02/20/2018 Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Adopted 03/20/2018CITY OF GILROY
y DRAFT
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
6:04 P.M.
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chair
Patricia Bentson at 6:04 p.m.
SECRETARY'S REPORT
The packet was posted on the City's website on Thursday, February 15, 2018 at 10:10 a.m. and
the agenda was posted in the Public Notice Cabinet on Thursday, February 15, 2018 at 10:30
a.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Patricia Bentson, Vice Chair Troy Trede, Commissioner Terrie Berry, and
Commissioner Ermelindo Puente
Excused Absence: Commissioner John Almash, Commissioner Julie Garcia, and Commissioner
Carol Marques
Staff present: Recreation Manager Adam Henig, Parks Supervisor Bill Headley, Public Works
Director Girum Awoke, Operation Services Supervisor Bill Avila, City Engineer Gary Heap and
Police Captain Kurt Svardal.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion was made by Commissioner Ermelindo Puente, seconded by Commissioner Terrie
Berry to approve the minutes as written with a vote 4-0-0.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion was made by Commissioner Terrie Berry, seconded by Commissioner Ermelindo
Puente and carried with a vote to approve the agenda as written with a vote 4-0-0.
INTRODUCTIONS
None.
AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS
None.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
None.
NEW BUSINESS
Illegal activity at Carriage Hills Park
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Captain Kurt Svardal provided a brief report on the public's request for the call log since 2016.
In 2016, there were 44 calls for service which include community prompted and police initiated;
in 2017, there were 125 total calls for service; see attached reports. Captain Svardal also included
the highest categories of calls had been due to noise complaint, second highest disturbance and
third municipal code violations such as not using the park properly after hours. Svardal added
residents from Carriage Hills Park are in constant communication with one specific officer, who
has reported the biggest complaint received is the usage of recreational marijuana.
Puente asked Svardal the protocol of citing a citizen for smoking at the park. Svardal reported if
a citizen is caught smoking marijuana at the park a citation will be issued. Bentson asked Svardal
if patrol checks are only at night. Svardal reported patrol checks have been all hours of the day.
More discussion followed.
Public Comment:
Eric Sims, resident of Gilroy returned to speak on the issue at Carriage Hills Park, emphasizing
the excessive use of marijuana at the park and he has not witnessed any citations being issued.
Mr. Sims expressed concern that not enough has been done to curb these issues at the park.
Louis Oliveri, resident of Gilroy also returned to speak and stated he has witnessed zero citations
being given. Oliveri expressed concerns about smoking and drinking at all hours of the day. He
did not want to confront these individuals for fear of retaliation.
Jennifer Sims, resident of Gilroy also returned to speak on the issue and, on the neighbors'
behalf, emphasized that the park rules are not being adhered to. Mrs. Sims is proposing the
removal of the full courts, feeling that is what makes the park attractive. She also reiterated that
no citations have been issued and there is no follow through from the police.
Captain Svardal responded and explained that the process of issuing a citation involves the
officer witnessing a violation. If he or she does not see it, they cannot issue a citation or make an
arrest. More discussion followed.
Downtown Business Association Fountain Status
In his report, Headley presented the options to renovate the fountain. See attached report.
Comments were received from commissioners and it was agreed to leave the fountain as is. The
fountain is located behind the Gilroy Downtown Business Association building on I.O.O.F. Ave.
Puente suggested decorating it with flowers. Headley took note of the suggestions and will
follow up with the Downtown Business Association office.
Las Animas Veterans Park (LAVP) Trail Rehabilitation
Public Works Director, Girum Awoke provided a brief overview to the commission on the
recommended improvements at LAVP. Awoke mentioned a recent CDBG funding opportunity
was available in the fall (see attached reports) to renovate the park. The project focused to
improve the park pathway so it is in compliance with ADA measures as well as improving
irrigation and re -sodding of grass areas.The plan is to implement and start the renovations early
March 2018 and complete the project by mid -summer 2018.
OLD BUSINESS
2018 PRC retreat topics (Saturday, March 3, 2018)
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Henig reminded the commission that the Parks & Recreation Retreat will be held on Saturday,
March 3 at the Willey House from 9:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m. Henig advised the commission to
brainstorm on topics to include for the retreat. Discussion followed.
Topics will include:
Developing a Work Plan for Parks and Recreation Commission
Illegal Activity at Carriage Hills Park
Henig will follow up with commissioners via email on what items they choose to bring for the
breakfast potluck for the retreat.
Arbor Day Update
Headley identified three locations to plant Black Oak trees on the north side of Carriage Hills
Park along the concrete fence. Headley asked the commission to discuss and vote on holding
Arbor Day Celebration at Carriage Hills Park. Discussion followed.
Motion was made by Vice Chair Troy Trede to host Arbor Day and the regular PRC
meeting at Carriage Hills Park on Tuesday, April 17, seconded by Commissioner
Ermelindo Puente as written with a vote 4-0-0.
GPAC Update
Chair Bentson updated the commission of an upcoming GPAC meeting scheduled for Thursday,
March 22, 2018 being held at the Police Department at 6:30PM. Bentson informed the
commission due to a planned surgery she will not be present for the upcoming meeting. Bentson
will report back to the commission on the topics discussed at the April PRC meeting.
DEPARTMENT UPDATES
Recreation: Adam Henig (see attached reports)
Henig informed the commission about the following programs:
• Recreation is hiring for summer jobs; youth center, aquatics and summer camp;
• Lifeguard Certification class is being held this week, February 20 — 23, 2018;
• Gilroy High School pool will be closed this summer 2018 due to major reparations and
all swimming lessons will be held at Christopher High School pool;
• Summer Activity Guide is in process and will be mailed out end of March 2018.
Operations: Parks Supervisor Bill Headley and Bill Avila
Operations Services Supervisor Bill Avila provided a brief overview of tree maintenance
program. Avila reviewed with the commission on the city tree care and management and current
resources used for City-wide tree care. Avila referred commissioners to page 27 on the packet:
workload matrix, responsible for water, streets, parks and landscapes. He discussed the status of
the contract with West Coast Arborist, which provides the City with tree trimming. Avila
emphasized since 2015, there are eighteen established maintenance zones that have been
identified. As of this current year, eight (8) zones have been completed.
Puente asked Avila about the current totals of trees planted since 2015. Avila reported as of
2017, 106 trees have been planted (69 street trees and 37 park trees). Bentson asked Avila when
the Street Tree Brochure will be ready. Avila reported the brochure is in the beginning stages and
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will report back at a future date when this item will be ready. Bentson also asked about the
progress of the Tree City Status application for 2018. Avila said the Senior Maintenance Worker
is focusing on this item, but no target date has been set. Avila will report back at the next PRC
meeting with an update.
Park Supervisor Headley presented his report, stating replacements of two checker boards at Del
Rey Park are in progress. Headley briefly updated the commission about the status of the park
capital projects and weekly tidbits; see attached reports.
COMMISSIONER PARK REPORTS & COMMENTS
Puente had a few concerns about an increase in illicit activities San Ysidro and Christmas Hill
parks. Berry commented about an upcoming senior center meeting she'll be attending on
Monday, February 26, which will focus on cleaning graffiti.
STAFF COMMENTS
Henig reported back to the commission on the PRC presentation to City Council and it is
tentatively scheduled for Monday, March 19, 2018; and the Park Amenities report that was
originally scheduled for Monday, February 26, 2018 has been rescheduled to March 19, 2018
and it will be presented by Public Work staff, not Recreation. Henig added that the Public Art
Committee is working on a project to honor the founders of the Garlic Festival and are in the
process of creating a monument that will be installed at Christmas Hill Park tentatively
scheduled to be completed by this summer 2018. Gilroy Gardens will be hosting a "Bike to the
Future" competition on May 19, 2018.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Patricia Bentson adjourned the meeting at 7:54 p.m.
Christina Ruiz, ecord g Secretary
Recreation Department
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