A. Donation of Scoreboard for Belmont Sports Complex
1. DPR Mittelstadt reported the Belmont Redwood Shores Babe Ruth League has been offered a donation of a new electronic scoreboard for the North Field at the Belmont Sports Complex. The scoreboard has been made available from a nationwide Safeco Insurance program. Staff has done some research on it and has contacted the City of Long Beach and got positive feedback on the quality of the scoreboard from their Park Superintendent.
2. Staff prepared a comparison chart in the staff report. The main difference is the existing scoreboard has a time clock where the new scoreboard would have space for advertising and the park name. Youth Sports groups stated they do not use the time clock. The proposed scoreboard also uses a wireless remote control feature.
3. DPR Mittelstadt stated the estimated cost to install this scoreboard is approximately $20,000 and the local Safeco Agent would contribute $2,500 towards the project. The agreement states there would be no cost incurred by the City for the installation of the scoreboard.
4. If the proposed scoreboard is accepted staff plans to store the old scoreboard until it would be needed on another ballfield.
5. If the Park & Recreation Commission recommends accepting the scoreboard the Planning Commission would need to consider an amendment to the zoning code to permit off-site advertisements.
6. Staff is recommending the following conditions should the scoreboard be accepted:
1) The installation is completed at no cost to the City. This includes the removal of the existing scoreboard and any permit fees required by the City.
2) The installer provides plans and engineering calculations for City approval for code compliance and wind load design.
3) City staff approve the location of the scoreboard.
4) The name above the scoreboard be "Belmont Sports Complex"
5) Any revenue generated from advertising is provided to the City.
6) The existing scoreboard be stored for, an as yet to be determined, future use (at City expense).
7. C Shjeflo asked if the Safeco advertising would stay as long as the scoreboard lasts. It is assumed that it would as long as they remain in business.
8. C Singer questioned if there was an estimate on the amount of revenue generated from the advertising. DPR Mittelstadt estimated a few thousand dollars a year. C Singer asked if there is a local insurance broker lined up for the Safety ad and was told it was the Safeco broker that started the process for the donation.
9. C Singer asked the youth sports representative if the conditions were acceptable to them. They stated that Safeco intended the money raised to go to the youth sports leagues instead of the City. All the other conditions are already included in their proposal.
10. C Bortoli stated he was pleased to see the City would store the old scoreboard. He liked the idea of a brand new scoreboard which would have many more years of use.
11. C King stated it should be noted in the conditions that if Safeco should cease to exist that the sign still belongs to Belmont.
12. Bo Shabatara, president of Babe Ruth, said he spoke to the local insurance broker and Safeco is willing to pay any fees required to get this project completed.
13. Belmont resident Steve Gross stated this was a great opportunity to replace the scoreboard and raise money for field maintenance or scholarships and he hoped the Park & Recreation Commission would recommend accepting the scoreboard.
14. George Burgess, 2423 Read Avenue, said he received many emails from parents in the community in support of accepting this scoreboard.
15. C Bortoli suggested there should be consideration on how to set the price of advertising. DPR Mittelstadt commented if the money goes to the youth sports leagues it would be to their advantage to negotiate with the advertiser. C Bortoli noted there are several groups that use the field so the money could be spread between them.
16. C Shjeflo moved that the Commission recommends the City Council accept the donation of the scoreboard at the Belmont Sports Complex subject to staff’s conditions with the change that any revenue generated from advertising be provided to the youth leagues who use the field and any advertising and advertising contracts to be approved by the City.
17. C King proposed amending the motion so that advertising would apply only to the Sports Complex. There was discussion on advertising and the possible ordinance change. Staff suggested that this be a separate motion and C King withdrew the amendment.
18. (S) Cheechov. Vote 6-0 in favor.
19. C King moved that the Commission recommend that if the zoning code is changed to permit off-site signage that it be limited to the Sports Complex only.(S) Shjeflo
20. There was discussion on advertising at the Belmont Sport Complex. Non-permanent banners with advertising are posted at the Complex. These are from businesses that sponsor youth teams.
21. Belmont resident George Kranen urged the Commission to be very careful on recommending changes to the sign ordinance.
22. DPR Mittelstadt said the City Attorney and the Planning Commission would review the issues before making any changes to the sign ordinance.
23. There was concern on the impact of a change to the sign ordinance. The motion was to make clear the Park & Recreation Commission’s preference that advertising be restricted to the Belmont Sports Complex.
24. C Singer stated he felt this was stepping out of bounds for the Park & Recreation Commission and that issue should be addressed by the Planning Commission.
25. Vote 5-1 in favor (Singer opposed).
B. Park Capital Improvement Priorities
1. DPR Mittelstadt reported in March of 2002 the Commission recommended a group of Capital Improvement Projects to the City Council that were included in the City CIP Plan. Staff is recommending that the Commission review the list and rank them. Staff added one project and the Commission could also add to the list.
2. Staff listed three large projects separately and recommended that they not be ranked since their costs exceed current resources. This includes the Athletic Field Improvements, Barrett Community Center and a City-owned swimming pool.
3. The Commission invited audience members to speak on this item.
4. Rick Frautschi, 1500 Folger Drive, spoke as a representative from the Central Neighborhood Association (CNA) and Chair of the Board for the CNA Parks Committee. He emphasized the need for more parks in the their neighborhood and the importance or renovating Patricia Wharton Park.
5. Louis Murphy, 1308 North Road, reported on the history of Patricia Wharton Park which was built in the early 1970’s by several Belmont youths in the 4-H Club. These youths cleaned up the lot, planted and maintained the plants in the park.
6. David Long, 857 South Road, CNA President noted the issue of parks is important to their neighborhood. He requested the Park & Recreation Commission endorse improvements to Patricia Wharton Park. If the park improvements are approved and completed he would like to have the plantings be completed by neighborhood residents.
7. Belmont resident Arno Jacobi, one of 4-H members that had worked on the park, spoke in support of fixing up Patricia Wharton Park.
8. C Shjeflo questioned if Patricia Wharton Park is in the Right of Way and if improvements could be built on it. DPR Mittelstadt explained it is the in the right of way and the City can maintain its use; if the City installs pathways, irrigation systems and landscaping an encroachment permit would be required.
9. C King suggested considering inviting a 4-H group to work on the planting. Mr. Long said they would ask for help from the 4-H as well as the Boy Scouts.
10. C King questioned if there might be someone in that neighborhood that could prepare the plans for the project. There was discussion and it was determined it would be best to use the city infrastructure to develop plans and bid the project.
11. C Singer questioned the safety concerns with the location of this park and a three-way intersection. It was agreed that this park is not appropriate for a play structure.
12. DPR Mittelstadt responded to questions from the Commission on the proposed projects to be ranked.
13. C King questioned the success of the skateparks in neighboring cities. DPR Mittelstadt said in Foster City they get about four youths on weekdays and 10-15 on weekends. Youths are still skating outside the parks where they don’t have to follow rules.
14. The Commission completed ranking forms for the Capital Projects with the lowest number being the highest priority. The results were as follows:
Project Total
#1 Wharton Park/Alameda Gateway 10
#2 Trail Improvements 14
#3 Belameda Park 15
#4 Davey Glen Park 32
#4 Highway 101 Ped/Bike Bridge 32
#4 Swimming Pool – Contribution to Carlmont 32
#7 Ralston Ranch Park 38
#8 Skatepark – Portable 44
#9 Skatepark – Permanent 53
DPR Mittelstadt reviewed the results of the ranking and that available funding would cover the top six to seven projects.
15. C Shjeflo moved the Commission adopt the ranking (S) Singer. Vote 6-0 in favor.
C. Selection of January 2004 Meeting Date
1. Due to the work furlough schedule staff recommended the January meeting date be rescheduled from January 7, 2004 to January 14, 2004.
2. C Shjeflo moved the Commission adopt January 14th as the meeting date. (S)Cheechov Vote 6-0 in favor.
VII. UPDATES
A. City Council Updates
None.
B. Park Improvement Update
1. DPR Mittelstadt reported the Playground Improvement Project was progressing well until the rain interrupted it. The Twin Pines structure is installed but not functional yet. Drainage problems were encountered at Barrett which will be corrected. College View is near completion and at Hastings tot lot the grading is finished.
C. Recreation Division Program Update
1. RS Holte reported the Community Learning Center would have their Holiday Show on December 10th. Breakfast with Santa will be on December 13th. There are several holiday luncheons and socials scheduled in December.
The Holiday Craft Faire was well attended.
D. Status of Issues
None.
VIII. COMMISSION/STAFF COMMENTS
A. DPR Mittelstadt stated the Park & Recreation Office will be closed December 25 through Sunday, January 4. Day Care would operate on their normal holiday schedule. The Park Staff will work two days in the middle of that schedule to complete needed park maintenance.
B. DPR Mittelstadt reported the Art & Wine Festival Sub-Committee had their first meeting. At their next meetings they will interview two art organizations. The goal is to bring back recommendations for any modifications for the festival to the Commission at the February meeting.
C. C Swanson noted the Chamber of Commerce would have their holiday fundraiser on December 6th benefiting Save the Music.
D. C King reported Artshare will have a fundraiser called Growing of the Arts – A Pot Party. They are asking for donations of decorated plant pots to be sold.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
Grace Saggau, Secretary
December 3, 2003
