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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-07-1988 Park and Recreation Commission Minutes MINUTES SARATOGA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION TIME: Monday, November 7, 1988 PLACE: SARATOGA COMMUNITY CENTER 19655 Allendale Avenue, Saratoga, California TYPE: Regular Chairman Ward called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. I. Ua a ZaZ Q A. ~ Present: Anderson, Clemens, Franklin, Gilman, Pierce, Ward. Absent: Saunders Staff: Trinidad, Swanson, Pisani, Trejo. Others Present: Patricia Hoffman, Walter Brennan, Gibson Anderson, Randy Anderson, Kristin and Harry Mueller, Nancy White, Jane Wilson, Bill Brooks, Rosita and Ping Chiao, Bob Shook, Cross Missakian, Chuck Totman, Kristi Hernandez, Cindy Press, Sally McElraney, David Seiff, Laurel Euler, Terry Cabrinha, Beverly Myers, Frank Myers, Barbara Keliher. B. Minutes of October 3, 1988, meeting approved as read. Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2, the agenda for this meeting was properly posted on November 3, 1988. zi. A. ~]~L~_~~_z_~QQ~L~_~B~_~Q~AT~Q~ Dan displayed a proposal for renovation of Brookglen Park that was developed by a neighborhood committee. Several residents from the Brookglen area were present to state their views on refurbishing the park. Beverly Myers wanted to know why all the neighbors were not contacted for their inDut on the renovation. Dan explained that was the purpose of this meeting and the proposal shown was just to suggest what could be done. Mrs. Myers also complained about unsuDervised children that are injured in the Dark coming to her house for first aid or to use the phone. Barbara Keliher is also concerned about what goes on with unsupervised children that complaints to Police are being ignored. She suggested a walking course, said that was the original intent for the Dark. David Seiff liked the plan submitted and supports play equipment and walkway. Dottie Brennan wants to see the Dark developed, but not with play equipment, is worried about attracting extra traffic. Sally McElraney feels there is need for more parks, play equipment, infant swings, multi-purpose parks for all ages. Feels parks will be safer with increased use. Ping Chiao lives across from the Dark and says he and his wife are afraid to open their door because of people parking and drinking around the Dark. They are against any kind of structure. Cindy Press stated her concern that an undeveloped Dark will be taken over by those using it for undesireable purposes, feels it should be Planned to include all ages. Neighborhood children are divided into three school districts and the Dark will give them a place to get to know each other. Terry Cabrinha lived in the neighborhood when the Dark was planned, says the original structure was not what had been planned. Prefers creative, rather than contrived, equipment. Said parks do attract problems suggested not creating hiding places and to consider using recreation directors at several parks. Frank Myers wants simple structures, says original ideas were ignored, glad the structure is down, feels a committee is needed to come UP with a better plan. Laurel Mueller would like a swing, ladder and slide. Takes her children to the Dark to meet other children. Walter Brennan, original homeowner, Dark planner, donated trees, would like to see broken trees replaced, basketball court paved and backboards at each end of the court. Prefers small scale play equipment. Dan said next step will be to go to Council with a budget, meet again to ask for an appropriation and if funding becomes available, then notify the neighborhood and work out a plan. Randy Anderson reported on his meeting with Caltrans. To allow acceptable width for a curbed sidewalk, acquisition of adjacent property will be necessary to satisfy width requirements. This would put the project in a different category and will cause delays. He will continue negotiations with Caltrans and contact homeowners involved. He still recommends decorative masonry for the retaining wall. Even a thin veneer of rock facing is expensive. He estimates $35,000 for walls and approximately $35,00 more with rock facing. Bob Shook said that anything beyond $5,000 has to be in a different program and will cause a delay of at least one year. Randy will continue working with Caltrans and will get back to the Commission as soon as some agreement is made. Bill Brooks of the ad hoc trail committee reported on goals of the committee. They are studying existing trails and are trying to find ways to connect the segments. They would like to be recognized as a permanent advisory resource in the ongoing process to update the Trails Master Plan and advise developers of proposed trails on their property and will then go out and ride the area with Planner and the developer to make suggestions and recommendations. It is important that they keep trails accessable to open space. Mr. Brooks asked the Commission to make a recommendation to Council. D. ~L~T_~Q~_~Q~_~Q~~IQ~_~Q~_A~_Q~_i~ Will decide after joint meeting whether to use funds to complete existing parks or for developing Fremont High School site. E. ~ F. ND~_ FQ~.~QIN T_~F.~.T~G Topics for joint Council-Commission meeting agenda include: completion of Brookglen Park; timeliness of Capital Porjects; traffic access to Wildwood Park at major functions; sheriff and CSO involvement in the protection of parks; whether to finish off park projects or use grant funds for Fremont High School site; memorial olaque at Congress Springs Park: summer recreation program in parks; City sponsored family activities in Parks, suggest ad hoc trail committee be used as a permanent advisory resource. The trail easement which runs through the rear of Lots ll; 17; 19; 20; 21; and 23 was approved as located on Exhibit A and a trail which runs through the scenic easement of Lot 18, generally shown in red on Exhibit A, was aDoroved. The exact location of the trail is to be determined by the engineer and approved by staff. Commissioner Ward exolained that there was a difference of opinion on where an equestrian trail should be located on the property. Dan stated that he and some of the Commissioners visited the site and walked the trail and he described the property. Mr. Sinnett, the developer, stated that if the trail is located through the property it would comoromise the family's privacy, security and the beauty of the site. Mr. Brooks suggested the trail could continue along the creekline, feels the area along the driveway is too narrow, but their main interest is to preserve the link to the trail system. They prefer a route through the Sinnett property because it is more scenic and has more recreational value. Mr. Sinnett's father-in-law doesn't feel it is the property owner's responsibility to provide recreation areas for the public. Neither Mr. Sinnett or his father-in-law had any objections to a trail site along the road. Jane Wilson of the Trail Committee says primary interest is getting to open space, doesn't want to impose on orivate property. Commissioners all felt that having a trail along the driveway would suit the purpose of the equestrians by providing a link to open space and don't think the property owner should be imposed uDon. Commissioner Pierce moved that the alternative pathway that runs parallel to Mt. Eden Road and parallel to the DroDosed driveway be dedicated as an equestrian/pedestrian trail. Motion was seconded and unanimously approved. C. ~Q~AL_~LAQ~_AT_~Q~~_~~_~J~ Representatives of Saratoga Little League asked the Commission for permission to place a plaque in memory of Scotty Summers on the snack shack at Congress Springs Park. Since no precedent has ever been set for plaques on Dublic buildings, Commission will ask for direction from Council at the joint meeting on November 22. D. ~Q~T_~QB_~Q~T_Q~_~_~E~~Q_~Y_AB~A_B~ Mr. Gibson Anderson is seeking City Council and Parks and Recreation Commission's endorsement of the San Francisco Bay Area Ridge Trail Project. Commission will adopt a resolution in suppot of the project and request City Council adopt a similar resolution. None. None. VI. ~IQ~~T The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 to 7:30, December 5, 1988, in the Senior Day Care Center. / , Secretary