Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PR - 2000.09.21MEETING MINUTES Burlingame Parks & Recreation Commission `-- Thursday, September 21, 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 and Muller; Youth Commissioners Martindale and Zhao Commissioners Absent: Lawson and Minderman Staff Present: Parks & Recreation Director John Williams, Recreation Superintendent Randy Schwartz MINUTES Minutes of the July 20, 2000 meeting were approved, as presented. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC I'" There were no comments from the public. OLD BUSINESS Update on Teen Center Project. Recreation Superintendent Schwartz reported that contract negotiations with DES Engineering (project architect) are complete and the contract for services is awaiting signature by DES. Staff and the design firm are ready to begin the information gathering phase of the project immediately. It is hoped that the final report, with recommendations, can be brought to the City Council for review in February, 2001. Commissioners asked several questions about process and location options. Director Williams and Schwartz reviewed the process to date and discussed possible interaction between various uses proposed for the Teen Center/Lions Hall/Community Center project. 2. Report on Youth Advisory Committee. Youth Advisory Commissioners Martindale and Zhao reported on Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) activities. The group is just beginning its work for the school year. The group is designing a YAC tee shirt for committee memebers to wear when conducting special events for teens. A second middle school dance is in the planning stages. 3. Report on Aquatic Center Operations. Superintendent Schwartz reported on activities at �-- the Burlingame Aquatic Center. He discussed the change of swim seasons and the Fall operations schedule. Schwartz indicated that a nonprofit swim club is being formed to run the competitive swim and water polo programs for youth and Masters swimmers. It is expected that the new club will be incorporated and operational by January. City staff will keep the competitive programs operating until the club is ready to take over the task. Commissioner Muller asked about competitive swim meets that require the closing of the pool for public swimming. Schwartz stated that the current plan is to allow approximately three (3) swim meets each year during the spring and summer seasons. Director Williams noted that if Burlingame competitive swimmers, divers and water polo players expect to go to other Bay Area pools to compete, the Burlingame club will be required to host some meets in the Aquatic Center. Chairman Larios asked about the food and drink concession during the summer season. Schwartz stated that staff had kept the menu simple during this first swim season and that concession operations had been reasonably successful. 4. Report on Golf Range Operations. Director Williams reported that the golf driving range had completed six (6) months of operation on September 4, 2000. Staff is satisfied that business has been good during the startup period. A leveling -off or drop in golf activity can be expected during the Fall and Winter periods. Williams noted that, as anticipated, the range has not been turning a profit during the startup period, but that revenues to date are covering direct operating costs. Commissioner Erickson asked about marketing for the golf range. Williams indicated that the golf operator proposed a marketing plan to the City prior to the opening of the range. To date, much of the marketing plan has not been implemented. Williams stated that staff recently met with VB Golf and conducted a six months performance review covering all facets of the contractor's operation of the City's range. NEW BUSINESS 1. Scheduling of Staff report on City Sports Programs. Commissioners agreed to schedule a report on City Sports Programs for the Commission's October agenda. REPORTS 1. Capital Improvement Project Updates. Director Williams and Superintendent Schwartz reported on the following capital improvement projects. A. Most work on the golf range and soccer center has been completed. The golf range teaching station will be put out to bid soon. Completion is expected in January or February. Lower deck improvements are rapidly nearing completion. Ballfield light 2 poles have been raised into position, fencing and landscape material planting are nearing completion. Sod on the baseball/softball field is scheduled for installation during the first week in October. Dog exercise park opening is planned for January. B. The Aquatic Center final punch list is being completed. Only several minor items remain. Schwartz reported that the tennis court rehabilitation project near the pool is nearly complete. Williams stated that he expects the District to go to bid on the proposed parking lot and landscaped entry into the pool area within the next month. Williams described the project and showed the Commission the architect's 90% plan. C. Landscape architect John Cahalan is presently at work on the design for modifications at Cuernavaca Park. D. Cahalan has completed work on plans for the BART strip relandscaping on the east side of California Drive north of Dufferin. The completed plans are now being reviewed by BART engineers and the City engineering staff. Work cannot begin until BART completes work on new drain lines in the area. E. Work is set to begin on the design of the rehabilitated Trenton Park playground. Parks Superintendent Tim Richmond will convene a committee of neighbors, Recreation staff, parks staff, the project architect and one or more Parks and Recreation Commissioners. All Commissioners expressed an interest in serving on the committee, but all indicated scheduling conflicts for mid -day meetings. Williams will contact Commissioners Lawson and Minderman find out whether either or both of them could participate in this design process. F. The improvement project for the Washington Park ballfield lights is underway. A structural engineer is studying the soundness of the light poles. If all poles are in satisfactory condition, staff will proceed with the replacement of the old outfield lights. G. Burlingame HS parking lot, tennis courts and athletic field projects were reviewed. Chairman Larios noted that District staff will be inspecting artificial turf in the Seattle, WA area during the next month. District staff is considering the possibility of installing artificial turf on the Burlingame High School football/soccer field. Williams noted that City staff is also studying the possibility of artificial turf on the Washington Park baseball park infield when the new Bayside Park field is completed and youth baseball and adult softball games can be moved to Bayside. Williams also pointed -out that there are now two artificial turf fields in the area -- Valley Christian HS in San Jose and Sacred Heart Cathedral HS in San Francisco. An artificial turf soccer field is also now being constructed by the City of Santa Clara in the Great America/49er Camp area. Staff and Chairman Larios described the new types of artificial turf for the other Commissioners. 3 2. Parks Division Report. Commissioners received Parks Superintendent Tim Richmond's written report: 3 El N. A. The Soccer Center turfgrass field is responding to treatments this summer. Bermuda grass is growing in and more work will continue to prevent future problems. The new Lower Deck Project ballfield has been treated to prevent similar problems. B. A new aerial lift truck is now in service. The Tree Crew is instituting a Citywide grid pruning system that will assure periodic pruning of every City tree on a regular schedule. C. Bids are being received for the resurfacing of the Laguna Park tennis courts. Three minor "bumps" that have resurfaced at the Washington Park courts will also be repaired under this contract, although there is no need for a complete resurfacing at Washington Park courts at this time. D. Parks Supervisor Bob Disco is working with the Friends of Mills Canyon to address trail issues. Acacia suckers have been treated and a California Conservation Corps crew spent several days in the canyon doing trail repairs. E. Parks Division Leadworker Henry Barone is a Certified Playground Inspector. He is currently completing an audit of all City playground equipment and play surfaces. The audit is mandated by the State of California and must be completed by October, 2000. F. The new basketball standard recommended for installation by the Parks & Recreation Commission has now been put in place in Ray Park. Recreation Division Report. Director Williams reported that: A. Community golf tournament is scheduled for tomorrow (Friday, September 22) at Poplar Creek Golf Course in San Mateo. B. Fall sports programs for adults and school age teams are now getting underway. C. The Recreation Division is reinstituting the annual Holiday Faire at the Recreation Center on Saturday, December 2, 2000. This popular show will feature arts and crafts, food and entertainment. D. Recreation class revenues and participation seem to be mirroring the current economy - class registrations have far exceeded projections. Commissioner Reports. a. Commissioner Heathcote noted that AYSO Opening Day was well attended and very successful. Participation in youth soccer programs is up again this year. M b. Commissioner Erickson stated that he has been a regular lap swim participant at the Aquatic Center since its opening in June. He has enjoyed the use of the pool very much. C. Chairman Larios asked staff about the skateboard park facilities proposed recently in the newspaper for the area south of the Humane Society in Coyote Point County Park. Williams stated that discussions are proceeding and that public transportation seems to be the major concern of all involved. Williams will be meeting again with Parks and Recreation Directors from the City of San Mateo and from Foster City in early October. Williams also noted that construction of this park and a second proposed skateboard park near Mills High School in Millbrae could serve Burlingame skaters well. He will continue to update the Commission on this matter. Commissioners expressed their support for nearby skateboard facilities that could serve Burlingame residents. There being no further business to come before the Commission, Chairman Larios adjourned the meeting at 8:37 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Jc6�W. Williams Parks & Recreation Director 5