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.
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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