The Parks and Recreation Commission met in regular session in the City Council Chambers, 456 West Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale, California on December 11, 2002, at 7 p.m., with Chair Manfrey presiding.

Chair Manfrey called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.

Chair Manfrey led the salute to the flag.

Commissioner Arnett requested a correction to the November 13, 2002, minutes, page 5, Commissioner comments, 2^nd paragraph. Commissioner Arnett said he did not request a Study Session to learn how the Lakewood Park Recreation Facilities Improvement Project fits into the budget. He requested that future projects include consultant’s estimates and that staff identify what fund the project monies come from.

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Ms. Merrill said her staff report would stand as submitted. In addition, Ms. Merrill noted the following items:

Ms. Merrill said the following reports were for Commissioners’ information only and that the reports were not Public Hearing items.

Ms. Merrill introduced Nancy Bolgard Steward, Superintendent of Arts and Youth Services. Ms. Steward said the mobile services pilot project is an outcome of ideas generated by Recreation staff and an inter-departmental team formed to look at services for youth and families. She said that in the Youth Services Study, the City was broken into six zones that allowed staff to identify needs and interests in specific parts of the City so that programs and services could be targeted. Ms. Steward reviewed the boundaries of the six zones and said that the program has started in Zone 1, Fairwood Elementary School, and Zone 6, Nimitz School, would begin in January 2003. She said that the initial phase would focus on recreation activities for children ages 6 – 14. She also reviewed site criteria, time schedule, possible sites, activities, and services to be added in the future.

Ms. Steward distributed mobile activities flyer "Fun On The Run!" to Commissioners.

Discussion followed and Commissioners’ questions were answered by Ms. Steward regarding free mobile services, after-school programs, possible locations, vehicle style, span of pilot program, finances, schedule, making contact with mobile home parks, and type of mobile activities.

Ms. Steward said she would provide the Commissioners with number of staff and number of participants in the Mobile Youth Services Program. She will also provide the total dollar amount funded for this project.

Vice Chair Arnett suggested using teen volunteers to staff the Mobile Youth Services Program.

Ms. Steward presented a report on teen services focusing on high school age teens. She discussed the proposed Friday or Saturday night teen program at Fair Oaks Park Building and the scheduled public input meetings, live bands and D.J.’s, and the new Fair Oaks Skatepark opening scheduled for March 2003 which will attract more teens to the park. She said the Teen Advisory Council has been very involved in the process of the proposed Friday or Saturday night teen program and has come up with a tentative program name "The Black Hole." Ms. Steward also reviewed additional services such as the expansion of the Phatty Patty Battle of the Bands, other types of entertainment and information booths for services directed towards teens, summer job recruitment, driver training, indoor soccer program, youth employment program, series of excursions, and monthly barbecues.

Ms. Steward also gave an update on programs for middle school age teens. She reviewed co-op sports, Program eXtreme and eXtreme Zone at Sunnyvale Middle School, K.L.A.S. program, Dog House and open gym at Columbia Neighborhood Center, Friday Night Madness, and Summer Sesh, as well as other sports, arts and general recreation activities.

Ms. Steward distributed a packet to Commissioners showing the many activities that the City sponsors for teens.

Discussion followed and Commissioners’ questions were answered by Ms. Steward regarding the number of middle schools in Sunnyvale, transportation, and public input meetings for the proposed Friday or Saturday night teen program at Fair Oaks Park Building.

Chair Manfrey thanked Ms. Steward and staff and said that the Sunnyvale youth are being well served. Commissioner Pole requested progress reports.

Ms. Merrill presented the staff report, reviewed "Communication Tools for Parks and Recreation and Arts Commissions," and said the communication tools would be helpful in orientating and educating Commissioners. She requested suggestions and ideas regarding the communication tools and said that she is interested in maximizing time with Commissioners.

Vice Chair Arnett asked staff to identify mutual study issues of the Arts Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission and requested a joint study session before the mutual study issues are ranked.

Chair Manfrey said he agreed with Vice Chair Arnett regarding a joint study session on mutual study issues in order to obtain a different perspective from each Commission.

Chair Manfrey said the budget binder received by Commissioners is overwhelming and hard to understand. He said the communication tools are a step in the right direction to help the Commissioners do their job for the betterment of Sunnyvale citizens.

Commissioner Pole would like to see all items put on the Commission Work Plan Calendar for the entire year. He said it is the obligation of the Commission to be fully advised so they can represent the community.

Vice Chair Arnett liked the orientation tours and said that he would be available for an entire day if he received advance notice. Chair Manfrey and Commissioner Pole concurred.

Commissioner Pole thanked staff for providing the November 26, 2002, draft City Council meeting minutes. He asked staff to note items of interest to the Commissioners when the items go forward to Council. Ms. Merrill said it would be difficult to know exactly what would interest the Commissioners and said that the Council agenda is available on the web at 5 p.m. on the Friday preceding a Tuesday Council meeting. Ms. Merrill said the Commission Work Plan Calendar would be updated with agenda items.

Chair Manfrey thanked Ms. Steward for her presentations and said that the communication tools would be helpful.

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