Loading...
P&R 12-01-05 APPROVED PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION CITY OF CUPERTINO REGULAR MEETING THURSDAY, December 1, 2005 1. CALL TO ORDER Vice Chairman Chien called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL Commissioners present: Jeanne Bradford, Rod Brown, Roger Peng, Cary Chien Commissioners absent: Frank Jelinch Staff present: Therese Smith, Director; Marie Miller, Administrative Assistant 4. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING A. Regular meeting of November 10, 2005 - Commissioner Brown reported that his comments about a memorial should read, "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." ACTION: A motion was made, seconded and unanimously moved to approve the meeting minutes of October 6, 2005, as amended. 5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Ralph Otte, presented a list of contacts that may be of assistance with the Veterans Memorial project. He agreed to assist the City in any way he can. Director Smith reported that she would be addressing this project with City Council during their goal setting session in January to see what they wanted to contribute besides the location in Memorial Park. She also stated that the goal setting session is a public meeting set for January 31. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS B. Consider Scenic Circle access to Stevens Creek Corridor Park and July 7, 2005, recommendation (presented out of order) - Director Smith reported that the purpose of revisiting this item was to reconsider their recommendation to City Council to provide an access to Stevens Creek Corridor Park from Scenic Circle. She gave a PowerPoint presentation that showed the traffic issues students riding bikes to school come up against on McClellan Road. Parks and Recreation Commissions Meeting of December 1, 2005 Page 2 of 3 Commission Comments Commission Brown stated he was expecting to receive a design update along with the issue of the Scenic Circle access. Director Smith stated that at this time there is nothing to report on the park design because the Water District has not yet approved the creek re- alignment; however, the creek re-alignment does not affect the Scenic Circle access. Public Comments The following people spoke in favor of a pedesh-ian/bike access on Scenic Circle: Jim Bodwin, resident; Paul Oleas, resident; Michael Stanek, resident; Cazol Stanek, resident The following people spoke in support of not having a pedestrian/bike access on Scenic Circle: Stewart Kelly, resident; Don Bautista, resident; Max Bokelman, resident; Larry Loo, resident; Alan Taniguchi, resident; Steve Moody, resident Director's Comments Director Smith commented that the City did not lock the gate on Scenic and that the City should look at visibility distances on Scenic for traffic safety concerns. She reviewed the recommendations that the Commission made on July 7. Commission Comments Commissioner Brown stated that based on research, opening up azeas does reduce crime - when there are people present, people who look for isolated areas no longer have an isolated and, therefore, crime is reduced. He believes that there are enough people who are interested in the access and that the City should open it on a one-year basis, as proposed. He believes that the access would be a benefit to the community. Commissioner Peng is willing to recommend that the access be opened on a trial basis, and he would like the community to give the City the chance to open the Scenic Circle access to pedestrians and bikers. Commissioner Bradford reported that she had received a great many emails over the last months on this topic and thanked the community for their interest. She said she had heard the neighbors' concerns over the potential for an increase in the number of cars. She would consider amending the original recommendation to City Council to put restricted pazking on Scenic. Director Smith said that there is a process to initiate residential restricted parking via the Public Works Department. She agrees with the notion that when a trail opens up, crime is reduced. She asked what the design of the access would be and if there was signage. Director Smith said the plan is to not identify the access on any map. Commission Bradford would also support restricted weekend parking on Scenic near the access. Vice Chairman Chien recognized that safety is a big concern and asked if it was feasible to open the gate 7 a.m. to 10 am., reopen at 3 p.m. and close again at 6 p.m. Director Parks and Recreation Commissions Meeting of December l, 2005 Page 3 of 3 Smith said this is doable, but that the problem was not people using the access during the day, but people getting into the pazk at night. Commissioner Chien said his main concem was the safety of the neighborhood and, therefore, could not support opening an access on Scenic Circle. Director Smith stated that the Commission does not need to take action unless they aze going to change their original recommendation made on July 7, 2005. Commissioner Chien asked for a motion to amend their original recommendation. Seeing none, he closed the item. A. Stevens Creek Corridor Park - design update: Director Smith reported that she will provide a design update for the January meeting. She did report that the project has received approval on a grant application for $250,000 towazd the environxnental classroom. The creek realignment, which will have a sequence of nine pools and riffles, is about to be approved by the Water District. When this happens, further refinement of the pazk layout can occur. The 4-H Club has made a lot of progress toward their new facility. They have partnered with the Water District to remove lumbaz from an old redwood barn that was on Water District property; they salvaged about $15,000 worth of lumbaz that will go into the reconstruction of a 4-H area, which the city architect is designing for them. 7. MISCELLANEOUS - NO ACTION REQUIRED A. Written Communications: None B. Staff Reports: a. Director Smith said there is a potential new lessee for the Sports Center pool. DACA has entered into a lease agreement in San Jose for their own facility. C. Community Contacts: None 8. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, /s/Marie Miller Marie Miller, Administrative Assistant Minutes approved a[ the January 5, 2006, meeting.