02/20/2024 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes
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City of Gilroy
Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 20, 2024 | 6:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER
Meeting called to order by the Vice Chair Graham at 6:01 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Attendance Attendee Name
Present Luis Ramirez, Commissioner
Theresa Graham, Vice Chair
Pat Bentson, Chair (late)
Doc Davis, Commissioner
Sam Bozzo, Commissioner
Absent None
3. FLAG SALUTE
4. SECRETARY'S REPORT
The agenda was posted on February 16, 2024.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
5.1. January 16, 2024
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Luis Ramirez, Chair
SECONDER Dale Davis, Commissioner
AYES: Commissioner Graham, Chair Ramirez, Commissioner Davis,
Commissioner Bozzo
ABSTAIN: Commissioner Bentson
6. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Dale Davis, Commissioner
SECONDER Luis Ramirez, Chair
AYES: Commissioner Graham, Chair Ramirez, Commissioner Davis, Commissioner Bozzo
ABSTAIN: Commissioner Bentson
7. INTRODUCTIONS
7.1. Sam Bozzo
Commissioner Bozzo introduced himself to the Commission.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
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Regular Meeting Minutes
Staff member Bryce Atkins explained that the Commission is asked to consider
the following two items:
• A recommendation of a grant-funded donation through the Gilroy Rotary
Club for an inclusive playground equipment.
• A recommendation to Council for the procurement of park design services
for the Downtown Gilroy Pop-Up Park.
The City was approached by members of the Gilroy Rotary Club to consider
receiving a grant-funded inclusive playground equipment that will be installed at
the Donald “Elvis” Prieto Downtown Park. The equipment is geared for children
who have special needs, but will be available for all youth. It would be installed in
the southwest corner of the lawn, adjacent to the parking lot. Staff recommended
four panels, each having a different feature that focuses on touch, sight, and
audio as well as a communication board. The grant funding was in the amount of
$10,0000 through Amazon Web Services.
The Commission supported both recommendations.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Salvatore (Sam) Bozzo, Commissioner
SECONDER Luis Ramirez, Chair
AYES: Commissioner Bentson, Commissioner Graham, Chair Ramirez,
Commissioner Davis, Commissioner Bozzo
10. OLD BUSINESS
10.1. Pickleball Site Recommendations Project Kick-off
Mr. Atkins provided an overview and schedule of what the Commission can
expect will be covered as part of the review of a future pickleball facility. The
review will include site visits, presentations, and a location selection process.
Commissioners raised questions about restroom access, the number of courts
desired, concerns about noise, and working with the school district. Mr. Atkins
explained that all of the referenced issues will be covered during the ten-month
long analysis except for the noted work with the school district since the project
will only focus on city-owned facilities.
10.2. Discuss and Adopt FY2024 and FY2025 Work Plan
At the previous meeting, the Commission began its discussion of adopting its
new work plan for FY2024 and FY2025. They agreed to continue the discussion
at their next meeting (February). Staff liaison, Adam Henig, reviewed the
previous suggestions and last year’s work plan. Mr. Henig explained the
9.
None.
NEW BUSINESS
9.1. Downtown Pop-Up Park
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Regular Meeting Minutes
importance of the work plan aligning with at least one City Council priority; that
the task is clear, concise and measurable; and that it aligns with the
Commission’s mission statement.
After a comprehensive discussion, the Commission decided on the following
work plan items:
• Hosting Arbor Day (suggestion was to have it in the fall);
• Training opportunities for Commissioners (i.e., the Silicon Valley Bike
Coalition Annual Bike Summit);
• Participate in citywide events (i.e., Breakfast with Santa);
• Participate in VTA Measure B funded programs (i.e., Bike to Work Day);
• Review of establishing a Pickleball facility;
• Study opportunities for parks and recreation services to have dedicated
funding sources; and,
• Work with Gilroy Library to bring about a Storywalk to a park or a trail.
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Salvatore (Sam) Bozzo, Commissioner
SECONDER Dale Davis, Commissioner
AYES: Commissioner Bentson, Commissioner Graham, Chair Ramirez,
Commissioner Davis, Commissioner Bozzo
11. DEPARTMENT UPDATES
11.1. Recreation Division Updates
Mr. Henig provided the updates for the Recreation Division.
11.2. Status of City Parks
Parks Supervisor, John Souza, noted the following work during his parks report:
• Graffiti was found and removed at Christmas Hill and Sports Park.
• Improvements to restrooms at the Sports Park damaged by vandalism will
be completed soon.
• Christmas Hill Park’s Mulberry picnic area restroom will also be
completed in the near future.
• Pressure washing was carried out around City Hall.
• Completed update of play structures at seven new parks.
• Trees at the Christmas Hill Park’s Memorial Site will be planted soon.
• Sidewalks around city parks are getting repaired.
12. PRESENTATION
12.1. Gilroy Mayor Marie Blankley
Mayor Blankley introduced herself and invited the Commission to attend the
annual State of the City address on April 29 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council
Chambers. After welcoming all Commissioners and Commissioners, Mayor
Blankley described the importance of the Commission, the role the Commission
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serves, and the valuable recommendations they offer to City Council. Mayor
Blankley thanked all members for their dedication and service to our community.
13. COMMISSIONER PARK REPORTS & COMMENTS
13.1. Park Assignments
• Commissioner Bentson: Del Rey, Renz, Cydney Casper
• Commissioner Bozzo: Carriage Hills, El Roble, Miller
• Commissioner Davis: Christmas Hill Park & Ranch Site, Hecker
Pass, Forest, Sunrise
• Commissioner Graham: Christmas Hill Park & Ranch Site, Los
Arroyos, Rainbow, Farrell Avenue
• Chair Ramirez: Gilroy Sports Park, San Ysidro, Las Animas, Butcher
The commissioners made the following comments about their parks:
• Bentson – noticed cement is lifted at Del Rey and the water is not
draining well in the playground area. Renz looked nice, Cydney Casper
needs more mulch, and noticed the graffiti was removed.
• Bozzo – Nothing to report on Carriage Hills. Also everything looked fine
at the other parks.
• Davis – Noticed there were not too many users because of the rain.
Observed fence posts were battered.
• Graham – Noticed the playground at Los Arroyos is filled with water due
to draining issues.
• Ramirez – GLL windscreen is detached from fence, bullpen was flooded,
and San Ysidro looked good.
14. STAFF COMMENTS
New Public Works Director, Heba El Guindy, introduced herself and expressed her
appreciation of the opportunity to support the Commission and serve the Gilroy
community.
15. FUTURE COMMISSIONER INITIATED ITEMS
The Commission would like the Miller Red Barn organization to return for a follow-up
presentation.
16. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:19 p.m. _____________________AH________________
Adam Henig, Recreation Division
Recording Secretary