MINUTES
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
NOVEMBER 8, 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

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

None

CONSENT CALENDAR

1.A.  Approval of Draft Minutes from Regular Meeting of October 11, 2006.

MOTION:  Vice Chairperson Chuck moved, Chairperson Kinder seconded, to approve the minutes from the regular meeting of October 11, 2006, with the following correction on page 12: Change Vice Chairperson Kinder to Chairperson Kinder.

VOTE:  Passed 4-0. Commissioner Oliver abstained since he was not in attendance at the October 11, 2006, meeting.

STAFF RESPONSES TO PRIOR PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS

2. Review of Draft Fiscal Sub-Element of the General Plan (Finance)

Mary Bradley, Director, and Peter Gonda, Senior Management Analyst, Finance Department, presented the staff report on the Update of the Fiscal Sub-Element of the General Plan, a Council study issue. Commissioners’ review and comments were requested on the Community Recreation Fund section of the draft document. Finance staff provided background on the development of the updated Fiscal Sub-Element and noted that final City Council approval is scheduled for November 14, 2006.

Finance staff responded to Commissioner’s reference to DPR-06 Study Issue to evaluate areas identified as being underserved by open space and its relationship to (Land Policies) acquisition of City-owned real property and priority to acquire undeveloped land needed to meet City goals. Staff answered Commissioners’ questions regarding setting the subsidy level for the Community Recreation Fund, establishment of the fee waiver limit, and use of the Park Dedication Fund for maintenance and enhancement of existing resources as well as addition of new resources. Commissioner Lawson noted his disagreement with the interpretation allowing Park Dedication fees to fund existing amenities. In response to questions, Director Bradley commented that the increased revenue brought in from cellular towers in the parks is already a planned component of the Community Recreation Fund.

Chairperson Kinder opened the Public Hearing for comments on the update of the Fiscal Sub-Element. There were no appearances and the Public hearing was closed.

MOTION:  Commissioner Harms moved, Vice Chairperson Chuck seconded, to recommend approval of the updated Fiscal Sub-Element to the City Council.

Commissioner Lawson offered a friendly amendment to delete Community Recreation Fund Policy, Fund Management, No. 4: The infrastructure rehabilitation and replacement of all facilities on park land, including the golf courses and tennis center, will be funded first through the park Dedication Fund if funds are available (page 78).

The friendly amendment failed for lack of a second.

VOTE:  Passed 5-0.

Commissioner Lawson commented that the Fiscal Sub-Element is an “awesome document.”

3. Draft RTC – Revision of Cherry Chase and Vargas School Sports Fields Master Plans to Accommodate New Classrooms and Related Facilities (Council Action 11/28/06)

Curtis Black, Superintendent of Parks, presented the staff report. He explained that the maintenance and use agreement with the Sunnyvale School District requires that the master plans be updated whenever substantial improvements or changes are requested that will affect the open space property. He said the Sunnyvale School District is tentatively scheduled to review this matter and take action regarding the proposed master plans on December 7, 2006.

Parks Superintendent Black introduced Mr. Ben Picard, Deputy Superintendent of Schools, Sunnyvale School District, who was also available to answer Commissioners’ questions. He stated that the driving force in revising the master plans is to upgrade and improve school facilities and address increased enrollment. He said the proposed master plans do not negatively impact the public use of fields or school.

In response to questions about the public’s opinion when they realized the open space areas were being reduced, Deputy Superintendent Picard said the Sunnyvale School District met with many groups and did not receive any dissenting comments. The reduction of open space at Cherry Chase School is minimal, and somewhat more substantial at Vargas, but where some of the open space would be replaced with hardscape play areas and new play structures, which would be beneficial. Deputy Superintendent Picard said the design increases capacity at existing schools, provides minimal encroachment on open space, and keeps the neighborhood feel and open space for recreation of both students and public.

Commissioners stated they are concerned about shrinking open space. Deputy Superintendent Picard stated he is also concerned, but noted the District’s primary mission is educating students. The District strives for minimal impact to open space with positive trade offs to Sunnyvale students.

Deputy Superintendent Picard said there is a shift in enrollment from the northern part of the City to the southern part, but that new housing is planned for the northern part of the City which will lead to increases there in the longer term. He stated that the District thinks it will be able to address increasing enrollment over the next five to ten years by increasing capacity at existing schools rather than by building a new school. Each of the existing elementary school sites is at least 10 acres. Parks Superintendent Black noted that there would be only limited maintenance cost savings as a result of the decreased open space because of practices which make use of economies of scale.

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

Chairperson Kinder called attention to the fact that many of the changes under review have already been made or are already well along the track to being made. He requested that the Commissioners have an opportunity to participate and review proposed plans earlier next time there are revisions to master plans in order for the Commission to have an impact.

MOTION: Commissioner Oliver moved, Commission Lawson seconded, to recommend that City Council accept staff’s recommendations:

1.      Approve the Proposed Master Plan for Cherry Chase Elementary School sports field to include the new classrooms, per Attachment A of the report.

2.      Approve the Proposed Master Plan for Vargas Elementary School sports field to include the new classrooms and facilities, per Attachment B of the report.

Commissioner Lawson sees no good reason for the City to interfere with what the Sunnyvale School District does. He stated this has no major impact on open space and programming. It is an easy decision for him to support the motion.

Chairperson Kinder supports Commissioner Lawson’s comments. He said the initial plan to have such large school sites is commendable, and sports groups from other cities are envious of the great condition of Sunnyvale’s sports fields.

VOTE: Passed 5-0.

4. Select Representative to Attend November 28, 2006, Council Public Hearing on Potential Study Issues

Commissioner Oliver volunteered to represent the Commission at the November 28, 2006, Council public hearing on potential study issues.

NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS

COMMISSION

Commissioner Harms mentioned the Senior Center is raising fees. He handed out a flyer regarding the ability to purchase 2007 membership there at 2006 rates. Commissioner Harms also shared photos of the newly opened Mountain View senior center.

STAFF

Director Lewis updated the Commission on new developments regarding the RTC Consider Hosting the California Senior Games (Study Issue) scheduled to be considered by City Council on November 14, 2006. He said that the City had been asked to consider hosting the table tennis portion of the local senior games event planned for this upcoming March 2007. Council will be provided with information about this opportunity when the report is presented next week.

Director Lewis reviewed City Council’s recommendation regarding the recent RTC Revision of Hollenbeck School Sports Field Master Plan to Accommodate New Challenger School Student Drop-off Driveway. The Sunnyvale School District Board of Education approved a plan that called for a two-lane road; Commission and Council recommended a one-lane road. Challenger School representatives are likely to come back with a new revised plan.

Director Lewis distributed copies of the Recreation Division Report for the period July 1 through September 23, 2006, prepared by Nancy Bolgard Steward, Superintendent of Recreation. He stated that this report is an attempt to provide the Commissioners with periodic updates about the “good things that we do,” as well as information about programs, activities, services, and initiatives that may be of interest. This item will be agendized and discussed at the next meeting so Commissioners will have an opportunity to comment on content and format. Director Lewis said one of his targeted goals is to better inform the Commissioners.

INFORMATION ONLY ITEMS

·         Open Space and Recreation Sub-Element

·         Recreation Division Report, July 1 through September 23, 2006

·         Miscellaneous Items of Interest

ADJOURNMENT at 8:15 p.m.

Chairperson Kinder adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Jenny Shain, Manager
Parks and Recreation Department

Reviewed by,

David A. Lewis, Director
Parks and Recreation Department

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