01/16/2018 Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Adopted 02/20/2018CITY OF GILROY
DRAFT
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
5:59 P.M.
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chair Julie
Garcia at 5:59 p.m.
SECRETARY'S REPORT
The packet was posted on the City's website on Thursday, January 11, 2018 at 9:45 a.m, and the
agenda was posted in the Public Notice Cabinet on Thursday, January 11, 2018 at 10:05 a.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Julie Garcia, Vice Chair Troy Trede, Commissioner John Almash, Commissioner
Patricia Bentson, Commissioner Terrie Berry, Commissioner Carol Marques and Commissioner
Ermelindo Puente
Staff present: Recreation Manager Adam Henig and Parks Supervisor Bill Headley
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion was made by Commissioner Terrie Berry, seconded by Commissioner John Almash
to approve the minutes with corrections —not Chair Garcia's last meeting on PRC, but her
last meeting serving as chair —from November 14, 2017 and carried with a vote to approve
the amended November Meeting Minutes with a vote 6-0-0.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion was made by Vice Chair Troy Trede, seconded by Commissioner Ermelindo
Puente and carried with a vote to approve the agenda as written with a vote 6-0-0.
Recreation Manager Adam Henig introduced new commissioner, Carol Marques.
AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS
None.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Activity at Carriage Hills Park
Neighboring residents of nearby park, Carriage Hills spoke of the activity of the park usage that
has escalated over the past two years. Residents shared their concerns of the use of recreational
marijuana, late night basketball games and continuous parking in "No Parking" zones. Residents
also shared with the commission that the Gilroy Police Department has been contacted
repeatedly when these incidents occur. Residents expressed this was an ongoing issue and asked
the Commission to help mitigate the situation. One proposal was to remove the basketball hoops.
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Louis Oliveri, resident of Gilroy spoke on the issue at Carriage Hills Park and stated that he has
established a direct line with the Gilroy Police Department (GPD) and is asking for more drive-
bys from GPD. Dwight Holtkamp, resident of Gilroy added to Oliveri's comments and stated he
has seen people desecrate the playground structure in various ways. Holtkamp's concern is when
children use the play structure, they could contaminate themselves.
Eric and Jenn Sims, residents of Gilroy asked the commission on what is needed from them to
resolve the issue at Carriage Hills Park. Mrs. Sims asked if a petition is needed. Mrs. Sims
proposed to the commission to conduct an investigation with GPD by requesting a call log for
the past two years. Mr. Sims stated he has asked the participants politely to move their vehicles
when parked illegally. Although they have moved their vehicles, it remains an ongoing issue.
One proposal was to mark the curb red.
After receiving the public comment, the commission provided their feedback, including a
suggestion from Commissioner Bentson to attend a City Council meeting about the activity
occurring. In addition, making a public request for a call log to the Gilroy Police Department and
having Park Staff reset the light timer to turn off prior to sunset. The commission also suggested
to the public audience to return to the February PRC meeting as the commission will have a
representative of the Police Department present. More discussion followed.
Motion was made by Vice Chair Troy Trede, seconded by Chair Julie Garcia to agendize
the Activity at Carriage Hills Park for the February Parks and Recreation Commission
Meeting with a vote of 7-0-0.
NEW BUSINESS
Selection of Chair and Vice -Chair to 2018 Parks and Recreation Commission
Commissioner Almash nominated Vice Chair Trede for Chair; Trede politely declined the
nomination. Commissioner Berry nominated Commissioner Bentson for Chair and accepted the
nomination.
Motion was made by Commissioner Berry, seconded by Commissioner Puente and carried
with a vote to select Patricia Bentson as Chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission as
written with a vote 7-0-0.
Berry then nominated Trede for Vice Chair and he accepted the nomination.
Motion was made by Commissioner Berry, seconded by Commissioner Almash and carried
with a vote to reselect Trede as Vice Chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission as
written with a vote 7-0-0.
OLD BUSINESS
Annual Retreat Date (after February 10)
Henig reported to the commission in the previous PRC meeting held in November it was voted to
have the Annual Retreat on Saturday, February 10. Henig received direction to move the retreat
after the City Council's annual retreat. Henig recommended a few dates to host the retreat on a
regular meeting date (February 20, 2018 or March 20, 2018) or on a Saturday, March 3, 2018 or
March 24, 2018. Discussion followed.
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Motion was made by Vice Chair Trede and seconded by Commissioner Almash to hold the
annual commission retreat on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. at the Willey House as
written with a vote 7-0-0.
Using only city email accounts
Henig reminded the commission that effective following tonight's meeting all commission
related correspondences will be sent via city -issued email addresses.
Debrief Disneyland Raffle
Henig debrief the commission by stating 184 tickets were sold and $1,840 dollars was raised for
the Recreation Department Youth Scholarship Fund.
Arbor Day
Girum Awoke, Public Works Director was not able to make it to tonight's meeting to discuss the
status of the Tree City application. On behalf of Awoke, Henig provided the commission with an
update on the application. Unfortunately, the 2017 application for designation of Tree City status
was not submitted by public works staff because a proclamation was never produced. It was an
oversight by city staff. As a result, the City will not be recognized as a Tree City for 2017. Henig
emphasized that Public Works is determined to regain Tree City status for 2018.
Henig also followed up on the celebration of Arbor Day and asked the commission to firm up the
location and date of celebration. Discussion followed.
Vice Chair Trede suggested hosting Arbor Day on Earth Day at Carriage Hills Park in support of
the recent public comment. Headley was asked to follow up with the commission on the
feasibility of Carriage Hills Park and the commission will reconvene and vote at the next PRC
meeting.
GPAC Update
Chair Bentsen stated there are no current updates as the committee has been dark since
November 2017. Bentsen will report back to the commission once the committee reconvenes.
DEPARTMENT UPDATES
Recreation: Adam Henig
Henig informed the commission about the following programs:
• Aquatics held two (2) lifeguarding certification classes and one (1) water safety class;
• Adaptive Christmas Dance and Breakfast with Santa had over 200 people in attendance;
• Preparations are in the making for the Volunteer Appreciation Reception in March;
• Gilroy Little League has conducted their annual try -outs and practices will begin in
February;
Henig reported to the commission that Recreation Coordinator Veronica Torrez will be resigning
and starting a new job with a different city. Henig also reminded new elected Chair Bentsen to
submit an updated letter that will be publicized in future activity guides.
Operations: Parks Supervisor Bill Headley
Headley reported back to the commission about the City-wide tree replacement project fund. He
stated that city contractor, West Coast Arborists, planted ninety-seven 15-gallon trees in
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December 2017. Sixty-seven trees were targeted for City street replacements and thirty seven
replacements were targeted for parks. For further details refer to the attached report on page 10.
Commissioner Almash asked about the maintenance plan of trees versus the efficiency of
removal and replacement of City trees. Almash asked Headley to report back on the tree
maintenance plan at the next PRC meeting.
Headley also followed -up and asked the commission to vote on a park tour date: January 27 or
February 3, 201 S. The commission decided to postpone the tour to either March or April. The
commission will reconvene at the next PRC meeting with tentative dates to vote on.
COMMISSIONER PARK REPORTS & COMMENTS
Commissioner Marques reported on a few trees that need pruning at Miller Park. Commissioner
Garcia requested Henig to include updates from Gilroy Gardens and had informed the
commission that she will be absent at the next PRC meeting in February.
Commissioner Puente reported on a few items: San Ysidro Park — Basketball Backboard is
missing and the bench located by the creek side has been vandalized (i.e. graffiti); requested to
add garbage bins along the levy near Hecker Pass; and fixing the fountain near the Downtown
Business association. Headley noted the requests from the commission and clarified the trail
closest to Hecker Pass is not a city park once it becomes established as a city park — garbage bins
will be placed along the levy. Discussion followed.
Motion was made by Commissioner Puente and seconded by Commissioner Almash to
agendize the estimate cost fix of the Fountain near the Downtown Business Association for
the next PRC meeting in February as written with a vote 7-0-0.
STAFF COMMENTS
Henig updated the commission that the PRC presentation to Council will be in March and the
date will be announced once confirmed.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Patricia Bentson adjourned the meeting at 7:39 p.m.
Q
Christina Ruiz, Rfecordir&Secretary
Recreation Department
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