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Home My WebLink About07-01-2002 Park and Recreation Commission AgendasSaratoga Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Adult Day Care Center 19655 Allendale Avenue, Saratoga Monday, July 1, 2002 7:30 p.m. AGENDA I. Or�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 June 28, 2002. 3) Review June 3, 2002 Action Minutes. II. Administration (10 minutes) 1) Update by Public Works Director John Cherbone 2) Update by Recreation Supervisor Kim Saxton-Heinrichs III. Oral Written Communication (10 minute goal) (This section is for the public to speak on any item not on the agenda-3 minute limit per person) IV. Old Business (30 minutes) 1) Action item review (see attached action item listing). 2) Union Pacific Rail Road Trail Update 3) Community Survey Update 4) Update on Wildwood Brookglen Park Community Input Meetings 5) Parker Ranch "Water Tank" trail update. V. 1Vew Business (30 minutes� 1) Preparation of Trail Markers for Cities Trails VI. R,eports (35 minutes 3 minute limit per person per category) 1) Subcommittee 2) Task Force 3) Staff Report 4) Commissioner Reports VII. Wrap-up New Actions (5 minutes) 1) New Actions 2) Items to Agendize VIlI. Adiournment (15 seconds) Saratoga Parks and Recreation �ommission 1VIeeting Adult Daycare Center, 19655 Allendale Avenue, Saratoga June 3, 2002 7:30 p.m. Action I!'Iinutes Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:34 p.m. Ig. Roll �all Commissioners Present: Elaine Clabeaux, Logan Deimler, Sandra Dodge, Norbert Fronczak, Greg Gates, Angela Frazier Commissioners Absent: Nick Seroff Others Present: Vice Mayor Evan Baker, Public Works Director John Cherbone, Recreation Director Joan Pisani, Public Present: Laura Gloner, Don Johnson, Sally Johnson, Yong Shen, Jim Stallman, Jim Schindler, Staff Liaison Cary Bloomquist III. 12eport on Posting of the Agenda: Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2 the agenda was properly posted on May 31, 2002 N. Approval of Minutes of 1VIeeting: Motion by Commissioner Logan Deimler, Seconded by Commissioner Norbert Fronczak, to approve May 6, 2002 Action minutes. Vote taken, action minutes approved 5-0 (Commissioner Nick Seroff absent, Commissioner podge arrived after vote). V. Administration Recreation Director Joan Pisani gave a brief update on the Grace United Methodist Church Purchase. City in escrow. Possibly change name of Senior Center to Adult Activity Center. Tour of new facility to take place sometime mid-late July. Joan also gave an update on various citywide recreation programs, such as El Quito Adult Softball League. Skate Park opens June 17 at City Campus. Locating sites for Skate Park very difficult. Most school districts not willing to permit skate park on their schools. Restrooms at sites are an issue. Still trying to procure a location at West Valley College, parking lot 6. Public Warks Directar John Cherbone did not have any report at this time. Will give update later during the meeting. VI. �ral and Written Communication Jim Stallman submitted a written communication regarding Union Pacific Rail Road Trail. Discussed historic value of DeAnza trail segment. General advocacy for trail development. VI�. �ld �usiness 1) Action Item review: Reviewed action items on listing, item by item. 2) 3) Details of review available on tape recording. Define action item vs. policy. Commissioner Norbert Fronczak to draft action item policy listing. Creek Cleanup Summary: Commissioner Sandra Dodge and Staff Liaison Cary Bloomquist gave a brief overview of cleanup event. Participation was good, with approximately 30 individuals attending over a 3-hour period. Approximately 630 pounds of material was recovered from the creek bed and surrounding embankinent. Union Pacific Rail Road Trail Update: Commissioner Logan Deimler gave a brief update. Reviewed correspondence from Jim Stallman, Bicycle Action Committee member and U.P.R.R. trail advocate. Mr. Stallman spoke to Commission regarding V.T.A. funding and issues regarding the changing of the zoning of the railroad corridor to open space to prevent future development. City funding for U.P.R.R. activities is an issue. Commissioner Logan Deimler reported he has contacted PG E regarding usage of their right of way. Communications are ongoing, and Commissioner Logan Deimler will keep the group updated as he receives information. Video tape of Rails to Trails is presently being handled by Commissioner Nick Seroff, who is trying to get the video played by KSAR. 4) Community Survey Update: Printing vendor proposal needs to be reviewed by Council prior to the final approval of survey distribution. Anticipated time frame for survey distribution is toward the end of the month. Commissioners Sandra Dodge and Angela Frazier are signed up for handing out Surveys in person to the public. Will follow-up at July PRC meeting. 5) Citywide use fee discussion: Commissioner Narbert Fronczak reviewed fees discussed at May 17, 2002 Commission retreat. Indicated project is ongoing for next 9 months and will be discussed on an ongoing basis as information is gathered. VI�I. 1Vew Business 1) Review and approve 100% plans for Azule Park: Public Works Director John Cherbone gave update. Hardscape decreased to save costs, along with density of ground cover. Pavement Management Plan (PMP) should pay for asphalt paving in park Budget on park was reduced to $812K, which is within budget. Knollwood Court proposed entrance to park discussed. Petition opposing entrance from local residents discussed. Saratoga residents Don Johnson, Laura Gloner and Jim Schindler gave feedback. Motion by Commissioner Angela Frazier, and seconded by Commissioner Sandra Dodge, to approve 100% plans far Azule Park. Discussion ensued, vote taken (6-0) with Commissioner Nick Seroff being absent. 2) Foothill Park-Review Resident Correspondence: Commissioner Logan Deimler gave presentation. Desire is to alter pathways in park due to placement of fence by school, which cut off pathways. Motion by Commissioner Sandra Dodge requesting item be tabled until ready to review at a future meeting. Commissioner Angela Frazier seconded motion. Discussion ensued, vote taken, motion carried (6-0) with Commissioner Nick Seroff being absent for vote. 3) Wildwood Brookglen Park Discussion regarding establishing a Task Force: A task force will be created to replace existing play equipment at these parks. Two separate task forces will be created, with separate kickoff events. For Wildwood Park: Commissioners Sandra Dodge and Gregory Gates. For Brookglen Park: Commissioners Nick Seroff and Logan Deimler. Kickoff ineeting will occur sometime during the month of July 2002. �X. Commissioner and Staff Reports 1) Subcommittee update: Reviewed previously during meeting 2) Task Force Report: Commissioner Logan Deimler gave a brief overview of Park Patrol findings. El Quito Park Survey was briefly mentioned. 3) City Hall Update by Staff Liaison Cary Bloomquist-Thanked Commissioner Sandra Dodge for her efforts regarding the Wildcat Creek Cleanup. 4) Commissioner Reports: Logan gave brief overview regarding naming and development of Oak Grove Park. No other Commissioner reports. X. Adiournment Commissioner Angela Frazier made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Logan Deimler seconded the motion. Vote taken and motion carried 6-0. The meeting was adjourned at 10:16 p.m. Prepared By: Cary Bloomquist, Staff Liaison F'ark and Recreation Commission Action List Provide proposal for PRC automated database Provide report on park procument activities Discuss with Joan Pisami about land use for New Adult Acitivity Center Hire staff/intern to do easement search via parcel maps in the city Ensure we have Mary-Ann's trails files Action plan for trail blockages Determine status of the trails allocation of the PDF Establish chairs for the active task forces and subcommittees Formal letter to name Park at Quito and Pollard Join council members walk through Azule email presentation to council outlining PRC position on Knollwood access Send updated Task Force/subcommittee list Report from Sheriff on monitoring of bikes on Parker Ranch Trail Consider potential CIP's for recommendation to council (ie Unname Park) Request tour of Grace Methodist church property Corr�r�issio� Policy Attend Heritage commission meetings Submit written communications to council with recommendations by PRC Subcommittees and task forces will provide written report for regular meetings PRC tally master for surveys Actionee Due Date Status Greg Cary Elaine Cary Logan Trails-SC Cary Everyone Logan Greg/Elaine Elaine Norb Cary Everyone Elaine Nick July mtg July mtg Monthly July mtg July mtg TBD July mtg June mtg July mtg 5-Jun 5-Jun 10-Jun July mtg 2-Jul June mtg Aug mtg Open Open Continous Open Open Open Open Closed Open Closed Closed Closed Open Open Closed Open Elaine Monthly 6/28/02 July 1, 2002 PARKS AND RECREATION COMIVIISSION SIGN-1N SHEET NAlVIE ADDRESS PHONE EMAIL SARA'Y'�GA� �O�JI�T�I� 1VIE�TING DAT'lE: ,�une 19, 2002 ORIGINATING DEPT: Public Works AG�IV�DA ��'E1VI: ��TY M[ANAGEY�: PREPAREI) B�': �D]E]PT �€EA�: SUBJECT: iJnion Pacific 12ailroad Trail VTA ]Funding gJpdate RECO1V11VgEN1)EIl� AC�'ION(S): Accept report and provide direction to staff. RlEP012T S�TIVIIVIARY: Union Pacific Railroad has an easement running through the cities of Cupertino, Saratoga, Los Gatos and Campbell. The desire to develop this easement began when groups of West Valley pedestrians, equestrians and bicyclists realized the potential value of this corridor for a multi-use trail. The proposed trail segment length is 8.7 miles, with Saratoga's portion being 3.7 miles. Development of the trail would offer recreational and commuting opportunities for Saratoga residents, and will serve as an important linkage to other significant trail venues in the area, such as the Stevens Creek Trail and Rancho San Antonio County Park trails to the North, and Los Gatos Creek Trail and Vasona Lake County Park trails to the South. The proposed trail is included as a Regional Trail Route in the Santa Clara County Trails Master Plan, is a proposed bicycle corridor in the Santa Clara County Congestion Management Program and could be included as part of the Juan Bautista De Anza National Historic Trail, a Millennium Trail, once completed. At their regular meeting on March 21, 2000, City Council passed Resolution 00-016 in support of the creation of the Union Pacific Railroad Trail Ad Hoc Task Force. The task force hired Alta Transportation Consulting to conduct a feasibility study, which was completed October, 2001, with the recommended action of deferring construction of the proposed trail until Union Pacific Rail Road Company ceases operations along the line (est. 10- 20 years). The primary reason for this recommendation was Union Pacific Rail Road Company's (U.P.R.R.) unwillingness to discuss land acquisition along their line due to potential liability. At their adjourned meeting on April 23, 2002 Council was presented the following task force recommendations: o The task force should conduct an annual review to discuss options and provide updates on the status of the trail. o Efforts should be made by each jurisdiction to seek ways to procure land along the trail alignment that do not involve the railroad company (for example, PG&E or water district property). o Recommend each jurisdiction designate their portion of the railroad corridor land as "open space" to prevent commercial or residential development of the land when the line is abandoned. Staff also presented the following information from the task force to Council at their April 23 meeting: o Staff from the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) indicated that tier 1 funding, earmarked for the U.P.R.R. project, would probably be reallocated to other projects more likely to be completed within the next 8 years. VTA staff indicated if Saratoga was able to secure an agreement with PG&E for usage of their easement for implementation of the trail, tier 1 funding may be available to offset incurred costs. Recent conversations with VTA staff have confirmed the VTA's willingness to set aside funding for Saratoga if the city is willing to negotiate with PG&E for the usage of their easement from Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road to Saratoga Avenue (Reach 3 in the Feasibility Study) for trail development. The City of Cupertino, the former lead agency, has pulled out of the project at this time, and the VTA is looking to Saratoga to take the lead position for this project. The VTA is willing to reserve funding for the trail segment identified as reach 3 in the feasibility study. The segment is 1.6 miles in length, with the goal of placing the trail on the PG&E easement. Projected development costs for reach 3 is $1,997,577.00 dollars, with a required local match by the city of 20% percent, or $399,515.40. If Council's so directs, staff can pursue the VTA tier 1 funding by submitting the .required application packet to VTA staff by July 5, 2002. The VTA is requesting a resolution from Council supporting the Tier 1 project by July 29, 2002. The anticipated first step in pursuit of an improved trail along the PG E right-of-way would entail the city conducting a public outreach campaign to notify those most directly affected citizens and having the Parks and Recreation Commission host a public meeting to gauge support for the project. Prior to further implementation of a trail along the corridor, staff will bring back to Council for review a summary report of the outreach campaign and public input meeting results. 2 of 4 ]FdS�AI., IlVIPA�'�S: City is required to provide $399,515.40 in matching funds to the VTA if project development occurs. However, VTA staff has indicated there may be opportunities to procure grant funding for the 20% match. CONSEQ�JIENCES OF NO'Y' FO�.IL�WIN� l[�C�1VI1VdEN�E�D AC�gOIV(S): VTA Tier 1 funding earmarked for the U.P.R.R. Reach 3 project in Saratoga will most likely be reallocated to a different Tier 1 project in another jurisdiction. A�TERNA'g'�VE A�TgON(S): None in addition to the above. FOI.LOW gJP A�'g'ION(S): If Council chooses to proceed with Tier 1 funding, staff will complete required documentation for submission to the VTA by July 5, 2002. ADVE1tTgSING, NOT��NG AN� IPU�]LI� C�N'�AC�: None. ATTACgI1VIlEN�'S: Attachment A— Tier 1 Funding Information Attachment B— Detailed projected costs for U.P.R.R. Reach 3 (For an elaboration of Reach 3 data, please refer to your Copy of the Feasibility Study which was distributed prior to the April 17, 2002 meeting) 3 of 4 06/21/2002 23:00 FAX 867 3245 WEST VALLEY PATROL SUB �j001 ��'�'ICE 71'.�L ��IE�8I�7F ,�ANTA CLA�1 CO�IIy�'Y ►S'1�ERIFF Il.ffl UItIE �'l�lll7'�II rVIElVI�1��l�Tl��Jli� T�: Carey Bloomquist 1FROMI: I)eputy Binder #16�2 �A'Y'E: 6/21/02 SUB.TEC'II': Farker Ranch Water Tank Trail Mr. Bloomquist, this is just a quick note to advise you of the Parker Ranch Water Tank Trail detail. During the month of May, the Sheriff's O�ce focused enforcement on the trail, which starts on Picea Court at Star Ridge Court and ends on Parker Ranch Court at Parker Ranch Road. The Sheriff's Office patrolled the trail on most days in 1VIay, in intervals of a half-hour to an hour, but no bicyclists were found on the trail. No further vandalism or damage has occurred to the signs prohibiting the trail's use by bicyclists, and wood deterrents on the trail have remained in place. Discussions with pedestrians and equestrians indicated tha4 the trail was not being used frequently by bicyclists. It appears that there are no additional mitigating measures that City needs 9.o take in order to curb trail usage by bicyclists. There may be occational, infrequent usage by bicyc[ists, but it appears that the trail is not consistently being used in that manner. The SherifPs Office will continue to patrol the Parker I�anch Water Tank Trail in the future and cite any bicyclists found to be using the trail. �I�n �or Reviewo�� ity� ��e �ee� �oais: �vaY�ate fees for al� city �acioities Recor�nr�end fee collection process �ropose enforcement rnethod �efine deposit/accountabilaty Actions: Sur�rnarize features �or eac6� facility �ornpare fees with sirnila� �acilities IVleet with appropriate staff �o understan� cu�rent pla�s Visit facilities and events, whe�e possible �nterview users Schedule: �'rovide a surnrr�ary and �ecomr�nendatio�s to Cou�cil a�� 2003 joint meeting (IVlarch°?) El Quito Park Time Frame Task Table *Action required recommended #Action task completed Maintenance Safety Legal usage Drawing/Plan Park Im rovements Short #Irrigation: *Closing gate #Number #Draft #Furniture: (0-3 -Minor near backstop tables neighborhood -Drinking months) upgrades #Median survey Fountains -New improvements *Identify -Park Nov01- Controller at Bucknall: amenities Benches Jan02 -Storm -Increased -Volleyball Drains Patrol (law Courts Cleaned code enf.) -Fence Medium *Accelerate *Street *Identify *Master Plan (3-6 clean-up signage (child users (Parking months) with permit safety) (Needs and reserve areas) (ongoing) (N.T.M.P.) requirements) Feb02- *Traffic Apri102 calming -Parking (N.T.M.P.) Longer *Design Plan (6-12 months) Specifications May02- Oct02 Long *Bids on Term Design (Over 12 months) Nov02- forward �o \1r�d'U�LI. �iP�lQ� Horticutural Consultenls 23535 5umrnit Road Los ��os, CA �5033 408135 3-1 05 2 �►zulo Park I.andsca�e g�n helgsing a�ig�r➢n� �uP nn ��rm�c�, �lagor� g�her �s a�aa� a�� e��l ae�de.� for l�dsc�ping a a�r neighborhood p� gos�'ble. Since funds available for 9�e projoce �re s�ric�ed, r�e ae+� as�ing for dna�ions of any of the plants on the following Iist. Ig your �nursery is �ble �+owidc �d de➢av� of �e pl�s d�ring ��b�r �b� 20a2, Ymur geae�sat3' ev�ld be si�erelg� 'I'Y. SIZE �II..�P]'T N� ��TS 1 2 15 Arbutus'Aqarina' sfiaadard Z 16 15 �e�drus deal�ra 3 2 1 S gal Fr�cinus americana 'Autumn le' 4 1 15 Gei'era olia 5 2 24" box o biloba'S 6 15 gal Lage�ia x 'I�usk ee' 7 2 15 �al Laurus 5�oga' standaads 1 24" box l�.ytenus boaria'Q�re�n Showers' 9 7 24" box Pistacia cbinensis 10 3 24" box ercus olia 11 2 24" box cus lobaYa 12 5 24" box Trist�nnia laurina'�le 13 S 15 �al Liquidambar sty. 'Festival' or'Palo Alto' 14 23� 1 gal �us x'3Yorm Cloud' 15 5 5 �;ercis occide�lis 16 20 1�al Coprosma pwnil�'�Ierde �Iista' 17 207 1 Cotoae,as�r horizo�alis 1� 617 1 C. dammeri 'Coral 19 b 1 gal Euonymus farnmei 'Q;olorata' 20 5 5 e 'ca'�vie' 21 56 1 Juni erus sabina'�lo' 'I'X. S][ZE PI.�N'Y' 1V� ��A�'$ 22 15 1 Lu inus arboreus 23 95 1 gal Pyra�utha 'Ruby l�It�ia�►d' or'Sa�a Cruz' 24 700 1 gal Rosmarin�as o�Gffici�talis �ut�tin�ton ��rpet' or '�Cen'g'a lor' or'Irene' 25 53� �ulbs h�llado� 26 1 �chium �uosum 2'7 22 1 A�ahoaua 2� 65 �are giemera�allis'l�iss r�t a/idoria' 29 25 1 gris 'Pacific Coast ��ids' 30 139 1 3alvia �i h lla 31 131 1 �ler�ena viana h rid 32 4fl6 Seed �scholzia caligornic� 33 44 1�al or A�uhlenbergia rigeus liners 34 333 1 gal or PenniseRum se�eum liners rubnun 35 764 1�al or Ses L�ria auhamn�lis liners 36 20 1 �icus minim� 37 17 1 gal �ar�►enocissus qumquenervia'Puiple Falls' 3� 400 bulbs 1Varcissus'StraYOSphere' or '8unch �,iae' or 'li�ou� �I�d' or'S llbinder' 'Tl�nk you for auny he� �►ou can ofifer. �r, �1 s�':i f_ Z Cary Bloomquist From: Taffy Lowery Sent: Wednesday, June 26, 2002 2:40 PM To: Joan Pisani; Cary Bloomquist Cc: Kim Saxton-Heinrichs Subject: Skate Park Stats To date we have 42 waivers on file. The stay ranges from 1/2 hour to 6 hours. I would say participants are staying 2-3 hours at a time and it is the same pa�ticipants that stay for 5+ hours at a time. Most of the participants seem to arriving from 11 am to 3:30pm and most are leaving by 5pm. We received a rail box on Sat. (the rail on this came off today) and are still waiting on the 9- 30" boxes. They were supposed to be in last week, but Ron promised this week. I presently have a call into him about these issues. If you have any questions please let me know. Taffy WEEK 1 6/17 10 participants 6/18- 12 6/19 14 6/20 10 6/21 14 6/22 3 (Sat. closed at 4pm) Total Week 1- 63 users WEEK 2 6/24 7 6/25 15 Vol. 49, No. 24 Wednesday, June 12, 2002 NEIG�I�OI�S �V�RK TOGE'I'I-iEI� �ImT A II� 'T� 1�E CIL��li� ]E�„-��JI'IC'� �A�� `Gem' of'the neighborhood .scheduled fo.r an �pgrade 7'ask force seeks loc�l i�iput By x�,�.c,�rr�x Saratoga's El Quito neighborhood is begin- ning efforts to reclaim its neighborhood park by chiming•in on the city's plans to upgrade thefacility. If all the required improvements to El Quito Park cost less than what has been budgeted, neigh- bors' input will aLso be used to possibly install new elements there, said public works director John Cherbone. And aside from capital improvement 'suggestions, nearby residents are also being asked about�how the park should best be.used and how that'use could be better regulated. "The park's. just been such a gem for this neighborhood," said resident Emma BVyckoff. "That's how a lot of people in the neighborhood have met other people in the neighborhood. It breeds a support mechanism." Wyckoff and two other El Quito residents aze participants in the El Quito Pazk Task Force, which for about the past year has been working to develop a plan to improve the six-acre park at the corner of Cox Avenue and Paseo Presada. To better represent their neighbors, the three have been distributing' a neighborhood survey to receive feedback.about what residents do and don't like about their park and what else they would like there, Wyckoff said. "The survey is basically to take the pulse of Please turn to page I3 l�eighborhood Continued from page I the neighborhood and find out what they'd like to see with it," she said. The El Quito neighborhood is bounded by Highway 85 to the southwest, Saratoga Avenue to the northwest and Quito Avenue to the east, and includes about 900 families, Wyckoff said. "It's through this process that we can refine these numbers,"she added. But thesurveyalsoservesanotherpurpose: that of reminding neighbocs that El Quito Park is for theirbenefitasomething theymay have forgotten last year when the park was used by sports teams while mnstruction on Congress Springs Park w� ongoing. It was a tough year for everyone," Cherbone said. Congress Springs is completed now, and while teams can rent space there for games and practices, some keep coming back to El Quito, Wyckoff said. "The neighborhood still has yet to feel like it's regained access to the pazk; she said. Through the survey, Wyckoff and Cher- bone said, they not only want to make sure their preliminary plans for the park are in keeping with the residents' desires, but that the park's use by sports teams and other groups for a variety of activities is also what the residents want. "It's supposed to serve the greater Saratoga community," Cherbone said, "but we want it also to be a neighborhood element. We're not ptanning on changing everything drastically." So far, the park task force has air.eady instatled new drinking fountains, a new fence along Paseo Presada, new sand in the volleyball court, more garbage cans and pet poop scoop dispensers. Other critical improvements include upgrading the park's playground to bring it into compliance with state safety regulations, as well as addressing safety issues posed by the park's proxirnity to Paseo Presada. Wyckoff said that people who drive too fast often use the street to access Highway85. Six months ago, in fact, a dog was tut by a car on Paseo Presada near the park; she said. "I[ puts all the activities at the park in even more risk," she said. The city also needs to install a new irri- gation system and possibly new sod to counter a growing "mud-bogging" prob- lem on the park's turf, Cherbone said. "It's just time to upgrade," he said.. The city council last fall approved about 5375,000 for the upgradeaabout 5125,000 for the playground and the rest for gener- al improvements. The task force has received about 100 r�sponses to the survey so far and is giving residenu two more weeks to get theirsur- veys in. Surveys can be dropped off in a black metal collection box near the park's restrooms. Task force members will also collect them individually if requested. Wyckoffhas noted that some people who retumed the survey are interested in using the park for community barbecues but are concerned about being allowed to drink alcohoL Currently people aze able to secure a pernvt to drink alcohol at the park during certain times on Saturdays. However, even that nile im't fullyenforced, and itcoWdpos- sibly be changed to bettersuit the desues of the communiry, she said. Also, some have suggested providing space in the park for dogs to run off-leash. Wyckoff said that many pet owners already use the park for their dogs without too many problems, and the number of lingering messes is down, thanks to the new poop-scoop dispenser. But she sees problems with designa[ing part of the park for dogs, not only because the city has such limited park space already, but aiso because a dog park is liable to be besieged with dog owners from "all over the coun- ty," she said. "There's more demand for park space than the city has available," Wyckoff said. "WG,'re trying to figure out how to strike a balance." Her favorite scenario would be for the city to pool its resources and actually pur- chase more pubGc open space. As that's not likely to happen, she's working to make sure her community's openspace meets as many of its needs as possible, she said. And, as the park's final�plan is not expected to be complete until the end of this year, or construction on the larger ele- ments of the park until next summer, there's still tune for people's voices to be heard, Cherbone said. "We're stillsort of in the incubaaonstate," he said. "The exciting stuff is yet to come." The next meeting of the task force is June 10 at 7 p.m. at city hall. To comment on EI Quito Park or to request a survey pickup, call the hotline at 408.378.5334. Park pla� ��vin� ahea�l ��t no decis��r� �r�p�s��l Residents oppose path on Knollwood Court a tc�,� cA� For a moment at the June 5 city council meeting, it looked like a universally sup- ported plan for the construction of Azule Park would not be approved. The council, with Councilman John Mehaffey absent, was coming �own 2-2 on a small element of the design that gener- ated the only difference of opinion among the nearby residents--an access pathway to the park via Knollwood Court. Parks and recreation commission and Azule Park Task Force members ran about the room, frantically trying to keep their park on track to open Dec.12. In reality, however, commission chair- woman Elaine Clabeaux said afterward, the council would never have allowed a park it supported so strongly to not move forward that night. In fact, after deciding to defer a final decision on the contentious path until it has a full council sometime in August, the council approved the rest of park with no discussion at all, keeping con- struction on its tight timeline. Public works director John Cherbone said he would include the path to Knoll- wood Court in the bid for contractors, but would delete it if the council chose to forego the path. The path would connect res�dents north of the triangular park to it without requir- ing them ro walk about a half-mile around the Blue Hills Elementary School campus to access the park from its main entrance on Goleta Avenue. The 4.3-acre park, now overgrown with weeds, is located between Highway 85 and the school, with just a small north access between the free- way soundwall and a residence on the Knollwood Court cul de sac. Plans for the park had called for a path circling the park's central turf area to con- nect to a path over the freeway overpass and into Kevin Moran Park on the other side of Highway 85, as well as to Knoll- wood Court through that small northern area. Task force and commission mem- bers thought the path would bring the park closer to that northern area, to pre- vent excessive driving to the park and also to improve community. But residents on Knoilwood and Marilla drives and other streets there said they don't want the pathway, which they fear would bring unsafe elements and an increase in traffic and parking and pedestrian safety problems to their now-quiet neighborhood. To address those concerns, the com- mission held a number of community meetings, accompanied by Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department officers, who couldn't say for certain if the path would increase or decrease the risk of crime. The commission atso proposed installing signs in the cul de sac to prohib- it park parking. And the city sent a survey to 188 homes in the northern area to get their response to the proposed path. Of the 48 retumed, 26 supported the path and 22 opposed it. On June 5, the commission approved the final master plan for the park, with the Knollwood Court access. "We believe that the default should be openness," Clabeaux said at that meeting. However, 24 northern residents had signed a petition asking the city council to review the issue and urging it to oppose the path, with a letter inciuding the state- ment: "Ironically, the people for whom this proposed entrance is supposed to cre- ate convenience are opposing this pro- posal." Two of those were on hand at the June 5 meeting to voice those concerns and assure the council they dodt mind walk- ing around the school to enter the new park. Council members Ann Waltonsmith and Stan Bogosian said they would like ro see the path included in the construction on a one-yeac trial basis, during which tune the city could gather data to deter- mine the affect of the path on the neigh- borhood and park. If the path was having a detrimental impact, the gate on Knoll- wood Court would be closed, they said. R+altonsmith also added that it was important that, if the entire community benefits from an amenity, it should also share in the disadvantages it brings and not leave all the parking and traffic issues for Goleta Avenue residents to deal with. But Mayor Nick Streit and Vice Mayor Evan Baker preferred to not install the path if it wasn't supported by those who would most likely use•it. Baker said he expected that, in a year, after the northem area residents saw how great the new park was, they would request a path to their neighborhood. Streit said he didn't want to unpact a neighborhood that was a cul de sac, which had no expectation of potential traffic and parking problems when the res- idents moved into the area. The unpasse led to the decision to defer a vote until every council member was present, not to happen until August. In the meantime, plans for the park go ahead as proposed, with the Knollwood access to be confirmed or deleted later. The council also approved the purchase of park furniture, drinking fountains, lighting and playground equipment now, so that they will be ready for installation by Dec. l. The park plans, in the works since earli- er this year, include keeping most of the trees already on-site and planting vegeta- tion around the park's perimeter to give it a natural, woodsy feel. They inciude a horseshoe pit, four picnic tables, three chess tables, eight benches, two drinking fountains and a four-stop par course to continue with four more stops at Kevin Moran Park. They also include a play- ground for children ages 2 to 5 and a ten- nis court. An additional playground for children ages 6 to 12 and an addiaonal ten- nis court could also be installed if the park remains on budget. The council last year approved a pre- liminary budget for the park of $880,000. T'he design, by landscape architects MPA Design, including the second playground and tennis court, is expected to cost $812,632. c �C�idl"A��pC��,� 1 �11G �Y�y s�� s �lJ� 1�1�� 1 "A�`d�'Cll�� Yd !IG ��1`b1L 1G By KATE CAR7'ER Saratoga's new portable skatepark will get its first tryout June 17, but some are concerned that it won't be as accessible to as many as hoped. The city's recreation department has established a schedule of sites for the park throughout the summer, but they are con- centrated largely near the civic center, wifh few locations in oudying areas, Recre.ation department d'uector Joan Pisani told the Parks and Recreation Commission June 3 that her staff had tried to secure more spots, but that many schools identified as potendal sites eiCher �couldn't or wouldn't host the pazk. "I think it was our hope that this would go throughout the city," said commission chairwoman Elaine Clabeaux. "It gives us a chance to see where it gets the most use." The city last month approved the pur- chase of the skatepark with the intention of moving it throughout the city to meet the needs of all the city's skaters. But sev- eral of the school pazking lots proposed for the weekly stints are under construction this summer, Pisani said, and several— IViarshall Lane Elementary School, Blue Hills Elementary School and Prospect High Schoo�— just said no. Pisani also said that the city chose not to contact Christa -McAuliffe Elementary School but may consider doing so now. Instead, the park will be located in park_ ing lots around the civic center, at Con- gress Springs Park and at Argonaut and Redwood elementary schools. It will be open Monday through Saturday, l l a.m. to 6 p.m., and move wee�cly. And the com- mission and city staff hope it will still attract�the expected crowds. "Hopefully, with increased popularity, people will eventually want us�� d Sandra Dodge, the commission's vice chauwoman. For ascheduleofthepark'slocativnr yisit the city s website at www.saratoga.caus. Participants must have filled out wQiver fomu prior to using the e4uiP►nen� and »ucst w earprotectivegear--heGnets, elbow,prrds and kneepods—..and, for in-line skaters, wristguards: Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Adult Day Care Center 19655 Allendale Avenue, Saratoga Monday, July 1, 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 June 28, 2002. 3) Review June 3, 2002 Action Minutes. II. Administration (10 minutes� 1) Update by Public Works Director John Cherbone 2) Update by Recreation Supervisor Kim Saxton-Heinrichs III. �ral Written Communication (10 minute oal� (This section is for the public to speak on any item not on the agenda-3 minute limit per person) N. �ld �usiness (30 minutes) 1) Action item review (see attached action item listing). 2) Union Pacific Rail Road Trail Update 3) Community Survey Update 4) Update on Wildwood Brookglen Park Community Input Meetings 5) Parker Ranch "Water Tank" trail update. V. 1Vew �usiness (30 minutes� 1) Preparation of Trail Markers for Cities Trails VI. �.Z,enorts (35 minutes 3 minute limit per person per cate ory) 1) Subcommittee 2) Task Force 3) Staff Report 4) Commissioner Reports VII. Wrap-up New Actions (5 minutes) 1) New Actions 2) Items to Agendize VIII. Adiournment (15 seconds)