MINUTES

parks and Recreation Commission

REGULAR MEETING

DECEMBER 12, 2007

The Sunnyvale Parks and Recreation Commission met in regular session in the Council Chambers, 456 W. Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale CA 94086, at 7 p.m. with Chair Kinder presiding.

CALL TO ORDER / SALUTE TO THE FLAG

Chair Kinder called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. and led the salute to the flag.

ROLL CALL

CONSIDERATION OF ABSENCE

MOTION:  Chair Kinder moved, and Commissioner Oliver seconded, to excuse Commissioner Chuck’s absence since he notified the Commission last month that he would be taking personal leave.

VOTE:  Motion passed unanimously 4-0 with Commissioner Chuck absent.

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS - None

CONSENT CALENDAR

1.A.  Approval of Draft Minutes from Regular Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission on November 14, 2007.

MOTION:  Commissioner Oliver moved and Vice Chair Colvin seconded to approve Item 1.A. as presented.

VOTE:  Passed unanimously 4-0 with Commissioner Chuck absent.

STAFF RESPONSES TO PRIOR PUBLIC COMMENTS - None

PUBLIC COMMENT - None

PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS

2.  Revision of Stocklmeir School Sports Field Master Plan to Accommodate New Classroom Buildings (Council Action 1/29/08)

Superintendent Black presented the staff report and introduced Rick Hausman, Chief Business Officer of Cupertino Union School District, to speak at the end of the staff report.

Commissioners had no questions following the staff report.

Mr. Hausman presented the school’s plan, noting the increase in student population, need for a larger library and meeting rooms, and he described the background of the decision to move portions of the Montessori School into modular buildings to be placed on the campus.

Commissioners questions to Mr. Hausman regarding ownership of the school, size of a new library, the existing picnic area and the move into modular buildings were answered to their satisfaction.

Chair Kinder opened the public hearing.

#1 Micki Falk, member of the public, stated she lives across the street and regularly has to wait for buses to move so she can get out of the driveway. She noted the kids screaming while at play are extremely noisy during the day and questioned if Sunnyvale would receive any revenue for this additional use? She suggested changing traffic direction at Stocklmeir and make the street one way down Dunholme Way.

In response to Chair Kinder’s questions, Mr. Hausman noted the plans are expected to improve traffic flow. He clarified the school is not expecting 500 more students but will have the same number of students, approximately 500, but currently they are bussing them to other locations due to lack of room on the school campus. Now, with the PACE Program moving to a different location, traffic will be reduced.

Commissioner Oliver asked if the noise outside would be reduced when the PACE Program moves.

Mr. Hausman responded that he believes it will.

#2 Madhu Shenoy, member of the public, noted that Montessori school is a private school and expressed his dismay that public open space would be reduced to make room for a private, for-profit entity. He noted the Montessori school hours are longer, 7:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., and that brings more traffic in for longer time periods.

#3 Jean Batryn, member of the public, expressed concern about losing open space. She and her family uses the field for jogging and her children and the neighborhood children need the space to play.

Ms. Batryn also expressed concern that the neighborhood was not better notified since she did not see notices posted. She noted she did not hear of any alternatives that may have been considered and suggested the Raynor Activity Center could be used for the school.

Commissioner Oliver requested that Superintendent Black respond regarding the size of the open space that will be lost.

Superintendent Black responded that the space is 50’ x 80’ with the pathway shortened by 37’. Total open space now is 3.5 acres and the size to be reduced is about 2% of the 3.5 acres at Stocklmeir School. Superintendent Black also showed Ms. Batryn a site plan depicting the area where the open space would be reduced.

Chair Kinder closed the public hearing.

MOTION:  Commissioner Kinder moved and Commissioner Oliver seconded to recommend that Council accept staff’s recommendation, Alternative No. 1: Approve the Proposed Master Plan for Stocklmeir School sports field to include the new classroom buildings and facilities per Attachment B.

Commissioner Harms expressed his concerns that we are slowly losing open space.

Commissioner Colvin noted that the concerns expressed by members of the public are valued and he would like to see them addressed in the Parks of the Future Study.

Commissioner Kinder agreed with Commissioner Harms’ comments, but noted the increase in the number of school aged children in Sunnyvale that need more space for education.

VOTE:  Motion passed 3-1, with Commissioner Harms dissenting, (Commissioner Chuck absent).

Commissioner Harms opposed the motion because several schools in Sunnyvale have closed (Inverness, Panama, etc.) so a more level playing field is warranted for schools and open space which will both receive the same amount of increase in demand.

3. Review of Golf Course Revenues

Superintendent Black presented an overview of Golf Course Revenues noting that year-to-date rounds at Sunnyvale Golf Course are 400 rounds under last year’s, and Sunken Golf Course is 1600 rounds under, compared to last year, while revenue is a little ahead that of YTD last year. He also noted that the Golf Shop sales area busy season is in December and he could prepare a more detailed report if the Commissioners had more specific questions.

Commissioner’s questions regarding revenue comparisons, decline in play, suggestions regarding marketing the courses to attract more players and use by regular golf leagues were answered by staff.

Chair Kinder opened public hearing for this topic, seeing none, he closed the public hearing.

Chair Kinder thanked Superintendent Black for his presentation.

NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS

COMMISSION - None

STAFF

Cathy Merrill noted Council’s actions on December 4, 2007 to approve the change in the Master Plan for Hollenbeck School and to approve extending the agreement with Santa Clara County for Baylands Park. She also noted during that same meeting the Council decided to agendize the issue related to communications between board and commission members and City Council for the January 29^th meeting.

Ms. Merrill reminded Commissioners they were welcome to speak on this issue during the January 29 meeting as individuals, but needed to indicate their thoughts on this were NOT representing an action of the Commission. She pointed out the memo dated November 27, 2007 on First Amendment Rights, which the Commissioners received in their packets.

INFORMATION ONLY ITEMS

• Staff Liaison Report (oral)
• Commission’s Calendar, revised 12/4/07
• Miscellaneous Items of Interest

ADJOURNMENT

Chair Kinder adjourned the meeting at 8:25 p.m.

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