HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-13-1998 Park and Recreation Commission Minutes Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
Administrative Offices, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga
July 13, 1998
7:30 p.m.
Action Minutes
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:37 p.m.
Roll Call
Commissioners Present:, Crotty, Friedrich, Ioannou, Olsen, Swan, Whitney
Commissioners Absent: Clabeaux
Others Present: James & Terri Baron, Sandy Nichols, Benjamin Pease, Darwin
Barrett, Sheeva Ghassemi, Alex Scotdells, Joan PisanJ, Irene Jacobs
IH. Report on Posting of the Minutes: Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2 the
agenda was properly posted on July 8, 1998.
IV. Approval of Minutes of Junel. 1998 Meeting:
Commissioner Olsen made a motion to approve the minutes o f June 1, 1998.
Commissioner Friedrich seconded the motion and the motion carried. (5/0)
V. Oral & Written Communication: Sandy Nichols and Benjamin Pease from The
Trail Center in Palo Alto addressed the Commission regarding their availability to
assist the Commission with the creation a Trail Map and/or map updating. The
Trail Center will be contacted at a later date when this need is addressed. No
action was taken.
VI. Old Business:
A) CommuniW Centor Improvements: Last month, Recreation Director, Joan
Pisani introduced Pamela Brulle who had come to address the Commission about
the Community Center feasibility study. Joan reported that she had already met
with Pam BruUe and other representatives from the Community Center to begin
discussions necessary for the study to be completed. The Commission had
requested that Ms. Brulle complete the study in order to provide the City Council
with the info,nation they had requested regarding the costs associated with a
feasibility study of improvements to the Commtmity Center. Ms. Pisani told the
Commission that the consultant's proposal would not exceed $5,000.
B) Pl.ayfield Task Force Update:
Mr. Darwin Barrett, a Saratoga resident whose house is located near Marshall
Lane School, came to speak to the Parks and Recreation Commission to inform
them that certain residents from his neighborhood would not support any playfield
development at the mentioned school site. The Commission assured him that if it
came to pass that the task force recommend that the Marshall Lane school site be
developed then he, in addition to the residents of that neighborhood, would be
informed and they would have an opportunity to address this issue and have their
concerns heard.
Commissioner Olsen updated the Commission to the progress that was being
made by the Playfield Task Force. The next Task Force Meeting is scheduled for
July 28, 1998 from 4-6 p.m. at City Hall.
C. Effie Adamson Foundation Grant Request:
The Commission explained to the Barons, who had submitted the proposal, that
the Commission would be unable to address their proposal until they as a
Commission first established the grant program criteria. This criteria would allow
the Commission to evaluate their proposal and all subsequent proposals received
by the Commission. The Barons were asked to return in September when the
Commission had had an opportunity to establish the parameters of the Trail Grant
Program.
VII. New Business:
A) Trail Grant Pro~stablish Format- The Commission determined that the
main reasoning behind the establishment of the Trails Grant Program was to
address the need for trail improvements at a time when there are insufficient
funds available to maintain existing trails and create new trails. In the past,
volunteer groups have approached the City and volunteered their time to clean
up certain portion of a trail. The City would then supply the volunteer group
with the necessary materials for the improvement project. The Commission
felt that by formalizing this process, it would encourage more residents to
volunteer their time to make improvements to the trails that they most use.
Interested parties could collect a brochure from City Hall or from a
Commissioner containing all the pertinent information related to the program.
The individual or group would then submit their proposal by the designated
time and the Commission would review and address the proposal at their next
scheduled meeting. Depending upon the amount of the grant would determine
whether or not the recommendation would need to be forwarded to the City
Council for approval.
The Commission discussed the criteria that should be considered in evaluating
the proposals in addition to the information that should be asked to be
included in the proposal. Staff was asked to draft a brochure that included all
this information that could then be reviewed for changes before final approval
was made.
B) Establish Project Sub-Comttees:
It was mentioned at the Commission's June regular meeting that perhaps
several sub-committees should be formed in order to better address some of
the issues and projects that the Commission has undertaken. As a result of
this recommendation the following sub-committees were formed:
Trail Sub-Committee: Marianne Swan & Sheila Iannou
Playfield Sub-Committee: Barbara Olsen, Jennie Crotty & Frank Friedrich.
C) Warner Hutton House Improvem.ents: Youth Commissioners Alex Scordellis
and Sheeva Ghassemi attended the meeting to request that the Park
Development Funds be used to make the planned improvements to the Warner
Hutton House. Joan Pisani explained that the project would cost somewhere
between $70,000 to $100,000 to renovate the attic that the Youth Commission
and the Friends of the Warner Hutton House hope to see converted in to a
study area for youth from the community. The original intent of the Friends
of the Warner Hutton House was to seek funding for this project via grant
monies. The Friends have been unsuccessful in attaining these funds and are
requesting that the project be funded by the Park Development Fund.
The entire Commission recognized the value of the project yet, the discussion
revolved around the precedence that had already been set when the
Commission declined both the request from Saratoga High School for
assistance with the aquatics center and the request to fund a skateboard park.
Both requesting parties were told that the Commission first needed to
complete some of the items on the priority list established by the Commission
and approved by the City Council before they would then entertain assisting
or undertaking any additional projects. There was discussion that Teens were
listed on the original priority list but, the counter argument pointed out that the
documented sum of $5,000 that had been agreed upon for the renovation of
the Warner Hutton House had already paid. In addition, it was mentioned that
the projects already listed on the priority list would also greatly benefit the
entire teens community.
At the end of the discussion Commissioners Friedrich made a motion to
decline the request of the Friends of the Warner Hutton House to fund the
expansion of the attic. Commissioner Swan seconded the motion and the
motion carded. (5/1)
VIII. Reports:
Commissioner Reports:
Commissioner Whitney reminded the Commission that elections for a new
Commission chair are held in August and she asked Commissioners to consider
who they would want to nominate.
City Hall Update: Staff reported that Chris Fischer had been hired as the new
Public Works Director and that she would be instrumental in helping to
implement these Park Development projects.
Recreation Department Status Report: Joan Pisani reported that the Recreation
Department had brought in 42% additional revenue than expected this year to
cover the department's indirect costs.
Park Majnte.n~ce Division Update: No report at this time.
IX. Adjournment
Commissioner Friedrick made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Commissioner
Olsen seconded the motion. The motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at
10:40 p.m. (6/0)
Prepared By:
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