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Home My WebLink About02-23-2010 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes City of Saratoga Parks and Recreation Commission MINUTES DATE: Tuesday, February 23, 2010 TIME: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. LOCATION: Saratoga City Hall Administrative Conference Room 13777 Fruitvale Avenue Saratoga, CA 95070 Call to Order – 6:34 p.m. Roll Call Present: Bruno, Goldberg, Johnson, Soukup Absent: Wilson Staff: Morrow, Taylor Report on Posting of the Agenda: Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2, this meeting was properly posted on February 16, 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. ‐ Kathleen Casey, public speaker, indicated that she is concerned about the name of the property referred to as the Tollgate property, because the property is not near Tollgate Road. Casey suggested the Commission review the City’s lease with the Hakone Foundation and plans for the Hakone Visitor Center. Casey also suggested that the City make funds available to purchase property as it becomes available for park development. Approval of Draft Minutes: Draft Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) Minutes for the January 12, 2010 meeting. ‐ Johnson noted that under item 3 “label tree species” was listed twice and he asked that the second listing be removed. ‐ SOUKUP MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES WITH THE CORRECTION ‐ BRUNO SECONDED THE MOTION ‐ APPROVED 3‐1‐1, WITH GOLDBERG ABSTAINING AND WILSON ABSENT Old Business: 1. Arbor Day Planning 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. At the January meeting, Youth Commission subcommittee returned to further develop event plans. The PRC’s Arbor Day subcommittee was authorized to continue working with the Youth Commission to coordinate activities for Arbor Day. Action: PRC will discuss plans for the 2010 Arbor Day, scheduled to take place on April 22, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. in Azule Park. ‐ Goldberg shared that the date of the event is set for April 22 at 4:00 p.m. The Arbor Day subcommittee has not yet been able to set a meeting with the Youth Commission’s Arbor Day subcommittee. ‐ Morrow added that the City will be handling basics for the event, including refreshments and tree planting. ‐ Goldberg said that the subcommittee is going to try to arrange a meeting with the Youth Commission subcommittee. 2. Update on Park and Trail Capital Projects Issue: At the January 2010 meeting, the PRC requested an informational report on park and trail capital projects including Ravenwood Park playground improvements, Azule Park petanque court, Joe’s trail, and the Tollgate property. Action: Informational only, no action necessary. ‐ Kathleen Casey, public speaker, said that if the PRC is asked to make recommendations on capital projects then she would suggest that the City wait to do anything with the Tollgate property as it should be preserved as open space. ‐ Bruno asked that this item be added to the next meeting agenda. ‐ Morrow indicated that she would ask John Cherbone for an update on the projects and would email the information to the Commission. New Business: 3. Soccer Net Storage Issue: At the January 2010 PRC Meeting, Commissioner Johnson requested that the Commission schedule discussion on storage of soccer nets at parks used by soccer leagues for games or practice. Commissioner Johnson has reviewed soccer net storage options and will be presenting his findings at the February meeting. Action: PRC will discuss current soccer net storage at City parks and make a recommendation to the Public Works Director if necessary. ‐ Kathleen Casey, public speaker, asked if there are moveable objects in City parks and if these items can be stolen or damaged. Casey then asked if there are storage areas at parks and if any Saratoga residents participate in soccer leagues. ‐ Johnson provided a report on portable soccer nets used by Sunnyvale and Sunnyvale’s storage technique. ‐ Soukup asked Johnson how sturdy the portable nets are. ‐ Johnson said that the nets meet regulation size and strength requirements. ‐ The PRC discussed the increasing number of soccer nets used at El Quito Park and the storage of soccer nets at El Quito and other City Parks. ‐ JOHNSON MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR JOHN CHERBONE REVIEW THE SOCCER NET STORAGE PROPOSAL, SEE IF IT WOULD BE FEASIBLE AT CITY PARKS WHERE SOCCER LEAGUES PLAY GAMES OR PRACTICE, AND IF SO, PRESENT THE STORAGE METHOD TO USER GROUPS. ‐ BRUNO SECONDED ‐ APPROVED 4‐0‐1, WITH WILSON ABSENT 4. Update on City Council Retreat Issue: During the January meeting, the PRC requested an informational report on the City Council Retreat that was held on January 29, 2010. Action: Informational only, no action necessary. ‐ Morrow and Taylor reviewed discussion at the City Council Retreat. ‐ The Commission discussed the City Council Retreat staff report on things other cities have done to promote health and wellness. ‐ Goldberg indicated that she liked the idea of encouraging residents to walk a marathon over several months. She added that the PRC could track the mileage and advertise in the Recreation Activity Guide, the Saratogan, and local paper. ‐ The Commission agreed to add the idea to the work plan under the Healthy City goal and agreed to call it either Move it Saratoga or Saratoga Miles. Participants would be asked to track their mileage and walk a marathon between Memorial Day and Labor Day. ‐ Goldberg also indicated an interest in a photo scavenger hunt at City parks. ‐ The Commission discussed options for a photo scavenger hunt and agreed to add it to the Healthy City goal category. 5. City Council Joint Meeting Agenda Issue: The PRC will be holding a joint meeting with the City Council on March 3, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. The Council has asked that Commissions develop an agenda for joint meetings and seek approval of Commission work plans. Action: The PRC needs to develop an agenda for the meeting, which must include presentation and request for Council approval of the Commission’s specific work plan. ‐ Goldberg noted that the Commission would need to present its work plan to the Council at the Joint Meeting. ‐ The Commission agreed to add Saratoga Move It/Saratoga Miles and photo scavenger hunt to the Healthy City goal category, remove environmental lectures from the Celebrate Nature category, asked that Arbor Day support include a note that the PRC would be collaborating with the Youth Commission, and requested that community event participate under One Saratoga be grouped together as “Participate in and attend community events”. Commissioner & Staff Reports (This includes committee updates and park reports. This section is informational only; no actions will be taken.) ‐ Morrow noted that Mustard faire is on March 7, event organizers are looking for volunteers if anyone is interested. Organizers for the July 4th event are also looking for volunteers. ‐ Taylor shared that the Recreation & Facilities Department is introducing new branding for health and fitness programs in the spring activity guide. ‐ Bruno noted that Foothill Park and Blaney Plaza look good. ‐ Johnson said he would send his park report to Morrow next week. ‐ Soukup said the parks he visited looked good. He asked for an update on the oak tree that recently split at Kevin Moran Park. ‐ Goldberg shared that he City has applied for a grant to pay for design of the Village Creek Trail. Agenda Items for Next Meeting ‐ May 11, 2010 Adjournment – 8:03 p.m. Minutes submitted by: Crystal Morrow, Administrative Analyst II City of Saratoga – City Manager’s Office