Parks and Recreation Commission

City of Sunnyvale Meeting Minutes Parks and Recreation Commission Wednesday, September 10, 2014 7:00 PM Council Chambers, City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086 CALL TO ORDER Chair Alexander called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. in the Council Chambers. SALUTE TO THE FLAG Chair Alexander led the salute to the flag. ROLL CALL Present: 4 - Chair Henry Alexander III Vice Chair Craig Pasqua Commissioner Ralph Kenton Commissioner Robert Pochowski Council Liaison Larsson (present) PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS None. CONSENT CALENDAR 1A 14-0856 Draft Minutes of the August 13, 2014 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Commissioner Kenton moved and Vice Chair Pasqua seconded the motion to approve the draft minutes of August 13, 2014 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 3 - Chair Alexander III Vice Chair Pasqua Commissioner Kenton No: 0 Abstain: 1 - Commissioner Pochowski City of Sunnyvale Page 1 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes September 10, 2014 Commissioner Pochowski abstained because he was not at the August meeting. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS 2 14-0699 Feasibility of Entering Into a Joint-Use Agreement with the Santa Clara Unified School District for Open Space Areas at Peterson Middle School (Study Issue) Superintendent of Parks and Golf, Scott Morton provided the staff report. Commissioner's questions regarding the school bond for capitol improvements were answered by Larry Adams, Director of School Bond Program. He indicated that funding from the bond would be prioritized for seismic strengthening and critical utility upgrades. If the bond is approved, the strategic plan would include a focus on energy generation and conservation. Chair Alexander inquired whether the joint-use agreement could include items such as fields, tennis courts, and the creation of a par-course. Superintendent Morton stated the future negotiations with the school district could include all of those, and would be based on the need to accommodate the public. Chair Alexander opened the public hearing. Denise DeLange, the resident who brought the study issue to Council, spoke about the importance for the community to have access to the fields and tennis courts at Peterson. She commended staff for their outreach efforts and expressed that the community supports a joint-use agreement at Peterson Middle School. She asked Commissioners to support Alternative 1. Commissioner Pochowski moved and Vice Chair Pasqua seconded the motion to Approve Alternative 1: Recommend that Council direct staff to stay in communication with the SCUSD and discuss the possibility of a joint-use agreement for the open space at Peterson Middle School. Commissioners discussed their support for creating an open space agreement. Although it is premature to negotiate the details, at this time, they agreed that successful models of open space agreements are available at Cupertino Middle School and Serra Park. Vice Chair Pasqua expressed concern about losing open City of Sunnyvale Page 2 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes September 10, 2014 space with the Raynor Activity Center sale, and Commissioner Kenton expressed the need to use available space. Chair Alexander stated the existing fields are in need of repair as he has seen children trip in gopher holes, and feels it is a safety hazard. Commissioner Kenton inquired if the tennis courts are open to the public. Superintendent Morton replied that he is not aware of any official use, and that he has observed the gates to the tennis courts open on occasion. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 4 - Chair Alexander III Vice Chair Pasqua Commissioner Kenton Commissioner Pochowski No: 0 3 14-0877 Propose Study Issues Commissioner Kenton proposed a study issue to consider more aggressive water reduction in Parks. Superintendent Morton responded that Council has already requested a 15 percent reduction, and they will review water usage again in December. Vice Chair Pasqua proposed a lawn abatement rebate program to incentivize property owners to remove and replace lawns with low water use or drought resistant landscaping. Vice Chair Pasqua identified Santa Clara Valley Water District's (SCVWD) program which pays $2 per square foot of replaced lawn. The town of Los Altos and City of Cupertino also have a lawn replacement incentive program. Commissioner Kenton seconded the motion. The study issue carried with the following vote: Yes: 3 - Chair Alexander III Vice Chair Pasqua Commissioner Kenton No: 1 - Commissioner Pochowski Clarifying remarks were made by Commissioner Pochowski that he voted against the study issue because he doesn't know how the program would overlap with the SCVWD program. Vice Chair Pasqua stated that the City refund of $2 would be in addition to SCVWD's program, equaling $4 per square foot. He thought it was a City of Sunnyvale Page 3 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes September 10, 2014 good way to raise awareness and reduce water use. Chair Alexander proposed an education and outreach program in partnership with local school districts to educate students about the Sunnyvale park system. Included within the study issue will be information about student volunteer and stewardship opportunities. Commissioner Kenton seconded the proposed study issue. The study issue was approved by the following vote: Yes: 4 - Chair Alexander III Vice Chair Pasqua Commissioner Kenton Commissioner Pochowski No: 0 NON-AGENDA ITEMS & COMMENTS -Commissioner Comments Vice Chair Pasqua announced the 7th Annual Ameican Indian Heritage Celebration on Saturday, September 13, noon - 10 p.m. in the Pavilion at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds. -Staff Comments Superintendent Wax announced the State of the City event on September 13 at Seven Seas Park from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. He invited Commissioners to participate at either the Parks or Library and Community Services tables. He reminded Commissioners that Council will conduct new Commissioner interviews on September 16. Since the September 23 Council meeting has been cancelled, the Cupertino Union School District Open Space Agreement, and the Urban Forestry Plan RTCs have moved to the September 16 Council meeting. Superintendent Morton encouraged Commissioners to consider thinking about capitol improvements needed in the community and at parks. Gathering users input can assist the Parks division put together the best possible capitol project plan. INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS/ITEMS None. ADJOURNMENT City of Sunnyvale Page 4 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes September 10, 2014 Chair Alexander adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m. City of Sunnyvale Page 5