body,date,page,text,path
RecreationandParkCommission,2017-11-09,1,"apd
ALAMEDA RECREATION AND PARK COMMISSION
MINUTES FOR REGULAR MEETING
DATE:
Thursday, November 9, 2017
TIME:
7:02 p.m. Called to Order
PLACE:
City Hall Council Chambers
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Limoges, Vice Chair Tilos, Commissioners Delaney, Chen and Carter.
Staff: Amy Wooldridge, Recreation Director
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes of October 12, 2017 Regular Meeting were approved with 2 corrections, by all who
attended the meeting.
M/S/C Commissioner Delaney / Commissioner Chen
All present and who attended the October 12, 2017 Regular Meeting in favor with 5 - 0 vote.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Chair Limoges received and read an email from Linda Johnson, Alameda resident, regarding moving
the Main Street Dog Park to provide more Ferry Parking. Director Wooldridge will follow up with Linda
Johnson.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Speaker Dorothy Freeman of the Jean Sweeney Open Space Park, (JSOSP), reported that the
fundraising for the JSOSP benches is closed. There was an overwhelming response and a total of
over $39,000 for 30 benches. Received $500 to be added to the Kiwanis/Alameda Community Fund
playground. Director Wooldridge applauded Dorothy Freeman for her hard work.
NEW BUSINESS
4-A Review and Recommend Public Art Proposal for Jean Sweeney Open Space Park
Highlights: Director Wooldridge gave the report on the process for the request for public art. In
September 2017, the Community Development Department issued a Request for Proposals for Public
Art, which is an ongoing program. Director Wooldridge clarified the process of choosing the artwork
and that the Commissioners will be reviewing the art that is for the Parks. Chair Limoges clarified the
commission's responsibility is to approve so the Director can provide a letter of approval.
Norman Moore proposed an art piece for JSOSP, titled ""Gateway to California."" The JSOSP Steering
Committee already reviewed his proposed art piece and unanimously agreed that it was a good fit for
the park and recommended the art piece to the Recreation and Parks Commission.
1",RecreationandParkCommission/2017-11-09.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2017-11-09,2,"All creation and installation would be funded by the public art grant. Maintenance is minimal and
requires hosing the piece down when urban grit accumulates and, once annually, applying a coating of
water sealant. This can be managed within the scope of the Parks Maintenance budget.
Norman Moore, artist, answered questions and shared his Gateway concept behind his art piece.
He wanted to capture the ocean by using the blues and greens of the ocean.
Commissioner Discussion:
Chair Limoges: Questions about the fragility of the ceramic glass. Artist response was that it is
embedded in cement which makes it as strong as the cement. Commission Limoges expressed
concern that it feels disconnected to the garden location as it has so much of the ocean them. Prefers
the location to be in the middle of the open space area. Artist Answer: The advantage to the art piece
is that it broadens the experience by mixing elements of nature.
Vice-chair Tilos: Likes the idea of having a magnificent piece of artwork in the parks and thinks it goes
well with nature. It's like getting a piece of art at no cost to ARPD to enhance the Parks.
Commissioner Delaney: Asked if the glass would reflect light. Artist Answer: Yes, the glass is very
reflective. Commissioner Delaney auestioned if the theme of JSOSP was to honor the railroad
history. Directdor Answer: The goal was to be sure we honored the railroad which we are doing in
various areas of the park. This piece celebrates the open space and natural environment of JSOSP.
Commissioner Carter: How many years before the trees would look like the picture? Chair Limoges
said they will be bringing in mature trees.
Commissioner Chen: Asked if artist had had experience making something of this size. Artist
Answer: Yes, I did a piece in New York which was between 18 and 25 feet from steel. Also said he is
open to changing the location.
Vice-chair Tilos made motion to approve the art work by Mr. Moore in the Jean Sweeney Open
Space Park.
M/S/C Vice-chair Tilos / Commissioner Delaney
All present in favor with a 4 - 0 vote. Abstention - 1, Chair Limoges
4-B Review and Recommend the Littlejohn Park Playground Design
Director Wooldridge gave a presentation on the Littlejohn Park playground design which will be a
National Demonstration site. It is an all-inclusive playground for all children to play together and learn
from each other. It will include two expression swings and two ADA swings. Two grants were secured;
Housing Related Parks Grant for approximately $125,000 and those funds were matched with the
California Parks and Recreation Society (CPRS) - Healthy Play grant. Friends of the Park is donating
$20,000.
Commissioner Discussion:
Chair Limoges: Can we find funding and space for the platform wheelchair swings? Answer: No space
in present design due to the required fall zones. Also, it is an outside company and this grant requires
the use of GameTime components. However, it could be included at a later date if the border of the
existing playground is expanded and funding identified. Chair Limoges: Clarified that the benches
already there would stay. Answer: Benches would remain but may be moved within playground area.
Also would like to see some shade structures for benches. Answer: Park maintenance will be planting
4 to 5 trees near the playground that will eventually give shade. As funding becomes available for the
Park maintenance, they have discussed putting more shade structures where they can. Chair Limoges:
Concerned that all three panels obscure a problem to sight lines as they are not transparent and could
be a problem seeing the children. Answer: Each panel is an activity panel which would be difficult to
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RecreationandParkCommission,2017-11-09,3,"make transparent, however; the benches could be moved to provide a better sight line. Limoges: Has
any one given thought to the impact that will be coming when the Del Monte Building project is
complete? Answer: The Jean Sweeney Open Space Park was intentionally design and placed a
playground closest to the Del Monte project side.
Vice-chair Tilos: When they replaced Woodstock Park playground, they incorporated the seal logo;
would like to see the ram logo for the Buena Vista Ram at Littlejohn Park to maintain the history.
Commissioner Delaney: The Wheelchair Platform Swings are possibly expensive but would love to
see them in at least one of the Parks. Let staff analyze if this is the appropriate park for the platform
swings.
Commissioner Carter: Since the park is designed for children with different physical abilities, would
like to see swings that are platforms that you can put the wheelchair on to swing. Is the swing accessible
by wheelchair? Answer: Yes, it is poured-in-place rubber surfacing. Is this the only vendor who
proposed? Answer: The grant is a collaboration between GameTime and the funder, CPRS and
Game Time is the required vendor. Normally for a park of this size we provide multiple company design
options.Commissione Carter: So the option for the platform swings could possibly be changed out with
the present swing design? Answer: It wouldn't be funded by this grant and could to check with the
funder to see if another company would be allowed.
Commissioner Delaney made motion to approve the design for the Littlejohn Park playground
equipment and agree this design should move forward.
M/S/C Commissioner Delaney / Commissioner Chen
All present in favor with a 5 - 0 vote.
4-C Review and Make Recommendations to Update the Recreation and Parks Commission By-
Laws
Commissioner Discussion
Chair Limoges: Update name to City of Alameda Recreation and Parks Commission. Would like to
change the order of business and update Section 6 Order of Business. Consolidate it so it matches
what we are doing and is clear.
Commissioner Delaney: Article 4, Sec. 1 - change to reflect a two-year term versus one year for Chair
and Vice-Chair.
Commissioner Carter: Would like to see more subcommittees. Also wants to read the bylaws of other
City of Alameda commissions who are similarly appointed.
Chair Tilos: Maybe look at 3 other Commissions' bylaws instead of all 15 Boards and Commissions
Commissioner Carter made motion to table the bylaw review and establish a subcommittee
consisting of Chair Limoges and Commissioner Carter.
M/S/C Commissioner Carter / Commissioner Chen
All present in favor with a 5 - 0 vote.
REPORTS
A. Recreation Commission Reports
Commissioner Chen: Visited Japan. Noticed they have less playgrounds in parks and
appreciates Alameda parks and her kids' opportunity to play here.
3",RecreationandParkCommission/2017-11-09.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2017-11-09,4,"Commissioner Delaney: Attended an East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) Measure CC
meeting at Harrison Center in Lincoln Park last Saturday. This measure was voted on in 1994,
included Alameda. It has generated over $34 million for infrastructure, safety, maintenance in
EBRPD. Projects include enhancement of Crab Cove Visitor's Center, now year-round;
increased police patrol along shoreline trails. Met Ellen Corbett, who is the Board Director for
Ward 4, which includes Alameda. Commissioner Delaney expressed concerns about smoking
in parks/beaches, homeless at beach, security and better parking at Crab Cove.
Chair Limoges: Interviewed by Dorothy Peri, Encinal High School student making a
documentary of JSOSP park construction that should be finished 3 months after the park opens.
Vice-chair Tilos: Attended groundbreaking ceremony at Jean Sweeney Open Space Park for
Cross Alameda Trail. Attended Alameda Boys & Girls Club Kids Night Out fundraising event of
which adults get paired with a kid to play games, earn points and spend time with the kids. It
would be great to consider an ARPD event that has some kind of connection to the park t-shirt
league to give back to the community.
Commissioner Carter: Felt trail opening was a touching event and a monumental moment.
Broadcast documentary to a broader audience to encourage rails to trails and park projects.
Attended Alameda Loop shuttle ribbon cutting event. Attended Library Book sale.
B. Friends of the Park Report (FOTP)
Commissioner Delaney: Sponsored Teen Halloween Haunted House at South Shore which
is a great connection between ARPD and the teens. Pat and Christina ran the event this year.
C. Recreation and Parks Director Amy Wooldridge Report
Mastick Senior Center
The ""World Comes to Alameda"" a memoir written by Mastick Senior Center members is expected
to be released before the holidays with a tentative book signing.
The annual Holiday Sing-Along with Jim Franz and friends is December 7 at 10 a.m.
On Tuesday, December 5, Mastick will host a Holiday Art Boutique featuring creations made by
members participating in Mastick Senior Center art classes. The boutique is open to the public and
an opportunity for our artists to sell their creations. Alison Limoges and Diane Alabaster are
assisting with this event.
The ribbon cutting for the new Alameda Loop Shuttles was held on October 30. The shuttles are
available for everyone.
The two dining rooms at Mastick Senior Center will be painted beginning November 13.
Parks Maintenance
Replaced arbor over the stage at Harrison Center.
Installed a new, large group BBQ and kept the older, smaller BBQ but put a stainless steel top over
it to create a prep area at Littlejohn Park.
Wood chips were filled at Bayport and Franklin Parks.
Repaired electrical service at Woodstock for pathway lights and irrigation.
Replace 3 bollard Lights at Marina Cove Park.
Renovated Atlantic soccer field.
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RecreationandParkCommission,2017-11-09,5,"Repaired large water service break at Shoreline Park.
Employee training: CPR, Field turf Maintenance, Astro turf Maintenance.
Reclaimed and repaired the corners of Main Street Linear Park from water being off during the
drought. Irrigation has been repaired in these areas.
The lights at the tennis courts at Lower Washington remain off but new security lids are almost
complete and new wire will then be run to get lights working again.
Admin
Follow up on alcohol and recreation buildings not in parks, such as Veteran's Building and the
Alameda Point Gym.
Per Alameda Municipal Code 23 - -1.7 - Alcohol in Parks states:
No person shall possess or consume any alcoholic beverage in the outdoor areas of
any City park. No person shall possess or consume any alcoholic beverage in City
park buildings except as authorized by permit from the City.
Confirmed with Police Chief that this includes any City recreation building regardless
of whether it is located within a park.
Follow up on Encinal Beach cleanup bags requested: These are from All One Ocean. They would
enter into an agreement with the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) who then installs it.
EBRPD requires that there be a volunteer who takes responsibility to keep it clean and check to
make sure there are bags in the box; EBRPD does not maintain it or stock it. If the volunteers stop
taking care of it, then they remove it. There is one currently at Crown Beach.
Follow up on Leydecker Curry Court surfacing concern: Park Maintenance Manager is aware of the
issue. It is not the coating surface wearing out from irrigation but all the cracks reflexing
through. When Under Armor improved this court, ARPD asked for a full resurface before coating
but Under Amour chose to only patch the cracks.
Recreation User Fee Schedule to City Council -Staff will be making three recommendations that
are different from the Commission recommendation. The Commission recommendations are made
clear in the staff report and presentation. City Council then makes the final determination on fees.
Open Gym: Commission recommended increasing the adult drop-in open gym fee from $6 to $8. Staff
recommendation is to keep the Alameda resident adult gym drop-in fee at $6 but add a non-resident
fee of $8 in order to keep strong attendance and provide a benefit for residents.
Adult flag football league rate specific to Estuary Park synthetic turf field. Commission recommended
the Non-Resident fee for this activity be increased to $900 per team, however staff continues to
recommend that Non-Resident league teams at synthetic fields be charged $800 per team per 10-game
season. ARPD is working to expand its adult flag football league and wants to continue to grow the
league. A higher fee may be a deterrent and this synthetic turf fee is already higher than the current
grass flag football team fee.
Lastly, a 3% increase is proposed to be added to most rental and program activities, but excluding all
athletic facility fees and deposits, in order to recoup transaction fees for a new, user-friendly web-based
registration system. ARPD will be paying fees now based on a per transaction cost rather than an
annual fee. Staff determined that this fee should be incorporated into all rental and activity registrations
to ensure that the Recreation Fund does not experience a net loss from transitioning to a new system.
5",RecreationandParkCommission/2017-11-09.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2017-11-09,6,"Commissioner Discussion:
Commissioner Carter: Request to meet with the City Attorney to understand section 2, article 1 of the
bylaws. Believes staff recommendations are against the bylaws and is only the Commissions"" duty and
responsibility and not the staff's. Answer: To clarify, the Commissions are still Advisory Boards to
provide the City Council with a recommendation of which the City Council ultimately makes a choice.
Vice Chair Tilos: We made a recommendation and staff is presenting both which is reasonable. Staff
can always bring a recommendation to Council and I have faith in the process and in the staff and
appreciate the staff for getting more information to make a recommendation as they know the programs
better than the board. We have to have faith in the council to hear both point of views. It is how it has
been done for years.
Commissioner Delaney: The staff is trying to nurture a program to see that the program grows. This
Commission has worked hard over the last 5 years to gain credibility and if anyone supports that it has
been Director Wooldridge and her staff and suggest that for now that we recognize that observation. I
don't have an issue with staff making adjustments to some of these fees, based on their personal
knowledge as I trust their logic, knowledge and experience on whether or not they can promote a
program. I agree that this Commission needs to be seen as a viable body of people but in this case I
do not have an issue with it.
Chair Limoges: Comfortable that the City Council has the final ultimate say and comfortable with staff
making a recommendation based on additional information to present to the City Council to help guide
their discussion. Is the issues on the User Fee time sensitive? Answer: Yes, in the future we can start
the User Fee schedule changes earlier to provide two months for Commission discussion. Chair
Limoges concerned that the City Council will see the Recreation Commission as being not accountable
if there are changes from the staff. Suggested that Director Wooldridge not take staff's suggestions to
the Council and instead the Commission could revisit them after the Field Allocation. Answer: The
agenda is going out tomorrow and she check if it could be changed to remove the staff
recommendations. She reminded that this body is an advisory body for the council. That is why the
reports say ""Review and Recommendation"" on every motion.
Commissioner Chen: Do the fees that the Commission voted on go to the City Council for approval
as well as the staff's? Answer: Yes. Commissioner Chen: It goes back to the bylaws if they are set in
stone because it says we the Commission have the responsibility to set fees and charges, so that's the
ambiguity. Answer: The City Attorney has stated strongly in another matter that the Commission is to
advise the City Council so it comes back to the Commission being an advisory body.
Trainings: Staff is participating in ongoing disaster preparedness training at new EOC. Also,
sensitivity training offered by the Center for Independent Living (The CIL).
ActiveNet implementation with ""Go Live"" anticipated in December. This effort is requiring
coordinated efforts from every area of the department. Proposing a 3 percent increase on all rentals
and programs to cover the 4.25 percent fee on credit card transaction to balance to budget from the
new software program.
Public art in Parks - 3 more potential artists coming to RPC in December.
Jean Sweeney Open Space Park - Phase A (Eastern side) - starts construction mobilization on
Monday.
Recreation Services
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RecreationandParkCommission,2017-11-09,7,"Teen Haunted House very successful and was featured on Channel 4 and Channel 7. There was a
total of 1,237 volunteer hours provided by over 80 teens of Alameda. A big thanks to Alameda
Friends of the Parks for supporting this event.
Pumpkin Decorating contest by RAP and Parks and Playgrounds went well and are in main office
for the public to vote.
Holiday Boutique was very successful at the O' Club and money raised is for the Leisure Club and
ARPD scholarships.
New flag receptacle mounted outside Veterans Building where citizens can drop off used and
tattered flags so that they can be disposed of properly by the Boys Scouts
Upcoming Events
Estuary
Park
Grand
Opening:
Tues,
Dec.
12
at
5pm
with
a
reception
hosted
by
Little
League
and
Wolverines afterward at the O' Club.
Mayors Tree Lighting - Dec. 2 at 4:30pm.
Breakfast with Santa on Dec 9 at 10am at the O' Club.
FREE Starlight Movie in the Park - Dec. 1 at 5:45pm. Collaboration with College of Alameda on
Dec. 1 at COA Gymnasium. Featured Holiday movie is ""ELF"".
FREE Theatrical Performance to be held at Franklin Park on November 12 at 4:00 called the ""Elixir
of Life"".
Alameda Community Band - Holiday Concert is on December 8.
Alameda Sings! - Alameda Community Chorus concert is on December 1; both at the Veteran's
Building.
ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA: Public Art Proposals, ParaTransit Update, Interest of doing a second
mural at the state park, bylaws. Commissioner Carter wants an update on leasing the tennis courts to
the soccer group, wants a subcommittee for the field, gym and related allocation prior to the policy
being submitted and wants an update on the restrooms at the Alameda Point Gym. Director
Wooldridge volunteered to address the Alameda Soccer Club and update on the bathrooms at the
Gym in the Directors report.
SET NEXT MEETING DATE: Thursday, December 14, 2017
ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Delaney made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
M/S/C Commissioner Delaney / Commissioner Carter
All present in favor with a 5 - 0 vote.
Chair Limoges adjourned the meeting at 10:18 p.m.
7",RecreationandParkCommission/2017-11-09.pdf