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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2022-03-03 @200MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING OF THE y SCHOOL DISTRICT LIAISON STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE CITY COUNCIL c�LIFoP.O. Box 711 (City Hall, 400 Grand Avenue) South San Francisco, California 94083 THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2022 2:00 p.m. Teleconference via Zoom The School District Liaison Standing Committee maymeet by teleconference, consistent kith the Broffv Act as amended by AB 361 (2021). Under the amended rules, the Cihr inll not protide a physical location formembers ofdie public to participate in the teleconference meeting: Call to Order. TIME: 2:00 p.m. Roll Call. PRESENT: Mayor Nagales, Councilmember Flores, Board President Baker and Vice President Richardson Agenda Review. None. Remote Public Comments — comments are limited to items on the Special Meeting Agenda. None. Matters for Consideration 1. Motion to approve the Minutes for the meeting of July 26, 2021. Motion — President Baker / Second — Councilmember Flores to approve the Minutes from the meeting of July 26, 2021. Unanimously approved by roll call vote. 2. Report regarding an update on a proposal to construct a public playground on the Sunshine Gardens Elementary School site. (Joshua Richardson, Parks Manager) Manager Richardson gave a brief presentation of the update on a proposal to construct a public playground on the Sunshine Gardens Elementary School site. He understood the continued need for parkland in the neighborhood and was seeking direction and feedback from the committee members on the possibility of developing a park at this location and whether locating a park on the frontage of Sunshine Gardens Elementary was worth pursuing at this time. Vice President Richardson inquired who owned the larger section of the playground. Manager Richardson advised that the site is owned by the South San Francisco Unified School District. Assistant City Manager Ranals added that the larger area was left at the school's then principal's request for the student's use. President Baker was glad to see the project was in the front of the school instead of the back for better protection from intrusions. He recommended fencing the park and installing gates on either side of the park for entry during school hours. President Baker suggested installing a gate on the front of the park facing the street for public use during off -school hours. Councilmember Flores inquired whether there was any discussion about public restrooms at the site. Assistant City Manager Ranals stated that the proposal did not move forward, and they did not discuss any restrooms. She shared that many of the city parks of this size do not have public restrooms. Councilmember Flores inquired how the project would be financed. Director Mediati advised that that level of discussion had not happened. Mayor Nagales inquired whether a previous park model was a shared space open to the school and the public. Director Mediati listed some parks, including the Buri Buri School field and the Ponderosa School field. The following individuals provided public comments: • Maryam Moody • Davylyn President Baker advised there would be more opportunities for public input before any decisions were before the School Board and City Council. 3. Discussion on Youth Government Day. (Sharon Ranals, Assistant City Manager) Assistant City Manager Ranals stated that she did not believe Youth Government Day was possible this year. She advised that Youth Government Day was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID- 19. She stated that the Youth Commission could potentially consider a youth town hall instead of Youth Government Day. President Baker and Vice President Richardson were disappointed with the cancellation of Youth Government Day and hoped to have it back next year. Councilmember Flores suggested having Youth Government Day during the fall semester if the spring semester was not viable. He also suggested having City Council hold a town hall or an assembly to go to the high school students and share what a day in the life of a public official. Mayor Nagales stated that the Youth Government Day event was a great partnership between the City of South San Francisco and the South San Francisco Unified School District and was open to help facilitate in terms of encouraging the youth to get more engaged in local government. The following individual provided public comment: • Ethan Mizzi SCHOOL DISTRICT STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING MARCH 3, 2022 MINUTES PAGE 2 4. Report regarding a potential extended learning summer program offered by the City of South San Francisco for students enrolled in the South San Francisco Unified School District's Big Lift Summer School program at Spruce Elementary School. (Laura Armanino, Recreation and Community Services Supervisor) Supervisor Armanino recommended that the School District Liaison Standing Committee be appraised of a potential extended learning summer program offered by the City of South San Francisco for students enrolled in the South San Francisco Unified School District's Big Lift Summer program at Spruce Elementary. She stated the staff's goal was to provide high -quality learning, socialization and recreation programs and much -needed options for working parents who require wrap -around services year-round. Vice President Richardson inquired which fund the reimbursements to the cities would come from and what the city would provide. Assistant Superintendent Irish advised that funds would come from the ELCAP fund and potentially receive money from the San Mateo County After School Care. Supervisor Armanino advised the City of South San Francisco will be providing each classroom of 20 children with two recreation leaders and looking to hire a recreation aid, typically a high school student from the district, to give them some job experience. There would also be a coordinator who will oversee the program and be responsible for all the curriculum planning and purchasing supplies and snacks for the children. President Baker inquired whether students from Los Cerritos Elementary could take advantage of the program. Supervisor Armanino confirmed they could, and she was working with Assistant Superintendent Irish on how to make it happen. Councilmember Flores shared that this was an award -winning program and was something other cities wished they had. He inquired whether the four hired high school students would come from the Summer Youth Employment Program. City Manager Futrell stated that it was from a separate fund, which would be over and above the opportunities provided to students through the program. 5. Report regarding the status of the Childcare Memorandum of Understanding between the City of South San Francisco and the South San Francisco Unified School District. (Greg Mediati, Director of Parks and Recreation) Director Mediati and Assistant Superintendent O provided an update on the Childcare Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) status between the City of South San Francisco and the South San Francisco Unified School District. City Manager Futrell recommended at least a one-year extension of the existing MOU with an understanding that in the interim would work on the operating agreement. He inquired when the school district might see proposed revisions to the operating agreement so that the city could do some work and address their concerns. Assistant Superintendent O advised they had been working with their facility staff on the suggested changes and hoped to have a draft by the end of the month. Councilmember Flores inquired about the immediate legal concerns from the school district. Director Mediati stated there is a section in the MOU that said that if the school district wanted to SCHOOL DISTRICT STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING MARCH 3, 2022 MINUTES PAGE 3 expand an after -school program at a site, they had to confirm with the city beforehand to ensure the site's availability. President Baker advised that childcare was probably the third most important need after safety and a good education. He recommended that both agencies do everything possible to ensure a sound childcare system. He did not think there was a disagreement that they needed to amend and update the facilities plan, and it needed to be flexible to meet the needs of the constantly changing school district. Vice President Richardson recommended reducing childcare fees for struggling families. She stated there was a housing affordability issue and was concerned that families would leave the district because of the lack of childcare. She noted that the city was not paying the district for the use of its facilities. President Baker advised that the school district does receive money from the city. He believed intergovernmental organizations should not nickel and dime each other over checks and appreciated the collaborative spirit. Director Mediati stated that the city's full -day care price was $440 a month, far less than anywhere else. He advised that the cost recovery was low, and they do not make money from childcare. Assistant City Manager Ranals advised that the city provided several programs free of charge to residents for over 20 years, funded by grant funds. She stated the city provided more affordable programs than the school district offers. Mayor Nagales expressed the importance of the childcare programs provided by the city and stated that the programs are one of the best in the county. 6. To provide an update on where the District is in the process of workforce housing for SSFUSD employees. (Shawnterra Moore, Superintendent) Superintendent Dr. Moore provided an update on the District's process of workforce housing for their employees. Councilmember Flores stated that the city was able to obtain a fellowship from the San Francisco Foundation that would provide a shared fellow that could look into potential opportunities in ways workforce housing could move forward. City Manager Futrell provided additional details regarding the fellowship from the San Francisco Foundation, which would examine housing policies, renter protections, and projects such as building teacher housing. He advised that the grants would not have any strings attached. Vice President Richardson appreciated hearing there were no strings attached to the grant. City Manager Futrell mentioned that the city would host a study session on March 16, 2022, regarding the city's Childcare Master Plan and invited the school board and others to attend. SCHOOL DISTRICT STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING MARCH 3, 2022 MINUTES PAGE 4 Assistant City Manager Ranals announced that the city was recently awarded a $2.4 million grant for capital improvement between Orange Avenue and Spruce Avenue. Councilmember Flores announced that the 2022 Jack Drago Cultural Arts Commission Youth Scholarship application deadline is Monday, April 18, 2022. He encouraged members to help get the word out. Adjournment Being no further business, Mayor Nagales adjourned the meeting at 3:40 p.m. Subn Gabr: City of South San Francisco Approved by: Clerk Mark Nagales, Mayor City of South San Francisco Approved by the School District Liaison Committee: 011 b I / ILE SCHOOL DISTRICT STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING MARCH 3, 2022 MINUTES PAGE 5