HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-03-2002 Park and Recreation Commission AgendasSaratoga Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
Adult Day Care Center
19655 Allendale Avenue, Saratoga
1Vlonday, June 3, 2002
7:30 p.m.
AGENDA
I. Organization (5 minutes�
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
May 31, 2002.
3) Review May 6, 2002 Action Minutes.
II. Administration (10 minutes)
1) Update by Public Works Director John Cherbone
2) Update by Recreation Director Joan Pisani
III. Oral Written Communication (10 minute oal�
(This section is for the public to speak on any item not on the agenda minute limit per person)
N. �ld �usiness (30 minutes)
1) Action item review (see attached action item listing).
2) Creek Cleanup Summary
3) Union Pacific Rail Road Trail Update
4) Community Survey Update
5) City wide use fee discussion
V. 1Vew Business (30 minutes)
1) Review and approve 100% plans for Azule Park.
2) Foothill Park-Review resident correspondence.
3) Wildwood Brookglen Park Discussion regarding establishing a Task Force
VI. l�,eports (35 minutes 3 minute limit per person per categorv)
1) Subcommittee
2) Task Force
3) Staff Report
4) Commissioner Reports
VII. l3�rap-up New Actions (5 minutes)
1) New Actions
2) Items to Agendize
VIII. Adiournment (15 seconds)
Saratoga Parks and I�ec�eation �ommission 1Vleeting
Adult Daycare Center,19655 Allendale Elvenue, Saratoga
1VIay 6, 2002
7:30 p.m.
Action 1D9[inutes
I. �all to Orde�
The meeting was called to order at 7:39 p.m.
II. Y�oll �all
Commissioners Present: Elaine Clabeaux, Logan Deimler, Sandra Dodge,
Norbert Fronczak, Nick Seroff.
Commissioners Absent: Greg Gates, Angela Frazier
Others Present: Public Works Director John Cherbone, Recreation Director
Joan Pisani, Sheriffs Department representatives Ed Young and Jeff Novick,
Public Present: Bill Estes, Carmen Estes, Laura Gloner, Katie Alexander,
Tom Soukup, Sally Johnson, Pat Wilcox, Hugh Wright, Vibha Goel, Jeannie
Apostole, Fran Williams, Anwar Ghazi, Josh Sidel, C. Thuener, Jim
Schindler, Herman Lao, Yong Shen, Conrad Kumata, Staff Liaison Cary
Bloomquist
III. Yteport on Posting of the A�enda: Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2
the agenda was properly posted on May 3, 2002
IV. Ap�roval of Minutes of 1Vleetin�: Motion by Commissioner podge,
Seconded by Commissioner Logan Deimler, to approve April 1 and April 18,
2002 Action minutes with corrections as noted. Vote taken, action minutes
approved 5-0 (Commissioners Frazier and Gates absent).
V. Administration
None
Vd. �ra➢ and �Vritten Com�unicataon
None.
Agenda taken out off orde�-to 1�Iew ]Business.
V�g. New Business
1) Report from Recreation Department RE: Summer Camp Programs:
Recreation Director Joan Pisani reported 180 classes with over 2000
enrolled. Skatepark opens June 17, 2002 at the parking lot between the
Corp. Yard and Recreation Department.
2) Review and approve 75% plans for Azule Park: Presentation by MPA
Design. Resident Feedback: Jim Schindler expressed concerns regarding
liquid amber trees and spacing of bike racks. Adjushnent made per
3)
4)
request. Herman Lao expressed concerns regarding redwood trees
planting location. Explained that location of trees should not be a problem
in terms of tree droppings on his property. Knollwood Court issues:
Resident Conrad Kumata mentioned fire hydrant access needs to be
addressed. Jeannie Apostole and Fran Williams do not support an
entrance on Knollwood Court due to traffic, parking, safety and loitering
issues. Katie Alexander supports entrance to Azule Park via Knollwood
Court. Chair Elaine Clabeaux reviewed result of the Knollwood Court
Survey: 188 household surveyed, 45 responded with 23 in favor of an
entrance 22 opposed to an entrance on Knollwood Court. Chair
Clabeaux also read a document summarizing Knollwood Court residents
concerns pertaining to an entrance on Knollwood Court. Discussion
ensued for 20-30 minutes with feedback from Sheriffs Department
representatives indicating no significant advantages to having an entrance
on Knollwood Court. Motion made by Commissioner Nick Seroff to
construct a path from Azule Park to Knollwood Court with a no parking
zone on Knollwood Court. The entry area on Knollwood Court should be
monitored and reviewed at six month intervals for the first year to ensure
any parking safety issues are mitigated. Motion seconded by
Commissioner Sandra Dodge, vote taken, motion carried 4-0-1 with
Commissioner Logan Deimler opposed.
Azule Park Budget: Budget reviewed by Commission. Public Works
Director John Cherbone led discussion and explained budget in detail.
Discussion ensued among Commission. To meet budget constraints, add
alternates options discussed at length. Commissioner Seroff made a
motion to approve Azule Pazk Budget with the following add alternates:
1) Youth Lot 2) 1 Tennis Court 3) Par Course. Public Works Director
John Cherbone to be given flexibility to choose which add alternate is
utilized. Seconded by Commissioner podge, vote taken, motion carries
(5-0).
Proclamation for National Trails Day: Trails Subcommittee Chair Logan
Deimler requested a proclamation be presented to City Council Declaring
June 1, 2002 as National Trails Day. Staff liaison Cary Bloomquist
indicated he will draft report and submit a proclamation to Council at their
next regular meeting.
�ack to Old �usiness
V�I�. Old Business
1) Community Survey Distribution Options: Commissioner Sandra Dodge
discussed possible distribution options other than direct mailer. It was
suggested survey be distributed in front of the following locations:
Safeway, Longs, C.S.P., Genes Fine Foods, Village Coffee Shops. This
item will be discussed in further detail at the PRC retreat on Friday, May
17, 2002.
2) A.Y.S.O. prepayment of use fees-review and approve: Motion by
Commissioner Nick Seroff, seconded by Commissioner Sandra Dodge, to
approve prepayment of use fees for years two and three of User
Agreement in the amount of $25,000.00 contingent upon receiving a
player roster from A.Y.S.O. for those participants who use the playfields
at Congress Springs Park. A player roster from last year, this year, and
next year is being requested. This roster is to include the names and
addresses of the players who use Congress Springs Park. Discussion
ensued. Vote taken, motion carried 5-0.
IX. Commissioner and Staff Reports
1) City Hall Update by Staff Liaison Cary Bloomquist-None
2) Action Item update:
o Get information to Commissioner Nick Seroff Regarding A.Y.S.O.
Contacts.
o Get proposal from Rails to trails group to facilitate U.P.R.R. public
meeting.
3) Commissioner Reports:
m Task Force Subcommittee Updates:
Commissioner Sandra Dodge stated creek clean up is Saturday,
May 18, 2002 at 9:00 a.m. Commissioner Nick Seroff requested
an intern do title searches for easements for Trails Master Plan
map. Commissioner Logan Deimler indicated Arlie Middlebrook
only gave a prel'uninary budget estimate. Need more specific
information.
X. Adiournment
Commissioner Norbert Fronczak made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Commissioner Logan Deimler seconded the motion. Vote taken and motion
carried 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 11:02 p.m.
Prepared By:
Cary Bloomquist, Staff Liaison
Proposed Pl�� 1�genda
1) Organizatio�
a) Roll Call
Ib) �4genda
c) Review Minutes
2) Administration
5 �nin
10 mi�
a) Rec. Dept.
b) Public VI/orks
3) Oral and written communication
on non-agendized items '05 mir� (est.)
4) Old Business
a) ,4ction itern review
b) Items
5) IVew business
a) items
6) Reports
a) Staff
b) Subcommittee
c) Task Force
d) Commissione�
7) Wrap up items
a) New actions items
b) Items to agendize
8) Adjournment
30 min
30 min
35 rr�in
5 a�n u �a
0 �in
�R� stud� �essio�
5/17/02
PRC related fee and usaae policv
Objective:
To establish a policy whereby the public at large can determine the available and associated
costs of the various amenities among Saratoga parks and recreation facilities.
Priority List:
Group usage
o Current fees
Pla sca es Theatre Wear and tear One time use 1-5: hourl
Numbers of
Picnic tables Kitchen facility users Seasonal 5-25:
Lawn areas
s eci Auditorium T e of use Annual 25+: tbd
BBQ lar e Senior center Hardsca e Adult vs. outh
Resident vs.
BBQ small Teen center S ecific facilities non-resident
Volle bali Trailer Lawn
Horseshoes Room rental Benchs BBQ's
Resident
Basketball G m discounts
Open use for
Baseball Stage general public
Tennis Securi de osit
Seasonal plot
(garden) Processing fees
Central
reservation
Am hitheater s stem
Par course Contracts
Profit vs. non-
Paths tracks rofit
Policy and
Parking enforcement
Skate ark
Chess table
BMX
Frisbee disc
olf
RC car track
General Direction of the PRC misc.
o June 5` City Council meeting re. Azule Park, be there
o Subcommittees, How should they function and report
o Motion by Nick for the PRC members should chair all subcommittees and
task forces and there will be no bypassing of the PRC by the task forces
o Passed 5-1-1
o Task forces, How should they function and report
a Communication with the City Council
o Letters will be produced to the council for every recommendation of the council
o All requests for agenda items should be send to all commissioners to afford the
opportunity for them to second the request
o Need prototype agenda did it
o Special public input meetings are separate
e
Polling and park survevs
o Continuous Polling over time
Poll at various locations
o Poll via web
o Benefit of ineeting people
o There is some logistic difficulty
o Doing direct polling does not necessarily add statistical significance
Should do all of the above
Finances and Bud�e
a PDF is used up or in the hole
o Grace Methodist is in escrow
o Sheriff is moving to old recreation center
m Public will have input for safety upgrades
Need to understand money flow so that recommendations can be complete
a No input on Heritage Orchard Improvements
Less focus on PDF funds and spending since fund is gone
o Web site crap
To Do List
m Keep running list of
o Item
o Who
o Original commit
o Revised schedule
o Require written report from sub-committee
m Commission reports should be important part of the meeting
o Keep up to date list of PRC member's jobs
o Relevant information not available on timely basis
o Get information on the day of the meeting
a Keep joint information database
o Facilitates transfer of info. to the next commissioner
Greg will present plan for PRC automation
o Action item list
o Document trail
o Data serves the public
o Agreed that a separate list will be maintained and reviewed every meeting
o Chair will enforce
o Nick will maintain for now
m Cary will try to produce minutes of the meetings and distribute within 3 days
Park development and procurement
Process to name things
o PRC can recommend a name for anything
o PRC recommends a name to the City council via standard vote during a
meeting.
Motion, by Greg to name no-name park, Oak Grove Pazk.
o Amended to be able to change the name after development to include use
of the park
o Passed 7-0
Cary will provide procurement status
General Update
e Trials master plan
o Really should be called "Trails documentation project"
0 2 parts of project
Map update
o Updated map exists but is not complete
Shows blockages
o Action for Trails SC to deal with blockages
Legal easement status
Recommended city provide staff to do easement search
PRC recommended using an summer intern in the last
meeting
o UPRR update
o Should be called PG&E trail update
o Need easement
o Pressure from the council to do public meeting before we get easement
o Got quote from Rails to Trails conservancy for meeting support
�$1,000
o Need to look at the PG&E deeds
o Focus is to get the public agreement
o It is hard to get off the dime without a budget to pay consultants etc.
o Went back to question of what can be funded and what can't
Survey example
Make formal recommendation instead of taking comments from
staff
Need update on trails allocation of the PDF
o Council has indicated that the city will not provide the 20% for the VTA
matching funds. Need to get grants
o Duke Foster is the official city grant writer
o If an expenditure is under l OK, NO COUNCIL APPROVAQL IS
REQUIltED
o Put PG&E trail update on the next agenda
Central Park Heritage Orchard
o PRC not in the loop
o Council says they want us in the loop
o Staff is keeping us out
o Legally is "Central Park"
o Volunteer Elaine to attend Heritage Commission
Items to Agendize Scheduled mtg_ �Actual mtg�
Creation of the Brookglen park task force
Creation of the Wildwood park task force
Heritage commission report
jltem Who„ °By When �Revised
Provide proposal for PRC automated database Greg July mtg.
Provide report on park procurment activities Cary July mtg.
Talk to Joan Pisani about land use of new Rec. facility Elaine June mtg.
Cary John to hire staff intern to do easement search
via parcel maps in the city Cary
Make sure we have Mary-Ann's trails files Logan June mtg.
Come up with action plan for trail blockages Trails SC
Need to understand the status of the trails allocation of
the PDF Cary July mtg.
Attend Heritage commission meetings Elaine ongoing
Determine chairs of the active task forces and
subcommittees Elaine chair June mtg.
Produce letter to council on all recommendations made
by the commission Elaine chair ongoing
Elaine to request tour of Grace Methodist church Elaine chair June mtg.
when
PRC tally master for surveys Nick available
Subcommittes and task forces will provide written report
for the packet all ongoing
Try to pre write your motions to the commision all ongoing
��tv ��r°ato�a
Skate Park Summer ScheduYe
lYlonday tl�ru Saturday llIleO� �effie to �:00 g�eme
�une
17 22 City of Saratoga parking lot behind City Hall/Pre School (Fruitvale Ave)
24 29 City of Saratoga parking lot between Community Center Corporation
Yard (Allendale Ave.
,Yuiv
1-3
(Closed 4-6)
8-13
15 20
22 27
29 Aug. 3
Augus�
5-10
12 17
19-24
26-28
City of Saratoga Parking lot in front of City Hall (Fruitvale Ave.)
4�' of July weekend
Congress Springs Park Parking lot on the other side of RR tracks from
park (Glen Brae Dr)
City of Saratoga parking lot between Community Center Corporation
Yard (Allendale Ave.)
City of Saratoga pazking lot between Community Center Corporation
Yard (Allendale Ave.)
Congress Springs Park Front parking lot, by snack shack (Glen Brae
Dr.)
Argonaut Elementary School Front parking lot
Redwood Elementary School Lower basketball courts (Allendale Ave)
Redwood Elementary School Lower basketball courts
City of Sazatoga parking lot between Community Center Corporation
Yard (Allendale Ave.)
5,22.02
AZULE PARK IMPROVEMENT PROJECT TIMELINE
16-Ja�n- 11-F�02 7-M�a�r-02
MPA Design First Task Force Review Design
Contract Approved. Meeting: Conceptions and
Introductions review overall
Review project safety issues with
history. Sheriff,
1-Apr-02
1) Review of 1) Meet with:
25% Plans a) Adjacent
Arborist Report property owners
2) Set Date for b) Chair of PSC
25% Public c) Park Supervisor
Meeting d) Blue Hills School
submit copies of 2) Mail Public
25% Plans to PRC Meeting notice for
25% Plans.
3) Post 25°/a Plans
on the Ciry Website
and in a Public
Viewing area.
18-Apr-02 26-Apr-02 1-May-02 6-May-02
25% Public meeting Knollwood Ct. Task Force 75% Public meeting
Special Meeting Park Access Meeting Special meeting
with PRC. Meeting with 50% review. with PRC.
Property Owners.
3-Jun-02
100% Plans
approved by
PRC.
9-Apr-02 0
Task Force
review of
Playground
Equipment
for April 18, 2002
meeting.
5-Jun-02 0
100°/a Plans approved by Council
6- 3-�J�u1-02 10-� 02 1-Aug-02 1-� 2
V V
Out to Bid Open Bids City Council approval of Construction 4 month Park Completion.
construction contract. begins. construction period
*r a„
r-�^ j r �F 7 r
what's best for the site
By KATE CARTER
4.
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A May 1 debate about what to do with
some controversial oak trees in the
city's Heritage Orchard ended with the.
city council deciding to take a field trip to the
orchard themselves, meet directly �th the
orchard's operators and make sure they "do
no harm."
However, •the problem for the council
remains that of balancing competing views
about whether the oak trees, as well as two tall
fir trees, do more harm or good for the
orchard.
For the past month, the city council has been
grappling with the issue of removing six half-
grown oak trees from among the orchard's
rows of fruit trees. Some say the oaks will kill
the fruit trees with their large, shady canopies
and water-sucking roots. Based on that infor=
mation, the council voted unanimously April
3 to remove the trees, as well as two tall fir trees
that could pose a safety hazard, and move five
small oak trees from along $aratoga Avenue
to the median on Fruitvale Avenue.
Since then, though, the Novakovich family,
which owns the Heritage Orchard, has chal-
lenged the council's decision, saying the oak
trees do benefit the orchard by providing
shade to picked fruit and those who pick it and
serving as habitats for rodent-killing birds. In
addition, members of the Saratoga communi-
ty have written numerous letters to the coun-
cil questioning any decision to remove healthy
oak trees from an orchard that isn't commer-
cially viable, an orchard that is an open space
intended to benefit the community.
Councilman Stan Bogosian on April 17
asked that the issue be returned to the coun-
cil's attentipn for reconsideration, and at the
May 1 meeting expressed strong reservations
about cutting down any of the trees.
"If a tree is healthy and living, I would real-
ly like to ask my colleagues to reconsider," he
said. "1 don't think this orchard was to be a
model o[ a perfect orchard. Also, it's not
uncommon to have large sHade trees [in
orchards]. I think in the tdtal scheme of things,
we have to seriously [re]consider.taking these
trees down."
However, Councilwoman Ann Walton-
smith, describing herself as an avid supporter
of the orchard, said that not taking the trees
down would be sentencing the orchard ta
death.
"If we leave all the oak trees, we are losing
the orchard," she said. "I'm determined to
save this Heritage Orchard, even if it means
losing some oak trees."
Trying to cut a-balance, Councilman Jotin
Ivlehaffey proposed taking out just three of t6e
oaks, according to iecommendations from the
Novakovich family, as well as evaluate the safety
of the tall fir trees with dead tops, which serve as
perches for red tail hawks, before removing those.
n;. :�,:v �_�a�.
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Photograph by George Sakkestad
The fruit trees (above) and oak trees in the city's Heritage Orchard are a topic of
concern for the Saratoga.City Council.
But Bogosian said he would oppose a com-
promise, preferring to keep all the oaks. And
Mayor Nick Streit said that, although he
wouldn't oppose possibly keeping some of the
oaks, he wanted to make sure.the orchard
could remain a viable example of the area's
agricultural past, to teach children to value
and respect it in the future.
,``This is a situation here where we are faking
trees to save trees," Streit said.
The council was also addressed by the former
Heritage Preservation Commission—that
oversees the Herifage Orchard—and current
Planning CommissionerJill Hunter, who raised
the point that the city's removing oak trees from
.a
its own property could make it difficult for it fo
prevent private citizens from doing the same.
"It's going to be very hard to expla�in to peo-
ple when they come in with their dream houses
and say to them theycan't take down the oak
trees,"she said. "I've heard from more people
that they didn't know oak trees were so expend-
able in this community."
She suggested that the council k ep the oak
trees as an example of how high y Saratoga
�valuesthem.
"The council was divided abo t how their
action would be perceived by th�com"municy,
with some mentioning that the city does pro=
Pleas turn to page 12
AIAYB, 2002 SA OGA NELVS��
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9
"That's what they were supposed to
have done before," she said. "We know
about fruit trees."
Leah had submitted a letter to the council
prior to the May 1 meeting, asking it-to at
least keep three of the larger oak trees. She
later told the SnrtA'rocA MEws that George
recommends only removing two of the
smaller oaks nearer to Fruitvale Avenue
and keeping the larger four more within the
fruit trees. Mosdy, though, she just wanted
to be informed of the cotmcil's discussions.
"I wish they'd let us know with a phone
call," she said.
City Manager Dave Anderson said he
didn't know the Novakoviches didn't
know in advance of the May 1 discussion,
and was surprised they weren't aware
Continued fiom page 9 because of the amount of attention the
issue has been receiving. He acknowl-
vide conditions for when it is allowed to edged that it would probably have been
remove oaks. It asked for fiuther d'uection ��ter if someone from the city or the Her-
from staff, the community and the itage Preservation Commission had con-
Novakoviches before it makes a perma= tacted the Novakoviches ahead of time.
nent decision. It hopes to receive that «�ere's no intent to shut them out," he
information, as well as make its site vsit, said, pointing to the council's interest in
before making a final decision, which could discussing the situation in person with the
be as early as May 15 or later into June. Novakoviches. "Logistically, [this situa-
The Novakoviches were not present at
tion has been sort of difficult."
the May 1 meeting, and afterward Leah Tofindoutwhenthecouncilwilldiscussthe
Novakovich said that neither she nor her
sons Matt and George, who work the HeritageOrchardoaktrees,aswellasother
orchard, were aware that the council was. city issues„ visit www.saratoga.ca.us/coun-
addressing it. She was pleased that the cilagenda.htm. Agendas for upcoming
council would be coming for a visit and ��cil meetings are posted on the site the
consulting with them about which trees to Friday before.
remove.
e
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Por�:ab�e sY�ateparY�� F>
purchase approved -=��-r�� r
Saratoga's youth will have
a whole new challenge this
summer:.trying out the city's
new portable skatepark.
The city council on May 1:
approvedthe.purchaseofthe.`
$20,685 skatepark, which will
be available to Saratogans�
when school gets out for the
summer.Recreationd'uector
Joan Pisani said that herstaff
ordered the park May 2, with 1
delivery expected to take
about a month. The city will
hold a grand opening June 17
at the civic center.
The staff is still identifying
locations for the weekly roca-
tion of the parl� throughout
the summer, Pisani said. A
complete calendar will be
available, as well as required
release of liab.ility forms, on
the city's website in the next
few weeks.
Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
Adult Day Care Center
19655 Allendale Avenue, Saratoga
Monday, June 3, 2002
7:30 p.m.
AGENDA
I. �r�anization (5 minutes)
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
May 31, 2002.
3) Review May 6, 2002 Action Minutes.
II. Administration (10 minutes�
1) Update by Public Works Director John Cherbone
2) Update by Recreation Director Joan Pisani
III. Oral Written �ommunication (10 minute goal)
(This section is for the public to speak on any item not on the agenda-3 minute limit per person)
N. Old �usiness (30 minutes)
1) Action item review (see attached action item listing).
2) Creek Cleanup Suminary
3) Union Pacific Rail Road Trail Update
4) Community Survey Update
5) City wide use fee discussion
V. New Business (30 minutes)
1) Review and approve 100% plans for Azule Park.
2) Foothill Park-Review resident correspondence.
3) Wildwood Brookglen Park Discussion regarding establishing a Task Force
VI. 12,eports (35 minutes 3 minute limit per person per categorv)
1) Subcommittee
2) Task Force
3) Staff Report
4) Commissioner Reports
VII. V6'rap-up New Actions (5 minutes)
1) New Actions
2) Items to Agendize
VIII. Adiournment (15 seconds)