06/20/2023 Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Adopted 07/18/2023
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City of Gilroy
Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 20, 2023 | 6:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER
Meeting was called to order by Chair Ramirez at 6:00 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Attendance Attendee Name
Present Ermelindo Puente, Commissioner
Luis Ramirez, Chair
Pat Bentson, Vice Chair
Terence Fugazzi, Commissioner
Vince Sasso, Commissioner
Absent Theresa Graham, Commissioner
3. FLAG SALUTE
4. SECRETARY'S REPORT
The Parks and Recreation Commission agenda was posted online and posted in the City
Hall kiosk on June 15, 2023.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
5.1. May 16, 2023
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Luis Ramirez, Chair
SECONDER Ermelindo Puente, Commissioner
AYES: Commissioner Bentson, Commissioner Fugazzi, Commissioner Puente, Chair
Ramirez, Commissioner Saso
ABSENT: Commissioner Graham
6. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Pat Bentson, Commissioner
SECONDER Ermelindo Puente, Commissioner
AYES: Commissioner Bentson, Commissioner Fugazzi, Commissioner Puente, Chair
Ramirez, Commissioner Saso
ABSENT: Commissioner Graham
7. INTRODUCTIONS
None.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Morgan Hill resident Terry Nemoff discussed the need for Gilroy to build more pickleball
courts given the sport’s increased popularity in recent years.
9. NEW BUSINESS
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9.1. Proposed 2016 VTA Measure B Encouragement and Education for Fiscal
Year 2024.
As part of the funding requirements for the 2016 VTA Measure B Education and
Encouragement Fund, the Commission needed to approve an annual list of
proposed bicycle and pedestrian projects for fiscal year 2024. Henig explained
how the projects slightly differed from the previous year. For example, the City
wants to support more than just the Bike to Wherever Day; wants to support or
create multiple events to encourage bicycle and pedestrian activities.
There were questions about the background of the program and why these two
projects were taken. Henig recommended the Commission support the proposed
projects.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Luis Ramirez, Chair
SECONDER Pat Bentson, Commissioner
AYES: Commissioner Bentson, Commissioner Fugazzi, Commissioner Puente,
Chair Ramirez, Commissioner Saso
ABSENT: Commissioner Graham
10. OLD BUSINESS
10.1. Review of 2023 Parks & Recreation Commission Work Plan.
Here are the following updates to the work plan:
• Coffee in the Park – The committee, comprised of Chair Ramirez and
Commissioner Puente, met with Staff Henig to discuss the details of the
event. Since the meeting occurred one week before the scheduled date of
June 24, it was agreed upon to postpone Coffee in the Park to Saturday,
July 29. Everything else will stay the same—having a police officer
present, translator, and event format. Also, the location will be in the
Oaks/playground area.
• Participate in Citywide events – Commissioners Puente, Saso, and
Fugazzi volunteered for Bike to Wherever Day at the Commission’s booth
on the levee on May 18. Fugazzi also assisted with the May 20 creek
clean-up. Puente was involved in the County’s Public Health
Department’s public active transportation campaign.
• Study Dog Parks – The Council agreed to fund the proposed dog park
project at Third Street Park, however, a specific dollar amount was not
provided. Council agreed to allocate $100,000 for general park
improvements. The Commission has requested that it would like to be
engaged on how the monies will be spent. They are requesting the Public
Works Department provide a list of potential projects that would be
considered, including the Commission’s dog park proposal. Bentson
asked if current hazards (i.e. uneven pavement issues at Del Rey Park)
would be considered for this funding too. The Commission would like to
review the list and provide a recommendation.
• Monitor City Parks – Commissioners requested to submit a brief write-
up about a different city park each month to be featured in the city’s
June 20, 2023 6:00 PM
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Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
weekly e-newsletter. Henig will discuss with the City’s Communication
Engagement Manager.
11. DEPARTMENT UPDATES
11.1. Recreation Division Updates
Henig reviewed the report enclosed in the meeting packet.
11.2. Status of City Parks
Henig provided an update about the ongoing Gilroy Sports Park playground
resurfacing project, which began on June 12.
12. BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN ENCOURAGEMENT & EDUCATION
No update.
13. COMMISSIONER PARK REPORTS & COMMENTS
The commissioners provided the following updates:
• Puente –
o Renz and San Ysidro Park – look good. SYP was busy
o Miller Park – Street lamp is out at park.
o Other utility issues
▪ St. Mary’s Church – street light lamp is out; alley has potholes.
▪ Luchessa (near Automall) – sidewalk is blocked to pedestrian
• Fugazzi
o Carriage Hills
▪ Tripping hazard inside pergola
▪ Playground foam is torn (needs to be addressed)
o Sunrise
▪ Broken sprinklers causing leak near tennis court and southside of
park; leaving puddles
▪ Noticed there’s a sidewalk tripping hazard.
o Cydney Casper
▪ Tress lifting sidewalk
o Las Animas
▪ Trash enclosure should be replaced with new one (it’s not in good
shape and being used for possible illegal activity)
• Saso
o Los Arroyos – walked around; looks good
o Forest – Northeast side of park the light is always on
• Bentson
o Cydney Casper – park looks good; hop scotch is faded; sidewalk tripping
hazard
o Del Rey – Fix cerement that is uneven. surrounding playground area needs
mulch
o Christmas Hill – Evidence of homeless cooking/using fire on new trail at
Glen Loma side (leads to Miller Road). Concerned it could ignite a fire.
There’s a Redwood tree that appears to be dead on Miller Road, standing on
the Ranch Site.
• Ramirez
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Regular Meeting Minutes
o Las Animas – no update
o Sports Park – Looks good.
14. STAFF COMMENTS
Henig reminded the Commission about the Commission’s presentation to Council on
August 7.
15. FUTURE COMMISSIONER INITIATED ITEMS
Fugazzi requested two items be brought up at a future Commission meeting:
1. Requesting the Commission be involved with reviewing the proposed
improvements that were recently awarded by Congress through
Representative Zoe Lofgren's office. Henig explained the grant is tied to a project
that had already been reviewed by not only the Commission, but community groups
and city staff. The original plan was submitting for funding through the Proposition
68 grant program (it was denied). Henig will provide a status update at the next
meeting.
2. Requesting to have the Parks and Recreation Commission involved with the
Downtown Committee’s Pop-up Park project on Seventh and Monterey. The
Commission has not been involved in the planning of the site. Henig explained that
it’s under the Downtown Committee’s jurisdiction (not the Commission’s).
16. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Ramirez adjourned the meeting at 7:41 p.m.
____________________AH_________________
Adam Henig, Recreation Division
Recording Secretary