City of Belmont

PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION

REGULAR MEETING          FEBRUARY 1, 2012

MINUTES

The regular meeting of the Belmont Parks & Recreation Commission of February 1, 2012 was called to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Belmont City Hall Council Chambers.

I.                      ROLL CALL

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:       Chair (CC) Cheechov, Vice Chair Davis, Commissioner (C) Wright, Andrews, King, Sullivan, Bortoli, Youth Commissioners (YC) Bartee and Zakeri

COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:         None

STAFF PRESENT:                             Parks and Recreation Director (PRD) Gervais, and Secretary (S) Saggau

II.                    APPROVAL OF MINUTES

C Wright noted that the minutes state that AARP disbanded but it is the local AARP Chapter that disbanded.  The Commission discussed and acknowledged that the statement was not accurate but it was what was stated and so chose not revise the minutes.

C King moved, seconded by C Bortoli, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 11, 2012. Vote 8-1 in favor. C Sullivan opposed.

III.                   PUBLIC COMMUNICATION/COMMENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS

C Bortoli reported on the Senior Advisory Meeting in January. Comments heard on the Lunch Program have been good and participation has increased. He commended the staff at the Senior & Community Center for their willingness to try new and different activities for the seniors.

C Davis stated he had a meeting at his home with a small group of people to discuss Barrett Community Center.   PRD Gervais attended this meeting and he noted this was a way of starting discussions about Barrett in the community.

C Andrews reported on the Sports Advisory Committee meeting.  It was thought there was an agreement with the soccer and baseball groups but that was not the case and they hope to get through this and restart the process.

C Andrews noted he did not reapply for the Commission due to personal problems but has appreciated working with Commission the past six years.

C Sullivan stated work would start again on Water Dog Lake trails with the focus on Lake Loop trail this winter.  He noted REI agreed to sponsor two volunteer days – March 31 and May 12.

IV.       AGENDA AMENDMENTS

None.

V.                    OLD BUSINESS

None.

VI.                   NEW BUSINESS

            a.         Grant Application to the National Fitness Campaign

PRD Gervais reported on the National Fitness Campaign and their goal to increase fitness around the nation.  This organization is reaching into the resources of corporate America to provide places for people to get fit.  He explained they have approached bay area cities looking for places to form partnerships to start this campaign.  He noted in the 1980’s approximately 4,000 cities built these structures. PRD Gervais explained the need for more people to get fit and this would provide an opportunity for those that cannot afford to join gyms.

PRD Gervais reviewed the gym features and the exercises that can be done on the fitness court. Barrett Community Center was the location selected for this fitness center.  It would be placed in the location of the half court basketball court.  The half court would be removed but the full basketball court would remain.  The floor of the court would be poured in place rubberized material.

PRD Gervais explained this would be an opportunity to see if people would be interested in fitness.  The Department would run “Boot Camp” type recreation classes and would get an ambassador for this site to help people learn how to use the equipment. He noted this would be available for people that are waiting for others that are participating in recreation classes.

PRD Gervais requested feedback from the Commission on this potential grant opportunity.  He noted that there are financial implications and the City’s cost would be approximately $20,000 out of $120,000 needed to build this fitness court.  There would also be some ongoing commitment for fitness activities at the site.

PRD Gervais responded to Commission questions:

• If there is vandalism the City would have to repair damage.
• Staff will check if there would be a color choice for the base of the fitness court
• There should not be a problem if youths use the court
• Staff will attempt to survey citizens if they would want this equipment but the grant applications are due by March 15, 2012.
• There would be signage, picture grams, on the front wall of the equipment
• The courts installed in the 1980’s were similar to a par course. There is one at Chrissy Field in San Francisco; staff will check if there are others that could be viewed by the Commission.
• The parts would be bolted and would require special equipment to remove.
• A barrier could be installed so that basketballs do not go onto the fitness court
• The court would drain easily so rain would not create a problem
• Lights could be considered to make the court visible for use and to discourage vandalism
• The pull up rings could be adjusted for a person’s level
• Staff time to write the grant would be 8-16 hours
• Training on the equipment could be provided by an instructor through recreation classes; others could use the court for no cost.
• A fence could be considered to keep dogs off of the fitness court
• There is a five year commitment to stay with the program and Barrett Community Center is not expected to be rebuilt in that time.
• The organization wants to get the fitness centers started in the bay area and then they will reach out to corporate donors to expand out the program nationwide.
• The structure is designed to be safe but if someone was hurt the City would treat it like other claims that occur.

PRD Gervais noted the Commission raised some good questions and that the department could wait and see how it works out in other cities and see if it comes back around if that is preferred.

C Davis commented the equipment is well designed and he thinks people would use it but expressed concerns with staff costs. He noted in the agreement the City has to meet obligations which includes having two people participate in an eight weekend course and the City has to put on a full weekend launch program with those two people.  In addition, training would need to be completed for five years at a cost of $2,500 per person each year.  PRD Gervais explained he did not anticipate staff doing the training but having a fitness instructor or having part-time staff participate in the training.

C Andrews also expressed concern with the cost of training.  PRD Gervais noted a correction for the staff report that the ongoing cost for training would be $5,000 for four years.  He acknowledged finding people to train on the equipment could be a concern.

C Cheechov spoke in support of fitness equipment but questioned if equipment could be purchased from another company without these obligations.

PRD Gervais noted a fitness court is being built on Treasure Island if Commissioners would like to take a tour to view it.

There was Commission discussion on if the City should apply for the grant.

C King stated she was not ready to commit now, preferring to wait and see how it works out for others.

C Wright suggested the City should pursue the grant but see if there is enough interest in potential partners before making a final commitment.   She also noted that Barrett would be a good site to get people to think about what the Barrett site could be.

C Bortoli noted that Item #8 in the Agreement requires that permanent identification of major sponsors on the fitness court sign and questioned if the City Council would agree with that. He agreed with C King in waiting to see how it works out at other sites.

C Davis stated sometimes it is better to be first when money is offered and that should be considered. He added if some questions could be answered the Commission could review again before bringing to Council.  He noted it is an excellent piece of equipment and program.

PRD Gervais explained the City can apply for the grant to meet the March 15^th deadline and could back out later if needed.

C Sullivan agreed with concerns noted by other Commissioners but spoke in favor of moving forward with the grant.  He noted Barrett would be a good place to draw some attention to with a fresh and modern piece of equipment.  He added questions raised could be reviewed further before moving forward with the commitment.

C Andrews noted the commitment is large but he is in favor of the equipment. If it is determined the City can meet the commitments he would be in favor of the pursuing the grant.  If unable to meet the commitments the City could withdraw it.

C Cheechov expressed concern with posting sponsors on the equipment sign board and if the City Council would allow that.

C Sullivan moved, seconded by C Andrews, that the Commission recommends that this go to the City Council for approval to proceed with the grant application knowing that we have some reservations and that we would need to have this come back as an agenda item with the chance not necessarily before we apply but in the timeframe by which we would be able to understand our commitments and possible sponsorship groups, before having to make the final commitment, but we ask the City Council to allow staff to submit the grant.  Vote 7-2 in favor, C King & Cheechov opposed.

VII.     DEPARTMENT REPORTS

A.        Questions and Comments

PRD Gervais reported the following:

• Andrea De Lara has been hired as the Recreation Coordinator for the Senior & Community Center.  She will be working 32 hours a week; eight hours on Monday and six hours Tuesday-Fridays. 
• The project at College View has been completed the Parks Maintenance staff. Pictures will be included in the Weekly Update.
• The Dog Park project will go to the City Council for approval of additional costs before going out to bid.
• School construction projects are moving quickly and staff has been working to minimize impact on the fields.  A long term issue will be the loss of field space; an update will be given to the Commission in the future.

In response to C Sullivan’s question, PRD Gervais said there are still discussions on a private school for Davis Drive. 

Secretary Saggau announced the Commissioner’s Appreciation Dinner is scheduled for Monday, March 5, 2012 at Divino’s Restaurant.

Responding to C Davis’s questions PRD Gervais said a fence was installed at Barrett Community Center in the area between the quad room and the multi-purpose room for child safety.

B.        Future Agenda Items

National Fitness Campaign

Belmont Sports Complex Update

VIII.                ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 9:01 p.m.

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Jonathan Gervais

Parks & Recreation Director

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