The Sunnyvale Parks and Recreation Commission met in regular session in the West Conference Room, 456 W. Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA at 7 p.m. with Chair Lawson presiding.

 

 

Commissioners Present:	Chair Robert Lawson Vice Chair Robert Locke
	Commissioner Howard Chuck
	Commissioner Bob Kinder
	Commissioner Richard Oliver
Staff Present:	David Lewis, Director of Parks and Recreation
	Cathy Merrill, Assistant to the Director
	John Lawrence, Recreation Superintendent
	Curtis Black, Parks Superintendent
	Nancy Bolgard Steward, Arts and Recreation Superintendent
Councilmembers Present:	Vice Mayor Ron Swegles Councilmember Julia Miller

 

Commissioners made a suggestion that a small United States flag be purchased for the West Conference Room.

 

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

None

 

CONSENT CALENDAR

 

1.A. Approval of Draft Minutes from Regular Meeting of September 14, 2005

 

Vice Chair Locke moved, Commissioner Kinder seconded, to approve the September 14, 2005, Parks and Recreation Commission minutes. The motion passed 4-0, with Chair Lawson abstaining since he was absent on September 14, 2005.

 

1.B. Approval of Draft Minutes from Special Meeting of September 20, 2005

 

Commissioner Kinder moved, Vice Chair Locke seconded, to approve the September 20, 2005, Parks and Recreation Commission minutes. The motion passed 4-0, with Chair Lawson abstaining since he was absent on September 20, 2005.

 

STAFF RESPONSES TO PRIOR PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

 

PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS

 

2. Brown Act, Public Records Act, Parliamentary Procedures (OCA)

 

Assistant to the Director Merrill said that this item would be rescheduled to the December 14, 2005, meeting.

 

3. Ranking of Study Issues for 2006

 

Following is the list of proposed 2006 study issues to be ranked by the Commission.

 

PRD-01	Consider Establishing Council Policy Regarding Commercial Use of Parks, Open Spaces and Recreation Facilities Owned or Maintained by the City
PRD-02	Consider Revisions to Council’s Recognition and Plaque Policy No. 7.3.11
PRD-03	Consider the Effectiveness and Efficiency of the Recreation Fee Waiver Program
PRD-04	Consider Feasibility of Separating Las Palmas Dog Park and Creating Additional Dog Parks in the City’s Park System with Areas for Large and Small Dogs
PRD-05	Care Calling for Seniors
PRD-06	Exploration of Youth and Senior Participation in Recreation Programs and Activities
PRD-07	Consider Hosting the California Senior Games

 

Assistant to the Director Merrill reviewed the Commission process for ranking study issues. Chair Lawson clarified that staff would summarize the key elements of the study issue papers and then respond to questions from the Commissioners.

 

PRD-01 Consider Establishing Council Policy Regarding Commercial Use of Parks, Open Spaces and Recreation Facilities Owned or Maintained by the City

 

Superintendent Black summarized the key elements of Study Issue PRD-01 and said staff had no recommendation.

 

Commissioners asked if there are existing policies allowing commercial use and if the study was for one-time commercial use or many uses. Superintendent Black responded that there are existing policies in some areas, and the study would review current policies, note where clarification is needed, including the various types of uses.

 

The Commissioners agreed to review all study issues before discussing their recommendations.

 

PRD-02 Consider Revisions to Council’s Recognition and Plaque Policy No. 7.3.11

 

Assistant to the Director Merrill summarized the key elements of Study Issue PRD-02 and said staff had no recommendation.

 

In response to questions, Assistant to the Director Merrill said this policy addresses opportunities to recognize donations with a plaque or other methods. She also clarified that the current policy already allows recognition of donated park benches with plaques. She said that the study issue would address situations where the policy does not provide more flexibility.

 

PRD-03 Consider the Effectiveness and Efficiency of the Recreation Fee Waiver Program

 

Superintendent Steward summarized the key elements of Study Issue PRD-03 and said staff’s recommendation was for study.

 

Commissioners asked the amount and adequacy of the current budget. Superintendent Steward responded that the budget was approximately $113,000; last year the budget was exceeded by $30,000 with Council authorization. She noted that the amount spent varies each year which makes it difficult to plan. Assistant to the Director Merrill agreed to provide a copy of the Fee Waiver Budget Issue Report to Council that went to Council earlier this year.

 

Chair Lawson suggested that that the study issue look at promoting the Fee Waiver Program to meet the recreational needs of various diverse groups that staff thinks may be excluded without the benefit of fee waivers.

 

PRD-04 Consider the Feasibility of Separating Las Palmas Dog Park and Creating Additional Dog Parks in the City’s Park System with Areas for Large and Small Dogs

 

Superintendent Black summarized the key elements of Study Issue PRD-04 and said staff’s recommendation was against study.

 

Superintendent Black noted that dividing the existing dog park could be considered an operational issue and decided by staff, unless Council decides all dog parks be consistent with sections for large and small dogs. He said that the staff recommendation is against the study because monies don’t exist to fund the current level of capital improvement projects, without taking on a study that would suggest more capital investment.

 

Commissioners asked what if the study only involved Phase I. Superintendent Black said it would be difficult to separate the current Las Palmas dog park in half without leaving a group of customers dissatisfied.

 

Commissioners asked about the appearance and size of Las Palmas Dog Park and the liability to the City regarding big dogs versus small dogs. Superintendent Black said it is less than 1/3 acre and rectangular in shape, and staff was not aware of any liability claims against the City; there is an assumption of risk.

 

PRD-05 Care Calling for Seniors

 

Superintendent Lawrence summarized the key elements of Study Issue PRD-05 and said staff’s recommendation was against study.

 

Commissioner Chuck asked if Vice Mayor Swegles would speak on this study issue. Assistant to the Director Merrill noted that the time for public input is after the staff reports.

 

Commissioners asked where seniors currently obtain this service and about fees and frequency of calling. Superintendent Lawrence responded with a brief description of local resources and said the study would provide further information on fees and frequency of calling.

 

Chair Lawson suggested that, if this study is done, consideration be given to coordinating services of other agencies so there is no duplication of services.

 

PRD-06 Exploration of Youth and Senior Participation in Recreation Programs and Activities

 

Superintendent Lawrence summarized the key elements of Study Issue PRD-06 and noted staff is changing its recommendation from “no recommendation” to “drop.”

 

Chair Lawson said he was sad to note staff’s recommendation to drop this study issue. He does not want staff to lose site of seeing how well diverse needs of the community are being met; information would be very valuable to support recreation programs to address diversity issues. Assistant to the Director Merrill said that his request for a study to address how well parks and recreation programs cover diversity issues is different than what is planned for PRD-06 study issue, and he can ask for Council support on a 2006 study issue or propose a 2007 study issue.

 

PRD-07 Consider Hosting the California Senior Games

 

Superintendent Lawrence summarized the key elements of Study Issue PRD-07 and said staff’s recommendation is to continue to defer.

 

Staff reports were concluded and Chair Lawson opened the Public Hearing.

 

Vice Mayor Swegles said the Commission has the honor of seeing and making recommendations regarding the budget. Therefore, if the Commission wants to bring new programs forward, they may want to consider cutting a program or raising monies to support the program. He suggested consideration of charging a fee for those (low income) that qualify for programs or use a sliding scale and give a reduced fee; one of the biggest costs would be gathering the data. Vice Mayor Swegles said the City of San Jose found sponsors to help cover some of the costs of the Senior Games, and it is possible that other groups would partner with the City of Sunnyvale. He reminded the Commissioners to think of the budget; if they recommend a new program, where would the monies come from?

 

Councilmember Miller thanked the Commissioners for their volunteer time and for accepting the mission to protect the City’s 18 wonderful parks. She asked that Director Lewis experience the Bay Trail. She said it has been an honor to be a Council representative for the past eight years.

 

There being no one else in the audience wishing to speak, Chair Lawson closed the Public Hearing. He thanked the councilmembers for their comments.

 

Chair Lawson asked Commissioners to comment or argue for or against any of the study issues. The Commissioners offered their thoughts on each study issue.

 

Commissioner Kinder moved, Vice Chair Locke seconded, to keep Phase I and delete Phase II in Study Issue PRD-04 Consider the Feasibility of Separating Las Palmas Dog Park and Creating Additional Dog Parks in the City’s Park System with Areas for Large and Small Dogs. The motion carried unanimously 5-0 and PRD-04 was amended as stated.

 

Chair Lawson called for motions to drop or defer study issues.

 

Commissioner Oliver moved to drop PRD-05 Care Calling for Seniors. The motion failed for lack of a second.

 

Vice Chair Locke moved, Commissioner Chuck seconded, to defer PRD-07 Consider Hosting the California Senior Games. The motion passed unanimously 5-0.

 

Vice Chair Locke said it is a good idea in concept.

 

Commissioner Kinder moved, Vice Chair Locke seconded, to defer PRD-06 Exploration of Youth and Senior Participation in Recreation Programs and Activities. The motion passed 3-2, with Lawson and Oliver opposed.

 

Chair Lawson said he would like to see programs look at meeting diversity standards. Commissioner Oliver thinks the issue is worthy of study.

 

Commissioners ranked the remaining 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.

 

Rank	Item	Study Issue
1	PRD-03	Consider the Effectiveness and Efficiency of the Recreation Fee Waiver Program
2	PRD-01	Consider Establishing Council Policy Regarding Commercial Use of Parks, Open Spaces and Recreation Facilities Owned or Maintained by the City
3	PRD-02	Consider Revisions to Council’s Recognition and Plaque Policy No. 7.3.11
4 Tie	PRD-04	Consider the Feasibility of Separating Las Palmas Dog Park with Areas for Large and Small Dogs
4 Tie	PRD-05	Care Calling for Seniors

 

Commissioner Kinder moved, Commission Chuck seconded, to accept the ranking as noted above. The motion passed unanimously 5-0.

 

Following is a summary of the Commission’s action regarding ranking of proposed 2006 Study Issues.

 

Printable Table (.pdf)

 

4. Consideration of Chair Lawson’s suggestion to have two-person subcommittee(s) comprised of Commission members in order to explore specific areas of parks and recreation related services and bring back reports to the full Commission