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P&R 10-06-05 APPROVED PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION CITY OF CUPERTINO REGULAR MEETING THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2005 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Jelinch called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL Commissioners present: Jeanne Bradford, Roger Peng, Frank Jelinch, Cary Chien, Rod Brown None Therese Ambrosi Smith, Director; Marie Miller, Administrative Assistant Commissioners absent: Staff present: 4. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING A. Regular meeting of September 1, 2005 ACTION: A motion was made, seconded and unanimously moved to approve the meeting minutes of September 1,2005. 5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Kim Yuan-Farrell, Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, invited the Commission and the public to their 14th Annual Wildlife Education Day, October 22, 2005, at McClellan Ranch Park. Charlie Hanson, Elderwood Ct., believes that the Sports Center tennis court lighting is substandard and should be improved. He stated that the Sports Center users are eager for improved lighting and would like this topic re-addressed during the city's budget preparations. 6. NEW BUSINESS A. Receive Scenic Circle and surrounding neighborhood petition, and vote regarding whether or not to have another hearing on Stevens Creek Corridor access. Parks and Recreation Commissions Meeting of October 6, 2005 Page 2 of 4 Public Comments The following Scenic Circle area residents spoke in favor of the Commission reconsidering their prior recommendation to City Council regarding a trail entry point on Scenic and that the Commission hold a reconsideration meeting to provide an opportunity for them to make their case: · Max Bokelman · Steve Moody · Don Bautista Commission Comments Commissioner Brown asked Director Smith for an update of the project's development. She reported that: decisions are being made on what materials to use, eight possible creek alignments are being reviewed by the Water District, a project cost estimate is being developed, the project is expected to be built in 2007, review of project is expected December 2005/January 2006, and permitting will follow so as to be ready for 2007. Staff is waiting to hear what the Cupertino Historical Society is planning for the Stock1meir property; work on that end of the park may be delayed to accommodate the plans for the Center for Living History. Bids for the park construction could open in early 2007. Council approval is required before park project goes out to bid. Commissioner Chien commented that he is inclined to give the Scenic Circle group an opportunity for another hearing. Commissioner Peng stated that the city has put actions in place to address issues, but that it appears, by the petition's language, that the residents are not aware that a plan to prevent congestion and parking problems exists. He asked Director Smith to discuss what measures will be put into place to avoid traffic problems. Director Smith reported the Commission recommended in their July meeting that: Staffing is seven days a week with a ranger position that affords both light maintenance work and enforcement capability; 84 hours a week on average There will be back-up from the Sheriffs Office Gates at both pedestrian accesses; open at 7 a.m., closed by 8 p.m. or dusk, whichever is earlier Close operations in 2007; reopen in 2008 by reservation only on weekends with controlled parking Shuttled parking during those times when we expect overflow parking problems For the first two years of operation, reservations only All customers will be notified of the change in park operation Parking spaces will be controlled Marketing of the facility will be an environmental center Strictly non-motorized access at Scenic Should summer weekends be a problem, the Scenic gate can be closed during that time Director Smith remarked that the Commission has put a great deal of thought into the recommendations to address the neighbors' concerns. If the Commission would like to rehear Parks and Recreation Commissions Meeting of October 6, 2005 Page 3 of4 the item, a letter could be sent inviting the petitioners to a meeting. The letter would list the Commission's recommendations, say that there is a concern that the recommendations made are not fully understood, and invite them to come if they have concerns. Commissioner Bradford commented that when significant input is received from direct neighbors, it is always important to stop and re-look at an issue. She stated that she is willing to listen to the neighbors one more time. She also stated that looking at the Commission's recommendation and the wording on the petition, she is not sure that everyone who signed the petition understood what the recommendations were. She was concerned with the petition's phrase "endless parade of cars" as it seemed inflammatory and biased. Commissioner Jelinch asked ifthe Commission's recommendation for a one-year trial period had started yet. Director Smith said this trial period would start with the reopening of the park's operation and when city staff are on board seven days a week. Director Smith stated that if the Commission is going to go through the trouble of notifying the signers of the petition, that they review the Scenic Circle issue again at the same time the detail park design is reviewed. The detail park design could be ready in December if the Water District is ready; otherwise, it could be January 2006. Commissioner Jelinch said that if there is a reconsideration meeting, it should be clear to all the residents that in order to reconsider, the Scenic Circle residents needs to come up with new evidence that the gate is not a good idea ~ not a rehashing of old evidence. Commissioner Brown stated that questions, such as the gate, require the Commission to look at the detailed design. He does not see new data justifying a reconsideration of their recommendation. He fully agrees with Chairman Jelinch that there is a process that needs to be followed, and he does not want to go back and review things repeatedly because a group does not agree with a recommendation. He stated his preference was to not have a separate meeting to reconsider their recommendation. Commissioner Brown thanked Mr. Bokelman and Mr. Bautista for giving him a tour of the Scenic gate area. ACTION: A motion was made, seconded, and moved 3 to 2 to include the issue of the Scenic gate as part of an overall design review and approval process for the Stevens Creek Corridor Park. B. November 2005 meeting - reschedule to November 10,2005, for special veterans memorial hearing. ACTION: A motion was made, seconded, and unanimously moved to reschedule the regular November 3 meeting to November 10. 8. MISCELLANEOUS - NO ACTION REQUIRED A. Written Communications: Commissioner Brown commented that they continue to get the Teen Commission agendas, but he is not seeing a lot of value in the agendas and requested getting a copy of the minutes of those meetings. Electronic copies ofthe minutes will be sent to the Commissioners. Parks and Recreation Commissions Meeting of October 6, 2005 Page 4 of 4 B. Staff Reports: a. Cupertino's 50th Anniversary plans - Director Smith announced the City's Birthday BBQ and Circus on October 15 at Blackberry Farm. b. Community Congress - Director Smith announced that the October 27 event's focus will be Emergency Preparedness and how the city is prepared. Also, in honor of the City's 50th birthday, a Cupertino trivia game has been developed for this event. Tom Walters will be facilitating the playing of "Cupertino Pursuit". The categories of the game are: History, Rules & Regulations, Emergency Preparedness, Your Tax $$ at Work, and People & Organizations. C. Community Contacts: a. Chairman Jelinch announced that through CAPRCBM, he was part of team that trained East Bay commissioners. The organization is preparing to go to Washington D.C. for a national legislative effort. b. Commissioner Bradford said that she had received an email about McClellan Ranch's anniversary in January and that a community event is being planned. c. Commissioner Peng announced an IS-student exchange event in Cupertino with Hsinchu City, Taiwan; a welcome dinner will take place on Wednesday, October 12. d. Commissioner Chien announced that this week is Fleet Week in San Francisco. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ß1~)~ Marie Miller, Administrative Assistant Minutes approved at the November 10, 2005, meeting.