HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-11-2022 Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes1
Final Minutes 01-11-2022
City of Saratoga
Parks and Recreation Commission
Regular Meeting
Minutes
DATE: Tuesday, January 11, 2022
TIME: 6:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Via Zoom
Call to Order: Chair Paquier called the virtual Regular Session to order at 6:33 p.m. via teleconferencing through
Zoom.
Prior to Roll Call, the Chair and Staff Liaison explained that the meeting was conducted pursuant to provisions of the
Brown Act and a recent Executive Order issued by the Governor to facilitate teleconferencing to reduce the risk of
COVID-19 transmission at public meetings. Ordinarily the Brown Act sets strict rules for teleconferencing. The
Governor’s Executive Order has suspended those rules. The Executive Order does require that public agencies
continue to notice meetings in advance and provide members of the public an opportunity to observe the meeting
and offer public comment. The Commission met all of the applicable notice requirements and the public is welcome
to participate in this meeting. Information on how the public can observe the meeting and provide public comment
was also shared. Additionally, the Chair explained that votes would be taken through roll call.
Roll Call: Chair Renee Paquier, Vice Chair, Commissioner Huang and Commissioner Wang. Absent: None.
Also in attendance was Kristin Borel, Staff Liaison, (All appearing via Teleconference)
Staff Liaison, Kristin Borel confirmed all the Commission members could hear the meeting proceedings and no
doubts were expressed regarding the identities of the individuals representing themselves as Parks and
Recreation Commissioners.
Report on Posting of the Agenda: Kristin Borel reported that the Agenda for this meeting was properly
posted on January 6, 2022
Oral & Written Communication
None
Approval of Parks and Recreation Commission Draft Minutes:
Commissioner Wang/Huang moved to Approve the Parks and Recreation Minutes for the Regular
Meeting on November 9, 2021. Passed by a verbal roll call: Ayes: Huang, Paquier and Wang. Noes:
None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.
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Final Minutes 01-11-2022
Agenda:
1. Drone Video Program
Adam Xu and Dustin Peng from Saratoga High School gave a short presentation of their previous drone
projects and made recommendations for the Saratoga City Park Drone video.
Chair Paquier invited any public comments on this item.
There were no speakers
Commissioner Paquier/Huang moved to Select EL Quito Park as the next Drone Video Project. Passed
by a verbal roll call: Ayes: Huang, Paquier and Wang. Noes: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.
2. Beauchamps Park Update
Three design firms submitted proposals and the Commissioners discussed the pros and cons of each
design. The design firm that they selected was Spec Specialized Play Equipment, Option 1 (page 7 in
Attachment 2). They did want to include another assessable element if possible. Staff will work with
the design firm to finalize a design. Next, it will be posted on the website and letters sent to neighbors
asking for comments, and then be brought back to the March meeting.
Chair Paquier invited any public comments on this item.
One speaker remarked that she was familiar with Ross Recreation, and they were able to alter designs
easily and were knowledgeable about safety requirements. She asked if a water element could be
added to a plan.
Commissioner Paquier/Huang moved to Recommend Spec Specialized Play Equipment Option 1 with
the possible addition of another assessable element. Passed by a verbal roll call: Ayes: Huang,
Paquier and Wang. Noes: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.
3. Update on Historical Plaque Program
Chair Paquier that the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) meeting will be adding this project to
their workplan to be approved by the City Council in March/April. Two of its members, Commissioners
LoPresto and Commissioner Shariati are going to work with our Commission on creating historic
information for our parks. All the commissioners supported working with the HPC on this project and
supported the goal of posting this information in our parks and on our website.
The Commissioners agreed to take photos of any existing plaques in the parks to have for the next
meeting’s discussion.
Chair Paquier – Wildwood, Foothill, Beauchamps and Brookglen
Vice Chair Huang – Quarry, El Quito and Gardner
Commissioner Wang – Azule, Kevin Moran, Friendship, Bell Grove, Congress Springs and Ravenwood
Chair Paquier invited any public comments on this item.
There were no speakers.
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Final Minutes 01-11-2022
4. Community Engagement Brainstorming
The Commission spoke in general about ideas for future events and activities. Vice Chair Huang
suggested organizing ongoing hikes to encourage residents and families to get out into nature for
wellness. Commissioner Wang initially raised the idea of a photo contest and Chair Paquier liked it as
well and recommended that they be shown at Movie Night. She also suggester partnering with the
Youth Commission.
Chair Paquier invited any public comments on this item.
There was one speaker who recommended using the term “wellness” instead of mental health when
discussing the hiking events.
Commissioner Paquier/Wang moved to Recommend two new projects to the 2022-23 PRC Workplan
– Organizing Hikes for Wellness and a Park Photo Contest to be shown at Movie Night. Passed by a
verbal roll call: Ayes: Huang, Paquier and Wang. Noes: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.
5. Equity in Parks
Chair Paquier introduced the topic diversity and equity in our parks at the November meeting. The
Commission had the option whether to move forward on their own or wait for City Council direction on
this topic.
Chair Paquier invited any public comments on this item.
There were no speakers.
Commissioner Paquier/Wang moved to Recommend that the Commission wait for City Council
direction on this topic. Passed by a verbal roll call: Ayes: Huang, Paquier and Wang. Noes: None.
Abstain: None. Absent: None.
Commissioner and Staff Reports (This includes committee updates and park reports. This section is
informational only; no actions will be taken.)
Commissioner Park
Vacant Wildwood, Foothill, Quarry
Huang El Quito, Gardiner
Vacant Bell Grove, Congress Springs, Ravenwood
Paquier Beauchamp, Brookglen
Wang Azule, Kevin Moran, Friendship Park
Agenda Items for Next Meeting January 11, 2022
• Beauchamps Park playground replacement project
• Update on Historic Plaque program
• Update on Let’s Work
• Community Engagement Discussion
• Equity in Parks
• Drone Video Update
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Adjournment
Commissioners Huang / Wang move to Adjourn the meeting at 7:58 p.m. Passed by a verbal roll
call: Ayes: Huang, Paquier, and Wang. Noes: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.
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, contact Kristin Borel at
408.868.1296 or kborel@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, Kristin Borel, Public Works Analyst 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, 2022
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.