City of Belmont

PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION

REGULAR MEETING            MAY 7, 2008

MINUTES

The regular meeting of the Belmont Parks & Recreation Commission of May 7, 2008 was called to order at 7:02 p.m.

To accommodate those in the audience the Commission chose to hold the Park & Recreation Commission meeting prior to the Tree Board Meeting.

I.                      ROLL CALL

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:       Chair Bortoli, Vice Chair Moissiy, Commissioners (C) Warden, Cheechov, King, Gervais & Shjeflo

COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:         Rafi & Harris

STAFF PRESENT:                             Interim Co-Director of Parks & Recreation (ICDPR) Ourtiague, ICDPR Brunson, City Manger Crist and Secretary Saggau   

II.                    APPROVAL OF MINUTES

C Shjeflo moved, seconded by C Gervais that the minutes from the Special Meeting (Park Tour) on September 22, 2007 and the Regular Meeting of April 2, 2008 be approved.  Vote 6-0 in favor. C Warden abstained.

III.                   PUBLIC COMMUNICATION/COMMISSION COMMENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS

John Gordon – Spoke in favor of developing Davey Glen Park including a playground.

Paul O’Leary – with Friends of Davey Glen Park.  Submitted petition with 55 signatures from residents with 2000’ feet of the park in the Central Neighborhood that support developing Davey Glen Park.  Petitions states: “include items like a swing set, monkey bars, park benches and other park related items.”  Mr. O’Leary added he is willing to work with staff to complete this project.

Colette O’Leary – Spoke in favor of developing a park at Davey Glen.

Lai Ping & Jet Penne – spoke in favor of developing Davey Glen Park. They would like a park within walking distance.

Colleen Carter - Ms. Carter would like to see Davey Glen Park developed too and would like a park she can walk to.  Spoke of the benefits of parks and recommended the Commission read Last Child in the Woods.  She is a landscape designer and said she may be able to volunteer services in development of this park.

Reinhardt Quelle – reiterated his support for development of Semeria Park.

C Shjeflo asked if Davey Glen would be on the Commission’s agenda.  ICDPR Ourtiague explained he will be meeting with Central Neighborhood Association President David Long to finalize a survey to distribute to residents.  The survey results will be consolidated and brought back to the City Council.  The earliest date that would be on the City Council’s agenda is June 11^th and that he would let the Commission know when it would be reviewed.

C King noted the Spring Garden Faire would be held on Saturday, May 17^th from 10am-3pm in Twin Pines Park.

C Gervais thanked the audience for their attendance at the meeting.

IV.                   AGENDA AMENDMENTS

None.

V.                    OLD BUSINESS

None.

VI.                   NEW BUSINESS

A.        Parks & Recreation Director Recruitment Process

City Manager Jack Crist gave an update on the Park & Recreation Director recruitment.  He noted there was a good pool of candidates and the target date for the interview panel is May 29 or 30^th.  He requested that one member of the Commission serve on this interview panel.

Following discussion on Commissioner’s availability two motions were made.

C Warden moved, seconded by C Cheechov that Commissioner King serve on the panel.  Vote 6-0 in favor. C Gervais abstained.

C Warden moved, seconded by C Moissiy that Commissioner Shjeflo be the alternate for the interview panel.  Vote 6-0 in favor.  C Gervais abstained.

B.        McDougal Park Public Access Subcommittee

ICDPR Brunson referred to his staff report on the concerns expressed by residents over the lack of public access to McDougal Park. Staff requests that the Commission appoint 2-3 Commissioners to serve on a Sub- Committee for McDougal Park public access and to review the original easement agreement and to make a recommendation to the Commission.

Several Commissioners were interested but also expressed interest in serving on other Committee assignments that were listed on the agenda.  Following Commission discussion the Commission invited residents to speak on the item.

Robert Mayer – Expressed appreciation that this issue will be reviewed the Commission.  He noted there was a clause to review the public access agreement and this was never completed.  .

George Glushenok – Concerned that almost total (access) control was given to the school in 1985 and that no study or analysis was done on the impact to the neighborhood.  He noted some resident are not aware of the restrictions and are asked to leave the park when they try to use it.  He would like the Commission to study the access and recommend a new agreement.

C King stated that residents would be welcome to attend the Sub-Committee meetings and requested that staff inform Mr. Mayer of Neighborhoods First of scheduled meetings.

C Warden asked if Charles Armstrong School was aware this item was on the agenda.  ICDPR Ourtiague explained Community Development Director Carlos de Melo had met with the school to discuss this topic and they are aware that this item will be reviewed.

C Shjeflo moved, seconded by C Gervais that Commissioners Warden, Shjeflo and Bortoli serve on the McDougal Park Public Access Subcommittee.  Vote 7-0 in favor.

C.        Satellite Picnic Areas

ICDPR Brunson stated that staff is looking at opportunities to generate additional revenue and is recommending an Ad-Hoc Subcommittee evaluate the current first-come, first-serve policy in regards to existing picnic areas within the City of Belmont.

C Shjeflo moved, seconded by C Warden that Commissioners Cheechov, Gervais and King be appointed to serve on the Satellite Picnic Area Subcommittee.  Vote 7-0 in favor.

D.        Semeria Park Advisory Committee

ICDPR Ourtiague reported the City Council will be reviewing the budget and Semeria Park is included as a requested Capital Improvement Project.  He noted the city has identified a funding source from State of California per Capital Bond with $288,000 available and that there will be no reason for competition between Davey Glen and Semeria Parks.   ICDPR Ourtiague noted he spoke to Belmont resident Eric Sullivan and asked him to serve on this Committee.

C Warden noted he lives near this lot but is beyond 500’ of the site.  He recommended C Gervais check with the City Attorney on rules concerning his participation when this item is on the agenda.

C Shjeflo moved, seconded by C Warden that Commissioners Cheechov, Warden and Moissiy serve on the Semeria Park Advisory Committee and C King be the alternate.  Vote 6-0 in favor.  C Gervais abstained.

VII.     DEPARTMENT REPORTS

A.        Questions and Comments

C King agreed with the City Council’s lead and that the City should refrain from providing bottled water at public meetings.

C Shjeflo commented the Alameda Kiosk project looks nice and was glad that project was completed.  He also noted he sees many families enjoy the playground area in Twin Pines Park.

C Gervais expressed appreciation for the work completed at Hidden Valley Park.  He noted invasive species were removed and he would like to look at removing invasive species in the Water Dog Lake area.

C Warden asked about the Fence Committee meeting and signs on Twin Pines Fence.  ICDPR Ourtiague explained the Fence Committee met and came up with four alternatives to consider.  He noted the sign ordinance will be reviewed by the City Council and that signs on Twin Pines Park Fence may be included as part of that.  He noted the political signs are included in the ordinance but the posting of other signs on the fence are covered by the Sign Policy.  The Park & Recreation Commission will discuss this topic at their June meeting.

ICDPR Brunson distributed an article that was in Peninsula Parent magazine which covered the advantages of living in the City of Belmont.

B.        Department Monthly Report

            1.  Spring Garden Faire Update

ICDPR Brunson gave an update on the Spring Garden Faire.  Posters have been distributed around town.  Staff is anticipating this will be a successful annual event.

2.  Budget Update

ICDPR Ourtiague gave an update on the budget.  Capital Projects to be included for Council’s consideration are Cipriani Dog Park Improvements, Semeria Park, Davey Glen Park, increased amount for the Parks & Open Space Master Plan and Trail Improvements.

C.        Future Agenda Items

·         Davey Glen Park

·         Semeria Park

·         McDougal Park

·         Trails and Pathways

·         Fence Signs

C Warden stated that he would like to see a fountain placed in the lot where the Emmett House had been.  He noted the Park & Recreation should review any landscaping improvements to that site.  He said he believes people gravitate towards fountains and he would like the Commission to consider placing a fountain there.  ICDPR Ourtiague said that he would check on the status of this project.

C King requested that there be an update on the Donation Policy on the August or September agenda.

ICDPR Ourtiague noted he would like to add Green Advisory Committee Updates to the Commission’s agenda.

ICDPR Ourtiague noted that instructions on checking email were included in the packet and emphasized the importance of Commissioners checking their email and that they use the City email for any city related business so that their personal emails are not subject to the Public Records Act.

VIII.                ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 8:44 p.m.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­_____________________________________

Grace Saggau, Secretary

May 7, 2008

Note:  Meeting was not recorded (equipment malfunction)

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