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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12.09.19 CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES FROM MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2019 I. CALL TO ORDER: 7:02 p.m. A special meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission of the City of South San Francisco was held on Monday, December 9, 2019, at the Municipal Services Building, 33 Arroyo Drive, South San Francisco, California. II. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Battaglia, Camacho, DeNardi, Firpo, and Uy Absent: Commissioner Lock Staff: Sharon Ranals, Assistant City Manager / Parks and Recreation Director Greg Mediati, Deputy Director Jake Gilchrist, Director Capital Projects Angela Duldulao, Recreation Manager Kari Jung, Administrative Assistant Laura Armanino, Childcare Supervisor Kelli Jo Cullinan, Senior Services Supervisor Erin O’Brien, Classes Supervisor Mike Mulkerrins, Sports / Rentals Supervisor Kim Morrison, Childcare Assistant Supervisor Morena Gallagher, Administrative Assistant Marie Patea, Executive Assistant to the City Manager III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Complete IV. AGENDA REVIEW: No changes. V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE November 19, 2019, MEETING: No changes and approved by motion as written. Motion: Commissioner Camacho / Second: Commissioner Uy. VI. Citizen Participation: Megan Woodridge addressed the Commission about the Civic Campus Playground after the presentation. She is a teacher at Parkway Heights Middle School, president of the co-sponsored SSF Mother’s Club, and mother of a 1 year old boy and a 3.5 year old boy. Megan expressed her excitement about the plans presented. Her main goal is to ensure there is a fence around the park area as well as how accessible the restrooms and water fountains are to the park. She raised concerns with the play features (mounds) as well as drainage for water run-off to ensure no standing water on the slides after rain. VII. Beautification Committee: DD Mediati shared that there are no announcements at this time. The next meeting is scheduled for January 21, 2020. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of December 9, 2019 Page 2 VIII. OLD BUSINESS: A. Civic Campus Playground Alternatives ACM Ranals introduced DCP Jake Gilchrist to provide an update on the Civic Campus playground alternatives. Jake provided a brief update on the overall project and explained that the park is not currently fully funded, but that the designs being presented are inclusive and reflect the architecture and activity of the site, and that it footprint of the playground area is smaller than Orange Memorial Park. Erin Trompeter of SmithGroup presented the two alternatives for discussion, noting commonalities between the two include: framework/rightsizing for footprint, main elements, age group zones (0-2yrs, 2-5yrs, and 5-12yrs), synthetic turf in middle un-programmed, garden, promenade, plaza, and event plaza. Chair Battaglia expressed her thanks to the presentation team and shared her preference for the Nature/Adventure design with a softer more pleasing look. However, she does prefer the tower structure from the Tech/Innovation design. She express concerns for: • Nearby restrooms • Fencing all around the play area • Water drainage Commissioner Uy acknowledged that the Nature/Adventure themed design is very nice, however the Tech/Innovation them makes more sense with the building design. He expressed his preference for a flat play area (no mounds). He has kids aged six and ten, and parks with mounds are difficult for parents and pose potential for tripping injuries. The Tech/Innovation design appears to provide newer/different features while the Nature/Adventure design is the same as many other parks. The brighter colors shown on the right are preferred. Commissioner DeNardi shared that she gravitated towards the Nature/Adventure design. Even though the building planned is modern, South San Francisco is bringing history and future together. Children’s play should be hands on, familiar, and sensory. She expressed her preference for the darker colors. She had concerns about trees depicted, and if they are existing or planted. Commissioner Firpo expressed his preference for the Tech/Innovation design due to the proximity to the building as well as it being something different than other parks. He expressed his concerns about rain run-off if the area is flat and whether there is a play structure in the 2-5 year old zone. He prefers the brighter colors and is pleased with the fence around the park. Commissioner Camacho shared that she preferred the Nature/Adventure design. She does like the Tech/Innovation design, however the feel of the community seems like the Nature/Adventure design will be better appreciated. Concerns included: • 2-5 year old zone from the Tech/Innovation design seems to include more inclusive play products (roller table); mounds are not inclusive • Fencing on the Nature/Adventure design is too plain; prefer to have sensory features along the structure Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of December 9, 2019 Page 3 • Would like to have a special swing or more inclusive strap seat • Would prefer to have few features now so that all features are 100% inclusive and add more later if cost is a factor DCP Gilchrist addressed comments/concerns: • Fencing is a central component • Seating areas allow views of playground • The restroom is located in the lobby of the building, on the first floor • At the edge of the turf area is a family, single user restroom and water fountain is planned • Drainage is always a challenge but the surface should drain quickly. Code requires that slide landing is perfectly level and therefore drains slowly • Larger and taller structures require a lot more space for ramping. Everything is fully ADA compliant to code, but going beyond the code involves balancing the available space with potential use • Design team has noted that certain elements from each are preferred and will come back in February after additional outreach and Council review ACM Ranals wrapped up with her thoughts that both designs are nice. Originally, there was no budget for the park in the design, and staff is working on grants and other funding sources. An exterior restroom is one of the most expensive elements, and therefore the design will include the infrastructure for a future restroom if it can’t be funded at the time of construction. 5 minutes recess was taken at 7:45 pm Meeting resumed at 7:50 pm B. Orange Memorial Park Ballfield construction update DCP Gilchrist presented the Commission with an update on the redesign that DD Mediati shared last month. The ballfield redesign has been spurred by the Orange Park Storm Water Capture project which determined that the current ballfields was the best location. The Caltrans grant for the storm water capture project includes restoring the ballfields to a like condition, partially funding this project. Ground is scheduled to break in 2020 and will be about a year in construction. Design is planned to complete and go to bid in 2021 and should be in construction for about a year. He introduced Derek McKee of Verde Design to share the updated presentation and discuss the utilization of synthetic turf. Commissioner Firpo inquired about concessions storage Commissioner Uy shared that he is not a fan of synthetic turf and shared the following concerns and comments: • Whether there are carcinogen concerns • Is padding present to reduce injuries • Cost of replacement vs. maintenance and damage • City of San Bruno locks up the fields for use by user groups only Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of December 9, 2019 Page 4 Commissioner Camacho inquired about: • Do co-sponsored groups sign agreements? • What are the infill costs from most to least? Are there plant-based options? • Where are the bullpens located? • Who is responsible for moving the portable fences between uses and where are they stored when not in use? DCP Gilchrist addressed questions/comments: • He does not advocate synthetic fields across the board; however this field location lends itself to synthetic field to allow increased use and addresses a shortage of playing fields in the City. • Some storage facilities are integrated into the project as part of the water capture project. Details for additional storage and seating are still being discussed. • It is easier to replace the turf in patches over the high-use areas. DD Mediati addressed questions/comments: • Rentals/Sports staff meet with users and review rules and regulations when issuing permits. • Study is in process related to the portable fences (moving and storage) as well as for field prep and maintenance. C. Gardiner Park update DCP Gilchrist reported that, after incorporating the Commission’s prior comments, the project is now out for bid with two items to note: 1. The Commission had requested that the design of the basketball court include three hoops. The vendor recommended that the basketball court be designed with just one court with adjustable (hand-crank) height hoops. The alternate is about 1/3 the price of what was originally requested and makes better use of the space/design. 2. S. Norris, a Mission District (SF) muralist, is assisting with the playground and court color scheme selections to integrate with the art installation Chair Battaglia inquired about the location of the art. DCP Gilchrist advised that the back fence of the basketball court is a 4’ retaining wall with a solid wall on top. That is where the artwork will be installed. Commissioner Camacho inquired if the art will be graffiti resistant? DCP Gilchrist shared that the anti-graffiti coating will be applied after. IX. New Business: A. Election of officers Chair Battaglia motioned Commissioner Camacho for Chair, Commissioner Uy seconded. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of December 9, 2019 Page 5 ACM Ranals polled: Commissioner DeNardi - Aye Commissioner Firpo - Aye Commissioner Uy - Aye Commissioner Camacho - Aye Chair Battaglia - Aye Motion passed. Chair Camacho requested nominations for Vice-Chair. Commissioner Battaglia nominated Commissioner Uy and Commissioner DeNardi seconded. ACM Ranals polled: Commissioner DeNardi - Aye Commissioner Firpo - Aye Commissioner Uy - Aye Chair Camacho - Aye Commissioner Battaglia - Aye Motion passed. Camacho requested if selection of Secretary shall be deferred until Commissioner Lock returns. Commissioner Firpo motioned and Commissioner DeNardi seconded. ACM Ranals polled: Commissioner Denardi - Aye Commissioner Battaglia - Aye Chair Camacho - Aye Commissioner Uy - Aye Commissioner Firpo - Aye Motion passed. Commissioner DeNardi expressed thanks to Commissioner Battaglia for her service as Chair. X. Friends of Parks and Recreation: EA Patea shared that there was nothing to report at this time. XI. Items from Commission: Commissioner Firpo attended the Council Reorganization and gave kudos to staff for the setup and especially to Austin Navarro for his responsiveness to issues. Commissioner Uy reported that he was a judge for the Keep SSF Clean Poster Contest which was a lot of fun with over 200 entries from kids in kindergarten through 5th grade. Commissioner DeNardi expressed that Richard Holt will be missed by the community and that he and his wife have been prominent community leaders, shared so much of their time throughout their life without hesitation, and were always present and volunteering of themselves. Richard’s encouragement is the reason why she is now a commissioner herself Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of December 9, 2019 Page 6 and would like the Commission to consider a memorial representing what he meant to the community. Commissioner Battaglia congratulated staff in response to the letter received from a resident Andrea Graham regarding the swing installed at Winston Manor Park; the video and thank you letter shared was heartfelt. Thank you for the invite to the employee’s luncheon. The Wreath Making Workshop was great fun. Congratulations to Erin O’Brien for her appointment to the fundraising committee, to Devin Stenhouse who is now supervising Classes, and to Brian Noce who is doing a great job over at the pool. She expressed how much she will miss Richard Holt’s presence, support, mentorship, smile, and his interest in the senior programs. Chair Camacho expressed her thanks to DD Mediati for the installation of the swing and that he is invaluable to the department. She thanked the Commission for the honor to be Chair, a year too early. This will be a different experience than three years ago during her first as Chair when Richard was her mentor. She will miss his smile, kind words, hula dancing, and terrible wreath making skills. She will do her best to honor Richard and pay tribute to his honor and dedication and make him proud this year in his stead. XII. Items from Staff: A. January Calendar of Events. ACM Ranals reviewed the January 2020 Calendar of events, highlighting Valentines Cards for the Troops and the Middle School Dance. Additionally, ACM addressed that tickets for the Nutcracker are available to pick up this evening. CPRS District IV awards will be in Cupertino in February and if Commission has any suggestions to nominate a volunteer, business, or professional category please forward to staff. And finally, to thank Commissioner Battaglia for her time as Chair this past year. Manager Duldulao shared that the CPRS Conference is 03/10-03/13 in Long Beach this year (and next year as well). Pre-registration ends on 01/22. B. Administrative Updates ACM Ranals advised that the weekly reports are attached to the packets. XIII. Adjournment: 8:44 p.m. in honor of Richard Holt with our deepest sympathies to his beloved wife Jeanette. In memory of our fellow commissioner and dear friend Richard Holt who died on December 7. Richard loved and made a tremendous impact in our South San Francisco community and our entire Parks and Recreation family. We thank him for a lifetime of dedicated service, for setting an example to all of us as commissioners, for being a dear friend, trusted colleague and confidant. He will be missed by all of us. Respectfully submitted by Kari Jung, Administrative Assistant II