HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-10-2012 Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes
City of Saratoga
Parks and Recreation Commission
MEETING MINUTES
DATE: Tuesday, January 10, 2012
TIME: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Saratoga Community Center
Arts and Crafts Room
19655 Allendale Avenue
Saratoga, CA 95070
Call to Order – 6:36 p.m.
Roll Call
Present: Bruno, Johnson, Soukup, Ward, Zak
Absent: None
Staff: Morrow
Report on Posting of the Agenda: Morrow reported that pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2, the
meeting was properly posted January 4, 2012.
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 or written communications
Approval of Draft Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) Minutes:
- November 8, 2011
- JOHNSON/BRUNO MOVED TO ACCEPT THE NOVEMBER 8, 2011 MINUTES. MOTION PASSED 4-0-1 WITH
WARD ABSENT.
Old Business:
1. Let’s Walk Saratoga
Issue: In February 2011, the City Council approved a resolution to become a Let’s Move City. In July, the
Let’s Move City Ad Hoc prepared a draft Let’s Move City plan that was approved by the Council
at the August 17, 2011 City Council meeting. The draft plan includes direction to the PRC to
organize a program or activity that encourages physical activity. The Commission discussed this
Council directive at the September 2011 and November 2011 meetings. During the November
meeting, the PRC voted to move forward with Let’s Walk Saratoga and formed a subcommittee
to work on the project.
Action: Hear progress report from Let’s Walk Saratoga subcommittee and continue coordination of Let’s
Walk Saratoga.
- Bruno introduced the item and provided an update on the Let’s Walk Saratoga subcommittee’s
progress. The subcommittee plans to coordinate 4 walks per year starting in May 2012, to highlight
walking routes in the City, educate residents about the benefits of walking, and working Saratoga High
School Media Arts Program students to prepare videos on walking routes and health benefits of walking.
- Bruno and Zak sought feedback from the Commission on locations of guided walks. The Commission
agreed upon Joe’s Trail at Saratoga DeAnza, the Tank Trail, and Villa Montalvo. The fourth walk will take
place at Sanborn or Fremont Older Space, depending on the season of the walk.
- Bruno and Zak indicated an interest in presenting information on Let’s Walk Saratoga at an upcoming
Council meeting.
2. Nesting Box Project
Issue: In early 2011, the PRC and Audubon Society worked together to place nesting boxes in the City’s
parks and open spaces for Saratoga cavity nesting birds and train volunteers to monitor the
boxes. Training for volunteers is scheduled for January 2012.
Action: Share an update on the project and continue coordination for the next nesting season.
- Johnson updated the Commission on the status of the Nesting Box Project and said an update following
volunteer training would be provided at the March meeting.
3. Daffodil Planting Project
Issue: At the May 2011 meeting, the PRC discussed a daffodil bulb planting project that took place in
Kevin Moran Park and decided to discuss the possibility of coordinating a daffodil bulb planting
at a future meeting. The project was further discussed at the September and November
meetings. At the November meeting, a subcommittee was formed to lead the daffodil planting.
Action: Hear update from daffodil planting subcommittee and continue coordination of project.
- Zak provided an update on the progress of the subcommittee and suggested that the Commission wait
until the fall to conduct the planting.
- The Commission agreed to postpone planting until fall and scheduled an update on the project for the
May meeting.
4. Saratoga Monte Sereno Community Foundation and City of Monte Sereno Recognition
Issue: At the September 2011 and November 2011 PRC meetings, the Commission agreed to schedule
discussion on how to recognize the Saratoga Monte Sereno Community Foundation and the City
of Monte Sereno. During the November meeting, the PRC authorized Vice Chair Johnson to draft
letters of recognition for both organizations and present the letters to the Mayor for signing.
Action: Hear status of Saratoga Monte Sereno Community Foundation and the City of Monte Sereno
recognition letters.
- Johnson presented a letter to the Mayor requesting recognition of the Saratoga Monte Sereno
Community Foundation and City of Monte Sereno.
- Commissioners signed the letter and directed Morrow to give the letter to the Mayor.
New Business
5. PRC Work Plan
Issue: At the November 2011 meeting, the Commission scheduled discussion on the PRC’s work plan.
Action: Review and update PRC work plan.
- Morrow introduced the item and asked for Commission updates to the work plan.
- Soukup suggested that Let’s Walk Saratoga and the daffodil planting project be added.
- Johnson requested that planning for the Village Creek Trail and Quarry property be added to the work
plan.
- Johnson also recommended that the PRC add a project to place distance markers on trails and park
pathways.
- ZAK/WARD MOVED TO FORM WORK PLAN SUBCOMMITTEE, COMPRISED WARD AND SOUKUP, TO
UPDATE AND FINALIZE THE 2012 PRC WORK PLAN. MOTION PASSED 5-0-0.
6. City Budget Input
Issue: Every year, the City Council adopts the annual budget in June. In the past, the PRC has indicated
an interest in providing budget recommendations to the Council. Consequently, this item has
been added to the agenda to provide the PRC with the opportunity to formulate
recommendations.
Action: Discuss budget recommendations.
- Morrow introduced the item.
- The Commission discussed recommended additions to the capital budget, including
o Resurfacing Beauchamps Park tennis/basketball court
o Addition of distance markers on City trails and along park pathways
o Addition of signage of trail and park maps with distance information to trails and parks
o Installation of kiosks in parks where City information can be displayed
- Soukup asked Commissioners to visit their assigned parks to identify potential capital improvements and
to send Morrow proposed projects before the March meeting.
7. Commissioner Training
Issue: At the November 2011 meeting, the Commission scheduled a presentation for the January 2012
meeting on the Brown Act, Fair Political Practices Commission, and other topics relevant to
Commissioners.
Action: Informational only, no action required.
- Morrow provided a brief presentation on the Brown Act, Fair Political Practices Commission, and
Commission obligations.
Commissioner & Staff Reports (This includes committee updates and park reports. This section is informational
only; no actions will be taken.)
- Johnson reported that Bellgrove is in excellent shape, as is Congress Springs and El Quito Parks. Johnson
noted that it appears that there was some sort of vine in place on the wall at Congress Springs Park that
runs along Highway 85 and suggested that the area be replanted with another vine. Some of the
planting beds at El Quito have not survived recent freezes in past few months at El Quito Park.
Additionally, some of the bender boards in the park have popped up.
- Bruno reported that construction near the Calabazas Picnic Area is almost complete. Blaney Plaza looks
really good, as does the Heritage Orchard.
- Zak shared that Kevin Moran Park looks beautiful and observed that there were some dogs off leash in
the park. Foothill Park looks good, but it appears that someone drove a vehicle over the turf. The
electronic gates on 4th Street at Wildwood Park are in, but not active.
- Ward reported that Brookglen Park is in excellent shape, but water was collecting on the basketball
court. Azule Park is in good shape.
- Soukup shared that Beauchamps is in good shape, aside from the court. Ravenwood Park is in good
condition, as is Gardner Park.
Agenda Items for Next Meeting
- March 13, 2012
o Let’s Walk Saratoga
o Nesting Box Project Update
o Work Plan
o Budget Recommendations
o City Council Joint Meeting Agenda
o Movie in the Park
o Arbor Day
o Selection of New Chair and Vice Chair
o Community Outreach
Adjournment – 8:39 p.m.
Minutes submitted by:
Crystal Morrow, City Clerk