MINUTES
parks and Recreation Commission
OCTOBER 11, 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.

SALUTE TO THE FLAG

CALL TO ORDER

ROLL CALL

Commissioner Oliver’s absence was excused at the September 13, 2006, Commission meeting.

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

None

CONSENT CALENDAR

1.A.  Approval of Draft Minutes from Joint Arts and Parks and Recreation Commissions’ Special Meeting of August 29, 2006.

MOTION:  Commissioner Lawson moved, Vice Chairperson Chuck seconded, to approve the minutes from the Joint Arts and Parks and Recreation Commissions’ special meeting of August 29, 2006.

VOTE:  Passed 4-0 (Commissioner Oliver absent).

1.B.  Approval of Draft Minutes from Regular Meeting of September 13, 2006.

MOTION:  Vice Chairperson Chuck moved, Commissioner Harms seconded, to approve the minutes from the regular meeting of September 13, 2006.

VOTE:  Passed 4-0 (Commissioner Oliver absent).

STAFF RESPONSES TO PRIOR PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS

2. Draft RTC – Study Issue: Consider Hosting the California Senior Games (Council Action 11/14/06)

John Lawrence, Recreation Supervisor, presented the staff report. He introduced Nancy Bolgard Steward, Superintendent of Recreation, and stated they were available to answer questions from the Commissioners.

Staff responded to Commissioners’ questions regarding interest shown in this study from the general public and level of participation from Sunnyvale residents compared to potential costs. Superintendent Steward said that staff’s recommendation to assist in promotion may generate more interest in participation in future games.

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

MOTION:  Chairperson Kinder moved, Commissioner Harms seconded, to recommend that Council approve staff’s recommendation, Alternative No. 1, Council directs staff to contact the Bay Area Sports Organizing Committee (BASOC) and coordinate with them in order to assist in promoting the Bay Area Games utilizing existing avenues of promotion.

VOTE:  Passed 4-0 (Commissioner Oliver absent).

3. Ranking of Proposed Study Issues for 2007

Following is the list of 2007 proposed study issues to be ranked by the Commission.

Assistant to the Director Merrill reviewed the process for ranking study issues and summarized the key elements of the study issue papers. Staff responded to questions from the Commissioners as noted below.

DPR-02 Study the Benefits and Impacts of Increasing Weekend Golf Fees $2.00 for Non-Resident Golfers

·         What is the level of golf play, non-resident use statistics, and who sets and approves the fees?

DPR-03 Explore Options to Permanently Eliminate the City Subsidy for the Operation of Fremont Pool

·         Is the purpose of study to eliminate or reduce the subsidy to Fremont Pool or increase the endowment fund?

DPR-04 Review Rental Fees for Plaza del Sol

·         What is the number of times Plaza del Sol has been reserved?

DPR-05 Evaluate Murphy and Orchard Gardens Parksite Housing and Fair Oaks Industrial Complex as Potential Open Space/Recreation Facilities

DPR-06 Evaluate Areas Identified as being Underserved by Open Space for Potential Mitigations

·         What is the scope of the studies and the possibility of combining DPR-05 and DPR-06?

DPR-07 Determine Whether or Not to Continue Agreement with Santa Clara County for Operation of Sunnyvale Baylands Park Past 2011

·         No questions.

DPR-08 Consider Options for Use of Raynor Activity Center

DPR-09 Consider Revisions to City Ordinance Chapter 18.10: Parks and Open Space Dedication

·         Why is this study issue the only one staff recommends for study? Is DPR-09 related to DPR-05 and DPR-06 and should they be studied together? Would this study issue review how the City uses the park dedication monies?

DPR-10 Establish Framework for Assessing Community Recreation Fund Services to Determine Relative Priorities of Needs and Allocation of Resources to Specific Activities and User Groups within the Community

·         No questions.

DPR-11 Evaluate Whether Programmed Recreation Should Be Provided at Baylands Park

·         Why not combine this study issue with DPR-07, renewing the Baylands Park agreement? What is the relationship between Baylands Park and Twin Creeks?

DPR-14 Consider Feasibility of Separating Las Palmas Dog Park with an Area for Large and Small Dogs

• Does City supply the trash bags at the dog park?

DPR-15 Care Calling for Seniors

·         Is City hiring part-time staff to provide this service to seniors?

DPR-16 Exploration of Youth and Senior Participation in Recreation Programs and Activities

·         No questions.

DPR-18 Consider Public Use of the Hendy Iron Man Museum for a Cultural Amenity Walkable from Downtown

·         What is the size of the Hendy Iron Man Museum?

OCM-03 Explore Revisions to Council Policy Regarding Conference and Training for Board and Commission Members

·         No questions.

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

Chairperson Kinder called for motions to drop study issues.

MOTION:  Commissioner Harms moved, Commissioner Lawson seconded, to drop DPR-14 Consider Feasibility of Separating Las Palmas Dog Park with an Area for Large and Small Dogs.

VOTE:  Passed 3-1 (Chairperson Kinder dissented, Commissioner Oliver absent).

MOTION:  Commissioners moved and seconded, to drop DPR-15 Care Calling for Seniors.

VOTE:  Passed 4-0 (Commissioner Oliver absent).

MOTION:  Vice Chairperson Chuck moved, Commissioner Lawson seconded, to drop DPR-16 Exploration of Youth and Senior Participation in Recreation Programs and Activities.

VOTE:  Passed 4-0 (Commissioner Oliver absent).

MOTION:  Commissioner Harms moved, Chairperson Kinder seconded, to drop DPR-18 Consider Public Use of the Hendy Iron Man Museum for a Cultural Amenity Walkable from Downtown.

VOTE:  Passed 4-0 (Commissioner Oliver absent).

MOTION:  Commissioner Harms, Vice Chairperson Chuck moved, to drop OCM-03 Explore Revisions to Council Policy Regarding Conference and Training for Board and Commission Members.

VOTE:  Passed 4-0 (Commissioner Oliver absent).

MOTION:  Chairperson Kinder moved, Commission Lawson seconded, to drop DPR-03 Explore Options to Permanently Eliminate the City Subsidy for the Operation of Fremont Pool.

VOTE:  Passed 4-0 (Commissioner Oliver absent).

MOTION:  Chairperson Kinder moved, Vice Chairperson Chuck seconded, to drop DPR-06 Evaluate Areas Identified as being Underserved by Open Space for Potential Mitigations.

VOTE:  Failed 2-2 (Commissioners Lawson and Harms dissented).

Commissioner Harms said it would be unfair to drop this study as the City would lose an opportunity to locate future open space.

MOTION:  Chairperson Kinder moved to drop DPR-11 Evaluate Whether Programmed Recreation Should Be Provided at Baylands Park. The motion died for lack of a second.

MOTION:  Chairperson Kinder moved to drop DPR-08 Consider Options for Use of Raynor Activity Center. The motion died for lack of a second.

Chairperson Kinder called for motions to defer study issues.

MOTION: Commissioner Harms moved, Vice Chairperson Chuck seconded, to defer DPR-06 Evaluate Areas Identified as being Underserved by Open Space for Potential Mitigations.

VOTE:  Passed 4-0 (Commissioner Oliver absent).

Commissioner Lawson moved, Vice Chairperson Chuck seconded, to defer DPR-05 Evaluate Murphy and Orchard Gardens Parksite Housing and Fair Oaks Industrial Complex as Potential Open Space/Recreation Facilities.

VOTE:  Passed 4-0 (Commissioner Oliver absent).

MOTION: Commission Lawson, Vice Chairperson Chuck seconded to defer DPR-10 Establish Framework for Assessing Community Recreation Fund Services to Determine Relative Priorities of Needs and Allocation of Resources to Specific Activities and User Groups within the Community.

VOTE:  Passed 4-0 (Commissioner Oliver absent).

Commissioners ranked the remaining seven study issues individually and privately on the provided scorecard. Assistant to the Director Merrill calculated the results of the ranking, and the following information indicates the action taken by the Commissioners.

MOTION:  Commissioner Lawson moved, Chairperson Kinder seconded, to accept the study issue ranking as noted.

VOTE:  Passed 4-0 (Commissioner Oliver absent).