HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRC 05-07-2026 MinutesAPPROVED MINUTES
CUPERTINO PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Thursday, May 7, 2026
At 7:02 p.m. Chair Kumarappan called the Regular Parks and Recreation Commission meeting
to order in the Quinlan Community Center Conference Room, 10185 N. Stelling Rd., and via
teleconference.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Gopal Kumarappan and Commissioners Claudio Bono, Carol Stanek and Seema
Swamy. Absent: Vice Chair Sheela Sreekanth.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1.Subject: April 2, 2026 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
Recommended Action: Review and approve the April 2, 2026 Parks and Recreation
Commission meeting minutes.
Chair Kumarappan opened the public comment period and, seeing no one, closed the
public comment period.
MOTION: Bono moved and Swamy seconded to approve the April 2, 2026 Parks and
Recreation Commission meeting minutes. The motion carried with the following vote:
Ayes: Kumarappan, Bono, Stanek, Swamy. Noes: None. Absent: Sreekanth. Abstain: None.
POSTPONEMENTS
MOTION: Kumarappan moved and Bono seconded to hear New Business Item No. 3 before Old
Business Item No. 2. The motion carried with the following vote: Ayes: Kumarappan, Bono,
Stanek, Swamy. Noes: None. Absent: Sreekanth. Abstain: None.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
The following members of the public spoke:
Susan Bloomfield spoke about the pickleball trial.
Parks and Recreation Commission May 7, 2026
OLD BUSINESS –
2. Subject: Senior Services Subcommittee Update
Recommended Action: Receive an update on the findings from the Senior Services
subcommittee.
Written Communications for this item included a commissioner’s presentation.
Commissioner Seema Swamy gave a presentation.
Commissioners asked questions which the presenter and staff responded to.
Chair Kumarappan opened the public comment period and the following people spoke:
• Chris Satterlee
Chair Kumarappan closed the public comment period.
Commission received an update on the findings from the Senior Services subcommittee.
NEW BUSINESS –
3. Subject: A Presentation on the Proposed Public Open Space Conceptual Design for The
Rise Development Project (formerly Vallco Town Center)
Recommended Action: Receive the presentation and provide input on the Proposed
Public Open Space Conceptual Design for The Rise Development Project (formerly
Vallco Town Center).
Written Communications for this item included a presentation.
Director of Public Works Chad Mosley introduced the project team, who gave a
presentation:
• Skip Graffam – Partner and Director of Research, The OLIN Studio
• Hangxing Liu – Senior Landscape Architect, OLIN
• Reed Moulds – Managing Director, Sandhill Property Company
• Courtney Higgins – Senior Associate Principal, KPF
• Takashi Soto – Associate, The OLIN Studio
Commissioners asked questions which staff and the presenters responded to.
Parks and Recreation Commission May 7, 2026
Chair Kumarappan opened the public comment period and, seeing no one, closed the public
comment period.
Commissioners made the following recommendations:
•Ensure bike and pedestrian safety on shared trails through adequate width, slower
cycling speeds, and possible signage.
•Maintain strong bike connectivity throughout the project with multiple trail types and
street access for cyclists.
•Use food trucks to create a lively community destination rather than a revenue-focused
space.
•Design landscaping with long-term sustainability and drought conditions in mind.
•Integrate inclusive play features into the playground design.
•Continue close coordination with Parks & Recreation staff to align the project with the
city’s master plan and future community programming.
At 8:03 p.m. Commissioners recessed the meeting. The meeting reconvened at 8:08 p.m. with all
Commissioners present (Sreekanth absent).
MOTION: Bono moved and Kumarappan seconded to continue to agenda item No. 4 and
then hear Old Business Item No. 2. The motion carried with the following vote: Ayes:
Kumarappan, Bono, Stanek, Swamy. Noes: None. Absent: Sreekanth. Abstain: None.
4.Subject: Capital Improvement Programs Fiscal Year 2026-2027 and Five-year Plan.
Recommended Action: Receive presentation and provide input on the development of
the proposed Capital Improvement Programs Fiscal Year 2026-2027 and Five-year Plan
as related to Parks and Recreation.
Written Communications for this item included a staff presentation.
CIP Manager Susan Michael gave a presentation.
Commissioners asked questions which staff responded to.
Chair Kumarappan opened the public comment period and the following people spoke:
•Chris Satterlee
Chair Kumarappan closed the public comment period.
Parks and Recreation Commission May 7, 2026
Commission received the presentation and provided input on the development of
the proposed Capital Improvement Programs Fiscal Year 2026-2027 and Five-year Plan
as related to Parks and Recreation.
STAFF AND COMMISSION REPORTS –
Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Carolyn McDowell reported updates on new programs,
summer preparations, and community engagement efforts, including the launch of a new
Instagram page. The department and its staff received multiple statewide and regional awards
recognizing volunteer programs, recreation initiatives, and outstanding employee contributions.
Recent and upcoming community events include Earth and Arbor Day, the Live Well Age Well
Health Expo, and the sold-out Pooch Plunge event. Staff are preparing for the busy summer season
through lifeguard certification, seasonal hiring, recreation training, and expanded summer
programming and facility operations.
FUTURE AGENDA SETTING – None.
ADJOURNMENT
At 9:27 p.m. Chair Kumarappan adjourned the Regular Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting.
Minutes prepared by:
Lindsay Nelson, Administrative Assistant