HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-06-2000 Park and Recreation Commission AgendasSaratoga Parks and Recreation Commission 1Vleeting
Community Center-Patio Room
19655 Allendale Avenue, Saratoga
Monday, November 6, 2000
7:30 p.m.
AGENDA
I. 'G'rganization
1) Roll Call: Alberts, Clabeaux, Dodge, Fronczak, Ioannou, Olsen, Seroff
2) Report on Posting of the Agenda:
Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2 the agenda was properly posted on
November 3, 2000
3) Review of October 2, 2000 Action Minutes.
II. Administration
1) Review of Circulation and Scenic Highway Element by Community
Development Director James Walgren
2) Update from Public Works Director John Cherbone
III. Oral Written Communication
This section is for the public to speak on any item not on the agenda
N. New Business
1) Discussion of Azule Park-Explore possible utilization/ Development of Park.
2) Discussion of Rest Stops at Saratoga Churches
3) Congress Spring Park-Review of 25% plan and review of Greg Ing
Associates Contract Amendment.
4) Discussion of Letter from Chair Alberts RE: Hakone Gardens
5) Hakone Gardens
r.
V. Old Business
1) Review of Action Matrix
2) Subcommittee Reports:
a. Trails
b. Playgrounds
3) Park Facilities Rentals (Wildwood El Quito Park).
4) Summary review of 10/OS/00 Union Pacific Railroad Trail Ad Hoc Task Force
Meeting
5) Business Cards and name plates for commission.
VI. Commission Administration
1) Planning for Christmas Party
2) December PRC Meeting
3) Election of P.R.C. Chair-Discussion
VII. Commissioner Staff Reports
1) City Hall Update by Staff Liaison Bloomquist-2000 Second Harvest Food
Bank Holiday Food Drive
2) Commissioner Reports
VIII. Adjournment
Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission 1Vleeting
Administrative Offices, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga
October 2, 2000
7:30 p.m.
Action Minutes
I. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:34 p.m.
II. �Zoll �all
Commissioners Present: Alberts, Clabeaux, Fronczak, Ioannou, Olsen
Commissioners Absent: Dodge, Seroff
Others Present: Council member Nick Streit, Staff Liaison Bloomquist, Kara
Chalmers of Saratoga News
III. Report on Postin� of the Minutes: Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2 the
agenda was properly posted on September 28, 2000.
N. Approval of 1Vlinutes of Meetin�: Commissioner Olsen made a motion to
approve September 11, 2000 Action Minutes, seconded by Chair Alberts, voted
and motion carried 5-0.
V. Administration:
A) Liaison Bloomquist gave a brief overview of the active Park Projects assigned
to the Public Works Department. The Wildwood Park Restroom project was
completed last month. The Congress Springs Park Restroom project was recently
completed. El Quito Park Restroom project is scheduled for completion late
October 2000. Improvements and installation of the play equipment at Gardiner
Park have been completed. The ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for
Tuesday, October 17, 2000. Attendance by all Commissioners is encouraged.
City Council members and representatives from the Saratoga News will be
present. Cookies and refreshments will be available to the public.
1. Saratoga Park Improvement Committee meeting on September 21 was
briefly reviewed. Basic operating parameters of Committee were set at
this meeting. Next meeting will be Monday, October 23 at 7:00 p.m.
2. Wildwood Park safety issues, including the recent shooting, were
discussed by Commissioners. Liaison Bloomquist indicated the City
Manager has authorized the following work to be performed at the
Park, which should improve the safety of the Park:
a) Repair fences around the Park
b) Improved lighting.
c) Removal of excessive underbrush around perimeter of Park.
Commissioner Olsen suggested placing a video camera at Park as a
deterrent to vandalism. Staff will explore this option per Commissions
request.
B) Chair Alberts indicated the meeting with City Manager Dave Anderson went
well and that Capital Improvement projects are going to be slated for several
of the City Parks. The possibility of having a Commission retreat was
discussed with Mr. Anderson at this meeting with favorable results.
VI. �ral Written �ommunication: None.
VII. New Business:
A) List of improvements for Saratoga Parks was briefly reviewed by
Commission. Property next to Brookglen Park was discussed. Request of
Staff to investigate possible acquisition of property. The following Parks were
not on the list and the Commission would like information regarding these
parks:
o Beauchamps
o Foothill
o Ravenwood
o Azule
o Heritage
B) Commissioner Recognition Dinner at Saratoga Country Club on Thursday,
October 19, 2000 at 6:30 p.m.
C) Park facilities rentals at Wildwood an El Quito Parks was discussed and
More information is needed. The Commission requested Staff contact the
City of Cupertino and get information regarding their rental program and
bring finding to the next meeting.
VIII. Old Business:
A) Action Matrix reviewed with no significant changes.
B) No reports from subcommittees.
IX. Reports•
Staff Liaison Bloomquist: Reported business cards and name plates will be
arriving within next couple of weeks.
Commissioner Reports: Commissioner Ioannou reported Saratoga Tots run went
well and gave special thanks to City employee Paula Reeve. Chair Alberts
reported this years Annual Christmas Meeting (Party) will be held at her home.
No other Commissioner reports were given.
X. Adjournment
Commissioner Olsen made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Commissioner
Fronczak seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0 and the meeting was
adjourned at 8:38 p.m.
Prepared By:
Cary Bloomquist
City Staff Representative
City of Saratoga
Parks and Recreation Commission
Fruitvale Avenue
Saratoga CA 95070
October 14, 2000
Mayor Stan Bogosian
Saratoga City Hall
Fnutvale Ave
Saratoga CA 95070
Mayor,
The meeting we had on October 14 with the city manager, Dave Anderson, to discuss the Hakone Foundation
potentially taidng control of Hakone Gardens from the city was quite informative.
In regards to my spealQng at the City Council meeting on Qctober 18 on this issue, I camiot state the Park and
Recreation Commission's approval or rejection of this proposaUidea. Since this was brought to my attention so
late, the commission will not ha��e the opportunity to discuss the issue prior to your meeting on the October 18.
It is for this reason that I ask for the City Council to delay the discussion and vote until the Parks and
Recreation Commission can fully understand the progosal and its potential impacts and concerns.
From our meeting I understand that this issue has come before council in the preceding months. However, in
all this time the Commission was not informed of any discussions or proposals on the issue of Hakone Gardens.
You made it clear on October 14 that if the city retains control of this property and needs to maintain it, the
other pazks in the city would suffer due to a limited budget. Because of this, I feel very strongly that this
matter should have been brought in front of the Parks and Recreation Commission and been fiilly discussed.
Once again, the commission has been left out of the communications regarding a ciecision that coWd have
major impact on all the parks in the city.
In summary, I would like the Council to defer the discussion and vote on this issue until the Commission can
review it and state clearly their support for or rejection of the proposal. As stated above, I will not be able to
state the Pazks and Recreation Commission's support or rejection on the matter of the Hakone Foundation and
Hakone Gardens since the commission has never had the opportunity to review or discuss the issue.
Sincerely,
�Ua� J. �vt�,
C�iair, Parks and Recreation Commission
cc: Dave Anderson; City Manager
City Council
Parks and Recreation Commission
Cary Bloomquist, Liaison to the Parks and Recreation Commission
To: The Parks and Recreation Committee of Saratoga October 30,
2000
From: Laura Gloner
12649 Lido Way
Saratoga, CA 95070
(New Greenbrier Homeowner)
Deaz Committee:
I wanted to write to request that you review and make plans to improve the
old orchard, commonly known as Azule Park. I live about 2 blocks away, and
this orchard area is my "neighborhood park".
*Azule Park is a liability to the neighborhood
In its current condition, the park is of no value to me or other Saratoga
families. The trees are dead/dying and I understand the current support of
that area is only "discing under" twice a year. This field certainly cannot
support the long term vision that the City of Saratoga has for our
neighborhood. The orchard, as it exists, is quickly becoming both an eyesore
and a liability--both from the safety standpoint of kids entering into the
area with the potential of getting hurt and from the undesirable activities
that could occur in the hidden areas of that field. Finally, I'm sure that
the rodents that we have in our area use that field to nest and multiply,
creating a health hazard.
*Azule Park could be an asset to the neighborhood
My two children and I look forward to having a place to play, when we want
10/30/00
Page 2 of 2
to go to a local park. With the whole summer closure of Kevin Moran, we had
to load into the car, almost daily, to go to parks in Cupertino and
Sunnyvale to find adequate play equipment. Even once renovated, getting up
and across Highway 85 with a toddler on a tricycle and a stroller is a
challenge. The neighborhood near 85 and Blue Hills Elementary deserves to
have a park.
*Now is the time to make plans
With the start of the new fiscal accounting yeaz, city council elections and
the planning for capital improvement projects for 2001, it seems like now is
the appropriate time to start addressing what the City managers can do for
our "neighborhood park". With respect to projects that I am aware of:
Gardiner Park has been completed, Kevin Moran is underway, and Congress
Springs has been scoped--leading me to the point that it is Azule's turn.
*Information Needed
I would like to know:
1) what the budget looks like to address the conversion of this park?
2) what is the city process (including are there a host of other projects
ahead of this)?
3) what is/could be the timeline?
4) how can the neighborhood residents assist you in this process?
I look forward to discussing this with you on November 6th. I should also
add that we've visited Gardiner park several times now after the renovation
your team did a wonderful job. It is a park that the city and the
neighborhood can be proud of.
Kind Regards,
Laura Gloner
10/30/00
]P�lf�� Al� Ilt]E�]L��'�'��1� cC�1D������1�1 ��'���I� I�'g'��, I�ovemibe� 6, �000
Agenda �'ollow-up Action IZequired Staff ltesponsible Due �ate �ompletion Date
item
Parker Ranch "Water Tank" trail segment Bloomquist Trails Public Works Dept. N/A
Subcommittee investigated repair
options. Too costly
to pursue at present
time. Temporary
impassible barriers
placed on trail by
public works to
keep user groups
off trail while
closed.
Congress Springs Park-Playfields and Turf Bloomquist Targeted Targeted July, 2001(subject
improvements timeline. Completion, July to change)
2001.
Park Restroom Improvements- El Quito. Bloomquist Project to be Targeted October 2000
completed October
2000
B.S.A. Thank You letter Alberts Fa112000
Pro ositions 12 13 —Allocation of fundin Bloom uist No new info. On oin
Kevin Moran Park Play Equipment project. Bloomquist Targeted October Dedication ceremony
2000. tar eted for late October
Creation of Website for Saratoga PRC Clabeaux On oin Elaine will u date
Wildwood Park fence re air, underbrush clearin and Parks De artment November 2000 Late November 2000
Distriburion: City Council, City Manager, City Manager's Secretary, City Clerk, Director of Community Development, D'uector of Admin. Services, Acting
Director of Public Works, Director of Recrearion, Senior Admiuistrative Analyst
li htin im rovements
Distriburion: City Council, City Manager, City Manager's Secretary, City Clerk, Director of Community Development, Director of Admin. Services, Acting
Director of Public Works, Director of Recreation, Senior Administrarive Analyst
10/24/00 09:19 FA% 408 358 3245 PARK ADMIN
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C'ount}� ��'.�'ang� cCd�tr�
Environrr�enta! Resources Agency
Parks Recreation Department
29S Gazden Hill Drive
Los Gatos, GA 95032-7669
websi[e: www.parkhtrc.org
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F� C� l �'L�'R S1YEE�' .�ot�r ���a�P ancluding cower sheet:
Please rleliver tfie following pages p�:
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Response a�eque.sted: 14T�
Date: y� �'$m ee D?/� Gr�s,
,Please senai your f'a� res,ponse to: (408) .�5�
IF YOU.�b0IV�0�',R.L�C.EXV��.Z.1� �",�T�',���IE,�' .�1L�'�►�`,� �A��o (40�� 35�-37��
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The City of Cupertino Parks
WELCOME TO CUPERTINO
Recreation Department �velcomes you an���;°s:
your family and friends to our
recreational facilitie"s. We are certain
our variety of picnic, playground
sporting areas will enhance your
We hope that this pamphlet will assist in
answering questions you may have
regarding reservations of a facility.
addition, we hope that you will
special pride and care in using
facilities so that future visitors
appreciate our beautiful parks.
J
PICNIC FACILITY INFORMATION
Portal Park
10225 N. Portal Ave.
Capacity: 80 people
10 picnic tables
1 lg. barbccue pit
2 sml. barbecue pits
Very shady picnic area
No electricity or softball field
Lrg. field suitable for volleyball
Linda Vista Park
Linda Vista Dr. near Columbus
Capacity: 136 people
17 picnic tablcs
2 lg. serving tables
1 Ig. barbecue
Partially shady picnic area
Electricity available (additional fee)
No softball field
Lrg. field suitable for volleyball
tVIemorial Park
Mary Ave. at Steven's Creek
Capacity: 113 people
11 rectangular picnic tables
5 round picnic tables
1 lg. barbecue pit
2 sml. barbecue pits
1 sink and counter area
Young trees, not much shade
Electricity available additional fee)
Softball field available (permit required)
Gazebo available (permit required)
Amphitheatre available (permit available)
Lrg. field suitable for volleyball
y, �,�i i
1.. �f�b n�
M �i�
Cupertino Parks and Recreation
Department
(408) 777 3120
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PICNIC RESERVATION POLICIES
All requests must be made in person at the
Quinlan Community Center, 10185 N. Stellin�
Road. The hours of operalion are M-Th. 8am
lOpm, Fri. 8am-Spm and Sat. 8:30am- 4:30pm.
a
No requests �vill be accepted by phone.
Cupertino residents/businesses must show
either a current PG&E bill or a check imprinted
with Uieir name and address to prove residency.,
The person or organization issued the permit
assumes all responsibility for the use of the
facility and must attend the event. G
Fees are to be paid in full at the time tt�
application is submitted. Permittee must post
reservation signs (provided by lhe Recreation
Dept.) by 8:30am on tlie day of the scheduled'
event.
Cupereino residents may apply for a park picnic
permit six months in advance and no less than
seven working days.
Non-residents/Non-resident businesses may
apply for a permit no longer than three months
in advance and no less than seven workin
days.
Cancellation Policy- To cancel a pernut and
receive a refund, contact the Parks
Recreation Dept., in writing, at least h
working days prior to the day of the permit.
refunds will be issued if less than two worki
days notice is given.
GAZEBO/AMPHITHEATRE
Cupertino residents may apply for
gazebo/amphitlieatre germit six months
advance and no less than seven working day
Non-residents may apply for a permit llui
montl�s in advance and no less than seve
working days. Each one may only be reservf
in t�i�o-hour blocks of time for a maximum of
hours. No amplified sound is allowed i
cithcr arca.
A_ 4...
MEMORIAL PARK SOFTBALL FIELD
Cupertino residents may apply for a ball field
permit two months in advance and nb less than
seven working days in advance if special
requests hav0 been made (i.e. lights). May only
be reserved in two-hour blocks of time.
Baseball is not permitted on the softball �cld.
FEES
Cupertino Resident $30.00,
Cupertino Business $50.00
Nonresident $50.00
Nonresident Business $75.0(y
Amphithcatre/Gazebo
Resident '$25.00
Nonresident $40.00
Ba1lField
Resident $25.00
Nonresident $40.00
EIECiitClty (picnic azeas) $16.50
Field Preparation (dragging, watering, chalking 8c
bases) $20.00
Field Attendant (2 tu. t�t��.� $8.25/lu
Attendant required any time field preparation is requesled
and attendant begins one hour prior to scheduled usage.
Lights (soflball field) $5.00/lv
PARK REGULATIOI�IS
1. The public is allowed to bring their own
barbecues to the park.
2. Volleyball standards are allowed. The stakes
must be the size of small tent stakes.
3. Inflatable jumping apparatus are not allowed.
4. Use of any system for amplifying sounds,
whether for speech, music or othenvise, in any
park, is prohibited. (13.04.120)
5. Canopies are permitted, must be free-
standing, or lhe stakes must be the size of small
tent stakes.
6. Eleclric power boats are allo�ved in tl�e pond;
no gas or diesel.
7. Mo alcoholic beverages except for beer or
wine and only if consumed with a meal. Kegs
are not allowed. Alcoliol is not permitted on or
around the soflball Geld, tennis courts or
playground areas. (13.04.I30A)
8. Driving of private cars on paved paths even
for unloading purposes is not allowed.
(13.04.140)
,.m.. a�
9. Any form of �veapon (inc uding tirearms,
air rifles, spring guns, bows arro�vs and
slings) is not permitted. (13.04.130J)
10. Bicycle riding on other than a paved
road or path designed for that purpose is not
permiried. They sliould not be left lying on
the ground, set against trees, or in any
position that may be hazardous to others
(13.04.15H,I).
11. Dogs are permitted only if led by leash
of suitable strength not more than 6 ft. in
length. The owner attendant shall be
responsible for any damages caused, in any
event, by such dog, even if on a leash.
(13.04.130D)
12. No leading, riding, keeping or letting
loose of any animal, reptile or fowl of any
kind without a pernut to do so from the
Director of Parks Recreation.
(13.04.130E)
13. Loud, boisterous, threatening, abusive,
insuldng or indecent language or behavior
tending to upset the public shall not be
permitted (13.04.130I�.
14. Fires are permitted only in places
suitable for such use. (13.04.130K)
15. 1Vo one shall have in his/her possession
or set of�' any types of fireworks or
explosives. (13.04.130C)
16. Gambling or betting is not perntitted.
1Vo solicitation of money or contributions.
(13.04.130H).
17. Playing or praclicing golf is not
permitled. Power airplanes aze not
permilted (13.04.130M,L)
18. 1Vo swimming, balliing wading, or
polluting of fountain, pond, lake, or stream,
except where wading and swimming are
specifically provided for and so posted.
(13.04.1 GO)
19. Permitee is responsible for disposing of
any and all garbage produced during the
course of the event. (13.04.140B)
P
MEMORANDUIVI
Date: October S, 2000
To: John Cherbone
From: Cary Bloomquist
RE: Union Pacific Railroad Trail Ad Hoc Task Force Meeting, 10-5-00
Hi John, I attended the meeting today along with Jim Jeffery and the following critical
information was given regarding anticipated costs for Saratoga. I have attached the Draft
Cost Sharing Formula distributed at this meeting, and the total project cost far Saratoga,
based upon the draft formula of 42.53%, is approximately $984,566.00. Listed below is
the breakdown:
Project Management at 5% of total project cost ($9,000,000) $191,385
a Feasibility Study-Saratoga's 42.53% pro rata share $10,631
o Master Plan Env. Doc.-Saratoga's 42.53% pro rata share $17,010
o Project Development-Saratoga's 42.53% pro rata share 765 540
Total Project Cots estimate for the Citv of Sarato�a $984,566
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C I T Y o f SAR.AT O GA
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13777 FRUITVALE AVENUE SARATOGA, CALIFORNIA 95070 �(408) 8G8-1200
Incorporated October 22, 1966
October 24, 2000
Playgrounds Unlimited
1159-B DV�illow Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Dear Sir or Madam:
COTJNCIL MGMB�RS:
Evan Baker
Stan Bogasian
John Mehaffoy
Nick Streit
Ann Waltonsmith
This letter is being sent m serve as notification that the City of Sazamga has found it necessary to issue a
deadline for the completion of the Kevin Moran and Gardiner Park play area improvements. 'I'he deadline fot
completion of these projects is Friday the third day of November. If this deadline is not met by this date the
City will be forced to collect liquidated damages of $300.00 per calendar day, as is its right under the signed
agreement with Playgrounds Unlimited. At our pre-construction meeting in April of this year it was
determined that forty-five wo�ing days would be enough for the completion of this project. We have since
far sucpassed that date. The City, its staf� and the residents of Saratoga have been exceedin�y patient and we
feel that sufficient time has passed for these unprovements to have been made.
Please feel free to call on David Mooney, City of Saratoga Parks Supervisor at 408-868-1247 if he can
give you any assistance in helping to meet this deadline.
Sincerely,
John Cherbone
Public Works Director
Printed on recycled paper.
1VIElVIORANDUM
Date: October 4, 2000
To: David Mooney, Bryan McQueen
From: Cary Bloomquist
Cc: Dave Anderson, John Cherbone, Parks and Recreation Commission
RE: Review of Parks
As a follow-up to the September 19 memo, the following issues continue to exist at the
following park locations:
Wildwood Park As you approach the park entrance from the parking lot, the guard
railings on both sides have graffiti tags on them. On the right hand side of the stage area,
towards the back near the Redwood trees, there exists a small graffiti tag on the railing.
This tag was brought to my attention by Dave Anderson, who mentioned his wife noticed
this graffiti tag the other day when she was visiting the park. Towards the park exit, as
you approach the stairs, near the bridge on the left side, graffiti tags have been sprayed on
the creek warning signage and on the left side railing. The longer we wait to remove this
graffiti, the more graffiti we will have.
Kevin Moran Park The BMX dirt jumps and wooden structures remain and need to be
removed. I have received several complaint calls from the neighbors asking why they
have not been removed. Please remove these structures; they are both a liability to the
City and an eyesore.
Gardiner Park The red lattice ladder has loosened on the bottom (the mounting bolt fell
out). A resident, using the park with her two children, handed me the screw while I was
visiting the park and asked if the City could repair it. Upon reviewing the play
equipment, I noticed several loose mounting bolts. Could we get Playgrounds Unlimited
out to the site today to tighten all of the mounting hardware? I have concerns for the
safety of the users.
Thank you for your attention to these issues.
The City o� Saratoga
Parks and Recreation Commissio�
�nvites you to a�end a
Ribbon �uttin� �ere�rnony at
Gardin�r Par�
On Tuesclay Octob��° 17 a� 2:�0 p.rr�o
�o �e�elbrate the Ilnsta�la�g��n �ew �fl�y eqw�prnie��
a�cY othe� park flmpro�ement�o ��ol�es a�d refreshme�ts wflll�
be �r��Ildec�o
�'or �i��th�� Il�f��mat���
p�ease �ontac� �ar� Bloomq�ist
gm �he Pulblic Works �e�artment at 868-�25�
1VIElVIORANDUM
Date: October 31, 2000
To: City Council Members/All City Commission Members and Staff Liaisons
From: Cary Bloomquist
RE: Annual City of Saratoga/Second Harvest Food Bank Holiday �'ood Drive
Last year, the City of Saratoga was able to contribute over 350 pounds of food to those in
need thanks in part to the generosity of our City CounciUCity Commission members.
Last year, the Santa Clara County Second Harvest Food Bank collected over 21 million
pounds of food, with 61 of this food distributed to families with children.
This year, the most needed non-perishable foods are:
o Powdered Milk
o Peanut Butter
o Canned Meats
o Cereal
o Tuna
o Soups
o Canned Fruit
0 100% Fruit Juices.
Please support this program with a donation of food. Collection Barrels will be delivered
on Wednesday, November 8 at the following locations: City Hall, Planning Department
Lobby, Civic Theater Lobby, Senior Center, and the Recreation Department reception
area. Please help to make this Holiday Season more enjoyable for those in need. For
further information, please contact Cary Bloomquist, City of Saratoga Public Works
Department Analyst, at 408 868-1258. Thank you for your consideration.
0
nc�er���v�� ���ra�lo� �r��,
y��t�� V��ldw�od Pa �I�
Alert �ill c�ntin�e
By KARA CHALMERS
Eight Santa Clara County Sheriffs offi-
cers went undercover at Wildwood Park
on Sept. 29 and 30, and arrested 17 peo-
ple—mostly minors—for violations rang=
ing from possession of alcohol and tobac-
co to urinating in public. The sheriff's
office will continue to hold undercover
operations until people get the message
that the park is not to be used for these
purposes, according to the Sheriff's pub-
lic information officer, John Hirokawa.
The arrests occurred between 6 p.m.
and 2 a.m. Ail those arrested were cited
and giyen court dates, and no one stayed
in jail overnight, Hirokawa said.
Wildwood Park is a pubGc park, on Fourth
Street, which closes one half-hour after sun-
set. The officecs, some in plain clothes and
some in uniform, used night vision goggles
throughout the two nights, Hirokawa said.
In going undercover and making the
arrests, the sheriffs were partly respond-
ing to a recent incident at the park.
On Sept. 19, around 11:30 p.m., after
receiving a call about a suspicious person
who was supposedly waving a pistol
around and threatening to shoot people, a
sheriff's deputy shot Shane Leyden, 23, of
San Jose in the hand. The bullet exited
Leyden's hand and grazed Leyden's chest.
The deputy, who shot, said he ordered
Leyden to put the weapon down but,
instead, Leyden raised the gun that turned
out to be a fake.
Leyden, who was treated and released
from the Santa Clara County Valley Med-
ical Center that night, was booked into the
Santa Clara County Main Jail on two
felony charges: felony drawing and
exhibiting a firearm at a peace officer; and
for drawing and exhibiting a firearm with
the intent of resisting or prevcnting of
arrest by a peace officer.
The investigation into the shooting is
ongoing.
The toxicology report to determine
whether Leyden was under the inftu-
ence of anything was still unavailable at
press time, but the four deputies, who
were at the park that night, think he
might have been.
The sheriffs also were responding to
neighbors' complaints about people hang-
ing out in the park after hours, and to the
city's reques[ for the sheriffs to increase
their patrolling of the park on weekends,
Hirokawa said.
"We felt that the park needed attention;"
Hirokawa said. "We stepped up the effort."
According to a memo sent from the
city's Parks Supervisor Dave Mooney to
the city's Public Works Director John
Cherbone, there were people in the park
who could have been hurt the night of the
shooting, even though the park was closed,
and demonstrating the need for more of a
police presence at the park.
According to Cary Bloomquist, the city
staff liaison to the city's Parks and Recre-
ation Commission, �the city will also take
steps to remedy the unsafe situation at
Wildwood Park by increasing the lighting,
clearing out underbrush and repairing
breaks in the fencing.
Mour�tain �1Vinery
choice predictable
It should come as no great surprise that
the Mountain Winery selected Bill Graham
Presents as the concert series promoter. To
even a casual observer of the Winery's
operation, the headline "Money Was aFac-
tor" was a bit of an understatement.
For those residents of Saratoga who
have not yet realized that the Mountain
W inery is a big business, it is! Moreover, it
is going to get bigger!
.The �on�itional, Use .�er�at,.,(GiJ,P),
issued by the county in August effective-
ly allows the Winery to almost double the
usage of the property over its previous
use. Seventy-five concerts are only the
beginning. The new use permit allows a
combined total of 561 events per year,
almost two per day.
The veneer applied by the Winery's unre-
lenting pronouncements of its involvement
in "nonprofiY' causes and its "historical" sig-
nificance, is getting thinner by the minute.
It is a business, folks—a big business.
The Winery, supported by the Chamber
of Commerce (or is it the other way
around?), will continue to grow. The citi-
zens of Saratoga should start getting accus-
tomed to the concept of more concerts,
more events, more noise and more uaffic.
.TAMES BARON
Saratoga
Ci�y s�oul� pYan �ex�
park �hanges bett��
Thanks to the city of Saratoga for the
new playground equipment at Gardner
Park. Too bad it took the entire summer
to get it installed! While it took one day to
remove a well-aged but nice working play-
ground, it took over 100 days to get Che
new set installed. My kids are thrilled to
play in the new park, but I can't tell if it's
the new equipment, o� the 100 days of
summer they had to look at an empty play-
ground, surrounded by a chain-link fence,
that gets them so excited.
I had heard the equipment was slow in
arriving; so be it. But why tear down a good
working playground 100 days in advance
of the new arrival? Please let the next park
be better planned.
STEVE AND PATTY ALLEN
qspesi Drive
NE�VV�L�AS� ��'I"I'ER
DEFINES ROL,ES OF
FOUNI�A'I'IOI�1, �I'�'Y,
HAKON� �A�I�EI�S
Saratoga residents to park
at, entergardens for free
G'�ity to pay forgardener
B�' KARA CHALMERS
On Oct. 18, the Saratoga City Council
voted unanimously to support a new lease
with the Hakone Foundation, the nonprofit
organization that operates Hakone Gardens
Hakone—one of the only authentic 16th-
century Japanese gardens in North Amer-
ica—is located in the city, off Highway 9.
The foundation has operated the gardens
since 1994, under an agreement that the
city spend $672 yearly in insurance cover-
age and approximately $67,000 for a spe-
cial gardener—which the foundation then
repays to the city.
The terms of the new lease requires the
city to spend $250,000 for maintenance and
repairs over the riext four years, at which
time the foundation will take over. The city
will also spend $250,000 of its CDBG funds,
federal grant money, for issues raised in the
Americans with Disabilities Act, over the
next five years.
The main difference in the new agree-
ment is that the city will now pay $67,000
for the gardener's salary for the next two
years, but will phase out the costs over
seven years. The foundation then will
assume the cost.
Please turn to page 14
��.��Ir11� ��.11r'��li��
Continued from page 1
The city has pledged to keep the road,
water, sewer and electrical systems in good
operating order throughout the life of the
lease, said City Manager Dave Anderson.
According to Foundation President
Dan Pulcrano, in the agreement the city
will turn over the gardens in good condi-
tion and help the foundation pay the gar-
dener's salary. He said that because of the
past ambiguous relationship between the
city and the foundation—the foundation
was a city commission but was also a non-
profit organization—the city did, in fact,
pay expenses outside of the previous
agreement. He said the new agreement
conforms more to reality by acknowledg-
ing some city support for the gardens while
capping and defining it in the long term.
Pulcrano is the executive editor of the
SArt,a'roc,a News and CEO of its parent
company, Metro Newspapers. He has
been the foundation's president since
June 1999.
The city benefits from the agreement
since two city council members are entitled
to two seats on the board of the foundation,
and one council member is entitled to a seat
on the executive committee, which was not
a part of the previous contract. One third of
all board members will be residents of
Saratoga and all residents will be able park
at the gardens for free even if, in the future,
Hakone institutes an admissions fee to non-
residents. Today, anyone who parks must
pay $5 but, otherwise, admission is free.
"IYs very good for the city because over
the course of the lease, we believe that
tens of millions of dollars in revenues and
fundraising will occur and that this money
will be invested in really just polishing the
jewel and improving it," Pulcrano said.
The agreement has been in the works
for a year and a half, Pulcrano said. The
last operating agreement between the city
and the foundation was signed in 1997 and
expires in 2004.
Until now, the foundation has operated
under the direct control of the city coun-
cil, which had appointed the foundation's
board of trustees. Pulcrano said this had
provided a challenge for the foundation's
fundraising efforts. In March 20Q0, Pul-
crano said he asked the city for a long-
term lease that would give the foundation
more autonomy and more security so it
could raise more funds from donors and
attract more people to be board members.
"We can concentrate on running the
foundation and gardens as opposed to pol-
itics," Pulcrano said. "This allows us to
make good long-term decisions as
opposed to short-term political ones."
The new agreement will allow the foun-
dation to elect its own board of trustees.
The relationship between the city and the
foundation will now be solely a landlord-
tenant relationship.
Pulcrano also said that since the foun-
dation can use volunteers, has the exper-
tise in managing the garden and has fewer
levels in the decision-making process, the
foundation can run the facility at a much
lower cost than the city could.
"There is a limit to where the city can or
has the ability to spend the money to
maintain any entity," said Councilman
Evan Baker. "Quite frankly, I think this
one's right at my limit."
The council voted to accept the new 55-
year lease agreement by 5-0, but in the
negotiation's final hour, the chair of the
city's Parks and Recreation Commission,
Judy Alberts publicly questioned if the city
followed the correct procedure throughout
the lease negotiations with the foundation.
According to Alberts, since Hakone is
also a city park, the lease agreement first
should have been brought before the com-
mission, the way other parks issues are
usually handled in the city.
Alberts wrote a letter to the council,
dated Oct:14, asking the council not to vote
on the agreement but to refer the item to the
commission first for a recommendation.
But council members, who had to decide if
the commission's input would have•been
relevant in this case, went ahead with their
decision to accept the lease agreement.
The parks and recreation �ommission
only has the power to make recommenda-
tions to the council.
On Oct. 19, after the decision, Alberts
said she recognized that many people put
a lot of time and hard work into the lease
negotiations. But she said she still feels the
commission should have been apprised of
the situation earlier and that the process
should have included more input from
members of the.public.
According to City Attorney Richard
Taylor, before the lease can be finalized, it
needs to include language that states the city
and the Hakone Foundation will 000perate
in opportunities to secure grant funding
from the state.
Photograph by Kathy de La Tor
�ardflr�e� �uts out vvelcome �at
SuSan Crozier (left) visited Gardiner park in Saratoga recently with her children Michael, 2, and Paige, 4, and their friend,
Justin Walthier, 3(at right), who enjoyed the new play�;round equipment. City ofticials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct
17, to celebrate the completion of the park's renovation. The park now boasts new equipment, a new water fountain, with an
attached fountain for Fido. The park is just off Harleigh Drive in Saratoga.
The City Saratoga
Parks ancl l�ecreation Commission
Invites you to attend a
lZibbon �uttin� cererriony at
Garclin�r Park
On Tuesclay� Oc�ob�r 17 at 2:30 p.mo
ceYelbrate the g�staY�a���� m�� g��ay �qu�pmen�
a�d other park �mprov��nent�o ��oY�es and refr�shIlnents wIl�ll
l�� ���d�d�do
�'o� ��ff�rr��ti��
pYease contac� cCarv Bloomquist
Iln the Public �Vorks Departmen� at 868-�25�
Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
Community Center-Patio Room
19655 Allendale Avenue, Saratoga
1Vlonday, November 6, 2000
7:30 p.m.
AGEIVDA
I. Organization
1) Roll Call: Alberts, Clabeaux, Dodge, Fronczak, Ioannou, Olsen, Seroff
2) Report on Posting of the Agenda:
Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2 the agenda was properly posted on
November 3, 2000
3) Review of October 2, 2000 Action Minutes.
II. Administration
1) Review of Circulation and Scenic Highway Element by Community
Development Director James Walgren
2) Update from Public Works Director John Cherbone
III. Oral Written Communication
This section is for the public to speak on any item not on the agenda
N. New Business
1) Discussion of Azule Park-Explore possible utilization/ Development of Park.
2) Discussion of Rest Stops at Saratoga Churches
3) Congress Spring Park-Review of 25% plan and review of Greg Ing
Associates Contract Amendment.
4) Discussion of Letter from Chair Alberts RE: Hakone Gardens
5) Hakone Gazdens