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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.16.2021 PR Comm Minutes CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES FROM TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 2021 I. CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 p.m. A regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission of the City of South San Francisco was held on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, via teleconference due to the COVID-19 pandemic and local shelter in place health orders. II. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Aires, Battaglia, Camacho, DeNardi, Firpo, Lock, and Uy Absent: All were present. Staff: Sharon Ranals, ACM/Director of Parks and Recreation Greg Mediati, Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation Angela Duldulao, Recreation Manager Kari Jung, Administrative Assistant II Kimberly Morrison, Assistant Childcare Supervisor Philip Vitale, Deputy Director of Capital Projects Mike Mulkerrins, Sports/Rentals Supervisor Erin O’Brien, Supervisor Kelli Jo Cullinan, Seniors Supervisor Veronica Ortiz, Recreation Coordinator III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Skipped. IV. AGENDA REVIEW: There were no changes to the agenda. V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 16, 2021, MEETING: Approved by motion. Motion: Commissioner Firpo / Seconded: Commissioner Aires. VI. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: Citizen comments are included after each agenda item. Citizen attendance included: Juan Bustos, Woody Rael, Nora Priego Ramos, Lisa Cota, Tony Alejandre, and Celeste Perez. VII. OLD BUSINESS: A. Orange Memorial Park Ballfield Construction Update Deputy Director Vitale shared a presentation on the OMP Ballfield Construction update with co-presenter Mike DeLong of Verde Design. Highlights were: • Project goals • Aging infrastructure, • Project schedule: 2021 – design validation & construction documentation, 2022 – start construction, 2023 reopen the ballfield • Project budget: $14m • Base design • Programmed fields • Turf and infill types Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of March 16, 2021 Page 2 • Portable goals, portable fencing, portable mounds, bullpens, and bases • Lighting, emergency lighting, and PA systems • Scoreboards and scorekeeper’s areas • Spectator seating • Concession building • Bid Alternates • Design review and engagement plan Speaker Tony Alejandre inquired about field names and if the City will consider naming the field after any soccer players, recommending Mike Pizzo. ACM Ranals shared that the City does review requests for facility names, and community members may send request letters to the City Manager’s office. Speaker Juan Bustos shared a concern about the field being too open to the public and utilized as a dog run. ACM Ranals shared that these fields have a perimeter fence and can be closed for maintenance; however, they are for public use outside of league play programming. If it becomes necessary, staff will consider closing the fields. Speaker Olga Perez shared her concerns about equitable access so that the fields are open to the public and should be accessible for everyone. Commissioner Aires noted he supports this as a sustainable project. He shared concerns about the many competing uses of the fields, and the fact that a two year field closure will impact leagues and field users. Deputy Director Mediati shared that play time will be negotiated with the leagues. Supervisor Mulkerrins shared that during construction, user groups will utilize other fields, and in the future any more teams will be able to play at the same time on this new field. Deputy Director Mediati noted the presentation showed game configurations as opposed to practice configurations, when more fields can be activated at a single time. Speaker Woody Rael noted that the baseball and soccer leagues are working together on scheduling. He also shared concerns of dogs on the field. Speaker Celeste Perez, a soccer player, noted that the goals in SSF are locked up, whereas in other cities they are not, and available for drop in users. Commissioner Aires requested City to address the dog issue. Chair Uy shared that dogs should not be allowed on the fields at all and asked for large signs and enforcement. ACM Ranals and Deputy Mediati discussed the dog issues, the close proximity of the existing dog park, and that the issue would be looked into further. Commissioner Camacho commented that the community has waited a long time for these fields and hopes that the dog owners will respect the designed use of the new fields. Education and communication should be the first option and then escalate as necessary. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of March 16, 2021 Page 3 Commissioner Lock questioned how long the picnic area will be closed. Vitale shared that it will be about four months. Commissioner Lock further inquired about the impact to the play structure. Bianca Liu said that the play structure will not be impacted but the nearby sculpture will be temporarily removed. Deputy Mediati clarified two picnic areas will be closed and the two pedestrian bridges will be barricaded. Commissioner Firpo inquired about how field reservations are communicated. Deputy Mediati advised the mechanics of staffing hasn’t been worked out yet. ACM Ranals noted other cities use Park Rangers to assist with managing permits and competing uses. Commissioner Camacho inquired about the park maintenance workers approaching people and enforcing park rules. Deputy Mediati shared that staff does try to educate residents as issues arise, but some maintenance staff don’t feel comfortable doing so, as it is not really within their job duties. Commissioner DeNardi inquired if the two bridges will be replaced. Deputy Vitale shared that the bridges are not included in the project scope but they are being reviewed by staff as part of potential future projects. Chair Uy inquired if lighting is LED and if solar can be incorporated. Deputy Vitale confirmed that the lighting will be LED, but solar is not included in the project at this time. Chair Uy further inquired if the goals would be available to the public and what sort of liability that would pose. Deputy Mediati shared that the goals have been managed by the leagues historically, but staff will look into this further. B. COVID-19 Response and Modified Operations Update Manager Duldulao provided an update on the status of COVID guidelines, and the County’s designation in the Orange Tier. Aquatics – lap swim may start as early as Monday, contingent upon county approval of maintenance work on filters. Swim lessons are limited due to staffing. Childcare – no changes due to change in tier. Registration for Summer Camp and afterschool opens in April to establish priority enrollment. Classes – will be able to add indoor programs, such as private piano, ballet, and dying for crafters. Staff is planning on bringing back activity guide for the fall. Cultural Arts – art exhibits may remain virtual in the near term. Rentals – picnic sites are now open, limited by social gathering requirements, and no more than three households may attend. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of March 16, 2021 Page 4 Commissioner Camacho asked if schools are inquiring about using parks for graduations. Manager Duldulao noted staff is taking an interest list for all rentals. The school district would get priority and may call the office to discuss. Commissioner Camacho inquired about if gatherings on lawn were limited to 50. Supervisor Mulkerrins shared that there are limits and he is working with Police and the county on those guidelines. Deputy Mediati reiterated the three household rule, but organized cohorts are different. Commissioner Battaglia inquired if there is a max number of people for the three families? Supervisor Mulkerrins shared that 25 is the maximum. She further inquired about opening seniors programs. Supervisor Cullinan shared that she is working on a mitigation plan with Community Care Licensing to allow for some reopening. Commissioner Camacho inquired how much of the innovation fund is remaining. Manager Duldulao noted one-third of it is spent. C. General Plan Community Advisory Committee Update and Representative Assignments Deputy Mediati shared that the General Plan update process was started in 2019 and the Commission had previously appointed Commissioner Camacho as a committee representative and Commissioner Battaglia as an alternate and it was time to reappoint a member and alternate for the next phase. Commissioner Camacho shared that it is an interesting but labor intensive activity. Commissioner Battaglia indicated she would like to step down and motioned to renew Commissioner Camacho as member and recommends Commissioner Firpo as the alternate. Commissioner Camacho seconded the motion to have Commissioner Firpo replace Commissioner Battaglia and Commissioner DeNardi seconded the motion to renew Commissioner Camacho. Both motions carried unanimously. Commissioner Aires requested quarterly updates. VIII. New Business: A. City Council Ad Hoc Naming Committee Recommendation to Rename Westborough Recreation Center and Magnolia Center ACM Ranals shared that the Mayor, who sits on the Ad Hoc Naming Committee, recommended changing the name of the Westborough Recreation Center to the Alice Bulos Community Center, the Magnolia Senior Center to the Roberta Cerri Teglia Center, and the forthcoming Caltrain Statin Plaza for Karyl Matsumoto. Commissioner Firpo shared that these women are very deserving of this honor and moves to make recommendation. Chair Uy shared that Alice Bulos is inspiring a lot of women in the Asian American community to get engaged politically. These women are trail blazers and it is important to acknowledge them as leaders in our community. Commissioner Camacho commended the naming committee for finding such fitting women for the site locations and seconds the motion. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of March 16, 2021 Page 5 The motions carried unanimously. B. Operating Budget Update for Fiscal Years 2020/21 and 2021/22 Deputy Mediati reviewed budget adjustments and vacancies for the current fiscal year, highlighting the $1.7 million budget reduction. At this time, the Department has only submitted budget requests for the upcoming fiscal year that are not staff related, as directed via the budget process, as restoration of staffing is not being considered at this time. The 3% fee increase that had been approved for the previous fiscal year was not implemented due to the pandemic, but it may be looked at in the coming fiscal year. When details are known, staff will bring more information to the Commission. Commissioner Firpo inquired if staff was planning on ramping up for summer camps. Manager Duldulao shared that Childcare is and has been continually recruited for. ACM Ranals shared that staff will not be able to offer summer camps at the same volume as pre-Covid offerings due to limitations on group sizes and social distancing. Commissioner Camacho inquired about the recruitment for the vacant Administrative Assistant position. Deputy Mediati shared that recruitment is for filling the vacancy created by Susan Filereto’s retirement. IX. Friends of Parks and Recreation: Manager Duldulao shared that they will be sponsoring the annual Chamber of Commerce scholarships and will share that information as it is available. She further shared that the bench in honor of Richard Holt would soon be installed thanks to the fundraising efforts by the group. X. Beautification Committee: Deputy Director Mediati reported that there has not been a Beautification Committee meeting since February of last year and there is nothing new to report. XI. Items from Commission: Commissioner DeNardi shared that the kiosk at the Dog Park was damaged. Additionally, non-city flyers were posted inside the kiosk. Deputy Mediati shared that staff would look into it further. Commissioner Battaglia thanked Deputy Mediati for offering to take her up to Sign Hill to see the progress of the work going on. She was supportive of the restoration efforts. She offered compliments to the Seniors Program on the Valentine’s for the Troops. Commissioner Camacho commended Ercie Santos and Cultural Arts Commission for the art show, congratulated Erin O’Brien on her appointment to the District Board of Directors for CPRS, and commended Kelli for her part in the Daily Journal article, “Leave No Senior Behind.” Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of March 16, 2021 Page 6 Commissioner Aires expressed his thanks to staff for sharing the information on the Colma Creek and water reclamation project. He further thanked Deputy Mediati for the budget report. Commissioner Firpo thanked staff for their ongoing efforts and doing a fabulous job. Commissioner Lock inquired about removal of trees at Orange Park and the impact on the City’s carbon footprint, and asked who is responsible for the Boys and Girls Club facility at Paradise Valley Park. ACM Ranals shared that the outside areas is the City’s responsibility and the inside is Boys and Girls Club’s. Commissioner Lock noted the woodchips in the playground needed to be replaced. Deputy Mediati shared that the wood chips are replaced about every other year. Commissioner Lock also reported a broken toy in the playground at Paradise Valley Park. He further inquired about the removal of trees on Martin School; Deputy Mediati explained that schools are exempt from the tree permit process. Commissioner Lock reported that the field at Parkway Middle school is not open and a gentleman climbs the fence to jog. He further reported how wonderful and busy Orange Park is. Chair Uy thanked staff for amazing work, and offering programs and services throughout the pandemic. He noted the Childcare program should be used as a model of how to safely operate programs during COVID-19. XII. Items from Staff: A. Calendar of Events. Deputy Mediati provided a brief update of the Calendar of Events highlighting upcoming events. B. Administrative Updates Chair Uy inquired if Commissioners had any questions related to the previously shared administrative updates. XIII. Adjournment: 10:07 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Kari Jung, Administrative Assistant II