MINUTES
SUNNYVALE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
August 25, 2004
The Parks and Recreation Commission met in regular session in City Council Chambers, 456 West Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA on August 25, 2004, at 7 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: |
Robert Walker, Director |
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Cathy Merrill, Assistant to the Director |
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Scott Morton, Parks Supervisor |
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Others: |
David White, Sunnyvale Judo Club President
Josh Salans, Sunnyvale Sustainable Gardening
Jonathan Lazarus, Satterberg Foundation
Laura Babcock, Sunnyvale resident
Dane Beezley, Sunnyvale resident
Wallace Harper, Sunnyvale Arts Commission Vice Chair |
SCHEDULED PRESENTATION None
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PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS |
None |
CONSENT CALENDAR
1.A. Approval of Draft Minutes (Regular Meeting of August 11, 2004)
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Vice Chair Pole moved, Commissioner Lawson seconded to approve the August 11, 2004, Parks and Recreation Commission minutes.
Motion carried unanimously 5-0 |
CITIZENS TO BE HEARD
Chair Arnett opened the meeting for Public Appearances. There were none and the Public Appearances were closed.
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS
Draft RTC - Agreement between City of Sunnyvale and Sunnyvale Gymnastics Club for the Use of Community Center Indoor Sports Center, Raynor Activity Center Gymnastics Building and Murphy Park Building
Chair Arnett stated this item will be deferred to a future Commission meeting allowing any members of the public who could not attend at a later date, the opportunity to speak this evening. There were none.
Draft RTC - Agreement Between City of Sunnyvale and Sunnyvale Judo Club for Use of the Washington Park Building
Mr. Scott Morton, Parks Supervisor, presented the staff report.
Chair Arnett opened the floor for Public Hearing.
Mr. David White, President of Sunnyvale Judo Club, stated that he has been teaching Judo for approximately 25 years and that the club has been in existence for nearly 40 years. There were no questions from the Commission. There were no other appearances and the Public Hearing was closed.
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Vice Chair Pole moved, Commissioner Lawson seconded to Approve the Agreement between City of Sunnyvale and Sunnyvale Judo Club. |
Discussion followed. Commissioner Pole commented it was great that the Judo Club has served the City for so long a time.
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Commissioner Lawson offered a friendly amendment to recommend to Council Alternative No. 1 – Approve the Agreement between City of Sunnyvale and Sunnyvale Judo Club and authorize the City Manager to enter into said Agreement. Vice Chair Pole accepted the friendly amendment. |
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Amended Motion carried unanimously 5-0 |
Draft RTC - Agreement Between City of Sunnyvale and Sunnyvale Pop Warner Football for Use of City Facilities and Play Fields
Mr. Morton presented the staff report and summarized highlights of the agreement. In response to Commissioner Lawson, Mr. Morton stated the City has first choice of facility usage. However, priority reservations allow groups to make a reservation up to one year in advance for facilities not being used by the City whereas the general public can only make a reservation three months in advance. Mr. Morton continued that we do have sufficient fields, but they are heavily used. In response to Vice Chair Pole, Mr. Morton stated that we have sufficient lighted fields for night play but that demand would always be very high.
Chair Arnett opened the floor for Public Hearing. There were no appearances and the Public Hearing was closed.
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Commissioner Lawson moved, Vice Chair Pole seconded to recommend Alternative No. 1 – Approve the Agreement between City of Sunnyvale and Sunnyvale Judo Club and authorize the City Manager to enter into said Agreement.
Motion carried unanimously 5-0 |
5. Draft RTC - Agreement Between City of Sunnyvale and Sunnyvale Swim Club for Use of the Swimming Pool and Associated Locker Rooms and Office at Sunnyvale Middle School
Mr. Morton presented the staff report and summarized highlights of the agreement. In response to Commissioner Pole, Mr. Morton stated that there is a 1:25 ratio of the fee for groups compared to the standard fee. For example, a $1 fee applies to a group with an agreement whereas a $25 fee applies to a group without an agreement. He noted that this is very inexpensive when compared to other groups requesting pool use.
Chair Arnett opened the floor for Public Hearing. Mr. Leonard Spelt, President of the Sunnyvale Swim Club, stated the Swim Club incorporated about 25 years ago and experiences a 25% annual growth rate. There are practices 3-4 times per week and that a swim meet involves nearly 800 participants. Many volunteers coordinate their activities and the Swim Club is very proud to state that the only paid staff are the coaches. He believes interest will peak even more from the Summer Olympics. He complimented staff for accommodating the times and sites of their swim programs.
Mr. Spelt replied to Commissioner Chuck that the same membership fees are charged to participants regardless of the pool they use. There were no other appearances and the Public Hearing was closed.
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Vice Chair Pole moved, Commissioner Lawson seconded to recommend Alternative No. 1 – Approve the Agreement between City of Sunnyvale and Sunnyvale Swim Club and authorize the City Manager to enter into said Agreement. |
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Discussion followed. Vice-Chair Pole highly endorsed the City’s support of the Sunnyvale Swim Club and programs. Commissioner Lawson stated the City’s relationship with the Swim Club should continue. |
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Motion carried unanimously 5-0 |
6. Draft RTC - Authorization to Submit Grant Application to Satterberg Foundation for Development of Community Gardens
Director Walker presented the staff report. He stated that at this point in time, the City is recommending to Council that they give staff the authority to submit a grant application, which could result in community gardens developed with grant monies and operated by an active group, Sunnyvale Sustainable Gardens. He asked that Commissioners not confuse this with a pending Study Issue paper that would explore the possibility of the City funding the development and operation of community gardens.
Director Walker clarified that there are two actions involved: first, obtain the authority to apply for the grant; and if that is successful, return to Council for acceptance of the grant. Commissioner Lawson expressed concern with asking for money without a clear sense of completing the project. Director Walker replied that time is of the essence for the grant application; and that although there was no way to guarantee that community gardens would be developed, even with the grant funding, the grantor was aware of this and was still encouraging the City to apply.
Chair Arnett opened the floor for Public Hearing. Mr. Josh Salans from Sunnyvale Sustainable Gardens stated that the idea for a community gardens developed when his group was working to develop a Seniors’ Gardens with the Master Gardeners group. Their 118 member group is interested in locating the Community Gardens at a Charles Street and Olive Avenue property. In response to Vice Chair Pole, Mr. Salans replied that the plot has good soils that get turned over annually. The benefit is to give residents living in condominiums and apartments an opportunity to garden.
Ms. Laura Babcock appeared as a Sunnyvale resident who is passionate about gardening. She believes the City should not miss this opportunity to apply for available grant funds.
Mr. Jonathan Lazarus of the Satterberg Foundation replied to Commissioner Lawson that typically, should funding be granted that ultimately is not used, the money would be returned to the Foundation. Director Walker clarified that the risk is in missing the time frame to apply for the available funding. Tonight, the Commission action is to recommend the authority to apply for the funding since the City cannot spend money that it doesn’t have. Commissioner Lawson suggested that in the future, staff include a copy of the grant application for the Commission. There were no other appearances and the Public Hearing was closed.
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Chair Arnett moved, Commissioner Locke seconded to recommend Alternative No. 1 – Authorization to Submit Grant Application to Satterberg Foundation for Development of Community Gardens. |
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Chair Arnett commented that he appreciated Commissioner Lawson’s concerns, but in this age of bureaucracy, sometimes it may be best to proceed without having all the plans set. |
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Motion carried unanimously 5-0 |
7. Name the Sunnyvale Plaza Contest (Recommend Top 10 names to Council) (Council Action 9/28/04)
Director Walker summarized a recommended process (based on discussions by the Commission during the Study Session held on August 11, 2004,) to determine the top ten Plaza names to recommend for Council consideration.
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Commissioner Lawson moved, Commissioner Chuck seconded to adopt the Plaza Name selection procedure developed at the August 11, 2004, Study Session as outlined by staff. |
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Motion carried unanimously 5-0 |
The Commissioners then provided staff with their top ten names chosen from the list of 410 total entries. Chair Arnett called a ten minute recess. Chair Arnett re-opened the meeting and proceeded to the next item on the agenda while staff compiled the Commission’s top ten Plaza names and tabulated the results.
8. Creative Arts Center Gallery - Update/ Information
Director Walker presented the staff report on the Creative Arts Center Gallery that was closed effective July 1, 2004.
Chair Arnett opened the floor for Public Hearing. Mr. Dane Beezley, former Chair of the Sunnyvale Arts Commission, requested a Study Issue paper regarding alternatives to re-open the Creative Arts Gallery at the Sunnyvale Community Center that was closed due to budget constraints. Mr. Wallace Harper, current Vice-Chair of the Sunnyvale Arts Commission was interested in broadening the Study issue paper to open up the Gallery to more groups interested in using the Art Gallery space. He noted there were many opportunities to include in the Study Issue paper.
Chair Arnett thanked both speakers for their comments on the Creative Arts Gallery. There were no other appearances and the Public Hearing was closed. There was no action required by the Parks and Recreation Commission on this informational item.
Chair Arnett returned to the agenda item:
9. Name the Sunnyvale Plaza Contest (Recommend Top 10 names to Council)
Ms. Merrill stated the ten top Plaza Names picked by the Commissioners in alphabetical order were as listed below:
Blenheim Plaza, Community Plaza, Del Monte Plaza, Diversity Plaza, Downtown Plaza, Encinal Plaza, Heritage Plaza, Millennium Plaza, Plaza del Sol and Sunnyvale Plaza. Chair Arnett opened the floor the Public Hearing. There were no appearances and the Public Hearing was closed.
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Commissioner Lawson moved, Commissioner Chuck seconded to recommend the top ten Plaza Parks names to Council for consideration |
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Discussion followed. Commissioner Lawson commented he favored the name selection process. Commissioner Chuck concurred. Commissioner Pole asked if the Commission’s ranking should be presented to Council? |
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Commissioner Lawson amended his motion, seconded by Commissioner Chuck, to recommend the Commission’s top ten Plaza Park names, unranked and in alphabetical order, to Council for consideration. |
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Discussion followed. |
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Chair Arnett moved, Vice Chair Pole seconded to remove the name, Sunnyvale Plaza, from the list for Council consideration. |
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Discussion followed. Chair Arnett continued that this was the interim name of the site and was not selected as first choice by any of the Commissioners. Commissioner Lawson opposed the motion because it altered the process the Commission voted to use. Discussion followed |
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Motion failed unanimously 5-0 |
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Chair Arnett restated the amended motion on the floor, to recommend the Commission’s top ten Plaza Park names, unranked and in alphabetical order, to Council for consideration. |
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Motion carried unanimously 5-0 |
NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS
Vice Chair Pole said it was brought to his attention that the Fremont Pool was closed on a Sunday and he wondered why it was closed. Director Walker responded that staff would report this information back to the Commission.
Vice Chair Pole asked staff to include copies of active grant applications with future requests to submit said applications. Director Walker explained that staff typically does not provide either the Commission or Council actual grant applications due to the fact that in most instances the application is not completed until after Council authorizes submission; that many grant applications are very long and would complicate reports unnecessarily; and that staff does share the reasons behind seeking grant funding and asks for the authority to request available funding.
Commissioner Locke passed.
Commissioner Chuck mentioned the recent passing of his mother, Yet Ying Chuck.
Commissioner Lawson asked if it was procedural for the City to ask for grant funding without a clear direction in how to use the money? Why ask for the authority to apply if the City might not accept the grant? Director Walker clarified that the Satterberg Foundation asked Sunnyvale to apply for funding within the time constraints—by September 15th, even though the City has yet to formalize a plan for the use of funds. The Foundation does not have an issue with the fact that an exact plan does not exist at this time. He noted a member from the Foundation spoke to that point earlier this evening.
Commissioner Lawson also hoped that that the City would reopen the Creative Arts Gallery should a donation to fix the lighting be presented and if operating the Gallery would be of no cost to the City.
Commissioner Lawson asked if the fee schedule rates are approved by Council, and is Council was aware of the $1 per hour fees being so far below the discounted or residential rate? Director Walker clarified that Council only sets the fees for golf. He also noted that Council directed staff to allow non-profit groups under 20 people free use of park buildings. Commissioner Lawson asked again if Council was aware how low a price is charged for use of a building? Director Walker stated Council would see these same figures and that Council was aware of the difficulties in balancing a desire for low fees with a desire for the Community Recreation Fund to be successful. The Director reminded the Commission that Council policy supported discounted rates for residents and a very low rate to encourage non-profit groups who provide on-going recreational programs and activities not otherwise offered by the City. In fact, free use of park buildings for non-profit groups under 20 is currently on a pilot basis, per Council direction.
Chair Arnett passed.
INFORMATION ONLY ITEMS
Staff Liaison Written Report stands as submitted.
ADJOURNMENT 9:29 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy E. Merrill
Assistant to the Director Parks and Recreation Department
Reviewed by:
Robert A. Walker
Director Parks and Recreation Department