City of Sunnyvale
Parks and Recreation Commission
april 28, 2004
MINUTES
COMMISSION MEETING
The Parks and Recreation Commission 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
Vice Chair Pole moved, Commissioner Manfrey seconded, to excuse Commissioner DeWolf’s absence.
Motion carried 3-0 (DeWolf & Lawson absent)
Commissioner Manfrey moved, Vice Chair Pole seconded, to excuse Commissioner Lawson’s absence.
Motion carried 3-0 (DeWolf & Lawson absent)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Vice Chair Pole moved, Commissioner Manfrey seconded, to approve the April 14, 2004, Parks and Recreation Commission meeting minutes.
Motion carried 3-0 (DeWolf & Lawson absent)
Public Appearances
Chair Arnett opened the meeting for Public Appearances. There were none and the Public Appearances were closed.
General business
1. Draft RTC Exploration of Youth Rates for Recreation Programs and Activities (Council Action 5/18/04)
Director Walker presented the staff report and gave a summary of the highlights of the report, including background, fiscal impact, options for supplementing existing policy on setting recreation fees that youth are charged, market-based youth rates, alternatives and staff’s recommendation.
Discussion followed and staff answered Commissioners' questions to their satisfaction.
Chair Arnett opened the Public Hearing.
Art Downs, President, Sunnyvale-Cupertino Pony Baseball, addressed the Commission regarding youth sports field fees. Mr. Downs said that the league increased sign-up registration fees and that the recently instituted youth sports field fees have not been a problem. He requested to be notified by September or October if youth sports field fees are going to increase for the following year, so that the league could plan accordingly. Mr. Downs expressed concern with the prospect of deteriorating field conditions due to the budget crisis and service level reductions. He said the league could do more to help with the maintenance of youth sports fields if allowed. Director Walker noted the commitment he had made to all youth sports groups to re-look at the long-standing tradition that staff maintains (mows) the fields and to explore ways the leagues could help. He asked Mr. Downs to contact him for further discussion.
Chair Arnett thanked Mr. Downs for his comments and closed the Public Hearing.
Commissioner Manfrey moved, Chair Arnett seconded, to recommend that Council accept staff’s recommendation—Alternatives No. 1 and No. 3.
Alternative No. 1: Continue supporting existing policies concerning the establishment of recreation fees.
Alternative No. 3: Direct staff to review future promotional and communication pieces on fees and to incorporate references to youth rates where appropriate.
Commissioner Pole offered a friendly amendment that the Commission (rather than Council) would have final authority to set fees for all City recreation programs.
For clarification, Chair Arnett asked if Vice Chair Pole was suggesting Option #7 in the report – "the Council would choose to set all youth fees itself," but instead of Council, substitute the word "Commission." Vice Chair Pole confirmed, noting that the Commission is better informed on parks and recreation issues related to fees than the Council.
The makers of the motion did not accept the friendly amendment.
Chair Arnett said the friendly amendment changed the motion entirely and queried whether delaying Commission action until the entire Commission could make a recommendation was acceptable. Commission Manfrey said delaying the vote for the entire Commission was unacceptable.
Chair Arnett called for the motion.
Commissioner Manfrey moved, Chair Arnett seconded, to recommend that Council accept staff’s recommendation—Alternatives No. 1 and No. 3.
Alternative No. 1: Continue supporting existing policies concerning the establishment of recreation fees.
Alternative No. 3: Direct staff to review future promotional and communication pieces on fees and to incorporate references to youth rates where appropriate.
Motion carried 2-1
Ayes: Arnett & Manfrey
No: Pole
(DeWolf & Lawson absent)
2. Commission Work Plan Calendar Review
Ms. Merrill noted that reviewing the calendar on a quarterly basis is a routine item on the Commission's agenda and no action is required at this time. She reminded the Commission of additions to the work plan such as the upcoming joint Commission meeting with the Arts Commission to develop a process to solicit and award grants from the Swirsky Youth Opportunity Trust Fund. The next meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, May 5th at 6:00pm in the Senior Center Blossom Meeting Room and other meetings may be added to the work plan as appropriate.
information Only Items
Staff Report
Ms. Merrill said her staff report would stand as submitted
City Council Update
None
Other Reports
None
Chair Arnett said any comments regarding communications should be made at the “Commissioner Comments” section of the agenda.
Non-agenda items & comments
Commissioner Comments
Commissioner Pole said he may bring his concerns and suggestions regarding “Exploration of Youth Rates for Recreation Programs and Activities—Study Issue” directly to Council as a private citizen after consulting with staff.
Commissioner Manfrey noted he attended a meeting on April 27, 2004 regarding cricket play.
Chair Arnett thanked Commissioners Manfrey and Lawson for attending the meeting on cricket play. He also thanked Commissioners Pole and Manfrey for weighing in on “Exploration of Youth Rates for Recreation Programs and Activities—Study Issue” and encouraged Commissioner Pole to express his personal feelings to Council. Chair Arnett complimented staff regarding gathering input from the concerned Ortega Park neighbors in relation to cricket play at Ortega Park, as well as working through the membership situation at the Senior Center.
Staff Comments
There were no staff comments.
Commissioner Manfrey moved, Commissioner Pole seconded, to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried unanimously
Adjournment – 7:57 p.m.