SC 09-08-22 (Joint meeting)
CITY OF CUPERTINO
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN COMMISSION
SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION
Teleconference Joint Special Meeting
Thursday, September 8, 2022
6:30 PM
MINUTES
Chair Xu called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. via remote teleconference.
ROLL CALL
Parks and Recreation Xiangchen (Minna) Xu, Sashikala Begur, Gopal
Commissioners: Kumarappan, Carol Stanek, Seema Swamy
Bicycle Pedestrian Ilango Ganga, Jack Carter, Erik Lindskog, Grace John,
Commissioners: Gerhard Eschelbeck
Sustainability Anna Weber, Meera Ramanathan, Sonali Padgaonkar,
Commissioners: Steve Poon
Commissioners absent: Vignesh Swaminathan (Sustainability)
Staff present: Rachelle Sander, Jessica Javier, Jenny Koverman, Lisa
Cameli, Susan Michael, Matt Morley, Chad Mosley,
Kimberly Lunt, Gilee Corral, Andre Duurvoort
Guest speakers: Alicia Fennell, Jeff Danner, Forrest Richardson, Taylor
Peterson
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Rhoda Fry expressed concerns regarding the Blackberry Farm slide removal.
Peggy Griffin expressed concerns regarding the Blackberry Farm slide removal. Also
requested consideration of restroom renovations for all parks due to accessibility issues.
Lisa Warren expressed concerns regarding the Blackberry Farm slide removal.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
NEW BUSINESS
1. Subject: Consider an update on Fiscal Year 2021-22 City Work Program item
regarding the Blackberry Farm Golf Course Needs Assessment
Recommended Action: Receive the public survey and Outreach Summary Report for
the Blackberry Farm Golf Course Feasibility Study and provide input and feedback on
next steps regarding alternatives for future use of the golf course.
Written Communications for this item included emails to the Parks and Recreation,
Bicycle Pedestrian, and Sustainability Commissions.
Matt Morley, Director of Public Works, introduced Alicia Fennell, Cascadia Consultant,
to introduce the item. Alicia introduced the item and provided an overview of the staff
and consultants working on the project. Alicia introduced Lisa Cameli, Project Manager,
who presented an overview of the project background and the two alternatives. Alicia
then presented on the community engagement process and survey results.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions.
Chair Xu opened the public comment period and the following people spoke.
Connie Cunningham, Cupertino resident, supported restoration to natural habitat and
emphasized there should be no removal of existing trees.
Muni Madhdhipatla, Cupertino resident and Cupertino Planning Commission Vice
Chair, supported keeping the golf course.
Annie Yang, Cupertino resident, supported restoration to natural habitat. If the City
decided to keep the golf course, recommended adding wildlife habitat as an
improvement such as complex native vegetation structures at the edges of the golf
course, restoration of the ponds, trees, and avoiding additional netting.
Richard Lowenthal supported keeping the golf course, watering only the greens to help
reduce the water use, and potentially closing the golf course one day a week to allow
for public use of picnicking.
Peggy Griffin supported keeping the golf course, picnicking on Sundays, replacing the
trees that have been removed, restoring the ponds with natural vegetation and water,
adding habitat islands, and raising the fees at the golf course.
Lisa Warren supported keeping the golf course.
Carol Ovelman commented that the City should consider using reclaimed water.
Keith Kreft, supported keeping the golf course, increasing the number of rounds, and
increasing fees at the golf course.
Nick Bailey supported keeping the golf course and investing in a feasibility study to
look at using recycled water.
Rose Grymes, Cupertino resident, supported restoration to natural habitat, providing
an environment for aquatic life, birds, and insects, and water sustainability.
Andi, Cupertino resident, supported restoration to natural habitat.
Peggy Plato supported keeping the golf course and raised concerns regarding golf
course revenue considering fees have not been increased.
Daniel Wong supported keeping the golf course and recommended looking into native
grasses to make it more drought friendly.
Wing Law, Cupertino resident, supported keeping the golf course.
John Ennals, Cupertino resident, supported keeping the golf course, changing the
irrigation, and changing the greens to ones that use less water.
Maria Gatto, Cupertino resident, supported keeping the golf course and looking into
using recycled water or adding in turf.
Elaine, Cupertino resident, supported keeping the golf course, opening it one day a
week for people to walk and picnic, and using recycled water.
Rhoda Fry, Cupertino resident, supported keeping the golf course, adding in natural
habitat to the golf course, and raising fees.
Bob, Cupertino resident, supported restoration to natural habitat.
Emmy Moore-Minister, supported keeping the golf course.
Don Halsey, supported keeping the golf course and presented on slides that are
included in the written communications.
Keith Wandry raised concerns about the chemicals used on the golf course.
Alan Takahashi, Cupertino resident, supported keeping the golf course and using
reclaimed water.
Vice Chair Weber left the meeting at 8:45 p.m.
Chair Xu closed the public comment period and called for a five-minute break at 9:06
p.m. Chair Xu resumed the meeting at 9:12 p.m. and commissioners made comments.
Commissioner Stanek commented that if Council decides to keep the golf course, then
she strongly recommended reclaimed or recycled water, not watering between the tees
and the greens, and opening the golf course two to three days a week to the public to
utilize the space in an alternative way. If Council decides to convert the golf course to
natural habitat, then she recommended working with Sunken Gardens and Deep Cliff
to offer Cupertino seniors discounted rates to play golf and consider using part of the
site as a healing garden.
Vice Chair Begur commented that there needs to be data surrounding utilization of
recycled water, alternative options for grass, and allowing the grass to go brown.
Recommended looking at statistics for the next 10 years verses the next 25 years.
Regarding restoration of natural habitat, raised concerns about the fire study and
preventing housing in the future. Recommended there be more information provided to
the Commission(s) before a decision can be made.
Commissioner Kumarappan raised concerns regarding the data presented and
utilization of recycled water. Strongly recommended that the data be updated and
presented back to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Commented that there could
be merging of the two options to allow for a potential third option that keeps both the
golf course and adds in natural habitat.
Commissioner Poon supported keeping the golf course. Recommended finding ways to
reduce water usage and bring recycled water in regardless of how long it will take.
Chair Ganga commented that increasing revenue needs to be looked at so that any
improvements will pay for itself and more. Raised concerns regarding capital costs for
the natural habitat. Supported using the existing golf course in a more efficient way and
protecting the current investment. Recommended more data be presented and there be
a recommendation from the joint commissions to the Council.
Commissioner Swamy supported comments made by Commissioner Kumarappan and
Vice Chair Begur and strongly recommended there be more information provided
before taking it to Council. Commented that there needs to be an understanding of
artificial turf and the potential implications to the environment, and whether the City
keeps control of the land if it remains a golf course or restoration to natural habitat.
Raised concerns regarding re-zoning of the land.
Commissioner Padgaonkar supported comments made by Commissioner Kumarappan
and agreed that more information be provided. Recommended contacting other cities to
research and understand how they implement water sustainability.
Vice Chair Carter commented that there is a need to look at whether this is going to
enhance Cupertino in terms of its recreational value verses the cost. Recommended
there be a decision amongst the options, once a decision is made to either keep the golf
course or have open space, then looking at the financial implications. Raised concerns
regarding traffic on the road to Blackberry Farm if the parking lot is expanded.
Commissioner Eschelbeck supported Vice Chair Carter’s comment regarding deciding
first between the options and then working towards a plan. Raised concerns regarding
conversion to natural habitat and expressed that it is a one-way option and that should
be considered.
Chair Xu shared information on the history of the item. Recommended revisiting the
option to expand the club house, decreasing areas where water is needed, and changing
another place to natural habitat.
Director Morley thanked the commissions and staff will work on consolidating the
information and determining next steps.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Xu adjourned the meeting at 9:58 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted by,
Jessica Javier, Administrative Assistant
Parks and Recreation Department
Minutes approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission at their 10.06.22 meeting
Minutes approved by the Sustainability Commission at their 10.20.22 meeting
Minutes approved by the Bicycle Pedestrian Commission at their 11.16.22 meeting