MINUTES
SUNNYVALE parks and Recreation Commission
APRIL 13, 2005
The Parks and Recreation Commission adjourned from 6:30 p.m. Study Session – Review of Draft Policies of the Update to the Recreation and Open Space Sub-Elements – held in the Community Center Boardroom and met in regular session in the Community Center Boardroom, 550 E. Remington Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA, at 7:30 p.m. with Chair Arnett presiding.
ROLL CALL
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Present: |
Chair Jeff Arnett |
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Vice Chair Raymond Pole |
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Commissioner Howard Chuck |
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Commissioner Robert Lawson |
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Commissioner Robert Locke |
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Staff Present: |
Curtis Black, Interim Director |
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Cathy Merrill, Assistant to the Director |
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Mark Petersen, Golf Services Supervisor |
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS - None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1.A. Approval of Draft Minutes (Regular Meeting of March 9, 2005)
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Commissioner Locke moved, Vice Chair Pole seconded, to approve the March 9, 2005, Parks and Recreation Commission minutes.
Motion carried unanimously |
1.B. Approval of Draft Minutes (Special Meeting of March 21, 2005)
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Commissioner Locke moved, Vice Chair Pole seconded, to approve the March 21, 2005, Parks and Recreation Commission special meeting minutes with the change as noted above.
Motion carried 4-0 with Arnett abstaining due to absence on 3/21/05 |
There were no comments.
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS
2. Draft RTC – Revision of De Anza School Sports Field Master Plan to Include Proposed Batting Cage Facility (Council Action 5/10/05)
Director Black presented the staff report and noted that public meeting notices were mailed to near neighbors. He announced that the Council date changed from May 3 to May 10, 2005.
Director Black responded to Commissioners’ questions regarding the role and agreement process between the City and the Sunnyvale School District, location of the batting cage facility, security of equipment, reservations process and permits, and landscaping requirements.
Chair Arnett opened the Public Hearing. The Commission heard extensive input from members of the public and near neighbors.
Doug Warmke, President of Sunnyvale Southern Little League, presented information on the League’s programs and advocated batting cages are a good idea and a safe alternative for children.
Dave Werling, member of the public, spoke to the process, the structure the League has investigated, and the cost.
Bob Kinder, agreed with Mr. Werling.
Dan McCarthy, member of the public, addressed concerns about increased noise levels and said the public uses the location selected for other activities.
Eric Schaefle, member of the public, expressed concerns regarding increased traffic, aesthetics, negative visual aspects of the structure, permanent structure of the batting cage, and the need to cut down trees to make room for the batting cage.
Del Fillmore, member of the public, voiced concerns about additional paving of the batting cage surface.
Sandy D’Arcy, member of the public, said there are better locations in the park for the batting cage.
Jeffrey Zabarsky, member of the public, expressed concerns about size, location, and increased noise levels.
Doug Warmke, President Sunnyvale Southern Little League, returned to answer Commissioners’ questions regarding location, size, and temporary versus permanent structure.
Chair Arnett thanked the members of the public for their comments and closed the Public Hearing.
Commissioners directed more questions to staff regarding landscaping and noted that the batting cage was not shown to scale on the Master Plan.
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Commissioner Lawson moved, Vice Chair Pole seconded, to recommend that Council accept staff’s recommendation Alternative No. 1: Approve the revised Master Plan for De Anza Park sports field to include a proposed batting cage facility per Attachment B.
And subject to the following conditions:
1) The batting cage facility will be landscaped so it is not visible from Ticonderoga Avenue.
2) The batting cage facility will not be paved.
3) The batting cage facility size will be limited to 70 ft. x 34 ft. x 12 ft. high, with the long side on the north side of the cage and not to exceed 2 ft. away from the parking lot and as far away from Ticonderoga Avenue as possible. |
Commissioner Lawson believes there is little opposition to the batting cage facility, but he is concerned with noise and use of open space. He feels this motion will have the least impact on the site. Vice Chair Pole supported the motion and was sorry that some citizens felt they were not notified.
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Motion passed unanimously 5-0 |
3. Draft RTC – Revision of Serra School Sports Field Master Plan to Include Proposed Batting Cage Facility (Council Action 5/3/05)
Director Black presented the staff report. Commissioners had no questions of staff.
Chair Arnett opened the Public Hearing.
Kevin Fitzpatrick, President, Serra Little League, distributed informational materials to the Commission regarding the batting cage. He advocated that a batting cage would give youth more desire to participate in sports programs. He noted that all the neighborhood residents he spoke to were supportive of the batting cage facility. Mr. Fitzpatrick answered Commissioners’ questions regarding size of the batting cage, area for storage, and landscaping to screen the facility.
Chair Arnett thanked Mr. Fitzpatrick for his comments and closed the Public Hearing.
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Commissioner Lawson moved, Commissioner Pole seconded, to recommend that Council accept staff recommendation Alternative No. 1: Approve the revised Master Plan for Serra Park sports field to include a proposed batting cage facility per Attachment B.
And batting cage facility to be laid out as shown on the February 20, 2005, drawing provided by Serra Little League and subject to the following conditions:
1) Batting cage facility may include area for storage that includes some lock boxes.
2) Batting Cage facility will meet landscaping requirements of Planning Division, Community Development Department.
3) Serra Little League will replace any existing plants that might need to be removed to make room for the batting cage facility.
4) Allow Serra Little League to install a hard surface, but they must remove it if they abandon the batting cage facility. |
Interim Director Black clarified that the Commission is approving the change in Master Plan and putting street requirements in the conditions may require Serra Little league to return to the Commission.
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Motion passed unanimously 5-0 |
4. Draft RTC – Proposed Increase in Golf Tournament Fees (Council Action 4/26/05)
Mark Petersen, Golf Services Supervisor, presented the staff report. He answered Commissioners’ questions regarding green fees, tournament fees, date of proposed tournament fee increase, golf course market range survey, and golf course improvements offered to customers.
Chair Arnett opened the Public Hearing. There were no comments and the Public Hearing was closed.
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Vice Chair Pole moved to recommend that Council accept Alternative No. 2: Retain previously approved $2.00 Tournament Reservation Fee at Sunnyvale Golf Course for the period April 1, 2005, to March 31, 2006.
Motion failed for lack of a second |
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Commissioner Locke moved, Commissioner Chuck seconded, to recommend that Council accept staff recommendation Alternative No. 1, Consistent with Budget Supplements #55 & 70, revise current Fee Resolution to increase Tournament Reservation Fee at Sunnyvale Golf Course from $2.00 to $2.50 for the period May 1, 2005, to March 31, 2006, as noted in Attachment B. |
Commissioner Locke said this is a small increase in golf tournament fees, and staff doesn’t believe it will have an impact in decreasing the number of golf tournaments.
Commissioner Pole noted concern that an increase of the Golf Tournament Fee, as proposed, could have a negative affect on golf play and revenues, especially if a number of groups cancelled their tournaments.
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Motion passed 4-1 with Pole dissenting |
5. Update on Potential Study Issues for 2006
Ms. Merrill presented the staff report and discussion followed on potential 2006 study issues.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS
Commissioner Lawson asked for clarification regarding using the word “unanimously” when 2 Commissioners abstain from the vote after a motion is made.
Commissioner Lawson said he appreciates the way the Commission’s actions are reported to Council and the way Council’s actions are reported back to the Commission.
Commissioner Lawson stated he would prefer that staff note the location of the batting cage on the aerial photograph provided to the Commission.
Commissioner Locke volunteered to represent the Commission and present Commission recommendations to Council regarding the 3 reports considered this evening.
Chair Arnett requested more information about a recent letter in The Sunnyvale Sun regarding an exercise class that was available at the Senior Center.
Director Black responded to questions about Council’s action regarding the community gardens.
INFORMATION ONLY ITEMS
- Staff Liaison Written Report
- Parks and Recreation Commission Revised Calendar
- Miscellaneous Items of Interest
ADJOURNMENT - 10:15 p.m.
Cathy E. Merrill
Assistant to the Director
Parks and Recreation Department
Reviewed by:
Curtis Black
Interim Director
Parks and Recreation Department