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P&R 06-05-08MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION CITY OF CUPERTINO REGULAR MEETING THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2008 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Greenstein called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm in the Community Hall, 10350 Torre Ave, Cupertino, CA. Note: Chair Greenstein introduced the new Director of Parks and Recreation, Mark Linder. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL Commissioners present: David Greenstein, David Lee, Debbie Stauffer Stephens, Darcy Paul (Commissioner Paul arrived at 7:03 pm), Jeanne Bradford (Commissioner Bradford arrived at 7:19 pm) Staff present: Mark Linder, Donna Henriques, Gail Seeds, Gary Chao and Elizabeth Pettis Also Present: Rebecca Glyn and Paul Lettiere, Landscape Architects of Guzzardo Partnership and Michael Ducote and Jon Moss of Prometheus 4. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS A. Revised minutes of November 1, 2007 could not be approved, due to a lack of quorum present at this time. B. Regular meeting of Apri13, 2008 -draft minutes were approved. Action: Commissioner Stauffer made a motion to approve the minutes, Commissioner Lee seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously. 5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS -None Note: The Chair re-ordered the agenda to take up Item Number 8A1 next, so that Gail Seeds could present her update of the McClellan Ranch construction project. 8. MISCELLANEOUS - NO ACTION REQUIRED A. Staff Oral Reports 1. Update on McClellan Ranch construction project by Gail Seeds, Project Manager. Gail presented pictures showing the progress that has been made on the project since Council approval in June 2007. She explained that the project was split so that the McClellan Ranch piece could be started to accommodate the requirements of the Land and Water Conservation Grant (LWCF). The following improvements have been completed, or are in progress: • Improvements to Rolling Hills 4H (per grant) • Build Trail segment (per grant) • Provide other elements needed to meet LWCF grant requirements: picnic tables, interpretive element • Blacksmith Shop replacement Gail said that the partnership with the San Jose Conservation Corps has proved to be beneficial and that much has been accomplished on the project. Note: The Chair took up Item Number 6 next. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Review of Villa Serra Park revised conceptual plans. Gary Chao, Senior Planner, introduced Elizabeth Pettis, Assistant Planner Intern, who presented Options A and B, which were received from Rebecca Glyn, the landscape architect at The Guzzardo Company. The staff recommendations for Villa Serra Park, from the Planning Department are as follows: • Option A (the version without the half-basketball court) • Use native plants, trees and shrubs, throughout the park • Use "Green" construction building materials • Incorporate a public restroom facility • Pathways within the park shall consist of decomposed granite or semi- permeable interlocking pavers subject to approval from the Director of the Public Works Department and San Jose Water Company, for the pathway surrounding the pump area • Add additional picnic tables in the northwest corner of the park (see Option B) • Minimize the fence enclosure around the pump equipment to the maximum extent possible while meeting San Jose Water Company's needs • Delete 10 parking stalls along the west side of the park, allowing the park area to expand • Incorporate an entry for pedestrians on the southeast corner of the park • Install decorative wrought iron fencing around the perimeter • Placement of new signage, at residential entrance, when park construction is completed Action: Commissioner Bradford made a motion to accept Option A with the inclusion of the use of native plants throughout the park and green construction, and to include the Staff recommendations. The motion carried 4 - 1, with Commissioner Stauffer voting no. Note: Commissioner Stauffer said she voted no for three reasons: 1) 10 parking spaces would be insufficient for use of the park, especially since parking will already be a challenge at Villa Serra with its increased density and no park land gained from removing parking stalls will be designed as active use areas due to proximity to parking lot; 2) the proposed composition of the multi-use pathways will impede the usage as a track for children riding vehicles; 3) adding decorative fencing is an unnecessary expense since fence greenery is already intended. 7. NEW BUSINESS A. Consider options for a community process for an off-leash policy for dogs. Parks and Recreation Director, Mark Linder, presented a Staff Report asking the Commissioners to look into options for off-leash opportunities for dogs. Mark suggested obtaining public participation options for Commission consideration and to include the following: • Seeking feedback from the Teen Commission and the Senior Commission • Conducting meetings in the neighborhoods adjacent to possible sites for dog parks and off-leash areas • Conducting open public hearings on the options • Seeking feedback from the neighborhood block leaders • Involving informal dog owner groups • Commission to conduct fact-finding tasks regarding dog off-leash options including liability issues, other program models and research projects Commissioner Greenstein asked if anyone in the audience would like to speak on the off-leash or dog park issue. Most of the people who asked to speak were residents of the Hoover Park area. The following individuals expressed their concerns: Betsy Dougherty Helene Davis Joan Dyer Lisa Giefer Don Krenn Deborah Jamison Eric McKinlay Peter Melhus May Koski Bill Krumm Their comments included: • Betsy Dougherty said she has started a petition for local residents in favor of implementing off-leash hours in local City parks • Most of those in attendance preferred off-leash hours during "less-used" hours at the local parks • Most speakers said they enjoy the interaction and socialization with other dog owners • One resident said she would not utilize off-leash hours or a dog park because she has a small dog and the larger dogs would take over • One resident would not want off-leash hours in wildlife or riparian areas, especially at Blackberry Farm due to creeks with Steelhead fish • Would like to have "doggie" drinking fountains installed and also, additional stations for obtaining biodegradable waste pick-up bags Action: The Commission recommended that they visit other dog parks in the area and will notify (by email), the interested parties, who attended the Commission meeting, to join the Commissioners on the dog park tours. B. Cancel or postpone the July 3, 2008 regular meeting Action: Commissioner Bradford made a motion to postpone the July 3, 2008 regular meeting to another date in July, to be mutually agreed upon by the Commissioners. Commissioner Paul seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. 8. MISCELLANEOUS - NO ACTION REQUIRED A. Staff Oral Reports (Note: Item Number 8A1 was discussed earlier in the meeting.) 2. Discuss proposed retreat for Commissioners Director Linder recommended a 3 - 4 hour retreat at McClellan Ranch to create a work plan for the Commission. Since the Commission previously voted to postpone the regular meeting on July 3, the work plan meeting will be incorporated with the new meeting date in July. The Commission also suggested putting the dog park and off-leash process on their work plan to be drawn up at the July meeting. B. Commissioner contacts Action: Commissioner Greenstein will notify the other Commissioners (by email), of the Mayor's monthly meetings schedule and will have each Commissioner rotate to attend the meetings. 9. ADJOURNMENT -Chair Greenstein adjourned the meeting at 9:20 pm. R ectfully submitted, ~~-- C Donna Henriques, Administrative As istant Minutes approved at the July 26, 2008 meeting.