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Home My WebLink About2003-08-04 City Council (10)TO: City Man HONORABLE CITY City of Palo Alto s Report FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTM]~NT: COMMUNITY SERVICES DATE: SUBJECT: AUGUST 4, 2003 CMR: 384:03 APPROVAL OF INTERIM BASKETBALL USE ON THE TENNIS COURTS AT TERMAN SCHOOL; APPROVAL OF PROPOSED PARK & SCHOOL SIGNAGE/SIGN IN SYSTEM TO PROVIDE OPTIMAL SECURITY FOR THE TERMAN PARK FACILITIES DURING SCHOOL DAYS; AND TO REFER TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION PROPOSED LONG TERM ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONSFOR PERMANENT BASKETBALL COURTS AT TERMAN PARK RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that Council: 1. Approve the interim use of tennis courts for basketball at Terman in a manner not to interfere with-use of the tennis com-ts, as well as the proposed security si~o-nage/sign in system for Terman Park; and, 2. Refer to the Parks and Recreation Commission the issue of a proposed long-term solution for additional basketball courts at Terman Park for its review and recormnendations. BACKGROUND As a result of the June 14, 2003 City/School Liaison Colmnittee meeting, a Council Colleagues Memo, dated July 14, 2003, was sent to the Council by Councilmembers Kishimoto and Burch, discussing the need for cooperation between the City and the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) relative to security at the new Terman Middle School and the addition of more basketball courts. Council directed staff to pursue the following items from the Council Colleagues memo for planned improvements by PAUSD for Terman Park: Initiate discussions with District representatives for long-term options for providing a closed campus at Terman for the District. ¯Work with District staff on a project to construct additional basketball courts at Terman. Because the public will use the courts during non-school hours, staff will need to explore sharing equally in the costs of court construction and in developing a design that is acceptable to both the City and the District. CMR:384:03 Page 1 of 4 Work with District staff on interim (maximum 12 months) solutions if new courts cannot be built in time for the August school opening. Work with the District on a temporary (maximum 12 month) signage and sign in system that will provide an optimal level of security access for the Terman Park joint use facilities during the school day, within the parameters of the Joint Use Agreement and Park Ordinance. Bring proposed wording for the signs back to Council prior to implementation. Ensure that the Terman Specific Plan, Park Ordinance and CEQA requirements are taken into account and brought to Council for direction, as necessary. DISCUSSION Interim Solutions-Tennis/Basketball Courts Staff recommends that until additional basketball courts can be constructed PAUSD be allowed to place portable basketball standards on the four existing tennis courts, which would have to be removed daily at 3:30p.m. by PAUSD. This will provide 8 half-court basketball playing areas. The interior tennis fencing precludes full court basketball use. No additional striping or removal of existing interior fencing or nets would occur. PAUSD is exploring options with the Terman Termites Tennis Club for replacement windscreens that would provide more see-through visibility for school security issues. (Attachment A) Another alternative explored was the installation of temporary basketball standards along the driveway in and around the bus turn around. This concept was not found feasible due to the uneven slope of the current surfacing for drainage and the fact that the asphalt in this area is a very course aggregate, both of which could result in safety issues and student injuries. Interim Solutions - Security Signage Staff was asked to work with the District and return to Council with proposed signage verbiage and a sign in system to address security concerns while also complying with the public access requirements of the Joint Use Agreement and Park Ordinance. Staff and the District have come up with the following signage verbiage to be posted at the park/school entry locations: "Welcome to Terman Park. During school hours (7:30a.m. to 3:30p.m.), visitors should register at the school office." Long Term Solutions Staff recommends that Council refer the issue of the long-term options for basketball and tennis facilities to the Parks and Recreation Commission and report back to the Council with pro’s and con’s and a preferred alternative. Some oft he options include: CIvIR:384:03 Page 2 of 4 Convert two tennis existing courts to basketball courts/construct two additional basketball courts directly adjacent towards the ball field; and construct two new tennis courts in the gass area near the Glenbrook entry, (Attachment B- Scheme 2A) Construct 3 ½ new basketball courts by Glenbrook entry point (Attachment C -Scheme 3 S) Relocate baseball diamond across the park near the creek; construct 4 new basketball courts in the previous baseball area. (Attachment D -Scheme 2B) Amend the Terman Specific Plan to allow fewer tennis courts. Staff will remm to Council in September with the recommendations f~om the Parks and Recreation Commission. RESOURCE IMPACT There are no general fund costs associated with the recommendation for PAUSD to install temporary basketball standards. POLICY IMPLICATIONS Any option that removes facilities specifically called for in the Terman Specific Plan will require a plan amendment recommended by the Planning and Transportation Commission and adopted by the City Council. Relocation of the tennis courts was anticipated in the specific plan if necessary to enhance other athletic facilities. The plan also considers noise impacts to adjacent neighbors if the tennis courts are relocated and seeks to "not duly interfere with the continued enjoyment of their property by the nearby residents." II (D) (2). CMR:384:03 Page 3 of 4 TIMELINE The School Board has expressed concerns about the speed with which the City is able to complete its review of the proposed project. Optimally, construction could commence in the spring of 2004. The following fimeline is a suggested timeline, which may need to be amended depending upon how the project progresses. Council refers project alternatives to Park & Recreation Commission August 4 Parks & Recreation/Community input (2 meetings)August Parks & Recreation recommendations to Council September Staff prepares environmental review September. (including evaluation of impacts from noise, on trees, drainage, etc.) Architectural Review Board review-preliminary October Planning and Transportation Commission review October City Council consideration, including: ¯Park Improvement Ordinance, Costs, ¯Amendment to Terman Joint Use Agreement and/or Terrnan Specific Plan; construction agreement November ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A: Attachment B: Attachment C: Attachment D: Interim basketball courts on existing tennis courts Alternative basketball]tennis court configuration Alterna.ti~¥eS~ourt configuration A!tgrn~tive basketbal~h~nm-ig-d-6-fi’rt~seball diamond configurations PREPARED BY: "-... ~~~ ,~"~ PAUL DIAS _~I~o~ks and~ivision AUL THILTGEN ~Con~Tty"---------~/"~Ser~.~CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: ~ _2_ EMIL~ HARRISON Assistant City Manager Cc: PAUSD CMR:384:03 Page 4 of 4 Attachment A Coud Terman Middle School PAUSD 07.23.03 Temp. B-ball Attachment B Terman Middle School PAUSD 07.23.03 Scheme 2A Attachment C Terman Middle School PAUSD 07.23.03 Scheme 3S Attachment D Terman Middle School PAUSD 07.23.03 Scheme 2B