MINUTES
parks and Recreation Commission
JULY 13, 2005
The Parks and Recreation Commission met in regular session in the City Hall Council Chambers, 456 W. Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA, 94086, at 7:30 p.m. with Chair Lawson presiding.
SALUTE TO THE FLAG
ROLL CALL
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Present: |
Chair Robert Lawson |
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Vice Chair Robert Locke |
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Commissioner Howard Chuck |
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Commissioner Bob Kinder |
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Absent: |
Commissioner Richard Oliver (excused) |
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Staff Present: |
Curtis Black, Interim Director |
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Cathy Merrill, Assistant to the Director |
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John Lawrence, Recreation Superintendent |
Commissioners welcomed Commissioner Kinder.
Commissioner Locke moved, Commissioner Lawson seconded, to excuse Commissioner Chuck’s absence from the June 8, 2005, meeting. The motion carried unanimously 3-0, with Commissioner Chuck abstaining and Commission Oliver absent.
1. Election of Commission Officers for FY 2005/2006
Acting Chair Lawson requested that agenda item No. 8 “Election of Commission Officers for FY 2005/2006” be moved to item No. 1. Commissioners agreed. Acting Chair Lawson opened the floor for nominations for Chair.
Commissioner Locke nominated Acting Chair Lawson for Chair. Acting Chair Lawson accepted the nomination. There were no other nominations. Commissioner Locke moved, Commissioner Chuck seconded, to select Acting Chair Lawson as Chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission. The motion passed unanimously 4-0, with Commissioner Oliver absent.
Commissioner Chuck nominated Commissioner Locke for Vice Chair. Commissioner Locke accepted the nomination. There were no other nominations. Commissioner Chuck moved, Chair Lawson seconded, to select Commissioner Locke as Vice Chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission. The motion passed unanimously 4-0, with Commissioner Oliver absent.
Acting Chair Lawson assumed the Chairmanship and Commissioner Locke assumed the Vice Chairmanship.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1.A. Approval of Draft Minutes (Regular Meeting of June 8, 2005)
Chair Lawson moved, Vice Chair Locke seconded, to approve the June 8, 2005, Parks and Recreation Commission minutes. The motion carried unanimously 4-0, with Commissioner Oliver absent.
CITIZENS TO BE HEARD
Lucien Zentner, member of the public and representative from American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), said that U.S. Senator Alquist would be speaking at the Sunnyvale Senior Center on June 20, 2005.
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS
2. Vice Mayor Ron Swegles and City Manager Amy Chan
Vice Mayor Swegles welcomed new Commissioners Kinder and Oliver and noted that Councilmembers appreciate it when Commissioners come to a Council meeting.
City Manager Amy Chan spoke regarding her commitment to Council, high level of performance by staff, and financial stability to deliver positive, innovative services to citizens.
Chair Lawson thanked Vice Mayor Swegles and City Manager Chan for taking time to talk with the Commissioners.
3. Draft RTC – Consider New Policies to Reduce or Waive Fees for Community Use of City Recreation Buildings for Specific Types of Events – Study Issue (Council Action 8/16/05)
Chair Lawson opened the Public Hearing.
Robert Harms, Panama Park Neighborhood Association President, said he was pleased to have free use of the Panama Park building for approximately 4 years. He also appreciated the free and discounted use of park buildings for youth sports leagues.
Steve Gross, Sunnyvale Stamp Society President, said park building rental fees have gone from free to $20-$30 per meeting. The Stamp Club has approximately 40 members and has had to reduce the number of meetings due to the high cost of park building rental fees. He feels that continuing with the high fees is not the way to go. The Stamp Club hosts a stamp show in the Indoor Sports Center each year and pays the rental fees. He hopes to be able to have a price break in the future since the stamp show brings revenue to the City by stamp collectors staying in hotels.
Chair Lawson thanked the members of the public for their comments and closed the Public Hearing.
Vice Chair Locke moved, Commissioner Chuck seconded, to recommend that Council accept staff’s recommendation Alternative No. 1, Direct staff to maintain the current administratively-set fee scheduled that includes discounts for residents and Sunnyvale-based non-profit groups and exempts primary revenue producing recreation facilities (such as the Community Center Ballroom, Community Room, and Senior Center Orchard Pavilion Rooms) from discounted use during peak rental times. Address requests for free or very-highly discounted uses through Council’s Relationships with Outside Groups Policy. The motion carried unanimously 4-0, with Commissioner Oliver absent.
4. Draft RTC – Third Amendment to Open Space Agreement between City of Sunnyvale and Sunnyvale Elementary School District of June 25, 1991, to allow for School District use of Picnic Areas in Sunnyvale Parks
Ms. Merrill presented the staff report. Commissioner’s questions were answered.
Chair Lawson opened the Public Hearing. There were no comments and the Public Hearing was closed.
Vice Chair Locke moved, Commissioner Kinder seconded, to recommend that Council accept staff’s recommendation Alternative No. 1, Approve the Third Amendment to Open Space Agreement between City of Sunnyvale and Sunnyvale Elementary School District of June 25, 1991, to allow for School District Use of Picnic Areas in Sunnyvale Parks, depicted by Attachment A of the report, and authorize the City Manager to enter into said Agreement. The motion carried unanimously 4-0, with Commissioner Oliver absent.
Vice Chair Locke said this is a very good use of Sunnyvale parks.
5. Review of City of Sunnyvale Code of Ethics
Chair Lawson encouraged Commissioners to review the City of Sunnyvale Code of Ethics and appreciates receiving it each year as a reminder.
6. Commission Work Plan Calendar Review
Vice Chair Locke moved, Commissioner Chuck seconded, to accept the Commission Work Plan Calendar for the reminder of 2005. The motion carried unanimously 4-0, with Commissioner Oliver absent.
Commissioners agreed to postpone this item until the August 2005 meeting when Commissioner Oliver will be in attendance.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS
Chair Lawson welcomed Commissioner Kinder and hopes he will enjoy his time on the Commission.
Chair Lawson requested the criteria for families to qualify for fee waivers. Staff reminded Commissioners it was previously sent under separate cover.
Chair Lawson said he would like to rotate having different Commissioners present Commission recommendations at Council meetings. He will present on August 16 and Vice Chair Locke volunteered to be back-up.
Ms. Merrill welcomed Commissioner Kinder.
Interim Director Black welcomed Commissioner Kinder and reminded him of the July 26, 2005, new Commissioner orientation.
INFORMATION ONLY ITEMS
· Staff Liaison Written Report
· Help Build the Library of the Future, July 20, 2005
· Miscellaneous Items of Interest
Vice Chair Locke moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously 4-0, with Commissioner Oliver absent.
ADJOURNMENT - 9:25 p.m.
Cathy E. Merrill
Assistant to the Director
Parks and Recreation Department