City of Sunnyvale
Parks and Recreation Commission
march 24, 2004
MINUTES
COMMISSION MEETING
The Parks and Recreation Commission adjourned from 5:30 p.m. Training Session, How to Read and Use City Budget Documents, held in the Annex Conference Room; and met in regular session in the City Council Chambers, 456 West Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA, at 7 p.m. with Chair Arnett presiding.
Call to Order
Chair Arnett called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
Salute To The Flag
Chair Arnett led the salute to the flag.
Roll Call
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Commissioners Present: |
Chair Jeff Arnett |
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Vice Chair Raymond Pole |
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Helen DeWolf |
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Robert Lawson |
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Absent: |
Joe Manfrey, excused |
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Staff Present: |
Robert Walker, Director |
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Cathy Merrill, Assistant to the Director |
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Curtis Black , Superintendent of Parks |
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Jerry Thormann, Golf Services Manager, Sunken Gardens |
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Mark Petersen, Golf Services Supervisor, Sunnyvale Golf Course |
Commissioner DeWolf moved, Commissioner Lawson seconded, to excuse Commissioner Manfrey's absence.
Motion carried unanimously
Manfrey absent
Approval of minutes
Commissioner DeWolf moved, Commissioner Lawson seconded, to approve the March 10, 2004, Parks and Recreation Commission meeting minutes.
Motion carried unanimously 4-0
Public Appearances
Chair Arnett opened the meeting for Public Appearances. There were none and the Public Appearances were closed.
General business
1. Draft RTC - Postponement of Golf Fee Increases (Council Action March 30, 2004)
Ms. Merrill introduced Mr. Curtis Black, Superintendent of Parks, to present the staff report for the Draft RTC Postponement of Golf Fee Increases. Mr. Black summarized the report by stating that Golf fees are market based and are generally adjusted at the start of each golf season. Consistent with the golf market in this area, recent annual fee increases have ranged from $1.00 to $2.00 at Sunnyvale Golf Course and from $.50 to $1.00 at Sunken Gardens Golf Course. Throughout the golf season, staff monitors the amount of play in specific categories, the associated revenues for each golf course, and surveys local and regional golf markets to project if future approved or proposed fee increases would be accepted by the customers. At this date, it is clear that both rounds and revenues will finish below planned amounts for this fiscal year.
Mr. Black continued that staff now recommends against a fee increase for the next golf season due to concern for the lagging general economy, declining rounds of golf play and the need to maintain our customer base.
Mr. Black then introduced Mr. Mark Petersen, Golf Services Supervisor, Sunnyvale Golf Course and Mr. Jerry Thormann, Golf Services Manager, Sunken Gardens to answer the Commission's questions.
Commissioners asked for clarification on reducing fees to increase play; loss of plays resulting from the City's last fee increase; and correlation in the drop of number of rounds played related to fees.
Staff answered Commissioners' questions to their satisfaction.
Mr. Black concluded the staff report by asking the Commission to recommend one of three alternatives:
1. Postpone previously approved green fee increases planned for April 1, 2004.
2. Implement previously approved green fee increases planned for April 1, 2004.
3. Direct staff to take other action as appropriate.
Chair Arnett opened the floor for Public Hearing. There were no appearances and the Public Hearing was closed.
Commissioner DeWolf moved, Commissioner Lawson seconded to recommend staff's recommendation, Alternative #1.
Alternative #1 Postpone previously approved green fee increases planned for April 1, 2004.
Commissioner DeWolf spoke to the motion stating that staff was clear in their presentation.
Commissioner Lawson spoke to the motion stating that it seems our competition is experiencing the same issues.
Motion carried unanimously 4-0
information Only Items
Staff Report
Ms. Merrill said her staff report would stand as submitted. She reminded the Commission of upcoming study sessions:
Wednesday, April 14 6:00-7p.m. Joint P&R and Arts Commissions Study Session, Exploration of Youth Rates for Recreation Programs and Activities, Garden Conference Room
Wednesday, April 21 6:00-7 p.m. Joint Study Session: Arts and Parks & Recreation Commissions, Develop Process to Solicit and Award Grants from the Dorolou P. Swirsky Youth Opportunity Trust Fund, West Conference Room
City Council Update (March 9, 2004)
None
Other Reports
None
Communications
Communications distributed at the meeting:
· Report: Friends of Stevens Creek Trail 2003 Annual Report
· Updated Work Plan
Commissioners’ packets contained the following communications:
· Agenda, 3/24/04, 5:30 p.m., Training Session, How to Read and Use City Budget Documents, Annex Conference Room (Attachment D)
· Revised Master Work Plan 3-18-04 (Attachment E)
· Senior Activity Guide, Spring 2004
· Miscellaneous Items of Interest (provided to Commissioners only)
Non-agenda items & comments
Commissioner Comments
Commissioner DeWolf asked if you have to be a member of the Senior Center to take a class through DeAnza held at the Senior Center? Mr. Walker responded that staff will provide her that information.
Chair Arnett, Vice Chair Pole, and Commissioner Lawson passed.
Staff Comments
None
Vice Chair Pole moved, Commissioner Lawson seconded, to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried unanimously 4-0
Adjournment - 7:45 p.m.