01/19/2021 Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Adopted 02/16/2021
CITY OF GILROY
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 19, 2021
6:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers
7351 Rosanna Street
Gilroy, CA 95020
MINUTES
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I. CALL TO ORDER – 6:20 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Attendee Name Title Status
Pat Bentson Commissioner Present
Robert Miller Commissioner Present
Theresa Graham Vice Chair Present
Ermelindo Puente Commissioner Absent
Michelle Wexler Chair Present
Angela Reinert Commissioner Present
Gregory Troy Commissioner Present
III. FLAG SALUTE
IV. SECRETARY'S REPORT - The Parks and Recreation Commission agenda
was posted online on and posted in the City Hall kiosk on January 14, 2021.
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Commissioner Graham motioned to approve.
Commissioner Bentson seconded. Motion passed 6 -0-0.
VI. APPROVAL OF AGENDA - Commissioner Bentson motioned to approve.
Commissioner Miller seconded. Motion passed 6-0-0.
VII. INTRODUCTIONS
A. Gregory Troy, new commissioner. Mr. Troy introduced himself and shared his
background with the commission.
VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA – none.
IX. NEW BUSINESS
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A. Selection of Chair and Vice-Chair of Parks and Recreation
Commission – Chair Wexler was nominated by Vice Chair Graham to
serve as commission chair for 2021. Wexler was the chair in 2020. Bentson
nominated Vice Chair Graham to serve as Vice Chair (who was vice chair in
2020). Wexler and Graham accepted the nominations. Motion by Bentson
for Wexler to serve as chair and Graham to serve as Vice Chair. Motion
seconded by Miller. Motion passed 6-0-0.
B. Petition to Support Passage of proposed Parks, Jobs and Equity Act –
Henig and Wexler reported that there was a petition to support proposed
legislation that would provide more funding ($500 billion) for parks and
related services to underserved communities. The petition is sponsored by
Trust for Public Land. Funding would be part of Covid-19 stimulus bill in
Congress. Questions were asked 1) who else signed the petition and 2)
when is the deadline. Neither Henig nor Wexler had a list of signers or knew
the deadline. The petition, however, is still available to sign online.
Commissioner Miller motioned to approve the signing of the petition.
Bentson seconded. Motion passed 6-0-0.
X. OLD BUSINESS
A. Review Parks and Recreation Commission 2020 Work Plan (report
attached) – Henig updated the commission that the needs assessment is
almost done. It is expected to be presented to Council at the February 22
meeting. The smoke-free park policy ordinance change will be presented to
Council on January 25.
Commissioner Miller provided an update about the mile marker. The project
is underway; markers have been staked. However, the project is on hold
due to the Covid restrictions on gatherings. Once restrictions are lifted, work
will continue. Commissioner Reinert provided an update on the GIS
mapping; planning to add park amenities to the mapping project. Reinert
also provided an update on the Parks and Recreatio n foundation. Currently,
the committee is looking into forming a 501c3 organization with professional
assistance from the Association of Park Foundations. Graham and Bentson
also provided updates on the foundation.
Wexler notified the commission that the County’s sustainability office is
planning to plant 300 trees in Gilroy, with the objective of providing more
shades in locations that lack shade, public and private. Although the
installation is free, ongoing maintenance will be the responsibility of th e land
owner.
Topics discussed for upcoming retreat include projects that are ongoing or
were not completed from 2020 Work Plan: mile markers, GIS mapping,
parks and recreation foundation, etc. Also mentioned was the park naming
process.
XI. DEPARTMENT UPDATES
A. Recreation Department Updates – Henig reviewed the report.
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B. Status of City Parks (report attached) – Headley reviewed the parks
report.
XII. COMMISSIONER PARK REPORTS & COMMENTS
Park Assignments
Pat Bentson: Mentioned that all of her parks (Cydney Casper Park, Del
Rey Park, and Los Arroyos Park) look fine. Also, went over to Christmas
Hill (on behalf of Reinert) and everything looked fine.
Robert Miller: Webbing on the baseball field fences at the Gilroy Sports
Park was coming undone. Noticed high amounts of litter at El Roble Park.
Skateboard park sign at Las Animas Veterans Park was coming apart.
Theresa Graham: Hecker Pass Park still has no sign. Miller Park looked
nice with recent tree trimming; homeless still congregate. Rainbow Park
needs more shade, would benefit from SCC’s sustainable tree program.
Ermelindo Puente: Absent.
Michelle Wexler: Lots of youth at Carriage Hills Park, and Sunrise Park, but
not too many were wearing helmets.
Angela Reinert: Christmas Hill Park, Christmas Hill Park Ranch Site, and
Christmas Hill Levee Trail. Had Bentson do it; all looked fine.
XIII. STAFF COMMENTS – none.
XIV. NEXT MONTH AGENDA ITEMS
XV. FUTURE MEETINGS February 16, 2021 at 6:00 P.M.
XVI. ADJOURNMENT – 7:51 p.m.
Adam Henig
Recording Secretary
Recreation Division