2010-11-03 Special CC MinutesMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
WEDNESDAY- - NOVEMBER 3. 2010- -7:02 P.M.
Mayor Johnson convened the meeting at 10:18 p.m.
Roll Call — Present: Councilmembers deHaan, Gilmore, Matarrese, Tam and
Mayor Johnson — 5.
Absent: None.
Agenda Item
(10 -536) Recommendation to Accept a Recommendation from the Joint Subcommittee
of the City Council and the Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) School Board to
Direct the Interim City Manager to Negotiate and Execute a 30 -Year Agreement for
Operation, Maintenance and Capital Improvements to Recreation Fields and Facilities
Currently Owned by AUSD.
The Interim City Manager gave a brief presentation.
Mayor Johnson stated the School District would also bring the matter before the School
Board; the School District would have first priority for facility use.
Councilmember Matarrese stated the recent pool situation [closure] has sparked new
interest from School Board Subcommittee members to approve the agreement
expeditiously before a next crisis happens.
Councilmember Gilmore inquired whether different use terms would be established if
Kaufman Auditorium is included, stated there have been past issues about who can use
the facility and when.
The Interim City Manager responded perhaps things have changed because of the
economy; stated rent would be a revenue generator; the key would be to get full
utilization.
Mayor Johnson stated in the past, groups have not been able to use Kaufman
Auditorium because the cost is beyond their budget.
The Interim City Manager stated the City uses recreational fields and related facilities
and is better than the School District at the core service; the City works with non - profits
in utilizing facilities; the key is to strike an arrangement with the School District to start
the dialogue.
Councilmember Tam inquired whether pool maintenance and operation is a 60 -40 split.
The Recreation and Park Director responded the City does all the scheduling and is
responsible for custodial services and water chemistry; stated the School District is
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responsible for large capital items.
Councilmember Tam inquired whether the City and School District had an eight -year
agreement, which has lapsed.
The Recreation and Park Director responded the Agreement was signed in the 1960's,
renewed in 1982, and amended in 1994; the maintenance staff was all School District
staff prior to 1994; to increase efficiencies, the City took back maintenance staff back in
1994; the intent was to start the clock in 1994 and go to 2014, but it did not get into the
final agreement; the Agreement ended in 2002; the City has been operating under the
old agreement.
Councilmember Tam inquired whether the concept would be to get a more uniform,
holistic arrangement for all facilities under one umbrella agreement.
The Recreation and Park Director responded having one entity schedule everything
would be more efficient.
Councilmember Tam inquired whether part of the effort would be to help the School
District market and maximize use and revenue through leases.
The Recreation and Park Director responded in the affirmative; stated a rate structure
and priority use would be established.
Councilmember Tam inquired whether complaints regarding rates would fall on the
Council, to which the Recreation and Park Commission responded complaints would go
through the Recreation Commission.
Mayor Johnson inquired whether the agreement would include capital and maintenance,
to which the Recreation and Park Director responded the agreement would include
everything.
Mayor Johnson stated performing an inventory and assessment is important to ensure
an analysis of conditions and regular, appropriate maintenance.
Vice Mayor deHaan inquired what is the percentage of recovery through fees, to which
the Recreation and Park Director responded minimal.
Vice Mayor deHaan inquired where funding would come from for the additional fields.
The Recreation and Park Director responded funding would be part of negotiations with
the School District.
The Interim City Manager stated that she included the Kaufman Auditorium because
revenue generated from the use of the auditorium could offset another recreational
asset.
Vice Mayor deHaan stated fees do not take care of park maintenance; the Recreation
and Park Department's budget needs to be safeguarded; public safety has a way of
eroding Recreation and Park Department dollars; the challenge would be finding a way
to improve the funding stream.
Councilmember Matarrese stated Council has discussed savings with synthetic turf; the
mission is not to protect the budget; the budget is to protect public parks; policy needs
to be established regarding leagues exclusively using a public asset when a fee is paid,
which has a price tag.
Councilmember Tam moved approval of the staff recommendation.
Councilmember Matarrese seconded the motion with direction to follow up on earlier
discussion [Park Master Plan, paragraph no. 10 -5281 regarding incorporating the
facilities in the larger [Park Master] Plan.
Under discussion, the Interim City Manager stated School District recreational facilities
would be included in the Master Plan inventory.
Mayor Johnson inquired whether basketballs courts at Alameda Point would be
included, to which the Interim City Manager responded in the affirmative.
Vice Mayor deHaan stated Alameda Point has a dog park.
The Interim City Manager stated Alameda Point has a skate park and gym also.
Mayor Johnson inquired whether the boat docks would be included.
The Interim City Manager responded everything would be included in the inventory.
Vice Mayor deHaan stated Alameda Point also has a recreation hall.
On the call for the question, the motion carried by unanimous voice vote — 5.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at 10:39 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lara Weisiger
City Clerk
The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Brown Act.
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