P&R 11-17-2022 (Special)
CITY OF CUPERTINO
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Teleconference Special Meeting
Thursday, November 17, 2022
6:00 PM
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chair Begur called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. via remote teleconference.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners present: Xiangchen (Minna) Xu (6:36 p.m.), Sashikala Begur, Carol
Stanek, Seema Swamy
Commissioners absent: Gopal Kumarappan
Staff present: Rachelle Sander, Jessica Javier, Alex Greer, John
Raaymakers, Susan Michael, Matt Morley (6:57 p.m.)
Guest speakers: Jan Eiesland, Myrna Ortiz
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Subject: October 6, 2022 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
Recommended Action: Review and approve the October 6, 2022 Parks and Recreation
Commission meeting minutes.
Commissioner Stanek motioned to approve the October 6, 2022 meeting minutes as
submitted. Commissioner Swamy seconded. Motion passed with 3 yes and 2 absent.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
NEW BUSINESS
2. Subject: Lawrence-Mitty Park and Trail status update
Recommended Action: Receive an update on the status of the Lawrence-Mitty Park and
Trail project. Provide feedback on the preferred theme and elements considering the
community's responses to the three conceptual designs presented to them.
Written Communications for this item included an email to the commission.
Rachelle Sander, Director of Parks and Recreation, introduced Susan Michael, Capital
Improvement Programs (CIP) Manager, who introduced the item. Introduced Jan
Eiesland, MIG Consultant, who presented on the project overview and the three design
alternatives that were presented to the community. Introduced Myrna Ortiz, MIG
Consultant, who presented on community engagement and outreach.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions.
Jennifer Griffin, Cupertino resident, supported concepts B and C, benches, picnic tables,
and an emergency phone. Expressed concerns surrounding security and the creek
water.
Lisa Warren, Cupertino resident, expressed concerns surrounding the renaming of the
park. Supported a combination of concept B and C.
Chair Xu joined the meeting at 6:36 p.m. and took over as Chair for the special meeting.
Commissioner Stanek expressed that the bike trail needs be stated more clearly in the
presentations moving forward. Supported the addition of a restroom and involving the
Arts and Culture Commission for a potential Art in Unexpected Places on the sound
wall.
Vice Chair Begur expressed concerns surrounding water in the actual creek and the
emphasis placed on benches with a “creek view” if there is no water, the air quality and
sound being so close to the Lawrence Expressway, the North end access with bicycles
and the freeway entrance, the location of a restroom at Sterling Barnhart Park, and
security with a sound wall.
Commissioner Swamy supported a more naturalistic approach with trees in place of the
sound wall. Expressed concerns surrounding potential graffiti on a sound wall.
Chair Xu supported keeping the trees at the South end, planting of more trees at the
North end, and the addition of drinking fountains. Expressed concerns surrounding
irrigation and the height of the creek outlook due to safety when there is heavy rainfall,
and the location of a restroom at Sterling Barnhart Park verses inside Lawrence-Mitty
Park.
CIP Manager Michael did clarify that the project team is looking into costs associated
with putting a restroom on the Lawrence-Mitty Parcel, however, there are additional
complications since utilities, water, and sewer would need to be pulled from the City of
San Jose because Cupertino cannot cross the creek bed.
3. Subject: Update on Fiscal Year 2022-23 City Work Program Item Intergenerational
Engagement
Recommended Action: Receive an update on the status of the Intergenerational
Engagement Fiscal Year 22-23 work program item and provide feedback.
Director Sander introduced Alex Greer, Senior Center Recreation Supervisor, to present
on the item. Presented on the background and current status of the city work program
item intergenerational engagement.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions.
Jennifer Griffin, Cupertino resident, recommended bingo and shuffleboard activities.
Louise Saadati, Cupertino resident, recommended Mahjong as an activity.
Commissioner Swamy recommended healthier snacks at the events.
Commissioner Stanek recommended reaching out to the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts
community as a resource.
STAFF AND COMMISSION REPORTS
4. Subject: Monthly Update Reports.
Recommended Action: Receive monthly update reports from the Director of Parks and
Recreation and commissioners.
Commissioner Stanek reported on the Commissioners Dinner, Veteran’s Day
Ceremony, Memorial Park ponds, and the promotion of Rachelle Sander to the Director
of Parks and Recreation.
Chair Xu reported on the Lawrence-Mitty Ceremony.
Commissioner Swamy reported on the October Mayor’s Meeting.
Director Sander provided the Director’s update on the following:
- Council approved extending the resolution authorizing continued remote
teleconference meetings through December 15, 2022.
- Creekside Tot Lot opened to the public the week of October 17. It has a creek
theme and many all-inclusive play options. The City is working on the ADA path
work.
- City of Cupertino Holiday Events
o Tree Lighting – Friday, December 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Quinlan
Community Center.
o For the following holiday events, registration is required.
Breakfast with Santa – Saturday, December 3 from 8:30 to 11:30
a.m. at Quinlan Community Center
Signing Santa – Saturday, December 10 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Quinlan
Community Center
Santa Visits – December 10, 11, 16, 17, and 18 (15-Minute Visits to
your home)
- The Parks and Rec Department has started to put out A-Frames at the larger
parks in the City and will continue to do so for marketing moving forward.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Xu adjourned the special meeting at 7:42 p.m. to the December 1, 2022 meeting at
7:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted by,
Jessica Javier, Administrative Assistant
Parks and Recreation Department
Minutes approved at the 02.02.23 regular meeting