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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-03-1997 Park and Recreation Commission Minutes MINUTES SARATOGA PARKS AND RECRBATION COMMISSION TIME: Monday, March 3, 1997 7:00 p.m. CORRECTED 4/7/97 PLACE: Administrative Conference Room - City Hall 13777 Fruitvale Avenue Saratoga, California TYPE: Regular Meeting I. ORGANIZATIQN A. ROLL CALL - Present: Blomquist, Crotty, Olsen, Swan, Weiner, Whitney Absent: Clabeaux Staff: Pisani, Rizzo B. MINUTES Minutes of the February 3, 1997 meeting were approved. Olsen/Blomquist 6/0 C. POSTING OF THE AGENDA Secretary Rizzo reported that pursuant to Government Code 54954.2 the agenda for this meeting was posted on the City Hall Kiosk on February 27, 1997. II. OLD BUSIneSS (None) III. NEW BUSINESS A. Discus~&pn ofth~ Recreatio~ Department's Budget for Fiscal Year 1997/98 as Affected by the Repeal of the U~ilit¥ Users Tax. Recreation Director Pisani gave a brief historical overview of the Recreation Department and how it has evolved to its current status. She presented to the Commission an outline of her Departments recommended budget to be presented to Council at its upcoming meeting on March 25, 1997. Director Pisani outlined new staffing levels and discussed the proposed cuts from the Teen Program, special events, community events, youth theater and the Redwood after school sports program assistance. She is proposing cutting the Program Assistant and part-time clerical support. Director Pisani stated that part of the budget proposal will be to recommend to Council that Recreation increase all fees and charges across the board. To attempt to increase revenue by possibly establishing a Bingo Night and establish a Coffee Bar in the Community Center. Commissioner Crotty asked if proposed increases in revenue fees will cover all direct cost for the Recreation Department. Director Pisani stated that all direct cost and $25,000 of the indirect overhead could be covered by revenue increases. The increase in fees may be $5.00 surcharge as well as increases in non-resident fees. Commissioner Crotty also stated that park user fees and agreements should be increased to cover part'of the field maintenance cost. B) Revision and Future sch~ulin~ of the use of the Park and Recreation Development Fund. Chair Weiner reviewed the Park Development Policy for the benefit of the new oommissioners and stated that later the Commission could go through each item as listed in the policy. Chair Weiner introduced Dr. Kevin Skelly, Principal of Saratoga High School who presented and reviewed a request for funding for a Community Swimming Pool to be located at Saratoga High School. The request is for the City to pay $700,00 from the Park Development Fund toward the construction of an olympic size pool. Dr. Skelly reviewed five reasons why this project will have benefit for the community and why it is perfectly suited for funding from the Parks Development Fund. 1)Leveraging of City Resources Enhancing Recreation Department Funds 3)The pool as a fixed asset. 4)Readiness to build 5)The pool as a source of Community Building Mr. Bruce Block, who headed the recent effort by the high school to construct their all-weather track, spoke to the need of a first class facility for the community. Commissioner Blomquist inquired regarding last summers YMCA swim program at Saratoga High School. Dr. Skelly stated that YMCA will not be using their facility this summer. Dr. Skelly further informed the Commission that the new pool would serve all age groups in the community and could bring in $9000 revenue income from a good program. Commissioner Crotty discussed that she is not opposed to the construction of the pool but felt that any publicity funded project should serve the other high schoo~ as well as the Saratoga High School Community. Commissioner Whitney questioned the distribution request of $700,000 vs $300,000 to be raised by the high school. Dr. Skelly stated the request amount is open for discussion. Chair Weiner requested that the City's Finance Director review the proposal from the high school and thanked Dr. Skelly for coming and presenting the request before the commission. Chair Weiner stated that for the next commission meeting on April 7, that staff develop a matrix that will show a cost analysis regarding the different proposed improvements. The matrix to show the following: A) Cost of improvements for Foothill School, Blue Hills/Azule Site, Kevin Moran Park and Gardiner Park play equipment improvements. B) Cost for maintenance for each of the above mentioned sites. This process will aid the Commission to revise the policy. IV. WRITTEN C0~UNICATION (None) V. COMMISSION AND STAFF REPORTS A) Commission Report Commissioner Crotty reported that the City will participate in the National River Creek Clean-up Day scheduled for Wildwood Park on May 17, 1997. Chair Weiner informed the Commission that the first meeting of the Saratoga Union School District Bond Committee will be held Thursday March 6, 1997. Chair Weiner requested that the council minutes from the February 25, 1997 joint meeting be included in the next commission packet. ADJOURNED 9:48 PM Olsen/Blomquist 6/0 Bob Rizzo, Secretary