HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-15-1999 Approved P&CSC Minutes '. CITY OF DUBLIN
PARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES.COMMISSION
MINUTES OF: NOVEMBER 15, 1999
The November 15, 1999 meeting of the Parks and Community Services Commission was called to order at 7:04p.m.
at the Dublin Civic Center, Dublin, California,by Commissioner Chapman.
Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Chapman.
Roll Call
Commissioners Present: Chapman, Wong-Gillmore, Cramer, and Munoz.
Commissioners Absent: Cobb-Adams and Swalwell
Oral Communications
Youth Advisory Committee
Vimala Hannigan reported that the new Youth Advisory Committee has had two meetings so far. In the year 2000,
the Committee would like to conduct a Battle of the Bands, Teen Night(once a month), Dub Town Jam(rename and
relocate), and the create a YAC website with connections to the City and Dublin High websites. Current upcoming
events include a one day Ski/Snowboard Trip to Boreal Ski Resort on January 29, Q-Zar Night on November 23, and
a Karaoke Night on November 19 at Celebritys' sponsored by Friday Night Live.
Senior Advisory Committee
Bob Cocilova reported that the Ballroom Dance conducted on November 10 was very successful. Upcoming events
include a Trip to Reno on November 16 and a Harvest Luncheon on November 23. He announced that Patsy Rankin
has accepted a position with more responsibility and pay and will be leaving soon. She will be greatly missed.
Approval of Minutes
ONA MOTION BY CM. CRAMER, SECONDED BY CM. CHAPMAN AND BY UNANIMOUS VOTE, THE
COMMISSION VOTED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 20, 1999 AS PRESENTED.
Written Communications-None .
Public Hearing-None
Unfinished Business-None
New Business
Location of 2000 St. Patrick's Day Celebration
Paul McCreary, Recreation Supervisor, reported that for the past two years the City's St. Patrick's Day Festival has
been held on Regional Street. The festival site included the parking lots at the Automatic Rain Company and the
Almond Plaza Shopping Center. The owner of the Almond Plaza Shopping Center notified the City that 60% of the
merchants in the center did not want the festival to be held there in the future. Staff has identified two options for the
festival site.
Option 1-Regional Street
Booths and vendors would be located on Regional Street north of Popeye's Restaurant and south of Pasta Primavera.
The amount of space on Regional Street would be reduced by approximately 60%. The Automatic Rain Company's
parking lot would still be used. Mervyn's has indicated that the City could use a portion of their parking lot for the
festival. This option would provide 115,000 square feet of space for the festival, which includes 450 linear feet on
Regional Street. The Regional Street site would be 45,000 square feet smaller than in previous years. The site could
not hold as many vendors as before, which would reduce the amount of revenue the City receives for booth sales.
A smaller site would also make the festival more congested and feel too crowded to visitors.
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Option 2-Amador Valley Boulevard
Booths and cafés would line the median along Amador Valley Boulevard. The main stage, dining tent and children's
attractions would be located at the Shamrock Village Shopping Center. This option would provide 175,000 square
feet of space for the festival,which includes 1,000 linear feet on Amador Valley Boulevard and would provide access
to all businesses surrounding the festival. The move would provide better exposure for the Friends of the Library's
Semi-Annual Book Sale, which is held the same weekend as the St. Patrick's Day Festival. Temporary library
parking would be made available in the parking areas behind the library, next to Target and the vacant Copeland
Sports building. The Amador Valley Boulevard site is large enough to allow the festival to grow in this location.
Terry Pimsleur and Company,the event promoter,prefers this site and is confident the festival can be accommodated
without any major problems.
Impact on St. Patrick's Day Parade
Moving the festival to the Amador Valley Boulevard site would require shortening the St. Patrick's Day Parade route
by 375 feet, which the Lion's Club has approved. Although road closures will limit east to west traffic through
downtown,the length of the parade will minimize the inconvenience to motorists.Notification of road closures would
be mailed to residents living in the neighborhood.
Cm. Wong-Gillmore asked if all the businesses along Amador Valley Boulevard would be given the opportunity to
provide input. McCreary replied that meetings will be conducted with the merchants and Staff will generate a
mailing as well.
Cm. Cramer felt that Option 1 would be tight,but that Option 2 would offer more space and have the least impact on
local businesses. Cm.Wong-Gillmore agreed.
ON A MOTION BY CM. WONG-GILLMORE, SECONDED BY CM. CRAMER AND BY UNANIMOUS
VOTE, THE COMMISSION VOTED FOR OPTION 2 — AMADOR VALLEY BOULEVARD AS THE
LOCATION FOR THE ST.PATRICK'S DAY CELEBRATION IN 2000.
Teen Center Study
Michelle Wierschem, Recreation Supervisor, reported that at the February 8, 1999 meeting of the Parks &
Community Services Commission,the Commission asked Staff to research the success that cities have had with teen
centers. Staff surveyed 24 cities with existing teen centers. Of the 24 agencies, over 70%had teen centers that had
been in existence for less than five years. Further, Staff found that there are essentially three categories in which the
teen centers fall. Wierschem reviewed the three categories of teen centers with the Commission and provided
examples in each category.
Wierschem reported that locally San Ramon plans to appoint a Teen Center Task Force to investigate the options for
a teen center. Livermore is incorporating a teen center with a new community center that is currently in the design
stages. Pleasanton has investigated the feasibility of a teen center, but has not identified a site. The City of Dublin
Youth Advisory Committee has formed a sub-committee to investigate the feasibility of a teen center for Dublin
youth. The Committee will be researching and touring teen centers this year to determine the potential for a
successful teen center in Dublin and direct their recommendations to the Commission for review.
Cm. Munoz stated that at the last two meetings of the Youth Advisory Committee, discussion was held regarding a
Teen Center, and two committee members have chaired a subcommittee. The subcommittee is interested in looking
into the possibility of a teen center.
Cm. Wong-Gilhnore asked if the teen center and activities would be under the direction of the Parks and Community
Services Department. Lowart replied, yes.
Cm. Wong-Gillmore pointed out that the categories with the best attendance are those in which the Youth Advisory
Committees are actively involved. She asked if some categories accommodate senior programming.
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PAGE THREE
Wierschem indicated that there is an inter-generational center in southern California.
Cm. Cramer asked how large is the old library building and whether it would be possible to use 1,000-2,000 sq. feet
for a Teen Center. Lowart replied that the library is about 15,000 square feet and that the Library Adaptive Reuse
Study recommends that the entire building will be needed for a Senior Center.
Cm. Cramer asked whether the Community Center at Emerald Glen Park could accommodate teen use.
Director Lowart stated that the Parks and Recreation Master Plan identifies the need for a 23,000 square foot
community center. In the standards for the community center, 1,750 square feet has been identified for a Teen Room.
Cm. Cramer asked whether there was space at Shannon Center. Director Lowart stated that it is too heavily
scheduled with classes and programs.
Cm. Cramer asked if the City would consider funding a rental facility. Director Lowart stated that there is not
currently funding for a Teen Center and the City Council has not yet considered the possibility of a Teen Center.
She recommended submitting a report to the City Council asking if they want Staff to look into the possibility of a
Teen Center. The subcommittee would then identify what they want, and then we would look at the options available
(Shannon Center, School District Building, Commercial Property).
Cm. Cramer asked Cm. Munoz if the Youth Advisory Committee would have a problem with a Teen Center on
school property. Cm. Munoz replied that the Committee is trying to be open minded and as flexible as possible.
They know the reality of a teen center is a long way off,however they are looking towards the future.
Cm. Wong-Gillmore stated that she is in favor of having a teen center, but would like to see the Youth Advisory
Committee get off the ground first and gain success in their current activities before we go forward to the next level.
However, if the Commission is going to go through the process of placing this item on the agenda for public
discussion, then she would suggest that the Youth Advisory subcommittee appoint a representative to address the
Commission, instead of hearing.a repetition of the same comments.
Cm. Cramer stated that if the youth have legitimate concerns and ideas for a teen center, then we as a Commission
need to give them that forum.
Cm. Chapman stated that he would like to hear from all the youth. It would be interesting to hear what kind of
support there is for a teen center. The youth need to help shape the support of the Commission in one direction or
another.
Cm. Munoz reported that the Youth Advisory Committee has decided to conduct a survey of all Dublin youth,
focusing on the need of a Teen Center in Dublin. He suggested that the Commission hold off on taking this to the
City Council until such time the results of the survey are completed.
After discussion,the Commission concurred that the Youth Advisory Committee should be prepared to address the
Commission at their scheduled January 24th meeting,presenting results of their survey as well as their ideas and plans
for a teen center. If there is sufficient interest for a Teen Center, the Commission will then recommend that it be
forwarded to the City Council for consideration.
Dublin Senior Center, Library Adaptive Reuse Study
Director Lowart reported that in anticipation that the City Council would approve construction of a new library and
that the County would transfer the old library to the City, Group 4 Architecture Research &Planning was retained in
January 1998 to evaluate the existing Dublin Library building for conversation to a Senior Center. The study looked
at the following three areas: 1)program analysis of space and site needs; 2) preliminary building evaluation; and 3)
conceptual floor plan. Lowart briefly review the three areas of study for the Commission.
MINUTES—NOVEMBER 15, 1999
PAGE FOUR
Program Development/Analysis of Space and Site Needs
In order to determine if the existing Dublin Library building and site would be suitable for a Senior Center, the
Dublin Senior Center Advisory Committee was consulted to develop a "wish list"for a new facility. The Committee
considered the potential activities, services and programs that a new Senior Center should support, and identified
specific goals for the site and building design. Group 4 came up with interior space requirements and approximate
square footages to support the potential program and goals.
Preliminary Building Evaluation
Group 4 reviewed the original construction drawings for the library and visited the site to observe the general
condition of the building. In order to prepare the building for another 20-30 years of community use, considerable
work is needed (roof, building exterior, interior, structural, mechanical, and electrical). The site will likely need to
be modified to provide additional parking. If outdoor activity areas are desired, construction of these new areas will
be required as well.
Conceptual Floor Plan
In order to meet Dublin seniors' current needs, the size of the existing Dublin Library building is adequate.
The location on Amador Valley Boulevard would provide an excellent site as it is in the central area of Dublin and is
convenient to the neighborhoods where the seniors now live. Additionally,the access to public transportation is good
and the location is visible within the community. The library building would require extensive remodeling for
adapting it for use as a Senior Center. The renovation cost is estimated at$3,166,000.00 for which funding has been
identified. Lowart briefly reviewed the floor plan for the Commission.
Bob Cocilova, Member of the Senior Advisory Committee and President of the Senior Center Foundation felt that the
renovation of the library to a Senior Center is a great idea. The seniors are very excited about the location along a
main street front,however are apprehensive about its completion in 3-4 years. Space at the center is very tight and
some seniors are going to San Ramon or other cities now.
Cm.Wong-Gillmore asked if the fence between the library and Target will be removed. Lowart replied that access in
and out of the building and parking lot will be reviewed in further detail as part of design development.
The circulation pattern and traffic flow will also be carefully reviewed.
Cm. Wong-Gilhnore was concerned of how structurally sound the building is now. Lowart stated that an additional
study will be done to determine what needs to be done to bring the building to code.
Cm. Cramer asked if there are any outside sources available for funding. Lowart stated that the Senior Center
Foundation is pursuing ideas for raising money. In addition,there will be a park bond on the ballot in March which,
if passed,may be a source for funds.
Cocilova pointed out that the foundation cannot do anything until the City advises them of what their part in this
would be.
Lowart stated that it is the goal to be in the position to break ground when the library is vacated.
Other Business
Brief INFORMATIONAL ONLY Reports from Parks&Community Services Commissioners and/or Staff
Director Lowart reported on the following:
APatsy Rankin has resigned. Lisa Lamont will be the interim director until a replacement has been hired.
The application deadline is the end of November.
Blythe Elliott, Recreation Technician, has married and relocated to San Diego. Her replacement should be on
board in December.
AThe Tree Lighting Ceremony is scheduled for December 2 at 6:30pm and Breakfast With Santa is scheduled for
MINUTES—NOVEMBER 15, 1999
PAGE FIVE
AThe City Council has approved to move the Pasta Festival to the Dublin Sports Grounds the weekend of August 19
&20.
• The City Council has approved 5 consecutive concerts this summer,from July 14-August 11.
• The Senior Holiday Luncheon is scheduled for November 23 at 11:30am. Please call to make a reservation.
▪ The City Council has raised the Commissioners stipends to$50.00 per meeting.
Adjournment
Being no further business,the meeting was adjourned at 9:12p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Char J. Young, A. ,: istrativ Secreta
dial" AL.
Char
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