17-0321_DUDEK_Correspondence - McCarthy, KimMayor, Councilmembers and Park & Tec Commissioners:
3/21/2017
Fla
It was my pleasure to have served on the most recent Parks & Recreation Commission. As a commissioner, I have worked
to protect and improve our city parks for the residents of San Juan. I have always operated from the viewpoint that all
discussions and decisions should be made based on what is best for San Juan residents while making fiscally responsible
business decisions.
I would now like to share some concerns and suggestions with you based on what I have learned in my time on the
commission.
Of utmost concern has been the City Manager's interference with discussion of the Eastern Open Space, especially with
respect to the Riding Park and the 2.4 Acres abutting the Oaks, by his repeated refusal to place items on agendas for
discussion, and by withholding commission recommendations and votes from the Council. I encourage all of you to insist on
transparency.
In my opinion, there needs to be a mutually beneficial relationship with San Juan taxpayers and the Riding Park by offering
additional uses to residents. According to current estimates, only 8% of San Juan residents frequent the Riding Park. I
would like to offer some suggestions that would open the park up to the San Juan residents who are paying for it:
1. The fee schedule for the Soccer fields at the Riding Park should be set by the City, not by Blenheim, and should be
rented at the same rate as all other City owned fields.
2. Soccer fields at the Riding Park should be scheduled by staff, not Blenheim, to insure that San Juan residents truly do
have first priority for field use, as promised.
3. The original Riding Park license agreement outlines allowable uses including "Storage of recreational vehicles, campers,
trailers and boats." Currently, San Juan residents are not allowed to bring their RVs to the property, but Melissa Brandes of
Bleinheim Facilities Management has stated that residents can use the RV Hook ups. I encourage this council to designate
areas allowing residents to bring and/or store their RVs, etc. on the property, and to work with Melissa to get the word out
to residents who typically can't park their RVs in their own neighborhoods.
4. Open up the park hours to match the rest of our parks. The Parks & Rec commission voted unanimously about a year
ago to set the park hours in line with the other city parks however, the City Manager failed to forward the commission's
recommendation to the council.
SID
1AIso, City -owned baseball, football and soccer fields need to be the most important priority. Money needs to be spent to
(insure fields are safe for play and yet, these fields have been consistently ignored.
EZet�ityhas an Agricultural Fund with monies that can be used to put/turf on these fields and/or to properly maintain them.
Instead, the City Manager is planning on spending $515,000 of that fund money on providing recycled water to the Riding
Park when they can continue to get water for approx. $3000 a month from The Cottons, through the Blenheim Well next
door and it is much cheaper than recycled water. It is not a solid business decision on behalf of the San Juan taxpayers to
fund infrastructure for a private business - and they do not even need it, the contract also states the City shall not be
responsible or liable for any interruption in or curtailment of any utility service.
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�AWWV Fwd: Address to counci l - wednesday
2.1.11 Companv Responsible for Riding Park Parcel Operatinj Expenses.
Company shall be responsible for payment of all costs and expenses of whatever type or nature,
incurred with respect to or othenNlse arising from Company's performance of the Riding Park Parcel
Management Services including, but not limited to: (i) all charges for heat, water, gas, electricity,
and any other utilities (and City shall not be responsible or liable for any interruption ill or curtailment
of any utility sen ice): (ii) all costs associated \kith preparing the Riding Park Parcel for, and holding,
The City Manager has also stated that by the end of 2017 he will be providing sewers to the Riding Park. This is alarming at
best. WHY is this one city park, which is supposed to be open space, taking the lion's share of taxpayer dollars, while other
city parks are ignored?
It is my contention the sewers and water lines are preparing the property for a possible bid for the 2024 Olympics. Please
discuss this in an open, transparent manner with the residents of San Juan before moving forward with these hugely
expensive projects. Thank you.
I ask that this address be included in the meeting minutes.
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