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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PR - 1998.01.15MEETING MINUTES Burlingame Parks & Recreation Commission Thursday, January 15, 1998 The regular meeting of the Burlingame Parks & Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairman Mike Nilmeyer at 7:31 p.m. in Conference Room A, Burlingame City Hall. ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Heathcote, Kelly, Larios, Lembi, Nilmeyer, Pera (arrived late), Piccetti. Youth Commissioners Getchel & Klimen Commissioner Absent: None Staff Present: Parks & Recreation Director John Williams, Recreation Superintendent Randy Schwartz, Parks Superintendent Tim Richmond Others Present: Hank Sauer, 840 Fairfield, Burlingame New Commissioners Heathcote and Lembi were introduced. As this was also the first meeting at which both Youth Advisory Commissioners were present, Chairman Nilmeyer described the role of the Youth members. Although Youth Advisory Commissioners may not officially vote on any action of the Commission, the Commission will ask for input from the Youth members before any action is taken on any matter. MINUTES Minutes of the November 20, 1997 meeting were approved, as presented. COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC There were no comments from the public. OLD BUSINESS Status of Proposed Batting Cage at Washington Park. Director Williams reviewed the proposed project. The Burlingame Youth Baseball Association is presently reviewing the City drafted contract. BYBA is now completing plans and specifications for City review. Chairman Nilmeyer noted that plan checking can be slow in Burlingame and asked Williams to attempt to expedite the plan checking process. League Representative Hank Sauer discussed the project with Commissioners and answered questions about the proposed design and scheduling of the facility. Williams and Sauer noted that Burlingame High baseball teams and BYBA teams will probably fill the available hours at the cage during the baseball season. Other community youth programs can be scheduled in as time is available or during the off-season. Superintendent Schwartz noted that he had spoken with the President of the Girls Softball League on the issue and the League does not foresee any extensive use of the cage due to its location in Washington Park and the fact that it will be a one station cage. 2. Report on Removal Costs for Cuernavaca Park Shade Structure. This item was an informational item for Commissioners prior to upcoming C.I.P. priority discussions. Director Williams reviewed the history of discussions regarding Cuernavaca Shade Structure and park use problems involving large groups of out-of-town users. The park is small and was designed as a neighborhood park. The shade structure is too large for the park and invites inappropriate uses. The structure presently needs extensive work on the roof. A new masterplan has been adopted for the picnic and playground area. Williams stated that the picnic trellis structure would be similar in appearance to the structure at Pershing Park. It is estimated that it will cost approximately $120,000 to renovate the entrance and picnic area, as shown in the masterplan. (Masterplan is attached as Exhibit A.) Landscape Architect John Cahalan provided an estimate of probable construction costs to demolish the shade structure and a portion of the concrete paving in the area. In order to avoid an unsightly mud and dust bowl during the period prior to building out the masterplan, it is proposed to do some minor grading and turf planting that will mesh with the approved masterplan. Structure and other demolition costs are estimated at $7,200 and grading/irrigation/turf are estimated at an additional $12-13,000. Total 1st phase project costs should be about $20,000. (Estimate is attached as Exhibit B.) Commissioner Piccetti discussed the possibility of leaving more concrete floor on an interim basis. Superintendent Richmond noted that there will be parents, grandparents and baby sitters wishing to have a shade structure for protection on sunny days while they supervise children at the playground. That audience has not yet been heard from during the review process. The Commission will rank the Cuernavaca project with other capital projects at its upcoming review of C.I.P. priorities. No action was taken at this time. 3. Dog Exercise Park Status Report. Williams reviewed the history of the Dog Park issue for the new Commissioners. Staff has been reviewing alternative sites within the City for a potential dog exercise area, as directed by the City Council last year. Williams indicated that the landfill closure and development team has tentatively agreed to include a dog exercise park area at the landfill site between the sewer treatment plant and the golf driving range. An open area in that location could be fenced at the ends for minimal cost and access is available from both the Airport Boulevard side and the Sanchez Lagoon side. Given the current landfill closure schedule, an exercise area could be open for use by Fall, 1998. 2 NEW BUSINESS 1. Set Date to Consider Commission Annual C I P. Priority List. The Commission agreed to conduct its annual prioritization of Parks & Recreation capital projects at the Commission's regular February meeting. 2. County Juvenile Delinquency_ Program Funding Workshop. Youth Commissioner Klimen and Director Williams reported on their participation in the County workshop held in December to suggest how Federal Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Funds might be spent in San Mateo County. Other Burlingame team participants were Council Member Marti Knight, BHS Principal Jerry Arrigoni, Police Chief Gary Missel, Rev. Paul Watermulder and Recreation Supervisor Tricia Pinney. REPORTS 1. Capital Improvement Project Status Updates. A. Recreation Center. The remodel project is nearing completion. Superintendent Schwartz described the final steps remaining to complete the project. B. Landfill Site. Director Williams reported that engineering and design work is proceeding on the Bayside Soccer/Baseball Lights project and the project is expected to go to the City Council for review in February. The City expects to have all of the landfill closed except the area for the new baseball/softball field by mid- 1998. A consultant is being hired to assist in the selection process for the new golf driving range operator. Plans and specifications are being completed for the new parking lot, soccer field and golf driving range. Staff and Commissioners discussed the layout for the new soccer field. A spring, 1999 opening is now envisioned for both the soccer field and the golf driving range. Commissioner Lembi asked if the AYSO use of the Washington Park outfield grass had caused damage to the turf over the past two seasons. Superintendent Richmond reported that staff had observed no major problems caused by the small children's teams using the area. The league has been good about working with staff to move areas and prevent excessive wear and tear. C. Alpine/Paloma Tot Lots. Williams reported that Architect Cahalan is working on final plans and specifications for Alpine and Paloma Parks tot lot areas. D. Washin ton Park West Area & Restrooms. Superintendent Richmond reported that plans for a modular "drop -in" replacement restroom building behind Lions Club Hall are nearing completion. Williams discussed the masterplan being developed for the west entrance and for a second group picnic location in the area of the former bocce ball courts. 3 E. BHS Running Track and Aquatic Center. Commissioner Larios reported that the BHS Booster Club now has approximately $50,000 in hand of the $80,000 needed to construct the all weather running track. Discussions are now underway with a major sponsor to raise funds for the balance of the track project and, perhaps, improvements to the stadium grandstands. Williams reported that design work is now underway on the Aquatic Center. In response to a question by Commissioner Larios, Williams indicated that it now appears that major pool and locker room construction will take place during the summer months. Pool opening will probably occur in the fall. If the pool does not open by the end of September, it is likely that City programs would not begin until Spring, 1999. 2. Parks Report. A. City Trees. Superintendent Richmond reported that tree trimming crews are presently working in the southeast quadrant of the City. To date, winter storms have not had excessively high winds and tree damage in Burlingame has been relatively light. B. Annual Arbor Day. Activities are scheduled for March 6 at Bayside Park. Richmond noted the current problems (several) affecting pine trees in this area. Staff intends to phase -in redwood trees as pine trees are removed. C. Athletic Field Maintenance. Maintenance has been difficult this winter because of persistent rains. Fortunately, no cases of user damage to wet fields have been incurred. D. Picnic Table at Bayside Park Baseball/Softball Diamond. Staff is reviewing Commissioner Kelly's request for a possible picnic table in the area of the snack bar. E. Playground Committee. The group recently met with Alpine Tot Lot neighbor Marianne Saucedo and Laguna Tot Lot neighbor Keri Burri to review plans for the two upcoming rehabilitation projects. Mrs. Burri has asked to join the committee and she will take the spot vacated by former Commissioner Nyhan. E. Catalina Ironwood Tree. Parks Division staff has planted a new Catalina Ironwood tree near the Washington Park group picnic area to replace the one to be removed for the batting cage project. 3. Recreation Report. A. Spring Program. Superintendent Schwartz reported that Spring class registration has gone very well in January. Over 50% of those registering this month have rd V. chosen to use credit cards. Credit cards have greatly facilitated over -the -phone registrations. Revenues are up for the 1997-98 fiscal year, to date. B. Teen Activities. The Teen Brochure has been distributed to students at Burlingame, Mercy and Mills High Schools. 35 teens are expected to participate in the upcoming ski trip to Boreal Ridge. C. Basketball Programs. Both the elementary and intermediate school basketball programs are going well this winter. 22 7th and 8th grade teams are presently playing and the 6th grade season will start soon. D. Tree Lighting and Holiday Faire. The City's tree lighting ceremony went very well in December. The Burlingame Avenue merchants coordinated all the Burlingame Avenue activities this year. Commissioner Reports. A. Commissioner Lembi stated that he was pleased to be serving on the Commission again. He noted that many of the programs and projects discussed tonight were on the Commission agenda in 1974. He also praised the relationship between the City and the two school districts. In his work at Hillsdale High School he has noted the lack of a cooperative spirit between the City of San Mateo and the High School District. B. Commissioner Heathcote also expressed his pleasure at being able to serve with the Commission. He stated that he looks forward to working with Commissioners and staff. C. Chairman Nilmeyer suggested that the Commission discuss changing the starting time of future Commission meetings to 7:00 p.m. as the City Council and some other Commissions have done. It was agreed to place this item on the February 19 meeting agenda for discussion and possible action. Chairman Nilmeyer adjourned the meeting at 9:07 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, J W. Williams Parks & Recreation Director Exhibits (2) '..— 5