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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-05-1996 Parks and Recreation AgendaAGENDA SARATOGA PARRS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING TIME: Monday, August 5, 1996 - 7:30 P.M. PLACE: Administrative Conference Room (City Hall) 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, California TYPE: Regular Meeting I. ORGANIZATION A) Roll Call B) Minutes (Meeting of July 8, 1996) C) Posting of Agenda Pursuant of Government Code 54954.2 the agenda for this meeting was posted on•the City Hall Kiosk on~ July 31, 1996. II. OLD BUSINESS A) Review Alcoholic Beverage Policy at E1 Quito Park • III. NEW BUSINESS (None ) IV. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS (None) V. COMMISSION AND STAFF REPORTS A) Commissioner's Reports B) Previous Month Council Meeting Report C) Recreation Department Status Report-Joan Pisani D) Park Maintenance Division Update-Bob Rizzo In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please ~-contact the Parks Superintendent, Bob Rizzo, at (408) 867-3438. Notification 48 hours. prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. • • M g M O R A N D O M ' TO: Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Secretary, Parks and Recreation Commission SUBJECT: Meeting of Monday, August 5, 1996 **************************************************************** II. OLD BUSINESS A) Review Alcoholic Beverage Policv at E1 Quito Park As I reported to the Commission at the last meeting, recently there have been two incidents that occurred at E1 Quito Park involving large groups of approximately 150 people that come into the park for a picnic. Many residents contacted me to complain not only about the large number of people but the amount of alcoholic beverages being consumed by these large groups. Staff feels these large groups are coming to E1 Quito Park only because Saratoga is the only surrounding city that does not have an alcohol policy at the parks except for Wildwood Park. Staff is recommending that the Commission review the use of alcohol in the City's parks. • zT~ ~ ._ a 07/ 14/96 • Mr. Bob Rizzo Parks & Recreation Commission City of Saratoga 13 777 Fruitvale Avenue Saratoga, CA 95070 Re: Nuisance at El Quito Park Dear Bob, D ~G~g~ ~U1 2 ~ i99 D s p~' -Maintenance This petition is to once again express concerns regarding El Quito Park on Paseo Presada in Saratoga. We, the residents in the neighborhood of El Quito Park, implore the commission to ban alcohol at this park seven days a week without exception. The City of Saratoga and the Sheriff's department have received numerous complaints from residents regarding this issue and we expect action be taken immediately. There is no reason why alcohol consumption be allowed at this park when it is banned at parks in most cities. This encourages residents from neighboring cities to come and abuse our park. • We have complained about the unorganized volleyball game which has now become . almost an everyday nuisance. These people who come and take over the park almost everyday with their families do not appear to be Saratoga residents. They have been warned by the City officials and the Sherif>?s department on several occasions regarding speeding, parking violation, noise, littering and excessive drinking. They have obviously ignored these warnings and citations and it is about time that these actions be stopped. One recommendation is to remove the volleyball court, since, in our opinion, it is never used by Saratoga residents. The alcohol ban along with the removal of the volleyball court will discourage this group from taking over the park due to their large numbers which intimidate residents. It has become increasingly difficult for us to take our children to the park because we are overwhelmed by this group. There have been instances when reservation of the picnic spots by Saratoga residents have been meaningless because they have been outnumbered by this group, resulting in the Saratogans with reservations leaving the park. The Parks and Recreation Commission has also received complaints about excessive broken glass and garbage in the children's play area and neighbors' yards. We once again request that specific hours be posted and enforced at the park, since this is primarily a residential neighborhood and the residents have a right to enjoy some peace • and quiet along with a feeling of safety. We feel that the response from the Sherifl?s department has been slowing because in their • opinion this is a chronic situation that the City of Saratoga needs to stop ignoring. The Sheriff's department has also confirmed issuing several speeding tickets on this street and we would like to remind you that there is also a day care and a preschool on this street. The safety of the children cannot be disregarded on this street. Several thefts have also been reported in the area and we feel that there is strong correlation with the alcohol drinking, excessive use of the park and these thefts. Lastly, we would once again like to let the staff know that the elimination of parking on one side of Paseo Presada has been received very favorably by the neighbors and we thank the City of Saratoga for making the right decision. We hope that these issues will be resolved very soon to restore the peace and safety in the neighborhood surrounding El Quito Park. We are very encouraged by the fact that your department is going to recommend alcohol ban at the meeting on 8/5/96. U U Sincerely, ,r5~. ^~o-.-~- l ~~ 4~ ~ . -~` r~~si,~U-q %~ ~ ~~~ ~ ~ ~t c~~c ~,~ ~--~~ ~' ~i~.kC C~~s ~~S 1~ (a Cox A-~e ~h~A ~~ fJ l ~ ~b ~ ~ 1( ~ ~-~ ~7 ~~Z~~ ~ , Cf3 ~ s~ ~~~ /j,, ~Q ~ , ~~ n ~~~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~~ r l~ts~ .~~A ~~ ~~ ~SpTb C~} ~~ ~~ • SIC~I Wss'~~k R~ #~12- Sa~.~~se C-A `~151~ ~~/a~~ 3~b-3S~3E, • ~~s~~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ /a-- ~~~ ~. ~~o~~ ~~ ,~ .~ A g .s ~ ~~~`?~ ~~ ~~~L a I _S ~ ~ ~r~.~ ~~ ~~7 a / av 6 ZS ~/~eo f ~-~-~I~ -. __ --- ~5G ~ ~ 1 ~cc Z ~ ~~t 5fG ~'~c e~/~ JGt rQ ~~C,~-e1, Ci~ ~ .S~ 70 • ~. /~~%s~~ ~~ ~''~J L ~ ~ ~ / ~~~~ ~2~ ~~ ~ C ~J ~~~~ ~ ~ ~~~7L~ `~ ~~ v ~ ~~~ ~..~- ~ v • ~, f ~~ , . lRJ ~i~/ s ~ ~ ~4 ~ ~ ~ » ~-~ P~ ~~ ~i ~ /~ . ~~~~ ~ r~8~(6~ Sarc~ Pca*-~ e.;r~~~ ~'~~y~„ p,~, ~~ Cpl 9~~7° «~ ~~1~n~/~' ~~~ S~Q,~ ~~ , c~,Q ~5'~10 mil, ~ ~w ~I -~;~~~ ~ ~o`r'o~~a ~ ~- ~5~7 v ~J ~' ~ G J J n ~~ Y da.~-~~ ~~-~ 1gti33 Sara ~~~~r Ss~~, `cam, ~ SO~o ~a~ ~~ti ~u~un- . l$~~~ ~w~°~ ~ av~u~~ .q s~a 7 ~ ;89~9~~a~~.C~.~ r J ~P~~~ fcaa a, c6'; /~~ y ~~_ ~ ~ ~~~ ~ g~~ s~ PK ew ~z~~.w ~ ~ 5 b~v ~~,~eL~~ ws~-~ ~ ~dy~a `F ram-...' ~7~(~w S~ .~~I7 /~~~~ / ~ ~~ i .~~ _ ~ -~ 5~..~ TdSE ~~ 95 l3~ C ~-~ ~G OCI ~A~E-~ ~g % A~A~A~i~ ~~ S~ -5'~SE ~ c/+ g51~8 saFTaa~~ PLAyb2 ~~~- Gi7Y of s~AToGA ,~~A,~GFF ~ ~U i ~ vV/l1C.rl~J~ V /~ ~ / /~ / ~~ ~ $9 S b Sa~~ ~' ~ ~R cp ~ s o ~o C~ ~ r~A1~ r c ~~c.~a ~"~- ~2 L% ~~°~ ~~~ ~,~, • ~f` // Robert and Laura Brown 18548 Paseo Tierra Sazatoga, CA 95070 Saratoga City Council Saratoga, CA 95070 cc: Editor, Sazatoga News Dear Council Members, July 18, 1996 n ~ c. r.. U ~~ JU1 2 ; 1996 ~_ ~~~ J `~G=2~~ ~ ~ ~..` ~-~ _. PW - Mainten~;n~~ My wife and I were approached this evening to sign a petition to disallow the consumption of alcoholic beverages at El Quito Park on Paseo Presada. The verbal azgument presented was that there was a lazge group of people gathered at the pazk on July Fourth and that the petitioner and her family were unable to rollerblade at the pazk during that time. Complaints of excessive speed, burglary and public drunkenness were accounted on this and previous occasions. Reportedly, numerous calls to the police on this and past occurrences resulted in only a few arrests. The written argument included the proposal that the volleyball court be removed because "Saratoga residents razely used" this facility. I read the Saratoga News, including the Sheriff s Report, weekly and have observed only one report of a problem at El Quito Pazk in over a year. Are these complaints not recorded? We find the proposal that the consumption of alcoholic beverages at the pazk being disallowed is preposterous. We enjoy visiting OUR local pazk, throwing the Frisbee or football, visiting with friends and having a couple of beers for a pleasant Saturday or Sunday afternoon. The problem does not appeaz to be the consumption of alcoholic beverages but the lack of enforcement of the laws we currently have. We do not need another law. What we need is effective law enforcement toward those who refuse to follow those laws which we already have. . It is completely against our better judgment to refuse or reduce the rights of law abiding citizens due to the abuse of those who do not follow the laws of the majority. We aze adamantly opposed to the proposal of the restriction of the consumption of alcoholic beverages at El Quito Pazk, OUR local pazk. Effective and timely enforcement of the current laws against public drunkenness, speeding and assorted other crimes will eliminate the problem. Adding one more law is not the answer. If current laws cannot be enforced, how can we expect an additional law to be enforced? Sincerely, Robert and Laura Br n To: City Council and Parks and Rec. JUL 2 3 1996 • From: Kathy McGoldrick PW - Maintenanc8 Re.: El Quito Park July 23, 1996 Unfortunately, I am unable to attend the meeting during the week of August 4-10, since I will be out of town. However, I am quite concerned about the use of alcohol and the very large groups of people using El Quito Park. Whether they mean to or not, large groups of people are intimidating to others. If this was an occasional occurrence it could be ignored. However, the days of use by the same group have increased from Monday, to a mid-week day, and to at least one day of the weekend. When you add the fact that there is a great deal of drinking taking place, it becomes a fearsome situation. I have personally seen wagons or shopping carts full of beer being towed to the back of the park. Although I do not use the park, I know that many of my neighbors do not feel comfortable bringing their children there when they see the large group has settled in for the day. Last night, a Monday, although the vast majority of people had left, a small group was talking and laughing when I was retiring at 10:00 P.M. No matter how thoughtful the leaders of this grQUp, they cannot control every member in the group, especially these few who had obviously been drinking and were now disturbing my sleep. I believe we have been very patient and willing to work with the city re. the park. We appreciate the fact that Paseo Presada is a safer street now that there is no parking on the residence side of the street. We appreciate that the leagues are parking at either lot at the ends of the street. However, many of us believe that the park is overused when you add over one hundred volleyball players and spectators to adult groups playing soccer and baseball, all at the same time. Finally, we see no need to have alcohol in use at the park. The leagues don't do it, and it is contradictory to the tenets of the healthy lifestyle which is the purpose of sports. Noone objects to a family picnic, in small groups, where a beer or a glass of wine accompanies dinner. However, since this has been abused, I would like to see alcohol use abolished at the park. In conclusion, my neighbor and I would be happy to share a seat on your citizen advisory group for the use of the parks. Neither of us has the time to commit individually, but could alternate meetings. I have not been able to attend any of these so far, but look • forward to doing so in the future. 0 m • • voLUtrreQt rir~ si~Er rw~ l..irv r~ ,~V N 2,- rEaR~ (Last) (First) RorrAa~i~ln nfFicP. • ` R ~ o ~ ~~ ~ ~ • ~ .~ i ~ Q, r o ~ ~ m ~ N' ~ 4 X a N 1U cD O • 90 ~ R ig~ u 0 _ ~ ~ N ~ e i ~, • f> ~ ~ ~ ~ I ~, a a ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~S S "V ~ .L `^ y L ~I~ ~~ g- ~ PICNIC AREA RESERVATION AND USE POLICY EL QUITO PARK • 12855 PASEO PRESADA • SARATOGA °~ ~~, o Q • > RESERVATION .~~,y'r • ' •A reservation will secunr the picnic area only, which includes picnic tables with benches and a large barbecue. •The picnic area can accommodate a maximum of 24 people. •No reservation will bt; accepted for special activity days designazed by the City. •Groups of minors must be supervised by 1 adult per 20 minor children. •The park is open to the public. A reservation is allowed for the picnic area only, and does not intend or mean exclusive use of the park. •No amplified sound will be allowed, •No parking is allowed inside the park •The City of S~rnga is ;~ ~..t~.;.... ~..;.t. th_ 4mericans with Disabilitie and will make reasonable Vv .."' y ` :~: services are accessible to disab~~. uest accoammo~a'on please contact the Parks Superintendent, USE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES Picnickers may drink alcoholic beverages so long as they conduct themselves in • an orderly manner. Alcohol may not be sold in the park. FEES The Deposit and Processing Fee are due with the signed application form. The entire rental fee is due 30 days in advance of the function. Fees are as follows: Refundable Securiry/Damage Deposit $ 50.00 Processing Fee $ 15.00 Picnic Area $ 30.00/Day Fund raisers Not permitted Only one group rental reservation will be accepted p~ day, The public Works Department does not schedule staff to work weekends, therefore, user gtvups are required to clean and collect trash after their event. Residents Discount - 109b of facility rental fee. CANCELLATION POLICY If reservation is canceled between 6 & 3 months SO~Yo of the deposit is forfeited. Less than 3 months 100% of the deposit is forfeited. In case of rain you may reschedule. The Park is a public park and the ~ cannot resaict use of the facility by the general public during a scheduled • activity. The pack rental foe is to reserve a desi~ated area. • SA$~1TOGA PARRS AND RECREATION COMMISSION TIME: MONDAY, AUGUST 7, 1995 7:32 PM PLACE: ADMINISTRATIVE CONFERENCE ROOM - CITY HALL 13777 FRUITVALE AVENUE, SARATOGA, CALIFORNIA 95070 TYPE: REGULAR MEETING I. ORGANIZATION A. ROLL CALL - Present: Clark, Crotty,, Dutra, Miller, Swan, Weiner Absent: Barnard Staff: Rizzo B. MINUTES Minutes of the July 10, 1995 meeting were approved. Swan/Grotty 6/0 C. POSTING OF THE AGENDA Pursuant of Government Code 54954.2 the agenda for this meeting was posted on the City Hall Riosk on August 2, 1995. • II. OLD BUSINESS. ~ . None III. NEW BUSINESS A) Review Alcoholic Beverage Policy at E1 Ouito Park. Secretary Rizzo summarized the history of this topic. He continued by reporting on the several trips since June to this park on Mondays. He described his conversations with the group • regarding the concerns of the local residents., specifically parking, speeding,- and trash. ~Q~' Secretary Rizzo also reported his observations to the City Council. The City Council indicated that ' ~ their guidance on this matter is that it is not ~/ necessary to change the alcohol ordinance at this Commissioners agreed to table this topic for six months, personally observe the park during this period, and request Secretary Rizzo explain the plan to the local residents who have appeared in • front of the Commission regarding this topic. Weiner/Dutra 6/0 ~X time. The Commissioner discussed the problems reported by the local residents, the guidance from ~'' g~''}'a the City . Council, and alternate approaches (including interim approaches). T0: City Council • THROIIGH: Larry Perlin FROM: Bob Rizzo ~~ DATE: July 19, 1995 SUBJECT: Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages at E1 Quito Park At the recent Joint City Council and Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting, Council instructed staff to_make direct contact with the users of the park, that according to the neighbors, are consuming significant quantities of alcoholic beverages. On the two proceeding Monday's after the meeting, staff discussed with this group, the concerns that were raised by the neighbors: (A) The consumption of large amounts of alcoholic beverages (B) On-street parking problems and speeding (C) Playing of loud music both from the cars and radios they bring into the park Staff reported that this group understood the situation and would try to modify their behavior. They stated that they did not want • to have any difficulties with the neighborhood and enjoy using. the facilities at E1 Quito~~Park. This group has been regularly using the E1 Quito Park picnic and volleyball areas every Monday for the last five (5) years and this is the only complaint staff has received regarding these individuals. Staff reported that this group has always been cooperative and has never been a problem to the staff while they are using the facility. On July l0, Rathy McGoldrick and Dhiren IInadkot, neighbors of E1 Quito Park who addressed council at the joint meeting regarding the issues at the park, attended the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting. They informed the Commission, the weekend of July 1 and 2, there were a number of problems in the park with alcohol and residents had to call a sheriff's deputy to handle the problems in and around the park. The deputy was called out regarding a parking problem of someone parking into a residents driveway. Mr. Unadkat informed the Commission that they had addressed the parking concerns with the Public Safety Committee and that the Committee would investigate the possibility of "no parking" along Paseo Presada across from the park. After listening to Ms. McGoldrick, Mr IInadkot and staff regarding these issues, the Commission requested that the issue of consumption of alcohol ,at City parks be placed on the Commission's • August agenda. The Commission would be discussing a restriction on the consumption of alcoholic beverages in all City parks similar to the recent restriction placed at Wildwood Park. I ~ :,, ~ ~ Information on other City Ordinances or Codes that address drinking • alcoholic beverages in City Parks: Beer and/or wine allowed only if consumed with a meal. Milpitas Beer and/or wine allowed in picnic area only Menlo Park No restrictions in their parks no posting drinking OK Mountain View City does not allow any alcoholic beverages in City parks with the exception of two marks that have reservation use. One of these parks (Rengstorf Park) has been giving them problems in the past few months with certain people "hanging out" almost every day. They have hired an outside firm (Calif. Land Mgmt.) to investigate this closely and they will soon make a decision on that situation. It might be that they will go to "no alcohol" in this park. It is getting to be a real problem. But at this time alcoholic beverages are allowed with reservations in picnic area only,. for the two ~• Palo Alto City has 34 parks, 7 parks in downtown plaza parks and 1 athletic park is banned for alcoholic use. Have 2. parks with group sites for- reservations only, alcohol OK but must have $1 million insurance. No restrictions in neighborhood parks. Santa Clara County Beer and wine allowed in picnic areas only, with or without reservations. Sunnyvale Beer and -wine allowed in picnic areas only, no other alcoholic beverages allowed.. Campbell Beer and wine allowed in picnic areas only, with or without reservations. Santa Clara (City) Beer and wine allowed in picnic area only, by reservation only at Central Park. (reservation serves as a beer/wine permit) All other parks posted "no alcoholic beverages permitted". She is mailing a copy of city ordinance. (no fax) Los Altos Alcohol permits are issued only if you have obtained a picnic reservation - alcohol permits are issued by their police • department. CSO officer Richard McKim was to call me back and possibly fax a copy of the ordinance - left three messages and never heard back.