Parks & Recreation Commission - November 7, 2007
City Hall San Carlos, CA 94070 November 7, 2007 The regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 7:05 P.M. by Gordie Burton in Council Chambers. Gordie Burton led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call Commissioners present: Gordie Burton, Chair Ray Merala, Vice Chair Cecily Harris Tom Johnstone Carol Taylor
Commissioners absent:None Staff present: Barry Weiss, Director
Changes to the Order of Agenda None
Approval of Minutes Action
The minutes of September 5, 2007 were approved as written. Presentations a. Special Needs – Janet Leus, Recreation Coordinator Janet has been working in this area for 17 years.She described the premier program on the peninsula and highlighted aspects of the well received nine point skill development curriculum.
b. San Carlos Green – Anne Iverson introduced an infectiously enthusiastic group who explained the background and basis for momentum building behind what many see as a wave of the future – green[er] living.San Carlos Green is a community task force whose goal is to inspire a more environmentally conscious and sustainable community.Speakers and topics discussed included: •Patricia Potter – Recycling and Hazardous Waste –Ms. Potter is a professional in electronic waste recycling and asset management •Suzanne Emerson – Energy and Water, General Plan Committee –Ms. Emerson is an environmental attorney and in the energy efficiency business •Ann Iverson – Energy, Climate Change, Marketing Communications –Ms. Iverson is a marketing communications consultant, focusing on energy •Kathleen Gallagher – Green Building Policy –Ms. Gallagher is a sustainable policy consultant; and a former SBWMA recycling manager •Margaret Desmond – Sustainable Gardening and Urban Trees –Ms. Desmond is Professor Emerita, CSU; and a Master Composter, Recycle Works Also speaking were project leads on the San Carlos Climate Action Plan; Jay Hill and Julie Willard. San Carlos green has a website:sancarlosgreen.org. Asked about the desirability of natural grass turfs v all weather synthetic turfs as athletic playfield surfaces in suburban/urban areas in terms of “greenness”, presenters responded that San Carlos Green does not have a position on this topic.Trade-offs are associated with each surface.They also reported the Sierra Club has not taken a position on this. After the presentation the group was encouraged to help make the City Council aware of developments in this area.Discussion of incorporating “green[er]” living into the San Carlos Master Plan ensued. Unfinished Business a. Update on Parks, Open Space, Buildings and Other Recreational Facilities Master Plan – Director Barry Weiss presented and update on the Parks, Open Space, Buildings and Other Recreational Facilities Master Plan.Results of a telephone survey of 400 heads-of-households exploring perceptions of city’s park facilities conducted by Strategic Research Associates were presented.Of the 400 people surveyed, 249 claimed to “always” vote in municipal elections (“good voters”).About half the respondents (48%) reported that household members were averaging four or more visits per month to park facilities; 21% reported visiting less frequently than once per month or never. Areas of inquiry included i) Use and perceptions about San Carlos parks and recreational facilities, ii) reactions to 12 specific improvement options, iii) reactions among “good voters” to specific improvement options, and iv) desirability of features associated with specific improvements. Cleanliness and good maintenance of facilities, playground equipment, trails, aquatics (a pool), playing fields and a performing arts center/community center seem to be of greatest interest to those surveyed.Questions related to willingness to pay more taxes or make donations to pay for facilities were also asked – no single sentence can adequately summarize these answers though “good voters” were reportedly “significantly less enthusiastic than others about additional taxes.”. The survey results are available through the Parks and Recreation Department. b. Work Program Status Updates by Commissioners Commissioners agreed to each speak with 10 people about Parks and Recreation issues and to meet with their respective City Council liaison prior to the January 2008 meeting.Gordie Burton and Raymond Merala agreed to try to meet with new council members Randy Royce and Omar Ahmad, respectively. New Business a. Review of Draft Burton Park Playground Plans and Fundraising Update The conceptual design for the renovation of Burton Park’s playgrounds was presented.The design includes input from actively interested community members.The designs include a water spray feature and, if implemented, would be the County’s first “inclusive” (suitable for special needs) playground.Estimated cost is $800,000.City Council approved $365,000 on June 11, 2007.Additional funding from naming opportunities and other funding activities totaling about $165,000 has been identified.Multiple grant applications have been submitted. The long time (and in need of replacement) Burton Park fire engine was auctioned on e-Bay for $650.
Commission Reports a. Task Force Reports Commissioner Cecily Harris met with the General Plan Advisory Committee and will meet with them again on Nov. 20. Chairperson Gordie Burton met with the Athletic Sites Advisory Committee – Chairperson Burton praised the continuing extraordinary cooperation between the various groups sharing San Carlos Fields and facilities, and the leadership provided by Parks and Recreation staff. Staff Reports a. Parks and Recreation Programs and Services Barry Weiss provided a staff report with interesting, well-received information.Highlights include: -Well attended 25th Anniversary Celebration of the Adult Community Center -Two new employees hired – Luis Estrada – Parks with athletic fields and Tom Kovac – Civic Center -Automated External Defibrillator units installed at Kiwanis Building, Youth Center, and Adult Community Center in partnership with Sequoia Hospital health and Wellness Department -Saturday Community Tree Planting – facilitating efforts of San Carlos Green Discuss Potential Agenda Topics for Future Meetings a. Consideration of Scheduling Joint Meetings with Other Applicable Commissions, Beginning With Senior Citizens Advisory Board The Commission discussed setting up a list of topics to discuss at a future meeting, and a set of topics to discuss with other commissions.This discussion may occur at the January 2008 Commission meeting. b. Consideration of Scheduling Study Session with Parks & Recreation Director The Commission discussed having a “freewheeling” discussion, “educational” meeting.This discussion may occur at the January 2008 Commission meeting.
c. Study Session on Potential Measure G Extension or Other Ongoing Funding Mechanisms d. January 2008 update of Parks and Recreation Commission Work Program e. Consider one or more “Green Policies” for future discussion.
Public Comment Sandra Mentan asked the Commission to consider asking City Council to make zoning of all parks be permanently zoned as park land and part of the updated General Plan. Set Date and Time of Next Meeting The Commission set December 5, 2007 at 7:00 P.M. as date and time for next meeting.We will conduct the second Master Plan Community Workshop in the Library Conference Rooms A&B. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 10:48 P.M. Ray Merala, Vice Chair |
