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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark & Rec Commission 2017-03-22 Minutes1 San Rafael Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes: March 22, 2017 Chair Eric Holm called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at San Rafael Community Center Roll Call: Commissioners: Mark Bustillos, Eric Holm, Chair, Jeff Jones, Stacey Laumann, Mark Machado, Ralph Mihan, Tom Obletz, Vice Chair, Cicily Emerson, Alternate Commissioners Present: Bustillos, Holm, Jones, Laumann, Machado, Mihan, Obletz Commissioners Absent: Bustillos,Emerson City Councilmember Present: John Gamblin Staff Present: Cristine Alilovich, Assistant City Manager; Ashley Howe Senior Recreation Supervisor; Dave Davenport, Parks Superintendent Open time for Public Comment: Carrie Marmish, representing the B Team reported on two successful volunteer events at Albert Park, in January and March of this year. Approximately 50 adults and children attended each, including students from local high schools, neighbors, Councilmember Gamblin and Commissioner Obletz. In January the group collected food debris, alcohol containers, some needles and general trash. In March there was less of this type of refuse in the park and the group collected general garbage along with some landscape debris. The B Team was gratified by the response and expressed the new park design will bring more of the public to Albert Park. The Commission thanked them for their efforts. Cristine Alilovich, Assistant City Manager, noted the pending retirement of Director McCart and thanked her for her service. 1. Action Items A. Albert Park Improvement Plan Design Proposal Senior Recreation Supervisor Howe, who directed the outreach on the project design process, introduced Phil Abey, Landscape Architect. Mr. Abey reviewed the opportunities and constraints of the project area. The design was formulated to preserve the center meadow of Albert Park; to allow for a porous visibility from the street, create a safe and enticing area for both school age and preschool children to play with their families, allow for future improvements to the parking lot shared with the Community Center, and accommodate ease of maintenance and safety equipment. The theme for the design is inspired by nature elements found in oak forests, to offer a unique nature play environment in an urban center. The design has texture and invites interactive play, evidenced in the use of logs, surface digging holes, a creek recreation and boulders. There is an emphasis on manipulative experience, much as a child would seek in the forest. The play equipment is proposed is a natural wood product. 2 Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes March 22, 2017 Page 2 There are two play areas for the under and over 5 year age groups. A dry creek replication, that invites sit at ground level play with sand, gravel, small rocks and dirt, separates the two areas. The preschool playground has swings, a sand table with water feature, spring toy, playhouse and boat structure for creative play along with child size tables and benches. The school age playground sports a large cable climber, balancing pods, a spinner seat apparatus, and a crawl through log. Both areas are ringed with boulders for sitting and climbing, tree logs for sitting, balancing and play, and include round tables with attached benches. There is one single unit restroom to serve both age groups, and perimeter fencing around the entire area. A single entry is on the park side of the area to prevent walk through traffic, children’s access to B Street, and provides for flow between the meadow and the playground. The features and equipment is inclusive of all ages and abilities. Abey recognized the B Team for their role in the creative process, the initial and public review. Abey responded to questions posed by the Commission: Access into the playground is at the opposite end from B Street for security and to allow older children to move from meadow to play area without impediment. The gates will accommodate maintenance and emergency vehicles. The current seating area facing onto B Street will be removed and replaced in this design The current sculpture will be relocated A new sidewalk connecting B Street along the northern edge of the play area and to the access gates is included in the design. The proposed restroom is single user, unisex and will have a timed locking mechanism similar to the unit in Gerstle Park. The pathway from the shared parking lot to the Bocce complex rear entry gate will remain. The design incorporates a reconfiguration of the existing parking lot, creating improved flow, pedestrian loading and capacity. The reconfiguration is not part of the project but serves to retain the opportunity to make the improvements. Commissioner Obletz commended Abey on a creative and thoughtful design, and asked what role the B Team would play going forward. Howe responded the B Team will fundraise to supplement the City contribution to the project and organize volunteer efforts and in-kind donations. The Chair opened the meeting for public comment. Bryce Keene, elementary school student and resident of the Bret Harte neighborhood addressed the Commission. He stated he has a disabled friend whom he would like to play with in the new playground. He requested the design include wheelchair accessible swings and overall accessible design. 3 Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes March 22, 2017 Page 3 His mother added she supports the friendly design of the project and reiterated the desire for accessible playground equipment. Abey suggested while the proposed equipment is accessible to different abilities, there could be an addition of a swing or spin feature specifically designed for the range of abilities. Danielle Sloneker of the B Team offered her group to fund raise specifically for an inclusive movement play apparatus. Teresa Mastrioni, a resident of the Dominican neighborhood, and Director of Trinity Preschool noted her disabled child experiences upper body movement daily and would benefit from a different play experience. She is also willing to participate in fundraising for a swing and or spin feature Amy Likeover, resident of the Gerstle Park neighborhood complimented the earth based esthetic and the natural feel of the project design. After general agreement, the Commission inquired about the longevity of the proposed rubberized surface of the project. Abey responded the plan calls for a majority of rubberized surface to provide adequate fall zones, access by wheelchairs, strollers, walkers, and for ease of maintenance. The surface will be specifically colored to replicate a natural forest floor. The product life span is approximately ten years. The plan also uses mulch, engineered fiber and concrete in smaller applications. Superintendent Davenport noted the rubberized surface is preferred by the Parks Division for maintenance but also for drainage and sustainable accessibility. It is more costly to install, but requires less resources to maintain and inspect. The concept was endorsed by the owner of the Trinity Pre School who spoke in its behalf. Councilmember Gamblin made reference to Creekside Park in Corte Madera where a similar surface has been in place for many years. He inquired about shade. Abey pointed out the existing trees that will remain and the new ones to be planted to address the need for shade without adding expensive and visual disruption of an awning structure. New trees will be an assortment of oaks and upland redwoods. After the conclusion of discussion it was: M/s Obletz/Bustillos to: Accept and recommend to the City Council the conceptual design for the Albert Park Improvement Project as envisioned by Phil Abey with significant input from the B Team and the public with the flexibility to modify the design to include universal access, with new ideas for equipment, and with cost estimates as they are developed. AYES: Holm, Jones, Laumann, Machado, Mihan, Obletz NOES: None ABSENT: Emerson, Bustillos 4 Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes March 22, 2017 Page 4 B. Pickleweed Advisory Board New Board Member Recommendation Senior Recreation Supervisor Steve Mason submitted a memo to the Commission on behalf of the Pickleweed Advisory Board with their recommendation to re appoint Lieu Phan and Louise Yost as Board Members siting their considerable experience, significant contributions and desire to continue to serve another term. Additionally the Board elected Salvador Avalos as Chair and Louse Youst as Vice Chair on March 1, 2017. He asks for Commission support for both re appointment and elections. The Commission has authority from the City Council to appoint Board members as policy, adopted in 2006. With recognition for the valuable work the Board performs in providing citizen input on the operation of the Albert J. Boro Community Center and Pickleweed Park it was M/s Mihan/Machado to approve the re-appointment and the recent elections of Chair and Vice Chair of the Pickleweed Advisory Board. AYES: Bustillos, Holm, Jones, Laumann, Machado, Mihan, Obletz NOES: None ABSENT: Emmerson Obletz noted word confusion in the Pickleweed Advisory Board Handbook on page 1 and suggested the last sentence be changed to say “The Pickleweed Advisory Board shall be composed of up to nine (9) members, but no less than seven (7). 2. Commission Items A. Director’s Report McCart reported that Senior Recreation Supervisor Debbie Younkin has been appointed Interim Director of the Community Services Department and congratulated her on the accomplishment. The flag pole at Albert Field was installed in time for dedication at the opening of softball season in February; the San Rafael Yacht Club has received a communication from the City Attorney’s office regarding building code violations and the Commission asked to invite Club leadership to the next meeting to discuss the Agreement; staff met with neighbors regarding the volunteer project at Freitas Park; the recent production of Beauty and the Beast drew over 700 to performances at the San Rafael Community Center. She then invited Councilmember Gamblin to inform the Commission on recent Council issues including the SMART train extension to Larkspur and the impacts on San Rafael. He also reported on several other topics. B. Falkirk Report McCart reported a new Agreement with UC Extension for the services of the Marin Master Gardeners has been approved by the City Council; the Oceans exhibit is open in the galleries as a prelude to Earth Day. C. Parks Report Parks Superintendent Davenport reported work on the Terra Linda Community Pool deck is complete and kiosk repairs almost complete for the opening of the Season; PGE has completed the removal of street trees over the gas pipelines in San Rafael as part of their mitigation order and will plant new ones at the City’s direction; crews are performing the spring maintenance schedule; the Integrated Pest Management Plan was revised in response to community pressure for reduction in herb and pesticides applications; the City was notified of being named Tree City USA for the 35 year. 5 Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes March 22, 2017 Page 4 D. Commission Members Reports Chair Holm reported and praised the public/private partnership that produced the flag pole in Albert Park, and recognized the San Rafael Elks Club for their contribution of the equipment and installation; June 6 is the San Rafael Pacifics Season Opening game at 6:30 Chair Holm reminded the Commission that ticket sales have begun for the San Rafael Pacific’s 2017 baseball season. E. Approval of Meeting Minutes February 16, 2017 M/s Holm/Machado to approve the February 2017 Park & Recreation Commission Minutes with corrections: Machado was present, Vice Chair was changed, Section 1B should read “mobile devices”, and Bustillos was absent AYES: Bustillos, Holm, Jones, Laumann, Machado, Mihan, Obletz NOES: None ABSENT: Emmerson The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.