Livermore Area Recreation and Park District 12/11/2019
CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL - PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE MATTERS INITIATED/ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE DIRECTORS MATTERS INITIATED/ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE GENERAL MANAGER
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MEETING December 11, 2019 LIVERMORE AREA RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT REGULAR MEETING of the BOARD OF DIRECTORS MINUTES WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2019 7:00 P.M. ROBERT LIVERMORE COMMUNITY CENTER 4444 EAST AVENUE, LIVERMORE, CALIFORNIA DIRECTORS PRESENT: Directors Faltings, Palajac, Pierpont, Wilson and Chair Furst DIRECTORS ABSENT: None STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Mathew Fuzie, Patricia Lord, Jeffrey Schneider, Linda VanBuskirk, Monica Streeter 1. CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL - PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 2. PUBLIC COMMENT None. 3. CONSENT ITEMS (Motion) 3.2 General Manager's Monthly Report - December 2019 Director Faltings asked to pull Item 3.2. Director Wilson moved to approve Item 3.1, and Director Faltings seconded the motion. The minutes were approved by a voice vote of 5-0. Item 3.2 General Manager's Monthly Report - December 2019 Director Faltings asked to pull item 3.2 for comment. She commended staff for the idea outlined in the General Manager's Monthly Report under the section entitled "Community Outreach: Senior Services" where there is mention of a new program called Family Game Day. This is where seniors can bring their grandkids, while on their school break, to join them for some old-fashioned board games. Director Faltings stated this is a fantastic idea. Secondly, Director Faltings commented on the last paragraph on page 5 of the report under the section "Open Space" where it was announced that a new member has joined the Open Space interpretive team - a king snake that will be used in the school and ranger programs. She welcomed the new snake in absentia. Director Faltings moved to approve Item 3.2, and Vice Chair Palajac seconded the motion. The General Manager's Monthly Report for December 2019 was approved by a voice vote of 5-0. 4. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Chair Furst stated the Board would consider making a proclamation supporting a culture of welcome, inclusion, and respect. Assistant General Manager Patricia Lord reviewed a draft proclamation by LARPD which aims to ensure that everyone has access to the benefits of parks and recreation and to create environments in which everyone feels welcome, safe and respected. She stated this proclamation mirrors efforts by the City of Livermore. A copy of Livermore's proclamation was available for viewing. Upon approval by the Board, staff plans to mount both proclamations together in the lobby of the Community Center. Director questions/comments included: Director Wilson expressed support of the proclamation. Director Faltings asked if the LVJUSD has a similar proclamation. Vice Chair Palajac offered to ask LVJUSD at the upcoming Intergovernmental Liaison Committee meeting on December 12, 2019. In response to Chair Furst's question regarding who drafted the proclamation, AGM Lord gave credit to her Administrative Assistant, Sandra Kaya. No public comment. Moved by Director Faltings, seconded by Director Pierpont, adopted Resolution No. 2679, approving a proclamation supporting a culture of welcome, inclusion, and respect, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Directors Wilson, Palajac, Pierpont, Faltings, and Chair Furst NOES: None ABSTENTIONS: None ABSENT: None 4.2 TRAIL NAMING Chair Furst stated the Board would review and discuss the District's Policy No. FAC-08-2101 and provide direction to staff regarding the yet-to-be named trail on the Patterson Ranch property. He reported that this trail runs approximately ¾-mile through LARPD's own property on the Sycamore Grove extension, then into the Patterson Ranch property, comes back out and meets up with the Valley View Trail within upper Sycamore Grove Park. GM Fuzie reviewed the District's current Policy No FAC-08-2101 for the Naming of Recreational and Municipal Facilities, stating that the policy is clear on things the Board should consider in creating a name, and who has the authority to name facilities and trails, but is does not lay out a process for staff interaction. Staff would like Board direction on how to determine a name for the new trail, either by staff researching the history of the area and present naming opportunities, or whether the Board would like to take that upon themselves. Other options were discussed such as a public naming opportunity/contest. Directors questions/comments included: . In the past, staff would research the background of the location. Some public suggestion would could come in, then different options would be presented to the Board. At one time, a subcommittee of the Facilities Committee was created specifically for naming, but that level of detail may not be necessary here.
. Naming options could come from Ranger staff, then to the full Board for approval. . Staff could consult with long-standing board members and the Heritage Guild located in the Carnegie Library in order to understand the history and some of the names that are tied to the area. . Consensus is to have staff research the background of the area, then go through Facilities Committee with several names for discussion. After that, present the top one or two recommendations to the full Board for approval. V-O-Cal is scheduled to cut the trail in early May, so results from Facilities Committee could come back to the Board in March/April. No public comment. GM Fuzie will work with Open Space staff and Community Services on opportunities discussed above, and will bring back suggested names. He stated that consultation has always been helpful, especially in areas with significant Native American history. 4.3 OPEN SPACE STRUCTURE Chair Furst stated the Board would review and discuss the Open Space Organizational Structure and recommended changes to that structure by the General Manager. He pointed out that in the Board agenda packet there were two separate pieces of information including one on the organizational structure, and one on the potential rental of a building. The building will not be discussed this evening, only the organizational structure. GM Fuzie presented the staff report, highlighting the current organizational structure, with staff reporting to the Open Space Division, and including Parks, Facilities, Open Space and Capital Improvement. There is currently one Chief Ranger as the supervisor for Open Space, then two full-time rangers and staff. The current recommendation to move Open Space under the Community Services Division will allow for more control and oversight, and will improve opportunities for community relations, both in education and volunteerism. Additionally, with the recent resignation of the Chief Ranger, the GM is recommending the hiring of two full-time Field Supervising Rangers and two additional full-time Park Rangers, to support the overall functional needs of the District. Board questions/comments included: Functionality of the proposed overlapping schedules of the Field Supervising Rangers; technical services provided by the Maintenance Technician; fire science training and how to manage prescribed burns in Sycamore Grove Park; program needs as addressed in the Open Space Organizational Chart; and the idea to have balance so workloads are spread out, maximizing ability to do programs. Chair Furst opened public comment. Patty Cole, a Livermore resident and former Park Ranger, commented in support of the suggested reorganization, stating that the item makes a lot of sense. Chair Furst closed public comment. On a motion by Director Palajac and seconded by Director Wilson, the Board of Directors voted unanimously 5-0 approving the recommended changes to the Open Space Organizational Structure made by the General Manager. 4.4 BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE FOR 2020 Chair Furst stated the Board would set the time and place for Board meetings and adopt a Meeting Schedule for 2020. Vice Chair Palajac suggested having meetings on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday instead of the 2nd and the last Wednesday, stating the last Wednesday is confusing. Discussion ensued with Board consensus to maintain the schedule of meetings held on the 2nd and last Wednesday of each month, with the exception of November and December, when there is only one meeting scheduled. Board consensus is to consider Meetings in the Park, typically held in July, August, and September, as the second board meeting. Moved by Director Pierpont, seconded by Director Faltings, set the time and place for Board meetings and adopted a 2020 Meeting Schedule, as amended to have the second monthly board meeting of the month to be the Meeting in the Park, (typically in July, August and September), by the following voice vote: AYES: Wilson, Palajac, Pierpont, Faltings, and Chair Furst NOES: None ABSTENTIONS: None ABSENT: None 4.5 ANNUAL BOARD POLICY MANUAL REVIEW Chair Furst stated the Board would discuss whether it wishes to make any revisions to the Board Policy Manual. No changes were made by Board members or staff. 4.6 ELECTION OF BOARD OFFICERS FOR 2020 Chair Furst stated the Board will elect a Chair and Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for calendar year 2020. He added that Board Policy stipulates who the incoming Chair and Vice Chair will be according to a set of criteria. Moved by Chair Furst, *seconded by Director Faltings, accepted the policy rotation so that Vice Chair Palajac will serve as Chair of the Board of Directors for 2020, and that Director Pierpont will serve as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for 2020, by the following unanimous voice vote: AYES: Wilson, Furst, Pierpont, Palajac, and Chair Furst NOES: None ABSTENTIONS: None ABSENT: None *[Monica Streeter, District Council, confirmed that under Robert's Rules of Order, when one is conducting nominations, a second is not needed. After the nomination is made, it is repeated by the Chair, and then voted on in the order in which they are nominated.] 5. COMMITTEE REPORTS 2) Vice Chair Palajac reported on the November 19, 2019 Livermore Downtown, Inc. meeting, where the 2020 budget was discussed. The last meeting of the year will be next Wednesday when they elect their new board. 3) Director Faltings reported on the November 19, 2019 Program Committee meeting. Minutes were included in the Board agenda packet. 4) Director Pierpont reported on the November 20, 2019 Facilities Committee meeting. Minutes were included in the Board agenda packet. 5) Chair Furst reported on his attendance at Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan's December 3, 2019 District Office Open House. He spoke with her Chief of Staff, Cathy Cutler, about officially visiting LARPD. He also invited her to the ribbon cutting ceremony at May Nissen Park on December 18, 2019. 6) Chair Furst reported on the December 3, 2019 Chamber of Commerce Business Alliance meeting. 6. MATTERS INITIATED/ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE DIRECTORS
? Director Faltings asked that a review of the District's policy on lighting be brought to the full Board for discussion at a future meeting. 3) Chair Furst announced that on Thursday, December 12, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. Tri-Valley Conservancy will host the official opening of the Edward R. Campbell Bridge at the Arroyo Road Entrance to Sycamore Grove Park. GM Fuzie added that the County permit punch list has not yet been 100% completed, so this will be a dedication ceremony for the bridge; however, it may not signal the re-opening. We may still need to keep the area closed a little while longer until all punch list items have been deemed 100% completed. 7. MATTERS INITIATED/ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE GENERAL MANAGER 1) You are all invited to the May Nissen Park Grand Re-Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Wednesday, December 18th at 2:00 p.m. at 685 Rincon Avenue. We have invited Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan to join us. The event will take place rain or shine. 8. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:27 p.m. APPROVED, ______________________________ Chair, Board of Directors ATTEST: __________________________ General Manager and Ex-officio Clerk to the Board of Directors
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