parks and Recreation Commission
MAY 31, 2006
The Sunnyvale Parks and Recreation Commission adjourned from 6 p.m. Recommended FY 2006/2007 Budget Study Session held in City Hall, West Conference Room, and met in regular session in the Council Chambers, 456 W. Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA at 7 p.m. with Chairperson Lawson presiding.
SALUTE TO THE FLAG
ROLL CALL
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Commissioners
Present: |
Chairperson Robert Lawson
Vice Chairperson Robert Locke |
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Commissioner Howard Chuck |
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Commissioner Bob Kinder |
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Commissioner Richard Oliver |
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Staff Present: |
David Lewis, Director of Parks and Recreation
Cathy Merrill, Assistant to the Director
Curtis Black, Parks Superintendent
Nancy Bolgard Steward, Recreation Superintendent |
1.A. Approval of Draft Minutes from Regular Meeting of May 10, 2006
Vice Chairperson Locke moved, Commissioner Chuck seconded, to approve the May 10, 2006, Parks and Recreation Commission minutes. The motion carried 5-0.
None
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS
2. Recommended FY 2006/2007 Budget and Resource Allocation Plan
Chairperson Lawson said the Commission had just adjourned from the Recommended FY 06/07 Budget Study Session, and he opened agenda item No. 2 with questions for staff regarding the proposed budget.
Commissioner Kinder suggested that, in the future, the Commission meet for the Recommended Budget Study Session one week prior to the meeting in which they make a recommendation on the budget so Commissioners have more time to review and assimilate the budget material.
Staff answered Commissioner Kinder’s questions regarding golf fees, number of golf rounds, revenue from golf course restaurants, San Antonio Park restrooms, Fremont Pool subsidy, and fee waivers.
Staff answered Commissioner Oliver’s questions regarding Budget Supplement No. 5, Case Management for Seniors. Recreation Superintendent Steward clarified that, if approved, expectations are that the City will serve one-half the number of people that Sunnyvale Community Services was able to fund due to one-half the amount of resources.
Staff answered Commissioner Locke’s questions regarding the ‘Fun on the Run’ program, Swirsky Fund, consideration of reserve funds to cover the fee waiver program, and measures and performance levels.
Staff answered Commissioner Chuck’s question regarding the ‘Fun on the Run’ program.
Chairperson Lawson commented on the fee waiver program and questions were answered.
Chairperson Lawson noted a problem with some reports coming to the Commission with staff’s alternatives already set. He would like more opportunity to provide Commission’s ideas while the report is being developed. Then staff can consider Commission’s ideas and provide response. Recreation Superintendent Steward explained staff is not obligated to put Commissioner’s suggestions in the reports to Council. She emphasized that the Commission’s role is to respond to the report before them and make a recommendation to Council. Chairperson Lawson asked why staff could not include a Commissioner’s recommendation or suggestion. Director Lewis explained that these are staff reports to Council, and the Commission’s majority-approved recommendation is what is added to the report before it goes to Council. Chairperson Lawson suggested that if staff makes a recommendation that is different from the ideas of the Commission, it may be worthwhile to note the ideas from the Commission, even if staff does not agree.
Chairperson Lawson questioned the legality of using the Park Dedication Fund for infrastructure improvements to existing parks and not to develop new parks.
Chairperson Lawson inquired about the plan for the new sports complex, and Director Lewis responded that this year staff is going to study parks and parks’ amenities to determine what is needed for possible action in the FY 07/08 Projects Budget.
Staff answered questions about the status of the Morse Avenue site which is currently on the unfunded list.
Chairperson Lawson opened the Public Hearing. There were no appearances and the Public Hearing was closed.
Chairperson Lawson called for a motion and a second and said that Commissioners can then make motions to amend, if so desired.
Commissioner Oliver moved, Commissioner Locke seconded, to recommend that Council approve the Recommended FY 2006/2007 Budget and Resource Allocation Plan as it relates to the Parks and Recreation Department and under the purview of the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Chairperson Lawson moved, Commissioner Oliver seconded, to amend the recommendation to defer the park dedication monies until the Park Resource Allocation Project is completed.
Chairperson Lawson spoke to his motion and said he would like Council to study the legal and practical consequences of using the park dedication funds for infrastructure projects and for anything other than developing new parks.
The amended motion failed 2-3 (Commissioners Chuck, Kinder and Locke dissented.)
The original motion was restated.
Commissioner Oliver moved, Commissioner Locke seconded, to recommend that Council approve the Recommended FY 2006/2007 Budget and Resource Allocation Plan as it relates to the Parks and Recreation Department and under the purview of the Parks and Recreation Commission. The motion carried 5-0.
Chairperson Lawson moved, Commissioner Oliver seconded, to add a study issue regarding the use of park dedication monies and study issue to be ranked in 2006 for study in 2007.
Chairperson Lawson spoke to his motion and explained why it is important to be sure of the legal requirements and use of park dedication monies.
The motion failed 2-2 (Commissioners Chuck and Kinder dissented with Commissioner Locke abstaining).
Commissioner Locke said he believes the issue came to the Commission last year and also came through the City Manager to Council since the park dedication fees are already approved for infrastructure projects. Commissioner Kinder noted he is comfortable with the City Attorney reviewing the use of park dedication funds.
Commissioner Kinder thanked staff for answering Commissioners’ questions.
3. City Council Meeting Protocol
Chairperson Lawson sent an email to other Commissioners suggesting a change to the Council meeting process. He proposed that when staff completes their presentation on a Report to Council and answers questions, the staff member would then introduce the Commissioner who is there to provide the Commission’s recommendation. This would replace the current process of a Commissioner being called to the podium by the Mayor under the “Public Hearing” section of the agenda.
Assistant to the Director Merrill said the City Clerk confirmed that the flow of the meeting remains at the discretion of the Mayor. A suggestion to the Mayor regarding this proposed change would be in order if the Commissioners so desired.
Director Lewis and Assistant to the Director Merrill said Parks and Recreation staff will continue the practice of acknowledging the presence of a Commissioner at the end of staff’s presentation.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS
COMMISSION
Commissioner Oliver requested to be excused from the July 12, 2006, Commission meeting.
Commissioners voted to excuse Commissioner Oliver’s absence at the Commission meeting on July 12, 2006. The motion carried 4-0 (Commissioner Oliver abstained).
STAFF
Commissioners will notify staff of their availability to attend the June 20, 2006, Council meeting to accept the “July is Parks and Recreation Month Proclamation” as the Special Order of the Day (SOD).
Commissioners will notify staff of their availability to attend the mandated ethics training.
INFORMATION ONLY ITEMS
· Staff Liaison Written Report
· Miscellaneous Items of Interest
ADJOURNMENT at 9 p.m.
Chairperson Lawson adjourned the meeting at 9 p.m.