MINUTES
REGULAR
MEETING
WEDNESDAY,
JUNE 28, 2006
ROBERT
LIVERMORE COMMUNITY CENTER
4444 EAST
AVENUE, LIVERMORE, CALIFORNIA
7:00 P.M.
CRESTA
BLANCA BALLROOM
DIRECTORS PRESENT: Director
Faltings, Director Furst, Director Goodman, Director Turner and President
Kamena
DIRECTORS
ABSENT: None (0)
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Tim Barry, Jim
Brandenburg, Lora Cohen, Barbara Kraybill, Michael Kyle, Gretchen Sommers,
Brian Tibbetts.
CITY STAFF PRESENT: Eric Brown
Meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. by Vice
President Turner Roll was taken and all Directors were present.
2. PRESENTATION
The City of Livermore Commission for the Arts was
scheduled to make a presentation regarding the development of a cultural arts
master plan. This item has been deferred to a future meeting, at the
Commission’s request.
3. PUBLIC FORUM
President Kamena asked for public comment on any
item not on the agenda. No public comment was received.
4. CONSENT AGENDA:
4.1 BOARD MINUTES
4.1.1 Meeting of June 14, 2006.
4.2 COMMUNICATIONS: None.
On a motion by Director Faltings, seconded by
Director Turner, approved the Consent Agenda, passing 5-0.
5. CONSENT AGENDA: RESOLUTIONS:
5.1 Resolution No. 2020, a resolution accepting
a grant of easement and easement agreement from Wente Land and Cattle Company
and consenting to recordation for Trail Segment
H-1.
5.2 Resolution No.2021, a resolution
authorizing and directing the Livermore Area Recreation and Park District to
enter into an agreement with the Alameda County Employees’ Retirement
Association (ACERA) to establish a 401(h) Account and contribute $57,111.30 to
it in Fiscal Year 2006/2007 for retirement medical benefits.
On a motion by Director Turner, seconded by
Director Faltings, approved the Consent Agenda Resolutions by the following
roll call vote:
AYES: Director Goodman, Director
Turner, Director Faltings, Director Furst, and President Kamena (5)
NOES: None (0)
ABSENT: None
(0)
6. BIDS AND PUBLIC HEARINGS: None.
7. OLD BUSINESS: None.
8. NEW
BUSINESS:
8.1 SUNKEN GARDENS BICYCLE STUNT COURSE DESIGN
President Kamena stated that the District plans to install
a bicycle stunt course at Sunken Gardens Park. General Manager Barry introduced
Derek McKee and Sherri Tafel of Beals Alliance, the architecture firm that is designing
the park. LARPD has held two public meetings regarding the design of the park.
Mr. McKee gave a slide presentation on the details of the stunt course and
explained Phase I of the Master Plan.
Items discussed by Directors, staff and Mr.
McKee included: specifics about the stunt equipment; safety equipment requirements;
patrolling and enforcement of rules; the possibility of buying more equipment
later; and concerns that Phase I of the stunt course be accessible to novice
bike riders.
President Kamena opened public comments.
1)
Ruthann
Kirchner, 574 Leona Drive, Livermore, stated she attended all of the community meetings
regarding the design of the stunt course. She said that those who attended the
meetings were more skilled riders, including their son. The kids at the meeting
had asked for something for the more experienced riders in Phase I, with the
understanding that something for the novice riders could be added later. She thanked the District for making progress
on the skate and bike parks. She praised LARPD staff and the architects for
listening to the kids.
President Kamena closed
public comment.
On a motion by Director Turner, seconded by
Director Faltings, approved Resolution No. 2022, a resolution approving the
Master Plan design of the bicycle stunt course at Sunken Gardens Park and
authorizing a call for bids, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Director Turner, Director
Faltings, Director Furst, Director Goodman and President Kamena (5)
NOES: None (0)
ABSENT: None
(0)
8.2 ROBERTSON PARK PLAYGROUND DESIGN
President Kamena explained that the Board will
consider plans for a new tot lot/playground at Robertson Park. General Manager
Barry explained that, as a condition of approval of the soon-to-be-constructed
Arroyo Crossing housing development, the developer, the O’Brien Group, must
install a playground at Robertson Park near the housing development. There is a
$300,000 budget for the project. The plans have been for the playground to be
placed near the development. As with
the bike course, Mr. Barry explained, LARPD had to create a master plan. Due to
budgetary concerns, the playground was designed to be installed in phases.
Mr. McKee of Beals Alliance gave a slide
presentation on the playground, as the firm is contracted for this project as
well. He reported that two public
meetings about the playground had been held. Mr. McKee stated that some of the meeting
attendees had complained about the playground, expressing concerns about
vandalism and litter, among other things. Mr. McKee noted that the proposed
site for the playground is in a flood zone. Mr. McKee explained the details of
the playground, and stated that the playground, as designed, would cost
slightly over $500,000. Mr. McKee spoke about the Phase I plan that would allow
the District to keep it within the $300,000 budget. He noted that the figures that
his firm project are those that LARPD would have to pay and that the O’Brien
group does not have the same restrictions as LARPD; he stated that it is possible that the O’Brien Group can do
it for less than the Beals Alliance projections.
Items discussed by Directors, staff and Mr.
McKee included: parking lot details; the use of sand; opinions about the LARPD
Master Plan for Robertson; and the possibility of relocating the playground to
the proximity of the soccer fields. Discussion ensued about the advantages of
moving the playground nearer the soccer fields. These advantages included: no
longer in the flood zone: existing pathways could be used; and safer for the
children being further from Robertson Park Road traffic.
President Kamena asked Eric Keller of the O’Brien Group if
his company cares about the location of the playground. Mr. Keller responded
that the O’Brien Group does want its homeowners to have easy access to the
playground, but that it also want to do what is right for the park District. Logistical details of moving the playground
and the impact on the development were discussed.
President Kamena opened public comment.
1)
Kathy
Chase spoke in favor of moving the playground closer to the soccer area.
2)
Valerie
Thomey said she lives on the old south side of Livermore, and she spoke in favor
of keeping the location of the playground close to the housing development and
the trail.
3)
Dorothy
Chappell, 4375 Chateau Way, Livermore, spoke against a playground at Robertson
Park. She spoke in favor of building it near the stadium, on the east side of
the property.
President Kamena closed
public comment.
Items discussed by Directors and staff included:
concerns about the playground being located in a flood zone; whether there is a
threat of vandalism; accessibility to park users wishing to walk to get there; concerns about ruining the rural feel if the
playground is located where the current plans indicate; concerns about the
design being over budget by $240,000; concerns about the delays that moving the
playground would cause; timeline for Phases II and III; the generosity that the
O’Brien group has demonstrated in its dealings with LARPD; whether moving the playground
would seriously disrupt the plans of the O’Brien Group; and the estimated
length of the delay in the permit process.
On a motion by President Kamena, seconded by
Director Faltings, approved not voting on this item tonight, and directed staff
to explore the consequences of moving the playground to the proximity of the
soccer fields and bring information back to Directors at the July 12 Board meeting, passing 5-0.
8.3 ROBERTSON PARK
EQUESTRIAN CENTER SHOW ARENA COVER
The Board will consider approving the revised plans and
specifications originally approved by the Board on January 28, 2004, with
revisions approved by the Board on January 26, 2005, and authorizing a call for
bids. (Resolution)
General Manager Barry gave background
information, explaining that the District has gone out to bid on this project
two times, and both times the bids came in too high. The Equestrian Committee,
which had been disbanded, re-formed and met due to public concern raised about
the arena project being abandoned. A Sub-Committee has met, members of which
feel the project can be done within budget. LARPD has have had its architect
revise the plans and specifications for a main bid and an alternate one.
Director Turner, Chair of the Equestrian
Committee, spoke about the sudden enthusiasm expressed by people wanting an
arena cover. He introduced Stacy Labrucherie, Chair of the Arena Cover
Sub-Committee. Ms. Labrucherie informed Directors that the Sub-Committee
members have compiled a list of contractors who they feel can do the job for
less than what the District has been quoted in past bid processes. She
suggested that, perhaps the companies who had submitted bids in the past were
inappropriate contractors for this type of project.
Senior Recreation Supervisor Brian Tibbetts
stated that the contractors provided by the Sub-Committee will be sent the
generic bid invitation letter, and that the District will also go through the
normal advertising and bid procedure, as required by law and District policy.
President Kamena opened public comment.
1)
Kathy
Chase stated she felt the project could be done under budget and that she feels
the equestrian community has not been well taken care of and deserves
consideration. She said she encourages the Board to support the project and the
Sub-Committee’s efforts.
2) Stacy Labrucherie stated that she supports
the arena cover project and feels that a covered arena would draw many
participants and, hence, revenue, to Livermore.
On a motion by Director Goodman, seconded by Director
Turner, approved Resolution No. 2023, a resolution approving the revised plans
and specifications for the Robertson Park Equestrian Center show arena cover
and authorizing a call for bids, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Director Faltings, Director
Furst, Director Goodman, Director Turner and President Kamena (5)
NOES: None (0)
ABSENT: None
(0)
The meeting recessed
from 9:00 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.
8.4
FISCAL YEAR 2006/2007 EMPLOYEE SALARIES AND BENEFITS
General Manager Barry stated that he was
pleased that, due to the reduction in funds diverted from LARPD to the state
via ERAF this next fiscal year, there is room in the budget to make
improvements to the salary and benefit program for District employees. Mr.
Barry made the following recommendations for employee salaries and benefits for
Fiscal Year 2006/2007:
1. The District to give a
4% Cost of Living Increase to Full-Time employees effective July, 2006 with an
additional 2% increase to Full-Time ESS staff to address internal equity (to
bring them closer to the Sr. Recreation Technician level).
2. The District will pay
100% of the increase in medical & dental benefit costs for f/y 2006-07 up
to a 10% increase of the current lowest cost plan for both full-time and
part-time designated staff. Increases
over 10% are the employee’s responsibility.
3. The District will look
into the feasibility of administering a 9/80 or 4/10 work week, involving
employees in the research and discussion of the topic, and provide a
recommendation to the Personnel Commission on the concept (this is a carry-over
item from this current fiscal year as we didn’t finish this task).
4. The District to consider
the results of the Part-Time Classification/Compensation study, to be completed
by July, 2006, and provide recommendations to the Personnel Commission.
5. The District to increase
the maximum number of hours of compensatory time for full-time staff from 40
hrs. to 80 hrs.
6. The District to add an
additional floating holiday for f/y 2006-07 for part-time designated employees
(Category A paid on the basis of a 5-hour day; Category B paid on the basis of
a 6-hour day).
President Kamena opened public comment.
No public comment was received.
On a motion by Director Turner, seconded
by Director Faltings, approved Resolution No. 2024, adopting the Annual Salary
Resolution designating employee compensation for Fiscal Year 2006/2007, by the
following roll call vote:
AYES: Director Furst, Director
Goodman, Director Turner, Director Faltings and President Kamena (5)
NOES: None (0)
ABSENT: None
(0)
8.5
FISCAL YEAR 2006/2007
PRELIMINARY BUDGET
General Manager Barry stated that this
is the time of year when the Board passes the Preliminary Operating and Capital
Improvement Budgets and that the final budget will be passed in August.
Mr. Barry stated he was pleased to say
that, as of June 30, 2006, the District will have an estimated $1,806,366 in
uncommitted reserves, which represents 13.2% of the operating expense. Mr.
Barry reviewed charts which showed the breakdown of the operating budget
revenue and expenses, the operating expense distribution by program type, and
the amount of LARPD tax revenue lost to the state through ERAF since 1993. Mr.
Barry also referred to the staff report, which contained details of the
recommended operating and capital budget.
President Kamena opened public comment.
No public comment was received.
On a motion by Director Turner, seconded
by Director Furst, approved Resolution No. 2025, adopting the Fiscal Year
2006/2007 Preliminary Operating and Capital Improvement Budget, by the
following roll call vote:
AYES: Director Goodman, Director
Turner, Director Faltings, Director Furst and President Kamena (5)
NOES: None (0)
ABSENT: None
(0)
9. MATTERS INITIATED/ANNOUNCEMENTS BY
THE DIRECTORS
None.
None.
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION
President Kamena summarized the items to be discussed in Executive Session.
Meeting convened to Executive Session at 9:23 p.m.
11.1 REAL ESTATE NEGOTIATIONS
Pursuant to Section 54956.8 of the Government Code
Property: Property south of Veterans Park, from Arroyo Road west, wrapping around the Veterans Hospital Property, in an “L” shape
Agency Negotiator: District Staff and/or Legal Counsel
Negotiating Parties: Bobba Family
Under Negotiation: Initial offer to property owner
11.2 REAL ESTATE NEGOTIATIONS
Pursuant to Section 54956.8 of the Government Code
Property: Sycamore Grove Park
Agency Negotiator: District Staff and/or Legal Counsel
Negotiating Parties: Chevron Pipeline Project
Under Negotiation: Easement agreement
12. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
Meeting reconvened to
Open Session at 9:50 p.m.
13. REPORT ON ACTION TAKEN IN EXECUTIVE
SESSION
No action taken.
14. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 9:51 p.m.
APPROVED,
_______________________________
President,
Board of Directors
ATTEST:
__________________________
General Manager and ex-officio
Clerk to the Board of Director