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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: