HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.18.2021 PR Comm Minutes
CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES FROM TUESDAY, MAY 18, 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, May 18, 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 Laura Armanino, Recreation Supervisor
Kari Jung, Administrative Assistant II Kimberly Morrison, Assistant Childcare Supervisor Erin O’Brien, Recreation Supervisor III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Skipped.
IV. AGENDA REVIEW: There were no changes to the agenda. V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE MAY 18, 2021 MEETING: Approved as amended
by motion. Motion: Commissioner Battaglia / Seconded: Commissioner Camacho
VI. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: None. VII. OLD BUSINESS:
A. COVID-19 Response and Modified Operations Update Manager Duldulao updated the Commission on changes to COVID guidelines loosening in light of expanding vaccinations. San Mateo County has been in the Yellow Tier as of May 11 and California is scheduled for full reopening on June 15 which allows for increased indoor capacity making the smaller rooms more feasible to
utilize. Mask mandates as reported in the news are not currently in alignment with public health guidance for staff. City is subject to CAL/OSHA guidelines which still requires face covering which will be reviewed 5/20, when it appears that the new guidance will if all present are fully vaccinated then masks are not required. Children 12 and older can now get vaccinated, but staff will need to take into consideration
mixed age groups/events. Movie Night and Halloween Extravaganza are outdoor formats.
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Aquatics – private swim lessons pilot program is underway with plans to open up swim
instruction. Opening more summer activities including group lessons, recreation swim, and something. Session registration opens Monday, 5/24. Childcare – Summer Camp is at capacity serving 200 children per session. Session one limits 15 per group. Waiting for 6/15 guidance to determine if capacity can be
increased. After school lottery registration closed on 5/14 – families will not hear until July – pending more information from the school district. Classes – Increased class capacity. More instructors are feeling comfortable to return in person. UC Master Gardeners courses by Commissioner Aires are a success. July is
Parks & Rec month planning underway. Cultural Arts is remaining virtual for now. Rentals – Picnics are at full capacity. Additional reopening and indoor events are
planned for July. Seniors – Still closes, potentially opening in July. Adult Day Care pending information from licensing.
Sports – Adult softball in July, and in-person Jr. Giants in June. Terrabay will minimize open gym, as summer camp will use this space. In-person City Services – front counters will open in August. Pending final City policy. City council resumes 2nd meeting in August. City commission meetings are likely to
remain virtual through the end of the year. Commission Camacho inquired about HIPPA, and if it’s a violation to ask for health / vaccination information. Manager Duldulao confirmed that we can’t require staff to disclose their vaccination status, but we are tracking voluntary disclosure. For
participants, staff is still consulting with City Attorney, as well as waiting for CAL/OSHA guidelines. Commissioner Camacho noted virtual Commission meetings work well at this time. Commissioner Firpo shared his agreement with Commissioner Camacho and is not in
any hurry to return to in person sessions and is waiting to hear more on legislation requiring hybrid meeting offerings with some in person and others online. ACM Ranals shared that IT staff is working on upgrading systems and sites throughout the City for hybrid meetings.
Commissioner Lock shared from a citizen’s perspective that participation on a virtual basis may be more accessible and wants to keep that option for the public.
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Commissioner DeNardi shared her agreement with Commissioners Camacho, Firpo
and Lock and would like to continue virtual options with concern for those with other health issues. Commissioner Aires echoed Commissioner Lock’s comments about virtual options allowing for more citizen participation. COVID forced it, but it is now an opportunity to continue an online component. He requested for the next meeting for a report on the
number of people enrolled in virtual classes and how classes were impacted by the pandemic. Chair Uy expressed that he is a proponent of switching back to in person meetings as situations allow which provides the public with more accessible contact. Commissioner
Camacho shared that she is concerned that commissioners and/or staff may feel pressured to return to in person and shouldn’t be put in the position of having to justify their reasons. ACM Ranals shared that the City will provide guidance as we move forward.
B. Fiscal Year 2021/22 Budget Update Deputy Mediati shared the chart summarizing the cuts experienced ($2M) this fiscal year. Staff has requested restoration of budget cuts however the Innovation Fund was not reauthorized. Additionally, a potential 2% increase across the board for the fee schedule is expected. ACM Ranals shared that the next Budget Subcommittee
meeting is 5/24. Commissioner Lock inquired about vacant/frozen positions. He further inquired why overhead departments weren’t cut? Deputy Mediati explained that not all positions are filled, but that the big holes in department staffing right now are the Business
Manager, and Administrative Assistant which provide support to all divisions and programs. ACM Ranals explained that the overhead departments reflects IT support, insurance costs, etc. and don’t have much flexibility. Commissioner Camacho inquired about custodial maintenance for the new PD
building and if the custodial position is still frozen. Deputy Mediati shared that there are no changes at this time, that Division was understaffed per square footage pre-COVID, and that staff is looking at several options for how to staff that PD building. Commissioner Firpo inquired about for the Terrabay Gym roofing. Deputy Mediati
shared that the roofing tiles in place now were undergoing a minor repair and the flat roof above the administration area where the HVAC system is due for replacement. Chair Uy inquired if there was an option for the commission to advocate in a budget neutral manner for the filling of the currently frozen positions to maintain and
improve service levels as we begin to reopen, and staff is tasked with additional responsibilities.
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VIII. New Business:
A. Naming Request – Anne Waters ACM Ranals reminded the Commission that Council approved the renaming of three facilities in March which has since stimulated further community discussion in support of Anne Waters resulting in the suggestion to rename the Westborough playground in her honor as the funds raised in support of a community pool were
reallocated into creation of the park. Commissioner Firpo shared that she was very eloquent and forward thinking in support of the community and he would support renaming of the playground.
Commission DeNardi shared her support. Commissioner Camacho made a motion to renaming the larger Westborough playground for Anne Waters and recommends Council appropriate funding for a minor refurbish of the park. Commissioner DeNardi seconded. The motion passed
unanimously. B. Landscape Maintenance Services Contract Deputy Mediati shared the intent to award to Frank + Grossman and to Gothic Landscape the Right of Way and Common Greens landscape services. In previous
years the contract was combined and awarded to one firm. This year staff opted to split the contract between the two scopes to increase competitiveness between firms and allow for smaller firms to bid. The RFP was released on 03/01; a mandatory pre-bid meeting was held with five firms attending resulting in three firms submitting proposals.
Commissioner Aires requesting clarification on the scoring and the difference between base bid and ROW. Commissioner Firpo inquired if the contingency includes tree removal. Deputy Mediati explained the scoring, ROW, and base bid. He further explained that tree removal is covered by in house staff and on call contracts.
The contingency would be used for work similar in scale to the recent streetscape improvement projects at Camaritas and Westborough, or Hickey and Junipero Serra IX. Friends of Parks and Recreation: Manager Duldulao shared that staff will be working with Friends on planning July is Parks
& Rec Month. 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 feedback from community members: 1. father/mother wishes to participate in our wonderful childcare program, however their 1st child is still on
waiting list; 2. a concerned senior walking though Orange Park experienced dogs off leash
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running around them, which is a potential hazard. She also heard that a staff member was
bit by dog off leash. She further commented on how nice to see the kids out playing, especially the little baseball players. Commissioner Battaglia shared enjoying the kite flyers at Orange Park; the mural at Gardiner Park, walking around the parks in town at Irish Town Green, Sister Cities, and
Cypress Park. Commissioner Camacho shared she had recently attended a General Plan meeting focused on Parks and Facilities. She concurred with Commissioner DeNardi about the waiting lists for preschool and the need to build additional sites.
Commissioner Aires shared his enthusiasm for the water reclamation project at Orange Park. He is supportive of the Commission advocating to Council about staffing issues. He requested reporting on enrollment levels for Spring. He is encouraged to see the Dog Park renovation and is thankful for the dog bags that the City provides.
Commissioner Firpo thanked staff for their efforts. He concurred with Commissioner Battaglia’s enthusiasm about the completed mural at Gardiner Park. Commissioner Lock extended his support to Commissioner DeNardi. He inquired about the
outcome of the discussion of the swimming pool and Deputy Mediati explained that the City in still in the feasibility study phase and will likely onboard an architectural firm in the near future. The City is utilizing the same consultant for the OMP Master plan update and will coordinate the community outreach for both projects. He shared his kudos for the completed mural at Gardiner Park. He also inquired about tree assessment throughout the city which is
being managed as a tree inventory with ABAG funding. He reported that the Evohelix sculpture is rusting and the ground is looking in need of repair. Deputy Mediati shared that he will follow up with staff. ACM Ranals further explained that the sculpture will require ongoing maintenance.
Chair Uy expressed his gratitude to staff for working on reopening plans. He inquired about the status of the picnic tables at Sellick Park. Deputy Mediati shared that staff is currently costing out the installation of the surface mounted picnic tables. Chair Uy inquired about the status of the Dog Park renovation. Deputy Mediati provided updates on both the small and large dog park improvements.
XII. Items from Staff: A. Calendar of Events. Deputy Mediati and Manager Duldulao 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. None were shared.
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XIII. Adjournment: 9:28 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Kari Jung, Administrative Assistant II