Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark & Rec Commission 2016-10-20 Minutes1 San Rafael Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes: October 20, 2016 Chair Ralph Mihan called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. at San Rafael Community Center Roll Call: Commissioners: Mark Bustillos, Eric Holm, Jeff Jones, Stacey Laumann, Mark Machado, Ralph Mihan, Chair, Tom Obletz, Cicily Emerson, Alternate Commissioners Present: Emmerson, Holm, Jones, Laumann, Machado, Mihan Commissioners Absent: Bustillos, Obletz Staff Present: Carlene McCart, Director, Community Services Department; Dave Davenport, Parks Superintendent, Public Works Department 1. Action Items A. Open Space Acquisition Policy Discussion Director McCart initiated the discussion with background on the request from the City Council that the Commission consider criteria and policy for the acceptance/acquisition of open space by the City of San Rafael. The City operates under a practice to decline additional Open Space acquisitions, contributions or donations. The associated expansion of liability and resource demands for new City-owned Open Space is difficult to absorb with current capacities. The City has no Open Space Management Plan or directed fund to protect, secure and maintain Open Space. While ***** acres are owned by the City, the County of Marin and Marin Municipal Water District also have designated Open Space holdings in San Rafael. Where prudent the City has transferred title to these agencies to better provide preservation and service to the public. The recent acceptance of 3 acres of Open Space to City ownership drew attention to the need for criteria to determine under what circumstances the City is best served to expand its Open Space holdings. The City council asked the Commission to deliberate on the criteria and policy surrounding the issue and make recommendation for future policy and procedure. She presented the criteria categories that were considered in the recent City Council deliberation discussions:  Public Benefit  Public Utility  Public Support  Cultural/Historical significance  Endorsement by Boards and Commissions, and community organizations  Site contiguous to existing City owned Open Space  Clear land title  Status of site stability and liability issues  Lack of alternative ownership options for preservation Ralph Mihan then commented on the acquisition criteria developed and applied by Marin Open Space Trust, MOST, a non-profit organization that assists with the process to acquire and transfer land for permanent preservation in Marin County: 2 Adjacency to existing park/open space (connectivity to existing or planned Open Space or Parks) Land falls within planned County/City/Town Open Space or Park Recreation potential value Minutes of the Park and Recreation Commission Meeting October 20, 2016 Page 2 Scenic corridor/veiwshed value.  The Commission discussed other considerations for Open Space acquisition:  Level of City liability  Site safety issues  Environmental soundness, soil integrity  Existence of sensitive habitat  Public benefit  Public easement opportunities vs ownership responsibility  Access  Financial Impact  Fee simple title transfer  Preservation of natural space, existing use, environment, habitat etc.  Existing vs required improvements or amenities It was consensus that criteria should not be weighted, as properties vary in assets and detracting issues. Proposed sites for acquisition may be required to meet minimum categories of criteria. Staff will synthesize the information for a Draft Policy review at the next meeting. B Update on Park and recreation Facilities Projects McCart and Superintendent Davenport narrated a Power Point with update information and project status with the following parks:  Albert Playground Improvements  Beach Park Use Agreement  Boyd and Boyd Gate House  Bret Harte Restroom  Freitas annex design  Loch Lomond Public Improvements  Pickleweed Community Field Project  Schoen Park Playground Replacement  Starkweather Shoreline Park Signage and Bench Replacement  Victor Jones Playground Improvements  Terra Linda Pool Deck Repair  Terra Linda Hardscape Replacement 3 Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes October 20, 2016 Page 3 2. Commission Items A. Director’s Report McCart reported on the negotiations for the Department software replacement; City web site re-design, Youth Leadership initiative; Le Mis production; Boro Center Deck Project by Troop 2000, volunteer Bench Resurfacing and Albert Park cleanup; staff attending training at the Aquatic Management School, and Maintenance Management School. She also provided information on City-wide issues: Kevin McGowan is Employee of the Quarter; City may re-apply for SMART Quiet Zones to be more county inclusive; Canal- Spinnaker-Baypoint Parking Study commissioned and Public Safety Center “Best Value” selection process for construction. B. Falkirk Report There was no additional reporting. C. Parks Report Davenport reminded the Commission to attend the Arbor Day observance November 4 at Falkirk; TL Pool has been drained and re-filled; Albert Field will close for seeding and sanding in November; annual tree planting included 32 new trees this season; one Parks Division staffer has worked almost full time recently abating a barrage of graffiti; removal of homeless encampments continues; bench replacement is complete at Starkweather Shoreline Park; the Parks Division hired 3 PT temporary staff and at least one FT vacancy is now under recruitment; the bbq at Pickleweed Park has been repaired, Park and Street crews have combined to perform storm preparation on streets and drainage ways. Davenport also met with Davy Tree Service to discuss the PGE proposal for removal of 17 mature trees on H and Forbes Streets. The outcome was agreement to remove 2 and replace them with smaller specimens. D. Commission Members Reports Commissioner Holm met with Phil Martino, a proposer of a flag pole donation to Albert Field. The plan has been scaled back by mutual agreement. The San Rafael Elks Club is reviewing the plan and budget for possible financial support. Commissioner Laumann supports limited improvements to Albert Park before a more cohesive plan is developed. She reiterated the issues to consider before the proposal is accepted:  The value of the donation to the park.  The overall cost of purchase, installation and management.  Access to the area of installation.  Impact of proposed landscape.  Safety.  Lighting and flag protocol compliance. E. Approval of Meeting Minutes September 15, 2016 AYES: Emmerson, Holm, Jones, Laumann, Machado, Mihan NOES: None ABSENT: Bustillos, Obletz The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.