HomeMy WebLinkAboutCS Albert Park Master Plan Amendment; Marin BocceaTMCF Agenda Item No: 22
Meeting Date: October 20, 1997
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Department: Recreation
Prepared by: City Manager Approval:
ARecreation Director
SUBJECT: Marin Bocce Federation request to amend the Albert Park Master Plan
to add two additional courts.
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt resolution to amend the 1993 Albert Park Master
Plan to include two additional bocce courts and authorize the Marin Bocce
Federation to proceed with construction of the two new bocce courts as a
community project.
BACKGROUND:
The City Council approved a new Master Plan for Albert Park in 1993 for the
southwest section of the park to include 6 bocce courts, two playground areas, a large
central lawn area, a volleyball and basketball court, a porch on the south side of the
San Rafael Community Center, the Lonatese Gardens and enhancement for Mahon
Creek area. Three community partner groups have adopted elements of the park
development and completed the construction as community projects. The Marin
Bocce Federation constructed six bocce courts. The Albert Park Renovation
Committee built the Tot Lot. Gruppo Lonatese just completed the new Lonatese
Garden.
The Marin Bocce Federation, a non-profit organization, was formed in 1994 and
signed an agreement with the city to build and maintain the Bocce Complex. The
Federation worked with the city to complete plans and specifications for the project
and was allocated $50,000 in Parkland Dedication Funds as seed money.
The construction estimate for the six court bocce complex is $558,202. The
Federation has completed 80% of the construction project at a cost of $282,311 and
with donations of labor and materials valued at $81,718. Outstanding construction
items include two arbors, the east side of the wrought iron fence and the site
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FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
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SAN RAFAEL CITY CO i 1NCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2
landscaping and irrigation estimated to cost $ 84,111. The Federation expects to
complete these outstanding construction items at a reduced cost with donations of
additional labor and materials within the next two years.
The Federation researched and chose a unique synthetic surface treatment for the six
courts. They requested and were granted a loan of $40,000 to cover the extra expense
for the synthetic surface. To date the Federation has repaid $3,000 of the loan. They
propose to increase the payments to $5,000 per year starting in September 1998.
The Federation is requesting permission to construct two new additional courts at
Albert Park. The Federation states the current evening leagues are full and two new
courts would allow for more participants, generate more positive park use and also
would generate more revenue. The addition of two new courts requires a change in
the adopted Master Plan for the park.
ANALYSIS:
The Federation has been very successful at phasing the construction elements and
managing the current facility over the past four years. They are working diligently
to fundraise to pay their debt to the city. They are also very interested in providing
additional bocce opportunities for the community and continuing to enhance Albert
Park.
The Park and Recreation Commission reviewed the request for the two new courts
in conjunction with the 1993 Albert Park Master Plan and the 1997 Proposed Mahon
Creek Plan. The 1993 Master Plan shows a volleyball court where the new bocce
courts are proposed. The design of the two new bocce courts considered the Mahon
Creek plan as well as the other Master Plan elements. The Commission agreed to
eliminate the volleyball court in the 1993 plan and replace it with two bocce courts.
They concluded that with the popularity of bocce and it's positive impact at Albert
Park that two additional courts were warranted.
The cost estimate for the two new courts is $143,275. The Federation wishes to begin
with a phase one construction project this winter. Phase one would include
construction of the two courts. Later phases would add the patio, fencing and
landscaping. The cost estimate for phase one is $74,650. Dolly Nave, Construction
Manager for the Federation project, can get phase one completed for $40,000. The
Federation has a commitment of $20,000 of in kind construction from Ghilotti
Brothers and Lee Ceccotti the other $20,000 will be funded through league revenues.
Attached is a reduced copy of the area of the park showing the two new courts. The
full size plan will be available at the Council meeting. Dolly Nave and several
Marin Bocce Federation Board members will be in attendance.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 3
FISCAL IMPACT: The Federation is not requesting additional funds from the
City. The Federation is offering to commit to a larger payment plan of $5,000 per
year to repay the outstanding $37,000 balance of the loan.
OPTIONS:
Acknowledging the City's interest in the financial health of the Federation and their
outstanding loan from the City, the following are possible options for the Council to
consider:
A. Approve the request to amend the Master Plan and authorize the Bocce
Federation to proceed with construction.
B. Request additional information or alternative solutions to funding or design.
ACTION REQUIRED:
Adopt resolution to amend the 1993 Albert Park Master Plan to include two
additional bocce courts and authorize the Marin Bocce Federation to proceed with
construction of the two new bocce courts as a community project.
Resolution- # 4 4 4 4
Resolution to amend the 1993 Albert Park Master Plan to include two additional
bocce courts and authorize the Marin Bocce Federation to proceed with construction
of the two new bocce courts as a community project.
WHEREAS, the San Rafael City Council adopted the Albert Park Master Plan in
1993, and
WHEREAS, the Master Plan included a new bocce complex with six courts, and
WHEREAS, The Marin Bocce Federation signed an agreement with the city in
1993 to build and maintain the bocce complex at Albert Park, and
WHEREAS, the Park and Recreation Commission reviewed the Federation's
request to add two new courts in Albert Park, and
WHEREAS, the Park and Recreation Commission concluded that the popularity
and vitality bocce has brought to Albert P ark warrants an amendment to the existing
Master Plan, and
WHEREAS, the Federation is prepared to begin construction of the two new
courts this winter of 1997 and has commitments of donations to complete phase one,
Now, therefore, be it resolved that the City Council of the City of San Rafael
does hereby amend the 1993 Albert Park Master Plan to include two additional bocce
courts and authorize the Marin Bocce Federation to proceed with construction of the
two new bocce courts as a community project.
I, JEANNE M. LEONCINI, Clerk of City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the
foregoing resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular
meeting of the City Council of said City held on the 20th day of
OCTOBER ,1997, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:: COUNCILMEMBERS:Cohen, Heller, Miller, Phillips &
Mayor Boro
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:None
M. LEOI�TCINI
City Clerk
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ROUTING SLIP FOR APPROVAL OF CONTRACT/AGREEMENTS/ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS
INSTRUCTIONS: USE THIS FORM WITH EACH SUBMITTAL OF ORIGINAL
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT/ORDINANCE/RESOLUTION BEFORE APPROVAL BY
COUNCIL/AGENCY
FROM: Sharon McNamee
DATE: October 16. 1997
Originating Department: Recreation
TITLE OF DOCUMENT:
SRRA/ CC GENDA ITEM NO.
( October 20 1997
DATE OF MEETING
Resolution to amend the 1993 Albert Park Master Plan to include two additional bocce courts an
authorize the Marin Bocce Federation to proceed with construction of the two new bocce courts a;
community project.
Department Head (Signature)
(LOWER HALF OF FORM FOR APPROVALS ONLY)
REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGER/EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR
APPROVED AS COUNCIL/AGENCY AGENDA ITEM
NOT APPROVED
REMARKS:
TO:
APPROVED
City Attorney (Suture)
SRCC AGENDA ITEM #22
(10/20/97)
Entitled:
Resolution Approving, Marin Bocce Federation Request to Amend the_Albut Park
Master Plan_to Add 1wQ Additional Bocce Courfg zudT1aza Are (Rec)
THE ABOVE -LISTED AGENDA ITEM WILL BE SENT UNDER SEPARATE
COVER: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17,1997
KA�_
ROD GO D -f
City Manager
Urban Parks Online: Success Story
10/20/97 4:13 PM
An Did Game Brings
New Life to Albert Park
San Rafael, California
Summer 1997
A 1992 redesign of San Rafael's Alben Park illcliided plans for bocce courts. The courts, built
and maintained by a local non-profit, are the pride of San Rafael, attracting picnicking families
and )Hundreds of participants and spectators every week.
C PPS
Pr(oIe€°i: Background
I d -acre Albert Park is located in downtown. San Rafael, l?etween the business district and Lhe
residential community of Gerstle Park. The park features baseball d arnonds, tennis courts, a
children's May area, and an a.cLI e Cornmun:tY cenaer. however. over tine years, ain open five.
acre; portion of Albert Park had beer_ colonized b_:' transients. A makeover was spurred on by
local residents who attended a series of rneet.ings at?out the par}: with San Rafael's Director of
Parks and Recreation, Sharon McNamee. These meetings forined a vision for the park, and led
to the creation of a master play: which included bocce courts, a garden, a porch to link t}ue
cornmunity center to the park, two new play areas, and a creek restoration project. In a unique
corn mun.ity-'ceased process, separate cornntruttees were iornied to facilitate tine iiriplenner tatio.n of
each specific. element.
Early on, a bocce committee member found old photographs of _'filbert Park which reveJedthat
bocce courts had previously existed in the park. adjacent to what was then primarily an Italian
neighborhood. Excited to reconnect the city to its heritage, local residents formed a committee
which canvassed San Rafael, going to local clubs, restaurants and. shops to raise support for
(bocce. The Marin bocce Federation:, a nosy -profit .organization, was formed to raise money to
built) and nun the facility. Federation members surveyed publics bocce courts in nearby Bay Area
towns and were info -rimed by visits to taciiitie s in Italy and S itzerland by Italian: cotnri:urity
members with links to San Rafael's sisteruiry in Italy, Lonate Pazzolo, where many of San
http://www.pps.org/urbanparks/rrparkuse_albpk2.htm1 Page 1 of 2
Urban Parks Online: Success Story
Il[ UVI b iLtlUMI M-bIL1G11Lb LI14UV LL1G11 MR. UbL: Y.
10/20/97 4:13 PM
The city approved tae proposal submitted by the federation, and provided seed money to begin
construction. Carlene McCart, a parks and recreation commissioner, recalls that he group's
proposal had a number of elements that made it an attractive project for the city, including:
* The raster plaun placed the courts right along the street, creati:i„ activity- in the mast
visible site in he bark;
The group had secured sponsorship and in -'_kind donations before the approval. The
city 1'..new that the faster this project began, the more impact it would l ave on the other
projects being developed un the park, such as the garden and the play areas;
* Douce appeals to all. ages and types. According to McC:art, San Rafael was "i:trngry
for ax. adult sport hat was less physical than. softball or volleyball;"
* The federation wanted to "do it r=.gbt" and build top-of=the-line courts that: would
attract tournaments and attention to the city.
Si: state-of-the-art courts were built into a surrounding brick patio area. A delegation brought
dirt. Froin Lunate Pazrolo to San Rafael and mixed it into the local soil tinder tine bocce courts
and garden area. The federation installed an expensive synthetic surface on he courts that they
hoped would limit inair=Len a.nce, a calculation which has paid off consi%deralol y, acccrdin , to
Dolly slave, -vice president of the Marin Bocce Federation and it's chief fundraiser. The stu ace
also makes the courts playable year round. "A seasonal activity would nut leave solved our
problem," said McCart, noting that baseball fields in Albert Park sit unused in winter. A 20'x
20' building with wheelchair access has been separated into a. restroot-n, kitchen and
administrative of.1--ice by the federation.
Funding: The Lv--cce courts were built for $450,000. Seed money ($50,000) and a $40,000
loan was provided by the city. Bricks on the patio were sold for $50 apiece. Dolly Nave used
her many life-long connections to loc=al builders and contractors, receiving cut-rate prices on
buildi Ig materials and donations of time and 'labor. Tlie federation charges $3!0 per team per
season: to participate. in the Marin Bocce Federation League. There are three separate seasons
every year. The federation also charges a small fee for court renin: dur.•i=rg ope.) play periods.
Two fundraisers every year bring in an additional $15-20,CX10. A concession stand provides
beverages and occasionally caters meals. Nave ran. the entire .f=acility as a vola. -=steer for the first
three years it was in existence. Now the federation has hired a staffer to mpllntain he courts and
plantings and.run the league.
Impacts: The courts cue a mpior source of,civic pride for the city, attracting between 400 arid,
600 people a week for the league, and many more casual visitors and players. Where are
currently 12 teams, with 10-12 people per team competing every evening of the week. Players
and their families come nightly from all over San Rafael, with wine, picnics and barbecues.
Seniors, who use the community center extensively, but -hely ventured into he park before,
now have organized a daytime league of their oven. Local politicians and city managers hold
meetings at the park and show it to outsiders. Television features, newspaper reports, and a
newsletter have attracted bocce enthusiasts from all over the country as well as from Europe.
Expansion of the facility to eight courts will allow for world-class tournament play.
Lessons Learned: Tremendous volunteer efforts have been a significant part of the success
of the bocce project, and he planning for he garden and other facilities. The community has
used every, connection it could muster, getting donations and support from myriad local
businesses and civic groups. 'Me city had to be extremely flexible in allowing construction to
take place, since work was contracted quickly, and a great Clea: of authority had to be delegated
to the federation.
Contact, tact, for further information:
Sharon McNamee, Director of Parks and Recreation, city of San Rafael (4 15 , 4.55-333
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