HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-12-2010 PRC Agenda Packet
City of Saratoga
Parks and Recreation Commission
AGENDA
DATE: Tuesday, January 12, 2010
TIME: 6:00 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 January 6, 2010.
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.
Approval of Draft Minutes: Draft Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) Minutes for the November 10,
2009 meeting.
Staff Reports: (This section is informational only; no actions will be taken.)
Old Business:
1. Arbor Day Planning with the Youth Commission
Issue: During the PRC’s meeting with Youth Commission representatives in November 2009, the
two groups indicated an interest in working together to coordinate the City’s 2010 Arbor
Day event. The Youth Commission subcommittee will be returning to further develop
event plans.
Action: PRC will discuss event plans and work with the Youth Commission Subcommittee to
plant the 2010 Arbor Day event.
2. Tree Planting Opportunities
Issue: At the November 2009 PRC Meeting, Commissioners began identify locations to plant
trees on public property. The Commission agreed to finalize the list of recommended
locations at the January 2010 meeting.
Action: PRC will share potential tree planting locations with staff.
3. Celebrate Nature Work Items
Issue: At the November 2009 PRC Meeting, the Commission selected three primary focus areas
for its work plan and titled these focus areas Celebrate Nature, Green City USA, and One
Saratoga. The Commission then agreed to schedule each of these focus areas for the
January 2010 meeting so that work items for each area could be developed.
Action: Identify, schedule, and assign responsibility for work items under Celebrate Nature.
4. Green City USA Work Items
Issue: At the November 2009 PRC Meeting, the Commission selected three primary focus areas
for its work plan and titled these focus areas Celebrate Nature, Green City USA, and One
Saratoga. The Commission then agreed to schedule each of these focus areas for the
January 2010 meeting so that work items for each area could be developed.
Action: Identify, schedule, and assign responsibility for work items under Green City USA.
5. One Saratoga Work Items
Issue: At the November 2009 PRC Meeting, the Commission selected three primary focus areas
for its work plan and titled these focus areas Celebrate Nature, Green City USA, and One
Saratoga. The Commission then agreed to schedule each of these focus areas for the
January 2010 meeting so that work items for each area could be developed.
Action: Identify, schedule, and assign responsibility for work items under One Saratoga.
New Business:
6. Audubon Society Presentation
Issue: A representative from the Audubon Society will be providing a presentation on the
Audubon Society and nesting boxes. This item is scheduled to be heard at 7:00 p.m.
Action: Informational only, no action necessary.
Commissioner Announcements and Reports (including Park Reports)
Agenda Items for Next Meeting
‐ March 9, 2010
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 January 6, 2010 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, November 10, 2009
TIME: 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Saratoga City Hall
Warner Hutton House
13777 Fruitvale Avenue
Saratoga, CA 95070
Call to Order – 6:02 p.m.
Roll Call
Present: Bruno, Goldberg, Johnson, Soukup, Wilson
Council: Hunter
Youth Commission: Sammy Rao, Kia Fariba, Natasha Moran‐Pitts, Ali Wilson
Staff: Henig, Morrow
Report on Posting of the Agenda: Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2, this meeting was properly
posted on November 6, 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.
‐ No oral communications
Commissioner Announcements
‐ No announcements
Approval of Draft Minutes: Draft Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) Minutes for the September 8, 2009
meeting.
‐ Goldberg asked that the vote on Item 1, Azule Park—Petanque Court Location, be revised to 4‐0 since
Soukup recused himself from discussion on the item.
‐ SOUKUP: MOVED TO ACCEPT MINUTES AS AMENDED
‐ GOLDBERG: SECOND
‐ APPROVED: 5‐0
Staff Reports: (This section is informational only; no actions will be taken.)
1. Crystal Morrow, Staff Liaison
‐ Morrow shared with the PRC that the North Campus Open House was held on October 23, 2009 and
provided updates from Interim Recreation and Facilities Director, Claudia Cauthorn.
Old Business:
1. Partnership Opportunities with the Youth Commission
Issue: In March 2009, the PRC held a joint meeting with the Youth Commission to discuss opportunities to
collaborate. Two members of the Youth Commission will be attending the November meeting to
further discuss partnership ideas.
Action: PRC will discuss partnership opportunities with the Youth Commission representatives and
schedule future agenda items if necessary.
‐ Fariba introduced himself and the other Youth Commissioners, indicating that the Youth Commission
formed a subcommittee to work with the PRC to develop a joint project. The Youth Commission is
particularly interested in helping with Arbor Day.
‐ Goldberg said she thought it would be a good idea to work with the Youth Commission on an Arbor Day or
Arbor Day/Earth Day event. She suggested the Youth Commission start identifying dates that would work
for the event.
‐ Goldberg volunteered to attend the December Youth Commission Meeting to keep momentum on the
collaborative project moving forward.
2. Tree Planting Opportunities
Issue: At the September 2009 PRC Meeting, Commissioners agreed to identify locations to plant trees on
public property and report back at the November 2009 meeting.
Action: PRC will share potential tree planting locations with staff.
‐ Goldberg indicated that she invited Councilmember Hunter to attend the November PRC meeting,
because the Council recently approved the Saratoga Heritage Tree Society’s idea to plant 2015 trees by
2015.
‐ Hunter shared the history of the Heritage Tree Society of Saratoga and added that the 2015 by 2015
program won’t cost the City anything, the Heritage Tree Society simply wants to track the number of trees
planted.
‐ Goldberg said she hoped the PRC will find a way to be involved in the 2015 by 2015 program.
‐ Hunter suggested the PRC lead an effort to put markers on trees in the parks to indicate the name of the
trees. The PRC may also want to consider creating hummingbird gardens, butterfly gardens, or bat
houses.
‐ Goldberg asked for tree planting locations that could be presented to Public Works Director John
Cherbone. Goldberg listed locations discussed by the PRC:
o Fruitvale Avenue
o Joe’s Trail
o Congress Springs Park
o Along Glen Brae Drive
o North Campus
o Christa McAuliffe School boundary
o Beauchamps Park
o Azule Park
o Greenbrier Homeowners Association entrance at Cox Avenue and Seagull
o Highway 85 corridor
o Tank Trail
o Lawrence Expressway where it meets Quito Road
‐ Goldberg said she would take the list of potential tree planting locations to the Pedestrian, Equestrian,
and Bicycle Trails Advisory Committee to see if they could add to the list and would then present the list
to John Cherbone.
‐ Johnson said he would create a Google map of the locations and share the map with the PRC
‐ Soukup suggested inviting a speaker from a local chapter of the Audubon Society to a future meeting to
share information about constructing bird and bat houses, where to place bird and bat houses, and what
animals would be attracted to particular types of bird or bat houses. Soukup said he would try to find
additional information.
‐ Johnson suggested developing a tree vision for the City to ensure that trees are thoughtfully planted and
there is sufficient diversity among the City’s trees.
‐ Goldberg indicated she would work this suggestion into the suggested tree planting locations.
3. North Campus Name Contest
Issue: At the direction of the City Council, the PRC has been leading an effort to involve the community to
rename the North Campus. The PRC collected suggested names through a contest that was held
from September to October.
Action: PRC will review proposed names and select the top five recommendations to be presented to the
City Council for decision during the November 18, 2009 City Council Meeting.
‐ Goldberg shared that she was delighted the Commission received so many suggestions.
‐ Following Bruno’s suggestion, each Commissioner picked their 5 favorite names. Names that received
less than one vote were eliminated from consideration. The Commissioners then selected their top three
names and selected the 5 names that received the most votes.
‐ The suggested names:
o Prospect Park Saratoga
o Saratoga Grace Campus
o Saratoga North Community Center
o Saratoga Prospect Campus
o Saratoga Prospect Park
New Business:
4. Work Plan Update
Issue: During the last PRC meeting, Commissioners agreed to identify potential awards or events for the
Commission to add to its work plan.
Action: Discuss the PRC’s schedule for the next year and events, awards, or other items the Commission
has an interest in pursuing and add these items to the PRC work plan.
‐ BRUNO: MOVED TO RESCHEDULE THE JULY MEETING TO JUNE 22
‐ SOUKUP: SECOND
‐ APPROVED: 5‐0
‐ Bruno suggested that the PRC should be more focused on developing subcommittees that are action
oriented.
‐ Wilson agreed and recommended that the PRC think about what subcommittees need to be formed to
accomplish the PRC’s work plan.
‐ Goldberg and Wilson volunteered to form a Youth Commission subcommittee to work with the Youth
Commission and help coordinate the Arbor Day event. The committee will report back at the next
meeting.
‐ Goldberg said she felt it would be appropriate to bring the tree planting list back in January to add
additional information, such as tree type.
‐ Goldberg added that she would like the PRC to identify one to two events to support and themes to guide
the Commission’s efforts. These themes might include:
o Celebrating Nature
o Supporting the Green City
o Building Community
‐ Wilson agreed that structuring the work plan based on themes, such as Celebrate Nature, Green City USA,
and One Saratoga, would be a good way to keep the Commission focused.
‐ Bruno suggested that each Commissioner identify 1‐2 work items that fit within one of the 3 categories.
‐ Goldberg asked that each Commissioner get additional information about each of the ideas to discuss the
work plan at the January meeting and develop clearer plans.
o Goldberg volunteered to pursue the tree plan.
o Goldberg and Wilson volunteered for the Youth Commission Subcommittee.
o Soukup volunteered to check with Lynbrook High School and Miller Middle School to see if they
would be interested in participating in a music in the park type event.
o Bruno said she would speak with Saratoga High School and Redwood Middle School about a
music in the park event.
o Johnson offered to talk to Prospect High School about participating in a music in the park event.
o Wilson offered to research what other cities are doing related to being green and/or health
related goals.
o Johnson and Soukup agreed to find out if there is a local chapter of the Audubon Society that the
PRC can partner with.
o Goldberg said she would research lectures the PRC may be able to host.
‐ Goldberg asked that each of the three work plan categories, Celebrate Nature, Green City USA, and One
Saratoga, be discussed as separate items at the January meeting to allow the Commission to develop
plans for each category.
Commissioner Reports (including Park Reports)
‐ Bruno reported that she went to her 3 park assignments and indicated that they are in good condition.
‐ Soukup reported that the tennis court and basketball courts at Beauchamps Park could use a new surface.
He added that the park rules/hours sign at Ravenwood is faded.
‐ Wilson shared that both Congress Springs and the Orchard are very nice, but Congress Springs would
benefit from some additional trees.
‐ Goldberg indicated that as she was walking through Azule Park she noticed that the park did not have a
sign indicating the park rules, as Kevin Moran Park has.
‐ Johnson note that at Bellgrove Park there are some benches and picnic tables that need some attention
and trees that may need to be replaced. At El Quito there is some graffiti, unused soccer nets, and trees
that may need to be replaced. At Wildwood there was also graffiti and a couple of electrical issues.
Agenda Items for Next Meeting
‐ Tree planting locations
‐ Arbor Day
‐ Work Plan Category Celebrate Nature
‐ Work Plan Category Green City USA
‐ Work Plan Category One Saratoga
Adjournment – 9:15 p.m.
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: January 12, 2010 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
Subject: Arbor Day Planning with the Youth Commission
In March 2009, the Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) held a joint meeting with the Youth
Commission. During the meeting, the two Commissions discussed ways in which they could
work together. Some of the ideas developed during the March 2009 joint meeting included
finding ways to encourage youth to use Saratoga parks, collaboration on the City’s annual Arbor
Day event, and identifying ways in which to incorporate parks in the education of local
students.
Representatives from the Youth Commission attended the November 10, 2009 Parks and
Recreation Commission Meeting to further discuss partnership opportunities. The two groups
indicated an interest in working together to plan the City’s 2010 Arbor Day event and the Youth
Commission subcommittee will be attending the January PRC meeting to further develop event
plans.
As a Tree City USA, Saratoga is required to hold an Arbor Day celebration each year. Additional
information about Arbor Day can be found on the Arbor Day Foundation’s website at
http://www.arborday.org/arborday/.
City of Saratoga
Memorandum
To: City of Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission
From: Crystal Morrow, Administrative Analyst II
City of Saratoga
Date: January 12, 2010 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
Subject: Tree Planting Opportunities
At the September 2009 Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) Meeting, Commissioners
decided to identify locations on City property where trees could be planted. Commissioners
then brainstormed potential locations during the November 10, 2009 Parks and Recreation
Commission Meeting and agreed to finalize a list of recommended planting locations at the
January 2010 meeting.
Locations discussed at the November 2009 meeting included:
‐ Fruitvale Avenue
‐ Joe’s Trail
‐ Congress Springs Park
‐ Along Glen Brae Drive
‐ North Campus
‐ Christa McAuliffe School boundary
‐ Beauchamps Park
‐ Azule Park
‐ Greenbrier Homeowners Association entrance at Cox Avenue and Seagull
‐ Highway 85 corridor
‐ Tank Trail
‐ Lawrence Expressway where it meets Quito Road