CITY OF CUPERTINO
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Televised Teleconference Meeting
Thursday, February 2, 2023
7:00 PM
APPROVED MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
R
achelle Sander, Director of Parks and Recreation, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. via remote teleconference.
ROLL CALL
C
ommissioners present: Sashikala Begur, Carol Stanek, Seema Swamy, Jennifer Shearin, Hemant Buch
Commissioners absent: None
Staff present: Rachelle Sander, Jessica Javier, Susan Michael, Chad Mosely, Ayano Hattori
Guest speakers: Casey Case, Michael Freitag
CEREMONIAL MATTERS AND PRESENTATIONS
1. Subject:
Chair and Vice Chair Selection
Recommended Action: Conduct the selection of the Chair and Vice Chair.
D
irector Sander opened public comment.
Lo
uise Saadati, Cupertino resident, supported Commissioner Stanek as Chair and Jennifer Shearin as Vice Chair.
D
eepa Mahendraker supported Commissioner Stanek as Chair.
L
isa Warren supported an existing Commissioner as Chair.
J
udy Wilson, Cupertino resident, supported Commissioner Stanek as Chair and Commissioner Shearin as Vice Chair.
D
irector Sander closed public comment.
C
ommissioner Swamy nominated Vice Chair Begur as Chair. Vice Chair Begur seconded. Motion failed with 2 yes and 3 no.
Attachment C
Commissioner Shearin nominated Commissioner Stanek as Chair. Commissioner Buch seconded. Motion carried with 3 yes and 2 no.
Commissioner Swamy nominated Vice Chair Begur to remain Vice Chair. Vice Chair Begur seconded. Motion failed with 2 yes and 3 no.
Commissioner Buch nominated Commissioner Shearin as Vice Chair. Commissioner Shearin seconded. Motion carried with 3 yes and 2 no.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
2. Subject: November 17, 2022 Parks and Recreation Commission Special Meeting Minutes
Recommended Action: Review and approve the November 17, 2022 Parks and Recreation Commission special meeting minutes.
Vice Chair Shearin motioned to approve the November 17, 2022 Parks and Recreation Commission special meeting minutes. Commissioner Begur seconded. Motion carried with 4 yes and 1 abstain.
3. Subject: December 1, 2022 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Recommended Action: Review and approve the December 1, 2022 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting minutes.
Vice Chair Shearin motioned to approve the December 1, 2022 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting minutes. Commissioner Swamy seconded. Motion carried with 4 yes and 1 abstain.
POSTPONEMENTS
None
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Jennifer Griffin expressed support for restoring the Stocklmeir House.
Lisa Warren expressed concerns surrounding the unhoused at Lawrence-Mitty.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
4. Subject: Consider Memorial Park Specific Plan project update on the development of the conceptual design and community input.
Re commended Action: Receive an update on the status of the Memorial Park Specific Plan project and provide feedback on the community’s input and the development of the conceptual design options.
Director Sander introduced Ayano Hattori, Project Manager, to present on the item.
Project Manager Hattori introduced the project and introduced Casey Case, from GATES and Associates to present. Presented on the purpose of the project, planning process, community engagement, design inputs, and the three park concepts (A – Community Focus, B – Nature Focus, C – Civic Focus).
Commissioners asked clarifying questions.
Chair Stanek opened public comment on the item.
Deepa Mahendraker supported adding a Dog Off-Leash Area (DOLA) and concept A.
Jennifer Griffin supported keeping the Veteran’s Memorial untouched, open lawn space, and consideration of the softball field.
Louise Saadati supported adding a DOLA and concept A.
Tessa Parish supported adding a DOLA and expressed concerns regarding the potential removal of the softball field due to community usage.
Lisa Warren supported increased shade, sustainable improvements, inclusive playground, and festival and event space. Expressed concerns regarding costs associated.
Kwang supported adding a DOLA.
Nori, Cupertino resident, supported a combination of concept A and concept B, an all- inclusive playground, bike garden, nature area, and keeping the amphitheater location.
Chair Stanek closed public comment and opened it up for Commissioner comments.
Commissioner Begur expressed concerns regarding softball field usage and cost estimates for the design plans.
Vice Chair Shearin expressed concerns regarding parking and the exit of the bike path through the park into the parking lot.
Commissioner Swamy expressed concerns regarding costs associated between the three concept designs.
Commissioner Buch supported increased open space, dedicated pickleball courts, bike connection and multi-use for all ages, and an upgraded amphitheater.
Chair Stanek supported multi-use functionality, consideration of the softball field users, bike garden, and gathering spaces.
Chair Stanek called for a six-minute break at 8:55 p.m. Chair Stanek resumed the meeting at 9:01 p.m.
5. Subject: Receive an update on current Parks and Recreation focused Capital Improvement Programs projects, and the staff proposal for Fiscal Year 2023-2028 Capital Improvement Programs projects.
Recommended Action: Accept an update on current Parks and Recreation focused Capital Improvement Projects, and the staff proposal for Fiscal Year 2023-2028.
Susan Michael, Capital Improvement Programs (CIP) Manager, presented an overview of CIP projects, CIP proposal process, status of existing projects, and the proposed FY23-24 5-year CIP.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions.
Chair Stanek opened public comment on the item.
Louise Saadati supported park amenities for DOLAs.
Jennifer Griffin expressed concerns regarding the proposed northern connections for Lawrence-Mitty Park and Trail.
Deepa Mahendraker supported park amenities for DOLAs.
Tessa Parish supported playgrounds, all-inclusive amenities, and park amenities for DOLAs.
Lisa Warren expressed concerns for the proposed northern connections for Lawrence- Mitty Park and Trail.
Chair Stanek closed public comment and opened it up for Commissioner comments.
Commissioner Begur requested clarification on the hydration stations being added as part of the park amenity improvements. Chad Mosely, Acting Public Works Director, clarified that the hydration stations being installed have a water bottle filling station, water fountain, and pet-friendly fountain at the base.
Chair Stanek suggested some type of barrier for multi-use functionality to accommodate both DOLAs and users of the parks.
STAFF AND COMMISSION REPORTS
6. Subject: Monthly Update Reports
Recommended Action: Receive monthly update reports from the Director of Parks and Recreation and commissioners.
Chair Stanek reported on the City Council meeting to discuss the procedures manual, ethics training, Library Foundation event with Valley Water, and the McClellan Ranch Preserve labyrinth.
Director Sander provided the Director’s update on the following:
- Welcomed the new commissioners to the Parks and Recreation Commission. - The City Clerk sent out an email on January 18 providing notice to Commissioners that the emergency order expires on February 28, 2023 and that Commissioners will need to resume attending Commission meetings in-person. o This means our March Parks and Recreation Commission meeting will be in-person at Community Hall. Staff will follow up with additional information regarding training for the Dias.
o The Parks and Recreation Commission Meetings will have a hybrid option for members of the public; however, all commissioners must attend in- person to participate.
- Youth Activity Board Teen Movie Night (Minions) – Saturday, February 11 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Quinlan Community Center
- Reminder – if you are traveling internationally this year, please make sure you inform the IT Department in advance with your travel dates and locations so the Security Team knows to not disable your account while you are traveling.
COMMISSIONER ATTENDANCE AT UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS Commissioners to attend the upcoming Mayor’s meetings as follows:
February 8 – Chair Stanek
March 8 – Commissioner Begur
April 12 – Commissioner Buch
May 10 – Vice Chair Shearin
FUTURE AGENDA SETTING
Chair Stanek requested a proposed Commission annual calendar.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Stanek adjourned the meeting at 10:13 p.m. to the March 2, 2023 meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted by,
Jessica Javier, Administrative Assistant
Parks and Recreation Department
Minutes approved at the 03.02.23 regular meeting