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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.15.2020 PR Comm Minutes CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES FROM TUESDAY, September 15, 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, September 15, 2020, 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 Joshua Richardson, Parks Manager Angela Duldulao, Recreation Manager Kari Jung, Administrative Assistant 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 AUGUST 18, 2020, MEETING: Approved by motion as amended. Motion: Commissioner Firpo / Seconded: Commissioner DeNardi. VI. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: None. VII. BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE Deputy Director Mediati reported that there has not been a Beautification Committee meeting since February of this year and there is nothing new to report and reminded the committee that this is the time of year that the Beautification Awards would have taken place. VIII. OLD BUSINESS: A. 2020-21 Annual Co-Sponsored Group Renewals Manager Duldulao updated the Commission on the status of the IACC membership requirement sharing that President Kay McGough met with the Club on 9/1 and would return to the Commission at the November meeting to report on the outcome as there were several steps that needed to take place. The AARP application is still pending as there are no planned activities or events before January and the group was reminded that the agreement needed to be submitted and approved prior to any activities or events. Ballet Folklorico is continuing to work on their application as well. Both baseball groups have submitted partial applications and staff is vetting information submitted. Manager Duldulao reported the receipt of an anonymous letter addressed Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of September 15, 2020 Page 2 “To Whom It May Concern” (received by the City Manager) and was CCed to Council, the Commission, and the SSFYBL, SSFPD, and SSFPAL in relation to the Cooperstown fundraiser, explaining that the request was outside of the scope of the co- sponsorship agreements. ACM Ranals will forward a copy to the Commission for their review. Commissioner Firpo inquired if the groups have been made aware of the letter and Manager Duldulao reported that she would follow up with them. Commissioner DeNardi shared that fees had been collected for the fundraiser to be held at the Fernekes Building but that the shut down due to the pandemic resulted in the cancelling of the event. Commission Uy shared that if the funds are donated to the non-profit organization it is with no strings attached and may be applied to future use. Chair Camacho agreed that the inquiry was outside the scope of the co-sponsorship agreement, but that staff should share the letter with the organization for their reference. B. COVID-19 Response and Modified Operations Update: Manager Duldulao advised the Commission that the change in the State’s strategy for re-opening hasn’t had much change on the reopening efforts that staff has made, although current air quality has temporarily closed outdoor pilot programs. Aquatics – the pool is closed under the current guidelines from the state and it will remain closed for a minimum of six weeks. Many participants have expressed disappointment on the closure along with their gratitude to staff for their efforts. Commissioner Lock inquired if the City is responding to every inquiry/comment received. Manager Duldulao shared that Acting Supervisor Noce responded to all comments/inquires he receives. Commissioner Lock further shared his desire that the Commission respond directly to all comments/inquires received. Chair Camacho indicated that she would follow up further with ACM Ranals about possibly taking on that task. Commissioner Lock inquired about the School District denial of the City’s request to utilize their pools as they want to minimize the number of people on campus, even though the campuses appear to be empty. Chair Camacho shared that the teachers are on campus, working from their classrooms as well as the district staff maintaining the properties. She further explained that the School District is a separate entity and not under the jurisdiction of the City. She recommended that the item can be addressed by the joint committee for further discussion. Childcare – Manager Duldulao shared that the full day childcare program opened on 08/24 as planned to assist students with their distance learning programs. The current air quality has impacted the program and staff continues to respond to these challenges as well as the different schedules that the kids have due to different programs they may be enrolled in. Spruce has 5/10 enrolled and staff continues to work through the waiting list. All families identified as essential workers were able to be accommodated. Commissioner Uy shared that his children are enrolled in the Monte Verde program and is impressed with how the program is being run and how the children’s needs are being met. He shared that this program is a model of how this can be accomplished and wished that it could be expanded. Chair Camacho inquired if there is a need/demand to expand further. Manager Duldulao shared that staff is working with expansion as related to transition into the hybrid model, but not Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of September 15, 2020 Page 3 beyond the current schools served. Chair Camacho inquired about the Little Steps program at 50% capacity and Manager Duldulao explained that the qualifiers for that program (Big Lift) limit participation and those eligible seem to be choosing not to send their children. ACM Ranals shared that the grant specifically does not allow co- mingling fee-paying students with the grant funded students. Chair Camacho inquired if we can go back and inquire with the grantor if due to COVID-19, the restrictions could temporarily be relaxed to allow for more students to be served. Chair Camacho inquired about expanding into the Fernekes or additional City sites. Manager Duldulao explained that staff was focusing on the current program offering and any additional expansion would require additional staff as well. Deputy Mediati further explained the need to keep cohorts intact, therefore not mixing kids from different schools into the same afterschool program. Classes – Manger Duldulao shared that staff was excited to start offering outdoor in- person classes in addition to the virtual classes. Staff has priced the virtual classes as 50% of the in person class prices as suggested by the Commission and the public seems to be going along with that fee structure. A registration postcard was sent out in lieu of the activity guide. Commissioner DeNardi really liked the postcard, appreciated the new virtual classes offered like the family fitness and yoga, and shared that Park2Park is a great program. Commissioner Lock inquired if there is a limit of attendees for the virtual classes and if so, how that number is determined. Manager Duldulao shared that there are limits determined in discussion with the instructors. Each virtual class has a virtual attendant to assist with getting the attendees into the meeting. Chair Camacho inquired about the use of restrooms for the outdoor in-person classes. Manager Duldulao explained that staff is working on a plan to open the restrooms after receiving feedback from the community. Cultural Arts Commission - Meeting is this Thursday and they will be hosting a virtual Dia de Muertos art exhibit lasting from late October through November. Commissioner Battaglia inquired if the artists need to be 18 and older. Manager Duldulao confirmed the age requirement and Chair Camacho inquired if the Commission would consider entries from youth. Manager Duldulao confirmed that entries would be free. Rentals – Tennis courts reservations at Orange Park were temporarily suspended due to air quality but will resume as conditions improve. Sign-ups for the 11/12 & 12/02 blood drives will fill fast. Staff is reviewing requests essential services meetings on a case-by-case basis as additional staffing considerations are required. Staff has been able to accommodate the Fire Department written exam as well as other requests. Permits for the two baseball co-sponsored groups have been approved. Seniors – staff continues to provide meal deliveries (over 6,000 food boxes have been delivered to over 1,650 residents since mid-March), information referrals, and telephone welfare checks. Staff is looking into providing some in-person services like rides to grocery stores and doctor appointments. Chair Camacho inquired if Library stops could be included once the program starts. Commissioner Battaglia inquired if trips for seniors for doctor appointments were occurring. ACM Ranals explained that these services are being looked into at this time, not yet on-going, but that there are other programs out there for the cancer patient transportation. Commissioner Firpo inquired if a volunteer group was being utilized. ACM Ranals shared that the City Attorney expressed liability concerns with the City matching up volunteers with Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of September 15, 2020 Page 4 individuals and that any services provided would be done by City staff. The Senior driver was doing the food box deliveries, utilizing a grant program. Sports – Park2Park will resume next week at Alta Loma. Sports camps for youth are being launched with the Fall activities as well. Special Events – Halloween theme Drive-in will be October 23rd and the virtual Thanksgiving Fun Run November 14th-21st. IX. New Business: A. Drive-In Movie Night – Supervisor O’Brien shared the news that staff has been working on the details for a Halloween themed Drive-in Movie night utilizing the vacant lot at El Camino and Spruce. A 20’x 40’ screen on ECR side would be set up with cars entering on Huntington. Pre-registration will be required to accommodate the limited number of cars and prevent cars from lining up ahead of time. Staff is considering ideas to make the event more interactive, like having a car decorating contest. Staff has narrowed the choice of movies for the Commission to consider: Ghostbusters, Hocus Pocus, Casper, and Beetlejuice. Commissioner Uy shared his preference for Ghostbusters as his first choice or Beetlejuice. Commissioner Firpo inquired if there was going to be just one showing or two and how many cars would be allowed. Commissioner DeNardi inquired about how the location was obtained, about the availability of restrooms, and that Casper was her 1st choice and Ghostbusters was her 2nd choice. Commissioner Firpo inquired about how audio would be delivered. Chair Camacho inquired about neighbor notifications. Commissioner Lock and Chair Camacho both vetoed Beetlejuice. Commissioner Lock inquired if popcorn would be sold. Supervisor O’Brien shared that due to cost limitations, there would be only one showing and that staff is still working with the vendor on how many cars would be allowed, but the screen size would be adequate for up to 200 cars, depending on the space. Several sites were reviewed and this site was determined to be the most appropriate. A lot of legwork went into securing the site. Portable restrooms and handwashing stations will be available. Concessions would not be allowed, but staff is considering pre-paid snack packs. Chair Camacho shared that Ghostbusters as her 1st choice and Hocus Pocus as her 2nd choice. Commissioner Battaglia shared Hocus Pocus as her 1st choice. Chair Camacho inquired about Nightmare Before Christmas. Supervisor O’Brien shared that typically animated movies are shown and staff was taking the opportunity to try something different. Commissioner Aires shared Hocus Pocus as his 1st choice but wanted to defer to what the demographics would appreciate. Supervisor O’Brien shared that Ghostbusters seems to be the winner as mentioned as the 1st or 2nd choice by most. Chair Camacho inquired about how staff was going to get the word out in addition to social media. Supervisor O’Brien shared that flyers were being distributed through the schools, at Park2Parks, through Seniors’ mailings and a few other avenues in additional to social media. X. Friends of Parks and Recreation: Manager Duldulao updated the Commission that the Friends haven’t had any recent meetings but they are still collecting donations for the Senior Meal Box program as well as for the Richard Holt memorial bench. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of September 15, 2020 Page 5 XI. Items from Commission: Commissioner Aires – applaud the communications team; social media is relevant and helpful. He would like to monitor the success of the virtual classes and see what can be carried over once the COVID-19 crisis ends. Commissioner Battaglia – looking forward to Park2Park and acknowledged that staff is doing a great job. Commissioner DeNardi – expressed her interest in the donated Giraffe sculpture ACM Ranals stated that there are additional steps to take, but it should be installed by the end of the year. Coastal Cleanup as a neighborhood cleanup is a great idea. Commissioner Firpo – shared that he notices and appreciates staff for all efforts from the variety of virtual classes offered to readying the MSB as a cooling station when temperatures soared. Commissioner Lock – inquired about the status of the Storm Water Capture project. Deputy Mediati shared that the timeline has been pushed back for construction to start May 2021, delayed about a year from the original schedule. Verde will kick off 100% design for ballfield replacement on top. Commissioner Lock concurred with Commissioner Firpo that staff is doing a great job. Commissioner Uy – love childcare program, appreciates how staff has pivoted to virtual programming, and that the Park2Park will be helpful with kids and families and improve mental health. Chair Camacho – expressed appreciation of staff being responsive to the community and keeping the community engaged on a day-to-day basis. She has heard a lot of great feedback from the community regarding the childcare programs. She commended staff for attending the Equity and Diversity Inclusion Training and inquired if staff would report on practices that can be implemented. XII. Items from Staff: A. Calendar of Events. No questions or comments were submitted on the Calendar of Events. ACM Ranals shared appreciation to staff for keeping track and putting together as many items as possible. B. Administrative Updates Chair Camacho inquired if Commissioners had any questions related to the previously shared administrative updates. No questions were posed. XIII. Adjournment: 8:38 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Kari Jung, Administrative Assistant II