HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PR - 1997.11.20MEETING MINUTES
Burlingame Parks & Recreation Commission
Thursday, November 20, 1997
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: Kelly, Larios, Nilmeyer, Nyhan, Piccetti, Roberts, Youth
Commissioner Getchel (left ill at 7:32 p.m.)
Commissioner Absent: Pera
Staff Present: Parks & Recreation Director John Williams, Recreation
Superintendent Randy Schwartz, Recreation Coordinator Jordana
Schneiderman
Others Present: (All Burlingame residents) Brian, Amanda and Melody Ackley, 100
Crescent; Richard Battarini, 1535 Columbus; Bob & Theone Cini,
1516 Floribunda; Phillip DeRosa, 731 Winchester; Lorraine Hannon,
2704 Summit; Diana Hicks, 1020 Balboa; Margie Johns, 1215
Carmelita; Megan Klimen, 772 Willborough; Allen McCuen, 1 141
Cabrillo; Thomas & Sarah O'Connor, 1556 Balboa; Gary Reichard,
1604 Devereaux; Brock Riddle, 1368 Vancouver; Hank Sauer, 840
Fairfield; Clara White, 1532 Ralston
MINUTES
Minutes of the October 16, 1997 meeting were approved, as presented.
COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC
There were no comments from the public.
OLD BUSINESS
Confirmation of Youth Advisory Commissioner Megan Klimen. Burlingame High
School student Megan Klimen had applied for appointment as a Youth Advisory
Commissioner. Her application was considered by the City Council on November 3,
1997 and she was unanimously appointed to the Commission, pending the Commission's
review of her application. Commissioners met Megan and discussed her application.
It was moved by Commissioner Nyhan , seconded by Commissioner Roberts and
approved 6-0 to confirm the appointment of Megan Khmen as a Youth Advisory
Connnlsm.over and seat her on the Commission. Chairman Nihneyer welcomed Megan.
2. Ray Park Neighbor Concerns.
A. Summer baseball camp scheduling. Superintendent Schwartz presented an
analysis of the summer program schedule. There appears to be no other City
field suitable to hold the annual summer baseball camp. Other City parks are
heavily scheduled with other summer programs and activities. Schwartz was
asked about the status of the camp director. He noted that the director is an
independent contractor and not a City employee. City staff will address neighbor
concerns with the camp director prior to the 1998 season.
B. Use of Pitching Machines. Gary Reichard stated that on Sunday afternoon,
November 9, the Girls Softball League conducted practice at Ray Park using a
pitching machine at Diamond #1 without a City permit. Director Williams read
the recently adopted pitching machine rules and confirmed that no pitching
machine permit had been issued.
Thomas O'Connor stated that the noise of the ball hitting the aluminum bat was a
very irritating noise. He was also unhappy about the noise generated by balls
hitting the backstop. He asked why the League could not take Sunday off.
League President Cini confirmed that the League did conduct a clinic at the field
on November and that he expected Sunday afternoon clinics would be conducted
every Sunday afternoon, weather permitting, between now and March, 1998. He
also noted that the League has purchased new softer practice balls in order to
reduce the amount of noise generated by balls hitting bats or the backstop.
Cini introduced Sound Engineer Allan McCuen who had done sound readings for
the League at Ray Park. Mr. McCuen stated that he had taken sound readings
while standing in neighbors' driveways across the street from the # I softball
diamond. He recorded readings of 68 d.b.a. when the ball pitched by the pitching
machine struck the backstop. Cars passing by on the street at that same period
were recorded at 68-71 d.b.a. He presented a description of the d.b.a. levels
usually reached by various noises.
Three parents of children in the Softball League spoke to the Commission.
Gloria Hannon stated that she was at the Park on November 9 and that there was
no loud noise created by the softball clinic. Diana Hicks pointed out that
different noises are irritating to different people. She also noted that in the
1990's children cannot safely be permitted to just "go outside and play" as was
the case some years ago. Children must be organized into leagues and programs
with proper supervision. Melodie Ackley stated that she lived next door to
Pershing Park where a park had replaced a school and she often must put up with
irritating noises from park playground equipment.
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Sarah O'Connor stated that Ray Park is overused and over programmed. Girls
softball should play at other parks as well. Gary Reichard said that in the past 10
years, use at Ray Park has dramatically increased. He stated that neighbors
cannot use their park.
President Cini asked for directions on how to obtain a permit to use the pitching
machine at Ray Park. Director Williams asked Cini to submit a written request
stating when, where and at what times the League wished to use the pitching
machine. Commissioner Roberts stated that Director Williams has the authority
to use his discretion in issuing permits for batting practice use. Commissioners
and staff discussed options and alternatives to Sunday practice at Ray Park with
pitching machines. It was noted that Burlingame High does not have available
power at softball fields.
Several Commissioners expressed their concerns that pitching machines not be
used in the future in City parks without approval of the Parks & Recreation
Director.
Williams asked the Commission for direction regarding the League use of a
pitching machine at diamond #1 on Sunday afternoons during the coming winter
months. It was the consensus of the Commission that a pitching machine could
only be used on diamond # 2 (located near the park restroom) during the off
season so as to give the neighbors some relief from the noise created by use of
the machine. Infield practice, outfield practice and other drills can still be
conducted at diamond #1 .
C. Billie Sue Tournament. In October, the Commission had requested that League
representatives attend the November Commission meeting to discuss the
scheduling of softball games at Ray Park on Sunday, June 21 as a part of the
annual Billie Sue Tournament. Director Williams noted that a large number of
teams compete annually in the Billie Sue Tournament and that the two high
school fields will not accommodate all games played on the Sunday of the
tournament. Williams proposed that the League be given permission to conduct
Sunday games at Ray Park on Sunday, June 21, 1998. President Cini confirmed
that the League would not play other Sunday games at Ray Park in 1998.
Commissioners, staff, and members of the audience discussed concerns about
traffic and parking for the Billie Sue Tournament. It was suggested that the
League appoint a parking coordinator and/or hire an off duty Police Officer to
supervise parking on this day when many out of town families come to Ray park
for the tournament, many with large RV's. It was also suggested that the League
work with Lincoln School staff to maximize parking on the school site.
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It was moved by Commissioner Larios, seconded by Commissioner Roberts and
approved 5-0 (Commissioner Nyhan had left the meeting) to approve the Sunday
tournament play on June 21, 1998 at Ray Park with the provision that the
�- League work with staff, neighbors and Lincoln school staff to ease parking
concerns. No game will start before 10: 00 a.m. and no game will start after
3: 00 p. m. on that day.
NEW BUSINESS
1. B.Y.B.A. Proposal to Construct ana t)perate a nauinR %,d9r, at vy awuu1rwi. 1 Q.
Director Williams introduced a request from the Burlingame Youth Baseball Association
asking that the League be given permission to construct, maintain, insure and operate a
baseball/softball batting cage at Washington Park. Williams reported that staff has met
with League representatives, the City Manager and the City Attorney to consider the
request. Parks and Recreation Department staff supports this request which will provide
a new recreational and training opportunity to young people who participate in B.Y.B.A.
activities; to participants in the Burlingame Girls Softball League; and to players on the
Burlingame High School baseball and softball teams. The batting cage would be built
and operated by B.Y.B.A. volunteers at no direct cost to the City. The proposed
location for the batting cage is towards the center of the park and will place the concrete
block park maintenance building between the cage and the nearest neighbors.
Staff and League representatives are seeking conceptual approval only at this time. If
the Commission endorses the project, the matter will be passed on to the City Council
for conceptual approval on December 1. If approved by the City Council, then staff and
League representatives will begin work with Planning on environmental approval, plans
will be developed for Building Inspection review; a final lease agreement will be
developed; and park neighbors will be invited to a public review of the project at the
January 15, 1998 Park & Recreation Commission meeting. Following Commission
approval, the City Council will need to approve the site lease agreement.
B.Y.B.A. President Brock Riddle and Board Member Hank Sauer discussed the project
with the Commission.
It was moved by Commissioner Roberts, seconded by Commissioner Kelly and approved
5-0 to approve, in concept, the proposed batting cage in Washington Park as presented
by staff and B.Y.B.A representatives.
2. Cancellation of December Meeting of the Commission. Commissioners and staff
reviewed personal schedules and items pending before the Commission and agreed that
the regular December meeting of the Commission should be canceled due to scheduling
problems during the third week in December.
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It was moved by Commissioner Roberts, seconded by Commissioner Piccetti and
approved 5-0 to cancel the regular December meeting of the Commission. The next
meeting of the Commission will be .January 15, 1998.
REPORTS
1. Capital Improvement 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 engineering
and design
work is proceeding on the
Bayside
Lights project and
landfill site new
soccer field
and golf driving range.
C. Williams reported that Architect Cahalan is working on final plans and
specifications for Alpine and Paloma Parks tot lot areas.
D. Williams reported that Architect John Cahalan has begun work on the design for
a new restroom building in Washington Park. The west park entrance and
proposed group picnic area masterplan is finished and will be reviewed by the
Commission in January.
E. Williams reported that the agreement with the San Mateo Union High School
District has been signed and the architect has begun work on the final Aquatic
Center design. Staff now expects a September opening of the pool complex.
F. Commissioner Larios reported that the Burlingame High School Booster Club
project to raise $85,000 to completely fund the all weather track project is now
underway. Contributions are welcome.
2. Parks Report. Commissioners reviewed a written report of Parks Division activities
from Parks Superintendent Tim Richmond.
3. Recreation Report. Superintendent Schwartz introduced new Recreation Coordinator
Jordana Schneiderman who described her work assignments with the Division. Schwartz
also reported on the progress of the new Teen Coordinator on development of teen
activity programs.
4. Commissioner Reports.
A. Commissioner Piccetti asked about the status of the Cuernavaca Park Shade
Structure. Williams reported that staff and Architect John Cahalan would be
reporting back to the Commission in January.
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B. Commissioner Roberts noted that he found Mills Canyon to be in good condition
on two recent visits. He asked Williams to compliment Parks staff on their work.
Roberts also asked about the status of the proposed Dog Park. Williams noted
that the City Council had asked to consider other possible sites within the City
and that staff has been pursuing other leads.
C. Chairman Nilmeyer reported on the recent dedication of the B.I. S. Athletic Field
as Bob Osberg Field. Nilmeyer represented the Commission on the official
program.
D. Kelly asked about the possibility of installing a picnic table at the main Bayside
Park diamond. Williams will investigate and report back in January.
Chairman Nilmeyer adjourned the meeting at 9:22 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jghh W. Williams
Parks & Recreation Director