MINUTES
REGULAR
MEETING
WEDNESDAY,
SEPTEMBER 13, 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 (5)
DIRECTORS
ABSENT: None
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Tim Barry, Jim
Brandenburg, Jim Carlson, Maureen Gandara Swinbank, Barbara Kraybill, Michael
Kyle, Gretchen Sommers, Brian Tibbetts
CITY STAFF PRESENT: Cheri Sheets
Meeting was called to order at 7:06 p.m. by
President Kamena. Roll was taken and all Directors were present.
2. PUBLIC FORUM
President Kamena asked for public comment on any item not on the agenda. No public comment was received.
3. CONSENT AGENDA:
3.1 BOARD MINUTES
3.1.1 Meeting of August 30,
2006.
3.2 COMMUNICATIONS:
None.
3.3 General Manager’s Monthly Report (#60/2).
3.4 Payroll and Claims.
3.5 PERSONNEL
3.5.1 Extension of temporary assignment of a
Senior Recreation Supervisor to the higher duties of Landscape
Architect/Project Manager.
On a motion by Director Faltings, seconded by
Director Furst, approved the Consent Agenda, passing 5-0.
4. CONSENT AGENDA: RESOLUTIONS: None.
5. BIDS AND PUBLIC HEARINGS: None.
6. OLD BUSINESS: None.
7. NEW
BUSINESS:
7.1 CONTRACT WITH CITY OF LIVERMORE FOR PLANNING
SERVICES
President Kamena explained that the Board will
consider authorizing the renewal of the contract with the City of Livermore for
planning services.
General Manager Barry stated that staff would
like to renew the contract for an additional two years, and that Cheri Sheets,
City of Livermore Engineering Department, is present to respond to any
questions tonight. Mr. Barry listed the services that are covered in the
contract. He stated that this relationship with the City has been a good
experience for LARPD, noting that the District has saved money over the last
two years by contracting with the City, as opposed to having staff perform
these functions at this time.
Director Turner asked Ms. Sheets if the City
wishes to renew this contract. Ms. Sheets responded that City staff does
support the idea of continuing services at this time.
President Kamena opened public comment.
1)
Dennis
Gambs, representing the Tri-Valley Adult Day Care Program
Board of Directors, asked if the contract with the City includes planning for
the Civic Center site, as this might relate to the LARPD Friendship Center
program.
On a motion by Director Turner, seconded by
Director Faltings, approved Resolution No. 2036, authorizing the General Manager
to renew the agreement with the City of Livermore for planning services, 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)
Director Goodman stated that he feels the
relationship with the City has been very beneficial to LARPD. He would, however,
like to see LARPD start performing these planning functions again itself, once
budgeting allows for the addition of staff. Director Turner stated that he,
too, appreciates all that the City has done with this contract, and how well
they have carried out the functions of the contract. Director Faltings also
stated she very much appreciates the City’s work, and feels the improved
communication and understanding between the two agencies is a very good thing.
7.2 FRIENDSHIP
CENTER RELOCATION PROJECT
President Kamena spoke about the Friendship Center and its
functions and the current situation in which its lease at the Charter School
will expire in June 2007. The Friendship Center’s lease will not be renewed by
the School District due to expansion of the Charter School and LARPD staff has
been exploring options for relocating the Friendship Center, which will entail
obtaining a new license of operation; the license is site-specific.
General Manager Barry stated that staff will
present a status report this evening and noted that Friendship Center staff and
Tri-Valley Adult Day Care Program (TVADCP) Board members are present. The first
option staff is exploring is the R.E. Merritt Bldg. and Little House property
on Trevarno Road, owned by LARPD. Mr. Barry introduced Mr. Deiss of the firm
ATI, who is here to present a report his firm prepared; a feasibility study on
relocating to Trevarno Road.
Mr. Deiss addressed the Board about his
company’s feasibility study. He stated his opinion that the Friendship Center
program would fit into the building, but the internal structure of the building
presents problems, in that the building is on two levels. The Friendship Center
would only fit, using the whole first floor of the building, not either half.
If the program is moved there, he would
recommend raising the floor of the building, as well as installing ramps at
various entrances. These conditions would present certain hazards, as well as require
additional staffing and operational costs. Significant remodeling would be
necessary to open up the building, which consists of several small rooms. In
summary, while the building is a significant, substantial building, it would
require significant modification, at significant expense to the District. Mr. Deiss
asked if there were questions.
President Kamena asked what the least amount of
expense might be to meet the minimum needs of the program. Mr. Dice responded $1.5
million dollars. Mr. Kamena asked how long it would take to perform the
remodeling. Mr. Deiss answered that it would take a minimum of 18 months. Mr.
Kamena asked how well the program would be accommodated if the District
followed his firm’s recommendations. Mr. Deiss responded that staff has
expressed a desire to expand to 50 clients (from current 28); the Merritt Building would accommodate up to
40 clients, using the first floor only. Mr. Deiss does not recommend occupying
the second floor. Satisfying the future requirements of the program would
require a future lateral addition, and functionality would be reduced. There is
limited expansion potential for this site, on a long term level.
Director Turner inquired about the traffic in
that location. He stated that exiting Trevarno Road onto First Street is a
concern, especially turning left. Mr. Deiss stated that a traffic study was not
performed by them, but his firm did address a drop-off and pick-up point at the
building. Director Faltings asked for clarification on what effect the selling
of Little House would have on program expansion and remodeling recommendations.
President Kamena opened public comment.
1) Dennis
Gambs, representing the Tri-Valley
Adult Day Care Program (TVADCP) Board of Directors, asked about the renovation
cost. He asked how it compares to the cost of constructing a new building. Mr.
Deiss responded that a new would building would cost $2.5-3 million, to meet
program requirements.
2) Marena Drlik, TVADCP Board, asked about the
18 month renovation estimate, whether it included the licensing or just the
building. Mr. Deiss replied that it included just the building. Discussion
among staff determined that construction and licensing could be performed
simultaneously. Ms. Drlik asked about the restrooms at the Merritt Building.
Mr. Deiss responded that his is a schematic design. His commission was not to
design the building, and he only did schematic design as it seemed necessary. He
responded that the restrooms would be adequate.
President Kamena closed public comment.
Director Turner asked whether the District would
have to apply to the City for approval.
General Manager Barry said we would have to go through a permit process, which
would take place in the 18 month estimated time, per Mr. Deiss. Mr. Turner also
asked about the Trevarno homeowners association and whether staff foresees a
problem with this. Mr. Barry explained that staff has not discussed the issue with
the homeowners association, pending Board decision on this matter. Director
Turner stated that he heard that Almond Avenue School is now vacant, and may
have room. He recommends that the District sell the Trevarno Road properties and
reinvest the sales proceeds.
Director Furst asked staff how many clients come
from Pleasanton and if we’ve had dialogue with the City of Pleasanton about its
support. Recreation Supervisor Maureen Gandara Swinbank responded that there
had been had 21 clients from Pleasanton in the last year and that staff has
talked with Eileen Morley from Pleasanton. She stated that staff does not have
a good feeling of getting support from Pleasanton. Director Furst asked about
support from the City of Livermore. Mr. Barry said that staff has spoken with
the School District and the City to work on a solution. He said that there
could possibly be funding available from the community block grant program. There
have been no further discussions about financial commitment, he said. Mr. Barry
stated that staff is trying to find the logical solution, price it, and get the
commitments as we can. Mr. Furst encouraged staff the get support from
Pleasanton and Livermore. Mr. Furst mentioned an abandoned private school site
on Vasco Road, which he encourages staff to investigate. He asked if LARPD can
continue to support the Friendship Center, and about the financial commitment
this entails.
Director Turner stated that he felt Ms. Swinbank
should not be the one to approach for financial requests. General Manager Barry
agreed that it is his responsibility and the she has not done so.
Further discussion included: clarification about
the city of residence of the clients; the fact that the Friendship Center is a
unique program where people come from out of the area; the difference between
general funds and capital funds in the District budget; whether capital funds,
which are restricted, could be used to fund construction of a program site. Mr.
Barry listed advantages and disadvantages to relocating the program at various
named alternate sites, such as Almond Avenue School, Sunken Gardens Park, City
Council Chambers, former Civic Center Library, the private school site on Vasco
Road and Arroyo Mocho School. President Kamena stated that almost all options that
the District is looking at would require renovations, etc. that exceed the time
left on the lease. Staff and Directors discussed the possibility of temporary
licensing.
Director Faltings stated she is not prepared to accept that this program close
because we cannot find a site. We need to get moving. She stated she feels a
permanent solution should be in a District-owned building. She stated she feels
the school district has an obligation to us. She said that she feels that LARPD
needs to keep this program operating for those who live in Livermore and the
surrounding area. She is not convinced we cannot make the Merritt Building
work. She said that a temporary, albeit less optimal, solution is preferable to
allowing the program to cease to exist.
President Kamena opened public comment.
1) Marena Drlik spoke about Almond School
possibly being a temporary fix. Would the charter school be willing to wait until
September 2007 for the program to leave the site? General Manager Barry
responded that staff still needs to assess the cost of renovating Almond. We’d
still be under lease with the School District if we moved to Almond, he noted. Ms.
Drlik spoke in favor of doing all in our power to keep the program open, even
if it is less than ideal conditions, even if it takes 4 to 5 years.
2) Lisa Gambs, Friendship Center employee, 1862
Marini Lane, Livermore, said that she is a 10.5 year employee of the Friendship
Center and that she feels the staff is willing to put up with whatever
inconveniences occur in order to keep the program open.
3) McKinley Day, who is running for the
Livermore School Board, stated it is a personal issue with him. He would pledge
his support of the Friendship Center. He stated he is disappointed that the School
District could not provide LARPD with more time. He said he is available for
any help that LARPD needs. He supports a temporary fix, if needed. If elected,
he will support finding a solution.
4) Dennis Gambs, TVADCP Board of Directors, gave
information about the Friendship Center, and said that the TVADCP Board is a nonprofit
organization which funds the Friendship Center operating costs that not covered
by client fees. This has happened since 1992. Mr. Gambs on the relocation
committee for the program. This is the only program like this in the Tri-Valley,
he said. If the program goes away, clients would have to go to Hayward or the
central valley for similar services. He said that 30 or more clients receive direct
help, but that many more are affected by the program, such as the clients’
families. He said it does not look feasible to him to use the Merritt Building.
He recommends selling the Trevarno Road property. Also, he feels we need to
keep expansion of the program in mind. He stated he feels the Friendship Center
is a stepsister compared to other LARPD programs. It is a Tri-Valley issue. He
said it is hard to ask for funding when the project does not yet exist. Also,
the future location could limit Tri-Valley participants if we move further
east. He feels the short-term solution is our biggest problem now. He encouraged LARPD’s continued work with
the School District and the Charter School. TVADCP is here to work with LARPD,
he said.
5) Thomas Heath, TVADCP Board, stated he is a
licensed senior health care provider. He said he is concerned that time is
really short. We do not have a viable back-up plan to even move to a temporary
facility. Time is of the essence. Has
everything been done? He said there had been no mention of the County this
evening. He said there is a Tri-Valley program which may have funding. We need
to talk to city of Pleasanton and the city of Livermore, he said.
6) Annette Cook, 1019 Bluebell Drive, Livermore,
Friendship Center employee, thanked Director Faltings for her comments. Ms.
Cooke said she wished to clarify that the program also helps the young senior
volunteers and young volunteers. It is for everyone. She said that many people
come to visit, and to participate, in the program. She asked the Directors to please
do the best they can for the Friendship Center.
President Kamena closed public comment.
Director Goodman stated that he wished to
clarify that the LLNL childcare center did not, in fact, vacate the Almond School
site. Mr. Goodman stated that the Friendship Center is, to him, LARPD’s most important
program. He said that the program makes a difference in people’s lives, that
the staff love their jobs and treat the clients like they are their own. Mr.
Goodman said he feels torn because of the financial implications. When program started, he said, LARPD, the School
District and the City worked together. If the program goes away, it will not
come back, he said. Hundreds of people benefit from the program, volunteers
caregivers, and families. Mr. Goodman encouraged those affected by the
Friendship Center to send a note to the Board of Directors us to let it know
how important it has been in their lives. He asked if we can we talk to the licensing
department, if we have not already, and explain to them our dilemma; ask if we can
get a temporary license. Director Goodman said that the Board needs to make a
decision about the level of subsidy we can provide to the program. He asked if
the School District can they give us any extension at all.
Director Turner stated that he is committed to
keeping the program, and that we need to concentrate on a site that might work.
He asked what the asking price was for the private school site and was told $2
million. Mr. Turner stated he feels we should go back to the School District
and ask for reconsideration on the lease extension, and that staff should meet
with the Charter School staff.
Director Faltings stated that she challenges the
School District and Charter School and the County Board of Supervisors to do
what is right by the Friendship Center. We need this program, and we need help.
President Kamena said he agrees with Director Goodman
that seniors tend to get the short end of the stick, in terms of programs. He
said that we are talking about people who cannot take care of themselves. He
noted that it is very difficult to obtain license for senior care, as opposed
to child care licensing. He stated that Director Turner, himself and General
Manager Barry met with the School District last week. School District staff
indicated at that meeting that they were having trouble holding off the Charter
School, but might be able to hold them off for another year, if they saw that
LARPD was working on a solution. LARPD
has, in fact, been looking at lots of options, but that this is not necessarily
obvious to people. We need to let them know that we have indeed been doing a
lot to try to solve this situation. We need to demonstrate we’re doing all we
possibly can. President Kamena recommended cutting out the nonviable
alternatives. He asked if there is such a thing as a temporary license. Ms.
Swinbank responded that there is a 3-0 day emergency license, which is not
renewable. Director Furst concurred on
eliminating alternatives tonight so that staff can get some direction. Director
Furst stated he feels we need our own, LARPD-owned site. All Directors agree on
this point.
Directors and staff reviewed the list of 9
alternatives for program sites. The Board directed staff to eliminate 5
of the 9 relocation alternatives it had considered, and to investigate the
following 4 possibilities: LARPD-owned Merritt Building on Trevarno Road;
City-owned Civic Center site on Pacific Avenue; lease commercial space; and a
former private school site on South Vasco Road. The timeline for staff is 60 days. This issue will be on
the agenda for the next several Board meetings.
7.3 CSDA BOARD OF
DIRECTORS ELECTION 2006
President Kamena explained what the scope of the California
Special Districts Association is (CSDA) is, and that the Board will consider
whether, and for whom, to cast a vote on behalf of LARPD for the California
Special Districts Association Board of Directors Election 2006. General Manager
Barry listed the slate of candidates and asked the Directors for one vote that
the District would cast. Director Faltings stated she would endorse Margaret Shirrel,
who represents the Moss Landing Harbor District. President Kamena asked
Directors for any comments, as well as the audience. On a motion by Director
Faltings, seconded by Director Turner, approved endorsing Margaret Shirrel,
passing 5-0.
8. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Directors reported on the committee meetings
attended since the Board meeting of August 9, 2006, as follows: Facilities (1), Intergovernmental (1),
Livermore Cultural Arts Commission (1), Livermore Downtown (1), Personnel (1),
and Ravenswood Progress League (1).
Director Faltings reported on her visit, along
with five others from Livermore, who visited Scotland for the Birnam Highland
Games in Scotland.
President Kamena officially disbanded the
Equestrian Committee, as it has fulfilled its purpose of investigating and
proceeding with the arena cover project. He stated that if it is needed in the
future, we’ll restart it.
President Kamena
officially started an ad hoc Committee on College Tours, which will end in
December. The program will be coordinated by LARPD Recreation Supervisor Julie
Lange and will involve acquainting Livermore youths with the abundance of local
colleges in California by taking them on tours. The School District supports
this program, and will give credit to students who participate. The committee
will select 4 or 5 universities and bus students to the schools in the spring
of 2007. Ms. Lange is appointed to the committee. President Kamena and Director
Faltings will serve on the committee. He said that Youth Services
Superintendent Kraybill will appoint another staff person. Alane Loisel from
the School District will serve on the committee, and President Kamena will also
appoint three members from the community.
Director Faltings
reported on her and the General Manager’s attendance today at the Alameda
County Special Districts Association (ACSDA) meeting.
Directors also attended Farmers Markets, the
LARPD Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and the Ravenswood Vineyard Dedication.
9. MATTERS INITIATED/ANNOUNCEMENTS BY
THE DIRECTORS
1) Director Furst would like Ravenswood
Historic site to be brought before the Board.
2) Director Furst would like a financial report
on Scottish games and a formal discussion of whether to continue the Scottish
games.
3) President Kamena would like to promote the Alameda
County Youth Leadership Academy, which is for high school juniors and seniors.
4) Director Turner stated that at the Livermore
Cultural Arts Commission meeting recently, Sam Spitar was elected President and
Chuck Hartwig is retiring.
5) Director Turner said he has received
telephone calls about the rock wall at Sunrise Mountain sports. He was unaware
of the issue.
6) Director Goodman thanked staff for putting
together the ERAF handout. He spoke about the ERAF tax shift which has hurt
LARPD financially since 1992.
7) Director Goodman thanked staff for the
volunteer appreciation event held last week.
8) Director Goodman stated that Doug Fields
passed away recently. Mr. Fields was involved in CYSA. Mr. Goodman expressed
condolences to Mr. Fields’ family.
9) Director Goodman said he is excited that LARPD
has hired a Landscape Architect/Project Manager. He welcomed Chiye Azuma.
10) Director Faltings complimented City of
Livermore and LARPD staff on the recently created bikeways map. She noted that
it is available at City Hall, the Robert Livermore Community Center and all
local bike shops.
11) Director Furst gave spoke about the specific
financial figures of the ERAF tax shift. The state has taken almost 50% of LARPD’s
property taxes since 1992.
1) General Manager Barry talked about the planning agreement with the City of Livermore, which was renewed tonight. He gave his compliments to Cheri Sheets and Eric Brown of the City, saying that they have been fantastic in providing service to LARPD. Mr. Barry also gave his compliments to staff, particularly Senior Recreation Supervisor Brian Tibbetts and Park Supervisor Jim Brandenburg. Mr. Barry stated that the projects staff has completed in the last two years, in spite of cutbacks, is impressive.
11. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:17 p.m.
APPROVED,
_______________________________
President,
Board of Directors
ATTEST:
__________________________
General Manager and ex-officio
Clerk to the Board of Director