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Home My WebLink About01-05-1998 Park and Recreation Commission Minutes SARATOGA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION DATE/TIME: Monday, January 5, 1998, 7:30 p.m. LOCATION: EOC Conference Room, City Hall 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, California TYPE: Regular Meeting I. ORGANIZATION A) ROLLCALL Present: Cidbeaux, crotty, Ioannou, Swan, =~ Whitney Staff: Reeve, Pisani, Jacobs Guests: Frank Friedrich B) REPORTING OF POSTING OF AGENDA Staff Paula Reeve reported that pursuant to Government Code 54954.2 the agenda for this meeting was posted on the City Hall Kiosk on December 31, 1997. C) APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the November 3, 1997, regular meeting were approved as submitted. Swan/Crotty 5/0 II. $~)MINISTRATION A) STATUS OF COMMISSIONER RECRUITMENTS Frank Friedrich, who has applied for the vacant Con~missioner position, introduced himself to the group. Mr. Friedrich explained that he would like to join the Commission due to his concern for the condition of Saratoga parks, and his interest in becoming more involved in City politics. B) OTHER ITEMS The Commission agreed to hold a special meeting on Monday, January 26 to prepare for the March 10 joint meeting with the City Council. Page 2 - January 5, 1998 Minutes III. OLD BUSINESS A) PARKS AND RECREATION DEVELOPMENT FUND PROJECTS Staff Paula Reeve gave an overview of the progress on the Heritage Orchard project. She explained that the existing well in the orchard had been capped and staff was looking into having a new well dug. The Navockovich brothers are being paid for their contracted maintenance and tree replacement expenses for the orchard. The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds have been identified as an alternate source to pay for rehabilitating the Senior wing of the Community Center, rather than using Parks and Recreation Development Fund monies. Since the rehabilitation project benefits low income seniors, the County has given its approval for FY 1998/99 funds to be used for this purpose. Ms. Reeve recently conducted a walk-through of the building with County CDBG Rehab Specialist Bob Rathbun and SASCC Executive Director Olga MacFarlane to identify necessary and desired improvements. Mr. Rathbun submitted a cost estimate for these improvements which SASCC will include as part of its application request to the City during the upcoming 1998/99 CDBG grant cycle. The Commission reached a consensus that Chair Whitney should write a letter to Mr. Perlin to inquire if and when he intends to hire a project manager for the Parks and Recreation Development Fund projects. A list of recommended consultants will be submitted with the letter. IV. NEW BUSINESS A) KEVIN SKELLY'S AQUATIC CENTER PROPOSAL A lengthy discussion took place regarding the benefits and disadvantages of granting Principal Kevin Skelly's December 4, 1997, request for $200,000 from the Parks and Recreation Development Fund to support a community aquatic center at Saratoga High School. A motion was passed not to fund the request for the following reasons: 1) The potential impact the aquatic center may have on City resources is unknown. The Commission is already obligated to the public to proceed with the agreed upon Parks and Recreation Development Fund project priority list Page 3 - January 5, 1998 Minutes New Business Continued approved by Council in July 1997, at which time Council simultaneously tabled the pool project. 3} Completion of the projects may require the entire Fund, as the total cost of this endeavor is presently unknown. 4) Although the Parks and Development Fund contains the $200,000 mentioned in Mr. Skelly's letter, the Cormnission is unwilling to commit to funding other projects until the agreed upon priority list items have been completed, particularly the park and playfield improvements. The Cormmission would be happy to consider additional project proposals once this goal has been met. Olsen/Swan/ 5/0 Chair Kay Whitney will notify the City Council of the Co~nission's recormmendation on this matter. B) IMPROVEMENTS TO CONGRESS SPRINGS PARK (Joan Pisani) Staff Joan Pisani reported that Mr. Perlin has asked her to re-negotiate a contract with AYSO for the use of Congress Springs Park. A per head fee based on the number of registrants is being considered, rather than a flat fee per year. If the fees are increased for AYSO, the Cormmission agreed to make additional requested improvements to the Park using the Parks and Recreation Development Fund. The Commission voted to give Ms. Pisani its endorsement to negotiate with user groups and to report back on improvement requests for Congress Springs Park from the Saratoga Little League. Swan/Ioannou 5/0 C) PLANNING DEPARTMENT TRAIL EASEMENT REVIEW REQUEST The Commission deliberated on the Planning Department's request for its con~nent on a proposed trail easement in the Mt. Eden area, and whether the subdivider should be required to make the trail improvements. A motion was passed to request a multi-use trail easement on the proposed subdivision of the Ruth Peck Langwill property, and that the trail should be fully improved by the developer. Planning Department staff will be directed to work with the County to situate the trail in a location which is beneficial and safe for multiple user groups. Swan/Crotty 5/0 Page 4 - January 5, 1998 Minutes V. COMMISSIONER AND STAFF REPORTS A) Commissioner Reports Commissioner Crotty suggested scheduling a dinner on either January 26 or February 2 to thank Cathy Weiner for her service to the Commission. Commissioner Crotty has a copy of the minutes form the Saratoga Union School District meeting for anyone who is interested. Chair Whitney thanked everyone who assisted with making the holiday party a success. B) City Hall Updste - ~ula Re~ve Staff Paula Reeve reported that, as everyone is aware, Larry Perlin was recently hired as Saratoga's new City Manager. In an effort to align staff Commission assignments with the responsibilities of each Department, .... Mr. Perlin has assigned Irene Jacobs from Community Environment to staff the Parks and Recreation Commission. For the present time, Ms. Reeve will continue her program assignments in the Office of the City Manager. C) Recreation Department Status Report - Joan Pisani Staff Joan Pisani reported that revenue is on track for the first six months of the fiscal year. Volunteers coach the 260 children who are currently enrolled in 40 youth basketball teams. The holiday camp was very successful, as was the youth theater production of Tom Sawyer which was held on the Community Center stage. The Recreation Department reaped the benefit from the ticket sales, and volunteers assisted with auditions, directing and choreographing for this presentation. Approximately 60 teens per day are attending the Warner Hutton House after school program. The Friends of the Warner Hutton House are looking into grants for the teen program. Ms. Pisani submitted a report to Council outlining the history of recent Recreation Department program cuts. A meeting will be held with the Finance Commission Task Force to further discuss the impact of indirect costs on Recreation Department Programs. A loss of revenue occurred when the lighting project for the theater did not occur as planned during a four week interval. D) Park Maintenance Division Update - David Mooney A written memo from David Mooney was presented to the group for review and discussion. The memo outlined current and upcoming projects that the Parks Maintenance Page 5 - January 5, 1998 Minutes Park Maintenance Division Update CQnti~ued Division is working on. Although Mr. Mooney is unable to attend the evening meetings, the Cor~mission directed staff to ask Mr. Mooney to continue providing the informative, monthly Park Division updates. The Meetin9 was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. Swan/Ioannou Submitted by: . J Paula Reeve Staff to the Parks and Recreation Commission