01/16/2024 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes
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City of Gilroy
Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, January 16, 2024 | 6:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER
Meeting called to order by the chair at 6:04 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Attendance Attendee Name
Present Luis Ramirez, Chair
Theresa Graham, Commissioner
Pat Bentson, Vice Chair
Doc Davis, Commissioner
Absent None
Staff Present: Adam Henig, Recreation Manager and John Souza, Parks Supervisor
3. FLAG SALUTE
4. SECRETARY'S REPORT
The agenda was posted on January 10, 2024.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
5.1. November 21, 2023
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Pat Bentson, Commissioner
SECONDER Dale Davis, Voting Member
AYES: Commissioner Bentson, Commissioner Graham, Chair Ramirez, Voting
Member Davis
6. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chair Ramirez requested that Item 11.1 be moved ahead of Item 10.2. He wanted to discuss
the work plan and see if it was possible to draft a new work plan before scheduling a
commission retreat.
RESULT: Pass with amendment
MOVER: Luis Ramirez, Chair
SECONDER Pat Bentson, Commissioner
AYES: Commissioner Bentson, Commissioner Graham, Chair Ramirez, Voting Member
Davis
7. INTRODUCTIONS
January 16, 2024 6:00 PM
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Parks and Recreation
Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
7.1. Proclamation for former commissioner Ermelindo Puente
Outgoing commissioner Ermelindo Puente served on the Parks & Recreation
Commission for two consecutive terms. He is termed out. Prior, he had served
on other commissions and has been doing so since the 1980s.
7.2. New Commissioner Salvatore Bozzo
Mr. Bozzo was not in attendance nor has he been sworn in yet. He will be
present at the next meeting.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
None.
9. PRESENTATION
Mr. Gary Walter and Mike Monroe presented information about the history and
current status of the Miller Red Barn, which is located at Christmas Hill Park on
the Ranch Site.
10. NEW BUSINESS
10.1. Selection of Chair and Vice-Chair of Parks and Recreation Commission
Vice Chair Bentson nominated herself to be chair. Commissioner Davis motioned
to make her the chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission for the 2024 term.
Commissioner Graham was nominated by Bentson to serve as Vice Chair. Chair
Ramirez seconded. Motion passed 4-0-0.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Dale Davis, Voting Member
SECONDER Luis Ramirez, Chair
AYES: Commissioner Bentson, Commissioner Graham, Chair Ramirez, Voting
Member Davis
10.2. Selection of a Parks and Recreation Commission Retreat Date
Since the Commission was unable to come to an agreement over a proposed
work plan for FY2024 and FY2025 terms, they have proposed to hold their
annual retreat during their next regular meeting, which is scheduled on February
20, 2024. If the Commission is unable to finalize the work plan, they have
proposed scheduling a follow-up special meeting on Saturday, February 24,
2024.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Luis Ramirez, Chair
SECONDER Pat Bentson, Commissioner
January 16, 2024 6:00 PM
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Parks and Recreation
Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
AYES: Commissioner Bentson, Commissioner Graham, Chair Ramirez, Voting
Member Davis
11. OLD BUSINESS
11.1. Review of 2023 Parks & Recreation Commission Work Plan and Preview
FY24 and FY25 Work Plan
The Commission discussed ideas for the next work plan, which would cover
January 1, 2024 -June 30, 2025. Ramirez recommended the Commission
incorporate some of the existing work plan items:
• Hosting Arbor Day
• Training Opportunities for commissioners
• Monitor City Parks
• Participate in Citywide Events
• VTA Measure B programs
In addition, he recommended that the Commission consider studying options to
develop a way for parks and recreation services to have dedicated funding
sources so it is not reliant on the general fund.
Bentson wanted to add pickleball and conduct a study of shade structures for
city playgrounds. Commissioner Graham concurred about adding pickleball, a
dedicated source of funding for parks and recreation, and exploring development
idea for Christmas Hill Park Ranch Site. Commissioner Davis wanted to keep
the dog park discussion on the work plan. No vote was taken.
11. DEPARTMENT UPDATES
12.1. Recreation Division Updates
Henig provided the updates for the Recreation Division.
12.2. Status of City Parks
John Souza mentioned the following during his parks report:
• Working on restoring the restrooms at the Sports Park and Christmas Hill
Park, following vandalism.
• Also, working on repairing issues that were caused by vandalism at the
Amphitheater, Cydney Casper, and San Ysidro Park.
• Staff is conducting mainline repairs at the Ranch Site and Hecker Pass
Park.
• There will be a playground upgrade at Rainbow Park. New mulch will
replace the current wood chips at seven park playgrounds.
• A raised sidewalk will be repaired at Rainbow Park.
• Staff is going through the certification process to drive a commercial
truck.
13. COMMISSIONER PARK REPORTS & COMMENTS
January 16, 2024 6:00 PM
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Parks and Recreation
Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
The commissioners came up with the following new park assignments that they have
selected for 2024:
1. Christmas Hill Park & Ranch Site – Terry & Doc
2. Gilroy Sports Park - Luis
3. Los Arroyos – Terry
4. Sunrise Park - Doc
5. Del Rey - Pat
6. Carriage Hills – Sam
7. Hecker Pass – Doc
8. Forest - Doc
9. San Ysidro - Luis
10.Las Animas – Luis
11.Butcher - Luis
12.Rainbow – Terry
13.Farrell Avenue - Terry
14.El Roble – Sam
15. Renz – Pat
16. Cydney Casper - Pat
17.Miller – Sam
14. STAFF COMMENTS
None.
15. FUTURE COMMISSIONER INITIATED ITEMS
None.
16. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
____________________AH_________________
Adam Henig, Recreation Division
Recording Secretary