HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.16.2021 PR Comm Minutes
CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES FROM TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 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, November 16, 2021, via teleconference due to the COVID-
19 pandemic and local health orders.
II. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Battaglia, Camacho, DeNardi, Firpo, Lock, and Uy
Absent: All were present
ACM Ranals shared that Commissioner Aires has resigned from the Commission and there is now a vacancy that the City will recruit to fill.
Staff: Sharon Ranals, Assistant City Manager / 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
Brian Noce, Aquatics Supervisor Laura Armanino, Childcare Supervisor Philip Vitale, Deputy Director of Capital Projects Kimberly Morrison, Childcare Assistant Supervisor
Kathleen White, Childcare Plan Consultant
III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Skipped. IV. AGENDA REVIEW: There were no changes to the agenda.
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 19, 2021, MEETING: Approved by motion. Motion: Commissioner Camacho / Seconded: Commissioner Battaglia.
VI. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: None.
VII. OLD BUSINESS: A. Orange Memorial Park and Centennial Way Trail Master Plans Update Deputy Director Mediati introduced Brian Fletcher of Callander Associates to provide an update on the Centennial Trail Vision Plan and Orange Memorial Park
Master Plan currently underway.
Centennial Way Trail is a Class I bicycle and pedestrian pathway running three miles from the South San Francisco BART station to the San Bruno BART station. The City constructed and maintains the trail. Late last year the City took over
maintenance and development rights to additional portions of the BART right-of-way
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significantly expanding opportunities for capital improvements and programming
along the trail. Early this year, the City engaged the landscape design and planning firm, Callander Associates, to work with the community and stakeholders to develop a vision plan to guide improvements and programming along the trail.
The Orange Memorial Park Master Plan was last updated in 2007. Since then, the park has seen several improvements, including the Storm Water Capture Project which is currently under construction and the Orange Memorial Park Ballfield project scheduled to start construction early next year. An update to the Orange Memorial
Park Master Plan will represent current and planned projects as well as changing demographics and park programming needs. Earlier this year staff also engaged Callander Associates to lead the Master Plan effort with synergies to the Centennial Trail Vision Plan.
Outreach and community engagement for the Centennial Trail Vision Plan and Orange Memorial Park Master Plan began earlier this summer. The first round of engagement gathered input on park and trail needs and constraints. Outreach and engagement included pop-up events at the park and trail, online and printed surveys,
stakeholder meetings and a public open house on Saturday, August 14 at the Joseph
A. Fernekes Building. The second round of outreach and community engagement offered plan alternatives for the park and focus areas of the trail. Feedback on these alternatives was collected
at the City Hall Birthday Celebration on September 23, the Halloween Event at
Orange Memorial Park on October 23, virtual stakeholder meetings with landowners, recreation groups, community groups and staff as well as through online and printed surveys available in English and Spanish. Display materials and surveys are also on rotation through the Roberta Cerri Teglia Center, Orange Pool and the Municipal
Services Building. A second open house was held at the Joseph A. Ferenkes Building
on Saturday, November 6. Information about the plan alternatives and opportunities to engage were advertised through Park and Recreation newsletters and shared among community and stakeholder groups.
Member of the public, Paul DeMartini, also a stakeholder representing skateboarding
community, shared that he took a brief survey and their 20 respondents (all SSF residents) mirrored what was reported by Callander. The respondents indicated that 70% showed a preference for Opportunity Area 2 and Alternative 2 as there is too much going on with Orange Park already.
Tara Chernella, mother of four in SSF, shared her support for Paul and the skate community which is great for the pre-teens/teens as they age out of the Parks and Recreation classes and traditional sports.
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Commissioner Firpo inquired if the width of trail is that expanding? Brian Fletcher
of Callander explained that the trail is designed as multi-purpose and can accommodate bikes and pedestrians but the team will look at shoulders to see if can be softened for joggers. Commissioner Lock suggested that members from BPAC should be consulted
especially if the traffic pattern increases on Centennial Way because it is too narrow. For Opportunity Area 3 did we run outreach to Sunshine Gardens? Mr. Fletcher advised that outreach was made to the entire community but not specific to any one particular group. Mr. Fletcher advised that a play area is included on Civic Campus project buy Commissioner Lock indicated that that is too far to walk to.
Commissioner Lock inquired if there are multiple skate/pump parks if they would be identical or different? Mr. Fletcher advised that each one would be unique. Commissioner Camacho inquired if the Orange Park site was big enough for a
Magical Bridge Playground option. Mr. Fletcher indicated that it may be bid enough,
but it would have to be looked into further. Chair Uy shared his preference to maximize sports fields.
Commissioner DeNardi expressed that she liked the pump tracks and skate parks as
well as the nature areas and the open learning space near Los Cerritos School. She further expressed the need for more lighting at night all along these ways especially right behind South San Francisco High School.
B. Child Care Master Plan Update
Supervisor Armanino shared updates on what the consultant, Kathleen White, has accomplished so far, including:
• Obtained and reviewed several background documents and resources to provide
the information needed for the Child Care Master Plan narrative.
• Outreached to child care centers and family child care home providers in South San Francisco to gather more information on what is currently being provided and what challenges and service gaps exist.
• Drafted, launched, and in process of distributing the SSF Parent Survey in
English/Spanish.
• Launched the SSF Child Care Master Plan website at www.ssf.net/childcareplan.
• Obtained data and met with GIS Coordinator Justin Anderson to create and
launch interactive SSF Child Care Map.
• Created and tailored documentation to guide presentations to key elected officials and decision-makers about the Child Care Master Plan and completed public official presentations that include:
• South San Francisco City Councilmembers
• San Mateo County Supervisors Pine and Canepa
• California State Assemblyperson Mullin’s Representative Mariam
Farouk
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• Parks & Recreation Commission Child Care Master Plan Subcommittee, consisting of Commissioners DeNardi, Camacho, and Uy Research and additional outreach to program partners, child care providers, and City and School District staff is ongoing. Parent focus groups will be conducted soon. A
first draft of the plan is scheduled for early next year, at which time staff will present the plan’s findings before the Commission and City Council. A summary of next steps include:
• Complete parent/care giver survey (in progress).
• Conduct parent focus groups.
• Meet with Renaissance and other job pipeline stakeholders to clarify training workshops for child care providers as related to start-up recommendations.
• Follow up with SSFUSD as related to recommendations for extended learning and transitional kindergarten and facilities planning .
• Follow up with Heather Stewart, San Mateo as related to Child Care Start-up Guide progress
• Roll-out draft plan for input of stakeholders.
• Obtain additional key quotes, a forward and comments from SSF leadership and key influencers.
• Continue coordination Planning Division staff to ensure general plan linkages and
administrative edits allow for cross-fidelity to Child Care Master Plan in key areas.
• Conduct interviews with Angie Garling, Kim DiGiacomo, Elizabeth Winograd
for updates on the Low Income Facilities Fund, Child Care Investment Fund and
Federal stimulus and Build Back Better legislation. Commissioner Camacho expressed her excitement and inquired if the recommendations will include what the City can/will do as well as if it is known what
Universal Pre-K dollar amounts will be rolled out through 2025 and if a Childcare
Task Force will be created. ACM Ranals shared that there will be a December meeting at school district and then a follow up meeting with the City in January. A task force may be initiated by City Council.
Chair Uy inquired about the survey response from disadvantaged portions of the
community would be low and if there was a plan to roll out a paper or in person option for those groups. Kathleen White shared that the survey will be phone friendly and not require laptop/commuter connections to complete but would look further into additional ways to capture community input.
Commissioner Firpo expressed his thanks for the efforts and shared that the idea of a joint task force between the City and the School District is ideal for keeping the communication open.
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Commissioner Lock expressed his concern with how overwhelmed the School
District and the County are and the timing limitations with the funding and explained the need to prioritize how the funds will be spent within the time restrictions. VIII. New Business: A. New Aquatic Facility Update
Deputy Director Mediati shared City Council authorized staff to pursue the design and construction of a new aquatic facility at Orange Memorial Park on October 26. The project will largely be funded by lease-revenue bonds, which will also supplement funding required for the completion of the Orange Memorial Park Ballfield Project.
Prior to the pandemic, public demand for aquatic programs has grown year over year, well beyond the pool’s capacity. There were a total of 4,124 spaces requested on waiting lists for swimming classes and programs in 2019, which represents 1,112
unduplicated individuals, many of whom were on multiple waiting lists.
Operational costs are approximately $150,000 - $200,000 per year in personnel and materials for maintenance of the pool systems, not including daily custodial work, which is approximately an additional $50,000 per year. This does not include periodic
capital improvement costs for various repairs that have been made over the years,
such as replacing the pool’s plaster and ceramic tile bottom, HVAC systems, etc. However, budget requests in recent years for significant renovations have not moved forward, pending a decision on the future of the building.
The one-story building has a floor area of approximately 11,500 square feet, and
contains a lobby, a 25-yard long six-lane swimming pool, locker rooms, staff offices, and mechanical room. Constant maintenance and ongoing repairs have certainly been made during the pool’s 51-year history, and much effort is expended to keep the pool as functional and pleasant as possible. However, high humidity, chlorine vapors, and
heavy public use create a very harsh environment. Since its construction, the facility
has not undergone any major rehabilitation. Today, the deteriorated condition is obvious upon even casual observation. Issues include crumbling and worn finish materials, dry-rotted wood, rusting steel structural and non-structural elements, deteriorated light fixtures, cracked, uneven and sometimes slippery floors, corroded
aluminum window sashes, and large expanses of non-safety glass. Nearly every
architectural element and mechanical/electrical system in the pool is due for replacement, except for the filters, which were recently replaced. Despite the City’s attentive custodianship of the building, overall, the building’s age
and heavy use have resulted in very worn condition of the shell and interior. As noted
previously, virtually every observable component and system named above is part of the original construction and is well beyond the point of meriting replacement.
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Based on a recent review of the feasibility study, and the known condition of systems
in place to date, staff expects the facility will need to be closed within the next 0 to 5 years unless there is significant capital investment or wholesale replacement. In April 2021 staff presented to the Budget Sub-Committee the Wong and Logan Feasibility Study with recommendation of the construction of a new two-pool facility.
In May 2021 staff engaged Group4 Architects from the City’s on-call architecture firm list to explore alternative aquatic center locations within Orange Park and validate construction costs. Working from the two-pool facility approach identified in the Wong and Logan
study, Group4 refined the program to include an 8-lane/25-meter pool, separate teaching pool, swimmer’s lounge, rentable multi-use/party room, staff and pool director offices, locker rooms and support spaces for mechanical equipment within a 28,500 SF single-story facility.
With input from staff and Callander Associates, the consultant developing the Orange Park Master Plan, Group4 assessed Orange Memorial Park to identify six alternative pool locations. Using an evaluation matrix that considered the facility, site, capital costs and operational costs for each of the alternative locations as well as the current
location were evaluated by staff.
The corner of Tennis Drive and West Orange Avenue was identified as the best alternative location for a new facility for several reasons:
• Comparable cost to current location;
• Offers high visibility to those passing by and entering the park;
• Convenient access with connection to both West Orange Avenue and Tennis Drive;
• Opportunity to utilize the existing parking lot north of Tennis Drive;
• Good solar orientation with a wall of glass to the south and views across the lawn;
• Synergy between park buildings and elements;
• Opportunity to relocate the Veterans Memorial into an accessible plaza space; and
• Minimal disruption to operations anticipated, phased construction will allow
the existing pool to remain operational during construction of new facility
with minimal closure due to move, commissioning and training. A new facility could be designed to complement the architecture of the Fernekes Recreation Building, and create a campus feel to this quadrant of the park.
With a projected total project budget of $33.75 million, including escalation of 4% per year to mid-construction of Q3 2023, the overall project cost would be similar for a new facility were it to be constructed in the existing location or at the proposed
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Tennis Drive and West Orange Avenue location. Staff anticipates a preliminary
project timeline as follows:
Milestone Date
Programming and Planning July 2021 – March 2022
Design April – December 2022
Bid January – March 2023
Construction April 2023 – September 2024
Project Close Out October – December 2024
A new aquatic facility could open early 2025. With construction of the facility at a new location, the existing pool facility could remain open, allowing for uninterrupted aquatic service to the community. Upon completion of construction of a new pool facility the existing pool facility would be demolished, and a parking lot constructed
in its place.
Working closely with Finance Department staff, a lease-revenue bond was studied for funding this project, and a portion of the Orange Memorial Park Ballfield Project. A third tranche of bond proceeds for $41 million is planned, which would be issued
in summer or fall of 2022, if authorized by City Council.
Staff will continue to provide periodic updates to the Commission over the duration of design. We will also report back to the Commission in January on a program update for the Aquatics Program, that will address concerns discussed in public
comment at the October Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting.
Commissioner Lock expressed his concern about the location of the entrance facing Orange Ave. Deputy Mediati explained that the rendering was just to show the location proposed of the entire facility, but no traffic studies or design proposals had
been started. Commissioner Lock further inquired about the difference between a lap
pool and a therapeutic pool. Supervisor Noce explained that the lap pool is typically maintained from 78-79 degrees while a therapeutic pool is maintained at 84-87 degrees.
Commissioner Camacho inquired about how many lessons can be taught in the therapeutic pool and if there is room to make the facility bigger. Deputy Vitale explained that staff is currently looking at programmatic needs and improvements before going to the actual design phase, so the size of the actual pool(s) is not yet
determined. ACM Ranals interjected that while staff is looking at the currently 6 lane
configuration and planning for an 8 lane configuration, actual size of the pool will be determined by cost projections when we get to that stage, and the City may scale up or back depending on the variables.
IX. Friends of Parks and Recreation:
Manager Duldulao shared that there are no updates at this time. X. Beautification Committee:
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Deputy Director Mediati reported that there is nothing new to report.
XI. Items from Commission: Commissioner DeNardi attended coastal cleanup and enjoyed seeing the Westborough students, renaming ceremonies for Roberta Cerri Teglia Center, Alice Boulos Center and the Anne Waters playground. She also looked at the Sign Hill emergency work, the Stonegate
tennis/pickleball courts and attended the Youth Commissioners Zoom meeting. She gave a shoutout to Kelli Jo for the tour of container garden at the Roberta Cerri Teglia Center. Commissioner Battaglia enjoyed attending the Halloween event at Orange Park and inquired where else for community gardens could be setup. She enjoys the Senior
Connections newsletter that goes out. Commissioner Camacho expressed her gratitude to staff for continued scrambling with less notice than prior years to create successful community events. The Halloween Extravaganza
was a lot of fun and would like to see about giving away pumpkins next year.
Commissioner Firpo attended the Anne Waters playground dedication and the Halloween event was clever, rode his bike at the Turkey Run.
Commissioner Lock enjoyed the Halloween event and the Holiday Fair (it was great seeing
Jeanette). He inquired how Sign Hill withstood the recent rains. Manager Richardson shared that the rains proved to not be an issue at Sign Hill. He further inquired if the Eucalyptus grove on the west side would be removed. Manger Richardson shared that will not be fully removed, but it will be heavily thinned.
Chair Uy shared that the Halloween event was excellent. He attended the Alice Boulos renaming event and expressed his gratitude to having the community center named to honor someone who means a lot to the Fil-Am Community.
All commissioners thanked staff for their ongoing efforts and expressed Happy Holidays.
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.
XIII. Adjournment: 10:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Kari Jung, Administrative Assistant II