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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-02-1974 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes • SARATOGA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES TIME: MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1974 PLACE: CRISP MEMORIAL CONFERENCE ROOM, SARATOGA CITY OFFICES, 13777 FRUITVALE AVENUE, SARATOGA, CALIFORNIA 95070 TYPE: REGULAR MEETING I. ORGANIZATION A. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Commissioners Carlson, Clawson, Gordon, Rose, Wilberding and Zambetti. ABSENT: Commissioners Buchanan and Terry. OTHERS PRESENT: Mr. Roy Swanson, Park Foreman and Mr. lee Stoller, Community Garden Committee. B. MINUTES The minutes of the November~20, 1974 meeting were approved as corrected. OLD BUSINESS A. STUDY OF ITEMS THAT MIGHT BE INCLUDED IN THE PARK BOND ISSUE The Secretary prepared a list of the Commissioner's priorities of park bond STUDY OF ITEMS items from the last Commission meeting, and explained each and the costs. IN PARK BOND ISSUE The tennis court figures are now running $20,000 a court, if building more than 2 courts, and this includes lights. Commissioner Carlson stated that several weeks ago the Commission had dis- cussed requirements for Hakone that would be considered capital expenditures, although they are really maintenance and renovation items. He questioned whether money for these expenditures could be included in a bond issue. Commissioner Rose agreed that the Commission should repair Hakone before we go ahead with the work on the buffer zone, parking lot, etc. The Secretary stated that the foundation work should be done at the same time as the termite work. The upper house and the lower house have to be done immediately. There is $9,000 budgeted this year for Hakone. Chairman Wilberding questioned whether the $40,000 in acquisition for Con- gress Springs could be transferred over for Hakone repairs. The Secretary will check and see if this would be possible. The Commission decided the restoration of Hakone, the widening of the road at the bottom of the hill, the purchase of additional property, and the development of a buffer zone - alt be included in a bond issue. Mr. Swanson reported that the usage of Hakone has increased in the last couple of weeks, possibly because of the publicity on Tanso Ishihara's book. The Secretary reported that the Wildwood development and purchase of the additional 3 acres and complete the present 2 acres figures have been re- duced on a cost per acre basis, because alot of this will stay natural. Commissioner Rose questioned enlarging Wildwood when in the near future there will be Central Park and Wildwood will be more of a neighborhood park. However, there is a definite need of tables and barbeque pits at Wildwood. Commissioner Zambetti felt that some development should be done at Wildwood, but not all of it. The Commission agreed that the purchase and development of the additional land at Wildwood be listed as an alternate. PARKS AND RECREATI~OMMISSION - MINUTES - DECEMBE•, 1974 - continued The Secretary stated the Commission should leave some alternatives for the Citizens Committee to decide what actually should be included in the park bond issue. Commissioner Carlson suggested listing alternates as to what can be develop• ed now, and then have a master plan as when to implement. Chairman Wilberding suggested a complete park list of cost and essential items should be given to the committee and see what they come up with. The Secretary stated that the Entry Park figure was just a guess as she did not know exactly what the Commission wanted. Commissioner Carlson stated that he had heard Highway 85 is not going to be a State highway anymore. The Secretary stated she would check on this, how- ever the State still maintains it. The Secretary stated that Entry Park should be left on the Commission's list of priorities as it shows that the Commission is thinking of "open space" and not just a regular park. Commissioner Clawson believed the $15,000 allocated for Entry Park would be enough as no mass development can be done on ~ acre - maybe just a sprinkler system, landscaping, and a sign indicating entry to the City. The Secretary stated that the City is having this land studied as to poten- tial development. The Commission agreed to leave Entry Park as a park bond issue on the con- tingency of development. Commissioner Rose stated that the land at the corner of Pollard and Quito Roads that is owned by the County, if and when the road is widened, that possibly the City could pick up the small piece of land that would be left as open space, as it is such a beautiful piece of property. The Secretary stated she would mention it to the Director of Public Works. Chairman Wilberding questioned when the Commission's recommendation for a bond issue should go to City Council and what it should include. The Secretary suggested the first of the year and that would give the Commission 9 months to prepare for a November, 1975 bond election. The recommendation should include the major necessity of a bond election for the Council to investigate, a total figure, and a list of priorities. The Commission agreed to leave the Quito Pathway open as a priority for the bond issue, until the Trails and Pathways Task Force comes up with a reco- mmendation in February, 1975. At this time, it could be included in a bond election. A lump sum of $400,000 was included as a rough estimate for the present time for the Quito Pathway on the possible bond issue items. The Secretary suggested that she put together a recommendation for the Commission to approve at their January 6th meeting, so that the Commission can then send it to City Council. 111. NEW BUSINESS A. COMMUNITY GARDEN REQUEST The Secretary included in the Commissioner's packets a brief history of the COMMUNITY GARDEN Community Garden and a recommendation that was given to City Council last REQUEST August. The Council renewed the lease with I.O.O.F. for 1 year and also a new garden manager agreement with John Dotter. The Secretary then introduced Roy Swanson, Park Foreman and Lee Stoller, Board of Directors of Community Garden. An additional report was distri- buted to the Commissioner's prepared by John Dotter explaining the proposal for a Community Garden at the S.E. corner of Cox Avenue and Saratoga- Sunnyvale Road for garden plots for the community. Commissioner Rose questioned whether there was an estimate on the cost of irrigation for the new site. Mr. Swanson estimated that 2 meters, irriga- tion pipe and fittings would be needed at a cost of $700 to $900. The site is ideal for about 70 - 25' x 30' plots per acre, and the charge could be $10 per plot. -2- PARKS AND RECREA~ COMMISSION - MINUTES - DECEM~2, 1974 - continued Chairman Wilberding suggested the Central Park property might even be better for this type of garden because it will be some time before we develop there and it is close to West Valley College. Mr. Swanson stated that is a possibility. The reason the Cox Avenue site was selected was to help the vandalism problem in that area. The Secretary reported that the Community Garden Committee has completely been reorganized and has some very interested people on the committee. The present Community Garden will still be retained as a demonstation garden and where classes can be held. Also a good place.to start tree seedlings and bush seedlings which would result in a great savings for the City. The new garden would be mainly for garden plots and providing food, exercise, health, etc. for community involvement. Mr. Swanson reported that the City of Palo Aito has over 260 various plots all over the city with a large waiting list for more plots. The plots have to be renewed every planting season, and if it is not taken care of it is taken away. Mr. Stoller stated that 2 years ago 6 plots were opened up at the present Community Garden and they are still being maintained. There was no real publicity on this when the plots were being offered, but they went fast, so the interest is definitely there. This is a great way to preserve open space and still eliminate weeds. Commissioner Carlson made a motion that the Commission support the concept of establishing a community garden with plots on unused City property and that these plots be available for residents of Saratoga only. Commissioner Gordon seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously. B. DECEMBER 16, 1974 PARKS ~ RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING CANCELLATION The Secretary reported that the City is planning a dinner for Mayor Jerome Smith and Councilman Rod Diridon on December 16 at La Mere Michelle in Saratoga. Since this is the date of the next Parks and Recreation Commi- ssion meeting she asked the Commissioner's opinion on canceling their December 16 meeting. Commissioner Zambetti made a motion that the December 16 Parks and Recrea- tion Commission meeting be canceled so that the Commissioner's could attend the dinner. Commissioner Carlson seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously. The Secretary stated that invitations will be sent out to all Commissioner's and she will report to Council that this date is fine with the Parks and Recreation Commission. IV. COMMITTEE AND STAFF REPORTS A. COMMITTEE REPORTS 1) RE: NAKONE REVIEW COMMITTEE The Secretary stated the committee has not met since last reported. B. STAFF REPORTS 1) RE: NELSON PROPERTY The Secretary reported that she cannot find any information that the Nelson property was ever donated to the City. The only item found was a resolution including the property in the Williamson Act and land conservation. Chairman Wilberding suggested the Secretary contact Charles Robbins and Jean Woodward so they might possibly remember what happened with this property. The Secretary stated the property has to stay under the Williamson Act for at least 10 years, but the City could still take over the property. -3- PARKS AND RECREATIO~OMMISSION - MINl1TFS - nFf.FMRF 2) RE: BROOKGLEN PARK 1974 - continued The Secretary distributed to the Commissioner's the flyer regarding the Brookglen Park plant donations that is going out in the homeowner news- letter. Commissioner Rose questioned whether the donation was tax deductible,, as some people may question it. The Secretary stated she would check and possibly still get this information included in the newsletter. V. COMMUNICATION A. PUBLICITY ON DECEMBER 16, 1974 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING The Secretary stated she would get a news release out to all newspapers re- garding the December 16 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting cancellation. VI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m.. Respectfully submitted, Barbara Sampson, Secretary -4-