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08/20/2024 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Page 1 of 4 City of Gilroy Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes Tuesday, August 20, 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 Patricia Bentson, Chair Theresa Graham, Vice Chair Luis Ramirez, Commissioner Doc Davis, Commissioner Salvatore Bozzo, Commissioner Absent None 3. FLAG SALUTE 4. SECRETARY'S REPORT The agenda was posted on August 16, 2024. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 5.1. May 21, 2024 RESULT: Pass MOVED BY: Salvatore (Sam) Bozzo, Commissioner SECONDED By: Doc Davis, Commissioner AYES: Chair Bentson, Vice Chair Graham, Commissioner Ramirez, Commissioner Davis, and Commissioner Bozzo 6. APPROVAL OF AGENDA RESULT: Pass MOVED BY: Patricia Bentson, Chair SECONDED By: Sam Bozzo, Commissioner AYES: Chair Bentson, Vice Chair Graham, Commissioner Ramirez, Commissioner Davis, and Commissioner Bozzo 7. INTRODUCTIONS 8. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA - none 9. NEW BUSINESS 9.1. Golf Course Park Naming Request Assistant to the City Administrator Bryce Atkins presented his staff report to the Commission. Commissioner Bozzo requested that, if the name change is approved by City Council, there should be a sign to indicate its reinstated Ousley Park. Ousley descendent Barbara Armenta explained to the Commission that her family has been practicing agriculture for generations in Gilroy. August 20, 2024 6:00 PM Page 2 of 4 Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes During public comment, Gilroy Historical Society President Connie Rogers mentioned that the park has always been known as Ousley Park. She supported the renaming of the golf course to the Ousley name. She also mentioned that the Museum has records of the Ousley family in its archives. The Commission voted unanimously to approve the request to rename the Gilroy Golf Course area as Ousley Park. RESULT: Pass MOVED BY: Sam Bozzo, Commissioner SECONDED By: Patricia Bentson, Chair AYES: Chair Bentson, Vice Chair Graham, Commissioner Ramirez, Commissioner Davis, and Commissioner Bozzo 9.2. Potential Lease of Las Animas Recreation Building Economic Development Manager Victoria Valencia presented her staff report to the Commission. There were two representatives of the Gilroy Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous present to answer questions. Vice Chair Graham inquired about the building occupancy level and the on-site parking supply to park users. Ms. Valencia explained that the organization’s meetings are held early in the morning and in the evening, non-peak times for park usage. Commissioner Ramirez inquired about who would be responsible for building repairs and what is the condition of the building. Ms. Valencia said that as the landlord, the City would be. Commissioner Davis inquired about the organization’s insurance, which they already have and shared with the City. In a unanimous vote, the Commission motioned to approve a recommendation to the City Council to lease the Las Animas Veterans Park Recreation Room to Gilroy Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. RESULT: Pass MOVED BY: Luis Ramirez, Commissioner SECONDED BY: Patricia Bentson, Chair AYES: Chair Bentson, Vice Chair Graham, Commissioner Ramirez, Commissioner Davis, and Commissioner Bozzo 10. OLD BUSINESS 10.1. Potential Pickleball Court Site Evaluation Project - Scoring Collection Mr. Atkins presented his staff report and informed the Commission that he would be accepting their worksheets. Three Commission members submitted their worksheets, and Commissioner Bozzo and Commissioner Davis indicated that they would submit their worksheets to Mr. Atkins at a later date. During public comment, Ms. Rogers said that the Commission should consider South Valley Middle School, where there are 12 pickleball courts. It was explained that the project was focused only on city parks. At the next meeting, Mr. Atkins will share input and findings of the selection process. 10.2. Review of FY24 and FY25 Parks and Recreation Commission Work Plan August 20, 2024 6:00 PM Page 3 of 4 Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes Mr. Henig, Recreation Division Manager, reviewed the Work Plan and the following topics were mentioned: • Arbor Day – Will be held on Thursday October, 24 at Rainbow Park. Time still to be confirmed. • Pickleball – Commissioners submitted their results to staff and will await the findings. • Storywalk – Mr. Henig recommended that the Commission either select Christmas Hill Park or Las Animas Park as the site for implementing the Storywalk, which will be funded by the Gilroy Library. Commissioner Bozzo asked if the story will be bilingual, to which Gilroy librarian Cassandra Wong, who was present, said that she would look into it. Commissioner Graham asked about the number of panels that would be installed. Ms. Wong said about 15. There were concerns about graffiti, which Ms. Wong also addressed. Ms. Wong shared that the stories will be rotated about every 3-4 months. All Commission members supported having the Storywalk at Christmas Hill Park. Staff will return with more updates at a future meeting. 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 Mr. Sousa, Parks Supervisor, provided the following updates: • Christmas Hill Park – Three new restrooms opened by the Mulberry picnic area. • Prieto Park – The inclusive panels were installed as well as the plaque, in time for the Park naming ceremony. • There were pump failures at Christmas Hill, Carriage Hills, and Sunrise parks. Staff is working on fixing them. • Scoreboard is fixed at Gilroy Sports Park. • There will be new roofs installed at the bathrooms and recreation building at Las Animas Veterans Park. 12. COMMISSIONER PARK REPORTS & COMMENTS The following comments were made during the Commissioner Park Reports: • Bentson – Casper Park looks good. Sports Park turf looked like it needed more watering, but it could be because of the summer heat. • Graham – Christmas Hill Park looks good. • Bozzo – Went to Carriage Hills Park. It was fine. • Davis – Sunrise Park looks good. Forest looked clean but the grass was dry. Concerned about the overwatering of the trees at Third Street Dog Park. • Ramirez – Noticed graffiti at Las Animas Park by the shared wall with residents. Saw a busted pipe at Miller Park, on the southside. August 20, 2024 6:00 PM Page 4 of 4 Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes 13. STAFF COMMENTS 13.1. Annual Parks/Recreation Staff Appreciation Breakfast – Fall 2024 The Commission members selected Wednesday, September 25 at 9:00 a.m. for the annual staff appreciation breakfast at the Gilroy Senior Center. Mr. Henig will get back to Commissioners on a headcount. 14. FUTURE COMMISSIONER INITIATED ITEMS None. 15. ADJOURNMENT Chair Bentson adjourned the meeting at 7:53 p.m. ___________________AH__________________ Adam Henig, Recreation Division Recording Secretary