02/19/2019 Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Adopted 04/16/2019
CITY OF GILROY
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 19, 2019
6:00 p.m.
Police Department Community Room
7301 Hanna Street
Gilroy, CA 95020
MINUTES
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I. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was called to
order by Vice Chair Ermelindo Puente at 6:00 p.m.
II. FLAG SALUTE
Puentes led the pledge of allegiance.
III. SECRETARY'S REPORT
The packet was posted on the City's website on Friday, February 15, 2019
at 12:59 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Vice Chair Ermelindo Puente, Commissioner Marcos Gonzalez,
Commissioner Michelle Wexler and Commissioner Theresa Graham.
Commissioner Terrie Berry (arrived at 6:11 p.m.)
Excused Absence: Chair Patricia Bentson.
Staff present: Recreation Manager Adam Henig and Parks Supervisor Bill
Headley
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
There were two amendment requests: 1) Under item# XVI, the future
meeting date should have read February 19, 2019 (not February 12), and
under item #XIII, the second paragraph starting with 'Bentson..." was
mistakenly repeated under item #XII.
Motion was made by Commissioner Gonzalez; seconded by Commissioner
Wexler to approve the amended January 15, 2019 minutes as note d.
V. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
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Due to template issues, the original agenda read a start time of 9:00 p.m., it
was corrected to reflect 6:00 p.m.
Motion was made by Commissioner Gonzalez, seconded by Commissioner
Wexler and carried with a vote to approve the amended agenda as written
with a vote 5-0-0.
VI. INTRODUCTIONS
VII. AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS
None.
VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
None.
IX. NEW BUSINESS
A. Bicycle Friendly Community Public Survey Results & Report Card
Chair of the Bicycle Pedestrian Commission (BPC) Zachary Hilton informed the
League of American Bicyclist has awarded the City of Gilroy at the Bronze level
designation as a Bicycle Friendly Community. The Bronze designation is valid for
four years and will be up for renewal in 2022. Hilton stated there was an extensive
application process that took place and the BPC collaborated with Gilroy Police
Department and the Engineering Department to complete the application. He
referred the commissioners to the scorecard listed on page 11 of the meeting packet.
A public survey was conducted. Majority of residents wanted to see bike parking
infrastructure in shopping centers. New recreational adult riders would like to see
bike trail maps. Park Supervisor Headley asked if there will be a sign at the city
entry side. Hilton stated he hopes to order four signs and city staff could place them
at the respective sites. In addition, Wexler piggy backed on Hilton’s report, stating
that the “healthy city reports” has lots of information related to Hilton’s report that
the commission will find of interest. She suggested the commission take a look into
it in a future meeting.
B. March 2019 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Date
As explained in the staff report, Henig provided three options for the March 2019
regular Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. The Commissioners decided to
support option B, which eliminated the regular meeting (scheduled for March 19) in
lieu of the March 23, 2019 retreat at the Willey Cultural Center.
Motion made by Berry; seconded by Gonzalez and carried a vote of 5-0-0.
C. Consider Proposal for Gateway Park Master Plan in the Hecker
Pass Specific Plan Area
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Headley referred the commissioners to pages 13-16 of the packet. The mini park
located at the southwest corner of Hecker Pass Highway and Santa Teresa
Boulevard will be presented to City Council next month. It has a proposed
monument curved sign at the corner with numerous amenities such as bike racks,
tables, a bike repair center and a multi-purpose water fountain. This is not a
destination park (which means there is no bathroom or a dedicated parking lot). The
name of it is Gateway Park and is part of the Hecker Pass Specific Plan. The City is
not paying for the construction of the park (developer will be), but the City will
maintain it. There will also be pedestrian directional signs used to locate other city
bike trails.
A motion to recommend City Council approval of the Gateway Park master plan
and park name was made by Commissioner Gonzalez; seconded by Commissioner
Berry and carried a vote of 5-0-0.
X. OLD BUSINESS
A. Fiscal Year 2019 Training Budget Expenditures
Henig stated $585.38 has been spent from the $1,000.00 commission training
budget. He asked the commissioners if they had funding proposals. None did.
Wexler asked if there was training specifically for parks and recreation
commissioners Henig explained there was a training in October 2018 in Belmont
(Bentson attended). He will keep commissioners abreast of future events. Wexler
informed the others that she will be attending a children and nature training in
Oakland this spring through her place of employment. If commissioners are
interested in attending, Henig can forward the information.
XI. DEPARTMENT UPDATES
A. Recreation Department Report
Henig provided a report (see attached report)
B. Parks Report
Headley referred commissioners to page 21 of the packet
XII. COMMISSIONER PARK REPORTS & COMMENTS
Park Assignments
Vice Chair Puente:
Butcher Park-looks clean;
Wren Park: He mentioned an electrical cover issue.
Forest Street Park: The electrical cover was replaced, the street light at the
corner needs to be replaced;
San Ysidro Park: under the canopy, he spotted graffiti on tables. He noticed
the bathrooms are dirty and a fountain is not working.
Commissioner Berry-
Carriage Hill- the basketball back board needs fixing. The other parks look
fine.
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Commissioner Wexler:
Hecker Pass Park looked fine;
Carriage Hill Park - received notification from a community member that one
of rock climbing elements is loose;
Downtown: on the corner of 6th street and Monterey, a city tree is missing.
Commissioner Gonzalez:
Las Animas Park-nothing to report; He noticed the tennis courts are being
utilized by children and adults. In fact, much of the park was full of family
activity.
Commissioner Graham:
Rainbow Park - was being utilized by family members. She noticed the side
boards have graffiti on it;
Miller Park -she is concerned with the large visible homeless population.
She also noticed a branch was hanging over a tree and swinging wildly
about. Also, there are pine noodles dropped throughout the grounds.
XIII. STAFF COMMENTS
Henig stated Julie Garcia has resigned as Parks and Recreation
Commissioner.
XIV. ADJOURNMENT
Vice Chair Puentes adjourned the meeting at 7:07 p.m.
XV. FUTURE MEETINGS
The next regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission will be
cancelled; in its replacement, the Parks and Recreation Commission will
host a retreat that is scheduled for 9:00 a.m., Saturday, March 23, 2019 at
the Willey Cultural Center.
Zinnia Navarro
Recording Secretary
Recreation Department