City of Sunnyvale
Meeting Minutes - Draft
Parks and Recreation Commission
7:00 PM Online and Bay Conference Room (Room
145), City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave.,
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Giri called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
SALUTE TO THE FLAG
Chair Giri led the salute to the United States flag.
ROLL CALL
Chair Prakash Giri
Commissioner Daniel Bremond
Commissioner Prashant Gattani
Commissioner David Kesting
Commissioner Dona Mason
Present: 5 -
Council Liaison Klein (present)
PRESENTATION
A 23-0748 PRC Purview and Study/Budget Issue Process
Superintendent of Recreation Services, Damon Sparacino, provided a presentation on PRC Purview and Study/Budget Issues Process. Highlights included: Council policy statement, general duties, specific duties, work plan and study issue process.
Commissioners inquired and staff responded:
Are study issues only for policy and not operational issues? Yes.
B 23-0609
Sunnyvale Tree Program
Urban Landscape Planner, Leonard Dunn, provided a presentation on the Sunnyvale Tree Program. Highlights included: reason for trees, urban forest management plan, how do we compare, whats the canopy cover goal, planting and
Attachment 5
August 9, 2023Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - Draft maintenance issues, and ecosystem benefits.
Commissioner Kesting opened for public comment.
Elisa F. informed the Commission that she has been waiting three years for her tree to be trimmed. During that tie, two branches have fallen onto her property. This has caused her to feel uneasy. She hopes that Council would provide more thought to funding and maintaining trees in Sunnyvale. Additionally, she asked that the City provide more transparency on which requests was next in the queue.
Superintendent of Golf and Parks, Jim Stark noted that staff receive a tremendous amount of calls regarding trees each day. Due to the COVID pandemic, tree maintenance was on hold for 2-years as a cost saving measure. Recently Council has reinstated funding and prioritization for staff to maintain trees and focus on the liquid amber program. These items are taking time to start up, but he thanked the public for their patience.
Commissioner Kesting closed public comment.
Commissioners inquired and staff responded:
Where does the City stand on planting fruit trees? Planting fruit trees is great on private property, but does not recommend in public spaces due to specific care and fruit droppings.
How can the City increase canopy cover on private and commercial property? We would need to increase education on the benefits of planting trees and informing patrons of subsidized programs to increase desire for owners to plant trees on their property. Most people are nervous about the maintenance and footprint of planting large trees.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Gary T., Elisa F. and Scott C. were proponents of the City exploring off-leash dog park areas in the City of Sunnyvale. They noted that they have forged friendships and fostered community with their neighbors while walking their dogs.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Commissioner Kesting moved and Commissioner Bremond seconded the motion to Approve the Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of June 14, 2023 as
Attachment 5
August 9, 2023Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - Draft submitted with the amendment that the following notes be added:
1. PG&E and the City own the easement property
2. Status of the property lots in the Cherry Chase area are privately owned by PG&E and the City
3. Currently there is an existing study issue regarding this particular park (study issue 01-315)
The motion carries by the following vote:
Yes: Commissioner Bremond
Commissioner Gattani
Commissioner Kesting
Commissioner Mason
4 -
No: 0
Abstain: Chair Giri1 -
1 23-0710
Approve the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
Minutes of June 14, 2023
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS
2 23-0706 Selection of Chair and Vice Chair
Commissioners discussed and nominated Commissioner Kesting as Chair and Commissioner Mason as Vice Chair. Both accepted their nominations. Staff conducted a roll call vote and both were approved unanimously.
Commissioner Bremond moved and Chair Giri seconded the motion to approve the selection of David Kesting as Chair and Dona Mason as Vice Chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission. The motion carried by the following vote:
STANDING ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL STUDY ISSUES
None.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS & COMMENTS
-Commissioner Comments
Commissioner Kesting noted that the Washington Community Swim Center staff delivered exceptional service this past weekend.
Attachment 5
August 9, 2023Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - Draft Commissioner Giri asked how often does the City level fields. Staff answered not very often unless its a usability or safety issue. Commissioner Giri also asked if any parks would be using recycled water. Staff responded that currently only Sunnyvale Municipal Golf Course and Encinal Park use recycled water. Currently the City is renovating the water plant and plan to use more recycled water in the future. -Staff Comments
Jim Stark noted the City of Sunnyvale takes care of street trees, unlike most Bay Area cities. If patrons are interested in maintaining the street trees immediately themselves, the City will grant a permit to do so.
Council Liaison Klein informed the Commission that State laws keep the City from requiring commercial land have a minimum canopy cover.
INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS/ITEMS
3 23-0712 Parks and Recreation Commission Proposed Study Issues, Calendar Year: 2024
Standing item. No study issues approved in previous meeting were proposed.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Giri adjourned the meeting at 8:55 p.m.
Attachment 5