P&R 01-07-10APPROVED r/IINUTES
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
CITY OF CUl'ERTINO
Regular Meeting
January 7, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
Community Hall Council Chamber
10350 Torre Avenue, Cupertino
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CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Lee called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Hall
Council Chamber, 10350 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, CA.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Commissioners present: David Lee, Darcy Paul, Jeanne Bradford, David
Greenstein and Debbie Stephens Stauffer
Staff present: Mark Lirider, Donna Henriques, Molly James, Tom
Walters, John Bisely and Jeff Ordway
SELECTION OF OFFICERS
A. Chairperson
Action: Commissioner Greenstein nominated Commissioner Stauffer
for Chairperson. Commissioner Paul seconded the nomination. The
motion carried unanimously.
B. Vice Chairperson
Action: Commissioner Bradford nominated Commissioner Paul for
Vice Chairperson. Commissioner Greenstein seconded the
nomination_ The motion carried unanimously.
Chairperson Lee congratulated Commissioner Stauffer as the new
Chairperson. Chairperson ~~tauffer took over the meeting.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEET][NGS
A. Regular meeting of December 3, ?_009
Action: Commissioner Greenstein asked for a correction to the
minutes under Commissioner contacts to state: "that this is the end of
his term", not his "last" term. Commissioner Lee made a motion to
approve the minutes with the amendment. Commissioner Greenstein
seconded the motion. The motiion carried unanimously.
6. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS -None
7. PRESENTATION
A. Parks and Recreation Program update by Mark Linder, Director of Parks and
Recreation.
Director Linder gave a presentation ~~n the Parks and Recreation Department
overall and how the staff developed its Vision, Mission, Outcomes and Core
Values, which are Community, Quality and Trustworthy.
B. Godbe Research Associates off-leash survey results
Bryan Godbe and Gayatri Kuber ga~~e a presentation on the results of the
residents' (mailed to residents within 1500' of the four designated parks) and
park users' surveys regarding designated unfenced areas in Jollyman Park,
Library Field, Linda Vista Park and Memorial Park for off-leash dog exercise
use during specific hours for anine-month trial period.
The overall results of the survey were 37% supported the proposal and 63%
opposed. The City Council has directed staff to look into alternative sites,
within Cupertino city limits, for fen~~ed-in off-leash areas and to report back to
Council at the February 16 meeting.
S. OLD BUSINESS
A. Review Stevens Creek Corridor Park Trail policies
Director Linder said the original policies that were proposed, and
implemented in July, were working and that this discussion would review
the policies and give the Commissioners an opportunity to ask questions
of Molly James and Tom Walters.
Commissioner Bradford asked to address Items # 3 and #10 specifically,
since the Commission and City Council had received an email from a
resident regarding these issues. Item #3 refers to "No alcohol allowed on
the trail. Beer and wine is allowed in the Blackberry Farm picnic area and
may only be consumed with a meal" and Item# 1 O refers to "Smoking is
not allowed on the trail or in the surrounding natural areas".
Molly James addressed Item #3 and said that all areas where picnic tables
are located would be subject to this policy and that people would not be
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allowed to walk on the trail to another area while holding a beer or glass
of wine.
Regarding Item# 1 O, Molly said they could put additional "No Smoking"
signage with the speed limit signs. She said that people should be
encouraged to smoke in their personal vehicles in the parking lot and not
while entering the park or in front of residents' homes.
Director Linder said that the Commission will review the policies again
after another full season of operation.
B. Review Green policies in City parks
Director Linder said this was a re;view of the policies for all City parks and
Blackberry Farm that the Commiission approved in June 2009. He referred
to his staff report and said the most of the policies were being obeyed. He
said that the City's waste management contractor, Recology (formerly Los
Altos Garbage Company) will begin picking up compostables in
November 201 O.
John Bisely, Public Works Supervisor, said that they only use non-lethal
chemicals on weeds and they ty~~ically treat the weeds at the pre-
emergence stage rather than when they come up. He also said that they
try to trap rodents and pests rath<:r than poison them.
9. NEW BUSINESS
A. Review user/public involvement in Parks and Recreation activities-
Jeff Ordway, Recreation Coordi~iator, discussed his report on the various
means the Parks and Recreation Department solicits feedback from
participants on programs and facility usage. Currently, they are trying an
online evaluation system which i.s very cost effective and is also green.
However, they are having less respondents online than by mailing paper
evaluations. In addition, they ar~~ offering some incentives to encourage
participants to return their evaluaitions.
The responses from these survey questions help the coordinators evaluate
their programs. The suggestions on the surveys also help them decide on
future program offerings. Coordinators also make announced and
unannounced visits to observe the programs and see how the participants
are engaging in the class with the instructor. In addition, participants and
parents can send a comment or complaint on Access Cupertino.
10. MISCELLANEOUS - NO ACTION REQUIRED
A. Staff oral reports -Director Linder asked if the Commission wanted to
invite the Friends of Stevens Creek Trail to come to the February 4, 201 O
Commission or wait until the March meeting. Since Mark has a meeting
with the Joint Cities committee on February 5 regarding the Four Cities
Trail, it was decided to wait until the March 4, 201 O meeting to invite the
Friends of Stevens Creek Trail.
B_ Commissioner contacts
Commissioner Bradford thanked Commissioner Lee for his outstanding
leadership as Chair of the Commission.
Chairperson Stauffer thanked Commissioner Lee and Commissioner
Greenstein for their high level of community involvement during a year
filled with many events.
11. ADJOURNMENT -Chairperson Stauffer adjourned the meeting at 8:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, 1
Donna Henriques, Administrative Assistant
Minutes approved at the February 4. 2010 regular meeting
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