HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark & Rec Commission 2020-03-12 Minutes1
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION
APPROVED MINUTES
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
San Rafael Community Center – 618 B Street, San Rafael, CA
March 12, 2020 – 6:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Jeff Jones called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call
Commissioners Present: Chair Jeff Jones, Mark Machado, Ariel Gutierrez, Kathryn Reisinger
and Jeren Seibel
Commissioners Absent: Vice Chair Stacey Laumann, Tom Obletz and Cicily Emerson
Staff Present: Susan Andrade-Wax, Library & Recreation Director, Becky Ordin,
Senior Administrative Assistant, Catherine Quffa, Assistant Library
& Recreation Director and Barry Miller, Consulting Project
Manager, General Plan 2040.
AGENDA AMENDMENTS
None
MINUTES
1. Approve regular meeting minutes of January 16, 2020
A motion was made by Commissioner Machado, seconded by Commissioner Gutierrez, to
approve the minutes of the January 16, 2020 meeting. The motion was approved
unanimously.
2
MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
2. Introductions/Awards/Recognitions/Presentations
None
3. Public Comment from the audience regarding items not listed on the agenda
None
MATTERS BEFORE THE COMMISSION
4. 2040 General Plan – Parks and Recreation Element
Ms. Andrade-Wax introduced Barry Miller, Consulting Project Manager, General Plan 2040.
Mr. Miller presented the information for the 2040 General Plan – Park and Recreation Element.
Commissioner Reisinger asked if the draft land use map included non-incorporated areas of
San Rafael. Mr. Miller replied that it does include everything with a San Rafael address.
Ms. Andrade-Wax requested that the Commission consider the recommendation from the
2949 General Plan Steering Committee for the City to pursue the development of a city-wide,
comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
Commissioner Seibel stated that a good number of the underserved areas being build out, and
there was a policy stipulation in the 2020 General Plan that reads, the consideration for parks
less than 3 acres in places that are underserved or perhaps don’t have the space to
accommodate that much. He asked if there was policy stipulation in the new plan and wanted
to know if it would be given consideration? Mr. Miller replied that it was included in the
General Plan 2040 Update as the need is still a priority to provide parks in those areas.
Commissioner Seibel said this a hot issue on the state level to provide municipal services to
disadvantaged and severely disadvantaged communities. He noted two areas in San Rafael
that qualify as disadvantaged and severely disadvantaged. He didn’t see any language in the
policies and asked if it would be targeted in Park and Recreation Element or another part of
the General Plan. Mr. Miller replied it is included in another part of the General Plan that
focuses on equity and inclusion issues. When the General Plan is completed, it will be
crossed reference in the document.
3
Commissioner Seibel asked Ms. Andrade-Wax if the City had funding to acquire/maintain a
standard of 4.5 acres of active parkland per 1,000 residents? Ms. Andrade-Wax replied that
the City can only access parkland dedication fees based on the acreage requirement that is
adopted in the City’s General Plan. If the City desires to have more developed parkland, then
she would recommend that the City adopt the national standard which is 5 acres per 1,000
residents.
Commissioner Jones asked if the bike and walking trails would be part of the Parks and
Recreation Master Plan. Ms. Andrade-Wax replied that it is often included in a City’s Bike and
Pedestrian Master Plan or Trails Master Plan.
Commissioner Seibel asked if there was a parallel policy that provide the Department of Public
Works with guidance on park maintenance standards. Mr. Miller replied this would be included
in the infrastructure element.
A motion was made by Commissioner Seibel to accept the informational report, seconded by
Commissioner Reisinger. The motion was approved unanimously.
Commission Reports and Comments
5. Other brief reports on any meetings, conferences, and/or seminars attended by
the Commission members.
Commissioner Gutierrez attended the Pickleweed Advisory Board. There were two new
members. They discussed fee waivers, which were all approved that i ncluded the summer
camp, which is run by the Catholic Charities group, Art Bridge and their Visually Impaired
group.
Commissioner Reisinger asked if the Commission would like to represent the summer kickoff
event at the Terra Linda Community Center on June 19th, and at the Movies in the Park
events. Commissioner Jones agreed it was a good idea.
Staff Comments
6. Schedule of Upcoming Meetings and Events of Interest
Ms. Andrade-Wax gave an update on the on the COVID-19 virus. The situation is changing
rapidly, and the City is responding accordingly. For more information, she referred the
Commission to both the City of San Rafael’s and Marin Health & Human Services websites,
4
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned 7:41pm.
____________________________________________
BECKY ORDIN, Senior Administrative Assistant
APPROVED THIS_____DAY OF___________, 2020
____________________________________________
SUSAN ANDRADE-WAX, Library & Recreation Director