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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.18.2022 PR Comm Minutes CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES FROM TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2022 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, January 18, 2022, via teleconference due to the COVID-19 pandemic and local health orders. II. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Battaglia, Camacho, DeNardi, Firpo, Lock, and Uy Absent: All were present Staff: Sharon Ranals, Assistant City Manager Greg Mediati, Director of Parks and Recreation Angela Duldulao, Recreation Manager Kari Jung, Administrative Assistant II Erin O’Brien, Recreation Supervisor Brian Noce, Acting Recreation Supervisor Laura Armanino, Recreation Supervisor Kimberly Morrison, Assistant Supervisor Kelli Jo Cullinan, Recreation Supervisor Kasey Cullinan, Recreation Coordinator Devin Stenhouse, Recreation Supervisor Amy Ferguson, Management Fellow III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Skipped. IV. AGENDA REVIEW: There were no changes to the agenda. V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 16, 2021, MEETING: Approved by motion. Motion: Commissioner Firpo / Seconded: Commissioner Battaglia. VI. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: None. VII. New Business: A. Election of Officers Director Mediati shared that consistent with the City's Ordinance, the annual election of officers is to be held in January of each year. It is recommended that the current Chair ask for nominations from among the Commission to elect a new Chairperson. Following an election of the new Chair, the newly elected Chair shall conduct elections for the new Chair Pro-Tem and Secretary. Chair Uy requested nominations for Chair. Commissioner Battaglia nominated Bill Lock which was seconded by Commissioner DeNardi. Commissioner Lock accepted and was unanimously approved by the Commission. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of January 18, 2022 Page 2 Chair Lock acknowledged and thanked Commissioner Uy for his service over the past year. Commissioner DeNardi nominated Commissioner Firpo for Chair Pro-Tem which was seconded by Commissioner Battaglia. Commissioner Firpo accepted and was unanimously approved. Commissioner Firpo nominated Commissioner DeNardi for Secretary which was seconded by Commissioner Battaglia. Commissioner DeNardi accepted and was unanimously approved. B. Aquatics Program Update Supervisor Noce shared that Orange Pool currently consists of one full-time staff and roughly 50 part-time employees. Since May 2021, we have hired nine new staff members who have taken on lifeguarding, swim instructing, and locker room attending roles. We are continuing to hire lifeguards and swim instructors as the need for staffing continues. Orange Pool is South San Francisco’s only indoor municipal swimming pool. Opened in 1970, it continues to serve as a community-wide destination for residents of all ages. The pool, which prior to the COVID-19 pandemic was in operation year-round, seven days a week, offers critical life-skill/safety learn-to swim programs, recreation, fitness, therapy, health and wellness activities. Pre-COVID-19, over 100,000 visits were made to Orange Pool annually. Our winter 2022 swimming lessons were cancelled on January 6, 2022. This decision was made because of the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases and out of consideration for the health and safety of staff and students. The structure of our classes and the increased capacity of students registered for swim lessons leaves participants and instructors in close contact with each other in the water while not wearing a mask. Out of the 446 aquatics registrations for winter 2022, 363 were swimming lesson registrations. Even during the pandemic, the demand for swimming lessons remains exceptionally high. We are looking at alternative programming such as private and semi-private swimming lessons until returning to a group lesson format is safe. At this time, in lieu of swimming lessons, we will be adding recreation swim times, as this will eliminate close contact exposure with our staff. We will continue our aquatic exercise classes, drop-in, and aquatics club programming as we adjust our schedule. New Aquatic Center As presented to the Commission in November, staff is continuing to move forward with design of a new pool facility, per direction by the City Manager and City Council. Staff have received five bids from architectural firms for comprehensive design and construction administration. Staff is currently reviewing the proposals, and will interview finalists before selecting a design team. Staff will continue to Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of January 18, 2022 Page 3 provide updates to the Commission as this contract is awarded, and design commences. Commissioner Firpo inquired about programs to become a swim instructor. Supervisor Noce advised that it used to require WSI certification, however not many people have it and there aren’t many classes available locally. Mostly new hires are trained in house. New instructors shadow a session of lessons before they are assigned their own groups. Commissioner Uy inquired about hosting WSI training. Supervisor Noce advised that finding a WSI instructor in the area is challenging and usually certification is out of state. Commissioner Camacho inquired about the starting wage. Instructors are generally $17.18 hourly and local high school or college students. Commissioner DeNardi suggested that staff reach out to the Fire Department to see if they offer volunteer outreach for the water safety training. ACM Ranals shared that one discussion is for high school students to receive PE credit if teaching/working at pool. Director Mediati shared that the San Bruno pool project displaced staff during construction has afforded some opportunity for SSF to help with trainings. Chair Lock inquired about the capacity for recreation swimming and cost. Supervisor Noce shared that this time of year is about 50-60 (pool capacity is 160). Averaging 37-45 during COVID. Cost is $5.25 or $6.25 for parent and baby classes. C. LGBTQ+ Training Update Coordinator Cullinan shared that in 2021, former Parks and Recreation Commissioner Michael Aires inquired if the City required sensitivity training for employees that interact with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender/sexual, or Queer (LGBTQ+) youth. Additionally, Commissioner Aires inquired if the City had designated “Safe Zones” for youth who may identify within the LGBTQ+ community. The immediate answer was, “no,” the City as a whole does not offer any trainings specific to LGBTQ+ sensitivity. However, some LGBTQ+ scenarios had been incorporated in other mandatory trainings such as the City’s Ethics and Harassment Prevention trainings. These scenarios were very brief and by no means qualified as sufficient training within the subject. For this reason, staff is grateful for Commissioner Aires’ suggestion that staff study this issue further. Since the start of the pandemic, some Recreation staff have voluntarily participated in trainings related to LGBTQ+ and Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE). Various Childcare Program staff members have chosen to partake in trainings during the initial months of the pandemic when the programs Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of January 18, 2022 Page 4 were closed. Additionally, the Senior Services Program Supervisor participates in a yearly SOGIE training to meet requirements for a grant associated with the Department’s Adult Day Care program. During the summer of 2021, the City’s Human Resources Department was tasked with seeking outside agencies that would be able to implement specific trainings related to racial equity and SOGIE for all City employees. Employee trainings in racial equity and awareness was sparked because of the year-long commitment by the City’s Commission on Racial and Social Equity, which culminated in a Final Report and Action Plan that was presented to City Council on August 25, 2021. Amy Ferguson, Management Fellow within the City Manager’s Office, has been assigned the task of researching, vetting, and choosing a qualified organization that would be able to perform a variety of trainings within the racial equity and SOGIE umbrellas. Representatives from the Recreation Division have been working closely with Amy and Human Resources Director, Leah Lockhart, in vetting various local and international organizations that could potentially provide these trainings. Currently, there are five organizations that are being vetted (originally eleven organizations were researched). Staff are compiling a list of questions for each organization to determine which would be the best organization to proceed with. Factors such as their timeline, duration of trainings, the range of topics within the LGBTQ+ subject, costs, flexibility as far as when trainings could be offered, pre-recorded trainings vs. live trainings, etc. are being considered. Additionally, a proposal may be requested of each organization. Ideally, whichever organization is chosen will be able to provide various trainings not only under the LGBTQ+ umbrella, but also trainings in racial equity and potentially other trainings in social diversity (disabilities, religions, ageism, etc.). Staff will also continue studying the “Safe Zone” concept, and how that may be implemented in City facilities. Commissioner Uy shared that he has worked nonprofits for most of his career addressing racial equity and immigration equity and various issues. When it comes to training, one size fits all solutions are not a good option and the issues covered may be too generalized and not offer subject matter expertise. Supervisor Stenhouse shared that the group has come to similar findings and is now focused on sourcing consultants that are more specialized in each subject matter. Commissioner DeNardi requested information on the Safe Zone concept. Supervisor Stenhouse shared that the Safe Zone Project provides training materials that can be presented by any lay person, opposed to hiring a subject matter expert for training consultants. Commissioner Firpo shared his support and enthusiasm for staff to pursue this type of training. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of January 18, 2022 Page 5 Commissioner Camacho inquired about how trainings can trigger victims and if trainers will be sensitive to and allow safe space for those who may feel uncomfortable sharing in a workplace setting. Coordinator Cullinan shared that different types of trainings may be offered, as determined by the HR Department with some trainings would be mandatory and others optional. Supervisor Armanino shared that the trainers are very sensitive when looking at their audience and have a higher sensitivity on how they're approaching participation and confidentiality and making sure that everybody knows it is a safe space. Commissioner Battaglia shared that she appreciated that staff was moving forward with this training, as it is a complex issue. Chair Lock expressed his gratitude to former Commissioner Aires for bringing this topic to the community of South San Francisco and to the Parks and Recreation Department for taking the lead on cultivating the training. Director Mediati shared that the department is working on a parallel track with the HR Department and the City Manager's office. ACM Ranals shared that the Youth Commission has also collaborated on this project. VIII. Friends of Parks and Recreation: Manager Duldulao shared that there are no updates at this time, but staff are working towards scheduling a meeting in February to determine how to get started again. IX. Beautification Committee: Director Mediati reported that there is nothing new to report. X. Items from Commission: Commissioner Uy shared that he is looking forward to picnic table replacement at Sellick Park soon. The Community is excited about the turf fields at Orange Park and keeping the fields available for public use. Commissioner Camacho wished everyone a Happy New Year and expressed thanks to former Chair Uy on the past year and congratulations to Director Mediati on his promotion. She inquired when a draft of the Childcare Master Plan will be available to review before going to Council. ACM Ranals shared that the consultant would like to insert quotes from policy makers, and that a draft plan will be available soon. Commissioner Battaglia expressed her gratitude to staff and shared that the book she was reading about LGBTQ is called Biased by Jennifer Everhart. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of January 18, 2022 Page 6 Secretary DeNardi shared her appreciation of the Holiday lights throughout SSF and her support of the Ruby Bridges walk to school day. Vice Chair Firpo thanked Commissioner Uy for his leadership last year and wished everyone a Happy New Year. Chair Lock shared that he is beginning 2020 with a with a lot of optimism and hope, driven by the wonderful staff at Parks and Recreation. He wanted to share his experience with the group while walking on the Centennial Trail, when teenagers on mountain bikes went by him very fast. They were careful and respectful, but it was daunting as a pedestrian to attempt to stay out of their way. It illustrates that the path shouldn’t be shared by bikes and pedestrians, but they should each have their own space. XI. Items from Staff: A. Calendar of Events. Director Mediati provided a brief update of the Calendar of Events.  2/1: After School Registration Lottery begins  2/11-12: Cultural Arts photography exhibit, hopefully in person  2/28: Summer Class program registration begins  3/5: Summer Camp lottery opens  3/12: Baseball Season at Alta Loma  3/18: Senior Health Fair cancelled B. Administrative Updates Chair Lock inquired if Commissioners had any questions related to the previously shared administrative updates. None were shared. Manager Duldulao shared that the Statewide CPRS registration has been extended to 2/4 and the District IV award dinner was pushed to 5/5. Director Mediati shared that signature collectors may be around town collecting signatures supporting universal pre-K and reminded staff and commissioners about rules governing City Officials and elections activities. XII. Adjournment: 9:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Kari Jung, Administrative Assistant II