body,date,page,text,path
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-11-14,1,"apd
ALAMEDA RECREATION AND PARK COMMISSION
MINUTES FOR REGULAR MEETING
DATE:
Thursday, November 14, 2019
TIME:
7:02 p.m. Called to Order
PLACE:
City Hall Council Chambers
A video recording of the meeting may be viewed at https:llalameda.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
The following are action minutes in keeping with the Sunshine Ordinance 2-91.17.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Limoges, Vice-Chair Alexander, Commissioner Robbins, Commissioner Barnes and
Commissioner Navarro
Staff: Alameda Recreation and Park Department (ARPD) Director Amy Wooldridge
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Robbins motioned to accept the minutes of October 8, 2019 Regular Meeting as
presented.
M/S Commissioner Robbins / Commissioner Navarro. All in favor with 5 ayes.
WRITTEN AND ORAL COMUNICATIONS
Written Communication: none
Oral Communication, non-agenda
Speaker Betsy Mathieson, Alameda resident who lives across from Jackson Park: Thanked
Director Wooldridge and the Commission for additional attention put into Jackson Park recently
which makes the park more inviting. Looking forward to the asphalt replacement plan. Passed
out examples of needs for tree replacement. (See Exhibit 1). Four of eight palms have been
removed around bandstand. Requesting all four missing palms be replaced and palm tree at
south end of park. It is the 100th anniversary of the Isabelle Clark Memorial bench in Jackson
Park next year. Several neighbors are interested in assisting with the design of the play area.
Envision sculptures of animals that live in Jackson Park such as squirrels and hawks.
REPORTS FROM THE RECREATION AND PARK DIRECTOR
ARPD Director Amy Wooldridge gave the report. (See Exhibit 2)
REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONERS
Commissioner Robbins: Need for more Pickleball courts. Use tennis lesson signage at other
parks to better advertise. More shade for picnic areas and benches; example at Main Street
Linear Park. Plans to volunteer for July 4th committee.
Commissioner Barnes: Group of parents at last City Council meeting who were concerned about
traffic at Longfellow Park. There is a stop on Haight and not on 5th. Many families cross 5th to
get to the park and need a four-way stop. Would like to see an analysis of traffic safety near
1",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-11-14.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-11-14,2,"parks. For kids who are in outside programs, look at more ways to let community know air is
unsafe.
Commissioner Navarro: Was at ARPD office and voted on Halloween pumpkins. Looking
forward to the Breakfast with Santa coming up at the O' Club in December. Shout out to
landscape crew at Franklin and Lincoln Parks. Asked where people can donate to the parks.
Answer: People can donate to the parks through Alameda Friends of the Park Foundationand
Jean Sweeney Open Space Park Foundation. Memorial bench donations can be ordered
through the ARPD office. Discussed restrooms at Godfrey Park and rubberized safety surfacing
at all parks.
Vice Chair Alexander: Requested to publicize date of Krusi Park recreation center demolition.
Has been driving by Jackson Park and appreciates update.
Chair Limoges: Went to Sweeney Park yesterday. Water feature not working and severe leak
at water fountain. Need a number for people to contact. Park is being used heavily and wear
and tear can be seen. May need to consider more funding. Encouraged everyone to see trail
along Appezzato Way, between Webster and Constitution. Concerned by entrance going into
Jean Sweeney Park, tight turn and traffic.
NEW BUSINESS
6-A Commendation for Gene Oh, Alameda Bicycle, founder of Bike for the Parks
Director Wooldridge read a commendation to Gene Oh for founding the Alameda Bike for the Parks.
Gene Oh could not be present.
6-B Doolittle Landfill Solar Farm
Alan Harbottle, Alameda Municipal Power (AMP) Energy Resource Analyst, gave presentation about
the Doolittle Landfill Solar Farm which will help to achieve climate goals to deliver 100% carbon neutral
energy resources by 2020. The report included information about the system overview, Doolittle Landfill
description, proposed site layout, local impacts, environmental reviews and a future open space park.
Chair Limoges requested an update to the Commission before the lease goes before City Council.
Speaker Ruth Abbey with Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda: Excited to collaborate
with the Commission and Parks on issues of climate action and greenhouse gas reduction
including carbon sequestration through urban forest and compost application. The idea of using
this land that's not ready to develop for renewable power is very important with an added benefit
of improving the area around the landfill for recreation and education. Support this project.
Speaker Irene Dieter: Asking Commission to make a recommendation to Planning Board and
City Council. This is a fantastic use for the land and benefits us and the environment right now.
Add more park benches and trees to attract more pedestrians on the path. Add native grasses
and shrubs to attract bees and butterflies along the path. Opportunity to add pollinator friendly
plants under solar panels or along path.
2",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-11-14.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-11-14,3,"Speaker Laura Kinsbotton: Important for Alameda to move toward energy independence. Would
be great to have local sources of energy if needed. 30% of California energy comes from
renewable sources and Alameda can be a leader to show other cities how to move forward.
Electricity is lost during transmission across lines so generating locally is more efficient. Also
more cost effective than other forms of energy generation.
Speaker Nick DeVries: Operates solar panels professionally and co-locates pollinators under
solar arrays. An important location as it has bike trail, access to ferry, wetlands. Suggested
signage to education people.
MOTION:
Commissioner Robbins motioned to recommend the Doolittle Landfill Solar Farm project as presented
including stressing the upfront $200,00 for bike trail improvements, adding native vegetation and
pollinators under the arrays and around the perimeters where feasible, adding benches and shade
areas such as trees along the path, adding signage for education about solar, using the $40,000 annual
payment for immediate improvements rather than into a remediation fund and restricting the lease to
the specific 11-acres so that any area outside of that can potentially be developed for recreational areas
in the future.
M/S Commissioner Robbins / Vice-Chair Alexander.
Motion carried by the following vote: All in favor with a 5 - 0.
Chair Limoges made a recommendation to hear 6-D prior to 6-C. Commission in agreement.
6-D City of Alameda's Initiatives to Support its Unhoused Residents
Ana Bagtas, City of Alameda Community Development Analyst, gave the presentation which included
goals, percentage of unhoused resident information, county plan, initiatives for Alameda, homeless
emergency aid and future funding. Encouraged to make park programs free for the homeless youth as
parks are safe spaces for homeless kids and a good place to reach out to them.
6-C Nominate and Vote on Chair /Vice-Chair
Chair Limoges nominated Vice-Chair Alexander for Recreation and Park Commission Chair.
M/S Chair Limoges / Commissioner Robbins. Vice Chair Alexander accepted.
All in favor 5-0 vote.
Commissioner Robbins nominated himself for Vice-Chair.
M/S Commissioner Robbins / Commissioner Barnes
All in favor 5-0 vote.
Director Wooldridge thanked Chair Limoges for his time as Recreation and Park Commission Chair.
SET NEXT MEETING DATE: Thursday, December 12, 2019.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Limoges adjourned the meeting at 9:33 p.m.
3",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-11-14.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-11-14,4,"EXHIBIT 1
Jackson Park, November 14, 2019
Top: Former location of sycamore removed in summer 2019.
Bottom: Former location of mature tree and benches removed on
unknown date. Future playground location.",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-11-14.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-11-14,5,"Jackson Park, November 14, 2019
focal Troasures !)
Mimi Stuart
ver century ago, families strolled down Park
Avenue to see horses grazing on the grass and
listen to the Alameda Chy Brass Band.
The musical events proved to be so popular that residents
donated money to build a bandstand for future concerts
When the city agreed to share the cost, prominent architect
Juseph A. Leonard designed a Victorian gem. In less than
two wecks, an octagonal bandstand with tall posti,'a peaked
roof, and an omate finial was crected. In 1890, the new
bandstand was dedicated before a jubilant crowd.
Although horses no longer graze there, a remnant of the
city's ""oldest municipally owned structure"" can still be seen
in Jackson Park. More about Alameda parks can be found
in Woody Minor 's new book.
Photographu of the bandstand are rare. If you know of any
please call Chris at 523-0411 or Mimi at 521-6065.
Undated newspaper item.
Remnant of circle of palms. Four of eight have been removed.",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-11-14.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-11-14,6,"EXHIBIT 2
11/14/19 ARPD Director's Report - Presented by Recreation and Park Director Amy
Wooldridge
Mastick Senior Center
Annual membership renewal began in July 2019 and 2,610 people have renewed or become
a member. This is an increase of 200 for the same time last year.
At this time each year, the Mastick Senior Center Advisory Board does an annual appeal
mailing. This year over 2,000 letters were mailed and over $5,100 received to date.
225 thank you cards with a $10 gift card, funded by the MSCAB, were mailed to volunteers to
acknowledge their service.
On October 31, over 40 children from ABC Preschool participated in the organized Halloween
parade. This included strolling the courtyard in costume and receiving a treat. Parent,
grandparents, and of course children joined the fun.
In September, the first women's Pickleball clinic was offered with 28 participating and recently
the first men's Pickleball clinic was offered with 18 participating.
During October 2019, 52.25 additional hours of programming were offered when comparing
to 2018.
Parks Maintenance
Soil fertility report so we know what soil amendments to implement for the magnolia tree
replacement at Longfellow Park. We anticipate planting a new tree within the next 1-2
months.
Contractors are being scheduled to demolish and replace the burned Woodstock Park
playground. We will expect to complete it by the end of this year.
The Alameda Friends of the Parks Foundation purchased two scoreboards for Estuary Park.
We are securing quotes to install.
Added infield dirt to Bayport Park field
Recreation Services
Antonio Arevalo, an ARPD teen volunteer, received the Citywide Community Service Award
for the youth category. We are very proud of him.
The Mayor's Tree Lighting Ceremony is Saturday, December 7 between the hours of
4:00pm - 6:00pm. Lots of festive fun and holiday cheer!
46th Annual Elk's Hoop Shoot is underway at your local park site for youth between the ages
of 8-13 for Boys and Girls.
The Days in the Park for grades K thru 5th will take place on November 25th and 26th at
Harrison Center in Lincoln Park from 7:30 am -5:30 pm
Park Projects
City Aquatic Center Concept Design - Four firms responded to a Request for Proposals, 3
were interviewed by a team that included city staff and a community representative
knowledgeable about aquatic facilities. ELS was chosen as the firm to conduct the
community input process and develop a conceptual design and cost estimate for the City",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-11-14.pdf
RecreationandParkCommission,2019-11-14,7,"Aquatic Center. There will be three community input meetings on Wednesdays from at
6:00pm at the O' Club on Jan. 15, Jan. 29 and Feb. 12.
The Krusi Park Recreation Center - Completed site work includes electrical, utility
installation, and removal of old components around the exterior. Starting in early January,
the existing building will be demolished and a new building installed. The building is
expected to be open and ready for public programs for Summer 2020.
Encinal Boat Launch Facility - The restroom, boat ramp, two docks and gangway and the
pilings have been installed. The project is on time and within budget and expected to be
opened in January 2020.
Sweeney Park - The City was granted Immediate Possession by the court. This means that
the areas that the City is intending to purchase from Union Pacific through Eminent Domain
are now available to be opened to the public. Most of this area will not yet be opened due to
safety hazards but 8th Street is now open so that the neighborhood to the south can access
the park through that access point. Staff intends to also create access points at Wood
Street and St. Charles Street but there are other hazards and issues to work through before
they are opened.
July 4th Parade - The long-time volunteers who coordinated and managed the July Fourth
parade announced that they are retiring from that effort. ARPD staff are bringing options to
City Council on 12/17/19 for a City managed parade. This includes either contracting
parade coordination or hiring staff as well as additional security measures. ARPD is
currently expected to take responsibility for management of the parade through one of the
proposed options.",RecreationandParkCommission/2019-11-14.pdf