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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-03-1975 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes• ~ ~ • `- ~ SARATOGA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION STUDY SESSION TIME: MONDAY, MARCH 3, 1975 - 7:30 P.M. PLACE: CRISP MEMORIAL CONFERENCE ROOM, SARATOGA CITY OFFICES, 13777 FRUITVALE AVENUE, SARATOGA, CALIFORNIA 95070 TYPE: STUDY SESSION I. ORGANIZATION A. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Commissioners Carlson, Gordon, Rose and Terry. ABSENT: Commissioners Buchanan, Clawson and Wi7berding. OTHERS PRESENT: Representatives from Foothill Family-Faculty Club and resident of the area - Howard W. Jundt, Gretchen Dennis, Judy Pitkin, James A. Ousley, Dorothy A. Ousley and Nina S. Kitts. Ken Arutunian, Architect and Roy Swanson, Park Foreman. * The regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission could not be held for lack of a quorum; the Commission members present continued with a Study Session. IZ. OLD BUSINESS A. FOOTHILL PARK CO-DEVELOPMENT Members of the Commission reviewed the past history of the Foothill property • FOOTHILL PARK for all guests that were present: CO-DEVELOPMENT The Secretary introduced Mr. Arutunian, the architect hired by the Foothill Family-Faculty Club, and he explained the Foothill plan as it is drawn up at the present with the outdoor education area and surrounding property. Mr. Arutunian reported he is working with the Club now getting together the program they want in order that he can draw up the schematic. If hired by the City he will look at the entire area surrounding Foothill School and plan it as one big park. t The Secretary reported that a survey would have to be taken in the surrounding area of the school to see exactly what the residents want in this location. - Also, before a set of plans are approved, public hearings would have to be held. • Mr. Arutunian suggested that the Commission use the input it has received al- ready for this area to be put into some sort of plan until public hearings can be held. The Secretary questioned members of the Foothill Family-Faculty Club that were attending the meeting as to who the architect's contract was with ~ the school district or the Foothill Family-Faculty Club. Gretchen Dennis stated the con- tract is with the Club and all funds are from the Club also, not the school district. Commissioner Gordon questioned what exactly the Foothill Family-Faculty Club would like to see developed on the City's property. Judy Pitkin stated mainly open grass and space, with trees.. Gretchen Dennis stated the Club would like a place where a teacher can take her class out under the trees and teach a class, draw sketches, physical education, etc. The Secretary stated that a park should include both active and passive areas. Commissioner Terry suggested the Club look at Gardiner Park and the different forms of activities available. • Mr. James Ousley spoke for Mr. Byron Erickson who lives on the lot next to the City property, and his main concern is to see the cars controlled from coming through this property to get to the school property. • Mr. Ousley also reported that Mr. Erickson has taken a poll of the area, and on a typical weekend day there are approximately 15 children playing on the playground area. -1- • ~ PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION - STUDY SESSION - MARCH 3, ~ - continued Commissioner Rose questioned whether there were any parking problems on the . streets in the area due to Little League games. It was stated that this has not been a problem as the school has enough parking areas. The architect mentioned the bus access that divides the City property and would like to see this use either changed or eliminated. Gretchen Dennis reported that the Foothill School enrollment at present is 630, and they expect to lose about 120 children by next year. Commissioner Terry questioned whether any other schools in Saratoga have been closed besides E1 Quito School. The Secretary stated no other schools have been closed, however, Hansen School may possibly be giving up 2 classrooms next year which may be available for community activities. Commissioner Carlson stated that the Commission is very interested in community projects and likes to work with interested groups, as they did with the con- struction of Brookglen Park. However, he questioned the funds and timing of the Foothill project. The architect expects to have a plan ready in 3 to 4 months. The Club is interested in getting a plan together that they can begin to sell people with, and they are investigating federal funding and every other way possible. Gretchen Dennis stated the only money the school district will provide is that already budgeted to solve the drainage problem at the school. The Secretary stated she will prepare a memo to City Manager expressing the Commission's interest in co-development for him to present to Council. Commissioner Carlson expressed some concern over the Foothill Family-Faculty Club's financial situation and actually seeing the plan for the property. Commissioner Rose agreed and thought it looked like a long term project. The Secretary reported that she was very impressed with the involvement and interest in this area, and that once a plan is drawn up and should the Foothill Family-Faculty Club fall through, the City can always develop their property. • B. EL QUITO PARK PROCESS FOR REVISION OF MASTER PLAN The Secretary reported that she talked with Jack Buktenica about the possibility EL QUITO PARK of a landscape architect working with an additional master plan, and he stated PROCESS FOR it is done frequently. He could legally redesign the master plan himself. REVISION OF The Secretary stated she will schedule this item for another Commission meeting, MASTER PLAN as she will then have time to get more background information. III. NEW BUSINESS A. RECOMMENDATION OF HAKONE GARDENS REVIEW COMMITTEE The Secretary distributed to the Commission a recommendation by the Hakone RECOMMENDATION OF Gardens Review Committee for the improvement and repair of Hakone Gardens, and HAKONE GARDENS Commissioner Rose explained it. REVIEW COMMITTEE Commissioner Terry recommended that the time factor be included in the recommen- dation. Commissioner Rose stated she would like this item re-scheduled for the next Commission meeting to give the Commission more time to study the recommendation. Mr. Roy Swanson reported that he received another estimate from Mr. Otani, after checking with Able Exterminators and other companies, and it was felt that repairs should be made before fumigation. Able Exterminators estimated $2,000 just for fumigation of the 4 buildings. Mr.~Otani had estimated $10,000 foz repair and $2,000 for fumigation. Commissioner Terry stated the Commission would have to get the foundation work done first before the fumigation, and it is impossible to do everything. Commissioner Rose suggested calling Mr. Otani and telling him the City has $8,000 and what can he do with this amount. The Secretary stated the restoration list totals $72,000, and after a point restoration may not even be feasible. -~ , Commissioner Carlson suggested the Commission investigate the possibly uu~e-cf- • revenue sharing money originally scheduled for acquisition for restoration of an existing facility. The Secretary stated she would talk~to the City Manager regarding this. ~ ~~' ~,Y;9 -2- d PARKS AND RECREA'1~N COMMISSION - STUDY SESSION - MARCH 3, IT/5 - The Secretary reported that with our present operating expenses, and the fact that the 1975-76 budget shows a 208 increase to maintain our present level of • operation, that there are not going to be many projects approved. We cannot develop new parks because of maintenance costs. The monies in the Capital Improvement Program should•be used for restoring and improving because it will not increase our operating costs. The Secretary stated the next Commission meeting will have to be spent going over the entire Capital Improvement Program. Commissioner Rose suggested the Commission send Charles Robbins and Rene Jones a letter thanking them for their help and cooperation on the Hakone Gardens Review Committee. B. RESIGNATION OF CHAIRMAN TOM WILBERDZNG RESIGNATION OF Due to the resignation of Chairman Tom Wilberding, Sarah Jane Rose was asked to CHAIRMAN TOM serve as Chairman until the new Commissioner's are appointed, and at that time WILBERDING a new Chairman will be elected. IV. COMMITTEE AND STAFF REPORTS A. COMMITTEE REPORTS 1) RE: TRAILS AND PATHWAYS TASK FORCE Commissioner Terry reported that Parker Ranch was discussed at the last committee meeting by a representative from Blackwell Homes. The 4 trails the committee has planned in this area were pointed out by Commissioner Terry on a proposed map. On March 8 the committee has planned to walk 2 areas of concern. The entire Blackwell, Homes property involved is 220 acres and 109 lots. Commissioner Terry reported that Mr. Shook, Director of Public Works, spoke to the committee regarding the Quito Plan Line. An immediate design change is taking place at the Pollard Road area and is not according to the Plan Line. When the new Plan Line is complete it will be brought to the committee • so that they can plan the trail in this area. Mr. Shook has been asked by Council to re-evaluate the Plan Line and possibly reduce some of the curves along Quito Road. • Randy Anderson of the Planning Department is reviewing the present Plan Line where the road drifts around curves, compared to the new property line being established, and showing if the old Plan Line were implemented what space would be available for a trail. Mr. Shook also reported to the committee regarding trail design and informa- • tion he had received from other communities. He liked and is proposing asphalt trails because of no significant maintenance, although the original cost is $75/square foot. The committee did not like this type of trail surface and is still investi- gating other textures and surfaces. B. STAFF REPORTS 1) RE: BROOKGLEN PARK DONATIONS The Secretary provided the Commission with a current list of Brookglen Park donations totaling $201. The planting should possibly be done in 2 phases, and the first "Plant-In" date set when the half-way point of $400 is reached. Then donations can be made for the second "Plant-In". Commissioner Carlson questioned what plants would be planted first in the park. The Secretary believed the trees and the bushes along the front of the park. 2) RE: CANTACESSI PROPERTY - TEN ACRES ROAD The Secretary reported that the Cantacessi condition for the trail on Ten Acres Road is being appealed to City Council, and she responded that the Trails Committee has almost completed their study and would like this condi- tion held until then. • 3) RE: GARDINER PARK PLAY EQUIPMENT The Secretary reported that 52,000 has been received from the Saratoga Rotary Club and the play equipment has been ordered from Game Time Co. for Gardiner Park. -3- f ^ , I N - STUDY SESSION - MARCH 3, r75 - continued PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSIO V. COMMUNICATIONS • A. LETTER FROM TOM WILBERDING ~ "~ The Secretary distributed and discussed with the Commission the letter of resignation from Chairman Tom Wilberding, and suggested a resolution being drawn up by Council thanking him for his work while on the Parks and Recreation Commission. B. SANTA CLARA COUNTY BIKE PATH Commissioner Terry questioned what exactly was happening with the County Bike Paths. The Secretary reported it is scheduled for public hearing at the March 7 Council meeting. The actual path concerned is from Cox Avenue to Lawrence Expressway, and would be done by the County. VI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further discussions, the Commission's study session adjourned at 10:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara Sampson, Secretary • -4- 1 ~,.. I ?~ t~~r)SG \ (1 ~_ OF SARATOG~ 13777 FRUITVALE AVENUE - SARATOGA, CALIFORNIA 95070 (408) 867-3438 ~~~0~3~~DtC~~ TO: Parks and Recreation Commission 1 FROM: Barbara Sampson SUBJECT: March 3 Agenda DATE. February 27 , 1975 Mr. Ken Arutunian of Arutunian/Kinney Associates, Landscape Architects is going to try to attend this meeting to discuss the co-development of Foothill School park site. He is the architect hired by the Foothill Family-Faculty Club to design their Outdoor Education Area. He would like to meet the Commission and obtain information about what we feel should be designed for the area. • It has been determined by staff the best way to handle this project is to have an agreement with the School District allowing them to be the lead agency, but the Commission and City Council will still have to approve plans or design. Also, if handled in this manner the architect or developer would not have to work under 2 contracts, for monies from the City would be paid to the School District. The City Attorney will work on drafting the agreement, and the Commission's recommendation on co-development will be transferred to Council with the agreement. Basic approval of this method has been discussed by City Manager Robert Beyer with School District Superintendent Everett McNicholas. 1 will have some additional information on the process we might take in re- designing E1 Quito Park plan. The Hakone Gardens Review Committee has completed a basic recommendation for repair-improvement of Hakone Gardens, and this will be presented to you at the meeting. In order to leave more time for discussion of Foothill co-development and Hakone recommendation, we will postpone beginning work on the Capital Im- provement Schedule. We have received more donations for Brookglen Park, and I will have an up-to-date list for you on Monday. Barbara Sampson, Secretary ~~ BS:bh ©_