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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PR - 2008.11.20MEETING MINUTES Regular Meeting of the Burlingame Parks & Recreation Commission Thursday, November 20, 2008 The regular meeting of the Burlingame Parks & Recreation Commission was called to order by Vice -chairperson Castner-Paine at 7:03 pm at Burlingame City Hall, 501 Primrose Road, Burlingame. ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Shanus (arrived at 7:07pm), Castner-Paine, Carlton, Fisher, La Marina (arrived at 7:12pm), Eaton (arrived at 7:20pm), Hesselgren Commissioners Absent: None Staff Present: Parks & Recreation Director Schwartz; Administrative Secretary Joleen Helley Others Present: Steve Pratt, 2116 Easton Drive, Burlingame; Tom O'Connor, 411 Rollins Rd. Burlingame; Tara Pratt, 2116 Easton Drive, Burlingame; Libbie Hom, 975 Black Mtn. Rd., Hillsborough; Cory Ferrara, 2112 Hillside Drive, Burlingame; Chris Butler, 1224 Vancouver Ave., Burlingame; Jim Ferrera, 2112 Hillside Drive, Burlingame; John Horgan, 471 Cumberland Rd, Burlingame. MINUTES Chairperson Shanus asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes. Seeing none, the Minutes of the October 16, 2008 regular meeting were approved as submitted. PUBLIC COMMENTS — None. OLD BUSINESS — None NEW BUSINESS A. Safety at the Aquatic Center - Tara Pratt introduced the members attending the meeting on this item, explained their connection to the aquatic programs and also recognized that the main goal of all involved is to provide a safe environment at the pool. She also handed out a folder of information (see attachments). Concerns expressed by the group included the inconsistency in level of surveillance and pool maintenance, the lack of widely employed safety procedures, and the critical need of a supervisor on the deck or on premises for lifeguard accountability. Chairperson Shanus asked Director Schwartz to outline who is responsible for providing safety at the pool and for which events. Schwartz stated that the Aquatic Center is utilized by three groups: San Mateo Union High School District (School P.E. and sports programs), City of Burlingame (Public use) and Burlingame Aquatics Club (Competitive programs). Each group is responsible for providing lifeguards for their own programs. The BAC has asked that the City provide lifeguards for BAC programs when the two groups are holding programs concurrently and have asked City staff to train BAC lifeguards for times when only BAC programs are using the facility. Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes November 20, 2008 — Page 2 In response to questions from the commissioners, Schwartz stated that staffing levels at the pool are determined by the activity and projected attendance; there are never less than two staff assigned to the pool; the public can be turned away due to an unexpected crowd but that has never happened; staff maintains a log of pool chemistry; the supervisor and coordinator handle disciplinary actions regarding the lifeguards; there is always a head lifeguard on duty; all lifeguards employed by the City are certified through the American Red Cross; the three user groups meet monthly to discuss maintenance, schedules and other issues. He also stated that complaints or concerns from club members are asked to be routed through the club president; complaints or concerns from the public are directed to the program coordinator or supervisor. Schwartz added that City staff met with Tara a year ago and provided her with the operations manual, discussed the training programs and pool operations, and explained that the operations manual is above and beyond the ARC training manual required for all lifeguards. Hesselgren noted that the contract with the club was recently renegotiated and asked if the club was satisfied with the City's lifeguards. Schwartz responded that the club was highly complimentary of the lifeguards and the training procedures. Hesselgren inquired about lunchtime lap swim and lane line issue with the club and the school. Schwartz explained that the physical education classes use the pool for eight weeks each year and do not use the lane lines. Because of the amount of time it takes to install and remove the lane lines, the City's noon hour lap swim for those eight weeks is done without lane lines. Carlton suggested moving to discontinue lunch time lap swim if lane lines can not be utilized. Schwartz reminded the Commission that this item is not on the agenda and no discussion or action should be taken on the item at this time because the program participants have not been noticed. The Commission can agendize the item for a future meeting if they so choose. (The City programs never use the pool at the same time as the physical education classes) Commissioner Carlton noted that she stopped by the pool on Wednesday November 5, at 1:30 pm and observed a lifeguard in jeans, tennis shoes and a hooded sweatshirt who left the guard station to go into the office for 15-20 seconds, emerged with another sweatshirt which he put on, then went back into the office for about a minute and fifty seconds. She feels that the Commission needs to look in to the matter of safety procedures at the pool. Eaton stated that one matter was not discussed was the physical access to the facility needs to be addressed. He has noted that often the covers are not on the pool when they should be and the gates are open and kids will be in the pool until 10:00 or 11:00 pm. (The club is responsible for the closure of the facility as they have the last programs each night. After the Commission meeting, staff sent an additional reminder to the club that they need to secure the gates and put pool covers on before leaving the facility each night.) Schwartz, in response to a question from La Mariana, stated that there are both planned and unplanned spot checks of the facility and the lifeguards by the coordinator and outside contractors. Red cap drills are performed at least four days each week during the summer session. Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes November 20, 2008 — Page 3 Shanus suggested forming a sub -committee to look into the matter. The Commissioners agreed and Shanus appointed Fisher, Carlton and Eaton. They will meet with staff in December and report back to Commission at the next meeting. B. Staff Presentation on Demographics and Recreation Enrollments - Schwartz reviewed with the Commissioners the Parks & Recreation Programs & Facilities Master Plan and the Parks & Recreation information from the 2008-09 Budget. C. December Meeting Status — due to the proximity of the meeting to the holidays, the Commission has traditionally not held a regular meeting in December. Motion by Fisher (seconded by Hesselgren): "No meeting will take place in December. The next meeting will be January 15, 2009. " Motion passes unanimously. D. Burlingame School District/Commission Liaison — Shanus described the role of the Commission Liaison to the District and the requirement that the Commissioner have a child enrolled in the District or a recreation program that uses District facilities. After discussion, it was agreed that Eaton would assist Shanus in the Liaison role this year with the intent of taking it over next year when Shanus' children are no longer in the District. REPORTS/HANDOUTS A. Staff Reports 1. Monthly Report— attached 2. Revenue Report — attached B. Commissioner Reports 1. Commissioner Eaton reported that AYSO has received permission from their State organization to sue the SMUHSD regarding the recently imposed facility fees. A similar litigation was successful in southern California. However, the local AYSO would have to pay the attorney fees. 2. Commissioner Hesselgren asked for an update on the BHS locked fencing issue that she had questions about. Schwartz reported that he had the Fire Department look into the situation and that all was within code regulations as long as attendees, students, faculty, and guests have the ability to be at least 50 feet from buildings — the code states they are safe. 3. In response to Chairperson Shanus' inquiry about the status of the Bayside 3/4 synthetic field, Schwartz stated that the funds for the project from the 2008-09 budget will most likely be returned to the General Fund in light of the current budget situation. In order for the project to move forward at this time, a $400,000 donation would need to be given to the City from the non-profit organizations or other community members. 4. Shanus reported that he and Commissioner Carlton observed the BIS basketball tryouts and they met with Director Schwartz to discuss how some of the processes could be improved. 5. In response to the Master Plan discussion of a needs assessment, Commissioner Carlton suggested that surveys be implemented in obtaining the needs of the community in regards to class offerings etc. Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes November 20, 2008 — Page 4 NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission is scheduled to be held on Thursday, January 15, 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 10:20 pm. Respectfully submitted, Joleen Helley Administrative Secretary Burlingame Parks & Recreation