HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.18.2020 PR Comm Minutes
CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES FROM TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2020 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, February 18, 2020, at the Municipal Services Building, 33
Arroyo Drive, South San Francisco, California. II. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Battaglia, Camacho, DeNardi, Firpo, Lock, and Uy
Absent: All Present Staff: Sharon Ranals, ACM/Director of Parks and Recreation Greg Mediati, Deputy Director
Angela Duldulao, Recreation Manager
Laura Armanino, Childcare Supervisor Kimberly Morrison, Childcare Assistant Supervisor Kari Jung, Administrative Assistant
III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Complete
IV. AGENDA REVIEW: No changes.
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 21, 2020, MEETING: No changes and
approved by motion as written. Motion: Commissioner Battaglia / Seconded: Commissioner
DeNardi. VI. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: None
VII. BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE Deputy Director Mediati reported that a February Beautification Committee Meeting was not held. VIII. OLD BUSINESS: A. Urban Forest Master Plan Update Deputy Director Mediati shared the updated UFMP included with the packets was informational only, has had a few minor formatting changes completed, has incorporated many of the Commissioner’s previous comments, and was now ready to be presented to City Council for adoption.
• Goals have been prioritized in a matrix on page 62, ranked high, medium, and low.
• A tree species list is included at the very end of the report.
Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes of the Meeting of February 18, 2020
Page 2 Commissioner Firpo inquired if the Catalina Cherry produced any fruit and Deputy Mediati explained that the fruit produced is not very tasty, containing a large pit
and not very meaty.
Commissioner Lock inquired if the report addressed aging equipment and staffing levels. Deputy Mediati shared that the report makes recommendations for best practices; however staffing levels and equipment replacement falls to Department
to address as part of future budget requests. Commissioner Lock further inquired if
it would be better to state those items overtly in the report. ACM Ranals explained that setting priorities was a better approach to more flexibly reach goals. Deputy Mediati shared that it isn’t within the consultant’s area of expertise to dictate staffing levels and make business recommendations; however they gave
recommendations of pruning cycles and service levels for staff to determine staffing
levels needed to achieve goals. Commissioner DeNardi shared that she attended the Sign Hill Stewards event the previous Wednesday and noticed a lot of dead trees as well as small pine trees
coming up and was wondering if the volunteers can assist with the removal of these
small pine trees. Deputy Mediati acknowledged that there will be some tree removal near the water tanks where a lot of the dead trees are, as well as Josh and Emma will be working to remove some of the eucalyptus. Sign Hill not naturally forested – reference document is a forestry study of Sign Hill with best practices for fire
breaks. DeNardi reported a tree covering the “S”.
Commissioner Battaglia shared that the trees on Sign Hill were planted in good faith; however, times have changed. She inquired if the City gets a lot of comments about removal. When eucalyptus trees were removed from Brentwood Park there
were a lot of complaints. ACM Ranals stated that the removal of trees is
controversial; although the lifespan of eucalyptus is 250 years and there is environmental benefit. Commissioner Camacho thanked staff for updating the goals which makes the plan
more useful, further inquiring if timeframes can be added or check-ins on action
items, for instance if Design Review Board incorporating Parks in the review process. Minor edit: Page 15 – remove quotation marks on Mission Statement, only use quotation marks for actual quotes.
Commissioner Uy thanked staff for the well done report. He shared his
interpretation of an overwhelming theme of not removing trees and wanted further explanation about non-native trees: eucalyptus which have shorter lifespan, prone to fall damage, and much more flammable. Deputy Mediati shared that there was a prioritization for removal to allow for fire breaks, and that trees were reviewed
individually rather than by species. The Department has a tomograph and does
borings to test for resistance and quantify the overall health of each tree. ACM Ranals further explained that the City’s tree removal ordinance was written so that it is easier to remove some species of trees, like the eucalyptus.
Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes of the Meeting of February 18, 2020
Page 3 Commissioner Uy shared that Monte Verde (part in San Bruno) trees have fallen, are a danger in high wind events, and he has concerns that same species close to
playground at Orange Park. Deputy Mediati shared that in considering the risk
assessment of trees, the value of any target (people are highest value) is taken into consideration. ACM Ranals shared that 4 or 5 have been removed in correlation with the Stormwater Capture project and additional are under consideration. Deputy Mediati shared that climate change is causing more severe wind storm
events causing more trees to topple.
Commissioner Firpo shared his concerns regarding the pine trees on Sign Hill due to lack of water and beetles and that the fire break is a great idea.
IX. New Business:
A. Preschool Study Session and Waiting List Survey Laura Armanino, Childcare Supervisor shared a presentation with the commission that had been shared with City Council at their recent retreat. Supervisor Armanino requested feedback from the Commission on the survey questions for future use to
ensure that we are asking the right questions and therefore getting the answers
needed. Commissioner Uy inquired about demographics. Supervisor Armanino shared that demographic questions are included as optional to answer.
Supervisor Armanino shared that the Big Lift program is struggling to fill spaces due to the low income requirements and that medium income / affordable spaces are more difficult to find.
Commissioner Lock expressed that with the substantial waiting list and limited
facilities the Orange Library site is appealing for a future childcare facility and wondered what synergies would be lost if not located next to an elementary school. Supervisor Armanino shared that many of our preschools are not adjacent to elementary schools and that library location is within the heat map. Commissioner
Lock requested to add a question if not walking to school, how are they getting to
school, and what are the transportation expectations. How long would it take to get the library conversion complete, 10 years? ACM Ranals shared that LPR was scheduled to be complete at the end of 2022, and if approved another 18 months for construction, so it could be running within 5 years. A study City Council session will
be planned to discuss potential future plans.
Commissioner Firpo inquired what current weekly rates are. Supervisor Armanino shared that full time preschool is currently $652 for residents and $729 for non-residents.
Commissioner Uy estimated that childcare ranges from $2,400-$3,000 per month per child.
Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes of the Meeting of February 18, 2020
Page 4 ACM Ranals shared that there is currently $11 million in the Childcare Impact Fund with the expectation to spend sooner rather than later so that developers don’t come
back requesting the return of fees. The questions to consider:
• What can be done in the interim?
• Are there any City owned buildings or sites that can be utilized with modular
units?
• How do we balance services offered? Commissioner Camacho inquired if the costs are available for the Orange Library site. Supervisor Armanino shared that the estimate is $7.7 million for 80 children (4
classes of 20 each with large multi-purpose room) within the existing floor plan. The basement is ruled out for childcare, but could be used for city-wide storage needs. ACM Ranals shared that there are two other estimates as well:
• Tear down and rebuild is estimated at $37 million for 200 kids
• Tear down and utilization of modular buildings at $15 million for 150 kids Commissioner Camacho suggested the following updates to the survey:
• Include care in home by self as an option
• Question 2 – get rid of 1st sentence, ask Are the City’s preschool programs your 1st choice and why
• Question 3 – want to know more than just quality: long term teachers,
socialization, kindergarten readiness
• Question 4 – consider ranking choices, and then move above question 2
• Change cost to either annual or weekly, not percent of income; request family income as an optional response
• Question 6 is leading – How strongly do you agree with the following statement with a Likert scale response
• The map may be difficult to read if you are not involved in the City. Separate out by district
• Question 8 – use same map, callout neighborhoods X. Friends of Parks and Recreation: Commissioner Battaglia shared that the committee elected officers and discussed programs
to support in the upcoming year: Easter Egg Hunt and City Hall Celebration.
Manager Duldulao shared that the Friends of Parks and Recreation recently made a donation in the over $6,000 including:
• $1,800 Traditional camp scholarships
• $1,500 Full of Fun camp scholarships
• $ 500 July is Parks and Rec Month free classes
• $2,500 for Senior Programs and Adult Day Care Scholarships
• $ 500 for Aquatics Summer Safety Swim programming
Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes of the Meeting of February 18, 2020
Page 5 XI. Items from Commission:
Commissioner DeNardi shared that she attended the Special City Council Meeting
reviewing the designs from the urban art program, an affordable housing meeting, and the Sign Hill Stewards event pulling Italian thistle. She mentioned that she noticed young adults walking along Grand Ave, wearing vests, picking up litter as well as over by Orange Park picking up litter. It’s wonderful to see people in our community volunteering to improve the
City.
Commissioner Lock was pleased to share that CAPRCBM will honor Richard Holt with the President’s award in March. There won’t be a dinner, just the ceremony on Thursday evening. He further inquired if the City had a volunteer recognition. ACM Ranals said that
some volunteers are acknowledged at Council meetings and others are at the Senior
Volunteer Luncheon. Commissioner Camacho suggested acknowledging volunteers in the activity guide. Commissioner Lock encouraged that staff and commissioners can take photos on their cell phones and submit.
Commissioner Uy attended the Chamber Mixer at the Library which was well attended. The
Civic Campus presentation was well received. Commissioner Firpo thanked staff for the acknowledgement and nomination for Richard Holt and found the UFMP very comprehensive.
Commissioner Battaglia enjoyed reviewing the history of trees in parks, noting that the palm trees are were planted in honor of the veterans. She attended the Chamber Mixer, Valentines for Troops with the Seniors, Chinese New Year Dance, PAL boosters dinner, CAC Art Show, Rotary, and looks forward to CPRS District IV dinner.
Commissioner Camacho shared that she is unable to attend the CPRS District 4 awards dinner due to a previous commitment, but extended her congratulations to the nominees. She will attend the CPRS conference in Long Beach.
XII. Items from Staff:
A. Calendar of Events. ACM Ranals shared that the Ground Breaking Ceremony for the new Police Station and 911 Dispatch Building is scheduled for Friday, 2/28 at 10:00 a.m. Invitation are forthcoming. Please park at the MSB and walk over.
B. Administrative Updates ACM Ranals shared that a new commissioner has been appointed, but she is holding off on making the announcement until all notifications have been made.
XIII. Adjournment: 8:11 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Kari Jung, Administrative Assistant II