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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.17.2021 PR Comm Minutes CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES FROM TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 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, August 17, 2021, via teleconference due to the COVID-19 pandemic and local 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 Kari Jung, Administrative Assistant II Erin O’Brien, Recreation Supervisor Laura Armanino, Childcare Supervisor Brian Noce, Acting Aquatics Supervisor Kelli Jo Cullinan, Senior Services Supervisor III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Skipped. IV. AGENDA REVIEW: There were no changes to the agenda. V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE JUNE 15, 2021 MEETING: Approved by motion. Motion: Commissioner Camacho / Seconded: Commissioner Lock VI. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: None. VII. OLD BUSINESS: A. COVID-19 Response and Modified Operations Update Manager Duldulao shared that staffing is increasing as the Department prepares to reopen, requiring additional time training new staff and retraining returning staff. Administration – offices and public counters opened to the public on August 2 for in-person services. In-person City Council meetings resumed in the Council Chambers with limited seating and masks required for attendees. In-person meetings for boards and commissions will most likely take place in early 2022 as the City considers options for offering hybrid meetings in which city leaders, staff, and community members can choose to participate in meetings in-person or virtually. Aquatics – Orange Pool transitioned to the fall schedule on Monday, August 9, with additional morning hours for lap swim and adult recreation swim. Staff continues to Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of August 17, 2021 Page 2 offer parent and baby recreation swim on Mondays and Fridays along with a drop-in Aqua Zumba class on Wednesdays. Swimming lessons and exercise classes will resume on Tuesday, September 7. Staff is planning to resume swimming pool rentals for birthday parties and other events on Saturdays starting at 2:45 p.m., as long as there is adequate staffing during these times. Childcare –Before and After School Expanded Learning (offered at Buri Buri, Monte Verde, Ponderosa and Spruce Elementary Schools) and REAL Programs (offered to families at no cost at Los Cerritos and Martin Elementary Schools) reopened on Wednesday, August 11. All the childcare programs are targeting a 50-60% capacity this fall (of pre-pandemic numbers) due to the delta variant surge to help curb the surge and protect children who are not yet eligible for vaccines. Staff hopes to be at 75% to 100% capacity after winter break pending any new surges, variants, guidelines, safety, and staffing. Classes – Registration for the fall program period of recreation classes began on Monday, August 9 for residents and opens Monday, August 23 for non-residents. The Classes Program is no longer restricted for the number of people permitted in City facilities. However, in recognition of the recent increase in positive cases of the delta variant, staff have voluntarily decreased the maximum capacities of several classes to allow for improved social distancing. Per County and City mandates, the Department is also requiring all individuals who participate in indoor classes to wear face coverings. PPE will be available for use at each class, air purifiers and fans will be utilized whenever possible, and an emphasis on disinfecting high-touch surfaces will be practiced by building attendants. Cultural Arts - The Cultural Arts Commission plans to continue its next art exhibits in a virtual format, including: • Virtual General Art Exhibit – “A Study in Contrast,” Friday, July 23 – Tuesday, August 31 • Virtual Quilting & Fiber Arts Exhibit – “One Scrap at a Time,” October 15 – November 30 • The first 2022 exhibit is expected to take place in February • Jewelry auction as a replacement fundraiser. Commissioner Camacho inquired if additional pieces can be provided. Rentals – All picnic sites (except for sites #3 and #5 at Orange Park) were open in June to reservations at their full capacity through the end of the usual picnic season with over 400 permits issued. Due to high demand, staff has extended the rental of picnic shelters through November. The Department resumed indoor rentals to “blanket groups” (long-term relationship with the Department for recurring rentals of City facilities) in mid-July with 50% Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of August 17, 2021 Page 3 capacity restrictions, all of whom have returned with the exception of one of the regular church groups. Private rentals began in August, and the Department is choosing to move slowly. The Joseph A. Fernekes Recreation Building and Terrabay Gymnasium and Recreation Center will be closed to the public through September. Seniors – The Senior Services Program has opened its doors to the public with senior yoga on Tuesdays and Thursdays, knitting and crafts on Mondays and Wednesdays, mahjong on Fridays, and drop-in gym and billiards programs which are open during the daily operation hours. Senior Services staff continues to support the community remotely through wellness/socialization calls, supporting Second Harvest Food Bank with distribution of food boxes, delivery of activity packets, and information and referral services. The Department also looks forward to reopening the Adult Day Care Program and resuming transportation services for clients in September. Sports – The 11th season of Jr. Giants closed on August 7, with over 190 players and 60 volunteers. Sports Coordinator Bill Stridbeck did an amazing job organizing and coaching this outstanding annual program. This summer, the Sports Program was able to add a softball division for ages 7 to 9 with two teams. A virtual dugout season, like last summer, was an option for parents who were concerned about their child playing with other children outside their household. Due to several cities lack of participation or restrictions due to the delta variant outbreak, the NCRL will only be offering intramural sports for the fall season, but is still planning to have a full regular season with 7th and 8th grade basketball beginning in November if the COVID status improves. Sports Coordinator Bill Stridbeck will offer intramural volleyball and flag football in September for South San Francisco middle school students and will communicate with other cities that have no restrictions about the possibility of playing some scrimmages against each other during the fall season. The elementary school RAPP 3rd-5th grade basketball program will begin in September with the practices moved to the Terrabay Gymnasium. The co-ed adult softball summer league returned this summer with six teams participating and concludes at the end of August. Special Events – On 7/20, the Parks and Recreation Department hosted the “SSF Field Day” event at Orange Memorial Park designed to gather and thank the community for their continued support during this past tumultuous year. Over 400 attendees enjoyed a variety of lawn games, a free Zumba class, and hot dogs. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of August 17, 2021 Page 4 The first installment of the Summer Movie Night was on Friday, July 16 at Orange Memorial Park with approximately 400 community members that watched Raya and the Last Dragon. The next Movie Night event is scheduled on Friday, August 20 at Martin School Ballfield, featuring Onward. Parks and Facility Maintenance - The Parks and Facility Maintenance Divisions have been operating at full capacity and continue to do so, increasing regular cleaning, disinfection of surfaces, and improving air quality for employee and patron safety. Deputy Mediati shared that with the reopening of facilities citywide as well as the lifting of expenditure restrictions from last fiscal year, staff has experience an uptick in their workflow. Commissioner Lock shared that while the virtual art gallery is outstanding it would be nice if there is a way to enlarge the artwork to full screen. He inquired how long will it take to staff up the restored positions? Deputy Mediati shared that several recruitments are underway, and that staff is going to council on September 8th for additional positions. Commissioner DeNardi shared appreciation to Parks Maintenance Division on the new signage at the tennis courts and that the graffiti at the Poplar entrance at Sign Hill had been cleaned up. Commissioner Firpo enjoyed movie night but missed hot chocolate and coffee distribution and wondered if it would be at the upcoming event? Manager Duldulao explained that due to challenging logistics there wouldn’t be any distribution of food. Commissioner Battaglia shared her appreciation that staff is offering a vaccine pop up at the movie night. ACM Ranals advised that vaccine recipients at the event would receive $40 gift cards valid at local shops as well as goodie bags. Commissioner Camacho mentioned that she did see a flyer about movie night on Facebook but no mention about the popup vaccination clinic. Chair Uy shared that Field Day was well attended, but that the virtual General Art Exhibit is not mobile friendly B. Carter Park Preschool Update Deputy Mediati shared that the Department’s Childcare Program serves nearly 1,200 children and young adults annually through its three licensed preschools, four licensed After School Recreation Programs, two State grant-funded REAL (Recreation, Enrichment and Learning) Programs, and seasonal and special needs camps. There are over 700 children on the City’s preschool waiting list, including unborn children, and approximately 200 families are added to the list each year. Enrollment can take place at any time over the course of a year, movement off of the waiting list Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of August 17, 2021 Page 5 typically takes place over the summer when approximately 60-70 children graduate to kindergarten. Deputy Mediati further reviewed the operating budget, grant funding, and revenues of the existing programs (pre-pandemic) as well as the 2001 adoption of Chapter 20.310 in the SSF Municipal Code which collects impact fees from commercial and residential developers for the future funding of expansion of childcare facilities. Deputy Mediati shared that the City Council authorized the construction of a new preschool facility in the Westborough neighborhood in 2020, where the greatest density of individuals on the wait list resides. The Childcare Master Plan, which began in May 2021, will study where the most need exists. Carter Park was selected for the site due existing conditions related to vehicular and pedestrian circulation, parking, location of nearby utilities, geotechnical conditions, and adjacent land uses. Staff engaged Sim Architects, one of the City’s prequalified on-call architects, to begin programmatic design work for the facility in May 2021. Preliminary site analysis, cost estimating and program planning has been completed for serving a minimum of 60 children and is expected to include three classroom spaces each serving 20 children, office and staff support areas, a small kitchen, and adult and children’s restrooms. On the exterior of the facility, a private patio area will allow space for large motor skill development. A new 2–5-year-old playground, a requirement for licensing, will serve the program and also be made available to the public when not in use by the preschool, benefitting the larger neighborhood. Staff and consultants studied two delivery methods: traditional (stick-build) construction or modular (or pre-fabricated) construction (not portable buildings). The pros and cons of each method were shared. While new construction would provide the most flexibility in design, staff recommends pursuing modular construction due to the benefits associated with project cost savings and compressed construction duration. Deputy Mediati reviewed the fiscal impact of the options as well as City Council feedback to explore the addition of a fourth classroom. Commissioner Camacho inquired about the difference between the lifespan of the different options as well as provided feedback about the kitchen location in relation to the afterhours classrooms. Deputy Mediati shared that the difference in lifespan was comparable up to 50 years. Staff shared that the classrooms have snack areas but would look into the layout of the kitchen in relation to the classrooms. Commissioner Lock expressed his agreement with Commissioner Camacho and inquired why Carter Park is sometimes referred to as Cal West Park. Deputy Mediati explained that it’s a Google Mapping service issue. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of August 17, 2021 Page 6 Commissioner Firpo expressed his support for the extra (4th) classroom and inquired about are there adult and children’s restrooms and if not can they be used for adult classes as well in the future? One classroom is being designed for additional storage. Commissioner DeNardi expressed her support for the modular design as well as for the time that staff has taken to share the pros and cons of price and usability. Chair Uy inquired if there would be future renovation cost difference for modular. Deputy Mediati shared that it would be similar between both, but with less customization. 7:50 – 5 minute break. VIII. New Business: A. Childcare Master Plan Sub-committee Deputy Mediati shared that staff has selected Kathleen White to assist staff as a consultant to draft a comprehensive Childcare Master Plan to improve the reach, quality, and impact of early childhood education programs, childcare, and youth services for South San Francisco residents. Feedback from the public, various agencies, care providers, and City legislative and advisory bodies will guide the plan’s priorities and it is recommended that the Parks and Recreation Commission establish a subcommittee as a stakeholder group for this endeavor. Due to Brown Act considerations, no more than three members of the Commission may serve on this group. Chair Uy and Commissioners Camacho and DeNardi shared their support as well as their interest in being on the committee. Commissioner Lock agreed and offered to be a substitute. Commissioner Aires shared his support and thanks to the other members for taking on the task. IX. Friends of Parks and Recreation: Manager Duldulao shared that there are no updates at this time and ACM Ranals thanked Friends for sponsoring hot dogs for Field Day. X. Beautification Committee: Deputy Director Mediati reported that there is nothing new to report. XI. Items from Commission: Commissioner Camacho enjoyed the virtual art exhibit and while she misses the in-person showings, she likes that the virtual show lasts longer and allows residents to fit it into their schedules and hopes to see the online virtual showroom continue to be available even after the in person shows resume. She further shared a General Plan update with June/July off and last week about zoning code changes. She can’t make the September meeting but Commissioner Firpo will attend as alternate for the topic on climate change. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of August 17, 2021 Page 7 Commissioner DeNardi shared that Field Day was well organized. Movie night was a success and allowed for multi-generational family gathering. The Master Plan open house zoom meeting was interesting. The Los Cerritos school exterior looks uplifting. Commissioner Battaglia shared that Field Day was really nice, and staff did a wonderful job organizing the special event. Commissioner Aires expressed thanks for communication on events, Field Day was fun and he was glad to see focus on childcare. Thanks to Devin and Veronica for all of their assistance and professionalism with the gardening class which concluded last week. Commissioner Firpo shared that Field Day was fantastic. Thanks to Devin, Brian, Austin, Mike and the entire crew. He asked about the skate park where one kid was skating alone and fell. He expressed concern about the area being isolated and is there signage warning residents not to skate alone. Commissioner Lock expressed his gratitude to the City for seeking public comment and engagement. At Alta Loma Park there were at least 18 people walking around and 6 families playing in the playground. Clay Ave Park was packed. Can that park be replicated in the Linden area? Orange Park has trucks moving earth in and out and the street sweeper right behind the trucks, but they weren’t spraying water. Centennial Trail and Orange Park people are out walking. He inquired if the City would consider not doing all four corners simultaneously when replacing the curb cutouts as it makes it difficult for pedestrians to get around and it’s not safe. Chair Uy shared that Field Day was spectacular, and that Childcare is exceptional. He inquired about picnic tables, which staff has ordered for Sellick Park and that he would like staff to consider creating parks as destinations, similar to the water park in Dublin/Pleasanton. XII. Items from Staff: A. Calendar of Events. Deputy Mediati provided a brief update of the Calendar of Events. B. Administrative Updates Chair Uy inquired if Commissioners had any questions related to the previously shared administrative updates. None were shared. Manager Richardson provided a summary of the City’s use of Roundup, and from the experience of staff and of the City’s Licensed Pest Control Advisor, there is not a safer or comparably effective product on the market. The Parks Division has several employees who are licensed by the State of California Department of Pesticide Regulations to oversee the mixing, calibration, and use of pesticides, including Roundup. Staff also work closely with a Licensed Pest Control Advisor and the County Department of Agriculture to provide recommendations on Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of August 17, 2021 Page 8 safe chemical use. In an abundance of caution and transparency, staff post herbicide applications in public areas 72 hours in advance to make sure that residents are aware, and staff monitor sprayed areas to ensure people do not access them until the product is dry. Staff are very progressive in our approach to landscape management (all maintenance staff and managers are certified as Sustainable / Bay‐Friendly Landscapers, and the management team all have educational and professional backgrounds in environmental sciences and policy), and are continuously researching and exploring alternatives. We very well may also adopt at a practice were we no longer use it in parks, but only as part of our integrated pest management program in medians/right‐of‐way areas where there would be no public contact to lessen public anxiety. Commissioner Camacho inquired about the negative effects of removing Roundup from use in parks. Manager Richardson shared that the growth during the infield resting would start to look like a lawn and require more manual work to keep up. Chair Uy shared his preference for safety of residents over ease of managing the fields. XIII. Adjournment: 9:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Kari Jung, Administrative Assistant II