P&R 03-03-11 APPROVED MINUTES
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
CITY OF CUPERTINO
Regular Meeting
March 3, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
Community Hall, 10350 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, CA
Note: This meeting will be televised
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Darcy Paul called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the
Community Hall Council Chamber, 10 350 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, CA.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
Commissioners present: Darcy Paul, David Greenstein, Marcia St.Clair,
David Fung, David Lee
Commissioners absent: None
Staff present: Mark Linder, Molly James, Tom Walters
4. MISCELLANEOUS — NO ACTION REQUIRED
A. Staff oral reports
Director Linder reported back to the Commission on their questions from
the last meeting. They requested information regarding driver, pedestrian,
and safety programs and said that classes for middle school aged children
were offered five times and were cancelled for lack of registrants. These
class offerings will possibly be moved to the Afterschool Enrichment
program to see if more participants will want to take these classes. The
classes to help obtain a Driver's Permit however, have had over 50
participants.
The other four questions from the Commission were answered by Director
Linder as follows:
• The Senior Center offers classes in their Mature Driving Program
and there were 3 participants.
• The Parks and Recreation Department is considering bringing back
a bicycle safety training contractor called Safe Moves.
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• The Parks and Recreation Commission will be partnering with the
Teen Commission for the Walk One Week Program, March 30 —
April 13. Director Linder also offered his assistance, if needed, to
talk to the Sheriff's Department if additional crossing guards are
needed at the schools participating in this program.
• Doggie waste bags will be place in Franco Park
B. Commissioner contacts
Chairperson Paul asked that each Commissioner attend two of the 2011
monthly Mayor's meetings. Following discussion of schedules,
attendance will be as follows:
March 8 - Marcia St.Clair
April 12 - David Lee
May 10 - David Fung
June 14 - Darcy Paul
July 12 - David Greenstein
August 9 - Marcia St.Clair
September 13 - David Greenstein
October 11 - David Lee
November 8 - David Fung
Chair Paul attended the February 8 Mayor's meeting and reported that the
Fine Arts Commission is requesting nominations for this year's
Distinguished Artist and Emerging Artist. The deadline for nominations is
May 20, 2011.
Chair Paul said that he and Mark Linder met with a few representatives
from Shakespeare San Francisco, who discussed what they could bring to
Cupertino to help enhance the performance arts events that are offered
here. Chair Paul would like this placed on a future Commission agenda.
Director Linder reported that he spoke with Mark Fink, Chief Librarian at
Cupertino Library, and the Library is interested in partnering with our
Shakespeare Festival by offering pre and post - performance discussions.
He also reported that the Parks and Recreation Department may take over
the administrative duties for the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival's
Summer Shakespeare camps. This will be added to the April or May
Commission agenda.
Chair Paul reported that he attended the Technology, Information and
Communication Commission meeting and that the Chair suggested that
they form a sub - committee with two members from each of our
Commissions to address any applications that may be submitted for cell
phone tower locations in Cupertino. Commissioner Fung said that he
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would like to volunteer for the sub - committee. Director Linder said that
this discussion will be on a future agenda.
Chair Paul said he received a communication from Cupertino resident,
Ruby Elbogen, regarding an alternative for chasing away the geese at
Memorial Park. The suggestion was to place a cardboard coyote in the
park area to hopefully, scare the geese away.
5. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
A. Regular meeting of February 3, 2011
Action: Commissioner Greenstein made a motion to accept the
minutes as read. Commissioner Fung seconded the motion. Chair
Paul asked to make a correction to the vote tally to approve the
minutes of the December 2, 2010 and the January 6, 2011 meetings.
Both vote tallies should be corrected to 3 -0 -1.
The motion to approve the amended February 3, 2011 minutes
carried 4 -0 -1, with Commissioner Lee abstaining.
6. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS — None
7. PRESENTATION
A. "Our City Forest" — Rhonda Berry, President and CEO
Director Linder introduced Rhonda Berry, from Our City Forest, who gave a
presentation on their volunteer tree - planting program in San Jose. Ms. Berry
introduced Busara Melrose from the program, who was also in attendance.
Commissioner Greenstein said he would like to implement a similar program
in Cupertino and get the community involved. Director Linder said he will
follow up with Rhonda Berry and return to the Commission with more
information.
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. Review Blackberry Farm and Stevens Creek Corridor Trail policies, Green
Program and traffic update — Molly James and Tom Walters.
Molly James, Recreation Coordinator, gave an annual review of the
current policies:
• No issues had been reported with the trail policies
• Park visitors have been adhering to the Blackberry Farm Green
policies
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• The Cupertino Parks and Recreation Department will be operating
the concession stand at Blackberry Farm this coming season and
staff will monitor any caterers in the park to adhere to the policies
• Lowering the capacity in the picnic site from 800 to 525 has also
lowered the overflow parking problem — there was only 1 day in
the 2010 season that there was an overflow and it was on a
Thursday. On anticipated high traffic days, staff has been parking
offsite at Monta Vista High School.
• Pool use by residents was up from 38% in 2009, to 47% in 2010
• Picnic area rentals by residents was up from 40% in 2009, to 46%
in 2010
• There is no longer a list of "preferred caterers" so a group renting a
picnic area can bring in their own caterer
This year, Cupertino Day will be on May 7th and it will be opening day
for the Park. There will be free food and entertainment for all residents
who attend. Also, there will be a City celebration on July 4`". Sheriff
Deputies will be hired for special events to help with any parking issues.
Commissioner Greenstein said that the presence of the park rangers has
really helped keep issues down this past year. He also reiterated that all
food and entertainment will be free to residents on Cupertino Day, May
7th, which is opening day for Blackberry Farm.
Chair Paul suggested that the staff and park rangers perform spot checks to
ensure that the caterers and park participants are adhering to all
Blackberry Farm policies. Director Linder said we could provide the
group that is renting a picnic area with a list of the policies so they can
inform the caterer. Chair Paul also asked if there are any plans to sell
compostable products at the concession stand and Molly said she will look
into doing this.
9. ADJOURNMENT - Chairperson Paul adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Donna Henriques
Donna Henriques, Administrative Assistant
Minutes approved at the _April 7, 2011_regular meeting
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