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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PR - 1996.07.18MINUTES Burlingame Park and Recreation Commission Thursday, July 18, 1996 The regular meeting of the Burlingame Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairman Don Roberts at 7:35 p.m. in City Hall Conference Room A. ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Kelly, Larios, Nilmeyer, Nyhan, Pera, Piccetti, Roberts and Youth Advisory Commissioner Cretan Commissioners Absent: Youth Advisory Commissioner Dougherty Staff Present: Recreation Director Williams, Recreation Superintendent Schwartz Guests Present: Ray Musante, 1665 Hunt Drive, Burlingame Peggy Romanowitz, 3088 Alcazar Drive, Burlingame Gia Rusciano, 907 Howard Avenue, Burlingame Kalli S. Wycoff-Ruane, 817 Paloma, Burlingame MINUTES The minutes of the May 20, 1996 meeting of the Commission were approved as presented. OLD BUSINESS Teen Programs and Activities. A. Commissioners Kelly and Larios described the City Council Budget Hearing and discussions regarding the proposed part time teen coordinator. The City Council did not approve the additional funds requested for the teen coordinator position. Commissioner Larios noted that the 60-40% split of Burlingame residents at BHS is now an outdated number. He believes the percentage of Burlingame residents attending BHS is now higher. Director Williams will check with the School District. Larios also suggested that the Commission work to develop a Youth Plan for Burlingame, with representation on the Committee from the City Council, Parks & Recreation Commission, City staff, and students from each school where Burlingame resident students attend. Larios proposed that Committee report back to the Commission with a proposal for Commission consideration. B. Commissioner Kelly stated that City Council members had suggested a joint meeting between the Council and the Commission. It was the consensus of the Commission to request a joint meeting with the Council. Director Williams will check on procedure with the City Manager. Chairman Roberts will appear before the City Council on August 5 to make the request, if necessary. C. Director Williams reported on discussions about activities for teens at the recent Burlingame Together Summer Workshop. New Youth Advisory Commissioner Mickie Dougherty also attended the workshop and will report back to the Commission at the next meeting. Williams noted that the group did not propose the immediate development of a new teen center in Burlingame, but rather has formed two subcommittees that will encourage communication and teens talking with each other and the community about what form Burlingame teen programs should take. D. Several members of the Commission stated that they would volunteer to develop a teen interest survey to take to Back -to -School Night at Burlingame High and Burlingame Intermediate Schools. E. It was the consensus of the Commission to schedule a special meeting at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, August 29 at the Recreation Center to talk about teen programs; teen issues that might be shared with the City Council; and to plan the surveys and Back -to -School Night activities. F. Parent Kalli Wycoff-Ruane addressed the Commission and reported on the Tuesday -Wednesday -Thursday night drop -in program for middle school age young people currently being operated in the evenings at B.I.S. Parents and a City staff member supervise play and activities at the gym. In the past few years, this program had not been very successful. This year, the Recreation Division has registered youth for a small fee and the turnout has been much better. Approximately 50 youth have participated in the program this year, to date. Ms. Wycoff-Ruane stated that many parents in the community are concerned about programs for teens, and the lack of them. Parent Gia Rusciano noted that she has surveyed parents and students in the past regarding programs for teens in the community. She stated that there are many residents in Burlingame who support the idea of more City programs for young people. 2. Washington Park Tennis Court 'Bumps". Director Williams reported that attorneys and consultants recently met at the court to thoroughly identify all bumps and discuss remedies. The matter is set for trial in September. Chairman Roberts noted that five (5) lights appear to be burned -out at the Washington Park Courts at present. Williams will check on the lights. 2. Burlingame Intermediate School Athletic Field Rehab Project. Plans and specifications are being finalized now. Bids will be due on August 23, with City Council bid award set for September 3. Construction to begin in late September, with grass in the ground in early November. 3. Recreation Center Remodel. Williams reported that plans and specifications should be ready by August 1, with City Council bid award on September 3 and construction beginning in October. 4. Victoria Park Renovation. Williams stated that construction should begin at Victoria Park with the week. 5. Ray Park Court Resurfacing. Williams indicated that the Ray Park job is in its final phases and should be completed soon. NEW BUSINESS Chairman Don Roberts relinquished the chair to Vice Chairman Frank Kelly and excused himself from discussion on Cuernavaca Park issues because his law firm is presently involved in litigation involving Janis Musante's law firm. Cuernavaca Park Use and Security Issues. Cuernavaca Park neighbors Peggy Romanowitz and Ray Musante addressed the Commission regarding problems at Cuernavaca. Mr. Musante read a letter which Janis Musante had addressed to the Commission, noting her concerns about park use. Mrs. Romanowitz detailed problems that occur after hours in the picnic shelter and landscaped areas of the park. She stated that neighbors were afraid to call the Police Department for fear of retribution. Staff and Commissioners urged that all neighbors call the Police when they see inappropriate behavior in the park. The City cannot justify Park Rangers and the Police Department is good about responding to complaints. Williams will contact the Police Chief to discuss neighbor concerns. Neighbors are also urged to contact Police Administration. Those present discussed at length the idea of demolishing the existing shade structure. There are no barbecue facilities in the park and the existing structure provides hiding places for persons who wish to misbehave after normal park hours. The park could be made safer and more attractive by removing the shelter structure and replacing it with two or three small windbreaks/table units that would not provide hiding places. Mr. Musante discussed the problem of athletic groups leaving a mess after games and tournaments. Williams reported that staff has reviewed the recent problems with the BYBA leadership and that steps will be taken by the league and by City staff to prevent a reoccurrence next year. Mr. Musante spoke about the problems of weekend use at the park by nonresident groups. The Musantes are requesting that a picnic reservation process be put into place so that user groups can be controlled. Williams noted that, with no barbecue facilities in the park, neighborhood request, the area cannot be rented as a group picnic area. Williams also stated that Cuernavaca is a small park and should not be subject to the increased group use that would occur if it was designated as a group picnic area. Staff and Commissioners pointed -out that Cuernavaca is a public park and access cannot be denied to the public. Neighbors were encouraged to call the Police if they observe inappropriate behavior on the part of user groups. Staff and Commissioners also encouraged the neighbors to make suggestions about what City Ordinance changes could be instituted to prohibit problem behavior. The Commission took no action on this matter, but asked staff to return the item to the agenda at the next regular meeting. Williams will: Speak to the Police Chief about increased Police enforcement; review the record of Police callouts at Cuernavaca; review concerns with City staff, consider changes in the City Code that could limit problem behavior in the park; and discuss the concept of a capital project in 1997-98 to remove the existing picnic shade structure. Don Roberts resumed his duties as Chairman of the meeting at this time. Cancellation of the August Regular Meeting of the Commission. It was the consensus of the Commission to cancel the regular August meeting of the Commission, due to vacation schedules at that time and a possible lack of a quorum. The special meeting to discuss teen programs and issues will be held Thursday night, August 29, 1996. REPORTS Recreation Director. Director Williams and Recreation Manager Schwartz reported that: A. Summer programs are underway. Activity registration and program revenues are high for the summer season. Music in the Park is halfway through another successful series of July concerts. B. The Fall Recreation Brochure is in the final stages of preparation and will be going to the printer soon. 1- 4 3. Commissioners. A. Commissioner Kelly spoke of his concerns regarding Heritage Park security and the pointed -out that the security light in the area is not working at present. Williams noted that the Parks Division Safety Committee is presently reviewing Heritage Park concerns. He will followup on the light. Kelly asked that Heritage Park security be an agenda item for the next regular meeting of the Commission. B. Kelly also questioned the lack of a business plan for the development and operation of the proposed driving range at the landfill site. Williams will discuss the matter with the City Manager. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Gia Rusciano asked about night time basketball courts available for teens to use. Williams will prepare a schedule of days and times when indoor courts are available for use by young people. F IILIII1:ILfaml" The meeting was adjourned by Chairman Roberts at 9:49 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Jo W. Williams P s & Recreation Director