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P&R 03-06-03 APPROVED PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION CITY OF CUPERTiNO REGULAR ADJOURNED MEETiNG THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2003 CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Bradford called the regular adjourned meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission to order at 6 p.m., in conference room A. ROLLCALL Commissioners present: Jeanne Bradford, Rod Brown, Frank Jelinch, Roger Peng, Kris Wang (Wang arrived at 6:15) Commissioners absent: None Staff present: David Knapp, City Manager; Marie Preston, Administrative Secretary 1. PRESENTATIONS - City Manager David Knapp on role of commissions Dave explained that he had been assigned by the City Council to go and talk to the various commissions and examine how the city's process works and if there were any ways to fine-tune that process. He gave as an example of fine-tuning the process as providing a commissioner's handbook. He asked that they chat with him on three items: commission goals, commission work program, and observations. Commissioner Jelinch stated a way to be more affective is to go the state conference where the State Association of Parks and Recreation Commissioners gives courses about how to be a more affective commissioner, they also have a handbook. He stated that this was the only organization he knew of that provided commissioner training. Commissioner Bradford agreed that training would be useful and gave an example of a Brown Act conference in Milpitas she attended a couple of years ago that provided salient information. Commissioner Brown stated that training, such as the "best practices" course he received at a parks conference last year, could be useful in providing commissioner training that is specific to Cupertino and its programs. He also suggested periodically reviewing the material with other commissioners. Parks and Recreation Commission March 6, 2003 Page 2 of 8 Commissioner Jelinch agreed that the city could provide training that includes all the commissioners. Commissioner Bradford thought there might be other opportunities for commissions to work more closely together. She gave an example of the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting with the Teen Commission. She stated that there might be opportunities for the Parks and Recreation Commission to work with Bicycle and Safety on projects. She believes there are projects going on in the city that cut across the interests of different commissions, and they should look at ways to work together. She gave an example of a resident's request for a dog park; this request might provide an opportunity for the Parks and Recreation Commission to work with others on the planning process. Commissioner Peng said he is interested in building community unity and the neighborhood watch program. He believes that there has been good verbal communication between the commission and the city's staff, but he would like to see more communication amongst commissioners. He asked, "Who are the other eight commissions?" He looks at the mayor's monthly tea as an excellent opportunity to meet other commissions. He would like to see this avenue of communicating with other commissions strengthened. Commissioner Brown stated that he sees the usefulness of a more formal goals process. He doesn't see that process at the commission level. He believes it would be a good idea to take the City Council's goals and come up with more details on specific actions that the commission could work to develop in the coming year. He also suggested that there might be a way they could give input to the City Council's goals as well. Commissioner Bradford agreed with Commission Brown because it would provide a way to measure their success. This process could also provide clarity of goals for the commission to accomplish. She stated that it wasn't the end result that would be important, as much as going through the process. Dave suggested that perhaps early in a commission's year that a conversation happen about goals for the coming year. Commissioner Bradford agreed; she sees a format in the shape of a study session, not necessarily a regular commission meeting, where the public would come and listen in. Perhaps in reviewing program cuts, if things come to that, forwarding input from the community to the City Council is also important, but may not necessarily be on a goals list. Commissioner Peng stated that he was pleased that they were being given this opportunity to express their opinions regarding the process. He admitted to not always fully understanding the objectives of the commission. Parks and Recreation Commission March 6, 2003 Page 3 of 8 Dave answered that many times the commission could be the catalyst, as well as the lightening rod, for when issues arise. He stated that the cormnission performs a valuable function in working the issues before sending it on to the City Council. Commissioner Brown believes that if the commission had been given City Council's goals for a renovated Sports Center before they went through the process, a lot of time and effort could have been saved. He sometimes asks himself how they could have gone through the process better to be more effective. Commissioner Bradford stated that an improved process was the joint session with the City Council regarding the Stevens Creek Corridor that made sure that all were aligned. The commission understood what the Council's goals were before the process got started. Commissioner Jelinch stated that a commission should have its own power to advise the City Council, not the power to approve. The commission should not feel they haven't done their job if the Council does not approve of their recommendation. He also stated that it would be OK for the commission to do some lobbying. Commissioner Brown would like to see the commission take more initiative instead of a reactive role when it comes to information received from staff. Commissioner Wang agreed that she would like to see the commission become more proactive on topics. She would like to see the commission be more efficient. She would like to see more teamwork with other commissions on related projects - cross-knowledge sharing. She would like to see a high-tech commission developed that would work with local businesses. Commissioner Bradford added as another goal that the commission should review, at least once a year, the areas that are underserved. She is impressed with the breadth of classes that are offered and the growth of the senior center, but she would like to take a yearly "check in" to see if there are other oppommities to serve more areas of the city. Commissioner Brown agreed and added that there needs to be more conversation about looking for opportunities to add parks in the underserved areas. Dave reported that there is a small pocket of land north of the about-to-be-opened trail next to Saratoga Creek that the county owns, and that dialogue will begin soon about turning this parcel over to the city, and with the plan to turn it into a park. This may take a lobbying effort that will last two to three years. The parcel will help to serve the biggest underserved population, which is the east side of town. Dave also reported that he has heard nothing but good comments about the work of the Parks and Recreation Commission and the advice offered the City Council. He believes that televising of the meetings was a great move forward for communicating with the community. He also mentioned that looking at the schedule of classes, the staff is doing Parks and Recreation Commission March 6, 2003 Page 4 of 8 an excellent job in providing services; considering the size of the city, the programming schedule is a phenomenal effort. He thanked the commission for their time and input. Public Comments Robert Levy, 10802 Wilkinson Avenue, and member of the Bicycle/Pedestrian Commission, spoke in favor of projects that may be appropriate for Parks and Recreation Commission to take over. Believes there may be opportunities for both commissions to work together. AJOURN FOR RECESS At 6:25 p.m., Commissioner Bradford adjourned the meeting for a short recess. CALL TO ORDER Following a recess, Chairperson Bradford called the continued regular adjourned meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission to order at 7:08 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. ROLL CALL Commissioners present: Jeanne Bradford, Rod Brown, Frank Jelinch, Roger Peng, Kris Wang Commissioners absent: None Staff Present: Therese Ambrosi Smith, Director; Marie Preston, Administrative Secretary Others Present: David Fox, architect MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Minutes of February 6, 2003, were unanimously approved as written. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS A. Tony and Grace Toy, 10130 Crescent Road, spoke on team tennis at the Cupertino Sports Center and the issues they see as unfair to non-team tennis pass holders of the Sports Center. Commissioner Bradford stated for those who were familiar with the issue that the commission had discussed the policy issues at the November meeting and, at that time, the commission made a commitment that when the construction work gets closer to the re-opening of the Sports Center, there will be many policy issues that they will need to review including those brought forward by the Toys. She thanked the Toys for doing research on other models they felt worked well, and stated that they will be involved in the process when the commission gets to the point of implementing broad t~olicies that need to be implemented upon re-opening. 4. WRITTEN - None Parks and Recreation Commission March 6, 2003 Page 5 of 8 UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Stevens Creek Corridor Master Plan Proiect: Therese introduced a 30-second video that communicated that everyone has a unique vision. She then discussed some of the questions people have been asking and also explained that a Frequently Asked Questions feature will be placed on the city's website. She stated that the entries will be made available to City Council and the public for review prior to May 12 - the format for public review, though, has yet to be decided. She stressed that the kits are made for the average person and there are no expectations that people putting in visions are engineers or architects. She played a video showing a tour of the project area and an instruction video on how to use the kits. Therese then turned over the presentation to David Fox, landscape architect, who provided direction and insight on how to get started in the design process Commission Comments: Commissioner Jelinch reminded people that they don't have to design the whole complex; they can pick the interest they want. Commissioner Wang thanked staff for the great job putting the kits together. Commissioner Brown asked the people to walk through the site to see what's there. Commissioner Peng stated his excitement at the project and is looking forward to seeing the entries. Commissioner Bradford encouraged people to collaborate with others. Public Comments: Bill Walster, 22116 Dean Court, commended the staff and commission on the hard work putting the kits together and stated this will give many people the opportunity to give meaningful input to the commission and the City Council. He is concerned that the goals are stated as the City Council's goals, and he would have thought that they would have been addressed as the citizen's goals. He also believed that directing people to use the goals was blunt and implied that if you don't agree with the goals that somehow your design will not be considered. He would like that clarified. He believes that a multi-use trail is really a road. Therese reported that his concerns will be clarified on the Frequently Asked Questions on the website that it is not essential to meet the Council's goals. She also stated that although the goals were the Council's, they agreed to look at every single vision. Deborah Jamison, 21346 Rumford Drive, stated she was upset that the current policies governing McClellan Ranch were not in the packet. She also had questions about touring Parks and Recreation Commission March 6, 2003 Page 6 of 8 the Stocklmeir house, and noted that the 4-H membership is higher than listed in the kit material. Therese stated that the regulations will be put up on the website. The Stocklmeir house cannot be viewed because it is currently rented but the house is discussed on one of the videos. As far as the 4-H information being outdated that is because the presentations were given a year ago, and it is a snapshot in time at that point. Kelly Crowley, 22221 McClellan Ranch, works for the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, commended the materials in the kit. She echoed the concern of including the 25 uses of McClellan Ranch in the information. She welcomed others to work with them on a joint vision. Sharon Blaine, De Anza Circle, congratulated the staff on their effort in putting the kit together. She is concerned about a property not owned by the city. Can she incorporate in her vision that some day the city would purchase that property that is adjacent to the creek and the parking lot at Blackberry? Therese stated that she could incorporate that idea into her vision. Pat Showalter, Santa Clara Valley Water District, reported that the Stevens Creek is a valuable natural resource with Steelhead and Santa Clara Valley Water District fully supports the visioning process. She stated that she would be available to take questions from any of the project participants. Janet Van Zoeren, 1105 Milky Way, stated her curiosity if those items that couldn't be changed are noted in the kit? Will there be a fee to enter Blackberry Farm if she wants to take a look around? McClellan Ranch his open and it is free; Blackberry Farm is not open at this time, but she should feel free to enter the park and walk around- she will not be charged Therese also stated that on the design sheet, there are the footprints of historic buildings that have been there and the instructions note those things that should not be moved or changed Rusty Britt, 20850 Pepper Tree Lane, is concerned that all their work will be for nothing and that ideas will be pushed aside by the City Council, that the park master plan is already a done deal - she asked for reassurance. Therese stated that the City Council was sincere in the goals they set up. Ned Britt, 20850 Pepper Tree Lane, asked who owns Deep Cliff Golf Course and are there any plans to play in the creek or is it polluted? Parks and Recreation Commission March 6, 2003 Page 7 of 8 Therese responded that Deep Cliff is privately owned and there are no plans to coordinate the master plan with that business. As for the creek, she asked that they check out the site analysis video for answers about the creek. Ed Donnelly, 7551 Normandy Way, stated that the city has done a great job over the years saving a lot of open space. He asked if there was any thought as to how this parkland would tie to Fremont Older or Linda Vista, etc.? Commissioner Bradford answered that there had been some work prior to this project with the Stevens Creek Trail, which included a trail alignment through the parkland; this information is on the city's website. Joyce Eden, 10213 Lockwood Drive, asked if there are going to be surveys on the land, plants and animals, hydrology, etc., would like to know what the criteria was for choosing the setback from the creek, what that setback is, and if the biologist's report is available? She stated she would like the full reports of items instead of the executive reports on the website. She would like to see the 25 uses for McClellan Ranch available. Commissioner Bradford stated that most of her concerns were addressed in the video material in the kit. The items that are in executive summary in the Mt are available in their full form on the website. Bob McLoskey, 21530 Rainbow Drive, asked about the low use by residents of the parkland and asked if the city was happy with those numbers/percentages? Therese responded that the city is not happy with the low resident use because everyone is paying for the park. Approximately 8 to l O percent of the residents use the Blackberry Farm picnic facilities; the golf course has a 20 percent resident use, which is based on reservations. Bob Levy, 10802 Wilkinson Avenue, offered to provide tours of the parkland. He has strong concerns that nowhere in the kit is it stated that if no changes are wanted to the parkland then that is also an option. Mark Adams, 11611 Upland Way, asked if the Council was looking at increased outside community use or inside Cupertino community use? Does the Council care about the profit-making aspects of some of the properties? He commended staff on the great job of putting the kits together. Therese responded that the City Council is looking for increased Cupertino community usage where one would see neighbors. Therese answered that the Council does care about the profit of the properties; revenue generation is not the primary reason the Council bought the property; they bought it to preserve it for community park use/open space. Parks and Recreation Commission March 6, 2003 Page 8 of 8 David Fox, 114 Massel Ave., Los Gatos, encouraged residents to go out to the sites with paper, camera, tape recorder, and a companion to bounce ideas off of. Therese reported that many items brought up during public comments will be placed on the website by the following week. 6. NEW BUSiNESS - None MISCELLANEOUS - NO ACTION REQUIRED A. Staff Oral Reports: (1) Therese reported there would be a Cupertino High School neighborhood meeting regarding the 4th of July fireworks display on March 31, 7 p.m., at the Quinlan Community Center Community Contacts: (I) Commissioner Jelinch reminded interested parties to attend the annual California Parks and Recreation Society Training Conference (2) Commissioner Wang invited the community to attend the Cupertino Lunar New Year Unity Parade on Saturday, March 8 ADJOURNMENT Chairperson Bradford adjourned the meeting at approximately 8:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted Marine Preston, Administrative Secretary Minutes approved at the May 1, 2003, regular meeting.