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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-04-1974 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes• SARATOGA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES TIME: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1974 - 7:30 P.M. PLACE: CRISP MEMORIAL CONFERENCE ROOM, SARATOGA CITY OFFICES, 13777 FRUITVALE AVENUE, SARATOGA, CALIFORNIA 95070 TYPE: REGULAR MEETING I. ORGANIZATION A. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Commissioners Buchanan, Carlson, Clawson, Gordon, Rose, Terry and Wilberding. ABSENT: Commissioner Zambetti. OTHERS PRESENT: Student observer. B. MINUTES The minutes of the October 21, 1974 meeting were approved as corrected. II. OLD BUSINESS A. REVIEW OF SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE - RECOMMENDATION TO PLANNING DEPARTMENT The Secretary distributed the part of the Subdivision Ordinance that applies REVIEW OF to the Commission a.nd the recommendations the Commission have made to this SUBDIVISION date. ORDINANCE The Secretary recommended that to Section 3.9-4 that the Commission add, "the Planning Commission or City Council may designate the area. to be dedicated". Also that in Section 3.9-5 the words "to serve the subdivision for which received" be deleted, and also add to this section "no fees shall be used for operation or maintenance". The Commission asked that staff provide the correct terminology to remove the implication that the money is to be spent only in the subdivision for which received. The Secretary stated she would see this is re-written as such. The Secretary distributed an example of different fee structures and ex- plained the formula as written in the Subdivision Ordinance. Commissioner Terry questioned the fee formula in regards to 3 families living on 1 acre. It seems they would need more recreational park facilities. The Secretary stated that the fee structure is set up on dwellings per acre not on people per acre. The Secretary reported that she had talked to the Planning Director about land being reassessed. The books are updated yearly but not assessed yearly. The Assessor's Office does not bring the value of land up to date until the land is developed. So, there is no correct value of undeveloped land, as vacant lots a.re usually not assessed yearly. Commissioner Terry suggested that the fair market value be raised in order to raise the park fee. Commissioner Carlson agreed. • PARKS AND RECREA ~SION - MINUTES-.NOVEMBER 4, 1974 - continued The Secretary stated that our current formula. is figured on the basis established by the League of California Cities, which is the average number of persons per unit times 1,000 population and park acreage standard, which is 1,000 persons residing in a city a.nd no less than 2Z acres per 1,000 persons. Commissioner Terry suggested that at the end of each year we go back and take t'he sales of the last 2 or 3 months of the value of land, and make the fee twice as much in order to get the equivalent true market value of the assessed evaluation. Or take the assessed value and add 25~ or an apFraised evaluation. Commissioner Terry asked the Secretary for staff help in raising the fee at least 25% above the present formula. The Secretary stated she would take this to staff and also thought the formula should be changed to increase the fee accordingly. The Commission agreed the fee should be $200 to $300, a.nd the Secretary take it to staff to get their feelings, comments, and a. possible formula. Chairman Wilberding questioned if there should be a. low and high fee, or just one fee. The Secretary suggested to start with a bottom fee and see what a slide scale would do to it to arrive at a top figure. B. STUDY OF ITEMS THAT MIGHT BE INCLUDED IN THE PARK BOND ISSUE The Secretary distributed a copy of the Capital Improvement Program to dis- STUDY OF ITEMS cuss the Commission's priorities over the next 5 years. IN PARK BOND ISSUE Commissioner Rose suggested going over every item individually and see what the Commission wants to include in a bond issue. The Secretary suggested looking to see what can be developed for 1976-81, and then if a bond issue is necessary the bonds be sold on a. 5 or 10 year basis - preferably 5 year because of inflation. Commissioner Terry stated that unless we can use eminent domain, Congress Springs Park will not be included in the bond issue. Chairman Wilberding asked that the Secretary check on eminent domain a.nd whether state money can be used on it. The Secretary suggested that the Commission look at each area and get some money in each area of the city, a.nd be specific as to what will be done in this area and the amount. Right now the Commission should figure on $60,000 per acre for development a.nd $25,000 per acre for acquisition. Commissioner Terry stated trail development is $20,000 per mile, not including land. The Secretary stated the Commission is easily faced with a 3 million dollar bond issue, and to try and stay within this figure. Commissioner Terry made a chart of the different parks so that the Commission could actually see what park development is to be completed, or what needs to be purchased and developed. Some parks are listed under two different categories because one part of the park may be complete, but the second part still may need to be purchased and developed. Developments Complete Purchase & Develop Azule E1 Quito Congress Springs Central Gardiner Foothill Foothill Hakone Fremont Kevin Mvran Hakone Wildwood Miljevich Wildwood The Secretary stated that it looks like the Foothill Park project is going to move in the direction of co-development. We have money in this years budget for acquisition and the Secretary suggested that Foothill be developed before the bond issue, if possible. -2- • PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION - MINUTES - NOVEMBER 4, 1974 - continued Commissioner Terry stated the parks that a.re high risk axe the purchase of Congress Springs, purchase of Miljevich, and Foothill is questionable right now. The low risk parks are Fremont, Wildwood a.nd Hakone. Commissioner Gordon suggested that the Commission plan on 6 tennis courts at Congress Springs, and if the park is not included in the bond issue, that they be moved to Central Park, or both. Chairman Wilberding asked the Commission to prepare for the November 18th meeting with the figures given and to try and stay within 3 million dollars. C. DISCUSSION OF RESALE FEE DISCUSSION OF RESALE FEE The Secretary reported that the City of San Jose's present conveyance tax is used for capital improvements only. 60% is used for parks and 40% for other public improvements (libraries, fire trucks, etc.), as all capital items have to be constantly updated and improved. Commissioner Terry questioned how many homes were sold in Saratoga this past year a.nd their value. The Secretary stated that Commissioner Zambetti was going to find out these figures and report at this meeting, however he is absent. Chairman Wilberding stated that this research would really be help- ful in order to come up with a. fee. Santa Clara County collects this sort of tax, so the Secretary will check to see if there is a service fee for this type of tax, and report at the next Commission meeting. The Secretary stated when the Commission does decide on a resale fee and makes the recommendation to Council, then public hearings will be held. Chairman Wilberding questioned whether a developer if he had just purchased the land be double taxed on it. The Secretary did not believe so, but this should be checked through the City Attorney. One way this could be prevented is to not have a resale fee on vacant land. The Secretary will check with the City of San Jose and see how they handle their fee in regards to vacant land and developed land. III. NEW BUSINESS A. BOETHING TREELAND NURSERY CORP. REQUEST BOETHING TREELAND NURSERY CORP. REQUEST The Secretary reported on the letter from Boething Treeland Nursery Corp. that was sent to the City and which she included in the packets to the Commission. Since this letter, Boething has already started to clear the trees in the state freeway right-of-way. Boething would like to get access through Kevin Moran Park a.nd Azule Park, as they cannot cross over the flood control channel within their leased property, and Santa Clara Valley Water District will not let Boething build a bridge across. The City can give them a water line easement which they will put underground, but if access is allowed we are opening up traffic on Goleta or Scully Ave- nue. Also the people from Azule Park would not be able to get to Kevin Moran Park. Commissioner Clawson questioned if there was some way the City could help in having Santa Clara Valley Water District let Boething build a bridge. Commissioner Terry agreed that it would solve alot of problems if the Water District would cooperate, as we cannot allow a.n access road and create a traffic problem for the residents of the area; but we allow Boething to build a public right-of-way between the two parks. Commissioner Carlson recommended that the Commission allow the water line and the public right-of-way, but not road access. Commissioner Clawson seconded the motion, and it wa.s passed unanimously. -3- PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION - MINUTES - NOVEMBER 4, 1974 - continued IV. COMMITTEE AND STAFF REPORTS A. COMMITTEE REPORTS 1. RE: SKYLINE REGIONAL TRAIL COUNCIL Commissioner Terry reported that Saturday, November 2 he attended the first meeting of the Skyline Regional Trail Council. The purpose of the organization is to act as a coordinating agency so that there is one place to go to find out what other groups are planning in regards to trails. Several reports were given by different people, one by the state trails '~~ regarding one of their programs called the Murphy Act which is to connect all the state parks in Santa Cruz County with trails - over 1 million ~I dollars will be spent in this area. The second program by the state has to do with the Proposition One money, and they are waiting for suggestions from different groups, cities, etc. It was requested that the various people who attended this meeting from different cities and counties go back to their group and find out if they would like a representative on the Trail Council. The have three categories - 1) a voting member 2) an associate member (individual, not representing a group) 3) advisory board committee (staff). Commissioner Terry believed this orgainization is going to be very active. The next meeting the Trail Council has planned is January 18, 1975, and the fee for a. voting member is $10. Commissioner Clawson recommended John Terry be designated as a voting member to the Skyline Regional Trail Council to represent the City of Saratoga, and the City pay the $10 fee. Commissioner Gordon seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously. B. STAFF REPORTS 1. RE: BROOKGLEN PARK The Secretary reported that the fencing is complete at Brookglen Park and the sprinkler system and seed are in. V. COMMUNICATIONS A. RESERVATIONS FOR C.P.R.S. NOVEMBER SOCIAL The Secretary stated that anyone interested in attending the November Social let her know as she will be calling in reservations Wednesday, November 6. VI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 11:10 p.m.. Respectfully submitted, Barbara. Sampson, Secretary -4-