04/16/2019 Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Adopted 05/21/2019
CITY OF GILROY
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 16, 2019
6:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers
7351 Rosanna 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 Chair Patricia Bentson 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 April 11, 2019 at 3:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present:
Chair Patricia Bentson, Vice Chair Ermelindo Puente, Commissioner
Marcos Gonzalez, Commissioner Michelle Wexler, Commissioner Theresa
Graham, Commissioner Terrie Berry, and Commissioner Robert Miller
Staff present: Recreation Manager Adam Henig, Parks Supervisor Bill
Headley and Public Works Deputy Director Damian Skinner
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion was made by Commissioner Berry; seconded by Vice Chair Puente
to approve the February 19, 2019 minutes as noted.
V. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion was made by Commissioner Berry; seconded by Puente and carried
with a vote to approve the agenda as written with a vote 7 -0-0.
VI. INTRODUCTIONS
Recreation Manager Henig introduced Robert Miller as the newest
commissioner to the Parks & Recreation Commission; Public Works Deputy
Director Skinner was also introduced by Henig. Chair Bentson asked for a
moment of silence for the passing of former City Council Member Pete
Valdez.
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VII. AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS
Commissioner Julie Garcia was unable to attend tonight's meeting to
receive her recognition; she will be in attendance at the next regular
meeting scheduled for May 21, 2019.
VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
None.
IX. PRESENATION TO COMMISSION
Deputy City Clerk Suzanne Guzzetta provided a presentation of the City of
Gilroy Board, Commission & Committee Member Handbook.
X. NEW BUSINESS
A. Selection of Meeting Date and Site for Arbor Day
A motion to hold Arbor Day at Rainbow Park with a start t ime of 5:30 p.m.
with the Regular meeting to follow at 6:00 p.m. on May 21, 2019 was made
by Vice Chair Puente; seconded by Gonzalez and carried a vote of 7-0-0.
XI. OLD BUSINESS
A. Finalize and approve 2019 Parks and Recreation Commission
Work Plan
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During the March 23, 2019 Parks and Recreation Commission Retreat, the
commissioners collaborated and developed 16 items to be considered for
their 2019 work plan; Henig referred the commissioners to the PRC Work
Plan in the packet. Henig informed the commissioners that the PRC work
plan should coincide with the City Council 2019 goals, which will be formerly
adopted on June 3, 2019 at Council meeting. Under the City Councils goals
for 2019, Henig stated items #6 (Provide Opportunities for Meaningful Public
Engagement) and #7 (Ensure Neighborhoods Benefit Equally from City
Services) were added as new items.
After much discussion, the commissioners narrowed down the list to seven
attainable goals. Bentson stated she had a discussion with Mayor Velasco
and Council Member Tucker regarding California Proposition 68, which will
provide grant funding for parks. The Mayor and council member would like
Bentson to write an email to the directors of Recreation and Engineering to
see if the City qualifies for grant opportunities.
Henig explained that staff members (including Wexler, who works for
County Public Health) have already met and discussed the grant application
process.
Since the current cycle’s deadline is approaching (August 5, 2019), in order
to maximize the grant, Henig explained, staff recommends the focus for this
current cycle should be San Ysidro Park. That park fulfils lots of the criteria
needed to be allocated funds. Currently, the grant is in Cycle 3. The next
Cycle will be coming out in a year and a half.
The undeveloped park by Antonio Del Bono Elementary School is eligible
and staff is tentatively earmarking it for Cycle 4. The amount of funds
available per cycle is ranges between $200,000 to $8.5 million. Wexler will
send Henig a link to the application for commissioners.
Berry motioned to approve the 2019 Parks and Recreation Commission
Work Plan; seconded by Puente and carried a vote of 7 -0-0.
B. Fiscal Year 2019 Training Budget Expenditures
Henig stated there is $185.62 remaining from the $1,000.00 commission
training budget. Graham, Wexler, Miller and Berry requested business
cards. Motion made by Puente; seconded by Gonzalez and carried a vote
of 7-0-0 to purchase cards for four commissioners. It was an estimated
value between $85 and $100.
XII. DEPARTMENT UPDATES
A. Recreation Department Report
Henig provided an update and referred commissioner to page 53 (see
attached report)
Kids Discover Art will be held Sunday, April 28, 2019 from 11:00 -3:00pm at
San Ysidro Park; commissioners stated this would be a great opportunity to
do community outreach for proposition 68.
B. Parks Report
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Headley referred commissioners to pages 56 and 57 of the packet.
XIII. GPAC UPDATE
Bentson provided a copy of the Gilroy Place-Based Economic Development
Strategy Draft Report. It was handed out at the most recent General Plan
(GPAC) meeting on March 28, 2019.
There is not a date scheduled for the next GPAC meeting.
XIV. COMMISSIONER PARK REPORTS & COMMENTS
Park Assignments
Commissioner Bentson:
Christmas Hill Park has been busy. There is a lot of fencing added; Headley stated a
truck removed 4-5 sections of the fence due to an accident and it needed to be
replaced.
Cydney Casper-The hopscotch numbers are fading.
Del Rey Park-no issues, but lots of mistletoe growing in trees.
Commissioner Berry:
Carriage Hills Park, Los Arroyos Park, and Sunrise Park - Nothing to report.
Commissioner Gonzalez: Las Animas Veterans Park - Nothing to report.
Commissioner Graham:
Miller Park-beautiful park; no issues to report; but there were Christmas trees that
have been planted (9) and four are nicely trimmed but the other five are incomplete.
Rainbow Park- There is wear and tear on equipment with graffiti. The baseball field
and dugout are not well maintained.
Commissioner Puente:
Butcher Park, Forest Street Park, Renz Park, and San Ysidro Park - Nothing
to report.
Commissioner Wexler:
Hecker Pass Park looks fine but received a call from a resident stating there are a
large number of ground squirrels present.
El Roble Park and Gilroy Sports Park have been assigned to Commissioner
Miller
A. CPRS Conference Debrief by Chair Pat Bentson
Bentson provided a handout with CPRS highlights.
XV. STAFF COMMENTS
Henig stated the next meeting of May 21, 2019 will be held at Rainbow Park
starting at 5:30 p.m. in celebration of Arbor Day with the regular meeting
starting at 6:00 p.m.
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XVI. NEXT MONTH AGENDA ITEMS
XVII. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Bentson adjourned the meeting at 8:08 p.m.
XVIII. FUTURE MEETINGS
The next regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission will be
held at Rainbow Park at 6:00 p.m.
Zinnia Navarro
Recording Secretary
Recreation Department