However, one item on the consent calendar involved Kevin Moran Park, and so a single motion just wouldn't do.

The item in question was a renewal of use agreements with AYSO, Saratoga Little League, Saratoga Pony League and Quito Little League for the use of city parks for organized sports. The agreements stipulated that fees from the sports groups would bring the city approximately $47,267 in yearly revenue.

"Tonight's vote does not change anything," Councilwoman Ann Waltonsmith said. "It's the same as last year's plan."

The agenda item did not address the new soccer field that is being designed for Kevin Moran Park, but allowed for the continuation of the soccer practices that currently take place there.

Opposing factions that had struggled over the issue of a full-sized soccer field at Kevin Moran Park were present at the Feb. 1 council meeting. Soccer representatives were there to ask for increased use of Kevin Moran Park and make sure neighbors didn't get the chance to take away the use they already have. Neighbors of Kevin Moran Park were there to make sure sports user groups didn't receive any additional agreements for weekend practices.

During public hearings, the issue of additional meetings of the Kevin Moran Task Force was raised. The task force was originally formed to choose a compromise design plan for the park that satisfied park neighbors, sports user groups and Saratoga residents at large. But the task force was unable to compromise on the issue of a full-sized soccer field. The city council broke the deadlock on Jan. 4 by voting 4-1 for a full-sized field.

Mayor Norman Kline had pushed for additional task force meetings to allow neighbors to provide input during the design phase of the park. However, those meetings have yet to convene.

Denise Goldberg spoke before the city council to assure council members that her husband, Marty Goldberg, one of three neighborhood representatives on the task force, wanted to participate in any future task force meetings. Her husband has been away on business but wanted to remain involved.

AYSO representative Howard Miller, one of two sports user group representatives on the task force, said it had been difficult to bring the task force back together partly because of conflicting schedules and partly because the previous meetings had been so "emotionally draining." He said right now the design process for the park was in an unknown stage. "If we spend another two weeks to get the whole task force back together to review the plan, it's time well spent. A fully inclusive process will help everyone address their concerns and work everything out."

After the public had its say, the city council unanimously approved the consent calendar item that renewed the city's park use agreements.

Mayor Norman Kline was absent.