05/16/2022 Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Adopted 06/21/2022
CITY OF GILROY
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MAY 16, 2022
6:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers
7351 Rosanna Street
Gilroy, CA 95020
MINUTES
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I. CALL TO ORDER – 6:01 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Attendee Name Title Status
Pat Bentson Vice Chair Present
Theresa Graham Chair Present
Ermelindo Puente Commissioner Excused Absence
Angela Reinert Commissioner Present
Eric Arredondo Commissioner Present
Sergio Patterson 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 May 12, 2022.
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – the April meeting minutes were inadvertently not
included in the meeting packet. They will be included in the June meeting packet.
VI. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Reinert motioned to approve.
Commissioner Patterson seconded. Motion passed 5-0-0.
VII. INTRODUCTIONS – Commissioner Reinert introduced herself to
Commissioner Patterson.
VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
IX. NEW BUSINESS
A. 3781 : Recommendation to Rename Gilroy Museum's Research Room
to the Claudia Salewske Research Room – Staff liaison Adam Henig
presented a background about Ms. Salewske and explained the renaming of
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a city facility policy to the commission. He went over the criteria (outlined in
the staff report), regarding what the threshold is to have someone be named
after a city facility. Following his presentation, Gilroy Historical Society
President Connie Rogers spoke about Ms. Salewske, her central role in the
community and contribution to Gilroy’s history. Hard copies of letters of
support were passed to the commissioners for review. Commissioner
Reinert motioned to approve recommending to City Council the renaming of
the Museum’s research room after Claudia Salewske. Commissioner
Bentson seconded. The motion passed 5-0-0.
X. OLD BUSINESS
A. 2022 Parks and Recreation Commission Work Plan – Commissioners
reviewed their work plan:
• Arbor Day – The commission is considering adding more to this
annual event, making it more family-friendly. They inquired about
where it will be located this year. Park Supervisor Bill Headley
said he will follow up with a site once its determined where it
would be best to plant trees.
• Street Tree Brochure (Pat) – Bentson and Headley are working
on a third draft.
• Citywide events (Angela/Sergio) – Commissioners will be
participating in events to improve community outreach. Events
include Bike to Wherever Day, Party in the Park and Downtown
Live.
• Develop/Investigate a plan of what user group needs to do to
implement their idea (Eric/Sergio lead)– Although it’s still being
discussed, there was discussion about creating a pamphlet that
would explain the process (regarding the PRC’s role): 1) Attend
PRC meeting and make a Public Comment 2) Get it on a future
agenda 3) Present at a later PRC meeting 4) PRC decides
whether to recommend to Council. User group should be
prepared to discuss costs, location, design, etc.
• Promote Safety at City Parks by obtaining User Feedback –
Sergio will take the lead to determine what questions to ask
residents and how it will be facilitated.
XI. DEPARTMENT UPDATES
A. Recreation Division Updates – Henig reported on the Recreation Division.
See staff report.
B. Status of City Parks (report attached) Headley reported on the Parks
Division. See staff report.
XII. BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN ENCOURAGEMENT & EDUCATION UPDATE -
none
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XIII. COMMISSIONER PARK REPORTS & COMMENTS
Park Assignments
o Chair Graham – Found graffiti on playground at El Roble and graffiti at Las
Animas Veterans Park.
o Vice Chair Bentson - Dry grass reported at Cydney Casper. A dying
redwood tree at Christmas Hill. Two of the trees planted at Rainbow Park for
Arbor Day a few years ago look dried out.
o Commissioner Arredondo - Forest Street and Los Arroyos look fine.
Noticed a branch was loose at Miller.
o Commissioner Patterson - Carriage Hills, Del Rey, Sunrise – grass looks
great, but sees too many loose dogs and dog dirt at these parks. Inquired
about leash signage. Needs to be more. Heard that inappropriate material
was discovered at Del Rey playground. Sunrise has a broken water
fountain near Tennis Court.
o Commissioner Puente - Absent
o Commissioner Reinert - Village Green looks good. Sports park still has
users coming late at night and doing doughnuts in the parking lot. There is
also a user riding a mini motor bike around the pathway, obstructing it for
walkers and cyclists.
XIV. FUTURE COMMISSIONER INITIATED ITEMS
It was requested that the Commission resume the annual breakfast for
parks and recreation city staff. All of the commissioners were supportive of
placing it on a future agenda.
XV. STAFF COMMENTS – none.
XVI. ADJOURNMENT – 8:33 p.m.
AH
Adam Henig
Recording Secretary
Recreation Division