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Home My WebLink About03-11-2002 Park and Recreation Commission AgendasSaratoga Parks and Recreation Commission Study Session Adult Day Care Center 19655 Allendale Avenue, Saratoga Monday, March 11, 2002 6:30 p.m. AGENDA I. Organization 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 March 8, 2002. II. Administration None III. Oral Written �ommunication (This section is for the public to speak on any item not on the agenda-3 minute limit) N. Old �usiness None V. New �usiness 1) Preparation for Joint Meeting with City Council A) Commissioner Reports/Updates: m Trails Sub Committee: Deimler, Seroff, Gates o El Quito Task Force: Dodge, Frazier, Fronczak m Azule Task Force: Clabeaux, Gates o Creek Cleanup: Clabeaux, Dodge m Park Improvement: Clabeaux, Fronczak, Seroff Community Center: Clabeaux, Frazier Youth Commission: Seroff, Gates Bicycle Advisory Committee: Deimler Gymnasium: Seroff o Park Patrol: Deimler m Skatepark Task Force: Dodge, Seroff B) Recommendation regarding fees for A.Y.S.O.(Review Letters) C) Heritage Orchard VI. Commissioner Staff iZeports None VII. Adjournment Saratoga Parks and Recreation �ommission 1Vleeting Adult Daycare Center, 19655 Allendale Avenue, Saratoga February 4, 2002 7:30 p.m. Action 1!'Iinutes g. �all to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:38 p.m. II. 12011 �all Commissioners Present: Elaine Clabeaux, Logan Deimler, Sandra Dodge, Angela Frazier, Narbert Fronczak, Greg Gates, Nick Seroff. Commissioners Absent: None. Others Present: Council member Evan Baker, Public Works Director John Cherbone, Recreation Director Joan Pisani, Recreation Program Coordinator Taffy Lowery, Youth Commissioners Phillip Baker, Abhik Pramanik. Other attendees: Representing Redwood Middle School Staff Kathryn Picanco, Students Albert Chiang, Toney Yen, Michael Klobe Staff Liaison Cary Bloomquist III. Yteport on Postin� of the A�enda: Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2 the agenda was properly posted on February 1, 2002 IV. Approval of 1Vlinutes of 1VleetinE: Motion by Commissioner Nick Seroff, Seconded by Commissioner Greg Gates, to approve Janaury 7, 2002 Action minutes with corrections as directed by Commission. Vote taken, action minutes approved 6-0-1 (Commissioner Sandra Dodge Abstain). V. Administration 1) Review of Congress Springs Park donations received total costs of Park: Chair Elaine Clabeaux discussed loan arrangement commented on level of donations received to date as being less than expected for the sports user groups. Vg. Oral and Written Communication None. VII. Old Business 1) Review of proposed Skate Park elements with Youth Commission: Presentation by Recreation Director Joan Pisani. Redwood Middle School Staff Kathryn Picanco introduced Students Albert Chiang, Tony Yen and Michael Klobe who gave an informative overview of the benefits of having a Skate Park in our community. Youth Commissioners Phillip Baker and Abhik Pramanik were also present to support the presentation. Chair Elaine Clabeaux made a recommendation to form a Skatepark Task Force. Commissioners Sandra Dodge and Nick Seroff volunteered to be involved with the task force. The Skate park task force will hold it's meeting on Wednesday, February 6 at 5:00 p.m. in the Community Center. 2) West Valley Sanitation District Project Approval far Kevin Maran Park: Chair Elaine Clabeaux gave a brief presentation with support from Public Works Director John Cherbone regarding the proposed widening of the pathway thought the park. The Commission took and informal poll and approved the project, which will not impact the City Budget. The cost of the project will be carried by West Valley Sanitation District. 3) Review of Subcommittee Meeting Rules and Decorum: Liaison Cary Bloomquist gave brief overview regarding the Brown Act and Roberts Rules of Order pertaining to Subcommittees. Questions raised by Commission regarding interpretation of the Brown Act and Robert Rules of Order. Liaison Cary Bloomquist will clarify with City Attorney and notify Commission. 4) Update from Trails Subcommittee: Liaison Cary Bloomquist gave brief overview of subcommittee activities and projects, including the updating of the trails master plan by Commissioner Nick Serof£ Commissioner Logan Deimler suggested the Commission recognize the efforts of Teri Baron of the Saratoga Trail Enthusiasts for her dedicated service as a trails advocate. Motion by Commissioner Logan Deimler to recognize Teri Baron for her Parks and Recreation Commission Trails Subcommittee Contributions. Seconded by Commissioner Sandra Dodge, vote taken, motion carried (7-0). 5) C.P.R.S. conference, Apri13-6, 2002: Discussion regarding attendance at the annual California Parks and Recreation Society Conference in Los Angeles. The following Commissioners are planning on attending: Elaine Clabeaux, Sandra Dodge, Angela Frazier, Nick Seroff. 6) Park Facilities Commissioner Review: Feedback received from Commission. Goal is to get information on Website. VdII. New �usiness 1) Overview of City Park facility fees and Ordinances as directed by City Council: Chair Elaine Clabeaux gave presentation. Commissioner Greg Gates gave feedback on Master Plan. He suggested using the Master Plan as a template for development of revised Master Plan. Commissioner Gates did not see why we should "reinvent the wheel". Council member Evan Baker indicated we need to receive feedback for all user fees for the general citizenry of Saratoga. We need to detern�ine collect fees for each entity. Council member Evan Baker offered the following suggestion: At each regular Parks and Recreation Meeting we hold hearings on fee schedule. Suggested placing fees and research regarding fees on website. 2) Review of letter from Dennis Farmer regarding Congress Springs Park maintenance and user group fees: Letter and content of letter was discussed by Commission. Motion made by Commissioner Nick Seroff, Seconded by Commissioner Sandra Dodge, to not respond to letter. Vote taken, motion passed (7-0). 3) Review of Congress Springs Park Dedication Ceremony date and time: Liaison Cary Bloomquist shared information with Commission. Time is 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 9, 2002. Details to follow. �X. Commissioner and Staff Yteports 1) City Hall Update by Staff Liaison Cary Bloomquist. Next Azule Task Force meeting is Monday, February 11 at 4:30 p.m. Congress Springs Park Project is 98% complete. 2) Commissioner Reports: Commission stated for future meetings, need to have an action item list incorporated into the Agenda listing current deliverables. Commission also requested listing the subcommittee assignments on agenda. XI. Adiournment Commissioner Sandra Dodge made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Angela Frazier seconded the motion. Vote taken and motion carried 7-0. The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 p.m. Prepared By: Cary Bloomquist, Staff Liaison �ongr�ss �g�rings �ar� �edicatio� �em�mony Agencla �atu��lay,lVla��h 9, 2002 8:3� �.rm. 9:30 �..m. I. Opening Day Ceremony begins: Comments by Saratoga Little League 8:30 a.m. Keith Simon —opening comments, Fire fighter lead group in Pledge of Allegiance. II. Comments by City Council Members: Park Dedication By Mayor Nick Streit I��. Comments by Parks and Recreation Commission: Chair Elaine Clabeaux and Parks and Recreation Commissioners IV. Introduce six players to stand with Nick for Ribbon cutting V. Ribbon Cutting Park Dedication VI. First Pitch by Nick Elaine VII. Pictures with Mayor VIII. Opening Day Ceremony resumes Keith Simon Introduce team Tball runs bases Introduce championship teams Announcements Little League Pledge Dennis Fanner 8:35 a.m. 8:45 a.m. 8:50 a.m. 8:55 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 9:05 a.m. 9:10 a.m. Cary Bloomquist From: Sent: To: Subject Hard fees Mark Chapman@csaa.com Thursday, March 07, 2002 2:58 PM Cary Bloomquist RE: Various 16,000 maint. (est. for 2 years user fees based on 1000 actual players at $15. per player goals and equip. Current proposal $32,000 $30,000 $20,000 $16,000 maint. for 2 years $32,000 goals and Equipment $20,000 Bathroom $20,000 addtl $40,000 donation $40,000 misc. donations of AYSO $2,000. (bricks,etc..) -----Original Message----- From: Cary Bloomquist (mailto:cbloomquistC�saratoga.ca.us� Sent: Thursday, March 07, 2002 2:39 PM To: Mark Chapman@csaa.com Subject: RE: Various Hi Mark, I received and reviewed the letter. I am confused about the costs.........Where do you get your figures stated at the end of your letter....Thanks...CB -----Original Message----- From: Mark Chapmanc�csaa.com [mailto:Mark_Chapman@csaa.com] Sent: Thursday, March 07, 2002 1:53 PM To: Cary Bloomquist Subject: RE: Various Let me know once received, Thanks Mark Chapman -----Original Message----- From: Cary Bloomquist [mailto:cbloomquist@saratoga.ca.us] Sent: Thursday, March 07, 2002 1:15 PM To: mark chapman�csaa.com Subject: Various Hi Mark, Look forward to your response..CB 1 To the PRC Committee, I am emailing you with AYSO's concerns regarding the monies we are expected and willing to pay regarding Congress Springs Park. When AYSO fust proposed our $40,000 donation, it was assumed that this donation would be in lieu of "all fees". We later were informed that we are still being expected to pay Maintenance fees and that the donation would offset only "User fees". AYSO has already donated $20,000 for an extra restroom, as several thousand for goals, bricks, etc. We also have promoted and received several donations from our Soccer Community. Our donations for Congress Springs Park (except for goals) have been "clean" funds that can be used by all visitors to the park and are not directly related to soccer. After reviewing AYSO Saratoga's financial situarion, the AYSO Board is not comfortable paying out an additional $40,000 and maintenance costs. We would like the PRC to accept our altemative offer. AYSO Saratoga is willing to make a total addirional contriburion of $25,000 by June 30`�, 2002. The AYSO Board does not want to jeopardize our Organization financially, nor do we want to borrow money to cover debt (AYSO National would not allow us to). We are raising our registration costs over 60% to accommodate the enormous increase of field costs. This year Redwood, Oak Street, and Marshall Lane are charging significantly more to use their fields. AYSO is hoping that all parties the PRC, City Council, and others understand our plight and realize the value our program serves the Saratoga Community and except our alternative offer. If we look at the originals costs proposed before asking AYSO to make a donation in lieu of User fees, it would have been less expensive just to pay the hard fees over a 2-year period. Hard fees $82,000 Proposed fees with $40,000 donarion $114,000 Respectfully Yours, Mark Chapman Saratoga Soccer Regional Corrunissioner Saratoga Parks and ]L�ecreation �ornmission Commissioner Assignments o2i2si2oo2 Sub-Committee List Maximum of 3 commissioners is allowed on each. Responsibiliries include reporting back to the comnussion on the activiries and any recommendarions of the group. No official actions can be taken at these meetings. Adopt-a-Park One commissioner per park. Responsibilities 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. Azule Norb Beaucham s An ela Brook leii Nick Central An ela Coii ress S rin s Nick El uito Norb Foothill Lo an Gardiner Gre Hrstorica[ Sandra Kevin Moran Elaine Oak Tree? Lo an Ravenswood Gre Wildwood Sandra "^`�1 ^lJ O J G C N NKl10N5 A�� C1�EI� �OI�I�I�CTIOI�TS A��'IOI�T �1Z��JP City of San Jos� Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department o Santa Clara Valley Water District (Funded in part by the Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Protection and Prevention Program) Dear Potential Site Coordinator, The Creek Connections Action Group (CCAG) coordinates two countywide creek cleanups every year. The next event is National River Cleanup on Saturday, May 1�, 2002 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Dces your city or agency have a creek that needs the attention of a group of concerned neighbors? The easiest way to take advantage of the huge amount of civic energy harnessed during these cleanup events is to host a site for this event. Here's all you need to do: 1. Choose an accessible creek site that can use some public attention (Call Ed Morales at the Santa Clara Valley Water District (408) 265-2607 x2880 if you would like suggestions for sites that n:ay be suitable in your area). �Iany cie:es c�oose p�u�ks or trails that have gooci creek access and public visibility. 2. Arrange for one or two staff inembers to serve as site coordinators on the day of the cleanup. The site coordinator(s) will be invited to a site coordinator training held by the CCAG to assist them with. the preparations for a cleanup site. The site coordinators will be responsible for volunteer sign-in, refreshments, set-up and data reporting. CCAG will provide each site with garbage bags, gloves, coupons_to purchase refreshments, gifts for volunteers and publicity. CCAG also' provides a phone hotline, and website www.cleanacreek.org, to send volunteers to suitable sites and for answering questions regarding the event. 3. Mail or fax the attached registration form to me by February 22° Creek Connections Action Group is a partnership of the City of San Jose, Santa Clara County Parks and the Santa Clara Valley Water District who sponsor and organize countywide creek cleanup events during National River Cleanup Day and California Coastal Cleanup Day each year. CCAG partners with local government, nonprofit and environmental organizations whose shared goal is to preserve and protect the waterways of Santa Clara County. Since the CCAG's inception in 1996, more than 10,000 volunteers have paRicipated in 12 cleanup events and removed more than a quarter of a million pounds of trash from creeks in Santa Clara County! Participation in National River Cleanup is a great way to work with the residents of your community to protect and care for your local waterways, with minimal investment of agency staff and resources. To arrange for a site in your community, just complete the enclosed registration form and return it to me no later than Friday, February 22" If you have any questions, please call me at (408) 846-5761. Sincerely, K-sK-� J Heenan County of Santa Clara DepaRment of Parks and Recreation Email: john.heenan@mail.park.co.santa-clara.ca.us 5750 Almaden Expressway o San Jos�, CA 95118 0(408) 265-2607 ext. 2238 o www.cleanacreek.org ti1r� oJy A�` C�EK COI�TI�(C'��OI�S AC'Y'�OI� ��0� City of San 1os� a Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department a Santa Clara Valley Water DisUict I�atio�� Il��° �Ye��a� �ite l�egist�°��o� ��°m Yes! I would like to coordinate a site for National River Cleanup on Saturday, May 13, 2002. No, we will be unable to participate in National River Cleanup this year. �1$� �OO�Q�ll��0][' Name: �'1 �C.�/l�� Agency: j4 Mailin Address: 4 g ��'�`U�l��P �ity Zip ��1 7C� Pt�o O� D�D U 2� Phone: Faac: 060 IZ8 6 E-Mail address: P C' .�d/�'�`�9v• cQ� U6 Website: �N'/�'^� ��q�Q q. f y. Would you like yoar website to be linked on www.cleanacreek.org? Y� �leanup �i�� Name of creek, river or lake: d C�� C� (Do you need assistance with the selection of a suitable site? Please Call Ed Morales at the Santa Clara Valley Water District for assistance. (408) 265-2607 ext. 2880)' Description of locations (name of park or nearest streets) �f'j'�► g�� S A�� P�i °�v �--e Meeting Area: v��'� f�l u�� CO �"�X parking Available? Accessible by Publac Transit? Restrooms Available? V Site OK for children?_� e Total of Volunteers needed for this Site: S Other pertinent information on this site: Would you like volunteers to register for your site prior to the event? If yes, please supply a phone number, email address and contact name for advance registration. Mail by February 22 to: Creek Connections Action Group Attention: John Heenan 298 Garden Hill Drive Los Gatos, CA 95030 Fax by February 22 to: John Heenan FAX (408) 846-8821 i life insurance part of your life. Call us today. dricie Money Ruth Barron .ic.6 08301 I S Uc.q 06385i2 0 wnchester lylvd 144i1 liig Hasin Way Suitc 106 Seratoge, CA .os Cntos, CA 408-R67-1650 t08-399-6669 Mike Cummings Lic.q OCU3699 ;i Rd I i4G6 Los Gatus Blvd Suile 2U.i Los Gatos, CA 4U8-�58•7444 y ZS r Mike Bexter IJC.N U728i08 18828 Cu:c A�•e Seretoga. CA 408-.i79-8082 k Sandra Soeliner Lic.q USiU865 49iU Hnmilton Avc Suile 200 San Jose. CA �8-871 •397U m is there for life� statefarm.comTM IN/Y��M[� Ferm Ufe Irsurance Company (NOt Ilce�sed h� NY w 1Mp surance Company (lkensed in NY arW WI) Home OHices: Bbaminpton, Illhwfs hing as a comfortable pregna sical Therapy specializes in the treat. 1 sometimes significant orthopedic di egnancy. Our staff has the advanced �anual skills to ease these discomforL unction. i free group instruction in appropriat �o individualized hands-on care. :ill cover our services, especially• ended by your physician. �ble pregnancy! Call us today to •e Back Basics'class, or to schedule ic of your specific condition. ORTHOPEDIC L� T H E R A P Y �oulevard, Cupertino, CA 95014 S-252-6076 'BRl1ARY17„2QOZ I�ai��,� tr�,�� °��.�ns ��.��t�� bac� 1��er B,y OAICL$Y BROOKS Saratoga officials are working to keep viable a plan for a trail along the Union Pacific Railroad corridor, although the railroad will not release needed land with- out selling it at market value. The 8.7-mile trail would link Rancho San Antonio County Park in Cupertino with [he Los Gatos Creek trail, running through Saratoga and Campbell along the way. Already under unsanctioned use by dog- walke� and joggers, local officials and trail enthusiasu have eyed the corridor for expanded recreation and commuting in the West Valley. Historical activisu say it roughly approximates the path of the 18th- century De Anza exploration party. Officials in the four West Valley cities involved with the trail had hoped to gain a lease from Union Pacific to construcYthe pathway and�a fence to separate it from the active rail line in the corridor. But according to Saratoga Council- woman Ann Waltonsmith and Cary Bloomquist, the city's staff liaison to the trail project, Union Pacific will not relin- quish any use of the corridor without sell- ing the land. That's something the cities and the Valley Transit Authority, which �has earmarked $7.36 million for the pro- ject, are unwilling to do. Union Pacific has consistently cited safe- ty as its concern for not allowing a lease for part of the corridor to be used for the trail. T'he company's railcars carry coal into the Hansen Cement Company plant in Cupertino three times a week. Despite a detailed feasibility study and potential trail layout completed this fall by Alta Transportation, the railroad's stance has put the project on the back burner in the cities' priority list. But VTA and the cities are working to keep the project warm. VTA has added the trail into its master plan for Santa Clara County. And in Saratoga, Walton- smith is trying to put the pieces in place to allow the trail to go forward if the railroad land becomes available. She recently asked the planning commis- sion to designate the railroad corridor in Saratoga as open space, to ensure the land will not be sold to housing developers. She will also explore the purchase of a right- of-way along the PG&E towers that run next to the rail line for roughly a mile in Saratoga. Waltonsmith says that the limestone quarry that supports the Hansen cement plant will be completely mined 20 years from now. At that time, Union Pacific will not have a use for the rails and may become a willing negotiator. Waltonsmith says there is a precedence for rail right-of- ways transferring into public use: The Southern Pacific rail company sold its line, running from Santa Cruz through Los Gatos, to the San Jose Water Company in 1940. T'he land eventually became part of the Lexington Reservoir watershed. In the meantime, Waltonsmith said, it is up to individual cities to figure out how much public support there is for the trail. She noted that VTA's offer to fund 80 per- cent of the $9.2 million trail still stands, so "iYs not going to cost us millions." "Wouldn't it be great?" she said of the trail. "IYd be a great place to run and walk your dog." S�RIFIF'S �POR'�' 1Perrv 'I'HE[rr=Feb. 11, 9:50 a.m. on Crayside Lane. Although the suspect had lived with the victim for about a year, she didn't have the authorization to possess or access his checking account. He noticed that his checkbook was missing or lost in June 2001, but didn't report i[. Although the bank stopped payment on all his miss- ing checks, the stop-payment expired after three months. The checks were held for six months before one check was cashed in San Francisco for $1,000. �-.-•°-�9----•=-^.. Photograph by Paul Myers The Union Pacific Railroad corridor in Saratoga is used by some as a trail for walking, jogging and bicycling. '��z,.� �e��z� �ep�ctio� ��uth Ils skevve� �As a Saratoga teenager and member of the Saratoga Youth Commission, I resent the cartoon by Mr. DeCinzo that appeared in the Jan. 30 issue of the SARA'I'OGA NEws. Mr. DeCinzo depicted the youth of Saratoga as a buncli of juvenile delin- quents and "punks." I cannot understand how a man who implies that Saratoga's teens are so imma- ture and infantile can simply slander the idea of a skatepark without actually know- 'ing anything about it. I would like to per- sonally invite Mr. DeCinzo toattend the next Youth Commission meeting so that -he can ascertain some actual facts about the skatepark. If he did, he would learn that the proposed park is actually a mobile skate park. It can be easily compacted into one parking space and stored on city property. He would also learn that the plan is sup- ported by the Saratoga Youth Commis- sion, the Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission, and the Saratoga City Coun- cil, as well as many community members, young and old. I hope that Mr. DeCinzo realizes what he has done and that next time will engage his brain before his pencil. IAMES BALLINGALL Saratoga Youth Cortunission ye� =.s^;-:.' sports leagues from maintenance and user �Y fees would place an undue financial bur- den oa the community in general, and the other non-organized use,s of our parks and recreational facilities. 'Ibis oae Park. C�g� SPr�Bs, now ded- icated to thesportspecialtygroups ofsoccer and baseball, has a price tag of $1.7 million, more than double the amount originally_ budgeted in the parks and recxeationbudget (5600,000) two years ago. At the insistence of the sport users groups for this specialty park, the city designed a showcase park with top grade built-in equipment and profes- sional-grade grass; alongwith the purchase of a special mower just for that grass. How are we going to pay for this park when it wears out again and needs replace- ment in a few yeacs? If we don't charge fees, we will hav,e to take the money away from the other 13 parks and aLso our city traiLs. It would be an insWt to the residents of our city to firsf spend the bulk of the park development fund on, renovation .of Congress Springs Pazk, then come back in a few years to do it all over again. This replacement expense would again short all the other worthy park and trail needs in the city. Incidentally, the parks and recrea6on development fund comes from a fee paid by housing developments that either design a park as part of the development or pay a "fee." Mr. Farmer further states that the city arbitrarily seCthe user fees prior to public meetings, without any idea of what to cbarge. This is simply not the case. After research- ing how other cities defray costs and after much public debate, the parks and recre- ation commission recommended a user fee of $15/perpersodper sporUper season. This is on the low end of the fees charged by other cities. Again, after public debate, the city council decided to accept the researched user fee amount and to add the proviso that the parks and recreation commission con- U21LLC ENa**>iT+� the realcosts of runnmg not only Congress Spring$ over the next year buE also the increased costs of *+�nn;ng �e other parks in the system'Ihis was to ensure that the user fee was reasonable for Sazatoga. Regarding the maintenance fee, all par- d ties; including the user groups, the com- mission, and the city staff, agreed upon the maintenance fees. No one disputes the fact that since Saratoga committed to a first- class sports field, t6ere is an ongoing need taprovide the best maintenance possible to protect the investrnent of the city. Final- ly, in recognition of the fact that the Little League and PONY League are currendy paying the maintenance fees, the council waived the usei fees for those particular user groups for the next three years. It is reasonable that different uses require dif- ferent levels of maintenance of the park. With that in mind, the city is cunently negotiating fees with AYSO. AYSO, Little League, PONY League, Saratoga Rotary Club, and individual �rganized sports funding Saratogans have contributed $282,000, including a loan by the city of $90,000 that 1S •needed for this park ��eLeagueispayingoffoverathree period. The city gready appreciates those terri6c ongoing efforts. However, ttie city In his Feb. S letter to the SnRn�I�OGp NEwS, cannot just bacl�ll the extra costs with Gen- Dennis Farmer protesis the fees charged to eral Fund money, without formally defin- sports leagues at Congress SpringS Park.� ingourexpectationsforongoinghelpbythe This reaction is simply promoting a special speciaitygraups. The city will not cut fund- interest at the expense of all citizens of our ing for other citizens' needs. city. The council recogniies and appreciates F'mally, Mr, Farmer ignores a basic real- thebenefitsoforganizedsportsforouryou� ity. The city of Saratoga is not wealthy, and our community. with money to burn. People have choseri However, to exempt the organized to live here for the quality of life our city affords. The consequence is a minimum- services city without industry or big-box retail establishmenu that would provide a revenue sueam to the city. If residents want these revenue produc- e�s in our city, please come forward and let t6e council know. However, for now, bills for.big projects have to either be aug- mented by money from specific users or voted on as a bond. It is important to keep the facts straight in this situation, since so many people have been involved in this Congress Springs Pazk project We all want to see Saratoga's parks used by and maintained for the citi- zens (adults and children) of Saratoga. ANN WALTONSMITH C'ity Council Member L: 'l!. e ��E� This is a consistent message given to the with the current plan. I don't understand how city by the twomain usergroups. If, as the let- this can be an issue unless the city does not ter says, these fields will need fo be replaced believe the firms they have hired or their staff. �,e� s set th� �ec�r� in a few yeais, then the firms hired by the city did'notdeliverdesignsthatmeetthespeci- MARK S. L�tvsKY Stralg�t $b011� f��S fiedrequirements.However, BazksdaleCourt have been told that these goaLs would be met In a Feb. 20letter to the SnaATOCA NEws regarding sports funding for Congress Springs Park, there were several statements that are either incompiete are not consistent with the history of this project. For more than a decade, I have been active- ly participating with other usergroups, city staff, and interested, dedicated residents to achieve the goal of determining the best way to invest Saratoga's Park Funds. From the very beginning, Saratoga (AYSO) Soccer, as a key user group, has maintained a consistent position on field priorities. This position was stated as the need for more "flatgrass" and forfieldsthatweresafe,available,accessible, useful, affordable and maintainable. A showcase park has never been on this list rior �even suggested. As I remember, the �equirement for the showcase park came finm the city, certainlynot from the usergroups. The investment in improvements and equipment was fairly independent of the needs of the major user groups. Any new investment in a park mus[ address high usage and effective maintenance require- ments. These were two keygoals, given the limited amount of Saratoga park space and the limited funds available. Given the size of the park, new equipment was required to effectively maintain it. With regard to the concem about the field wearingout,theusergroupsconsistendyrec- ommended that no major investment should be made, if the renovation did not result in fields w{3ich were maintainable at a reason- able expense and which would last for many years. 12 SARATOGA NEWS �tifARCh( 6, 2002 r :'f/:i;_.t ;t:�..�.. .'I' I E _..F J n t ''�?r 1 1 �o: Parks and Recreation Commission lFu�o¢�n: 7oan Pisani �D��: March 6, 2002 �anlb,��: 11�iobile Skate Park Facility ]�A�I[��][B��BD In February, a Skateboard Task Force was formed to research the feasibility of a mobile skate park facility in Saratoga. The group was asked to locate potential sites, review rules, hours of operation, staffing level, identify equipment needs and ways to advertise the program. Members of the Task Force include Sandra Dodge a.nd Nick Seroff, Parks and Recreation Commissioners, Joan Pisani and Taffy Lowery, City staff, Abhik Pramanik, Andy Miller, and James Atkins, Youth Commissioners, Brian Butcher, interested community member, Kathryn Picanco, SUSD Differentiation Specialist, Albert Chiang, Grant Simon, and Brian Dodge, students. Staff surveyed nearby cities to �et more information on their skate park facilities. All cities surveyed view their skate parks as playground equipment and they do not charge entrance fees. Only two agencies, the City of Campbell and Los Altos, provide staff supervision when the park is open. Attached you will find two skate pazk surveys. One is a City of Piedmont statewide survey of 116 agencies, and the other, completed by our staff, is a more detailed survey of neighboring cities. The Task Force identified all potential skate park sites in Saratoga, and members made visits to each location. Contacts were made and forms completed indicating whether or not the site would be viable for the skate park on a rotating basis. Also, Richard Taylor, the City Attorney, and Marcus Beverly, the ABAG Risk NTanager, were contacted to provide liability information and to assure us that the skate park site would have insurance coverage. The students on the Task Force from Redwood Middle School, along with their advisor, compiled a survey and the Principal allowed it to be distributed to all 900 students during the school day. When asked if a portable skate park is a good idea for Saratoga, 690 said yes. Of those, 393 responded that they would use the skate park, When asked about an entrance fee to use the park, 522 students feel it should be free, 145 would pay $25 for a season, 118 would pay $50 per season and 179 felt they. would be willing to make a donation. �a��e�n� I�o4¢enti�l ]Lo��nouns Listed below are locations that are still being considered as options. 1. Parking lot in front of City Hall across from the Warner Hutton House. 2. Parking lot behind city hall by the preschool. 3. Parking tot between the Community Center and the Corporation Yard 4. Congress Springs Park, end of far parking lot 5, Prospect High School 6. Redwood Middle School 7, Foothill School 8. Argonaut School 9. St Andrews 10. Blue Hills School 11. West Valley College Every site listed above has issues that need to be resolved before space can be utilized. Very few have restrooms available on weekends or late in the day. There is not one non- city owned location listed above that could accommodate the skate park for a month long period. Some only have space available on weekends, and some only weekdays. The schools and churches want the city to assume all liability and insurance. They are also concerned about damage to their campus, trash, and outside users. lEq�nn��une�� l��a➢s Ball Hitch Ramps Mobile Skate Park: $21,000 This portable skate pazk needs the space of two tennis courts, which is over 14,000 sq. ft. To purchase enough portable fencing to secure this equipment each night would cost over $11,000. If the skate park rotates weekly, 48 10 ft x 5 ft sections of fencing would need to be transported and set up/taken down at a new location each time. If a restroom facility is needed, one porta potty could be rented and the cost is $95 per month. The unit would be serviced weekly, but the city would have to be responsible for moving it, if desired. '�'A�]I� ]F�][8�]E ]l��10��1`�DA'�'��IY� �..QDgHS�llCS It is the recommendation of the Task Force that the skate park be rotated weekly to a new location. It is requested that a Park 1Vlaintenance worker transport the locked portable skate park to the designated site. It is not being recommended to purchase portable fencing, because it would be very labor intensive to put it up and take it down every week at a different location. Daily, during the operating period, a part time person will arrive at the site one half hour early to unlock and set up the park. Another staff person will work the second half of the shift, close the facility and chain lock the units together. At the end of the two to six day period, the Pazk Maintenance worker will hitch the skate park up to his truck and transport it back to the Corporation Yard until it is to be relocated to another site. ��4�'n�ng ILL�v¢➢/�[oan�s o�' �g��u��too� The Task Force's recommended hours of operation are listed below. The cost associated with having one staff person on duty during open hours, is also provided. Summer Hours Monday through Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm: $7000 School Year Hours Saturday 11 am to 5 or 6 pm and Sunday 12 noon to 5 pm: $6400 School Holidavs and Special Events 90 hours: $1200 Total Yearly Staff Expense SIl4,6� ][BanV�s The Task Force was asked to recommend skate park rules. In reviewing the signage at other facilities, the goup felt those from the cities of l�aly City and Santa Cruz were good. Attached you will find copies of the rules posted on their signs. Adlv�r�esuung The Task Force recommended several ways to get the word out to participants. If the skate park is rotated weekly, there are several ways to publicize. Some suggestions aze the city web page, the Youth Commissioner's web page, a dedicated city phone line with updated information, the Sazatoga News, fliers at the site each week, and school announcements and postings. ]EBev�ueae� The Task Force could not reach a consensus on a recommendation for fees. Most members felt that no entrance fees should be charged. Some felt that donations could be solicited to help cover expenses. Others felt that seasonal or yearly memberships could be sold in advance at the Community Center. For example, if 200 people bought a swnmer memberships for $25, this would generate $5000. The Task Force members will be at the meeting on 1Vlarch 11�' to answer questions and receive further direction, Attachments 1. City of Saratoga Skate Park Facility Survey 2. City of Piedmont Skate Pazk Survey 3. Ba11 Hitch Ramp Proposal 4. Skate Pazk Rules, Cities of Daly City and Santa Cruz A t�a�l� e� �itr� off �au�ato�a Sltate Park Facilitv Surve� �ety off �ampbeY9 o Equipment Modular (metal), Ball Hitch Ramps o Fenced in Yes o Waiver Yes o V6�hen built Upgraded in Aug. 2000 Staffing 2 staf�, alternate shifts, use radio to keep in contact w/ main off ce v Char�e Free o Advertisin� N/A o Rules Must wear helmets, elbow and kneepads. Rollerbladers must also wear wrist guards If bein� reckless or not listening they are asked to leave for the day or the Campbell PD is called o Location Temporarily at communi�y center, moving to permanent location m Hours of operation Ivi-�, 2:30 to dark, SadSun 11 to dark Usage Sept. (busy month) avera�ed 32.2 per day, weekday 60, weekend 140, Slow day —15 m Other Youth sign in, only 3 injuries in 2001, have bike racks City of H�� Altos Equipment Temporary equipment, use only in the summer Fenced in Yes, rental fence and locked Staffing Recreation staff, 1 when Rec. office is open and 2 when Rec. offce closed in case of emergency, Rec. Leader I pay, only have to be 15 Char�e Free Advertising IV/A Rules —1Vlust wear helmets, elbow and kneepads. Rollerbladers must also wear wrist guards o Hours of operation 12:00 to 5:00 Other Rollerbaders can use City of Morgaa Hill Equipment VVooden, portable (RampTech) Fenced in Yes e When built Nov. 2000 Staffing 1� month used volunteers, cunently have random check ups and surveys, too much downtime, police cooperated in enforcing rules Charge Free Advertising Youth of the city, grand opening used flyers, newspaper, brochure e Rules Must wear helmets, elbow and kneepads. Rollerbladers must also wear wrist guards v Location Temporary location, looking for permanent loca.tion Hours of operation Dawn to dusk 3-5-02 Usage Weekday 20-40, weekend 30-100 Other Public works dept. clean and open/close weekdays, weekends work w/ �MX business to open/close, bike racks, trash can, portable bathroom, offerec� classes City of �a➢o A➢t� m Equipment Concrete, 3 bowl complex o Fenced in Yes o When built Jan. 1991 o Staffing Started w/ staff, approximate annual cost $18,009, no longer sta�ing Charge Free o Advertising N/A o Rules Skateboazds only, no rollerbladers or �11� riders. Must wear helmets, elbow and knee pads whenever in the skateboarding facility m Hours of operation 12:00 to 5:00 o Usage Approximately 6000 annually o Other Parks dept. maintain turf area and fence, Public works dept./facility staff do graffiti removal. Annual maintenance cost approximately $18,000 City of �ilroy m Equipment Cement park o Staffing None o Charge Free e Advertising IV/A o Rules Must wear helmet, wrist and elbow pads o Hours of operation Dawn to dusk City of Sant� Cruz Fenced in Yes m When built 7uly 2001 Staffing None Charge Free o Rules See packet I,ocation Near Boazdwalk •�Iours of operation 9am to 1 hour after sunset Usage Summer 50 per day, school year 25-30 Compiled by Taffy Lowery 2/5/02 Ac�.�� ,w Z L1'U O� #�P�OPVIO'ht°� Department of Recreatior� PUBLIC AGENCY SKATE. PARK SURVEY 2001 DATA COMPILATION 12/12/�'� 1, What year was your skate park opened? 7 <1996 9% 2 1997 2% 22 1999 27% 21 2000 26% 2 2a What size is your skate park? 1'9 5000 ft or less 27 5001 10, 000 ft 31 10, 001 15, 000 ft� 9 15, 001 20, 000 ft 3 20,001 30,000 ft 2 30,000 ft� or more Is your skate park: 1'i Modular/moveable 13% 3. Is your skate park staffed? 53 No 8 Pa�t-time/occasional 23 All hours of operation 4. Is your skate park fenced? 59 Yes 70% 25 (Vo 30% 63% 10% 27% 5. Is your, skate park locked down during off hours? 46 Yes 55% 38 No 45% 19 1998 93% 18 2001 22 'i3 Wood,15% 6. Has your agency had any lawsuits filed as a result of an �njury at your skate park? 3 Yes 4% 80 No 96% 7.. Is your skate park lit for after-dark use? 22 Yes 26% 62 fVo 74% 8. Has your skate park had graffiti problems? 46 Yes 56 36 No 44 9. Has your skate park had vandalism? 45 Yes 55% 37 No 45% 10: Has �your skate park been subject to significant use during closed hours? 30 Yes 37% 51 No 63% 93% 33 37% 11% 4% 2% 60 Concrete 71 11. Does your skate park permit bicycles; including BiVi1C? 8 Yes10% 76 No 90% No, bu4 under consid�ration Cl1V OIF PlEDf1�ONT Department of Recreatio�o PUBLIC AGENCY SKATE PARK SURVEV 200'8 DATA COMPILATION 12/12/01 12. If the answer to the above was no, what factors influenced this decision? 59 Damage to the park 32% 68 Safety/Incompatibility 37% 55 Park desigNSize 30% 13. If the answer to the above was yes, do you permit bicycles/BMX: 4 any time the park is open 40% 6 only during certain "bikes only" hours 60% 14, Do you have any specific, irrefutable information or evidence that bicycles damage skate parks? 15Yes19% 62No81% 15. Do you require users under 18 to provide an executed indemnity in order to use the park? 18 Yes 22% 65 No 78% 16. Do you charge (use card, membership, et. al.) any type of use fee? �13 Yes 15% 71 No 85% 17. Does your agency have a line item or other estimate for skate par{c maintenance? 22 Yes 28% 56 No 72% 116 agencies responded to the survey: 7� agencies with parks, and 4'U without or planning parks. For Further Information Contact: City of Piedmont Recreation Department Mark Delventhal, Director, (510) 42U-3073 Buzz Redford, Supervisor, (510) 420-3074 I"� G�A U+�1 U+ r uueyr��s TO: City of Saratoga Parks and Recreation Department C/O Taffy Lowery Saratoga, CA 95070 FROM: Ball Hitch Ramps PO Box 2763 Saratoga, CA 95070 DATE: Feb 4, 2002 Dear City of Saratoga, With regard to our recent presentation and your interest in a mobile skate park for Saratoga, I wanted to send you a proposal that will meet both the estimated cost of �20,000 and� can be managed by one vehicle. This mobile skate park is designed to set up in 30 minutes or less with one actult as a minimum and is designed to pack up into a parking stall when not used. The main ratnp piece is a steel fun box that acts as a trailer and will store the rest of the skate pieces when packed up. The rest of the ramps are to be made of composite providing maximum strength with minimum weight. Each composite ramp weighs between 70- 90 Ibs and is modularly designed to create any number of creative combinations. The wmposite makeup is a po(yester resign that is W resistant and has a Kevlar oore for added strength. Pictured below is what a Steel and composite materials are the best materials used for mobile parks. They do not break down from heavy use and weather extremes (extreme heat or rain). Ball Hitch Ramps sup,gests that the City of Saratoga invests in our standard double rail fun box as shown below. The desipn is well proven and has been used in many events with both beginners and pro's. center platform and stairs. Lastly, BHR suggests some accessories to round out the skate park These consist of grind rails, grind boxes and kicker ramps. Price break down is as follows: Descriptioa iTnnt P�ice �an��ity 'd'o4a1 I. Steel Fun Box Trailer $7,500 1 $7,500 2. Composite Center (20") $559 4 $2.236 3. Composite Launch (20") $549 2 $1,098 4. Composite Wedge (20") $549 2 $1,098 S. Composite Center (30") $659 2 $1,318 6. Composite Launch (30") $649 2 $1,298 7. Composite Wedge (30") $649 5 $3,245 8. Grind Rails $149 3 $447 9. Composite Grind Box $350 1 a350 10. Kicker Ramp $149 1 $149 sub total $18, 73 9 tax 8.25% $1,546 Ship/hand $400 �'ot�E 520,685 Thank you for considering Ball Hitch Ramps. Sincerely, Ron Powers (408)285-4541 fax (408) 285-2553 wote9. �uaa miosi� efx��m� �ue.�s or�� e��t�o� e w�s. �L7� ■0� 8' x 17' x 3C FUN BOX ■[7� DOUBLE FLYBOX TRAILER ■n� 8 7 12' x 30' 19' x 8' x 20^ FUN BOX W/GR I 1� R� I L 5 4 u�i 0�1 �-7 THESE RAMPS CAN BE CONFIGURED IN A WIDE VARIETY OF WAYSe �.r u. .r..._ �.,e� n k7 (3R 1 ND BOX P l.5' B' i. °=,!�Rl1!!!11 �r�^,+-�,--�r-. �a� :i CiRIND RAIL GRIND RAIL 8' �'ct.c. fA d+� W. �r' �ULLI1/�1�➢ 51'REE�° SK�IT��C3AR� P�IRK �E�IJI..�°�0►t�i5 Ci�v o� p�By �0�y �ilunicipc�l Code Chap#er° �2.3� �**��e*��*��****�*��*�*��*��*�r��*�*�� ***�**********�r�**��**��****�***�*��*�*�� MOVR.� OF US� Q i��ll1A t�V.�l� I�EQIlIREQ �C�VIPM�'IV�''� I�etmet, Knee Pads and Elbow Pads vou ��E� To Kt�ow� Skateboarding dnd a��ine skating are c�e�me� to be haznrdous recreationa� cctivfties and the Ci�ty wiil n�ot b� �iQble for in,juries incurr�d �n this pn�k facilityo •�t�oy this speciaf skate pork fa�ility however NIOl.afiORS of regulatians ma�y b� e,�ected f roM the park and/or c�t�d a ��1n ad�tt shall supe�rise us�rs less than years of ageo 5tnoking A�coh�� r� prohibite� FAILURE 1'O CONIPL� `�VI�'�f 1'H��E Rl1LE� �IVIl.� RE$ULT �N SKAI'� pARK CLOSURE E la �aa ��a.-�- �'i° �ity of Santa �r�z Parks and Recr�ation �epartmen� �i�CA`TE ��►RiC Hours ofi Operationo �e00 a.rr� to sunse$ Skate Park Use Reg,ulatt�'ons The skate park is not supervised. Ska�e �erk users are responsible for knowing and complying with all skate park regulafions. Be respectful, and courteous tow�rd paPk users� nearby businesses and residences. All skaters must wear appropriate �afst'v gear, including helmet, elbov►► pads, and kneepads. v Skateboards and iMine skates with eorYtposite wheeis only. All skateboard� and in-line skat�s must be in good w�rking order. Bicy�les, sc�oters, and rnetal skate wheels are not allowed. a Do not use the skate park if hazardous conditions exist Report arnv problem� or hazardous conditions to the Parks and Recxeation Departmerrt at 420- 5270. m Experienced �iders shall give less-expePi�nced �iders a fair char9ce to use thi� skate park. BVo alcohol, glass c�ntainer�, animaos� �anplified sound, or gr�ti. (SCMC) o No adding or rnoving elements withou� prior cansent of the ��v. Due to safety concerns, spectators must r�main in th� bleacher area or outside the fence. If oontinued violations of these reguYations occur, the skate park may be clased. Thank you for your cooperation. IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, CAL� J1 Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission 1Vleeting Adult Day Care Center 19655 Allendale Avenue, Saratoga Monday, March 11, 2002 7:30_ p.m. AGENDA I. Organization 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 March 8, 2002. 3) Review February 4, 2002 Action Minutes. II. Administration 1) None IQ. Oral Written Communication (This section is for the public to speak on any item not on the agenda-3 minute limit) N. Old �usiness 1) Skate park Task Force presentation. 2) C.P.R.S. update. V. 1Vew �usiness 1) Report from Recreation Department RE: Rental of City Facilities 2) Recommendation of Fees for A.Y.S.O. 3) Set date for Citywide facility use fee study session 4) Report on Congress Springs Park Dedication Ceremony VI. Commissioner Staff R,e�orts 1) .City Hall Update by Staff Liaison Bloomquist. 2) Action Item updates: o Placement of Master Plan on Website 3) Commissioner Reports: o Task Force Sub Committee Updates: VII. Adjournment Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission Study Session Adult Day Care Center 19655 Allendale Avenue, Saratoga Monday, March 11, 2002 6:30 p.m. AGENDA I. Organization 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 March 8, 2002. 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. Old Business None V. New Business 1) Preparation for Joint Meeting with City Council A) Commissioner Reports/LJpdates: Trails Sub Committee: Deimler, Seroff, Gates m El Quito Task Force: Dodge, Frazier, Fronczak m Azule Task Force: Clabeaux, Gates o Creek Cleanup: Clabeaux, Dodge a Park Improvement: Clabeaux, Fronczak, Seroff m Community Center: Clabeaux, Frazier o Youth Commission: Seroff, Gates m Bicycle Advisory Committee: Deimler m Gymnasium: Seroff m Park Patrol: Deimler Skatepark Task Force: Dodge, Seroff B) Recommendation regarding fees for A.Y.S.O.(Review Letters) C) Heritage Orchard VI. Commissioner Staff Reports None VII. Adjournment