City of Sunnyvale

Parks and Recreation Commission

OCTOBER 8, 2003

MINUTES

COMMISSION MEETING

The Parks and Recreation Commission met in regular session in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 456 West Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale, California on October 8, 2003, at 7 p.m., with Chair Arnett presiding.

Call to Order

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

Salute To The Flag

Chair Arnett led the salute to the flag.

Roll Call

Approval of Minutes

Public Appearances

Chair Arnett opened the meeting for Public Appearances. There were none and the Public Appearances were closed.

General business

Ms. Merrill briefly summarized the study issue process. She said Commissioners would rank three study issues and their recommendation would go to Council for final ranking in December. She stated that Council deferred study issues A and B last year and that study issue C was a newly proposed study issue and not ranked by Commission last year. Ms. Merrill provided an overview of the proposed study issues and reviewed key elements, relationships to the General Plan or existing City policy, origin of issue, Commission ranking/comments for previous years, estimated work hours, expected participation involved in the study issue process, estimated fiscal impact, and staff recommendations.

In response to Commissioner’s Lawson’s question regarding staff work load, Director Walker clarified that the Commissioners should rank the study issues according to priority, and that work load would be considered by staff following Council’s final ranking.

Discussion followed and staff answered the Commissioners’ questions satisfactorily.

Chair Arnett opened the Public Hearing. There were no appearances and the Public Hearing was closed.

Chair Arnett said that the continuing study issue “Update of the Recreation and Open Space Sub-Elements” might address Study Issue A and the “Relationships with Outside Groups Policy,” which is proposed to replace the current Co-Sponsorship Policy, needs time to determine if there are issues. He said Study Issue B is a great program and would like to have the Commission review it next year. He stated that issues have to be worked out before Study Issue C comes before Commission and Council.

Commissioner Manfrey said Study Issue A has been hashed over many times and if youth rates are studied, then senior rates should be studied as well. He said Study Issue B is well worth another review next year. He said he would vote against Study Issue C because it would be hard to police and there could be problems or animosity between the skateboarders and BMX bike riders.

Commissioner DeWolf felt that, due to the budget crisis, all three Study Issues should be deferred.

Commissioner Lawson said that he would support the motion for all of the reasons stated.

Vice Chair Pole said he would not support the motion because he was not in favor of deferring Study Issue B. He said he was in favor of recommending Study Issue B for study because of the extended timeline; the study would be a multiple year project with an estimated date of completion of 2005.

information Only Items

Staff Report

Ms. Merrill stated her staff report would stand as submitted.

Director Walker noted the following items for Council consideration:

It was agreed that Chair Arnett would present the Commission’s recommendation at the October 21, 2003, Council meeting regarding the “Revisions to Council Co-Sponsorship Policy.”

Chair Arnett clarified that October 14 is Tuesday (not Wednesday as indicated on the Commission Calendar).

Other Reports

None

Communications

Chair Arnett stated that Attachment D, Flyer, Opportunity for Input, Change in Sunnyvale Tennis Center Operator, had an incorrect day noted. It should read Wednesday (not Thursday), October 22, 2003. Director Walker said the flyer would be corrected.

Communications distributed at the meeting:

Commissioners’ packets contained the following communications:

Non-agenda items & comments

Commissioner Comments

Commissioner DeWolf requested a study session on the subject of the senior lunch program. Director Walker said staff could better serve the Commission if Commissioner DeWolf would prepare a list of questions that she would like addressed concerning the senior lunch program. Commissioner DeWolf agreed. Director Walker stated that it would be an information only study session and that no Commission action would be required.

In response to Commission Lawson’s question, Director Walker explained how staff estimates work hours when preparing a study issue.

Staff Comments 

None

Adjournment – 7:55 p.m.