HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark & Rec Commission 2015-11-19 Minutes1
San Rafael Park and Recreation Commission
Meeting Minutes: November 19, 2015
Chair Ralph Mihan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at the San Rafael Community Center
Roll Call: Commissioners: Mark Bustillos, Eric Holm, Jeff Jones, Stacey Laumann, Mark Machado, Ralph
Mihan, Chair, Tom Obletz, Cicily Emerson, Alternate
Commissioners Present: Bustillos, Holm, Jones, Laumann, Mihan, Obletz
Commissioners Absent: Emerson, Machado
Staff Present: Carlene McCart, Community Services Director, Debbie Younkin, Senior Recreation
Supervisor, Tiffany Haley, Aquatics Coordinator
1. Action Items
A. Friends of Falkirk Proposal
Director McCart introduced Don Chapman, Master Gardener, and volunteer at Falkirk Cultural
Center. Mr. Chapman was instrumental in the recently completed 3-year Falkirk Greenhouse
Restoration Project, through the Master Gardeners. He reported the greenhouse facility to be
“Grade A” in functionality, climate controlled for various propagation and education initiatives,
and structurally sound. Approximately $9,000 plus volunteer labor was contributed to the
restoration, and $23,000 in climate control system equipment and installation were donated to
the City through the Master Gardeners. This was the recent focus for the volunteer organization.
Previous initiatives have been the design and installation of the Mediterranean, Succulent and
Greenhouse Gardens.
Chapman introduced his proposal to form a non-profit 501(C)3 to support fundraising and
initiatives throughout the 11 acres of the Falkirk grounds, expanding from the formal Garden
areas. The Agreement between the City of San Rafael and the University of California Extension
Program (Master Gardeners) is necessarily specific to the mission of the UC program. The Charter
for the Master Gardener program is limited to community information and education on
horticulture, which precludes grounds improvement. A separate non-profit organization could
address portions and projects on the Falkirk Grounds that do not fall under the existing
Agreement.
Once accredited as a non-profit organization, Friends of Falkirk would be eligible for grant
funding, and private and corporate donations. The UC Davis Extension program does not allow
for outside fundraising. The organization would collaborate with the City to determine
appropriate improvement projects, seek funding and act in the project management capacity
under City direction. The proposed Friends of Fal kirk would focus on grounds and related
exterior elements of the Cultural Center and not the mansion itself.
Commissioner Jones inquired about the relationship between the current Agreement with UC
Extension and an additional Agreement with Friends of San Rafael. Chapman replied the UC
Extension program would continue to maintain the gardens and Greenhouse to su pport the
educational demonstrations, workshops, lectures, plant sales and activities of the Master
Gardeners.
Chair Mihan noted similarity of the Friends of Falkirk proposal to various volunteer support groups
for the National Parks System. He also inq uired how the Friends group would select projects
to support. The new group and City staff would refer to the Falkirk Grounds Masterplan to
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Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
November 19, 2015
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determine priority projects. Friends of Falkirk would provide funds and volunteers to achieve
mutual goals.
Chapman stated there is no intended conflict or collaboration with UC Davis Extension, although
many of the current volunteers would serve both Master Gardeners and Friends of Falkirk wor k.
Commissioner Obletz noted no endowment exists for the Cultural Center, and supported the
solicitation of funding for grounds improvements, as the City financial support is limited.
Mihan suggested the mission statement of the new 501(C)3 be broad to a llow for future
flexibility.
Commissioner Laumann commented that non-profit organization has advantage over
governmental agencies, such as the City of San Rafael in attracting outside funding, and there
may be an appropriate time for the City to request assistance from Friends of Falkirk. She
suggested the 501(C)3 charter list priority categories such as access to Falkirk grounds and
history, sustainability initiatives and existing site improvements.
After further discussion, the Commission indicated sup port for the proposal and requested
Chapman return with the final submittal of the Charter for final approval.
B. Aquatics Season Review
Senior Recreation Supervisor Debbie Younkin introduced Tiffany Haley, newly appointed Aquatics
Coordinator. Ms. Haley previously held seasonal positions within the Community Services
Department in the Aquatics Program. She assumed her new full time position in November.
To begin her Annual Report, Younkin described the Water Safety Day activities held in May, a
community event that featured demonstrations, entertainment, information and a pancake
breakfast. San Rafael Fire Department, Police Department, US Coast Guard, Kaiser Hospital, and
Los Gallinas Sanitary District participated and over 200 community residents attended.
The Aquatics program trained over 200 students for Lifeguard Certification during the 2015
Aquatics Season. The Orcas Swim Club utilized the facilities for practice and swim meets,
representing over 8,000 visits to the pool. 16,275 attended during Public Swim hours 8,500 visits
were recorded for season pass holders. 1,600 visitors came for organized pool parties. 1,416
visits were attributed to Lap Swim Pass holders. The Terra Linda Community Pool also produced
swim lessons for 1,320 students and hosted camps and group uses that attracted 2,615 patrons.
Marketing incentive programs utilized during the 2015 season included free passes, Groupon
offers, guest passes associated with season passes.
The Terra Linda Community Pool collected $390,508 in revenue for the 2015 Aquatic Season, and
expended $409,021. 40,948 attended the facility.
The Cities of San Rafael and Novato have an Agreement for San Rafael to operate the Novato
Hamilton Pool. At that site 41,503 attended during the 2015 Sea son. $324,473 was collected in
revenue. $207,999 was expended by the City of San Rafael. As per the Agreement terms San
Rafael retained $266,255 of the revenue collected in 2015 for a net profit of $58,230.
Obletz asked for an update on the Pool House Project and the projected impacts on the 2016
season. Younkin provided the information and said the next season will be unaffected except
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November 19, 2015
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the locker room facilities will not be finished when the Orcas start the team swim season
practices. The project will conclude in March 2016.
Commissioner Bustillos inquired about the comparison of sales of season passes 2012-2015.
2015 sales were down primarily due to cooler spring weather.
Mihan asked about the use of social media and discounts. Special offers are made mid to late
season as incentives to purchase in advance. Younkin pointed out the of the discount entry
ticket books sold only 44% were redeemed.
After further discussion, the Commission commended Ms. Younkin and her staff for a successful
aquatic season and operation.
2. Commission Items
A. Director’s Report
McCart reported on the schedule for negotiating a new Agreement with the San Rafael Pacifics
Baseball Club; the monitoring and progress of the Village at Loch Lomond Development; the
Departmental emergency response readiness training; opening of the production of Cinderella
and a reminder of the Boards and Commissions Reception December 3; vacancies and
recruitments for the Youth Services and Marketing Coordinators. She congratulated the
reappointment of Commissioners Jones and Bustillos
She went on to announce Leslie Blomquist, Assistant City Engineer has left to assume a position
in Citrus Heights; the announcement of a new position of Homeless Coordinator; a break in and
occupation of facilities within Albert Park Stadium, the decision to lock the restrooms in the upper
portion of Gerstle Park for the winter season; progress on the Grand Avenue Bridge fundin g;
traffic signal conversion in preparation for the SMART train operation; the unveiling of the Public
Safety Building scope in January.
B. Falkirk Report
There was no report
C. Parks Report
There was no report
D. Approval of Minutes, Meeting of October 15, 2015
M/s Obletz/Jones to approve the Minutes
AYES: Bustillos, Holm, Jones, Laumann, Mihan, Obletz
NOES: None
ABSENT: Emerson, Machado
3. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.