03/19/2024 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes
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City of Gilroy
Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 19, 2024 | 6:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER
Meeting called to order by the Chair Bentson at 6:02 p.m.
2. ROLL
Attendance Attendee Name
Present Luis Ramirez, Commissioner
Theresa Graham, Vice Chair
Patricia Bentson, Chair
Doc Davis, Commissioner
Sam Bozzo, Commissioner
Absent None
3. FLAG SALUTE
4. SECRETARY'S REPORT
The agenda was posted on March 14, 2024.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
5.1. February 20, 2024
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Theresa Graham, Vice Chair
SECONDER Doc Davis, Commissioner
AYES: Chair Bentson, Vice Chair Graham, Commissioner Ramirez, Commissioner Davis,
Commissioner Bozzo
6. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Doc Davis, Commissioner
SECONDER Luis Ramirez, Commissioner
AYES: Chair Bentson, Vice Chair r Graham, Commissioner Ramirez, Commissioner
Davis, Commissioner Bozzo
7. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
None.
8. NEW BUSINESS
March 19, 2024 6:00 PM
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Regular Meeting Minutes
9. OLD BUSINESS
9.1. Discussion of Standards and Qualities of Regulation Pickleball Courts
Assistant to City Administrator Atkins reviewed the staff report regarding the
discussion of standards and qualities of regulation pickleball courts. He had
contacted two pickleball governing organizations, USA Pickleball, and California
Pickleball Association, to get additional information about pickleball court
dimensions, equipment, and rules. Neither group followed up to his request. Mr.
Atkins was able to locate the information online that he needed, such as the
general size of a pickleball court; type of surface; lighting needed; court base
material; and so forth. He also identified information that does not have specific
requirements but will be incorporated into the scoring process such as posts,
windscreens, shade shelters, spectator seating, and sound proofing.
Mr. Atkins also conducted an informal survey of players at Wheeler Gym about
what they would like to see incorporated into a public pickleball court. They
provided several suggestions including onsite restrooms; minimum number of
courts needed; and seating.
Commissioners asked questions about what the scoring process entails; the
potential conflict with tennis players; concerns about sound impact on neighbors;
type of park pickleball should be located at (neighborhood park v. community
park). No action was taken.
9.2. Review of FY24 and FY25 Parks and Recreation Commission Work Plan
Recreation Manager Henig reviewed the FY24 and FY25 Commission Work
Plan. The updates to the Work Plan include the following:
• Host Arbor Day – Commissioner Bozzo would like to take the lead,
working with staff. In addition, Commissioner Davis recommended that
the event be held on Arbor Day next year.
• Training Opportunities – Chair Bentson will be the lead.
• Participate in citywide events – This will include all Commission
members.
• VTA Measure B Funds – Recreation Manager Henig informed the
Commission that the funding has been depleted with the contract of the
GIS consultant. He recommended having Bike to Wherever Day be
absorbed into Participate in Citywide Events. The Commission agreed.
• Dedicated Funding Sources – Chair Bentson and Commissioner
Ramirez will be the lead. They will work together and come up with a plan
that could include the need for a parks and recreation system master plan
as well as a sales tax measure.
10. DEPARTMENT UPDATES
10.1. Recreation Division Updates
Mr. Henig provided the updates for the Recreation Division as described in his
staff report.
10.2. Status of City Parks
March 19, 2024 6:00 PM
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Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
Parks Supervisor Souza provided the following updates:
• Baseball fields are in the process of being prepared for Little League.
Scoreboard and sound system are being repaired. New foul lines installed
at Las Animas and Christmas Hill Park.
• The shade canopy at the amphitheater was torn and will be replaced.
• Parks staff is working on draining the excess water at Los Arroyos
playground from the storm.
• Trees are being planted at the Garlic Festival incident memorial site at
Christmas Hill Park.
• Tree work is taking place at Christmas Hill, San Ysidro, Sunrise, and El
Roble.
11. COMMISSIONER PARK REPORTS & COMMENTS
11.1. Commissioner Park Assignments
The commissioners made the following comments about their parks:
• Bentson:
o Del Rey – cement is still lifting around the playground area. Casper
looks good.
• Bozzo:
o Carriage Hills – wanted to know if it’s reservable (it is not; first
come, first serve)
o El Roble – Tennis court is not in playable condition; staff is aware.
o Miller – had a question about the restrooms.
• Davis:
o Forest – looks terrific, however, saw paint peeling and rust on parts
of the playground.
o Hecker – Noticed the trees were trimmed at the dog park; lawn at
dog park looks good; would like the poop can be moved away from
the bench in the dog park; requested the water spigot location be
fixed; and wanted to know about the status of Council approved
funds for the dog park.
• Graham:
o Farrell – noticed the garbage can was full and needed to be
emptied.
o Rainbow – looks good
o Christmas Hill Park – trees in the back of the park look sick. Lots of
soccer play happening.
• Ramirez:
o Sports Park – looks fantastic
o San Ysidro – looks good
o Las Animas – noticed a fence post sticking out by dog
park/Lakeside picnic area.
12. STAFF COMMENTS
None.
March 19, 2024 6:00 PM
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Regular Meeting Minutes
13. FUTURE COMMISSIONER INITIATED ITEMS
Chair Bentson requested that the Miller Red Barn Association return for a follow-up to
their previous presentation.
14. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Bentson adjourned the meeting at 7:59 p.m.
____________________AH_________________
Adam Henig, Recreation Division
Recording Secretary