HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark & Rec Commission 2023-09-21 Minutes
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PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION
September 21, 2023 – 6:00 p.m.
APPROVED MINUTES
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Watch on Zoom:
https://tinyurl.com/PRC-06-15-2023
Telephone: (669) 900-9128
Meeting ID: 841 0672 5048
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Gutierrez called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioner Emerson
Chair Gutierrez (arrived at 6:18)
Commissioner Machado
Commissioner Sandoval
Absent: Commissioner Cabrales
Also Present: Catherine Quffa, Director of Library & Recreation
Craig Veramay, Assistant Library & Recreation Director
Becky Ordin, Senior Administrative Assistant
Jill Tokutomi, Assistant Library & Recreation Director
John Stefanski, Assistant City Manager
Cheryl Lentini, San Rafael Public Library Foundation Board Member
Joe O’Hehir, San Rafael Public Library Foundation Board Member
AGENDA AMENDMENTS
The San Rafael Girls Softball Annual Report will not be presented at this meeting.
MINUTES
1. Approve regular meeting minutes of June 15, 2023
Commissioner Machado moved, and Commissioner Sandoval seconded, to approve the
meetings minutes of June 15, 2023.
AYES: Commissioners: Gutierrez, Machado, Sandoval
NOES: Commissioners: None
2
ABSENT: Commissioners: Cabrales, Emerson
ABSTAINED: Commissioners: None
Minutes approved as submitted.
MEETING OPEN FOR PUBLIC EXPRESSION
Public Comment from the audience regarding items not listed on the agenda
None.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
2. Introductions/Awards/Recognitions/Presentations
a. Library Foundation Support for a New Downtown Library
Craig Veramay introduced Library and Recreation Director Catherine Quffa, who
introduced Assistant City Manager John Stefanski and Assistant Library and Recreation
Director Jill Tokutomi.
Jill gave a presentation on the Library Foundation support for a new downtown library.
Jill introduced San Rafael Public Library Foundation board members Cheryl Lentini and
Joe O’Hehir. Mr. O’Heir who presented a short video.
Staff and the San Rafael Public Library Foundation board members responded to
questions from the Commission.
OTHER AGENDA ITEMS
If necessary, to assure completion of the following items, the Chairperson may establish time limits for
the presentations by individual speakers.
None
STAFF LIAISON REPORT
4. Staff Liaison Report.
Mr. Veramay shared that we were notified by the State of California OGALS that we
have received the National Park Service Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)
Grant Award for $4.2 million. We are still working on coordinating getting that message
out to the community, press release, etc, but we are excited that this has been
confirmed. We are also waiting to hear back from the CalTrans CelanCA program grant
for $4.1 million that we have applied for.
3
The Recreation Dept. recently hired a new program coordinator Azadeh Hornarmand.
She will be working at the San Rafael Community Center. She will be responsible for
the programs at the Community Center, and a large portion of the programs will be on
older adult programs.
There is a public art exhibit that was installed on September 18th at City Hall. It is a
youth exhibit from 3rd graders from Laurel Dell school.
Falkirk is having a call for artists. The proposals are due by October 2nd.
Fall programs are up and running. Movies in the park events are going well. Gerstle
Park had approximately 150 attendees. Peacock Gap Park had about the same.
Pickleweed Park will be September 22nd, and Terra Linda on October 6th.
Finally, I want to take a moment to recognize Commissioner Machado-Mark has been a
Park and Recreation Commissioner for the City of San Rafael since 2007, and his final
term will expire next month. We’re not saying goodbye yet, but I wanted to alert the
other Commissioners to this and let you all know that we are looking into ways to
acknowledge Mark’s incredible years of service to this Commission and to the City.
Public Comment: None
COMMISSIONER REPORTS
5. Other brief reports on any meetings, conferences, and/or seminars attended by
the Commission members.
Chair Gutierrez shared that she had friends attend the Gerstle Park movie event, and
they had a great time. She is also attending the Youth and Arts fundraiser at Tam
Commons after the meeting and invited others to join her.
Public Comment: None
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Gutierrez adjourned the meeting at 7:17 p.m.
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BECKY ORDIN, Senior Administrative Assistant
APPROVED THIS_____DAY OF___________, 2023
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CATHERINE QUFFA, Library & Recreation Director