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P&R 11-10-05 APPROVED PARKS 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 ofthe educational process. He would like all veterans who have lost their lives in the service of their country, who are residents of Cupertino, be recognized whether they died during a major conflict or a minor conflict. 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 identifY individuals and groups that would like to participate. She would like the project to be continùed 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 00 Chairman Jelinch asked the commissioners if they 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 ifthere 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, .~ ~dministrative Assistant Minutes approved at the December 1, 2005, meeting.