LIVERMORE
AREA RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT
MINUTES
REGULAR
MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
WEDNESDAY,
JANUARY 30, 2008
ROBERT
LIVERMORE COMMUNITY CENTER
4444 EAST
AVENUE, LIVERMORE, CALIFORNIA
5:30 P.M.
LARKSPUR
NORTH ROOM
7:00
P.M.
CRESTA
BLANCA BALLROOM
DIRECTORS PRESENT: Director Furst, Director Kamena, Director Wilson and
President Goodman
DIRECTORS ABSENT: Director
Faltings
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Tim Barry, Jim Brandenburg, Lora Cohen, Maureen Gandara
Swinbank, Jill Kirk, Michael Kyle, Rich Lange, John Lawrence, Mike Nicholson, Gretchen
Sommers, Brian Tibbetts
CITY STAFF PRESENT: Debbie Bell, Eric Brown, Susan
Frost, Ingrid Rademaker
1. CALL TO ORDER – ROLL CALL – PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE
Meeting was called to order by President Goodman
at 5:35 p.m. All Directors were present except Director Faltings and Director
Kamena.
2. WORKSHOP ON LARPD PARKS, RECREATION
AND TRAILS MASTER PLAN
2.1
Material
Overview
2.2
Proposed
Project List
2.3 Project Ranking
General manager Barry stated that this workshop is
another step in the process of developing a new District Master Plan. He introduced
Debbie Bell, Eric Brown, Susan Frost and Ingrid Rademaker, of the Planning
Division of the City of Livermore.
Ms. Rademaker stated that the main purpose of this
workshop is to get input and direction from the Board regarding priority
rankings for future park, recreation and trails projects in the Master Plan. She
stated that she has received input and recommendations from the public and the
LARPD staff.
Ms. Rademaker made a presentation and referred
to reports which included the following information: background on the development
of the Master Plan; the prioritization process; project list; project
categories and rankings; and evaluation criteria;
Director Kamena arrived at 5:45 p.m.
Ms. Rademaker referred to the project list
worksheet which was organized by the following sections: Mini-Neighborhood Parks; Neighborhood Parks;
Special Use Facilities; Open Space Parks; Service Facilities;
Programs/Planning; and Multi-use Trails. She invited comments and questions
from the Directors.
Directors had questions and comments on the
following items: whether projects have deadlines regarding ADA compliance; details
regarding ADA upgrades to Bill Clark Park; what is Hal Chestnut Memorial Field;
the suggestion that Sycamore Grove Park and Veterans Park be listed and
considered separately; climbing structure at Camp Shelly; accessible restroom
and shower at Camp Shelly; reconfiguration of Ravenswood Historic Site parking
lot; respite area portion of Robertson Park playground project; conversion of Robertson
Park soccer fields to artificial turf; Robertson Park Master Plan; permanent
and temporary pavilions at Ravenswood Historic Site; sports park; boardwalk,
walkway system and staging area at Brushy Peak and opening the area to the
public; new Ranger Station in Sycamore Grove Park; Sycamore Grove Park
education area; Oak Grove Reserve; Max Baer Park; pump at Robert Livermore
Park; and AB1600 funding.
Director Furst thanked City staff for all of the
time and hard work that they have put into this project. President Goodman
added that he was very impressed as well, particularly with the level of
detail. He thanked City staff, also.
The next topic was trails. General Manager Barry
said that Directors had been provided with trail maps at their places this
evening and that Ms. Rademaker and Ms. Bell had devised a numbering system to
combine two prior maps. Ms. Rademaker said that the goal was to look at the
trail alignments as a whole, rather than at segments, and that they tried to
establish an easier numbering system. She said that they also tried to label
the alignments with names that people could identify with and recognize. She noted
that some names remained the same and were based solely on the location of the
trail; others were carried over from the 1991 LARPD Master Plan.
Director Furst said he feels it makes sense to
have trail numbers with one trail numbering system, but the proposed system makes
the cost of expanding trails appear huge and un-doable. Trail segment projects, however, are less
expensive and more doable, he said. Director Furst asked the Board to consider
segments that that the District is working on and that need to be worked on
now. Director Furst also said he feels that trails and segments need to be
ranked as to short-term vs. long-term and low and high priority.
President Goodman agreed that it would be nice
to spend more time on the trails. He said that he is concerned about safety,
and people being able to get safely from one area of town to another (for
example, people using the overpass to get from Springtown to downtown).
General Manager Barry said that he would like
staff to present its recommendations on long-term and short-term goals for the Board
to review.
Directors had comments and questions about
trails, as follows: incorrect description for No. Canyon Parkway Trail (T-2);
why is a trail planned for the north side of the Shadow Cliffs to Del Valle
Trail (T-11) when there is an existing city trail on the south side; question
about the necessity of the Altamont Creek Trail (T-4); location of a new Catholic
school slated to be built and how trails relate to this; the feeling that trail
connectors should have a higher priority than new trails and trails that are
further out from town (the Board informally agreed); the suggestion that trail
rankings of “low, medium and high” might be preferable; T-13 from Ravenswood,
south to Wetmore has already been constructed, but T-13, from Wetmore south
along Arroyo Rd. needs to be investigated; and the status of Segment N.
It was determined that LARPD and City staff will
work together to re-rank the projects and report back to the Board.
Workshop adjourned to Regular Meeting at 6:44
p.m.
Meeting was called to order by President Goodman
at 7:02 p.m. All Directors were present except Director Faltings.
3. PUBLIC FORUM
President Goodman opened public comment. No
public comment. President Goodman closed public comment.
4. INTRODUCTION
General Manager Barry introduced
Assistant General Manager John Lawrence to the Board. He gave information about
Mr. Lawrence’s career history and educational background.
5. CONSENT AGENDA:
5.1 BOARD
MINUTES
5.1.1 Meeting of January 9, 2008
5.2 COMMUNICATIONS: None.
5.2.1 Quarterly Capital Projects Status Report
President Goodman asked if Directors
wished to remove anything from the Consent Agenda. No items removed. On a
motion by Director Kamena, seconded by Director Furst, approved the Consent
Agenda, passing 4-0. Director Faltings was absent.
6. CONSENT AGENDA RESOLUTIONS:
6.1 APPROVING REVISIONS TO THE DISTRICT
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
Resolution No.2098, a resolution approving
revisions to the District Performance Management Program related to the new
one-year probationary period requirement for all competitive service employees.
6.2
ACCEPTANCE OF SUNKEN GARDENS PARK BICYCLE STUNT COURSE
Resolution No. 2099, a resolution accepting the
Sunken Gardens Park Bicycle Stunt Course construction project.
On a motion by Director Kamena, seconded by
Director Wilson, approved the Consent Agenda Resolutions by the following roll
call vote:
AYES: Director Wilson,
Director Kamena, Director Furst and President Goodman (4)
NOES: None
(0)
ABSTENTIONS: None
(0)
ABSENT: Director
Faltings (1)
7. BIDS AND PUBLIC HEARINGS: None.
8. OLD BUSINESS: None.
9. NEW BUSINESS:
9.1
DISTRICT AUDIT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006/2007
General Manager Barry stated that the
District audit for Fiscal Year 2006/2007 has been completed, and that the Board
is being asked to accept it.
Katherine Yuen of the auditing firm Maze
& Associates summarized the audit findings, stating that the District had
received a clean opinion.
On a motion by Director Kamena, seconded
by Director Wilson, accepted the District Audit for Fiscal Year 2006/2007,
passing 4-0. Director Faltings was absent.
9.2
EXTENDED STUDENT SERVICES PROGRAM AUDIT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006/2007
Mr. Barry asked that the Board consider
accepting the Extended Student Services Program audit for Fiscal Year
2006/2007.
Ms. Yuen summarized the ESS audit, saying
that it, too, received a clean opinion.
On a motion by Director Kamena, seconded
by Director Wilson, accepted the Extended Student Services Program Audit,
passing 4-0. Director Faltings was absent.
9.3 APPOINTMENT
TO THE PERSONNEL COMMISSION
President Goodman stated that the Board
will consider a recommendation to appoint Steve Barranti to another term on the
Personnel Commission.
President Goodman invited Director
comments and questions. Director Kamena said that he had been on Mr. Barranti’s
original review committee. He said he is glad that Mr. Barranti is enjoying serving
on the Commission and wishes to continue serving. President Goodman complimented
the Personnel Commission for its work.
On a motion by Director Kamena, seconded
by Director Furst, approved Resolution No. 2100, appointing Steve Barranti to
another term on the Personnel Commission, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Director Kamena,
Director Furst, Director Wilson and President Goodman (4)
NOES: None
(0)
ABSTENTIONS: None
(0)
ABSENT: Director
Faltings (1)
9.4 PROPOSAL FROM
LUNAR for Model Rocket Launches at Robertson Park
President Goodman stated that the Board of
Directors will consider a proposal from the Livermore Unit of the National
Association of Rocketry (LUNAR) for model rocket launches in Robertson Park.
General Manager Barry said that the District had
received a letter from LUNAR President Craig Saunders requesting that LUNAR be
permitted to launch rockets on four dates this spring. Mr. Barry said that
LUNAR had done rocket launches in Robertson park for several years, until the
District asked the group to stop this past year, due to fire and safety
concerns. Mr. Barry said that LUNAR had complied with the District’s request.
Mr. Saunders gave background information
pertaining to LUNAR’s request and explained what the program is. He talked
about discussions he had had with General Manager Barry regarding fire safety
concerns and told how LUNAR had addressed these concerns by restricting rocket
height a taking other precautionary measures. Mr. Saunders said that General
Manager Barry had asked if LUNAR had looked into increasing its insurance and naming
the District as an additional insured. Mr. Saunders said he did make such arrangements,
and that he wishes to discuss what LARPD’s requirements are and determine what
the National Association of Rocketry can do to meet the District’s request.
Mr. Barry added that he had asked LUNAR to
assign a fire safety person and be equipped to handle small outbreaks of fire. He
said he also wanted to insure that the rocket motor size is restricted, which
limits how high rockets can fly. Mr. Barry said he is satisfied that LUNAR has
made these arrangements.
President Goodman asked for questions from the
Board. There were questions about the following: rocket launch height
restrictions; distance of nearby homes from the launch site; inquiry about
whether LARPD has a park that is more suitable for rocket launches, since there
are homes near Robertson Park; type of rocket launches; and Legal Counsel’s
opinion regarding the terms of our insurance (that LARPD be named as additional
insured; also wants to know for what amount LARPD could be insured—the minimum should
be $2million; also wants LUNAR to complete any necessary paperwork and make a security
deposit). Mr. Saunders said that Robertson Park is already covered by LUNAR’s
insurance policy and that he is happy to discuss this with staff.
President Goodman asked for a motion. Director
Kamena made a motion, seconded by Director Wilson, to approve the proposal from
the Livermore Unit of the National Association of Rocketry (LUNAR) for model
rocket launches in Robertson Park.
Director Goodman asked for Director comments.
Director Goodman said that it was with regret that the Board had voted to end its
relationship with LUNAR last year, but that he feels it was the right thing to
do. He said he supports LUNAR, and said it is too bad the District cannot
continue to do so. Director Kamena said that he is a neighbor of Robertson
Park, and that he is not concerned about the launches in terms of noise,
nuisance or safety. He said no rockets have ever come close to his home, and
that he welcomes LUNAR back for this project. Director Kamena added that he very
much appreciates staff’s and Legal Counsel’s caution in this matter. Director
Wilson said she feels the LUNAR program is a great thing for kids, as it combines
science and the outdoors. She said she was impressed with LUNAR and its
responsiveness to LARPD, and that she supports approving its request.
President Goodman called the motion. The motion to
approve the proposal from the Livermore Unit of the National Association of
Rocketry (LUNAR) for model rocket launches in Robertson Park was approved,
pending working out the insurance details, passing 4-0. Director Faltings was
absent.
10. MATTERS INITIATED/ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE
DIRECTORS
1) Director Wilson talked about a Federal bill that
is in process now. It is called, “No child left inside.” The bill has to do
with giving mandates and funding to schools to have environmental literacy and
education programs. Ms. Wilson said she spoke to Ranger/Naturalist Supervisor Mike
Nicholson. Mr. Nicholson assigned Ranger Patti Cole to meet with Ms. Wilson on
this matter. Ms. Wilson recommended that the ESS/KZ and Ranger departments meet
to coordinate on this subject. She said she would like to see the District meet
with the School District, also, to see how we can take advantage of this
opportunity. She requested that a senior staff person be assigned to contact
the School District.
2) Director Kamena said that School Board
Trustee Anne White requested that representatives of the School District and LARPD
meet for its regularly scheduled Intergovernmental meeting whether or not City
staff is able to meet.
3) Director Kamena said that he had asked at the
last LARPD Board meeting for a budget workshop. A workshop has been scheduled
for February 21. He said that, for the workshop, he would like an analysis of
the different LARPD programs and their level of subsidy. He said this might
help the Board make some decisions.
4) President Goodman said that this past weekend
there was a large quilt show at the RLCC, with over 510 quilters in attendance.
He said he saw the new floor covering
in the gym and that he was very impressed. He said it is better than the old
cover, which staff exchanged. President Goodman said he thinks that the cover
will be paid for easily by rentals in a couple of years.
5) President Goodman invited the public to
attend the Super Football Party at the RLCC at 2:00 p.m. this Sunday. Proceeds from
this event benefit the Livermore Junior Football League.
6) President Goodman invited the public to
attend the LARPD Rummage Sale at the Barn on February 2. The Rummage Sale benefits
the LARPD scholarship program.
1) General Manager Barry complimented the
performance of District park maintenance staff who had to clear fallen trees,
etc. during dangerous storm conditions recently. He said he appreciates their
work very much.
Meeting
adjourned to Executive Session at 7:37 p.m.
12. EXECUTIVE SESSION
12.1 REAL
ESTATE NEGOTIATIONS
Pursuant to Section 54956.8 of the Government
Code
Property: 13.5 acres of
land, Robertson Park Rd., Livermore, CA
Agency Negotiator: District Staff and/or
Legal Counsel
Negotiating Parties: Livermore Valley Joint
Unified School District
Under Negotiation: Terms of Purchase
12.2 REAL ESTATE NEGOTIATIONS
Pursuant to
Section 54956.8 of the Government Code
Property:
Portions of Assessor’s Parcel No’s.: 099-0290-011-07 (portion),
099-0475-006-02,099-0475-005-04, 099-0475-005-03
(portion), 099-1354-003, 099-1354-004 and 099-1343-016.
Agency Negotiator: District Staff and/or
Legal Counsel
Negotiation Parties: Property owners: CEMEX,
Moir, Zone 7, Crohare, Kurtzer
Under Negotiation: Offers to purchase trail
easements and/or fee interests
13. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
Meeting reconvened to Open Session
at 8:34 p.m.
14. REPORT ON ACTION TAKEN IN EXECUTIVE
SESSION
No action to report.
15. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
APPROVED,
_______________________________
Steve
P. Goodman
President, Board of
Directors
ATTEST:
__________________________
General
Manager and ex-officio
Clerk
to the Board of Directors