HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark & Rec Commission 2022-10-20 Minutes
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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BECKY ORDIN, Senior Administrative Assistant
APPROVED THIS_____DAY OF___________, 2022
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CATHERINE QUFFA, Library & Recreation Director