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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.20.2021 PR Comm Minutes CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES FROM TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 2021 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, April 20, 2021, 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 Angela Duldulao, Recreation Manager Joshua Richardson, Parks Manager Devin Stenhouse, Recreation Supervisor Laura Armanino, Recreation Supervisor Kari Jung, Administrative Assistant II Kimberly Morrison, Assistant Childcare Supervisor Erin O’Brien, Recreation Supervisor Kelli Jo Cullinan, Recreation Supervisor III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Skipped. IV. AGENDA REVIEW: There were no changes to the agenda. V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE MARCH 16, 2021, MEETING: Approved by motion. Motion: Commissioner Camacho / Seconded: Commissioner Battaglia VI. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: Resident Olga Perez expressed an interest for the City to improve Cypress Park and reminded the Commission that the Sunshine Gardens neighborhood doesn’t have a neighborhood park and noted developers should help to improve neighborhood parks. VII. OLD BUSINESS: A. COVID-19 Response and Modified Operations Update Manager Duldulao updated the Commission on changes to COVID guidelines loosening in light of expanding vaccinations. She shared the success of the most recent event, Easter Bunny Photo Hop. While the event was widely appreciated, staff remains anxious for further reopening and the ability to server larger numbers as restrictions are lifted. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of April 20, 2021 Page 2 Aquatics – private swim lessons pilot program is underway with plans to open up swim instruction. Family swim and open recreation swim will be in the future when staff can reopen the locker rooms. Childcare – distance learning assistance is still being offered with SSFUSD offering in person learning on Monday; lottery registration for Summer Camp just ended. Classes – one day in-office registration will be offered on May 3; postcards are in the mail this week and an Activity Guide will be printed for the Fall Session. Cultural Arts is remaining virtual for now. Rentals – picnics opened for April with 81 reservations. The Social Hall is opening in May for indoor church rental services. Seniors – waiting for guidance from state licensing about what is allowed for programming. Sports - Terrabay is open for Open Gym and staff is looking forward for Jr Giants programming. Commissioner Aires inquired about movie night reservations in relation to how quickly the drive-in movie sold out as well as if there would be an opportunity for the community to vote on what movie? Additionally, he expressed an interest in doing away with the printed activity guide to save money and be more sustainable and wanted staff to assess that idea. Commissioner Camacho inquired about how the mailing lists worked, if an opt-in/opt-out option is available. Supervisor O’Brien explained that the Activity Guide is mailed out to every resident address in SSF through a bulk mail option. Supervisor Cullinan further explained that a significant portion of the population, especially seniors, do not utilize social media and prefer the printed guide. VIII. New Business: A. Recognition of late staffer Joanne Howell Supervisor Armanino shared heartfelt memories and staff’s grief over the recent and sudden loss of long term employee Joanne Howell. Each Commissioner shared their heartfelt memories and support to provide either a proclamation or memorial to honor her memory. Commissioner De Nardi inquired about a memorial brick or other options that staff can provide to acknowledge the City’s appreciation of her years of service. Deputy Mediati agreed and would have Parks staff work with Childcare staff to determine the best option to move forward with. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of April 20, 2021 Page 3 B. Consideration of Movie Night in the Park Film Options Supervisor Stenhouse shared information regarding the planning and timing restrictions for selecting movies for the two planned Movie Nights. Options discussed included Onward, Raya and The Last Dragon, A Dogs Journey, Soul, The Sandlot, and Toy Story 4. Supervisor Stenhouse shared lessons learned for the previous events held and how staff has adjusted through changes. Commissioner Battaglia inquired about COVID restrictions and how staff would accommodate crowds, checking for vaccinations, etc. Supervisor Stenhouse shared that staff was optimistic that COVID restrictions would be removed by June 15th, prior to the scheduled Movie Nights. If restrictions are maintained beyond the forecasted date, there are different categories of restrictions that staff can utilize to plan a successful event. Commissioner Lock shared his preference for the Paradise Valley area and encouraged staff to work with the School District for opening up the parking lot. Chair Uy suggested that the Commission seems to be recommending Raya, Soul and then Onward as potential movie options. C. Cancellation of Summer Commission Meeting Deputy Mediati shared that the Commission usually takes one of the summer months off as vacations are typically taken during this time. The Commissioner’s discussed the potential dates and concurred that cancelling the 07/20/2021 meeting would be appropriate. Commissioner Camacho made a motion to cancel the 07/20/2021 meeting and Commissioner DeNardi seconded. The motion carried unanimously. IX. Friends of Parks and Recreation: Manager Duldulao shared that the Rich Holt memorial bench has been installed at Buri Buri Park and encouraged the Commission to go out and enjoy some time at the park. X. Beautification Committee: Deputy Director Mediati reported that there has not been a Beautification Committee meeting since February of last year and there is nothing new to report. XI. Items from Commission: Commissioner DeNardi inquired if the bird droppings by the snack bar at Alta Loma Park pathway could be power washed. Zamora Park lawn area has a lot of gopher holes that need to be filled. Manager Richardson advised that he’ll schedule the Alta Loma Park pathway for a spot cleanup and that the gopher holes are filled and seeded regularly but he’ll have staff add this area to look at as well. Commissioner Aires shared his experience with Sign Hill Stewards and thoughts on ongoing fire remediation and other restoration efforts. He has CPRS Conference notes and videos to share with Commission and inquired if there is a place to digitally share this information with each other. He gave kudos to staff for the Easter Bunny event. He toured the Storm Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of April 20, 2021 Page 4 Water Capture project with Commissioners Camacho and Battaglia, noting that both pedestrian bridges are closed for construction. He further discussed the recent budget study session and the importance of getting Parks & Recreation staffing levels increased back up to pre-pandemic numbers and suggested that the Commission write an open letter to Council. Manager Richardson shared that updates are sent out on the Sign Hill project. Erosion control is complete and fire abatement is ongoing, though has slowed down due to bird nesting season. The final two trails should be reopened by the end of May. ACM Ranals discussed the status of open and frozen positions and that all PT salaries will be restored as of July 1. Some of the positions that were previously listed as frozen are not actually frozen and staff is moving forward with filling them. Only four positions remain frozen: Business Manager, Administrative Assistant II, Arborist Technician, and Custodian. Commissioner Camacho reminded the Commission of Brown Act restrictions on how to address this further given the item was not agendized. Commissioner Camacho acknowledged staff for efforts expended for the Easter event and how well it worked given COVID restrictions. She expressed condolences to Commissioner Firpo on the passing of his father. She offered congratulations to Emma Lewis for winning the Bay Area Young Leaders award. She thanked all involved with getting the memorial bench for Rich Hold purchased and installed. The CPRS conference was great and is happy to share her notes with staff to include in the next packet. She requested that tonight’s meeting be closed in Joanne’s memory. Commissioner Battaglia enjoyed walking around during the Easter event and she enjoyed the presentation on Big Lift and the preschool program. She has enjoyed hearing the kids playing baseball on her walks. Commissioner Firpo if the Bocce Ball courts managed by the IACC will open? Manager Duldulao shared that there have been some maintenance issues to be addressed and that they will be opening soon. Staff is considering operating by reservation as the IACC will work towards reopening. Commissioner Firpo commended staff for their presence working the vaccination clinics and have been doing a great job representing the Department. Commissioner Lock thanked staff for getting the Genentech parking spots along the Bay Trail open to the public. He further shared his enthusiasm for seeing the kids out at the various parks playing as well as his appreciation for the Richard Holt memorial bench. Commissioner Lock brought up that the projects are budgeted to add additional parks and facilities within the City and wants to ensure that the ongoing maintenance costs added are addressed as well. He congratulated the Commissioners on their reappointments. Chair Uy shared the Orange Park Ground Breaking was successful and that he shared his concerns with the City staff responsible for communications about dogs at the parks. He is noticing more families out at the parks enjoying the time and weather, obviously feeling Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of April 20, 2021 Page 5 more comfortable with the vaccines and lower virus activity. He further commended Childcare staff with their ongoing pivoting with the ever changing restrictions and guidance. XII. Items from Staff: A. Calendar of Events. Deputy Mediati provided a brief update of the Calendar of Events highlighting upcoming events. • Arbor Day event scheduled for May 1 o Manager Richardson shared that this is a multi-group event for tree and plant planting event encompassing Sister Cities, Interact, Improving Public Places, and celebrating Arbor Day, Earth Day, and Sister Cities. • Caltrain Public Art Selection Committed final deliberations, May 8 • Summer Session, June 1 • Summer Camp, June 7 B. Administrative Updates Chair Uy inquired if Commissioners had any questions related to the previously shared administrative updates. None were shared. Deputy Mediati shared that South San Francisco High School is not utilizing their new baseball field due to foul ball issues hitting homes adjacent to the school and are still utilizing the Westborough Ball Field while they work on installing additional fencing and netting. ACM Ranals shared that City declined to offer the field to other potential external groups in case this type of thing happened. XIII. Adjournment: 9:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Kari Jung, Administrative Assistant II