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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.15.2022 PR Comm Minutes CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES FROM TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2022 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, March 15, 2022, via teleconference due to the COVID-19 pandemic and local health orders. II. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Battaglia, Burgo, Camacho, DeNardi, Firpo, Lock, and Uy Absent: All were present Staff: Sharon Ranals, Assistant City Manager Greg Mediati, Director of Parks and Recreation Angela Duldulao, Acting Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation Joshua Richardson, Parks Manager Kari Jung, Administrative Assistant II Erin O’Brien, Business Manager Brian Noce, Acting Recreation Supervisor Laura Armanino, Recreation Supervisor Kimberly Morrison, Acting Recreation Supervisor Kelli Jo Cullinan, Acting Recreation Manager Devin Stenhouse, Recreation Supervisor Philip Vitale, Deputy Director of Capital Projects Kasey Jo Cullinan, Recreation Coordinator III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Skipped. IV. AGENDA REVIEW: There were no changes to the agenda. V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 15, 2022, MEETING: Approved by motion. Motion: Commissioner Battaglia / Seconded: Commissioner Camacho. VI. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: Mayor Nagales expressed his thanks to the Commission for their great work and noted that the City Council looks forward to continued partnership with the many upcoming projects, including the Civic Center Campus, park projects, and the new swimming pool. Chair Lock thanked Mayor Nagales for his attendance and kind words. VII. New Business: A. Centennial Trail Master Plan and Orange Memorial Park Master Plan Deputy Director Vitale introduced project consultants Zach Katz and Nate Ritchie from Callander Associates who presented the drafts of the Centennial Way Trail Master Plan and Orange Memorial Park Master Plan. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of March 15, 2022 Page 2 Centennial Way Trail is a Class I bicycle and pedestrian pathway spanning three miles from the South San Francisco BART Station to the San Bruno BART Station. The City constructed and maintains the trail. In late 2020, the City accepted maintenance and development rights of additional portions of the BART right-of-way, significantly expanding opportunities for capital improvements and programming along the trail. In early 2021, the City engaged the landscape design and planning firm, Callander Associates, to work with the community and various 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. An update to the Orange Memorial Park Master Plan will represent current and planned projects as well as changing demographics and park programming needs. Outreach and community engagement for the Centennial Way Trail Master Plan and Orange Memorial Park Master Plan began in summer 2021. Outreach and engagement included pop-up events at the park and trail, online and printed surveys, stakeholder meetings and an open house. 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 numerous events, virtual stakeholder meetings, as well as through online and printed surveys available in English and Spanish. A second open house was held at the Fernekes Building in November 2021. Information about the plan alternatives and opportunities to engage were advertised through Park and Recreation newsletters and shared among community and stakeholder groups. An update of the engagement efforts and plan alternatives were presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission in November 2021. Feedback received from the Commission and the public informed preferred plans for opportunities areas and the draft documents attached to this report. Comments received this evening will be incorporated into the final document, which will be presented before the City Council for adoption later this spring. Deputy Director Vitale shared news that the City had applied for and will be awarded a grant for a section of the Centennial Trail between Orange Avenue and Spruce Avenue, based off of this master plan. Commissioner Camacho requested additional information about a park in alternative locations in the Sunshine Gardens area. Director Mediati shared that staff is exploring multiple lot locations within the Sunshine Gardens neighborhood. Commissioner Burgo requested clarification on the difference between learning garden and community garden. Nate Ritchie (Callander) explained that the intent of the learning Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of March 15, 2022 Page 3 garden is to provide interpretive elements, and native or pollinating plant species so it's a little bit more of a learning element whereas a community garden includes private garden plots for residents to grow their own plants. Commissioner Firpo shared his concern that the trail isn’t wide enough considering that the intention is to allow both pedestrian and bicycle access. Nate Ritchie shared that there is intent to expand the trail to 12 feet of asphalt with two foot shoulders on the side, where it's currently 10 feet. Commissioner DeNardi expressed concern about lighting along the nature trail behind the high school and monitoring of activity along the isolated area. Nate Ritchie shared that the existing lights would remain with one additional being added in between – doubling the light output – but concurred this should be further studied. Director Mediati shared that this is the only segment that is currently surveilled with cameras as part of a pilot project with the hopes to expand in the future. Commissioner Uy asked if the pump tracks and skate parks might duplicate uses. Director Mediati explained that the pump track would be more of a dirt track for BMX bikes while the skate park elements may contain concrete steps and other features for navigating skateboards around. Commissioner Uy shared that he felt current skate/bike areas are under utilized and additional areas would not be as necessary when comparing to oversubscribed field use. Deputy Director Vitale also shared that this is a conceptual master plan and as each segment is funded additional community meetings will be conducted for the final design and construction to determine appropriate elements. Commissioner Burgo noted that a restroom should be installed along the trail near the Spruce Avenue intersection. Chair Lock inquired how these master plans were being synced with the General Plan. Deputy Director Vitale shared that Capital Projects staff is engaging with the Planning Department so that the master plans and the General Plan are compatible. Commissioner Uy inquired about the pickleball courts in the Orange Park Master Plan and how sound issues may be addressed for nearby residents. Deputy Director Vitale shared that this was the master planning stage and once funding was sourced for specific areas, then the details of how to accomplish various aspects would be explored and incorporated into the actual design. Staff shared that they recently read an article on this topic as well, and will consider this further. Commissioner DeNardi inquired about the status of the eucalyptus trees at Orange Park. Director Mediati expressed that there wasn’t any current plan to remove them, but that the plans were merely conceptual at this point in time. She further inquired if the stakes installed throughout the park presently represented the bounds of City property. Manager Richardson explained that they were just remnants from a recent surveying project and do not define the bounds of the City’s property. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of March 15, 2022 Page 4 Commissioner Firpo inquired about the community stage at Orange Park and if it would be capable of multi-use and include power for movie nights, concerts, and other events. Deputy Vitale shared that the design was conceptual, but these questions were valuable and staff is taking notes to reference how the spaces could be utilized. Commissioner Camacho shared her concerns about limited access, but was overall supportive of the plan and excited to see it develop over the next 20 years. Commissioner Burgo and Chair Lock shared in the sentiment. VIII. Friends of Parks and Recreation: Acting Manager Cullinan shared that there was a recent Friends meeting, the group was compliant with their non-profit status, that they are preparing for a membership drive, and Kimberly Morrison will be assisting with the group going forward. IX. Beautification Committee: Director Mediati reported that there is nothing new to report. X. Items from Commission: Commissioner Burgo requested discussing a new name for the concert event be added to a future agenda. Secretary DeNardi enjoyed the lunar year display and the youth baseball league parade. Commissioner Uy thanked Greg and Josh for setting up new picnic tables at Sellick Park and for fixing the tennis court lights. Commissioner Camacho congratulated staff including Angela, Kelli, Erin, Kimberly, and Brian on their appointments to new or acting positions. She shared her support for splitting the Childcare Program. Commissioner Battaglia participated in and enjoyed the baseball parade and congratulated the Seniors Connection newsletter for the award. Vice Chair Firpo echoed the comments of his fellow Commissioners. Chair Lock congratulated staff and requested a General Plan update to be added to a future meeting agenda and commended staff and fellow Commissioners on the incremental changes/updates that are happening because of the planning and conversations discussed. XI. Items from Staff: A. Calendar of Events Director Mediati provided a brief update of the Calendar of Events. B. Administrative Updates Chair Lock inquired if Commissioners had any questions related to the previously shared administrative updates. None were shared. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of March 15, 2022 Page 5 Deputy Duldulao reminded the Commission that the Conflict of Interest Form 700 is due by April 1. Mask requirement policies will continue in the Childcare Programs through 4/19. Manager Cullinan shared her support for the Childcare Program split and offered congratulations to staff on their recent placements. Manager Richardson shared that the paving at the Miller Garage Breezeway on Grand Avenue has been completed, and that tree removals at Westborough Park along the upper pathways are in progress in preparation to repair the pathways. He thanked staff for prepping for baseball parade in the weeks ahead of event. XII. Adjournment: 9:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Kari Jung, Administrative Assistant II