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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-09-2008 PRC Agenda Packet City of Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission AGENDA DATE: Tuesday, September 9, 2009 TIME: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. LOCATION: Saratoga City Hall Senior Center – Magnolia Room 19655 Allendale Avenue Saratoga, CA 95070 Call to Order Roll Call: Chair Thomas Soukup, Vice Chair Vita Bruno, Commissioners Katherine Forte, Denise Goldberg, Lerry Wilson Report on Posting of the Agenda: Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2, this meeting was properly posted on September 4, 2008. Accept Agenda Items: No additional items may be added pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2. Oral & Written Communication: Any member of the public may address the Commission about any matter not on the agenda for this meeting for up three minutes. Commissioners may not comment on the matter, but may choose to place the topic on a future agenda. Approval of Draft Minutes: Draft Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes for July 8, 2008. Reports: (This section is informational only; no actions will be taken.) 1. Michael Taylor, Director of Recreation & Facilities 2. Denise Goldberg, Pedestrian, Equestrian, and Bicycle Trails Advisory Committee 3. Crystal Morrow, Staff Liaison Old Business: 4. Ravenwood Park Playground Equipment Issue: The playground equipment at Ravenwood Park is scheduled to be replaced in the next year; at the last Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, staff was asked to bring back revised playground designs and design costs. Action: Parks and Recreation Commission will review playground equipment designs and recommend a playground equipment design to staff. 5. North Campus Naming Process Issue: The Council has directed the Parks and Recreation Commission to lead a public process to name the North Campus. Action: Parks and Recreation Commission to continue planning the public process to name the North Campus. New Business: 6. Report on Saratoga Community Gardens Issue: In March 2008, the Parks and Recreation Commission received a resident request to study community gardens in Saratoga. Action: No action necessary. 7. Report on 2005 City of Saratoga Community Satisfaction Survey Issue: During the March 2008 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, staff was asked to report on the results of the 2005 City of Saratoga Community Satisfaction Survey conducted by Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin & Association. Action: No action necessary. Agenda Items for Next Meeting—Tuesday, November 18, 2008 Adjournment In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you are a disabled person and you need a disability- related modification or accommodation to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 408.868.1269 or ctclerk@saratoga.ca.us. Requests must be made as early as possible and at least one full business day before the start of the meeting. Parks and Recreation Commission Agenda Note: In accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act, copies of the staff reports and other materials provided to the Parks and Recreation Commission by City staff in connection with this agenda are available at the office of the City Manager at 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, California 95070. Any materials distributed by staff after the posting of the agenda are made available for public review at the office of the City Manager at the time they are distributed to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Certificate of Posting of Agenda: I, Crystal Morrow, Administrative Analyst II for the City of Saratoga, declare that the foregoing agenda for the meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission of the City of Saratoga was posted on September 4, 2008 at the office of the City of Saratoga, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070 and was available for public review at that location. The agenda is also available on the City’s website at www.saratoga.ca.us. City of Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission ACTION MINUTES DATE: Tuesday, July 8, 2008 TIME: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. LOCATION: Saratoga City Hall Planning Conference Room 13777 Fruitvale Avenue Saratoga, CA 95070 Call to Order—call to order 6:35pm Roll Call: Chair Thomas Soukup, Vice Chair Vita Bruno, Commissioner Katherine Forte Absent: Commissioners Denise Goldberg , Lerry Wilson Staff: Public Works Director John Cherbone, Recreation & Facilities Director Michael Taylor, Administrative Analyst Crystal Morrow Report on Posting of the Agenda: Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2, this meeting was properly posted on July 1, 2008. Accept Agenda Items: No additional items may be added pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2. - BRUNO: MOVED TO ACCEPT - FORTE: SECOND - APPROVED: 3-0 Oral & Written Communication: Any member of the public may address the Commission about any matter not on the agenda for this meeting for up three minutes. Commissioners may not comment on the matter, but may choose to place the topic on a future agenda. - No oral or written communications Approval of Draft Minutes: Draft Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes for May 13, 2008. - FORTE: MOVED TO APPROVE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES FOR MAY 13, 2008 - BRUNO: SECOND - APPROVED: 3-0 Reports: (This section is informational only; no actions will be taken.) 1. John Cherbone, Director of Public Works - Cherbone said that there were no additional items to report. - Forte asked about a tree that was hit by a car near Wildwood Park. - Cherbone answered that the tree had been hit by a car speeding out of a nearby parking lot. 2. Michael Taylor, Director of Recreation & Facilities - Taylor reported that the new recreation coordinator started last Monday and has been here 1 week. The Recreation Department is almost fully staffed. - Summer camps started last month and are ongoing. 3. Denise Goldberg, Pedestrian, Equestrian, and Bicycle Trails Advisory Committee - No reports 4. Crystal Morrow, Staff Liaison - Morrow thanked Chair Soukup for accepting the Parks and Recreation Month proclamation during the July 2, 2008 Council Meeting. - Morrow added that the Heritage Orchard Trail opening is planned for the end of august and asked Commissioners to save the date for the Commissioner Appreciation Dinner on September 23, 2008. Morrow said she would provide more information on both events when details are finalized. Old Business: 5. FY 2008/09 Park & Trail Capital Improvement Plan Issue: Council has directed the Parks and Recreation Commission to provide a recommendation on the prioritization of FY 2008/09 park and trail capital improvement projects. Projects have been added since the last Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. Action: Parks and Recreation Commission will prioritize the list of FY 2008/09 park and trail projects and share recommendation with the City Council. - Cherbone reported on item and reviewed projects. - Member of the public Kathleen Casey commented that she disliked the water fountain and stage at Wildwood Park. She asked if the Wildwood Park Pedestrian Bridge Rehabilitation project on the CIP list was a staff or Council initiated project. - Cherbone explained that the project was initiated by staff, as the bridge requires maintenance work - Members of the PRC ranked projects and staff calculated project rankings. RECOMMENDED PRIORITIZATION: 1) Park Restroom Improvement Work 2) Lower Tank Trail (Parker Ranch) Repair Project 3) Petanque Court at Azule Park 4) De Anza Trail Phase II 5) Wildwood Park Pedestrian Bridge Rehabilitation 6) Village Creek Trail 7) Calabazas Creek Trail 8) Odd Fellows Trail Development 9) Heritage Orchard Monument Sign - BRUNO: MOVED TO RECOMMEND THE PRIORITIZED LIST BASED ON COMMISSIONER RANKINGS - FORTE: SECOND - APPROVED: 3-0 New Business: 6. Ravenwood Park Playground Equipment Issue: The playground equipment at Ravenwood Park is scheduled to be replaced in the next year; the Parks and Recreation Commission has requested a review of the various designs and public comment on the design options. Action: Parks and Recreation Commission will review playground equipment designs and make a recommendation to staff on design selection. - Staff presented the different design options, which were: 1) Miracle Recreation Equipment Company i. Design 1 ii. Design 2 2) Playworld i. Design 1 ii. Design 2 iii. Design 3 3) Ross Recreation Equipment i. Design 1 ii. Design 2 4) Recreation Wonderscapes - Member of the Public Anthony Bortolo commented that he liked the Ross Recreation Equipment Design 2, as it is similar to the current equipment and allows easy rotation through the play area. Bortolo said the sand area is a key element of the park and indicated that the public appears to really enjoy the current equipment. - Cherbone added that all plans will include a sand box and work is expected to take place in the winter when use of the park is limited by weather. - BRUNO: MOVED TO RECOMMEND ROSS RECREATION EQUIPMENT DESIGN 2 WITH MONKEY BARS AND MIRACLE DESIGN 2 WITHOUT SHADE PANEL AND TO BRING FINAL DESIGNS BACK TO PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION FOR FINAL RECOMMENDATION - FORTE: AMMEND MOTION TO INCLUDE PRICE FOR FINAL DESIGNS WHEN THE ITEM COMES BACK TO THE COMMISSION - APPROVED: 3-0 7. Report on Recreation Strategic Plan Issue: During the May 2008 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, the group requested more information regarding the Recreation Strategic Plan. Action: No action necessary. - Taylor reported on Recreation Strategic plan. - No action taken. 8. Report on Quito Park Picnic Area Issue: During the May 2008 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, the group requested more information regarding planned improvements to the Quito Park Picnic Area. Action: No action necessary. - Staff reported on the project. - Soukup asked staff to give regular updates on progress at future meetings. - No formal action taken. 9. North Campus Naming Process Issue: The Council has directed the Parks and Recreation Commission to lead a public process to name the North Campus. Action: Parks and Recreation Commission to begin planning the public process to name the North Campus. - Staff reported on item, explaining Council direction and the City’s policy on naming City-owned facilities and lands. - Member of the public Kathleen Casey commented on the naming of the Joan Pisani Community Center and said she did not like naming buildings after one person. - Soukup suggested the process begin with educating the public about the North Campus, hold an open house at the North Campus when work at Fellowship Hall is complete, seek naming suggestions (possibly in conjunction with the opening event of Fellowship Hall), review all recommended names at a Parks and Recreation Commission meeting and select the top five, then at the following PRC meeting select a final name to recommend to the Council - FORTE: MOVED TO ADD DISCUSSION OF THIS ITEM TO THE SEPTEMBER AGENDA TO FINLALIZE SOUKUP’S SUGGESTED PROCESS, CREATE A TIMEINE FOR THE PROCESS, AND ASSIGN ACTION ITEMS - BRUNO: SECOND - APPROVED: 3-0 Agenda Items for Next Meeting—Tuesday, September 9, 2008 - Review 2005 Recreation Survey - Discuss Community Gardens & Opportunities for New Gardens - Final Ravenwood Playground Equipment Designs - North Campus Naming Process - Begin Discussion on Saratoga Parks Preservation and Field Use Initiative - Discussion on Encouraging Musical Performances in Parks Adjournment - FORTE: MOVED TO ADJOURN MEETING - BRUNO: SECOND - APPROVED: 3-0 - Meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Minutes submitted by: Crystal Morrow, Administrative Analyst II City Manager’s Office, City of Saratoga City of Saratoga Memorandum To: City of Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission From: Crystal Morrow, Administrative Analyst II City of Saratoga Date: September 9, 2008 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Subject: Ravenwood Park Playground Equipment During the July 2008 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting, the Commission reviewed design options for new playground equipment at Ravenwood Park. During the meeting, the Commission asked staff to bring back two of the designs with modifications, along with cost estimates for both designs. The two selected designs were provided by Ross Recreation Equipment and Miracle Recreation Equipment Company. The Commission asked to see monkey bars added to the Ross Recreation Equipment design and to have a shade panel removed from the Miracle Recreation Equipment Company design. The Ross Recreation design is estimated to cost $51,774.65, while the Miracle Recreation design has been estimated at $39,078.43. A total of $50,000 has been budgeted to the project. Improvements will include new play equipment that complies with American Disabilities Act requirements, installation of a new sand pit, and replacement of sand around play equipment with fibar—blended wood fibers that help cushion the ground in outdoor play areas. Additional improvements will be made, including a new water fountain and picnic bench, if there are any remaining funds in the project budget after the initial improvements. Ravenwood Park is approximately half an acre in size and is located at 13830 Ravenwood Drive. The park features benches, a drinking fountain, and a play area. The park is used primarily by the immediate neighborhood. This is one of the last parks to receive playground equipment upgrades. Work on the park is anticipated to take place during the winter, when weather limits use of the park and funding is available for park improvements. Attachments: - Ross Recreation Equipment revised design - Miracle Recreation Equipment Company revised design City of Saratoga Memorandum To: City of Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission From: Crystal Morrow, Administrative Analyst II City of Saratoga Date: September 9, 2008 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Subject: North Campus Naming Process During the July 2008 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting, the Commission began discussing options for naming the North Campus. The Commission agreed to continue discussion of this item at the September meeting to: - Refine Commission Chair Thomas Soukup’s proposal for the North Campus naming process - Develop a timeline for the naming process - Assign action items to each member of the Commission Chair Soukup’s process recommendation was to: 1. Educate the public about the North Campus 2. Begin seeking proposed names from the public at the Fellowship Hall opening (construction is expected to be completed early next year) 3. Review proposals at a Parks and Recreation Commission meeting and select the top five suggestions during the meeting 4. At the following Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, pick a final proposal to recommend to the City Council The initial phases of the proposed process will require public outreach, coordination with local media, a means for the public to submit names (paper submittal form and/or online submittals) during the opening of Fellowship Hall and after, and a way to collect and record proposals. Additionally, the Parks and Recreation Commission will need to establish submittal guidelines that can be used to fairly evaluate submissions. These guidelines must be in compliance with the City’s policy for naming City-owned facilities and parks. Below are example guidelines the Parks and Recreation may want to consider: - Names must be shorter than 4 words - Special consideration will be given to names that reflect character of the North Campus or the City—including the site’s geographic, environmental, or historic features - Proposals recognizing an individual, family, or organization that made a major and lasting significant contribution (either financial or in-kind) to the North Campus or the City will be considered - Proposals to name the facility after a seated elected or appointed official will not be considered Attachments: - City of Saratoga policy on naming of parks and facilities City of Saratoga Memorandum To: City of Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission From: Crystal Morrow, Administrative Analyst II City of Saratoga Date: September 9, 2008 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Subject: Report on Community Gardens Before the March 2008 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, the Commission received a written request from Mrs. Betty Peck to explore options for community gardens in the City of Saratoga. Specifically, Mrs. Peck has requested that the Commission research gardens similar to the Saratoga Community Garden that was in operation in the 1970s on the Odd Fellows property. Mrs. Peck has expressed interest in a garden that fosters community involvement and offers educational programs for children and adults. Community gardens are typically split up into plots that are maintained by residents. Plots can be used to grow a variety of plants, including those that grow vegetables, fruits, and other produce. However, some gardens are limited to flowers. The City of Saratoga operates one community garden located in El Quito Park near the Westhope Church parking lot. The garden has 16 plots, which are all being rented. The cost to rent a plot in the garden is $175 per year and $160 per year for seniors (55 years and older). The majority of gardeners are older adults who have maintained their plot for years. Currently, there are two applicants on the waiting list to get a plot. The garden holds a wide variety plants, ranging from raspberries, to peppers, to grapes, to herbs, to tomatoes, to cabbage, to apples. Additionally, Westhope Church manages a community garden on the Church grounds. Like the El Quito Community Garden, plots in the garden can be rented by members of the public. The Westhope Church community garden has ten plots, which the public can rent for $100 per year. Gardeners do not need to be members of the Church. There are currently no openings at the garden and there are six people on the waiting list. Other nearby community gardens where plots can be rented include: - Calabazas Community Garden, City of San Jose - Rainbow Center Community Garden, City of San Jose - McClellan Ranch Park Community Garden, City of Cupertino As an alternative to community gardens where plots can be rented, many communities have demonstration gardens where the public can learn more about gardening. There are a variety of demonstration gardens in Santa Clara County, including several that are maintained by the University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program. The trained volunteers of the Master Gardener Program answer gardening questions, hold educational programs, and manage demonstration gardens to showcase gardening techniques or special plants. Demonstration gardens managed by the Master Gardeners in Santa Clara County include: - FireSafe Demonstration Garden in Morgan Hill features landscaping that is attractive and safe for areas at risk for fire - Palo Alto Demonstration Garden in Eleanor Pardee Community Gardens showcases an edible garden and a water-wise garden - Presentation Center Demonstration Garden in Los Gatos features organic and sustainable gardening practices - McClellan Ranch Project in Cupertino offers vegetable trials to provide the public with information on growth patterns, production levels, and quality of produce. - Emma Prusch Park Compost Demonstration Site in San Jose - Sunnyvale Demonstration Garden in Charles Street Community Garden highlights organic and sustainable gardening with an emphasis on using recycled, recyclable, or salvaged materials when building gardens In addition to the demonstration gardens maintained by the Master Gardeners, both the McClellan Ranch Project in Cupertino and the Sunnyvale Demonstration Garden offer plots that can be rented and maintained by the public. Much of the garden in McClellan Ranch Park is reserved for the public to rent plots, with a smaller section that the Master Gardeners use as a demonstration garden. City of Saratoga Memorandum To: City of Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission From: Crystal Morrow, Administrative Analyst II City of Saratoga Date: September 9, 2008 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Subject: Report on 2005 City of Saratoga Community Satisfaction Survey During the May 2008 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting, staff was asked to present the results from 2005 City of Saratoga Community Satisfaction Survey to gain a better insight into community interests and needs. The survey, conducted by Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin & Associates, surveyed a random sample of 500 residents. The survey showed that the majority of residents enjoy living in Saratoga, are satisfied with City services, and feel Saratoga is moving in the right direction. Additionally, the survey indicated that the economic vitality of the Village is one of the most significant resident concerns. In regards to parks and recreation, approximately 52% of respondents indicated that they are happy with recreational services provided by the City. The results also showed the majority of residents are satisfied with the maintenance of City parks, while residents are neutral on the amount of indoor and outdoor recreational space, the availability of sports fields, and recreational opportunities and programs provided in Saratoga. Attachments: - 2005 City of Saratoga Community Satisfaction Survey Results