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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark & Rec Commission 2018-07-19 Minutes1 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES _____________________________________________________________________________________________ San Rafael Community Center – 618 B Street, San Rafael, CA July 19, 2018 – 7:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER/ Vice Chair Tom Obletz called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call Commissioners Present: Vice Chair Tom Obletz, Cicily Emerson, Jeff Jones, Stacey Laumann, Mark Machado, Kathryn Reisinger Commissioners Absent: Mark Bustillos, Nicholas Skewes-Cox Staff Present: Susan Andrade-Wax, Community Services Director; Steve Mason, Senior Recreation Supervisor; Henry Bankhead, Acting Library Director; and Becky Ordin, Senior Administrative Assistant AGENDA AMENDEMENTS None MINUTES 1. Approve regular meeting minutes of May 17, 2018 A motion was made by Commissioner Jones, seconded by Commissioner Laumann, to approve the minutes of the May 17, 2018 meeting as corrected. The motion was approved unanimously. 2 MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 2. Introductions/Awards/Recognitions/Presentations A. Pickleweed Advisory Board 2017 Annual Report Ms. Andrade-Wax introduced Steve Mason, Senior Supervisor for the Boro Center and Pickleweed Park. Mr. Mason introduced Former Chair, Jenny Broering, and Lieu Phan. Ms. Broering presented the 2017 Annual Report. She also spoke about the idea of putting a light up sign in front of the center to display events and programs that are going on. Commissioner Laumann asked if there was room for more programing with additional activities. If yes would it warrant pursuing additional parking to alleviate the access frustrations and grow the reach of the center. Mr. Mason stated that the issue with adding programs is that the parking is limited. In the original plans of the center there was an outdoor basketball court next to the preschool. In eliminating the court, we could potentially gain 12-18 parking spaces. The City is also working at other areas for parking including something near Schoen park. Ms. Broering stated the sign idea came from City Council. The Board didn’t think it was something they needed. Mr. Mason noted that it came from the Community engagement initiative from City Council. Kate Colin is very involved in that and felt that we could communicate in multiple languages including English, Spanish and Vietnamese. The sign could post community meetings and events, and the center could promote activities, and special events that are going on. Commissioner Jones asked if the 3-hour parking has helped. Mr. Mason answered that it has helped, but it hasn’t solved it. Commissioner Jones thanked Mr. Mason and Ms. Broering. Each year, their presentation gets better and better each year. Commissioner Machado asked about the Kids Club waitlist and wanted to know if that was due to not having enough people to work with the kids, or just not having enough space in the facility. Ms. Broering answered that it’s kind of both. They are the only organization that gives a full disclosure of their staff’s budget, and they are paying their staff benefits. For every child in the program there are 2 on the waitlist. Most students come in when they are in first grade and continue through fifth grade. The large waitlist is a combination of the limited space of the facility and the amount of staff that Catholic Charities can provide. 3 Commissioner Reisinger asked if they have ever tried valet parking. Mr. Mason answered that they have, but only for City sponsored events. If they ever did get the basketball area, they could use that area, but it is limited to space. They have also used the school’s parking lot, and the Health and Wellness Campus for large events like Day of the Dead. Commissioner Emerson asked who the parking contact was through the Health and Wellness Campus, and did we have to pay extra? Mr. Mason answered that we did not have to pay extra, and Douglas Mundo, who is also on the Pickleweed committee, helped arrange it. The Community Service vans were used to shuttle. Commissioner Emerson thinks that the County would allow the Albert J. Boro Community Center to use their parking lot more frequently since it is not utilized after 5pm. Commissioner Emerson also asked if Mr. Mason has looked at using the areas along the field for parking. Mr. Mason stated that the area is mostly wetlands past the fields, and even if it were usable there are a lot of security issues with people partying back there on the weekends. Commissioner Emerson added that they are all doing such a great job, and have many well-established programs in the community, and they are really thriving. She is looking forward to more programs that can get to that level where they are institutionalized. Commissioner Obletz would like to explore having the Commission meeting at the Boro Center when they give their annual report next time. It is a good opportunity for the Commission to get out into the community and let Steve show off his fabulous facility. He also asked if the group was subject to term limits. Mr. Mason answered no, and the chairs are voted in and rotate. Commissioner Obletz commented that it appears we are over the transition period with Perfect Mind. He asked if things are going well with that. Mr. Mason answered that yes, and it has been a growing experience. There are still a few little glitches, but everything is working, but it can work smoother. We are making progress. Commissioner Obletz also spoke of the parking. He attended both the Day of the Dead, and the Eagle Scouts ceremony, and thought using Pickleweed’s limited parking and using Bahia Vista school’s parking worked out well. For the Eagle Scouts ceremony, he created a parking space for former Mayor Al Boro to be able to get into the building with his limited mobility. Mr. Boro was pleased to be there. Commissioner Obletz asked with respect to revenue and expenses how long before you will really know what the numbers are after you close out from last year? Mr. Mason stated that they will know by the end of July. Commissioner Obletz would like to get an update from the Director. He would like to compare registration and activities year over year. 4 Ms. Broering added, regarding the Eagle Scouts, the board issued letters for the kids to build their portfolios documenting their community service they have done in recognition of the City of San Rafael. It was an easy thing for them to do, and very meaningful for them. 3. Public Comment from the audience regarding items not listed on the agenda None MATTERS BEFORE THE COMMISSION Commissioner Reisinger was asked to introduce herself to the Commission while the Library was setting up. Commissioner Reisinger has lived in San Rafael her entire life except the 4 years that she was at Cal Berkeley. She currently works for the City of Mill Valley as a Parks and Recreation Supervisor. She previously worked at the Terra Linda Community Center as a Program Coordinator. She is a mom to 3 kids. She has been wanting to be on the Parks and Recreation Board for some time and is excited to have finally joined the Commission. 4. Library Facilities Planning Project Update Ms. Andrade-Wax introduced Henry Bankhead who is the acting Director for the Library Services Department. Mr. Bankhead stated he the purpose of the presentation is to give the Parks and Recreation Commission a heads up on the Library expansion planning process, and how it could affect the parks. Mr. Bankhead gave his presentation. Commissioner Laumann asked if the consultants will be studying underground parking for all the locations. She thinks Albert park would be a great opportunity for under the library parking. This would connect more activities to the San Rafael Community Center, which would be valuable to the community. Mr. Bankhead stated that underground parking adds to the cost. It is more expensive than building up. Commissioner Laumann stated that Pickleweed should be a definite consideration to have a multi-level parking lot. Commissioner Jones questioned Boyd park not being a popular spot. Mr. Bankhead stated that the concern was losing park space. Commissioner Jones asked how the expansion of the Terra Linda Community Center into the basketball court area was received. Mr. Bankhead answered that there weren’t many people there to get the appropriate feedback. Commissioner Jones stated that he supports everything they do to make this happen. 5 Commissioner Machado is very excited to see the Library expansion. He believes that the City is going to become denser, and people will need places to go. He asked if there will be some public relations, or outreach program regarding the impact of helping the folks that are concerned about the traffic other issues that may come out of the project. Mr. Bankhead answered they are reaching out to people beyond the public meeting phase. Such as a survey. There is a library foundation that is dedicated to the project. Once they get a concept they can build the enthusiasm. Ms. Andrade-Wax stated this initial study is to try and identify every viable option/location and to explore them more fully. After the initial study is completed, it will be presented to the City Council for their review and direction. This is just the beginning step of a much larger process. Commissioner Machado asked to consider when they do the design could they do so in such a way that there wouldn’t be a lot of space for loitering. Mr. Bankhead worked with the group that designed the Los Gatos Library that was designed for many people. Commissioner Reisinger was not aware that this project was even happening. She would like to help get the word out through the schools and social media. Mr. Bankhead said they do post things through the schools using Peach jar and could send something out that way. Commissioner Emerson asked what is the general timeline at this point? Mr. Bankhead answered that 5 years is optimistic. The architects say it will be 2 years from approval. They are planning on presenting the study to the City Council in the Fall. Commissioner Emerson asked if the idea is that all 3 sites get built. Mr. Bankhead answered yes and no it is hard to say. They are not locked into doing them all, but they are looking at doing them all. They all relate to each other, and they won’t know until they get further in the process. Commissioner Laumann commented that from the Parks and Recreation Commission perspective she can see all of these as a great opportunity for our parks. It brings more activity, more connection, and the curb appeal will be heightened at all the locations. Commissioner Obletz suggested checking out what is going on in the Portland area. Their Hollywood branch has 6 floors of senior housing. There is a pool between the housing and the library, which was part of the design, so that if a pipe was ever to break it would go into the pool area. The housing also provides built in volunteers for the library. Regarding partnerships, don’t rule out Dominican University, and don’t give up on the County. 6 5. Selection of Commission Chair and Commission Representative to the General Plan 2040 Steering Committee Ms. Andrade-Wax explained the options for the selection. Commissioner Obletz asked for nominations for Chair of the Commission. Commissioner Machado nominated Commissioner Tom Obletz, and Commissioner Laumann seconded the nomination. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Commissioners Obletz, Emerson, Jones, Laumann, Machado, and Reisinger NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioners Bustillos and Skewes-Cox ABSTAIN: None Commissioner Jones nominated Commissioner Machado as Vice Chair. Commissioner Obletz seconded the nomination. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Commissioners Obletz, Emerson, Jones, Laumann, Machado, and Reisinger NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioners Bustillos and Skewes-Cox ABSTAIN: None Commissioner Obletz asked for nominations fo r the 2040 Steering Committee. Commissioner Laumann nominated Commissioner Jones. Commissioner Machado seconded the motion. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Commissioners Obletz, Emerson, Jones, Laumann, Machado, and Reisinger NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioners Bustillos and Skewes-Cox ABSTAIN: None 7 Commissioner Jones nominated Commissioner Emerson as alternate representative. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Commissioners Obletz, Emerson, Jones, Laumann, Machado, and Reisinger NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioners Bustillos and Skewes-Cox ABSTAIN: None Ms. Andrade-Wax stated that this will be formally approved, hopefully, at their August 6th meeting because there have been several shifts that have occurred. It is part of the bylaws that stated it had to go back to City Council. 6. Review of the Commission Meeting Schedule for 2018 Ms. Andrade-Wax reviewed the existing calendar for the remainder of the year. She stated the Commission must take formal action if they would like to cancel the August and December meetings. Commissioner Jones made a motion to cancel the August and December meetings. Commissioner Machado seconded it. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: Commissioners Obletz, Emerson, Jones, Laumann, Machado, and Reisinger NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioners Bustillos and Skewes-Cox ABSTAIN: None COMMISSION REPORTS 7. Other brief reports on any meetings, conferences, and/or seminars attended by the Commission members. Commissioner Emerson reported that the Health and Human Services is going to do an information fair that the community will be invited to in October. In the past it was just an internal event. 8 COMMISSION COMMENTS Commissioner Machado requested that when giving comments after presentations that when we go in order we start at the opposite end after each p resentation. Commissioner Emerson suggested that we have a show in hands and go in order of the show in hands. STAFF COMMENTS Community Services was successful in upgrading some of our positions to Program Coordinator. One of the positions will be for the Albert J Boro Community Center under Steve Mason, and the other will be overseeing the Goldenaires and Contract Class programs at the San Rafael Community Center. There is also a Management Analyst, who will be looking at the Department’s budget and cost recovery goals, program and facility fees, and reviewing the Department’s policies and procedures. Lastly, the Albert Park Playground Renovation project is currently ‘out to bid’. She will keep the commission updated on the process as the project moves forward. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned 9:14 p.m.