MINUTES 

The regular meeting of the Belmont Recreation and Parks Commission was called to order at 7:31 p.m.

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Commissioner (C) Metropulos, Bortoli, Cheechov, Davis. C Dentler arrived at 7:45 p.m. C King arrived at 7:50 p.m.

COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Gay

STAFF PRESENT: Director of Parks & Recreation (DPR) Mittelstadt, Recreation Superintendent (RST) Holte & Secretary Saggau

C Cheechov requested the minutes approval be postponed until the other Commissioners arrive. Following the staff reports the Park & Recreation Commission minutes of May 5, 1999 were approved 6-0.

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DPR Mittelstadt presented the plans for improvements to Alexander Park that are recommended by staff. Three meetings were held with the neighborhood association and an architect to develop the plans.

DPR Mittelstadt explained if the City Council approves the budget requests there will be $198,000 for this project. The engineer’s estimate is $205,000; contingencies could bring the project cost up to $230,000. This project would need to be bid with alternates so the main project could be completed and additional items could be finished at a later date.

Architect Carl Emura of Callander Associates displayed the proposed plan and described the improvements. The Preferred Alternative includes improvements to two existing tennis courts (the third existing court will be removed), a new and enlarged playground area, access and entry improvements.

C Davis asked if there would be restroom improvements. DPR said that the existing restroom will be improved with maintenance funds available in the budget.

Sterling Downs resident Rudy Gerstle requested that the entranceway repaving be completed last so that it is not damaged by heavy equipment.

Sterling Downs resident Wilma Kartman stated that drainage improvements need to be done in the proposed basketball court area. DPR Mittelstadt noted the basketball court improvement would be completed in Phase Two due to the high cost of the drainage improvements.

C Davis asked if the neighbors adjacent to the park entrance are aware of the proposed trellis installation. DPR Mittelstadt said that one of the neighbors knows about it and staff will contact the other neighbor.

DPR Mittelstadt thanked Wilma Kartman & C Cheechov for the assistance at the neighborhood meeting.

C Davis moved that the Commission recommend to the City Council that the City proceed with requesting bids for Phase One as proposed.

RST Holte gave a report on the 1999 Art & Wine Festival. The festival did well despite the weather. Sales were low for the Park Boosters beer booth but most of the non-profit food booths did very well; some sold out.

RST Holte distributed a financial report on the Art & Wine Festival to the Commission and reviewed it with them. The festival revenue amounted to $27,175.73. The expenses totaled $15,674.66. The net profit came out to $11,501.07. RST Holte estimates that overall $16,000 was raised by the 18 non-profit groups selling food at the festival.

There was some discussion on parking. When the parking area is completed by the train station approximately 200 more parking spaces will be available on El Camino Real. RST Holte is also looking into getting another designated parking area for the artists to park during the festival. Staff will also contact Notre Dame High School & College to see if festival goers may use their parking areas.

RST Holte expressed thanks to the Commission and volunteers that helped with the festival.

DPR Mittelstadt reported the City Council would begin budget deliberations on Tuesday, June 8. That hearing may continue on to June 22^nd.

DPR Mittelstadt said resolutions to be presented to the City Council at their next meeting include accepting the ballfield improvements at the Belmont Sports Complex and adopting an agreement with Sequoia Union High School District for the pool lease for this summer.

DPR Mittelstadt stated there would be a CCAG Bicycle Advisory meeting on Tuesday, June 8 at 7:00 p.m. at the San Mateo County Government Center. This is an opportunity for the City to pursue the bike bridge over Highway 101. A Public Works staff member will be attending and DPR Mittelstadt encouraged Bicycle Advisory Committee members and Commissioners to attend.

DPR Mittelstadt reported there was an altercation between a bike trail user and one of the property owners adjacent to the trail. To expedite relocating the trail onto city property the City has contacted the California Conservation Corp to build the trail and they should be working on it by July.

RST Holte said the summer programs would begin June 28 and run through August 20. Most of the summer staff has been hired.

View Policy – DPR Mittelstadt plans to have a Draft View Policy ready for the Commission review at the July meeting.

Park Tour – September?

Meeting with City Council – No dates at this time.

C Metropulos requested staff look at the electrical supply at the Teen Center at Barrett.

C Metropulos questioned if the Commission sends out letters to congratulate sports groups that win Championships. It was noted the City Council does the recognition.

C Davis reported on the Planning Commission meeting. The Emmett House will remain as it is with some minor safety modifications made. The College of Notre Dame has proposed renting the downstairs of the Emmett House as an alumni office. After many modifications to the original project, the Planning Commission denied the Davey property project.

RST Holte reported on the improvements that were done at the Barrett Community with the donations provided by the Belmont Community Players.

RST Holte noted a new rug was installed in the Twin Pines Cottage.

C King stated that she attended the Belmont Community Players Board meeting and there is now a majority of Belmont residents on their Board. C King requested that the Commission be more informed of any improvements that are to be done.

C Bortoli noted that at the Belmont Sports Complex a pile of rock is taking up some of the parking area. DPR Mittelstadt explained that is due to a Public Works Dept project along the slough that should be completed by mid-June.

C Bortoli attended a meeting on the Ralston Ranch Park Project. The estimate for the improvements the neighborhood would like to see done total $200,000. There are no funds available for this at this time.

C Bortoli attended a School District meeting discussing the Ralston-After School Project. He stated the School Board gave staff direction to prepare a Request for Proposals for a service provider.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

Grace Saggau, Secretary

June 2, 1999