City Council
August 27, 2024
Consider New Council Policy to Ban
the Use of Artificial Turf at City
Facilities and Open Space
DRAFT PRESENTATION
2City of Sunnyvale – Artificial Turf – August 2024
• February 2, 2024 – publ ic comments under a Non-Agenda item regarding the negative environmental impacts of artificial turf.
City Council directed staff to create a policy restricting the use of artificial turf fields on City property.
• February 15, 2024 – C ity Council Approved Study Issue ESD 24-01 – Evaluate the Use of Artificial Turf versus Ground Cover
Analyze the benefits and challenges regarding the installation of artificial turf on private properties including residential and commercial landscapes and public properties.
The study will provide recommendations for the City to develop a policy regarding the use of artificial turf
Background
DRAFT PRESENTATION
3City of Sunnyvale – Artificial Turf – August 2024
Important Items to Consider
The Cost to remove the artificial
turf from existing locations:
Fair Oaks Park
Magical Bridge Play Area
Ortega Park Cricket Pitch
Muwekma Park Play Area
The cost to replant with natural
ground covering
Reduction of field time Increased maintenance and
water costs
DRAFT PRESENTATION
4City of Sunnyvale – Artificial Turf – August 2024
Important Items to Consider – Fiscal Impacts
• Artificial Tu rf replacement qualifies for PDF
• Natural Tu rf maintenance does not quality for PDF funding • Possible Loss of Revenue from reduced field availability Filed Usage Report March 1 to November 30, 2023
Park Hours of Reservation Revenue
Fair Oaks Park (synthetic ) 5640.51 $276,932.50
Lakewood Park (grass) 2661.25 $6,784.50
Ortega Park (grass) 3419.50 $11,278.00
Washington Park (grass) 3104.80 $19,423.00
DRAFT PRESENTATION
5City of Sunnyvale – Artificial Turf – August 2024
Current Locations with
Artificial Turf
1. Magical Bridge Play Area
2. Ortega Park Cricket Pitch
3. Muwekma Park Play Area
4. Magical Bridge Play Area
5. Fair Oaks Field
6. Pa rking strips in neighborhoods throughout the
city (not pictured)
1 45
3 2
DRAFT PRESENTATION
6City of Sunnyvale – Artificial Turf – August 2024
Current Project
Redesigns
1. Community Center
Grounds
2. Lakewood Park
DRAFT PRESENTATION
7City of Sunnyvale – Artificial Turf – August 2024
Proposed New Policy
Proposal: Council Policy 3.7.3
Ban the Use of Artificial Turf in City Facilities and Open Space POLICY PURPOSE:
This policy is to address the environmental impacts from the use of artificial turf by banning its use on all city property.
POLICY STATEMENT:
The City of Sunnyvale will not use artificial turf on any city facility for any project renovating or constructing new infrastructure where artificial turf would otherwise be considered.
DRAFT PRESENTATION
8City of Sunnyvale – Artificial Turf – August 2024
• Alternative 1:
Approve the proposed policy to ban the use of artificial turf on city property and direct staff to revisit the policy upon the completion of Study Issue ESD 24-01- Evaluate the Use of Artificial Turf versus Living Groundcovers. • Alternative 2:
Do not approve the proposed policy and defer the decision pending the completion of Study Issue ESD 24-01 - Evaluate the Use of Artificial Turf versus Living Groundcovers.
• Alternative 3:
Provide other direction to staff.
Recommendation
Considerations
DRAFT PRESENTATION
Questions
DRAFT PRESENTATION