22. Beautification report
Parks and Recreation Department
CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item Number J..~
Agenda Date: March 6, 2007
ISSUE
Report to the Council on the planning for the March 17, 2007 beautification event.
BACKGROUND
On January 8, 2007, during a discussion of the work program, Mayor Wang announced
her idea for creating community through a neighborhood beautification program. She
mentioned that high school service clubs in search of community service projects had
contacted her. Encouraged by the reaction of Council to her mention ofthe program,
she recruited a volunteer to manage the project. A copy of an article from the Cupertino
Courier (dated February 28) regarding the beautification project is attached.
On February 20,2007, during a review of the work program, Council indicated support
for the Mayor's proposal and indicated a preference to bring the beautification program
under the city umbrella. The time for planning this event is growing short, and the
volunteer organizing recruitment has not yet provided the list of participant names.
Given this, city staff is unable to determine the scale of the event. However, the
resources outlined to support the goals for the workday. We have provided the intern
coordinator waiver forms and expect participants to bring them, signed, to the Senior
Center on the morning of March 17th.
Given the current status of the beautification effort, staff does not feel the March 17
event should be billed a city event, but rather, that the City should provide support
consistent with Council resources allocated on February 20,2007. Since some of the
planting will occur on city property, the City will provide site preparation and two
supervisors to insure the Senior Center planting effort is successful. The City will
require signed waivers of all participants. The school district will be supervising work
on school district properties, however, if the district needs funding for plants, staff is
authorized to spend up to $3000 per site to provide them.
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March 6, 2007
Page 2 of2
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that future events be coordinated through the City as directed by
Council, unless a separate non-profit entity wants to take responsibility for the on-going
management of the program.
Respectfully submitted:
Approved for submission to City Council:
~~, Director
Parks and Recreation Department
~
David W. Knapp, City Manager
g:\parks and recreation admin\templates- masters\staff report. doc
;)J--)
News
Cupertino mayor leads beautification program
By Cody Kraatz
Mayor Kris Wang expects the unifying power of a common goal--a more attractive
neighborhood--to get citizens chatting and nurturing their residential roots.
On March 17, residents are invited to help spruce up Memorial Park and the
Cupertino Senior Center with colorful groundcover. Wang thinks her new
beautification program, which she announced in her State of the City address in
January, can sow the seeds of cooperation and community pride.
"The city has had enough divisive issues. This year I'd like to reunite the community,"
said Wang.
Volunteers will put in drought-resistant, low-maintenance plants along Stevens Creek
Boulevard by the senior center and the park's sign. All the plants are donated by
Yamagami's Nursery on De Anza Boulevard.
Residents can also get plants, compost and tools from the city bye-mailing a note of
interest and list of participants to beautifycupertino@gmail.com by March 3.
Wang said she wants to make it easy for people to make their front yards and nearby
parks more attractive.
Anyone with landscaping expertise is especially encouraged to lend his or her
knowledge, said Angela Tsai, who is managing the program under Wang's direction.
Gloves and tools will be provided.
Most of the volunteer labor will come from service clubs at Cupertino, Homestead
and Monta Vista high schools, said Tsai.
"They're all very excited about it and they're quite large. r think it's a great way for
them to get involved," said Tsai. "We definitely want everybody out there. r think it
will be fun to have a day like this out in the sun."
Wang plans to have one beautification day each month. Cleanup projects in the future
will probably focus on Blackberry Farm and the San Tomas Aquino trailhead at
Bollinger Road and Lawrence Expressway, Tsai said.
Sign-in for the Memorial Park planting will start at 7: 30 a.m. on March 17 at the
Cupertino Senior Citizen Center, 21251 Stevens Creek Blvd. To sign up, request
materials or for more information, contact Angela Tsai at beautify
cupertino@gmail.com or 408.838.6907.
:<..?--J
Assumption of Risk
lTYOF
CU PEIQ'INO
In consideration of my participation in or presence at the Cupertino
Beautification Project on March 17, 2007, I HEREBY WAIVE, RELEASE AND
DISCHARGE, the Cupertino Parks and Recreation Department, the Cupertino
Public Facilities Corporation, the City of Cupertino, and the County of Santa Clara,
their agents and employees FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL LIABILITY
FOR ANY LOSS, PERSONAL INJURY, INCLUDING DEATH, OR PROPERTY
DAMAGE THAT MAY HAVE ARISEN OUT OF, ORIN ANY WAY
CONNECTED WITH, MY PARTICIPATION OR PRESENCE AT THE
AFOREMENTIONED EVENT, EVEN THOUGH THAT LIABIILITY MAY
HAVE ARISEN OUT OF NEGLIGENCE OR CARELESSNESS ON THE PART
OF THE PERSONS OR ENTITIES MENTIONED ABOVE AND HEREIN
RELEASED, BUT DO NOT RELEASE THE ABOVE MENTIONED PERSONS
OR ENTITIES FROM THEIR FRAUDULENT OR INTENTIONAL ACTS OR
FOR THEIR NEGLIGENT VIOLATIONS OF STATUTORY LAW.
Furthermore, I assume all responsibility and agree to indemnify the City of
Cupertino for any loss, damage or injury to my property, or myself, which may
have been caused by negligence, or any act, or any person connected in any way
with the aforementioned event. I understand that the City of Cupertino does not
guarantee the construction, condition, or safety of the facilities or the equipment
and that this Release Agreement is to be binding on heirs, my assigns and me.
I/we agree to allow use of my/our photograph for program publicity. I HAVE
READ THE ABOVE, UNDERSTAND ITS MEANING, AND VOLUNT ARIL Y
SIGN IT. PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN MUST SIGN.FOR
PARTICIPANTS UNDER 18 YEARS OLD (Proof of age may be required.)
Signature of Participant (Parent or Legal Guardian if Under the Age of 18) Date
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