09/17/2019 Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Adopted 10/15/2019
CITY OF GILROY
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 17, 2019
6:00 p.m.
Recreation Conference Room
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 Bentson at 6:00 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
ROLL CALL
Present:
Chair Patricia Bentson, Vice Chair Ermelindo Puente, Commissioner Terrie
Berry, Commissioner Theresa Graham, Commissioner Marcos Gonzalez,
Commissioner Robert Miller, and Commissioner Michelle Wexler.
Staff present: Recreation Manager Adam Henig, and Parks Supervisor Bill
Headley.
III. FLAG SALUTE
Vice Chair Puente led the pledge of allegiance.
IV. SECRETARY'S REPORT
The packet was posted on the City's website on September 12, 2019 at
12:00 p.m.
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion was made by Commissioner Berry; seconded by Vice Chair Puente
and carried with a vote to approve the July 16, 2019 minutes with a vote of
7-0-0.
VI. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion was made by Commissioner Gonzalez; seconded by Vice Chair
Puente and carried with a vote to approve the agenda as written with a vote
7-0-0.
VII. INTRODUCTIONS
None
VIII. AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS
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None
IX. NEW BUSINESS
A. Parks and Recreation Commission Participate in Fundraising Raffle for
Youth Scholarship Fund
Recreation Manager Adam Henig said the Breakfast with Santa event held
at the Senior Center is a great opportunity to have a raffle to raise funds for
the youth scholarship program. The commissioners also suggested the
Kids Triathlon event as another event opportunity.
Commissioners discussed ideas for the youth scholarship fundraiser such
as donating a gift basket, obtain gift certificates from local restaurants, and
raffle a summer swim pass from the Aquatic Center and tickets to Gilroy
Gardens. Commissioner Graham provided a Pilates gift certificate.
A popular raffle item in the past has been the one-day hopper tickets for
Disneyland; Chair Bentson distributed the new eligibility requirement
guidelines from the Disney Company. Graham and Commissioner Wexler
will work together on applying and submitting the required documents to the
Disney Company.
Motion was made by Commissioner Berry; seconded by Commissioner
Miller and carried with a vote to approve organizing a raffle to benefit the
youth scholarship fund with a vote of 7-0-0.
B. Parks and Recreation Staff Appreciation Breakfast by Parks and
Recreation Commission
Henig explained in the past, the Park and Recreation Commission has
hosted the Annual Appreciation Brunch for the City’s parks and recreation
staff as an opportunity for the commissioners to thank staff. Last year it was
held in Recreation Conference Room; it is proposed this year it will be held
at the Corporation Yard.
The commissioners proposed to hold the Annual Appreciation Brunch on
Thursday, October 10, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Commissioners
signed up for a variety of items to bring to the breakfast appreciation event.
A motion was made by Vice Chair Puente to host the Annual Appreciation
Brunch on October 10, 2019; seconded by Commissioner Gonzalez and
carried with a vote to approve hosting a staff appreciation breakfast with a
vote of 7-0-0.
C. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
None
X. OLD BUSINESS
A. 2019 Parks and Recreation Commission Work Plan
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Henig referred commissioners to the 2019 Parks and Recreation
Commission Work Plan with an update on a couple of work plan items in
bold. The Commission has raised $1,350 for the Recreation Department
Youth Scholarship; the directional signage has been pushed out to late
fall/early winter.
Wexler asked if the signs were going to be in English and Spanish; Headley
stated the signage will have directional images.
Bentson stated PRC will host the California Association of Parks and
Recreation Commissioners and Board Members (CAPRCBM) in Gilroy on
October 12, 2019.
Wexler stated the Grant Application for Proposition 68 funding was
submitted on August 4, 2019 and staff is waiting for a response.
B. Fiscal Year 2020 Training Budget Expenditures
Henig stated City Council voted to approve $1,000 for commissioners to
spend on training for the new fiscal year. As of today, nothing has been
spent by the commission.
Bentson stated there is training available through the California Association
of Parks and Recreation Commissioners and Board Members (CAPRCBM)
located in Mammoth Lake the month of October. Bentson also stated there
is training in March at the CPRS conference in Long Beach. To keep cost
down, day passes are available.
Henig will look into cost and share with commissioners.
Wexler offered to share information to the commissioners regarding
webinars she attends through the County of Santa Clara .
XI. DEPARTMENT UPDATES
A. Recreation Department Updates
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Henig referred commissioners to packet page #17-18 with Recreation
Department Updates that included the Department’s role during the Garlic
Festival Incident.
Rehearsals are under way for the Peter Pan, Jr. production, which will run
November 8-17 at Gilroy High School Theater.
The Recreation Department is in the midst of implementing new software,
CivicRec, which is scheduled to go live in December 2019 with a hard
launch occurring in March 2020, coinciding with the release of the summer
guide.
Recreation staff is finalizing its agreement with consultants to identify
recreation trends and conduct a facility needs assessment; and make
recommendation for optimal space use. A final report and presentation to
City Council will be in June 2020.
The Gilroy Tennis Club funded a $21,000 project resurfacing the tennis
courts at Las Animas Veterans Park tennis courts. Bentson suggested we
provide recognition to the Gilroy Tennis Club at our next meeting. Henig will
reach out to the Tennis club and invite them to our regular Parks &
Recreation Commission meeting scheduled October 15, 2019.
B. Status of City Parks
Parks Supervisor Headley referred commissioners to packet pages #19-23
which included a report to commission, Parks/City Incident Reports, Park
Capital Projects and Maintenance Highlights since July 5, 2019 up through
August 30, 2019.
Commissioner Graham inquired about the trail markers to Hecker Pass and
asked who’s responsible in repaving the trail. She stated the walking trail is
being utilized by many members of the community, however, it’s in poor
condition with many pot holes. Headley stated the City of Gilroy owns the
pavement from the Sports Park to Santa Teresa and will reach out to
engineering staff to find out the answer and report back to the Parks &
Recreation Commission.
Commissioners recognized the Streets and Parks staff members for their
outstanding job and assistance pertaining to the Garlic Festival Incident.
XII. COMMISSIONER PARK REPORTS & COMMENTS
Park Assignments
Pat Bentson:
Christmas Hill Park - The park was closed for an extended amount of time
due to the Garlic Festival Incident. Bentson attended the reopening on
September 3, 2019. There is a large amount of cracked cement througho ut
the park’s pedestrian pathways. The rubberized ramps that go into the
children’s play area have cracks.
Cydney Casper - Nothing to report.
Del Rey Park- Nothing to report except to say it’s actively busy with the
student in the nearby school.
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Terrie Berry:
Carriage Hills Park- Nothing to report.
On October 1, 2019, the Senior Center will be handing out Root Beer Floats
In honor of International Day of Older Persons.
Marcos Gonzalez:
Las Animas Veterans Park- Nothing to report except to say thank you for
their hard work at Christmas Hill Park.
Theresa Graham:
Miller Park- In the month of July, was initially concerned with numerous
dead spots in the grass area but noticed the grass was vibrant in August.
Noticed an increase of homeless population at the park throughout the day.
Rainbow Park - The bushes were hedged too short exposing a lot of dead
brown branches.
Ermelindo Puente:
Butcher Park- Nothing to report.
Forest Street Park-The tree on the north side is blocking the light due to not
being trimmed. There are two boxes that have a huge hole. Headley stated
it’s a backflow cover. The light located at the corner by the alley hasn’t been
replaced. Although it’s not a park element, Headley stated he can ask the
engineering department.
Renz Park-Nothing to report.
San Ysidro Park - Graffiti on the picnic tables. The portable bathroom is
leaking. The fountain on the north side is working but there is stagnant
water at the base.
Michelle Wexler:
Hecker Pass Park- She noticed dead plants and reported it.
Robert Miller:
El Roble Park - The tennis courts are being utilized although he noticed a
net was missing.
Gilroy Sports Park- The water fountain by the levee and ball field isn’t
working. Noticed there are lots cracks on the rubber portion of the
playground.
XIII. GENERAL PLANNING ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Commissioner Graham provided an update on the General Plan Advisory
meeting she attended.
XIV. STAFF COMMENTS
None.
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XV. NEXT MONTH AGENDA ITEMS
The next regular meeting is scheduled October 15, 2019; the deadline for
agenda items is October 8, 2019.
XVI. FUTURE MEETINGS October 15, 2019 at 6:00 P.M.
The next regular Parks and Recreation meeting will be October 15, 2019 at
6:00 p.m. in City Councils Chamber.
XVII. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Bentson adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m.
Zinnia Navarro
Recording Secretary
Recreation Department