Parks and Recreation Commission

City of Sunnyvale Meeting Minutes - Final Parks and Recreation Commission Wednesday, November 8, 2023 7:00 PM Online and Bay Conference Room (Room 145), City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086 CALL TO ORDER Chair Kesting called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. SALUTE TO THE FLAG Chair Kesting led the salute to the United States flag. ROLL CALL Present: 5 - Chair David Kesting Vice Chair Dona Mason Commissioner Daniel Bremond Commissioner Prashant Gattani Commissioner Prakash Giri Council Liaison Klein (present) PRESENTATION A 23-0946 Active Aging Month & Senior Program Report Recreation Services Manager, Trenton Hill, provided a presentation on Active Aging Month & Senior Programs. Highlights included: Senior Center stats, membership, programs, partners, active aging, and initiatives. B 23-1035 Recreation Scholarship Report Superintendent of Recreation Services, Damon Sparacino, provided a presentation on Recreation Scholarships. Highlights included: background, 2022 income eligibility, 2022 fee waiver statistics, program update, 2023 income eligibility, council policy changes, outreach, 2023 scholarship statistics, participation overview, and participant ages. Chair Kesting opened for public comment. City of Sunnyvale Page 1 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - Final November 8, 2023 Ralph K. shared to the Commission that the Tennis Club donates $1,000 each year to youth interested in playing tennis. Chair Kesitng closed public comment. Commissioners inquired and staff responded: Can the scholarship be used with a group outside of Sunnyvale Recreation Services? Yes, can be used at Lifetime Tennis. How do patrons apply? In-person by providing documentation such as a utility bill, income statement, or free/reduced lunch letter. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Emma T., Gary T., Dan R., Erin W. and Jim C., are proponents of the City exploring a dog off-leash area (DOLA) program. Highlights included: dog socialization, exercise, human socialization, safe and legal area for dogs to run off-leash, and the positive results from Mountain View's program. Gregory D. voiced his disappointment that Council voted to not include synthetic turf in the Lakewood Park Project. He noted that Council voted to reject the preferred concept due to the number opposing patrons attending in-person, even though the preferred concept was designed by consultants, agreed upon by community outreach, and approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission prior. CONSENT CALENDAR Chair Kesting moved and Commissioner Mason seconded the motion to Approve the Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of October 11, 2023 as submitted with the following edits: Chair Kesting noted that the 'Community Center' would be a wonderful location for a dog off-leash area (DOLA). Chair Kesting noted that the cost of the study issue may be 'more cost effective' than the estimated $75K if we leverage our neighboring cities' DOLA rules and regulations. The motion carries by the following vote: City of Sunnyvale Page 2 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - Final November 8, 2023 Yes: 4 - Chair Kesting Vice Chair Mason Commissioner Bremond Commissioner Giri No: 0 Abstain: 1 - Commissioner Gattani 1 23-1033 Approve the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes of October 11, 2023 Approve the Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of October 11, 2023 as submitted. PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS 2 23-0940 Recommend to City Council Approval of the Preferred Concept Plan for the Corn Palace Park Project Assistant City Engineer, Nathan Scribner, provided a presentation on the Preferred Concept Plan for the Corn Palace. Highlights included: project background, project vicinity, existing conditions, proposed scope, process and schedule, community meetings and online surveys, conceptual plans, preferred concept and next steps. Chair Kesting opened for public comment. Courtney J. asked staff to be clear on the use of terminology of turf when referring to synthetic turf or natural grass. She also asked staff to look into alternatives for the rubber used in the play areas, due to debris, temperature and health impact concerns. Mikie R. asked for staff to explore alternatives for the rubber play area too. He also noted concerns about having the mound in the middle of the field as it might make it difficult for patrons to kick the ball around. Chair Kesting closed public comment. Commissioners inquired and staff responded: Is there a reason that the mound was included in the preferred concept? Yes, the mound would allow for the field to drain. Drainage would require at least a 2% City of Sunnyvale Page 3 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - Final November 8, 2023 slope. The preferred concept field is approximately 200' by 100' and would include a 3-4% gradual slope. Where would people visiting the Corn Palace park their car? In the street. The Corn Palace Park is designed as a "mini park" intended to serve people within walking distance so staff don't expect a mass influx of people visiting from outside the neighborhood. Commissioner Giri expressed that he would like for the park to include more active use areas. Commissioner Bremond moved and Commissioner Giri seconded the motion to approve Alternative 1: Recommend that City Council Approve the Preferred Concept Plan as shown on Attachment 6 of the report. The motion carries by the following vote: Yes: 5 - Chair Kesting Vice Chair Mason Commissioner Bremond Commissioner Gattani Commissioner Giri No: 0 STANDING ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL STUDY ISSUES None. NON-AGENDA ITEMS & COMMENTS -Commissioner Comments Chair Kesting noted that he was sad that the artificial turf at Lakewood Park was pulled. Although he is a proponent of grass, he understands that there are obstacles to maintaining the field. Additionally, he encouraged the Commission to propose more study issues. -Staff Comments None. INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS/ITEMS City of Sunnyvale Page 4 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - Final November 8, 2023 3 23-1036 Parks and Recreation Commission Proposed Study Issues, Calendar Year: 2025 Standing item. ADJOURNMENT Chair Kesting adjourned the meeting at 8:48 p.m. City of Sunnyvale Page 5