Volunteers Honored by Livermore Area Recreation and Park District

At a regular meeting Wednesday night, the Board of Directors for the Livermore Area Recreation and Park District honored recent recipients of California Association of Recreation and Park Districts awards.

LARPD Foundation Treasurer Delma Kline was presented with the 2014 Award for Outstanding Volunteer, and District Legal Counsel Michael Kyle was presented with the 2014 Award for Outstanding Professional. Kyle was also commended on the occasion of his retirement - he served as LARPD's General Counsel since 1977. The Stockton-based firm of Neumiller & Beardslee was selected to take over the District's legal matters, with Rod A. Attebery serving as the new General Counsel.

The Board received an informational report on the inaugural Livermore Half Marathon, which took place on March 29. The event, organized by Livermore Downtown Inc., was partially held in LARPD's Independence Park, Holdener Park, Robertson Park and Sycamore Grove Park. The popular event had 2,400 runners. LARPD will make adjustments when planning for the event in the future to provide park preparations, staff support during the activity and post-race cleanup.

Following an audit of fiscal year 2012-2013, it was determined the District had $298,755 leftover from the General Fund Balance. The Board approved transferring this amount to three reserve accounts designated for Capital Projects, Capital Equipment and an account for Robert Livermore Community Center Repairs/Replacements. This strengthens the District's financial position and provides important reserves for these areas.

The Board also approved renewal of Special Tax 97-1 and setting the new rate for 2014-2015. The tax comes from a ballot measure approved by voters in 1997 that is used for maintenance and operation of park facilities. The new rate is a 2 percent, or 63-cent increase, raising the annual rate to $32.40 per equivalent dwelling unit.

During the meeting's public forum, Nancy Rodrigue of Friends of Tesla Park requested the Board to consider expressing a position on the Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area General Plan Environmental Impact Report. Directors requested this item be placed on a future agenda for Board discussion.

Prior to the regular meeting, the Board held a Budget Workshop to help prepare for the upcoming preliminary budget public hearing on June 10. Announcements made at the meeting included the District receiving a CARPD Safety Award for overall excellence; the 96th Livermore Rodeo, which is held at Robertson Park, on June 14 and 15; remaining opening for summer registration; LARPD's water conservation during the drought, including a public event to learn more about saving water on June 17; and a Senior Services Country Western Barbecue Luncheon on June 12.

—Information submitted by Livermore Area Recreation and Park District