Board Operations Committee Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Directors: Directors Ayn Wieskamp (Chair), Carol Severin

Staff: John Escobar, Jack Kenny, Mimi Waluch, Rita Fesler, Beatriz Soria

Public: Judi Bank

1. Renewal of Lease Agreement with Redwood Valley Railway Corporation to Operate a Miniature Steam Train and to Sell Souvenirs at Tilden Regional Park

Revenue Manager Mimi Waluch reviewed for the Committee the proposed Lease Agreement with Redwood Valley Railway Corporation (RVR) to operate a 5-inch scale steam train operations and sell souvenirs at Tilden Regional Park. The term of the Agreement shall be up to ten years with one 10-year option. This is RVR's 55th year anniversary and an event is being planned for the first week in June.

Following discussion, it was moved, seconded and carried that this item be brought to the full Board for favorable consideration.

2. Renewal of Agreement with Action Vending to Provide Healthy Foods Vending Machine Service at the Peralta Oaks Administration Building; Cull Canyon, Don Castro, Quarry Lakes, Roberts and Temescal Regional Parks

Revenue Analyst ll Rita Fesler reported that Staff recommends renewing the Agreement with Action Vending to install and operate vending machines at the Peralta Oaks Administration Building; Cull Canyon, Don Castro, Quarry Lakes, Roberts and Temescal Regional Parks. Action Vending will provide this service for a one-year period with an additional one-year option period if both parties are in agreement.

The machines will be installed at the swim areas before the swim season begins. This service is offered in lieu of seasonal park concession stand operations. Peralta Oaks Administration Building and Quarry Lakes have vending machines on a year-round basis.

Action Vending has been working to improve its healthy foods vending line based on research by the National Consensus Panel of School Nutrition of the California Center for Public Health Advocacy. Action Vending has been piloting healthy beverage and snack menu in their vending machines in partnership with Healthy Silicon Valley, City of San Jose, San Mateo County Community College District, and the University of California at Berkeley. The District will begin with an 80% healthy vending program and gradually increase to 100%.

Following discussion, it was moved, seconded and carried that this item be brought to the full Board for favorable consideration.

3. Renewal of License Agreement with Martinez Sportsmen's Club at Martinez Regional Shoreline

Ms. Fesler noted that the Park District entered into a 25-year Master Agreement with Martinez Sportsmen's Club for use of District property at Martinez Regional Shoreline on January 1, 1981. The Agreement began with an initial five year term followed by four 5-year option renewal periods. This initial term of the new License Agreement shall be for a period of five years, commencing April 1, 2007. Licensee shall have the right to renew the initial term for one 5-year period. Staff recommends increasing the current $100 per year license agreement fee to $1,200.

The purpose of this Agreement is to permit Licensee to maintain and use facilities for Licensee's own use and for other similar group use, by reservation. Future plans include improving parking and drainage.

Following discussion, it was moved, seconded and carried that this item be brought to the full Board for favorable consideration.

4. Renewal of License Agreement with Martinez Racing Pigeon Club at Martinez Regional Shoreline

Ms. Fesler reported on January 1, 1981, the Park District entered into a Special Use Agreement with the Club. The term of the Agreement was five years with provisions to renew the Agreement for a series of five-year terms, with the combined terms not to exceed twenty-five years. The term of this License Agreement shall be for a period of five years, commencing April1, 2007. Licensee shall have the right to renew the initial term for one 5-year period. Staff recommends increasing the current $100 per year license agreement fee to $1,200. The Club will be required to make some needed repairs during the first year of the Agreement.

The clubhouse is used on a regular basis by the Martinez Racing Pigeon Club as a gathering point prior to races. The clubhouse is also used for club meetings, training and other club activities. The Club is planning to upgrade the restroom facilities to accommodate the disabled. Once these repairs are made, the Club will be permitted to rent the clubhouse to other groups.

Following discussion, it was moved, seconded and carried that this item be brought to the full Board for favorable consideration.

5. Board Operations Committee Meeting Start Time

Directors Ayn Wieskamp and Carol Severin agreed on changing the Board Operations Committee meeting start time to 4 p.m., starting with the May meeting. The May 17 Operations Committee meeting has been rescheduled to May 16 starting at 4 p.m.

6. Public Comments

Judi Bank reported that the City of Oakland has opened their dog exercise area.

7. Staff Comments

Assistant General Manager John Escobar presented the 2007 Board Operations Committee Work Plan. Items requested by the Committee at the February 21, 2007 meeting were added.

Director Wieskamp suggested an update on the Serpentine Prairie and the separated dog area. AGM Escobar noted that an update will be presented at the June 21 Operations Committee meeting. (Subsequently, the Serpentine Prairie update was placed on the Natural and Cultural Resources Committee Agenda for May.)

AGM Escobar noted that staff met with Urban Parks, and they are starting a healthy food movement called FitKIDS. It will be a combination of programs and better food choices at facilities throughout the State, as well as at the Lake Chabot food concession.

AGM Escobar stated that on Saturday, March 24, Operations Division staff will be making presentations to the Volunteer Trail Patrol at their annual training meeting.

Chief of Park Operations Jack Kenny noted that 95 people have signed up to attend the Grazing Dinner on March 25. Operations Division and Stewardship Department will also be making presentations at Public Safety's annual staff training. Operations and Stewardship presentations will cover issues on natural and cultural resource protection, daily operational issues in the parks, and should foster good communication between the divisions.

AGM Escobar noted that the beach at Middle Harbor will open this summer. However, the Port of Oakland would prefer to not permit any water contact until the wetland restoration project is complete.

Mr. Kenny reported that further warranty repairs have been done at Contra Loma Regional Park lagoon with the contractor who constructed the lagoon. Staff anticipates opening the lagoon on April 8, which was a very popular facility last summer. Also at Contra Loma, a Public Safety sub-station will open in April.

Director Wieskamp suggested to add a discussion of Camp Ohlone to the Work Plan.

There was no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 3:02 p.m.

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