by the Board. Schwartz noted that the new Superintendent was
not aware of the City's previous donations of money and services to their
fields.
4. Commissioner Fisher reported that Commissioners' training was well
done and informative.
5. Fisher asked if City Council has approved the nominees for the Walk of
Fame. Schwartz confirmed they had been approved and the honorees
would be recognized at the Centennial Ball on June 6tn
6. Commissioner La Mariana reported on the April 1 field use meeting that
was attended by himself, Shanus, Schwartz and Mutto. He commended
Mutto and Schwartz for being outstanding facilitators. The consensus
among the six organizations was a commitment to donate for the
improvements to Bayside Park. They are looking for community wide
support. La Mariana gave a presentation to the Burlingame Rotary Club
Board regarding the positive impacts for the community as a whole from
the improvements proposed and hopes to receive their financial support.
La Mariana also supported Measure O, the Parks for the Future initiative
on the June 3 ballot. He feels this measure is very important and
encouraged the Commissioners to vote in favor on June 3. He mentioned
there is a rally dinner for the measure on April 24 at 1700 El Camino in
the Miller Room for those interested in attending.
7. Carlton reported on the Cuernavaca Park Playground renovation and that
the deadline for the plans to be submitted is April 29.
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission will be held on Thursday, May 15,
2008 at 7:OOpm in Conference Room "A" of Burlingame City Hall, 501 Primrose Road.
Parks & Recreation Commission
April 17, 2008 Minutes — page 6
There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at
8:40 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Joleen Butler
Account Clerk III