HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PR - 1996.06.20�— MINUTES
Burlingame Park and Recreation Commission
Thursday, June 20, 1996
The regular meeting of the Burlingame Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by
Acting Chairman Frank Kelly at 7:33 p.m. in City Hall Conference Room A.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Kelly, Larios, Nilmeyer, Nyhan, Piccetti, and Youth Advisory
Commissioner Mau
Commissioners Absent: Roberts, Pera and Youth Commissioner Grijalva
Staff Present: Recreation Director Williams, Assistant Park Director Richmond,
Recreation Manager Schwartz
Guests Present: Marjorie Taylor, 701 Burlingame Avenue
MINUTES
The minutes of the May 15, 1996 meeting of the Commission were approved as presented.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Washington Park Tennis Court 'Bumps". Director Williams reported that there is no
activity in the matter of the City's lawsuit vs. Interstate Paving on the issue of tennis court
bumps. A September trial date has been set.
2. Burlingame Intermediate School Athletic Field Rehab Project. Williams reported that staff
met yesterday with the project architect and School District personnel to finalize
components of the design. The architect will now prepare final plans and specifications so
that the bidding process can begin. It is hoped that heavy construction equipment can be
onsite in late August before school resumes for the fall term. The field should be open for
play in spring, 1997.
Staff reminded the Commissioners that this facility is not planned for game or tournament
conditions, but rather to meet the heavy needs in the community for practice space in all
sports.
Williams was asked how the facility will be maintained after construction is complete. He
stated that staff intended to negotiate a landscape maintenance contract with the School
District, similar to the one in place for Franklin Field, providing for a commercial
landscape firm to do the maintenance.
Commissioner Larios noted that City Park Department crews maintain Burlingame parks
in a top notch condition, even with the impacts of heavy community use and league play.
He proposed that City Park crews maintain both school fields and that Parks be given the
funds that the City and District would spend in the future to contract -out maintenance.
He stated his belief that City crews would do better quality maintenance work than for -
profit low -bid contract firms.
Staff noted that the trend in recent years is to contract -out more services, due to the high
costs of full time employee salaries and benefits. The City does NOT wish to increase
employee staffing levels, unless absolutely necessary. It was also noted that the turf areas
belong to the School District and the City does not maintain school facilities and vice -
versa.
Several Commissioners spoke in favor of having Elementary School District athletic fields
maintained by City crews.
It was moved by Commissioner Larios, seconded by Commissioner Nyhan and approved
5-0 to recommend that the City explore the possibility of City work crews performing the
maintenance of Franklin and Burlingame Intermediate School athletic fields.
3. Recreation Center Remodel. Williams reported that preparation of plans and
specifications has fallen behind for the Recreation Center remodel project. Staff still
believes that the project should move ahead as rapidly as is possible, but it appears clear
that the Recreation Center will be adversely impacted by construction during the fall
months. Staff is making alternate plans for some fall classes and activities.
4. Victoria Park Renovation. Assistant Director Richmond reported on the status of the
project. It is anticipated that the City Council will award the bid for the park area
modifications at its July 1 meeting. Commissioner Larios asked about the condition of the
Victoria Park basketball court. Richmond indicated that the court will be scheduled for
repaving in the future. He will have the Park Department Safety Committee review the
condition of the court at its inspection next week.
Ray Park Court Resurfacine. Richmond indicated that base paving was done today. It will
take some time yet for the subcontractor to finish -up the tennis court surface, lines, etc.
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Director Williams presented a letter received from Mr. and Mrs. Dickson Wong, 1434
Cortez Avenuek, asking that the previous basketball court be retained and not turned into
�— a roller hockey facility.
Staff and Commissioners agreed that multiple use or a return to basketball only use is not
precluded by any of the work presently being done. Richmond will investigate the
availability of new basketball goals that can be mounted outside of the court and
cantilevered to offer basketball play. Williams will respond to Mr. and Mrs. Wong on this
matter.
6. Selection of Youth Advisory Commissioners. Two applications for appointment were
reviewed by the Commission. Mary "Mickie" Dougherty, 1408 Cabrillo Avenue, will be a
senior at Mercy High School and Jeff Cretan will be a junior at Burlingame High School.
It was moved by Commissioner Nilmeyer, seconded by Commissioner Larios and
approved 5-0 to recommend the appointment of MOW Dougherty and Jeff Cretan as
Youth Advisory Commissioners for the 1996-97 year.
The City Council will be asked to confirm these appointments at its July 1 meeting.
Commissioners and staff expressed their appreciation to Youth Advisory Commissioners
Heather Mau and Nick Grijalva for their work during the 1995-96 year.
NEW BUSINESS
1. City Council Budget Hearing - Teen Coordinator Request.
Director Williams reported that the City Council had reviewed both the Park and
Recreation Division budgets at the Budget Hearing session and no changes from the
proposed budget were proposed or recommended. Final City Council approval of the
budgets will take place at the City Council meeting on July 1.
Commissioner Larios reported that the City Council had unanimously stated their intent
not to approve the Commission request for a new temporary part time Teen Coordinator
position. Larios proposed that the Commission restate the request for funding so that the
City Council could properly view the Commission's request for what it really is - a request
to fund a consultant to help the City design a program for teens.
Commissioners Nilmeyer and Youth Advisory Commissioner Mau both expressed
frustration with the difficulty that has been experienced in moving ahead with activities for
teens. Nilmeyer and Commissioner Kelly both expressed their concern that programs for
teens are continually ignored and pushed -off.
It was moved by Commissioner Nilmeyer, seconded by Commissioner Larios and passed
5-0 to request that Recreation staff draft a job description and task list for a proposed part
time Teen Coordinator position for City Council review and consideration on July 1. The
Commission again recommends that the Council authorize the proposed new position.
2. B.I.S.Teen Program.
Williams and Recreation Manager Randy Schwartz reported on the summer drop -in
program currently being offered at B.I. S. During each of the past two years, the program
has been offered as a free drop -in program and been canceled during July due to low
attendance. This year a $10.00 registration is being charged and, to date, 33 middle school
age young people have registered.
Commissioners and staff discussed the differences between the drop -in concept that many
adults are familiar with and the 1990's need for parents to have systematic child care for
their youngsters. Clearly, $.28 per hour, per child is not enough of a fee to offer a quality
program that is perceived by parents as child care. Perhaps a new way of programming
needs to be developed.
REPORTS
Assistant Park Director. Assistant Director Richmond reported that:
a. The row of Poplar trees down the 3rd base line at Washington Park has been
removed by PG&E. Over the years, these trees have been topped so many times to
keep the trees out of the overhead wires that all of the trees were affected by
crown rot and were becoming hazardous. The tree removal will offer more
flexibility for field layout for small children sports activities and sports camps.
b. Considerable asphalt paving overlay activity will occur at Bayside Park this
summer. Park pathways will be repaved and 16 new parking spaces will be added
to the Bayside lot.
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. A successful Art in the Park was held June 8 and 9.
Music in the Park is scheduled for every Sunday afternoon in July. Schwartz noted
that this year's Community Picnic is slated for Sunday, October 6.
B. Staff has begun the work to select two new part time coordinator positions which
are proposed for the 1996-97 budget. If the Department reorganization receives
final Council approval on July 1, the new coordinators will be required when
Recreation program assignments are redistributed.
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3. Commissioners.
a. Commissioner Nyhan stated that he was pleased with the color selection for the
new playground equipment at Victoria Park.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Marjorie Taylor addressed the Commission regarding Mills Canyon and the Ed Taylor Trail,
named in her late husband's memory. She brought several issues and projects to the Commission's
attention. In the past, issues regarding the Ed Taylor trail have been under the purview of the Park
and Recreation Commission. Landscape and other related issues have come under the purview of
the Beautification Commission.
The meeting was adjourned by Acting Chairman Kelly at 9:26 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
John W. Williams
Recreation Director
Burlingame Recreation Department
MEMORANDUM
June 20, 1996
TO: Park & Recreation Commission
FROM: John Williams
Ir
SUBJECT: San Mateo County Teen PrograYn Budgets
Commissioner Larios
has asked me to check
with some
other San Mateo
County Parks & Recreation
Departments and see
what other agencies are currently
spending for teen
programming.
I did not check with Daly City, San Mateo or Redwood City since they are so different because of their
size. I believe that all three of those cities have at least one full time benefitted person working almost
100% on teens. Daly City and Redwood have major new teen centers, with a variety of facilities, which
are staffed on a regular basis. San Mateo has a major teen wing at MLK Center and the coffee house
(currently being relocated).
It is always difficult to compare without doing a questionnaire with specific questions that can get
specific answers. I spoke with department heads in Millbrae, San Bruno and Belmont, talked to the
Recreation Superintendent in Foster City, and spoke to the supervisor who works 1/2-time on teens in
San Carlos, since those cities are more comparable with Burlingame in size. None of these cities spends
the amount of money Burlingame does on the middle school athletic program ($30,000). Almost all
departments have fee classes and activities in which teens participate and almost all agencies support
local youth athletic leagues in some way.
I specifically asked about drop -in centers, teen dances, trips, midnight basketball -type programs, etc.
Some cities receive grant funds because they have low income neighborhoods or high crime statistics.
Most of these cities (including Burlingame) do not have a really clear picture of what portion of regular,
full time staff is spent on teens. San Carlos dedicates 50% of a full time supervisor to teens, but has no
other teen program budget. In small departments, most supervisors and coordinators have several
different assignments. Part time staff, dance band contracts, etc. are easier to track.
Annual Teen Program Expenditure Estimates:
Belmont
$405000
Burlingame $1,000
Year-round evening open HS gym
Foster City
20,000
1,500
BIS summer drop -in
San Bruno
255000
1,000
Support BIS dances @ Rec Center
San Carlos
257000
800
Summer open HS weight room
Total
$4,300