PARKS AND WATERFRONT COMMISSION Regular Meeting Wednesday, October · PDF filePARKS AND...

PARKS AND WATERFRONT COMMISSION

Regular Meeting Wednesday, October 12, 2016, 7:00 P.M. Frances Albrier Community Center 2800 Park Street, Berkeley, CA

Parks and Waterfront Commission

AGENDA The Commissions may discuss any items listed on the agenda, but may take action only on items identified as Action.

Preliminary Matters 1. Call to Order (Chair)2. Roll Call (Secretary)3. Announcements (Chair)4. Approval of Agenda (Chair)5. Approval Minutes for September 14, 2016 * (Chair)6. Public Comment7. Director’s Report

a) Director’s Office ** (Scott Ferris): Parks CIP Project List; Council Worksession (Oct 18th) with PW/PRWon infrastructure; Council Worksession (Nov 29th) with PRW on Camps; Grant Application - CaliforniaState Youth Soccer - for Gilman Fields.

b) Parks Division (Sue Ferrera): Maintenance Projects; Special Events.c) Waterfront Division (Alexandra Endress): Projects Update; Occupancy Rates; Special Events.

Action 8. Discussion and possible action on a letter to Council in support of the Community Health

Commission request that the City support the development of an African American Holistic ResourceCenter in South Berkeley * (McKay / Toni Stein).

Discussion

9. Water taxi service at the Berkeley Marina (Endress)10. Update on Hs Lordships Restaurant Lease (McGrath)11. Update on a proposed ordinance to ban the planting of certain trees species (Ferrera).12. Discussion of potential criteria for parks capital projects * (McGrath)13. City Council 2016 Referrals List - subset of parks-related items * (Miller)14. Update from subcommittee on planning (McKay)15. Update from subcommittee on sustainability (Harrison)16. Update from subcommittee on volunteers (Lee)

Information Items 17. Recent Council Reports *18. Upcoming Agenda Items: Drone use at City parks; Rose Garden Donation Policy; Water Reduction and

Water Use guidelines; Citywide Strategic Plan On-line Community Survey.19. Communications: Halcyon Commons event announcement from John Steere, 09-30-2016

20. Adjournment

* document is attached to agenda packet and on the commission website.** document will be provided at the meeting.


Regular Meeting Wednesday, October 12, 2016

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ADA Disclaimer: This meeting is being held in a wheelchair accessible location. To request disability-related accommodations to participate in the meeting, including auxiliary aids or services, please contact the Disability Services specialist at 981-6342 (V) or 981-6345 (TDD) at least three business days before the meeting date. Pleaserefrain from wearing scented products to this meeting.

SB343 DisclaimerAny writings or documents provided to a majority of the Commission regarding any item on this agenda will be made available for public inspection at Parks Recreation & Waterfront Department Office at 2180 Milvia Street, Berkeley, CA.

Communications Disclaimer: Communications to Berkeley boards, commissions or c ommittees are public record and will become part of the City’s electronic records, which are accessible through the City’s website. Please note: e-mail addresses, names, addresses, and other contact information are not required, but if included in any communication to a City board, commission or committee, will become part of the public record. All communications to the Commission should be received at least 10 days before the meeting date. If you do not want your e-mail address or any other contact information to be made public, you may deliver communications via U.S. Postal Service or in person to the secretary of the relevant board, commission or committee. If you do not want your contact information included in the public record, please do not include that information in your communication. Please contact the secretary to the commission or committee for further information.

Commission Information: The agenda packets for the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Waterfront Commission are available for review at www.cityofberkeley.info/commissions; the Berkeley Main Library and the Parks Recreation & Waterfront Department Office at 2180 Milvia Street –3rd Floor, during their normal business hours. If you have questions, call Commission Secretary, Roger Miller at 981-6704 at 2180 Milvia Street, Berkeley, CA 94704 or by email at [email protected].

MISSION STATEMENT – PARKS AND WATERFRONT: The Parks and Waterfront Commission shall be an advisory board and shall review the policies, projects, programs, planning efforts, activities, funding, and the physical condition of parks, pools, camps, recreation centers, the Marina, and public greenery, and shall advise the City Council on these matters.

COMMISSION MEMBERS

Mayor - Paul Kamen District 3 - Jim McGrath District 6 - Karen Weinstein

District 1 - Maritessa Ares District 4 - Kate Harrison District 7 - Taylor Lee

District 2 - Phil Catalfo District 5 - Susan McKay District 8 - Caitlin Brostrom



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http://www.cityofberkeley.info/commissions

mailto:[email protected]

2016 Commission Meeting Dates

Name of Commission: Parks and Waterfront Commission

Commission Secretary: Roger Miller

Location: Frances Albrier Community Center, 2800 Park St

Month Meeting Day and Date Time Notes

January Wednesday, January 13 7:00 p.m. Regular Mtg

February Wednesday, February 10 7:00 p.m. Regular Mtg

March Wednesday, March 9 7:00 p.m. Regular Mtg

April Wednesday, April 13 7:00 p.m. Regular Mtg

May Wednesday, May 11 7:00 p.m. Regular Mtg

June Wednesday, June 8 7:00 p.m. Regular Mtg

July No Meeting

August No Meeting

September Wednesday, September 14 7:00 p.m. Regular Mtg

October Wednesday, October 12 7:00 p.m. Regular Mtg

November Wednesday, November 9 7:00 p.m. Regular Mtg

December Wednesday, December 14 7:00 p.m. Regular Mtg



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Parks and Waterfront Commission Regular Meeting Wednesday, September 14, 2016, 7:00pm, Frances Albrier Community Center, 2800 Park St., Berkeley

MINUTES – DRAFT Preliminary Matters

1. Call to Order (Chair)2. Roll Call (Secretary)3. Announcements (Chair)4. Approval of Agenda (Chair): M/S/C (Kamen/Ares): Ayes: Ares; Harrison; Kamen; Lee; McGrath; McKay;

Weinstein; No’s: None; Abstain: None; Absent: Brostrom; Catalfo.5. Approval Minutes* for June 8, 2016 (Chair) M/S/C (Lee/McGrath): Ayes: Ares; Harrison; Kamen; Lee; McGrath;

McKay; Weinstein; No’s: None; Abstain: None; Absent: Brostrom; Catalfo.6. Public Comment: Corinne Haskins, Ecology Center; Emily, Ex.Dir. Cazadero Performing Arts Camp; Naomi

Friedman, Cesar Chavez Park Off-Leash Area; Cameron Woo, Cesar Chavez Park Off Leash Area; BernardMarszalek, Friends of Ohlone Park; Todd Jersey, East Bay Marina Youth Center architect;

7. Director’s Reportd) Director’s Office ** (Scott Ferris): Parks CIP Project List*; Ohlone Dog Park Hours; Council Worksession (Oct

18th) with PW/PRW on infrastructure; Council Worksession (Nov 29th) with PRW on Camps; Grant Application -California State Youth Soccer - for Gilman Fields; Grant from Rockefeller Resilient Cities for assistance.

e) Parks Division (Sue Ferrera): Maintenance Projects; Citywide Special Events.f) Waterfront Division (Alexandra Endress): Projects Update; Occupancy Rates; Special Events; Message Board

at Cesar Chavez Park; Yacht Club brochures at Marina Office.

Discussion 8. PG&E Community Pipeline Safety Initiative (CPSI) ** (Treva Reid, PG&E)9. Parks Development Impact Fee (Carol Johnson, Planning Director)10. Parks capital projects update: James Kenney park and facilities (Ferris)11. Parks capital projects update: Grove Park; Rose Garden; Ohlone Dog Park (Ferris)12. Re-weighted Range Voting (RRV) to prioritize City Council referrals to staff * (Miller). Held over.

Action 13. Add November 9, 2016 as a regular meeting to the schedule of monthly Parks and Waterfront Commission

meetings * (Miller). M/S/C (Harrison/Lee): Ayes: Ares; Harrison; Kamen; Lee; McGrath; McKay; Weinstein; No’s:None; Abstain: None; Absent: Brostrom; Catalfo.

14. Discussion and possible action on a request from field users to install security cameras at the Gilman FieldsSports Complex to be used for crime prevention purposes (Ferrera). M/S/C (Kamen/McGrath) to support theagenda item of the concept of security cameras to provide improved public safety: Ayes: Ares; Harrison; Kamen;Lee; McGrath; McKay; Weinstein; No’s: None; Abstain: Harrison; Absent: Brostrom; Catalfo.

15. Create a parks capital projects subcommittee to develop a priority list of parks improvement projects for thenext 10 years (McKay). M/S/C (McGrath/Kamen) to appoint Brostrom, McGrath, McKay, and Harrison to thesubcommittee: Ayes: Ares; Harrison; Kamen; Lee; McGrath; McKay; Weinstein; No’s: None; Abstain: None;Absent: Brostrom; Catalfo.

16. Create a subcommittee to research models and costs for volunteer programs at City parks (McKay). M/S/C(Harrison/Ares) to appoint Lee and Weinstein to the subcommittee: Ayes: Ares; Harrison; Kamen; Lee; McGrath;McKay; Weinstein; No’s: None; Abstain: None; Absent: Brostrom; Catalfo.

17. Berkeley Parks – Planning for an Equitable Future Report – Take action to send the report to Council as anInformation Item * (McKay). M/S/C (McGrath/Weinstein) to send the report to Council as an Information Item subjectto formatting approval by Harrison: Ayes: Ares; Harrison; Kamen; Lee; McGrath; McKay; Weinstein; No’s: None;Abstain: None; Absent: Brostrom; Catalfo.

18. Sustainability Subcommittee Final Report – Take action to send the report to Council as an Information Item *(Harrison). M/S/C (McGrath/Weinstein) to send the report to Council as an Information Item subject to formattingapproval by Harrison: Ayes: Ares; Harrison; Kamen; Lee; McGrath; McKay; Weinstein; No’s: None; Abstain: None;Absent: Brostrom; Catalfo.

19. Discussion and possible action on a letter to Council in support of the Community Health Commissionrequest that Council create an African American Holistic Resource Center in South Berkeley. Held over to thenext commission meeting. Information Items

20. Recent Council Reports *21. Upcoming Agenda Items: City Strategic Plan community survey (Tim Burroughs); Drone Use policy in City parks;

Water Reduction and Water Use Guidelines Report; Rose Garden Donation Policy; Grant - Rockefeller Resilient Citiesassistance.

22. Communications: Ltr from Steven Most, 06-29-2016;23. Adjournment

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Community Health Commission

180 Milvia Street, Berkeley, CA 94704 ● Tel: (510) 981-7000 ● TDD: (510) 981-6903 ● Fax: (510) 981-7099

E-

mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.CityofBerkeley.info/Manager

ACTION CALENDARJuly 19, 2016

To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council

From: Community Health Commission

Submitted by: Neal Nathan, Chairperson, Community Health Commission

Subject: African American Holistic Resource Center in South Berkeley

RECOMMENDATIONThe Community Health Commission (CHC) strongly recommends that the City of Berkeley take immediate action steps towards the development and support of an African American Holistic Resource Center in South Berkeley.

The primary objective of the African American/Black Holistic Resource Center is to serve as a prevention and intervention model to consistently reduce the racial health disparities in Berkeley. It is to progressively increase positive health and wellness outcomes among the populations most affected. The Center will responsibly address the alarming health status rates among African American citizens in the City of Berkeley by providing culturally responsive and community defined-practices that will increase positive health outcomes. Furthermore, the CHC urges the City Manager and the City Council to both endorse and direct The Department of Health, Housing, and Community Services in general, the Public Health and Mental Health Divisions in particular, to set the development of such a Center as an urgent priority (with guidance and oversight of the project from the AABPCN, BNAACP, PCAD, BLM and HBF). The Health Equity Subcommittee of the CHC has developed the following recommended action steps:

1. The City of Berkeley to either fund the Public Health Division or send out an RFPto conduct a thorough feasibility study within the next fiscal year (2016-2017) todetermine the potential cost of creating and operating the African AmericanHolistic Resource Center.

a. This study will include collaboration with community stakeholders: AfricanAmerican/Black Professionals & Community Network (AABPCN), BerkeleyNAACP, Black Lives Matter, Bay Area/Berkeley group, Parents of Childrenof African Descent (PCAD), Healthy Black Families, and Friends of theCHC.

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http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/manager

African American Holistic Resource Center ACTION CALENDARJuly 19, 2016

2. Provide funding that will allow for a culturally responsive driven community needsassessment:

a. Collaborative effort to hold African American/Black community focusgroups to gather community input into the design, layout of the resourcecenter and services.

b. Include focus groups with front-line staff service providers within theHHCS Department.

3. Immediate action: The City Council and City Manager are to direct the AdelineCorridor planning project team to use cultural responsiveness to appropriatelyconsider and address health equity concerns in every phase of planning anddevelopment. The Adeline Corridor plan is to include the social determinants ofhealth into each phase of the plan and development.

4. The City Manager and the City Council is to immediately direct the AdelineCorridor Planning committee to partner with the Public Health and Mental HealthDivisions and African American/Black community stakeholders. In addition todirecting the Planning Department to incorporate the African American/BlackHolistic Resource Center into the Adeline Corridor project plan, the plan shouldconsider generous square footage space to build and incorporate a green facilityto house the Center, which would include a community garden and a spaciouscommunity meeting space that will allow for the gathering of at least 200 people.

5. The City of Berkeley to provide, in part, a generously protected funding stream tocontribute to the staffing, business startup, and maintenance of the AfricanAmerican/Black Holistic Resource Center. The City of Berkeley will take the leadin developing collaborative funding from Alameda County, Alta Bates/SummitMedical Center, Children’s Hospital/UCSF Benioff Oakland, Kaiser Hospital,University of California at Berkeley, Adeline Corridor Planning, and other publicand private organizations in order to support the Center financially.

6. Direct the Department of Health, Housing, and Community Services toincorporate into the department's program plans for the 2017-2018 fiscal year anumber of dedicated persons to assist in staffing and/or provide technicalassistance to the resource center.

7. Creation of a City of Berkeley African American/Black Community AdvisoryCouncil that evaluates health equity status and suggests interventions to improvethe health equity status of African American/Black people in Berkeley led by andcomprised of 80% African American/Black members.

SUMMARY Health inequities have impacted the City of Berkeley over a protracted number of years, with little positive change over the past two decades. The African American/Black Holistic Resource Center will create a much needed paradigm shift in the delivery of health and behavioral health services. Finally, the Center will serve as a free to low cost communal meeting space for Black residents and local groups.

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FISCAL IMPACTS OF RECOMMENDATIONA substantial investment into culturally appropriate services will prove to be successful in reducing health disparities and improving positive health outcomes. The African American Community Service Agency in San Jose that deals with the health/mental and emotional development of the community is an example of such efforts. Anticipated costs (with a possible initial cost of $20,000): feasibility study, focus groups, initial startup needs, City staff time (including data collection costs), administrative expenditures, daily operations and maintenance expenditures, supplies, electronic systems costs, and salaries. Additionally, private-public partnerships may provide funding for the feasibility study and operation costs, and/or the Adeline Corridor planning project may provide funding to absorb the costs of the feasibility study if the center is housed within the Adeline Corridor. Furthermore, research shows that the impact of health and behavioral health outcomes that are delivered in a culturally responsive manner will improve health outcomes and substantially reduce the costs of medical attention, for more serious health and mental health conditions, thereby reducing health and mental health cost to the city over time. Thus, the total costs of such a program and services should both be reasonable and justified, as the African American Community Service Agency in San Jose has been realized and sustained via private-public partnerships, which will form in Berkeley as well.

At the regularly scheduled meeting of the Community Health Commission (CHC) on March 24, 2016, the Commission took the following action:

1. M/S/C (Nathan/Stein) Motion to approve recommendation to City Council for AfricanAmerican Holistic Resource Center as amended, and as further amended byCommissioners Kwanele, Nathan, and Stein.

Ayes: Commissioners Chen, Engelman, Kwanele, Namkung, Nathan, Speich, Stein, and M. Wong

Noes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: Commissioners Franklin, Shaw, and A. Wong

Excused: Commissioners Rosales, Smith, and Wertman

Motion passed.

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The CHC made further edits to the Council report, and at the regularly scheduled meeting of the Community Health Commission (CHC) on The April 28, 2016, the Commission took the following action:

2. M/S/C (Kwanele/Nathan) Motion to approve edited and revised recommendation toCity Council for African American Holistic Resource Center.

Ayes: Commissioners Engelman, Franklin, Kwanele, Lopez, Nathan, Shaw, Speich, Wertman, and Wong

Noes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: Commissioner Rosales

Excused: Commissioners Chen, Namkung, and Stein

Motion passed.

CURRENT SITUATION AND ITS EFFECTSThe Public Health Division within HHCS Department identifies health inequities as a priority. According to the 2013 Health Status report states that in Berkeley, “The death rate for African American men is over twice that of men overall. The death rate for African American women similarly is nearly double that of women overall. African American men stand out as having the highest death rate of all racial/ethnic and gender groups. These vast differences in death rates are the result of differences in health status as seen throughout this report; these are health inequities” (The City of Berkeley 2013 Health Status Report, pp. 113). The report further explains that African Americans die much younger than any other racial or ethnic group in Berkeley. The health outcomes for African Americans in Berkeley continue to be staggering and a cause for alarm.

BACKGROUNDThe following table from the 2013 Berkeley Health Status report demonstrates health inequities:

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The 1998 Health Status Report identifies, among many issues, “Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions are defined group of medical illnesses which hospitalization can be prevented through timely and adequate primary care services. It is a measure of access to primary care”. In this 1998 report in the ambulatory Care Services section, it identifies “Blacks accounted for 60% of all asthma hospitalizations in Berkeley among children 0 to 19 years of age, followed by Whites with 2.1% (City of Berkeley 1998 Health Status Report, pp. 74).

The 1999 City of Berkeley Health Status Report informs “The Health Status Report shows that overall Berkeley is a healthy community…However, health status is impacted by the significant economic, educational, social and racial disparities that exist within the City”. It further explains that “African Americans have the highest mortality rate unadjusted for age of all race/ethnicities” (City of Berkeley 1999, Health Status Report Executive Summary, pp. 1). The 1999 report continues to identify racial health disparities among African Americans in almost every subcategory of the report, some much more significant than others.

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The City of Berkeley 2001 Health Status report in its introduction informs, “Our report also revealed a disparity in mortality for Berkeley residents based on race. African Americans in Berkeley have shorter life spans in general than do Whites in Berkeley. Our health data shows that African Americans in Berkeley have significantly higher premature death rates for preventable or manageable diseases such as hypertension, stroke and diabetes” (City of Berkeley Health Status Report, 2001, pp. 5). The report continues on to state that the Department of Public Health worked for three years to understand and pinpoint the disparities. The Department at that time introduced new programs to address the problem such as the Community Action Team (CAT) and the Black Infant Health program, among other programs, with a goal to close the health equity gap in Berkeley. After implementation of such programs, the Public Health Department began to notice some, albeit small, but positive changes in birth rate.

The 2002 Health Status Report credits the Black Infant Health Program for changes and states that “For all births (normal and low birth weight) in the period 1990-1992, African American mothers were 4.5 times more likely to receive untimely prenatal care as compared to Whites. During the last three years (1999-2001), this disparity gap has decreased significantly so that African American mothers are now 2.5 times more likely to receive untimely prenatal care as compared to Whites” (The City of 2002 Berkeley Health Status Report, pp.20).

In the next couple of years to follow, the Public Health Department began the process of slowly moving the needle in reducing the daunting racial health disparities numbers in Berkeley. By 2007, The City of Berkeley Health Status report identified Race and Racism as a social determinant of health among other categories. As with the reports in prior years, African Americans in Berkeley (and Nationwide) continued to have significantly larger concerning poor health outcomes.

The 2007 reports states, “Our ability to eliminate health inequities requires that we address the upstream determinants of health. If we truly wish to improve the health of our community, the Public Health Division must work closely together with Berkeley’s residents, schools, community based organizations, policymakers, and many other agencies to achieve greater social justice and a healthier environment for all” (The City of Berkeley Health Status Report, 2007, Section I: Social Determinants Of Health & Health Inequities, pp. 2).

By 2013, although the health equity gap in the City of Berkeley has narrowed in some areas, the numbers continue to be sobering and cause for alarm. The steps to address this problem must be aggressive, multi-systemic, multi-dimensional, culturally responsive interventions to address the social determinants of health, community involved, African American/Black culturally specific and centered. The AABPCN authored a document, A Community Approach for African American/Black Culturally Congruent Services, April 2011, which was given to members of the City Council and the prior City Manager in 2011. The report cited several areas of concern within the

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City, including concerns about the health and mental health status of African Americans in Berkeley.

The report offered pragmatic solutions to each identified problem, and offered the suggestion that the City of Berkeley should build an African American/Black Resource Center. The AABPCN reports states the following: “The vision for the African American/Black Resource Center is that it would be developed to have office space for various organizations to serve the community. Services would include, but not be limited to community support, career development, legal services, housing assistance, mental health treatment, educational support, nutritional support, and a meeting space that can be divided up when necessary to make smaller meeting spaces, or opened up for large community events. The building would be a modern green building that is environmentally friendly and located in South Berkeley” (A Community Approach for African American/Black Culturally Congruent Services, AABPCN report April 2011, pp. 23).

Later, in July 2013, the NAACP, Berkeley Chapter co-sponsored a Community Town hall meeting at the South Berkeley Library where over 150 participants partook in the event. Among the serous topic discussions, the health inequities within the City were identified as a crisis which needed immediate attention. Fast-forwarding to 2016, the racial health inequities in the City of Berkeley continue to be alarming, and continue to require immediate attention.

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITYThe community garden may contribute positivity to the landscape of South Berkeley and may serve as a small sustainable food supply. Possible impacts observed may be increased auto, foot, and/or bicycle traffic in an around the area of the Center. Visible Recycling and refuse receptacles may minimize possible waste resulting from the increased human traffic flow.

RATIONALE FOR RECOMMENDATIONOver the past 2.5 decades the health status rates of African American residents in the City of Berkeley has been horrendous, especially when it is compared to the White population in Berkeley. Many Cities and Counties have taken strong bold successful steps to understand and address the social determinants of health and mental health and see positive outcomes for their residents. Finding a resolution to the City of Berkeley’s racial health equity problem will benefit the entire City, and create healthier citizens with increased positive outcomes. An African American/Black Holistic Resource Center will be a stabilizing force in the African American/Black community in South Berkeley. It would increase Community empowerment, support and involvement. Furthermore, culturally congruent services that are provided to African Americans/Blacks and other marginalized people in a respectful and welcoming manner will net great benefits to all parties.

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ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS CONSIDERED1 Add culturally congruent health services to existing Department of Health

Services and Public Health Division services along with the creation of a City of Berkeley African American/Black Community Advisory Council that evaluates health equity status and suggests interventions to improve the health equity status of African American/Black people in Berkeley led by and comprised of 80% African American/Black members.

2 Partner with Alameda County Public Health Department to develop and provide culturally congruent, responsive services to the African American Community in the City of Berkeley to be delivered with Cultural Humility.

CITY MANAGERSee City Manager companion report.

CONTACT PERSONTanya Bustamante, Commission Secretary, HHCS, (510) 981-5324

Attachments: 1: 2013 Health Status Summary Report2: AABPCN Report: A Community Approach for African American/Black Culturally Congruent Services, April 2011

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2180 Milvia Street, Berkeley, CA 94704; Te

l: (510) 981-6700;

TDD: (510) 981-6903; Fax: (510)

981-6710

E-

Mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.CityofBerkeley.info/Manager

WORKSESSIONFebruary 11, 2014

To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council

From: Parks and Waterfront Commission

Submitted by: Jim McGrath, Chair, Parks and Waterfront Commission

Subject: Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Funding

INTRODUCTIONFor the last six months, the new Parks and Waterfront Commission has reviewed thecondition of Berkeley’s fifty-two parks and other recreational facilities, with an increasingsense of alarm. Since 1982, the citizens of Berkeley have supported a number ofdifferent tax measures that provide additional funding for their parks including MeasureHH in 2008 by a vote of over 77%. However, these measures have failed to keep upwith the increased maintenance needs of the parks, and there is a long list of neededprojects in almost every park and facility.

The tax measures provided funds for maintenance outside of the City’s general fund,which continued to pay for recreational programs. But even with these measures,staffing for facilities and infrastructure maintenance for parks and waterfront hasdropped from 105 full time equivalent positions in FY 2002 to 78 in FY 2013, with a lossof personnel in both areas.

While the parks tax has supported maintenance staff, the capacity of the tax tounderwrite major maintenance efforts has deteriorated along with our aging and muchused facilities. Currently the Parks Recreation & Waterfront Director Scott Ferrisestimates that over $30 million in capital and major maintenance projects remainsunfunded over the next five years.

PUBLIC INPUTThe Parks and Waterfront Commission held three public meetings in different locationsto solicit public input on setting priorities for the parks. Each of these meetings was wellattended, and the last one was standing-room only. We also received significanttestimony at our regular meetings in August and November. Dozens of people offeredtheir observations at those meetings, and others sent letters and emails. It is clear thatthe people in Berkeley love their parks and want them maintained at a higher standard.

Worksession Item

01a

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Parks Recreation & Waterfront Funding WORKSESSIONFebruary 11, 2014

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RECOMMENDATIONAt a regular meeting of the Parks and Waterfront on Wednesday, December 11, 2013,the commission took action to recommend that the City Council consider submitting tothe voters a proposal to increase funding for maintenance and improvement ofBerkeley’s parks (M/S: Catalfo/Brostrom; Aye’s: Brostrom; Brower; Catalfo; Howard;McGrath; McKay; Mester; Veneziano; No’s: None; Abstain: None; Absent: Boland).

We understand that elements of this proposal will be subject to public opinion pollingand may be adjusted to reflect public opinion. We hope that you consider thisCommission an ally in that effort, and continue to consult with us in crafting anymeasure that is eventually submitted for the November 2014 ballot. We realize that itmay be difficult to get approval for two measures, but our Parks need funding for bothmaintenance that can be raised through an increase in the parks tax, and for capitalimprovements that would qualify for a bond measure, which has significant financialbenefits, particularly at current interest rates. We think the funding measure shouldhave the following provisions:

a. Increase the maintenance tax by approximately 10%. The park maintenancetax generates about $9.3 million in revenue, but that is not sufficient to coverexisting personnel and major maintenance projects. As a result, the condition ofthe parks is deteriorating, and expensive repairs are required for facilities such asthe James Kenney Community Center where dry rot has spread. We estimatethat such an increase in the maintenance tax would generate enough funds toprevent additional layoffs in the next budget cycle, and would cover maintenanceand operations of a renovated Willard Pool. We further recommend that theCouncil consider a Personal Income Growth Tax measure similar to that in theLibrary Tax.

b. Engage Berkeley citizens as volunteers in our parks. Currently BerkeleyPartners for Parks coordinates volunteer efforts. We realize that volunteerssometimes make life more difficult for staff, but we are convinced that each parkis part of a community, and that engaging park users is essential to success. Wethink that stronger cooperation between City staff and volunteers would improvecommunication, and help park users appreciate the contributions of the staff.Recognizing volunteers as partners would also foster a sense of stewardship ofpublic resources, and has proved successful in Oakland and San Francisco. Wesupport establishing a volunteer coordinator.

c. Develop a plan for long-term sustainability of the parks. The City’sOpen Space and Recreation Element, prepared in 1988 and revised in1992-3 and 2001, does not provide a robust look forward for managing theparks. The City is aware of this deficiency, noting that “… much of the dataincluded in the element (park facilities status and acreage, for example) isnow outdated.”

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Because the Open Space and Recreation Element does not include detail on theuses that should be encouraged at Cesar Chavez Park, or along the Santa Feright of way, we recommend that the plan be updated to reflect those newerparks, and include a blueprint for the sustainability of the Parks going forward.We recommend that the plan develop a mini-business plan for each significantfacility, and metrics that identify users, and areas in which facilities can be re-envisioned to save maintenance costs.

d. Ensure accountability and transparency. The Commission recommends thatthe Council establish, as part of any ballot measure, an accountability measurethat articulates the metrics for measuring improvement in the parks, a body toreview those measures, and an annual report process with an opportunity forpublic comment. We believe this measure will improve communication, and longterm support for the parks.

BOND MEASUREThe Parks and Waterfront Commission also recommends that the City Council considersubmitting to the voters a bond measure for improvement of Berkeley’s parks. We haveidentified the following priority projects. This list is not exclusive, and will address someof the most pressing major maintenance projects and provide greater equity indistribution of parks throughout the city.

A. Re-open Willard Pool and complete major maintenance projects at King andWest Campus. We support efforts to repair these three pools to address theequity issues associated with having pools that are hard to reach from someareas, and to make sure that all children learn to swim.

B. Set aside funding for a possible shortfall in insurance funding at BerkeleyTuolumne Camp. It is likely that there will be costs to rebuild the Camp tonewer standards and avoid flood-prone areas and restored habitat. Whileinsurance will cover most of the rebuilding, some additional funds may benecessary.

C. Rose Garden Park. Rose Garden Park is one of the oldest parks in Berkeley,and was selected to receive funding from the East Bay Regional Park District’smeasure WW. However, there are important safety and historic elements thatare not covered by that measure.

D. Cesar Chavez Park. At 90 acres, Cesar Chavez is Berkeley’s largest park. Itis also relatively closer to West Berkeley, which lacks parks. Maintaining thelandfill’s integrity during the post-closure process limits options for intensiverecreation, but the paths, landscaping, and erosion control all need attention.Bringing the paths up to Bay Trail standards will provide significant benefits forthe disabled community, as the park is tied into the upgraded Bay Trailrecently completed, and to the Berkeley Outdoor Recreation Program (BORP)

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which encourages recreation for those in wheelchairs and adaptive bicycles. We support these improvements, including the ongoing solar calendar project.

E. Live Oak. Live Oak Park is rather large, at 5.5 acres, and is centrally locatednear commercial areas. It has some of the most heavily used and intensiverecreational facilities, with tennis, volleyball and basketball courts, and apopular recreational center. We recommend funding for the most pressingupgrades to the art and recreation center.

F. Aquatic Park. Aquatic Park consists of nearly 33 acres of land and nearly 68acres of water, making it the second largest park in Berkeley. It is venerable—old—having been constructed during the WPA in 1935-37. It is also the hometo the Berkeley Outdoor Recreation Program and the landing for the bicycleand pedestrian bridge that provides access to the waterfront. There havebeen a number of recent improvements at the north end, but the trails on thewest side are not friendly for those with disabilities, and circulation is badlyimpaired due to deteriorated culverts (often called tide tubes.) We supportfunding for the tide tubes, paving and landscaping to improve accessibility.

G. James Kenney is one of the few parks located in West Berkeley. It is 4.2acres in area, and includes basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts, agymnasium, a recreational center, and a children’s playground. We supportfunding for repair of the deteriorated building, the most pressing court repairs,and other improvements.

H. Bay Trail spur in the Marina. Providing full compliance with the ADA in all ofBerkeley’s parks is an enormous and expensive challenge. But the director ofthe BORP programs at Aquatic Park has recommended that improvements tothe Bay Trail are one of the highest priorities for accommodating the greatestnumber of people with the widest range of disabilities. Recreational programsrun from the BORP center at Aquatic Park can now reach the South Basin.We support completing the Bay Trail spur in the marina to connect to CesarChavez Park, and improving the paths at Cesar Chavez Park, which wouldmake the entire waterfront accessible to those with disabilities.

I. Ohlone Dog Park. Work has been under way at Ohlone Park, and we supportsupplemental funding to allow completion of the dog park and upgrading thetrash receptacles and benches, called for in the public meetings.

J. Open Space Plan. We support an update to the General Plan Open Spaceand Recreation Element, and/or initiating the development of the Parks andRecreation Master Plan, to include a public process that reviews all facilitiesand recreation programs, and develops a vision for the future of BerkeleyParks. The Master Plan is to identify strategies to provide access to recreationand open space that is equitable, fiscally sustainable and environmentally

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5

responsible for all Berkeley citizens. The plan is to be coordinated withBerkeley city goals for sustainable systems and resources, financial viabilityand management and long-term reduced maintenance. Planning forcompletion of the Santa Fe Right-of-Way and improvements to Cesar ChavezPark are to be included.

K. Santa Fe Right of Way. Berkeley’s Open Space plan has called for acommunity planning effort for Santa Fe Right of Way, but that plan has notbeen completed. We support a community planning effort and implementationof at least a first phase of improvements.

L. Mini Grants. We support establishing a mini-grant program for small projectsthat engage local communities.

CRITERIA FOR ESTABLISHING PRIORITIESThe Commission considered the following important criteria in establishing the list ofpriority projects.

Equity: addresses a perceptible imbalance in the delivery of recreationalresources City-Wide.

Community Needs: meets the needs of an underserved community, group, orneighborhood that has not benefited from parks improvements or has waited along time for the improvements.

Net benefit: benefits a large cohort of users or increases the number of users.

Serve multiple user cohorts: will attract users of various ages, serve families,provide safe play for children and be accessible to the disabled.

Pressing and preventative repair: needs immediate repair that will cost moreif delayed.

Ready to implement: has passed the planning stage including environmentalreview if required and is good to go.

Visible. Corrects or improves an obvious need or eye-sore.

Outcomes: identifies results and returns within a practical time frame.

Cost effective: leverages funds and qualifies for grants.

Economic benefit: will stimulate nearby development and business

Sustainable maintenance: keeps up with inflation and staff costs.

Encourages volunteer collaboration.

CITY MANAGERSee City Manager companion report.

CONTACT PERSONRoger Miller, Secretary, Parks and Waterfront Commission, 981-6704

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City Clerk Department

2180 Milvia Street, Berkeley, CA 94704 ● Tel: (510) 981-6900 ● TDD: (510) 981-6903 ● Fax: (510) 981-6901

E-Mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.cityofberkeley.info/clerk

June 3, 2016

To: Commission Secretaries

From: Mark Numainville, City Clerk

Subject: Results of City Council Referral Prioritization Process

On May 24, 2016 the City Council approved the final weighted rankings of all outstanding Council referrals to the City Manager. These rankings are the result of a process that the Council approved in March 2016 called Re-Weighted Range Voting (RRV). The RRV process uses a formula to incorporate the weighted ratings that the Councilmembers assign to the referrals.

The purpose of providing this list to your commission is to inform them of what the Council views as its top priorities at this time. It was recommended by the Council that commissions may wish to use this list to inform or align its annual workplan with that of the Council and the department that staffs the commission. Please agendize this topic for discussion by the commission.

The complete staff report and attachments is included with this memo. I have also attached the final rankings as a separate document for easier review.

Please contact me directly if you have any questions.

Enc.

cc: Dee Williams-Ridley, City Manager Department Heads

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http://www.cityofberkeley.info/clerk

Current City Council Referrals - parks-related - ranked - 2016

Title: Protecting our Parks from Unsafe, Unsanitary Conditions Council Date: 11/17/2015 Agenda Item: 27 Rank: 6 Council: Maio Referred to: City Manager Direction: Request the City Manager to implement the following recommendations for Ohlone

Park and utilize them for other parks where appropriate. 1. Increase nighttime enforcement and enable police to enter the parks at night with their cars(being sensitive to landscaping), to enforce park rules and ordinances.2. (Requires further discussion.)3. Consider the presence of needles, traces of drugs like meth and heroin, human feces, apublic health threat and involve the Health Department to cordon off areas of encampment forthe purpose of clearing the areas of contamination and insuring the areas are safe for publicuse. Monitor areas used for encampment for public health risks to enable additional action.4. Determine where additional signage is needed regarding camping rules, park hours, anduse of the park especially in locations where encampments frequently occur.5. Place covered trash and recycling receptacles in high use areas in Ohlone, such as atMcGee/Hearst. Determine other areas where such receptacles are needed.6. Assess Ohlone Park for need of additional porta potties. Northwest area of park at Grantand Hearst has been reported as “public bathroom.”

Title: Explore the Feasibility of Installing Utility-Free Restrooms in Cesar Chavez and Aquatic Parks Council Date: 12/15/2015 Agenda Item: 28 Rank: 26 Council: Moore Referred to: City Manager Direction: Refer to the City Manager to explore installing utility-free restrooms at Cesar

Chavez and Aquatic Park.

Title: Public Restrooms in City Parks Council Date: 2/23/2016 Agenda Item: 22 Rank: 28 Council: Arreguin Referred to: City Manager Direction: Refer to the City Manager and the Parks and Waterfront Commission the idea of

constructing permanent public restrooms in all parks with one or more acres that are maintained by the City of Berkeley and ensure that existing permanent public restrooms are maintained to an adequate standard.

Title: Evaluation of Possible Ban on New Planting of Certain Tree Species Council Date: 2/10/2015 Agenda Item: 16 Rank: 53 Council: Wengraf Referred to: Parks, Rec, Waterfront Direction: Take action to either: a) Direct the City Manager to proceed with Option 1, and

continue the City’s current practice regarding tree plantings on City property, which currently do not include Eucalyptus, and Monterey Pine (except at the Marina).-OR- b) Adopt a Resolution as described in Option 2 that would ban the new planting of certain tree species on City property. -OR-c) Direct the City Manager to develop an ordinance for Council adoption that bans the new planting of certain tree species on both public and private property, and includes enforcement mechanisms.

Title: 18. City Manager Referral: Updating Graffiti Ordinance and Policies Based on a Review of San Francisco’s New Ordinance

Council Date: 7/1/2014 Agenda Item: 18 Rank: 62 Council: Worthington Referred to: Public Works Direction: Refer to the City Manager and the Public Works and Parks and Recreation

Commissions to create an ordinance that revises Berkeley's policies regarding graffiti, focusing on prevention and enforcement of regulations.

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PARKS AND WATERFRONT COMMISSION RECENT COUNCIL REPORTS

The following council reports are available for review at the Parks Recreation & Waterfront Department administrative desk, 2180 Milvia Street, 3rd floor, or can be accessed from the City Council Website by using the following URL’s:

October 18, 2016

17. Grant Application: California Youth Soccer Grant Program for the Gilman Fields YouthSoccer Field ProjectURL:http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/Clerk/City_Council/2016/10_Oct/Documents/2016-10-18_Item_17_Grant_Application_California.aspx

October 18, 2016 – Worksession 1. Update on Capital Improvements: Recent and Planned Projects and Ongoing Need

URL:http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/Clerk/City_Council/2016/10_Oct/Documents/2016-10-18_WS_Item_01_Update_on_Capital_Improvements.aspx

September 27, 2016 6. Contract No. 9535 Amendment: Landscape Architectural Services from Carducci and

Associates, Inc. for Lower John Hinkel Park ProjectURL:http://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/City_Council/2016/09_Sep/Documents/2016-09-27_Item_06_Contract_No_9535_Amendment.aspx

7. Donations to the Ohlone Dog Park: Caplan Family and Ohlone Dog Park AssociationURL:http://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/City_Council/2016/09_Sep/Documents/2016-09-27_Item_07_Donations_to_the_Ohlone.aspx

8. Donation: Ecology Center and Teller Family Memorial Bench in Codornices ParkURL:http://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/City_Council/2016/09_Sep/Documents/2016-09-27_Item_08_Donation_Ecology_Center.aspx

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http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/Clerk/City_Council/2016/10_Oct/Documents/2016-10-18_Item_17_Grant_Application_California.aspx




http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/Clerk/City_Council/2016/10_Oct/Documents/2016-10-18_WS_Item_01_Update_on_Capital_Improvements.aspx



http://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/City_Council/2016/09_Sep/Documents/2016-09-27_Item_06_Contract_No_9535_Amendment.aspx




http://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/City_Council/2016/09_Sep/Documents/2016-09-27_Item_07_Donations_to_the_Ohlone.aspx



http://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/City_Council/2016/09_Sep/Documents/2016-09-27_Item_08_Donation_Ecology_Center.aspx



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PARKS AND WATERFRONT COMMISSION Regular Meeting Wednesday, October · PDF filePARKS AND...

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