HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PR - 2001.05.17MEETING MINUTES
Burlingame Parks & Recreation Commission
Thursday, May 17, 2001
The regular meeting of the Burlingame Parks & Recreation Commission was called to order by
Chairman Ed Larios at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Burlingame City Hall.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present:
Dittman, Erickson, Heathcote, Larios, Lawson and Minderman;
Youth Commissioner Martindale
Commissioners Absent:
Muller, Youth Commissioner Zhao
Staff Present:
Acting Parks & Recreation Director Schwartz
Others Present:
Sgt. Dawn Cutler, Burlingame Police Dept.
Mara Kahn, 1108 Edgehill, Burlingame
MINUTES
Minutes of the April 19, 2001 regular meetings of the Commission were approved as submitted.
OLD BUSINESS
A. Teen Center Study Committee. Chairman Larios asked Commissioners Heathcote and
Erickson, who have each attended a meeting as observers, to give their feedback of the meetings.
Heathcote noted that Chris Beth, Recreation Superintendent from Redwood City, spoke to the
Committee at the 5/16/01 meeting about the Red Morton Center, where the teen center functions
within the larger community center. Heathcote noted that a gymnasium was the number one
priority, with classroom space being number two. Beth also discussed Red Morton's small
supervised drop -in area for teens with TV, pool tables, etc. and how the teens can go back and
forth between the gym and drop -in areas. Heathcote also commented on the similarities between
Red Morton Park and Burlingame's Washington Park, with nearby ballfields, swimming pool
and senior citizens activities and discussed the status of the current Recreation Center, with
offices in converted projection rooms and restrooms. Erickson went to one meeting, but the
committee was involved in small group activities.
Larios and Dittman, the Commission's representatives to the Committee, explained the process
being used and gave an overview of the discussions and history of the project to date. Larios
agreed with Heathcote on the similarities with Red Morton Park and Washington Park and also
pointed out many similarities with San Carlos' Youth Center, such as being located in the city's
main park, proximity to neighbors and the criteria developed by the two cities. Larios also
reported that the Committee learned that the development of the San Carlos Youth Center has
resulted in a reduction in the number of teen problems with the park's neighbors.
Acting Director Schwartz pointed out that the Committee's prior meeting was held at the San
Carlos Youth Center. Schwartz also stated that he had taken Charles Voltz, Committee Co -Chair,
and AnnaMarie Holland Daniels, President of the Burlingame Mother's Club, to the Terra Bay
Center in South San Francisco, Red Morton Center and Foster City's new Teen drop -in center.
Parks & Recreation Commission
Thursday, May 17, 2001- page 2
Erickson stated that the two hot button issues he foresees for the Committee are the type of
facility to be developed in Burlingame and its location. He also asked if the Committee is
making progress. Larios responded that the Committee is making progress, but it is slow at
times due to the need to bring all of the members up to speed.
B. Report on Youth Advisory Committee (YAC). Youth Advisory Commissioner
Martindale reported on upcoming'YAC activities. These activities include an all -City 7th and
8th grade dance on May 18th, a 6th grade pool party at the Burlingame Aquatic Center on June
2nd, selling cotton candy at Art in the Park on June 9th and loth and hosting a barbecue at the
Music in the Park concerts each Sunday in July. Martindale also reported that there are 10 new
applicants for the Y.A.C. and that new plans are being developed to include Y.A.C. participation
in Youth in Government Day.
C. Request to Ban Does in Children's Plav Areas. In response to a question from a
resident to the Commission in April, Sgt. Cutler of the Burlingame Police Dept. explained the
procedures followed by the police officers regarding complaints regarding dogs off leash in City
parks. The officer on the scene will run the owner's name through the computer system and give
the owner a warning, if it is a first offense. If the owner has been previously warned about their
dog(s) being off leash, the officer will issue a citation. The officer will also inform the owner
that dogs are allowed off leash at the new Dog Exercise Park at Bayside Park.
Dittman said that she prefers to enforce the existing laws rather than creating new ones. Lawson -�
suggested signs be placed near the "pooper-scooper" stations in City parks to advertise the Dog
Exercise Park. Commissioner Minderman said that he lives near Ray Park and has seen the
police enforce the leash law many times. Martindale asked how many calls the Police Dept.
receives regarding the leash law. Cutler stated that very few calls are received and suggested an
advertising campaign to let the public know about the Dog Exercise Park. Erickson suggested
conducting an event at the Park to publicize it to the public. Staff suggested that such an event
might be a good project for the soon -to -be -formed Dog Park Committee.
Larios asked staff to write a response to the resident who sent in the original letter about dogs in
City playgrounds.
D. Reoreanization of the Senior and Parks & Recreation Commissions. Schwartz
informed the commissioners that the City Council, at its May 7th meeting, approved a plan that
will combine the Senior and Parks & Recreation Commissions. The plan will add two new seats
to the Parks & Recreation Commission. Currently, only one Senior Commissioner, Mara Kahn,
has requested being added to Parks & Recreation. Council will vote on the final ordinance at its
May 21, 2001 meeting. Senior Commissioner Kahn- said it made sense to merge the
commissions, noting that most of the items the Senior Commission dealt with were closely
related to the Parks & Recreation issues.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no comments from the public.
Parks & Recreation Commission
Thursday, May 17, 2001 - page 3
NEW BUSINESS
A. Review of Youth Commissioners Applications. Staff presented the commissioners
copies of three youth commissioner applications that have been submitted to date. Discussion
was held as to how the interviews should be conducted. Commissioner Minderman moved to
hold the interviews during the regularly scheduled June Commission meeting. Commissioner
Erickson seconded the motion. Under discussion, Heathcote stated that the applicants might be
more comfortable being interviewed by a subcommittee rather than the entire commission.
Youth Commissioner Martindale agreed that the smaller interview panel would make the
applicants more comfortable, but also pointed out that the Youth Commissioners are expected to
be able to speak up during Commission meetings. The motion was denied 4-2-I (Ayes: Erickson,
Minderman). Chairman Larios then appointed Commissioners Heathcote and Lawson as a
subcommittee to handle the interviews prior to the June meeting.
REPORTS - Acting Director Schwartz reported the following:
A. Capital Project Status
1. Bayside Park. Bayside Park is now being fully utilized by the dog owners, youth
baseball player, adult softball players, golfers, youth and adult soccer players and the trail
users. While there are still many items left to be completed, such as the construction of
the golf teaching station, all programs planned for the facility are now able to use the
Park.
2. Trenton Park. The plans for the renovation of Trenton Park should be delivered to the
Parks Division within the next week. Construction is scheduled to begin this summer.
3. Washington Park Ballfield Improvements. The outfield lights at the Washington Park
ballfield are scheduled to be replaced in July and staff is hoping to install the grass infield
by December 1st.
4. Aquatic Center Parking Lot and High School Athletic Fields. The Aquatic Center
Parking Lot is now completed and being used. The High School District has sent a
proposal to the City requesting a loan of $300,000 (to be repaid over the next 10 years) to
install synthetic grass at Burlingame High School's football stadium. The proposal will
be considered by the City Council during the budget process.
5. Proposed Skateboard Parks in Millbrae and Coyote Point. Though no formal proposals
have yet been received, staff anticipates receiving requests from the cities of San Mateo
and Millbrae to assist in skate parks. The request from San Mateo, estimated to be
approximately $100,000, will be to partner in a skate park at Coyote Point with the cities
of San Mateo and Foster City. The Millbrae request is anticipated to be for
approximately $50,000 to partner in a skate park near Mills High School with Millbrae
and the YMCA.
Parks & Recreation Commission
Thursday, May 17, 2001 - page 4
B. Parks Division Report. Plans are progressing with the California Drive tree planting
project - south of Broadway. The plans for the renovation of the Parks Yard have been received
from the project architect and are being reviewed by staff.
C. Recreation Division Report. Registration for summer classes and activities is now
underway and doing very well. An organization called SeniorSurfers will begin a new program
of computer training for senior citizens at the Recreation Center's new computer lab (formerly
the Conference Room).
D. Commissioner Reports. - None.
NEXT MEETING
The next regular meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission will be held on Thursday, June
211 2001 at 7:00 p.m. Because of the anticipated delivery of the Teen Recreational Facility
Needs Committee's report and the amount of presumed public interest, the site for the meeting is
still to be determined.
There being no further business to come before the Commission, Chairman Larios adjourned the
meeting at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Randy Schwartz
Acting Parks & Recreation Director
City of Burlingame - Parks & Recreation Dept.
850 Burlingame Ave., Burlingame, CA 94010
phone: (650) 558-7300 • fax: (650) 696-7216 eleA
BURLINGAME recreationgburlingame. org s.
To: Parks & Recreation Commissioners
From: Randy Schwartz
Re: Monthly Staff Reports - May 2001
Parks Division
➢ Tree contractor has completed the Eucalyptus Tree contract.
Tree Crew has resumed section pruning. Working from Toyon Drive south.
➢ New sod at Soccer Center goal mouths was successfully installed.
➢ New trees were installed at the Police Department planting strip.
�— Recreation Division
➢
Water Polo had 125 participants.
➢
Public Lap Swim: April-809, May-1302
➢
Public Recreation Swim (2 Saturdays in May): 237
➢
Opened SeniorSurfer Lab at the Recreation Center. Classes have begun.
➢
Piano recital for Recreation Center students with over 100 attendees.
➢
Senior Drop -In has been averaging 40 seniors.
➢
Village Park PreSchool had graduation for 25 preschoolers.
➢
New B.I.S. Girls Lacrosse league had two teams (28 total players) that
participated in the first NCRL Girls Lacrosse league.
➢
First Senior Softball tournament (ages 60 & over) took place at Bayside Park
included eleven teams in two divisions.
Upcoming
Events
➢
Art in the Park on June 9 & 10
➢
Music in the Park each Sunday in July