P&R 12-07-2017CITY OF CUPERTINO
CUPERTINO
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Community Hall
CALL TO ORDER
10350 Torre Ave, Cupertino, CA
Thursday, December 7, 2017
7:00 PM
MEETING
MINUTES
Chair Davis called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm in the Community Hall, at 10350 Torre
Ave, Cupertino, CA.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Commissioners present:
Commissioners absent:
Staff present:
Helene Davis, Meenakshi Biyani, Carol Stanek, Judy Wilson
Neesha Tambe
Jeff Milkes, Kevin Khuu, Gail Seeds, Alex Acenas, Julie Chiu,
Art Rosales
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Regular Meeting of November 2, 2017 -Commissioner Biyani asked to correct her
name in the first page under Section 1, Approval of Minutes. Chair Davis asked to
change, under Section 5. 2017-2018 Commission Work Plan, "come back and be
presented during the special meeting" to "next year". Commissioner Stanek
motioned to approve the amended minutes of November 2, 2017. Commissioner
Biyani seconded. Approved with 3 Yes, 1 abstain and 1 absent.
2. Special Meeting of November 9, 2017 -Commissioner Wilson motioned to
approve the minutes of November 9, 2017. Commissioner Stanek seconded.
Approved with 4 yes and 1 absent.
CEREMONIAL MATTERS AND PRESENTATIONS
3. Draft 2017 Cupertino Pedestrian Transportation Plan
David Stillman, the Transportation Manager for Cupertino, presented the
overview of the Transportation Plan and introduced Julie Chiu, Associate Civil
Engineer. Julie presented the updated Transportation Plan. The plan will be taken
to City Council on December 19th. Also mentioned that it was David Stillman's
birthday and the Commission wished him a happy birthday. Discussion followed.
Geoff Paulsen, a Cupertino resident, requested to add some policies, such as
creating walkways that use the same material as the Stevens Creek Trail, to
mitigate storm water runoff and to make walking easier than driving, have signal
timings improved to be more responsive to pedestrians and improve bike and
pedestrian services overall. Asked for wider paths to match the increasing
demand.
Janet Van Zaren, a Cupertino resident, commented on when road construction
occurs, where they have an area set aside for bicyclists to avoid the construction,
there should be consideration for pedestrians as well. Need to share the road with
the bikers and walkers during construction.
POSTPONEMENTS
None
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mike Sanchez, from the Fine Arts Commission, suggested a collaboration pilot
program for Art in Unexpected Places. Submitted a pichue of a wall at Blackberry
Farm to start the program. Also, as a private resident, asked if there was a way to
better position the benches in Blackbeny Farm, to not face the foliage and
reposition them.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Anne Ng, had written to the Commission about the Parking Lot at McClellan
Ranch.
OLD BUSINESS
4. McClellan Ranch Parking Lot Improvement
Alex Acenas, a Project Manager of Cupertino, gave an update to the Commission
on the design of the parking lot. Incorporated feedback taken from the recent
stakeholder meetings held in September and on November 16th and 17th into the
revised plans. New design accommodates 25 spots, 2 ADA spots and has a
restoration planting area between the lot and the creek. Will have an occasional
use area where the Simms House was located.
Discussion followed. Additional overflow parking would be used about 5 to 6
times a year and would be covered with gravel. Will be blocked off during daily
use. Could possibly pave the main parking lot first and then place gravel on the
overflow parking area later.
Janet Van Zoren, a Cupertino Resident, supported the new design and the amow1t
of nah1re restoration in the current plan.
Shani Kleinhaus, with Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, supports the updated
plan and the restoration component.
Paul Turner, a Cupertino resident, supports the work that has been done for the
Simms Property. Recognizes the growing need for parking spaces, but suggested
that the City consider other methods to alleviate the problem. Supports the design
overall and emphasized a gradual, step by step construction process.
The Commission supported the revised plans, but suggested building the main lot
first, while studying the need for the overflow parking area. If the need is
established, then build the gravel area later.
Commissioner Wilson motioned to proceed with the revised design, but to take a
slower, study first then possibly build, approach for overflow parking area.
Commissioner Biyani seconded. Motion carried 4 yes with 1 absent.
5. Citywide Parks and Recreation System Master Plan Update -Update and Draft
Project Scoping Matrix
Jeff Milkes, Director of Recreation and Community Services, introduced Cindy
Mendoza, a Consultant from MIG, to provide an update on the Master Plan. Cindy
asked for guidance on what the Commission feels is important for recreation
facilities, consider what facilities can be combined, where they should be located
and what partnerships can be considered to reach the master plan goals . Discussed
aquatic facilities, performing and fine arts centers, incubator hubs (can combine
with other facilities), gymnasiums, teen centers and senior centers. Shared
feedback received from stakeholders, which emphasized that partnerships are
vital, with schools, other cities and the cow1ty. Also to provide facilities that are
flexible and can adapt to the change in demographics. Pools and water play are
important and parking considerations as well.
Discussion followed. Commissioner Wilson suggested looking at the surrounding
cities to model after their performing arts theatres and partnering with the local
schools to program at their theatres during the summertime.
Geoff Paulsen, a Cupertino citizen, suggested that for the aquatic center, to move
all of the pools to Memorial park and to use back in diagonal parking. Also
stressed public private partnerships, such as working with KT URBAN in regards
to the Oaks Shopping Center or Sand Hill Properties for the Vallco Mall space. For
the incubator space, to work with the Cupertino Economic Development
Committee and consider Bubb Road.
The Commission supported partnering with local developers to building some of
the facilities, specifically naming Sai,d Hill Properties to utilize the Valko
property. Also to work with the local schools to utilize their spaces and look into
repurposing currently owned City buildings. Possibly to expand them upwards
instead of trying to find more land, citing the Quinlan Center, Creekside Building,
and Monta Vista Recreation Center.
Cindy then covered new ai,d expanded outdoor facilities opportunities ai,d
focused on large event space, inclusive play area, nature-based play area,
commw,ity gardens, cricket field and dog park/dog areas. Also considered
basketball courts, pickle ball courts and outdoor table tennis. Asked for feedback
on what types of outdoor facilities are most needed, what can be combined, where
to locate them and what partners should be considered.
Discussion followed. Cindy suggested distributing projects to places that have
multi use opportwuties, compared to single use. Commissioner Stanek brought
up the idea of dispersing dog parks by setting limited off leash hours at all parks
in Cupertino. Supported opening more gardens at other parks and locations.
Commissioner Wilson mentioned the YMCA location might become an option to
place some of these facilities. Supported centralizing 4 or 5 main facilities,
including the inclusive play area, and dispersing everything else such as the dog
parks and gardens. Commissioner Biyani suggested adding a nature based play
element to Blackberry Farm and to build the inclusive play area at Portal Park.
Chair Davis suggested adding nature play at Linda Vista Park, Blackberry Farm
and Lawrence Mitty and to update the amphitheater at Memorial Park. Agreed
with expanding the commw,ity gardens closer to the seniors or to the east side of
the City and to create off leash dog hours for all parks. Supported building a
national sized cricket field and have more bike parking and water stations at the
parks.
MIG will come back to the Commission in March 151• Commissioner Stanek
suggested to keep City Council appraised of any schedule changes.
6. Accreditation of Recreation and Commw,ity Services Department -Fall 2017
Update
Jeff introduced Art Rosales to talk to the Commission about the Accreditation
process. Art covered the goals, benefits, the current progress of the Cupertino
Recreation Department and the next steps.
7. 2017-2018 Commission Work Plan
The Commission reviewed the work plan.
NEW BUSINESS
None
STAFF AND COMMISSION REPORTS
8. Director's Report
Jeff Milkes reported to the Commission on the following:
Commended Rachelle Sander, Kelsey Hayes, and Jason Bisely on their
recent work for the Tree Lighting event on December 1st.
On December 8th, there will be a movie in the park at Creekside Park.
From December 24th to January 211 d, all City facilities will be closed
expect for the Cupertino Sports Center.
Commissioner Wilson attended the Tree Lighting event. Commissioner Stanek
also attended the Tree Lighting event, walk shop at Regnart Creek Trail, and the
bike workshop at Quinlan for the Junipero Serra Trail. Will attend the Mayor's
meeting next Wednesday. Commissioner Biyani also attended the Tree Lighting
event and appreciated the new additions and changes. Suggested adding more
lights arow1d the concession and customer se rvice tables. Also attended the
Regnart Creek Trail walk and supported the proposal. Chair Davis attended the
Veterans Day ceremony, Tree Lighting event, and the Regnart Creek Trail tour
and emphasized increasing connectivity within the City.
ADJOURNMENT -Chair Davis adjourned the meeting at 9:58 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
~K. Kh . AAd~A. evm uu, mm1Strahve ss1stant
Recreation and Commw1ity Services Department
Minutes approv ed at the 01/04118 regular meeting .