City of Sunnyvale

Parks and Recreation Commission

april 14, 2004
MINUTES

COMMISSION MEETING

The Parks and Recreation Commission and Arts Commission adjourned from 6 p.m. Joint Study Session, Exploration of Youth Rates for Recreation Programs and Activities, Garden Conference Room, and met in regular session in 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 p.m.

Salute To The Flag

Chair Arnett led the salute to the flag.

Roll Call

Commissioners Present:	Chair Jeff Arnett
	Vice Chair Raymond Pole
	Helen DeWolf
	Robert Lawson
	Joe Manfrey
Staff Present:	Robert Walker, Director
	Cathy Merrill, Assistant to the Director
	Nancy Bolgard Steward, Superintendent of Arts and Recreation

Approval of minutes 

Vice Chair Pole moved, Commissioner DeWolf seconded, to approve the March 24, 2004, Parks and Recreation Commission meeting minutes.

Motion carried unanimously with Manfrey abstaining (absent 3/24/04)

Public Appearances

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

General business

1. Update on Potential Study Issues for 2005

Ms. Merrill presented the staff report. She said there are currently no new study issues before the Commission; however, there is one continuing study issue—Update of Recreation and Open Space Sub-Elements—which will come before the Commission in planning phase this year and while it is underway next year. She said that no action was required of the Commission at this time.

Staff answered Commissioners' questions to their satisfaction.

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

information Only Items

Staff Report

Ms. Merrill said her staff report would stand as submitted. She reminded the Commissioners of the following upcoming events:

4/16/04 Fri.	Senior Center Volunteer Recognition Ceremony and Luncheon, Senior Center Orchard Pavilion, 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Commissioners have received invitations.
4/20/04 Tues.	City-Wide Volunteer Reception, Senior Center Orchard Pavilion, 5:15 p.m. – 7 p.m. Commissioners have received invitations.
4/21/04 Wed.	6 p.m. – 7 p.m., Joint Parks & Recreation Commission and Arts Commission Study Session, Develop Process to Solicit and Award Grants from the Dorolou P. Swirsky Youth Opportunity Trust Fund, West Conference Room

City Council Update

Ms. Merrill referred to her staff report for an update on Council actions. On March 30, 2004, the City Council voted unanimously (6-0, Fowler absent) to postpone the golf fee increases previously planned for April 1, 2004; this is in keeping with the recommendation of the Commission. In addition, the City Council also voted to approve an agreement between the City and the Sunnyvale Singers.

Other Reports

Ms. Merrill called Commissioners’ attention to the communications that were included in their packets.

Vice Chair Pole requested that additional wording be added to Billiard Room Rule No. 6. Director Walker thanked Commissioner Pole for his suggestion, noting that while they are currently an administrative function, staff had recently incorporated a suggestion from Commissioner Lawson into the billiard rules.

Director Walker responded to Commissioners’ questions regarding the Tax Aide Program, Blood Pressure Clinic, and requirement that seniors become Senior Center members in order to participate in activities of the Senior Center.

Discussion followed regarding Cricket Club play at Ortega Park. Director Walker said Mayor Howe asked staff to meet with Ortega Park neighbors regarding cricket play and update Council on the outcome of the meeting. In response to Chair Arnett, Director Walker said less than a quorum of the Commission would be invited to observe the neighborhood meeting. Vice Chair Pole felt staff was very fair in their comments regarding the Cricket Club.

In response to Commissioner DeWolf, who questioned if citizens have to be a member of the Senior Center to take a class through DeAnza College held at the Senior Center, Director Walker said that, one does not currently need to be a member of the Senior Center to attend state-funded adult education classes. He said per state regulations, a facility fee could be charged but not a class attendance fee, and that staff was reviewing related options.

Communications

Communications distributed at the meeting:

• Activity Guide, Youth and Adult Classes and Activities, May – August 2004
• Miscellaneous Items of Interest

Commissioners’ packets contained the following communications:

• Invitation to Senior Center Volunteer Recognition Ceremony & Luncheon, Senior Center Orchard Pavilion, 4/16/04, 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
• Parks & Recreation Commissions Calendar, Revised 4/5/04.
• Memo to Council, from Director Robert Walker, dated 3/29/04, titled Cricket Play at Ortega Park.
• Memo to Commission, from Assistant to Director Cathy Merrill, dated 4/7/04, titled Senior Lunch Program – Customer Satisfaction Measures
• Memo to Commission, from Assistant to Director Cathy Merrill, dated 4/7/04, titled Senior Center Programs/Services (Billiard Room Rules and Tax Aide Concern)
• Flyer: Volunteer Day with the Parks Division at Ortega Park (help assemble a new play structure), Date and Time to be determined.
• Sunnyvale City Council Information Sheet
• Miscellaneous Items of Interest

Non-agenda items & comments

Commissioner Comments

Commissioner DeWolf requested excused absences on April 28 and May 12, 2004.

Commissioner DeWolf plans to attend the Senior Center Volunteer Recognition on April 16 and also the City-Wide Volunteer Reception on April 20.

Commissioner DeWolf said she accepted an invitation from Mayor Howe to serve on the State of the City Awards Committee and feels honored to have been invited. The first meeting is on May 26 at 4 p.m. and she hopes it will not interfere with the 5:30 p.m. Commission study session.

Commissioner DeWolf has committed to work at the Columbia Neighborhood Center Health Fair on May 22.

Staff Comments

There were no staff comments. 

Commissioner Manfrey moved, Commissioner Lawson seconded, to adjourn the meeting.

Motion carried unanimously