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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PR - 2000.03.09�— MEETING MINUTES Burlingame Parks & Recreation Commission Thursday, March Ip, 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, Heathcote, Larios, Lawson, Minderman, Muller and Youth Advisory Commissioner Warden Commissioner Absent: Erickson, Youth Advisory Commissioner Martindale Staff Present: Parks & Recreation Director John Williams, Recreation Superintendent Randy Schwartz Others Present: Don Cory, 833 Alpine, Burlingame; Tom Hunt, 1637 Monte Corvino; Oliver McElhone, 1472 Highway Road, Burlingame; Jim Murray, 737 Farringdon Lane MINUTES Minutes of the February 17, 2000 meeting were approved, as presented. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC There were no comments from the public. OLD BUSINESS Update on Teen Center Discussions. Director Williams reported that the Lions Club has responded to Mayor O'Mahony's recent letter about the development of a Teen/Community Center on the Lions Hall site. The letter indicated that the Lions Club was in favor of proceeding with a study of possible options and several concerns and issues were described by the club. Williams stated that he expects this letter to go to the City Council for review very soon. At that time, the Council may discuss proceeding with an RFP to select a project consultant. Report on Youth Advisory Committee. Youth Advisory Commissioner Warden reported on Y.A.C. activities. The Y.A.C. is planning a dance for all 7th and 8th graders from B.I.S. and local Catholic schools on March 31 at the Recreation Center. Adults and school personnel are prsently being recruited to chaperone the event. Fliers announcing the event will be going to the schools within the next week. NEW BUSINESS Discussion of Soccer Center Uses. Director Williams reported that requests to play Gaelic Football and Lacrosse on the new Soccer Center field have recently been received by staff. Inasmuch as staff and previous - .- Commissions have publicly stated that the Soccer Center field would be dedicated to soccer play, staff is concerned that there be a public discussion of any other proposed uses. Staff has not taken a position on what kinds of uses should be permitted at the Soccer Center. Williams stated that he felt that the Commission and City Council should address the policy issue involved and give direction to staff. Williams indicated that during the usual Fall season for both AYSO and CYSA programs, very little other play would be permitted at the Soccer Center sue to the heavy use of the two youth leagues. There will be some opportunities from January through mid August to schedule other activities. The new field will be closed annually during the last two weeks in August to overseed the field with ryegrass for winter cover while the Bermuda turf is dormant. Williams reviewed policies that have been put in place to facilitate dealing with youth sports groups in the community. Several Commissioners asked questions about facilities and the procedures used by staff in working with community groups and the limited athletic facilities within the community. Concerns were expressed about the overuse of facilities and maintenance/upkeep issues. Commissioners Heathcote and Minderman both expressed '1 their desires to maximize soccer use of the Soccer Center. Tun Murray addressed the Commission representing both soccer youth league interests and the Gaelic Football proposal. Murray stated that the AYSO soccer group expects to have in excess of 2,000 young people during the 2000 season. Murray indicated that the gaelic Soccer group would like the use of the field during the months of June and July ech year. Murray described the game of Gaelic Football as a game similar to soccer, but involving some use of the hands on the ball by players. No sliding tackles are permitted in Gaelic Football and Murray believes that the game is probably easier on the field than is soccer play. Murray also complimented the Parks & Recreation Department staff on its support of soccer and on the development of an open scheduling process that solicits inputs on programs and facilities from all interested persons and groups. Oliver McElhone described the Gaelic Football program in Burlingame. 60 young people from Burlingame participate in the program, with games scheduled in San Francisco. Some players in the local program also come from Hillsborough, San Mateo and Millbrae. Several girls participate in the coed program at lower age group levels. Older teams welcome girl players, but are predominately male in their team makeup. The program is recognized nationally and a select team from this area participated in a national tournament last summer in Chicago. The group is now looking primarily for a practice area, however, they may wish to schedule some games at a future time. Recreation Superintendent Schwartz indicated that a field use request had come from a Lacrosse team, but that the team was primarily based in the East Bay, with only one team member from Burlingame. The group was invited by staff to attend the Commission meeting, but they did not appear or send in any proposal for the Commission's review. Director Williams noted that the back field at Burlingame High School will probably be - closed for a renovation project this summer and fall. He also pointed out that the new ballfield at Bayside Park should be completed this summer and (after sodding the outfield grass) could be available for some shared soccer play with Fall softball and baseball. Williams again emphasized that the staff schedule concerns were primarily for the January through mid -August time period when the new field will not be dominated by AYSO and CYSA use. Commissioner discussed this issue at length and several followup questions were directed at staff and the persons in the audience to address the matter. Staff and Commissioners agreed that there should be four major criteria considered in the scheduling of the field: A. Time of the year is critical. AYSO and CYSA youth programs have priority in the Fall. B. Groups primarily composed of Burlingame residents should have a high priority. D. Programs for children and teens should have a high priority. E. The nature of the game being proposed and its effect (possible damage) on the turf should be considered. Chairman Larios suggested that the Commission recommend a basic policy to the City Council that gives priority to soccer use at the Soccer Center but permits Parks & Recreation Department staff to schedule other programs and activities at the Soccer Center, based on availability and the four criteria above. It was moved by Commissioner Larios, seconded by Commissioner Muller and passed 6-0 (Commissioner Erickson absent) to recommend that the City Council establish a basic policy giving soccer programs first priority at the Soccer Center, but permitting the Parks & Recreation Department to schedule other compatible uses at the Soccer Center after qualifying those programs on the basis of (1) schedule timing, (2) requesting groups' percentage of Burlingame residents, (3) age of participants, and (4) possible maintenance impacts on the playing field. Priority shall be given to Burlingame user groups and to programs for children. Several Commissioners asked that the Commission be updated on fees and nonresident surcharges imposed on youth teams. Superintendent Schwartz indicated that the nonresident fee program had not been reviewed or adjusted in over five years and that staff would be proposing to have some discussion on this matter with the Commission in the future. Chairman Larios asked Director Williams to place this matter on the agenda for the April Commission meeting. 3 2. Review of Opening Ceremonies at the Golf Center. Chairman Larios stated that he had asked that item be placed on the meeting agenda primarily so that the Commission could compliment the Parks & Recreation Department staff on the development of the outstanding new golf and soccer facilities and on the excellent grand opening program conducted on March 3. Several Commissioners also - : - expressed their appreciation for the work done by staff. Director Williams thanked the Commission for its kind words and noted that the project development was a team effort and that special kudos should go the City Engineer Frank Erbacher for his tireless efforts in directing the construction of the range and soccer facility. Commissioners agreed that it was the consensus of the Commission to thank City staff for a job well done in the development of the Golf Center and the Soccer Center at Bayside Park. REPORTS Capital Improvement Project Updates. A. Director Williams noted that the lower deck project at Bayside Park has basically been in a holding pattern due to the amount of rain received in January and February. B. Superintendent Schwartz reported that rains have brought work on the pool deck at -� the Aquatic Center to a virtual standstill, but that work on the inside of the City's pool building is proceeding nicely. 2. Parks Division Report. Director Williams reported that the Parks Division staff played a major role in handling a series of major and minor crises leading up to the opening of the Golf Center. The entire parks staff responded beautifully and played a major role in the successful on -time opening of the Golf Center. Williams also noted that this is the busy "ballfield preparation" time for Parks maintenance staff and work was underway on readying all ballfields for softball and baseball play. Parks maintenance crews have established a good rapport with the Golf Operator at the golf range and are coordinating short game maintenance with the Operator and his staff. 3. Recreation Division Report. Superintendent Schwartz reported that Recreation Division Account Clerk Tracy Hemmenway gave birth to a new baby boy on Wednesday, March 8. Mother and baby are reported to be doing well. Schwartz also noted that lots of Recreation Division staff time has been devoted to bringing the Golf Center online and to planning for the Aquatic Center opening in June. Staff is now putting out RFP's inviting swim and water polo team coaches to make proposals describing how they would propose to provide services to the City. 4 Schwartz also noted that the annual holiday arts and crafts show, which was discontinued several years ago, is being revived this coming December. The show is planned for one day at the Recreation Center on Saturday, December 2, 2000. 4. Commissioner Reports. a. Chairman Larios asked about water polo program issues, noting that the coach chosen for the 2000 summer water polo camp program is currently a high school coach at Aragon High School. Schwartz noted his understanding of the concerns, but stated that he believed the coach selected to be an outstanding coach who is preparing a good summer program for the community. b. Commissioner N inderman asked that some consideration be given to realigning the Cortez Avenue entrance into Ray Park as part of the construction now occurring there. There being no further business to come before the Commission, Chairman Larios adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, t'- k' W ",...._ Jo W. Williams �.- Parks & Recreation Director