MINUTES
parks and Recreation Commission
SEPTEMBER 13, 2006 

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.

CALL TO ORDER

SALUTE TO THE FLAG

ROLL CALL

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

None

CONSENT CALENDAR

1.A.  Approval of Draft Minutes from Regular Meeting of July 12, 2006

MOTION: Vice Chairperson Chuck moved, Commissioner Lawson seconded, to approve the July 12, 2006, Parks and Recreation Commission meeting minutes with changes to reflect that Commissioner Kinder was Chairperson.

VOTE:  The motion passed 4-0, with Commissioner Oliver abstaining since he was absent on July 12, 2006.

1.B.  Approval of Draft Minutes from Special Meeting of July 25, 2006

MOTION: Chairperson Kinder moved, Commissioner Harms seconded, to approve the July 25, 2006, Parks and Recreation Commission meeting minutes as written.

VOTE:  The motion passed 3-0, with Commissioners Oliver and Lawson abstaining since they were absent on July 25, 2006.

STAFF RESPONSES TO PRIOR PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS

2. Draft RTC – Consideration of Revisions to Council Policy Governing Boards and Commissions (Council Action 10/17/06)

With the agreement of the Commission, this item was moved to agenda item No. 5.

3. Draft RTC – Revision of Hollenbeck School Sports Field Master Plan to Accommodate New Challenger School Student Drop-Off Driveway (Council Action 9/26/06)

Assistant to the Director Merrill presented the staff report and overview.

Commissioner Oliver requested that the email correspondence to the Commission from Ms. Margaret Ouzumi, regarding her comments about the Challenger School student drop-off driveway and traffic congestion, be forwarded to Traffic Engineering for consideration. Assistant to the Director Merrill explained the Commission’s prerogatives and said staff will share the information addressed to the Commission.

Chairperson Kinder opened the Public Hearing.

Mr. Daren Chong spoke about traffic congestion. He is in favor of the Challenger School project and suggested a gate in the causeway between school property and Queen Ann Drive that residents can access. He said he believes he speaks for other residents on Queen Ann Drive.

Mr. Glenn Soby requested that the Commission not approve the revised master plan. He cited policies from the Recreation and Open Space Sub-Element. He said there will be detrimental impacts and loss of open space.

Mr. Ed Fong shared his own traffic study with the Commission. He said the timing on the signal light at Hollenbeck is too short and cars get held up waiting for pedestrians. He said the plan is good but stated that two lanes of traffic behind the school are not necessary; his suggestion was to extend the sidewalk by 5 feet and allow traffic on it. Mr. Fong answered Commissioners’ questions. He responded that he did his own traffic study after the Challenger School public meeting. He objected to the fact that bulldozers just showed up at the school with no neighbor notification.

Ms. Susan Richter does not support the revised master plan because there are more issues. She requests extra time for residents to gather more information.

Mr. John Mendoza is in favor of relieving traffic congestion in the neighborhood. He supports Mr. Fong’s plan to widen the sidewalk 5 feet and not add two lanes.

Mr. Craig Straffer said the problems are significant traffic congestion and frustration. The revised master plan offers no benefit to the neighborhood. Currently, the overflow open grass area is often the only space for neighborhood residents to play, especially when youth sports groups use the field and advocated keeping the open space. Chairperson Kinder clarified that the land in question was 1/3 of the open space at the site.

Ms. Maureen Burke does not approve of the road and expressed safety concerns about the road being used during off school hours.

Mr. Walter Huber said the revised master plan is a short-term solution. His concern is the big picture, especially if the school adds more students. Commissioner Oliver said issues such as number of students planned and use of site should be addressed to the Sunnyvale School District. Mr. Huber agreed and also said that if the revised master plan allows for more traffic, then these issues do relate to the master plan. Commissioner Lawson said his perspective regarding the master plan is to delineate which land the school district maintains versus which land the City maintains.

Mr. Gerry Glasen is impacted by traffic congestion but objects to a change in the master plan. He disagrees with Commissioner Lawson’s comment that the City does not have the ability to influence land use. He noted it is 1/3 of the open space at the site. The Commission can address loss of open space which will reduce recreational land for the neighborhood.

Mr. Richard Kurkowski expressed concern about no public notice to the neighbors and short notice of public meeting at Challenger School. He commended Challenger School for setting up a neighborhood committee to work with. He endorsed Mr. Fong’s research and suggestions. He requested that foot traffic on Hollenbeck be addressed. He said the driveway will help relieve traffic congestion; however, further study is warranted to minimize the impact on green space (keep as one lane on west side, open to 2 lanes for drop off).

Ms. Lisa Sprinkle asked the Commission to concentrate on maintaining open space.

Mr. Aurthur Schwartz requested that the Commission table this item and allow more time for the Challenger School committee to research and make recommendations.

Chairperson Kinder thanked the public for their comments and closed the Public Hearing.

Commissioner Oliver said he would vote against staff’s recommendation because it impinges on open space. He said this issue is not complete and feels staff’s recommendation is not made with complete information.

Commissioner Lawson noted the Commission makes recommendations to Council and does not make the final decision. He said the agreement with the Sunnyvale School District allows the City to maintain the site and keep as open space. He is inclined to support staff’s recommendation.

Commissioner Harms said there should be a compromise - narrow the two lanes to one lane, spare some of the land, and still take traffic off the street.

Chairperson Kinder said he was conflicted because Challenger School is not a neighborhood school; it serves citizens that drive to it. He favors Commissioner Harms’ idea of narrowing the two lanes to one lane.

MOTION: Commissioner Lawson moved, Commissioner Harms seconded, to recommend approval of the revised Master Plan for Hollenbeck School sports field with the condition that the driveway on the west side of the school building be limited to one lane to minimize the loss of open space. The driveway could then open to two lanes after it turns on the south side of the school building and traverses existing hard play surface.

Commissioner Lawson stressed that this is not the end especially if the Challenger School administration works with the neighbors.

Commissioner Oliver does not believe that reduction of open space is ideal and other options should be considered.

VOTE: The motion passed 3-2 (Commissioners Kinder and Oliver opposed).

The Commissioners agreed to a five-minute break. The Commission meeting reconvened at 8:35 p.m.

4. Draft RTC – Consider Establishing Council Policy Regarding Commercial Use of Parks, Open Space and Recreation Facilities Owned or Maintained by the City (Council Action 10/10/06)

Parks Superintendent Black presented the staff report.

Superintendent Black responded to Commissioners’ questions noting that there is not a City policy regarding installation of cellular antennas/towers in the parks; however, it is a Parks and Recreation Department administrative practice that all cellular antenna/tower proposals will go before the Commission whose recommendation goes forward to the Planning Commission who then makes a decision. Youth sports groups’ banner advertising on fences during games was discussed.

Chairperson Kinder opened the Public Hearing. There were no appearances and the Public Hearing was closed.

MOTION: Chairperson Kinder moved, Commissioner Oliver seconded, to recommend that Council approve staff’s recommendation: Alternative 1, Council supports current City policies regarding commercial use of parks and recreational facilities and directs staff to continue to use current public input, review and approval processes for such uses including cellular antenna facilities.

Chairperson Kinder said that staff is doing a great job.

Commissioner Lawson supports the motion but wants to clarify that cellular tower installation is not a program requiring Commission approval; the cellular company is not selling anything; and the City wants to obtain revenue from cellular tower land leases in parks. The Commissioners are being asked their opinion, and he does not see cellular tower installations as having an adverse impact on parks and their use.

Commissioner Harms asked about numbers and size of cellular towers and number of cellular companies serving Sunnyvale.

Commissioner Lawson is in favor of public hearings for proposed cellular towers and expressed his desire that when the cellular tower leases terminate, the cellular companies will remove the towers without damage to City property. Also, the City should have an opportunity to consider re-leasing or selling any of the cellular towers if they are abandoned by the installing company.

VOTE: The motion passed unanimously 5-0.

5. Draft RTC – Consideration of Revisions to Council Policy Governing Boards and Commissions (Council Action 10/17/06)

Robert Walker, Assistant City Manager, presented the staff report. Commissioners’ questions were answered.

Chairperson Kinder opened the Public Hearing. There were no appearances and the Public Hearing was closed.

MOTION: Commissioner Oliver moved, Commissioner Harms seconded, to recommend that Council accept staff’s recommendation, Alternatives 1 and 2.

1.      Accept this report’s finding that the existing charter prohibits board and commission members from being appointed to a different board or commission prior to completing the full term to which they were originally appointed. Cease any practice not in compliance with such an interpretation. Revise Council Policy 7.2.10 to support that position.

2.      Charge the Ad Hoc Charter Review Committee with reviewing the existing charter language prohibiting board and commission members from being appointed to a different board or commission prior to completing the full term to which they were originally appointed.

VOTE: The motion passed unanimously 5-0.

6. Overview and Consideration of Study Issues for 2007

Assistant to the Director Merrill gave a brief overview of the study issue process. She noted that if Commissioners choose to suggest a new study issue for 2007, then it must be proposed this evening. Another option would be to petition a Councilmember to propose the idea. No new study issues were proposed by the Commissioners.

Chairperson Kinder opened the Public Hearing. There were no appearances and the Public Hearing was closed.

NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS

COMMISSION

Commissioner Oliver requested that he be excused from the October 11, 2006, Commission meeting.

MOTION: Commissioner Lawson moved, Chairperson Kinder seconded, to excuse Commissioner Oliver from the October 11, 2006, Commission meeting.

VOTE: The motion passed unanimously 5-0.

Commissioner Chuck extended an invitation to the Heritage Park Museum Ground Breaking on Saturday, September 30, 2006.

Chairperson Kinder noted that Director Lewis and he have been meeting with the Sunnyvale Youth Sports Association (SYSA). The group will be responding to Santa Clara Unified School District’s Request for Proposals for use of Petersen fields. He said there is also a possibility of naming rights since the fields are on SCUSD property.

Commissioner Harms volunteered to present the Commission’s recommendation to Council on September 26, 2006, regarding the Revision of Hollenbeck School Sports Field Master Plan to Accommodate New Challenger School Student Drop-off Driveway

There were no volunteers to present Commission’s recommendations at the October 10 and October 17, 2006, Council meetings.

Commissioner Harms noted there is a Stop Challenger Blog and said the neighborhood is rallying against the proposed driveway.

STAFF

Assistant to the Director Merrill reminded Commissioners that the RTC Consider the Effectiveness and Efficiency of the Recreation Fee Waiver Program (Study Issue) will go to Council on September 19, 2006.

INFORMATION ONLY ITEMS

·         Staff Liaison Written Report

·         For Information Only:  RTC 06-284 Revised/Updated Agreement between City of Sunnyvale and Sunnyvale Historical Society and Museum Association for the Design, Development, Construction and Lease of a Heritage Museum at Sunnyvale Heritage Center at the Sunnyvale Community Center (Council Action 9/12/06)

·         Miscellaneous Items of Interest

ADJOURNMENT at 9:25 p.m.

Chairperson Kinder adjourned the meeting at 9:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Cathy E. Merrill
Assistant to the Director
Parks and Recreation Department

Reviewed by,

David A. Lewis
Director
Parks and Recreation Department

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