P&R 06-04-2020
CITY OF CUPERTINO
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Community Hall
Teleconference Meeting
Thursday, June 4, 2020
7:00 PM
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kumarappan called the meeting to order at 7:00p.m. via teleconference.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Commissioners present: Gopal Kumarappan, Carol Stanek, Neesha Tambe,
Xiangchen Xu, Sashikala Begur
Commissioners absent: None
Staff present: Joanne Magrini, Christine Hanel, Whitney Zeller,
Toni Oasay-Anderson, Zach Korach
Guest speakers: None
CEREMONIAL MATTERS AND PRESENTATIONS
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Special Meeting of May 14, 2020.
Vice Chair Stanek motioned to approve the minutes, Commissioner Xu
seconded. Motion passed unanimously with 5 votes yes.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Community member Manali Begur spoke on the Black Lives Matter movement and
asked if the Commission would allow white circles to be drawn on the grass at parks to
allow for social distancing while protest occur and also inquired about the City
providing resource tents at the parks during protests with supplies such as water and
COVID testing.
Community member Jennifer Griffin commended the Commission on keeping the
parks open during COVID and the work being done to allow park access.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Written communications were received for item 3.
OLD BUSINESS
2. Update on the Coronavirus’ Impacts to Cupertino Parks and Recreation
Programs.
Joanne Magrini provided an update on the Coronavirus’ impacts to Cupertino’s
Parks and Recreation Programs including changes to the County’s Order
effective 12:01am on June 5th outlined in the staff report, virtual recreation classes
offered, senior wellness calls, food deliveries and the #CupertinoCares initiative.
Updates are being provided through social media as well as the Cupertino
website.
Community member Mahesh Pakala spoke on the item and offered assistance
with the virtual recreation.
Commissioner Begur recommended providing the public with the County Order
updates and including a list of approved activities.
Commissioner Tambe requested more information on mask regulations and
asked what steps are being taken to accommodate the protest happening.
Commissioner Xu agreed with Commissioner Begur’s suggestion to share
County Order updates with the public.
Chair Kumarappan asked about actions being taken to accommodate protests
and how the County Ordinance restrictions are being enforced.
Joanne Magrini responded that signs are being posted at sports courts and fields
with the Order’s guidelines and stated that more information will be provided to
the Commissioners on face coverings
Commissioner Tambe requested information on the City’s response to the Black
Lives Matter movement and recommended providing social distancing markers,
resources and COVID-19 information for those attending the protest.
3. Evaluate FY 2020/21 Community Funding Grant Program Applications and
Provide Recommendation to Council.
Toni Oasay-Anderson introduced the item and instructed the Commission to
review their consolidated evaluation results and provide a recommendation to
Council.
Community member David Fung provided information on the Friends of Deer
Hollow Farm organization and their Community Funding Grant Program
application.
Community member Orrin Mahoney provided information on the Cupertino
Rotary and their Community Funding Grant Program application.
Community member Josh Selo provided information on West Valley Community
Services and their Community Funding Grant Program application.
Community member Mahesh Pakala provided information on the Bhubaneswar
Sister City and their Community Funding Grant Program application.
Community member Margo Sidener provided information on Breathe California
and their Community Funding Grant Program application.
Community member Matthew Dodder provided information on Santa Clara
Audubon Society and their Community Funding Grant Program application.
Community member Jeanne Wun provided information on the Chinese
American Coalition for Compassionate Care and their Community Funding
Grant Program application.
The Commissioners each reviewed their methodology for evaluating the
applications received.
Zach Korach confirmed that the funds approved will come from the general fund
and will appear as a line item in the Council’s proposed budget and that the City
is anticipating a decline in tax revenues.
Commissioner Begur motioned to form two tiers for recommendation as follows:
Tier 1 – Recommended for funding
Breathe CA - $4,000
West Valley Community Services - $20,000
Euphrat Museum - $10,000
Tier 2 – Optional Recommendation if Council has funds available
Elevate the Future - $3,000
Rotary Club - $12,000
Deer Hollow Farm - $15,000
Commissioner Xu seconded the motion. Motion passed with 4 votes yes from
Commissioners Kumarappan, Stanek, Xu and Begur and 1 vote no from
Commissioner Tambe on the basis of a tiered system.
4. Update on the Rancho Rinconada Recreation and Park District: Receive Report
From Staff and Subcommittee Commissioners Xu and Begur.
Joanne Magrini reviewed the staff report and Commissioner Xu provided
information on next steps for the item including reviewing survey results and
arranging more community outreach.
Community member Jennifer Griffin commented on the item and spoke in favor
of maintaining the status quo.
Chair Kumarappan clarified that he had appointed Commissioner Xu to replace
himself in the subcommittee for this and that Commissioner Xu had accepted the
appointment.
Commissioner Tambe recommended attaining input from both the Rancho
Rinconada Recreation and Park District as well as those in opposition of the
current Board to ensure a comprehensive overview of the topic.
5. Update on the Development of the Specific Plan: Receive Report From Staff and
Subcommittee Commissioners Stanek and Tambe.
Joanne Magrini provided an update on the item and shared that the
subcommittee had met in early March and has not been able to meet since due to
the shelter in place order.
Vice Chair Stanek shared that Public Works had provided a list of Capital
Improvement Projects that they were considering at the March meeting.
Commissioner Tambe requested to meeting with the subcommittee and the
Director virtually to discuss the Strategic Plan before meeting with Public Works.
NEW BUSINESS
STAFF AND COMMISSION REPORTS
9. Receive Monthly Update Reports from:
Director
- No items to report
Commissioners
- Chair Kumarappan shared that he is available to help with the Black Lives
Matter movement if anyone would like to reach out to him for assistance.
- Commissioner Tambe suggested to formalize a recommendation to Council
and the Mayor to restrict aggressive use of force by law enforcement.
ADJOURNMENT – Chair Kumarappan adjourned the meeting at 9:55p.m. to the
July 2, 2020 meeting at 7 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Whitney Zeller, Administrative Assistant
Parks & Recreation Department
Minutes approved at the July 2, 2020 regular meeting