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P&R 10-07-99PRC#212 Approved CUPERTINO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA 10300 Torte Avenue, Cupertino, CA 95014 Telephone (408) 777-3200 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Thursday, October 7, 1999, 7:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER Regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission called to order at 7:06 p.m. SALUTE TO THE FLAG ROLL CALL Commissioners present: Staff present: Jelinch, Lowenthal, Shaikh, Stein and Wang Stephen Dowling, Director of Parks and Recreation Pamela Eggen, Recording Secretary ORAL COMMUNICATIONS UNFINISHED BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS 1. Director Dowling reviewed the report considering a request from youth sports organizations to install a pedestrian gate at Kennedy Middle School. He briefly summarized the history of Hyannisport Drive stating the controversial issues are traffic and parking. In 1992, The Kennedy Sports Field Master Plan Committee concluded it would be appropriate to close the pedestrian gate encouraging users of sports fields to use the parking lot on Hyannisport Drive. Last year, Hyannisport Drive residents petitioned City Council to implement permit parking on the residential side of the street. Permit parking has been in effect since February, 1999. The parking situation has been aggravated in the last year because of the construction on the school site. Mr. Dowling pointed out alternative access gates on the master plan. Commissioner Shaikh wanted to know if the access gate to the field was opened at all times and if the school construction was completed. Director Dowling stated the access gate is opened at all times and the construction was near completion. Commissioner Lowenthal asked if there had been a public hearing for approval of permit parking. Director Dowling answered that it was a council action initiated by the resident's request. Vice Chairman Shaikh wanted to know how many teams usually play. Director Dowling answered there are 3 baseball and 3 soccer fields. He stated Kennedy Middle School is heavily used 6 days per week for school related activities as well as sports programs. Cathy Gatley, 11510 Well Spring Court, presented photos of Kennedy Middle School at Hyannisport Drive in regards to after school sporting events and school functions. She requested the former gate be reopened. It would be easier to carry someone who is injured through an access gate than walk down a field and around the parking lot. There is restricted parking even when both lots are full. Another safety issue is a child having to walk through sporting events that are in progress. Commissioner Wang asked if there would be safety issues with the gate open. Ms. Gatley said she talked to Principal Adams and he had no problem having the gate opened. The gate has been opened in the past and there were no problems then. Al Pastor, 8183 Hyannisport Drive, said he opposes a gate being reopened because of traffic congestion and parking problems as a result of games all weekend. Dana Drysdale, 21767 Terrace Drive, President of Cupertino National Little League, stated the Kennedy school site is a wonderful facility for youth sports. He pointed out the safety issues that concerned him: 1) parking on Saturdays 2) duel use facility with Chinese school and sports 3) likely places to be injured walking through parking lot 4) adults playing full court basketball games and 5) traffic issues. For purposes of safety regarding this facility it would be a good idea to have pedestrian access. Carl Wanke, 8165 Hyannisport, thought this should be a baseball field for school children. He stated there has been a consistent problem with young people after hours in the field area and thinks if they have access to an opened gate that the problems would increase. Terri Cook, 7603 Dumas Drive, Board of Directors for Little League, is a Kennedy parent whose son plays soccer. The safety of the field where children are being injured is her concern. She has seen children hopping over the fence to get to the game on time. Because of the parking regulations, children hop fences and get injured. She works at Kennedy two days a week and cannot find a place to park. She feels that a pedestrian gate would be a great help. Mark Perkins, 903 Old Town Court, stated he usually walks to baseball games. He feels main safety issue is a child climbing over the fence. He stated it is easier for parents to drop children off right at the site where they are practicing. John Lee, 8175 Hyannisport Drive, said replacing and rearranging a fence does not justify the behavior of climbing the fence. He said the number of games should be reduced to eliminate the parking issues. Commissioner Lowenthal asked Mr. Dowling what the approximate amount of game time was due to the games played on weekends. Director Dowling stated the games are scheduled from 9:00am to 6:00pm. Chris Gatley, 11510 Well Spring Court, said he thinks a committee should be formed to discuss the issues and make the appropriate decision. He said there was always a gate there and coaches have keys to the gates to open and close them. He said he could accept an open gate and would like to have the pedestrian access back to the field. He does not approve of the children climbing the fences for safety reasons, but feels forttmate they are at least playing in sports and have a place to play. Director Dowling suggested staff meet with appropriate representatives from youth sports, neighbors, and the school district, to investigate some of the possible solutions and bring their conclusions back to the commission for action. Commissioner Lowenthal motioned to direct staff to reach a compromise with all parties, including the school district, and present results at the next Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting. Vice Chairman Shaikh seconded. MOTION: 5-0 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING 2. Commissioner Lowenthal moved and Vice Chairman Shaikh seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the September 2, 1999 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting as submitted. All in favor. MOTION 5-0 WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS None MONTHLY REPORTS 4. Review September Recreation Programs Monthly Report Director Dowling stated September was "Festival" month at Memorial Park. Major festivals were held over 3 consecutive weekends and from a park maintenance "wear-n-tear" stand point there was no permanent damage done to the park because of this sequencing. He informed thc commission of the new recreation software registration package. The new package is more responsive and what now takes a patron about 15 minutes to do by phone registration will take less than a minute with the new system. He also reminded the commissioners of the upcoming Ghostwalk event scheduled for October 29th and 30th. 5. Community Contacts Report Director Dowling stated the Trailblazer Run last weekend was successful. Miscellaneous Commissioner Lowenthal stated he attended the Oktoberfest and the Moon Festival and that staff deserved congratulations for representing our city well. He also participated in the organization of the Oktoberfest and the CCSBBQ. Vice Chairman Shaikh said he attended the Mayor's Breakfast last month and stated the library was still an issue as far as where the location of the new library should be. Commissioner Jelinch moved to adjourn at 8:45 p.m. to the regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission on Thursday, November 4, 1999, 7:00 p.m. at Cupertino City Hall, 10300 Torte Avenue, Cupertino, California 95014. Commissioner Shaikh seconded. All in favor. MOTION 5-0 Respectfully submitted, Pamela A. Eggen, Recording Sed~tltf'y ATTEST: city Clerk~~ APPROVED: