04/16/2024 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes
Page 1 of 4
City of Gilroy
Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 16, 2024 | 6:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER
Meeting called to order by Chair Bentson at 6:01 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Attendance Attendee Name
Present Luis Ramirez, Commissioner
Theresa Graham, Vice Chair
Patricia Bentson, Chair
Doc Davis, Commissioner
Salvatore Bozzo, Commissioner
Absent None
3. FLAG SALUTE
4. SECRETARY'S REPORT
The agenda was posted on April 11, 2024.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
5.1. March 19, 2024
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Luis Ramirez, Commissioner
SECONDER Doc Davis, Commissioner
AYES: Chair Bentson, Vice Chair Graham, Commissioner Ramirez,
Commissioner Davis, Commissioner Bozzo 6. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
RESULT: Pass
MOVER: Luis Ramirez, Commissioner
SECONDER Doc Davis, Commissioner
AYES: Chair Bentson, Vice Chair Graham, Commissioner Ramirez, Commissioner Davis,
Commissioner Bozzo
7. PRESENTATION
7.1. Gilroy Moves Updates by Michelle Wexler, Program Manager, County of
Santa Clara, Public Health Department
Ms. Wexler presented to the Commission about the Santa Clara County Public
Health Department’s Gilroy Moves campaign that kicked off in April and will run
through May of this year. The focus is to educate residents and all road users
about the importance of pedestrian and bicycle safety. In addition to the media
campaign, safety messages for example have been posted on VTA bus tails and
on bus shelters.
7.2. StoryWalk by Cassandra Wong, Gilroy Community Librarian
April 16, 2024 6:00 PM
Page 2 of 4
Parks and Recreation
Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
Ms. Wong presented about the StoryWalk Project of which the library would like
to collaborate with the City. Approximately 15-17 posts would be installed with
each one featuring a page from a published children’s book. A new book would
be rotated approximately every four months. The posts would be spread out
between 1/3 and ½ mile along a walkable trail. The purpose of StoryWalk is to
expand opportunities for children to be exposed to literature as well as
encourage families to exercise in natural public spaces such as a city park or
trail. Ms. Wong mentioned that the selected stories would be in English and
Spanish. The Project team is responsible for installation and maintenance of
the signs and posts, while City staff will monitor and support installation of the
posts.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
None.
9. NEW BUSINESS
10. OLD BUSINESS
10.1. Potential Pickleball Court Location Scoring Criteria Discussion
Assistant to the City Administrator Atkins explained the next step in the pickleball
assessment process. He requested each Commissioner apply the scoring
percentage for each category. The percentage can be different for each
category, however, once it is finalized, it will be consistently applied during the
scoring process for each prospective location. Commissioners had several
questions for Mr. Atkins, which he was able to field. He informed them that it
needs to be completed by the next Commission meeting.
10.2. Review of FY24 and FY25 Parks and Recreation Commission Work Plan
Recreation Manager Henig reviewed the FY24 and FY25 Commission Work
Plan. These were the following updates:
• Chair Bentson, Vice Chair Graham, and Commissioner Ramirez will be
watching a webinar about funding parks and recreation.
• Mr. Henig mentioned the upcoming Bike to Wherever Day on May 16,
which the Commission has participated in previous years.
• The Commission received a presentation about the StoryWalk Project
and will receive further direction from staff in a future meeting. Once the
Commission recommends a location, the final decision will be made by
City Council.
• Commissioner Ramirez provided an update to the Commission about
funding options for city parks and recreation services. He identified the
following areas to generate more funding for parks and recreation
services:
o Capital Improvement Projects
o Sales Tax Measure
o Grant Allocations
o Developer Impact Fees
o Sponsorships
o Foundations
April 16, 2024 6:00 PM
Page 3 of 4
Parks and Recreation
Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
11. DEPARTMENT UPDATES
11.1. Recreation Division Updates
Mr. Henig provided the updates for the Recreation Division as described in his
staff report.
11.2. Status of City Parks
Parks Supervisor Souza provided the following updates:
• Weed abatement for cycling event at Christmas Hill Park (CHP)
• Tree removal occurred at CHP, Rainbow, Las Animas Veterans Park
(LAVP)
• Completed baseball and softball field improvements; reattached shade
structure at CHP; scheduled light repair at GSP.
• The horseshoe pits were refurbish at LAVP.
• CHP Mulberry restroom repair due to vandalism
• Window broken at San Ysidro Park’s Recreation Building
• Playground repairs at Rainbow Park, Los Arroyos, and Del Rey
• Vertical banners will be installed on Monterey Street in Downtown.
• Status update on the accessory panels at the pop-up park
12. BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN ENCOURAGEMENT & EDUCATION
VTA Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee representative Eugene Bernosky
updated the Commission about the local events celebrated during Biking to Wherever Day
in May, including the one he hosts at Gilroy Gardens. Also, he informed the Commission
about potential grant opportunities through the VTA.
13. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
Chair Bentson requested that the Miller Red Barn Association be invited to present again
at a future Commission meeting.
14. COMMISSIONER PARK REPORTS & COMMENTS
The Commissioner members provided the following reports:
• Bentson – At Del Rey, the cement is lifting; At Cydney Casper, the hop scotch
paint is coming off.
• Graham – CHP and Rainbow are well-maintained.
• Bozzo – Nothing to report.
• Ramirez – Sent the Parks Supervisor photos of graffiti he discovered at a park.
• Davis – Wanted a status about the water spigot at the Hecker Pass Dog Park;
indicated that there is a lack of seating at the Dog Park and more benches are
needed.
15. STAFF COMMENTS
None.
16. ADJOURNMENT
April 16, 2024 6:00 PM
Page 4 of 4
Parks and Recreation
Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
Chair Bentson adjourned the meeting at 8:17p.m.
__________________AH___________________
Adam Henig, Recreation Division
Recording Secretary