HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.20.18
CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Tuesday, March 20, 2018
I. CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 pm
A regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission of the City of South San
Francisco was held on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, 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
Note that Commissioner Flores arrived at 7:15 p.m.
Absent: None
Staff: Sharon Ranals, Director of Parks and Recreation
Greg Mediati, Parks Manager
Kelli Jo Cullinan, Acting Recreation Manager
Marie Patea, Administrative Assistant
III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
IV. AGENDA REVIEW: No changes.
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Commissioner Holt made a motion to approve the minutes of January 16, 2018, with a
second from Vice Chair Battaglia. Commissioner Uy abstained from the vote;
unanimously approved.
VI. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION:
Prior to Citizens’ speaker cards being pulled, Director Ranals provided an update on the
architect chosen by City Council for the new Civic Community Center. SmithGroupJJR is
the selected architect for the project and she noted that tonight is the first pu blic meeting
after site analysis of the physical location. Director Ranals noted that the full schedule of
community meetings is on the City’s website and all comments are welcome. She then
introduced Assistant City Manager (ACM), Marian Lee.
Lee, ACM, stated that she has been with the City for over two years and is excited to be
here to present tonight. She introduced Mark Roddy and Michael Johnson with the
SmithGroupJJR. ACM Lee noted that she is pleased with the attendance and the support
of Measure W. ACM Lee stated that public safety, parks and recreation, library, and
streets are the initiatives that will be funded by Measure W as per the voters. She noted
the importance of being transparent and the following decisions have already been
selected by City Council: Community Civic Campus facility which will be a set of
Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes of the Meeting of March 20, 2018
Page 2
buildings, structured parking underground with open space if the budget allows. The state
CEQA environmental approval is complete and the cost estimate is $173 million. She
noted that over 350 people participated in dot exercises on what the community priorities
are. City of South San Francisco is diverse and all age groups and ethnicities were
represented. ACM Lee stated that the City has about $150 million, owns the land, and
understands the requests for more indoor and outdoor space for recreation. She stated that
this space will be shared by Parks and Recreation and the Library Department and
programs will be maximized. The existing Fire Station in the Municipal Services Building
will be demolished, with a new Fire Station built at the same location on Camaritas
Avenue and Arroyo Drive; and the Police and Information Technology Departments will
share space in the Civic Community Center in a new building to be located where the
existing Pet Club is located.
She noted project restraints are currently a funding shortfall and limited space for
everything requested. ACM Lee said that a new pool and soccer field were requested for
the space and staff is planning for both in Orange Memorial Park but not in the new Civic
Community Center space. She also stated the licensed preschool is not being planned for
the new Civic Community Center and the budget subcommittee is supporting exploring
the feasibility of licensed preschool in the current main library location at 840 West
Orange Avenue. She then introduced Mark Roddy and Michael Johnson with
SmithGroupJJR.
VII. OLD BUSINESS:
A. Community Civic Campus Project Update and Design Input – SmithGroupJJR
Mark Roddy with SmithGroupJJR presented on the following: 1. About Us. 2. Schedule
and Engagement. 3. Working Program. 4. Your Feedback. He reported that
SmithGroupJJR is a national and international business with ten offices across the state
and have designed recreation and wellness centers, libraries, and civic campuses. Their
design emphasis is on community experience. SmithGroupJJR interviewed with the City
four times before being selected. The theme of their presentation was to celebrate the past
of SSF and move to the future. The opportunity for this project is the convergence of
neighborhoods and a great “Gateway” project. Integration, connection, definition,
expression, window to the community, strong connection, inside and out, Council
Chambers, backyard area, diverse activities, police station, safe connecting plaza, and
iconic were mentioned throughout the presentation. Mark reviewed the core values and
mission statement of the City and Measure W objectives. The working schedule is a four-
year process and the design will be going to City Council at the end of May 2018.
Michael Johnson spoke about community outreach strategy and tools. He will be using the
City website, surveys, and media as well as public meetings to gain input. He is planning
to attend the April 19, Cultural Arts Commission meeting.
Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes of the Meeting of March 20, 2018
Page 3
Mark then discussed the working program with a mixed use strategy and flexibility. He
asked for public input and took notes in the following categories: Goals (support the
vision), Experiences, and Program (how to support the goal).
The following citizens were called up by their speaker cards and were allowed three
minutes to speak:
Mike Youngberg/ Hillside Community Church – requests a big kitchen, large room, good
acoustics, storage for weekly rentals, sound proofing.
Connie Wong- requests space for ballet dancers. Two large rooms to accommodate at
least 30 dancers with fully sprung floor and barre heights.
June Uyenoyama- SSF resident for 40 years with passion for P&R Department, physical,
cultural well-being and requests fair and equitable use of space. She requests sprung floor,
sound proof, ventilation, room temperature adjustment, raised platform to see instructor,
new step equipment, sound systems, mirrors, barres, personal storage, instructor storage,
and parking.
Floyd Parma 251 Wicklow Drive - SSF resident for 60 years and a dancer. He noted that
the demographics in South City are changing and more activities are needed for active
seniors. Requests 6000-8000 square feet of dance space and make it modular to partition
off.
Shulamit Rabinovich – dancer and engineer and requests same square footage as Floyd
with kitchen, storage, lighting, ventilation, air conditioning, high ceilings, and be energy
efficient by utilizing the natural energy that South City has; wind. Has been dancing in
South City for over 40 years and wants to stay.
Carl Chesbrough – President of the dance group and agrees with the other dancers on the
space needs. He requests a nicer facility with having an option of using South City’s
sound system or having the option to plug in a self-system. He also requests meeting
space, a practice dance floor and good staff.
Daniel Lapin – He is a dancer and emphasized that dancing is important for culture;
especially ballroom dancing.
Wendy Sinclair-Smith – AARP President; see attached hand out.
Cynthia Marcopulos Sutton Ave – Requests sprung floors and sound proofing. Class
space should accommodate drop in classes, especially Zumba for 35-55 people.
Vlad Gites – Invited the Commission to attend a dinner dance. Requests hardwood floors
and agrees that 6000 – 8000 square foot would be great.
Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes of the Meeting of March 20, 2018
Page 4
Kira Luudgren – Welcomed everyone to dance and requests a large ballroom for big steps.
Joe Malta 1840 Capistrano Burlingame – Agrees with the 6000 – 8000 square foot size
and requests no center poles.
Nannette Cole – SSF resident for 45 years and has been visiting since she was 2 years old.
She is concerned about space and asked if we are planning for 10-20 years out? She
requested children’s day care and a teen center. She requests less housing units and more
space for Parks & Recreation, Library, Fire and Police. Stressing that quality of life is
important!
Ed Pomposa 112 Livingston Place – Requests space for exercise classes and make the
building at least two floors.
Jessie Androtti – SSF resident and supports the civic ballet program. She suggests asking
businesses for funding. She requests a dance room and day care.
Kayla Tom – She is a civic ballet dancer and requests a dance studio with adjustable
height barre options and portable barres and full length mirrored walls. She requests
sprung floors at least 60’ long by 50’ wide in order to dance across the floor.
Mark Nagales – requests childcare, families need preschool programs, and requests traffic
design consideration to prevent bottlenecks at El Camino Real and Chestnut.
Michael Yoshida – SSF resident for 25 years in the Sunshine Gardens neighborhood. He
noted that Chestnut is a bottleneck and a traffic plan is needed. He also mentioned that his
neighborhood does not have a park. More open space is needed and access to Centennial
Way. He inquired about access to the Sunshine Gardens campus.
Ruby Martin – long time SSF resident and 35 year public servant. She requested sprung
floors with sound proofing and technology such as having “Alexa” adjust the sound
system, temperature and lighting.
John Lucchesi – SSF resident 60 years and supports the ballet program. He is an architect
and suggests that SmithGroupJJR meets with all class instructors and space users.
Kimberly Morrison – lifelong resident of SSF and childcare program advocate. She stated
that childcare is essential and over 700 families are currently being served with a waitlist.
Judy Barreto completed a card but left before her name was called.
The Commission took a recess and resumed at 9:07 p.m.
Commissioners and SmithGroupJJR staff made the following comments about the
presentation:
Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes of the Meeting of March 20, 2018
Page 5
Lock – reflected that the current combined space of Parks & Recreation and Library is
57,000 square feet and the new Civic Community Center is planned for 84,000 square
feet.
Mark with SmithGroupJJR - he did not hear any glaring information different than what is
being planned. The importance of ballet, social hall size is consistent with the plan. Listen
– test – validate is his data collecting method.
Lock- requested to consider keeping childcare in 6000 square feet and consider room for
growth. He noted that the facility should be reflective of warmth, active, and the heart of
South City; a community center to be proud and happy in.
Holt – said thank you and noted AARP, ADA access everywhere including the backyard
area, consider picnic areas and he liked the open window design.
Uy – suggested maximizing program space and sacrifice beauty over space usage.
Minimize impact on Sunshine Garden neighborhood and traffic.
Flores – He noted that it is a collaborative effort with Parks and Recreation and Library to
ensure all needs are met; books to classes. He visualizes a SSF–Trail Blazing Center with
culture galleries, allowing people to identify with the space. He suggests adding exterior
overhangs on the building, similar to the Fernekes Building, to utilize the sheltered patio
space for activities. Natural light, and greenery, attracts the millennial group. Perhaps a
theater for a rental space, a social media board to check in, pedestrian traffic, lighting, and
safety are important. He noted gathering input from the old town/Latino community to
make the invisible become visible.
Camacho – requests dedicated childcare space and gave an example of a Burlingame
playground that is gated off for public use during certain hours. She noted that a four-year
wait list for SSF preschool is too long. She requested signage in multiple languages, art
pieces, multicultural and inclusive neighborhoods. She also mentioned the Magic Bridge
playground in Palo Alto for participants with special needs. She requested adding a survey
question to have residents assist in prioritizing programs. She suggested keeping space
open yet secure and designing the facility for future growth opportunity. She likes the
name Community Center and noted that it will be a multi-generational experience.
Battaglia – safety of walking across the street, safety of walking in and out of the building
is important to her. She noted that life is exciting and a lot of activity will be going on in
the area.
Garrone – Synergy between Parks and Recreation and Library departments. The building
will be an icon and must be feasible to maintain on opening day and in 50 years. He noted
the weather conditions are tough on materials and requested to keep the building pristine!
He requested to add versatility for future needs and design to adapt. He agreed that a
traffic plan is needed to avoid bottlenecks.
Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes of the Meeting of March 20, 2018
Page 6
Director Ranals thanked everyone for their input and noted that it was a great turn out;
however, artists, crafters and other groups were not in attendance. She spoke about the
Oak Avenue crossover extension and it will bridge Mission Road to El Camino Real when
it comes to fruition.
VIII. NEW BUSINESS: None
IX. BEAUTIFICATION COMMITEE
Jo Zemke reported that Mary Giusti is the Chair for 2018 and Dave Venturini is the Vice
Chair. Arbor Day is being planned for April 7, 2018, and in June the group will start
planning for Beautification Awards. She asked the Commissioners to send photos and or
addresses of homes and businesses with nice landscape to Manager Mediati or Assistant
Patea for nomination consideration.
X. FRIENDS OF PARKS AND RECREATION
President Judy Bush complimented the commission on tonight’s meeting. She said that
Friends will try to get other groups to attend future Community Center planning meetings.
Judy stated the Friends Board for 2018 is as follows: Judy Bush, President and Co-
Treasurer; Eddie Flores, Vice President; Marie Patea, Secretary; Linda Grassi, Co-
Treasurer; Directors are: Rich Holt, Jeannette Holt, Betty Battaglia, John Sanna, Ruth
DeNardi, and Dan DeNardi. Greg Mediati is the staff liaison. She reported that Friends
voted to donate $1,000 to traditional summer camp, $1,500 for full of fun camp, $2,000 to
seniors for adult day care, $500 for classes since July is P&R month, and $1,000 for SSF
Chamber of Commerce Youth Scholarship.
She mentioned the Meet and Greet event that was recently hosted as a thank you to the
Friends members. At the upcoming Egg Hunt, Friends will be selling water, coffee, donuts
and bunnies and encouraged the Commissioners to stop by. Friends will have a table at the
Alta Loma Park ribbon cutting and will be hosting food and beverage sales at the summer
movie night events.
Commissioner Flores congratulated Judy on her recent CPRS award and noted that she
will be recognized at the March 28, 2018, City Council Meeting.
XI. ITEMS FROM COMMISSION
- Commissioner Holt attended the Friends Thanking Friends event, Senior Health Fair,
Summer Camp Registration at 5 a.m., Betty’s Mardi Gras event, Rotary fundraiser, Paint
Night with Friends, Jerry Hill’s Valentine’s for the Troops event, and CPRS awards
dinner. He congratulated Judy, Joe and the Adult Day Care program for their awards.
- Commissioner Flores attended Friends Thanking Friends Event, CPRS awards dinner,
Photography Exhibit, and CPRS California State event in Long Beach.
Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes of the Meeting of March 20, 2018
Page 7
- Commissioner Camacho attended the Friends Thanking Friends event, Betty’s Mardi Gras
party, CPRS District 4 awards dinner, congratulated Judy, Joe and Adult Day Care for
their awards, attended the Photography Exhibit, CPRS conference in Long Beach and
learned a lot there, she noted that Xavi will be presenting at the Youth Art Show and is
sad that the Youth Baseball parade was rained out. She wished everyone a happy Easter
and Greg a Happy Birthday. She requested to add to the April agenda, a sub-committee
discussion; especially the mash up with Cultural Arts Commission.
- Vice Chair Battaglia congratulated Manager Mediati for earning his Arborist License. She
noted that she received good feedback on the Summer Camp registration program.
- Chair Garrone asked staff to look at the decomposed granite on Centennial Way and
supplement, cleanup as needed.
XIII. ITEMS FROM STAFF
A. Selection of Commissioner Jackets
Acting Manager Cullinan presented jacket options. Majority of the Commissioners
selected a black jacket with logo and provided their sizes.
B. Calendar of Events
Reviewed by Director Ranals
B. Administrative Update
1. Jack Drago Art Scholarship Application – was reviewed by Director Ranals.
2. Proposition 68 – June 2018 – was reviewed by Director Ranals.
XIV. Adjournment 10:18 p.m. by Chair Garrone
Respectfully submitted by: Marie Patea, Administrative Assistant
NEXT MEETING: April 17, 2018