MINUTES
parks and Recreation Commission
DECEMBER 14, 2005
The Sunnyvale Parks and Recreation Commission met in regular session in the Council Chambers, 456 W. Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA at 7:05 p.m. with Chair Lawson presiding.
SALUTE TO THE FLAG
ROLL CALL
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Commissioners
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Chair Robert Lawson
Vice Chair Robert Locke |
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Commissioner Bob Kinder |
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Commissioner Richard Oliver |
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Absent: |
Commissioner Howard Chuck |
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Staff Present: |
David Lewis, Director of Parks and Recreation |
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Cathy Merrill, Assistant to the Director |
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Curtis Black, Parks Superintendent |
CONSENT CALENDAR
1.A. Approval of Draft Minutes from Regular Meeting of November 9, 2005
Commissioner Locke moved, Commissioner Oliver seconded, to approve the November 9, 2005, Parks and Recreation Commission minutes. The motion passed unanimously 4-0, with Commissioner Chuck absent.
None
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS
2. Brown Act, Public Records Act, and Parliamentary Procedures
Ms. Joan Borger, Senior Assistant City Attorney, presented an educational overview of the Brown Act, Public Records Act, and Parliamentary Procedures.
3. Draft RTC – Agreement between City of Sunnyvale and Sunnyvale Cricket Club for Advance Field Reservations and Use of Storage Facility at Ortega Park (Council Action 1/24/06)
Assistant to the Director Merrill presented the staff report with assistance from Parks Superintendent Black. Commissioners’ questions were answered regarding location of storage facility, one-year advance reservations, volunteers, and length of termination notice.
Chair Lawson opened the Public Hearing.
Mr. Siva Kolappa, president of the Sunnyvale Cricket Club, spoke in favor of the agreement. He said the club has approximately 50 members and are looking at ways to provide cricket to children. He said the club’s desire is to restructure the hours to 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. (rather than 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.) to give the club more time to end the game and clean up.
Mr. Chandra Bodapati, member of the Sunnyvale Cricket Club, said many other areas have more cricket facilities than Sunnyvale. He appreciates the support they receive with the one field.
Mr. Venkat Ck, resident of Sunnyvale and president of the Northern California Cricket Association, recently hosted a cricket tournament which had extensive media coverage through The Sunnyvale Sun and India newspapers. He said a practice pitch in Sunnyvale, not necessarily at Ortega Park, would be wonderful.
Chair Lawson thanked the public for their comments and closed the Public Hearing.
Commissioner Kinder moved, Commissioner Oliver seconded, to recommend that Council accept staff’s recommendation Alternative No. 1, Approve the agreement between the City of Sunnyvale and Sunnyvale Cricket Club and authorize the City Manager to enter into said agreement allowing the Sunnyvale Cricket Club to make advance sport field reservations at Ortega Park for cricket play, as well as the opportunity to use City storage facilities for the club’s cricket equipment under the specific circumstances described in the agreement. The Commission further recommended that reservation hours be set administratively by staff and the storage area be noted as the existing storage area.
Commissioner Locke offered a friendly amendment to withdraw the recommendation that the storage area be noted as the existing storage area. Commissioners Kinder and Oliver accepted the friendly amendment.
The motion was restated.
Commissioner Kinder moved, Commissioner Oliver seconded, to recommend that Council accept staff’s recommendation Alternative No. 1, Approve the agreement between the City of Sunnyvale and Sunnyvale Cricket Club and authorize the City Manager to enter into said agreement allowing the Sunnyvale Cricket Club to make advance sport field reservations at Ortega Park for cricket play, as well as the opportunity to use City storage facilities for the club’s cricket equipment under the specific circumstances described in the agreement. The Commission further recommended that reservation hours be set administratively by staff. The motion passed unanimously 4-0, with Commissioner Chuck absent.
4. Draft RTC – Explore Locations for Community Gardens and Special Agreement with Sustainable Community Gardens (Council Action 1/10/06)
Parks Superintendent Black noted support from Mr. Josh Salans and other members of the Sustainable Community Gardens (SCG) who worked closely with the City and attended public meetings that were held regarding this issue.
Parks Superintendent Black described the pros and cons of the various sites that were explored for use as community gardens, as well as the fiscal issues related to the pros and cons of various sites. He said staff’s recommendation is a portion of the John W. Christian Greenbelt near Manzano Way.
He noted that the Satterberg Foundation has already committed $40,000 to SCG for development of community gardens at whatever site is selected. Parks Superintendent Black said that each garden plot would be assigned with an agreement with the gardener that stated the expiration date of the agreement with the City.
In response to Commissioners’ questions regarding specific plans for City properties, Parks Superintendent Black said the purpose of the City’s purchase of properties was to consolidate the properties to facilitate future residential and commercial use. In regard to payment of utilities, he said that the City would cover the electrical bills which would be minimal (if any) and SCG would cover their own water use.
Chair Lawson opened the Public Hearing.
Mr. Josh Salans, president of SCG, thanked Parks Superintendent Black for his patience and perseverance. He thanked Office of the City Manager and Office of the City Attorney staff who reviewed and edited the agreement. He thanked City Manager Amy Chan for giving the agreement the approval that brought them to this point.
Mr. Salans requested that the Commissioners approve the agreement with SCG and also approve of the use of the parcel west of Charles St. and north of 505 West Olive Ave. for a period of five years. He said that SCG would decline the offer of the John W. Christian Greenbelt site which is more appropriate as a neighborhood garden, not a community garden. He would like to consider working with the Lakewood area in the future is there is interest in developing a neighborhood garden.
Ms. Salans answered Commissioners’ questions. He said he received a strong public response for the use of the Charles and Olive site; he heard little from the Lakewood neighbors regarding the John W. Christian Greenbelt site. He clarified that the John W. Christian Greenbelt site was not acceptable as a community garden; however, it would be acceptable as a neighborhood garden. Mr. Salans said SCG is working on getting its non-profit status. He said the bulk of the construction would use the $40,000 Satterberg Foundation grant and gardeners’ labor. He said it was a momentous shift that the City was even willing to consider the Charles and Olive site.
Ms. Marline Brodeur said she has been a member of SCG for years, and she is looking forward to Sunnyvale having a community garden
Chair Lawson thanked the public for their comments and closed the Public Hearing.
Commissioner Locke moved, Commissioner Kinder seconded, to recommend that Council accept Alternative Nos. 1 and 4.
1. Approve an agreement with Sustainable Community Gardens for the development, operation and maintenance of community gardens and authorize the City Manager to enter into the agreement on behalf of the City.
4. Designate the 1.8 acre City-owned parcel west of Charles Street and north of 505 W. Olive Avenue for the exclusive use of community gardens to be developed, operated and maintain by Sustainable Community Gardens for a period of five years with an extension of this use period only as approved by City Council.
Discussion followed.
Commissioner Locke favored the idea of a centralized community garden at the Charles and Olive site. He would not like to see this particular City property sold, but the future of this site has been a “what if” for many years. He also liked the idea that SCG would look to expand to neighborhood gardens in the future.
Commissioner Oliver noted that the quest for the Charles and Olive site seems to be an emotional issue, and he favored John W. Christian Greenbelt as a better site for community gardens.
Chair Lawson noted that when Parks Superintendent Black spoke of fiscal issues and risk, he was noting the risk of losing the Charles and Olive site should the City decide to sell it (a fiscal concern); but SCG states their willingness to accept that risk, and it has been clear what the risks are. Also, the City is not losing any monies by providing SCG use of the property.
Chair Lawson offered a friendly amendment to revise the agreement as noted below. The friendly amendment was accepted by the maker and seconder of the motion.
The motion was restated to include the friendly amendment.
Commissioner Locke moved, Commissioner Kinder seconded, to recommend that Council accept Alternative Nos. 1 and 4.
1. Approve an agreement with Sustainable Community Gardens for the development, operation and maintenance of community gardens and authorize the City Manager to enter into the agreement on behalf of the City.
4. Designate the 1.8 acre City-owned parcel west of Charles Street and north of 505 W. Olive Avenue for the exclusive use of community gardens to be developed, operated and maintain by Sustainable Community Gardens for a period of five years with an extension of this use period only as approved by City Council.
Additionally, Commissioners recommended adding language to be placed into the draft proposed agreement regarding the notice of the time span of the proposed agreement as follows:
Current statement in Draft Agreement page 3, paragraph 6:
GROUP shall inform all gardeners yearly, through special notice included in all Garden Plot Assignment Agreements, that the term of this Community Gardens Agreement is five (5) years and shall specify the termination date of this Community Gardens Agreement as approved by City Council.
Commissioner’s recommended statement for Draft Agreement page 3, paragraph 6; Italicized wording is recommended by Commissioners:
GROUP shall inform all gardeners yearly, through special notice included in all Garden Plot Assignment Agreements, that the term of this Community Gardens Agreement is five (5) years and shall specify the termination date of this Community Gardens Agreement as approved by City Council as well as the possibility of termination by either party with 180 days notice.
The motion carried unanimously 4-0, with Commissioner Chuck absent.
Chair Lawson wants to make sure that SCG will include this termination date in their agreements with the individual gardeners.
Commissioners recessed at 9 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 9:10 p.m.
5. Draft RTC Adoption of Open Space and Recreation Sub-Element – Study Issue (Council Action 1/24/06)
Manager Jenny Shain presented the staff report. She noted that Senior Center membership will no longer be required beginning January 2006. She said language will be added to the document relating to coordination and linkages with bicycle issues. Discussion of the issue regarding Santa Clara Unified School District Peterson Middle School surplus property has now been included in the sub-element document. She explained the purpose of the negative declaration and said that fiscal issues would be addressed in the Fiscal Sub-Element. She stated changes brought forth by the Planning Commission and provided staff’s recommendation.
Discussion followed and Commissioners’ questions were answered regarding negative declaration, Senior Center membership, Fair Oaks industrial complex, and bicycle changes. She said the Planning Commission’s recommendations were not included in the draft report reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Chair Lawson opened the Public Hearing.
Ms. Denise DeLange, member of the public, spoke specifically to the Peterson Field issue as it related to the Open Space and Recreation Sub-Element. She would like to see key initiatives allowing the City to give priority to consideration of acquisition of the Peterson Middle School surplus property when offered by the Santa Clara Unified School District. She believes the City will lose the opportunity to purchase the surplus property because it is not noted as a key initiative.
Commissioner Locke referenced Open Space and Recreation Sub-Element Policy A8, and Manager Shain referenced Policy D13. They said both polices should address Ms. DeLange’s concerns.
Chair Lawson thanked Ms. DeLange for her comments and closed the Public Hearing.
Chair Lawson moved, Commissioner Locke seconded, to recommend that Council accept staff’s recommendation Alternative No. 1, Adopt the Negative Declaration and approved the revised Open Space and Recreation Sub-Element to the Community Development Element by resolution.
The Commission further recommended the substitution of Policy A3: "The City considers the federal lands currently located at the former Moffett Federal Air Field to be within the sphere of influence of the City of Sunnyvale and will pursue actions to acquire those lands as appropriate for open space and recreational uses for the benefit of the cities of Sunnyvale and Mountain View."
Chair Lawson explained that although Moffet Field is not located in Sunnyvale, the Legislative Policy declares this property to be within the sphere of influence of Sunnyvale. The golf course is on that property, and the City should provide a strong positive policy statement should that property be offered for sale by the federal government. Sunnyvale should be part of the decision making body, along with Mountain View who has similar influence over different areas. A strong positive policy statement will strengthen the City’s position.
Commissioner Locke made a friendly amendment to delete the word “closed” from Policy D13: “Give priority to acquiring/developing open space and recreation facilities at school sites that, if sold by the District for purposes other than open space, would represent a serious loss to the City’s ability to meet its open space and recreation goals.”
The friendly amendment was accepted by the maker of the motion.
The motion was reworded to include the friendly amendment.
Chair Lawson moved, Commissioner Locke seconded, to recommend that Council accept staff’s recommendation Alternative No. 1, Adopt the Negative Declaration and approved the revised Open Space and Recreation Sub-Element to the Community Development Element by resolution.
The Commission further recommended the substitution of Policy A3: "The City considers the federal lands currently located at the former Moffett Federal Air Field to be within the sphere of influence of the City of Sunnyvale and will pursue actions to acquire those lands as appropriate for open space and recreational uses for the benefit of the cities of Sunnyvale and Mountain View."
The Commission further recommended that the word “closed” be deleted from Policy D13: “Give priority to acquiring/developing open space and recreation facilities at closed school sites that, if sold by the District for purposes other than open space, would represent a serious loss to the City’s ability to meet its open space and recreation goals.”
The motion passed unanimously 4-0, with Commissioner Chuck absent.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS
COMMISSION
Commissioners agreed that their next meeting would be held on January 25 instead of January 11, 2006.
Chair Lawson read a list of items that Commissioners might like to bring to Council. Commissioners had no changes so Commissioners Lawson and Kinder will continue working on the project.
Commissioner Locke will represent the Commission at the January 10, 2006, Council meeting regarding the Commission’s recommendation on the following report:
Commission Kinder will represent the Commission at the January 24, 2006, Council meeting regarding the Commission’s recommendations on the following two reports:
Commissioner Locke said he appreciates the inside views into the Parks and Recreation Department through the department newsletter P&R PR.
Commissioner Locke noted Council actions on two recent reports.
STAFF
Assistant to the Director Merrill distributed tickets to Commissioners for the Senior Center holiday luncheon.
INFORMATION ONLY ITEMS
· Staff Liaison Written Report
· Miscellaneous Items of Interest
ADJOURNMENT 10:05 p.m.
Commissioner Locke moved, Commissioner Kinder seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 10:05 p.m. The motion passed unanimously 4-0, with Commissioner Chuck absent.