P&R 02-05-09 APPROVED MINUTES
PARKS AND RECREA'T'ION COMMISSION
CITY OF CLPERTINO
Regular N[eeting
Thursday, February 5. 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Community Hall Council Chamber
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Lee called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. in the Community Hall Council
Chamber, 10350 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, CA.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
Commissioners present: David Greenstein, David Lee, Darcy Paul, and
Debbie Stephens Stauffer
Commissioners absent: Jeanne Bradford
Staff present: Mark Linder, Donna Henriques, Julia Lamy,
Ralph Qualls and Gail Seeds
4. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETIrvGS
A. Regular meeting of January 8, 2009
Action: Commissioner Greenstein made a motion to approve the
minutes. Commissioner Stauffer asked to add the following
amendments to the minutes: Item A-1, Commissioner Stauffer
mentioned the consideration of a clear and publicly identifiable
delineation between Blacl+:berry Farm Park and the McClellan
Ranch Nature Preserve. ~~dditionally, she raised concerns about
allowing dogs in the McCllellan Ranch Nature Preserve due to the
biological and behavioral impact of dogs in the natural wildlife
habitat and restoration area; conflict with the proximity to the 4H
animals including a propc?sed fence division that would not limit
odor and would prevent enjoyment of trail users to see that farm
area; and confusion by dog owners that some trails will allow dogs
and others will not in the same natural preserve area. She also
said that over half of the open space preserves in the Midpeninsula
Regional Open Space Dis~:rict do not allow dogs.
She also asked to amend Item B to say that Director Linder agreed
to establish a committee for property rehabilitation and Simms
House transition in the McClellan Ranch Nature and Rural
Preserve. The expectation was for the committee to commence in
February 2009.
Commissioner Greenstein agreed to accept the minutes, with the
amendments, upon verification of Commissioner Stauffer's
verbiage. Commissioner Paul seconded the motion and the motion
carried unanimously.
Commissioner Paul discussed having the draft minutes put on the
website for public viewing l,~efore they are approved. Director Linder
said that he would discuss it with the City Clerk and report back to the
Commission.
6. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS -
Deborah Jamison asked if the draft minutes from the previous meeting can
be posted on the website before the upcoming meeting. Director Linder
explained that the minutes cann~~t be posted on the website in draft form,
and are not considered official minutes to be posted until they are
approved by the Commission.
Keith Murphy asked how the Erivironmental Impact Review money had
been set aside for the Calabazas Creek Trail near the Main Street
Cupertino project and wanted tc know how the money will be allocated
and if the City residents will be asked for public input? He said he would
also like to see all the trails in tl'ie Cupertino area be connected to each
other in the future.
Sherry Fang suggested that the ~~ity of Cupertino provide aCity-wide
survey to the residents to help prioritize City projects and save residents
time on lobbying commissions ~md Council on certain issues. She said
that Portland, Oregon sends out a yearly survey for feedback from the
citizens and then the city will u~;e the results to help with city services and
she hopes that Cupertino will do the same.
Director Linder said that this survey is being done in Cupertino and that it
is conducted every other year.
7. PRESENTATION
A. Stevens Creek Corridor Park project update by Ralph Qualls.
Public Works Director,lZalph Qualls gave a presentation on the
background, history and scope of Phase 1-A which included
pictures of the current construction on the newly aligned creek
channel, trail and renovations to the park.
The following individuals gave comments or asked questions
regarding the Stevens Creek Corridor Park project:
Deborah Jamison, Keith Murphy, Carol Stanek and John Buenz
Their questions were an:;veered by Ralph Qualls and Gail Seeds,
Project Manager.
8. STUDY SESSION
A. Facilitated community discussion on off-leash areas for dogs,
fenced and unfenced.
Director Linder gave a f~resentation on the process and guidelines
for the facilitated community discussion. After his presentation,
Director Linder introduced Senior Recreation Supervisor Julia
Lamy, the staff facilitator for the meeting. Supervisor Lamy went
over the instructions for the groups at the tables and informed them
that they should try to arrive at a group consensus and fill out the
Group Feedback form o~~ each table. Each group representative
presented their comments and feedback.
Chairperson Lee asked if anyone would like to speak individually
on this issue and the following people spoke in favor of off-leash
areas in parks with designated times:
Carol Miller, Claudette :Miller, Sherry Fang, Paul Doiron, Ruby
Elbogen, May Koski an~i Eric Wilson. Shari Kleinhaus is in favor
of creating off-leash areas in City parks but not near creeks
because dogs can disturb the natural environment.
Art Hackworth and David Julian said that they are in favor of dog
parks.
Deborah Jamison said that the back end (west side) of Linda Vista
Park is too close to the creek and the riparian corridor and
therefore would not be <<ppropriate for dogs. She said she also felt
that the County Park area is very rich in habitat areas and would
not be appropriate for a dog area.
The following people asked to speak in favor of fenced dog parks
and against off-leash arc;as in parks at designated times:
David Fung, David Klinger and Horng Hsu.
Comments from the Commissioners included:
Commissioner Greenstein said that he feels that the off-leash fines
should be commensurate: with the crime and he believes that they
are too high. He also fec;ls that the enforcement of cleaning up
after dogs should be spelled out so as to assure public safety.
Commissioner Paul made the following requests of staff and asked
them to follow up:
• Is there an emer€;ency procedure plan "noticed" in parks
and how best to ~lotice this plan in future sites?
• How many dog owners are in the City of Cupertino?
• How best to determine the residences within 500 feet of
park designated :Eor off-leash hours and how to conduct and
verify the vote o:F the residents.
• How would space be allocated in County parks?
Chairperson Lee said he would like staff to compile the feedback
from tonight's surveys and incorporate it in the proposed
guidelines.
Note: Commissioner Stauffer left the meeting at 10:02 p.m.
9. MISCELLANEOUS - NO ACTION REQUIRED
A. Staff oral reports -none at this time
B. Commissioner contacts -none at this time
10. ADJOURNMENT -Chairperson L~~e adjourned the meeting at 10:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Henriques, Administrat//ive Assistant
Minutes approved at the 3 `Jl~~regul~xr meeting