City of Sunnyvale

Parks and Recreation Commission

january 28, 2004
MINUTES

 

 

COMMISSION MEETING

 

The Parks and Recreation Commission adjourned from 5:30 p.m. Senior Lunch Program Study Session held in the Annex Conference Room and met in regular session in the City Council Chambers, 456 West Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA, at 7:03 p.m. with Chair Arnett presiding.

 

Call to Order

 

Chair Arnett called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.

 

Salute To The Flag

 

Chair Arnett led the salute to the flag.

 

Roll Call

 

Commissioners Present:

Chair Jeff Arnett

 

Vice Chair Raymond Pole

 

Helen DeWolf

 

Robert Lawson

 

Joe Manfrey

Staff Present:

Robert A. Walker, Director

 

Cathy Merrill, Assistant to the Director

 

Curtis Black, Superintendent of Parks

 

Karen Smith, Administrative Secretary

Approval of minutes

 

Commissioner Manfrey moved, Commissioner DeWolf seconded, to approve the January 14, 2003, Parks and Recreation Commission meeting minutes as amended.

Motion carried unanimously

 

Amend January 14, 2003, Minutes: Move paragraph beginning “Commissioner Pole requested that the Commission . . . “ from Commissioner Comments to Communications section of the agenda.

 

Public Appearances

 

Chair Arnett opened the meeting for Public Appearances.

 

Mr. Geoff Ainscow, board member and past president of the Sunnyvale Tennis Club, requested that the Commission support the Tennis Club’s desire to officially name a specific court at the Sunnyvale Municipal Tennis Center in honor of Mr. Jan Young. He said the court in question is currently referred to as the “stadium court.” He also said the Tennis Club is planning a retirement recognition for Mr. Young on March 13, 2004.

 

Chair Arnett requested that staff agendize this item for the next meeting. Staff agreed. Chair Arnett thanked Mr. Ainscow for his comments and closed the Public Hearing.

 

General business

1.

Draft RTC – Proposed Renewal of Maintenance, Operation and Use Agreement for Challenge Ropes Course at Baylands Park (Council Action 2/10/04)

 

Ms. Jeanine Stanek, Fremont High Schools Foundation and General Manager of the Challenge Ropes Course, worked on the proposed agreement and was available for questions. Curtis Black, Superintendent of Parks, presented the staff report. He discussed background, important elements and significant changes to the proposed agreement, fiscal impact and staff’s recommendation.

 

Discussion and questions followed. Commissioner’s questions regarding the agreement, market-based fees, equipment ownership, fee waivers, and age discrimination were answered satisfactorily.

 

Chair Arnett opened the Public Hearing.

 

Ms. Stanek spoke in support of the proposed agreement and the positive collaboration between the City and the Foundation to date. She distributed a ropes course brochure and answered Commissioners’ questions satisfactorily.

 

Chair Arnett thanked Ms. Stanek for her comments and closed the Public Hearing.

 

Commissioner Manfrey moved, Commissioner DeWolf seconded, to recommend that Council accept staff’s recommendation, Alternative No. 1: Approve agreement between the City of Sunnyvale and Fremont Union High Schools Foundation as attached and authorize the City Manager to sign on behalf of the City.

Commissioner Manfrey said the presentation was well done and all questions were answered. He said if the agreement is good for the City and the Fremont High Schools Foundation, then it should be approved.

 

Motion carried unanimously

2.

Commission Work Plan Calendar Review and Adoption

 

Ms. Merrill said the Commission Work Plan Calendar follows the Council calendar, notices upcoming agenda items and provides opportunities to schedule study sessions. She called Commissioner’s attention to a revised calendar at their place on the dais.

 

Ms. Merrill explained the tight budget timeline for both the Council and Commission.

 

Director Walker informed the Commission that the City Manager has requested that Boards and Commissions review the budget and provide input to the Council in a similar way this year. He said that timing is critical and when more information is available, staff will communicate it to the Commission. Director Walker noticed the Commission that there may be changes or a new way of approving the budget. He encouraged the Commission to watch the February 3, 2004, Council meeting. Director Walker acknowledged the Commission’s desire to see the budget as soon as possible.

 

Director Walker and Ms. Merrill said that calendar dates regarding the FY 04/05 budget study session and budget recommendation are tentative and may need to be changed.

 

Discussion followed and questions were answered.

 

Ms. Merrill said a new study session has been scheduled and will be added to the final calendar:

 

          Wednesday, February 25, 2004, Review of Current Policies on Youth Rates for Recreation Programs and Activities. This study session would be held at the conclusion of the regular Commission meeting and would be approximately 1 to 1-1/2 hours in length. Ms. Merrill clarified that this study session is to gather feedback from the Commissioners on how the Parks and Recreation Department currently develops youth rates; it is not the same as the study session scheduled on April 14, 2004, when the draft report will be presented.

 

Discussion followed and questions were answered.

 

Commissioner Lawson moved, Commissioner Manfrey seconded, to approve the 2004 Master Work Plan Commission Calendar as presented with the addition of the Study Session regarding “Explore Youth Rates for Recreation Programs and Activities” at the conclusion of the regular Commission meeting on February 25, 2004.

Motion carried unanimously

 

information Only Items

 

Staff Report

 

Ms. Merrill’s said her staff report would stand as submitted.

Other Reports

 

None

 

Communications

 

Communications distributed at the meeting:

  • Commission Work Plan Calendar, Revised
  • News Article, San Jose Mercury News, 1/26/04, Home batting cages help kids get back in the swing.

Commissioners’ packets contained the following communications:

  • Memo to Commissioners, from Robert Walker, dated 1/21/04, regarding Review of Department of Parks and Recreation’s Budget/Ten-Year RAP
  • Invitation to Commissioners regarding 10th Annual Basketball Shoot-Out at Columbia Neighborhood Center Gym on 2/6/04 at 7 p.m.
  • FY 03/04 Budget – Unfunded Projects List
  • News Article, USA Today, 4/22/03, California town celebrates heartfelt success story
    Miscellaneous Items of Interest

Non-agenda items & comments

Commissioner Comments 

In response to Vice Chair Pole, Director Walker said that the RTC “Proposed Change to Tennis Center License Agreement” would be coming back to the Commission on February 11, 2004, and back to Council on February 24, 2004.

 

In response to Vice Chair Pole, Director Walker said that there has been communication between staff and the Cricket Club.

 

Commissioner Manfrey, Commissioner DeWolf and Vice Chair Pole attended the January 26, 2004, meeting of the Senior Advisory Committee. Commissioner Manfrey said he came away from the meeting with a fresh outlook on the new Senior Center. He said the services provided by the Senior Center are invaluable, and he thinks the seniors are very happy with their new environment.

 

Commissioner DeWolf said she would not be able to attend the February 11, 2004, Commission meeting and that her absence should be excused.

 

Commissioner DeWolf agreed that many valuable services are offered at the new Senior Center and that the Senior Center is a “hot ticket.”

 

Chair Arnett commented on Commission protocol. He requested that Commissioners keep him informed as to what events and meetings they may want to attend. He said that, as Chair, he will help coordinate attendance and keep staff informed. Chair Arnett also asked the Commissioners to email staff and copy him if they have questions regarding information in packets, study sessions, etc., so that staff has sufficient time to prepare answers.

 

Director Walker underscored Chair Arnett’s comments. He said that Commissioners should ask permission through the Chair and Director’s Office to attend staff meetings. He said that with regard to questions, the sooner staff receives Commissioners’ questions, the better that staff can serve the Commissioners and help them prepare to make decisions.

 

Vice Chair Pole thanked Ms. Tricia Lord, Recreation Supervisor, and staff for the Senior Lunch Program presentation. He said the presentation was very well received.

 

Commissioner DeWolf said the Senior Lunch Program presentation by Ms. Lord was excellent, very well done, and well organized.

 

Staff Comments

 

None 

Vice Chair Pole moved, Commissioner Manfrey seconded, to adjourn the meeting.

Motion carried unanimously

Adjournment – 8:12 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen Smith
Administrative Secretary
Parks and Recreation Department

Reviewed by,

Cathy Merrill
Assistant to the Director
Parks and Recreation Department