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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PR - 2001.10.18MEETING MINUTES Burlingame Parks & Recreation Commission Thursday, October 18, 2001 The regular meeting of the Burlingame Parks & Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairman Ed Larios at 7:03 p.m. in Council Chambers of Burlingame City Hall. Police Commander, Jack Van Etten, led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Dittman, Heathcote, Kahn, Larios, Lawson, Muller and Minderman; Youth Commissioners Martindale and Warden Commissioners Absent: Erickson Staff Present: Parks & Recreation Director Schwartz, Police Commander Jack Van Etten MINUTES Minutes of the September 20, 2001 regular meeting of the Commission were approved as submitted. OLD BUSINESS A. Teen Center Study Committee. Chairman Larios introduced Betsy Vegso from the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center (PCRC). Vegso facilitated the Teen Recreational Facilities Committee meetings over the spring and summer and facilitated this agenda item. Charles Voltz, co-chair of the Committee, described what problem the committee faced, the type of evidence the Committee examined, the at -risk behaviors of teens, the pressures facing teens today and the resources teens have available to them. Voltz cited numerous studies which show that unsupervised teens that do not participate in afterschool activities are much more likely to drink alcohol, take drugs, smoke cigarettes, visit inappropriate websites, have lower grades, have higher absenteeism, etc. than teens who take part in afterschool activities. There are many protective factors that allow teens to deal with the temptations and stresses in life. These include a sense of belonging, ability to work out conflicts, neighborhood resources, models for conventional behavior, values of achievement, and interest in caring adults. Many teen programs reinforce and implement these protective factors and give the teens a place to change their lives through constructive activities. The conclusion reached by the Committee was that there is a real need for teen programs that meet those needs in this community. Randy Schwartz, Director of Parks & Recreation, stated that new recreational facilities, particularly those for teens, have been an issue in front of the Parks & Recreation Commission for many years. He outlined the plan, the problems with the current Recreation Center, the need for more recreational facility space. Schwartz also explained why this issue includes recreational facilities for the general public in addition to the teen facilities. This plan includes an increase in square footage for activities; protects park space, significant trees, Lions hall, the outdoor basketball court and current recreation programs; maximizes the use of land space and dollars; and creates drop -in areas for senior citizens and teens. Schwartz mentioned several other recreational facilities that serve a wide variety of age groups and described the types of activity spaces and programs that would be housed in this plan. Parks & Recreation Commission Thursday, October 18, 2001 - page 2 Ed Larios, co-chair of the Committee, spoke of his experiences in his 32 years of working with youth. Larios spoke of our responsibility in meeting the needs of the teens in our community. A new facility would have a component where teens would feel comfortable, make decisions and have control over what they want to do. At the same time, the facility would meet the physical recreational needs of the senior citizens, the tiny tots and all other age groups in our community. Tom Gilman, with DES Architects and Engineers, spoke about the plan recommended by the Teen Recreational Facilities Committee. The major priorities that came out of the Committee include preserving the park, preserving the activities, accommodating the community's functions, avoiding duplication of functions and accommodating parking. The plan calls for two facilities; building a community activity and teen center within the park and purchasing a building to act as an arts and education building across the street from the park. The building inside the park would be approximately 20,000 square feet on a 15,000 sf footprint. All of the major trees in the area would be retained. The building outside the park is approximately 19,000 sf and has rooftop parking for 53 spaces. In addition, Gilman discussed the possibility of purchasing the properties at Burlingame Avenue and Myrtle Road for parking. 35 cars could park at the site on the surface, more if a multi -level structure was built. The two western tennis courts would be moved to the site of the parks yard and the parks yard would be relocated north of Broadway. The site of the current Recreation Center would be returned to park space. In total, approximately one acre of open space would be added to the park. Anna Marie Holland Daniels, Committee member, spoke about the Committee's challenges and the process used. Public comments were taken by the Committee and recorded by the PCRC staff. The comments were as follows: Dan Anderson, 728 Vernon Way, mentioned that he attended each of the Committee meetings and that the plan is workable, doable and affordable. He asked that a survey be taken of every student that would possibly use the facility and pointed out that digressing on the issue would be a mistake. Gene Bordegray, 1236 Cabrillo Avenue, would like to see a traffic study for the proposal, particularly east of Carolan Avenue. He also asked if parking would accommodate wedding receptions at the new facility and if the tennis courts would be replaced prior to the start of the project. He noted that construction figures usually are more than estimated and the budget should include funds for change orders, etc. and that there are still many items that the City needs to spend money on, such as sidewalk repair, stop sign installation, etc. He thinks a teen center is a great thing to have, but the City needs to think about where to spend their money. Steve Warden, 736 Acacia, commended the Committee for their work and Voltz for clearly stating the needs of the teens. He is concerned about the cost for property acquisition and relocation as stated in the plan. He would like to see the entire project moved into the park, possibly putting the tennis courts on the roof or adding a third story to the facility. This would still add open space to the park. He would like to revisit the issue of underground parking, thinks that a temporary location is not a good idea and that a teen facility would be a real asset to our community. Parks & Recreation Commission Thursday, October 18, 2001 - page 3 Tom Paine, 728 Concord, commended the citizens committee and City Manager Jim Nantell for coming to consensus on the issue. He asked what assurance there is that the proposal would be adopted in total. The concern being that construction be started in the park, the City not being able to afford the land outside of the park and that the entire project would then be moved back inside the park. He stated that teens need programs, agreed that a survey needs to be taken of school children and that an interim facility be established to gauge the teen usage in order to justify the expense of the entire project. Nick Summersville, 1091 Hunters Court, Foster City, attends Burlingame High School. He stated that he used the teen facility in Foster City when he was a junior high school student and that Burlingame's teens would use such a facility if it were built here. A long-time resident of Burlingame on Howard stated that $20 million dollars is not a drop in the bucket. No one has discussed staff costs, program costs and property costs. She would like to see the whole package. Bill Fisher, business owner at 330 Primrose, is an avid user of recreation programs. He would like to know what problem we are trying to solve and would like to see studies why we are talking about spending $20 million. He spoke with Voltz who told him that there is neither conclusive proof nor credible evidence for the need of a teen center. Bill said that the national studies that Voltz spoke of should not be considered a reflection of local issues. He said that he is lost on the reason why the issue has evolved into a community center project. Evelyn, 2726 El Prado, wanted to thank the presenters for making the issue very understandable. $20 million is a large amount of money for a small town like Burlingame. She agrees with the teens' needs, but would like to know more about the potential programs and program costs. We need to have a teen program. John Webb, 720 Paloma Avenue, suggested that the tennis courts at Burlingame High School be lighted, instead of trying to replace the two courts that would be lost under this plan. Mike Ritesma, 1431 Benito Way, has concerns about the teen center, but thinks the process has gone a long way. He asked why a basketball court needs to be located in Washington Park, if the kids north of Hillside were considered and would the planned parking be used by those visiting the stores on Burlingame Avenue. David Zobod, 732 Lexington Way, stated that he was drawn to the neighborhood because of the park and the Recreation Center. The Recreation Center is well used, the programs are excellent, but wonders what programs are currently offered to teens and how well are they attended. He also asked if an environmental impact report had been prepared for this project. Bill Sharer, 740 Crossway, thinks the public needs to be more involved. By using the patio of the Recreation Center could do everything we need to do, for teens, for adults, for only $2 to $3 million. Due to the uncertain economic times, this is a sensible approach and that the Committee �- was pushed along by developers and architects. The tennis courts are heavily used and should not be moved, particularly above ground due to winds. Parks & Recreation Commission Thursday, October 18, 2001 - page 4 Ken Castle, 1411 Drake Avenue, said that the City Council has a long history of ignoring the recommendations of citizen advisory groups. Teens that can drive are "out of here" and that this center is for 13 and 14 year olds and the project should be nearer a middle school. The City is facing a budget shortfall with the decline in hotel occupancy and, if the upcoming ballot measures fail, we are seeing budget crises and belt tightening. He is upset that budget realities were not discussed by the Committee. We do not need to co -mingle the needs of the teens with the needs of the Recreation Center. He stated that if there is a hidden agenda to accept large donations from private individuals, we should say up front what favors we will later repay. Diane Condon-Wirgler, President of the Historical Society, would like to avoid a grand entry into the Park and save the area historically known as Burlingame Square. She said that the teen center concept was turned into a community center project because the Committee was put together with multiple interests, not with teen experts. We have a teen problem, kids need somewhere to go besides Burlingame Avenue, and we have an afterschool issue. We need to focus and be fiscally responsible. Lauren Cucera, 724 Vernon Way, works with teens all of the time with the San Mateo Union High School District. She sees the issues going on in our schools all of the time, right here in this County. She would like to see programs run by teen leaders, in connection with the schools. She also asked how much has been spent on the architectural study. Gene Bourdegray, Jr., 705 Burlingame Avenue, is concerned about the park and the traffic in the `— neighborhood. He wants to know if there is a traffic study and, if this plan goes into effect, if there can be speed bumps installed in the area. Vesgo then summarized the comments from the public and asked the presenters to answer the comments. Police Commander, Jack Van Etten, staff liaison to the Committee, stated that the Committee was very concerned about the traffic and safety issues. He discussed the probable traffic patterns of the plan and parking issues. He said that traffic and speed studies would be conducted, that a stop sign and crosswalk would need to be added and that other stop signs would need to be moved, if this plan was adopted. A check showed that there have been eight accidents in the past ten years in that area. Pedestrian and traffic safety is an important issue. The elimination of the Recreation Center would probably lessen the amount of cars parked in the residential area. Voltz discussed how important the discussion of location was to the Committee and the various options researched, including City property, school property and private property and the reasons why the suggested plan is the best possible option. The cost for the plan did include the acquisition and relocation costs of the 270 East Lane property. He stated that Bill Fisher misquoted his statements, that there are many studies that do point out the need for teen facilities, that the national studies do accurately reflect on Burlingame's issues. Larios discussed the desire and benefits of intergenerational programs and the benefits people, N�I particularly youth, derive from being around the other age groups. He also noted that no facility will be successful without good programming and that quality will benefit from program surveys. We have a very capable recreation staff who is eager to deliver those programs. Parks & Recreation Commission Thursday, October 18, 2001 - page 5 Voltz talked about the Committee's consideration of a separate teen facility in a City parking lot and the inherent inefficiencies for the City to operate two facilities a great distance away from each other. This plan creates a campus atmosphere where the two facilities are near each other. He also discussed the coming wave of "baby boomers" about to become senior citizens and the ability under this plan to adapt the facilities as may be necessary in the future. Schwartz noted that many cities do have separate senior centers, teen facilities and community centers. Burlingame is a small city in terms of population and size. Schwartz discussed that the recreation staff currently conducts many intergenerational programs and the benefits of those programs. The Committee felt it important to avoid unnecessary duplication of facilities. Because senior citizens and youth programs often operate at different hours, sharing program areas can better maximize the use of the facilities. Items such as the E.I.R., the cost of the facilities and the timeline will be addressed once the feasibility study is over and a specific concept is developed. Costs for recreation programs are typically covered by the user fees. Human service programs, typically those for senior citizens and teens that are for the greater benefit of the community, use general fund dollars in addition to user fees. Studies show that every general fund dollar spent on at -risk youth recreational programs will prevent spending of up to ten dollars on law enforcement. Many program issues are left to be discussed and addressed after a specific plan is identified. The current Recreation Center is a 54-year old facility that has been added on to many times in a Band-Aid approach. The facility does not meet the needs of the current programs, nor does it meet the current seismic or fire regulations. �-' The remodeling of a few years ago only eliminated some of the disability access issues. As staff has been added to introduce new programs for aquatics, teens and senior citizens, offices have been created in original projector rooms, closets and restrooms. The Auditorium has been used for plays, dances, senior citizens lunches and exercise classes, but has never been a gym for basketball or volleyball. Mary Warden, Committee member, spoke of the importance of the teen facility for teens and how teen programs help alleviate depression, suicide and gang issues. Teens feel left out of the community because the community does not have space for them. The Route 66 building would not attract the teens because it could not house gym and teen hangout areas. The facility needs to be in a park, not near busy streets. Warden works with senior citizens at the intergenerational computer programs and has learned much about their generation and taught the seniors about today's teens. Karen Dittman, Committee member, said that she was never pushed into a viewpoint by any architect or developer, that nobody has tried to buy her off, that no one has expressed any hidden agenda. The purpose has been to do something for the youth of Burlingame. Schwartz directed the commissioners to pose any or all questions to the architects at this point, so that they may return with the necessary information to the next meeting. Commissioner Minderman said that everyone has now vented their frustrations and now is the `- time to resolve the problems and move the project forward. That the young people need a place to vent their frustrations or their problems will increase. Parks & Recreation Commission Thursday, October 18, 2001 - page 6 Commissioner Kahn stated that she attended several of the Committee's meetings. She has some concerns about the property acquisition and some of the neighbors we have not yet heard from. She likes the plan before the Commission, the location, that it has been moved from the residential area and the mitigation of the historical issues. Commissioner Heathcote attended the Burlingame Together conference in 1999 where the teen center issue was raised and has followed its progress since. The current Community Center discussion has evolved to replace the Recreation Center that is difficult to use because of its condition. He noted that a community center can be a place where all people come together and asked staff to survey the residency of the tennis court users at Washington Park. Heathcote also asked the architects for some elevations that show the gym lowered beneath ground level to reduce its impact on the Park. He still has questions about two structures and the parking, but will hold some of those off until the next meeting. Commissioner Lawson thinks that moving from a teen center to a multi -use facility is a move in the right direction and would prefer everything in one facility. She asked if the tennis courts could be moved to the site of the current Recreation Center or have all four moved to the Parks Yard. Staff responded that only two would fit in the Parks Yard. Commissioner Muller shares the concerns of the people in the apartments to be purchased for the parking lot. She is concerned about the discussion of moving the Parks Yard without a site in mind. Muller likes the Community Center plan, but asked about the funding for the project, in �— conjunction with the current financial situation of the City. Commissioner Dittman noted that she was a member of the Committee and that the plan does include the needs and wants of the community. She also stated that the people of Burlingame should approach the commissioners with their viewpoints. Dittman stated that the new idea she heard tonight and likes was Heathcote's thought of sinking the gym into the ground. Schwartz noted that there is no site selected for the Parks Yard at this time, instead just a general plan to move it somewhere north of Broadway near the Public Works yard. He also said that there is no budget for this plan yet. Once a plan is established, the architects will develop a cost estimate and then the City Council will have to decide how to finance the project, along with the other City projects, in conjunction with the Public Works and Library issues. Larios thanked the Committee members and the public for their interest in the project and outlined the upcoming steps in the process. Youth Commissioner Martindale said that the idea of creating a teen or community center is to reduce teen problems, not to increase them. Programs or safe, supervised areas for teens to go will reduce many teen problems. Giving youth an opportunity to interact with a wide variety of people of all different age groups will teach them tolerance for others. He participates in the Seniors and Youth computer program through the Recreation Division and Burlingame High School and thinks that having many generations in one facility will benefit all. Parks & Recreation Commission Thursday, October 18, 2001 - page 7 `r Warden pointed out that the idea of a community is for everyone to come together and share experiences. She also said that many students do not play sports and would benefit from having a place to go and do homework or see friends. Larios confirmed with the architects to make sure they had enough information to present their views at the next meeting. Schwartz stated that anyone having further information for the Commissioners is invited back to the November 15'J' meeting, can drop off a letter at the Recreation Center, or send an email to recreation@burlingame.org. Heathcote then moved to table the Teen/Community Recreational Facilities agenda item until the next meeting. The motion was seconded by Lawson and passed unanimously. The commissioners then took a short recess. B. Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) Report Warden reported that a dance will be held tomorrow night and that Youth in Government Day will be on Monday, October 22"d Martindale noted that at last night's YAC meeting, Youth in Government Day students saw a power point presentation about the City from Mayor Galligan and discussed issues to be addressed on Monday. C. Park Use Rules Schwartz outlined a park use rule as requested by the commissioners at the previous meeting and pointed out that the rule would be applicable in all City parks. The rule reads that "Any activity involving batted balls is prohibited in all City parks, L. except for Bayside Park, Cuernavaca Park, Ray Park and Washington Park, unless pursuant to a written permit issued for such a batted ball activity by the Director of Parks & Recreation." Minderman moved to approve the Park Use Rule as submitted. Muller seconded the motion that passed unanimously. D. Senior Resources Handbook Martindale stated that the YAC members would be able to help contact the agencies in the handbook to update the information. Schwartz suggested that Kahn contact Senior Citizens Activities Coordinator, Arlene Castro, at the Recreation Center for assistance. Larios said that he has contacted Sue Glick at Burlingame High School and that many students at the school would be interested in getting involved in the project. Schwartz stated that the information needs to be updated by the end of February so that the handbooks could be distributed in May for Older Americans Month. Dittman said that she is willing to put the handbook on the Department's website. This would allow easier updates and allow links directly to the listed agencies. PUBLIC COMMENTS Ray Villanueva, 222 Myrtle, represented a group of girls who play club volleyball. Volleyball is a year round activity for girls and club volleyball is the recruiting ground for college scholarships. Each year, the club struggles with its search for court space. There are three clubs on the Peninsula and Mr. Villanueva's club had 11 teams in 6 age divisions from the mid -Peninsula last year. This year over 200 girls will tryout for the club, but teams will be eliminated due to the lack of gym space. Mr. Villanueva will return to the November meeting with the number of Burlingame girls in the program. Parks & Recreation Commission Thursday, October 18, 2001 - page 8 NEW BUSINESS A. Youth Advisory Committee By -Laws Schwartz reported that the Parks & Recreation Commission oversees the YAC. One of the by-laws states that the Commission's Youth Commissioners are liaisons to the YAC in order to disseminate information to each board. There is also a by-law that states the Youth Commissioner's cannot be officers in YAC to divest the leadership opportunities. The new Teen Coordinator, unaware of this by-law, allowed an election that had both Warden and Martindale elected as officers. Warden stated that she would like the by-laws changed and would like to remain as YAC's President. Her feeling is that, now that YAC has created several standing committees, more leadership roles exist now than when the by-laws were adopted. After discussion, it was agreed to have the issue tabled until next month when Warden and Martindale could present a current organizational chart of the YAC, highlighting what leadership roles exist. Larios asked to have a roster, including each member's role. REPORTS - Director Schwartz reported the following: A. Capital Improvement Project Status ■ Trenton Tot Lot. Work should begin within the next two weeks on this project. A delay in the shipping of the playground equipment slightly delayed the start date. (Please note that work will begin on Monday October 2 .) ■ Washington Park Ballfield Improvements. Schwartz reported that bids were opened for the Washington Park ballfield and the work is scheduled to begin November 5th. ■ Proposed Skate parks in Millbrae & Coyote Point. The ground -breaking ceremony was held for the skate park next to Mills High School's tennis courts, but the City of Millbrae and the YMCA still need to sign an agreement with each other. There is no progress on the City of San Mateo's skate park at Coyote Point. The cost is anticipated to be much higher than the Millbrae Park because of requirements for parking and landscaping. B. Parks Division and Recreation Division Reports — see attached. C. Burlingame Golf Center — Because Commissioner Erickson asked for the agenda item to be included but is away on his honeymoon, the item was tabled until next month. D. Joint Commission Meeting — The City of Millbrae has requested a joint parks & recreation commission meeting between the cities of Burlingame, Millbrae and San Bruno sometime in January. The commissioners agreed to a meeting of each commission's representatives. Chairman Larios asked that if the meeting were to focus �— on the skatepark issue, he would like to see BHS student Craig Nash invited to the meeting. Nash was the student who spoke to the Commission earlier in the year. Parks & Recreation Commission Thursday, October 18, 2001 - page 9 E. Recreation Division's Revenue Report — see attached. F. Commissioners 1. Commissioner Muller asked about the Elm Tree that was recently removed from Washington Park. Schwartz reported that the tree was approximately 130 years old and was planted by John McLaren. The tree had Dutch Elm Disease and the City has been trying to save it for a number of years. It is now a safety hazard and needed to be removed. There is also a pine tree in the park that will be removed next week due to a disease. The Beautification Commission has approved the removal of both trees. NEXT MEETINGS The next regular meetings of the Parks & Recreation Commission will be held on Thursdays, November 15 and December 20, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. There being no further business to come before the Commission, Chairman Larios adjourned the meeting at 10:30 p.m. in memory of long-time Burlingame Intermediate School physical education teacher and coach, Ed Hanson. Respectfully submitted, Randy Schwartz Parks & Recreation Director