Commissioners present: Bob Bredel, Tom Johnstone, Carol Taylor, Gordie Burton

Commissioners absent: Cecily Harris

Staff present: Barry Weiss, Director, Guy Wallace, Parks Superintendent, Tonya Booker, Athletics Supervisor, Jennifer Moore, Athletics Coordinator, Vicky Galea, Administrative Assistant, Brian Moura, Assistant City Manager

Changes to the Order of Agenda

None.

Unfinished Business

None.

New Business

(a) Consideration of Majority and Minority Recommendations Presented by the Citizens Advisory Committee for Evaluation of Athletic Field Use Needs and Possible Solutions

Staff Report - Consideration of Majority and Minority Recommendations Presented by the Citizens Advisory Committee for Evaluation of Athletic Field Use Needs and Possible Solutions

Barry Weiss, Director of Parks and Recreation, thanked the Fields Committee for their hard work over nine months time.The committee was recognized by the audience.Mr. Weiss recognized the staff of the Parks and Recreation Department for compiling data and responding to requests for data and information.

Mr. Weiss provided some history on the fields issue.In the late 1980’s the former San Carlos High School property was being sold to the developer and the community came together to secure land for field space.Demand continued to increase and in 2001 the City Council authorized the Mark Mahady Group to complete research and analysis of the City’s fields availability, maintenance and usage.In 2001 the report was accepted, which indicated that we needed twice the capacity of current acreage in 2001 to address the capacity and demand issue.

Based on recommendations from the Mahady Report, staff met with user group representatives in 2003 to discuss the possibility of converting one or more fields to synthetic turf.The recommendation from the committee was the conversion of fields at Highlands and Heather with lights to synthetic turf.

Staff and representatives from ASAC went to the Highlands and Heather neighborhoods and met with the neighbors.The recommendation was then presented to the Parks & Recreation Commission which recommended to the City Council to convert Heather School athletic field to synthetic turf with lights and requested additional information on the possibility of converting (see Council Report) Highlands from the current sand based grass field to a soil based natural field.The City Council decided more community input was needed and did not hear the issue.

We continued the issue with a small group of representatives from Heather and Highlands neighborhoods, sports users and staff.The City Council held another discussion on the matter and directed a broad based representation of the community to review the issue, so the Fields Committee was formed.City Council interviewed and appointed 28 community members to the committee.Staff was present at the Fields Committee meetings in a technical advisory capacity, and did not vote.The Fields Committee was a cross-section of the community including representatives from each of the major sports groups, neighborhoods with athletic fields nearby, parents at large, adults at large without children at home, a doctor for health and wellness, landscape architect, members of the School Board, Parks & Recreation Commissioners and Council members and community members at large.

Mr. Weiss introduced Jeff Grace to present the Athletic Fields Committee Recommendation, along with Kirk Dryden and Norm Whitely.

Athletic Fields Committee Presentation

Citizens Advisory Committee – Evaluation of Athletic Field Needs - Majority Recommendation Report

The goal of the committee was to determine:Is there a need for additional athletic field space?What are the options, financing options, impact on neighborhoods and community, what are the obstacles and solutions in securing additional space?One key motion that was passed unanimously by the Fields Committee in April 2005 was “there is a substantial unmet request for additional athletic field use.”Field space is needed for existing programs (soccer, Little League baseball, youth softball, adult softball), as well as unmet needs (adult soccer, La Crosse, football, cricket).There is a lot of pent-up demand that we are not meeting.

The recommendation that was approved on November 17^th by 73% majority was to convert Highlands field, Heather field and Tierra Linda field to synthetic turf.There are lights already at Highlands.Lights were not proposed for Heather or Tierra Linda.The committee also recommends purchasing property to develop for a sports complex.There are major obstacles, including finding the space, developing the space, funding the space, time to accomplish this.We have immediate problems right now with demand not being met.We have to start looking at some other solutions to meet our short term demands.Fields problems have been an issue in San Carlos for about 20 years.We have not added new space in the last 10 years.

All sports programs have had to reduce programs as a result of the lack of field space. Reductions were made in practice time, game time, and there were more away games.Some of the games where we are designated as the home team, we are playing in Redwood City and on artificial turf because we can not accommodate the use in San Carlos.

Jeff Grace showed a chart of participation levels in the late 1990’s when the City was facing budget issues.At that time either the programs had to start taking care of the fields or nothing was going to get done.About $140,000 to $150,000 of costs were covered by the programs and about 1,500 man days were expended.Mark Mahady was hired to prepare the field report.His report recommended restricted use and synthetic turf.Although Jeff Grace originally was opposed to Mr. Mahady’s recommendations, he now sees that they were very good recommendations.

A chart showing the users of San Carlos fields was presented.

	Number of Players
Little League	800
Youth Softball - Girls	510
AYSO Soccer	1,500
CY Soccer	270
Middle School Soccer	100
Adult Softball	1,500

Of the youth players, 91% are recreational players.43% are girls.Adult players are 100% recreational.The majority of the players in San Carlos are recreational.

We considered a lot of information, but one of the key subjects considered during our meetings was synthetic turf vs. natural turf.Natural turf is preferred, but with it come some other drawbacks.A number of experts on both natural and synthetic turf came to speak at the committee meetings.

Comments from the Experts

• Parks & Recreation, Burlingame – injuries not a problem when they went to synthetic turf, greater scheduling flexibility.Synthetic turf was installed at BurlingameHigh School.
• Key to good synthetic turf is a very good foundation.
• Hybrid Bermuda not doing well at Murray Field.
• Community Colleges have installed three synthetic fields – College of San Mateo, Canada College and SkylineCollege.Baseball loves it at all three schools;
• Redwood City – two synthetic fields at HooverSchool.A tremendous amount of play time is gained through the two fields, through organized sports.26% increased amount of field utilization was realized by installing synthetic turf.Redwood City is converting two more fields to synthetic turf.Reducing water utilization is a driving factor in Redwood City for the installation of synthetic turf.Acknowledgement that the temperature was hot on the field was made; however, users are not complaining.
• StanfordUniversity – had problems on their intramural fields getting beat up, and is going to synthetic on those fields.
• Delta Blue Grass Company – Expert on natural turf fields conceded that given the heavy use in San Carlos we would be better off going with synthetic turf.

Synthetic is more durable, provides greater utilization, less down time for maintenance and rainouts.Last year Pony and Little League had over 200 rainouts (135 games were not made up).On some occasions there was a sunny warm day following a rainy day, and yet the fields would be closed.Synthetic turf provides greater scheduling flexibility and helps solve the current field shortage situation.

The Field Committee reviewed all the school facilities and City properties and looked at them for their size, current condition and whether they were viable options for improvement.There were some school sites that might be viable but because of their size did not really provide the benefit we were looking for.

The committee also considered the impact on property values, and discussed the impact from lights, noise, traffic and parking.

Recommendations

1. Convert Highlands Park Lower Field to Synthetic Turf.
   • This field is significantly deteriorated; it comes up in “chunks” with no roots attached, and has been a problem for the last ten years.It has to be fixed, whether with synthetic turf or natural turf.By October/November it borders on unsafe.
   • Field use has been reduced from four teams to two (operating at 50% potential capacity).It is a very versatile field; its size can accommodate a number of configurations for soccer, baseball and softball.
   • There is a lot of parking.A parking study was done several years ago and found there is plenty of parking by the tennis courts.
   • Lights provide flexibility for the older aged kids.If Highlands use is reduced to only two teams, there would be a “push down” effect and those kids would be diverted to Stadium and Crestview, displacing the children using those fields.Another consideration is that you can’t have children younger than 12 years old up on a field past 7:30 pm.Older age kids put more wear on the turf.
   • We will recoup 50% capacity that we currently do not use.Back in 2001, we functioned at full capacity. Since the Mahady Report we have seen the continual reduction in utilization.An additional six weeks will be picked up with reduced need for maintenance of the field.It is the fiscally responsible decision.It is common sense that you don’t build something new until you are utilizing what you already have.We are under utilizing the resources we have.

2. Convert Heather School Field to Synthetic Turf, with No Field Lights.

This is a field that has been maintained by Little League, and then taken over by the City.AYSO and Little League paid to renovate that field in 1996-97 at a cost of $25,000 - $30,000 to renovate.It is time to do it right and get a good field in there.Parks and Recreation have done the best they can with the maintenance of the field, but you can only do so much.There are gophers and bees there.We have seen reduced use of Heather as a result of the poor condition.It is a very large facility and has the ability to be a full size soccer field and possibly full size baseball field configured for older aged kids.There are more than 90 parking places.Additional versatility for scheduling would be gained if the field were converted to synthetic.If a natural turf field were closed in town, this field could be open.The school district has expressed its desire to have this field converted to synthetic turf.

Norm Whitely was introduced.He is a former member of the San Carlos School Board and along with Eric Von der Porten represented the School Board at the Fields Committee meetings.He stated that the City of San Carlos and the San CarlosSchool District have a long history of working together, predating the individuals involved, and actually won an award in the 1990’s for outstanding cooperation.The School District wants the fields used by the community when they are not being used for the schools.The City has been supportive and has maintained Heather field to the cost of $50,000 per year because the school district can not afford to maintain it as a community facility.

The School District has worked with girls softball for about 25 years through a couple of different organizations that have taken care of Tierra Linda fields and used them.The School District would like to encourage the City to install synthetic turf at both Heather and Tierra Linda.

The HeatherSchool community has always been enthusiastic about synthetic turf because when the field is wet they don’t let the kids (5-9 year olds) play on the grass field because they get muddy and track it into the school.The field is in marginal condition so there is the safety issue, and the field could be damaged.There isn’t enough asphalt/paved area for a comfortable recess or noontime play without the field.It is not critical to the operation of the school, but it is very desirable.

Tierra Linda is much the same issue.The field is not level but better than nothing.The school uses it, but if the City/community were to make it an all-weather, level field, that would be wonderful for the school.

Obviously any decision would have to be approved by the School Board and would require endorsement from administration, principals at schools and the Superintendent, but he has not heard any opposition over the past couple of years.He does not think there are any particular barriers from the School District.

Jeff Grace concluded the discussion of Heather with pointing out that given all the reasons people would object to synthetic turf at Heather, he feels the valid ones are:noise, traffic and parking.

In conclusion, Heather is recommended to be converted to synthetic turf as it will recoup lost capacity, recovers six weeks of down time for maintenance, will enable school use, and it is a fiscally responsible decision.

3. ConvertLowerTierraLindaMiddle School Athletic Field to Synthetic Turf, with No Field Lights.

This field has been maintained by San Carlos Youth Softball for many years.They have put a lot of work and money into this field.It is in minimal playing condition.The School District is in favor of the field being converted to synthetic.Given the size, available parking and the need to do something with that field, the Fields Committee recommends that it be converted to synthetic turf.

4.Identify and Procure a Parcel of Land for Future Development into an Athletic/Park Complex.

Identification, zoning, and development of a plan would realistically take 4-5 years before we would have a field ready to use.In the mean time we have a problem that needs to be solved.This is not an immediate solution to our current problem, but it will provide needed space.

Financial Considerations

Kirk Dryden, Treasurer of Measure G, spoke on the funds that will become available through the Measure G parcel tax and the history of that measure.In the 1980’s and 1990’s the parks and facilities were in a state of decline.Sports groups and various community organizations donated time and sweat equity to try and put a band aid approach on the parks.In the late 1990’s it became critical and there was talk about imposing a user fee on all the park user groups and it became such an unpalatable thing that a parcel tax was proposed.Measure G is a parcel tax put on the ballot in 1999, which imposes a $6 per parcel per year tax, running for 10 years.The money cannot be used and accumulates for seven years which is up with fiscal year beginning July 2007.All the money going into this fund is matched on a dollar for dollar basis by the City.At the end of the seventh year we will have about $975,000.The original purpose of Measure G was to provide a source of funds so that in times when the City is stretched from a budget standpoint, there is money that can go towards the parks and park facilities so that we don’t find ourselves in the position that we found ourselves in back then, and we seem to be in now.The amount of money that will accumulate for the next three years until the provision sunsets is an additional $418,000 for a total funding of about $1.4 million.The majority recommendations to just redo the three fields with synthetic that we have spoken about is $4.3 million.There was talk in the committee about selling the piece of property the City owns on Chilton as a potential source of funding.Although the original charge to the Fields Committee from the City Council was not to include funding issues, as the committee looked into the fields issues, it was hard to separate the solutions from the dollars needed to implement them.Also discussed was the difference in maintenance from natural and synthetic.It is about $58,500 per year on average, so in the space of ten years, a natural field will cost about $585,000 more in maintenance costs over a synthetic field, extrapolating that over three fields, it becomes a pretty significant number.The cost of water in the future will be going up, and that will put more stress on the Parks & Recreation Department to maintain a natural field.

Gordie Burton asked Kirk Dryden, “if you spent all the money on one or two fields, would that violate the intent of Measure G, or do you think that that is ok?”Kirk stated that, “Measure G was originally set up to provide a source of funds for capital improvement projects in San Carlos parks and park facilities.It can’t be used for general maintenance, it was not intended for that.It doesn’t violate that, but if you look at Measure G and think it is a silver bullet, it is not.It is just a source of funding, but we have to look at other ways of funding.Measure G is just a down payment.The intention was to use Measure G for these types of things.”

Conclusion

• San Carlos cannot continue to allow our existing resources to operate at less than full capacity while we pursue long-term remedies to the field shortage situation
• All three fields recommended for renovations are in a deteriorated condition requiring significant improvement.
• Renovating the playing surface with synthetic turf will increase available time for City and community programs, as well as provide a high quality, safe playing surface.
• Therefore, the City of San Carlos should pursue the above recommendations to realize the near term benefits described to help address the current field shortage situation.

Questions were then asked of Jeff Grace regarding his presentation.

Bob Bredel asked, “Outside of the lights, can you tell me why Highlands was ranked number one over Heather?”Jeff Grace responded, “Versatility, size allows for configuration of larger fields and secondly that leads to usage by older age kids.You need a larger field configuration to accommodate the older athletes and therefore the older athletes place a significant stress on a field versus the younger kids.”

Bob Bredel then asked, “Is there not room for a full size soccer field at Heather?”Jeff responded, “Yes, I believe you could get one in there, but a lot of games are played in the evening.”

Bob Bredel asked, “With regard to Tierra Linda, is it true that the City of San Carlos could not get on that field until after 5:00 pm?”Carol Taylor added, “I think that is a question for the School District.”Jeff Grace responded, “I will defer to Norm Whiteley, but I know that there are school programs that preclude us from getting on there till after 5:00 pm.”Norm said that, “School programs come first on school property.Once we are done, we are delighted to have the City do that.I think at Tierra Linda there is a potential issue because middle school kids play competitive soccer in the middle school league and that is a spring sport which is the same time that softball is in action so I think down the road there is an issue with negotiating use of that field.I think that the School District totally understands that the City puts a lot of money into it and will want some control over it, but I think it is negotiable.”Eric Von der Porten added that, “There aren’t any hard and fast rules but speaking for myself, we are open for discussion.”

Bob Bredel asked, “You mention softball in your report, and softball is a spring sport for the City of San Carlos, so let’s take the next half of the year.At 5:00 pm in fall and winter when it is dark, that would basically leave the City no time on that field unless there were lights at Tierra Linda.”Norm Whiteley responded, “I don’t think that the School District particularly has any objection to lights.The school doesn’t have any use for the field at night.The school wouldn’t be putting lights in for school functions, but I don’t know of any reason other than community interest why lights would not be acceptable.The politics of putting lights in at Tierra Linda are somewhat different than putting lights in at Heather because it involves another city.I don’t know if that makes it any easier, but it makes it different.Certainly the field is available in the summer and in early fall before daylight savings time goes out it is available, and on weekends.But you are right, if it is not lit, in the winter by the time school is done with it, there is not much time for use.”

Bob Bredel asked Jeff Grace, “Obviously Tierra Linda is on a terrible grade.Was there any consideration given to the cost to level that field?”Jeff Grace did not have the figures handy, but Barry Weiss responded that in his staff report, “Grading for lower Tierra Linda would be approximately $126,000.”Carol Taylor added, “In total synthetic field installation at Tierra Linda would be $1.375 million.Installation at Heather is $1.308 million.“

Bob Bredel asked one final question of Jeff, “I believe that we are hemorrhaging with the younger kids.I am just wondering when you guys went through your deliberations, how much if any consideration was given to adult sports?Because, the way I see it, we have adult softball and that is about it, and even that is marginalized heavily.I’ve thought, if we are hemorrhaging at the 6 and 8-year-old level, and I know from sitting on the ASAC Committee and others, people have always been good enough to say, we’ll give it up for the kids.Was adult interaction on those fields or participation in sports a factor in what the committee discussed?”Jeff Grace responded, “Yes, it was but not extensively.There is a need that we cannot meet, as discussed earlier in the presentation.There used to be three women’s adult soccer teams not long ago in San Carlos, but they are not playing here any more.There is interest in men’s adult soccer.”

Minority Recommendation Presentation

Citizens Advisory Committee – Evaluation of Athletic Field Needs - Minority Recommendation Report

Katherine Tynan presented a PowerPoint presentation.The minority report was a collaboration of the Fields Committee members: Greg Harris, Michelle Mojas, Katherine Tynan and Carol Taylor.

The mandate for the Fields Committee was set by the City Council.The reason it took nine months was because there was a lot of discussion, arguing back and forth about details, assumptions which led to some frustrating discussions, and that is why we have a minority report.

• Determine the current and projected field space needs

We all agree that San Carlos needs more field space.We are underserved relative to the surrounding towns.Redwood City and Foster City have many more fields relative to their population.The committee never created an objective set of criteria for evaluating any of the scenarios that you saw presented this evening.We were unable to reach consensus on the time of year when the greatest crush on field space occurs.The analysis indicated that it was in fall or spring.None of the fields under consideration are going to address that fall and spring crush.Which sports?The analysis shows it is really soccer driving the need.Which age group?Analysis shows it is U12 soccer.People have found other outlets in surrounding towns on the peninsula.We all agreed that the solution for San Carlos is a new field and would have the biggest impact. The upside is that if we get a new field, then there is more capability for the general community to drop into the parks and enjoy the fields in our community.

• Identify options to secure additional field space

We can all agree that land is at a premium on the peninsula, particularly in San Carlos.It was agreed that the schools probably represent the most underused land in the city.Tierra Linda campus has 750 middle school students.CentralMiddle School has about 500 students.Heather Elementary has several hundred students.Obviously there are a lot of children in town and they need places to play, and there are fields at all of those schools.Those fields are not in very good condition; they need to be updated and renovated.The question is how should that happen.We looked at additional space including the city owned property at North Crestview.This was viewed by the committee as a viable option but would need grading.A full sized soccer pitch could be placed there.This was viewed as too difficult to develop and could not build consensus behind that.The consensus that the city should identify a plot of land on the east side of the city in the industrial area was agreed upon but was too difficult to satisfy the short term wants of the majority of the committee.

• Identify financing options and costs

We agreed that Measure G represents the best immediate source of funds; however despite the numbers you have seen, none of these budgets are finalized or represent a hard and fast number that we can hang our hats on.None of these projects have been initiated or priced out.Chances are that Measure G will not be sufficient to fund any individual installation.They would consume all of Measure G funds to benefit probably less than 10% of San Carlos households if we assume that 10% of households are represented by soccer families.We agreed that the City should consider selling land in order to acquire new land for a new park.Unfortunately the committee was conflicted on this and issued a contradictory recommendation in its final vote saying it would sell land i.e. the Chilton property, to invest in disposable capital improvements.There has been a longstanding commitment in the city not to sell land unless we could buy new land.Most of the financial analysis done to date many of us would argue is less than optimal.There was considerable disagreement about assumptions, costs, amortization, assets and maintenance.

• Identify impact to neighbors and the community

It was agreed that no neighborhood in San Carlos is going to welcome the installation of ball field lights.Many of the people who live around Highlands bought property there knowing that was the situation.Ball field lights at Heather would have an impact on real estate values of the surrounding properties, being on a prominent plateau and there would be significant light pollution.It was agreed that Highlands is a heavily used park and there was high priority by the team sports to convert it to synthetic because it has lights and you could play there till 10:00 pm every evening.BurtonPark was also considered with additional lights to make a full size soccer pitch, and it was deemed that it is already at full capacity with baseball. Crestview was also considered, and because it could not accommodate a full size soccer pitch, it was not included in the considerations.Sufficient input was not received from Tierra Linda or CentralMiddle School neighborhoods.A satellite photo of the Highlands neighborhood shows one road into the area.100% capacity at Highlands would be quite tight for access to the area.Heather neighborhood is probably the highest density residential area surrounding any field under consideration.Within 300 feet of the boundary are over 90 residences on Portofino and over 70 condos, each selling at $800,000 with floor to ceiling windows.Imagine what ball field lights on 75 foot pylons would do to those residents.It is a prominent plateau and was agreed by everyone that lights at Heather were not a good idea and unlikely to get passed.

• Identify obstacles and solutions to securing additional space

Land is at a premium.East side non-residential area was seen as being too difficult to find a spot there.Very limited criteria was used to assess each of these sites – anywhere that could fit a full size soccer pitch – so Heather, Tierra Linda and Highlands were the only ones seriously considered.Control by the sports interests was the next major criteria.

–HighlandsPark is governed by the City so it could be scheduled by the City.Highlands was the top option because it currently has lights.

–HeatherElementary School was seen as the next best option, also controlled by the City.Heather Elementary was seen as the second option because the elementary school children would not be competitive with prime time use of the fields.

–Tierra Linda is currently controlled by the school and maintained by San Carlos girls youth softball, and there would be conflict with school scheduling of the field. Tierra Linda campus represents a significant resource with space for a full size soccer field and we think it could coexist with softball.It is not favored by the sports groups because the school would need to have priority.There is potential to mitigate traffic issues due to middle school students staying on site after school and not driving away.There are about 750 students there that could use the field.

–Central represents a significant resource.There is an opportunity for a practice field.This focus on full size soccer fields kept us away from some of the sites that potentially could be developed.

Conclusion

The minority believes that we need a new park in San Carlos and that we should put together whatever funding strategies we need to do to obtain land to develop a new park in San Carlos.We also recommend conversion of the field at Tierra Linda to synthetic turf, and the acquisition and development of a new sports field.The minority thinks that this provides the best and most benefit for the citizens of San Carlos given our current resources.

Staff Recommendation - Barry Weiss, Director of Parks & Recreation

The majority and minority both agree that we need more field space.They agree synthetic is part of the solution, the only question is where.Our job was to provide data and information requested by the Field Committee, Commissioners and anybody else.We feel we have done that, and now our job is to make our best professional recommendation and put it in the hand of the decision makers.As you know from your report, but many in the audience may not, our recommended alternative supports pieces from both recommendations.

First of all, we support going after Highlands, Heather and Tierra Linda because it is going to take more than one field to solve the problem.We also support the priority from the committee’s recommendation:Highlands first, Heather second, Tierra Linda third.Highlands is the only full size fully lighted field, it provides the most flexibility, the most varied amount of use by age groups and uses.It is not being used to full capacity.We own it and fund it currently.Heather is our second priority because it can give us a full size soccer field.Originally we had supported lights, but we can go forward without the lights.Lights would give us more use and more flexibility.It is in bad shape, like all three fields.Tierra Linda and Heather are in worse shape than Highlands, but that is because of the drastically reduced usage at Highlands.Tierra Linda would be our third priority because first priority should be given to a field with lights giving more flexibility to accommodate all ages and uses.Tierra Linda would require additional resources, besides the initial outlay of approximately $1.3 million, to provide additional staff resources to maintain and schedule use on the field, and we are in a budget reduction mode.If we were to renovate Tierra Linda first, we still have a problem with Heather and Highlands with no funds to address the problems.

We do not support the sale of the Chilton property or Crestview property.That limits our ability to fund at this point, but we feel we would like to hang onto land.We agree with both the majority and minority reports that we need to continue to look for additional land.Ideally we would go out and get more land if we were not in a built out area.We really only have three choices:1. Get new land; 2. Reduce usage, which no one wants to do; 3.Increase usage and participation on existing surfaces, which means synthetic turf.Lastly we recommend that the Commission recommend to Council that we be directed as staff to come back with short range funding for one field and long range funding for the other two.We think that we can put together funding for one field for the short term.None of it would involve general fund dollars.

A couple things that also led us to our recommendations are, we heard the realtor tell us that he was unsure there would be negative impacts on residential homes.The costs provided by staff were accepted by the committee.We tried to base them on actual costs provided by Redwood City and professional estimates provided by our engineer for grading, and my Parks staff for maintenance, etc.We also looked at all the sites and decided that this would be our preferred alternative.We are ready to go forward with whatever is decided.Ultimately we are here to best serve the entire community.

Questions

Carol Taylor asked, “When you mentioned that additional staff would be necessary in order to schedule and maintain Tierra Linda, this would be as a synthetic field, so presumably it would take a minimum of maintenance.”Mr. Weiss responded that, “It would take a minimum; we would not need a full-time maintenance worker for that.Remember we do nothing currently at Tierra Linda. We are currently short staffed.I don’t think we would need an additional full-time person to schedule that, but I cannot ask Tonya and Jennifer to take that on, so we would need additional part-time help.I don’t think that would be huge amounts of money, but it is not there as we are in budget cut mode.”

Gordie Burton asked, “Would that be worthy of negotiating with the school district, could they perhaps handle the little required maintenance?”Barry responded, “We are taking the School Board members at their word when they say that they are glad to contribute the land, but they cannot contribute any financial resources.If that were to change, that would certainly be a benefit.We would like to see a financial contribution at some level.”

Public Comment

1. John Buchanan, 48 Chilton Avenue, San Carlos – Opposed to the sale of city owned land, either dedicated or long used as open space in order to fund athletic field improvements.Suggested a more prudent approach of either planning and building a fund over a period of years through the budget process or seeking voter approval of a parcel or assessment tax.
2. Michael Stafford, 62 Sequoia Court, San Carlos – There is a need for more parks and open space in San Carlos.Once it is gone, it is gone.The open space is for everyone to use and also a legacy to future generations of San Carlos citizens.
3. Mark Howitson, 56 Sequoia Court, San Carlos – In that open space, you will see a family of deer in the morning.In the afternoon, children play there.The City of Good Living does not begin or end with sports fields.You cannot sell one park to benefit another one, to benefit a few people who play in the sports parks.
4. Jacki Yahn, 228 Beverly, San Carlos – One of the missions of Parks & Recreation is to protect environmental resources, and it is a contradiction to sell a park to fund a short term use.They are precious and worth more every day as land is developed.
5. Will Stambaugh III, 201 Manor Dr., San Carlos – Soccer Coach.We’re here for the kids, to give them a place to play and something to do.If we don’t do something about our fields, we’re going to be reduced even more.Worries about future generations of kids not having a place to play.
6. Dorothy Lund, Chilton Avenue, San Carlos – Urges preservation of open space.Do not sell Chilton property.
7. Irene Loeffler, 25 Bayview Drive, San Carlos – Pro sports and pro open space.Open space is the reason we moved to our neighborhood.Open space enhances the community.Sports also enhance the community. She is a soccer mom and baseball mom, and she is against selling open space.She would like to look for other alternatives for funding.
8. Tristan Loeffler, 25 Bayview Court – Loves playing at ChiltonPark.Gathers with his friends there.We need to save ChiltonPark.
9. Eileen Parson, Chilton Avenue, San Carlos – Lived at Chilton Avenue for 50 years.Concerned about selling off irreplaceable open space and the negative impact of traffic that would be generated if developed with homes and the same for the parcel up on Club.Find another way to fund the project.
10. Joyce Irby – Selling open space is not the way to fund the project.
11. Michelle Mojas – Member of the Fields Committee, part of the minority group and resident of the Heather neighborhood.Strongly encourages the Parks & Recreation Commission to approve the addition of a new field, such as improving property at the Crestview lot and not sell Chilton property or other properties.Persistently look at seeking new property, whether it be in the industrial area or wherever.Believes this would be the best use of City dollars rather than paying for synthetic turf that has a life span warranty of 10 years.Synthetic turf at Heather and Highlands will further impact neighborhoods that are already heavily impacted.Traffic and parking issues as well as insufficient port-o-potties.
12. Tim Roake, Madera, San Carlos – Both the majority and minority agreed on the need to replace with synthetic turf at Tierra Linda.There are traffic issues there.Everyone has agreed that turf is safe.Has followed the issue for a couple of years while it has been debated and endless committees formed - we’ve done enough of that.Everyone agrees that there has to be a fix at Highlands and Heather.He referees at Heather, and feels that it is not safe.This should be our paramount concern.Regarding Highlands, the minority says in their report that they think it is OK, but then go on to say that we could dramatically improve it if today’s field was replaced with a natural grass field.I beseech you to remember that you are the commission for the entire city, not for any particular neighborhood and the children are an important component of this city.
13. Heidi Crone, Glasgow, San Carlos – A soccer, softball, Little League and now a Pony mom.Heard Al Gore speak on Global Warming.Replacing the grass at HighlandsPark with plastic and rubber is wrong.It displaces acres of oxygen producing grass.Highlands is an extension of our open space.Has seen children choose to sit on concrete rather than on synthetic turf, it is that uncomfortably hot in the sun.Maybe the rubber comes from recycled tires, their chemicals can produce respiratory distress and potentially cancer.
14. Richard Crone, Glasgow, San Carlos – AYSO soccer coach.Read an excerpt from an article in yesterday’s Chronicle titled, “Stanford Has Just the Tickets for Fans, Plans to Fill a New Stadium.”Stanford Cardinal will play on a grass field, coaches and former players argued for a grass field.The cost associated with grass came out even when compared to the long term cost of synthetic turf.The coach was quoted as saying that a good grass surface was good for recruiting new players.The real issue for the commission is vision and foresight for meeting the long term needs of the whole community.Synthetic turf is not a renewable resource.As it degrades, it will degrade the quality of life.Preserve the natural grass at Highlands.
15. Ken Wrasse, Portofino, San Carlos – Represents the 400 Association of condo owners, 36 condo units on Portofino Drive above HeatherElementary School.Supports comments made by Katherine Tynan about the impact due to noise and lights.Even though they are not proposing adding lights at Heather, they are proposing adding conduit.Noise has a significant impact due to the natural amphitheater of the environment.
16. Bob Corwin, 860 Regent Court, San Carlos – Regarding traffic – we are not talking about increasing the number of cars, we are talking about the duration.There is not going to be a significant traffic issue.He referees and umpires with AYSO, and does this because it enables the kids to have the experience of playing sports.Wants his own two children to have the opportunity to play sports and go to practices, gaining skills and learning about teamwork.If the issue is not resolved shortly, his children will be in college before it is resolved.It will then impact the children of the next generation.He finds the condition of all the fields unsafe.
17. Jeff Cleland, Aberdeen, San Carlos – Has three children and coaches AYSO, Little League and San Carlos Youth Softball Association.Does not think turf is the solution to what San Carlos needs long term.Concerned his 3-year old won’t have grass or open space.Spending tax payer money to benefit a few people for a short time is not a good use of funds.Build more fields, not waste money on turf.
18. Linda Morrisey, 109 Dundee Lane, San Carlos – read a letter for Suzanne Olson who could not be here tonight.Has a condition that prevents her body from detoxifying itself from chemicals.Can not be anywhere without optimal air quality.She is able to walk at Highlands without adverse health effects.If synthetic turf is installed she believes she will no longer be able to walk in the park, and will risk chemical exposure in her home which faces Torino.Limited chemical sensitivity is quite common. It is important to avoid the use of chemicals when you can, as in this case.Linda Morrissey added her own comments, that it would be a big mistake to replace the grass with synthetic, and there are no long term studies of the health effects.
19. Chris Frangos, 61 Sequoia Court, San Carlos – Lives adjacent to ChiltonPark, stressing it is a park and not a property.Children use it regularly.Has coached for 10 years in San Carlos.The issue is raising money for turf or natural grass.He suggests a park foundation be formed to create an ongoing fund to generate income for the parks.
20. Ken Rudin, 120 Dundee Lane, San Carlos – Regarding Highlands, we have to share.If it is converted to turf, we lose the park.Showed pictures of San Mateo Jewish Community Center, which has turf about two years old.Pictures show grass after two years which is showing signs of fading, depression, and build up of debris.The subsurface, beads of plastic rise to the top and stick to you.It is also flammable.
21. Danielle Huerta, 205 Glasgow Lane, San Carlos – Supports soccer.However, the $3 million to turf both Heather and Highlands would only buy limited incremental hours and swallow up all the Measure G money, which had been intended for lots of different projects.If we are going to spend all the money, let’s build a new field.
22. Kendall McCann, 2704 Montserrat Avenue, and Raelyn Tepper, 197 Glasgow Lane, San Carlos – Students at CarlmontHigh School.As part of government class, did a survey of 223 middle school students at Tierra Linda and Central.Results show:72% of the middle school students played on turf and of those 72% only 36% said they liked the grass better.
23. Greg Harris, 100 Glasgow, San Carlos – Member of the Fields Committee.There is just one reason that Highlands was selected as the top priority, it has lights.Data did not show that the problem is field space at night.
24. Martin Crew, 747 Knoll Drive, San Carlos – Soccer Coach.We all have a big responsibility to encourage our kids to live the healthiest possible lives that they can, and if we don’t provide them with the fields they need for healthy outdoor exercise, we are failing them.Urges taking this into account and the urgency of doing something about this.
25. Walter LeClair, Glasgow Lane, San Carlos – Does not want his kids playing on synthetic turf.HighlandsPark is a park, has multiple uses, elderly walk there, people have picnics there.Imagine having a picnic on synthetic turf.The proposal caters to special interests as a first priority.The safety of the children should be first.His daughter played at Tierra Linda and every game, the field was coned off.Proper public policy dictates that funds be used for existing fields to ensure they are safe.There is a complete disregard for the environmental effects at Highlands.An environmental impact report needs to be done and proper studies.
26. Pam McGee, 1951 Birch, San Carlos – Thinks the city needs a master plan.Opposed to selling land.Opposed to synthetic turf.We need to tax to fund schools and parks.Children don’t need to start sports at age five.
27. Mike Ahern for Barry Johnson, Dundee Lane, San Carlos – Opposed to synthetic turf.$1.7 million for synthetic at Highlands, using all the Measure G funds doesn’t seem right.
28. Chris McKay, 272 Fairmont, San Carlos – At the time San Carlos High School was closed, there was a lot of discussion about setting aside land for a sports complex.It was a concern even then, and due to a lack of long term planning, we sit here 20 years later still trying to get action taken.Hopes that action will be taken, and better the community.Urges passing the proposed plan and putting it into action.
29. Chris Hawkins, 2710 Melendy, San Carlos – Concerned that children have a place to play.Opposed to selling land and synthetic turf.
30. Alicia Frangos, 61 Sequoia Court, San Carlos – Lives near ChiltonPark.It is a treasure and should not be given up.Do not sell open space.Brought a picture of ChiltonPark.
31. Karen Molinari, 22 Coleman Court, San Carlos – Thanked staff and community members for their work on this issue.People that are not part of organized sports use the parks.It comes down to whether you are willing to pave in plastic what little remaining natural resources we have in this community.Willing to participate in fund raising campaign to make sure the community builds the facilities and resources needed for the children.
32. Anne Tang, Glasgow Lane, San Carlos – HighlandsPark, notHighlands sports complex.Uses the park daily as a park.The park would be fenced off from all other use.For the 10-15% of people that use the park for sports, there is another 80% that use it as a park.
33. Ben Tang, Glasgow Lane, San Carlos – More information about additional hours of play for each solution, including a new field is needed.Wants a long term solution.Opposed to synthetic turf.Concerned about using all Measure G funds for one item.Explore parks plan and funding, and bring to the voters for a funding measure.
34. Sandra Mentan, 66 Northam Avenue, San Carlos – Pleased with a thorough, thoughtful and creative presentation by the majority, minority and staff.Thanks to all for their time and efforts, and preparation of the reports.Concerned with sale of park and open space land.It is not a viable option to obtain more land.Do not sell land.
35. Bonnie McClure, 128 Northam Avenue, San Carlos – Urges committee takes alternate #3 in staff report, not selling Chilton or Crestview.Synthetic turf at Highlands is for the lower playing field.There will still be a park for those wanting a place for casual park activities.At Heather there would be plants surrounding the field for oxygen.At Tierra Linda upper field is grass.There are other fields and parks in town with natural grass.This is an accommodation.As for the suggestion that there be a parks foundation, one was approved at the last City Council meeting.Urges all to give money to the parks foundation.
36. Bob Black, 585 Dartmouth Avenue, San Carlos – Supports testimony of Mr. Buchanan.Wants preservation of open space.
37. Ray Merala, 520 Pearl, San Carlos – Part of the Fields Committee.The committee has already done the work for you.Originally was opposed to synthetic turf, now feels it is a solution.The warranty is 10 years, but the expected life is longer.The committee has given you a valid recommendation.You have to think seriously about Highlands.
38. Stephanie Samuelson, 52 Chilton Avenue, San Carlos – Opposed to sale of ChiltonPark.Works with Gary Dilley, for San Mateo County Community College District.The way all three synthetic fields were done at Canada, CSM and Skyline, was through a certificate of participation, which is a type of funding.Also, the San CarlosSchool District can do a proposal and recommendation to the Office of Public School Construction and the Department of the State Architect will issue you funding according to your proposal, whether grass or turf.The reason the colleges picked synthetic turf is that they tested it for three years.
39. Mark Crager, Glasgow, San Carlos – Agrees with Jeff Cleland.Children play sports.Lives near Highlands.Feels the effects of traffic and parking will be negative.Measure G was for all parks.It is irresponsible to drain the budget for gaining a small incremental amount of hours.
40. Andy Billings, Glasgow, San Carlos – In favor of committee’s report.Highlands has always been a shared facility.That will continue to be there with both natural grass and synthetic turf.The committee is only asking that it go back to the original capacity, not more than it was planned for.
41. Meme Rasmussen, Kent Avenue, San Carlos – Injured ACL on synthetic turf at Carlmont high school.Has met many people who have turf injuries.Urges looking at the safety issues of turf.
42. Tim Knuth, 23 Elston Court, San Carlos – Agrees with the minority, Highlands and Heather are near each other and the impact if you put synthetic in both parks will be substantial.The traffic problem will be terrible.Put a plan together to buy property.
43. Paul Cannon, Somerset Court, San Carlos – Take a long term view.A new field is the ultimate solution.
44. Margaret Warren, 1040 Hewett, San Carlos – Does not want synthetic turf.Spending Measure G money on short term solutions, and then asking for more money later for a sports complex does not make sense.Bank the money and go for a long term solution.Voters will go for keeping parks and a long term solution to the fields issue.
45. Jeff Klein, 112 Dundee Lane, San Carlos – Both the NFL and professional baseball have gone away from synthetic turf.The athletes realized they are far more injury prone on synthetic turf than on grass.Tierra Linda is a better spot if you have to put in synthetic turf.You wouldn’t have to fence it, there are few San Carlos neighbors that would be impacted, and there won’t be a parking problem.Parking is an issue at Highlands.
46. Esther Klein, 112 Dundee Lane, San Carlos – Concerned the committee didn’t see there are safety issues with turf.Also, when the land for HighlandsPark was set aside it was for a park not a sports complex.Feels Highlands is at more than full capacity now.The answer is to build more fields.Feels we are over scheduling our children with too many activities.
47. Brian Best, 97 Wessex, San Carlos – Keep Chilton open space.
48. Pete McMahon, 16 Elston Court, San Carlos – Measure G was presented to the tax payers as a solution to funding all sorts of projects throughout San Carlos.We are proposing to use all the funds for one project.Only older kids playing soccer will benefit.The New England Journal of Medicine linked staph infections resistant to antibiotics, to seven times more risk of infection.There is a study that shows the ambient temperature on synthetic turf 30 feet away from grass was 93.5 degrees and on the turf it was 180 degrees, which is life threatening.The condition of the fields in 10 years is unknown.What would an earthquake do to the substructure?Several turf companies in the country have gone bankrupt.How are we going to collect on our warranty?
49. Rob Holden, 2436 Melendy, San Carlos – Regional Commissioner for AYSO.Considerable representation from Highlands neighborhood tonight.City Council has seen this issue evolve over four years, as has the Parks & Recreation Department and Commission.The City Council appointed the committee whose membership is representative of the entire city.Urges the Commission to look at the recommendations solely, as opposed to what you are hearing from certain people who have agendas.
50. Ed Ebbers, 181 Glasgow, San Carlos – Realizes need in the community for more fields, but increased utilization in his neighborhood means increased traffic, decreased quality of life.Synthetic strikes him as a short term fix.We need a dedicated athletic facility designed to be used around the clock, not turning a neighborhood park into a sports complex.
51. Emily Stambaugh – Plays on the San Carlos Crush and practices at Heather.There are a lot of gopher holes there.In favor of synthetic turf because it is easier to play on.
52. Richard Wachter, Glasgow Lane, San Carlos – Not in favor of synthetic turf.It does affect property values.The developer, White Cliff, was able to develop the area that was San CarlosHigh School, by donating a part to the City as a park, which is why he purchased property there.He threatened the City with a class action lawsuit.He would move if Highlands was converted to synthetic.
53. Kevin Holden, 1140 Cedar, San Carlos – President of San Carlos Youth Softball Association, member of the Fields Committee.Supports the majority recommendation because we are out of field space.The kids are not getting the space they need.He supports kids being active, not over scheduled, and that is why he supports organized sports.Supports converting Tierra Linda to synthetic which SCYSA maintains with no help from the School District.Acknowledges that they will lose control over maintaining the field and will have to work closely with the City.Supports converting Highlands to synthetic because it could be kept open year round.Concerned about comments made tonight about what the commission is going to vote on tonight.Noted that purpose of this meeting is only to pass comments to City Council which put the Fields Committee together.Hopes the commission’s comments will advance some kind of field space for the kids in San Carlos because we are in a desperate situation.
54. Cal Huntzinger – There is a State law that mandates that the city has to give equal access.This could be an issue at Tierra Linda in terms of youth softball.The Mahady Report points out recommendations and there is some wiggle room in that report.City Council received a recommendation for a $50,000 study to do a broad community based study.They elected not to appropriate funds to do that study.That precipitated formation of the Fields Committee.We do not have a master plan for Parks & Recreation.We don’t have definitive objective criteria for doing development.We are in the process of completing a third grass park.If grass was good three times, why is it not good again?Strongly urges the commission to spend the money for a master plan.

Gordie Burton moved to close public comment and Tom Johnstone seconded the motion.The commission unanimously agreed to close public comment.

Deliberation

Carol Taylor reminded all present that the Commission is advisory to the City Council.The Citizen Advisory Fields Committee is advisory and reports back to City Council.Council requested that we have this hearing before the Commission tonight.It’s a park issue, and seems appropriate.Regardless of what we decide tonight, this issue will go forward to the City Council, along with the majority report, minority report, staff observations and what we decide tonight.

Carol Taylor addressed the fact that her name was on the minority report.She explained that she voted as part of the group of six that were not in agreement with the majority.However, she feels that being on the committee, it was reasonable for her to acknowledge the fact that she had voted that way.There was not complete agreement among the six in the minority that voted at the final meeting, and she is not sure there is complete agreement now among those that signed off on it, but she thinks that there were some valid points and she felt that they deserved to be heard tonight.

Bob Bredel stated that he could not recommend any proposal that recommends the sale of Chilton property.Carol Taylor said land is too valuable a resource to give up.All commissioners agreed.No mention was offered regarding land sale.

Tom Johnstone provided handouts to the commission.He stated that San Carlos is park-poor.We are turning away activities such as football, and girl’s softball needs a place to play.There is a need for a new playing field.The difference between synthetic turf and natural turf is double the use with added use possible with both synthetic turf and lights.The answer in the short term is to add a synthetic field with lights.Tom wants to see partnering with the schools.School land is affordable, offers plenty of parking and the schools benefit.We need to look at Heather, Central and Tierra Linda.

Gordie Burton stated that he prepared for this meeting by visiting several of the sites under discussion in order to make an informed vote.He feels there is a difference between a field at a park and a field at a school.A school field is for the community and youth sports.At a school you get more “bang for your buck.”Gordie visited the proposed synthetic field sites, and in his opinion Highlands does not look “bad.”Heather is “bad”, and Tierra Linda is “horrible.”

Bob Bredel stated that the problem with synthetic at Highlands is too much of a burden upon the neighbors.There would be less of a burden upon the Heather neighborhood (than Highlands) if Heather were to be converted to synthetic.Any field would have to have lights.He is not in favor of putting City funds into Tierra Linda since we cannot maximize our use there.The biggest “bang for the buck” is at Heather.

Carol Taylor stated that we need a synthetic field, maybe not three.The school district may want to re-open the JPA to include City maintenance and scheduling of a new field at Tierra Linda.Tierra Linda is in the worst shape.Tierra Linda should not be eliminated because we don’t know about our access there.

Tom Johnstone stated that we would need lights at Tierra Linda if that is the chosen field.Otherwise it would not be worth the $1.3 – $1.6 million cost to renovate these fields.Lights are very important for either Heather or Tierra Linda.

Carol stated that lights should be put at a new sports complex.Lights at Heather and Tierra Linda would only give us winter night hours.

Tom Johnstone questioned where you would put a sports complex.The cost for a sports complex would be $10 million for the purchase of a 5 acre site, where would we get the money?We would have to sell land and pass a bond measure.He asked staff whether the $10 million figure in the Staff Report included the full cost to develop a new field in the Industrial Area.

Brian Moura stated that it may cost around $14 - $15 million dollars for land and development in the industrial area.This would include the cost of land purchase, field construction and other potential costs such as relocation and site clean-up.

Tom Johnstone said that he prefers focusing on fields at Tierra Linda or Heather and new land at CentralMiddle School or LaureolaPark.We would have to buy parcels surrounding those sites.

Bob Bredel stated that for the three years that he has been a commissioner, the number one issue has been lack of field space.He doesn’t want to wait another 8-10 years for a “sports complex.”

Gordie Burton said that we should expand Tierra Linda to a full size synthetic field, and add lights.He looked at the site and determined that fewer residents would be impacted at this site than at Heather.At Tierra Linda seven houses would be directly affected and there may be issues with Belmont.

Tom Johnstone stated that he could go with either Tierra Linda or Heather.

Barry Weiss stated that if we go with Tierra Linda, it is a short term solution and uses all the funds available in the short term.We do not currently broker or perform maintenance on Tierra Linda and additional funds would be necessary.We are currently responsible for Heather School Field.If Heather field were to fail, we would have no funds to fix it.Highlands could continue with reduced use.An important note is that there was no representation from the Tierra Linda neighborhood on the Fields Committee, as no one responded to our mailing to that community and applied to represent that area on the committee.He stated that it is a gamble to put all our available funds into Tierra Linda and not Heather.He said it would be unprofessional of him to support Tierra Linda for the first option as it would put the City at financial risk.

Tom Johnstone asked if the Commission could recommend synthetic at Tierra Linda or Heather and pick one for lights (or let staff decide).

Carol Taylor feels that Tierra Linda is a better choice with more youth served, less transportation and traffic issues.

Gordie Burton likes Tierra Linda over Heather, but now on hearing Barry Weiss’ concerns is unsure.

The cost for improving Heather field with natural turf is estimated at $818,000.

The cost for improving Heather field with synthetic turf is estimated at $1.3 million.

Carol Taylor suggested a bond measure for fields, but it would need to incorporate more than fields alone to gain the community interest.

Bob Bredel stated he would prefer to go with Heather.

Tom Johnstone said his first choice would be Heather, and second choice would be Tierra Linda.

Carol Taylor said she thought that Heather was picked by the committee because it is already included in the JPA with the school district.She likes Tierra Linda for the traffic reasons.

Tom Johnstone made a motion:

1. Synthetic at Heather with lights, and synthetic at Tierra Linda with lights would be a backup site if Heather is not fundable.
2. Begin long term process to secure additional space at Central or Laureola for a synthetic turf field with track and lights.
3. Begin process to discuss lights with Carlmont.

There was no second to the motion.

Carol Taylor stated that the recommendation to City Council should be:

1. A synthetic field at Tierra Linda
2. A second field as funds are available at Heather

Tom Johnstone made a motion:

Go forward with a synthetic field with lights at Heather with synthetic turf and lights at Tierra Linda as the backup site.Gordie Burton seconded the motion.The motion was not passed, with a vote of 2:2.

Carol Taylor made a motion:

Synthetic turf field with lights at Tierra Linda with synthetic turf and no lights at Heather as the backup location if an agreement for use of Tierra Linda cannot be reached between the City and School District.Gordie Burton seconded the motion.The motion passed with a vote of 3:1 (Bob Bredel not in favor).

Tom Johnstone made a second motion:

To begin the process to obtain more land adjacent to Central and Laureola or another site in San Carlos to have another field.Motion was seconded by_____________.Motion passed with vote 4:0.

Commission Reports

(a) Task Force Reports

None.

Staff Reports

(a) Update on February 26, 2006 San MateoCountyParks and Recreation Commissioners Training Workshop

Commissioners are encouraged to register for the San MateoCountyParks and Recreation Commissioners Training Workshop.Training agenda and flyer are enclosed in the packet.

(b) Park and Recreation Programs and Services

Barry Weiss provided highlights from the staff report:

• San CarlosParks and Recreation has been named to receive three statewide awards from the California Park & Recreation Society.
  • Award of Excellence – Facility Design and Park Planning: HillcrestCirclePark Renovation.
  • Champion of the Community Award:Wendy Walter and Laura Gottsman for their work on the Hillcrest Circle Park Renovation.
  • Award of Excellence – Best Activity Guide:Summer 2005 Activity Guide.
• Wood chips from the tree downed at Cordilleras and San Carlos Avenue during the past storm were re-used at HighlandsPark.Approximately 85 cubic yards were dumped on the city owned lot on Industrial Road.If we did not use them the City would have to pay $1500-$2000 to have them disposed at a landfill. We placed them at HighlandsPark in an open space used by dogs as a restroom facility. There were several reasons we chose this site for the chips; this area gets muddy after rain and the dog walkers complain about slipping and tracking the mud. The chips are part of our Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM) practices to suppress weed growth, thus reducing labor and use of chemicals to kill the weeds that grow in this area in the spring.

Public Comment

Laura Perani, 520 Pearl: Feels that staff’s and the committee’s research and recommendations were ignored.Feels Commission Chair Taylor abused her power as chairman by pushing her personal preference of Tierra Linda and being part of the minority report.

Ray Merala, 520 Pearl: The Fields Committee met and reviewed data for 9 months.The commission tonight ignored their work and resulting recommendation.

Bonnie McClure: Tierra Linda is a middle school which has team sports that will use the field until 5:00 pm.There doesn’t seem to be much time for additional use.Heather is an elementary school and serves younger children, not participating in teams.She feels the City will obtain less available play time on a new field at Tierra Linda and is concerned about the City’s fiscal responsibility at Heather.

Rod Lehr, 183 Mesa Verde: Feels betrayed and disillusioned following tonight’s meeting.He was a member of the Fields Committee.He feels offended that the majority and staff’s reports were ignored by the commission.

Commissioner Tom Johnstone responded that he did not ignore the recommendations of the Fields Committee.He explained that his opinion from two years ago had not changed.He just came to a different conclusion.

Heidi Crone stated that she feels the recommendation for a new artificial turf field at Tierra Linda or Heather direction will help girls softball.

Barry Johnson, Glasgow Lane suggested that the Palo Alto Medical Foundation may be able to give us land or a sports complex.He suggested that the city develop a master plan for the long term, a 10 year plan should be developed.

Barry Weiss responded to the comments from Heidi Crone, stating that girls softball does play at Heather and Highlands.We are addressing the requirements of AB 2404.

Jeff Grace stated that he supports fields for girls.The majority of soccer users at Highlands are girls.

Set Date and Time of Next Meeting

The Commission set Wednesday, March 1, 2006 at 7:00 P.M. as date and time for next meeting.

Adjournment

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:52 P.M.