The Sunnyvale Parks and Recreation Commission met in regular session in the Council Chambers, 456 W. Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA at 7 p.m. with Chairperson Kinder presiding.
SALUTE TO THE FLAG
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Kinder called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
ROLL CALL
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Commissioners Present: |
Chairperson Bob Kinder
Vice Chairperson Howard Chuck
Commissioner Robert Harms
Commissioner Robert Lawson
Commissioner Richard Oliver
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Absent: |
None
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Staff Present: |
David Lewis, Director, Parks and Recreation
Cathy Merrill, Assistant to the Director
Curtis Black, Superintendent of Parks
Mark Petersen, Golf Services Supervisor |
CONSENT CALENDAR
1.A. Approval of Draft Minutes from Regular Meeting of March 14, 2007.
MOTION: Vice Chairperson Chuck moved, and Chairperson Kinder seconded, to approve the minutes from the regular meeting of March 14, 2007, with the following correction:
- Page 5, final paragraph: correct Vice Chairperson Kinder to Chairperson Kinder.
VOTE: Motion passed 4-0. Commissioner Lawson abstained since he was absent from the March 14, 2007, Commission meeting.
STAFF RESPONSES TO PRIOR PUBLIC COMMENTS - None
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Aaron Grossman, Friends of Stevens Creek Trail, distributed copies of the Friends of Stevens Creek Trail 2006 Annual Report to the Commissioners. Mr. Grossman noted that the City of Mountain View started construction to bring the Stevens Creek Trail under El Camino Real. He said the City of Sunnyvale has an opportunity to connect to the Mountain View Trail and asked the Commission to think about what the City could do to connect to the trail. He said that on-street access is unsafe.
Chairperson Kinder thanked Mr. Grossman for his comments.
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS
2. Proposed T-Mobile Corporation Cellular Antenna Project at Ponderosa Park (Planning Commission Date TBD)
Curtis Black, Superintendent of Parks, presented the staff report. He said the Commission’s recommendation will go forward to the Planning Commission. He introduced Ms. Sandra Steele, T-Mobile representative, who stated that this is an important site for T-Mobile to improve.
Commissioners asked questions regarding cell antenna ownership, effects of more cellular antennas in Sunnyvale’s park system, governing policies, co-location of use with other cellular providers with City approval, antenna towers disguised as pine trees, length of construction, alternate sites in the park for the antennas, informational signage on poles, rental fees, length of lease, rental lease agreement and annual inflation factor. Commissioners asked if attendees at public meetings are given the opportunity and encouraged to suggest alternate locations and provide suggestions and input.
Chairperson Kinder opened the public hearing.
Mr. Joe Quinlan, Ponderosa Neighborhood Association, would like more public access to information. He suggested the City could provide neighborhood groups access to information through venues such as “Yahoo Groups” and email the information to neighborhoods groups to be posted.
Ms. Ling Sun said she missed the neighborhood meeting. She is concerned about children being exposed to radiation by installing the cellular antennas close to the school.
At Chairperson Kinder’s request, Superintendent Black read Section 704 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Ms. Steele addressed in more detail the limits, environmental effects, and standards of radio frequency emissions which are set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and approved by Congress.
Mr. Larry Alba expressed concern about possible health effects of radiation emissions. Commissioner Obrey directed Mr. Alba to staff. Superintendent Black stated he would provide Mr. Alba with a copy of the engineer’s report. Mr. Alba suggested that T-Mobile could share Sprint’s cellular antenna which has clear reception near Ponderosa Park.
Chairperson Kinder asked if the locations of all cellular antennas are posted on the City’s web site. Superintendent Black stated that each cellular company has the information posted on their own web site showing their own cellular coverage.
Superintendent Black said the Planning Commission date to address this item has not been scheduled yet.
Ms. Steele said that the range for each cellular antenna is approximately ½ mile in order to provide for seamless coverage in the area. Typically, jurisdictions require cellular companies to submit a plan.
Mr. Rajat Mathur, T-Mobile engineer, gave a brief overview regarding radio frequency emissions for this site. He said all carriers are required to keep antenna system emissions within applicable FCC standards.
Chairperson Kinder closed the public hearing.
MOTION: Commissioner Oliver moved, Vice Chairperson Chuck seconded, to recommend that the Planning Commission accept staff’s recommendations, Alternatives 1 and 2.
- Recommend that the Planning Commission approve the proposed cellular antenna project substantially as proposed by T-Mobile and as noted in Attachment A of the report.
- Recommend that the Planning Commission require removal and replacement of the park maintenance building such that project ground equipment can be placed inside and space for park maintenance use will be equal to or greater than at the current time.
AMENDMENT TO MOTION: Commissioner Lawson moved to amend the motion, Chairperson Kinder seconded, to include that the applicant agree to co-location with other carriers as a condition of the use permit and the rental agreement include an annual inflation factor.
Discussion followed. Commissioner Lawson said that in 10 years the fixed rental rate for this space will be too low; the rental lease should increase annually with an inflation factor. Chairperson Kinder added that if an inflation rate is added, the base rate might change. Commissioner Harms said the rental rate lease agreement is an operational matter, and he is confident in the City Manager’s decision regarding the lease.
VOTE ON AMENDMENT TO MOTION: Passed 3-2 (Commissioners Oliver and Harms dissented.)
MOTION AS AMENDED: Recommend that the Planning Commission accept staff’s recommendations, Alternatives 1 and 2.
- Recommend that the Planning Commission approve the proposed cellular antenna project substantially as proposed by T-Mobile and as noted in Attachment A of the report.
- Recommend that the Planning Commission require removal and replacement of the park maintenance building such that project ground equipment can be placed inside and space for park maintenance use will be equal to or greater than at the current time.
In addition, to include that the applicant agree to co-location with other carriers as a condition of the use permit and the rental agreement include an annual inflation factor.
VOTE ON MOTION AS AMENDED: Passed 4-1. Commissioner Harms dissented as he does not favor the amendment because the City Manager has the right to negotiate and set prices for the rental lease agreement with the cellular company.
3. Revision of Cherry Chase Sports Field Master Plan to Accommodate New Classroom (Council Action 5/8/07)
Curtis Black, Superintendent of Parks, presented the staff report. He introduced Dr. Benjamin Picard, Deputy Superintendent, Sunnyvale School District, who was available to answer questions.
Commissioners questioned the size of the sports fields shown in the attachments and asked if there will be permanent markings on the fields. Questions were answered regarding City maintenance of the fields and amount of turf being reduced.
Chairperson Kinder opened the public hearing. There were no appearances and the public hearing was closed.
MOTION: Commissioner Oliver moved, Commissioner Lawson seconded, to recommend that Council accept staff’s recommendation Alternative 1: Approve the proposed master plan for Cherry Chase Elementary School sports field to include the new classroom building per Attachment A of the report.
VOTE: Passed 5-0.
Commissioner Lawson said he supported the motion because the school improvements will meet the needs of the school children in this area, and the proposed project will have minimal impact on the recreational use of the sports field.
4. Presentation by Sunnyvale Alliance Soccer Club regarding Outside Group Funding Process
Assistant to the Director Merrill presented the staff report. She explained that the Commission will make its recommendation regarding funding requests at the May 30, 2007, Commission meeting as part of the review of the budget supplements in the Recommended FY 2007/2008 Budget. A Commission member will need to present the Commission’s recommendation to Council at the June 5, 2007, public hearing on the Recommended FY 2007/2008 Budget.
Mr. Masood Mokhtary, Sunnyvale Alliance Soccer Club (SASC) president, addressed the Commission and stated he would like to give the Commission another presentation closer to the May 30 meeting. Assistant to the Director Merrill stated that SASC will not be on the agenda to present again unless a Commissioner makes that request; however, there will be an opportunity to comment during the Commission and Council public hearings on the budget.
Mr. Masood Mokhtary said SASC is requesting funding ($5,000) for the screening of candidates for fee waiver assistance and to replace revenue lost with the City’s decision to no longer allow youth sports groups to use the fee waiver program.
Ms. Susan Lundberg, SASC treasurer, answered Commissioners’ questions regarding the SASC budget, annual fees, and number of fee waivers received this year. Ms. Lundberg also described other SASC programs to support costs for uniforms and summer camps. Commissioners asked why SASC pays referees instead of using volunteers. Ms Lundberg responded that referees are more reliable if paid. Commissioners asked how the club determines who qualifies for the scholarship program. Ms. Lundberg said they currently rely on the City’s decision that participants qualify for fee waivers. Commissioners confirmed that the league receives a discount for field use. Commissioners questioned why SASC is asking for fee waiver assistance if they no longer
qualify and commented that SASC is in the same situation as many other groups.
Chairperson Kinder thanked Ms. Lundberg and Mr. Mokhtary for their presentation.
Chairperson Kinder opened the public hearing. There were no appearances and the public hearing was closed.
5. Golf Visioning Presentation
Mark Petersen, Golf Services Manager, presented the staff report. He said the Golf Visioning Report is an internal report, and he is seeking Commissioners’ input via survey if they choose as (1) individuals or (2) Commission members.
If Commissioners prefer to give input as individuals, complete the survey and submit it to Assistant to Director Merrill or staff at the golf courses. If Commissioners desire to take action, request that this item be agendized for a future meeting.
Commissioners’ questions were answered regarding list of public comments and scope of the Golf Visioning Report. Commissioner Lawson offered to distribute golf surveys to his friends.
Chairperson Kinder opened the Public Hearing. There were no appearances and the Public Hearing was closed.
6. Update on Potential Study Issues for 2008
Assistant to the Director Merrill reviewed the study issue process and stated there are no new study issues proposed by the Commission for 2008.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS
COMMISSION
Commissioners Lawson and Harms will attend Hands on the Arts (HOTS) on May 19, 2007, at the Community Center. They will be available to work in Commission’s booth, meet and greet the public, and distribute information regarding the City’s parks and recreation programs. Chairperson Kinder will confirm his attendance at HOTS with Assistant to the Director Merrill.
STAFF
Director Lewis explained that the Report to Council regarding the California Sports Center (CSC) Agreement and Fremont High School Pool will not have time to go before the Commission prior to going to Council. Director Lewis responded to questions.
INFORMATION ONLY ITEMS
- Staff Liaison Report
- Commission Calendar, Rev. 4/4/07
- P&R Pr Employee Newsletter, 3/2007
- Miscellaneous Items of Interest
ADJOURNMENT at 9:40 p.m.
Chairperson Kinder adjourned the meeting at 9:40 p.m.
Assistant to the Director
Parks and Recreation Department