05/15/2018 Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Adopted 06/19/2018' CITY OF GILROY
DRAFT
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
6:14 PM
Tuesday, May 15, 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, May 10, 2018 at 2:35 p.m. and the
agenda was posted in the Public Notice Cabinet on Thursday, May 10, 2018 at 2:46 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Patricia Bentson, Commissioner Terrie Berry, Commissioner Julie Garcia,
Commissioner Carol Marques and Commissioner Ermelindo'Puente
Excused Absence: Vice Chair Troy Trede and Commissioner John Almash
Staff present: Recreation Manager Adam Henig and Parks Supervisor Bill Headley
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion was made by Commissioner Terrie Berry, seconded by Julie Garcia to approve the
minutes with corrections and amendments:
• Chair Bentson was listed twice on roll call and Julie Garcia was not listed and under PRC
Work Plan (change made)
• Commissioner Garcia strongly advocated for building a BMX Track at the Gilroy Sports
Park and it be included in the Work Plan and carried with a vote of 5-0-0.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion was made by Commissioner Julie Garcia seconded by Commissioner Ermelindo Puente
and carried with a vote to approve the agenda as written with a vote 5-0-0.
None
AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS
None
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
None
NEW BUSINESS
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SCC Public Health Event,10/6 at CHP
Michelle Wexler from Santa Clara County Public Health and Ashley Navas, an intern for Santa
Clara County Parks, spoke about programs trying to promote public health through fitness. She
discussed the Let's Go to the Parks event at Christmas Hill Park on Saturday, October 6 from
10:00-12:00 p.m. The purpose of this event was to encourage usage of the park among
populations that are underatilizing it. Wexler used a PowerPoint presentation and handed out
flyers about the event. After the presentation, Commissioner Puente asked if they are having
these programs in school. Wexler said she would look into it. Henig added that the County is
working with the school to promote a walk to and from school program with Gilroy schools to
promote health and fitness.
California Proposition 68, the Parks, Environment and Water Bond
Bentson reported that Proposition 68 which would generate approximately $4 billion over a 30-
year period to improve the State of California's parks, environment and water infrastructure.
Commissioners agreed it would be a good proposition to support.
PRC Park Assignments
On their work plan, the commissioners agreed to each have at least two parks to report on at each
meeting. Here were their park assignments:
• Ermelindo Puente San Ysidro Park, Forest Street Park and Butcher Park
• Julie Garcia El Roble Park and Gilroy Sports Park
• Pat Bentsen Christmas Hill Park and Del Rey Park
• Terrie Berry Carriage Hills Park, Sunrise Park and Los Arroyos Park
• . Carol Marques Las Animas Veterans Park and Miller Park
Troy Trede & John Almash were absent and will select from the remaining parks.
Below are the concerns they should note while observing their designated park assignment:
• Park Safety
• Drug Activity
• Clean and safe Bathrooms
• Homeless Activity
• Be eyes and ears for the public
• Report activity at the park
• Use a checklist
Commissioner Communication
Henig reiterated the communication expectations regarding professionalism when on the dais.
He also reminded the commissioners to check their city email accounts at least once a week if
not twice. Also, Henig requested if the commissioners have any questions or city related issues
to please reach out to him first, so he can connect him with the appropriate staff members or be
able to answer it himself Lastly, Henig reminded the commission that the City Council will be
discussing commission work plans at the May 21, 2018 meeting.
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OLD BUSINESS
PRC Work Plan: Set calendar and move forward
Henig referred the commissioners to the Parks and Recreation Commission Work Plan on page
7. Henig suggested coming up with a calendar to address each project for start and completion
date.
• Garcia would like park safety on the agenda and also the Great Garlic 5K
• Bentson would like to have the tickets for the Great Garlic 5K available at KDA which
will be on August 25, 2018. Garcia will try to request the tickets sooner.
• Henig will help identify park staff for commissioners, so they can reach out to them and
find out what are their city's best practices when it comes to dealing with homelessness
and illegal activity at a park.
• Henig will get mission statements from 3 different cities
• Garcia would like to have a flyer of all of our parks available (Henig informed Garcia
there is information about parks in the Guide; a parks brochure could be developed if
staffing is available)
• Garcia would also like to note that it is important the commissioners are included in the
process to provide input in the CIB before staff has completed it.
Street Tree Brochure and Tree City USA status updates
Bill Headley, Park Operations Supervisor (see attached report)
GPAC Update
Bentson reports that the GPAC did have their presentation to council. She will provide emails if
there are updates.
Department Updates
Recreation: Adam Henig (see attached report)
Operations: Parks Supervisor Bill Headley (see attached report)
Commissioner Park Reports & Comments
Commissioner Puente spoke about the following city own facilities: San Ysidro Park, El Roble
Park, Willey House
• Graffiti on back of the Handball Court
• Clogged Drain on the north side
• Grass has been aerated and looks good
• The two trees trimmed at the Willey House looks good
• El Roble Park looks good — a lot of use
Commissioner Garcia — El Roble Park
• Everything looks good. Julie did ask Bill on the schedule regarding the picnic tables
getting power washed. Headley will share with the maintenance crew.
Commissioner Marques — Miller Park
• Trees by Miller Park between Princevalle and Carmel Street need to be trimmed because
the alley is very dark — (Headley will share with maintenance)
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• Would like Gilroy Gardens to stay open every night until 9pm. Berry is a docent for
Gilroy Gardens and she stated that they had opened for Illumination and other special
events at the later times.
Commissioner Berry — Reported she had attended the anti -graffiti meeting and the graffiti at San
Ysidro Park was not reported. They did do some work on the trail by Gilroy High School.
Chair Bentson — Christmas Hill Park, San Ysidro Park, Forest Street Park
• Noticed the new wood chips on the Ranch Site
• The door on the men's restroom is in horrible condition and would like a staff report on
replacing the door on the agenda
• Would also like a status report on the acquisition parcel for Forest Park (Headley will
bring back in a report)
• Bentson asked about the status of the acquisition of Gilroy Gardens. City Administrator
Gabe Gonzalez stopped by and spoke on this topic. Discussion followed.
Staff Comments
None
Next Month Agenda Items
• Annual Staff Appreciation Breakfast
• Staff Report for replacing bathroom door
• Staff Report on the Forest Street Acquisition
• Park Safety
• Mission Statement (July)
• Great Garlic
Chair Patricia Bentson adjourned the meeting at 7:37 p.m.
Angelic Guerra, Recording Secretary
Recreation Department
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