HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark & Rec Commission 2022-02-17 Agenda PacketPARK AND RECREATION
COMMISSION AGENDA
Thursday, February 17, 2022
6:00 P.M.
Watch on Zoom: https://tinyurl.com/PRC-2-17-2022
Telephone: Telephone: (669) 900-9128
Meeting ID: 833 4004 9460
CALL TO ORDER
• Roll Call
AGENDA AMENDMENTS
MINUTES
1. Approve regular meeting minutes of January 20, 2022
MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
2. Public Comment from the audience regarding items not listed on the agenda. Speakers are
encouraged to limit comments to 3 minutes.
MATTERS BEFORE THE COMMISSION
If necessary, to assure completion of the following items, the Chairperson may establish time limits
for the presentations by individual speakers.
3. 2021 Annual San Rafael Community Center and Albert Park Program Report
COMMISSION REPORTS AND COMMENTS
4. Other brief reports on any meetings, conferences, and/or seminars attended by the
Commission members.
STAFF COMMENTS
5. Schedule of Upcoming Meetings and Events of Interest
NEXT MEETING: March 17, 2022
ADJOURNMENT
Notice
Any records relating to an agenda item, received by a majority or more of the Commission less than 72 hours before the
meeting, shall be available for inspection online. Sign Language interpreters may be requested by calling (415) 485 -3066
(voice), emailing Lindsay.lara@cityofsanrafael.org or using the California Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing “711”,
at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. Copies of documents are available in accessible formats upon request.
Parks and Recreation Commission Agenda Page 2 of 2 Feb 17, 2022
Page 1 of 5
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION
January 20, 2022 – 6:00 p.m.
DRAFT MINUTES
__________________________________________________________________
Watch on Zoom:
https://tinyurl.com/PRC-01-20-2022
Telephone: (669) 900-9128
Meeting ID: 946 0348 5912#
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Emerson called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioner Cabrales
Chair Emerson
Commissioner Gutierrez
Commissioner Laumann (arrived 6:05)
Commissioner Sandoval
Absent: Commissioner Machado
Commissioner Reisinger
Also Present: Susan Andrade-Wax, Library & Recreation Director
Catherine Quffa, Assistant Library & Recreation Director
Becky Ordin, Senior Administrative Assistant
Jason Fong, Program Coordinator
April Miller, Assistant Public Works Director/ City Engineer
AGENDA AMENDMENTS
None.
MINUTES
1. Approve regular meeting minutes of November 18, 2021
Commissioner Gutierrez moved, and Commissioner Sandoval seconded, to approve the
meetings minutes of November 18, 2021.
2
AYES: Commissioners: Cabrales, Emerson, Gutierrez, Laumann, Sandoval
NOES: Commissioners: None
ABSENT: Commissioners: Machado, Reisinger
ABSTAINED: Commissioners: None
Minutes approved as submitted.
MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
2. Public Comment from the audience regarding items not listed on the agenda
Sparkie Spaeth, San Rafael Age-Friendly
MATTERS BEFORE THE COMMISSION
If necessary, to assure completion of the following items, the Chairperson may establish time limits for
the presentations by individual speakers.
3. 2021 Annual Youth Enrichment Program Review
Ms. Andrade-Wax introduced Jason Fong, Program Coordinator, who presented the
2021 Annual Youth Enrichment Program Review.
Public Comment: Sparkie Spaeth
Commissioner Laumann moved, and Commissioner Gutierrez seconded to accept the
2021 Annual Youth Enrichment Program Report.
AYES: Commissioners: Cabrales, Emerson, Gutierrez, Laumann, Sandoval
NOES: Commissioners: None
ABSENT: Commissioners: Machado, Reisinger
ABSTAINED: Commissioners: None
Motion approved to accept the 2021 Annual Youth Enrichment Program Report.
4. Parks Maintenance Status Report for October – December 2021
Ms. Andrade-Wax introduced April Miller, Assistant Public Works Director/ City
Engineer, who presented the Parks Maintenance Status Report for October through
December 2021.
Public Comment: None
Commissioner Cabrales motioned to accept the Parks Maintenance Status Report, and
Commissioner Sandoval seconded the motion.
AYES: Commissioners: Cabrales, Emerson, Gutierrez, Laumann, Sandoval
3
NOES: Commissioners: None
ABSENT: Commissioners: Machado, Reisinger
ABSTAINED: Commissioners: None
Motion approved to accept the Parks Maintenance Status Report.
5. Parks Projects Status Report for October – December 2021
April Miller, Assistant Public Works Director/ City Engineer, presented the Parks Projects
Status Report for October through December 2021.
Staff responded to questions from the Commission.
Public Comment: None
Commissioner Sandoval motioned to accept the Parks Project Status Report, and
Commissioner Gutierrez seconded the motion.
AYES: Commissioners: Cabrales, Emerson, Gutierrez, Laumann, Sandoval
NOES: Commissioners: None
ABSENT: Commissioners: Machado, Reisinger
ABSTAINED: Commissioners: None
Motion approved to accept the Parks Project Status Report.
6. Review of the Park & Recreation Commission’s Annual Work Plan for 2022
Ms. Andrade-Wax presented the Park & Recreation Commission Annual Work Plan for
2022.
Staff responded to questions from the Commission.
Public Comment: Sparkie Spaeth
Commissioner Laumann motioned to approve the Park & Recreation Commission
Annual Work Plan for 2022, and Commissioner Cabrales seconded the motion.
AYES: Commissioners: Cabrales, Emerson, Gutierrez, Sandoval
NOES: Commissioners: None
ABSENT: Commissioners: Machado, Reisinger
ABSTAINED: Commissioners: None
Motion approved to approve the Park & Recreation Commission Annual Work Plan for
2022.
4
COMMISSION REPORTS AND COMMENTS
7. Other brief reports on any meetings, conferences, and/or seminars attended by
the Commission members.
Commissioner Cabrales asked the Commission to look at some Parks & Recreation
Master Plans from other cities to give them a good understanding of what is going to be
made for the City of San Rafael and to give a framework for what is coming.
Ms. Andrade-Wax suggested looking at the City of Santa Cruz’s Master Plan document.
The City’s consultants, RHAA, just finished their master plan and it reflects the current
style of master plans. Ms. Quffa also suggested looking at the City of El Cerrito as
another example of RHAA’s work.
Public Comment: None
STAFF COMMENTS
8. Schedule of Upcoming Meetings and Events of Interest
Ms. Andrade-Wax informed the Commission that she will be going out for surgery the
beginning of February.
Ms. Andrade-Wax shared that they have opened the recruitment for the Assistant
Library & Recreation Director position and interviews will be held in February. The time
frame for hiring the position is estimated to be sometime between the end of March to
the end of May.
Ms. Andrade-Wax gave an update regarding two Prop 68 grants that the City applied
for. The application for the renovation of the athletic field at Pickleweed park was not
granted. The City did receive the Prop 68 Per Capita grant, which means the Sun
Valley park project will be moving ahead this year.
Chair Emerson requested an update on Terrapin Crossroads. Ms. Andrade-Wax
replied and stated that Terrapin Crossroads decided to no longer run the restaurant.
The City received interest from Terrapin Crossroads, along with a number of other
people, in just operating the park as a concert venue. The original agreement with the
City of San Rafael and Terrapin Crossroads was a shared use agreement where the
public benefited. They provided public access to Beach Park for concerts, and they
also provided supervision of the park during restaurant open hours, and access to
public restrooms and public parking. W ithout having the ability to utilize the restaurant
as an anchor there was not a way to provide staffing on site while the park is open.
Terrapin decided not to renew their contract with their property manager for the
restaurant, and now the park is closed. The Department of Public W orks has been out
there to remove items that were left behind. We will inform the Commission, if we get
direction from the City Council that they would like use Beach Park as something other
5
than its designation as a Public Park. The original intent of Beach Park was not to just
be a concert venue, but to allow public access under onsite supervision.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Emerson adjourned the meeting at 7:23 p.m.
___________________________________________
BECKY ORDIN, Senior Administrative Assistant
APPROVED THIS_____DAY OF___________, 2021
___________________________________________
SUSAN ANDRADE-WAX, Library & Recreation Director
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION
AGENDA REPORT
February 17, 2022
Item # 4
TITLE: 2021 ANNUAL SAN RAFAEL COMMUNITY CENTER AND ALBERT
PARK PROGRAM REPORT
SUMMARY
The City of San Rafael manages the San Rafael Community Center and Albert Park,
which includes Albert Field Baseball and Softball Stadium, four tennis courts, playground,
and grass area.
RECOMMENDATION
That the Parks and Recreation Commission receive and comment.
BACKGROUND
The San Rafael Community Center features an Auditorium with a performance stage, four
rentable community rooms, a courtyard garden, and hosts the Goldenaires Office.
Programming at the San Rafael Community Center includes rentals, classes for youth
and seniors, drop-in programs, and Goldenaires events, among others. The San Rafael
Goldenaires Senior Citizens Organization provides recreational programs and services
for the public 62 years of age and older. The Goldenaires has partnered with the City of
San Rafael for use of the San Rafael Community Cen ter since 1975.
In addition to the community center, recreational programming in the surrounding Albert
Park includes a baseball/softball stadium and four tennis courts. Albert Field and Stadium
is a unique facility in Marin County with a covered grandstand and lighted baseball/softball
field. The Albert tennis courts are one of two City-owned lighted tennis facilities.
DISCUSSION
The San Rafael Community Center was closed to the general public for events and
programs due to the coronavirus from March 13, 2020 through July 10, 2021. The
Community Center utilized a phased reopening plan. This plan started with private rentals
and proceeded with the addition of classes and programs as local regulations allowed.
The baseball/softball stadium and tennis courts were heavily utilized during the pandemic
and continue to be popular amenities. Below are details on 2021 program usage.
Community Center Rentals
The San Rafael Community Center resumed private rentals on July 10, 2021. Private
rentals typically held at the community center include quinceañeras, weddings, birthday
parties, receptions, and celebrations of life. The Auditorium is routinely booked for private
events on Saturdays throughout the year with additional private rentals on Friday nights
and Sunday afternoons. The Church of the Open Door also hosts their weekly services
at the Community Center and meets every Sunday from 8:00 am - 12:00 pm. The
Auditorium also hosted a few City-sponsored events such as the City of San Rafael
Holiday Party and the San Rafael Fire Department Recruit Graduation.
The San Rafael Community Center also offers 4 clubrooms that are available for private
rentals. The 4 clubrooms can be reserved individually, or some rooms can be combined
to offer a larger rental space when needed. These rooms are typically rented by
community members and local organizations for small parties, professional meetings, and
community drop-in programs such as insurance information for the aging population.
Auditorium and Clubroom Usage
2019 2020 2021
Auditorium Rentals 200 71 149
Clubroom Rentals 126 22 87
Classes
The San Rafael Community Center welcomed back Department offered programs on
September 7, 2021. These programs included Sogetsu Ikebana Japanese Flower
Arranging, Adult Spanish classes, and the Pied Piper Community Theater Program.
Additionally, the preschool Jumping Jacks Indoor Play program resumed at the San
Rafael Community Center on October 12, 2021. On Tuesday and Thursday mornings the
Jumping Jacks program transforms the auditorium into an indoor playground complete
with festive music, bounce house, tumbling mats, toys and an enthusiastic instructor wh o
leads dancing with scarves, parachute games, bubble time and more. This program is
open to children ages crawling to 4 years old and their caregivers.
The staff at the San Rafael Community Center are excited to offer some new classes in
2022. These new programs include Fencing, Tai Chi, Tiny Tot Fun with Spanish, Youth
and Teen Bocce Classes, and adult fitness classes. The AARP Tax Aide program is
scheduled to return in February 2022 as well.
Goldenaires
Similar to other programs offered at the Community Center, the Goldenaires program was
suspended at the start of the coronavirus pandemic. While away from the Community
Center, the Goldenaires kept members engaged with their monthly newsletter which
included a note from the president, sunshine report, puzzles, and information about their
virtual programs as well as programs other agencies were offering to seniors in the area.
Their most successful activity was monthly to-go luncheons. These to-go meals took the
place of their usual in-person monthly themed luncheons and included a special raffle
with prizes distributed as participants picked up their meals. Participation ranged between
75-100 meals each month.
The Goldenaires office reopened in September 2021 with reduced service hours at the
San Rafael Community Center and resumed in -person programming for fully vaccinated
participants. The first activities to return were watercolor painting, acrylic painting,
contract bridge, wood working, and the craft group. In October, the Wednesday Bingo
program returned as well as duplicate bridge. Participants in these programs were happy
to return, and we have seen almost the same numbers as pre -pandemic, with the only
decrease in the Wednesday Bingo program.
In November, the Goldenaires canceled their long-established Holiday Craft Fair and
instead offered a bingo and lunch fundraiser. This public event was very well attended
with 113 in attendance. The Goldenaires day trip program has also returned. Their first
trip was to see “My Fair Lady” at the Orpheum Theatre in November 2021, and 28 people
participated.
The Goldenaires hosted 125 members and their guests at the annual Holiday Gala in
December. This year they held the event during the day instead of the traditional evening
time. The daytime event included a turkey dinner, live band and dancing, raffle , and
installation of the 2022 Board of Directors.
The Goldenaires are excited to bring back more programs in 2022including, Monday
Night Bingo, Sunday Dances, special event luncheons, and additional day trips.
The older adult population that participates at the San Rafael Community Center seems
to be anxious for in-person programming to continue and grow.
Albert Field
In 2021, Albert Field was the primary field for the following teams: The B Stings, Marin
Academy Baseball Team, San Rafael Little League, Marin Baseball, San Domenico
Baseball Team, The Ranch Softball program, West Coast Fantasy Baseball, and Bay
Area Senior Men’s Baseball.
Albert Field is also the home of the San Rafael Pacifics, a minor league baseball team
that participates in the Pecos League. The Pacifics utilize the field for practice and games
and provide a great baseball environment for the San Rafael Community.
In 2021, the Parks Commission approved a new reservation process for the San Rafael
Athletic Fields for 2022. This new reservation process provides a timeframe for users to
submit field use applications, and field use is then determined by the prioritization list
included in the rental policy.
There are two improvement projects planed for 2022 at Albert Field. The first project
includes the addition of ADA restrooms and an access ramp to the grandstands. This
project is scheduled to begin in February 2022. The second project is to install additional
fencing around the field to help prevent balls from traveling to the neighboring childcare
center and surrounding streets. The fencing project is scheduled to begin in Fall 20 22.
Albert Park Tennis Courts
The Albert Park Tennis Courts are available for community use through an access k ey
purchased through the San Rafa el Library and Recreation Department. Keys can be
purchased for $50 for residents and $75 for non-residents. The key can be used during
the fiscal year of July 1 – June 30. At the beginning of each Fiscal Year, the locks for the
Tennis Courts are changed and new keys are available for purchase. In 2021, 101 tennis
keys were issued.
Fiscal Analysis
Below are the expense and revenues for the San Rafael Community Center and Albert
Park for the past three fiscal years. It is important to note that the below numbers are
based on the fiscal year (July-June), not the calendar year, and do not include the revenue
generated since the City re-opened the facility in July, 2021.
Expense
FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021
Personnel Costs $479,697 $533,527 $394,273
Services $212,652 $120,402 $44,995
Supplies $18,396 $10,581 $1,034
Utilities $35,054 $28,126.26 $25,389
Total Expense $745,801 $692,638 $465,693
Revenue
FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021
Goldenaires $16,000 $42,000 $6,000
Classes $102,272 $77,818 $2,258
Rentals $220,443 $146,480 $24,212
Total Revenue $338,715 $266,298 $32,470
Expenses and revenues have decreased from FY19 to FY21 as a result of the COVID -
19 pandemic, with the last quarter of FY20 and all of FY21 seeing significant impacts. In
FY21, the primary revenues came from rentals of Albert Park Stadium. For FY22, the City
is on track to hit similar revenue levels as FY20, with programs and revenues increasing,
but still seeing some residual COVID impacts.
FISCAL IMPACT
There are no costs associated with accepting this report.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Any other action as determined by the Commission.
Submitted by:
Damian Sandholm
Damian Sandholm
Recreation Supervisor
Item 5
MEMORANDUM
Date: February 17, 2022
To: Park and Recreation Commission
From: Susan Andrade-Wax, Library & Recreation Director
Subject: Schedule of Upcoming Meetings and Events of Interest
Date Time Meeting/Event Location
Feb. 17 6:00 pm Park and Recreation
Commission Zoom
Feb. 21 CLOSED HOLIDAY ALL CITY OFFICES
Feb. 22 7:00 pm City Council Zoom
March 7 7:00 pm City Council Zoom
March 17 6:00 pm Park and Recreation
Commission Zoom