HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-14-2009 PRC Agenda Packet
City of Saratoga
Parks and Recreation Commission
REVISED AGENDA
DATE: Tuesday, July 14, 2009
TIME: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Saratoga City Hall
Warner Hutton House
13777 Fruitvale Avenue
Saratoga, CA 95070
Call to Order
Roll Call
Report on Posting of the Agenda: Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2, this meeting
was properly posted on July 9, 2009.
Accept Agenda Items: No additional items may be added pursuant to Government Code
Section 54954.2.
Oral & Written Communication: Any member of the public may address the Commission about
any matter not on the agenda for this meeting for up three minutes. Commissioners
may not comment on the matter, but may choose to place the topic on a future agenda.
Commissioner Announcements
Approval of Draft Minutes: Draft Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) Minutes for the May
12, 2009 meeting.
Staff Reports: (This section is informational only; no actions will be taken.)
1. John Cherbone, Director of Public Works
2. Crystal Morrow, Staff Liaison
Old Business:
1. Preparation for Joint Meeting with Saratoga City Council
Issue: The City Council conducts joint meetings with each Saratoga Commission. The
PRC is scheduled to meet with the Council on September 2, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. in
the administrative conference room at City Hall.
Action: PRC will continue to prepare several discussion items for the joint meeting.
2. North Campus Naming Process
Issue: The Council has directed the PRC to lead a public process to name the North
Campus.
Action: PRC will finalize plans for the public process to name the North Campus.
New Business:
3. Informational Report on Proposed Installation of a Petanque Court in Azule Park
Issue: The PRC has been asked to consider public input on the location of the court in
the park and recommend a location for the court to City staff. This report on the
proposed petanque court at Azule Park is intended to prepare the Commission
for a decision at the September meeting.
Action: Informational item, no action necessary.
4. Recreation Program Enrollment
Issue: During the January 2009 PRC meeting, the Commission decided to discuss
opportunities to help increase enrollment in Saratoga’s recreation programs.
Action: Discuss and create a plan to help encourage residents to enroll in the City’s
recreation programs.
5. September Meeting Date
Issue: Currently, the PRC is scheduled to meet on September 8, 2009. Because Labor
Day is September 7, 2009, Commission Chair Goldberg has suggested moving the
date of the meeting to September 22, 2009.
Action: PRC will determine whether or not to reschedule the September meeting.
6. Proposed Ordinance Amending the City Code Requirements for Park Dedication and
Fees
Issue: On Wednesday, July 15, 2009, the Saratoga City Council will be asked to adopt
amendments to the City Code that will increase parkland dedications from a
ratio of three acres per 1,000 residents to five acres per 1,000 residents.
Additional changes to the Code that will ensure it complies with State law are
also being proposed.
Action: PRC will review the proposed ordinance and make a recommendation to the City
Council.
Commissioner Reports
Agenda Items for Next Meeting
Adjournment
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you are a disabled person and you need a disability‐
related modification or accommodation to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at
408.868.1269 or ctclerk@saratoga.ca.us. Requests must be made as early as possible and at least one full business
day before the start of the meeting.
Parks and Recreation Commission Agenda Note:
In accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act, copies of the staff reports and other materials provided to the Parks
and Recreation Commission by City staff in connection with this agenda are available at the office of the City
Manager at 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, California 95070. Any materials distributed by staff after the
posting of the agenda are made available for public review at the office of the City Manager at the time they are
distributed to the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Certificate of Posting of Agenda:
I, Crystal Morrow, Administrative Analyst II for the City of Saratoga, declare that the foregoing agenda for the
meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission of the City of Saratoga was posted on July 9, 2009 at the office of
the City of Saratoga, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070 and was available for public review at that
location. The agenda is also available on the City’s website at www.saratoga.ca.us.
City of Saratoga
Parks and Recreation Commission
MINUTES
DATE: Tuesday, May 12, 2009
TIME: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Saratoga City Hall
Senior Center – Magnolia Room
19655 Allendale Avenue
Saratoga, CA 95070
Call to Order – 6:35 p.m.
Roll Call
Present: Goldberg, Bruno, Soukup, Wilson
Absent: None
Staff: Morrow
Members of the Public: Mark Johnson, Nagbushan Veerapaneni
Report on Posting of the Agenda: Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2, this meeting was
properly posted on May 6, 2009.
Accept Agenda Items: No additional items may be added pursuant to Government Code Section
54954.2.
‐ BRUNO: MOVED TO ACCEPT AGENDA ITEMS
‐ GOLDBERG: SECOND
‐ APPROVED: 4‐0
Oral & Written Communication: Any member of the public may address the Commission about any
matter not on the agenda for this meeting for up three minutes. Commissioners may not
comment on the matter, but may choose to place the topic on a future agenda.
‐ Commission reviewed letter from Youth Commissioner Kia Fariba
Commissioner Announcements
‐ Goldberg announced that the work at Kevin Moran Park is moving forward nicely and the park is
looking good.
Approval of Draft Minutes: Draft Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) Minutes for March 10, 2009
meeting.
‐ WILSON: MOVED TO ACCEPT MINUTES
‐ BRUNO: SECOND
‐ APPROVED: 4‐0
Reports: (This section is informational only; no actions will be taken.)
1. John Cherbone, Director of Public Works
‐ Morrow told the Commission that Cherbone could not attend the meeting and reported on his
behalf.
‐ Morrow noted that work on Kevin Moran Park is moving forward as scheduled. The park is
expected to be complete in July.
‐ Morrow added that the improvements at El Quito Park are now finished.
‐ Morrow mentioned that work on Joe’s Trail will likely begin in the fall, after the City has received
the necessary permits from the Santa Clara Valley Water District and puts the project out to bid.
‐ Morrow informed the Commission that improvements to the play equipment at Ravenwood
have still not been started, as the City is waiting for the funding for the project to come through.
‐ Morrow said that during the May 20, 2009 City Council Meeting, the Council is expected to
accept funds from the City of Monte Sereno that will be used to pay for installation of a
petanque court in Azule Park.
2. Denise Goldberg, Pedestrian, Equestrian, and Bicycle Trails Advisory Committee (PEBTAC)
‐ Goldberg reported that the PEBTAC submitted a new bicycle map of the City for Council
consideration. The map was created to be added to the City’s General Plan.
‐ Goldberg indicated the map will be added to a future agenda, but the date has not yet been
scheduled.
‐ Soukup suggested that the PEBTAC might want to consider adding City parks to the bike map.
‐ Goldberg commented that the PEBTAC is working on trail maps for the City and agreed to share
the suggestion to highlight routes to the City parks on the maps.
3. Crystal Morrow, Staff Liaison
‐ Morrow reported that on May 20, 2009, the City Council will be appointing new Parks and
Recreation Commissioner Mark Johnson, discussing the proposed budget, and reviewing the
revised Commission Handbook.
‐ Morrow added the City Council adopted a new parliamentary procedure, which will take effect
on June 6, 2009. Morrow passed out copies of the new rules of order.
‐ Morrow informed the PRC that the City Council will be holding a joint meeting with Saratoga
homeowners and neighborhood associations on June 17, 2009.
Old Business:
4. Selection of Commission Chair and Vice Chair
Issue: The terms of the current Chair and Vice Chair expire this May 2009. Per the City of
Saratoga Municipal Code, the Commission is required to select a new Chair and Vice
Chair.
Action: Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) will select a new Chair and Vice Chair, who will
assume their positions immediately.
‐ Soukup requested nominations or volunteers for the position of Chair and Vice Chair.
‐ Goldberg volunteered to be the Commission Chair.
‐ Bruno nominated Wilson to the position of Vice Chair.
‐ Wilson accepted the nomination.
‐ BRUNO: MOVED TO SELECT GOLDBERG AS CHAIR AND WILSON AS VICE CHAIR.
‐ SOUKUP: SECOND
‐ APPROVED: 4‐0
5. North Campus Naming Process
Issue: The Council has directed the PRC to lead a public process to name the North Campus.
Action: PRC to continue planning the public process to name the North Campus.
‐ Bruno noted that Nagbushan Veerapaneni, AYSO representative, was present at the meeting
and proposed moving ahead to Item 6.
‐ SOUKUP: MOVED TO DISCUSS ITEM 6 BEFORE ITEM 5.
‐ BRUNO: SECOND
‐ APPROVED: 4‐0
‐ Wilson presented the naming process communications plan, which reflected input given during
the last PRC meeting. The plan included background, key audience objectives, key message
points, channels of communication, and a timeline.
‐ Morrow noted that the opening of Fellowship Hall has been postponed and would likely be
delayed until July or August. Morrow suggested that the PRC move forward with the naming
process independently of the Fellowship Hall opening.
‐ Soukup mentioned that he had been unable to meet with Goldberg after the last meeting to
discuss rules for submittal and evaluation of proposals. He added that the two would meet in
the next few days to create an outline for what is an acceptable name, guidelines for submission
and methods for selecting top proposals.
‐ Goldberg volunteered to create form for submissions.
‐ The consensus of the group was to move forward with the naming process independently of the
Fellowship Hall opening event, collect submissions for the month of June, and use the guidelines
and rules created by the naming process rules committee.
New Business:
6. Informational Report on Field Use
Issue: In January 2009, the PRC established its work plan for the 2009 calendar year. The
Commission expressed an interest in learning more about field use and scheduled an
informational report on the matter for the May 2009 meeting.
Action: Informational item, no action necessary.
‐ Morrow reported on the status of field usage in the City
‐ Goldberg noted that there was some concern about people parking in the neighborhoods
behind Prospect High School for games.
‐ Soukup asked the AYSO representative, Nagbushan Veerapaneni, if AYSO is happy with current
field use conditions.
‐ Nagbushan Veerapaneni said that AYSO is happy with the current arrangements and wanted to
know if there were any problems or concerns he could report back to AYSO.
‐ The Commission concurred that it appears field use needs are being met.
7. Preparation for Joint Meeting with Saratoga City Council
Issue: The City Council conducts joint meetings with each Saratoga Commission. The PRC is
scheduled to meet with the Council on June 3, 2009.
Action: PRC will select and prepare several discussion items for the joint meeting.
‐ Bruno had suggested asking the Council if the Commission should be pursuing an award that
recognized the City for its efforts to be healthy and active.
‐ Bruno said she felt the purpose of the vision has shifted away from policy and more towards
promoting parks and recreation in Saratoga.
‐ Goldberg agreed that the purpose of the Commission has changed and she sees it as more of a
Commission focused on engaging the community and getting people active and into the parks.
‐ Soukup said that seemed to be good focus for the Commission, since it appears that there is no
need for the Commission to participate in capital projects and policy matters have been
resolved for the most part.
‐ Goldberg proposed adding event planning to the Commission’s focus.
‐ Soukup mentioned that music in the park events have been mentioned and the Commission
might want to plan some music‐related events in the parks.
‐ Bruno suggested proposing this new direction to Council during the Joint Meeting.
‐ Goldberg added that the Commission should be thinking about how it can stimulate enrollment
in Recreation Department programs. Goldberg gave the example of Yoga in the Park, where an
instructor would lead a yoga session in one of the parks and then staff could help people
register for a regular yoga class.
‐ Wilson felt this was a good idea and suggested doing a traveling program – Recreation in Your
Park – to highlight various recreational programs and the parks.
‐ Mark Johnson, member of the public, commented that he felt the Commission should be
concerned with increasing Recreation Department program enrollment. He said that many
residents are unaware of the programs and services available through the City’s Recreation
Department.
‐ Consensus of the group was to present the Commission’s new vision, to serve as a way to
promote parks and recreation through increased marketing and small events, to the Council
during the Joint Meeting.
Agenda Items for Next Meeting
‐ No additional agenda items for the next meeting.
Adjournment – 8:13 p.m.
‐ SOUKUP: MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING
‐ BRUNO: SECOND
‐ APPROVED: 4‐0
Minutes submitted by:
Crystal Morrow, Administrative Analyst II
City of Saratoga – City Manager’s Office
City of Saratoga
Memorandum
To: City of Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission
From: Crystal Morrow, Administrative Analyst II
City of Saratoga
Date: July 14, 2009 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
Subject: North Campus Naming Process
Recommended Action:
Finalize the rules for submission and selection of name proposals, establish a timeline for the
naming process, and develop and assign action items as needed.
Background:
During the May 2009 meeting, Commissioners Goldberg and Soukup were asked by the
Commission to develop a set of rules for submittal and evaluation of North Campus name
proposals. These rules will help guide residents submitting names and the Commission as it
considers submissions.
Rules for submittal include:
‐ Should be less than 5 words
‐ Should meet City’s Naming Policy
‐ Should incorporate the history and/or environment of the site in the proposal
‐ Should include “Saratoga” in the name
Rules for evaluation include:
‐ Commission will evaluate compliance with the City’s Naming Policy
‐ Proposals must have “Saratoga” as part of the proposed name
‐ Proposals should have either a historic or environmental connection with the site
Development of the North Campus Naming Process:
During the September 2008 meeting, the Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) agreed to use
a five step process for renaming the North Campus. The plan included:
- Educating the public about the North Campus
- Seeking proposals from the public
- Reviewing proposals at a PRC meeting
- Selecting the top five proposals
- Presenting the top proposals to the City Council for final decision
In November 2008, Commissioners had the chance to view progress on Fellowship Hall at the
North Campus. Recreation Director Michael Taylor reviewed some of the improvements that
will be part of the Fellowship Hall renovations, including a new kitchen, floor, HVAC system,
lighting, and fully accessible bathrooms.
At the January 2009 Commission meeting, discussion on the naming process continued. The
Commission agreed to accept proposals for two months.
At the following meeting (March 2009), the Commission decided to create a naming proposal
rule committee to determine rules for submittal and evaluation of proposals. Furthermore, the
Commission agreed to develop outreach action items based on the communications strategy
that Commissioner Wilson volunteered to create.
Attachment:
- City of Saratoga Naming Policy
CITY OF SARATOGA
REVIEW OF APPLICATION FOR NAMING OR RENAMING
CITY-OWNED LAND(S) OR FACILITY(IES)
Applicant’s Name:
Mailing Address:
Email: Phone:
Naming/ Renaming Information for City-owned Land or Facility:
Suggested Name:
Location of Site or Facility:
Does this pertain to only a portion of the site or facility? Yes No
If yes, portion suggested for naming/ renaming:
Please indicate which criteria below you feel were met in the application and provide a brief description of how the
application meets this criteria (attach additional sheets if necessary):
For Site(s) or Facility(ies) that DO NOT Currently Have a Name:
Yes No
The name preserves the geographic, environmental (relating to natural or physical features), historic or
landmark connotation of particular significance to the area in which the land or facility is located, or for
the City as a whole.
The land, facility, or the money for its purchase, construction, renovation or maintenance was donated by
the individual, family or organization.
An in-kind contribution or service of major and lasting significance was made to the acquisition of the
land, facility, or the planning, development, construction, renovation or maintenance of a facility.
The name recognizes a benefactor organization, group or business that contributed to the site or facility.
The name recognizes a current or former employee who has: (check at least 3 criteria below)
Made contributions over and above the normal duties required by his/her job;
Had a positive impact on the past and future development of programs or facilities in the City of
Saratoga;
Made significant volunteer contributions to the community outside the scope of his/her job;
Had exceptionally long tenure with the City of Saratoga (i.e. over 25 years);
Significant public support for a memorial to the employee on the occasion of his/her death or
retirement.
For Site(s) or Facilit(ies) that Currently DO Have a Name:
Yes No
The individual, family or organization the applicant would like to name a site or facility after has made
lasting and significant contributions to the protection of natural or cultural resources of the City.
The individual, family or organization the applicant would like to name a site or facility after has made
lasting and significant contributions to the protection of natural or cultural resources of the City.
The individual, family or organization the applicant would like to name a site or facility after has made
substantial contributions to the betterment of a specific facility or park consistent with the established
standards for the facility.
The individual, family or organization the applicant would like to name a site or facility after has made
substantial contributions to the advancement of commensurate types of recreational opportunities within
the City.
Please add comments related to this application.
Reviewer ________________________________________ Date: _____________________
Please Print Name
City of Saratoga
Memorandum
To: City of Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission
From: Crystal Morrow, Administrative Analyst II
City of Saratoga
Date: July 14, 2009 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
Subject: Informational Report on Proposed Installation of a Petanque Court in Azule Park
After Council approved installation of a petanque court in Azule Park, the Parks and Recreation
Commission (PRC) has been asked to make a recommendation on the location of the proposed
court. The City has allocated $20,000 towards installation of a petanque court in Azule Park.
Similar to English lawn bowling or Italian bocce ball, French petanque is usually played on a
hard dirt or gravel surface. The ideal surface is neither too soft nor too hard, allowing the
petanque balls to roll appropriately. Many petanque courts are made of decomposed granite
and have surface similar to a baseball diamond.
Petanque can be played with as little as 2 people or in teams. The goal of the game is to toss a
hollow metal ball, a boule, as close as possible to a smaller target ball called a jack. Players can
also aim to knock the boules of their opponents away from the jack. One point is awarded for
each of the boules of a single team that lies between the jack and the best placed boule of the
opposing team. The first team to reach 13 points wins the game.
While regulation courts are only 13 feet by 50 feet, recreational courts are often built much
larger to accommodate more players. Two sites in the park have been identified as potential
locations. The proposed locations for the petanque court are listed here:
‐ Just east of the tennis court
o Between the tennis court and the paved path that runs through the park
o Dimensions of the court are 30 feet by 80 feet (2400 square feet)
‐ Immediately to the north of the tennis court
o A horseshoe pit is currently located at this site
o Dimensions of the court are 40 feet by 65 feet (2600 square feet)
Attachment:
‐ Resident proposal for size and location of a petanque court in Azule Park
Recommendations for Petanque Area
Size and Location at Azule Park
The regulation size court for petanque tournament play is 13 feet wide by 50 feet long (4
meters by 15 meters) or 650 square feet. However, only 4 to 6 people play on a
tournament court. This is too small for a recreational petanque area.
For family or recreational play, we recommend the petanque area be sized for two large
games. Each game could have as many as 10 players, so each game area should be
roughly equivalent to two regulation sized courts.
This is equivalent to a total area of 2600 square feet. This is our recommended goal for a
petanque area at Azule Park.
Two locations at Azule will accommodate a petanque area very close to this goal with the
least impact to existing park activities. One location is alongside the tennis court. A
court 30 feet wide by 80 feet long (2400 square feet) fits nicely in this area. A par
exercise station and three small trees would have to be relocated.
The second location is the horseshoe pit area. A court 40 feet wide by 65 feet long (2600
square feet) fits in this area if the horseshoe pits and tables are relocated.
We recommend either one of these two locations. (See attached sketch.)
Other park locations are also possible, but might involve removal of existing grass.
We also recommend the following features:
• Terrain: three inches of crushed rock plus three inches of grey decomposed
granite, at grade (not perfectly level but conforming to existing grade)
• 4 x 4 wood-border
• One entry for wheelchair access
• Two benches or tables
• Shade trees
6/
1
9
/
2
0
0
9
Te
n
n
i
s
C
o
u
r
t
Pa
t
h
Tw
o
R
e
c
o
m
m
e
n
d
e
d
L
o
c
a
t
i
o
n
s
fo
r
P
e
t
a
n
q
u
e
C
o
u
r
t
a
t
A
z
u
l
e
P
a
r
k
N
(n
o
t
t
o
s
c
a
l
e
)
Bl
u
e
H
i
l
l
s
S
c
h
o
o
l
P
l
a
y
g
r
o
u
n
d
Pa
r
Pa
r
30
80
H
o
r
s
e
s
h
o
e
s
4
0
6
5
EI
T
H
E
R
OR
City of Saratoga
Memorandum
To: City of Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission
From: Crystal Morrow, Administrative Analyst II
City of Saratoga
Date: July 14, 2009 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
Subject: Recreation Program Enrollment
During the January 2009 Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) meeting, the Commission
agreed to consider opportunities to encourage residents to enroll in the City’s recreation
programs.
As a revenue driven Department, Recreation staff members have developed an extensive
marketing plan (included below) that maximizes the department’s resources. With staff already
performing all of the necessary marketing and outreach functions for the Department,
members of the PRC can play a critical role in encouraging fellow residents to enroll in
Recreation programs by acting as ambassadors of the City’s recreational programs. Below are
some ways in which the Commission can positively impact recreational program enrollment:
‐ Become familiar with the City’s recreation classes
‐ Enroll in City classes
‐ Encourage neighbors to enroll in classes
‐ Promote the City’s recreation classes by hosting informational tables and distributing
Recreation Activity Guides at local events, such as the weekly Saratoga Farmers’ Market
‐ Visit neighborhood association meetings to inform neighbors of Recreation Department
programs
City of Saratoga Recreation Department Marketing Plan
Direct Marketing
• Use RecTrac to see what zip codes use our products—Lynette Elliott
• Mail “highlights” flyer to targeted areas—Lynette Elliott
• eMail broadcast—Adam Henig
• New resident/registration orientation—Lynette Elliott
• New resident information packet (need to develop ‐ need to get info on new residents
from home sales, rental offices, apartment buildings)—Claudia Cauthorn
• New customer information (need to develop)—Lynette Elliott
o Mail out with receipts—Lynette Elliot
o Email with receipts—Lynette Elliot
Advertising/Noticing
• Send information to
o Visitor Convention Bureaus—Lynette Elliot
o Chamber of Commerce—Lynette Elliot
o AAA—Lynette Elliot
o Doctors’ and Dentists’ office—Lynette Elliot, Adam Henig, & Kimberly Saxton‐
Heinrichs
• Add Recreation Department Newsletter to website—Kimberly Saxton‐Heinrichs
• Include diverse cultures in advertising efforts (like ‘India Currents’ or ‘Bay Area Parent’
magazines)—Nina Walker
• Study advertising on bus shelters in Campbell—Nina Walker
• Work with neighborhood associations to disseminate information –Adam Henig
• Develop a contact plan for local large businesses (Netflix, Ebay, Automation Controls,
Killroy, etc.) to inform their personnel of our programs & facilities—Nina Walker
• Work with Saratoga SD to develop downloadable parent packets to promote programs–
Kimberly Saxton‐Heinrichs
• Prepare a video to run on the community access cable channel—Kimberly Saxton‐
Heinrichs
Cross Marketing/Promotional Events
• Cross Marketing between divisions/cities
o Facility rental referrals—Nina Walker
• Market to other cities—Adam Henig & Kimberly Saxton‐Heinrichs
Noticing/Events
• Information available @ downtown events
o Farmer’s Market –Lynette Elliot
o New homeowners—Lynette Elliot
City of Saratoga
Memorandum
To: City of Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission
From: Crystal Morrow, Administrative Analyst II
City of Saratoga
Date: July 14, 2009 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
Subject: Proposed Ordinance Amending the City Code on Park Dedication and Fees
On July 15, 2009, the City Council will consider an ordinance to implement the June 2007
update to the Open Space and Conservation Element of the City’s General Plan to increase
parkland dedications from a ratio of three acres per 1,000 residents to five acres per 1,000
residents. Additional changes to the Code that will ensure it complies with State law are also
being proposed.
In the 2007 update to the Open Space and Conservation Element the City determined that
additional parks, trails, and conservation areas must be developed. To that end, the Element
calls for the dedication of five acres of developed municipal parkland per 1,000 residents in
connection with new subdivision approvals. The Element also notes that this dedication ratio
will help the City to maintain its existing character as a small residential community surrounded
by open spaces.
A parkland dedication ratio of five acres per 1,000 residents is the standard supported by the
National Recreation and Park Association and serves as a common metric used by other
municipalities to ensure there is sufficient parkland.
The existing City Code requires dedications at the ratio of three acres of parkland per 1,000
residents. If dedications in parkland cannot be made, then the City imposes a payment of fees
as a condition of subdivision approvals. Per State law, cities can only require a ratio of five
acres of parkland per 1,000 if the existing ratio is the same or greater. According to a recent
inventory of parks and recreation lands and the 2000 census, Saratoga currently has more than
five acres of parkland per 1,000 residents and is eligible to increase the required parkland
dedication ratio.
Attachment:
‐ City Council Report on the Proposed Ordinance Amending the City Code on Park
Dedication Fees, including a draft of the proposed ordinance and park and recreation
land inventory
SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL
MEETING DATE: July 15, 2009 AGENDA ITEM:
DEPARTMENT: Public Works CITY MANAGER: Dave Anderson
PREPARED BY: Richard Taylor DIRECTOR: John Cherbone
________________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT: Proposed ordinance amending the City Code to revise the requirements for park
dedication and fees and technical amendments to the City’s code provisions to
conform with state law.
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
(1) Open the public hearing and consider all testimony received;
(2) Introduce and waive the first reading of the attached ordinance; and
(3) Direct staff to place the attached ordinance and resolution on the consent calendar
for adoption at the September 2, 2009 City Council meeting.
SUMMARY:
The June 2007 update to the Open Space and Conservation Element of the City’s General Plan
recognized that additional parks, trail and resource conservation areas must be developed,
protected, and preserved in order to retain the identity and natural resources of the City. The
update calls for the dedication of five acres of developed municipal parkland per 1,000 residents.
The current City Code only requires dedications based on a ratio of three acres of parkland for
every 1,000 residents. The attached ordinance (Attachment A) would amend the City Code to
change that ratio to five acres of real property per 1,000 residents. This ordinance also clarifies
provisions of the City Code to ensure it conforms with state law.
DISCUSSION:
Five acres of parkland per 1,000 residents is the standard promulgated by the National
Recreation and Park Association and is a common metric used by other communities in
California to measure adequacy of parkland. The 2007 update to the Open Space and
Conservation Element of the City’s General plan recognized that additional parkland must be
protected and established a goal of five acres of parkland per 1,000 residents. The City’s Parks
and Trails Master Plan also call for five acres per 1,000 residents. This amount of parkland
would allow the City to maintain its existing character as a small town residential community
surrounded by rural and open spaces.
1
2
The City Code currently requires dedications at a ratio of three acres per 1,000 residents. The
City requires the dedication of this amount of land, or imposes a requirement for the payment of
fees, as a condition of subdivision approvals. The dedication ration authorized by state law
depends in part upon the existing ratio of park acreage to population within the City. Cities may
adopt ratios as high as five acres per 1,000 residents only if the existing ratio in the City is at
least as great. As part of the ongoing inventory of City property staff recently completed the
attached inventory of parks and recreation lands (Attachment B). The inventory of City parkland
indicates that Saratoga contains five acres of parkland per 1,000 residents. (The City has 158
acres of parkland and, according to the 2000 census, a population of 28,843 for a ratio of 5.3
acres per 1,000 residents.) Accordingly the City is authorized by state law to require dedications
at a ratio of 5 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents.
ALTERNATIVES:
The City could adopt a figure other than five acres per 1,000 residents. However, State law
prohibits the City from requiring more than five acres per 1,000. If the City wanted to adopt a
lower figure it would need to amend the General Plan accordingly.
FISCAL IMPACTS: The ordinance will allow the City to acquire and develop park and
recreation lands to meet the needs of new residents to Saratoga.
ADVERTISING, NOTICING AND PUBLIC CONTACT:
This matter was noticed at the time the agenda was posted.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A – Proposed Ordinance
Attachment B – Park and Recreation Land Inventory
ORDINANCE NO. __________
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SARATOGA MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING PARK
AND RECREATION DEDICATIONS AND FEES
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Findings
A. The City of Saratoga recognizes the importance of adequate opportunities for
access to recreation and open space for all residents.
B. The Open Space and Conservation Element of the City’s General Plan, updated in
June, 2007, calls for the City to attain a goal of five acres of developed municipal
parkland per 1,000 residents. This number is based on the National Recreation
and Park Associate standard and is a common metric used by other communities
in California to measure adequacy of parkland.
C. The City’s Parks and Trails Master Plan, in order to meet the needs of the
residents of Saratoga, sets a goal of providing five acres of local parkland for each
1,000 residents of the City.
D. The existing City Code requires that only three acres of real property for each
1,000 persons residing within the City be devoted to park and recreational
purposes.
E. It is the intent of the City Council to update the City Code to conform to the
General Plan and Parks and Trails Master Plan and to make various other
technical amendments to the City’s code provisions governing park and recreation
dedication and fees.
SECTION 2. Adoption.
A. Section 14-25.080 of the Saratoga City Code is hereby amended by adding the
text shown in bold double-underlined-italics (example) and deleting the text
shown in strikeout (example) in Attachment A.
SECTION 3. California Environmental Quality Act.
Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), this action is exempt under 14
California Code of Regulations (“CEQA Guidelines”) section 15061(b)(3) (the amendments are
exempt because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in
question may have a significant effect on the environment).
SECTION 4. Severance Clause.
The City Council declares that each section, sub-section, paragraph, sub-paragraph, sentence,
clause and phrase of this ordinance is severable and independent of every other section, sub-
1
2
section, sentence, clause and phrase of this ordinance. If any section, sub-section, paragraph,
sub-paragraph, sentence, clause and phrase are 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 5. Publication.
This ordinance or a comprehensive summary thereof shall be published 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 15th day of July, 2009, and was adopted by the following vote
following a second reading on the _____ day of ___________________________, 2009:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
SIGNED:
__________________________________ __
CHUCK PAGE
MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA
Saratoga, California
ATTEST:
__________________________________
ANN SULLIVAN
CLERK OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA
Saratoga, California
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________________________________
RICHARD TAYLOR, CITY ATTORNEY
Attachment A
14-25.080 Park and recreation dedication and fees.
(a) Purpose, application and exemptions. As a condition of each final map approval, and to be
detailed in the conditions of tentative map, every subdivider or owner shall be required to, and
shall dedicate a portion of land or pay a fee in lieu thereof, or a combination of both at the option
of the City, for the purpose of providing park or recreational facilities reasonably related to
serving the development and in accord with the standards and provisions as hereafter set forth.
The provisions of this Section are enacted pursuant to Section 66477 of the Government Code
and are hereby found to be in accord with the recreational element Open Space and
Conservation Element of the General Plan. The requirements of this Section shall not apply to
any of the following:
(1) Subdivisions or sites or portions thereof for commercial or industrial uses.
(2) Subdivisions containing less than five parcels lots and not used for residential
purposes. However, in that event, it shall automatically be a condition of approval of a
parcel or tentative map tentative approval of any such subdivision that if a building
permit is requested for construction of a residential structure or structures on one or more
of such lots parcels within four years from the date of recording the final map, the fee in
lieu of dedication, as prescribed in this Section, shall be paid by the owner of each such
lot as a condition to the issuance of the building permit.
(3) Any condominium project or stock cooperatives that which consists of in the
subdivision of air space of an existing multi-unit structure apartment building which is
more than five years old, where when no new dwelling units are added thereto.
(4) Such other exceptions as may hereafter be added to the Map Act.
(b) Standards and formula for land dedication. It is hereby found and determined that the public
interest, convenience, health, welfare and safety require that three five acres of real property for
each one thousand persons residing within the City be devoted to park and recreational purposes.
Where a park or recreational facility has been designated in the Open Space and Conservation
Element recreational element of the General Plan or has been otherwise designated by the City
Council and is has been proposed to be located in whole or in part within the proposed
subdivision to serve the immediate or future needs of the residents of such subdivision, the
subdivider shall dedicate land within the area of such subdivision for a local park use. consistent
with said recreational element. The amount of land (expressed in acreage) required to be
dedicated shall be based upon the average number of persons per household, based upon the
most recent available federal census, divided by 333.33200 (the quotient of one thousand persons
per three five acres).
(c) Fees in lieu of land dedication. In the event there is no park or recreational facility
designated as described in subsection (b), above, in the recreational element of the General Plan
to be located in whole or in part within the proposed subdivision or site, or in the event that the
proposed subdivision contains fifty or less lots or parcels, then the subdivider or owner shall pay
1
a fee to the City in lieu of dedicating land, which shall be in an amount equal to the fair market
value of the amount of land which would otherwise be required to be dedicated pursuant to
Paragraph (b) of this Section. If a condominium project, stock cooperative, or community
apartment project (as defined in California. Civil Code § 1351) exceeds fifty dwelling units,
dedication of land may be required notwithstanding that the number of parcels may be less
than fifty. "Fair market value", as used herein, shall be product of (1) the estimated cost of
parkland in Saratoga as determined by the City Council and (2) the amount of land that would
be required to be dedicated pursuant to subsection (b), above.either the average estimated fair
market value for all residentially zoned real property located in the City, or the fair market value
of the land in the subdivision or site, based upon its then assessed value modified to equal market
value in accord with the current practices of the County assessor and as determined by the,
Community Development Director whichever shall be the greater.
(d) Use of land dedications and fees. The land, fees or combination thereof are to be used
only for the purpose of developing new or rehabilitating existing neighborhood or community
park or recreational facilities to serve the subdivision. All fees collected under this section
shall be committed within five years after the payment of the fees or the issuance of building
permits on one-half of the lots created by the subdivision, whichever occurs later. If the fees
are not committed, they, without any deductions, shall be distributed and paid to the then
record owners of the subdivision in the same proportion that the size of their lots bears to the
total area of all lots within the subdivision. All fees collected under this sSection shall be used
only for the purpose of providing park or recreational facilities reasonably related to serving the
subdivision or site by way of purchase of necessary land or, in the event sufficient land is
available, for improving of such land for park and recreational purposes, or both. Interest earned
on the accumulated fees may be used for the maintenance of any existing parks in the City, so
long as such use is permitted under the Map Act.
(e) Requirement of both dedication and fees. Both dedication of a portion of land, together with
the payment of fees may be required to be in accord with the following criteria:
(1) Where only a portion of the land to be subdivided or developed is proposed in
the recreation element Open Space and Conservation Element of the General Plan or
otherwise by the City Council as a site for a local park or recreational area, such portion
shall be dedicated for local park purposes and a fee computed pursuant to Paragraph (c)
of this Section shall be paid for any additional land that would have been required to be
dedicated pursuant to Paragraph subsection (b), above of this Section.
(2) Where a major part of the local park or recreational area has already been acquired
by the City and only a portion of land is needed from the subdivision or building site to
complete such park, such remaining portion shall be dedicated and a fee computed as
hereinabove set forth shall be paid in an amount equal to the value of the land which
would otherwise have been required to be dedicated for the balance thereof.
(f) Property not included in General Plan. Where the proposed subdivision lies within an area
to be annexed to the City urban service area not yet shown and delineated on the General Plan of
the City, by reason of it not having been a part of the City at the time of the adoption of the
General Plan, but intended to be included within the General Plan, the subdivider or owner shall
dedicate land, or pay a fee in lieu thereof, or both, in accord with the adopted park and
2
3
recreational policies and standards of the General Plan and the provisions of this sSection, and
whether land dedication, or fee in lieu thereof, or a combination of both shall be required as
determined by the approving authority.,
shall be determined upon consideration of the following:
(1) Recreational element of the General Plan.
(2) Topography, geology, access and location of land in the subdivision or site available for
dedication.
(3) Size and shape of the subdivision or site and land available for dedication.
(4) Feasibility of dedication, and compatibility with the recreational element of the General
Plan.
(g) Credit for private open space. Where a private open space for park and recreational purposes
is provided in a proposed common interest development (as defined by California. Civil Code §
1351) subdivision or site and such space is to be privately owned and maintained by future
residents of the development, a credit not to exceed fifty percent may be given against the
requirement of dedication for park and recreation purposes or payment of fees in lieu thereof,
provided the City Council finds that it is in the public interest to do so, and that the following
standards are met:
(1) That yards, court areas, setbacks and other open areas required to be maintained by
the zoning and building regulations shall not be included in the computation of such
private open space; and
(2) That the private ownership and maintenance of the open space is adequately
provided for by written agreement, conveyance or restrictions; and
(3) That the use of the private open space is restricted for park and recreational purposes
by recorded covenants which run with the land in favor of the future owners of property
within the subdivision or site and which cannot be defeated or eliminated without the
consent of the City Council; and
(4) That the proposed private open space is reasonably adaptable for use for park and
recreational purposes, taking into consideration such factors as size, shape, topography,
geology, access and location of the private open space land; and
(5) That facilities proposed for the open space are in substantial accordance with the
provisions of the recreational element of the General Plan and are approved by the City
Council.
(h) Amendment to Map Act. In the event the Map Act should in the future be amended to
expand or change the permitted uses of land dedicated or in lieu fees laid under this Section, such
purposes shall control and the limitations set forth in this Section to the extent they are
inconsistent with the amended Map Act, shall no longer have any force or effect.
P:\SARATOGA\RESOLUTI\Quimby Act Update\Revised Park Fee Ordinance (Draft 07-08-09).doc
City of Saratoga
Parks and Recreation Lands Inventory
July 9, 2009
City Parks
Area
(acres)
Beauchamps Park 2.37
Azule Park 4.13
Kevin Moran Park 10.29
Congress Springs Park 9.66
Brookglen Park 0.72
El Quito Park 6.64
Gardiner Park 1.91
Foothill Park 0.89
Wildwood Park 3.77
Historical Park 0.98
Hakone Gardens 16.06
Ravenwood Park 0.46
Heritage Orchard 17.00
St. Marcos Open Space 9.43
Blaney Plaza 0.10
Saratoga Heights Open Space (lower
parcel) 31.11
Saratoga Heights Open Space (upper
parcel) 8.73
Total Parks (acres) 124.25
Trails
(Developed and Undeveloped) 33.90
Parks & Trails Total 158.15