HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-03-1998 Park and Recreation Commission Minutes Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
Administrative Offices, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga
August 3, 1998
7:30 p.m.
Action Minutes
I. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m.
R011, Call
Commissioners Present:, Crotty, Clabeaux, Friedrich, Ioannou, Olsen, Swan,
Whitney
Commissioners Absent: None
Others Present: Sam Kendall, Mark Weiner, Maxine Cohn, Sydney Cohn,
Tannaz Altafi, Sarah Adolphson, Ron Adolphson, Reiko Iwanaga, Kathy Weiner,
Joan Pisani, Irene Jacobs
III. Report on Posting of the Minutes: Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2 the
agenda was properly posted on July 29, 1998.
W. Approval of Minutes of July !3, 1998. Meeting:
Commissioner Swan made a motion to approve the minutes of July 13, 1998.
Commissioner Olsen seconded the motion and the motion carried. (6/0)
V. Oral & Written Corngnu. nicat. ion: None
VI. Old Business:
A)Warner Hutton House Improvements: At last months commission meeting,
Youth Commissioners attended to request that the Park Development Funds be
used to make the improvements to the Warner Hutton House planned by the
Friends of 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
requested that the project be funded by the Park Development Fund.
The Commission decided at last month's meeting not to fund the new project
because only $5,000 had originally been funded for Warner Hutton House
renovations and it was the feeling of the Commission that any additional funding
would have to wait for consideration just as had been asked of the High School
pool project and the Skateboard park request. The Commission was asked to
revisit the request at this month's meeting by the Friends of the Warner Hutton
House.
Members of both the Board of the Friends of the Warner Hutton House the Youth
Commission were present to discuss the agenda item. Members of the Friends
board passionately shared their request stating that they had been unable to secure
funds as was the original intention because grant monies were difficult to come by
when you are dealing with a City owned facility. The Commission recognized the
value of the project yet, they explained to the board 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.
At the end of the discussion Commissioners Friedrich made a motion to
recommend to the Friends of the Wamer Hutton House that they go to bid on the
project so that they will be able to provide more reliable estimated costs for the
project and then return to the Commission at a later date after the Commission
had had a chance to move further along with the prioritized projects and thus had
a better idea of how much money remained for distribution to new projects. The
Commission wanted to make it clear that there was no commitment being made
to the project, simply a commitment to reconsidering the project once there was
more information that could be shared with the Commission. Commissioner
Olsen seconded the motion and the motion carded. (5/1)
B) Playfield Task Force Update:
Commissioner Olsen updated the Commission to the status of the Playfield
Improvement Project. Their was consensus from the Commissioners who
attended the meeting that the project was moving forward and that the Task Force
was working together to make positive things happen.
C. Trail Grant Propam:
At last month's Commission meeting the Commissioners discussed the criteria
that should be considered in evaluating trail proposals in addition to the
information that should 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 a final approval was made.
The Trails Grant Program is being established to address the need for trail
improvements at a time when there are insufficient funds available to maintain
existing trails and create new trails. 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.
Comments were shared with staff regarding the draft trail brochure that had been
distributed for their review. Staff will make adjustments and provide the
Commission with a final version at their next meeting.
VII, New Business:
A) Projects - P .d. oriti.esfor staff: Irene Jacobs, staff liaison to the Parks and
Recreation Commission, requested that the Commission give her some direction
in prioritizing her limited time so that she could "work smart" to accomplish as
many of the priorities established for the use of the Park Development Fund.
Staff recommended and the Commission agreed that she should continue to focus
on the playfield project, the restrooms at Wildwood Park and installing the new
play equipment at Kevin Moran and Gardiner Parks.
B) Election of a New ~ommission Chair:
Kay Whitney made a motion to elect Barbara Olsen as the new Chair of the Parks
and Recreation Commission. Commissioner Swan seconded the motion and the
motion carded. (6/0)
Marianne Swan made a motion to elect Frank Friedrich as the new Co-Chair of
the Parks and Recreation Commission. Commissioner Crotty seconded the
motion and the motion carried. (6/0)
VIII. Reports:
Commissioner Rep_ orts:
Commissioner Crotty reminded the Commission that her term on the Commission
is scheduled to end in October and she asked Commissioners to consider whom
they would want to appoint to or.see the Adopt a Creek Program that she is
currently overseeing.
City Hall Updat. e: None
Recreation Depanrnergt Status Report: None
Park Mainten~ce Diyision Update: None
IX. Ad|ournment
Commissioner Whitney made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Commissioner
Friedrich seconded the motion. The motion carried and the meeting was
adjourned at 10:20 p.m. (6/0)
Prepared By: