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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PR - 2000.02.17�— MEETING MINUTES Burlingame Parks & Recreation Commission Thursday, February 17, 2000 The regular meeting of the Burlingame Parks & Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairman Ed Larios at 7:01 p.m. in Conference Room A, Burlingame City Hall. ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Dittman, Erickson, Heathcote, Larios, Lawson, Minderman and Youth Advisory Commissioners Martindale and Warden Commissioner Absent: Muller Staff Present: Parks & Recreation Director John Williams, Parks Superintendent Tim Richmond and Recreation Superintendent Randy Schwartz Others Present: Don Cory, 833 Alpine, Burlingame; Frank Figoni, 58 Tilton Terrace, San Mateo; William B. Freedman, 40 Terrier Place, Hillsborough; Marjorie Taylor, 701 Burlingame Avenue, Burlingame MINUTES Minutes of the January 20, 2000 meeting were approved, as corrected. Commissioner Dittman noted that it was she who asked two questions of staff during Commissioner reports, not Commissioner Muller, as recorded in the January 20 minutes. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Alpine Park neighbor Don Cory addressed the Commission about several issues related to the informal pathway west of the railroad tracks and north of Oak Grove Avenue and also about several Alpine Park related issues. Staff noted for the new Commissioners present that most of the pathway to which Mr. Cory refers is located within property owned by the Joint Powers Board and by the City and County of San Francisco. Neither of the agencies has designated any portion of this area for public use as a trail and it is not maintained as such. Mr. Cory also reviewed the design concerns that he had previously expressed to the Commission before Alpine Park was renovated last year. Previously, the Commission had heard Mr. Cory's concerns and then approved the playground renovation plans as proposed. Director Williams stated that he would check on Mr. Cory's concern about site drainage. OLD BUSINESS 1. Update on Teen Center Discussions. Director Williams reported that the Mayor had sent a letter to the Burlingame Lions Club proposing that the City hire a consultant to review the present Lions Hall and new facility needs. 2. Report on Youth Advisory Committee. Youth Advisory Commissioner Warden reported on Y.A.C. activities. Three activities for teens were discussed. The Y.A.C. group is `- planning a March dance for teens and is planning a Battle of the Bands in cooperation with the Cities of Millbrae and San Bruno. The Battle of the Bands and all day carnival may be held at Mills High School. Superintendent Schwartz reported that Tim Barry has been hired as the new Teen Coordinator. Tim has been working for the City in the teen program as a part time leader. 3. Presentation by Friends of Mills Canyon. Marjorie Taylor and Bill Freedman discussed some of the history and background of Mills Canyon open space area. They noted that the group has not been able to recruit many new young people and many of the members are not able physically to work in the canyon as much as they have in previous years. Freedman asked about the status of their group and insurance issues. Director Williams agreed to setup a meeting between members of the group and the City Attorney to help clarify some of the group's questions. Dr. Freedman proposed that a Boy Scout troop be recruited to cut roots and carry debris out of the canyon. Williams noted that the Scouts have a history of helping with City projects. Freedman and Taylor also noted several instances of problems with park users and vandalism. Freedman stated that the City should consider occasional patrols by a City staff person or Park Ranger and should encourage more use of the canyon by the public. Director Williams noted that many City and County residents living adjacent to the canyon do not concur with the idea of increased public use of the canyon. In response to a Commissioner question, Freedman stated that the City had placed the signs in the canyon, as requested by the Friends. However, the signs were all vandalized and destroyed almost immediately after they were installed. Director Williams agreed to do a comprehensive report on the canyon at some time in the future. Commissioners were urged to visit the canyon after the rainy season is over. Chairman Larios stated that he would talk to the Community Service person at Burlingame High School about arranging for high school student volunteers to assist with canyon fixup/cleanup. NEW BUSINESS 1. Election of Commission Vice Chairman. The Commission held an election to select a Commission Vice Chairman since former Vice Chairperson Piccetti did not seek reappointment after the conclusion of her term of office. It was moved by Commissioner Minderman, seconded by Commissioner and approved 6-0- 1 (Muller absent) to appoint Kirkland Heathcote as Vice Chairman of the Commission. 2 REPORTS Capital Improvement Project Updates. Director Williams and Superintendents Richmond and Schwartz reviewed the various capital improvement projects underway. All Commissioners are invited to attend the March 3 Opening Celebration at the Golf Center; the March 7 Arbor Day/Tot Lot Reopening at Laguna Park; the Soccer Center Grand Opening on April 15; and the Swim Center Dedication on June 3. 2. Parks Division Report. Superintendent Richmond reported that the Parks Division staff has been busy setting up the new maintenance crew for the landfill site and the area east of Highway 101. This crew has had to learn the maintenance of two entirely new turfgrass types - sand based bermuda turf on the Soccer Center and golf greens at the Golf Center. Richmond also noted that this time of year is a busy one as staff prepares baseball and softball fields for the busy Spring season. Commissioner Heathcote asked about the time schedule to renovate the Washington Park Baseball diamond and convert the infield to a grass infield. Richmond noted that the grass infield could not be created until after the new ballfield at Bayside Park is completed and recreation softball is moved to Bayside Park. The infield project is currently scheduled for the 2001-2002 fiscal year. Chairman Larios asked about the height of the fence behind the Soccer Center North goal. Williams and Richmond noted that the six foot high north perimeter fence is set on a five foot high landscaped berm and is located 75 feet north of the soccer goal location, with a prevailing quartering wind. Williams stated that, should the existing fence be inadequate, a fence extension can be considered at that spot. Staff and Commissioners both noted some concern about golfers inappropriately practicing golf on the new Soccer Center field. Director Williams pointed out that on almost every day of the year the Golf Operator and/or City park maintenance or recreation staff will be present on the site from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. to supervise the facility. 3. Recreation Division Report. Superintendent Schwartz reported that spring baseball and softball seasons have or are starting. Recreation Division staff has been busy planning for the opening of the new recreational facilities coming on line. Staff recently held a community focus group meeting to receive community input about activities at the new Aquatic Center. 30 persons attended the meeting and brainstormed 22 different programs with staff and with each other. 4. Commissioner Reports. a. Youth Commissioner Warden reported on drainage and dog problems that she had observed at Village Park. She also stated that it appeared that more tanbark is needed in the tot lot at Village Park. b. Commissioner Minderman noted that he has observed no dog problems in Ray Park during the winter months. All dog owners and their pets appeared to be well behaved. 3 C. Chairman Larios noted that there were several errors in the Commission roster and meeting times listed in the recent Recreation Brochure. Schwartz indicated that the �- corrections would be made before the next issue is published. NEXT MEETING Director Williams noted that he and Superintendents Richmond and Schwartz would be unable to attend the regularly scheduled March meeting of the Commission. Commissioners discussed either changing the meeting date or asking that another Parks & Recreation Department staff person be assigned to staff the meeting. It was moved by Commissioner Minderman, seconded by Commissioner Dittman and approved 6-0-1 (Muller absent) to move the regular March meeting of the Commission from its regular time on March 16 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, March 9, 2000 in Conference Room B at City Hall. There being no further business to come before the Commission, Chairman Larios adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, jk Jo . Williams Parks & Recreation Director 9