Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PR - 2006.05.18MEETING MINUTES Regular Meeting of the Burlingame Parks & Recreation Commission Thursday, May 18, 2006 The regular meeting of the Burlingame Parks & Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairman Heathcote at 7:10 pm at Burlingame City Hall, 501 Primrose Road, Burlingame. ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Dittman, Heathcote, Larios, Muller, Schreurs, Shanus Commissioners Absent: Hesselgren Staff Present: Randy Schwartz, Parks & Recreation Director; Joleen Butler, Account Clerk III. Others Present: Chennie Castanon & John Salvo, 1557 Albemarle Way; Barbara Sutter, 151 El Bonito Way, Millbrae; Mildred Schoux, 623 S. El Dorado, San Mateo; Liz Harrelson, 2600 S. El Camino, #200, San Mateo. MINUTES The minutes of the April 20, 2006 regular Commission meeting were approved as amended. PUBLIC COMMENTS None NEW BUSINESS Burlingame Dog Park — Altered Dog Proposal — (In order to accommodate the public present for the discussion this item was moved forward on the agenda) Chairman Heathcote explained the process for discussion of this item to the public. Director Schwartz read the email from Patty Wright in which she explains that her altered mixed breed (possibly part pit - bull) dog growled at an un-altered German Shepard pup at the Burlingame Dog Park. She commented that her dog was teaching the un-altered dog "doggy manners" and that this was normal dog behavior. She corrected her dog and turned to leave the park when the owner of the German Shepard, who did not visually witness the growling, asked her what happened. She explained and the owner proceeded to call her and her dog names. Wright went on to say that, this owner and most owners do not understand normal "doggie" behavior. She then requested that the City require that dogs be altered in order to enter the dog park, stating that this would decrease at least 90% of serious dogfights at all dog parks. Schwartz stated that the owner of the other dog did contact the Department, requesting a ban on all pit bulls. Schwartz had checked with the City Attorney and informed the owner that the City can ban an individual dog or owner for poor behavior, but not an overall breed of dog and that the issue before the Commission at the meeting is whether to explore banning unaltered dogs from the park. Parks & Recreation Commission May 18, 2006 Minutes — page 2 Heathcote stated that this appears to be a dog owner problem and does not recommend the commission do anything at this time. Commissioner Schreurs commented that dog owners should train their dogs. Shanus mentioned that his son was mauled by a pit bull in October. Any dog can be vicious at any time. Shanus inquired as to how to enforce the altered dog requirement at the park. Commissioner Mueller commented that her altered 6-year-old dog growls at her second dog as a way of greeting and to let the other dog know that she is the alpha dog. Mueller said that owners need to know there dogs and their behaviors. Commissioner Larios commented that the public could call the police to take care of any problems. Altering dogs does not "fix" the problem; all that can be done is to post rules. Heathcote said it is up to the people in the park to patrol and keep the rules. Larios mentioned that we should be more concerned about small children around dogs. Heathcote thanked the public for attending and invited them to comment. Barbara Sutter said she goes to the park every morning. When pit bulls come into the park, she said that most of the dog owners leave. The owners with pit bulls do not come that often. Mildred Schoux said she also goes to the park every morning. She said she usually asks owners if their dogs may be part pit bull. She also said that dogs bark and growl at each other to communicate. Chennie Castannon said she lives in Burlingame and was attending the meeting for the issue of spaying dogs. She said that such a ban would be unfair to breeding dogs and that dogs who are unaltered give off a certain pheromone and are more aggressive. Owners of unaltered dogs need to be aware of this and train their dogs. She and her partner have a pit bull and go to the Burlingame Park. People know them, but they still get bad comments and dirty looks. She has never seen a dog fight at the park. She has seen owners reprimand their dogs. The commissioners agreed that no action should be taken on this item. OLD BUSINESS Capital Improvement Projects - Director Schwartz reported that until 4 years ago the Parks & Recreation Department received $650,000 a year for Capital Improvement Projects. Since 2002, the Department has received zero funds. The Department has received state funds and residual funds from completed CIP's for any improvements. He also reported that the Bayside light project has been completed. The restroom/snack shack at Bayside is the next project on the list. Safety items and pathways are on the top of the priority list for 2006-07. For 2007-08 the plan is mostly safety items. These items are not approved at this time but are approved a year at a time. Schwartz also showed the commission the long-term CIP plan the Department has put together to handle the replacement of parks items, such as fencing, backstops, restrooms, lights, pathways, etc. The plan highlights the need for the annual CIP funds of approximately $700,000. Parks & Recreation Commission May 18, 2006 Minutes — page 3 Schwartz handed out results from a telephone survey that taken in April. The survey covered questions regarding what capital improvement projects the public thought should take priority. The results showed that storm drains headed the list, followed by disaster preparedness and then a new Community Center at the existing site, with 71% of the public in favor of that plan. Schwartz mentioned that the option of building the Community Center on the current tennis court site and relocating the tennis courts to the current building site was not included in the survey and was more popular with the public four years ago than adding to the existing site because the neighborhood is already impacted with parking for the Recreation Center. Four years ago, over 20 possible locations were considered for the Community Center with only two spots fitting the needs of the public - across the street from the tennis courts and on the current tennis court site. In either case, a parking structure would be constructed to support the facility. Larios said that the public would be amazed at how many people are enrolled in the programs offered at the Center. The public thinks of recreation as an outdoor thing and does not think of the programming part of the Center, the classes and lectures etc. Meuller asked if the scenario with a combined Community Center and City Hall concept was surveyed. Schwartz explained that this was the visionary approach as described in the City's Facilities Masterplan and was not discussed in this survey. Schwartz mentioned that a parking garage in Washington Park for the public was not liked, but the public was ok with an underground parking area for employees and instructors. He also mentioned that up and down the Peninsula, centers with senior and teen components "within" the center were doing well. However, the centers with stand-alone components failed quickly. Senior citizens can be mixed with the younger age groups and can use the same facilities at different times of the day. This saves the City from having to build additional facilities and saves the Department from having to staff two different sites and replicate supplies for each facility. Larios said that the new facility needs to have a public gym citing the large number of complaints about lack of gym space. Larios also stated that it would cost approximately $5 million to upgrade the existing Center and that we would still be left with an inadequate facility. For $12 million more, we would have parking and the other amenities. He also is concerned about the potential of four competing bond measures on the same election. Schwartz reported the other part of the survey was to find out how much would people be willing to support. The public would accept $150-175 per year, per household. Based upon the median assessed value in Burlingame of $350,000, this would give the City approximately $45 million in bond debt to put towards capital improvements. Schwartz also discussed the options before the Council, including storm drains, disaster preparedness and other City facilities. Schwartz mentioned that on May 3Is' council will have a hearing in the Lane Room at the Library at 6:00pm. Heathcote asked if there needs to be a strong commission and community presence at that meeting. Larios asked how and when the commission could make a recommendation. Schwartz responded that the commission's recommendation of support of a new community center will be on record through the minutes and will be discussed at the meeting. He recommended against rallying Parks & Recreation Commission May 18, 2006 Minutes — page 4 the community to attend the meeting to show support for a new community center. Schwartz indicated that this is the first session where council will have a chance to discuss the item and no vote is anticipated. BHS Backfield Schwartz reported that during a meeting with the School District and the Chatham Road neighbors last night, the neighbors were in support of synthetic grass on the field once the trailers are removed but do not ever want lights nor a fence that butts up against their property. This project, estimated to cost $1.1 million, will give the community a twelve month athletic field for recreational activities and local youth sports. Schwartz also reported that the San Mateo Union High School District has requested $300,000 in assistance from the City of Burlingame in funding this project. Schwartz broached the subject with Council at the budget study session. There was some objection to funding a school project when we have not put CIP dollars into City projects for several years. Schwartz stated that he has since spoken to several community organizations and has received pledges from them to assist in the funding and lower the amount that the City would have to loan the District. BHS Athletic Boosters has pledged $50,000 over the next ten years, Coyotes Lacrosse will contribute $50,000 within the next three years, CYSA will contribute $25,000 within five years, AYSO will give $20,000 within five years and adult Soccer will contribute $10,000 over the next five years. This item is anticipated to go before the City Council at their budget meeting on May 31st for further discussion. Parks for the Future Commissioner Schreurs attended a meeting regarding the Parks for the Future initative and reported the following to the commission. The tax would increase our local sales tax by 1/8 cent to 8.375%. Schreurs said that the City needs to use the money for Parks & Recreation, once the money is there is can be used as needed. There are provisions for not supplanting by cities. Julia Bott will be back once the wording is finalized to seek support from the various city councils. Heathcote mentioned that this ballot is placed low on the ballot. Schreurs agreed that city bond issues do come last. Schreurs said that Belmont and San Carlos resolution has been written up. Schwartz said that Foster City has decided to take no stand on the issue. The measure needs a 2/3 majority for passage. Senior Resource Handbook Commissioner Dittman will be meeting with the kids at the recreation center on May 23 to update the handbook. She anticipates having ten teens from the high school and the YAC assist. Parks & Recreation Commission May 18, 2006 Minutes — page 5 NEW BUSINESS Benefits of Parks & Recreation - Schwartz handed out a list of benefits of recreation programs (see attached) and an article from CPRS magazine on the benefits of parks and trees. Commissioner Schreurs suggested that the statement "It costs 100 times more to send a teen to jail than to provide preventative recreation programs" should be at the top of the list. Commissioner Shanus suggested posting the benefits statements in City facilities and on community bulletin boards. REPORTS / HAND-OUTS Parks & Recreation Department Reports 1. Monthly Report — see attached 2. 2005-06 FY Revenue Report Commissioners 1. Commissioner Shanus reported that BYBA will be conducting their annual tournament in the middle of June. 2. Commissioner Larios reported that there has been smoking next to the J lot playground, which may be in violation of the State law and the City ordinance. 3. Shanus commented that the No Smoking signs have not been posted at Bayside Park. NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission is scheduled to be held on Thursday, June 15, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at Burlingame City Hall. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 9:28pm. Respectfully submitted, Joleen Butler Parks & Recreation Account Clerk III