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Record of Proceedings

Belmont Parks & Rec Commission: Court Reservation Software & Community Center Plan - July 16, 2025

City Council — Wednesday, July 16, 2025

BodyBelmont, California

SessionCity Council

DateWednesday, July 16, 2025

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 3:15:56

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1:11

Hello and welcome to the Parks and Rec Commission meeting for the City of Belmont.

1:16

Today is Wednesday, July 16th.

1:19

Happy summer, everyone.

1:20

It's nice to see everybody.

1:22

Um for meeting participation.

1:24

The meeting will be broadcast live to Belmont residents on Comcast Cable 27, streamed live via the city's website at www.belmont.gov and streamed live on Zoom.

1:37

The public may also attend the meeting in the city council chambers and address the commission from the chambers.

1:42

Members of the public may provide comments by joining the meeting via Zoom.

1:47

That would be HTTPS colon backslash backslash Belmont-gov.

1:53

Zoom.us.

1:55

Select join and enter meeting ID nine two four eight three one nine three seven five seven.

2:02

Use the hand raise feature to request to speak for a particular agenda item.

2:06

You may rename your profile if you wish to remain anonymous.

2:09

For dialing comments, call star six seven one six six six six six six nine nine hundred sixty eight thirty-three.

2:16

Your phone number will appear on the live broadcast if star six seven is not dialed prior to the phone number.

2:21

Enter meeting ID nine two four eight three one nine three seven five seven and press star nine to request to speak for a particular agenda item.

2:30

All public comments are subject to a three-minute time limit unless otherwise determined by the commission chair.

2:36

If you wish to submit a written public comment, you may send an email to PRCom at Belmont.gov before the commission considers the item.

2:44

Please indicate the agenda item topic or agenda item number you wish to comment on in your email subject line.

2:51

Any public comment regarding agenda items that are received from the publication of the agenda through the meeting date will be made part of the meeting record, but will not be read during the commission meeting.

3:01

So item number one, roll call.

3:04

Commissioner Cunha?

3:05

Here.

3:06

Commissioner Lieford.

3:07

Here.

3:08

Commissioner Whitmore.

3:09

Here.

3:09

Commissioner Lee.

3:10

Here.

3:11

Commissioner Hell.

3:12

Here.

3:12

Chair Emkin.

3:13

Here.

3:14

Youth Commissioner Perez.

3:16

Here.

3:16

Commissioner Michaels will be joining us late, and Youth Commissioner Venkatesh is absent.

3:25

Okay, item number two, the Pledge of Allegiance.

3:52

Item number three.

3:53

Community forum.

3:54

This portion of the meeting is reserved for persons wishing to address the commission on any city matter within the purview of the commission, which is not on the agenda.

4:03

The period for public comment at this point in the agenda is limited to a maximum of three minutes per speaker.

4:09

Do we have any slips or hands raised?

4:12

No slips and no hands raised.

4:15

Item number four, commissioner announcements or agenda amendments.

4:22

Any announcements?

4:25

Okay, we're all very quiet today.

4:26

It's fine.

4:27

Okay.

4:27

Item number five, consent calendar.

4:31

Consent calendar items are considered routine in nature and will be enacted by one motion.

4:36

There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a commissioner or staff requests specific items to be removed for separate action.

4:42

And we only have one item here.

4:44

This is the June 4th 2025 draft minutes from the last meeting.

4:49

I move that we approve the minutes as presented.

4:53

I second.

4:56

Commissioner Cunha.

4:57

Yes.

4:58

Commissioner Leiford.

4:59

Yes.

4:58

Commissioner Whitmore.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Parks and Recreation█████████████████████████████████████████████58%

Arts And Culture███████████14%

Technology and Innovation████████10%

Community Engagement█████7%

Procedural██2%

Fiscal Sustainability██2%

Active Transportation██2%

Environmental Protection█1%

Public Safety█1%

Summary of Proceedings

Belmont Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Summary - July 16, 2025

This meeting primarily focused on the introduction of new software for tennis and pickleball court reservations and a detailed presentation on refreshing the master plan for the Belmont Community Center at Barrett. The commission also reviewed a preliminary proposal for a public art initiative to celebrate Belmont's upcoming centennial and received departmental updates on summer programs and projects.

Consent Calendar

Commissioners unanimously approved the draft minutes from the June 4, 2025, meeting with a 6-0 vote.

Discussion Items

Tennis and Pickleball Court Reservation Software

Staff introduced a new reservation platform, Rec, to replace the current system (Acuity). The new system aims to address issues with bots, booking limits, user experience, and data reporting.
Lindsay from Rec Technologies provided a demonstration. Key features include mobile verification to prevent bots, custom booking limits (two per day, six per week, up to seven days in advance), a live calendar accessible via QR codes at courts, and a 2-hour buffer to prevent same-day reservations from displacing players already at the courts.
Commissioners expressed support for the modernization and asked numerous questions. Topics included cancellation notifications, integration with other city registration systems, check-in validation to combat no-shows, priority for residents versus non-residents, and the system's capabilities beyond court bookings (e.g., picnic rentals, leagues).
The system is scheduled to launch on September 1, 2025, with a marketing push to current users.

Belmont Community Center Master Plan Refresh

Group 4 Architecture presented an update to the 2019 conceptual design for a new community center at the Barrett site. The refresh aims to validate programming needs, incorporate new recreation trends, and align with funding realities.
The presentation covered best practices (community-driven, holistic wellness, accessibility, adaptable spaces, sustainable design, efficient operations), regional context, benchmarking against other facilities, and potential program elements.
The design explores a "base building" program (approx. 20,000 sq ft for multi-generational spaces, preschool, teen areas) with optional add-ons for a gymnasium and/or an aquatics center.
Key considerations discussed included: sustainable/net-zero energy goals, the facility's role as a community "third place" and resiliency hub, parking and transportation (with emphasis on reducing car trips), operational costs (especially for a pool), and the potential for phased construction to keep existing programs running.
Commissioners provided feedback, expressing excitement and support for a comprehensive, inclusive facility. They emphasized the importance of alternative transportation, dog-friendly spaces, flexible and adaptable design, and connections to Belmont's history.
A community event to showcase the plans is scheduled for August 9th at Barrett.

Centennial Public Art Initiative Proposal

Intern Yu Chen presented a preliminary framework for a public art project to celebrate Belmont's 100th anniversary in 2026. The proposal centers on themes of community/collaboration, nature/environment, and education/legacy.
The vision involves a series of interconnected murals and installations across the city (e.g., Twin Pines Park, Caltrain station area, Ralston Avenue, library) to create an "art trail." The project would be guided by a new public art collaborative and funded through the city's existing public art fee.
Commissioners were highly supportive of the creative and community-focused proposal. Suggestions included incorporating digital elements, student and community contributions, three-dimensional or immersive installations, and linking the art to other centennial celebrations like a community picnic.

Public Comments & Testimony

Two community members spoke during the Community Center agenda item to advocate for the continuation and expansion of off-leash dog hours at Barrett, requesting weekend hours and review of the field watering schedule. They emphasized the program's importance for building community among residents.
A city staff member announced the August 9th "Imagine Together" festival at Barrett to engage the community on the Community Center plans.

Department Updates

Summer programs (Camp Sore, aquatics, Lemonade Day) are underway and successful.
The final Summer Concert of the season was well-attended.
The "Belmont Belongs" chatty bench program is launching to foster community connections in parks.
The Twin Pines Park renovation and Ralston Trail repair projects are progressing, with trail closures expected in early August.
Upcoming events include a senior scam seminar, mobile recreation events, a movie in the park ("Inside Out 2"), and the Water Dog Run in September.

Key Outcomes

Approval of Prior Minutes: Consent calendar item passed 6-0.
Software Direction: Commission received the presentation on the Rec reservation platform positively. Staff directed to proceed with the September 1 launch.
Community Center Planning: Commission received the master plan refresh presentation. The project will move forward with further community engagement (August 9 event) and detailed programming/cost reconciliation.
Public Art Initiative: Commission expressed strong support for the centennial art proposal concept. Staff directed to proceed with forming a public art collaborative and developing the project framework further.
Next Meeting: The next Parks and Recreation Commission meeting is scheduled for September 2025.

Meeting Transcript

Hello and welcome to the Parks and Rec Commission meeting for the City of Belmont. Today is Wednesday, July 16th. Happy summer, everyone. It's nice to see everybody. Um for meeting participation. The meeting will be broadcast live to Belmont residents on Comcast Cable 27, streamed live via the city's website at www.belmont.gov and streamed live on Zoom. The public may also attend the meeting in the city council chambers and address the commission from the chambers. Members of the public may provide comments by joining the meeting via Zoom. That would be HTTPS colon backslash backslash Belmont-gov. Zoom.us. Select join and enter meeting ID nine two four eight three one nine three seven five seven. Use the hand raise feature to request to speak for a particular agenda item. You may rename your profile if you wish to remain anonymous. For dialing comments, call star six seven one six six six six six six nine nine hundred sixty eight thirty-three. Your phone number will appear on the live broadcast if star six seven is not dialed prior to the phone number. Enter meeting ID nine two four eight three one nine three seven five seven and press star nine to request to speak for a particular agenda item. All public comments are subject to a three-minute time limit unless otherwise determined by the commission chair. If you wish to submit a written public comment, you may send an email to PRCom 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 publication of the agenda through the meeting date will be made part of the meeting record, but will not be read during the commission meeting. So item number one, roll call. Commissioner Cunha? Here. Commissioner Lieford. Here. Commissioner Whitmore. Here. Commissioner Lee. Here. Commissioner Hell. Here. Chair Emkin. Here. Youth Commissioner Perez. Here. Commissioner Michaels will be joining us late, and Youth Commissioner Venkatesh is absent. Okay, item number two, the Pledge of Allegiance. Item number three. Community forum. This portion of the meeting is reserved for persons wishing to address the commission on any city matter within the purview of the commission, which is not on the agenda. The period for public comment at this point in the agenda is limited to a maximum of three minutes per speaker. Do we have any slips or hands raised? No slips and no hands raised. Item number four, commissioner announcements or agenda amendments. Any announcements? Okay, we're all very quiet today. It's fine. Okay. Item number five, consent calendar. Consent calendar items are considered routine in nature and will be enacted by one motion.

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