P&R 04-17-2017 (Special Meeting)CITY OF CUPERTINO
CUPERTINO
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Community Hall
CALL TO ORDER
10350 Torre Ave, Cupertino, CA
Thursday, April 17, 2017
7:00PM
SPECIAL MEETING
MINUTES
Chair Davis called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. in the Community Hall, at 10350 Torre
Ave, Cupertino, CA.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Commiss ioners present:
Commissioners absent:
Staff present:
Guests:
Judy Wilson, Helene Davis, Neesha Tambe, Meenakshi Biyani
(arrived at 7:24pm)
Carol Stanek
Jeff Milkes, Gail Seeds, Kevin Khuu
Cindy Mendoza, Senior Project Manager of MIG
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
OLD BUSINESS
1. Citywide Parks and Recreation System Master Plan Update
Gail Seeds introduced Cindy Mendoza, from MIG, the new consultant for the
Citywide Parks and Recreation System Master Plan. Cindy gave a presentation to
the Commission, covering the foundation, classifications, ideas, and focuses, as well
as the future plans that MIG will follow to complete the project.
Commissioner Tambe requested that they add key points of traffic to the map and
to include in the study, to prepare for the future traffic congestion forecasted for
Cupertino.
David Fung, a Cupertino Re sident, brought up the past problem that too many
ideas were considered and wasn't well planned on where to implement them.
Recommended that it was best to look at the long term goals and the bigger picture.
Also suggested to focus on the diversity of the community and to get as much
community input as possible.
Geoff Paulsen, a Cupertino Resident, suggested to add some additional
classifications to the plan. This included open space, wildlife corridors, parklets,
public/private partnerships, easements and future parks/areas for annexation.
Alicia Shober, a Cupertino Resident, suggested the idea of bringing an all-inclusive
playground, to bring more multigenerational, diverse participation to the parks.
Brad Imamura, a San Jose Resident but works as a part time Cupertino code
enforcement officer, emphasized that the Cupertino parks are well maintained, but
that there is a lack of people at the parks. Suggested that we follow the opening of
the new apple campus to get more people to the parks . Advised that it's better to
look at the grand picture and not the small details.
Chih-yang Chang, a Cupertino Resident, supports the Master Plan but asked if it
was possible to have more trees in the parks.
Cindy asked from the commission about the biggest opporhmities that can be
addressed through the Master Plan process:
Vice Chair Tambe focused on a regional trail system, traffic alleviation,
nature play, easements, bike and pedestrian friendly parks, and parks
that can be malleable and change in the future.
Commissioner Wilson suggested having more diverse parks, to increase
connectivity between neighborhoods, hiking trails, better parh1erships
with other groups, more trending, new, and unique parks and activities.
Commissioner Biyani suggested on increasing available Teen activities,
all-inclusive parks, and an app or program to connect the community to
each other and to the City, to increase connectivity.
Chair Davis stressed the interconnectivity between different areas
throughout the City.
Cindy then asked about the specific issues that the plan would need to address:
Commissioner Wilson suggested to keep the intercity parks, to have a
balance between the open space and the intercity parks, to have parks
that keep the comrnw1ity opportunities alive, and more trees and shade.
Commissioner Biyani stressed multipurpose usage for facilities and
increased outdoor usages for the parks.
Vice Chair Tambe mentioned nature play, multigenerational activities,
better locations for the teen center, shade and cover, a climbing wall, and
more public private partnerships to better utilize what spaces we do
have.
Chair Davis focused on cross generational parks, all-inclusive parks,
parks and facilities on the East side, being environmentally friendly, more
programming and being user friendly, and for customer service.
Cindy asked about what top priorities the City should focus on the future:
Vice Chair Tambe suggested the regional trail system ( connected
Cupertino) and cross cultural facilities.
Chair Davis suggested better commw1ity engagement and trail corridors.
Commissioner Wilson also wanted better trails and revamping the
recreation activities, with more multicultural and transgenerational
activities.
Commissioner Biyani suggested the safety of the local properties, more
shade and trees, nature play, and teen activities.
Cindy finally asked about how to gain community and political support:
Commissioner Wilson suggested getting to know the community and the
key players, partnerships and resources.
Chair Davis suggested to talk to the stakeholders, the activity community
groups, to be as transparent as possible, commw1icate and do outreach,
and to show the implementation process to all to see.
Commissioner Biyani also talked about doing outreach, but stressed
having more feedback opportunities for the community.
Vice Chair Tambe also focused on the feedback system, to possibly find a
technological solution and show the people are being heard, and to
include all residents of Cupertino and be inclusive.
Cindy briefed the Commission on the next steps of the process and reminded
everyone the next update will be scheduled for the Jw1e 1st regular meeting.
ADJOURNMENT-Chair Davis adjourned the meeting at 8:36 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
K~Kh· /2Ad~ A . evm uu, mm1strative ss1stant
Recreation and Community Services Department
Minutes approved at the 5/4117 regular meeting