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P&R 06-07-2018 CITY OF CUPERTINO PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Community Hall 10350 Torre Ave, Cupertino, CA Thursday, June 7, 2018 7:00 PM MEETING MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Chair Tambe called the meeting to order at 7:02pm in the Community Hall, at 10350 Torre Ave, Cupertino, CA. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioners present: Meenakshi Biyani, Neesha Tambe, Helene Davis, Judy Wilson Commissioners absent: Carol Stanek Staff present: Christine Hanel, Gail Seeds, Kevin Khuu APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Regular Meeting on May 3, 2018 – Vice Chair Biyani asked to change a word under #3, Neighborhood Events, from “forum” to “form”. Commissioner Davis motioned to approve the amended minutes of May 3, 2018. Vice Chair Biyani seconded. Motion passed with 3 yes, 1 absent, and 1 abstain. 2. Special Meeting/Public Input Workshop on May 17, 2018 – Commissioner Davis motioned to approve the minutes of May 17, 2018. Vice Chair Biyani seconded. Motion passed with 3 yes, 1 absent, and 1 abstain. CEREMONIAL MATTERS AND PRESENTATIONS None POSTPONEMENTS None ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS None OLD BUSINESS 3. Citywide Parks and Recreation System Master Plan Christine Hanel, Assistant Director of Recreation and Community Services, introduced Gail Seeds, Parks Improvement Manager, to review the work that was done so far for the Master Plan project. Gail also reviewed the input gathered from the May 17th workshop and requested input and feedback from the Commission to provide to the City Council. Commissioner Davis wrote down her comments in a letter and read it during the meeting (see the submitted documents). Suggested connecting with the Fine Arts Commission about the performing arts center. Vice Chair Biyani commented that Memorial Park is a critical park and the center of the City. Being popular for large events, to keep it for the large events use. Smart use of space such as vertical growth, leading to multistory/multipurpose use. Also to invest in more parking (i.e. underground) since increased use of the park will require more parking. This would impact the neighborhood street and reduce crowding in the streets. Have indoor/outdoor space connections, such as opening up buildings during the summer days, and to have a banquet space that could host more than 300 people. Supported the Arts and Events plan, but likes certain features of the other plans, such as the improved parking lot at Quinlan and improved sidewalk access, and supports having a smaller performing arts center. Commissioner Wilson commented that Memorial Park is the Recreation center of the City, to keep the Quinlan, Senior, and Sports Center and build around them. Supports multiuse and the fitness theme. Voted for the active and multiuse plan, but keeping the open space for the events. Also supports both an aquatics and performing arts center. For the performing arts center, to build that in the City center, such as Vallco. Supports the multipurpose gym with the rooftop usage and to build up. Only addition to the active and multi-use plan is to create more meeting places, both indoor and outdoor, small and large, possibly upgrade the Quinlan center or to the future gym. Also supports more parking and if we build a new performing arts center, would need more parking to accommodate it, or build it in a corridor with transportation or in intercity planning. For the performing arts center, suggested upgrading the amphitheater at Memorial Park instead. Chair Tambe supports the active and multi-use plan, but with Memorial park as the Recreational Center of the City, parking must be made available. If a multistory or underground parking isn’t built, then expanding the services throughout the park isn’t feasible. Supports the multistory gym with the rooftop usage and the Senior Center expansion. However, suggested adding smaller group picnic areas to preserve the displaced areas. On the improved courts idea, supports outdoor basketball courts instead of indoor courts. Memorial Park is not the best location to have the performing arts center. Better at Vallco or to utilize the Vpak at De Anza. For the aquatic facility, if parking is an issue, then suggested removing that idea. Could partner with outside groups to meet those needs. In regards to parking and traffic, suggested creating incentives for people to bike or carpool to the park, for seniors, and to install more electric charging stations. Final thought is to build a City transportation system, which will help alleviate the traffic and parking issues. The more accessible the space is, the more of these plans can be realized. Suggested partnering with De Anza to use their Flint Center and the smaller performing arts center. Added a few more items: more electricity outlets throughout the park or poles with solar panels and outlets, change the senior center into an inter-generational activity center, and to build the all-inclusive play area in a different park and not Memorial. The Commission recommended vertical growth, more parking (structure or underground), and multiuse facilities. Commissioner Wilson suggested putting forward Commissioner Davis’ letter and then add on comments that Vice Chair Biyani and Chair Tambe made. Use the active and multiuse concept as a theme and to take into account the issues of parking, vertical growth, and transit too. If parking isn’t available, then to remove the aquatic center. Overarching themes brought forth from the Commission included: 1. Keeping Memorial Park primarily a Recreation center for the City. 2. Focus on increased parking/ reducing traffic, multistory structures, and building more activity/multi-use centers. 3. Use the active and multiuse concept as a base, but to possibly remove the aquatic center and build more meeting/event space. Also to have certain features of this park improved and add on the transportation circuit or a trail or loop to increase connectivity to the park. 4. 2017-2018 Commission Work Plan The Commission reviewed the work plan. Commissioner Wilson moved to cancel the July meeting. Commissioner Davis seconded. Motion passed 4 yes and 1 absent. Chair Tambe requested to add the Off Lease Dog Hours Follow-Up to the August meeting and the Emergency Services Update to the August or September meeting. Will schedule a special meeting in August to plan out the work plan for 2018-2019. Asked staff to prepare a list to compare staff and commission goals for the new year. NEW BUSINESS 5. Inclusive Playground Feasibility Study Gail Seeds introduced Gary Hover from Verde Design to present on this item. Reviewed the sites considered, scoring criteria, and general results. Asked for feedback from the Commission to choose 2 locations to further study and create designs. Alicia Schober, Cupertino resident, commented on several things: San Jose Play Garden had about 1500 to 2000 visitors on weekends when they had opened, encouraged having a stage like area for programing, possibly partnering with the Library, non-profits, and theater groups, inquired if parking at the Jollyman site can accommodate everyone during soccer matches, there would be a need for more restrooms (more than the usual 1 to 2 stalls), and in regards to safety, a ranger or PW staff would need be onsite during weekends for ongoing maintenance and to deter vandalism, should speak with Sheriff’s office to add to their usual routes. Supports Jollyman Park for this project. Commissioner Davis recommended going ahead with looking at Jollyman site A and B. Vice Chair Biyani suggested removing the Memorial Park sites from consideration and supports moving forward with Jollyman site A and B. Commissioner Wilson supports looking at Jollyman site A and the need to build new bathrooms at that park. Chair Tambe also suggests not building it at Memorial Park and Monta Vista Park is too far off to the side of the City. Believes that Creekside has some parking issues and that Jollyman Park is the site to consider and have built unisex bathrooms instead of gender based bathrooms and family friendly bathrooms. Commissioner Wilson motioned to choose Jollyman as the main site, A or B. Vice Chair Biyani seconded. Motion passed 4 yes and 1 absent. STAFF AND COMMISSION REPORTS 6. Director’s Report Christine Hanel presented on the following: - Inservice training for Recreation Leaders, Leaders in Training, and Aquatic staff is ongoing this week. Summer camps will start on Monday. - Invited the Commission to attend the June 19th Council meeting for the proclamation that July is Parks and Recreation month. - On June 23rd, 10:00am to 3:00pm there will be an Emergency Preparedness Fair at Memorial Park. - On June 30th is the kickoff event of the Neighborhood Events. - 4th of July events during the day and fireworks at night at 9:30pm and free swimming at Blackberry Farm. - Summer Concert Series – Thursdays at 6:30pm. - Currently recruiting for the Leadership 95014, September to May program. - Shakespeare in the Park, starting July 21st. Commissioner Davis attended the Leadership 95014 presentations, CREST Awards, Public Works Open House and the Mayor’s meeting. Reported on the following: Fine Arts Commission is looking at Vallco for a performing arts venue, the Bicycle Pedestrian Commission is looking to put in the McClellan class 4 bike lanes in late summer, Health and Safety Commission said there’s a decline in crime, and the Teen Commission working on Teen Stress. The subject about consolidating Parks and Recreation, Library, and Public Safety Commission item, is agendized for June 19th and on that same day, will have a Council study session to research an employee head tax for businesses. Vice Chair Biyani attended the Leadership 95014 presentations and CREST Awards. Chair Tambe attended the Volunteer Fair with Vice Chair Biyani and asked to send out a scheduling notice for the next several Mayor’s meetings. Suggested using feedback stands to get community feedback at the city events and festivals. Commissioner Wilson attended the Volunteer Fair and endorsed the Leadership 95014 program. ADJOURNMENT – Chair Tambe adjourned the meeting at 9:09 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kevin Khuu, Administrative Assistant Recreation and Community Services Department Minutes approved at the 08.02.18 regular meeting.