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.
•
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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,
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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.
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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
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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.
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PICNIC AREA RESERVATION AND USE POLICY
EL QUITO PARK • 12855 PASEO PRESADA • SARATOGA °~ ~~,
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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.