Board Meeting Minutes

LIVERMORE AREA RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT
4444 East Ave.
LIVERMORE, CALIFORNIA 94551-4931

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
REGULAR BOARD MEETING

Wednesday, March 9, 2005
7:00 p.m., Council Chambers
3575 Pacific Avenue
Livermore, California

MINUTES

LARPD BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: David Furst, Dale Turner, Maryalice Faltings, and Scott Kamena (4)

LARPD BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Steve Goodman (1)

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Tim Barry, Michael Kyle, Pat Kasberg, Jim Carlson, Felix Errico and Sharon Grant

CITY CONTRACT STAFF PRESENT: Eric Brown

1. CALL TO ORDER—ROLL CALL—PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Furst, who led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

2. PUBLIC FORUM

Chair Furst asked for public comment for any item not on the agenda. No public comment was received.

Chair Furst closed public comment.

3. CONSENT AGENDA

3.1 Board Minutes

3.1.1 Special meeting of February 23, 2005.

3.2 Communications:

3.2.1 A letter from Dan and Adana Loder commending district park employee Jerry Griffith for kindness shown to their dog Lucy.

3.3 General Manager’s Monthly Report (#57/8).

3.4 Payroll and Claims.

On a motion by Director Turner, seconded by Director Faltings, approved Consent Agenda, passing 4-0.

4. CONSENT AGENDA: RESOLUTIONS: None

5. BIDS AND PUBLIC HEARINGS: None

6. OLD BUSINESS: None

7. NEW BUSINESS:

7.1 REQUEST FROM TSUNAMI AQUATICS TO EXTEND THE RLCC POOL SEASON

General Manager Barry reported that the 2004/05 LARPD pool season at RLCC pools is budgeted to close on October 31, 2005. This is a shorter season than first envisioned due to budget cuts the district had to make in response to the 2004/05 increase in ERAF property tax reduction from the State. The RLCC pools are budgeted to be open from March 28th through October 31st. The Tsunami Aquatics Team has requested that the pool be open in November to accommodate the swim meet they have scheduled for November 19-20, 2005. LARPD is being asked to keep the pool open three additional weeks past the anticipated closing date. To accommodate this request, due to the nature of heating the volume of water for the pool, the additional cost is estimated to be about $7,500. The revenue generated during the three weeks from other ongoing programs such as lap swim and water exercise is estimated to be $1,000-$2,000. This, together

with the $2,500 rental cost to the Tsunamis for their weekend meet, adds up to a net cost to the District of $3,000-$4,000 to be able to meet this request.

Director Turner asked if the Lab has indicated their interest in using the pool since they no longer have one. General Manager Barry stated that staff has sent a letter to the Lab and asked them if they are interested in using the RLCC pool in the fall like they did at May Nissen Pool last year. If the Lab does use the pool it will help pay for extending the pool season. General Manager Barry stated that the district will probably not receive a response from the letter sent to the Lab until summer.

Director Faltings stated she was under the impression that the RLCC lap pool was going to be open year round, and that was also the perception of the community. Director Faltings indicated she would like to try and keep the pool open year round for one or two years and give the public and the aquatics staff the opportunity to try and run a year round program. Then if the district finds it is costing too much money, the pool season can be shortened. Director Faltings asked staff if there will be additional programming opportunities to generate more money if the pool does remain open year round.

Aquatic Supervisor Grant stated that the largest program that they would run would be Winter Water Polo. This winter the program was held at the Livermore High School pool for 6 weeks, with 68 children on 3 teams, and made close to $10,000. Half of the money went to LHS to pay for the rental of the facility. This program would expand at the RLCC pool because the pool is larger that the LHS pool. During the summer the Lab has 200 lap swimmers who use May Nissen pool which averages 30-50 swimmers per day. The water aerobics program would be expanded and a program for seniors would also be implemented to include swim lessons, water exercise classes, and a senior recreation swim. Aquatic Supervisor Grant stated she is also planning on starting a recreation swim team in May and a US Masters swim team. Other programs include a Polar Bear Slide at the activity pool, fly casting classes, and scuba training.

Aquatic Supervisor Grant added that there is a cost to keeping the pool closed. The pool still needs chemicals and the pump has to run to maintain water quality. It is estimated that it costs $10,000 a month to keep the pool closed. The cost to keep the pool open during the winter is triple.

Chair Furst opened public comment.

Lisa Potnick, representing the Tsunami Aquatics Swim Team addressed the Board. Ms. Potnick stated that they are anticipating 15-30 teams with 400-425 swimmers and their families attending the two-day meet on November 19-20, 2005. They would set up on Friday afternoon and the meet would run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Ms. Potnick handed out an informational packet regarding their meet.

Katherine Carlo, a board member from the Tsunami Aquatics Swim Team addressed the Board. Ms. Carlo stated that the swim club would like to make the RLCC pool their home if the pool remains open year round.

Chair Furst closed public comment.

On a motion by Director Faltings, seconded by Director Turner, moved to keep the RLCC lap pool open until the end of November 2005.

Directors Turner and Kamena supported the motion but indicated they would like the pool to be open year round. Director Faltings stated she would like to wait until the Lab responds with their commitment before she agrees to a year round program.

Director Kamena stated the district will probably lose money keeping the pool open year round, but the district is not in the business to make money, its business is to provide

services. And even though keeping the pool open year round will cost money, he feels that it is in the best interest of the community. Director Kamena stated he does not

think it is irresponsible even given the current fiscal situation to stay open until the end of November because of the potential sources of income from the Lab and the activities

that staff plan to implement, which will minimize losses. If the Lab doesn’t come through as we expect them to, we won’t lose a lot of money. And if the Lab does

negotiate for a lap swim program for their employees, the board can then consider keeping the pool open year round.

Chair Furst restated the motion by Director Faltings, seconded by Director Turner, to keep the RLCC lap pool open until the end of November 2005, passing 4-0.

7.2 STATUS REPORT ON CONSTRUCTION OF IMPROVEMENTS FOR FOUR PARK SITES

General Manager Barry reported that the construction of the four park improvement projects (Ravenswood Park, Summit Park, Vista Meadows Park, and Livermore Downs Park) has been delayed from the projected completion date of November 2004. The Contractor, J. W. Riley and Sons, has not performed in a timely and competent fashion, causing delays that have led the project into the rainy season, when it was planned to be finished before the rainy season. LARPD is charging the contractor liquidated damages for each day of delay (since November 2004) in completing the project.

District Legal Counsel Kyle reported that the contractor is having financial difficulty and problems on 3-4 other jobs outside of the District’s jobs. The District has received stop notices from two playground companies and anticipates receiving additional claims. Legal Counsel Kyle stated that he feels it may become necessary to contact the bonding company regarding the contractor’s inability to complete the jobs.

Parks Project Coordinator Errico reported that the contractor has only been paid for the work completed which is about 58% to date.

8. RESOLUTIONS:

8.1 RESOLUTION NO. 1950, APPROVING THE AMENDED LEASE AGREEMENT WITH COASTAL VITICULTURAL CONSULTANTS, INC. FOR THE INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE RAVENSWOOD VINEYARD.

General Manager Barry reported that the Board of Director’s approved a lease agreement with CVC in November, 2004 for the installation and maintenance of vineyards at Ravenswood Historic Site. Since that time, District Legal Counsel Kyle has negotiated the final terms of the agreement with CVC’s attorney and the City of Livermore’s attorney, which is also a party to the agreement as property owner of Ravenswood Historic Site. A number of issues with the language of the agreement were raised by the lessee, and review and modifications by the City were discussed and made. .

General Manager Barry reported that the last remaining issue of the agreement was resolved today when he was notified by CVC that they will accept the language in provision 8.4 b.

Legal Counsel Kyle recommended that the Board accept the agreement before them.

Director Faltings reported that while reading the agreement she found several typographical errors and has listed them for the Board to review.

Chair Furst requested clarification on whether the City and LARPD are sharing the cost for supplying the electricity for the pump to supply the water. Legal Counsel Kyle responded that it is LARPD’s responsibility to supply the water for the vineyards.

Chair Furst opened public comment.

Marylin Carter, President of Ravenswood Progress League addressed the Board. Ms. Carter expressed her pleasure that the agreement for the vineyard is ready to be signed and urged the Board to move aggressively forward.

Chair Furst closed public comment.

On a motion by Director Faltings, seconded by Director Kamena, approved Resolution 1950, accepting the lease agreement, as amended, with Coastal Viticultural Consultants, Inc. for the installation and maintenance of the Ravenswood Vineyards.

AYES: Directors Faltings, Kamena, Turner, and Chair Furst (4)

NOES: None (0)

ABSENT: Director Goodman (1)

9. ORAL REPORTS

a. General Manager Barry reported that there were two events held recently at the RLCC and they were very successful. The staff is busy packing and will be moved into the new building on Monday. The offices will be closed to the public on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday so the staff can unpack and get organized. The District will open to the public on Thursday, March 17th at 8:00 a.m. The project will continue on in a substantial completion mode which is a trigger for a 30-day punch list for the contractor to complete, after which the project will be coming to the Board for acceptance.

10. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Board received reports on the nine committee meetings attended since the Regular Board meeting of February 9, 2005, as follows: Facilities, Intergovernmental, Community Center, Sports Park, Intergovernmental-EBRPD, Ravenswood Progress League, Downtown, Inc., LCAC and Scottish Games.

11. MATTERS INITIATED BY THE DIRECTORS

a. Director Kamena stated it is time for the Board to consider offers from potential tenants for the R. E. Merritt Building and the Bothwell Community Center. It is necessary as a service to people wishing to rent the buildings and as a source of revenue. Director Kamena recommended putting this item on the next agenda.

b. Director Faltings stated that she was absent from the last meeting and wants to endorse what Director Kamena said about keeping money in the 2004/05 budget for the Bothwell Recreation Center grounds and the renovations there to make that a suitable park for the neighbors in the area.

c. Director Turner commented on the huge success of the Rotary Club’s Crab Feed, the first event held at the Robert Livermore Community Center.

12. MATTERS INITIATED BY THE GENERAL MANAGER

a. General Manager Barry reported that he would be attending the CPRS Conference in Sacramento on March 10-12, along with Directors Faltings and Goodman, and Sr. Recreation Supervisor Tibbetts.

b. General Manager Barry invited the public to attend the March 26, 2005 Robert Livermore Community Center Grand Opening celebration at 1:30-3:30 p.m.

13. ADJOURNMENT

Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

APPROVED:

_____________________________________

Chair, Board of Directors

ATTEST:

______________________________________

General Manager and ex-officio

Clerk to the Board of Directors

Livermore Area Recreation and Park District
4444 East Ave.
Livermore, California 94550-5053
(925) 373-5700
Open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. M-Th.
8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday
9 a.m.-noon Saturday
E-mail: info@larpd.dst.ca.us
© 2001