HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PR - 2006.06.15MEETING MINUTES
Regular Meeting of the Burlingame Parks & Recreation Commission
Thursday, June 15, 2006
The regular meeting of the Burlingame Parks & Recreation Commission was called to order by
Chairman Heathcote at 7:00 pm at Burlingame City Hall, 501 Primrose Road, Burlingame.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Dittman, Heathcote, Hesselgren, Larios, Muller, Shanus
Commissioners Absent: Schreurs
Staff Present: Randy Schwartz, Parks & Recreation Director;
Joleen Butler, Account Clerk III.
Others Present: None
MINUTES
The minutes of the May 18, 2006 regular Commission meeting were approved as amended.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
OLD BUSINESS
Capital Improvement Projects
Director Schwartz reported that a contract was awarded for the snack shack/restroom project at
Bayside Park. A volunteer from the Boys Youth Baseball Association will run the food booth. The
facility will be turned at an angle to better watch games while waiting in line.
The Bayside lighting project has been completed. There are now path lights from diamond 1 to
diamond 2.
The scoreboard project will begin next week. The scoreboard from the Electrical Union will be
installed at Washington Park and the Washington Park scoreboard will be moved to Bayside #1.
Improvements to the park pathways at Washington and Bayside Parks behind diamond 3 project will
be open to bid on June 16, 2006. Commissioner Mueller asked where in Washington Park the
pathways would be resurfaced. Schwartz reported that the paths to be resurfaced are near the rose
garden at the rear of the park.
The vendor is to repair playground surface area at Murray field in the next day or two.
Parks & Recreation Commission
June 15, 2006 Minutes — page 2
Bond Measure - The City Council, at their next meeting, will decide whether to place a general
obligation bond on the November 2006 ballot. The two items the council will need to decide are the
average cost per parcel and the allocation of the funds. The City has identified $110 million in
capital needs for the storm drain system and city buildings in the 2003 facility master plan. In a
phone survey conducted last March, three items that polled well were flood control, emergency
preparedness and a new recreation center. Options for a new recreation center include, building at
the existing site, at the tennis court site or across the street from the tennis courts outside of the park.
The Council will need to introduce the measure at this meeting and will need to finalize the measure
by July 19 in order to get this item on the November ballot.
Several commissioners said that they would not support a storm drain bond measure as they felt that
a new recreation center would benefit more people and asked what staff s plan was to support a new
recreation center. Schwartz explained how the City could fund a new recreation center using
certificates of participation with the funds no longer needed to improve the storm drains on an
annual basis. The commissioners (1) expressed concerns over the existing recreation center such as
the un-reinforced auditorium, the lack of program space for athletic groups, teens and seniors, (2)
the poll and the results produced, (3) the need to put the majority of the bond money into the storm
drain system and (4) the need for a safe facility for our youth to go to after school.
Chairman Heathcote read a letter from the Senior Citizens Organization of Burlingame supporting a
new recreation center (see attached). Heathcote stated that the organization is willing to donate
$250,000 for a center.
Commissioner Larios asked when the council would be conducting its annual joint meeting with the
commission and asked if the Mayor is still conducting quarterly meetings with the various
commission chairpersons. Staff stated that these meetings are not on the current schedule.
Larios made a motion that "The City Council consider funding an appropriate and significant
amount of the upcoming bond measure for a new recreation center. " Commissioner Hesselgren
seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Hesselgren stated the importance of Commission
support at the upcoming Council meeting.
BHS Field
Schwartz drafted an agreement between the City and the SMUHSD. The agreement is being
reviewed by the District and will be brought to the City Council for approval in July. Agreements
with the non-profit groups that are pledging funds will be brought to Council at the same time.
There will be no lights place on the new field and the maintenance responsibility will remain with
the District.
Parks for the Future
Schwartz stated that the 1/8th cent sales tax proposal is going to the voters of San Mateo County in
November. The items, which will bring $300,000 new tax dollars to Burlingame for Parks &
Recreation use, will be reviewed by the City Council at a future meeting.
Parks & Recreation Commission
June 15, 2006 Minutes — page 3
Senior Resource Handbook
Commissioner Dittman reported that 9-10 high school students helped her update the Senior
Resources Handbook. New suggested sections include identity theft and elder care.
NEW BUSINESS
July_ Vacation Schedule
Due to vacation schedules, Commissioner Hesselgren made a motion to not hold a commission
meeting in July. Commissioner Dittman seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
REPORTS / HAND-OUTS
Staff
In addition to the Parks & Recreation Department Monthly and Revenue Reports (see attached),
Schwartz reported that (1) FEMA will be re-imbursing the City for some of the damage to Mills
Canyon during the recent storms, (2) No parking signs were installed a Bayside Park where
Commissioner Shanus had mentioned the illegal parking on the tan bark areas and (3) and Movies in
the Park will held on July 29th, August 12th and September 9th.
Commissioners
1. Commissioner Larios asked what had been done about the smoking near J Lot playground.
Schwartz reported that the benches on which the smoking has been taking place are farther than
20 ft from the playground, which is the distance required by state law.
2. Commissioner Muller reported that someone had voiced a concern to her regarding there having
been too many dogs at Art in the Park, despite the suggested signs posted to dissuade the public
from bringing their dogs to the event. Muller also stated that she has noticed dogs running free
on Bayside outfields after the women's softball leagues. Muller inquired as to how Art in the
Park did financially this year. She noticed several commercial booths that did not contribute to
small art event feel. Commissioner Larios asked for a financial report of Art in the Park.
Schwartz stated that there will be several changes to Art in the Park in the next couple of years
with the celebration of the City's centennial and suggested that this item be placed on the next
commission agenda.
3. Commissioner Hesselgren said that a citizen had mentioned that the mid -day lap swim hours for
the pool keep changing. She would like to see a consistent schedule that swimmers can count on
for their own scheduling purposes. She also wanted to suggest trying a punch card type of
system for swim passes instead of individual swim tickets as they get lost, wet, etc. Staff will
investigate both items and report back to the commission. (Noon lap swim hours are changed
due to BHS Physical Education classes during the spring and fall sessions)
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission is scheduled to be held on Thursday, August
17, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at Burlingame City Hall.
Parks & Recreation Commission
June 15, 2006 Minutes — page 4
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 9:15pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Joleen Butler
Parks & Recreation Account Clerk III