HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PR - 1997.02.20MEETING MINUTES
Burlingame Park and Recreation Commission
Thursday, February 20, 1997
The regular meeting of the Burlingame Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by
Chairman Don Roberts at 7:35 p.m. in Conference Room A, Burlingame City Hall.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Kelly, Larios, Nilmeyer, Nyhan, Pera, Piccetti, Roberts and Youth
Advisory Commissioners Cretan and Dougherty
Commissioners Absent: None
Staff Present: Parks & Recreation Director Williams and Recreation Superintendent
Schwartz
Guests Present: Frank Figoni, 58 Tilton Terrace, San Mateo; William Freedman, 40
Terrier Place, Hillsborough; Mike Galligan, 724B Linden Avenue,
Burlingame; Marti Knight, 455 Chatham, Burlingame; Gary Nichols,
116 Costa Rica, Burlingame; Marianne and Brock Riddle, 1368
Vancouver, Burlingame; Celestino Romili, 109 Stanley Road,
`-- Burlingame; Marjorie Taylor, 701 Burlingame Avenue, Burlingame;
John J. Webb, 720 Paloma Avenue; and Peter Wickman, 815 Fairfield
Road, Burlingame.
MINUTES
The Minutes of the January 16, 1997 Regular Meeting were approved as presented.
OLD BUSINESS
Review of Athletic Field Space and Other Facility Issues. Burlingame resident Gary Nichols
presented a Mission Statement from the informal citizens group who have organized as
Citizens for Athletic Parks (CAP). He presented a list of seven (7) proposed action steps and
requested that the City work on these issues. He spoke in favor of a recreational facility
masterplan study. John Webb spoke in favor of working on improved bike trails and cleanup
along the waterfront.
Nichols stated that the drive-in movie site is presently under contract for sale. The 16 acre
property was listed for sale at about $1 million per acre. Nichols said that the proposed sale
was for construction of an office building complex.
Commissioner Kelly asked for clarification on what is a Recreation Master Plan. Some
definitions of a plan were mentioned. Mike Galligan noted that the City currently has no
Recreation/Open Space Element in the City's General Plan. He stated that this plan would be
a good first step.
Galligan said that the group was only asking for things that the City Council could reasonably
do. Asking for a recreation masterplan is not a major burden on the City. Any moratorium
imposed must be short so that the public and property owners can get resolution in a timely
manner. In response to a question from Commissioner Nilmeyer, Marti Knight explained the
time frame and process for a moratorium.
Bike trails were discussed briefly. Williams noted that the City has some money budgeted for
trail improvements in the waterfront area. The area around the BP gas station is a major
bottleneck because the north and south pathway sections are not connected.
Commissioner Kelly asked about landfill site uses and questioned the feasibility of the
proposed driving range, rather than more athletic fields. Williams reviewed the site plan for
the Commission and audience and noted that the Council and staff are currently working to
develop a driving range and two first class athletic fields on the landfill site. Profits from the
proposed driving range operation will help cover field maintenance and operation costs.
Chairman Roberts stated that he believed that the best strategy was for the Commission to
request a study session with the City Council. Commissioner Larios questioned whether a
study and moratorium could be conducted in a quick and timely manner.
�-- Williams noted that moratoriums are serious actions and that the City Council will need to be
convinced of the urgency of the matter if it is to proceed.
It was moved by Commissioner Kelly, seconded by Commissioner Nilmeyer and passed 7-0
to recommend to the City Council that the Park and Recreation Commission recommends
that the City Council enact an emergency moratorium on development of any lands east of
the Bayshore Freeway and south of Broadway until a joint study session is held and a study
of land use in the area is complete. Youth Commissioners Cretan and Dougherty spoke in
favor of the motion.
Mike Galligan stated that the issue should be studied from a global perspective. Once sites
are identified, then further discussions can proceed on how to acquire land or move forward.
Environmental processes can take one to four months. The CAP group is willing to assist in
any way possible.
NEW BUSINESS ITEMS #2 &
#3 WERE TAKEN
OUT OF ORDER
ON
THE AGENDA
SINCE SEVERAL MEMBERS
OF THE
PUBLIC
WERE
PRESENT
TO
DISCUSS THEM
2. Dog, Park. Director Williams reviewed a letter from Marianne Riddle regarding the
development of dog park areas where dogs can run off -leash. Williams noted that open field
park space already is in short supply in the City. Special fencing and maintenance is required
of dog park areas.
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Marianne Riddle addressed the Commission regarding her concern for a place in Burlingame
where residents could take dogs to run. She suggested that the Commission review the
possible interim use of the future softbalUbaseball field at the landfill site. Williams had
earlier noted that the ballfield would not be developed until after the year 2000. Williams will
review the matter with Public Works staff.
William Freedman noted that the area north of the Humane shelter had been proposed for a
dog park several years ago, but that no action had ever been taken. Commissioners and the
audience discussed other possible sites in Burlingame.
Chairman Roberts asked that staff prepare a report on dog parks in other cities, including size
of parks, how fenced, maintenance, etc.
3. Mills Canyon Issues. Williams reviewed a letter from Mrs. Tidmarsh who lives in the County
area near Mills Canyon. She expressed concern in her letter for the preservation of the
canyon and questioned some of the activities conducted by the Friends of Mills Canyon
group. Williams spoke in behalf of the Friends group who have supported preservation of the
canyon and the flora and fauna there for many years.
William Freedman, President of the Friends of Mills Canyon group addressed the
Commission and responded to Ms. Tidmarsh's concerns about mushroom picking. He noted
that group is very concerned about mushroom preservation and actually uses a mirror device
to see under mushrooms without picking them. A very few mushrooms are picked so that
participants can understand them. He noted that a group member had confronted one person
leaving the canyon with a full bucket of mushrooms which the person had picked in the park.
Dr. Freedman complimented staff and the California Conservation Corps for the work being
done now in the canyon.
It was the consensus of the Commission that the Friends group is acting properly in support
of the Mills Canyon park and that the group members should be commended for their actions.
Director Williams was asked to review the signage at the entrances to the park.
4. Teen Issues.
A. Teen Activity Program. Williams reported on the proposal from the Blue Ribbon
Teen Program Study Committee. The Committee has recommended a 15 month pilot
teen activity program, beginning in April, 1997. The program calls for a part time
Teen Activity Coordinator position and would be partially funded by an increase in
the current $2.00 class registration fee. Commissioners supported the increased fee
to underwrite the teen program.
It was moved, seconded and carried, 7-0, to recommend that the City Council
approve the proposed pilot teen activity program and the hiring of a part time teen
coordinator. Youth Commissioners Cretan and Dougherty spoke in favor of the
motion.
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rted
B. Burlingame High School Pool RehabilitatiWilliams
firm to develop a swimthe
poCity
ol Council
will be asked on March 3 to hire an architectural
masterplan. If approved, masterplan work could begin almost immediately.
C. Burlingame Together Summer Workshon. Williams reminded Commissioners of the
June 30-July 1 summer workshop. Chairman Roberts stated that he wanted to
attended and would check his calendar and get back to Director Williams.
5. Washington Park Tennis Court `Bumps". Williams reported that the City had recently settled
the tennis court "bumps" lawsuit for $65,000. The money received will enable the City to
resurface the courts within the next few months.
6. Status Report on Cuernavaca Park Issues. Williams reported that the dog "po.oper scooper"
dispenser has been installed in the park. The east rim on the basketball court has been
removed to eliminate full court play. An architect has been hired to review the status of the
shade structure. A community meeting will be held with the architect and the neighbors
within the next month. Williams will be meeting shortly with the City Attorney to discuss any
restrictions that might be placed upon future park use.
7. Status Report on Ray Park Issues. Williams reported that the School District has added
some fencing behind the Lincoln School buildings and put a night light back in service.
Public Works has been very responsive and a light has been installed to illuminate the east
end of the bridge linking the park and school to Cabrillo Avenue. A floodlight for mounting
�. on the park restroom (to be aimed back towards the children's playground) is on order and
should be installed soon.
8. Status Reporton Franklin Field Irrigation Improv m nt . Williams reported that the Franklin
Field irrigation system renovation is completed. Chairman Roberts asked about the Mercy
High School use of the field during the past season.Superintendent
the field for mug htof thehat e
Mercy season was completed and that they had been unable touse
season. Mercy made a $500 contribution to the City/School District field maintenance fund
this past season.
Schwartz noted that Recreation Supervisor Mike Ciardella had advised Mercy prior to the
1995 season that 1995 would be the last season for their use of the field and that they should
make other arrangements for soccer play in the future. Staff believes that the Franklin Field
should be allowed to rest during the winter months, as is done with all other City facilities.
Chairman Roberts noted that the Commission had told Mercy representatives in 1996 that the
1996-97 season would be the last one for Mercy use. School representatives had told the
Commission that they would advise the Sisters of Mercy of this restriction in Fall, 1996.
Roberts asked Youth Commissioner Dougherty to convey the Commission's concerns back
to the staff at Mercy High School.
It was the consensus of the Commission that staff write a letter to Mercy High, over the
Commission Chairman's signature, advising Mercy that Franklin Field will not be available
for school use in winter, 1997-98.
51.
9. Alpine Tot Lot Playground Rehabilitation. Williams reported that Landscape Architect John
Cahalan has been retained to work with the City in developing a rehabilitation project at
Alpine Park this spring. Playground rehabilitation work will continue next fiscal year at the
"J" Lot tot lot on Primrose Road.
10. capital Project Priority List. It was agreed to defer discussion on the Commission's priority
list to the March meeting of the Commission.
REPORTS
1. Recreation. Superintendent Schwartz reported that due to recent problems outside the
Recreation Center during party rentals involving alcohol, staff is now requiring additional
security for all such rentals. The Recreation Center remodel project is on target for work to
begin in May. The teen/senior computer program is underway again this spring at
Burlingame High School and a new early literacy reading program with senior tutors and
elementary children will begin soon in the Burlingame School District.
2. Parks. Williams reported on recent meetings with CalTrans regarding El Camino Real trees
and concerns regarding California Avenue trees. He noted that parks staff was busy with
spring activities, especially the preparation of ballfields for the coming season. Fall soccer at
Washington Park caused little damage to the outfield turf and staff will permit similar use by
A.Y. S.O. next fall.
3. Commissioners.
�-- A. Commissioner Piccetti complimented staff on the recent teen brochure which the
Parks & Recreation Department produced.
B. Commissioner Kelly expressed concerns about problems and vandalism at Heritage
Park. Williams indicated that he would schedule an evening meeting with neighbors
to discuss concerns and possible solution. Kelly will provide the name and telephone
number of a neighbor willing to host such an evening meeting.
C. Commissioner Larios complimented staff on its work on the Blue Ribbon Teen Study
Committee.
REORGANIZATION OF THE COMMISSION
Chairman Roberts expressed his belief that it would be appropriate to select a new Commission
Chairman at this time.
Commissioner Kelly nominated Commissioner Nilmeyer to serve as Commission Chairman for the
coming year. The motion was seconded by Chairman Roberts and passed 7-0.
Commissioner Pera nominated Commissioner Larios to serve as Commission Vice Chairman for the
coming year. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Kelly and passed 7-0.
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PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment at this time.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by Chairman Roberts at 9:48 p.m.
Respectfujlly Submitted,
0��' N 6w� �
J00 W. Williams
Parks & Recreation Director
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