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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.20.2024 - PR Comm Minutes CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES FROM TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2024 I. CALL TO ORDER: 7:14 p.m. A regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission of the City of South San Francisco was held on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, in the Council Chambers at the Library | Parks and Recreation Center. II. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Battaglia, Camacho, DeNardi, and Uy. Absent: Commissioners Burgo and Lock. Staff: Greg Mediati, Director of Parks and Recreation Angela Duldulao, Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation Laura Armanino, Recreation Manager Joshua Richardson, Parks Manager Philip Vitale, Deputy Director of Capital Projects III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Completed. IV. AGENDA REVIEW: Item seven on agenda moved to item one. V. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: The comment below was received electronically on August 20, 2024, at 5:06 p.m. “I respectfully request my email be incorporated and read at tonight’s Park and Recreation Commission meeting: Chair DeNardi, Vice-Chair Burgo and Commissioners: Good evening. On behalf of our community in Old Town, we are deeply concerned about the proposed Pine/Linden Avenue Park being constructed on contaminated soil located at the existing parking lot on Pine Avenue. We were not made aware of the contamination of the soil at the existing parking lot and thus, would not at all have supported this project, knowing that this site is toxic and poses great danger to residents, especially toddlers and children who crawl and play on the ground. I, personally, feel that I have been deceived into believing that our best interests were in mind and that our Spanish-speaking immigrant community of Old Town had finally gained the respect from our city. After having witnessing the consultant persuading my mom into choosing the Pine Ave street closure to traffic, I was highly disturbed. Even though we had been informed of the proposed plan of closing off Pine Avenue about four (4) years at the same time of hearing about the closure of our only playground of Cypress Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of August 20, 2024 Page 2 Park, we believed in democracy and what our country stands for. I recall then Mayor Garbarino stating that “we deserved a bigger and better park.” Never, did we expect for the Armour electrical tower site be an acceptable location for a park, nor for the Pine Avenue toxic site either. These two locations are insulting to our community and highly unacceptable for a suitable park. And never, did we believe that the decision had already been made years beforehand. I wish to make the Commission and consultant aware that there was a gas leak at a home on Pine Avenue. PG&E transmission lines run along Airport Boulevard. When communicating with PG&E about both of these serious concerns, we did not receive a response in writing and received the typical insulting dance & game when speaking to representatives. The silence and runaround speak volumes and raises even more red flags. In case of a major disaster, we will be trapped if Pine Avenue closes. Either way, it is unacceptable to construct a park on a hazardous site and to take away the lifeline of the only remaining public parking lot left from long-time family owned businesses. Our lives DO MATTER! Old Town and our Spanish speaking immigrant community deserves the same dignity offered elsewhere in our city and the priority should be human lives over an industry that has forever taken away the heart and soul that our city was before. Without a doubt, it is the socioeconomic disadvantages that facilitate the marginalization and exploitation of communities of color by our City, County and State. In our case, it happens to be our Spanish speaking immigrant community in Old Town. Respectfully, Olga Perez” VI. PRESENTATIONS 1. Fiscal Year 2024-25 Co-Sponsorship Renewals: Manager O’Brien gives an update on one of the last two Co-Sponsorship renewals. Staff is recommending approval for the renewal of the South San Francisco Aquatics Club. The Club has a competitive swim team that practices year-round at the Orange Pool and participates in swim meets throughout the year. Membership is made up of over 72% South San Francisco residents. Club President, Dan Jumanan, shares that the Club was established in 1971. He is a second-year president and is learning a lot about running a non-profit organization. On average they have 100 athletes, mainly in the age group of 10-14 years old. Commission Uy thanks President Jumanan and staff and comments that he is impressed on how they are able to keep the fees so low considering how much club sports generally cost. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of August 20, 2024 Page 3 President Jumanan thanks the Commission, and shares that they are having their team picnic this weekend starting at 11:00 a.m. and invites the Commission and staff to join. Chair DeNardi asks if after the age of 14, are kids are joining their high school’s swim team. President Jumanan responds that because they have a limited schedule, they are competing with the more advance training offerings that neighboring teams provide. Once participants turn 14, and while the Club does encourage them to join their high school teams, serious swimmers tend to join other clubs because the SSF Aquatics Club doesn’t offer the twice a day and weekend trainings they want. President Jumanan hopes to be able to expand the program once the new facility is available. Manager O’Brien reminds the Commission that they have one other group, the San Mateo Athletics Club, that they plan to bring to Commission in September. Motion to approve Co-Sponsorship Agreement: Approved by motion. Motion: Secretary Camacho / Seconded: Chair DeNardi. All in favor. 2. Capital Projects Update: A. Centennial Way Park South: Deputy Director Vitale shared that the notice to proceed with construction was awarded in January 2024 and construction of the bike track is nearly complete. In order to widen and repave the trail, the trail was closed to the public for two weeks with a detour and was able to reopen back to the public a week ahead schedule. The playground equipment has been installed in the traditional play areas and are in the process of installing the nature area. Site furnishings are being installed, planting is being done now and irrigation is being tested. Sod will be installed in the coming weeks. The ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for September 29 and invitations have already gone out. B. Oyster Point IIC: Deputy Director Vitale shared an example of the areas that will be improved and areas that will be closed to the public. Benches, water fountains and fencing has been installed at the dog park. The Bay Trail has been widened and a decomposed granite shoulder has been installed. Art pedestals have been installed along the new Bay Trail. During construction a part of the Bay Trail remains closed, but a temporary access path has been created. The windscreen in the picnic area is complete and the picnic tables, grills and seating is being installed. The upper parking lot has been resurfaced. Tree mounds are being installed for planting of trees, shrubs, grassed and ground cover. The project hasn’t had many hits to its contingency so other opportunities are being explored to utilize some of the remaining contingency to bring other elements to the area. C. Karyl Matsumoto Plaza: Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of August 20, 2024 Page 4 Deputy Director Vitale shares that construction began the earlier part of this year and is nearly complete. Paving for the pathway and plaza are complete. Lighting in the areas is starting to be installed and much of the planting is complete with some small areas to be completed in the coming weeks. A kinetic sculpture was installed. Two art benches will be installed in the synthetic turf area and the Matsumoto sign was installed. Deputy Director Vitale shares that the celebration for the plaza will be September 21 to coincide with the Caltrain system-wide electrification celebration. D. Memorial Park Aquatics Center: Deputy Director Vitale shares that the notice to proceed for construction was issued in April of this year. The Eternal Flame sculpture was crated and placed in storage. Temporary accessible parking stalls were installed in the Tennis Drive parking lot. Utility work is being done along Tennis Drive which requires flaggers because of single lane traffic. Notices of this closure were delivered to nearby neighbors. As an extra safety measure, the sidewalk on Orange Avenue was closed between Tennis Drive and the crosswalk at North Canal Street during shoring activities in late July and early August. The sidewalk was reopened on August 12. During construction some of the reclaimed water captured from the storm water capture system is being used to control dust on the site. Phase one of the construction is set to open in late 2025 and full completion in 2026. Secretary Camacho asks if the dog park at Oyster Point will be separated by size to which Deputy Director Vitale answered yes. Chair DeNardi asked if the picnic area wind shelter at Oyster Point were made using reclaimed wood. Deputy Director Vitale responded that they were not but towards the nature play area they were able to use the reclaimed wood. Chair DeNardi commented that she drove by the trail today and really liked the lights that have been installed. E. Linden Park Project: Deputy Director Vitale shares that this is an opportunity to bring more park space into the Old Town neighborhood, the plan is to create a park space at 616 and 700 Linden. The space at 616 Linden was formerly an auto repair shop and in 1993, storage tank were removed as well as 440 tons of contaminated soil. Testing was done and in 2001 and the site was deemed to be safe for use as a park. As this project began there was additional testing done at the site and it was reinforced that the site was safe to use. That testing did identify that there was a small area that has some contaminated lead soil but will be removed as part of the park construction. The City engaged MIG Landscape Architects late last year to help on the process of engaging the community and development of construction documents. Deputy Director Vitale shares a summary of the key takeaways from the phase one community engagement which took place April through May. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of August 20, 2024 Page 5 Deputy Director Vitale shares that the visioning phase was completed in May and the design team worked on developing a couple design alternatives. The second phase of community engagement started a couple of weeks ago. Pop-up events, online surveys, focus groups and on-site open house events will continue in August and September to share the design alternatives to help get feedback from the community. The design team will take that feedback to develop a preferred concept to take back to the community early next year. Commissioner Uy shares that he understands that there are some concerns about contamination, but it seems like that is being addressed. He would like to know if there is any way to get it out to the community that remediation has happen already and additional remediation will be done to minimize any concerns they may have. Deputy Director Vitale responded since starting the project they have provided background on the project web page. The testing and cleanup documents will also be posted on the webpage. Director Mediati shares that they are also working with the consultant to draft a summary report. He adds that the additional lead removal is not required, however the project is voluntarily doing additional remediation. He adds that they will look to see that the information is also available in the kiosk. Commissioner Uy then asks that the project team consider a sports court for teenagers to use. Deputy Director Vitale responds that it’s something they’re trying to get out with the two design alternatives to understand what the priorities are and what the sacrifices would be with each. Commissioner Uy adds that it’s not big enough for a field, but they can certainly have a futsal or basketball court. Secretary Camacho comments on the marketing for the survey and pop events. Understanding that the notices are going out to all the neighborhoods she asks, if possible, to have the survey fliers also available at Grand Library and sent to certain schools to ensure that they are going to families that are more relevant to the neighborhood too. Regarding the public comment, if the hammerhead circulation alternative must be taken away for safety reasons, the alley connection would be the next best option, because the road in the middle will limit the usability/safety piece of the park. Deputy Director Vitale responds that the advertising of the events was included in the monthly Parks and Recreation newsletter and e-blasts are sent to people who have signed up to receive additional information. After this weekend’s event, data will be looked at to see what age group and population are being reached and to see if there is a population that’s not being reached enough. Secretary Camacho asks if it possible to add in the survey a question asking what area you live in and questions on naming the park to get the community’s input. Deputy Director Vitale responds that there has been some follow up discussion on the naming policy. Secretary Camacho says that the information gathered would just be feedback to give to the decision makers to do as they will with it. Deputy Director Vitale shares that the survey has Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of August 20, 2024 Page 6 already gone out and has received around 40 responses, but there will be opportunity for community engagement when the preferred concept is brought forward, so questions can continue to be asked there too. Deputy Director Duldulao adds that staff did discuss using Peach Jar to communicate with families enrolled in SSFUSD schools and our afterschool programs at the elementary schools have been asked to distribute the fliers as well. Secretary Camacho adds that back to school nights are next week and that may be a good opportunity to get the fliers out. Chair DeNardi adds that if fliers are given out at back-to-school nights to try to have translators, if possible. Deputy Director Vitale responds that they will reach out to the schools to see if they are allowing additional activities to take place and if we can staff those. Chair DeNardi asks if the park will have sod or artificial turf to which Deputy Director Vitale responded that at this time it hasn’t been decided yet. 3. Program Updates: Young Adult Focus Group and Age-Friendly Community Survey and Action Plan: Manager Armanino provides an update on two outreach opportunities. The purpose of the Young Adult Focus Group is to generate open discussion about experiences with the City’s Parks & Recreation Department programs, services, and amenities and to identify areas of interest to young adults specifically who reside in South San Francisco. Discussion groups will be facilitated by staff who will look for input on recreational offering and park amenities. Target audience are residents of South San Francisco between the ages of 18-30 and/or are employed or going to school in South San Francisco. Seven to 15 participants will be selected. The data gathered from the group will assist staff in facilitating responsive recreation planning while improving delivery for this age group. Manager Armanino then gives update on the Age-Friendly Community Survey and Action Plan. In June 2023, the Age-Friendly designation was received. As part of maintaining this designation, the next step in the process is to develop an Age-Friendly Community Action Plan. The Center for Age-Friendly Excellence (CAFE) is assisting the City in re-engaging the Age-Friendly Task Force and community outreach. Part of the outreach is a community survey which is an assessment to find out about the community and what residents will need as they get older to make their community a great place to live. The 20-minute survey will be online by the end of August and will remain open for about three months. The survey is for residents 50 and up and looks at eight domains of livability of an Age-Friendly city. As part of the process, staff is working with CAFE to also host Town Hall meetings in October. The task force members will play an important role in reviewing the survey results and informing the development of the Action Plan throughout the process. Secretary Camacho asks if the Youth Commission is still active. Manager Armanino responded that they are. Secretary Camacho asked if the Parks and Recreation Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of August 20, 2024 Page 7 Department is being tasked with the focus group because it is focused on Parks and Recreation programs. Manager Armanino responded in the affirmative and staff are tasked to reach the targeted age group as to what amenities and programming we can provide and how we can best communicate with that age group. Commissioner Uy comments that he thinks using focus groups are great, however it would be a good idea to have people represented from the different districts in the area. Manager Armanino responded that when they select the members, they will be mindful that all districts are represented. 4. Concert in the Park: Community Fun Fest Update Manager Armanino gives update on Concert in the Park and is pleased to announce that Dazz Band will be the headliner and Blessid Union of Souls will be opening for them. There will be beer and wine sales in the picnic shelter, and food trucks in the parking lot off Memorial Drive. They will have 48 exhibitor booths in the meadow and there will be performances by community groups, which will take place on the dance floor in front of the stage. The event map is a draft and staff are still working with Fire and Police to finalize the event setup. Manager Armanino shares the updates to the “Guidelines for Attendees” which the Department established and will update the Commission on any changes or updates made. Commissioner Uy asks how many food trucks there will be. Manager Armanino shares that there are five trucks confirmed with a sixth pending. The ones that have confirmed they are attending still need to meet all the City’s requirements. No animals allowed, except for ADA dogs. Signs will be posted. Chair DeNardi asks which food trucks are tentatively confirmed to be there. Manager Armanino responds that tentatively they have Dominics, Brazuca Grill, Silvas, Phil’s Hotdogs, Mozzeria, and Red Sauce Meatballs. Friends of Park and Recreation is sponsoring the beer and wine sales. Chair DeNardi asks if there will be an area for seniors to go to if it is a warm day. Manager Armanino responds that there will be open seating available throughout the concert in the picnic shelter and the picnic areas behind the vendor area will all be open for people to sit. 5. Calendar of Events: Director Mediati gives a brief update on the Calendar of Events. 6. Administrative Updates: Director Mediati shares that since the last meeting, there was a pool heater failure, and the pool was closed while parts were sourced. Wood chips have been added to the dog park as requested by Vice Chair Burgo at a previous meeting. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of August 20, 2024 Page 8 Director Mediati also notes that the July 26 update to City Council has a summary of all the programs added to our portfolio the last couple of years as a response to Measure W. Manager Richardson gives an update on the Brentwood Park project. The contractor will be on site tomorrow and will be breaking ground next week for the irrigation installation. Estimated timeline is to finish by the end of September and there will be a planting event most likely in early October. He also shares that the new light pole has been installed at the ballfield at Terrabay and that project is now complete. Chair DeNardi asked when the replanting will be done at Brentwood Park. Manager Richardson responded that it’s planned for early October. The irrigation is being installed first, then the contractor will plant some of the larger trees and then the community would be involved in planting about half of smaller trees and the contractors will do the other half. Chair DeNardi asked about the IPP event scheduled for this week. Manager Richardson responded that it will be a small event led by committee member Bill Zemke. He explains that he is trying to encourage committee members to run more smaller events but will still have the larger quarterly events. Chair DeNardi then asks about status of the newly planted trees on South Spruce and Centennial Way. Manager Richardson responds that the trees were removed and saved to plant elsewhere. SFPUC, the landowner, required they be relocated since they will be using the area for staging a construction project. The City has a revokable permit for landscaping this area, however, the SFPUC has revoked it. Secretary Camacho comments that she heard that the foundation for the new dragon statue had been installed. Manager Richardson responded that the footprint has been installed and the statue will be installed on Thursday this week. VII. FRIENDS OF PARKS AND RECREATION No updates. VIII. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 1. Motion to approve meeting minutes from June 18, 2024. Approved by motion. Motion: Commissioner Uy / Seconded: Chair DeNardi. All in favor. IX. ITEMS FROM THE COMMISSION Commissioner Uy shares that he has observed the pickleball pilot program at Sellick Park sometimes seeing as many as 40-50 people there as well as 30-50 people at night at Buri Buri and thinks it’s great that the program is doing well. He shares that Westborough Park had a couple of complaints because some people were upset that the nets are being taken down and other people were upset because there is a group of tennis players were monopolizing the courts. There are also people who have been hosting lessons at Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of August 20, 2024 Page 9 Westborough Park without permission. At Stonegate, another unpermitted instructor was leading tennis lessons and ended up taking down the pickleball nets. At Sellick Park, nets are constantly being vandalized and the poles have been stolen. He understands it’s a pilot program, but it should be considered to eventually put in something more permanent because there is an interest for it. Commissioner Uy also shares that he has seen posts online a lot lately from seniors talking about being turned away from the Magnolia Center because there is not enough space at the programs. Manager Armanino responded that there were some pilot programs that were started in the dance studio, then staff moved those programs up to the third floor where there is more space, so this is no longer an issue. Since staff moved those programs and hours were extended, no one has been turned away. There are additional programs now that are being piloted in the dance studio and staff has been advised that if they get to a place where a waitlist is needed then those would become registration- based programs in 5 to 8-week sessions, like other classes. Director Mediati added that historically the free senior programs have only been held at the Magnolia Center, but they have started to look at expanding it outside the center but keeping it at no cost. Chair DeNardi suggests having some of these programs available at the Alice Bulos Center. Manager Armanino responded that they’re working with the classes supervisor to see what open time slots are available and to see if there are instructors who can teach at those times at the different locations and that Alice Bulos is one of the locations being looked at. Manager Richardson responds to Commissioner Uy’s comments about pickleball. He shares that through Capital Improvement Projects, they’ve received funding to design and build a permanent pickleball court and have begun the process of engaging landscape architects to help see where that fits in. Commissioner Battaglia shares that she has attended a lot of the activities and events and shared her experiences. Secretary Camacho asks that if there must be something stated that the program has limited spots that we also include that it is due to instructor availability. Chair DeNardi comments it what nice to see Commissioner Uy and his wife come to check out the bocce facility. She shares that in the Parks and Recreation Bocce Program the number of families that were coming in at 7:15 p.m. is declining a little because school has started, and families are busy with the children. They’re trying to advertise the 7:15 p.m. time on social media to build that time again. They’re also trying to build the 9:30 - 10:45 a.m. time for Fridays and the 4:45 p.m. time on Thursdays. The bocce program is doing well and getting positive comments from the community. Chair DeNardi thanks staff for all they do and shares that she attended Movie Night, and everyone seemed to enjoy it. ITEMS FROM STAFF Manager Richardson shares that they are finally making progress on redesigning the interior of the restrooms at Orange Memorial Park between the ballfield and picnic shelter. Construction will not be done in time for Concert in the Park. The restrooms will be gutted out and redesigned and will be a lot easier to clean. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting of August 20, 2024 Page 10 Secretary Camacho comments that she likes the partnership with the preschools and senior center. X. ADJOURNMENT: 9:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Jeanette Yoshida, Administrative Assistant II Next Meeting: September 17, 2024.