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P&R 12-01-05 I- CUPEIQ1NO P ARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting Thursday, December 1,2005,7 p.m. Community Hall Council Chambers 10350 Torre Avenue AGENDA 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL 4. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING A. Regular adjourned meeting of November 10,2005 5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS This portion of the meeting is reserved for persons wishing to address the commission on any matter not on the agenda. Speakers are limited to three (3) minutes a person. In most cases, state law will prohibit the commission from making any decisions with respect to a matter not listed on the agenda. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Stevens Creek Corridor Park - design update B. Consider Scenic Circle access to Stevens Creek Corridor Park and July 7, 2005 recommendation 7. MISCELLANEOUS - NO ACTION REQUIRED A. Written communications B. Staff oral reports C. Commission Community Contacts 8. ADJOURNMENT In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the city of Cupertino will make reasonable efforts to accommodate persons with qualified disabilities. (fyou require special assistance, please contact the Parks and Recreation office at 777-3110 at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting. DRAFT P ARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION CITY OF CUPERTINO REGULAR MEETING THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2005 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Jelinch called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL Commissioners present: Commissioners absent: Staff present: Jeanne Bradford, Frank Jelinch, Rod Brown Roger Peng, Cary Chien Julia Lamy, Recreation Supervisor; Marie Miller, Administrative Assistant 4. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING A. Regular meeting of October 6, 2005 ACTION: A motion was made, seconded and unanimously moved to approve the meeting minutes of October 6, 2005. 5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Receive community input on a Veterans Memorial- Ms. Lamy gave a report that reiterated the City Council's direction for an enhanced Veterans Memorial at Memorial Park. She discussed the research that identified those killed. She displayed photos of memorials in Cupertino, which are located at Memorial Park, Cupertino High School, and the memorial grove next to the library. She also displayed other communities' proposed memorials. She briefly discussed options for content and offered examples. Staff had recommended that a citizens' group, interested in fundraising and seeing the project through, form a committee to interview artists, establish a budget, and pursue fundraising. Communitv Comments Donna Axelson, resident, was pleased with the Commission's support for an enhanced memorial in Memorial Park. She envisions a memorial that would include replicas of people. She also noted that the name "Iraq War" is a war that is being fought in Iraq; her son was actually killed in Afghanistan. She believes that a better name would be the "'War on Terror". Parks and Recreation Commissions Meeting of November 10,2005 Page 2 of3 Ralph Otte, public relations chairman for the northern California division of the American Legion, is interested in the proposal and is inclined to favor a memorial that identifies the service branches - says this is being done in a nearby cemetery (Gate of Heaven), but that Memorial Park is a lot closer to the public. He offered his services with fundraising or planning. He also offered to contact veterans' organizations. Dennis Whittaker, resident and veteran, spoke in support of getting a greater arena than just a few people and making the memorial an opportunity to teach about history. He supports the idea of a memorial that includes replicas of people. He would like to see an outreach to high schools, colleges and citizens at large, and articles placed in the Courier and Scene that asks the community to come up with graphics that can be reviewed - possibly a contest with a reward. He offered to go to service clubs and other organizations on a fundraising effort. Commission Comments Commissioner Bradford believes this is an important project that the community can rally around. She thanked the speakers for their willingness to be a part of this effort. She reported that the Cupertino Courier had an article about the meeting in Wednesday's paper and thinks that we can continue to publicize. She agrees that outreach is important, and that the effort needs to be a community event. She agreed with the idea of an "alive" memorial. She would like to see people's names listed. She liked the idea about it being an educational process and involving the schools; she says she has ideas about getting this started. She would like to see the memorial close to Stevens Creek Boulevard so when anyone drives by, they will know what Memorial Park is all about. Commissioner Brown agreed with the "alive" concept, that it is key - something that pulls people in; this concept would be an important part of the educational process. He would like veterans who have lost their lives in other conflicts also be recognized. Chairman Jelinch thanked the community and said that there will be other meetings on this topic. He liked the idea of the memorial being close to the road. He was glad to be starting this project and volunteered to help in any way he can. Next Steps Commissioner Bradford would like a list of organizations to contact in the next ten days to help identiry individuals and groups that would like to participate. She would like the project to be continued to be publicized wherever possible. Commissioner Brown would like the process to be identified up front. He believes that discussions should not be separate; the Fine Arts Commission should be hearing their comments as well, and that it be an interactive process with the Fine Arts Commission. Parks and Recreation Commissions Meeting of November 10,2005 Page 3 of3 Chairman Jelinch asked the commissioners ifthey would like to meet with the Fine Arts Commission sometime next year, identify all the service organizations, and bring a representative from those organizations to a meeting, as well as publicize the meeting. He agreed to help make contacts to encourage their participation. Mr. Whittaker recommended contacting the local chapters of: American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled Veterans Association, and the Purple Heart Association. He also recommended asking the Cupertino families to supply names. Mrs. Axelson stated that she wished to contact an artist that she was impressed with and ask him for some ideas. Chairman Jelinch stated that he saw no harm in her doing this work. Commission Bradford stated that she will probably be working with the Fine Arts Commission on the actual design, but if there is someone who has inspired her, that would be a good start. 7. MISCELLANEOUS - NO ACTION REQUIRED A. Written Communications: None B. Staff Reports: None C. Community Contacts: None 8. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Minutes approved at the I I I I , 2005, mee1ng. I I Marie Miller, Administrative Assistant ~ Parks and Recreation Department DIRECTOR'S REPORT TO THE PARKS AND CREATION COMMISSION Agenda Date: December 1 2005 Item 6.B.: Consider Scenic Circle access to Stev Creek Corridor Park and July 7, 2005 recommendation Pursuant to Council direction, the Parks and Recreat on Commission considered ways that automobile traffic into Stevens Creek Corrido Park might be reduced. One suggestion forwarded was levying a parking fee. he Commission considered this alternative and determined it would drive parkin onto residential streets. The Commission instead recommended making pedestrian and bicycle access as convenient as possible, to lessen automobile traffic to the park. Historically, access to Stevens Creek Corridor Park fr m Scenic Circle has been through a hole cut into the chain link fence that the Nelson's ected around Blackberry Farm to keep non-paying customers out. The break in the fi ce was a problem for neighbors because it let after-hours trespassers into the park. /--- Five years ago, a gate was installed that enabled the eighborhood to close the gate at night after opening it in the morning to walkers and c dren using the park as a shortcut to Monta Vista, Kennedy and Lincoln schools. The n ighbors closed it at dark to keep illegal users out of the park. This pattern continu until January 2005 when the neighbors took unilateral action to chain the entrance. Staffhas not taken action to open the gate pending Council resolution ofthe issue. I The Parks and Recreation Commission discussed the a cess point in a public meeting on July 7,2005. The issue was whether to provide ped trian and bicycle access from the neighborhood (Note: at this time it was proposed that the gate be opened after the park is renovated). After hearing the residents' co cerns, the Commission made recommendations regarding control of the access po' t for safety and security. The recommendation ofthe Commission regarding this ac s point was: (Copied from the approved minutes of the Parks I and Recreation Commission's July 7,2005 regular meeting) I Staffing (for the park) is seven days a week with a ranger position that affords both light maintenance mJrk and enforcement cap'pbility; 84 hours a week on average: Back-up from the Sheriff's Office ~ December I, 2005 Page 2 of9 ,~ .~ Gates at both pedestrian accesses; open at r a.m., closed by 8 p.m. or dusk. whichever is earlier i Close operations in 2007; reopen in 2008 by iervation only on weekends with controlled parking (closure is for reconst ction of Blackberry Farm) Shuttled parking during times we expect overf/ w parking problems For the first hw years oJ(Picnic ground) oper4tion, reservation only All customers will be notified oj the change in fark operation Parking spaces will be controlled i Marketing oj the Jacility will be as an enVirontental center Strictly a non-motorized access at Scenic ; Should summer weekends be a problem, the ~Scenic) gate can be closed during that time ' ; Chairman Jelinch asked if opening the gate d¡ not work out and crime statistics proved otherwise during a certain perio oj time, could they review it again. Director Smith said this stipulation co ld be added in. She asked the Commission if they would like to pick a trial p riod length. Commissioner Brown also stated that this would include the tipulation that the gate be closed at night and include the security patrol as tresented, and at the end oj a one-year period, data would be presented to; the Commission and then Jorwarded to the City Council as appropriate. ! ACTION; A motion was made, seconded and zJ"animously moved to have the gate access open (as stated abov~) on a one-year probation period and that the Commission willi receive a report at the end oJthat time. This access would open after the park is improved and Ire-opened. Recently neighbors in the Scenic Circle neighborOood have circulated a petition regarding access to the park. ,- December 1, 2005 Page 3 of9 .--- The petition reads (scanned ITom original): Petition , .July 2005 To the Cupertino City Cooincil Members We. the undersigned. arc appealing to the Cupertino City Council to not place an entrance at Scenic Circle to Blackberry Farm or the planned Steven's Canyon Trail. Our legitimate opposition to such an entry point is based on serious concerns such as the f()llowing: I. Such an entry point would bring an endless parade of cars iJ\to the neighborhood. 2. Scenic Circle would become a trailhead parking lot. 3. '['he congestion of trail users mixed with cars driving in and out of the neighborhood and cars competing for parking would negate safety and security for our families. 4. '['he recurrence of disturbances and crime that exisleJ~¡'ur neighborhood. 5. '['he serene setting and privacy of the neighborhood would be compromised. 6. Property values would significantly decline. . ,---- Over two hundred residents signed the petition. On October 6, the Scenic residents asked that Parks and Recreation Commission reconsider their recommendation to the City Council. The Commission agreed to do so on December 1, 2005. Now additional residents, including parents of school children, have come forward in support of the gate, which provides a safe route to school in children living west of the park. One parent, who believes that the gate should be opened immediately, submitted the attached photos. All ofthe photos were taken on the morning of November 16. All residents in the area were notified of the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting and advised that the Council would be making a decision on December 6. RECOMMENDATION Consider testimony and determine whether or not to amend the recommendation to the City Council made on July 7,2005. Respectfully submitted: /- Therese Arnbrosi Smith, Director, Parks and Recreation Department December 1, 2005 Page 4 of9 ~ Students waiting for a break in the steady stream of traffic at McClellan and Mira Vista ~""O{O' . . .' .., ;~"'<'íI.··"" ,><:ç,!,;\~)?\, ":,,,,>' .", ,"'<';':j,-.;;':': ¡~, ~,~._- ..-....--",-- o~ ~ December I, 2005 Page 5 of9 ~ Biker with mechanical problems near McClellan Ranch Park. No bike lane, no sidewalk. .r- Biker in traffic on McClellan near Linda Vista Rd. ,r- . -.. December I, 2005 Page 6 of9 .--- Mixed Traffic. Some cars try to avoid bikers by crossing the yellow lines. '--', Or crowd bic cle riders if there is oncomin traffic. ~/ ~ ------ December ¡, 2005 Page 7 of9 ,~ No bike lane or paved shoulder. Student bicycle rider rides on gravel. ~ Traffic approaching curve with bicycle rider. ,.--- December 1, 2005 Page 8 of9 ~ Bicycle riders approaching sharp curve with traffic. ~ ~ December 1, 2005 Page 90f9 ~ ,~ ,~