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HomeMy WebLinkAboutP&R 05.07.1992 Minutes CITY OF CUPERTITIO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA 10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, CA 95014 PRC # 128 Unapproved Telephone (408) 252-4505 DUNUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMNIISSION May 7, 1992 Council cumbers CALL, TO ORDER 1• Regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation CcMission called to order at 7:08 p.m. Call to Order SALUTE TO THE FLAG 2. Flag Salute ROLL CALL 3. Commissioners present: Hopkins, Lohmiller, Quinlan, Throne, Hendrickson, Conlon Roll Call Commissioners absent: Colman Staff present: Stephen G. Dowling, Director Linda M. Lagergren, Recording Secretary INTRODUCTIONS 4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS 5. OLD BUSINESS 6. NEW BUSINESS 7. Director Dowling reviewed the background on the renovation and improvement of the K Renovation & Kennedy and Hyde school grounds. He stated, Improvement "the City of Cupertino and Cupertino Union School District have of Kennedy & entered into an agreement for the improvement of eight school Hyde de school grounds within the City of Cupertino. The fine of Beals Landscape grounds Architecture has been contracted to prepare the eight master plans." Director identified all the members of the Task Force COMittee. He then explained, "Having received input from the Youth sports organizations and school physical education representatives, and after conducting two neighborhood meetings at each of the school sites, the task force is recomTending the master plans for Kennedy and Hyde Junior High Schools, which will be presented to you tonight by Beals Landscape Architects.,, PRC # 128 P. 2 Landscape Architect, Jay Beals, presented the long range master p'an for, Kennedy Kennedy Junior High School. He then reviewed the implementation plan for school Kennedy school. It included the following components: site preparation, grounds site construction., athletic facilities, site furnishings, landscaping, (cont'd) and add alternatives. After presenting the implementation plan, Mr. Beals opened it to the Commission for questions. Commissioner 'Throne questioned, "How are you going to separate the regulation field and the Little League field?" Mr. Beals state-1 that "c--ring the season, home-run portable, removable plastic fencing that goes into sleeves could be placed out there to separate the two fields." Commissioner Lohmiller commented, "for years we've had the luxury of having baseball and soccer in place year round and that's been very enjoyable by everyone. Schools run their programs a little differently, they break their athletic season into thirds. They might be playing soccer in the winter and girls softball at other times. 'There is going to have to be some innovative ideas now because by losing almost two-fifths of that space to the addition of the track, it now means baseball and soccer goals cannot permanently be kept in place. They will have to go to portable with some sort of arrangement worked out where they can get them out of the way for school use and back in for after school sports use. There is no other alternative to that and still keep all these elements there. I think it's been a wonderful job fitting in what's been done with the addition of the track." Chairman Hopkins concluded the discussion by saying, "before I open it up to the public, I would like to give you some ground rules. Public comment is limited to 3 minutes per person and you must sign in and state your name. I will now open it up to public corrnient." Resident Resident Carl Wanke stated, "I would like to commend Jay Beals on his Cal cooperation that he has given to everyone in the audience, including me Wye in particular, because I have raised a lot of problems since I live on Hyannisport. They have done a wonderful job of solving the traffic problem to a great extent with this plan by shutting off the direct access from the street to the fields which forces the people down into the parking lots and they have more of an access off of Bubb Road. This will be a great help to relieving the traffic. I want to commend Jay Beals in the way he transfigured the problems into a wonderful plan." PRC # 128 3 Resident Marc McGee, President of Cupertino National Little p. League and member of the task force expressed his appreciation Kennedy for being allowed to participate in the process. "A couple of school things about the plan that Cupertino National is extremely (con't) excited about has to do with the orientation of the fields. We Resident have a unique opportunity to have back-to-back diamonds that Marc McGee allows us to centralize activity around a building hopefully that will house a snack shack and bathroom facilities. Snack shacks are an extremely important revenue generator for little leagues. Even though this building has been included in the Add Alternatives, I am here to express my grave support for this building. I would like to strongly encourage you to consider what this facility would be like without restrooms. At the point that you do that I think it's very easy to build a revenue case for sharing responsibility and sharing our revenue with the City that we make from the snack shack in improving the fields for the use of the entire community. Thanks very much, we love this plan. It's a dream cone true." Resident Vivian Frederick stated that "I have lived on Wilkinson Resident Avenue since 1969. We back up against Kennedy school and we've Vivian loved being next to the school yard. I was at the citizens input Frederick meeting of last month and I would like to commend the people that ran that meeting. They were very cooperative and it was a very good meeting. I like this plan, and I would urge you to accept this plan. There is only one point that I am concerned with and that is the trees along the Wilkinson Avenue area. It is not clear to me what the green represents on the plans and I am very concerned about that. If there are shrubs put there, I would hope they are below 6 feet. I really liked the plan that had no trees at all but the actual plan for the site itself I think is wonderful, but please don't block by view. Architect Jay Beals replied to Mrs. Frederick by saying, "It was made very clear to us at the second meeting that the neighbors did not want trees here, so what we've done, where you see this color is plant a ground cover material that will be anywhere from 12 inches to two feet high." Resident Christine Connell, soccer coach and President of the Resident Cupertino-Saratoga Girls Soccer Club, remarked that she was ! Christine "amazed and delighted to have four soccer fields on this site. Connell This looks like a really good solution to a problem of not having enough fields. I am delighted to see we are going to upgrade the surfaces and have a track of our own at Kennedy. The one question I have is will there be access for emergency vehicles to get to the fields?" Jay Beals, said that all the gates will be double keyed for access by emergency vehicles. PRC = 128 P. 4 Resident Steve Bangert commented that he also lives on Wilkinson and Kennedy that "our houses are situated in a particularly advantageous place, (cones d) in that we have a very unobstructive view out the back of our houses. I think we are all interested in making sure that things Resident stays that way. I would like to make sure that any trees are of a Steve fairly low variety, otherwise the plan is fine as far as we're Bangert concerned. At times it is somewhat of a nuisance to have the fields there, but I think we are adequately campensated by the wonderful view, and I just want to make sure that doesn't go away." Resident Carl Wanke questioned whether they are going to lock up the fields on the weekends? Fie also questioned how we were going to control Sunday usage. Director answered these questions by saying, "Saturday is the principle game day for the youth sports organizations and it will continue to be made available to them. Regarding Sunday usage, historically the City of Cupertino and the school District have not issued Sunday permits and what you have are "bandit leagues" who are very well organized and come in and take over fields that are not being used. They do not have permits. One of the work plan objectives for the Commission this year is to review our sports field policies. We realize that spending this kind of money and making these kinds of improvements, we have to protect our investment. So we have already had one meeting and Commissioners L,ohmi l ler and Hendrickson have put on the table the need to go to a Sunday pest program to try and control undesirable usage. There is no way to fully lock down a facility on the weekends but we feel by moving to a permit system, we will have a better handle on what happens on Sundays." Motion Commissioner Quinlan moved to accept the long range master plan for the Kennedy site, Commissioner Hendrickson seconded the motion. It was unanimously approved. Hyde Director asked Jay Beals to cane forward and present the plans for school the Hyde Junior High School renovation. master ply Mr. Beals reviewed the existing conditions at Hyde school and then went on to present the long range master plan and the implementation plan for Hyde Junior High School. After reviewing the plans, Mr. Beals stated that "there is a very important element on this site right now and it's an oak tree that exists on the edge of the turf adjacent to the track. When we went on a site walk with the staff and task force we noticed that the tree appeared in declining health. So we suggested to the City that we investigate and find out before we went too far what the health of this tree was. We hired a consultant and the consultant said the tree has oak root fungus, it a 1 so has problem with the crotches of the tree and there is an opportunity for breakage of the branches which poses a dangerous condition. we brought back our findings to the table and the school district also had a different horticulturist came out and evaluate the tree and essentially he came up with the same findings. So one of our reoammsriations on the master plan is to remove that tree for safety reasons and not to replace it with another tree. PRC #128 Chairman Hopkins asked if the Commission had any questions for p. 5 Mr. Beals. Hyde School Ccmtmmissioner 'Throne asked, "Does the new plan make use of the (cont'd) existing building facilities? (like the snack shack) Mr. Beals replied, "It makes use of almost all of them. . .The concession stand would not only remain, but we would add paving around it. And any portable restrooms or storage units will be located within that area as well. The track remains and the field event areas remain in the same place. only the soccer goals have been moved. We are trying to reuse everything we can in the same position." Commissioner Hendrickson commented that he felt it was important to communicate to the neighbors and the students the reasons why the oak tree is being removed. Let them know that it wasn't for development but that it was a necessary unfortunate problem. Mr. Beals responded by saying, "I very much appreciate that ccmT&-nt and we will save every tree we can but we won't do it if it's going to cause a problem with safety for the people around it especially because they have their graduation and other programs around that tree." Chairman Hopkins asked if the Commission had no more questions then he would open it up to the public. There were no public comments, so Chairman Hopkins brought it back to the Commission. Chairman 'Throne moved to accept the long range master plans for Motion the Hyde site, Quinlan seconded the motion. It was unanimously approved. Commissioner Hendrickson complemented Mr. Beals and staff on the presentation. Commissioner Lohmmmiller agreed with Commissioner Hendrickson and also stated, "I have been at most of the 26 meetings and really appreciate all their effort. Jay does a very good job of facilitating, he handles the public inputs extremely well. He's been very fair to everybody." Director stated that this recommendation goes on to the School District Board Meeting on May 26 at 8:00 p.m. at Stocklmeir school. PRC # 128 P. 6 8. Director explained, "with the General Plan revision that is going Gym/Pool on it occurred to me that we currently don't have language proposed gen plan that addresses the issue of a City awned gymnasium and pool statement complex. As I mentioned to you in the memo, it's important that we recognize there are obstacles to consider before it becomes a reality, funding being the most significant. However, it is not necessary in the General Plan to say how a facility .is to be funded or when it is to occur. It is simply an expression of a desirable amenity to add to our park system. Tyne justification for putting it in can relate back to the Recreation Needs Assessment Survey we conducted in 1988. And one of the indicators that came out of it was a preference and perceived need on the part of the residents for a public pool and gym. Also the Master Plan Committee sat through dozens and dozens of input sessions with various organizations and there was a theme that kept reoccurring, and that was that it would be desirable to have a City owned pool and gymnasium. Now, the question may cane up, why do we need that when both high schools and the junior college have very fine facilities here in town. Part of the response to that is, that even De Anza College is interested in building another gym and the same holds true for the high schools. So what I'm putting on the table tonight is if you think this general plan revision should include a policy statement expressing the objective to have a gymnasiumjpool. So with that I'll turn it back to the the Chair." Commissioner Hendrickson remarked, "my first thought is that it does sound good but it's a duplication of a lot of things that go on in the City. My first concern obviously would be the cost. My other concern would be duplication of facilities that exist at this point and I question for what purpose." Commissioner Condon said, "it sounds good, who wouldn't want to have a gymnasium and pool in their community? It's hard for me to condone something like this knowing the budget crises that we're in. It's hard to put this on a wish list knowing what we've acccuiplished in the last five years. I think with appropriate wording, I would condone it, but as a real forceful statement, I'd have a problem with it. Maybe we could work this in with the prioritization of the master plan of Memorial Park. Commissioner Throne mentioned, "traditionally in the general plan there has not been much emphasis on facilities." Commissioner Throne questioned Director Dowling by asking him, "what are your thoughts in that regard? We've Calked about being more specific this time around." PRC # 128 p. 7 Director Dowling stated that "the first two Coarnnissioners have raised some very valid points. I think it's i'Tportant that this Gym/pool Commission keep credibility and keep a realistic approach to the gen. plan general plan process. But the plan does look to the next five years statement and in some cases ten years and I think what we are saying is we (cont'd) have essentially completed our neighborhood park program. What remains ahead of us for this decade and into the next century, probably we will be looking for specialized recreation facilities, much like the Sports Center. Are we ready at this time to want to put the community on notice that this is something that we would like to achieve. I think we need to move into it cautiously. What I'm looking for tonight is simply some direction, do you want us to pursue some language? Would you prefer to back off and not get into it right now? That's what I'm looking for. Commissioner Throne expressed, "Sitting on the Master Plan Committee, I didn't core away with as strong a feeling from the input that we had, that there's that need for a gymnasium. I think there are a couple of issues that make it worthwhile thinking about putting it in the general plan and that is, what's DeAnza College going to do? Is there a possibility of sharing a facility? What are the major employers in Cupertino going to do? In there expansion, they are probably going to be looking at putting in recreational facilities. There might be some real advantage thinking about integrating a community facility with either or both of those groups. I see the demand being generated more by those two groups then just the community at large. It would be worth looking at and working with both groups to see if the development of a facility that is community based, but is multi-user in terms of the College and the larger employers. I can't see Cupertino, even in ten years, footing the bill to do this. Commissioner Quinlan agreed by saying, "I think that there is a need to look at this from a standpoint of a concerted effort of a lot of groups. I serve on the board for the Y.M.C.A. , we ponder how we are going to get money, and one of the things they talk about is a swimming pool. ibis is a group that is trying hard to get money to survive and they are in direct competition with everyone around. I hate to see an effort wasted because of people competing. It seems to me that these valuable resources can be shared. I wouldn't go for a statement in the general plan that says City-owned." Commissioner Lohmiller agreed by saying, "I pretty much have the same feeling as everyone, and I 'm rather surprised that we are all so cautious on this. The thought of having it near or about Memorial Park makes absolutely no sense, there's no parking there now. We'd have to give up land for parking. You'd lose the peace and tranquility of the park you have now. Certainly, you couldn't put a swimming facility in there and I don't see how one gym would help us. . .I wouldn't go on record saying we need it." YRC # 128 , P. 8 Chairman Hopkins said, "when I first read it, it sounded like a good idea. I thought the pool might be an overkill because we have GyM/pool two pools at Blackberry and a pool at the Sports Center. But the gen. plan gym might be a good idea, because the schools have priority over statement their gyms. It could have a dual role in that it could be a (cont'd) semi-teen center, you could coordinate some teen activities - dances and basketball leagues and other activities. You are only asking us to put language that says this is something that we might desire sometime in the future." Commissioner Throne mentioned a big concern he has in that "a pool is not only a big capital cost but they are a big money sink afterwards (huge maintenance) . Unless you have a strong base of support from the Industrial community and/or the college or the Y.M.C.A. , then I think it's a problem. I think if we are going to put something in then I think it should be a multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional facility. Director suggested he play with some language and bring it back to the Commission in June. Nonprofit 9. Director stated, "to assist the City in its funding situation, Benefit Comussioner Condon has offered to spearhead an effort to identify Corp. sponsorships and non profit foundation approaches for our City and our Department. He and I met and, based upon some information he obtained at the last CPRS Conference, he put together some thoughts on what are the benefits to such an approach and what are some of the goal statements for that. What we are looking for tonight is direction from the Commission to pursue investigating the concept and possibly bringing back a model for your review." Commissioner Condon reviewed the benefits of a Non-profit Public Benefit Corporation. After discussion by the Commission everyone was in agreement that the concept should be investigated. Commissioner Lohmiller suggested we be very careful and cautious how this information goes out to the public. It should be a very well thought out idea so it is not threatening to anyone. Motion Commissioner Lohmiller made a motion that the concept of a nonprofit public benefit corporation be investigated and reported back to the Commission, Cormmissioner Hendrickson seconded the motion. It was unanimously approved. MINUI'Fs OF PREVIOUS HEFTING Approval of 10. Commissioner Quinlan moved and Crnmissioner Condon seconded a minutes motion to approve the minutes of the kty I parks and Recreation Commission meeting as amended. Unanimously approved. WRI711N 010WLNICATIONS 11. A letter was received from the President of DeAnza Youth Sc--er league to Steve Dow 1 i.nq express ing their appreciation to him, h i s staff, and the City of Cupertino for their continued support and help in providing field space and upkeep. PRC # 128 Commissioner 'Throne ccmrkented that "in the past year as I served 9 as Chairman of this Commission I can't imagine anyone that is working significantly harder than Director Steve Dowling and the amount of effort that he is putting into all the things that are going on are well appreciated." MONTI-fLY REPORTS 12. Director reported that the ceremony at the Sports Center recognising the transition to Jim Trenner Tennis was really a nice event. It was extremely gratifying and it was nice to have a fresh beginning. 13. Chairman Hopkins had three ccu¢nunity contacts. He reported he Community attended the Cupertino Historical Society meeting where they did Contacts a presentation on the DeAnza trek. He also mentioned the DeAnza Club was interested in working with the City on bicycle safety classes. He was going to put the club in touch with Supervisor Don McCarthy. Chairman Hopkins said he spoke with the Social Advocates for Youth organization. They are interested in putting together a tennis tournament fund-raisers at the Sports Center. MISCELLANEOUS 14. There was no legislative update report. 15. The Mayor's luncheon hadn't taken place yet - no report. 16. [hider staff oral reports, Director reported that the Parks and Staff Recreation Comn.ission's recommendation that went to the Planning oral Commission regarding parks in non-residential areas was adopted reports with the deletion of the first sentence in section b. Director stated that if there was a strong sentiment on the part of the Commission to put that phrase back in, it would be appropriate for Chairman Hopkins to draft a letter to the mayor stating the Commission's position. Commissioner Lohmiller recommended letting it be and not doing any other statements. All were in agreement. 17. The Sports Center Master Plan Committee is waiting for a proposal from the Stanford Research Group. ADJOURNMENT 18. At 9:25 p.m. Commissioner Throne moved and Commissioner Adjournment Lohmiller seconded a motion to adjourn to the regular scheduled meeting on June 4, 1992 at 7:00 p.m. , Council Chambers. Motion approved. Respec_-t f u l ly suimitted, Linda M. Lagergren, AT'IT.T: APPROVED: City Clerk Chairperson