03/16/2021 Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Adopted 05/18/2021
CITY OF GILROY
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 16, 2021
6:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers
7351 Rosanna Street
Gilroy, CA 95020
MINUTES
Page 1 of 4
I. CALL TO ORDER – 6:01 p.m.
Attendee Name Title Status
Pat Bentson Commissioner Present
Robert Miller Commissioner Present
Theresa Graham Vice Chair Present
Ermelindo Puente Commissioner Present
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 March 11, 2021.
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Parks and Recreation Commission - Regular Meeting - Feb 16, 2021
6:00 PM - Commissioner Bentson motioned to approve. Commissioner
Puente seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0.
B. Parks and Recreation Commission - Special Meeting - Feb 16, 2021
6:15 PM Commissioner Miller motioned to approve. Commissioner Graham
seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0.
VI. APPROVAL OF AGENDA - Commissioner Bentson motioned to approve.
Commissioner Puente seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0.
VII. INTRODUCTIONS - none
VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA - none
IX. NEW BUSINESS
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A. Santa Clara Valley Urban Forestry Alliance Presentation (SCVUFAP) –
Santa Clara County’s Office of Sustainability California Climate Action
Corps Fellow Olivia Rodriguez presented to the commission about the need
to increase the number of trees planted in Gilroy. The city is considered an
urban desert island because of the number of extremely hot days that occur
in a given year. Her office is requesting the commission recommend to its
city council to become a partner in the SCVUFAP. The Alliance will assist
with identifying locations where trees are needed most in the city and will
provide the materials. Chair Wexler recommended bringing back this item in
April for the commission to motion to approve recommending to Council t o
adopt a partnership with the SCVUFAP.
B. Parks and Recreation Commission Recommendations for the
Upcoming Two-year Budget Cycle. As an advisory body of the City of
Gilroy, the Parks and Recreation Commission was invited to participate in
the budget planning process and provide input on what they would like the
City Council to consider in the upcoming budget cycle. To meet the needs of
all Gilroy residents, the Parks and Recreation Commission is requesting
funding for the following the projects:
Planned Capital Improvements
COST COUNCIL PRIORITY (if
applicable)
Lions Creek Trail Development – West of Santa
Teresa
$1.24
million
Lions Creek Trail Development – West Gap
Closure
$3.023
million
Forest Street Park Expansion $600,000 Ensure Neighborhood
Benefit Equality from City
Services
Senior Center ADA Restrooms $50,000
Christmas Hill Park Trail Wayfinding Signage $87,300
Other Recommended Items (non-CIP)
ITEM COST COUNCIL PRIORITY (if
applicable)
City Arborist $150,000+/annual
Update the Parks, Recreation and Trails
master plans
Unknown
C. Adoption of 2021 Parks and Recreation Commission Work Plan – The
Commission adopted the following work plan from their February 16, 2021
retreat.
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PROJECT WORK COUNCIL
PRIORITY (if
applicable)
Review Capital Improvement Projects Recommend to Council CIP items for
upcoming budget cycle
Advocate for an updated Recreation and
Park Master Plan and new park
development
Recommend to Council for upcoming
budget cycle
Training opportunities for commissioners Participate in virtual training through
California Association of Parks and
Recreation Commissioners and Boards
Members
Host Arbor Day Plant 10-12 trees at Gilroy Municipal
Course in October 2021
Raise funds for Recreation Division’s Youth
Scholarship Fund
Continue to raise funds for Recreation
Youth Scholarship Fund
Ensure Neighborhood
Benefit Equality from City
Services
Monitor city parks Continue to provide updates and share
ideas with park staff about city’s parks;
commissioners are responsible for
reporting on their park assignments at
monthly meetings
Street Tree Brochure Complete public street tree brochure.
Install mile markers to levee Commissioners will install markers at every
mile throughout the levee, from Sports
Park to Hecker Pass Park.
Public Trail Maps With the assistance from other
commissions, commissioners will assist in
identifying park amenities.
Sustainable Tree Program Recommend to City Council to participate
as a partner in Santa Clara County’s
Sustainable Tree Alliance program.
Ensure Neighborhood
Benefit Equality from City
Services
Explore opportunities to develop a
Pickleball Court
Generate a proposed funding plan and
locations to develop an outdoor pickleball
court.
Develop a Friends of Parks and Recreation
Foundation
Assist with the launch a philanthropic
organization dedicated to raising funds for
Gilroy’s parks and recreation services
Ensure Financial Stability
Making Parks and Recreation Programs
more accessible (pre-Master Plan)
Incorporating an equity lens within the
city's parks and recreation
Ensure Neighborhood
Benefit Equality from City
Services
X. OLD BUSINESS
XI. DEPARTMENT UPDATES
A. Recreation Division Updates - Henig reviewed the report.
B. Status of City Parks (report attached) – Headley reviewed the report.
XII. COMMISSIONER PARK REPORTS & COMMENTS
Page 4 of 4
Park Assignments
o Commissioner Bentson – At Christmas Hill, stop sign at park entrance is
misleading when driving on Miller. Recommends modifying it. Headley will
take a look and report back.
o Vice Chair Graham – Pleased to see children using the playgrounds, fields,
courts and the parks.
o Commissioner Miller – Observed litter at El Roble. Question about bike
jumps. Noticed it at other park grounds. Headley is aware and will address it
in the near future.
o Commissioner Puente – Found graffiti at San Ysidro. Noticed at Renz the
slide has a hole in it and dogs were off leash.
o Commissioner Reinert – Pleased to see Gilroy Sports Park is being
heavily used. Needed clarification where Village Green was located.
o Commissioner Troy – Noticed that diamonds and courts were being
utilized again at Las Animas. Also spotted a cracked tree limb at the park.
Headley was aware.
o Chair Wexler – Found debris/trash at Del Rey. Saw unapproved painted
picnic tables at Sunrise. Headley will follow-up.
XIII. STAFF COMMENTS - none
XIV. ADJOURNMENT- 8:07 pm
Adam Henig
Recording Secretary
Recreation Division