HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-07-2000 Park and Recreation Commission AgendasSaratoga Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
City Hall Administrative Offices
13 7 7 7 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga
1Vlonday, August 7, 2000
7:30 p.m.
AGENDA
Organization
A> Roll Call: Alberts, Clabeaux, Dodge, Fronczak, Ioannou, Olsen, Seroff
s) Report on Posting of the Agenda:
Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2 the agenda was properly posted on
July 28, 2000
C) Approval of July 10, 2000 Action Minutes
II. Administration
A) Update from John Cherbone, Public Works Director, regarding Parks and
Recreation Commission projects.
B) Update from Recreation Director Joan Pisani
III. Oral Written Communication
This section is for the public to speak on any item not on the agenda (3 minute limit).
IV. New Business
None
V. Old Business
A) Congress Springs Park-Presentation/Public Input Session (3 minute limit).
B) Subcommittee Keports:
o Trails
C) Adopt-a-Park individual Commissioner Reports
o Feature Inventory List/ Website
VI. Commissioner Staff Reports
A) City Hall Update by Staff Liaison Bloomquist
B) Commissioner Reports
VII. Adjournment
Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
Administrative Offices, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga
,july 10, 2000
7:30 p.m.
Action Minutes
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:37 p.m.
II. Roll Call
Commissioners Present: Alberts, Clabeaux, Dodge, Fronczak, Ioannou, Olsen,.
Seroff
Commissioners Absent: None
Others Present: Council member Nick Streit, Saratoga Soccer Regional
Commissioner Mark Linsky, Winifred Simpson, Don Johnson, Public Works
Director John Cherbone, Recreation Director Joan Pisani, Kara Chalmers,
Saratoga News, Administrative Analyst Cary Bloomquist
III. Report on Posting of the Agenda: Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2 the
agenda was properly posted on July 6, 2000.
IV. Approval of Minutes of Meeting Commissioner Olsen made a motion to approve
June 5, 2000 Action Minutes, seconded by Commissioner Ioannou, motion
carried (7-0). Commissioner Olsen made a motion to approve June 8, 2000
Action Minutes, seconded by Commissioner Clabeaux, motion carried )(7-0).
V. Administration:
A) Update given by Public Works Director John Cherbone. Wildwood Park
restroom project is scheduled to be completed July 21, 2000. Congress
Springs Park restroom project should be complete by end of August, 2000.
Motion made by Commissioner Ioannou to complete Wildwood Park project,
followed by Congress Springs Park project and starting El Quito Park project
after August 1 S, 2000. Seconded by Commissioner podge, motion cai ried
(7-0). Mr. Cherbone stated the cost savings of the Wildwood Park project to
be approximately $50,000.00 dollars. Mr. Cherbone reported the play
equipment changes at Kevin Moran and Gardiner Park have been ordered
and should arrive late August/early September 2000. The cost of reordering
the playground equipment, including shipping, should not exceed $5000.00
dollars. Old play equipment from Kevin Moran Park should be installed at
Wildwood Park sometime during September 2000.
B) Recreation Director Joan Pisani gave a brief update indicating all programs
are going well and all of the summer camps are going well and very busy
with long waiting lists. Mrs. Pisani indicated the revenue generated from
park rentals, community center rentals, and special events are
approximately $106,000.00 per year. The community center remodel is in
phase II and is expected to move forward without significant delay. The roof
is scheduled to be done during August 2000.
Oral Written Communication:
Saratoga resident Don Johnson gave comments regarding a dead 35' foot Pine
tree in Kevin Moran Park. Mr. Johnson requested the City look into removing
the tree. Commissioner Clabeaux to follow-up with Public Works Director John
Cherbone and Parks Supervisor David Mooney.
VI. New Business:
A) Congress Springs park project was presented by Public Works Director John
Cherbone. Mr. Cherbone indicated this is an initial rough draft of the
project drawing and is only a starting point for design purposes. Six
alternative drawings were presented, and the Commission eliminated the
first 3 from consideration because no additional playfields were realized in
these drawings. Discussion ensued among Commission members. Chair
Albert indicated that Commissioner Fronczak will be liaison for this project.
Commissioners commented about the very low turnout at this public input
session.
VII. Old Business:
A) Action matrix was not reviewed at this time.
B) Commissioner Ioannou commented that the Trail Center is not available to
the City as a resource for the various trails projects presently under
consideration. The trails sub-committee decided to meet on the third Friday
of each month at 7:30 a.m. at City Hall. The possibility of creating a
volunteer position titled Trail Coordinator was discussed. Teri Baron is the
prime candidate for this position, if it is created.
C) Commissioner Ioannou discussed satisfaction with the result of the
Saratogan tear-out sui�vey regarding the Heritage Orchard. The response
rate of 10% was good for a survey of this type. Commissioner Seroff
expressed concerns about the validity of the survey, stating the data derived
from the survey is not scientific and has little to no validity or value. Chair
Alberts made a motion for Proposal to request $10,000.00 to retain the
services of a professional survey organization to measure community
opinion for the development of the Heritage Orchard. Motion seconded by
Commissioner Fronczak, vote occurred (1-5-1) motion failed to pass with
Commissioner Clabeaux abstaining.
D) Adopt-a-Park discussion was briefly reviewed, with Inventory list to be
presented at next meeting.
VIII. Reports:
Commissioner and Staff Reports:
A) Liaison Bloomquist reported new Ciry Manager should be on Board by end
of August/Beg. Of September.
B) Commissioner Olsen indicated that Hakone Gardens looks good per her tour
of the park.
IX. Adjournment
Commissioner Olsen made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner
Ioannou seconded the motion. The motion carried (7-0) and the meeting was
adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
Prepared By:
Caiy Bloomquist
City Staff Representative
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�arks and IE�ecreati�n �ornrnission
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]Bac9�groun�d: The City of Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission, at
their regular meetings last year, discussed Congress Springs Park in an
effort to increase the number of playfields and improve safety for users. The
information gathered by the Commission was presented to City Council,
which gave approval to proceed with the project. The City has since
retained an architect to produce design drawings for Congress Springs Park.
The meeting on July 10 introduced the public to the project and provided
the public with an opportunity to give feedback. This second meeting will
provide the public with updated information regarding the proj ect and will
provide an opportunity for the public to further review the project and
provide feedback to the City.
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By KARA CHALMERS
On July 10, the public got its first chance to
view and comment on drawings of what Con-
gress Springs Park might look like after it is
remodeled, at the Parks and Recreation Com-
mission's regular meeting. However, no one
showed up, other than two members of the
coordination committee for the Congress
Springs Park project: Mark Linsky, who is an
American Youth Soccer Organization
(AYSO) regional commissioner and coach
and councilman Nick Streit:
City staff liaison to the commission, Cary
Bloomquist, said he expected more pebple to
show up—at least a handful of people who live
near the park. Commissioner Nick Seroff said
that he had received emails from neighbors of
the park about how construction would affect
them, so he was surprised when no one came
to the meeting.
Commission chairwaman Judy Alberfs
agreed that the turnout was surprising.
"With the amount of notification given and our
past history. I did expect more people," she said.
The point of the meeting was to give the
public a chance to add their input and voice
any concerns about the praject early on in its
design and construction phase, according to
public works director John Cherbone. Cher-
bone said he sent a direct mailing to about 350
households in the immediate vicinity of the
park about the meeting.
"I think we did a pretty good job of outreach
to get people here," he said.
Cherbone, who has worked closely with the
architecture firm hired for the project,
explained the designs at the July 10 meeting.
The six initial drawings are very preliminary,
Cherbone said, and do not yet take into
account the wishes of the user groups—Little
League, Pony League and AYSO.
The design consultant was told the whole
purpose of creating drawings for the meeting
was to get public input, before going back to
the task force, Cherbone said. He said that at
the next pubiic input meeting, he'd present
two or three more detailed designs that will
include direct input from the user groups.
The goals of the remodel are to change the
configuration of the playfields at the park,
increasing the number of overall fields and to
improve safety, according to Cherbone.
Drawings one, two and three were a recon-
6guration of the fieids that are at the park now
and did not include any extra fields. The other
three drawings increased the number of fields
by one or two, by eliminating the pony 6eld and,
in one case, the tennis courts. All�the drawings
included keeping the snack shack, the parEcing
lot and the restrooms and playgrounds.
Another community input meeting is sched-
uled for Aug. 7, at 7:30 p.m. in the Adult Care
Center on Allendale Avenue.
After that, the design portion of the project
will come before the city council on Sept. 5.
One more community. input meeting will be
held'on Idov. 6, and the final project will come
before the council on Feb. 6, 2001.
The project should go out to bid in March,
the city will award the bid in May. Construc-
tion is set to begin in June and last through
September.
�"People still do have a chance to comment,"
Cherbone said, but added that he will come to
the August community-input-meeting with
more concrete designs.
JULY 19,1000 SARATOGA NEWS
1
����'��A ���1�g]L
�XE�U'd'IVE S�JI�I�I[�X IV�.
MEE'g'g1V� �AB'�
�RYGIIVA'TING �EP']C �ity Il�anager
DEP'g'. H��: Paula Reeve
S�J�.YEC'd': Status on Saratoga lPlay4ielc9s
ItE��Il�IlO�I+��DEIID I�O�'��1V(S): �nformation�l �nly
RE�OI�'I' SYTM[1VI�Y:
AGIENIDA ��']E1�[
�d��' I�HA1�1A�lElIS:
lPllB]EIP�t��D I��':�ary ]Bloomquist
Land use for playfields in Saratoga has been analyzed by City Staff and reviewed by City
Council for the past several years with the same finding; there is an acute shortage of flat,
available land for recreational use as playfields in Saratoga. Within the past 18 months, City
Staff was directed by Council to reinvestigate the availability of land for recreational use as
playfields. All of the school districts that serve Saratoga Residents were contacted, as were local
religious organizations, service clubs, businesses, and other groups, both public and private, to
discuss the availability of land for recreational use as playfields. The feedback was clear; the
community groups contacted stated their facilities were being utilized to their full capacity, with
no additional capacity at the present time. The groups contacted conveyed a willingness to assist
the City in any manner they could in finding available land for recreational use as playfields, but
maintained they do not have any additional land or facilities for this purpose.
During the past several months, City Staff has been working with the primary user group of
playfields in Saratoga, A.Y.S.O., in an effort to discover additional facilities or "flat grass" areas
that are not presently being utilized for playfields. As directed by Council, City Staff, working
with A.Y.S.O., has contacted the various community groups in an effort to procure new land for
playfield development and explored possible ways of increasing the use of existing playfields.
Present tonight is A.Y.S.O. Regional Commissioner Mark Linsky, who is prepared to respond to
questions from Council regarding practice field needs for A.Y.S.O.
Saratoga Little League baseball is another significant user group of the playfields. For the
2000/2001 seasons, Little League does not anticipate any shortage of fields for practice or league
play. The 2001 season may need to be shortened due to anticipated construction at Congress
Springs Park. Per meeting with Little League, this is not a significant issue for the 2001 season.
Working together, A.Y.S.O. and City Staff have recently procured 5 additional playfield sites: 1
at the Mormon Church in Saratoga, 2 at El Quito Park, 1 at Wildwood Park and 1 at Beauchamps
Park, all located within Saratoga.
According to A.Y.S.O. Regional Commissioner Mark Linsky, Saratoga is host to 105 soccer
teams this season with participation increasing each year. The present needs of A.Y.S.O. for the
2000 season are as follows:
1. 33 practice fields needed per day at 100% usage or 38 fields needed per day at 85%
usage.
2. 31 practice fields are currently available per day at 85% usage, with an additional4 fields
available, contingent upon district approval, per day at Christa McAuliffe School
(attachment #1).
3. The resulting unmet need for the 2000 A.Y.S.O. season is 7 fields per day at 85% usage
(Attachment #1).
New leads for additional playfields at De Anza College and Rolling Hills School in San Jose
have been and continue to be researched by City Staff. Two sites may be available at De Anza
College. The City Manager, working with Council member Ann Waltonsmith, is pursuing this
lead (an update will be provided at the next regular Council Meeting on September 6, 2000).
The use of Rolling Hills School in the Campbell Union School District was researched by Staff
and is not an option this year due to the need to reserve the facilities 1 year in advance (this
applies to usage of all school facilities in the Campbell Union District).
Staff is researching an additional4 playfield sites at Christa McAuliffe Elementary School in the
Cupertino Union School District and 4 playfield sites at Country Lane School in the Moreland
School District. For Christa McAuliffe School, the City of Saratoga is the first potential user
group to complete the school usage form and will likely have priority in reserving the facilities
once school administration returns on August 14, 2000. Country Lane School has been
contacted regarding facilities usage and City Staff should receive a response once school
administration returns on August 1, 2000 (an update will be given at next regular Council
Meeting September 6, 2000). If the City is able to reserve these two sites, A.Y.S.O will gain
approximately 8 practice fields per day, satisfying their unmet practice field need for the 2000
season.
Presently, the greatest unmet need for Saratoga A.Y.S.O. is available practice fields. Research
by Staff indicates a lack of available "flat grass" areas for playfield development in Saratoga and
the use of existing playfield facilities is at full capacity. There remains a shortage of safe practice
field space this year, and with construction occurring or scheduled to commence at the local
schools and at Congress Springs Park, practice sites are going to be scarce for the 2000/2001
seasons. Entering into usage agreements with neighboring schools districts such as Cupertino,
Campbell and San Jose in conjunction with continued outreach into the community for new sites
is going to be necessary if we are to keep pace with the growing demands of the various user
_i� groups in Saratoga.
Summary: The needs of A.Y.S.O. for the 2000 season should be met if the City is able to
procure the usage of the playfield sites at Christa McAuliffe School in the Cupertino School
District and Country Lane School in Moreland School District. For the 2001 season, with
construction at Congress Springs Park and at the local schools, A.Y.S.O. will be challenged to
meet their practice field needs. Possible leads for practice fields for the 2001 A.Y.S.O. season
are Rolling Hills School in the Campbell Union School District and De Anza College. These
sites, combined with possible increased usage at West Valley College, will meet a significant
portion of the needs of A.Y.S.O. during the construction of Congress Springs Park.
IFISCA]L, �I�I[PA��'S:
Informational report only
AI�VER'�'ISIIV�,IV�7C���1�1� �1IlD IP�J�IL�� ��I�B'��'�':
None.
COli1SEQU�1�1��5 1lT�'�' A�T'�1�1� �1�1 ���IMiIM[E1�1HDlE�D I�i[�'d'd01+1(S):
Informational report only.
FOILIL��' L1� A��'�01+15:
Contact with Christa McAuliffe School and County Lane School regarding facilities usage.
A T" I' A�� I 1!' E N' g' S:
1. Saratoga A.Y.S.O. Practice Field Needs.
i�
emo
To: Mayor, Councilmembers, City Sta�Liaisons, and Directors
From: Cathleen Boyer, City Clerk
Date: August 2, 2000
Ree Adjourned Meeting Schedule
At the Council Retreat held on 1VIay 2000, the consensus of the Council was to meet
with the City's Commissions/Committees once during �he year.
The following Adjourned Meetings have been cancelled.
September 12, 2000 Parics and Recreation Commission
October 24, 2000 Finance Commission �i Library Commission
1VIEMORANDUIVI
Date: July 28, 2000
To: David Mooney
From: Cary Bloomquist
Cc: John Cherbone
RE: Review of El Quito and Ravenwood Parks
At the request of the Parks and Recreation Commission, I reviewed El Quito and
Ravenwood Park today and found the following items in need of repair:
o Ravenwood Park: Plastic covers on water service for sprinklers have been
destroyed (they appear to have been stomped on) The resulting holes are
approximately 10" deep and large enough for a person's foot to fall into. This is
a liability for the City and these water service covers should be replaced
immediately.
o El Quito Park: As a follow-up to the voice mail message I left today, please add
bark groundcover in the area under the track slide and under the base of the
slide. The thicl:ness of the bai k in these areas is less than 2".
Thank you for your attention to this matter. Please update me as things progress.
i�
Jens Ha�ser� �on��a��9 Y��� �e���°�� C�nt�'�c�i�
153U Cr.DAK STREET S�•�1 CARI.OS, CA 9407U o CALIN. [.IC #54a587
July 2� �2000
Mr. Jason C4�ou
City of Sa�atoga
'9 3777 Fruitvale Ave.
Saratoga, CA 95070
RE: !Nildwood Park
D�ar Jason
?here has been an unfortuna4e dei�iy in ih� complefion date of $he
restrooms at VVildwrood Park. Th� delay has resuited from a shipping
problem on the 4oilet �a�titions. These par�itions were ordered
from Warda Enterprises of San Jos� and were �o be shipped from the
manufacturer located in Georgia on July 7 and be on hand at VVarda on
Juty 14. Sornehow ther� vvas an �rror and they did not ship unfii! July
19, with delivery to be Juiy 26. and ins4altt6on qo be complea�ed by
July 2a. I vdas not informed og Yhis cfelay �ntil July 20. I sincerly
apologize for this delay.
i
Hansen Company
Phone (650) 59➢-6��3 o IE:ax (6so) s91-644�
MEMORANDUM
Date: August 4, 2000
To: Bill Norton
From: Cary Bloomquist
RE: Wildwood Park Issues
Per our conversation earlier today, I visited the Wildwood Park site this
morning and was shocked and disgusted by the vandalism I observed.
Gang style graffiti using cobalt blue spray paint was applied to our
recently remodeled restroom on the outside walls, doors, and faux rocks.
This graffiti was also applied to several barbeque structures throughout
the park and on the first concrete step as you approach the bridge from the
parking lot. The Sheriffs took into custody one young Korean woman for
questioning and discovered a backpack full of evidence at the Park (spray
paint, pictures of the graffiti, etc.). Per conversations with David Mooney
and Joan Pisani toda.y, it was brought to my attention the sets of
Rumplestillskin were maliciously vandalized earlier this week at
Wildwood Park. The Sheriffs office is aware of the vandalism issues, and
reports have been filed, but the problem persists.
David Mooney is trying to get the graffiti removed and the restroom
repainted today. The set of Kumplestillskin has been repaired and is fully
functional.
Due to the excessive vandalism that has recently occurred, I recommend a
meeting with Captain Jeff Miles of the Santa Clara County Sheriff s
Department Westside Station. I suggest members of the Parks and
Recreation Commission attend this meeting along with Cify Staff from the
various departments, such as Public Works, Recreation, Planning and City
Managers Office. The issues at Wildwood Park do not appear to be
resolving themselves, and the present level of police intervention does not
appear to be solving these issues. Unless swift action is taken, I fear
further vandalism/destruction of City property will occur at Wildwood
Park.
CI'I'Y S�]ftAT�GA
Heritage �rchard �urvey �omrnents
Saratoga does not have as many parks and recreational facilities as it should, considering the type
of town it is
o Please make use of existing school facilities and playfields
a Leave alone! Just take care of it
o Improve and use what �ve have
o Already have 3 ball fields and Con�ress Springs for kids
o Let's keep our good tllings
o It should be on the school grounds Ar�onaut
There are school playing fields
o Keep current facilities intact
o I do not support changing the Community Center it is functional and adequate for the current
usage level
o Forget using the orchard! Save our trees. We need an orchard. No more money spending!
a This survey has been done very poorly! Not one of our neighbors received one!
o Could it be built on land between Redwood Community Center and Sacred Heart?
Get rid of "not in my backyard" attitude use schools!
o What is wrong with present facilities?
o This survey is skewed anti-orchard. We already have soccer fields! Maybe not as nice as
Cupertino's, but they'll do. If we do add more fields, they should be at the schools.
There are enough play fields, and we have young children also!
e We already have ample outdoor playgrounds. Orchard only, as it now is! Take no part of Heritage
Orchard
o Work �vith schools and Congress Springs Park
Sports facilities belong in schools
o Enough bond issues for a while!!
m Do not change the orchard
m Is there any property left?
Use West Valley College facilities or establish recreational facility in a City park. Please leave our
one remaining orchard alone! Saratoga has enough buildings and asphalt! We are rapidly losing the
beauty for which Saratoga is known!
m Fully utilize existing facilities.
I support the Library Expansion but please leave Heritage Orchard alone!
o Leave alone!
We have Saratoga High School and West Valley College recreation centers. Leave �vhat land we
have left in Saratoga alone, or how about planning for Senior Housing.
m Once it's gone it's gone forever! Should have used land across from high school too late!
o Let those that want it pay for it. I am also against the use of Warner Hutton house for free
babysitting
m Only support more playfields if not on Heritage Orchard!
m Need Orchard. No buildings.
Use school facilities they are actually tax payer property!
We need a new Community Center! Let's see data that we need more playfields first!
Santa Clara County takes too much money from us! Ask it back!!
0 Cooperatively use school facilities
m I support the Heritage Orchard to remain as is, except for library expansion
CITY �F SA]KATOGA
I3eritage Orchard Surve�� Comenents
m As long as none of the Orchard would be destroyed
o Couldn't playfields be put in eaistin� parks?
m This survey looks very skewed toward a recreational facility. We do not thinl: Saratoga has to have
a gymnasium. Perhaps more soccer, baseball, and basketball courts at some of our parks. 1 believe
kids should be able to shoot lloops. The Heritage Orchard needs to be left. There are almost none
left in the Valley. We need to look ahead �Jhen we ��ill be glad that �ve saved it toda�-.
o Wllat about usin; school grounds?
o There is so little ]and available in Saratoga for such an educational orchard garden that the
Heritage Orchard must be preserved at all costs.
o Want the Orchard to stay as an orchard only
a What about fixing up the schools yards? Use what v��e have
o Please keep our beautiful orchard!
o Only as part of West Valley College. Also beef up Redwood School's recreational sports facilities
o Keep it preserved! Stron� NO
Use the Corp Yard. We have far too few parks open space
Use existing school athletic fields
o P11 fight for Heritage Orchard
Coordinate West Valley College and school facilities with recreational needs of town
a Please leave the Heritage Orchard as is!
a Use school properties
e I am absolutely opposed to the further destruction of Saratoga's Herita�e Orchard and open areas
Leave the Heritage Orchard as open space the way it is. We already have traffic jams with the
library and two schools
o Why not use schools?
m Existing school properties are currently under-utilized for this purpose
Use space at West Valley College
Just update high school facilities. Don't use Orchard. Better to convert a strip mall into a gym
o Whatever we need, I don't want it at the expense of the Orchard
o Absolutely no! Leave it alone! Do you want Saratoga to look like Los Angeles, with no trees?
m Use facilities already available at Saratoga High School
Leave the Orchard the way it is!!
o Why doesn't the city do a decent job of fixing the playfields we have look at what Sunnyvale did
for its' community. We have been hit with too many bond issues. Why didn't the City build a
sports recreation center at the corner of Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road and Hemman instead of the
horrible million dollar homes?
o Use the schools. They should be "community" and it will make the schools better for the kids
Use school facilities
Use the high school
They have plenty of facilities at the schools
We do not need the $10,000 worthless survey
o Absolutely not. Leave it as is
Please leave the Orchard alone
e Please don't disturb the Orchard
Depends on property and purchase price
m Use Community Center it was intended for youth not well-to-do seniors
CITY �F' SA�T'�GA
I�eritage Orchard Survey Comer►ents
o We already have some in our schools and parks
o Already have Congress Springs. Far too much traffic already
o Use private financing
o Use e�isting facilities plus local school facilities. Keep present status of Orchard
o Please leave Orchard as is!
Use high school or West Valley College
o Save the Orchard!
o V��e're going to be paying too many bonds as is!
o But I also support improving school fields for soccer with park funds
o This is an appalling proposition and I would fight it
o Use school fields for sports activities
o Use existing school fields
o The only non-orchard, non-�arden use of the Heritage Orchard should be if the Library needs some
land. There are school and park facilities available now. They should be mainly available for
unorganized ;ames and play
o If I want to see an orchard, I'll go see a real one in Gilroy or the Central Valley
m Improve existing playfields and use schools like we used to
Use school fields
m Use VVest Valley and high school
Ridiculous preserve our land
J o Leave the Orchard as is please! We have plenty of space at the schools
We don't have enough basketball court space and soccer field area, especially as it affects girls'
sports
o We would support school renovation for sports
o Improve already-e�isting facilities
We are totally opposed to the use of any Heritage Orchard land for recreational facilities. In our
opinion, the Heritage Orchard should remain intact as ori;inally mandated, except for the already
approved Library expansion
o I believe the whole Heritage Orchard should be used for recreational facilities for the community
and not as a Heritage Orchard. Saratoga land is at a premium and disappearing fast. And, if we
don't take a stand now to keep the orchard for community recreational facilities, we will lose it
forever. Furthermore, the pressure to build homes on the said orchard will become extremely
political in the future and we have seen this scenario happen so many times over the years.
Therefore, it is time to save the said land for recreational facilities for the residents of Saratoga.
Earl
B
T'Da.� v�os� �ompreheras�ve ev��.t of
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�.��e��e�� �p���°�aa.r�i2�,y �o ne�bv�v�� �n�
��r�la��.�� �deas!
Pre-Register
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v
Register online at r�rvv.cp�s.org��onferen��
14 JUNE 2000 Job Line and news from CPR
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RECRMA CN P17, 200 I SACRAMENTONCE m a r te r°
Complete registration information detailing educational sessions and conference activities will be mailed in November.
1
Z001 CONFERENCE EARL� BIRD REGISTRATION FORN1
Name
Member if appliwble)
Address
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Please Check All Appliwble �oxes
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0 CPRS NRPA�
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•NOTE: NRPA members must send a copy of
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Category Early Bird Rate
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l �A��, i V 1
Cary Bloomquist
From: City Hall <cityhall@saratoga.ca.us>
To: Cary Bloomquist <cbloomquist@saratoga.ca.us>
Sent: Monday, July 17, 2000 9:37 AM
Subject: Fw: Doggie Bags
Cary, Info for you from John Cherbone
-Ann
Original PVlessage
From: John Cherbone <jcherbone@saratoga.ca.us>
To: City Hall <cityhall(a)saratoga.ca.us>
Sent: Saturday, July 15, 2000 4:17 AM
Subject: Fw: Doggie Bags
Ann,
Please forward this to Cary.
Thanks,
John
Cary,
Please respond to IVlarcia. I think this should go to the Parks
Recreation Commission for consideration.
Thanks,
John
Original Message
From: City Hall cityhall(a�saratoga.ca.us
To: James Walgren <iwalqren __saratoga.ca.us>
Sent: Friday, July 14, 2000 1:28 PM
Subject: Fw: Doggie Bags
Original Message
From: James Walgren <jwalgrenLa�.saratoga.ca.us>
To: City Hall <cityhall _.saratoga.ca.us>
Sent: Friday, July 14, 2000 10:21 ANi
7/20/00
.aj� v.
Subject: Re: Doggie Bags
PVlarcia you're right, these dispensers are provided at many public
parks
and gathering places. I will forward your suggestion to Public Works
Director John Cherbone.
Thanks, James
Original Message
From: City Hall <cityhall _.saratoga.ca.us>
To: James Walgren <jwalgren �saratoga.ca.us>
Sent: Friday, July 14, 2000 8:41 AM
Subject: Fw: Doggie Bags
Good morning James,
Information/concern for someone in your department Ann
Original Message
From: Marcia Fariss <IVlarcia(a�Gizmology.com>
To: Planning Commission <cityhall�saratoga.ca.us>
Sent: Thursday, July 13, 2000 8:58 PM
Subject: Doggie Bags
Dear Planning Commission:
Attempting to walk along Cox Avenue without stepping in canine
excrement is nearly impossible. Unfortunately and to a lesser
degree, a similar situation exists along Saratoga Creek Drive. It
is
quite likely that other neighborhoods and/or parks suffer from the
same unpleasant deposits.
Pacific Grove (and possibly other locales as well) has an
excellent
solution. Placed periodically along the walking paths are
dispensers
of plastic "doggie do bags." The dispensers are labeled and
include
a polite but firm reminder to dog owners and/or dog walkers, that
in
consideration of others, the bags are to be used appropriately.
The
baggie dispensers are small and mounted on posts at eye level so
that
they are easily seen and accessed.
7/20/00
1 .ij� vi
1 1 1 1
In spite of large numbers of dogs being exercised along the
numerous
and extensive paths, no doggie deposits were noted during any of
our
visits to the area. The obvious conclusion is that the doggie bag
dispensers are successful in maintaining clean walkways.
Such a solution should work equally well for Saratoga and the cost
of
installing the doggie bag dispensers should not be prohibitive. I
urge you to request that the City place numerous "stations" in
popular dog walking areas; if funds are available, perhaps they
could
be placed throughout Saratoga.
Thank you for considering this suggestion.
A/larcia Fariss
Saratoga Glen Place
7/20/00
lf city luses orch�rd,
at also loses uniqueness
My name is Justin Fisher. I am a 21-year-
aratoga resident wha graduated from
.o�a High School in 1997. I am cur-
rently an English major at Utah Valley
State College in Orem, Utah. It has been
brought to my attention that the city is con-
sideringdestroying the Heritage Orchard.
Destroying the orchard for any reason
would be a terrible transgression. The
orchard is not only a place of extreme
beauty, but it is one of the only things that
attaches Saratoga to its past.
Once upon a time, Saratoga was all
orchards. Now there is only one left. If it is
destroyed, the city will have virtually given
up its uniqueness, becoming just another
town in Silicon VaUey. I would hate to see
that happen.
When I'm home on breaks, I work with
my parents, Ken and Marilynn Fisher, at
the historical garden in front of the Sarato-
ga Historical Museum. The garden and
museum are fine, but what is the point of
having them if the orchard is lost? T'hat is
our real history, not items in a museum or
a pretty garden. I implore the city to cease
and desist in this horrid endeavor.
IUSTIN FISHER
Argonaut Drive
�e city recently conducted an ��nspeci-
f ed survey of all residents in nn attempt to
learn i f the con�munity might be amenable
lo the idea of rrsing a part of the orchard for
�iQy;ng�prds.
—EDITOR
uVliAl1�1JJa�ii
aba��o�s idea
��ch��� surdey
On July 10, the Pa�
and Recreation.Commissi
d�cided to lake hack a n
�mmcndation to the c
council that they voted on
May: The recommendati�
was that the city pay a prof�
sional polling firm $10,000
take a sample survey of hc
citi�ens t'eel ahout using p;
of the Heritage Orchard 1
other recreational.uses.
But before the council hea
the commission's recomme
dation, the city conducted
own survey, via a tear-out ca
in its newsletter, and receiv
1,069 responses. Of th�
responding, 86� percent sz
theydid not favor convertin;
partion of the orchard to use
ar� organized sports facility.
Thc commission' revot�
since some commissioners h.
changed their minds because
the resultsof the newsletters�
vey. The majority wanled
take back the recommendati�
to the council. Commission
Nick Seroff, who had fi�
brought up the idea of a scie
titicsurvey, did not. He said U
newsle[tersurvey was unscie
tific and, therefore, may ha�
inaccurate orskewed results
�'�ai➢s �eetings
s�a�� un August
The trails subcommittee
the Saratoga Parks ar
Recreation Commission w:
begin holding regular mee
ings, open to the public, tt
third Friday of every mont�
at 7:30 a.m. at City Hall c.
Fruitvale'Avenue, startir
Aug. �8. There will not be
meeting in July.
Hakon �X�llblt �a��e� art �f �a
By SHARI KAPLAN
`Saratogans Donna and Earl Harris, Japan
is like their second home—they've visited it
many times and have hosted Japanese friends
and visitors an equally large number of times.
Although the average American does not
share nearly as much familiarity with the island
nation as the Harrises do, a visit to the latest
exhibit at Hakone Gardens' Cuttural
Exchange Center offers an armchair trip to
Japan and a look at the country's distinctive
art, artifacts and culture. Everything hails from
the Harris' private collection and will be on dis-
play through Aug.10.
The exhibit came about when Hakone Gar-
dens needed another exhibit to take the place
of the Boys' Day one, which was becoming out-
dated since the holiday occurred on May 5.
Harris, who serves on the Hakone Board of
Trustees, was more than happy to share her
eyer-growing collection.
"I said I'd bring my stuff down—I love to
share it and talk about it! I put it all out at Quist-
mas like this as well," she says with a smile.
"1've always loved arts and crafts. I've seen
sewing since I was six. I love doing things with
my hands and I like seeing what (the Japanese]
do with their hands," Harris adds. "I always get
excited looking at this stuff. There's a lot of tra-
dition and ritual in the Japanese culture."
Harris 6rst had her taste for Japan piqued in
1962, when she read a letter to Cood Hoicse-
keeping magaaine from a Japanese woman
named Kaneko seeking pen pals with whom she
could practice hec English skills and correspond
about topics, such as child-rearing, working
mothers and elder care. Harris later found out
she was one of many hundreds of women to write
to Kaneko, but one of only three whom Kaneko
chose to correspond with for the long haul.
The women's friendship eventually led to
visits to each other's countries; each time, gIar-
ris either bought or was given more items to
add to her collection. She and her husband
have hosted the Keio LJniversity Mandolin
Orchestra, and Hanis has also been involved
with sister city activities between Saratoga and
its Japanese sister Iviulco, and San Jose and its
sister Okayama. She even became involved
with sister city organizations on the state and
national level for a dme, discovering many new
Japanese connections and friends.
Among her favorite collectibles are tradi-
tional hand-carved wooden kokeshi dolls,
which differ dramatically in shape and appear-
ance depending upon the region in which they
were made. She al'so enjoys hakata dolls—
"they're extremely detailed; sometimes I think
they shoutd say something �o me!" Harris says.
Harris and her husband also treasure thei�
ceramic cup collection, which includes delicate-
ly lovely vessels for drinking sake and tea. In fact.
I-Iarris says, when the couple eats out at their
favorite Japanese restaurants, they always brinE
their own cups with them—to the delight of the
restaurateucs, who know the couple and alway�
wonder which cups the Harrises will bring next
Other interesting items include a blue-and�
white, tie-dyed diaper—clean, of oourse, hand
painted animal figurines, delicate hanging cal�
endars painted with the katazome paper-dye
ing technique, wooden nose-rings for cattle tha
Harris uses as cabinet pulls, plaques depictin�
animals from the Asian zodiac and a set o:
branding irons people used to burn the symbo.
or symbols of their family name on the bottoR.
of their getas, or shoes. This comes in hand�
when large piles of shoes accumutate outsidc
the entrance of a traditional Japanese home.
Hakone Gardens is at 21QU0 Big Basin Way
For directions, and for Cultural Exchange Cen�
ter hours—which vary by day, or to mak�
arrangements to see the exhibit, cal
408.741.4994. Hanis, who sometimes greets vis
itors to the CEC hetself, may also be reached a�
harris-senter@worldnet. att.net.
JULYi9,2U00 SARATOCANEWS
E ducati�r� �ro�ra,�� ����os��l
By ICARA CHALMERS
When Saratoga's Heritage Preservation
Commission met with the city council for
a joint meeting, the first thing commis-
sioners discussed were plans for the Her-
itage Orchard.'
Commission chairman Idorman Koe-
pernik, who presented the commission's
ideas, said later that he felt the council was
very receptive to them:
Specifically,_the;comiaission proposed
that it be the point "person,'`or entity, for
the orchard; rather than a aty staff inember:
�'tie cpmmissiorras a'govemmental.bod�r�.
�wiU al�vays'b� in effect; no mat[er what
I changes maxoome ahout.incitystaffing..
Ttie commission woul��take care of t�e
every day business of the orchard,
which would free the staff's time. The
orchardist who maintains the orchard,
Matt Novakovich, could report to the
commission with any problems or ideas
and the commission could report to the
council, Kcepemik said.
'Ihe oommission aLso suggested setting up
educational programs with local schools—
and one: commissioner specifically men-
tioned a third- grade curriculum—so that
childFen-coulddearn�about.orr,hards and
Weir history; and even aboufsoils; insects or
Besides prograans for school-age chil-
Please lurn'to page 21
I��r���.��
Continued from page 10
dren, the commission had ideas on how to
involve people of all ages in the orchard.
Commissioners suggested hands-on prun-
ing or grafting classes for adults that would
take place in the orchard and an adopt-a-
tree program as a way to get people per-
sonally invested in the orchard.
Any funds collected from classes would
go directly toward maintaining the
orchard and keeping i[ beautiful, accord-
ing to Koepernik.
Although there has been talk in various
government circles about the possibility of
using a portion of the orchard forsports 6elds,
the subject did not come up at the meeting.
o
E
uca.� tus ��ve�
�ooc�e� ��w s
�p
By LEIGH ANN MAZE
S aratogan Arthur Anderson is a doctor;
therefore, he likes to heal. After one of
the two large eucalyptus trees at Sarato-
ga School was felled on May 3, Anderson had
an idea that he hopes will start the healing
process in Saratoga.
Over the past two years the trees have
caused divisions in the community, which
began in the summer of 1998. An architect's
plans for the expansion of the school included
removing both large eucalyptus trees for safe-
ty reasons and to make a larger playing field.
The fate of the trees sparked nine months of
debate between Saratoga Union School dis-
trict board members, community members,
the city council and parents.
The tree felling in May caused an uproar in
the city, and members of the city council were
especially distraught. According to a cooper-
ation agreement the SUSD made with the city
on June 4,1999, the SUSD was to forward a
copy of the arborist's report to the city before
any trees were cut. The SUSD was to then
schedule a public hearing on the matter at a
regular SUSD board meeting. The hearing
was to be scheduled at least three weeks in
advance to allow the city time to review the
arborist's report.
But the district overlooked all obligations to
the city when the tree was felled on May 3. The
city never saw the report, nor was there a pub-
lic hearing.
Anderson, who lives near the school, imme-
diately went down to the site and salvaged a
few of the fallen tree's branches, as well as a
large slab of the trunk measuring about six feet
in diameter and six inches thick.
Anderson, who does "wood-tuming" as a
hobby, tumed two bowls from the tree's
branches. One is a very simple bowl, similar to
a cereal bowl, and the other is more decorative
and ornate.
Anderson gave the two handmade bowls to
Superintendent Mary Gardner, who.plans to
display them in a prominent glass case in
Saratoga School. The school is still under ren-
ovation and construction, but is expected to be
complete by October, Gardner said. They plan
to have a grand opening celebration.
The slab that Anderson salvaged is being
stored and dried by the SUSD's groundskeep-
er, Paul Tipton. The slab should take about
two years to be properly dried and sealed. It
will be used for educational purposes, accord-
ing to Gardner, but it has not been determined
in exactly what way.
Some ideas have been to use the slab in
lessons about tree rings, or to mount the slab
in a prominent place with the history of
Saratoga School outlined in its growth rings,
as is commonly done with redwood trees m
many parks.
The city and the SUSD are holding a joint
public meeting to discuss the school board's
oversight on July 11. Meanwhile, Anderson
hopes that his ideas will begin to heal some of
the community divisio�.
"It was a very generous thing for him to do,"
Gardner said. "But I'm not sure it's going to
satisfy those people who wanted the tree."
JULY 12, Z000 SARATOGA NEWS 9
i�
Play it
An analysis of recent efforts to minimize risks and nrevent losses
CITIES HEED TO PLAY �Y TH� HEIN RU���
By Eileen Barr, Claims Examiner
s summertime approaches and playground use
increases, inspecting and maintaining play equip-
ent can be an important factor in helping to
reduce playground injuries. According to the Consumer
Products Safery Commission (CPSC), about 200,000 chil-
dren are treated in U.S. hospita] emergency rooms each
year for playground equipment-relaced injuries. About 15
children die annually as a result of playground equipment-
relaced incidents.
California has recently developed comprehensive mini-
mum standards for playground safery.
These new regulacions require initial
saEery inspecCions of all public play-
grounds by Certified Playground
Safery Inspectors (CPSI) and encom-
'���ss CPSC safery guidelines and stan-
.iards developed by the American
Sociery for Testing and Materials.
Healch and SaFery Code g 115730 ec seq. requires public
entiCies to upgrade playgrounds "co the extent state funds
are made available specifically for Chat purpose through
scace bonds or ocher means." To read the full text of chis
legislaCion, visit www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html.
The new rules refer to state law requiring that parks com-
ply with che federal Americans with Disabilities Act and
the CPSC guidelines by Jan. 1, 2000. The new regulations
excend the deadline for parks installed between 1994 and
1999 and limit the requirement for older parks to the
extent that state funds are made available.
Mandated Safety Inspections
According �o the new regulations, all public agencies oper-
ating playgrounds open to the public shall have a play-
ground safery inspector, who is certified by the National
Playground Safery Insticute, conduct an initial inspection
Gefore October l, 2000. Cities are required to upgrade
playgrounds by replacement or improvement, as necessary,
b satisfy the regulations and to the excent scate funds are
,riade available specifically for that purpose. Playgrounds
open to the public and installed benveen January 1, 1994,
and December 31, 1999, do not have to meet the require-
ments until 15 years from the date those playgrounds were
installed, again, unless state funds are made available
specifically for that purpose. A critical piece of the new
standards requires that cities maintain an annual inspec-
tion program.
Additional Liability Concerns?
The new requirements state that they will not affect the
liabiliry or absence of liabiliry of playground operators.
The inspection reporc is intended Co serve as a reference
for upgrades, but is not intended for any other use.
However, it is likely coures will be
asked to use the USPSC and ASTM
guidelines as a basis co determine lia-
bility in playground daims, especially for
new playgrounds and equipment In addi-
rion, if inspections reveal a hazard, the scan-
dard duaes of a propeny owner to fix,
remove, or wam of the ha7ard sall do apply.
Little Funding Available Yet
The only scace funding currently available is from che
California lntegraced Waste Management Board
(CIWMB). They are oEfering grancs to use recycled mate-
rials when upgrading or conscructing new playgrounds.
Certain rerycled materials, such as poured-in-place rubber
matting, have the added benefic of ineeting both che ADA
and CPSC standards. CIWMB has a listing of various play-
ground equipment manufacturers and the types of materials
that qualify as recycled.
The grant programs include the Playground Act Grants,
which is part of Proposicion 98 Funding for Local
Educational Agencies only. It provides up to $25,000,
with a matching 50% contribution. The Grant request
deadline is June 30, 2000.
The Pazk Bond Funding Grant, which is part of
Proposition 12 Funding ($7million) is available for all
public playgrounds. Ic was passed in March 2000, and is a
program in development wich more information to be
posted in the future. Check information at:
http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/playgrounds/
continued on page 7
RlskMatters 6
�"lz•.y it
An analvsis of recent effnrts to minimi ri k and prevent losses
N8W RUIBS continued from page 6
�W�N� �AFE�Y TIP�
By Eileen Barr, Claims Examiner
Ic is likely that additional funds will be made available in
the fucure for playground upgrades. ABAG PLAN will
keep you posced regarding any new funding programs
and we suggest cities apply for these funds as needed.
Proof thac funds were requested, even if denied, will help
to show tha� a ciry is taking the appropriate sceps co
upgrade equipmenc as defined in the new rules.
How Do I Meet the Inspection Requirements?
With this new legislacion and the mandated safery
inspections, playground safery should be a high priority
For public enCities. Cities need to provide ongoing train-
ing for their maintenance personnel and undertake their
own annual inspeccions of all play equipmenc for struc-
tural integrity, wear and compliance with state and feder-
al guidelines.
Some ci�ies have a Certified Playground Safery Inspector
"(CPSI) on scaff. The training is available from the,
Na�ional Playground Safery Institute, who offer a 3-day
course and exam for $450 �o $535, depending on
whether or not you're a member of t11e organization.
More information abouc che training and park safery
issues in general may be found at www.cprs.org. For
those cities that do not have a CPSl, ABAG PLAN has
arranged for members to access a select group of inspec-
tors ac discount rates. Please email a requesc for the la�-
est IisC to Marcus Beverly, ABAG PLAN Risk Mana�er,
ac marcusbC�abag.ca.gov.
Download Regu(ations and Safety Guidelines
Go to ahe California website, htCp://eureka.ca.gov; to link
�o the sice for the new playground�safery regulations: the
Administrative Law website at �www.calregs.com.
The Iatesc CPSC "Guidelines for Public Playground
Safery,"provide suggested inspection criteria and checkliscs
Chat can help your staff maintain a regular playground
inspection program. Download chem at
www.cpsc. gov/cpscpub/pubs/rec_sfy.html.
a free copy of the CPSC safery handbook by mail.
�Send for "Handbook for Public Playground Safery," publi-
carion CPSC-325, Publication Request, U.S. Consumer
Producc SaFery Commission, Washington, DC 20207.
wings are one of che most *�•�r;•
popular pieces of moving
equipment in any playground.
However, along with inadequate
",.�n.: `r,����t.
protective surfacing, they are the
mosc lilcely sources of injury to chil-
dren. Checking swing se�s for pro-
truding bolts, closing any open "S"
hooks with the proper rool, and
replacing missing or broken parts U„saf� op�n "S"l�ook.
can and will help prevent injury and subsequent claims
against your ciry.
Review the following safety tips From che Consumer
Products Safery Commission for swings to ensure thac
"playground moving equipment" is set up properly:
�4��
k.
z:,
O The fall zone should extend a minimum of 6 feet
from the outer edge of the suppore structure on each
side.
O The fall zone in front and back of the swing should
extend ouc a minimum distance of rwice the height
of the swing, as measured from che ground to the
top of rhe swing support srructure.
Swings should not be roo close together or coo close
to support structures.
No more than two swing seats should be suspended in
the same section or bay of the support structure.
Use rhe folfowing clearances for conventional swings:
✓Horizontal distance between adjacent swing seats
at least 24 inches.
✓Horizontal distance benveen swing seat and adja-
cent structural component ac least 30 inches.
Only one tire swing should be suspended in the same
section or bay of the support struccure.
Don't attach swings ro mul�i-ac�iviry equipment.
0 No heavy animal swings with rigid
mecal framework.
Close "S" hooks as �ightly as possi-
ble and eliminate protrusions or
ca�chpoints on playground equip-
men�. Open "S' hooks, especiafly
on swings, may act as hooks or
catch-poincs to catch children's
clothing and cause scrangulation.
RiskMatters 7
Proprrly c%led "S"bookt.
����IV7
I'@�e �aratoga c�¢�eek �ssue
»���des histo�� �esson�
It is fortunate for Saratoga residents,
�nd particularly for small children in
aratoga, that one of the major sources of
uillution of Saratoga Creek has now been
Jentified definitively (SnRnTOCA NEws,
uly 5) and will be fixed relatively quickly
�y the Sanitation District. However, the
�istory and lessons of the Saratoga Creek
�ollution controversy extend well beyond
lie banks of the creek.
Eight years ago, Saratoga resident Don
�Vhetstone tried to tell the city and other
;overnment entities that the creek changed
��lors several times a day from dumping or
lischarges upstream, and that the creek
vas obviously polluted. Whetstone's con-
crn was Ihe many young children who play
n Saratoga Creek, and were endangered
�y high levels of biological contamination.
Initially, Whetstone was ignored, then
Icrided. When he brought video record-
ngs of the pollution to a city council meet-
ng, the cily suggested Whetstone was
lumping things in the creek himself, then
unning downstrcam for the "photo
�pportunity." At one council meeting, for-
ncr Mayor Karen Anderson held up a
;lassotclearliquid proclaiming"the creek
.vater is so cotton-pickin' clean you can
�Imost drink it." When Whetstone paid for
.�ate-certified laboratory tests of creek
.vater that showed off-the-charts concen-
i rations of coliform and fecal coliForm, for-
:2 SARATOCA NEWS JULY26, 2000
mer city manager Harry Peacock said
there were no federal standards goveming
water quality in the creek. That falsehood
was repeated for years.
Don Whetstone and I, as principals in
Friends of Santa Clara County Creeks,
were joined by San Francisco Baykeeper,
and the Sierra Club L.egal Defense Fund
(now "Earth Justice") generously agreed
���I11Z0
to represent us pro bono. We gave the city
and the Santa Clara County Water District
formal notices that we intended to 61e suit
for Federal Clean Water Act violations if
they did not attempt to remediate the situ-
ation. The water district settled quickly and
constructively, agreeing to measures to help
Please ►urn to page 23
understand the creek contamination. The
arystonewalled: in 1995. we filed suit. What
followed wasfive yearsof unnecessarv liti-
gation and several hundred thousand dol-
lars of unnecessary legal costs. The (ormer
citycouncil allowed the former cityatior-
ney to refer this complex, specialized liti-
gation to—surprise—hisown firm.
The Gillian Moran-led council
adamanUy rcjected any substantive
attempts at settlement. whether tormal or
informal. For years, thc city clung lo posi-
tions such as "all urban s�rcams are equal-
ly polluted. it's the resul� o( decr and
other wild animals in Ih� hills," and m�•
particular favorite. "it's raccoons in thc
storm water drains and pipes."
These explanations were helied bv the
ac�ual water test data from the creek.'Th�
city spent S10,OOb to publicize an "experi
report" thal was (acluallv inaccurate and
methodologically amusing. The cit��
seemed intent on exceeding the biolo¢ical
pollution in lhe creek with its own rhe�ar-
ical pollution.
Once the current citycouncil was elect-
ed, they seltled the five-year-long lawsuit
quickly, fairly and constructively. Thcir
secret? They look negotiations away [rom
the former city attorney's law firm, and
negotiated principal to principal.
As a direct result of activities spelled out
in the settlement, the invesligation planned
and coordinated by Whetstonc identificd
a stream of sewage flowing directly into thc
creek. 'Ihe cause was exfiltration from
leaking sanitary sewer lines and infiltration
into storm sewer lines, confirming Whet-
stone's primary hypothesis from Ihe oul-
seto(thissaga. (Hissecondaryhypothesis,
migralion from broken or overflowing sep-
tic systems, will likely be revealed as an
additional source o(substanlial biological
pollution in Saratoga Creek.)
What was discovered last month could
have been discovered and fixed eight
years ago. The most important lessons in
this unfortunate chapterof Saratoga's his-
tory do not concern urban creeks, fecal
coliform or the like. Rather, they center
on lhe city's williagness to hear its own
residents and Io investigate problems.
Here, the city's responsc was to stoncwall,
obfuscate, prevaricate and litigale. For
good measure, they tried to kill the mes-
senger, impugning the integrity of Don
Whetstone.
In the end, it is Don Whetstone who has
been vindicated on grounds of science,
tenacity and character, and it is people like
[ormer manager Harry Peacock, (ormer
Mayor Gillian Moran and tormer City
Attorney Mike Riback who must bear the
responsibility for these expensive and
unnecessary years o( stri[e.
)EFFREY P �CHWARTZ
r��
rcos Road
!'��`,..s'�'�- I
Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
City Hall Administrative Offices
13 7 7 7 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga
Monday, August 7, Z000
7:30 p.m.
AGENDA
I. Organization
A> Roll Call: Alberts, Clabeaux, Dodge, Fronczak, Ioannou, Olsen, Seroff
s) Report on Posting of the Agenda:
Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2 the agenda was properly posted on
Ju�y 2s, 2000
C) Approval of July 10, 2000 Action Minutes
II. Administration
A) Update from John Cherbone, Public Works D'irector, regarding Parks and
Recreation Commission projects.
B) Update from Recreation Director Joan Pisani
III. Oral Written Communication
Tl1is section is for the public to speak on any item not on the agenda (3 niinute limit).
N. New Business
None
V. Old Business
A) Congress Springs Park-Presentation/Public Input Session (3 minute limit).
B) Subcommittee Reports:
o Trails
C) Adopt-a-Paik individual Commissioner Feports
o Feature Inventory List/ Website
VI. Commissioner Staff Reports
A) City Hall Update by Staff Liaison Bloomquist
s> Commissioner Reports
VII. Adiournment