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