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Home My WebLink About12-10-2001 Park and Recreation Commission AgendasSaratoga Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Adult Daycare Center 19655 Allendale Avenue, Saratoga Monday, December 10, 2001 7:30 p.m. AGENDA I. �r�anization 1) Roll Call: Clabeaux, Deimler, Dodge, Frazier, Fronczak, Gates, Seroff 2) Report on Posting of the Agenda: Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2 the agenda was properly posted on December 7, 2001. 3) Review November 5, 2001 Action Minutes. II. Administration None III. �ral Written Communication (This section is for the public to speak on any item not on the agenda-3 minute limit) N. �Id Business 1) Review of Congress Springs Park User Agreement and Fee Schedule V. IVew Business None VI. Commissioner Staff Iteports 1) City Hall Update by Staff Liaison Bloomquist. 2) Commissioner Reports. VII. Adiournment Saratoga Parks and Rec�eation �ommission 1Vleeting City Hall, 13777 �'ruitvale Avenue, Sa� Novembe� 5, 2001 7:30 p.Yn. Action 1l�Iinutes �all to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:36 p.m. Y�. Itoll Call Commissioners Present: Clabeaux, Deimler, Dodge, Frazier, Gates, Seroff Commissioners Absent: Fronczak Others Present: Council member Nick Streit, Public Works Director John Cherbone, Recreation Director Joan Pisani, Other attendees: Ron Powers from Ball Hitch Ramps, Mark Linsky, Keith Simon, Blane Eisenberg, Kent Bossange, Mark Chapman, Staff Liaison Bloomquist III. Y�eport on Posting of the Agenda: Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2 the agenda was properly posted on November 2, 2001 IV. App�oval of Minutes of 1Vleeting: Motion by Commissioner Seroff, Seconded by Commissioner podge, to approve October 15, 2001 Action minutes. Vote taken, minutes approved with correction 6-0. Motion by Commissioner podge, seconded by Commissioner Seroff, to approve August 29, 2001 Meeting Minutes. Vote taken, minutes approved 6-0 V. Administration Update from Public Works Director John Cherbone-Discussed progress at Congess Springs Park. Presently 1 month behind the original completion schedule. Work on Parker Ranch "Water Tank" trail commenced November O5, 2001. Park signs (15) complete. Update form Recreation Director Joan Pisani-Adult league basketball season has ended. Signups for "Winter Wonderland" have commenced. Civic Center Master Plan on Council Agenda for Tuesday, December 11, 2001. Items 3 and 4 under Administration consolidated into item #2 under New Business. Vd. Oral and Written �ommunication None V��. Old �usiness Ron Power of Ball Hitch Ramp gave presentation regarding portable skate parks and portable ramp equipment. Steel ramps are incorporated into the trailer, making them very portable and cost effective. Also have lightweight composite ramps, which are durable, but more expensive when compared to steel ramps. Composite ramps are very mobile and can be setup at various locations easily. Some discussion among Commissioners regarding a skate park exhibit at the grand opening of Congress Springs Park. If Council receptive to idea, Dave Anderson would set date. Council member Nick Streit will bring information forward to a future Council Meeting. Agenda taken out of orde�-Skip to item #4 under Old Business-Review of Congress Springs Park User Agreement. The Congress Springs Park user agreement was discussed. Draft to be reviewed by City Attorney. Commission suggested placement of signage at facility to help offset unauthorized usage. Section 7 of agreement may need to be revised. Keith Simon of Little League Baseball suggested a negligence clause. As written, Mr. Simon indicated he supports the language in the agreements and believes they are fair as written. Mr. Simon requested the maintenance user fees be postponed until further review. Commissioner Seroff gave a brief presentation regarding the user fees. Commissioner Gates commented on the budget structure and return on investment. Commissioner Gates supports a per head fee. Mark Linsky of A.Y.S.O. soccer commented on the benefits soccer provides for our youth. Commissioner Frazier clarified that Congress Springs Park is a specialized facility that primarily serves the sports user groups. Commissioner Deimler stated his support for a$25.00 per person per season fee. Discussion ensued among Commissioners. Will revisit issue at a Parks and Recreation Commission to be held Monday, December 10, 2001 at 7:30 p.m. Agenda back to regular orde� item #2 under Old Business-Scheduling of El Quito Park Task Force Meetings Selection of representative to B.A.C. Selection of representative to Trails Subcommittee. The El Quito Park Task Force is comprised of the following Commission members: Norbert Fronczak, Sandra Dodge, Angela Frazier. Next meeting is Thursday, November 15 at 7:00 p.m. Commissioner Deimler is representative to B.A.C. and Trails Subcommittee. Agenda taken out of order-Skip to item #4 under New Business-Request to widen pathway at Kevin Moran Park by West Valley Sanitation District. Public Works Director John Cherbone gave report. Cost to be covered by West Valley Sanitation District. Comments received by Saratoga resident Kent Bossange. Commissioner Gates gave comments. Requested plans are reviewed by members of the commission prior to the commencement of work. Elgenda back to regular order, item #3 under Old Business-Congress Springs Park fundraising update. Staff Liaison Bloomquist gave update. Donation total, including those funds committed but not received, $158,560.00. Review of Mission Statement. Motion by Commissioner Gates to approve Mission Statement as amended. Seconded by Commissioner Frazier, vote taken, motion approved (5-0). V�Ig. New Business Nomination of Parks and Recreation Commission Chair. Commissioner Gates nominated Elaine Clabeaux as Parks and Recreation Commission Chair. Commissioner Seroff seconded nomination. No other Commissioners were nominated. Vote taken, Commissioner Clabeaux elected Chair by unanimous decision. All other New Business items were taken out of order and covered under Old Business. IIX. �ommissioner and Staff Yteports Commissioner Frazier will attend Parks and Recreation Commissioners Summit on Saturday, November 10, 2001. Commissioner Deimler expressed concerns regarding lighting issues at Wildwood Park. Also had concerns about Special Events Permits and ambient noise levels as a result of activities from the permits being issued. Adiournment Commissioner Frazier made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Gates seconded the motion. Vote taken and motion carried 5-0 (1 Commissioner left the meeting early). The meeting was adjourned at 11:25 p.m. Prepared By: Cary Bloomquist, Staff Liaison ORGANIZED SPORTS FIELD USAGE FEE TABLE BY CITY) CHARGE SPORTS TYPE OF FEE CHARGED: CITY: USER FEE? GROUP CHARGED: Portola Valley Yes A.Y.S.O. $10.00 per player per season flat fee charged to Little League both A.Y.S.O. and Little League Baseball (approx. $2,500.00 per year) A $SOO.00 litter deposit is also re uired. Campbell Yes A.Y.S.O. $500.00 year flat fee if Co-sponsored via PRC Little League program. Otherwise, $5.00 an hour per field charged. Also a$25.00 processing fee per field. A$200.00 refundable damage deposit is charged er user group per season. Danville Yes All ou s $19.00 annual fee er layer. Mor an Hill No N/A N/A Gilro No N/A N/A (Ma chan e within next ear Cu ertino No N/A N/A Vallejo Yes A.Y.S.O. $35.00 per field per day. Little Lea ue Menlo Park Yes All groups Fee Varies (Please see attached) $3.00 —$30.00 per hour per field. Atherton Yes A.Y.S.O. $800.00 er ear Watsonville Yes A.Y.S.O. $20.00 per game at night with lights $15.00 er game during the da Hollister Yes All groups $10.00 an hour base fee. $25.00 an hour for field prep. $24.00 an hour far ni ht games with li hts. Orinda Yes All grou s $30.00 er erson er season. Santa Cruz No N/A N/A La Canada Flintrid e No Res onse N/A N/A Millbrae Yes All groups $5.00 per child per year (Approx. $3,000 for AYSO; $2,000 for baseball) El Cerrito Yes A.Y.S.O. $10.00 per youth processing fee Little League $2,080.00 per season fee for Little League $1,225.00 er season fee for A.Y.S.O. Bannin No N/A N/A La una Beach No N/A N/A LaFa ette No N/A No s orts ou s are affiliated with the Cit Tustin Yes All groups Fee Varies (Please see attached) $10.00 an hour per field base rental fee with $150.00 deposit re uired. Los Altos No Res onse Fair Oaks CDP No Res onse Los Gatos Yes A.Y.S.O Little $40.00 Monday Thursday, 3:00 5:30 p.m. League Orcutt CDP No Res onse Beverl Hills No N/A N/A Rancho Palos Verdes Yes A.Y.S.O. Little League $7.50 hour er field San Carlos No Res onse Fairfield No Response Pleasanton No Res onse Livermore No Response Moraga No Fields N/A N/A Burlin ame No Res onse Santa Paula No N/A N/A Coronado No N/A N/A Ma ood No N/A N/A Atascadero No N/A N/A Paci aca No N/A N/A El Cerrito Yes All Fee Varies-For Soccer $1,225 per season flat rate plus $10.00 per player Field Maintenance enhancement fee. For baseball: $10.00 per hour resident, $12.00 er hour non-resident. Selma No N/A N/A Tem le No Res onse Paradise No Res onse Bannin No N/A N/A Summary: Cities that charge user fees: 14 Cities that do not charge user fees: 15 Cities that did not respond: 11 Cities that have no fields: 1 Saratoga Parks and �ecreation �om�nission �ommissioner 1�ssignynents 11/OS/2001 Sub-Committee List Maxunum of 3 commissioners is allowed on each. Responsibiliries include reporting back to the commission on the activities and any recommendarions of the group. No official actions can be taken at these meetings. Adopt-a-Park One commissioner per park. Responsibiliries are to visit their park on a regular basis and report back to the commission any items such as required maintenance, user feedback, suggested improvements etc. that they feel are of interest to the commission or are beneficial to their park. R 1 �Ieeti�g 1�Totice Parks and Recreation Commission Monday, Deceinber 10, at 7:30 Saratoga Senior Cente� Subiect: LTse Fees for Congress Snrings Park Listen Be Heard Play a Role in Your City By the end of the meeting, the Saratoga Parks and IZecreation Commission (PRC) has a goal to finalize a recommendadon on CSP use fees. This recomme�dation will then be presented to the Saraitoga City Council, which is responsible for making the final decision. At the PRC meeting on November 5, a recommendation was mad� for a$25 per head sports ff� for residents and a 50°k surcharge for non-residents equaling a total of $37.50. gn addidon, the proposed user agreements for Little League and Saratoga Soccer include a fee to cover the cost of the additional maintenance caused by the pazticular sports use, estimated to be$12K for soccer and $6K for baseball. Over the past years, the total annual fees for Saratoga Soccer's use of CSP have been around $2 per player. This proposal, if approved, would result .in an ac�ditional cost �er glayer of about $35. By attending this meeting, you will show the Ciey thae you care; you will be able to hear the azguments for and against use fees; and you will have t�ie oppc>rtuniry to express your opinion. The Board Members of Saratoga Soccer do not yet have an official posidon. Some members feel that a "reasonable" use fee, consistently applied to all parks, is appropriate; others believe that there shoul� be no use fee given the newly required maintenaa�ce fee. At this time, it is not clear how the a�st of Saratoga Soccer feels. 1�eln the �itv know wllat vou war� �'ou ca� inf7uence the linal decisiore. Bacicground InformaUon For over two decades, AYSO Region 27 (Saratoga Soccer) has had shared seasonal us� of Congress Springs Park (CSP) with Saratoga Y.i�tle League. During this time, Saratoga Soccer and Saratoga Little League each contributed $15I� govvard the construction of the snackshack, which they now share. The annual CSP fees for Saratoga Soccer had been $2000/year, which was� later reduced to $1500, when AYSO agreed to paint field lines, instead of "burning" them in. Saratoga Soccer is part of a national organization, which provides a worldclass, youth dev�lopffient. soccer program. There are no geographicai boundaries and no child is excluded. Saratoga Soccer provides free admission for any player whose family requests a scholarship. The five major Yenets of AYSO (Open Registration, Balanced Teams, Everyone Plays, Positive Coaching, and Good Sportsmanship) drive all facets of the orgaaization to ensure a fun, safe, fair soccer program for children, ages 5 to 19. I,ike all AYSO regions, Saratoga Soccer has nQ paid employees. Instead, 1., there are over 800 parent volunteers. 'I'bey pmvide greater thaa 16,000 hours of service each Fall to run one of the best youth sports pmgrams in the country. In addition, AYSO has one of the most, if not the most, extensive Child and Volunteer Protection processes of any youth organization in the United States. This consists of extensive registradon, training, and certifica�ion requirements to watch out for our children and volunteers. In the Fall of 2001, Saratoga Soccer has continued to grow to over 1200 cluldren, of which over 1000 are from Saratoga and the majority of the balance coming froyn Monte Sereno and I.os C��tos. The registration fees, which Saratoga Soccer charges, are already tugher than other AYSO regions in the area. Given curnent costs (field fees, team and field equipment, player uniforms and pictures, training and certificadon, National and Area player fees, communication expenses, trophies and awards, and administradve expenses), Saratoga Soccer is, at best, at a break-even level with its current revenue from sponsorships, snackshack receipts, and registration fees. If the proposed a�se fee of $25/player were approved, then registration fees would need to go from�the curnent level of $100 (without discounts) to $135, to also cover the use fee and the additional $12,000 field maintenance fees. Over many years, task forces, Parks and 1Zecreation �ommissions, and City Councils, have wor?�ed with Saratoga residents to understand their priorities and to determine how to invest the fuads available. Then in September 2000, the City CounciIl appmved the new master plan for Congress Springs Park. The budget for the approved plans has $1.2M of the Parks and Recreation fund allocated to CSP infrastructure improvements and the balance of the renovadons to be funded by donations. Parks and Recreation Commission Arguments for gJs� �ees (frotn �e 11/5/Ol PRC roposall) C�P tivas built asa-"�.pec> >;��"_park�fQr.�ut�i soccer.and baseball. As such, the City should obtain funds direcdy from citizens benefiting from sgecialized city facilities. This is a"pay per use" or "pay as you go" approach. There should be a form of compensation to other ci�e�s that do not benefit from a specialized sports facility. Soccer and Baseball players account for at best 209b of the youth of Sazatoga 'I'lne city is investing about $1.2M in the renovation of CSF, which is >90% of the Pazks and Recreadon funds last �ear. This fund is not only targeted to youth but all ages. There has been a lack of participation in fund raising for CSP. In the past, there has been a lack of cooperation during Saratoga's fanancial hard times. Use fees provide a long-term method of generating Park and Recreation funds. This benefits the city's long-term fmancial health. Use fees are commonly done by other cities. Counter Arguments to Consider With regazds to CSP being viewed as a specialized park, a significant part of the CSP renovation cost was required to create a park with safe, easy-to-maintain turf, which �vould be a reasonable goal for any park and not specifically required for either sport. Since youth soccer only requires flat grass, this dces not seem to be a specialty usage. Soccer goals are portable and will be provided by or have been funded by donations from Saratoga Soccer. Most of the baseball amenities are funded by donadons. The balance of the other costs has been incurned to make this a truly outstanding City Pazk, independent of the requirements for youth sports. Although the $1.2Nd comprised most of the Parks and Rec fund lase year, the city has allocated other surplus city funds to park de�•�lopment, such as the $880K for Azule Park. It does not appear that use fees are planned or would be possibYe for Azule Park. As a neighborhood park, nt is intended to mainly service a relatively small number of families in that area. A wide range off specialized amenities is planned for the pazk, with �ao flat grass for team sports. In other words, the investment in Azule Park could very well be accessible by a much smaller number of Saratog� residents. It seems inconsistent to charge use fees f�r highly available aad used parks and a�o fees for less accessible ones. Saratoga Soccer and Saratoga I.ittle Y_eague providc a major service to the youth and fami�ies of Saratoga for no charge to the city. Tlus service is lughly valued by families in Saratoga and is, therefore, part of the value of homes in the City. The current participation in the two youth sports organizations �s greater than 2096 of Saratoga youth and growing every year. If you consider Saratoga residents, who ar� curnently o� who have been recendy involved in youth sports at CSP, then the percentage would be much greater �haa the 20% presented. All extra maintenance costs incuned by both Saratoga Soccer and I.ittle Y.eague will be paacl by the respective organizations. T'herefore, the City will not incur any additional costs due to the use by either league. If a use fee is needed, tben everyone who uses the park should be charged, just like our State �arks. It does not appear that ie will be possible to chargc fees for all users of CSP, such as participants in "regular" pick-up games (soccer, football, baseball, etc.). Conversely, families with multipl� children playing in multiple sports would be paying anore than their fair share. If there is a need to raise additional funds for city investments, such as pazks, it should be shared by all �aacpayers. With respect to the non-resident surcharge, our neighboring communities do not charge Saratoga Soccer participants extra for playing soccer at their fields. In any case, Saratoga Soccer could not charge extra for participants from our neighboriag communities due to the n�les of the National orgar.ization to which we belong. It may be best to establish a guideline t�at does not charge �on- resident surcharges if the perceatage.of non-residents is.relatively small in the user group. Less than half of the communities, for wluch data has been gathered, require player.use fees. Instead, their fees, if they exist, are based on hourly use or field use. If player fees are use�, most were less than $20 per player. In addition, when use fees are charged, all maintenance fees appear to be covered. Put this meeting on your calenclara Take th:e time to attencl and be heardo A planned 32-mile rail-with, i 4 trail could ease ihe strain on commuters—and bicycle couriers—in Santa Cruz, Calif. �a�i�o�no�. In a Hurry? Take the Train Route Before long, the best way to get through traffic-suapped Santa Cruz, Calif„ and out to enjoy coastal views may be to hop the freight train—or, more precisely, the trail alongside the freight train tracks. Santa Cruz County started nego- tiations with Union Pacific Railroad in tlugust 2001 to purchase the Santa Cruz Branch Line for conver- sion to a rail-with-trail. The scenic, 32-mile coastal greenway will fol- low a rail line occasionally used by freight trains along the Monterey Bay coast between Davenport and Watsonville. Eventually the trail could be extended 55 miles through farming communities and several wildlife preserves, and link to the Monterey Coastal rail-trail in the south. The proposed multi-use Santa Cruz County Coastal Rail Trail will provide access to numerous state parks and beaches and, it is hoped, lighten up the tra�c that has many Santa Cruz roads in gridlock. Major aReries in the city have been so congested that the city council hired a bicycle-powered delivery service, Pedalers Express, to assure.that local packages would be delivered quickly. Towing bicycle trailers, Ped Fac riders transport loads weighing up to 500 pounds, so the flat grade of the proposed rail-trail is very appealing to them. The riders say their safety, delivery times—and legs—will benefit from having a new trail in town. "Trails are crucial," says Emily Christensen, one of seven Pedaler's Fxpress owner-employees. As it is, she cherishes rare opportunities to haul deliveries along the San Lorenzo River Levee Path. The majority of her jobs, though, take her "directly along the most heavily traveled roads. There are smatter- ings of bike lanes, but they end with no waming," says Christensen. "It isn't only Ped Ex that is look- ing forward to the rail-with-trail," adds Bill Le Bon, company founder and director of the Santa Cruz Hub for Sustainable Transportation. '"The entire community is eager to have it built." T'he Hub, which has had a leading role in mobilizing support for the trail project, is an advocacy resource center sharing a roof with Ped Ex and the Santa Cruz County Cycling Club. Le Bon founded Pedaler's Express in 1994 and ran it from home with a$30 bike trailer he WIrtTER 2002 T picked up at a garage sale. These days he's on his bike less, spending time fund-raising for the center and its "Bike Church" bicycle repair center, which charges. cus- tomers according to their ability to pay. He's also writing grant pro- posals for the rail-with-trail pro- ject; so far he's raised about $7,000 from local businesses to fund pro- motional and advocacy activities for the trail. The Santa Cruz Regional Transportation Commission is the main public agency involved. They have allocated $10 million in State Transportation Improvement Program funding for the acquisition of the corridor. For in�ormation on the rail-with-4rail projecl, and other bicycie and pedes- 4rian projects on California's Central Coast, go to www.santacruzhub.org. 21 Cary Bloomquisf From: Dennis Leong Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2001 3:20 PM To: Cary Bloomquist; John Cherbone Subject: DEC 10, PARK REC MTG: WILDWOOD PARK SLIDE REMOVAL Please let me know after the Parks Rec Commission has been notified that we will be removing the metal slide by the rock wall/deck for safety reasons (no safe landing areas to each side of the slide). We need to remove the slide as soon as possible. There will be no cost for the removal, inhouse removal. There will be a small cost however to block off the slide entrance. We will look towards continuing the same type of deck slaUrailing. Cary Bloomquist From: Chung, Celia [Celia.Chung@vta.org] Sent: Monday, November 19, 2001 10:00 AM To: 'AnneNg@aol.com'; Chung, Celia; Cary Bloomquist Cc: david@greenstein.com; jhwalton@msn.com; richard@lowenthal.com; waltonsmith@home.com Subject: RE: up trail again That's great! I was going to call up planning departments in the the four cities to see how they might react to the idea, but have been running short on time; this will give me a bit more time to pursue this. Celia -----Original Message----- From: AnneNg@aol.com [mailto:AnneNg@aol.com] Sent: Sunday, November 18, 2001 5:56 PM To: celia.chungc�vta.org; cbloomquistQsaratoga.ca.us Cc: david�greenstein.com; jhwalton@msn.com; richard@lowenthal.com; waltonsmith@home.com Subject: up trail again Hi Celia and Cary-- Just wanted to let you know that Ralph made it clear at the BPAC meeting Thursday night that Cupertino will not be moving on the UP Trail until January at the earliest, so a Task Force meeting would not be appropriate until February at the earliest. It seems that City Manager Dave Knapp and Richard Lowenthal are to work something out. Ralph certainly didn't want to decide anything at the BPAC meeting. I did learn that Dave Knapp thinks attempting to rezone the corridor, city by city, is worth a try. Also, FYI, the UP Trail is in the process of being transferred from Public Works to Parks and Rec in Cupertino. However, Ralph said the final Alta report is being printed and should be ready within a week. In connection with that, I will try to get together as much information as I can to do an email to the whole email list 2 developed. Any questions I can try to get answered? Anne 1 Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Adult Daycare Center 19655 Allendale Avenue, Saratoga Monday, December 10, 2001 7:30 p.m. AGENDA I. �rganization 1) Roll Call: Clabeaux, Deimler, Dodge, Frazier, Fronczak, Gates, Seroff 2) Report on Posting of the Agenda: Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2 the agenda was properly posted on December 7, 2001. 3) Review November 5, 2001 Action Minutes. II. Administration None III. Oral Written Communication (This section is for the public to speak on any item not on the agenda-3 minute limit) N. Old Business 1) Review of Congress Springs Park User Agreement and Fee Schedule V. New Business None VI. Commissioner Staff Reports 1) City Hall Update by Staff Liaison Bloomquist. 2) Commissioner Reports. VII. Adiournment