Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the September 11th, 2025 Alameda Recreation and Park Commission meeting.

May we have a roll call, please to start?

Sure.

Commissioner Schwartz.

Present.

Present.

Present.

Thank you.

The first item on our agenda this evening, excuse me, this evening is non-agenda public comment.

Members of the public may speak for three minutes regarding any matter not on our agenda.

Commissioners will not respond to comments or answer questions.

The city welcomes speakers providing public comment, but please be advised that this is a limited public forum.

As such, speakers must stay on topic if speaking to a particular agenda item.

And if speaking during non-agenda public comment, they must address matters within the subject matter jurisdiction of the city.

If speakers fail to follow these rules, they'll be warned, and if they continue to disregard the rules, their opportunity to speak will be ended.

Do we have any non-agenda public speakers this evening?

Thank you.

In that case, we'll move forward.

Director Long.

The monthly coastal cleanup is taking place Saturday, September 13th at 10 AM at Seaplane Lagoon.

Bring Gloves in a bucket.

This is sponsored by Casa and Door Marine.

The international coastal cleanup Saturday, September twentieth, taking place again at Seaplane Lagoon, sponsored by Opera Meridian, Casa and Door Marine.

And then the Island Running Festival takes place Sunday, September twenty first at 7 30 AM at Faction Brewing.

The eighth annual Blues Brews and Barbecue will take place Saturday.

Sorry, Sunday, September 21st at Washington Park at twelve PM.

Enjoy blues music, local breweries, and barbecue.

The family fun ride around Alameda is taking place on Saturday, September 27th at 9 a.m.

The everyone will meet at Light Ecker Park.

There's uh info available for everyone at Alameda Parks dot org to sign up.

This benefits our Parks Department.

That's a good fundraiser for our friends of Alameda Parks.

It takes place Saturday, October 4th at 11 AM at 2151, Ferry Point.

This is the the runway just past the radium area on the base next to Seaplane Lagoon.

The fourth annual Alameda Pride is taking place on October 11th.

Everyone is welcome.

There will be a 5K uh fun run and walk starting at nine a.m.

to 11 a.m.

at the Elks Lodge.

And then from twelve until five, we'll have Pride in the Park at Checheneo Park with family-friendly entertainment and music.

And then from 6 p.m.

till 9 p.m.

There'll be a block party at Alameda Ave with again more music and dancing.

You can go to Alamedapride.org to donate or to find out more information.

We have our own department's upcoming events and activities that are in this month.

So we have the Alameda Walk Series.

This is Saturdays at 9 a.m.

The first the next one will be taking place on September 20th at Cruzy Park at the intersection of Otis and High Street.

And then the following week at September 27th, it'll be taking place at Chochenio Park at the intersection of Ensignel and Park Ave.

And then we have our Starlit Movies and the Park series.

This is the last movie of the season.

It's going to be Sonic the Hedgehog 3, and it takes place Friday, September 26th at 6 30 p.m.

at Light Ecker Field.

Want to give you a little update on some department projects that we have ongoing.

First up is the Aquatic Center.

So we receive the 100% drawings in early August or sorry, mid-August.

They've been submitted to our permit office, and so we're waiting for basically some comments, and then we'll be able to move once we receive our permits, move into bidding and contract award, with hopefully construction starting in January.

And then we have estuary park phase two.

This has been a long time coming.

It's a five acre addition to the existing estuary park.

This will include everything from pickleball courts, a full basketball court, inclusive playground, restroom building to serve both sides of the park, as well as two dog parks, a large lawn area for everyone to play.

So we received bids from that in September.

The contract is going to be awarded at the second meeting, council meeting in September.

And then hopefully we'll, or sorry, October, and then hopefully we'll be doing uh work with the contractor for mobilization, hopefully starting in December again in January as well.

And then right now we have a survey for the Lidecker playground replacement is live.

And so we encourage people to log in and give us feedback on playground designs.

That will be open until the 19th of this month.

Some highlights from our summer programs.

So our summer programs, we had over 6,700 enrollments and all of our programs across the city and all of our different sites celebrating the 72nd year of day camp in Alameda.

Our summer tots and cooking classes had about 200.

The Hidden Cove Trails End and Trailblazers had a just under 300.

Our world of wonder program camps had over 1,300.

Our youth field trip programs had about 157.

And then our steam classes had about just under 500, which was great.

And then our teen trips and teen volunteer programs had over, had 520, which is a big number this year.

Our youth sports, we had over a thousand kids join us.

And then for our parks and playground program, the one that we brought back this year, we were able to account for about 812 kids that were served in that free program this summer.

And then our aquatic camps had just about 300 people participating in the individual camps there.

We had over 500 in private lessons, over 900 in group lessons, and our star babies had over about 250.

So feel free to register if there's availability, but we have a lot that are still available on Sundays from 4 30 until 6 30 throughout the fall season.

Our pumpkin patch pool party is going to take place on Saturday, October 25th, with registration for that beginning on October 1st.

Spaces limited.

We encourage everyone to get out there.

Last year, the pools were full of pumpkins and everyone is having a good time.

Our teen in Tween, our group, we've got our haunted house is under its planning and efforts right now.

This year will be the 20th teen haunted house.

Volunteers will earn community service hours.

Registration deadline is September 19th.

You can check our website for more details on that.

Our Alameda Youth Committee, AYC is recruiting.

They provide a great opportunity for teens to gain leadership and make new friends and have fun.

The meetings are held twice a month.

And we've been continuing to facilitate the Queer Teen Alameda Center, QTAC program for 6th to 12th graders at the Underground Teen Center at the Veterans Memorial Building.

This is Fridays from 6 p.m.

until 9 p.m.

And if for more information on that, specifically you can go to Alamedapride.org or dot com, sorry.

Our sports programs that we have for elementary and middle age school students at the Alameda Point Gym.

We have after school pickleball Monday through Thursday.

And then homeschool PE Wednesdays and Fridays.

Our youth flag football league takes place on Saturdays at Estuary Multipurpose Field.

And our group tennis lessons take place at Saturdays at Cruzy Park.

Our adult programs, we still have our open gyms going every Sunday night from 6 p.m.

till 10 p.m.

at the Alameda Point Gym.

And then we also have tennis and pickleball lessons.

Group and private are available, and we're still hosting our pickleball lessons at the hub.

And then our adult softball league that's currently underway.

We have both the women's men's and then our COA division.

Those are underway.

So our registration for those are currently closed.

For Mastic, we've got a lot of updates for there.

The Caregiver Support Group takes place all Wednesdays in September and October at 10 a.m.

in room E.

This share ways to support empower other caregivers.

The Diabetes Support Group takes place on Wednesday, September 24th at 10 a.m.

in room D.

And it meets every fourth Wednesday of the month.

The transportation 101 clipper card for seniors that takes place on Friday, October 3rd at 10 a.m.

in the media room, and learn various transportation options available to Alameda residents there.

The Medicare and the annual enrollment period is October 14th, takes place October 14th at 10 a.m.

in the media room, where you can learn about information on upcoming changes for the 2026 year.m in room D.

Everyone's welcome.

Provides counsel on all matters with accomplishing the center's mission around additional programming, helping fund the facility, and you know, improving the overall operations.

Some statistics for July and August.

Lunch meals served were just under 3,000.

Bags of groceries distributed were about 540.

And Mastic is a distribution site for the Mercy Brown bag program, which provides free groceries to low-income seniors in Alameda County twice a month.

For parks, our operation staff replaced and replenished play around five bar of various parks to maintain safety and fall zones and an EDA compliance.

Irrigation was installed, and 10 trees were planted at Lower Washington Dog Park.

It was closed there for a little bit so they could do some more work.

For volunteer opportunities, at the Lincoln Park Rose Garden, we're seeking dedicated volunteers to help assist with the ongoing maintenance with deadheading, pruning, beating, and fertilizing.

This is a year-round effort that requires a few months or a few hours per month.

So if you enjoy gardening, please just reach out to ARPD and we'll connect you with that group.

And then we have some park um highlights.

She would dedicate 22 years of service to the city before her retirement.

Throughout her tenure, she maintained the entire landscape at the Oak Club, bringing exceptional care and special touch to everything from hand watering and pruning and maintaining the beautiful grounds.

We send our heartfelt thanks to her many contributions and congratulations and happy retirement.

This summer we had a lot of really good staff.

There's a couple we'd like to call out.

The summer Caitlin Emig served as our world of wonder coordinator, and she brought a lot of energy and creativity and strong leadership to all five of the programs.

So she was going around and making sure everything was running smoothly and all the staff had everything they needed.

And she just had a really great attitude and just was super well organized and the kids loved her and staff loved her.

So thank you, Caitlin, for making the summer memorable.

And then Rena RC Marino, she played a key role at the teen development program this summer, supporting the over 120 teens and helping guide their activities and feedback.

She also helped lead the youth field trips, ensuring that the trips were safe and enjoyable.

So thank you, RC for your fantastic work this summer.

So with that, that's the end of the director's report.

Wonderful.

Thank you, Commissioners.

Any follow-up questions?

Um for the coastal cleanup, will students be able to get community service hours?

They should they should be able to, they should bring their sign and slips with them.

Okay, good.

Um estuary park, is it's still on schedule for the finish or has it been pushed back at all?

So we'll get a little bit more details when we get the contractor on board and get a construction timeline.

But the goal is to try to get it completed by the end of 26.

Which is which is what we've been saying though all the time.

I do want to note that this time it does include we put in for two additional shade structures and also the two additional pickleball courts.

So there will be a total of six in this project.

Shade structures, you know me, that's my my bailiwack.

So the steam classes, um, I'm excited because uh Wood Middle School's a steam school, and we are the only steam certified school in the district.

Uh you said there's a about 500 people.

I'm curious how long has it been going on with the steam?

Is it only been a couple years?

I believe it's only been a few years, but it's been a solid couple years, okay.

Two to three, I think.

I would love to work with you on this if for the future for students.

It's close to our heart.

Um, and that was the last thing.

Thank you.

Two quick ones.

Uh thank you for the question.

I had the same question on Estuary Park when was the expected uh open date for um I know uh Commissioner Alexander asked, well, it was two months ago now about the impacts um the road construction had with the final numbers on the summer programs.

How off is that from uh I'd say from last year, considering we still only had one pool last year.

Yeah, we're we're still reviewing the financials exactly to just determine just how far off it was.

But the last we looked at it was about 120,000 in revenue lower um than previous.

There was quite a bit of construction, and when the uh D tour flipped, it became even more problematic.

And so, you know, we we're definitely understanding that there was definitely some some pushback.

Yeah, all right.

And then I have a couple comments on the aquatic center from the city council meeting.

I'll I'll talk about in my comments, but does the the final construction drawing was that does that have kind of the double plan on the two different parking spots uh allocations that were discussed, and then when would city council review and decide on the final move forward on that?

So the the plans did include the ad alternate for the reduced parking.

Um, and then once we get um permitting, we'll get a better idea of the schedule that coming back before council, but it'll it'll probably come back in, I'm guessing, probably early November.

It really depends on the feedback that we get.

Great, thank you.

I thought I thought one question about the aquatic park.

Would that be any disruptions to the open park in terms of pedestrians using it while it's being constructed?

Or that hasn't been determined yet?

Um for the construction of the aquatic center, there should not be an impact to the cross Alameda Trail.

The contractors will have to do what they can to minimize any potential impact that could happen.

I'm not saying that there won't be any, but because we abut the um Alameda Trail.

So there may be some impacts, but we'll well notify public if there's any, and we'll do everything we can to minimize partial trail closures during that.

Great.

Thank you both for your questions about the aquatic center.

I have just uh a request for um status or updates on three other capital projects.

Uh the skate park, uh DePaved Park, um, and the wave pool, whether there had been any change in uh status on any three of those.

So the skate park we just received, I think it was like 65% construction drawings.

So once we get those reviewed, we'll have a better idea of um the feedback on the changes that we need to make, and then hopefully over the next two or three months we'll be able to get that to a construction document level so we can try to get cost estimation and and get some bids for that one.

Um deep, uh, we're still looking at grant opportunities to try to fund that, and so you know, as we continue to um work that process and uh do that, we'll be able to bring more updates about that.

And then um, what was the last one?

Sorry.

The way the wave pool.

Um the wave pool.

I think there's been ongoing conversations internally um with other departments and legal to determine what next steps need to be.

So there's not been a lot of development in that.

So um, but we'll have more, we'll have another update for you at the next month's meeting.

Great.

Thanks very much.

No further questions.

Okay, great.

Our next item tonight is commissioner communications.

Uh, Commissioner Bernie, would you like to start us off?

Yes, I just have one communication, and this is for the public to please read the signs before you enter the tennis courts.

I was actually going, I was actually, well, not going, I was at Washington Park to do a practice session for tennis, and in the practice area, I actually saw a family.

I can't say it was a picnic, but they had chairs and they were setting up and they were using it using one of the courts to have their to allow, I guess, to have their kids play around just with I think motorized bikes or I don't have any kids, so motorized bikes or tricycles or what anyway, and I was able to use the other court, but the family did eventually leave, but those are not what the tenants courts are for.

And we have wonderful parks, we have wonderful access to our parks, and therefore obviously if it was just more than just me there and someone want to come in there, that would be an inconvenience to them, and they wouldn't be able to use the tennis courts for what they were intended to be used for.

Therefore, I would just like to send a reminder to please read the signs, and that is not what the tennis courts are for.

And those actually I think a week or two ago, so just want to send that reminder out there to the general public.

Great, thank you, Commissioner Robbins.

Uh, thank you.

I took the time to go to every single one of our parks since the last meeting.

Um, and uh again to your whole team, just kudos to how well kept everything is uh in all the parks.

Um it's just it just goes to show with with the sorely lacking amount of money this department has how amazing you've been able to do things uh with our park system.

Um and that's it.

Wonderful.

Thank you, Vice Chair Schwartz.

Um, yeah, I know I wasn't able to make the July meeting, but I did review the recording.

Uh just want to share uh couple comments from that.

So um, you know, share the excitement about something as unique as a surf pool coming to Alameda.

Uh, really interested to hear more uh and here get some more public feedback on that.

Um the only other point I would like to add is um there was some strong interest when we were designing the city Aquatic center on a splash pad.

I know that was well outside of the realm of the scope of that project, um, but this seems like potentially an opportunity um to maybe add that um as part of the overall park development.

So just wanted to throw that out there because I know there was uh quite a lot of interest um in a splash pad.

I think we're starting to see a lot more of those uh around the United States.

Um I did also attend the city council meeting a couple uh months ago on approving the final design and budget uh for the aquatic center.

Um I was um I didn't plan, I didn't attend the planning board's so meeting.

So I was um pretty shocked at um the majority of the discussion being around parking, um, especially while we were asking for more money.

Um so uh I did just want to, you know, I do share staff's concern um about decreasing parking, um, can definitely cause some frustration for surrounding neighbors, nearby businesses, um, and especially those patrons who aren't, um, you know, with an ease with an easy walking bicep biking or transit.

Um, we have to remember, you know, we have Bay Farm Island that's not too close to Gene Sweeney for those that live out there.

Um, so definitely would would love to see you know push staffed if we can have any creative solutions to to address some of city council's concerns like can we do some other type of pavement that's more eco-friendly?

Uh obviously there might be additional costs to that, but that's a balance, you know, that that I think council would should look at.

You know, I definitely think we we can still find a solution that's not going to cause frustration for patrons and neighbors while um also meeting our goal of being more green and sustainable.

So I just want to put that challenge out there to staff because I I do share the same concern with um if there is a lack of parking.

Um lastly I did see the survey on the Lidecker playground.

Uh so just wanted to give props to uh very three very different, very unique designs.

Um so we're really interested to see um what the community's input is there, um, but did really like how um kind of diverse the options were um and thought that was a great bounce.

Thanks.

Great, thank you.

I'll add my congratulations to the staff for a successful summer um and then reflect back uh that we were had a very uh ARPD summer in my own family, which was great.

Uh high marks uh given to the uh to the pickleball camp, an entire afternoon of pickleball was well received and sent uh sent our home son or sent our son home tired each night, which was great.

Uh the second high marks to the teen uh tween adventure camp, both in terms of the off-site uh field trips, which were um exciting and age appropriate.

I think uh I think our son found them really uh really engaging, um, as well as the ability for the first time to experience the underground teen center.

Um so a great introduction to that that kind of on-ramp to uh uh to that facility.

Uh and then lastly, just uh a fun anecdote uh to share about how all this can tie together.

Um so my son went to the uh ultimate frisbee camp uh this summer, which I understand was the first time that had been offered.

Uh proceeded to then continue on to go out to the middle school uh ultimate frisbee uh program that's offered here in Alameda to discover um that several of the kids who went to that Ultimate Frisbee camp and who had discovered the sport through that camp are now continue on to play with that team.

So really neat to see that follow-through in the same sense of Commissioner Robbins observing about steam programs leading into schools.

Fun to see that uh on the athletic side of things as well.

Um so thanks and congratulations for a great summer.

Moving forward, the next item on our agenda is our opportunity to approve the minutes from our July 10th, 2025 meeting.

Uh, do we have a motion to approve those minutes, please?

I'll motion.

Wonderful, and a roll call vote, please.

Yes.

Approved.

Approved.

Approved.

Thank you.

The motion has been approved.

The next item on our agenda is our regular agenda item 6A, which is to receive a community recreation and special interest classes update.

We'll have a report and presentation, then the commissioners can ask clarifying questions along with an opportunity for public comment.

Following commissioner discussion, um, we'll uh have the final opportunity to offer comment.

There's no motion to make on this item tonight.

Welcome.

I think it's can you hear me?

Yes, yes.

Thank you so much for this opportunity.

My name is Darren Iberg.

I'm recreational assistant for ARPD, and I took over two programs in fall uh two thousand four, uh, community recreation and special interest classes.

Sorry, I'm using this first time uh this equipment.

Oh, okay, thank you.

Okay, so let's start with community recreation.

What this program brings to us.

It's accessible for all ages, it's engaging and enriching, it promotes healthy lifestyle and choices, and provides community outreach.

I choose a specific picture that you could see how different age in uh participants, one is two years old, another one is a senior citizens, and they all can find something to do in this property.

So community recreation consists of a few parts.

One of them is crafts and games, uh, as many people could experience starting from February 2025.

Uh we started to do educational crafts in different parks and then bring awareness about different environmental aspects, and also having fun with community and helping them to uh put together some crafts and then learn um how to use their different materials and fine motor skills for little ones for school uh children that would be more like education for different um subjects of nature.

Uh the other part is outdoor classes.

Uh, we started to do in the fall 2020 24, uh, when we do, for example, Zumba class or yoga class uh opened for everyone and it's free.

So you can come to the park at specific time when we are known and then uh participate in the class with a professional teacher.

Uh we have a special program uh partnership with housing authority for youth and seniors.

Uh, when we come to the sites, uh, for example, you site as Esperanza Housing, and senior programs have a couple sites, and now we expend into two more, so it'll be total four from this fall.

Um, and we bring awareness about recreation, plus uh some for use.

We bring like a sport programs, uh, different games uh to containment and uh take care of them uh without parents and taking them to the park, for example, Woodstock Park, um, for one hour twice a month.

And use outreach, we usually do like once a month, and then we rotate different facilities.

Um another program, which is kind of combination of crafts and games program, but it was brought uh from past time uh parks and playgrounds.

Uh during summer, it was there are four sites, and we also did crafts and games, uh, but it was more hours and then simultaneously in a few parks.

In future, it will be incorporated with crafts and games, and it'll be just one uh program through the whole year.

And I would like to show you some pictures about community recreation.

And the first picture you can see how we do games and sports.

Another picture we do in educational craft.

They're a bird feeder, for example.

Our staff are helping um younger children and teaching adults uh if they need any specific help or have some questions.

Uh there is a yoga class and another picture uh when uh people participate uh in the Washington Park.

Uh and the last one is also in as educational craft when we learn about uh plants in our uh environment, and then we put we give them seats, uh dirt, and uh biodegradable containers when they can take home and like explain their families or friends, and then um put some more uh plants in um in our environment.

The other program is a special interest classes, and it brings us a variety of choices, fostering creativity and new experiences, promote socialization and enjoyment.

And you see the Lego um class in the picture of the employee.

Um this one, uh, what what kind of parts we have for special interest classes?

Uh it's different creative arts programs.

For example, we do drawing, modeling, uh filmmaking, music, enrichment and sports.

It's like a drama, performing camps, uh sports camps, uh we do soccer games and cheerleaders this summer, for example, um, dance and fitness, it's a like salsa dance, ballet dance, uh, kid fitness dance as well.

Speciality programs that we mean when we do we call them after school and homeschool.

Homeschool, it's the morning programs, mostly oriented for people who are homeschooling and they have time in the morning.

And after school, it's any program which can be taken by children when they finish school programs.

And where we do like all different kinds of arts, science, programming, some of their maths as well.

And one more we put it separately.

It's called STEAM Science Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics.

This is mostly for like a primary school when kids can learn about all these together in different pieces.

And also, if they are more interested in some specific topic, they can go to another class which has more, let's say programming class, for example, or engineering class, or maybe move to like art class programs.

And you can see on the picture, it's like a slime, which can be used for many different science or even arts, and the drink is also slime.

And then we would like to show you like different pictures.

So you probably can identify some of the classes which I mentioned.

There's cheerleading class, the second picture, it's a NASA program when they learn about science and different planets and what they consist of.

Another one is a filmmaking, when they do small episodes of films and learn how to do like producer's uh part.

Um this is a slide next one is a slime one.

Uh slime again could be art and could be some different science.

Uh, you can see acting class, you can see drawing class, performing class, also have a boat sailing class, and our art class on the last one.

Um, more pictures, then we want to show you how it works in the combinations.

For example, um, I specifically put like engineering for kids that you could see what kind of program they have.

Um the first picture, it's the engineering for kids camp, and you see they learn about the different parts of the rocket, and it could include some physics.

It could also include some art.

You can see the boy with a rocket, and then he's very happy and he just built it.

Um, and then they do experiments, see how it flies, which is like the most fun part of the uh experiment, and they learn about um what's what happens if you put different pressure PCI, or if you change trajectory, you can move their uh equipment a little bit.

And sometimes they do like even like labs or competitions who can like send their rockets further, um, and that was one of the most successful camps.

Uh, we did some different modeling.

You can see uh in the second picture how they like move objects and do different shapes.

There's a cooking class over there, uh chess class on the bottom, um, and they get some rewards when they finish the program, and more of acting classes and their science line classes.

I would like to uh draw specific attention for steam and cooking because what we do in-house are RPD direct programs.

Uh we have our, for example, cooking this two pictures where you can see that they learn not just like us to see how someone else cooking, but they take our active parts.

They uh do starting from measuring and where they can also, for example, learn what's the fractions because when we tell them how much to put it, not always one, two, three.

Uh, they also can learn about the temperature, but at the same time, uh, they do like they have some fun, maybe create recipes, and then make friendship, uh, socialization and engagement.

And then other two pictures, you can see Steam classes.

One of them is this different creativity, making some different um arts from cardboards and lava lamps.

That was one of the most popular experiments when they learn some science and then take a very fun object home to show their parents.

Um, so just a little bit statistics.

Uh, so fall 2024, uh we have a full semester starting September to December.

We start 348 children.

Uh, next semester ARPD has winter and spring, it's in one semester, January through May.

We start 846 children, and it's again like two semesters, winter and spring in one.

And summer is the biggest time, it's only eight weeks program, and we uh change camps like every week, and it was total uh 1,713 children.

Um, so we're always looking for some improvement and ways ahead and what we can do more.

Um we had some different feedbacks for different mediums, and we decided we would like to increase offering of the classes depend on community needs and see which classes they like most, but maybe there is some gaps that we uh don't have, and if we can we will try to put together.

Um second, it's about community recreation program.

There we have a different parks programs, but we have mostly yoga in Zumbar, and then like a little bit of other programs.

So we'd like to spend more and maybe offer different classes in the park for community, it's an open area in the park outside.

Um, uh parks itself, so we mostly use the main parks in the beginning because it's only started uh this winter, 2025.

Uh, with more like Lincoln Park, Swinnie Park, and we kind of a little bit switch with uh rotation with other parks.

Uh starting from fall, we're gonna involve Bayfarm more and some like uh Thursday or less known parks to reach other parts of the communities.

Again, it's a free program.

Uh the website, uh again, because of the summer we had many people, many children, parents uh and adults as well.

We had some uh feedback that is maybe like a search mechanism would need like small improvements, and we're slowly working on this like step by step.

Uh they also would like to see more pictures and then know what more of what is in this class, what's consist of or so just like improve some small navigation system and information, and we would like to bring uh more awareness and like what we do to uh different uh groups of people and their uh community because uh I also received some feedback that oh, I have never heard about this class, I have never heard about this camp.

And even we send the magazine our activity guide to every family.

Um, probably during like um time before the program actually starts, they might not uh maybe just uh not everyone has it again, and even we have it in office and libraries.

Uh people still not always uh know about this well, so if we uh try to spread more information about different channels and um we like happy for any help and outreach.

Um another one it's not um last but not least, it's a national kids to park day that we started to do uh this May, May 17, 2025.

It's celebrated on the third week of May on different cities, Alameda joint from this year.

Um we are thank you for the partnership, their uh family uh family services, uh friends of the parks and Alameda Free Library, also Rhythmics.

Um they had their buses there and spread information and uh uh library were given books and different materials.

Uh we had classes that which we usually have in the parks.

You can see martial art class, you see uh there was a fitness class, uh yoga class, Zumba class was had skateboarding demonstration, uh Steam demonstration.

We made some experiments and bouncy balls, uh, with sport uh programs we could show some different games and play with public and do different crafts.

So it was very successful, uh and we will do it another year.

Uh please follow up as on the mass media.

We don't know exactly, but it will be someday in May, and location we still uh decided.

And the last thing, so we'd like to show you like a variety of our people and our programs, so like we're all inclusive, uh, we have special needs people participating, and uh it's actually one of our parks uh programs.

Uh we we like that's all our faces air pd is for everyone, for teachers, for kids, for adults.

Um, have any questions about some pictures?

I can I will be happy to answer.

There's a programming, there's writing, there's uh skateboarding, obviously, and um more pictures about slime, drawing and science.

Thank you so much for this opportunity and for uh your attention.

I'm happy to answer any questions.

Thank you.

Commissioners, questions?

I have uh I guess a very novice question with a son still in you know uh preschool who's still year-round all day, not a lot of holidays.

So are these programs are they like are they full day programs or are these more like an hour on Saturdays type thing?

Um during the summer we have camps which starts like 8 30 till 5 30 p.m.

Uh for the preschoolers, we usually have three hours because they're uh like full day is very difficult for them.

Uh but if they f uh six years old, they can participate in full day program.

Uh we also have non-school days in camp during semester.

Uh but most of them during semester classes when we have uh one hour, two hours or uh an hour and a half class, and it could be one time a week, two times a week, uh, some of them weekdays and some of them Saturdays.

Great.

Uh last question.

How uh and I'm glad you brought up the ages because I've been looking through uh the ARPD guide um with upcoming like Columbus Day and you know, we're gonna be around for spring break.

How flexible are you on the ages as someone with a July son birthday?

So he's actually five all of kindergarten.

Is it kind of like flexible just based on really their grade?

Or is it like he's gotta be six?

If it's a six to if it's the full day.

Uh it's really dependent on the program and the teacher.

Uh some programs are um like morning programs home school, they're actually by level, not by age, and they're very flexible.

Our Steam program from six years old, only because we have three to five means shorter program, uh, we make exceptions, but we're trying to stick with their main age.

And then other camps and other science programs are they some of them open from five years old, some of them open from six years old.

Um, but again, like if if we have one case scenario, we can always try to help and accommodate if it's possible, and if it's good fit for your child, uh, we can we can do that.

Perfect.

Uh no other questions, but overall, um, thank you.

I love all the you know creative uh classes you've you've come up with and interested to see what other creative things you come up with as well.

So thanks for all your hard work.

Thank you.

Um have you done any outreach to the school system?

And because I think just by advertising, you you said some people don't know about it.

I I would imagine in the grade schools, being able to even create flyers that the kids can take home with to their families would be an maybe a great way to um this is the word out there.

Um for some of the programs that like there's some of them we um have already, some of them very new for this semester, and uh we trying to uh outreach as much as possible.

So all help are greatly appreciated.

Um some of our my people brought some information to Lemida High School and St.

George's College, uh, but we would like to, I mean, because we have different age, some of them are use age, some of them like teen age up to 17 or 18.

Uh so we we really need more uh help to uh bring thewareness about our programs to everywhere possible, and then we have I'm very happy to work with schools and thank you so much for this opportunity.

Yeah, I just want to chime in, Commissioner Robbins.

Um we work with the school district as we can.

Yeah, um, there's a lot of uh uh regulation around what we can provide to the schools to send out.

We control what can go out.

So we make recommendations when we can, um, but it's it's by the specific school principal, but also by AUSD, uh about what can be sent out with the kids.

So what we do is with all the kids that are in our programs, we always provide extra information, which is why we also have our ARPD tent at every single event in the city so that we can try to get the information out.

Um we're willing to supply our uh guidebooks to the school districts and schools so that they can hand them out as needed, but um we work with the school district as we can.

I'll I'll talk with you offline about this.

Okay, thanks.

I have a question.

Oh, I think I have I think I have two questions.

But the first question is how widespread is this across the island?

Is this just concentrated in certain parks or does it rotate to parks all over the island?

I'm just I'm just curious as to is really just the amount of access if it's at Washington Park, for example, then it doesn't really help people or more might be more of an inconvenience to people at Bay at Bay Farm, or if it's uh other parks across the island?

If it's the community recreation, if you mean like parks, uh when we have a class in a park like Zumbo Yogo Park.

Uh we try to do like a main park like Sweeney or Linkincoln but we now it I mean we did rotation and now we add more rotation.

So let's say we're gonna do like Tillman Park or Lake Decker Park, or uh um Godfrey Park uh Longfellow a little John and as much as possible starting from uh this semester we circle we did uh Washington we did uh so we're trying to uh diversify to different parks to make sure we can bring to all uh different parts of the island and all communities uh that's when we and when we do arts and crafts program that's the same things like we do it twice a month and we try to do like the main park where many kids are coming so we make sure we serve the kids and all ages so if if they're adults or teens would like to do our crafts and play games we're very happy uh and we are trying to different parks which we did not like um maybe did before and it's not the mainstream parks um and if you mean like classes uh we have a few places where we do it veterans building clight daycare during the summer we use all club in Lincoln so we kind of spread wide um and uh in the like Saturday classes we also start with starting from this uh Saturday do chillman as well uh so as much as the program growing uh we can do some morning classes in different places are and Saturday classes uh but we also have after school program wrap which is uh in seven community centers specific time um so most of the times that um we we can bring uh in different facilities which is connected to that but not always the same okay and then my second question is you mentioned that you're going to be increasing the class offerings if it's possible we're trying to see if there is a demand or we try to bring the variety uh mostly based on what people ask us during the summer um and also like um for example like which we know the needs of uh some communities like homeschool communities are um yeah so we we looking for different options whatever is possible okay so so my question is does that work in the reverse or you do you this isn't a negative it's just that you're you're I'm assuming that if a class you realize is not not in demand yes that you'll make a decision to remove that class.

Yeah like if if some classes doesn't have a minimum so we have unfortunately canceled class for let's say like if it's less than five people it's like we cannot uh start the class even if that people really want it uh and uh in some areas when we can see like there is not maybe enough interest uh we try and either uh make some changes or like adapt or maybe not even like continue some directions because maybe there is something else and there are people prefer like a different different program um yeah so it's it's really I mean we didn't have to cancel many classes because of our uh the some other program mostly um because right now people keep coming and saying like oh we just learned about it can we switch the day or time or location and um yeah we cannot switch for this semester but we're we're trying to learn more uh where what class is needed like sometimes at some location a different class is needed so we might just switch them and let's start working and I'll have a third question what is the medium or way what is the medium or way for people to suggest their ideas of what type of classes that they will actually like to participate in or actually want that might not be currently available to them.

I mean the the easiest way at you know we have like RPD magazine with all of our email contacts and it's also an ARPD website we're very happy if you don't know to whom you would like to email let's say you don't know Joey's Stacy Christina or me please email airpd main uh email address like a front desk and they always forward it to us.

So we're very happy if someone contact us and suggest something and actually that things happen we implement it in some ways.

During the summer we did surveys after each class and after each camp and then there was a specifically I put the line like did you like this crafts?

Did you like this subject?

Would you like to see more of this or would you like to see different one and some people actually took time and explain uh some people skip the question.

So that was another one we also send the mail blast with uh my email if uh people go to the bottom they can see my email address and I'm very happy to facilitate if there will be some information out about the classes I'm covering I will give it to my colleagues and then um mention it to um Justin as well and see what we can do.

That's the main ways and uh we also open uh Monday to Friday 8 30 a.m till 5 30 p.m.

uh and everyone welcome to come um and then the front desk very nice and helpful people will always like either take information on bring it to the person who will would like to talk to you and then we're welcome uh please please give us information we really would like it that's that's our purpose to be serving the community and then I know there will there's been discussions about working with or working with schools is what about working with the local businesses especially as it relates to STEM because STEM and Clash theme in terms of there might that option or idea because I'm assuming especially some of the older kids might be thinking about pursuing that as an actual career and therefore the opportunity to actually talk to some professionals who are actually in that area.

I mean like they want some teens to come and help us with the just someone to do this program.

Because we open for both opportunities like if someone 16 plus would like to uh come and help us with something we uh technically it's um like there are different hiring opportunities if not now then summer for sure uh we also have a proposals are with businesses can send us about different classes uh and uh they like some of their main new vendors were coming recently knowing that okay you do this class but I'm also doing it so they again like the best way to send their uh the main airpd address uh if you don't know exactly to whom to address it and we will respond we always respond uh within a couple days we usually respond only mails or if not the same day so we will contact the person and get more information explain how we work and if that fits their fits us we're gonna put a possible proposal for like uh next semester and they can maybe become working with our PD as well.

Okay.

Terrific thank you.

Is there any public comment on this item?

Thank you.

Further comment from the commissioners feedback?

Okay in that case thanks very much for your presentation.

Thank you so much again for this opportunity.

Moving forward the next item on our agenda is regular agenda item 6B which is to receive an update or rather to review and provide feedback on a city of Alameda LGBTQ action plan will follow the same format as the previous item.

Welcome thank you.

Good evening I'm Amy Woldridge, Assistant City Manager.

It's what wonderful to be here before you.

What impact can we have locally and really focusing on on what we're doing and what we can do here in Alameda.

So I met with our city's executive team which is the department heads of all um of all of our departments and we created this list of what existing city partnerships programs services and actions we're currently doing as well as started brainstorming opportunities.

We did update it so what you have printed in front of you and what was uploaded today um to the website is the most recent version that incorporates all the comments from both shrub and from the library board.

I also organized it just a little bit differently on the opportunities which we'll get to in a second.

So I'm not gonna go through all of these um since you have it before you and for the public it is in the packet online.

But just to highlight in terms of currently what the city does, in terms of some buckets um ARPD itself uh works closely with um Alameda Pride, which is a local nonprofit um and ARPD supports both pride in the park in Octo, which this year is October 11th, as well as um QTAC, which is the Queer teen alameda center um they uh started this last school year meeting once a month, Fridays at the veterans Building, which is offered at no cost by ARPD.

And they shifted to weekly in the summers and now are continuing this school year weekly.

And then they do once a quarter bigger events.

So Queer Prom is a huge success.

There were over 80 teens there, which was amazing.

They're doing a Halloween event.

So ARPD is a critical component.

Really, it couldn't happen without them.

And you know, certainly LGBTQ communities are acknowledged in our Sanctuary City.

We are citywide in a number of policies and in our city charter and our bargaining units with all of our staff.

We're upgrading to updating to gender-neutral language.

The Alamie Free Library does a lot of programming for Pride Month, as well as outside of Pride Month.

They recently had a really successful trans mini film fest that a lot of people came to, and they have a uh specific LGBTQ focused books in their collections.

Um, and the other one I think is is good to point lift up is um our economic development campaign.

Uh I am Alameda, you've probably seen it on social media.

Um so for Pride Month, they they specifically focus on LGBTQ businesses, just like for Black History Month, they focus on Black owned businesses, and so they try and lift up different communities.

Um if we keep scrolling down, and APD, I also want a police department lift up that they track hate crimes so we can have better data, and they also do procedural justice and sensitivity training with all of their officers.

Um moving on, I want to highlight some opportunities.

Um, if you can keep scrolling a little bit, thank you.

Um, so the way this is organized now is some opportunities which really require, in our opinion, minimal staff and funding.

Um so they're the lower hanging fruit, right?

They're easier for us to to um achieve.

Um, some things are like currently the city already does a proclamation for Pride Month, but we could add in March doing a proclamation or in some other way celebrating the International Transgender Day of Visibility.

Um we can do more education about LGBTQ resources on the website in particular.

We do at the city manager's office get receive emails and calls of people who are concerned or in this current administration, both transgender as well as immigrant communities of hey, what is the city doing to support us?

And one thing we can do is pull together resources and make those available and really put those out for people.

Um we also want to explore more ways we can collaborate with the school district.

Um they're all residents too, right?

And we need to be working closely together.

The school district has an LGBTQ round table as well as an LGBTQ coordinator.

Um so we want to find ways we can intersect and collaborate better with them.

Um, some other opportunities you see here are um someone lifted up at the library board last night.

Um, if you notice for all the heritage months at the ARPD office and Mastic and the City Hall, we have the banners that go up, the different heritage months, and they have images of famous people on them, and someone said, Well, maybe we should be lifting up stories of Alameda people and finding ways to do that, and what people are doing here.

Um you probably know we have gender-neutral restrooms at the aquatic center.

There's um the two locker male and female locker rooms, but also two gender neutral and family uh restrooms with also showers.

Um, and one thing that's been talked about at um all of these conversations I'm had I've had is the importance of gender-neutral restrooms and how it serves actually quite a few people, like families.

If I'm a uh a mom with a young son, my son's now 16, but when he was little, you know, it's easier to bring him in to a family restroom or a gender neutral restroom than it is necessarily to a women's restroom.

Um so there's there's benefits to some of these things for the broader community.

Um one thing that was also brought up at the library board last night was ensure that we have anti-bullying policies for all of our community-facing programs, whether it's ARPD or library, um, and then also ensure that we're doing sensitivity training for the LGBTQ communities, um, again for uh community-facing programs.

Um so those are limited staff and funding requirement required opportunities.

Um that has the most significant cost is um important, but is a high ticket cost is the gender-neutral restrooms, and we're looking at that wherever there's the opportunity, um and uh but we don't have the dollars right now to just start renovating every single restaurant.

We would love to at the library, um, but it'd be a it will be a big project.

Um and then the last three came up at the library board last night, um, and we just don't quite know the resources required yet.

But one is if an opportunity comes up to potentially join lawsuits, um another is develop some sort of consortium with immigrant communities and other atverse communities, so there's power and number, right?

Um, and lastly, develop a support uh develop a and support a network of people to actively advocate.

So the concept was if um someone who is transgender um needs to figure out certain documents or go to court or something, have a have a network of people here in Alameda that are willing to go with them or to support them in some way.

Um so that's what we have so far, and then I'm happy to answer any questions and would love to hear your ideas, your reactions to any of this anything that's on here and any additional ideas you may have.

Wonderful.

Thank you.

Commissioner's questions.

I okay.

Um, just increased uh inclusivity of bereavement leave for city, huge.

I'm I'm so happy that we're working towards that um for for individuals.

The trans um minifest I wasn't able to attend, but I have two individuals from my school that went and they were just so happy to be able to feel that freedom to be who who they are as individuals.

Um the um city council adopted legislation for the agenda uh for the specific legislation focused around support of human rights.

I was very happy to hear about that.

Yeah, that made me feel good.

I was really bummed that we were not able to become a sanctuary city, and I think that at least they are um giving individuals the rights that they should, even though I think they should have done that.

I thought that was really wrong of them.

Um the communication on city platforms is huge.

I think that needs to be really pushed because there isn't a lot of um stuff for uh LGBTQ plus uh transgender people.

Uh it's not easy to find.

I think the search engine, it could go with what she was talking about with the um the activities and the website.

I think the search engine itself just in general needs to be worked on uh as a whole.

I've even had problems with it.

Um definitely add domestic partner registry.

I think that's that's huge.

Uh include resources for LGBTQ individuals and families uh on the website again that goes with what I was just talking about and the search engine uh needs to be improved.

Um really explore collaborative opportunities with Elamina Unified School District.

I haven't done it, I think a good enough job of being kind of a liaison, so I'd like to work with you on this because yeah, we have the LGBTQ coordinator, but they are stifled by the school district.

The school district um kaboshes a lot of things, and uh we need to have an advocate and I'm a tenured teacher, so they can't do anything to me, and I will yell and fight as much as needed to try and get them to finally open up a little bit more and communicate and and work with the park district.

And I'm on my limited term here as well, so I I'm up for raising hell if we need to raise hell uh with with the school district.

Um the other thing um the encourage including pronouns and signatures, I think that's huge because it's just common in the world nowadays.

And lastly, um the consortium for the immigrant communities and other risk communities.

That's that's so important in today's world.

And just because Trump's there and if he leaves, we've got a lot of other individuals that have really um I think horrific policies towards that.

So this is something that's gonna stay with us for the the rest of our lives, and we're gonna have to work against it.

So I think that's a huge thing that we need to do to protect individuals.

Uh and the gender neutral bathrooms, I the big community nobody ever talks about is women.

Every theater production I go to, every um concert at any venue, the women's line is super long, and the men are just walking in and out, and I'm just constantly saying to the woman, just go into our bathrooms.

You know, it's stupid.

So I think the women should be we should be looking at that uh closely because uh it just makes sense to have gender neutral bathrooms.

It has nothing to do with um LGBTQ stuff, it's just general common sense that we go to general neutral bathrooms.

So those were my comments.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And can I may I add a couple of comments?

Um I agree on the gender neutral, it's actually state law now too.

So as we're required to update wherever we're um physically able to.

Um, and uh that's actually why at the gym we very intentionally, even before that law was in place, put in gender neutral restrooms because the flow of it um goes much faster with the high volume people that are at the gym.

Um I did want to point out in terms of the sanctuary city, because I forgot to mention it, LGBTQ is mentioned in our existing sanctuary city policy.

Um we just don't have a separate LGBTQ sanctuary city policy that was originally requested.

So I just want to clarify that.

Wonderful, thank you.

Other clarifying questions?

I don't have uh I have one, maybe a few.

What's the next step what once this goes to council?

Is it just reviewed?

Is there a timeline to when this will be implemented?

I guess I guess my concern is there's an action plan, but given my experience, actually working for well I worked for the federal government, that it can take a long time, and something like this shouldn't be at least some at least not everything in its plan should take years to implement.

So I was just wondering that it's is the next step that this goes to council and now discuss what they can, or is it just it just goes there and just sits.

So the inde the intention is definitely to do something about this, not for it to just sit.

Um so it'll go to council on Tuesday.

They'll provide their input and direction to council on on what they want us to prioritize.

Um that's why I I broke it down into what the resource level is required, and and I was excited to see that most of it was under that bucket of minimal resources required.

So what I would then do after given direction with uh to by council is to start working with our different departments um on how to implement these.

Um because many of these are don't take a huge amount of effort, it just takes someone in the city manager's office to shepherd it to to make it happen.

So some things will take longer, like collaborative opportunities, anything like that is always gonna take a little more effort to develop.

You know, we have relationships, for example, with AOC, but just talking to them and figuring out where we can intersect something that like that will take a little bit longer.

But in that case, you know, we meet with uh we just had it this week.

We have a uh Alamania Fied School District City subcommittee that meets every quarter or so with two of their board members and two council members, and so it's a great place where we can start to lift up ideas like this and talk about it directly with council and board members of how how do we want to what do we want this collaboration to look like?

So, um, you know, I would say our intent is to to start moving some of these forward within the next six months easily.

So for any, uh, I would assume, especially, you know, you mentioned the um have to having to have gender new bathrooms.

So any new parks, so DPAV, estuary, are they all got they're all I'm assuming similar bathroom setups to how bull immigrant circle is, or they're all individual stalls.

Yeah, if you look at all of our new parks like whale, seaplane lagoon, the the when we do renovations like at the gym, they're all the general neutral and like you'll see at uh DePave and Estuary, there'll be six gender neutrals there, so yeah, everything will follow that procedure now.

Perfect, great.

And I agree with a four-year-old son, it's uh much easier when you have Bob taking him to the bathroom uh to have that option.

So uh meets multiple purposes beyond just uh the LBG TQ community.

So thanks.

I just have a comment and uh specific related question.

Uh the comment is in in hearing what you were describing.

What I was struggling to visualize as you shared was just how far out the frontier is that this that these policies and procedures can be can be pushed beyond the beyond the the government functions.

Um my specific question related to that is to what extent can these policies be uh applied to uh organizations that do business with the city or uh in this specific case people who perhaps rent a facility from the city.

Um how how far is that that kind of point of leverage that um can be effectuated?

Um it's really interesting.

Um I'll certainly add to that to the list.

I think that's something that we need to analyze.

There's a lot of companies and businesses consultants that that enter into agreements with the city, and certainly we can put requirements on that within reason.

In terms of renters, we'd have to look at that.

I'm not sure what policies we'd apply to renters, so we'd have to kind of brainstorm that and what would or wouldn't apply.

Um yeah, so I think it's certainly something I'm happy to add on here in terms of analyzing, like what policies and and what of these actions may apply to those groups.

Yeah, wonderful.

Great.

Uh, do we have public comment on this item?

No.

Uh further comments from the commissioners.

I mean, I'll add on uh Commissioner ADs.

I think that's a great um point, you know, as a board member for I'll meet aquatic masters.

I think you know, if we get programs that are renting pool space, uh field space, you know, maybe having agreements on, you know, especially around like some of the anti-bullying policies, some of the um exclusivity policies.

I think that a great point to how far reaching can that go.

Um, especially from a parks department, you know, um organizations that are that are renting space.

Uh is there a way to, you know, great.

Well, part of renting space from us is signing this agreement to, you know, abide by these policies, um, is uh seems like a great way to try to extend that out.

Other comments?

Can I just add one comment?

I just also want to point out that um the city leadership has also represented of quite a few gay and lesbian people who are helping lead the city, and so we should acknowledge that the city itself and its executive team does have a good comp from Lent of gay and lesbian people on it.

So it's helpful as well.

Yep, definitely in in on the on our executive team and and throughout our organization, and so we we work hard to ensure folks feel comfortable and welcomed here across all communities.

My last um my last related um suggestion or comment, um, another uh another community that that is uh I think um uh potential to be reached uh are all the different uh from a leadership standpoint, all the different volunteer uh leaders that um either are parts of these organizations, uh coaches, um, just volunteer leaders within organizations that work with the department.

Um there's probably a great training opportunity there as well.

Great.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Okay.

Moving forward.

The next item on our agenda is regular agenda item six C, which is to receive an update on physical public art in Washington Park.

Uh this item will follow the same format as the previous two.

Welcome.

Hello, good evening, everyone.

My name is Jackie Kalii Ah.

I am a development manager for base for use and economic development, and I also manage the city's public art program, and I am secretary to the public art commission.

So our public art commission has selected Washington Park as the location for our next public art grant.

And I'm here this evening to give you all an update about the status of the project.

And before I begin, I'd like to share some background about how Washington Park was selected.

Alright, so in uh 2023, this city released a public art master plan and it recommended prioritizing sites for public art across the island.

And we're very fortunate to have a public art fellow, Jack Denham Conroy, who's been with us for the past two years, and he conducted a year-long research study on future locations for public art.

Part of his research was to develop five criteria to rank the suitability of the sites.

So looking at the geographic equity, where is art already located?

Are there pieces of the island where art is missing?

The visibility, the safety, environmental suitability, accessibility for members of all abilities in the city, as well as community input.

So several sites were ranked according to these criteria.

And for community input, Jack designed a survey to garner feedback about what the most ideal sites were.

And the survey was taken by over 300 residents and employees here in Alameda.

And the survey findings were input ranked and resulted in three primary locations.

And staff presented these findings at the Wreck and Park Commission back in April of 2024.

So this map here is existing art in Alameda.

So it includes it's basically a score about how close proximity locations are to existing public art.

So there's on-site art.

So our city's public art ordinance requires that any developments $250,000 or more are required to have a 1% fee that can be put into the public art fund, or it can be delivered by the developer, which is considered on-site art.

So there's that's what explains what on-site art is.

And there's also the public art fund, which is when those in Luffy payments are used to develop a grant for an artist that the city would then commission and then create the art with the artist.

There's also the facade grant program, which I also manage, and uh we have funded some murals throughout the city using that fund.

We also had a small grant program that's no longer operating its defunct, but that was in 2020.

And finally, there is also uh privately funded art, which is included in this research study.

Okay, and here are the locations suggested by base for use and economic development staff, members of public works, and the Rick and Park Department as potential sites for future public art in the city.

This was created along with the development of the city's uh public art master plan that was approved in 2023.

Okay, so the final three sites were the main street ferry terminal, Washington Park, and Neptune Park.

And these were the three selections from our public art commission, and staff looked into suitability.

So we spoke to different departments to determine suitability for these sites due to flood inundation at Neptune Park, and as well as the forthcoming reduction in service at the Main Street Terminal.

Um, Washington Park was ultimately selected as the most suitable for the location for the city's next physical art call.

And we also met with Reckon Park staff, and as well as the public art commission to do a walkthrough of Washington Park and to review potential locations within the park.

And two final locations were selected.

Those two locations will be included in the forthcoming RFQ, which will disseminate in mid-November.

And ultimately, one site will be selected, and that'll be based on the proposal that we receive.

Okay, so let's talk about the locations.

Location one is adjacent to the playground, and because it's away from the busy road, this really offers an opportunity for an engaging sort of interactive piece of art, which we think would be really exciting.

Um there's also location two, and that's near the park entrance, actually, very close to the existing sign.

And this presents an opportunity for sort of a gateway piece that could welcome parkgoers.

And these were two sites that our public art commission wanted to have both because they both offer such unique opportunities, and they didn't want to limit the artist with having to only choose one.

So the call will include both.

All right, here's a side view of location one.

I'm sure folks are familiar with this spot and this very tree.

Alright, and here's location uh two.

Again, that's towards the entrance there.

So the artist that submits to this could potentially propose like quite literally a gateway, or they could propose something entirely different.

So we're we're not really it remains to be seen what the artwork will be, but we have um some unique locations to work with.

And then here's a timeline of the RFQ.

So again, we're we're looking to um do the open call in mid-November.

I know it's it's an interesting time because we're leaving it open for eight weeks so that folks have plenty of time to apply, and we cast a wide net.

Um we will be um having the deadline in January.

So it is in the middle of the holidays, but we do we've been eager to get this project off the ground.

So we're gonna hopefully run through um January.

And then we're also committing, um, sorry, creating a review panel, and I'll get into that next.

Um, but the review panel will ultimately uh decide what the who the artist is, and there's gonna be a short list of three artists that we'll select, and they're going to be offered a stipend funded by the public art fund, which will uh allow them to create a maquette, which essentially is a small scale version of the artwork, and our plan is to go to Washington Park on a weekend, bring the maquettes and share it with the people and give them an opportunity to give feedback so that it's not just the review panel making the ultimate decision, but it's also considering feedback from uh the public, and the goal is to have this ribbon cutting and unveil the new artwork in April of 2027.

So a lot of folks are surprised to find that it takes so much time to do a physical piece of art, but there are lots of regulations, lots of engineering questions, and we've already been in contact with Matt and with Pat and looking into the costs of site preparation, uh, which is also included in the budget for the 200,000 dollar grant that we're looking at for um public art, which we've set aside about 50,000 from the fund for uh site preparation.

Okay, so the panel, which is which brings me to the next point, is it's um it's subject matter experts, and we are um going to have two members from the public art commission to participate, one recreation and park commissioner, one lucky commissioner, and um also a member of the Wreck and Park department, a staff member, and then two members from the neighborhood um around Washington Park.

We want to make sure we get the neighborhood perspective.

So the panel is going to screen the applicants and score them based on criteria, and we're also going to create the short list, and um all panelists will be required to submit a conflict of interest form as well.

And um this evening, I would like to ask for a volunteer from the Wreck and Park Commission to participate on our panel.

We only have one spot available, and if you're eager to do it tonight, we can make that selection.

But if you need more time to think about it and chat with me about what the responsibilities are and what goes into that, I'm happy to set up a call and we can have that conversation offline.

But ultimately, we want to make sure that we have guidance and expertise from our Wreck and Park Commissioner, and um there it would be lovely if there is an a dovetail with someone who has an interest in arts and or has a background as an artist that would ultimately be a really good mix.

So that's the end of my presentation.

And um, yeah, let me know if you volunteer and are interested in the panel.

Thank you for being here tonight.

Yeah.

Questions from commissioners.

Um I don't know, I don't think we have any questions.

Um I am very torn on locations one and two.

I know.

Um my son loves to spin the rocks at Jean Sweeney, so I get the interactive artwork.

Um, but I do also find myself driving down central five, six, seven, eight times a week, and so having that piece kind of like at a very busy intersection and visible, like not only from the park but for drivers, um, is also pretty enticing.

Um so no, I'm actually um I'm I'm really excited for kind of the either option.

I think they're both great options.

I love that you're kind of leaving it open-ended to the artists and and allowing that to kind of come into the decision making process, um, because they both kind of have their their plus and minuses there.

So I think that's great.

Thank you.

Uh clarifying questions, Commissioner Robbins.

Um, no clarifying question but comment.

We'll have comment in a moment.

Okay, yeah.

Clarifying questions.

So what happens if the sub- well, what happens if the subject matter experts differ than what the public wants.

We're hoping that they will take into account the feedback from the public.

That's the ultimate goal.

So um, but we have heard of local jurisdictions, neighboring cities that have conducted similar searches, and um they had to restart the process after they got the the maquette.

The public did not support it, and so they started all over again with the open call.

So we're hoping that will not be the case, but we can always pull the ripcord if people are not in favor of it.

And again, I've been I'm part of our um public art administrators network, and it includes a lot of folks from local cities nearby, and I'm I'm in consultation with many of them to sort of discuss what is the process.

We've only done one other call, and that was the rock spinners as well as the uh mosaics, so um it we're learning and um hopefully there will be an agreement between public feedback and panelists feedback.

And so as it relates to the the what the type of individual you're looking for to volunteer, you you would prefer it as someone either is knowledgeable in art or had an interest in art.

I think an interest would be great.

Just someone who's excited about public art and also about parks as well.

Um, but definitely folks who are moved by art or uh enjoy even cultural art.

I know this is physical art, which is another branch of our public art program, but anyone who's been to even one of our great events in the park like Blues Brews and Barbecues, that's also part of our art here in Alameda.

It's expressed differently than say a sculpture, but I think anyone who has any experience or interest in that would be wonderful.

But again, it's not required, but it's just an ideal.

Okay.

Yeah.

Terrific.

Thank you.

I do have a clarifying question, please.

Um I I I'm a little confused.

Um Washington Park has been around forever, it's incredibly well populated.

It doesn't need another art piece.

We have all kinds of other parks that need art pieces.

So my clarifying question is we have a brand new aquatic center going in, and that end of the Gene Sweeney Park has no art associated with it, and we have a gorgeous new aquatic center going in.

Why wasn't that picked as opposed to a park that everybody already goes to anyway and doesn't need a piece of art on it?

It's a very good question, Commissioner Robbins.

And I'd like to share that Pat actually Pat Russi with Parks uh did a presentation about the aquatic park opportunity of the aquatic center opportunity for public art, and uh it was part of our research, and it was presented to the public art commission as an opportunity for um the site and location for future public art in the city, and ultimately it was not selected, and that was a decision uh that came from our public art commission.

And they did mention that they might consider it down the road as a location, maybe in 2027, for example, because we do these semi-annually, they do take a long time.

As you can see, this project can take up up to two years.

Um, but they said it would be nice to revisit that at a later date.

But ultimately those three locations were selected, and just based on suitability, that's where we landed at Washington Park.

But I do hear your concerns, and there are other folks that have contributed that thought about Washington Park already being well um well attended by members of the public.

Um but we did consult with uh Reckon Park Department to select locations that would not interrupt the already ongoing activities.

So that includes all the summer camps, those types of things, which uh we wanted to make sure we're not uh impeding on any of the uh existing activities at the park.

So yes, we did consider the aquatic center, and unfortunately it was not selected.

Thank you.

Is there public comment on this item?

All right.

Commissioner discussion feedback.

Yes, Commissioner Robbins.

Yeah, I was very vocal about this when you guys came to us before.

Um the the whole idea of going to one of our parks that's already seen by everybody when we have so many other parks, like linear park.

Um, yeah, it's not high traffic, but it would bring people to the park.

And we have so many other parks that don't have artwork in it.

And why the city council is throwing money at a park that already makes money, is already busy when we have so many other parks that art would have done wonders to bring people to those parks.

And I was very vocal about this when you did come.

And I I'm just really um displeased with the commission for I think it's like why put more art in a park that everybody sees already when our responsibility is to get people to all of our parks, and these other parks is where we should be spending that money at, not at Washington Park.

So that's my comment.

Thank you.

Others.

Alright.

I'll ask the question.

Is anyone moved by the request to join the selection committee?

I'm not an artist.

Not an artist.

I'm not an artist, but I would uh volunteer to do it.

If no one else has any uh strong desire to.

I think I think part of it is as well that it doesn't need to be an artist, it's just someone that's gonna have the best interest within the park setting as well on how to integrate it and kind of collaborate amongst that, so not required.

Yeah, I'm happy to if uh no one else has a strong desire to.

May I ask uh just a point of order?

Do we need to have a motion to appoint that volunteer or no?

I I don't believe so.

You can just select one and you don't have to make a motion to do so.

Okay, does it require a vote or no?

Does it have to be May tonight?

I was one of the Adrian.

Well that's the other thing.

None of us are interested in here.

Oh, yeah, you may you guys may want to hold an uh email Commissioner Alexander.

I'm I am happy to temporarily raise my hand, but offer it up to Commissioner Alexander as well.

So, terrific.

Thank you for resolving that.

Okay.

Okay, wonderful.

Any other comments?

All right.

In that case, thank you for being here tonight.

Thank you.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you.

Okay, our next item on the agenda is our next meeting on October 9th, 2025.

Uh, do we have any agenda items that anyone would like to put on that schedule?

Director Long.

Um, we'll probably bring um some updates on um uh our team programs and then looking at um, I know I give you guys kind of a little bit of a budget overview and what happened over the summer and over the last fiscal year.

So we'll do a uh small report on that to kind of give you a high-level overview of how our programs um were I mean you can saw some numbers here, but you can kind of get an idea of just our cost recovery and how programs went.

Thank you.

Uh I believe there's I know there's some overall kind of city budget discussions going on.

I think parks and Erexon Park is for November.

Are we is that gonna be is that budget over you something that's kind of kind of overlap, or is there any preview we can get before that council meeting?

Um so I'm I'm trying to see if it'll be available in Oct that time in October, but if it is available, I'll bring you an update.

Okay.

This is about the infrastructure meetings that are being held.

Um, and the the type of need that we're looking for for long term for potential bond act.

So we will uh if it is ready for the October meeting, I'll bring it forward with you.

Yeah, great.

And then uh you know, it doesn't have to be a whole presentation, but um I'm finally seeing a lot of construction equipment over by the old Emmahood.

Uh I think I saw the last um presentation they did about opening the softball field had a summer 2026 open date.

So would if there's any kind of update on how the timeline of what that's looking at, and um, you know, summer summer is a very vague thing, and uh I'm sure you're having to plan two different potential scenarios for next summer.

So we'd like to hear maybe if you guys have thought about um what those different scenarios would look like.

Maybe three.

Maybe there's uh one pool half, one two pools, half, one pool all, two pools all.

Um so just love to hear uh it's maybe just a brief summary on, and maybe October's not the time for that, but just potential on that planning process and what hopefully that project completions looking like.

If you would like a little update now, I can give that too.

We just met with the school district and went over timelines of multiple projects.

Um they're slating for the Emma Hood pool project to be completed in June of 26 if everything goes on schedule.

Um they are planning on the wood uh school opening in June of 26.

They will then be relocating the Otis kids in June of 26 into the temporary school on the former alum site.

The uh track and field at NCNL should be doing a soft opening in December.

And so which would be great.

Um, which will also free up athletic fields for other users for ARPD because we've been taking all of the uh programming into Assuary Park and other parks to help support the schools.

So that should be happening.

The the specific softball field opening, it'll probably be, I would probably say it'll be a few months after the pool opens because they're still dealing with a few other issues.

Um there will be a lot of discussion around the tennis courts coming up just because of their condition and um ongoing activity.

So we may still be hosting the high school teams for a period of time.

Yeah, they look pretty bad right now, so yeah.

Or where the high school which incidental uh Alameda Alameda High is as well.

Oh, yeah, they're not even yeah, usable.

But that was part of the construction processes, they were supposed to resurface those courts.

That was part of the whole contract.

The con well, I will I would it's a better question towards the school district, but they were contracted to build an additional tennis court because they were consuming one of them.

Um they'd not intended to damage the courts, however, the lack of maintenance has caused them to deteriorate very rapidly, and so that's going to be in part of the conversation with the school district about how do they address that and what time frame.

So, other potential October agenda items.

Sorry, this is actually just another question.

How how do you in how do you see how impacted is the is Cruzy going to be, do you feel like by the construction for the the two years uh for Otis Elementary?

Um, the good thing for the park is all the construction will be happening outside of park property.

Uh, the cruzy neighborhood will be impacted probably for 18 months to two years for construction.

Um our biggest concern right now is how we're gonna get our after school kids from the wood site to cruisey.

And so it's too far for kids to walk, so we're gonna have to look at some kind of transportation um provision in order to get the kids there.

I know the school district is also looking at providing a transportation site from the cruisy neighborhood to the wood school.

So that's all in process and being worked out currently.

Right.

Okay, hearing no uh further suggestions for agenda items.

The last item on our agenda is the adjournment.

Uh, can I have a motion to adjourn, please?

I would like to make a motion for adjournment.

And a vote, please.

Commissioner Robins?

Yes.

Commissioner Brighton?

Yes.

Yes.

Yes, thank you.

The meeting's now adjourned.

We'll see everybody in October.

Thanks very much.

Fi.