Parks and Recreation Commission

City of Sunnyvale Meeting Minutes - Final Parks and Recreation Commission Wednesday, July 11, 2018 7:00 PM Council Chambers, City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086 CALL TO ORDER Chair Kenton called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. in the Council Chambers. SALUTE TO THE FLAG Chair Kenton led the salute to the flag. ROLL CALL Present: 4 - Chair Ralph Kenton Vice Chair Henry Alexander III Commissioner Daniel McCune Commissioner Craig Pasqua Council Liaison Gustav Larsson (absent) ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Speaker Alice Mansell introduced herself as growing up in Sunnyvale and ice skating at the Ice Palace, a popular ice rink located on Reed Avenue and Lawrence Expressway years back. Ms. Mansell along with the Ice Sports Community around the Bay Area noticed the Redwood Square in Downtown Sunnyvale. Ms. Mansell asked the Parks and Recreation Commission to consider a temporary or seasonal ice sports rink on the open space of Redwood Square. Ms. Mansell along with others reached out to the Downtown Sunnyvale property owners and developers stating that the space and plans are still being studied with public meetings taking place in October 2018. The area may not be finalized until the end of next winter. With this in mind, Ms. Mansell asked if the idea can be considered as a potential study issue for a future ice rink. The ice rink could become an additional recreational amenity in Sunnyvale for community use. City of Sunnyvale Page 1 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - Final July 11, 2018 Chair Kenton inquired about a long term plan and if Ms. Mansell would like to see an indoor or outdoor ice rink. Ms. Mansell replied to Chair Kenton that she would like to see both. Ms. Mansell provided information on other surrounding cities such as Santa Clara, Palo Alto, and other states where you can find ice rinks in parking lots and high rise structures sustained by solar energy. Providing a community ice rink would provide fitness and recreational amenities for all ages and the Ice Sports Community would be grateful. Speaker Sarah Feldman, CEO and co-founder of the Silicon Valley Ice Skating Association introduced herself and spoke on the importance of a temporary or seasonal ice rink in the community. Ms. Feldman assisted in opening an ice rink in the Santa Barbara region and San Mateo. Chair Kenton encouraged them to advocate their idea and present it as a white paper report. CONSENT CALENDAR 18-0633 Approve the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes of June 13, 2018 Commisioner Pasqua moved and Commissioner McCune seconded to approve the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting minutes of June 13, 2018 as submitted. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 3 - Chair Kenton Commissioner McCune Commissioner Pasqua No: 0 Abstain: 1 - Vice Chair Alexander III PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS 18-0628 Election of Officers Nominations were opened for Chair to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Vice Chair Alexander III nominated Chair Kenton. No further nominations were presented. Chair Kenton accepted the nomination. City of Sunnyvale Page 2 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - Final July 11, 2018 Vote on nomination for Chair: Yes: 4 - Chair Kenton Vice Chair Alexander III Commissioner McCune Commissioner Pasqua No: 0 Nominations were opened for Vice Chair to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Vice Chair Alexander III nominated Commissioner McCune. No further nominations were presented. Commissioner McCune accepted the nomination. Vote on nomination for Vice Chair: Yes: 4 - Chair Kenton Vice Chair Alexander III Commissioner McCune Commissioner Pasqua No: 0 STANDING ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL STUDY ISSUES None. NON-AGENDA ITEMS & COMMENTS -Commissioner Comments None. -Staff Comments Superintendent of Parks and Golf, Jim Stark provided an update on the status of the newest park at the Vale Development. It will be opening to the public soon. City Council will be reviewing Agenda Item 18-0348: Selection of Name(s) for New City Park at the Vale Development on July 17, 2018. Superintendent Stark spoke about the Fair Oaks Park Renovation Project which will be presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission in September. The senior engineer overseeing this project left the City and a staff report could not be provided in July. At this time, staff is reviewing construction cost estimates for the project before providing an update. Construction may begin next Summer 2019. City of Sunnyvale Page 3 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - Final July 11, 2018 The Orchard Heritage Park and Museum at the Sunnyvale Community Center had some project delays with PG&E and irrigation but is moving right along. Superintendent Stark mentioned other smaller projects such as the parking lot resurfacing at some Sunnyvale parks coming up. Superintendent Stark encouraged the Commissioners to visit the newly renovated Braly Park featuring a Japanese-style themed playground. Commissioner Pasqua inquired about the progress and efforts to fill the vacant position of Superintendent of Community Services previously held by Dan Wax. Superintendent Stark replied that earlier in the evening, Director of Library and Community Services, Cynthia Bojorquez, announced the hiring of the new Superintendent of Community Services, Damon Sparacino. Superintendent Stark stated that Superintendent Sparacino will most likely join us at next meeting. Chair Kenton requested staff to forward the announcement from the Director of Library and Community Services to all the Commissioners. Superintendent Stark will provide the e-mail announcement as requested. Commissioner Pasqua commented on the recruitment and hiring panel for the Superintendent of Community Services. Commissioner Pasqua expressed that community representatives such as City Boards and Commissions should be invited to participate in hiring decisions and recruitment. Comments were noted and Superintendent Stark will follow up with the Commissions specific to this level of recruitment. Vice Chair Alexander III inquired about the Magical Bridge Playground at Fair Oaks Park and if companies such as Google, Facebook or Apple can finance the project or if any outreach has been made on sponsorship. Superintendent Stark stated that the agreement between the City of Sunnyvale and the Magical Bridge Foundation highlights funding and sponsorships and details the contributions from both parties. Superintendent Stark will provide an updated list of funding sources at the next Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. Chair Kenton asked what form of advertising would be done for any contributing City of Sunnyvale Page 4 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - Final July 11, 2018 companies of the Magical Bridge Playground and if sizing of the advertisement could be limited. Superintendent Stark replied that a donation plaque or tile will most likely be installed to recognized the donor's contribution. Chair Kenton asked if the Fair Oaks Park Renovation Project would be the done on the entire park or only the Magical Bridge Playground section of the park. Superintendent Stark stated the renovation would be done on the entire park not just the playground area including the athletic field and parking lot. Commissioner McCune inquired about the parking spaces located between Fair Oaks Park and The King's Academy and how useful it would be for Fair Oaks Park users. Superintendent Stark is certain that part of the parking lot belongs to the Fremont Union High School District. 28 additional parking spaces are indicated in the Fair Oaks Park Renovation plans. It would be ideal to have the ability to use the parking spaces assigned to Kings Academy when school is not in session and accommodate visitors of the Magical Bridge Playground at Fair Oaks Park. ADJOURNMENT Chair Kenton adjourned the meeting at 7:41 p.m. City of Sunnyvale Page 5