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Home My WebLink About01-07-2002 Park and Recreation Commission AgendasSaratoga Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting City Hall Conference Room 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga Monday, January 7, 2002 7:30 p.m. AGENDA I. Or�anization 1) Roll Call: Clabeaux, Deimler, Dodge, Frazier, Fronczak, Gates, Seroff 2) Report on Posting of the Agenda: Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2 the agenda was properly posted on January 4, 2002. 3) Review December 10, 2001 Action Minutes. II. Administration 1) Introduction of Evan Baker, new Council Liaison. 2) Discussion and vote on proposed meeting time change from 7:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 3) Update on Congress Springs Donations Received 4) Skate park presentation at City Council Meeting on January 8, 2002 III. Oral Written Communication (This section is for the public to speak on any item not on the agenda-3 minute limit) N. Old Business 1) Review Organized Sports User Agreements for Congress Springs Park 2) Review and discuss Mission Statement for Parks and Recreation Commission V. New Busioess 1) Presentation by Council Member Ann Waltonsmith Regarding an update on the U.P.R.R. Trail. 2) Formation of Azule Park Task Force 3) Review of Azule Park Design Firm interviews conducted on January 2, 2002. 4) Review Changes to Parks and Recreation Ordinance Re: Recreational Sporting Events 5) Review of El Quito Park neighborhood Survey. VI. Commissioner Staff Reaorts 1) City Hall Update by Staff Liaison Bloomquist. 2) Commissioner Reports. VII. Adiournment I Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting City Ha11,13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga December 10, 2001 7:30 p.m. Action Minutes I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:37 p.m. II. Roll Call Commissioners Present: Clabeaux, Deimler, Dodge, Frazier, Fronczak, Gates, Seroff. Commissioners Absent: None. Others Present: Council member Nick Streit, Public Works Director John Cherbone, Recreation Director Joan Pisani, Other attendees: Mike Leonardi, Tony Marsh, Mark Linsky, Judy Alberts, Earl Heinlein, Howard Miller, Dennis Farmer, Kent Bossange, Blane Eisenberg, Mary Kay Gray, Bill Richter, Linda Richter, Ralph Conway, Katie Alexander, Sony Albert, Karlina Off, Staff Liaison Bloomquist III. Reaort on Postin� of the Agenda: Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2 the agenda was properly posted on December 7, 2001 N. Apuroval of Mioutes of Meetin�: Motion by Commissioner Seroff, Seconded by Commissioner Deimler, to approve November 5, 2001 Action minutes. Vote taken, minutes approved with correction 6-0-1 (Commissioner Fronczak abstained). V. Administration None. VI. Oral and Written Communication None VII. Old Business 1. Review of Congress Springs Park User Agreement and Fee Schedule: Chair Clabeaux read letters in support of fees for organized sports groups from Daniel Yau, Carl Sessler, and Katie Alexander. Mike Leonardi from Little League baseball spoke. Indicated fees for baseball are already high. Also indicated would recommend a$10.00 fee per player per season. Mike stated the following: Little League has already agreed to loan $90,000.00 over the next 3 years to the City •$36,000.00 already donated to the City. •$32,000.00 check to be cut within the next week. Howard Miller from A.Y.S.O. stated 1200 youth participate in A.Y.S.O. soccer and the program is growing. Stated 50% of Saratoga youth fall into the 4-12 age group. Does not support a fee. Tony Marsh stated there should be no fee for park services and all parks should be free. Suggested be placed on a ballot for all Saratoga's to vote on. Mark Linsky of A.Y.S.O. does not support a use fee but does support a maintenance fee. Stated soccer programs bring value to community and are open to all youth. Judy Alberts does not support a use fee but does support a maintenance fee. Questioned where funds from fee go (general fund vs. park development). Earl Heinlein does not support a user fee. Kent Bossange supports maintenance fee but does not support a user fee. Mary Kay Gray does not support a user fee. Blane Eisenberg stated all users of facilities should be charged the same across the board, including those who participate in "pick-up games". Does not support user fees as presented. Dennis Farmer does not support user fees and considers it a tax on the children of the community. Commission feedback as follows: Seroff-Addressed points on A.Y.S.O. flyer. Indicated user fee to help offset costs associated with specialized equipment purchased to maintain park and to help offset cost of dedicated staff at park. Supports user fees. Fronczak-Questioned budget sources. Does not support user fees. Does not recommend general fund contribution. Deimler-Supports user fees. Funds should remain with Parks and Recreation, no General Fund contributions. Dodge-Does not support user fees but does support other fees. Suggested placing fees as an amendment to contract and to take out of body of contract. Gates-Supports user fee. Cited lack of fund raising as an issue for park. Frazier-Congress Spring Park is a specialty park primarily used by organized Sports groups. Supports user fee. Fee needs to go back into Parks, not General fund. Clabeaux-No objection to user fee. Soccer introduces significant wear and Tear to fields. Discussion ensued among Commissioners and Public for nearly 45 minutes. Commissioner Frazier made a motion, to set the user fee at $15.00 per head Per sport for the next year subject to adjustment and accessment and annual Review. Fee to be channeled back into Park and Recreation Fund. Motion Seconded by Commissioner podge, discussion ensued, vote taken, motion Passed 7-0. Chair Clabeaux made a motion to accept maintenance fees to be determined By Public Works Director and Little League A.Y.S.O. Soccer for the next Year. Motions seconded by Commissioner Gates, discussion ensued, vote Taken, motion passed 7-0. Motion made by Commissioner Seroff to create a sinking fund for both Little leage baseball and A.Y.S.O. soccer with the city to offset user fees Based upon capital improvements with an annual review. Seconded by Commissioner Gates, discussion ensued, motion passed 5-1-1, with Chair Clabeaux abstaining, Commissioner Deimler against. Motion made by Commissioner Seroff to charge a$10.00 non-resident Per head user fee for facility usage. Seconded by Commissioner podge. Discussion ensued, vote taken, motion passed 7-0. VIII. New Business None. IX. Commissioner and Staff Renorts Chair Clabeaux gave brief report. XI. Adiouromeot Commissioner Seroff made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Dodge seconded the motion. Vote taken and motion carried 7-0. The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 p.m. Prepared By: Cary Bloomquist, Staff Liaison 01/02 '02 09:04 N0.363 01/04 VALLCO FINANCIA�, CENTER 10050 NORTH WOLFE ROAD, SUxTE SWI•266 CUPERTINO, CA 95024 cva7�v.MFiN.COM FACSIMILE TRANSMIT?AL SHEET ro: �C�y Q.�./ co�nrfr: FAX IVi1MBER: �io� fsb PHOPlE NUMBER: �x�: Aan Walcvnsmith, PhD., CF.AP DATE: TOTAL NO.OF PAGES INCLUDING CO�ER: y s�m�s Fnx rrcle�saeR: (408) 253-6909 s�rm�x•s rHONE rnn�Ex: (�os) zs3-86o0 �soo� s26-a6�o LI�tOF_NT FOR REVIEQ7 PLFASE CONm1ENT PLEASE J,tEPLX PLEASE RECYCLE Pto'rHS�00NA�NiSc ._�18[I�CS� Confideniializy Noce: The docvmeats accompa�ayiag chis facsixa�e ��n► may coarain c� informatioa �he infoimacion is iatended only for che use o# tb.e iadividual or em►ty named. above. I£ you aze not the iaten,ded reci�ie.at, or the person responsible foz deliveriag it to rhe iatended reapieai, y�ou are hercb7' notified cbac any discicsure, copym�, dis�a'bution or use of che infomxarion contaiaod in th�s aansmiss�on u suictly PRO�TTED. If you ha�e zeceiv�d tbis traa�ooission ia aror, pl�ease norify the seader unmcdiate�}► by celephonc or by recum FAX and denrvy this uansmission, alor�g with aay accacb�aomrs. Tban�c yau. 01/02 '02 09:04 N0.363 02/04 �a,,- /r2 6 Pre�ent�tion to bring everyone ap to speed on the important points and to request doing some tbings to advance the cause. Ask questians to clarify Discassion later 2000/2001 Cupexti�o Bicyc�e mc�d �edestrian Advisozy Comm�ittee iu�vited tlnree neighboring cities and hosted the exploratirna (f�easibility study suggested) of a bike and pedestti,an trail on the Vasona Braach UP RaiIroad line. Cupezti��o (from Raacho San Antonio Courny Pazk) Uziin�carporated Cuperbino2os Altos piece Saratoga Campbell J.os Gatos (oonnect to Los Gatos Creek Trail aad the Vasona Light rail in LG) ,Also ihe V'�'A and tb�e Sauita Clara Covmty Parlcs Dept Rail Iine only services the Hanson Pe�anente Cement Facility due to play out in 10-15 Y�'S Prncess 1. Representstives from each city met once a month at Cnpertivao CC Chunbers r..,,,,., �'y,� AJso open to the pubIic I�n addition,: —3/4 advectised meet�iu�s frnr public di9cussion. Interested groups aad homeowne�s along the corridor were noticed aud iunvited -Surveys were sez�t for �eedback -Website of the Consultaut vpen to public Never perfect but kept at it 2. Cities clu�ed in for a�ercent of the Consultaat Fees of Alta Trausportation and Plan�o.i,ng gmuP Thei�r specia�ty is rai�s to txails and rai�s aaa t�ails pmje�cts Feasibility Study cost 200,000 with VTA p$yinig 80'/ and Citi�.s paying 40,000 (10,000 ea,ch) Project Since the Vasona UP Rail line w►ill be used for about 15 more years (ai 3 times a week), could we negotiate an easemaqt aad get started now xather than wait until the gzavel �lays out and UP sells the land. 2. Start designing the layout of the ttail Sb.ort teza�th de�ours around impedi,meIIts and obstacles Long tetm.widen bridgcs and use of the tunmsl 3. Cos�h, and expens�s disc�. Options: p Cadi�Uac �Yexsxon of "park like" 11.5 miI Ignored the Geo version of a tiail and sa�e crossin,gs only. See detailed maps in the booklet 01/02 '02 09:04 N0.363 03/04 3. Start talking to the pubIic so that fe�s and concerns caa be addressed. $uild tbe confidence and interest in tb�e project Expect the negative views to be aiied fi�t. History of the trail is impordint 1. Trail is on ffie County Master Plan, so support and money is more available 2.VT ,A, �ists t�e uail, �or al,ternative traASpoxtation plans, bike and walkvvay. It is NOT considering it for a light rail line- Light rail is bc�t through commercial arcas. Th,is i,s tn�ostly residential homes. 3. State a�d National interests in its histo�ry. Part o�the t�ai,I is historic. Sa�n Juan Bautista de Anza trail, Mexican explorer. Na�tional Padc Service lists it Conclusioo UP wonR gave easemerrt at this time but was willing to talk UP mig,ht sell but cost is uncle,�r Sum.sy got negative respon.s�s &om immediate homevwners What to do now Ke�ep tallci.ng and addre.ss the ooncenas o�the neighboz�s '�h,eze is much research from other �siLs to counter the fears. Tzails are ametities and add value to property. No vandalism problems on z+eal trails. 2. Fonmali,ze tb,e usage where we cam. Saratoga c�n go after the PG&E easement and ignore the UP casement for now. Example is CAngcess SP� P�� 3. Easement or license 4. Ke�p me�eting with. UP on year�y bas�s and build county and state support. 4 cities and V7'A agree to mcet. Start building political support with, Assemblymen and Senators 4. Evaluate Saratoga's desi�nation of the �ail. Should be Park and Open Space. Background -VTA Cornmittod to pay 80'/0 of�ail building cost4—�not includi.ng buying the land -UP bega�n the negotiatiion sell at present land value -Citi.es say UP acqunred the land fior free years ago,1900's, and used it so price should be lower. History of RR selling tu Santa Clara Coimty Water Distri.ct for momin,al, �ee oz�, other li�es. (Sa� Cn�zlI.os Gatos) VTA 2000 e.stimated trail-building costs (Ca,di,ilac version) 8.7 miles at 92 million but Alta's 2001 estimgte is 11.5 million. (Saratoga's p;e�ce �s 3.7 miTes and Cup�rtino's is 3.4 miles. V'�'A pay5 80% pay Cities pay rest. Go aRer State park monies and Federal monies 01/02 '02 09:04 N0.363 04/04 Big pa�t of the cost will be fencing and wider bridges for protcxtion from RR since �t �s sdll active. Also fences �d bigger bridges over waterways and c�eks. To Do G�t oopies of tbe smvey Video copy of otber Rai]srTrails Handouts for Saratoga's next steps w SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL EXECUTIVE SUMMARY NO. MEETING DATE: December 19, 2001 AGENDA ITEM CITY MANAGEI� ��I ORIGINATING DEPT: City Attorney PREPARED BY: Richard Taylor SUBJECT: Use of City Parks for Recreational Sporting Events: Draft Parks and Recreation Ordinance RECOMMENDED ACTION: Introduce and waive first reading of the attached ordinance. REPORT SUNIlVIARY: As part of the �City's effort to provide areas for organized, recreational sporting events, the City Council at its meeting of October 17, 2001 directed staff to prepare user agreements with the American Youth Soccer Organization ("AYSO") and Little League Baseball for the use of City parks (these agreements will be brought to Council in January). To protect against possible risks associated with the inappropriate use of City parks, the Council also directed staff to ensure that the City Code prohibits objects from being hit or thrown into public rights of way near City parks. This report presents a draft ordinance that v�ould amend the City Code as directed by the Council, would clarify the City's authority to enter into season-long agreements with AYSO, Little League Baseball, and other groups, subject to conditions imposed by the Director of Parks, and would make several technical "clean-up" amendments to the Code. SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE: The draft ordinance would make several substantive amendments and several clarifying or technical amendments to the City Code. The ordinance begins with findings describing the circumstances requiring legislative action by the City. These findings summarize (1) the increased need for areas for organized, recreational sporting events such as soccer and baseball; (2) a possible risk of injury or damage to persons and property near City parks as a result of balls, rocks, or other objects being thrown, kicked, or hit into public roadways, parking lots, and pathways near City parks; and (3) the need to clarify staff s authority to issue season-long group use pennits, subject to conditions imposed by the Director of Parks. Section 2.1 of the ordinance amends the City Cade to prohibit anyone in a City park from throwing; kicking, or hitting any ball, rock, or other object into any public thoroughfare (i.e., a driveway, roadway, highway, parking area, sidewalk, bicycle path, or trail) inside or outside the park in a manner that could cause injury or damage. City parks are designed to prevent this sort of occurrence when the parks are used as intended for regular sporting events. The ordinance would further protect the public by prohibiting anyone from throwing, kicking, or hitting balls, rocks, and other objects into adjacent streets in a manner that could cause injury or damage, either intentionally or as a result of careless, inappropriate activities. Section 2.2 of the ordinance is a technical amendment to clarify section 11- 05.050(a) of the City Code. The amendment is consistent with staff's interpretation of that section and makes clear that a group use permit is required for any occupation or use of a City park by any pre-advertised assemblage, regardless of the number of persons assembling, and for any occuparion or use of a park by any group of twenty-five or more persons, regardless of whether the group's use is pre-advertised. Section 2.3 of the ordinance is an additional technical amendment. Consistent with staff's current practice under the Code, the amendment makes clear that the Director of Parks may issue a group use permit for multiple times, multiple dates, and multiple locations, and that group use permits are subject to any conditions imposed by the Director. This amendment clarifies staff's authority to enter into agreements with AYSO, Little I:eague Baseball, and other groups for season-long use of City parks for recreational sporting events. Section 2.4 of the ordinance is substantive in that it creates an exception to the current code requirement that park group use permit applications be submitted no more than 90 �days in advance of the first proposed use. The amendment would authorize the Council to allow applications for group use permits to be filed more than ninety days before the proposed use of a City park, so as to allow applicants additional time plan for permitted activities. Section 2.5 of the ordinance amends Section 11-10.020(a) of the City Code to authorize the Council to revoke a group use permit at any time, so as to allow the Council to ensure that City parks remain available for appropriate uses and activities. 2 Alternatives As an alternative to adopting the ordinance in its draft form, the Council could direct staff to take no action or to revise the ordinance. If no o�rdinance is adopted, the City Code would not prohibit throwing, kicking, or hitting balls, rocks, or other objects from City parks into public roadways, parking lots, or pathways, and the City Code would not be amended to clarify staff's authority to issue group use permits for recreational sporting events and other season-long activities and to impose conditions on the group use of City parks. FISCAL IMPACTS: No significant fiscal impacts. ADVERTISING, NOTICING AND PUBLIC CONTACT: Notice for this meeting. CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ACTING ON RECOMMENDED MOTION(S): Discussed above. ATTACHMENTS: Draft Ordinance. 3 ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SARATOGA CITY CODE CONCERNING PARKS AND RECREATION THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:. Section 1. Findings. A. The City of Saratoga has wiMessed an increased demand for azeas for organized, recreational sporting events such as soccer and baseball. In an effort to address this demand, the City has worked to make City parks available for recreational sporting events. B. Because of the increased use of City pazks for recreational sporting events, the City has identified a risk that baseballs, soccer balls, and other objects could be thrown, kicked, or hit into nearby roadways, potentially causing serious injury or damage. City parks are designed to avoid this risk during sporting events and other appropriate recreational activities. For example, the City has installed protective netting at Congress Springs Park to prevent balls from being throvm or hit into California State Highway 85, adjacent to the park. However, if parks are used improperly, there is a risk of injury or damage to people and property using nearby roadways. Additional protection would be provided to people and property at Congress Springs Park and at other City parks by prohibiting anyone from throwing, kicking, or hitting balls, rocks, or other objects from parks into nearby roadways in a manner that could cause injury or damage. C. To promote the use of City parks for recreational sporting events, the Director of Parks has previously issued season-long group use permits to soccer leagues and baseball leagues, pursuant to Section 11-10.010 of the Saratoga City Code. An amendment to Section 11-10.010 would clarify that the Director has the authority to make a group use permit effecEive for multiple times, multiple days, and multiple locations. D. In order to protect people and vehicles that walk or drive near parks from damage or injury caused by errant balls and other objects, Section 2.1 of this ordinance amends S.ection 11-05.030 of the Saratoga City Code to prohibit anyone from throwing, kicking, or hitting any ball, rock, or other object from a park into a public road, parking area, or pathway. E. In order to ensure that the use of City parks for recreational sporting events is fairly and properly controlled and allocated, Section 2.2 of this ordinance amends Section 11- 05.050(a) of the Saratoga City Code to clarify that Section 11-05.050 applies to the use or occupation of any pazk or area thereof by any pre-advertised assemblage, regardless of the number of persons assembling, and to the use or occupation of any park or area thereof by Page 1 of 5 Ordinance No. any group of persons twenty-five or more in number, regardless of whether the group's use or occupation is pre-advertised. F. In order to clarify the Director of Parks' authority regarding group use permits, Section 2.3 of this ordinance amends Section 11-10.010 of the Saratoga City Code to clarify that the Director of Parks may issue any group use permit for multiple times, multiple days, and multiple locations. G. In order to facilitate the processing and coordination of applications for season-long group use permits for recreational sports leagues, Section 2.4 of this ordinance amends Section 11-10.020 of the Saratoga City Code to provide that the City Council may authorize an application for a group use permit to be filed more than ninety days in advance of the proposed use, and Section 2.5 of this ordinance amends Section 11-10.050 of the Saratoga City Code to provide that the City Council may revoke a group use permit at any time. Section 2.1. Protection of Persons and Vehicles Near Parks Section 11-05.030 of the Saratoga City Code regarding activities prohibited in parks is hereby amended by redesignating the existing subsection (p) as subsection (q) and by inserting a new subsection (p), to read as set forth below: (p) Throw, kick, or hit any ball, rock, or other object into any public driveway, roadway, highway, parking area, sidewalk, bicycle path, or trail inside or oLtside the park in such a manner that the ball, rock, or other object could cause injury to any person or cause damage to any vehicle or other property. Section 2.2. Clarification of Acts Prohibited Except with Special Permit. Section 11-05.050(a) of the Saratoga City Code regarding acts prohibited in parks without a permit is hereby amended, to read as set forth below: (a) The use or occupation of any park or area thereof by any pre-advertised assemblage or by any group of persons twenty-five or more in number. Section 2.3. Group Use Permits. Section 11-10.010 of the Saratoga City Code is hereby amended as shown below. Text inserted by this ordinance is indicated in bold, double-underlined font 1g text deleted by this ordinance is indicated in strikeout font (e�e). Text in standard font is unchanged by this ordinance. Page 2 of 5 Ordinance No. 11-10.010 Group use permit Certain predesignated areas of.City parks may be made available for the temporary e��e-use of groups of persons upon the issuance of a permit therefor by the Director in accord with the following pmvisions: (a) Each group must consist of ten or more persons unless it is a community-oriented group, and have one or more adults who agree in writing to be responsible for such group during the entire period of exclusive use of the area in question. (b) Each group shall in no event exceed in number seventy-five percent of the capacity of such park or the area of such park, as is established by the park regulations, and in all events the Director shall have the authority to limit the size of the group to a number less than such percentage of capacity in conditioning such permit. (c) Each oermit shall snecifv (11 the nark(sl and area(s) of the nark(sl to which the uermit an 1�� ies: (21 the dav(cl and hour(sl for which the Rermit is iscued� ov r a neriod not to exceed one vear; f31 whether the nermit is for excl�sive or non- excl�sive Lse: and (41 anv other conditions imnosed bv the Director No group use permit shall be issued to the same or substantially the same group of persons more often than� once every ninety days. Section 2.4. Time for Filing Group Use Permit Applications. The introductory clause of Section 11-10.020(a) of the Saratoga City Code regarding group use permits is hereby amended, as shown below. Text inserted by this ordinance is indicated in bold, double-underlined font (gx�m�l�; text deleted by this ordinance is indicated in strikeout font (e��e). Text in standard font is unchanged by this ordinance. Paragraphs (1) through (7) of Section 11-10.020(a) of the Saratoga City Code are not amended by this ordinance. (a) Application for a group use permit shall be in writing on forms furnished by the City, and be filed with the Director no less than twenty nor more than ninety days prior to the date of the proposed use, ualess the Citv Council aLthnri�ec an parliPr filin� gpd S173II contain the following information: Section 2.5. Revocation of Group Use Permits by the Ciry Council. Section 11-10.050 of the Saratoga City Code regarding group use permit revocation is hereby amended as shown below. Text inserted by this ordinance is indicated in bold, double- underlined font (�x�m ]�g text deleted by this ordinance is indicated in strikeout font (e��e). Text in standard font is unchanged by this ordinance. Page 3 of 5 Ordinance No. 11-10.050 Revocation of permit. Any permit issued under the provisions of this Article shall be subject to revocation 1�by the Director upon a finding of any violation of any of the provisions of this Chapter,� any other provisions of this Code, or any of the conditions of such permit or (ii) b� the Citv Council at anv time. Such revocation shall be effective immediately, but in the case of a revocation bv the Director. shall be subject to review by appeal to the City Council in accordance with the procedure set forth in Section 2-05.030 of this Code. Section 3. Severance Clause. Each section, sub-section, paragraph, sub-paragraph, sentence, clause and phrase of this ordinance is severable and independent of every other section, sub-section, paragraph, sub- paragraph, sentence, clause and phrase of this ordinance. If any section, sub-section, paragraph, sub-paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance is held invalid, the City Council declares that it would have adopted the remaining provisions of this ordinance irrespective of the portion held invalid, and further declares its express intent that the remaining portions of this ordinance should remain in effect after the invalid portion has been eliminated. Section 4. Publication. The City Clerk shall cause this ordinance or a summary thereof to be published once in a newspaper of general circulation of the City of Saratoga within fifteen days after its adoption. The foregoing ordinance was introduced and read at the regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Saratoga held on the day of 2001, and was adopted by the following vote following a second reading on the day of 2002: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: MAYOR, CITY OF SARATOGA, CALIFORNIA ATTEST: CITY CLERK Page4of5 Ordinance No. APPROVED AS TO FORM: CITY ATTORNEY Page 5 of 5 Ordinance No. Page 1 of 1 Cky of 3a��+�r�� Ann Suliivan From: Katie Alexander [katie@alexander.org] Sent: Friday, December 28, 2001 5:52 PM J A N 2. 2002 'C il� f� To: cityhall@saratoga.ca.us; eac@pacbell.net; nick prc@pacbell.net; sdodgeqt@aol.com; ��D ;��,r� danczak@worldn�t.att.net; angelafrazier@mindspring.com; logan@wyrmwood.com; ggates@sladesys.com �j�-�g F Subject: Dear Council Members and Parks Commissioners ��v-,-,. Dear Cau»cil Members and Parks Commissioners-- I've copied my letter to the Editor of the Saratoga News beio��v. Due to the holidays sched�ile and the timing of this on your agenda, it may not make it into the paper in time. T hope you can take a fe�v mintites and consider my point of view. Sincerely, Katie Alexander Congress Springs Park Fee I'd ]ike to take this opportunity to provide an alternate point of vie��v for khe proposed fees for Congress Springs Park. Unlil:e other parks in Saratoga, Congress Springs Park has been specially designed to accommodate the i�eeds of T�vo at111etic grotips in tl�e city. Due to their high use in tl�e evenings and �veelcends, �u1d the required rest time for the turf, tl�is park will generally be unavailable to other residents. Just as the City charges fees for the tise of the Cominunity Center or tlie Warner-Hutton House, it is fair and tc� charge for the use of Co�igress Springs Park. According to data compiled by tlie City and revie�ved by the I'arl:s Commissiotl, the proposed fee structure is similar to those of other cities, and similar to those for other City programs. Due to the specialized use of Congress Springs Park, needed �Z�aintenance cost will be mucll higlier tlian for other city parks. Congress Springs will have a full-time grounds keeper. Specialized turf maintenance equipment will be purchased and will need replacement in 5-7 yr. Even with the best maintenance and use management, the�grass becomes too damaged and also must be replaced every 5 years or so. The proposed fees for the athletic groups will not cover much of those costs. While it would be prohibitive and unreasonable for the athletic groups to bear those entire costs, it is fair to charge some fees to be eannarked for these expected costs. The City of Saratoga has spent over M on the much-needed c of Congress Springs Park. It ��ill be a beatitiful atliletic site when it opens. If tlie maintei�ance is insufficient and �ve let tl�e park become run down in a few years, I doubt that the City could afford another $1M renovation. Let's make sure we take care of what we have. Sincerely, Katie Alexander 12340 Goleta Ave. Sarato�a, Ca 95070 i� i�� I I I �a� Chan�ber narnes Judy Coulter��' page 9`� AAUW sets author Vol. 49, No. 1 �'�'ednesday, January 2, 2002 USER FEES SPARK PROTEST FROM LITTLE LEAGUE, SOCCER FAMIILIES G'ity seeks ways to fund improve�nents at park m a Council hearingJan. 16 BV OAKLEY BRQaKS A city parks board recocr►mendation to charge added fees for sports groups at Congress Springs Park has some parents and coaches wondering if their groups are being unfairly singled out amongcity recreationists Several weeks ago, in an effort to match use fees with the cost� and improved condition of the renovated sports complex, the city's parks and recreation commission settled on a$15-per-child annual fee for members of Saratoga's chapters of the Acnerican Youth Soccer Association and Little League. "Ihat would be in ad��an to t4ie aau�ual main- tenance contract between the organizations and the city, an agreement that has traditional- ly cost both organizations $1,500 per year for use of Congress Springs and other city parks. The city council will o�ly �egin dis- cussing a new user fee on Jan. 16. But already sports leaders and worried parents say the fee exacts too high a toll on groups E that have already sunk thousands of dol- i lars of their own money in¢o a park that should be easily accessible to taxpayers. "T1ie baseball community paid a lot to get this park [refurbishedJ," says Saratoga Little Please turn to page 10 x �n I ,i r t a fi a :��'�.z�;� J 1'�. 3E QUICKLY i' ELIMINATED...FOREVER �e skin laser centen.we have available six lasers to design a personalized treatment just for you, skin, African American skin and light skin tones. ent hair removal (rom both fac+af body areas sessions imentary consultation and test patches. lay appointments available. a �KIN 1NSTITU'T'E GROUP, INC. Students at Saratoga Elementary Schoo! may have had visians of �HET�� LASER SURGERr sugarplums dancing in their heads on Dec. 13, but that didn't keep them .D. MEDICAL DIRECTOR from doing a little spade work for the coming spring. In a schooi-wide NOtiPITAI. AND STANFORD S80PPiNG CEVIER project themed `Operation Daffodil,' youngsters planted daf(odi! bulbs at the school. Above, Katie Park, 9, gets a little help digging in from fourth- grade teacher Robbin Cohn. r �t�$ "rue!!! �nity BootCamp nges lives! ay, five days a week, You will walk, run, and ith people in your mmunity. �ay thru Friday, 7am, 7-Sam 1/7-2/28 3/15 3/25-4/26 register or visit Nebsite today! 00.926.6552 User Fees Conrrnued from page 1 League President Keith Simon, whose group has committed $60.000 already to Congress Springs and plans to put in $40,000 more over the next three years. "This is a public park, and the city has an obligation to provide these amenities. "R�ere does seem to be some payment necessary to help the city, but I don't think it should be exorbitant." Simon suggested the city charge $10 per player when the issue came before the parks commission Dec.10. But soccer leaders said even that much of a user fee is excessive, when combined with a maintenance fee. Mark Chapman, a local AYSO coach- ing coordinator, says the use fee would be inconsistent if only applied to the 1,700 youngsters on the rosters of the baseball and soccer organizations. "If it's not going to be a public park, put a fence around it and put turnstiles up and have everyone put in 75 cents," baseball and soccer coach Dennis Farmec says. "These kids should not be revenue gen- erators for the city," he said. But sevcral parhs commissione rs say that since soccer and baseball groups will bc thc primary uscrs at Con�ress Springs, thcy should be replcnishing some of the city park funds that wcnt toward thc facility. According to CommLSSioncr Nick 5erc�ff, AYSO and Little League serve about 20 percent of the total sports participants in Saratoga. To lay professional-level turf down at Congress Springs for a facility that both parks commissioners and sports lead- ers agree will be a jewel, the city had to use all $1.4 million of its park development fund. City officials say the fund, supplicd by fees from new development in the city— wilt only slowly refill. In the meantime, the city council has decided to dip into Saratoga's general fund for forthcoming improvements at EI Quito and Azule parks. E€owever, parks com- mission Chairwoman Elaine Cla6caux says that in the future, development funds could be used ior spot improvements to things like basketbalt courts and play equipment throughout the city—improve- ments she believes will serve young soccer and baseball players when they aren't on the field at Congress Springs. Photograph by CarneJcnscn Harbin er of S r�n g g LETTERS User fee is a tax on Saratogas�children I heard a quotation once that said some- thing like "Democrary is a great form of government but it is pretty ugly to watch." The meeting on Dec.10 of the parks and reaeation committee was ceRainly remi- niscent of this quotation. The pazks and rec committeecalled a special meeting co get public input on u proposed use fee for Congress Springs Pazk. The special meeting was required so as to have a oontract ready for Little League to sign in order to use the 6elds this year. As it tums out this was much more than a proposal, it was a forgone conclusion where the only item in question was the "per head" amount to charge AYSO and Little League for using the park. The proposal before the committee was to charge eac� end every Little L.eague and AYSO child S25 to use the park plus a maintenance fee for each organization that run the fees up to S35 per child. The majority of the comments from the public were against any form of use fee while the most generous suggestion from Little L.eague was for a$10 use fee. With one exception, the committee members seemed to be interested in and attentive to the public's input. One com- mittee member however, was rude to the point of laughing in the face of one of the AYSO representatives. After the public comments the objec- tions brought up were summarily dis- missed and it became abundantly appaz- ent that the decision had already been unanimously decided prior to this meet- ing, the committee then proceeded, after a long laborious and painful process, to pass a motion recommending a S15 use fee. This use fee is an outrage, call it what it is---a tax: There are only two captive organiza tions in Saratoga selected for this use fee: AYSO socoer and Saratoga Litde League. AYSO runs approximately 1,200childrea per year through its program. Saratoga Little League hosts approximately 460 children. Both AYSO and Little League fiave served the community for over 20 years that 1 am aware of, thus serving more than 30.000 children over the years. Neither organization has an alternative place to play and are, as the parks and rec committee are quick to recognize, captive to the city of Saratoga. Captive organiza- tions as in this case are great targets for those who are bo�ing for government revenue. In this case, revenue generated by this use fee, tax if you will, will in all proba4ility be headed for the Saratoga generalfund. This is a blatant tax on children's spocts and wbere tl�ese organizations are seen as revenue sources. AYSO and Saratoga Lit- tle League have bot6 agreed to pay main- tenancedees to ensure the part is Icept up to optimum condition yet the park and recreation committee wishes tocreate a profit center at Congress Springs. Tl�+s Sl S use fee wiN undoubtedly set a preoedeat [or fttture paric taxes. The sua- gestioa toc6arae a t15 per head for any- os�e wisl+iisg oo reaern �ny Saratoga Park tacil�y w�as shelved 4or "futnre discas- sio�." U�der Mis poliry. the time mar actualfy come where the sheriff is called out to EI Quito Park to check on the pick- up sohball attd soccer games that regular- ly are played there. T6is year, due to Congress Springs not being ready for play after its refurbisd- ment, Quito Little League is graciously allowing Saratoga Little League to hold its tryouts on its field at Rolling HiUs 8eld. I can imagine the response ae get the next time we need some help from Quito when �ve charge their little League teams a S25 (did i forget to men- tion We non-resident surchuge?) per head use fce to use a Saratoga to practice vm A!1 other park use is eer� rentty exempt from tbis per-hesd taz.: You aill still be able to aallc y�our Qog oa the renovatedCoagress Springs Pas# at no charge. �o� w�o��a, �n�n�� mesns simpfy tht bludgeoniag of the peo-. ple by the people for the people." in.this instance it is a bludgeoning of the children of Saratoga bythe parks and rec o�mrnittee.. DHVtvts F��ert e� Gmino Gcaode Health center offering great care for father I would like to publicly thank and acknowledge the wonderful staff at the Saratoga Retirement Community Health Center on Fruitvale Avenue. My father, who has Alzheimer's, became a resident at the health center after suffering a small stroke last March. As you can ima�ne, the emotional. admin- istrative and logisdcal aspects of relocat- ing my father were overwhelmiag. The d'uector, Gary Vernon, aas on top of things rig6t from the start. The regis- tration and move-in went smoothly. He assured me that his staff was warm and car- DECINZO W M, ��5� �I�G IN`ATIME OF F'�aR pNC P�wo�►: pNo WNaT F A TREE FAIIS oN TM�? wE.� GUT DoWN THE 1'REE 1 J ing and veated all the residents wit6 respecr I think they go beyond that I have made numerous visits at odd houcs and have ooQSistendy come upon my dad being warmly teased, engaged in pleasant con- vecsations with staff or contentedly nap- P�8• T'hese past months were difficult for my father to settle in, yet, at every tum, the staft.would try something new or ask for my suggestions. I was always fully informed as to my father's progress or de.dine. It was clear that they pay special attention todetailc. .I eannoc say enough good things about Saratoga Ret'vetaent Comtnunity,.Their 9eubiliip. warmth and attention to care 6ave giv�en our family peace of mind. lt is a hame with a hcart! TERESA ACOSTA Saratoga Avenue Couple makes trips atore than special I have recenUy had the privilege to take my third Saratoga Community Center trip with Yvonne I.ampshire as the leader and her 6usband Warren Lampshire assisting her. They do an excellent job and go beyond what is necessary in making their trips extra special. If anything gces wrong, they are right there to see that it is cor- rected. The'v wonder[ul sense of humor adds to the gaiety of their trips. Yvonne and W ar- ren are also active volunteers in our com- munity and ae ate fortunate to have them. Louise weee Canyon View Drive AND TKE OCEAN I'I'� OHIY %2 NouR AWAY! WNAT IF r THEY DROWN WE MUST DRAIN THE OCEAN i Page 1 of 2 Cary Bloomquist From: Elaine A. Clabeaux [eac@pacbell.net] Sent: Friday, December 14, 2001 9:33 AM To: Cary Bloomquist Subject: [Fwd: Parks and Recreation] Cary, This is the email I received. As you can see it has erroneous information. ie per head charge) I sure hope he doesn't send it to the Saratoga News. Elaine Original Message Subject:Parks and Recreation Date:Tue, 11 Dec 2001 18:37:39 -0800 From:"Farmer, Dennis" <DFarmercr.isauared.com> To:"Saratoga News (E-mail)" <sn a.simetro.com> CC:"Nick Streit (E-mail)" <nstreit cr.cna-online.com>. <eac cr pacbell.net> Parks and Recreation "Elaine Clabeaux (E-mail)" I heard a quotation once that said something like Democracy is a great form of government but it is pretty ugly to watch." The Monday 12/10 meeting of the Park� and Recreation Committe was certainly reminicent of this quotation. The Parks and Rec committee called a special meeting to get public input on a proposed use fee for Congress Springs Park. The special meeting was required so as to have a contract ready for Little League to sign in order to use the fields this year. As it turns out this was much more than a proposal, it was a forgone conclusion where the only item in question was the "per head" amount to charge AYSO and Little League for using the Park. The proposal before the committee was to charge each and every Little League and AYSO child $25 to use the park plus a Maintenance fee for each organization that run the fees up to $35 per child. The majority of the Public spoken comments were against any form of use fee while the most generous suggestion from Little League was for a$10 use fee. With one exception, the Committee members seemed to be interested in and attentive to the publics input. One Committee member however, was rude to the point of laughing in the face of one.of the AYSO representatives. After the public comments the objections brought up were summarily dismissed and it became abundantly apparent that the decision had already been unanimously decided prior long laborious and to this meeting. The Committee then proceeded, after a painful process, passed a motion recommending a$15 use fee. This use fee is an outrage, call it what it is a Tax. There are only two captive organaizations in Saratoga selected for this use fee: AYSO soccer and Saratoga Little League. AYSO runs approximately 1200 children per year 12/14/O1 i Page 2 of 2 thru its program. Saratoga Little League hosts approximately 460 children. Both AYSO and Little League have served the community for at over 20 years that I am aware of thus servicing over 30,000 children over the years. Neither organization has an alternative place to play and are as the Parks and Rec committee are quick to recognize, captive to the City of Saratoga. Captive organizations as in this case are great targets for those who are looking for Government revenue. In this case, revenue generated by this use fee, tax if you will, will in all probability be headed for the Saratoga General fund. This is a blatent tax on childrens sports and where these organizations are seen as revenue sources. AYSO and Saratoga Little League have both agreed to pay maintenance fees to insure the Park is kept up to optimum condition yet the Park and Recreation Commitee wish to create a profit center at Congress Springs. This $15 use fee will undoubtedly set a precedence for future Park taxes. The suggestion to charge a$15 per head for anyone wishing to reserve any Saratoga Park facility was shelved for "future discussion." Under this policy, the time may actually come where the Sheriff is called out to E1 Quito Park to check on the pickup Softball and Soccergames that regularly are played there. This year, due to Congress Springs not being ready for play after its refurbishment, Quito Little League is graciously allowing Saratoga Little League to hold its try-outs on its field at Rolling Hills field. I can imagine the•response we get the next time we need some help from Quito when we charge their Little League teams a$25 Did i forget to mention the non-resident surcharge) per head use fee to use a Saratoga Park to practice on. All other Park use is currently exempt from this per head tax. You will still be able to walk your dog on the renovated Congress Springs Park at no charge. As Oscar Wilde once said: "Democracy means simply the bludgeoning of the people by the people for the people." In this instance it is a bludgeoning of the Children of Saratoga by the Parks and Rec Committee. 12/14/O1 Commission agrees on fees The Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission rec- ommended reccnUy that the ciry council establish a new user fec at Congress Spiings Park. At a Dec. 10 meeting, thc commission suggested an annual a15 fee per user for every youth sports participant at the park, which is currently undergoing renovation. The new fees would be administered through the main user groups at Congress Springs—the American Youth Soccer Organization and Little League. The fees would be collect- ed in addition to the annual maintenance fee that each youth sports organization has U•aditionally paid for using Congress Springs. Cary Bloomquist, the city's liaison to the parks commis- sion, said thc city is considering expanding user fees to cover costs at other parks in the city. t� Message Cary Bloomquist From: Nicholas G. Streit [nstreit@cpa-online.com] Sent: Saturday, December 15, 2001 7:37 AM To: 'Elaine A. Clabeaux' Cc: Cary Bloomquist; Cathleen Boyer Subject: RE: Parks and Recreation Elaine Page 1 of 3 Next Wednesday the CC will be approving the re-allocation of Commission assignments to the City Council members. The CC felt it was time that all the commission assignments to be changed to make sure no CC member used a commission for their own agenda. I agreed, and thus re-assigned all the commissions. Evan Baker will be the new CC liaison to the PRC. After the vote next Wednesday, I suggest you and Evan meet prior to the next meeting, (Jan, 02) to review your agenda for the PRC It has been a pleasure working with you and the Commission over the past two years and I will miss the PRC. Regardless of the conflicts and controversies, allot has been accomplished. Thanks Nick Streit Mayor PS Cary please make sure you send Evan a copy of the PRC agenda -----Original Message----- From: Elaine A. Clabeaux [mailto:eac@pacbell.net] Sent: Saturday, December 15, 2001 1:58 AM To: Farmer, Dennis Cc: Cary; Nick Streit; Saratoga News Subject: Re: Parks and Recreation Deai Mr. Farmer, Thank you for your email regarding the deliberations of the Parks and Recreation Commission at our meeting on December l Oth 2001. Your comment stating it was a"forgone conclusion" and "that it was abundantly apparent that the decision had been unanimously decided prior to this meeting", is totally erroneous. The Parks and Recreation Commission complied with the requirements of the Brown Act and did not deliberate, what yet decide, the issue of user fees prior to the meeting of December l Oth. We have a sub-committee that examined the issue in meetings with staff and user groups over the past several months. Each commissioner may have a particular stand but as noted by the time and effort in our deliberations at the meeting there were many different opinions within the commission regarding the issues disussed at the meeting. Sincerely, Elaine Clabeaux, Chair, Parks and Recreation Commission. Farmer, Dennis wrote: Parks and Recreation 12/17/O1 Message Page 2 of 3 I heard a quotation once that said something like Democracy is a great form of government but it is pretty ugly to watch." The Monday 12/10 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Committe was certainly reminicent this quotation. The Parks and Rec committee called a special meeting get public input on a proposed use fee for Congress Springs Park. The sp meeting was required so as to have a contract ready for Little League• sign in order to use the fields this year. As it turns out this was much more than a proposal, it was a forgone conclusion where the only item in question was the "per head" amount charge AYSO and Little League for using the Park. The proposal befor committee was to charge each and every Little League and AYSO child use the park plus a Maintenance fee for each organization that run th fees up to $35 per child. The majority of the Public spoken comments were against any form of use fee while the most generous suggestion from L League was for a$10 use fee. With one exception, the Committee members seemed to be interested in attentive to the publics input. One Committee member however, was ru the point of laughing in the face of one of the AYSO representatives. After the public comments the objections brought up were summarily dismisse it became abundantly apparent that the decision had already been unanimously decided prior to this meeting. The Committee then proceeded, after long laborious and painful process, passed a motion recommending a$15 use This use fee is an outrage, call it what it is a Tax. There are only captive organaizations in Saratoga selected for this use fee: AYSO s and Saratoga Little League. AYSO runs approximately 1200 children pe year thru its program. Saratoga Little League hosts approximately 460 children. Both AYSO and Little League have served the community for at over 20 that I am aware of thus servicing over 30,000 children over the years Neither organization has an alternative place to play and are as the and Rec committee are quick to recognize, captive to the City of Sara Captive organizations as in this case are great targets for those who looking for Government revenue. In this case, revenue generated by t l 2/17/Ol Message Page 3 of 3 use fee, tax if you will, will in all probability be headed for the Sarat General fund. This is a blatent tax on childrens sports and where t organizations are seen as revenue sources. AYSO and Saratoga Little League have both agreed to pay maintenance fees to insure the Park is kept u optimum condition yet the Park and Recreation Commitee wish to create profit center at Congress Springs. This $15 use fee will undoubtedly set a precedence for future Park ta The suggestion to charge a$15 per head for anyone wishing to reserv Saratoga Park facility was shelved for "future discussion.�� Under th policy, the time may actually come where the Sheriff is called out to Quito Park to check on the pickup Softball and Soccergames that regul are played there. This year, due to Congress Springs not being ready for play after its refurbishment, Quito Little League is graciously allowing Saratoga L League to hold its try-outs on its field at Rolling Hills field. I c imagine the response we get the next time we need some help from Quit when we charge their Little League teams a$25 Did i forget to mention t non-resident surcharge) per head use fee to use a Saratoga Park to practic on. All other Park use is currently exempt from this per head tax. You w still be able to walk your dog on the renovated Congress Springs Park no charge. As Oscar wilde once said: "Democracy means simply the bludgeoning of people by the people for the people." In this instance it is a bludgeoning of the Children of Saratoga by the Parks and Rec Committee. 12/17/O1