MINUTES
REGULAR
MEETING
WEDNESDAY,
NOVEMBER 8, 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 (0)
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Chiye Azuma, Tim
Barry, Jim Brandenburg, Jim Carlson, Barbara Kraybill, Michael Kyle, Mike
Nicholson, Gretchen Sommers, Maureen Gandara Swinbank
Meeting was called to order at 7:04 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 October 25,
2006.
3.2 COMMUNICATIONS:
3.2.1 Letter from Mary Cameron regarding
Ravenswood educational field trip.
3.3 General Manager’s Monthly Report (#60/4).
3.4 Payroll and Claims.
3.5 PERSONNEL:
3.5.1 Change in Job Description for Park
Supervisor Position.
On a motion by Director Faltings, seconded by
Director Turner, approved the Consent Agenda, passing 5-0.
4. CONSENT AGENDA: RESOLUTIONS: None.
5. BIDS AND PUBLIC HEARINGS: None.
6. OLD BUSINESS:
6.1 PARK ADJACENT TO BOTHWELL RECREATION
CENTER
President Kamena explained that the Bothwell
Center used to be the community center, and that now the Robert Livermore Community
Center serves that purpose. He said that LARPD promised the neighbors we would
develop a park there. LARPD has held 3 public meetings to gather input about
what type of park citizens would like to have at the site. General Manager
Barry stated that there are two staff reports on this item, one of which is a
supplemental to the initial staff report.
He stated that it has become apparent that there is a need for both a
playground park and a softball field. He said that the staff recommendation is
that LARPD not remove the field from the site until we have located another
field for softball use. He said that in the supplemental materials there is a
recommendation that a field be constructed at either May Nissen Park at a cost
of $80,000 or at Max Baer Park at a cost of $100,000.He introduced Senior
Recreation Supervisor, Jim Carlson.
Mr. Carlson reported that staff did an intensive
inventory of all of our parks and determined that Max Baer or May Nissen park
would provide a field that is either equal or better to the field at the
Bothwell Center. Mr. Barry noted that the report contained enrollment numbers,
current field allocations, scope of work and funding potential. The report also
contained a softball field use matrix.
General Manager Barry introduced Derek McKee of
Beals Alliance, the firm that developed the park design plans for the Bothwell site.
Mr. McKee reported on the current amenities at the park; reviewed the purpose
and results of the 3 community meetings; and gave detailed explanations of the
two design concepts being presented tonight (one without a softball
field-Concept 1, and one with a softball field-Concept 2).
Directors asked for, and received, clarification
on the following elements of the designs: climbing web; plumbing and cost for
water feature; swings; composition of slides; the risk of softballs and
hardballs being hit into the play area should the softball field remain; the
physical ability to place a softball field at Max Baer and May Nissen; how the
budget would be affected if Concept One was chosen and a new softball field(s)
is built; whether the current softball field is monitored; the proximity of
other neighborhood parks;
President Kamena opened
public comment.
1) Carrie Buczeke, 724 South J Street,
Livermore, spoke in support of softball,
but stated she does not support taking money from this the playground project.
President Kamena asked the girls to hold up
their signs, as they did a great job on the signs.
2) Kent Anderson, Livermore Girls Softball
Association (LGSA) and member of the Sports Park Committee, acknowledged that LARPD
staff is working hard behind the scenes and he appreciates it. He said we
cannot overburden the school district. He said that the City has to help LARPD
to get a sports park built. He would
like to have a group of fields in the same park. He said that perhaps we can
work with the school district. Using money from this park to build a field
makes sense to him.
3) Maria Dean, 741 South K Street, Livermore,
spoke in favor of a playground without a softball field and building a field at
May Nissen and Max Baer parks.
4) Cynthia Meyer spoke in favor of having
softball fields on which girls can play.
5) Vivian Connolly spoke in favor of having
softball fields on which girls can play.
6) Bill Choi, 872 Cindy Lane, Livermore, spoke
in favor of having softball fields on which girls can play.
7) Jessica Choi, 872 Cindy Lane, Livermore, spoke
in favor of having softball fields on which girls can play.
8) Lynn Glover, lives 2468 7th Street,
Livermore, spoke in favor of a playground without a softball field
9) Cindy Loomis, 812 South H Street, Livermore, spoke
in favor of a playground without a softball field, but favors softball, too.
10) Lisa Stanford, 2489 Regent Road, Livermore,
spoke in favor of keeping the park the way it is.
11) Robert Federle, 688 South H Street, Livermore,
said that both can be done, a softball field and a park without one. He said
that it is evident that LARPD is trying to find a reasonable solution. He spoke
in favor of a design that will accommodate people of all ages, and people with
disabilities.
12) Casey Elbert, 1487 Spring Valley Common, spoke
in favor of having softball fields on which girls can play.
13) Kayla, Bristlecone Way, Livermore, spoke in
favor of having softball fields on which girls can play.
14) Lexi Siegle, 5569 Idlewild, Livermore, spoke
in favor of having softball fields on which girls can play.
15) Fred Walk, spoke in favor of having a
replacement field before removing the field.
16) Robin Groth, 2061 Pleasant View Lane,
Livermore, spoke in favor of having softball fields on which girls can play.
17) Scott Cole, 874 South K Street, Livermore, clarified
that there area ball fields at May Nissen, Wattenburger and Ida Holm park,
which are neighborhood parks. He said that he appreciates that the neighbors
were notified about the community meetings. He suggested that LARPD notify
those neighbors whose neighborhoods could be affected by a new field. He spoke
in favor of keeping the field.
18) Valerie Byrne, 2245 - 8th Street,
Livermore, spoke in favor of preserving the field, and spoke in favor of Concept
Two.
19) Deborah Fields, 626 South L Street, Livermore,
said that she supports Concept One and is happy that there is a win-win
situation if LARPD builds 2 replacement fields.
20) Diana Marion, 585 South L Street, Livermore,
spoke in favor of Concept One and also supports softball, but feels Bothwell is
not the best place for it.
21) David Gill, 937 South I Street, Livermore, spoke
in favor of Concept One, and said that he supports building 2 fields for softball.
President Kamena closed public comment.
President Kamena thanked the citizens for
attending this evening and for speaking. He thanked staff for its work on this
issue. He clarified that tonight the Board can approve Concept One or Concept Two,
and it can make a decision that the current field not be removed before a new
field is chosen/built. He said that the Board cannot vote on whether to put a
field at May Nissen Park or Max Baer tonight the neighbors of those parks have
not been given a chance to give input. We can vote to consider it doing so,
however.
On a motion by Director Furst, seconded by Director
Faltings, voted to approve Concept One, on the condition that construction does
not begin until another fully functional field or fields are built/found to
replace the existing field. The motion passed unanimously.
Director Furst said he feels the playground and
softball field are not compatible in the same location. Director Turner said
that he agreed with Director Furst. Director Furst clarified that the intent of
this motion is that the girls would not miss a season of play.
Director Faltings said she is entirely in
support of LGSA, and said that the girls do need fields. She said she does not
feel that the Bothwell site supports a field there any longer. She said she feels
the neighborhood needs a park. She asked if the neighbors were shown the park
equipment at the meetings. She said she thinks the design needs more swings. She
said she does not necessarily support bocce courts, as she thinks they are
short-lived. She said she is not in support of high fencing to keep balls in
the park. She said that she is confident that the field at the Charter School will
be replaced. She said that she is also certain that LARPD will have at least
one field in place before anything happens at Bothwell.
President Kamena stated that he supports Concept
one and would like to see LARPD build two fields. He said he is in favor of
bocce ball. He does not want to take money out of the Concept One playground
design to pay for replacement softball fields.
Director Goodman stated that the Directors are
not here to say they do or do not support certain sports. He said he feels that
the media and others have stirred people up about this issue. He said that he
personally has been very supportive of LGSA, and he is still involved with ASA.
Director Goodman cited ways he has been involved in LGSA, including:
participation by his daughters; he and his wife have served as tournament
directors, and he prepped the fields for many years. He also was on the LARPD staff
for 17 years, and was very involved in LGSA field use. Director Goodman said he
wished to clarify that there have been comments to the effect that LARPD is not
supportive of girls’ softball. He said that the Joe Michell School softball fields
were built by LARPD. LARPD also built the fields at Sonoma School, specifically
for LGSA, and LARPD built the field at Smith School for use by LGSA and adults
sports. LARPD permitted the Granada High School Girls softball team to use Max Baer
Park, and also allowed LGSA to use Robertson Park for tournaments. He concluded
that LARPD has, indeed, been supportive of girls’ softball. The reason the Bothwell
field started being used by LGSA, about 6 years ago, was because the director
of maintenance for the School District needed to do some work on one of the
fields at Joe Michell School. Mr. Goodman said he agreed that we don’t want to
burden the School District, but we do want to sit down with the School District
to work something out. He said that he thinks we need a bond measure, and we
all need to get behind it, for a sports park. He stated that it seems the
development way will not get public support. He stated that he will not support
any motion that does not make sure there is another field. Director Goodman
spoke about the ERAF tax shift and its devastating effect on LARPD’s budget,
hence programs; he encouraged those present to be passionate about that issue. He said he feels a downtown park is needed.
Meeting
recessed at 8:40 p.m.
Meeting
reconvened at 9:49 p.m.
6.2 FRIENDSHIP
CENTER RELOCATION STATUS
General Manager Barry reported that this day
represents the 60 deadline given by the Board to staff to come up with viable
solutions to the Friendship Center relocation project. Mr. Barry stated that
LARPD has had an offer to extend our lease at the Charter School, and that
staff will be negotiating with the Charter School and the School District. He
said that staff has a status report on
the different options being explored. Mr. Barry noted that the City-owned site
near the Civic Center has been analyzed by City staff, who has indicated that
this could be a possibility for the Friendship Center, as a long-term lease
agreement. LARPD must make a formal request to the City. Recreation Supervisor
Maureen Gandara Swinbank stated that staff looked at several commercial sites
with leasing potential. One commercial site has come up, she said, and she is
working with Jean Phrasher, Housing and Human Services Department with the City
of Livermore, who is assisting us with looking at various sites. Ms. Swinbank
said that it would be a monthly lease agreement and that LARPD would want to
explore if the owner would agree to less of a rental fee that the current
asking price.
Mr. Barry introduced Bob Deiss of the firm ATI, the
company that LARPD has contracted with to do feasibility studies at LARPD’s
R.E. Merritt Building as well as the private school site on Vasco Road. Mr.
Deiss presented information on the
renovation that would be required at the Merritt Building in order to
accommodate the Friendship Center program, and allowing for expansion. He said
that the budget recommended for this project would be about 3.5 million
dollars, and it would take at least 18 months to complete.
Mr. Deiss then presented information on the Stivers Academy property. He
said that renovation would be required, but that it is a wonderful property,
with the potential for many uses. The cost for renovation of this site would be
in the range of 3 million dollars. Mr. Barry said that the asking price for the
property, which is separate from the renovation costs, is 2 million dollars.
6.3
SCOTTISH GAMES PRESENTATION
Director Faltings and Special Events Coordinator
Katrina Hole gave a slide presentation on their visit to the Birnam Scottish
Games in August.
7. NEW
BUSINESS:
7.1 SUNRISE ROCK GYM
General Manager Barry presented a
feasibility report from staff concerning the possibility of the District assuming
operation of the climbing rock wall at Sunrise Mountain Sports.
Mr. Barry stated that staff has met with the
Sunrise Rock Gym owners, who are planning to close the space at the beginning
of the year. They approached LARPD to see if the District wished to lease the
space and operate the rock gym.
Ranger/Naturalist Supervisor Nicholson said that he met with owner Kim Grandfield
and staff and came up with projected budget figures in the event that LARPD was
to take over the operation. His
estimate is that LARPD would lose approximately $35,000 per year to operate it.
There would be an additional $25,000-$30,000 in start-up costs. He noted that the
activity serves a substantial number of people, approximately 17,000-19,000
users. Mr. Nicholson stated that the budget is built on the premise that LARPD
would provide the same amount of service as is currently offered. However, he
said he feels that there are opportunities for expansion of programs and
services. He said that LARPD has thought about operating such a facility for
many years, and this would offer us the opportunity to try it for relatively
little cost.
General Manager Barry said he agrees with
Mr. Nicholson about it being a great opportunity. He said that he cannot
recommend it, however, due to financial reasons. The star-up costs and yearly
costs is not something that the District can justify due to the other projects
that we have going on and the staffing increases that are needed. He said he
feels this might be better left to the private sector.
The Directors discussed several item,
including: clarification of the budget projections; protection for LARPD should
the Sunrise retail store go out of business; and flexibility in the terms of
the lease.
President Kamena invited Kim Grandfield and rock
gym manager Alexandra Riddell to the microphone so that they would have an
opportunity to address the Directors. Mr. Grandfield and Ms. Riddell and staff responded
to Directors’ inquiries about the stability of the retail business; terms of
the lease; reasons why the rock gym is not currently profitable; the potential
for program expansion; and who would operate it.
President Kamena opened public comment.
1)
Gary
Mansfield, Chateau Way, Livermore, spoke in favor of LARPD assuming operations
of the rock gym.
2)
Mr.
Simmons, Livermore, spoke in favor of LARPD assuming operations of the rock
gym.
3)
Heather
Vickers spoke in favor of LARPD assuming operations of the rock gym.
4)
Jason
Ryder, 1857 Paseo Laguna Seco, Livermore, previous manager of the rock gym, spoke
in favor of LARPD assuming operations of the rock gym.
5)
Pearly
Bristoe spoke in favor of LARPD assuming operations of the rock gym.
6)
Nick
Bradley spoke in favor of LARPD assuming operations of the rock gym.
7)
Bob,
3923 Princeton way, spoke in favor of sunrise rock gym. Opportunity to bring a
summer sport inside during the winter.
8)
Cassandra
Otero spoke in favor of LARPD assuming operations of the rock gym.
9)
Robert
Mariano, 4366 Cornell Way, spoke in favor of LARPD assuming operations of the
rock gym.
10)
Stephanie
spoke in favor of LARPD assuming operations of the rock gym.
11)
Brian
Duenas, 605 Caliente Avenue, Livermore, spoke in favor of LARPD assuming
operations of the rock gym.
12)
Jen
Vieira, 533 Ontario Drive spoke in favor of LARPD assuming operations of the
rock gym.
13)
Tony
Pittman, 3560 Kirkcaldy Street, Pleasanton, spoke in favor of LARPD assuming
operations of the rock gym.
14)
Chris
Kalish spoke in favor of LARPD assuming operations of the rock gym.
15)
Heather
Thompson, 1857 Paseo Laguna Seco, Livermore, spoke in favor of LARPD assuming
operations of the rock gym.
16)
Eric
France spoke in favor of LARPD assuming operations of the rock gym.
17)
John
Marion spoke in favor of LARPD assuming operations of the rock gym.
18)
Steve
Bitzer, 58 Daisyfield Drive, Livermore, spoke in favor of LARPD assuming
operations of the rock gym.
19)
Jill
Grandfield, 266 Wood Street, Livermore, spoke in favor of LARPD assuming
operations of the rock gym.
20)
Matt
Tyler spoke in favor of LARPD assuming operations of the rock gym.
21)
Simone
de Menese spoke in favor of LARPD assuming operations of the rock gym.
President Kamena closed public comment.
Ms. Riddell gave a petition to the Directors,
which contained 192 signatures in support of LARPD assuming operations of the
rock gym.
On a motion by Director Faltings, seconded by
Director Goodman, approved assuming operation of the Sunrise Rock Gym for a
trial period of one year, passing 4-1, with Director Turner dissenting.
Directors discussed the following: possibility
of reduction in rent and utilities; how the District will pay for this project;
and protection for the District.
Director Turner thanked Mr. Grandfield. He asked
how staff came up with the budget figures for profit and loss. Mr. Nicholson
responded that Mr. Grandfield provided financial records for several years; he
also met with the rock gym staff and reviewed their operation Mr. Nicholson
said that he was conservative in making his expense and revenue projections. Director
Turner said that he was concerned that about involving LARPD in the private
sector. He said that he does not feel this is a place that a government entity
should be involved with, and he does not think we should set a precedent by buying
a private business. He said that the District does not have the money to
experiment.
Director Furst made note of the fact that the
General Manager recommended against assuming control of the rock gym, and that
he had recommended against holding the Scottish Games when it was first
proposed, and that he recommends against taking on projects that the District
does not have money for. Director Furst said he would like to remind people
again about the ERAF tax shift; the state is taking millions of dollars in
property taxes away from LARPD. Thus, our budget is reduced.
President Kamena agreed that he does not like
going against the General Manager’s recommendation. Director Faltings said that
the General Manager is doing what he is supposed to do, keeping his eye on the District’s
finances, and that that is what the Board is supposed to do as well. Director Turner
re-emphasized that he thinks it is a bad precedent to go into the private
sector.
7.2 APPLICATION FOR “BOUNDLESS PLAYGROUND”
CONTEST
President Kamena said that the Board will
consider support of a contest application that could provide a new universally
accessible playground at Big Trees Park. The owner of the park has to endorse the contest. General Manager Barry
said that he supported the citizen’s efforts. He introduced Carol Fiore, who
composed the essay for submission to the contest. Ms. Fiore thanked the Board
for Vista Meadows Park, which is accessible, and recommends that the new
playground at the Bothwell Center have two of the red swings like the ones at
Vista Meadows.
On a motion by Director Faltings, seconded by Director
Turner, approved Resolution No. 2041, endorsing Ms. Fiore’s contest application
that could provide a new universally accessible playground at Big Trees Park 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)
Director Faltings distributed literature to the
Directors and staff on Shane’s Inspiration, which has to do with accessible
facilities.
8. COMMITTEE REPORTS
9. MATTERS INITIATED/ANNOUNCEMENTS BY
THE DIRECTORS
1) Director Faltings urged the public to go see
the newly restored sign on the Olivina Gate, which is located on the corner of Arroyo
and Wetmore Roads in Livermore.
None.
11. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 11:02 p.m.
APPROVED,
_______________________________
President,
Board of Directors
ATTEST:
__________________________
General Manager and ex-officio
Clerk to the Board of Director