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P&R 12-04-08APPROVED MINUTES PARKS AND 11~,CREA"LION COMMISSION CITY OF CUPERTINO Regular Meeting Thursday, December 4, 2008 at '7:00 p.m. Community Hall Council Chamber 1. 2. 3. 4. CALL TO ORDER Chair Greenstein called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. in the Community Hall Council Chamber, 10350 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, CA. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL Commissioners present: David Greenstein, Jeanne Bradford, David Lee, Darcy Paul, and Debbie Stephens Stauffer Staff present: Mark Linder, Donna Henriques, Tim Coles, Molly James an<i Tom Walters MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETII~~GS A. Regular meeting of November 6, 2008 Action: Commissioner Bradford made a motion to approve the minutes. Commissioner P:iul asked make three amendments to the minutes. 1. On the second action for the motions on Item 7A, he would like the minutes to state his reason for voting no: "on the basis of incomplete consideration of options for fenced dog parks." 2. On the action for the motion on Item 8A, he would like the minutes to state: "the Commission look into the possibility of changing the current lease in a timely manner." 3. On the action for Item 8B, he would like the minutes to state his reason for abstaining: "and requesting that Council provide more guidance as to the possible changes." Approval of the minutes was deferred until the January 8, 2009 Commissioner Paul could :submit his amendment to Item 8A. 5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS -None 6. PRESENTATION A. Tim Coles, Recreation Coordinator for Blackberry Farm Golf Course, gave a presentation on the history and current state of the golf course. 7. NEW BUSINESS A. Discussion of draft policies and procedures and green policies, for the Stevens Creek Corridor Trail and Blackberry Farm. Director Linder introduced Mol:~y James and Tom Walters who gave a presentation and answered quesr_ions on the proposed policies for the Stevens Creek Trail. The following individuals spoke: on this issue: Deborah Jamison and Janet Van Zoeren presented pictures of hard concrete bike trails and how they are affected by bicycle usage over time. The pictures showed that bicyclists tend to veer off the trails and form their own dirt access roads or trails, which destroys plant vegetatiori and can harm wildlife habitat. Janet is also concerned v~ith signage posted on the new trail especially, at the junctio~~s between the old and newly restored trail and feel that it's important to have bicyclists slow down at those junctions. Deborah also handed out a letter that she had written to the Commissioners in 2005 regarding the trail use discussion at a Parks and Recreation Commission meeting at that time. Margot Tenold said that she is concerned about having bikes and dogs on the trail in McC-lellan Ranch wildlife area and that the rules of the new trail should be strictly enforced. Commissioners' comments included: • Add NO SMOKING to proposed trail rules and policies • Need a specific policy on dogs on short leash • Trail surface is pervious and is €;ood for wheelchairs, strollers and tricycles but is not good for speed bicyclists • Add signage to list of policies regarding dogs on trail -rules need to be closely monitored to protect wildlife and keep dogs on the trail • Possibly having NO dogs on trai'1 • Speed limit on trail should be lowered to 5 or 7 mph -especially when passing pedestrians • How many people are expected to use the trail and what is the environmental impact? • Need creative ways to keep people on the trail, ie. wood fences • Will allowing dogs on the trail disrupt the 4H animals that are in the pens close to the trail? • Possibly having people and their dogs earn the right to use the trail by attending training and taking a test • Need to have penalties for violating the rules posted on signage • Post on signage that owners are responsible to clean up after their pets • What about alcohol on/off the trail? Molly James and Tom Walters presented the proposed rules and policies for Blackberry Farm. These rules and policies would pertain to the entire park including the picnic area, fields and swimming pool area, but would exclude the trail. Molly recommended adding NO paint guns to the weapons restrictions. The following individuals asked to speak on this issue: Deborah Jamison and Janet Van Zoereri presented pictures of signage in parks. They are concerned about protecting small (new) plants and feel the signage should reflect protecting sensitive areas. Fencing around sensitive areas could also be used for protection, in addition 'to signs. Janet Van Zoeren said there should be rnore consistency of the rules throughout the park and there should not be separate policies in each area. She also feels that the rules should say that "Recycling is Required". Commissioners' comments included: • What are the plant species that sire susceptible to being trampled? • Need stronger verbiage for recycling -and include "thank you" • Governance and enforcement ol~ rules is very important • Possibly allow bounce houses for certain events • Should have many recycling receptacles available throughout the park' • Confusing having NO dogs allo-wed in the park, but they are allowed on the trail • Should there be specific policies; for each area, like "picnic area, meadow area, bocce fields area or more consistent rules throughout the park? • Strongly enforce recycling • Management responsible for enforcing the policies has the right to ask people to leave if they do not follow the posted rules • Should have fines and penalties listed for breaking specific rules Molly James and Tom Walters then presented the proposed Green rules and policies for the entire park and trail areas. Janet Van Zoeren asked to speak on the proposed Green policies and said that no butterflies or other live insects or animals should be released in the park. Commissioners' comments included: • Will small packs of recyclable containers and silverware be available for purchase? • Add NO confetti and other materials allowed to the list • Add NO live animals allowed to be released • Provide specific signage about Green issues • Strongly recommend "zero waste" B. Update (verbal report) on community building projects including Kaboom and Adopt-A-Park. Director Mark Linder said that Ywo people will be coming to the January 8, 2009 Commission meeting. He asked if the Commissioners had any specific questions for them to ariswer at the meeting. The Commissioner's questions included the following: • What is the retention of ~rolunteer staff over time? • What are some of the ch:~llenges that the Commission should know ahead of time? • What are all the elements to incorporate into choosing the park? • How many parks are adopted and how many are not? Director Linder gave an update ~~n the Kaboom project and said that he has applied to Rotary for their a~inual golf tournament fund-raiser. In addition, he has asked Rotary to be the Community agency to sign the agreement with Kaboom. The k;aboom playground will replace the existing playground in Blackberry Farm. Also, the Teen Commission has expressed interest in being involved in this project. 9. MISCELLANEOUS - NO ACTION REQUIRED A. Staff oral reports Director Linder said that there were no dates available in January to reserve Community Hall to haves the next community meeting on the dog park issue. Therefore, he sugge:~ted that we have the meeting on February 5, 2009 at the regular Parks and Recreation Commission meeting and the Commissioners agreed. B. Commissioner contacts Commissioner Stauffer asked to put the Simms property issue on the January 8, 2009 meeting agenda so that a subcommittee can be formed and begin to look into the land u.se. Director Linder said that he spoke with Community Development Director, Steve Piasecki and that currently, the land use for the Simms property connects to the McClellan Ranch land use plan, but the zoning for the Simms property is residential. In order to correct the zoning and make it consistent with the land use plan, the item should be addressed by the Commission in order to ask the Planning Commission to change the zoning. Action: Commissioner Stauffer made a motion to put the Simms property land use issue on the January 8, 2009 agenda. Commissioner Bradford secocided the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Chair Greenstein said that he attended the Mayor's meeting in November. 10. ADJOURNMENT -Chair Greenstein adjourned the meeting at 9:08 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~l~"~~~~w~~ ~-~ Donna Henriques, Administrati~~ Assi~ctant Minutes approved at the January 8. 2009 regular meeting.