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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-05-1972 parks and recreation Commission minutes MINUTES • PARKS AND RECREATION CO MISSION TIME: MONDAY, June 5, 1972 - 7:30 P.M. PLACE: CRISP MIEMORIAL CONFERENCE ROOM, 13777 FRUITVALE AVE., SARATOGA TYPE: REGULPR MEETING ORGANIZATION A. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Duffy, Wilberding, Rose, Johnston, Zambetti, Duffy, Matteoni. Absent: Commissioners Jones, Marovich, Woodward. B. MINUTES Chairman Matteoni referred to Par. 2, Item IV, Page 3 of the Minutes of the May 15th meeting and had this to say about a statement he made in those minutes, as follows: " . . . we are not looking to create parking on Scully Avenue, however, we are not against that happening if it does not invade the budget for parks." He said that what he meant was that we are not against the widening of Scully, but that "widening" and "parking" were not synonymous. The minutes were accepted as typed and modified by Chairman Matteoni. III. NEW BUSINESS A. DISCUSSION REGARDING C0!24ISSI0NS ROLE IN PROMOTING SARATOGA'S RECREATIONAL NEEDS - GENE GOLDBERG To accommodate Gene Goldberg, Director Los Gatos-Saratoga Recreation District, who was present to discuss the Commission's role in promoting Saratoga's recreational needs, this matter was taken out of oraer, according to the Agenda. Mr. Goldberg discussed fully the concerns and accomplishments of the District. He outlined the history of his activities since he became associated with the District 16 years ago -- before Saratoga was incor- porated. The Los Gatos Joint High School District felt there was a need for such facilities and the Town of Los Gatos was first contacted and they decided they did not want to go into it. Under the State Education Act, there is a Community Service Clause allowing school Districts to assess a 5% tax. In addition, there was a second Act stating "All schools may be made available for recreational activities -- class rooms, multi-purpose rooms, etc. They decided on three (sic) school districts with a tax of 310 each, with each member to have a member on the Board of the District -- one from Saratoga and one from Los Gatos, with the boundary line of Saratoga-Los Gatos Joint High School District. That included approximately 60% of Saratoga, leaving 40% outside the boundary. For a number of years, the 31-0 tax prevailed -- for 16 years, in fact. That has never been increased. He said they have been "living" on approxi- mately $1.63 per kid from the schools. It has nothing to do with these other monies. 92% of the recreation departments, he said, are city-run, and they pay this money and have cooperative plans with schools. According to a survey Mr. Goldberg made, he found that the nearby areas had the following amounts, compared to the $1.63 prevailing here: PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES - JUNE 5, 1972 - PAGE 2 • Per Person Recrea- tion tax Los Altos $2.20 Milpitas $2.80 Palo Alto $7.84 Santa Clara $2.22 Gilroy $2.35 Cupertino $2.36 Mountain View $4.31 Saratoga $2.38 He said this would mean, if you spread $6,000 over 25,000 kids, you are paying approximately 25¢ per year each for recreation services. Presently, more than 512 individuals have already signed up for the summer recreation program. In Saratoga alone, over 1,000 per session are expected. Approximately 350 small children will be in the softball program. The District, he said, Is headed by Baker McGinnis, Chairman, three Super- intendents, who are ex-officio members without a vote; a full-time staff member; a full-time office manager; part-time clerk. This summer, the staff will have 140 people, about 110 of them high school and college age. During fall, winter and spring, there are only 60 to 65 staff. Swimming activities, he stated, include adults, over 500 children, junior and senior live-saving (over 60 to-date); recreational swimming; synchron- ized swimming (about 40 girls); pre-schoolers (about 100) -- and if a child shows promise at age 4, he is put into regular lessons. There is also a program for mothers. Mr. Goldberg said that we have the largest music program in Northern California -- 300 children -- teaching 5 instruments and band, orchestra, German band, and choir. There are 230 in the Slim & Trim program, Yoga, Body Mechanics, and Gymnastics. The Senior activities are in Los Gatos. In the Division of Athletics, there are archery, basketball, soccer, foot- ball. Between Saratoga and Los Gatos, there -are 665 individuals entered in these activities. Their greatest need is for additional tennis courts. The cost per court would be about $8500.00. And there is a need for light- ing of the courts, since there is a great clamor for courts and they would • be used late at night if properly lighted. He did not favor coin-operated lighting. Commissioner Duffy mentioned that there should be some plan for having tennis courts and playing fields unlocked -- that many times they were locked when someone wanted to play. Mr. Goldberg said he personally did not believe in having tnem unlocked except for supervised or organized play, but that with certain types of gating, they could be made available to the public. He mentioned, too, various insurance problems. II. OLD BUSINESS A. BIKE ROUTE STUDY: PRELIMINARY REPORT - COMMISSIONER ROSE Commissioner Rose discussed the preliminary report on Bicycle Paths by the Public Works Department and thought that it was good, thoroughly done. It is to be presented to the Council at its next meeting, she said, and made the motion that the City Council include the Parks and Recreation Commission in PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES - JUNE 5, 1972 - PAGE 3 any discussions and action they take on this matter. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Johnston and passed unanimously, and Chairman Matteoni directed the Trails Committee to stay on this project and that Chairman Rose and Commissioners Zambetti, Wilberding and Duffy attend the next Council meeting. B. GARDINER PARK COM+iUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM Chairman Matteoni said that the meeting planned with Mr. Beck, architect, re: the Gardiner Park development was postponed due to a death in Beck' s family, but suggested that if possible the Commission get together with Beck next week -- before making a master plan. Commissioner Zambetti said that he,__Secretary Ford and Mr. Burner went To San Francisco to see Jay Beckwith about ideas for creative play facilities, and Secretary Ford presented pictures showing different types of equipment being considered, particularly a new type of playground equipment which seemed desire- able from an aesthetic standpoint, as well as being challenging to children. Commissioner Duffy asked the status of Quito and Secretary Ford said that the Quito Leasing Agreement would be taken up at the next Council meeting. IV. . STAFF AND CONNI1 .'EE REPORTS A. WILDWOOD PARK • Commissioner Johnston reported that she felt more picnic tables and barbecue • pits were needed and she felt they should be installed. Secretary Ford said that he and Roy Burner are going to see someone this week regarding a new type barbecue pit of a permanent type, and it depended on the money available. Chairman Matteoni directed that they spend what- ever money there is on barbecue pits. Secretary ford announced that pictures of various staff members and committee _.members would be needed for the next Annual Report, including the Parks and Recreation Commission, and suggested they be made at Hakone either the Monday before the 4th of July, or the Monday after, to get as many members as possible. V. COMMUNICATIONS: None VI. ' ADJOURNMENT Chairman Matteoni directed that the first part of the next meeting be held at • Wildwood Park for a viewing of the progress there and discussion of other matters pertaining to Wildwood; then the meeting would adjourn to City Hall to study the Park Ordinances and the report on Gardiner Park, and whether to go ahead with the Master Plan; and also a review of the Quito schematics. The meeting was adjourned at 10:55 P.M. Respectfully submitted, n Thom Ford, Secretary Parks & Recreation Commission.