Belmont Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting - October 2, 2024
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Belmont Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting - October 2, 2024
The Belmont Parks and Recreation Commission held a regular meeting on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at 7:00 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting began with roll call (all commissioners present except Fox and Liefert) and the Pledge of Allegiance. The agenda was amended to move the Belmont Community Learning Center (BCLC) update earlier in the agenda and to strike Item C (Appointment of Commissioners to the Alameda de las Pulgas Improvements Project Stakeholder Group) for further staff review. No public comments were made during the community forum.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the September 4, 2024 draft minutes unanimously (5-0) without discussion.
Discussion Items
Belmont Community Learning Center Update
- Ingrid Oriana, BCLC Director and Recreation Supervisor, presented an update on the preschool program. BCLC is a state-licensed preschool with a capacity of 75 children (ages 2–5) across three classrooms, offering full-day and part-day programs. The curriculum is play-based and staffed by long-tenured teachers (e.g., Teacher Sally with 27 years, Teacher Hazel with 23 years). Enrollment numbers have dipped due to the statewide expansion of Transitional Kindergarten (TK), which by 2025 will make all four-year-olds eligible. BCLC is adapting by increasing two-year-old spots, embedding the new California Preschool/TK Learning Foundations, enrolling as a 4C's provider (since May 2024) to serve low-income families, and offering extended care (5–6 PM) as of October 2024. Approximately 29% of families now use extended care. Commissioners praised the staff tenure and Ingrid's leadership, and suggested exploring volunteer-for-tuition models, alumni engagement, and facility improvements (e.g., bathroom sinks for younger children). A Fall Festival is planned for October 25 at Barrett Field.
Fire Safety in Belmont
- Scott (staff) presented on fire safety, covering vegetation management, open space (300 acres), SMC Fire's role, and state fire hazard severity zones. The city has LRA (Local Responsibility Area) lands managed by SMC Fire, with some areas designated "very high" hazard. 2024 has seen over 6,500 wildfires and over 1 million acres burned in California, compared to a wetter 2023. Key initiatives include: fuel reduction grants, a expanded residential chipping program for properties west of Alameda de las Pulgas, trail closures on red-flag days, and SMC Fire inspections of properties adjacent to open space (with potential homeowner costs for non-compliance). Commissioners asked about tree removal, evacuation communication (SMC Alert system, new Genesis zones), and the San Juan Canyon trail closure (due to FEMA repair delays). Commissioner Emkin offered to assist communities in becoming Firewise, noting her experience in Yosemite. The presentation emphasized year-round fire season, home hardening, and residents knowing their evacuation zone.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar: Approved September 4, 2024 draft minutes (5-0).
- Agenda Amendment: Item C (Appointment to ADLP Stakeholder Group) was struck from the agenda and returned to staff for further review.
- No formal action was taken on the BCLC or Fire Safety items; both were informational presentations.
- Commissioner Austin highlighted the upcoming Water Dog Run on October 12.
- Department updates included upcoming events: Movies in the Park (Oct 4, Barrett), High School Fair (Oct 16), Diwali celebration (Oct 27), Trunk or Treat (Oct 30), and Holiday Craft Fair (Nov 23).
Meeting Transcript
Parks and Recreation Commission. So in terms of meeting attendance, commission meetings, unless otherwise noted, are broadcast live to Belmont residents in four ways. On Comcast Cable Channel 27, streamed live via the city's website at Belmont.gov via Zoom. And you could go to HTTPS colon backslash backslash.gov dot zoom dot uslash meeting ID. Oh sorry. So just go to Belmont Gov dot zoom.us and then enter meeting ID 924 831 93757. And of course, we welcome everyone to attend live in the council chamber champers at Belmont City Hall on second floor. So with regards to public comment, public in the council chamber present the clerk a request to speak slip found at the table at the rear of the chamber. If participating virtually, use the raise hand feature to request to speak. For dial-in comments, call star 67 169 683. Your phone number will appear on the live broadcast if star 67 is not dialed prior to the phone number. And then enter meeting ID 924 8313757 and press star nine to request to speak. All public comments are subject to a three minute time limit unless otherwise determined by the chair. If you wish to submit written public comment, you may send an email to PRCOMM at Belmont.gov before the commission considers the item. Please indicate the agenda item topic or agenda item number you wish to comment on in your email subject line. Any public comment regarding agenda items that are received from the time of publication of this agenda and three hours before the start of the meeting will be distributed to the commission prior to the meeting and made part of the meeting record. Written public comments will not be read during the commission meeting. The commission chair has the authority to rule any speaker out of order, including speakers during the public comment period. If the subject raised is not within the subject matter jurisdiction of the commission during a public hearing or a general business item if the speaker is not presenting testimony or evidence relevant to the matter, or if the speaker becomes disruptive to the proceedings and conduct of the meeting. Okay, with that, I believe Austin has a comment. First we do roll call. It's during roll call. Oh he said it was before. I'm sorry? Josie said before roll call. Oh, before. Oh, I'm sorry. Sorry about that. Sorry. Are you ready for me to comment? Yes. Yes. Joining the commission meeting remotely. Um because I'm not feeling particularly well, not terrible, but you know, just don't want to expose everybody to any unnecessary illness. Uh and I'm in the room all by myself. There's no one here with me, especially anyone who's over 18. Thank you. We wish you a speedy recovery, Austin. Commissioner Hill. Here. Commissioner Emkin. Here. Commissioner Whitmore? Here. Commissioner Lee. Here. Chair Michaels. Here. Youth Commissioner Wang? Here.
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