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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12.2017 CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Tuesday, December 12, 2017 I. CALL TO ORDER: 7:01 pm A special meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission of the City of South San Francisco was held on Tuesday, December 12, 2017, at the Municipal Services Building, 33 Arroyo Drive, South San Francisco, California. II. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Battaglia, Camacho, Garrone, Flores, Holt, Lock, and Uy Absent: none Staff: Sharon Ranals, Director of Parks and Recreation Greg Mediati, Parks Manager Kelli Jo Cullinan, Acting Recreation Manager Jacob Gilchrist, Landscape Architect Marie Patea, Administrative Assistant III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE IV. AGENDA REVIEW: APPROVAL OF MINUTES: V. Commissioner Flores made a motion to approve the minutes of October 17, 2017, Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. It was seconded by Commissioner Garrone and unanimously approved. VI. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: Director Ranals introduced Jake Gilchrist, Landscape Architect for the City of South San Francisco. Jake joined the Parks and Recreation Department in November and comes with over twenty years of creating equity in Parks. Most recently, Jake worked for San Francisco Recreation and Parks. VII. OLD BUSINESS: A. Field Maintenance Update Manager Mediati reviewed the staff report and noted the routine maintenance tasks. Director Ranals reminded attendees that Hillside field is owned by South San Francisco Unified School District (SSFUSD) and the City will do what is possible to improve it. Orange Memorial Park expansion was discussed with two youth baseball fields and youth soccer fields. Manager Mediati advised that the design has been funded and development is hinging on the acquisition of the California Water property. Engaging youth league leaders and soliciting park user feedback on the fields will continue to occur. Director Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of December 12, 2017 Page 2 Ranals stated that the strategy for parks projects being funded is based on Developer fees. The City does not collect the funds until the development is complete. Several South San Francisco residents and youth soccer participants spoke and shared their frustration on field conditions, lack of lighting, and lack of fields. The following participants presented to the Commission: Edwin Arriolu, representing South San Francisco United Youth Soccer League (SSFUYSL); Santiago Velasquez, hopes to be a world famous soccer player; Luca Reginelli, wants more fields and tournaments; Alvaro Bettucchi, provided history on SSF soccer fields and stated that in 1960 – 1980 Orange Memorial Park’s field was the crown jewel of the Peninsula. He stated in 1949 South San Francisco had its first youth soccer team and in 1954 its first adult soccer team. He requested that youth soccer become a number one priority; Leandro Morrera, soccer coach, also concerned about field conditions; Al Vivas, soccer coach, is proud to represent South San Francisco and his team is an award winner in Sacramento but stated that the SSF fields are unsafe; Abel Suarez, Resident of SSF since 1977, concerned about field safety with gopher and mole holes; Patty Gomez, questioned if soccer players could use the baseball fields during off season. She is trying to increase SSF youth soccer participation but needs safe, available fields for play; Rich Andrade completed a speaker card but did not speak. Director Ranals stated that she heard everyone’s concerns and agrees. She reminded the participants that the City does not charge for field use and it is a social equity dilemma. Until the City decides to fence and light fields, the City cannot control use. If the City decides to charge for field use, hopefully the cost will be cost effective for local teams. She noted that Terrabay neighbors do not want lights and lighting fields can result in added wear and tear on the field. Director Ranals stated that City Council continues to be generous with allocating funds for field maintenance and staff continues to do the best that we can. Manager Mediati reported that Parks staff maintains twenty-five parks, over 250 acres with twelve maintenance workers. Parks staff has multiple priorities, and would love to make field repairs occur immediately. Chair Camacho stated that everyone in this room has the same goal of more fields, and more safe fields. She noted that the Parks and Recreation Commission does not control the budget. Lonnie Mitchel, coach and manager of SSFUYSL, stated that he has caught gophers and painted fields. The league will help with maintenance as needed. Commissioners provided the following comments: thank you for providing public comments and to staff for their comments; we apologize for the field conditions, health and welfare of children is of the utmost importance; staff does a wonderful job with limited resources; we want to work together for a better SSF; drought has played a significant part in the field conditions; we can recommend to City Council but we need Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of December 12, 2017 Page 3 your voices to support this very important topic; change is coming; work together with the baseball community for all field maintenance and availability; educate yourself on field ownership; it is effective to put your requests in writing; attend school board meetings and share your concerns about field availability. VIII. NEW BUSINESS: None IX. BEAUTIFICATION COMMITEE No meeting to report on. X. FRIENDS OF PARKS AND RECREATION Commissioner Flores acknowledged Mrs. Jeannette Holt in attendance. She has created a fundraiser for Friends of Parks and Recreation; Paint Night with Friends. The event will be on January 25, with a professional artist, wine and will be a good time. Attendance is limited to 60 and registration is available online through Eventbrite or through the Recreation office. Acting Manager Cullinan said that current registration is at 20 and she hopes that we can offer more of these events in the future. Flyers were available in the back of the room XI. ITEMS FROM COMMISSION - Commissioner Holt attended the Fun Run and stated that it was great to see his Grandson cross the finish line. He said that it was a well-organized event and saw many Kaiser employees that he knows. He also attended the following events: Taste of SSF, Halloween Extravaganza, Council Reorganization, Holiday Boutique, and the Wreath Workshop. He thanked staff for hosting the free Veteran’s swim, he checked on Alta Loma Park, and wished Joe Hunziker a happy retirement; stating that he hopes to meet up with him in Minnesota, thanked Sharon for the hat, and wished Assistant Patea and happy birthday! - Commissioner Battaglia attended the Wreath Workshop, Council Reorganization, Halloween Extravaganza, and Holiday Boutique. She stated that she loved the makeup on the performers in the Halloween Extravaganza. - Commissioner Lock wished everyone happy holidays and great health to all. He helped with the food drive and distribution in both SSF and SF. He is looking forward to toy packing and food distribution next week. - Vice Chair Garrone stated that the basketball courts at Orange Park need new nets. He mentioned a skunk odor around the basketball courts in the evening. He attended the Wreath Workshop and noted that it was a wonderful event and great to see a SSF tradition resurrected. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of December 12, 2017 Page 4 - Commissioner Flores thanked outgoing Mayor, Gupta and congratulated incoming Mayor, Normandy and Mayor Pro Tempore, Matsumoto. He congratulated staff on the winter activity guide. He encouraged all to attend the exploratory walk on Sign Hill. He stated that the new trees on Hillside Boulevard near Sister Cities are remarkable. He congratulated Sheri Boles on community outreach especially the Food and Toy drive. He welcomed Jake and thanked staff for a great year! - Commissioner Uy stated that staff did a great job with Halloween Extravaganza. He noted that the See’s Candy fundraiser was amazing and he supported it. He attended Futsol and would like to see more groups participate. He thanked Sharon for applying for numerous grants and said that the community needs to know about the extra efforts. - Chair Camacho thanked staff on the Council Reorganization event. She thanked Councilmember Gupta for being an advocate for Parks and Recreation. She welcomed Jake and congratulated Joe; stating that she will miss his speeches. She attended the Halloween Extravaganza with over 1000 people. She said that the Fun Run was a great success and she was amazed of the age range of participants. She attended the Wreath Workshop with 200 participants and had a wonderful time. She noted that a friend of hers from Florida may contact staff for event planning assistance. She stated that Mother’s Club is a co-sponsored group and has received positive feedback. She congratulated Austin Navarro on his promotion. She said that Brad from Cavallini Paper is interested in helping with median improvements at Eccles and Oyster Point Boulevard. She thanked staff for a great year! XIII. ITEMS FROM STAFF A. Calendar of Events January 2018 Calendar was attached to the packet. A draft 2018 Event Calendar was distributed to each Commissioner. B. Administrative Update Director Ranals reviewed the Administrative Update. She noted that root barrier was installed on Junipero Serra Boulevard and 51 trees will be planted. Manager Mediati noted that staff will water the trees with the water truck until they are established. Manager Mediati noted that Callandar and Associates is working on an estimate for Westborough Boulevard median improvement. Acting Manager Cullinan stated that the Holiday Boutique may move to a Saturday in 2018 from the previous Friday date to allow for more participation. She also mentioned a Senior Advisory Meeting on January 9, at 10:00 a.m. at Magnolia Center. Director Ranals stated that City Council agreed to underground parking for the Civic Campus and hired Smith Group as the architect. Underground parking will allow for more open space and parking may be under the landscape instead of under the building. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of December 12, 2017 Page 5 C. Cultural Arts Commission Minutes –September, October Minutes were attached to the December Agenda packet. XIV. Adjournment 9:04 p.m. Respectfully submitted by: Marie Patea, Administrative Assistant NEXT MEETING: January 16, 2018