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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PR - 1997.05.15MEETING MINUTES Burlingame Park and Recreation Commission Thursday, May 15, 1997 The regular meeting of the Burlingame Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairman Michael Nilmeyer at 7:38 p.m. in Conference Room A, Burlingame City Hall. ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Larios, Nilmeyer, Nyhan, Pera, Piccetti, Roberts, and Youth Advisory Commissioners Cretan and Dougherty Commissioners Absent: Kelly Staff Present: Parks & Recreation Director Williams Guests Present: B. Broaddus, 3208 Hillside Lane, Burlingame; Helene Darling, 3100 Margarita Avenue, Burlingame; Marti Knight, 455 Chatham, Burlingame; Janis & Ray Musante, 1665 Hunt Drive, Burlingame; Marianne Riddle, 1368 Vancouver, Burlingame MINUTES The Minutes of the April 17, 1997 Regular Meeting were approved as presented. PUBLIC COMMENT Janis and Ray Musante spoke regarding Cuernavaca Park concerns. (See below) OLD BUSINESS 1 Athletic fields t f Bayshore Freeway. Parks & Recreation Director Williams reported on a recent meeting between representatives of the CAP (Citizens for Athletic Parks) group and City Manager Dennis Argyres. Williams also attended the meeting. He reported that no new ideas or strategies had been uncovered during the course of the meeting. The Commissioners asked Williams to inquire of the City Manager about talking to the State regarding State lands adjacent to the Bay. 2. Mills Canyon Park signa e. Director Williams reported that the department plans to install new park rules signs at Mills Canyon which are more specific to the canyon area and more likely to be read and observed. After some discussion about canyon issues, the Commission concurred with the staff proposal. Commissioners also suggested that staff discuss with the City Attorney whether or not a disclaimer should be included on canyon signs noting that the park is a wilderness area. s in 3. Do_...Tg Park. Director Williams reported and Paloations of other Alto Staffwasog park notable toavis t San Bruno, Foster City, San Mateo, Belmont the San Carlos Dog Park. The Commission reviewed dog park pictures. Williams suggested an area that might be developed for a dog park in Skyline Park between Skyline Boulevard and I-280. Staff does not recommend any lighting in the area and recommends that the park be open 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., as are all other City parks. Staff is concerned about additional workload and recommends that interested parties form a dog owners club to assist with cleanup and with gate opening/closing. Parking options and the installation of a pay telephone for emergency use were discussed. Williams estimated that fencing for the area he suggested would cost about $6,000. A water hookup would cost about $2,000. Bark chips can be placed in the area in the future to assist with weed and mud control. Marianne Riddle spoke in favor of the dog park proposal and stated that she had petitions with 680 signatures of persons favoring the idea. Williams said that he has been contacted by some area neighbors who had questions and concerns about the dog park proposal. Several Commissioners and several members of the audience spoke in favor of the idea of a City dog park at Skyline Park. Staff will make sure that all area neighbors are notified of public meetings to discuss the issue. Commissioner Roberts asked if the City can add -on any charges to County dog license fees to pay for a dog park. Williams will investigate. Williams stated that if the Commission wished to endorse the concept of a dog park at Skyline Park, the matter would be brought before the City Council for review. If the Council choses to approve the concept, staff will prepare a report and the Planning Department will need to review the environmental status for any project. No funds are currently budgeted for dog park improvements. It was moved by Commissioner Nyhan, seconded by Commissioner Pera and approved 6-0 to recommend that the Commission approve the concept of developing a dog exercise park at the City's Skyline Park site. The Commission requests that the City Council direct Commission and City staff to review the issue and develop a proposed plan and budget for the project. 2 4. Cuernavaca Park status review and nronoaed ordinance changes. Three Cuernavaca Park neighbors attended the Commission and addressed the Commission regarding concerns about noise, litter, parking and other problems. Director Williams noted the steps that have been taken in recent months to address neighbors' concerns: (1) A public meeting has been held and Police Department personnel have been advised of neighbors concerns; (2) a pooper scooper station with free scoops for dog excrement pickup has been installed in the park; (3) one basketball rim abeen removed from the park basketball court to restrict full court games; floodlight installed on the restroom building roof top to illuminate grandstand and parking areas at night; and (5) a landscape architect has been hired to develop alternative schemes and cost estimates for rehabilitating or removing the shade structure and redoing that area of the park. A public meeting is planned for the month of June so that neighbors have review any proposed changes. No funds are curently budgeted for Cuernavaca Park improvements. Janis Musante spoke to the Commission about problems at Cuernavaca Park, particularly on the weekends. She noted that on Saturday and Sunday of the previous weekend two large groups of out of town users had taken over the park for the entire day. Ms. Musante stated that athletic field user group sometimes leave the ballfield area littered after use, but they typically use the lower parking area and seldom impact the neighbors on Hunt or upper Alcazar. She stated that groups using the picnic area often leave the area dirty and often dump hot barbecue coals on the premises. She stated that City Police patrols are never seen on the weekends during the large group activities. Mrs. Musante also reported that removing the east basket rim appears to have had little impact on the groups of adult players who drive into the area and then play for long periods of time with boom boxes blaring. The pooper scooper station has been very successful and most users with dogs are taking advantage of the scoopers. She wants to have the existing shade structure removed. The neighbors will form a work party and demolish the shade structure at no cost to the City. Ray Musante spoke to the Commission about problems with young people using the existing shade structure during the night for inappropriate purposes. Visibility into the structure at night is very limited. Helene Darling also stated that she never witnessed police patrols in the area and that the Police should make more frequent patrols. She disagreed with total elimination of the shade structure and believes that some form of shade structure and wind break are necessary. Mrs. Darling would like to see no picnic tables in the park. Mrs. Darling supported the staff recommended changes to the City Code. She also suggested that no non -Burlingame residents be permitted in the park. Commissioners and 3 others pointed -out that the public park must be open to all users. Some controls can be placed upon groups, however. It was moved by Commissioner Nyhan, seconded by Commissioner Pera and approved 6-0 to recommend that the Commission recommend, as authorized in the Municipal Code, Chapter 10.55.030 Rule and Regulations, that the City Council take the appropriate steps to change the City Code to prohibit four activities at Cuernavaca Park: (1) Bringing in or operating a portable barbecue in the park; (2) bringing in or setting - up inflatable apparatus in the park that can be used for jumping bouncing; ether more bringing in or operating any type of generator in the park; (4) gathering g than fifteen persons in one group in the shade structure area of the park. 5. Burlineame HSswim pool rehab status. Director Williams reported that a preliminary scoping meeting has been held with the swim pool architect, City and School District staff. The architect will come back during the last week in May with a draft plan, alternatives and cost estimates. After a second meeting with staff, the architect will prepare a more formal plan for a public meeting so that everyone in the community can have input into the plan. 6. Recreation Center remodel. Williams reported that the remodel project is underway. Asbestos removal in the project area has begun. The asbestos removal contractor should be finished by the end of the month and the construction contractor should begin work during the first week in June. Commission CLR_ErklEriLi . The Commission reviewed the C.I.P. Priority List, but made no changes. NEW BUSINESS R i in- . _ f new Youth A dyi5Qn, l`orr dMionera. Williams reported that the new Teen Coordinator Eddie Kertel has begun work. He will be distributing application packets for 1997-98 Youth Advisory Commissioner candidates to B.H.S., Mills and Mercy High Schools next week. It was agreed to have the new Coordinator attend the June Commission meeting to discuss teen program ideas. REPORTS Parks. Director Williams reported that Parks staff is now operating in "high season' gear. Baseball and softball season is now underway. Williams updated the Commission on the status of negotiations with CalTrans regarding the status of the Eucalyptus trees on El Camino Real. 2. Recreation. Williams reported that the Senior Citizens Health Faire on May 14 was attended by approximately 100 seniors and 24 vendors or organizations provided health and safety information, handouts, etc. A $2,000 donation has just been received from an art class participant for the purchase of new art easels for the Recreation Center. Cgrarm inners. Commissioner Pera asked if any Park & Recreation Commissioners will be asked to participate on interview panels for the Recreation Supervisor and Recreation Coordinator hiring processes now getting underway. Williams will check with the Personnel Office on the procedures. Commissioner Roberts stated that he will be unable to attend the 1997 Burlingame Together Workshop in Marshall, California June 29-July 1 due to a family schedule conflict. Commissioner Larios indicated that he will be available to attend in Roberts place. It was the consensus of the Commission that Larios be scheduled to represent the Commission at the Burlingame Together Workshop. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by Chairman Nilmeyer at 9:15 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, VVVVV`� Join W. Williams Parks & Recreation Director Next Regular Meeting of the Commission: 7:30 p.m., June 19, 1997