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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark & Rec Commission 2022-10-20 Minutes Page 1 of 5 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION October 20, 2022 – 6:00 p.m. APPROVED MINUTES __________________________________________________________________ Watch on Zoom: https://tinyurl.com/PRC-10-20-2022 Telephone: (669) 900-9128 Meeting ID: 841 0672 5048 CALL TO ORDER Chair Emerson called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioner Cabrales Chair Emerson Commissioner Gutierrez Commissioner Sandoval Absent: Commissioner Machado Also Present: Catherine Quffa, Library & Recreation Director Craig Veramay, Assistant Library & Recreation Director Becky Ordin, Senior Administrative Assistant Steve Mason, Senior Recreation Supervisor Darcie Chellew, Recreation Supervisor Joanna Kwok, Senior Civil Engineer AGENDA AMENDMENTS None. MINUTES 1. Approve regular meeting minutes of September 15, 2022 Commissioner Gutierrez moved, and Commissioner Sandoval seconded, to approve the meetings minutes of September 15, 2022. AYES: Commissioners: Cabrales, Emerson, Gutierrez, Sandoval NOES: Commissioners: None 2 ABSENT: Commissioners: Machado 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 None 3. Introductions/Awards/Recognitions/Presentations None 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. 4. Marin Bocce Federation Prototype Shade Structure Darcie Chellew introduced Jessica Libien who provided the Park and Recreation Commission with a schematic of the proposed prototype permanent shade structure for approval. Staff responded to questions from the Commission. Public Comment: None Commissioner Gutierrez moved, and Commissioner Cabrales seconded the approval of the installation of a prototype shade structure at the Marin Bocce Federation Amenities. AYES: Commissioners: Cabrales, Emerson, Gutierrez, Sandoval NOES: Commissioners: None ABSENT: Commissioners: Machado ABSTAINED: Commissioners: None Motion passes. 5. San Rafael Girls Softball Agreement Annual Report Scott Younkin presented the San Rafael girls softball agreement annual report. Staff responded to questions from the Commission. Public Comment: None 3 Commissioner Cabrales moved, and Commissioner Gutierrez seconded to accept the San Rafael Girls Softball agreement annual report. AYES: Commissioners: Cabrales, Emerson, Gutierrez, Sandoval NOES: Commissioners: None ABSENT: Commissioners: Machado ABSTAINED: Commissioners: None Motion passes. 6. Park Projects and Maintenance Biannual Status Report Craig Veramay, Assistant Library & Recreation Director, introduced Joanna Kwok, Senior Civil Engineer for Public Works, who presented the park projects and maintenance biannual status report. Staff responded to questions from the Commission. Public Comment: None Commissioner Gutierrez moved, and Commissioner Cabrales seconded to accept the park projects and maintenance biannual status report. AYES: Commissioners: Cabrales, Emerson, Gutierrez, Sandoval NOES: Commissioners: None ABSENT: Commissioners: Machado ABSTAINED: Commissioners: None Motion passes. COMMISSION REPORTS AND COMMENTS 7. Other brief reports on any meetings, conferences, and/or seminars attended by the Commission members. Commissioner Gutierrez had a meeting with Safe Routes to School on local traffic safety around Sun Valley School. Commissioner Cabrales went to the Arbor Day tree planting at Bret Harte Park. Commissioner Sandoval had his first Public Art Review Board meeting. He reported that it was nice to meet everyone and they voted on a Chair and Vice Chair. Chair Emerson shared on the Marin County Health front they are pushing the bivalent boosters. They have been approved for ages 5 and up. They expect a Winter surge in 4 COVID cases. The policy update is that kids don’t need to test out at five days. They can return to school after five days post COVID. Public Comment: None STAFF COMMENTS 8. Schedule of Upcoming Meetings and Events of Interest Mr. Veramay shared that October 22nd is the Arbor Park Mural unveiling at 11:00am. The California Watercolor Show will run through November 18th at the Falkirk Cultural Center. Steve Mason gave the Commission the details for the Dia De Los Muertos Celebration. This Saturday at 3:00 is the car processional. The main event will be on Saturday, November 5th at the Albert J. Boro Community Center and there will be 25 alters on display. Mr. Mason also shared that he was asked to give a presentation last Tuesday on a national webinar to the Association of Multicultural Affairs and Transplantation. They were trying to find a way to honor those who have passed and have donated their organs to give life to others. Mr. Mason spoke to the group about doing alters. Mr. Veramay let the Commission know that Tai Chi and Kung Fu are back at the San Rafael Community Center. Today was the City’s Annual Arbor Day Celebration. He recognized our Department of Public Works for planting several new Oak Trees at Bret Harte Park this morning. On Monday, City Council approved the new Park Amenity Sponsorship program. This new policy and application process will help community members that are interested in donating to sponsor the installation of park amenities such as park benches and picnic tables. Staff will be working to advertise the new policy in the coming weeks, and we will share that information as soon as it becomes available. In early October, City Council approved new Aquatics Pilot Program Fees for Terra Linda Pool. The City is planning to keep TL pool open into November, and specific dates and swim schedules will be released soon. Mr. Veramay also shared that San Rafael arts organizations welcomed state legislators and local elected officials on Friday, October 14 for a tour of Downtown San Rafael Arts District (DSRAD), one of 14 designated Cultural Arts Districts in the state. The California Arts Council received a $30 million one-time General Fund allocation, to be spent over three years, to support the existing 14 cultural districts and to expand the cultural arts districts' programs to serve traditionally underserved communities. This tour was an opportunity for legislators to better understand the Cultural District program and consider how to support the program moving forward. The group visited Downtown on a 5 special night that included gallery openings, performances, and premieres coinciding with the monthly 2nd Friday Art Walk. The group visited Youth In Arts, the Marin Society of Artists, the City of San Rafael Falkirk Cultural Center, Art Works Downtown, and the California Film Institute's Smith Rafael Film Center, which was hosting the Mill Valley Film Festival. The group met with local artists and business owners, and the walking tour demonstrated how the DSRAD is advancing equity by unifying, activating, and celebrating our diverse community through arts and cultural collective impact. On Tuesday, the City swore in and welcomed their newest Public Board, the Public Art Review Board. This group is charged with reviewing and approving new public art proposals. Mr. Veramay also shared that the division just welcomed two new Program Coordinators – Kara Riley, at the San Rafael Community Center, and Cristina Farhang, at Falkirk Cultural Center, who will also coordinate our community gardens program. Ms. Quffa gave an update on the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The scheduled November 17th Steering Committee meeting was delayed to January 2023, and the next update to the Park and Recreation Commission will be January, 2023. Chair Emerson asked for an update on Beach Park. Ms. Quffa answered that we are waiting to hear what is happening to the former Terrapin Crossroads restaurant – it sounds like there are some real estate negotiations happening now, and we want to assess how the outcome of those plans may impact our plans for the future of Beach Park. Commissioner Gutierrez asked if there are zoning restrictions for the restaurant that may limit future use of Beach Park. Ms. Quffa replied that there is a goal in the General Plan around waterfront recreation pathways; it is private property, we would have to verify with the community development director regarding zoning, etc. Public Comment: None ADJOURNMENT Chair Emerson adjourned the meeting at 7:12 p.m. ___________________________________________ BECKY ORDIN, Senior Administrative Assistant APPROVED THIS_____DAY OF___________, 2022 ___________________________________________ CATHERINE QUFFA, Library & Recreation Director