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
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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.
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2. Parks Division Report. Commissioners received Parks Superintendent Tim Richmond's
written report:
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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.
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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
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