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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark & Rec Commission 2015-05-21 Minutes1 San Rafael Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes: May 21, 2015 Chair Mihan called the meeting to order at 7:20 p.m. at the 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: Bustillos, Emerson, Laumann, Machado, Mihan, Obletz Commissioners Absent: Holm, Jones Staff Present: Carlene McCart, Community Services Director, Steve Mason, Senior Recreation Supervisor, Kevin McGowan, Interim Director, Department of Public Works, Leslie Blomquist, Assistant City Engineer, Jeff Stutsman, Assistant Civil Engineer. 1. Action Items A. Tour of Boyd Gate House Commissioners Bustillos and Obletz toured the Gate House with Director McCart . The facility recently vacated by the Marin History Museum is in need of major repairs and new vision for use in the future. B. Pickleweed Advisory Board Annual Report Steve Mason introduced the Board members: Jenny Broering, Chair, Salvador Avalos, Lieu Phan, Louise Yost, Nidal Khalili, and Horacio Enriquez. He reviewed the role and the operational format of the Advisory Board, followed by a Power Point Presentation that outlined the various uses of the Community Center, the partnerships, rentals and City sponsored programs and services during the past year. The Board recommended reduced or no fee community partnership programs at the facility value of $128,000 and reported $229,786 in revenue generated by Community Center rental and City sponsored programs. Commissioners expressed appreciation for the Board’s stewardship of the community partner based model of service at the Boro Community Center. The tracking of the program partnerships, offerings, and financial impacts is helpful to understanding the operation of the Center. Commissioner Emerson inquired of the Board Members what needs the Center currently has on a “wish list”. Conversion of the Pickleweed Park soccer fields to all weather turf is the primary need for the neighborhood and community. Chair Mihan inquired about the replacement of the outdoor basketball court. The project is on the City Capital Improvement Project list, waiting funding. Commissioner Obletz recognized that parking for the Center and the park is critical issue. After discussion, the Board concluded the Annual Report. M/s to accept the Pickleweed Advisory Board Annual Report AYES: Bustillos, Laumann, Machado, Mihan, Obletz, Emerson NOES: None ABSENT: Holm, Jones C. Freitas Parkway/ Las Gallinas Intersection Improvements Leslie Blomquist introduced the item with visual diagrams of the existing intersection of Freitas Parkway and Las Gallinas Avenue. The safety issues at the intersection are: Freitas Parkway Westbound left turn 2 Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes, May 21, 2015 Page 2 lane is short, eastbound right turn lane is short, causing long queues to interrupt through traffic, lack of bike lane through the intersection, and median islands create high speed veer onto Las Gallinas through pedestrian crossing. To rectify these issues lengthening the turn lanes through expansion and widening of the intersection is necessary. ADA access issues will be incorporated into the new design, along with bike lanes, and re-design of the perimeter curbs in the intersection scope. The latter requires an expansion into 1300 square feet of the Arbor Park site. The significant impacts of the loss of park property are the reduction in street side buffer landscape, re- directing the sidewalk through the park site to avoid the removal of the mature Cedar tree. The enhancements planned to offset the land reduction are the improved connection of the sidewalks from Freitas to Las Gallinas through the park, the replacement of the arbor structure, and improvement to the existing landscape material. Commissioners discussed the increased traffic capacity of the intersect ion, the planned 2016 project start, the project funding through the Traffic Mitigation Fund, and the pedestrian improvements. Staff reported the community response to the project has been positive. Interim Director Kevin McGowan provided information on the City Capital Improvement Project determination, approval and implementation process as it relates to Measure A funds spending. After discussion, and notation of the mitigation for loss of parkland with the improvements to the arbor, sidewalk, pedestrian access, preservation of the Cedar and safety enhancements, it was: M/s Bustillos/Machado to endorse the design plans for the Freitas Parkway/Las Gallinas Intersection Improvement AYES: Bustillos, Laumann, Machado, Mihan, Obletz, Emerson NOES: None ABSENT: Holm, Jones 2. Commission Items A. Director’s Report Director McCart reported on the Commission Annual Report to the City Council scheduled for June 15; Measure A Workplan approval, transitional kindergarten impact on Child Care service s, Boyd Gate House re-use update, Homelessness Committee Community Outreach June 8, PW2.0 field fundraising campaign, retail recruitment, City Council Study Session on the 2015 Citizens’ Satisfaction Survey. B. Falkirk Report There is a new Gallery Show produced by the Master Gardeners. Marin Visitors Center and Villa Marin toured this month. C. Parks Report For Parks Superintendent Dave Davenport, McCart reported the City is in compliance with the Marin Municipal Water District Policy for water usage during the draught. The City has proposed a partnership with Gerstle Park Neighborhood property owners to remove roots/trees that are uplifting sidewalks in exchange for 3 Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes, May 21, 2015 Page 3 property owners repairing adjacent sidewalks under one negotiated contract. Crews completed seasonal maintenance at San Rafael Community Center and installed picnic tables at Boyd Park where an Eagle Scout project will improve landscape. D. Approval of Minutes, Meeting of April 16, 2015 M/s Obletz/Machado to approve the Minutes AYES: Bustillos, Laumann, Machado, Mihan, Obletz, Emerson NOES: None ABSENT: Holm, Jones 3. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.