HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-08-2011 Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes
City of Saratoga
Parks and Recreation Commission
MINUTES
DATE: Tuesday, March 8, 2011
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 – 6:36 p.m.
Roll Call
Present: Bruno, Goldberg, Johnson, Soukup, Wilson
Absent: None
Staff: Taylor, Morrow
Report on Posting of the Agenda: Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2, this meeting was properly
posted March 2, 2011.
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 communications from the public
Approval of Draft Minutes: Draft Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) Minutes for the January 11, 2011
meeting.
‐ SOUKUP: MOVED TO ACCEPT MEETING MINUTES WITH CHANGES TO ITEM 4 TO ADD THAT THE
MEETING WITH THE VILLAGE MERCHANT GROUP, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, AND SARATOGA‐MONTE
SERENO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION TOOK PLACE IN FEBRUARY.
‐ VITA: SECOND
‐ APPROVED: 4‐0‐1 WITH GOLDBERG ABSTAINING
Old Business:
1. Arbor Day
Issue: At the November 2010 meeting, the PRC met with a Youth Commission subcommittee to discuss
opportunities to support the City’s annual Arbor Day event. Since then a PRC subcommittee,
including Commissioners Bruno and Wilson, has been working with the Youth Commission to
coordinate activities for Arbor Day.
Action: Continue Arbor Day coordination.
‐ Morrow gave an update on the event, including the date, time, and location of the event.
‐ The Commission discussed the event and offered speaker recommendations.
2. Nesting Box Project
Issue: At the July 28, 2010 meeting, the Parks and Recreation Commission met with a representative of
the Audubon Society to identify nesting box locations in Saratoga. Locations for the nesting
boxes have been identified. Volunteer training was held on January 22, 2011 and placement of
the nesting boxes was planned for February.
Action: Share an update on the project and continue any necessary project coordination.
‐ Johnson reported that volunteer training was done on January 22, 2011. A total of 11 volunteers
attended, along with 2 trainers. Volunteers placed the nesting boxes in February; 5 were located in the
San Marcos Open Space, 5 were placed in Kevin Moran Park, 3 added to Azule Park, and 5 added near
the Heritage Orchard and Wildcat Creek. Birds are now starting to move into the nesting boxes.
‐ Soukup requested an update on use of the nesting boxes at the end of the nesting season.
‐ Johnson said that a report on use of the nesting boxes would be available, since volunteers track use of
the boxes.
‐ Soukup suggested that the Commission work with the Saratoga News to publish an update on the
nesting boxes at the end of the nesting season.
‐ Johnson added that he would like to see this project grow and asked that the Commission revisit the
project at the August meeting to review the results of the first nesting season and discuss the project’s
future.
3. Wildwood Cinema Movie Night
Issue: In accordance with City Council direction given at the July 7, 2010 City Council meeting, the PRC
has been preparing a guide on how to organize Wildwood Cinema Movie Night and has been
looking for an organization or group to coordinate the event in the future. Commissioner Wilson
has been leading this effort.
Action: Finalize guide for Wildwood Cinema Movie Night and identify an organization(s) to manage
Wildwood Cinema Movie Night events.
‐ Wilson reported that he met with the Saratoga‐Monte Sereno Community Foundation and the group is
very interested in taking over Wildwood Cinema Movie Night. He will be meeting with the group again
to discuss transferring the event to the Saratoga‐Monte Sereno Community Foundation.
4. Wildwood Park Creek Habitat Restoration Update
Issue: During recent PRC meetings, the Commission discussed opportunities to restore the natural
habitat of Saratoga Creek in Wildwood Park. The PRC indicated an interest in removing concrete
slabs located in the creek. During the January 2011 meeting, staff agreed to research available
grant opportunities for the project and will be presenting an update at the March meeting.
Action: Review and discuss information collected by staff.
‐ Morrow shared information about grant funding through the Santa Clara Valley Water District.
‐ Johnson emphasized that the project should be focused on fully restoring the creek, not just removing
concrete slabs in Saratoga Creek.
‐ Goldberg noted that the Pedestrian, Equestrian, and Bicycle Trails Advisory Committee (PEBTAC) is
working on developing trails along Saratoga Creek and helped prepare the Water District grant
applications submitted in March 2011. Goldberg indicated that the project could be passed on to the
PEBTAC, since the group is familiar with the creek.
‐ The Commission asked if the Saratoga Creek improvements could be included in existing grant
applications. Morrow said she did not think the improvements could be fully incorporated in the current
applications.
‐ Goldberg added that she felt the PEBTAC would enjoy working with the PRC on the project and
suggested that the two groups discuss the possibility of working together on the project during the May
meeting.
‐ Goldberg PEBTAC is going to be at the Joint Meeting, could have trails people give input. Trails
committee loves working with PRC.
‐ The Commission agreed to invite the PEBTAC to attend the beginning of the May PRC meeting to discuss
the possibility of working together to develop a project scope to discuss with the Council at the joint
meeting in May.
5. Ravenwood Park Playground Equipment Design Modification
Issue: Due to budgetary and accessibility concerns, the design of the Ravenwood Park playground
equipment must be slightly modified. Proposed changes will be presented at the March meeting
for the PRC to review.
Action: Review and approve design modifications.
‐ Morrow presented design
‐ BRUNO: MOVED TO APPROVE DESIGN MODIFICATION
‐ GOLDBERG SECOND
‐ APPROVED: 5‐0‐0
New Business:
1. Alcohol in City Parks and Facilities
Issue: At the City Council Retreat on January 28, 2011, Council asked that the PRC review the City’s
policies related to alcohol in City parks and facilities and return with a recommended action.
Action: Review the different City policies regulating use of alcohol in parks and facilities and prepare a
recommendation for the City Council.
‐ Taylor presented a report on inconsistencies in the City Code regarding alcohol use in parks. Taylor
indicated that there are discrepancies in the Code regarding the size of a group and alcohol use permits.
Taylor expressed a need for consistency and requested that the Commission provide a recommendation
for the City Council.
‐ The Commission discussed inconsistencies in the Code regarding definitions of a group, requirements for
alcohol use permits, and how to streamline the City’s regulation of alcohol use in parks.
‐ GOLDBERG: MOVED THAT THE PRC RECOMMEND THAT ALCOHOL BE ALLOWED IN ALL PARKS DURING
PARK HOURS, ALCOHOL USE PERMITS BE REQUIRED FOR GROUPS OF MORE THAN 12, AND EXISTING
POLICIES IN WILDWOOD AND EL QUITO BE OVERRIDDEN.
‐ WILSON: SECOND
‐ APPROVED: 4‐1‐0 WITH JOHNSON OPPOSED
2. Pedestrian, Equestrian, and Bicycle Trails Advisory Committee (PEBTAC) Update
Issue: At the January 2011 meeting, the PRC requested an update on the PEBTAC.
Action: Informational only, no action required.
‐ Goldberg shared that the PEBTAC is working with the City to prepare applications for Santa Clara Valley
Water District grant funding. Two applications will be submitted – one to design and plan the Village
Creek Trail and another to build a Saratoga Creek overlook. Goldberg gave an update on the status of
West Valley College’s efforts to build a trail on the campus. Goldberg indicated that the PEBTAC is
working on the circulation element and will be preparing recommendations to the City Council.
Additionally, the PEBTAC met with the Garrod family to discuss the trail implications of annexing the
Garrod property. Goldberg also noted that the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District land purchase
is moving ahead.
3. Let’s Move Cities Update
Issue: In February 2011, the City Council approved a resolution to become a Let’s Move City. The Let’s
Move Cities and Towns initiative is part of a nationwide initiate led by First Lady Michelle Obama
to reduce childhood obesity and help families make healthier choices.
Action: Informational only, no action required.
‐ Morrow presented information on the City’s proclamation to become a Let’s Move City.
‐ Goldberg said she feels it would be fairly easy to expand Move It Saratoga to cover a longer period of
time and encompass the goals of the Let’s Move City program.
‐ Soukup asked to have the Let’s Move Cities item added to the May agenda and requested additional
information about the program requirements.
4. City Council Joint Meeting Agenda
Issue: The PRC and PEBTAC are scheduled to hold a joint meeting with the Saratoga City Council on May
18, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. in the Administrative Conference Room at City Hall. The purpose of the
annual meeting is to provide the Council with an update on the status of the Commission and
request approval of priorities and goals for the upcoming year. Because time is limited, it is
recommended that Commissions develop agendas for the Joint Meeting.
Action: Develop an agenda for the City Council Joint Meeting.
‐ Johnson suggested that the PRC share a status update on the ongoing projects.
‐ Soukup asked if the Commission should bring any park maintenance issues or infrastructure projects to
the Council’s attention. For example, the tennis court at Beauchamps Park needs to be resurfaced and
the pathway in Azule Park needs to be replaced.
‐ Soukup suggested that the PRC hold neighborhood meetings with residents living near parks to get park‐
specific input on each park. The PRC could solicit feedback on parks and identify park‐related concerns.
‐ Johnson suggested developing a form Commissioners can use when preparing park reports, so
information is consistently reported.
‐ Soukup added that the PRC could start working on items on the Commission’s work plan that haven’t
been addressed yet, such as signage for trees in parks to indicate species of a tree.
‐ Johnson noted that there are some other projects that the Commission has discussed, like the
suggestion to work with West Valley College to develop landscape designs for undeveloped sections of
City parks.
‐ Soukup asked that the Joint Meeting Agenda be placed on the May meeting agenda to be finalized.
5. Form 700 Reporting Requirements
Issue: Every year, California elected officials and appointed officials are required to disclose economic
interests by filing a Form 700 with the Saratoga City Clerk. The deadline to submit the Form 700
is April 1, 2011. Late filings are subject to a fine of $10 per day up to $100. More information,
including electronic copies of the Form 700, is available on the Fair Political Practices
Commission website at http://www.fppc.ca.gov/index.php?id=500.
Action: Informational only, no action required.
‐ Morrow provided an update on Form 700 reporting requirements.
6. Election of Chair and Vice Chair
Issue: The terms of the current Chair and Vice Chair expire at the May 2011 meeting. Per the City of
Saratoga Municipal Code, the Commission is required to elect a new Chair and Vice Chair.
Action: The PRC will elect a new Chair and Vice Chair, whose terms will begin at the May 2011 PRC
meeting.
‐ Morrow reviewed the requirements of the Chair and Vice Chair positions and noted who is eligible for
each position.
‐ WILSON: MOVED TO ELECT SOUKUP FOR THE POSITION OF CHAIR
‐ GOLDBERG: SECOND
‐ APPROVED: 5‐0‐0
‐ BRUNO: MOVED TO ELECT JOHNSON AS VICE CHAIR
‐ WILSON: SECOND
‐ APPROVED: 5‐0‐0
Commissioner & Staff Reports (This includes committee updates and park reports. This section is informational
only; no actions will be taken.)
‐ Morrow provided an update on City applications for Santa Clara Valley Water District Clean Safe Creeks
grant applications and Arbor Day
‐ Goldberg notified the Commission that the City broke ground on the petanque court at Azule park
‐ Soukup informed the PRC that there are new benches in Azule Park
‐ Johnson said that work is being performed at El Quito. Turf is being removed in sections of the park and
trees are being planted. Johnson reported that there were several new incidences of graffiti in the park.
At Bellgrove, new picnic benches were put in. At Wildwood, several new trees were added along the
back of the park, there was some graffiti on one of the park signs, and repair work is needed for the
pedestrian bridge handrails.
Agenda Items for Next Meeting
‐ May 10, 2011
Adjournment – 9:12 p.m.
Minutes submitted by:
Crystal Morrow, Administrative Analyst II
City of Saratoga – City Manager’s Office