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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-17-1999 Approved P&CSC Minutes CITY • • j PAI SAN ©F AUB • M tea. ,' MINUTES OF 'MAYI7,`1999 The May 17, 1999 meeting of the Parks and Community Services Commission was called to order at 7:03 p.m. at the Dublin Civic Center,Dublin, California,by Chairperson Cobb-Adams. Pledge of Allegiance Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chairperson Cobb-Adams. Roll Call Commissioners Present: Chapman, Cobb-Adams,Wong-Gillmore, Swalwell and Gill Commissioners Absent: Cramer • Oral Communications Dublin Senior Center Advisory Committee—No report. Dublin Heritage Center Advisory Committee—No report. Youth Advisory Committee—No report. Vicky Swalwell, 11404 Betlen Drive, stated that her son attended the Dub Town Jam on Friday, and received one of the handout music tapes. In listening to the tape, she discovered that it had explicit language which she found inappropriate to the age group this event was geared to. She gave the tapes to Director Lowart. Lowart stated that for future events, she will direct Staff to scrutinize the handout materials prior to the event. Approval of Minutes Cm. Swalwell referred to the minutes of April 19, Page 2, BMX Bike Park. He felt that it sounded like he had a personal agenda. Cm. Cobb-Adams stated that she did not feel that the minutes read that way. ON A MOTION BY CM. SWALWELL, SECONDED BY CM. WONG-GILLMORE AND BY UNANIMOUS VOTE, THE COMMISSION VOTED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF MARCH 22, 1999 AND APRIL 19, 1999 AS PRESENTED. Written Communications-None Public Hearing-None Unfinished Business-None New Business BMX Park Director Lowart reported that at their meeting of April 19, 1999, the Parks and Community Services Commission directed to Staff to place this item on the May 17, 1999 agenda for further discussion. Staff looked at other BMX sites in the Tri-Valley area, and spoke with the Livermore Area Recreation and Park District, City of Pleasanton and the City of San Ramon. The only sanctioned BMX facility in the Tri-Valley is in Livermore, a temporary track sited for a future community center. It has a 900ft track which will accommodate eight racers at a time. District Staff worked with developers and volunteers to have dirt moved to the site. The track is available for free use by the public. Scheduled races are conducted twice per month and helmets and other protective gear are recommended. Directional signs and park ordinances are posted along the track. The track attracts approximately 30 riders after school and 60 riders on the weekends, and organized races attract over 100 riders. The Livermore Police have had no reported problems at the BMX track. The District has received no complaints from neighbors about noise or other problems at the track. In San Ramon, riders use the undeveloped Precipice Park site on Bollinger Canyon Road and San Ramon Valley Boulevard. The City does not officially • . • • . 1 MINUTES—MAY 17, 1999 PAGE TWO sanction it. The City does not currently have plans to build a BMX park nor is a BMX area included in the master plan for Precipice Park. The City of Pleasanton is investigating several possible sites for a BMX park. The City does not tolerate unauthorized use of property by BMX riders and when areas are found,the jumps are leveled. Staff contacted the City's insurance pool,the Association of Bay Area Governments,to determine whether a BMX park would be covered under the plan. Because a BMX park does not involve the use of motorized vehicles, the risk element is viewed as relatively low. Within the City of Dublin, there is limited space for a BMX park. As development proceeds to the East and future parks are developed, a BMX feature could be included as part of the park design. In the interim, one potential site identified by Staff is the future staging area for Dougherty Hills Open Space located on Amador Valley Boulevard between Stagecoach Road and Dougherty Road. This undeveloped 2-1/2 acre site is relatively flat. With the proper design,it may be suitable for small-scale BMX use. Gary Tatangelo, 8640 Beverly Lane, stated that he is a contractor and would be willing to work with any committee that may be formed. He has heavy machinery and tons of fill. Mr. Tantangelo thanked the Commission for their consideration of a BMX park for the kids. Aaron Strong, 7543 Bonniewood Lane, asked whether it will it be a BMX track or jump. Cm. Chapman asked him what would he would like to see. Aaron replied that he would like to see a jump,because it would be more fun. Bret Strong, 7543, Bonniewood Lane, stated that he would prefer a BMX jump instead of a track. Director Lowart stated that if a subcommittee were formed,they would work with the public to design the site. Jason Swalwell, 11404 Betlen Drive asked if bikes will be allowed at the Skate Park at Emerald Glen Park and if the site was near the Bart Station. Director Lowart stated that bikes would not be permitted because the pedals. would damage the concrete and explained that the park was on Tassajara Road and Gleason Drive, across from the County Animal Shelter. Daniel Silva, (no address given), asked whether the jumps will have grinding bars. Cm. Cobb-Adams suggested that when the subcommittee conducts their meetings,he should attend and provide input at that time. Cm.Wong-Gillmore referred to the pictures of the San Ramon site and asked if this was an example of a park with jumps as opposed to a track. Director Lowart replied yes. Robert Livermore has a track with jumps. The area used in San Ramon now has jumps that the kids have constructed there. Cm. Cobb-Adams stated that based on the limited space available, it would be a good idea to have the subcommittee look more towards jumps as opposed to a track. A track would attract more people and generate more traffic to the site. Cm. Swalwell thanked Staff for their research. A seed has been planted. • ON A MOTION BY CM. CHAPMAN, SECONDED BY CM. SWALWELL AND BY UNANIMOUS VOTE, THE COMMISSION VOTED TO APPROVE THE FORMATION OF A SUBCOMMITTEE FOR A BMX PARK. Cms. Swalwell and Cobb-Adams volunteered to serve on the BMX Subcommittee. Daniel Silva, asked how long will it would take. Director Lowart stated that it will have to go through the proper processes. The subcommittee will conduct meetings with the public and their recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for approval. t , MINUTES—MAY 17, 1999 PAGE THREE Jason Swalwell asked if the police would be at the park? Cm. Cobb-Adams replied they would patrol the site as they do any other facility in the City. Cm. Cobb-Adams thanked those in attendance for their input. A subcommittee has been formed. They will be scheduling meetings with the public to discuss this project. She suggested that all in attendance should place their names and addresses on the sign-in sheet to receive notice of the meetings. Junior Leader Program Michelle Wierschem, Recreation Supervisor, reported that the Junior Leader Program (J.L.P.) is a summer volunteer program that is designed to provide youth 13-16 years with job skills education and volunteer opportunities. This program will replace the Youth Experience in Summer (Y.E.S.) program. The program will begin June 21-September 4 with a parent/participant meeting June 9, at 6:30pm at the Shannon Community Center. The program will combine the leadership training offered in the Leadership with Youth class with job skills education resulting in a comprehensive training program for youth. Junior Leaders will have an opportunity to volunteer to work in Camp Shannon, Fun In The Sun, Tenderfoot Day Camp and Summer Sports Camps. The fee for the Junior Leader Program is $45.00 for Dublin Residents and $52.00 for Non Residents, which includes job skills instruction, volunteer experience opportunity and a T-shirt. The educational components will include Leadership.Skills, Volunteerism, Team Building Concepts, Job Searching Tips, Self-Esteem, How to Prepare a Resume, Safety on the Job, and the Interview Process. There will also be an incentive.program for hours worked and job performance. Staff is contacting potential sponsors for donations to the incentive program. Cm. Wong-Gillmore asked how many participants there were in past years. .Director Lowart replied that enrollment has ranged between 15-25. Cm.Cobb-Adams asked whether there was a set schedule for the volunteers. Ms.Wierschem stated that hours will be limited to 20 per week and the schedule would be based on the volunteers performance and the needs at the various sites. Cm. Wong-Gillmore asked where the flyers are being posted. Ms. Wierschem replied that flyers have been sent to Wells Middle School,were mailed to last years Y.E.S.volunteers,and the program was advertised in the brochure. Cm. Chapman asked if the educational components were going to be taught strictly by the individual you spoke about from Cal State. Ms.Wierschem replied that Josh Jonas,the JLP Coordinator, was an intern from Cal State Hayward and would supervise the volunteers and work with the on-site staff. Cm. Gill stated that the program is a real good idea. The teens will like it because it is a commitment that they can make themselves. Formation of a Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission Director Lowart reported that at the 1998 Goals and Objectives Study Session the City Council agreed unanimously to establish a Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission. On May 13, 1999 a joint meeting of the Heritage Center Advisory Committee and the Dublin Fine Arts Foundation was held to discuss the establishment of a Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission. The representatives from the Dublin Fine Arts Foundation and the Heritage Center Advisory Committee supported the proposed Commission. They recommended that the proposed Commission serve in an advisory capacity to the City Council and have the following responsibilities: 1) promote interest and support for the arts for local and area history; 2) advise and make recommendations to the City Council on all matters pertaining to the restoration, maintenance and operation of the Heritage Center; 3)advise and make recommendations to the City Council regarding art programs;4)advise and make recommendations to the City Council on public art including designation of sites, scope of budget,artist • MINUTES—MAY 17, 1999 PAGE FOUR selection, commissioning, placement and removal; and 5) advise and make recommendations to the City Council on potential City funding of community groups as it relates to cultural arts and heritage. The recommended composition of the Commission is seven members with one member representing the Dublin Fine Arts Foundation and one member representing the Dublin Historical Preservation Association. The Heritage Center Advisory Committee would be disbanded and the Dublin Fine Arts Foundation would continue as a fundraising body for art programs. Director Lowart pointed out that establishment of this new Commission would mean that the Parks and Community Services Commission would no longer have oversight of heritage or arts programs. Cm. Swalwell felt it was a good idea. He asked whether the Commission could maintain a non-profit status if the Mayor takes over appointment to the Commission. Director Lowart replied that the Dublin Fine Arts Foundation has non-profit status and not the Commission. The Mayor does not make appointments to the Foundation. • Cm. Wong-Gillmore asked if many cities have their art and heritage separate from their parks and community services. Director Lowart stated that every city handles things differently. She pointed out that arts and heritage will still,be the under her supervision; the difference is that there will now be two Commissions with separate areas of responsibility. Cm. Wong-Gillmore asked if this was a pretty common thing. Director Lowart stated that the combination of cultural arts and heritage was not as common as having a separate art commission or heritage commission. Cm. Wong-Gillmore stated that she was surprised that there is no one here tonight to represent either the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission or the Dublin Fine Arts Foundation. She felt that there has been a feeling that there has been no need to report through this level. Cm. Swalwell felt that this recommendation will help them bypass just another step which is not really necessary since it is a special field. Director Lowart stated that this is one of the comments that came from the Heritage Advisory Committee. Cm. Cobb-Adams stated that she understands what Cm.Wong-Gillmore is saying. However, she also understands that the Heritage Advisory Committee feels that is one more thing that we do not have to advise on. The only pitfall would be the fragmenting that may occur and the vying for funds. Other Business Brief INFORMATIONAL ONLY Reports from Parks& Community Services Commissioners and/or Staff Cm.Gill reported that the Dub Town Jam was a good event. But unfortunately Foothill and Valley Christian High School had dances and Dublin High had a Powder Pull the same night. Even though there was more entertainment this year, the attendance was less than last year. She also reported that Y.A.C. is currently planning to conduct some pool bashes. - Cm. Chapman reported that he attended the Valleywide Commissioners Dinner at Ravenswood. He as glad that he went and that it was great. There was no real program. They had organized tours of the historical Ravenswood property. Cm. Swalwell apologized for not being able to attend the dinner,he had other commitments. Cm. Wong-Gillmore stated that she too attended, and enjoyed the dinner. It was a very nice showcase of the cultural arts and enrichment that they have brought in from Ravenswood as part of the Recreation Department. Also attended the Dub Town Jam and had a lot of fun. She was disappointed that there were not more kids there. It was evident that the dances at the high schools affected attendance. t , MINUTES—MAY 17, 1999 PAGE FIVE Cm. Cobb-Adams asked if Staff spoke with the Senior Advisory Committee about changing the time for their meetings so that a representative of the Commission can be in attendance. Director Lowart stated that the Committee will meet this week. She asked whether they preferred the time to be earlier or later in the day? Cm. Swalwell said earlier than loam would be great. Cm. Cobb-Adams said after 11:30am. Director Lowart reported on the following: + Phase I of Emerald Glen Park begins this week. ▪• Pool renovation is taking a little longer than anticipated,but is on schedule to open on Memorial Weekend. ▪ Phase I of the Heritage Center renovation is complete (walkways). Phase II will start this week (landscaping, gazebo.awning structure). + Staff is gearing up for the summer programs. ▪ The deadline for applications for the Youth Representative is May 27. At this time no applications have been received. Press releases and letter to the principal have been sent and we have requested it to be announced in the morning bulletin. Cm. Chapman asked if the future meetings of the Commission are still on schedule for the third Monday of each month. Director Lowart replied,yes. Adjournment Being no further business,the meeting was adjourned at 8:17p.m. Respectfully submitted, ' 1/I_ A Char J. Young / Administrative Sec etary APPROVED: Chairman