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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2021.05.11 @600 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO GENERAL PLAN UPDATE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE Meeting held at: Teleconference meeting Tuesday, May 11, 2021 6:00 p.m. Call to Order Meeting called to order at 6:02 p.m. Roll Call COMMITTEE PRESENT: Rehman Baig, Roderick Bovee, Kristy Camacho, Robert Cavalieri, Nick Maiden, Sophie Martin, Patricia Murray, Julie Ann Murphy (6:18pm), Sam Shihadeh, John Skerry, Bill Zemke, Steven Yee ALTERNATE PRESENT: Steve Firpo, Luis De Paz Ferdandez Public Comment None. Consent Calendar 1. Approval of the Meeting Minutes of April 13, 2021 Committee Member Kristy Camacho moved and Committee Member Sam Shihadeh seconded a motion to approve the meeting minutes of April 13, 2021 as corrected. The motion passed. New Business 2. Discuss Parks, Recreation and Public Facilities Policy Frameworks Meghan McNulty reviewed the Parks, Recreation and Public Facilities Policy Framework. She provided an overview of existing parks facilities and programs. Megan McNulty noted strengths and opportunities identified through the existing conditions evaluation. She also reviewed challenges including the City has limited funding, is not meeting the existing park service standards and not all neighborhoods have convenient access to parks. Meghan McNulty reviewed feedback from community conversations including increase amount of park space and desire for parks in neighborhoods not currently well served. She reviewed the desired outcomes and performance metrics. Meghan McNulty reviewed the draft goals for parks, recreation and public facilities:  Expand the network of parks and gathering spaces throughout the city, accommodating t he physical and social needs of users of all ages and abilities.  Improve access to parks, gathering spaces and public amenities in Downtown.  Expand the amount of open space in South San Francisco and ensure it is accessible to the public.  Provide convenient and safe trail and other pedestrian connections throughout the community.  Provide quality recreational programming and facilities that provide recreational opportunities to all residents, regardless of ability, neighborhood, or economic background.  Provide appropriate resources and staffing to ensure parks and recreational facilities are adequately funded and maintained.  Provide quality public facilities and services to South San Francisco residents. Comments:  Kristy Camacho asked that policy to create a network of mini parks, shared spaces be expanded to the entire community and not just limited to Downtown.  Steve Firpo asked about providing a north-south bicycle path along the east side of the CalTrain tracks to better connect to east of 101businesses. Billy Gross noted that the City is working on updating the Bike and Pedestrian plan and are currently in discussions with CalTrain. As this is considered a hold over area, there is not sufficient right of way within the Caltrain corridor to accommodate a trail, but the City is considering other locations to develop better north – south connections.  Steven Yee asked about concerns on homelessness within new park spaces. He also asked about creek concepts and litter/pollution. Meghan McNulty noted that there are design strategies that can be incorporated to reduce dangerous activities in parks if needed. Eric Yurkovich noted new requirements relating to trash capture from the watershed and bay. City also working on programs to link programs to persons in need. Sharon Ranals noted the stormwater capture program in Orange Park in partnership with CalTrans.  Rehman Baig asked about parks space target and planned new residential development in the City. Should the General Plan consider new parks near new development? Meghan McNulty responded that the Plan will consider where there is park need in addition to policy for regular updates to Parks Master Plan.  Rehman Baig noted percent of students receiving special services and that could be an area the City focuses services to meet those needs. Pat Murray commented that the School District is focusing on equity and evaluating how special needs services are provided. Sharon Ranals noted that all new playgrounds are fully accessible and some playgrounds are more inclusive than others. She would like to see a Magical Playground as a goal. Sharon Ranals noted that preschool is also inclusive and staff is trained on different learning abilities. Pat Murray noted the School Board hired a new director to ensure services meets the needs of their students.  Kristy Camacho commented that the policies highlighted the need for staff to maintain parks, but did not highlight the need for adequate staff for new and expanded programs. She also commented on need for a policy and outcome relating to equitable services and programs to meet the needs of a diverse community,and on the need for parks and recreation services for children, youth and families.  Luis DePaz Fernandez commented on climate change and sustainability. Eric Yurkovich noted that sustainability is woven throughout the Plan including public facilities, access to parks, and resilience framework (plantings, shade, opportunities to capture flood waters and networks for open spaces for habitat).  Sophie Martin commented on park planning in East of 101 through community benefit agreements with private developments. She noted that this could result in underutilized public spaces that are not well connected as opposed to a larger more consolidated open space. May want to consider recreation amenities that are connected to the trail networks or another open space. Sophie Martin also commented on use of abandoned rails for new trails program.  Steven Yee asked about recreational programming to support youth targeted to achieve higher graduation rates. Kristy Camacho commented that residents have requested a community center in the Downtown area that could assist providing programing to venerable population.  Roderick Bovee asked about recreation opportunities in Colma Creek. Eric Yurkovich noted that the study of Colma Creek opens up opportunities for consideration in the long term and how it can support healthy sustainability community. Billy Gross noted this is an opportunity to be aspirational.  Roderick Bovee asked about more community access to water (splash pad).  Kristy Camacho asked about opportunities for roof gardens, more rainwater capture facilities and expanding plazas and pop-up events throughout the community. Greg Mediati noted that new developments are required to retain and treat water on-site. There may be an opportunity and need to use more recycled water in the future.  Roderick Bovee commented on opportunity for more green, complete and multi-functional streets spaces. More use of native habitat and expand wildlife corridors. Sophie Martin commented on the “Wiggle” bike route through San Francisco as a good example of emphasizing bike and pedestrian access with landscaping and bioretention.  Sharon Ranals commented that there is vacant land that can be used as parks space (BART land, etc.)  Pat Murray commented that the School District could partner with the City for the use of the land behind Sunshine Gardens School for open space needs.  Steven Yee commented on opportunity for urban farms to engage the youth.  Luis DePaz Fernandez commented on the need to improve and connect the bike trail system.  Bill Zemke noted the City has an ongoing partnership with the Harbor District at Oyster Point. The Harbor District is planning on completing a Master Plan on the eastern portion of Oyster Point.  Luis DePaz Fernandez commented on expanding accessibility of the parks. Consider using City shuttle service to provide access for youth to parks.  Kristy Camacho noted that the City should prioritize parks in Sunshine Gardens and in the Old Town community as well as expanded services. Eric Yurkovich noted that the June and July CAC meetings are cancelled and the August and September meetings will focus on the Zoning Code Staff Comments None. CAC Member Comments None Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 7:33 p.m. The June 8, 2021 and July 13, 2021 meetings have been cancelled.