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Parks & Recreation Commission
APPROVED Minutes April 18, 2024
PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
APPROVED Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting on Thursday, April 18, 2024
1. CALL TO ORDER
The duly noticed regular meeting of the Burlingame Parks & Recreation Commission was called
to order by Chair Milne at 7:00 pm.
2. ROLL CALL
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Milne, Yu, Holzman, Pappajohn, Brunello & Wettan
(arrived at 7:05)
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Chang
STAFF PRESENT: Parks & Recreation Director Glomstad, Recreation Manager
Acquisti, Recreation Supervisor Coggins, Parks Supervisor
Barron & Recording Secretary Helley
OTHERS PRESENT: Tara Joos – Executive Director Burlingame Aquatic Club,
Troy Hartman – Program Director Burlingame Aquatic Club
Craig, Carlos, and David – Board Members
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Yu made a motion to approve the March minutes. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Pappajohn, and the motion was approved. 5-0-2 (Chang & Wettan absent)
4. CORRESPONDENCE
None
Presentation – Burlingame Aquatic Club – Tara Joos, Executive Director of the Burlingame
Aquatic Club introduced herself and Troy Hartman, Program Director. They have been with the
Club for a year and have made many programming changes that have helped to grow the offerings
to the community and club members and improved the financials. The Club works with the City
and the San Mateo Union High School District to maintain the pool. In rebuilding the program, a
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APPROVED Minutes April 18, 2024
new website improves customer experience and communication with the users. Offered are group
swim lessons, private swim lessons, lap swimming (long and short course), a water polo program
& swim team, and aqua aerobics. They have developed a Learn to Swim program called Ocean
Learn to Swim, a progressive learning program. It creates a stepping stool from community
programs into competitive programs. They also have a new Special Olympics team that is four
weeks into practice, a Northern California approved Special Olympics team.
BAC also now offers membership cards which are scanned upon arrival, a 10 pack drop-in pass
for flexible use, and a monthly auto-renewing membership for a better customer service
experience.
Additionally, they have a new first responder program, Lifeguard Pro. This allows the Club to
train their lifeguards in CPR and water safety.
Commissioner Pappajohn asked how the Club deals with the private lessons demand and still have
other classes. Joos responded that for the private lessons, the Club designated a couple of days a
week and a certain amount of time for private lessons to allow for group lessons.
Pappajohn also inquired if there is anything in their partnership with the City and the District that
the Club feels is lacking or could be enhanced. Joos responded that the only thing they truly need
from the community would be a little help with the funding due to pool costs. The Club has been
diligently working, and its revenue is high enough that it may get close to breaking even this year.
They would love to have a re-evaluation of the subsidy. It has been about 5 years since the last
evaluation.
Pappajohn asked if the Club has thought about giving City employees discounts. Joos noted the
Club does not currently offer discounts to City employees; however, it is something that can be
discussed. Pappajohn asked if the Club served different incomes. Joos noted there is no program
currently; however, if the fees cause someone financial hardship, the Club is willing to work with
them. Currently, BAC provides this to the competitive program as they are not authorized to give
anything beyond a senior discount for any community programs as the City subsidizes them.
Commissioner Brunello congratulated the Club for its success and asked what the hours of
operation are and if extending those hours has been considered to meet the community's demands.
Joos noted the pool opens from 5:30 am to 9:00 pm Monday through Friday. On Tuesday and
Thursday mornings, the hours are 5:30 to 8:00 am as the district does pool maintenance, then open
again at 11:00 am to 9:00 pm. The Club is extending the hours from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm on
Saturday and Sunday over the summer. Currently, during the off-season, the hours on the
weekends are 7:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Brunello also inquired if there was a demand for diving or if there was a capacity for diving. Joos
noted there is no diving board, as the insurance requirements are too high.
Commissioner Yu thanked Joos for the presentation and asked how the Club was marketing the
changes to the community. Joos stated the new website, and they utilize onsite community boards
with consistent updates. The Club is working on setting up a Facebook and Instagram account and
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APPROVED Minutes April 18, 2024
would be interested in partnering with the Recreation Department and the City to post updates on
their social media.
Yu inquired about the Club's priorities as they head into year two. Joos noted her one-year goal
was to have a Special Olympics team in the pool, which had just started about three weeks ago.
She foresees that the Club will do more fundraising and get sponsorships. She would also like to
do more marketing next year.
Commissioner Wettan asked if there are still lessons where a child can participate every day for
two weeks. Joos noted the offerings this summer are two-week sessions consisting of four classes
except the Fourth of July, which will be one whole session in four days. The program would be
Monday & Wednesday or Tuesday & Thursday. Fridays would be private lessons.
Wettan also asked about water polo and asked if the Club had talked to the BIS/BHS physical
education department so the kids know water polo is an available sport. Joos noted that about half
of the thirty plus kids on the BHS water polo team are Club employees, either lifeguards or
instructors.
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
6. OLD BUSINESS
None
7. NEW BUSINESS
a. City-Wide Dog Park/Off-Leash Update
This item will be deferred to the May meeting to allow staff to notify the public of the item being
discussed by the Commission.
8. STAFF AND COMMISSIONER REPORTS
a. Parks & Recreation Department Reports
Glomstad reported the upcoming events of Board Games and Boba in the Teen Room, the Muddy
Mile on April 27, the Compost Giveaway on April 20, the Lion King Sing-a-Long on April 19,
and a drop-in quilting circle on April 28. Additionally, there will be an Ask a Lawyer for Seniors
on the second Friday of every month when seniors can make a free appointment to ask questions
offered by the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County.
b. Commissioners Reports
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Commissioner Wettan – Reported that the Field Use Policy Committee met with all the
stakeholders on April 17. It was a very good working session and a good start to a complicated
and important issue.
Commissioner Yu – No Report
Commissioner Holzman – No Report
Commissioner Brunello – Noted the Field Use Committee Meeting was a good session.
Commissioner Pappajohn – Reported this is her last Commission meeting as she has been
appointed to the City council to finish out the leaving Mayor term.
Commissioner Milne – Reported that the Burlingame Parks and Recreation Foundation is changing
its name to the Burlingame Forever Foundation.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Field Use Policy
City-Wide Dog Park/Off-Leash Update
9. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:07 pm.
The next meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission is scheduled to be held in person on
Thursday, May 16, 2024, at 7:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Joleen Helley
Recording Secretary