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is now an outdated number.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.
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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.
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The meeting was adjourned by Chairman Roberts at 9:49 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jo W. Williams
P s & Recreation Director