01/18/2022 Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Adopted 02/15/2022
CITY OF GILROY
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 18, 2022
6:00 p.m.
Virtual Meeting
via
Gilroy, CA 95020
MINUTES
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I. CALL TO ORDER – 6:04 p.m.
Attendee Name Title Status
Pat Bentson Commissioner Present
Theresa Graham Vice Chair Present
Ermelindo Puente Commissioner Present
Angela Reinert Commissioner Present
Efren Pineda Commissioner Absent
II. ROLL CALL
Theresa Graham 12/23 Angela Reinert 12/23
Patricia Bentson 12/24 Ermelindo Puente 12/23
Efren Pineda 12/22
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 13, 2022.
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Parks and Recreation Commission - Regular Meeting - Nov 16, 2021
6:00 PM - Commissioner Bentson motioned to approve. Commissioner
Puente seconded. Motion passed 4-0-0.
VI. APPROVAL OF AGENDA - Commissioner Bentson motioned to approve.
Commissioner Reinert seconded. Motion passed 4-0-0.
VII. AWARDS
A. Michelle Wexler – Former Commissioner Wexler received her certificate and
shared parting words.
B. Robert Miller - Former Commissioner Miller received his certificate and shared
parting words.
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VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA – Nick Kite from
Marina expressed interest in developing a disc golf course in Gilroy. He mentioned
there are courses in Monterey, San Jose, and Holister but none in Gilroy o r
Morgan Hill. Miguel from Gilroy called in and expressed his support for a disc golf
course in Gilroy. Commission decided to discuss it further at their upcoming
retreat.
IX. INTRODUCTIONS – none.
X. NEW BUSINESS
A. Selection of Chair and Vice-Chair of Parks and Recreation
Commission – Commissioner Puente nominated Vice Chair Graham to
serve as commission chair for 2022. Bentson nominated herself to serve as
Vice Chair. Graham and Bentson accepted the nominations. Motion by
Puente for Graham to serve as chair and Bentson to serve as Vice Chair.
Motion seconded by Reinert. Motion passed 4-0-0.
B. Parks & Recreation Commission Retreat Meeting, February 5, 2022 –
Since there are two vacancies on the Commission, there was discussion
about delaying the start of the retreat. Reinert made a motion to have a
regular meeting date in February (3rd Tuesday, 2/15) and use March for the
retreat, which would be held on March 5 at 9:00 a.m. Bentson seconded.
Motion passed 4-0-0.
XI. OLD BUSINESS
A. Recommend Option(s) for Outdoor Pickleball Court at a City Park –
Discussion centered on the various options for outdoor pickleball courts.
There were five comments made by the public. Four were in favor of having
permanent pickleball lines and one was opposed. Among thos e in favor,
comments made include the need to “coexist” with tennis; grants have been
applied for to cover costs of relining the courts; family-friendly; majority of
players are residents. The lone dissent said that courts at Las Animas
should remain tennis-only.
All four commissioners said that they support having permanent pickleball
court lines at Sunrise Park. None of them were in favor of adding lines to
Las Animas. They also support keeping indoor pickleball open at Wheeler.
Graham said the pickleball players should thinking about raising funds for a
future dedicated pickleball court. Bentson motioned to recommend to City
Council to permanently line the tennis courts with pickleball lines. Puente
seconded. Motion passed 4-0-0.
B. Review of 2021 Parks and Recreation Commission Work Plan – Henig
mentioned the updates to the work plan since the previous meeting:
Exchange Club donated $300 to the Youth Scholarship Fund; Staff and
commissioner Bentson reviewed the Street Tree Brochure and it’s nearing
completion; the foundation is awaiting to receive its 501(c)3 official status.
XII. DEPARTMENT UPDATES
A. Recreation Division Updates Henig reviewed the report.
B. Status of City Parks (report attached) Headley reviewed the report.
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XIII. COMMISSIONER PARK REPORTS & COMMENTS
Park Assignments
o Commissioner Bentson – Casper looks good. Noticed a tree was cut
down near the water fountain. At Christmas Hill, observed several trees
were removed.
o Vice Chair Graham – Hecker and Arroyos look good. Found vandalism at
Rainbow (stickers stuck to table and water fountain).
o Commissioner Puente - Butcher, Forest Street and Renz look good. At
San Ysidro, saw Second Harvest present and handball being played. Park
looked good. Another sign is needed at El Rob le for patron to clean-up their
dog’s poop. Current one is covered. Miller has a lot of homeless present.
o Commissioner Reinert - Gilroy Sports Park, Village Green – both parks
looks good. Sports park is busy.
o Commissioner Pineda – Absent
XIV. STAFF COMMENTS – none.
XV. ADJOURNMENT – 8:25 p.m.
Adam Henig
Recording Secretary
Recreation Division