10/20/2020 Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Adopted 11/17/2020
CITY OF GILROY
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 20, 2020
6:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers
7351 Rosanna Street
Gilroy, CA 95020
MINUTES - AMENDED
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I. CALL TO ORDER
Attendee Name Title Status
Pat Bentson Commissioner Present
Robert Miller Commissioner Present
Theresa Graham Vice ChairTitle Present
Ermelindo Puente (late) Commissioner Present
Michelle Wexler Chair Title Present
Angela Reinert Commissioner Absent
II. ROLL CALL
III. FLAG SALUTE
IV. SECRETARY'S REPORT: The Parks and Recreation Commission agenda was
posted online on and posted in the City Hall kiosk on October 16, 2020.
V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Parks and Recreation Commission - Regular Meeting - September 15, 2020
6:00 PM. Commissioner Miller motioned to approve. Commissioner Bentson
seconded. Motion passed 4-0-0.
VI. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Bentson motioned to approve.
Commissioner Miller seconded. Motion passed 4-0-0.
VII. INTRODUCTIONS - none
VIII. AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS - none
IX. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA – none.
X. NEW BUSINESS
A. Recreation and Facility Needs Assessment Presentation - PROS
Consultants’ Neelay Bhratt shared the project findings from the Recreation
and Facilities Needs Assessment that his firm conducted. Presentation was
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attached. Questions and comments from commissioners ranged in topics
about demographics polling, priority of special user groups, and high priority
of paved and unpaved trails, and the need for a multi-generational
community center. No action taken.
B. Celebration of Arbor Day 2020 at Farrell Avenue Park on November 10,
2020 – Henig asked for a formal vote to host the annual Arbor Day
celebration on November 10 at Farrell Ave. Park. Due to the shelter in place
orders, the event will not be open to the public, but commissioners will be
present along with staff, the Mayor, and members of West Coast Arborists,
who will donate a six 15-gallon trees. Commissioner Bentson motioned to
approve. Vice Chair Graham seconded. Motion passed 5-0-1.
XI. OLD BUSINESS
A. Consideration of Options for Bringing Back Recreation Programs: The
subcommittee—Commissioners Bentson and Reinert and Vice Chair
Graham—provided an update to the commission about the possibility of
forming a parks and recreation foundation. Graham and Bentson reached
out to various cities who have them that included American Canyon, San
Carlos, Campbell, among others, and learned more about the makeup of
each nonprofit and their focuses. At this point, the committee is uncertain
about next steps; may pause until they receive further direction from
commission. No action taken.
B. Review Parks and Recreation Commission 2020 Work Plan (report
attached): Henig provided an updated on the work plan: Needs
Assessment presentation completed; Arbor Day has been rescheduled; and
smoke-free parks might appear on a future Council agenda. In addition,
there was discussion about the Recreation Division’s youth scholarship
fund. Questions included how much was spent annually; how much was
currently in the account; and how long does it take to spend it down. No
action taken.
XII. DEPARTMENT UPDATES
A. Recreation Department Updates – Henig reviewed his report, which was
included in the meeting packet on pages 38-39.
B. Status of City Parks (report attached): Headley reviewed his report,
which was included in the meeting packet on pages 41 -45. He was pleased
to report that the playgrounds were reopening this week and that the street
tree brochure has been drafted by Commissioner Bentson and sent to City
Staff for review.
XIII. COMMISSIONER PARK REPORTS & COMMENTS
Park Assignments
Pat Bentson: Pleased to see playgrounds were reopen, but inquired about
the status of the basketball rims. Noticed cracking of cement in some of the
parks.
Robert Miller: Parks looked good; noticed excess watering occurring at the
Sports Park and graffiti at the tennis courts in El Roble.
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Theresa Graham: Noticed illegal activity occurring at Miller Park. Overall
parks look fine.
Ermelindo Puente: Butcher and Forest Street parks look good; Noticed at
Renz that a tree was missing and grass needs more watering; San Ysidro
Park was well-used
Michelle Wexler: Noticed users were using the playground when it was
roped off; observed that the fencing and caution tape were reinstalled the
following day;
Angela Reinert: no update
XIV. STAFF COMMENTS - none
XV. NEXT MONTH AGENDA ITEMS – due November 10.
XVI. FUTURE MEETINGS November 17, 2020 at 6:00 P.M.
XVII. ADJOURNMENT at 8:25 p.m.
Adam Henig
Recording Secretary
Recreation Division