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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PR - 1997.10.16MEETING MINUTES �— Burlingame Parks & Recreation Commission Thursday, October 16, 1997 The regular meeting of the Burlingame Parks & Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairman Mike Nilmeyer at 7:32 p.m. in Conference Room A, Burlingame City Hall. ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Larios, Nilmeyer, Nyhan, Pera, Piccetti, Roberts Commissioner Absent: Kelly Staff Present: Parks & Recreation Director John Williams, Recreation Superintendent Randy Schwartz, Teen Coordinator Christine Carlson, Police Sergeant Ed Nakiso Others Present: Kerilyn Burri, 1437 Laguna Avenue; Martin Cohen, 911 Larkspur Drive; Helene Darling, 3100 Margarita; Doug Fox, 1004 Larkspur Drive; Emily Getchel, 621 Burlingame Avenue; Janis & Ray Musante, 1665 Hunt Drive; Gary Reichard, 1604 Devereaux; Marianne & John Saucedo, 925 Larkspur Drive MINUTES Minutes of the September 18, 1997 meeting were approved, as presented. COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC There were no comments from the public. OLD BUSINESS Tot Lot Rehabilitation Priorities. Director Williams reviewed the process by which tot lot projects were selected for this year and next. The Playground Project Review Committee recommended that Paloma Park be the V priority project for 1997-98. Alpine Park is next on the list for 1998-99 and J-Lot has been masterplanned and is awaiting funding in connection with streetscape improvements. The Paloma final plans have been prepared and specifications are now being drawn up. Staff expect spring construction for the Paloma tot lot. The Parks Division annually receives $100,000 for capital improvement projects. Since tot lot renovations typically cost about $60,000 each and there are always other capital needs each year, it will take about four years to redo the Paloma, Alpine, Laguna and Trenton playgrounds on the current schedule. The Lions Club is providing $5,000 per year for three years in support of the Paloma, Alpine and Trenton renovations. Marianne Saucedo spoke in favor of making the Alpine Park project the next project �- considered. Director Williams noted that plans could be ready for the Alpine Park rehab so that bidding could begin at the start of the new fiscal year on July 1, 1998. That schedule should produce a fall completion date. Helene Darling asked about past improvement projects and staff and Commissioners reviewed recent improvements to playgrounds at Ray, Village and Victoria Parks. Ray Musante asked if the City had a 5 or 10 year capital improvement plan for parks. Director Williams replied that there is no plan. Like most City departments, Parks & Recreation presently has more identified capital improvement needs then there is available funding. Doug Fox stated that there are many children in the Alpine Park area. He stated that signs warning users should be posted if the playgrounds are not going to be properly maintained. John Saucedo stated that a group of parents will address the City Council to ask for additional funding for tot lot improvements. Kerilyn Burri spoke representing neighbors in the Laguna tot lot area. She asked that the Commission consider assigning a higher priority to the renovation of the Laguna tot lot. She stated that, at present, there are a large number of young children living in the Laguna area. Commissioners Nyhan and Piccetti discussed the process that led to the selection of the Paloma and Alpine tot lots as first priorities for rehabilitation. Commissioner Roberts noted that the Commission had not heard from any group supporting tot lot rehabilitation during his nine years on the Commission. He stated that the Commission is anxious to have City parks improved. The Commission is limited by the amount of money made available for capital improvement projects each year. 2. Cuernavaca Park Neighbor Concerns. Director Williams presented park neighbor Janis Musante's letter expressing her concerns about large groups using Cuernavaca Park and impacting park neighbors. Williams reviewed the steps which have been taken at Cuernavaca Park during the past year in response to neighbor concerns. Police Sergeant Ed Nakiso reported on Police activities at Cuernavaca Park in recent months. He stated that the records show that police officers called at Cuernavaca 72 times since the start of summer season in May, either in response to neighbor calls or on routine patrol. Janis Musante expressed her concern over the continued appearance of large groups of mainly out-of-town users at the park. She stated that the recently adopted park regulations do not work. She believes that no more than one group of 15 persons should 2 be allowed in the group picnic area at one time. She noted that responding police officers have been very pleasant and responsive to neighbor concerns, however, she stated that Police Department dispatchers have refused to dispatch police officers in response to citizen calls. Helene Darling stated that new regulations should be enacted to ban all groups of users from outside Burlingame. She also stated that the Police Department dispatchers should not make interpretations regarding when police officers should be dispatched. Sergeant Nakiso suggested that perhaps informational fliers describing the new park rules could be distributed through area elementary schools. Ray Musante stated that he was required by a Police Department dispatcher to investigate park problems before the dispatcher would send police officers to the park. Director Williams and several Commissioners stated that they did not agree with Mrs. Musante's interpretation of the new park regulations. All who spoke stated that it had been their intent that individual groups of users should be limited to 15 persons or less, with no restriction on the number of groups. It was the consensus of Commission and staff that the existing shade structure and group picnic area are attractive to large group users. Several persons noted that the shade �. structure is in need of repairs and suggested staff should investigate options for removal. Commissioners asked that staff return at the November meeting with cost estimates for the demolition of the current Cuernavaca Park shade structure. 3. Recommendation of New Youth Advisory Commissioner. Student Emily Getchel appeared before the Commission and discussed her application for appointment as a 1997-98 Youth Advisory Commissioner. It was moved by Commissioner seconded by Commissioner Nyhan and approved 6-0 to recommend that the City Council appoint Burlingame High student Emily Getchel, 621 Burlingame Avenue, as a 1997-98 Parks & Recreation Youth Advisory Commissioner. 4. Ray Park Neighbor Concerns. This was a continued item from the September meeting of the Commission. Staff presented proposed rules for the regulation of pitching machines at Ray Park (attached). It was the consensus of the Commission that the new regulations be put into place at Ray Park. Staff was asked to request that Burlingame Girls softball league representatives attend the Commission's November meeting to discuss the scheduling of Sunday games for the Billie Sue Tournament in June, 1998. 9 Superintendent Schwartz and Sports Supervisor Mike Blondino are currently reviewing �-- all athletic field use schedules and they will return to the Commission soon with information regarding sports field use scheduling. 5. Bayside Park and Baseball/Softball Practice Lights. Williams reported that the City Council approved the inclusion of the proposed baseball\softball lights in the study of lighting and engineering concerns at Bayside which Public Works is presently managing. 6. Burlingame High School All Weather Track. Commissioner Larios reported that the bids to construct the all weather track came in higher than the amount of money available for the project. The BHS Booster Club is presently attempting to raise $85,000 so that the project can proceed. 7. Burlingame Aquatic Center. Director Williams reported that the contract with the San Mateo Union High School District for the construction and operation of the new swim pool should be signed soon and then pool design can begin. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business to come before the Commission. REPORTS 1. Capital Project Status Updates. A. The Recreation Center remodel project is nearing completion. Superintendent Schwartz described the final steps remaining to complete the project. B. Director Williams reported that design is proceeding on the landfill site new soccer field and golf driving range. C. Williams reported that Architect John Cahalan has begun work on the design for a new restroom building in Washington Park. It appears as though a prefab, drop -in -place unit may provide the most efficient new building. 2. Parks Report A. Williams reported that adult softball league play was about complete for the year. Soccer teams have about one month remaining in the season. B. City crews have planted over 100 new street trees during the fall planting season. CalTrans is due to plant replacement trees along El Camino Real within the next week or two. A similar looking, but smaller growing species of Eucalyptus tree will be planted. E C. Superintendent Schwartz reported that fall recreation programs have been well �- received. Participation and revenues appear to be up this fall. Schwartz introduced new Teen Coordinator Christine Carlson. Commissioners welcomed her to Burlingame. She discussed some of her activities to date with school personnel and teens in the community. A teen picnic and car show was conducted in Washington Park on Sunday, October 12. D. There were no Commissioner reports. Chairman Nilmeyer adjourned the meeting at 9:22 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, John W. Williams Parks & Recreation Director Attachment: Pitching Machine Use Rules 5