Loading...
P&R 03-07-02 APPROVED MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION CITY OF CUPERTINO REGULAR MEETING THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2002 CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Bradford called the regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission to order at 7 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL Commissioners present: Commissioners absent: Jeanne Bradford, Rod Brown, Frank Jelinch, Kris Wang Roger Peng Staff present: Therese Ambrosi Smith, Director; Julia Lamy, Recreation Supervisor; Mike O'Dowd, Recreation Supervisor; Marie Preston, Administrative Secretary CEREMONIAL MATTERS - PRESENTATIONS 1. Chairperson Bradford presented a letter of appreciation from Mayor Richard Lowenthal to the representatives of the American Legion Post #642 for the donation of an American flag for Memorial Park. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING 2. The minutes of the January 17, 2002 regular adjourned meeting and February 21, 2002 workshop were unanimously approved as drafted. COMMUNICATIONS NOT ON THE AGENDA 3. ORAL Barry Feeler, 22043 Baxlev Court, presented to the commission a copy of a petition from residents of the Linda Vista Park neighborhood. The petition says that they would like the Stevens Creek Trail to be positioned somewhere else and not where it is currently being recommended. He stated that there is a concern of increased vandalism and other crimes with the development of the trail. Robert Levy, 10802 Wilkinson Avenue, commended Mike O'Dowd, supervisor of Blackberry Farm, on his presentation to the Parks and Recreation Commission on the Blackberry Farm/McClellan Ranch Master Plan. He also stated at his embarrassment at the article in the Cupertino Courier where it was reported two Parks and Recreation Commission March 7, 2002 Page 2 of 5 city council members had approached the city manager on the topic of quotas for hiring employees that represent the ethnicity of the city. Unidentified man, San Femando Court, stated that people don't seem to be notified of meetings pertaining to the Stevens Creek Trail and the Blackberry Farm Master Plan. WRITTEN Therese reported on an email from the De Anza Cupertino Aquatics (DACA) requesting additional pool time. The pool at De Anza College is being renovated requiring DACA to find a temporary place for their programs. She reported that staff is investigating their request. When this plan has been developed, Therese will report back to the commission for their review. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None NEW BUSINESS 5. Blackberry Farm/McClellan Ranch Master Plan - Mike O'Dowd clarified three items from his last presentation to the Commission: Bond Measure T's commitment was to generate revenue to offset the operating expenses until the year 2016. Blackberry Farm can operate in any fashion, but that the expenses must be offset with revenue. The retreat center was actually purchased for $390,000 not $425,000. There are 2.25 acres that is in the orchard that is owned by the Santa Clara Valley Water District. They lease the land to the city and the city has complete rights over anything we do there. Commissioner Bradford reported that many neighbors of Blackberry Farm had received a letter from the city informing them of the meeting and asked to help answer the question, "For the City of Cupertino to be successful in the master re- plan of Blackberry Farm and McClellan Ranch, it should..." She armounced that the master plan is going to be a long process with multiple opportunities for public input. Public Input Robert Levy, 10802 Wilkinson Avenue, asked for confirmation on the third special event that can exceed the normal closing hours of 8 p.m. - Mike answered the Lions Club. His major point was why not make access to the farm free and charge for the picnic areas and swimming pool, this would alleviate some logistical problems of the Stevens Creek Trail going through the Farm. Deborah Jamisom 21346 Rumford Drive, spoke about her concerns to preserving the McClellan Ranch's goals, objectives, and master plan. She would like the theme of the Blackberry Farm master plan to be the creek because it ties all the properties together. Parks and Recreation Commission March 7, 2002 Page 3 of 5 She proposed to name the process the "Stevens Creek Parkland Master Plan" or some other variation that reflects the creek. She is opposed to a hard-surfaced Stevens Creek Trail nmning through McClellan Ranch. David Greenstein, 10066 Bvme Avenue, likes the idea of a Stevens Creek preserve. He would to see the whole area be more like McClellan Ranch. He would like to see the use more the Cupertino residents. He would like to see improved queuing of cars trying to get into Blackberry Farm. He would like to see a more appealing parking lot with trees and possibly extending the green areas along the pools. He would like to see the pool area updated. He would like to see ail the hard structures removed, concrete removed and replaced with hook-ups such as tents for a softer environment. He would like the concrete removed from the creek. He would like pedestrian access to Blackberry Farm. Ralph Riddle, 1061 November Drive, master gardener who conducts vegetable growing experiments for the public at McClellan Ranch and holds community events at McClellan Ranch every year. He would not like to see a lot of changes to the Blackberry Farm area, but would support having a trail through the park, letting more people enjoy it. He would like to see the golf course become an 18-hole course. Louise Levy~ 10802 Wilkinson Avenue, wishes that McClellan Ranch Park be maintained in its natural, historical model as it is today. Does not support grass areas, such as those around the Blackberry Farm pool, as it is not "natural." She would like to see the concrete removed from the creek, but realizes the creek needs the support to protect the homes. Lynn Bonicelli, 10191 Phar Lap Drive, states that her home is directly across from the Blue Pheasant Restaurant. She stated that many of her neighbors are concerned with the overflow parking from the Blue Pheasant restaurant its bar facility and would like to see another use for that site when the lease runs out. Regarding an entrance to Blackberry Farm from Stevens Creek, she has concerns about traffic flow and congestion. She would like to see Blackberry Farm returned to a more natural environment and open to more people. Susan Zimmerman, 10472 Scenic Circle, said she would like to see Blackberry Farm returned to its natural state and would like McClellan Ranch and Stocklmeir properties maintain their natural state by planting more trees. She would like to see a natural trail around the creek. Rhoda Frw 10351 San Femando Avenue, stated that for the City of Cupertino to be successful in this planning process it must consider our valued neighbors. She is concerned about the widening of the road to Blackberry Farm, which is adjacent to her property. She said that she has not been notified about this widening and asked that she be added to the notification list. She believes that the widening will increase traffic and impact the surrounding trees. The trees help protect her property from errant golf balls. She asked that the trees not be removed. Parks and Recreation Commission March 7, 2002 Page 4 of 5 Mike O'Dowd explained that in the Stevens Creek Trail pIan there is a possibility that the driveway would be extended and trees removed along the fairway to allow cars to come in for a better driveway - this would be to accommodate the free trail if we go with that plan. Brian Boyle, 7678 Rainbow, socializes at the Blue Pheasant and states that it is a well-run business. Ralph Riddle, 1061 November Drive, would like to get information about the master plan. Therese encouraged all who attended or who were watching on Cable 26 to contact the Parks and Recreation Department if they wouM like to be on the mailing list for this topic. Commissioner Jelinch stated that the review process was in the beginning stages so no decisions would be made at this meeting. He also stated that there would be a lot more study and reflection on this issue - nothing will be done without a lot of input and a lot of careful thought. Discuss participating in the renovation of the Cupertino High School (CHS) pool: Therese reported on a meeting with CHS who is in the process of planning a pool renovation; it is part of their facilities modernization program. The department has summer swim instruction and uses pools with a shallow end. The proposed 35- meter gives us about 50 percent of the shallow end that we currently enjoy, so we would need to cut our program at CHS in half. To meet our needs at CHS, a 50- meter pool would be desirable. The city has been approached for a possible partnership. This project, with a partnership, needs to be "fast-tracked" to city council to meet CHS's construction schedule. This means there will not be an opportunity for the commission to take public comment on it. Staff is still analyzing the pros and cons. She explained that we currently spend about $19,000 for rent at CHS for the time we use, which is 39 days in the summer, including maintenance and utilities plus the cost of staffing. We bring in about $55,000 in revenue, which means the program breaks even. If the pool were to be upsized from 35 meters to 50 meters it would cost $400,000, which represents about 22 percent of the cost of the pool, and 22 percent of the available hours would be about 1,100 hours a year. We would use 700 of those in the summer, which would make 400 hours available for swimming the other nine months of the year. The city would also be a partner in the maintenance expenses. It would mean a higher annual cost than our rent is currently and we would have more access. Parks and Recreation Commission March 7, 2002 Page 5 of 5 MISCELLANEOUS - NO ACTION REQUIRED Staff Oral Reports: Operations of one-year old Senior Center - The newly rebuilt Senior Center just celebrated its one-year anniversary on March 4. Her presentation showed the huge increase in membership from 1,300 in 2000 to 2,743 in 2001. She discussed the many program improvements that also include more activities to meet the needs of our diverse community. She reported on several future program expansion plans. Legislative Update: None Community Contacts: None ADJOURNMENT The regular meeting of April 4 was cancelled and a regular adjoumed meeting will be scheduled for April 11, 2002. Chairperson Bradford adjourned the meeting at 8 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Marie Preston, Administrative Secretary Approved at the April 11, 2002 meeting. Televised Council meetings may be viewed live on Cable Channel 26, and may also be viewed live or on demand at www. cupertino, org. Videotapes of the televised meetings are available at the Cupertino Library, or may be purchased from the Cupertino City Channel, 777-2364.