HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PR - 1995.10.19MINUTES
Burlingame Park and Recreation Commission
Thursday, October 19, 1995
The regular meeting of the Burlingame Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by
Chairman Don Roberts at 7:30 p.m. in City Hall Conference Room A.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Henderson, Kelly, Larios, Nilmeyer, Nyhan, Pera, Roberts
Commissioners Absent: Youth Advisory Commissioners Grijalva, Mau
Staff Present: Directors Quadri and Williams, Recreation Supervisor Mike Ciardella
Guests Present: Theone Cini, 181 Valde Flores Drive
Tracy DeLeuw, 1104 Cabrillo Avenue
Ray Gier, 709 Norfolk Street, San Mateo
Bill Helman, 305 Concord Way
Kevin Hicks, 2404 Easton Avenue
Marti Knight, 455 Chatham Road
Don Lembi, 229 Bloomfield Road
Merry Ann Loukianoff, 1132 Palm Drive
Anne Nannini, 1555 Alturas Drive
Nancy Walsh, 1204 Mills Avenue
MINUTES
The minutes of the September 21, 1995 meeting of the Commission were corrected to note that
Recreation Manager Randy Schwartz was NOT in attendance at the September 21 meeting. The
minutes were approved, as corrected.
OLD BUSINESS
Girls Softball League Use of Ray Park. Recreation Director Williams discussed the issues
involved with Girls Softball use of Ray Park. The Commission had earlier received copies of
four (4) written letters, two from Williams and two from League representatives, and a
written staff report from Williams.
A letter received 10/19/95 from Ray Park neighbor Sarah O'Connor, 1556 Balboa Way,
Burlingame was presented to the Commission. Williams indicated that he had received a
phone call from park neighbor Paul Wetzel, 1544 Balboa Way, stating his opposition to any
changes in the League -neighborhood agreement from 1994. Commissioner Henderson stated
that she had been contacted by at least one park neighbor concerned about noise and trash
generated by the League.
Staff recommended that the starting date for league games be moved back to April 1 each
year; that Sunday makeup games be limited to two per time (four per day) between the hours
of 12:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.; and that the League be permitted to hold Opening Day
ceremonies at Ray Park if public address and music were not started until after 10:00 a.m.
Park Director Quadri discussed the history of girls league play at Ray Park and he and
Recreation Supervisor Mike Ciardella discussed field scheduling and park concerns.
League President Bill Helman addressed the Commission regarding starting date, Sunday
makeup games and the League's opening day. The League wishes to start league play on
Saturday, March 16. The League has eight weeks of play and takes the week before Easter
off. League play begins play in mid -March and ends before Memorial Day. If the starting
date has to be moved back, the league may not be able to operate in 1996.
Don Lembi spoke about the history of the League and noted that girls softball has minimal
impact on turfgrass and on the park. The League has garbage patrols and supervises parking.
Lembi stated that most of the Ray Park neighbors are not strongly concerned about the
League's play. Lembi suggested that Lincoln School be asked to open the school playground
for parking on Opening Day.
Tracy DeLeuw, former League President, spoke to the Commission regarding the League's
history and the League's efforts to work with the City and protect the field.
Quadri noted that girls do not damage the fields. The Park Department is concerned that it
cannot get all of the fields in the City ready for play by girls, boys and adult programs during
normal years with normal Bay Area rainfall. He further noted that infield material may not be
in place by mid -March.
Ray Gier, League Vice President, emphasized the League's insistence on playing only when
field conditions are safe.
Bill Helman stated that the umpires are the program's third fail safe, after the Park
Department and the League officials. Umpires call -off games when conditions are not safe.
Kevin Hicks asked that the Commission consider the use of City Parks and the reason why
parks exist --for public use.
Don Lembi asked if infield mix could be put in place this fall, before winter rains begin.
Quadri commented that he believed that, given the Ray Park drainage design, the mix would
probably all wash into Balboa Way during the winter rains.
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Commissioner Pera asked League officials for clarification of post season softball
tournaments and player participation. He also noted that the 1996 intermediate school 6th
grade girls basketball leagues would continue through the month of March. He is concerned
that intermediate school age girls not be pressured to short-change their school teams in
order to play softball.
Heiman stated that 20-25% of League participants played in several summer tournaments.
He described the tournament schedule. Girls who do not qualify for tournament teams are
finished with play prior to Memorial Day each year. The League is familiar with the new
intermediate school league schedule and understands that there will be conflicts with
basketball.
Commissioner Nilmeyer asked about the use of Ray Park on an annual basis. It was noted
that girls softball practice and play goes from February into August. There are not many
other organized uses of Ray Park during the year in the evenings and on Saturday.
Heiman explained how the League scheduled makeups. There is an automatic system in
place so that players, coaches and parents know when makeups will occur as soon as a game
is rained -out or cancelled.
Commissioner Larios noted that park improvements have improved neighborhood property
values and that Girls Softball League use has displaced other undesirable uses of the park, for
example, young adult baseball players with beer bottles, noise, etc. Larios also asked if the
League could schedule in open time for makeups during one week of the schedule.
Heiman stated that the League tried to schedule spring vacation games differently, so as to
consider parochial and private school participants, but there were numerous problems and
forfeits. The League feels it must schedule the public school vacation week as its spring
break week.
Merry Ann Loukianoff stated that the younger girls 10 and under did lose some games during
the 1995 season that were not made-up.
Heiman explained the difficulties the League experiences in using auxiliary fields. He stated
that the League can play at fields other than Ray park, but that logistics are difficult.
Commissioner Nyhan asked for clarification on timing and scheduling of league games.
Heiman indicated that weekday evening games are scheduled at 4:30 p.m. during Standard
Time, but starting times are pushed back to 5:00 p.m. after Daylight Savings Time starts.
The oldest girls play a 1:45 time limit for league games. Saturday schedules include 10
games starting at 8:30 or 9:00 a.m. Time limits are two hours long. Two mini games are
also played each Saturday.
c
Commissioners and League representatives discussed the possibility of playing six makeup
games on Sundays, when required, between the hours of 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. as suggested by
staff. Opening Day issues were also discussed. Helman stated that the League could conduct
Opening Day ceremonies following the first game of the day, but no earlier than 10:00 a.m.,
as recommended by staff.
Commissioner Henderson stated that there were neighborhood concerns about parking and
trash. Quadri noted that the League now does a good job of cleaning -up the park after
League activities. Complaints received by his Department usually relate to trash blown or
dropped into neighbor's yards during softball play. Helman stated that the League is working
hard each year with participants on parking and trash.
Parking problems are often caused by persons parking unsafely on street corners. Tracy
DeLeuw and Quadri both noted that painting corner curbs red should help circulation safety.
Quadri will look into this.
Commissioner Henderson
asked about the use
of Franklin Field. Was
there an agreement
that
the
League would
use
Franklin
Field
upon
the
completion
of field
renovation?
Quadri stated that the League and neighbors had agreed that the league would only be
required to use Franklin Field if the League grew over 300 girls. The league has not grown
over 300 to date.
The Commission made the following recommendations on this matter:
a. Moved by Commissioner Pera, seconded by Commissioner Kelly, and unanimously
approved to recommend that the Girls Softball League be permitted to conduct
Opening Day ceremonies at Ray Park only if ceremonies be begun after 10: 00 a.m.
in the morning. Parking to be encouraged inside the Lincoln School grounds and
music and public address activity to be located only near the school buildings.
b. Moved by Commissioner Pera, seconded by Commissioner Nilmeyer, and
unanimously approved to recommend that when Sunday makeup games are required,
a maximum of two games at a time should be permitted only between the hours of
12: 30 and 5: 30 p.m. The Recreation Department to be advised when Sunday
makeup games are required so that neighbors can be informed.
C. Moved by Commissioner Larios, seconded by Commissioner Kelly, and unanimously
approved that the Girls Softball League be permitted to start league games no
earlier than the second week of March each year.
Chairman Roberts asked that the record show that it was NOT the wish of the
Commission to increase the number of games or to expand the season, simply to
avoid more makeup games.
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2. Recreation Center Masterplan.
Commissioners continued discussion of the Recreation Center Masterplan as proposed by
staff and Architect Steve Nielsen in July. Chairman Roberts reported on his inspection tour
of the Recreation Center, Lions Club Hall and Park department Corporation Yard. Roberts
concurred with staff and said that he did not believe that a quality Teen Center could or
should be included in the Recreation Center, given the Center's location, layout and heavy
year-round program schedule.
Roberts stated his continued interest in the development of an attractive, quality teen center
that could serve the community's youth. He stated his belief that the current Park
Corporation yard could be a good location for a teen center and suggested that Commission
and staff look for ways to find a new location for the Corporation Yard. Director Quadri
stated that he supports any actions which reduces buildings and work activity in an already
overcrowded Washington Park.
Larios stated that he would support the proposed masterplan if Commission and staff
remained dedicated to finding a good location for a teen facility that would serve the needs of
teens.
It was moved by Commissioner Pera, seconded by Commissioner Henderson, and
unanimously approved to recommend approval of the proposed Recreation Center
Masterplan, as presented.
3. Washington Park Tennis Court "Bumps. Director Williams stated that there are no new
developments in the lawsuit which the City has filed re this matter. Chairman Roberts
requested that Williams ask the City Attorney for the Case Number so that he and
Commissioner Kelly could keep themselves informed on this matter. Other issues regarding
Washington Park Tennis Courts have been put over to the November Commission meeting.
2. Teen Pro rg ams. Director Williams reported that organized classes, leagues and activities
have started for the fall season. There was no further teen news to report at this time.
Commissioners asked that staff continue to include a Teen Program Report on each monthly
agenda.
Commissioners asked that a new teen survey be placed in the next edition of the recreation
Department brochure. Staff will bring a draft of the survey form before the Commission in
November.
NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business to come before the Commission.
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REPORTS
1. Park Director. Director Quadri reported that:
a. Design work is beginning on Victoria Park playground renovation. Chairman Roberts
appointed Commissioners Henderson and Nyhan to serve on the advisory committee
for this project.
b. Quadri reported that discussions are underway regarding the J Parking Lot
playground. There are several options for redoing that playground and some
consideration is being given to the idea of a tot lot behind the Post Office building.
Quadri expressed his concerns regarding J Lot Playground safety. Commissioner
Henderson stated that the J Lot could be smaller and better designed with the types of
new equipment now available.
C. New tot swings will be installed at Village Park soon.
2. Recreation Director. Director Williams reported that:
a. Fall classes are underway and the new registration processes appear to have been well
received.
b. The annual Holiday Tree Lighting and Burlingame Avenue Open House will be held
on a new date this year --the first Friday evening in December, NOT the day after
Thanksgiving.
C. The Burlingame High small gymnasium floor has recently been refinished. The High
School District has been reimbursed $10,000 from the Recreation Department budget
for the work, in recognition of the heavy community use that high school facilities
receive each year.
3. Commissioners.
a. Commissioner Kelly reported that he has been looking for teen center locations in the
City. Kelly also asked Quadri about development status at Cuernavaca Park. Quadri
gave some of the history of the development of that park.
Commissioner Larios complimented Recreation Supervisor Ciardella on the
Wednesday night open gym program. Many young people are participating.
C. Chairman Roberts asked that the discussion of teen center site locations be placed on
the agenda for the November Commission meeting. He asked that Commissioners
think about possible site locations in Burlingame.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
1. Marti Knight expressed a concern about developing unrealistic expectations in the proposed
teen survey. It was agreed that questionnaire wording should be monitored closely to avoid
that problem.
2. Recreation Supervisor Ciardella addressed the Commission regarding his concerns about
younger players participating in highly competitive league and tournament settings. He has
observed a dramatic overall increase in pressure to perform being put upon children at
younger and younger ages.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by Chairman Roberts at 10:10 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
q1t-'4- tt
Jo W. Williams
Director of Recreation