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From: Nora Pimentel
Sent: Tuesday, April 5, 2022 327 PM
To: Nora Pimentel
Cc: Melissa Meslo
Subject: Public Comment Emails on BMX Track Closure
Attachments: Santa Clara PAL Bmx Track ;Santa Clara PAL BMX; Santana Clara PAL BMX Track; City Council Meeting Re: SCPAL BMX track closure ~ Please read..; Santa Clara pal bmx; Santa Clara PAL bmx; Save our BMX track; I support Santa Clara PAL BMX; Santa Clara BMX; Santa Clara PAL BMX ;Santa Clara PAL BMX; Santa Clara PAL BMX; Re: Please Open SCBMX under USABMX Sanction for the KIDS!; PLEASE WE NEED SCPAL BMX OPEN! Please keep it under USABMX; Santa Clara Pal BMX; PAL BMX track; Santa Clara PAL BMX; Santa Clara Pal BMX Track; Support for SCPAL BMX; Santa Clara PAL BMX - Humble Request to keep it going; Santa Clara BMX; Santa Clara PAL BMX track feedback; Public Comment for 4/5/2022 City of Santa Clara Council Meeting Good afternoon Mayor and Council,
We received the attached emails in the Public Comment email box, these emails are all on the same subject matter "BMX Track Closure."
Thank you
Nora~~+~n.~v~~-eL MMc ~ Assistant City Clerl< I City Clerk's Office City of Santa Clara, California
1500 Warburton Ave. I Santa Clara, CA 95050
(0) 1.408.615.2222 I (F) 1.408.241.6771
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Melissa Meslo
From: Jasmine Delgado <delgado jasmine11 @yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, April 4, 2022 1:38 PM
To: Public Comment
Subject: Santa Clara PAL Bmx Track
To Whom it may concern ,
On behalf of the Trujillo-Delgado Family we want to share our thoughts about the Santa Clara Bmx track. My husband started racing at this track in 1999 he is now 30 years old and has introduced this track to both our boys. We have a 9 years old who started a year ago racing and has decided he wants to be a Pro Bmx Racer our home track is in Santa Clara this is the sport my kids play now they don't want to play any other sport last weekend we attended our first Nationals at Santa Clara and it was an amazing experience. The volunteers who have made it happened are an amazing team and without them it could've have not been done. This is a sport just like any other sports it keeps kids busy and out of trouble it's not only for the kids as well for the adults who look forward to racing at this track 3 times a week .Our 9 year old had some traumatic experiences during the school year where he was almost kidnapped per his therapist racing has helped him so much in keeping his mind busy at the track. We have met some friends who have turned into family at this track. The coaches who volunteer are amazing our 4 year old has started racing in September on a balance bike in October he started using a pedal bike and the coaches were so good with him teaching him how to ride on the track with a pedal bike. We stand by our volunteers and our track operators we will be sadden if this track gets closed. This is a 2nd home to many of us. Let's do it for the kids.
Thank you, Jasmine Delgado
From: ,~
To: Public Comment
Subject: Santa Clara PAL BMX
Date; Monday, April 4, 2022 2:47:15 PM
Attachments: imaae0.~na
M ayor and City Council,
To give you a few thoughts on Nick Valencia and his crew at the track. They are incredibly respected throughout the Bay Area and beyond. USABMX recognizes them as having one of the best run tracks in the Country! The amount of quality riders they put out is exceptional, and the amount of new riders they expose to the sport is phenomenal. My son started last year as a 7 year old novice rider. With Coach Nick, Benny, Deagan and all the others that run the track, he is now an Expert rider competing on the National race scene. In addition, he will be representing the United States in July on a Team USA BMX Team that will be competing in France. I also have a 10 year old daughter who has conquered some of her fears by racing, which is a life lesson she will enjoy, far past her BMX race days. This sport teaches them to have fun while learning about competing, losing, winning, working hard, managing emotions, dedication, and grit, just to name a few. To lose this program and this track would be a huge loss to the community's and the City. The PAL Board really lost an opportunity to work with the stakeholders of this amazing program to continue to build it. This program is recognized Nationally and State wide for it's National and State races they put on, and local businesses benefit from this financially as a bonus. Please help right this wrong and find a way to open the track back up with this Crew. You will not find a better people to run this program than Nick, Joey, Marissa, Jeff, and the Browns. It's more than just a track, it's a family that supports one another. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns with my statement or me, I would be more than happy to take you out to coffee and talk it over. Maybe we even go to the track and take a look. Take care and thank you for your time. The photo was taken this weekend of Nick and my son. Very proud of them both.
Jess Macias
Melissa Meslo
From: Jeffrey Marisa Sereni <jm8541 @sbcglobal.net>
Sent: Monday, April 4, 2022 6:59 PM
To: Public Comment
Subject: Save our BMX track
To whom it may concern,
I'm writing firstly as a parent and secondly as a volunteer. As a parent this facility means to world to my two boys. Both have grown up at SCPAL, racing 3 times a week and learning many life lessons. They have learned to set goals and how to achieve them. They have learned to work hard for the things they want to achieve. But most importantly, they have learned a sense of community and commitment. How to pay it forward. How to teach others. They have learned how to unselfishly become volunteers of the future. Secondly as a volunteer. The hours, days, nights, weekdays and weekend it has taken to get this facility to the place it is, It would be a shame to let that deteriorate away.
Do not let our BMX track fall to the wayside. The volunteer staff is considered one of the top staffs in USABMX and to have them run the facility, made it what it is today. Please consider reaching an agreement with USABMX and keep our track open.
Thank you
Jeff Sereni
Parent/Volunteer/Rider
Melissa Meslo
From: Philip Schuyler <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, April 4, 2022 7:50 PM
To: Public Comment
Subject: I support Santa Clara PAL BMX
Hello,
I'm writing in support of the BMX track in Santa Clara. The current group of volunteers do an amazing job to promote a safe place for people of all ages to ride bicycles.
I've seen nothing but professionalism in my years of racing there.
Please do whatever is necessary so that the operation remains the same.
Thanks for your time.
Phil Schuyler
Thanks,
Phil Schuyler
Melissa Meslo
From: Shprese Demiri-Head <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, April 4, 2022 7:54 PM
To: Public Comment
Subject: Santa Clara BMX
My name is sherry. I am from a family of 6 and absolutely love BMX. The community we have built here is like no other.
Not only do we cheer for our children but our children cheer for us parents and grandparents during our races. We are in desperate need for this BMX park to reopen UNDER USABMX sanction. Not only does this sport foster healthy competetion and excellent sportsmanship but it's excellent for our overall health. The pandemic of the last couple of years has had a huge negative impact on the mental health and physical well being of our families. Having the BMX park was the lift we needed to get back into the world. Our children especially need the track open. They need a safe place to do what they love! We have a mental health crisis and this sport provides just that...mental health therapy .Please city officials, please reopen it. .
Melissa Meslo
From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, April 4, 2022 8:34 PM
To: Public Comment
Subject: Santa Clara PAL BMX
To whom this may concern,
W hy we want Santa Clara PAL BMX sanctioned with USA BMX and current staff.
It brought families, the community and the entire Bay Area to spend time doing what they love and that is racing. We got to spend quality time with our children and young adults. It gave every rider a chance to be a winner. To learn to win or loose and to keep trying and not give up. The staff helped our families gain confidence and self esteem out on the track.
Everyone had the same goal and that was to get the # 1 plate. Racers earned points and those points earned your plate number for the next USA BMX season. My son was at plate #977 last season and this season he earned plate # 158 this was a big accomplishment for him.
There are also several race series racers can compete in. They are State Champions, Gold Cup Champions, District Champions and The National #1 championship.
USA BMX gives everyone the opportunity to ride ,practice or compete in a race. They provided loaner bikes and helmets for FREE.
The staff and track operators have always been professional, fun, and kind to all the riders and there families. We count on them to boost our children and young adults self esteem. Our riders trust the current staff and feel confident when our riders are on the track.
The staff continued to come out and stayed open and took us during the COVID shutdown when we had no wear else to go.
If Santa Clara does not stay sanctioned with USA BMX the Kids ,adults and young adults will loose all they have earned and worked hard for. They will not be able to compete in all the different races and earn there plate number.
Please don't separate our families and community.
Kind regards,
Sophia Plancarte
Melissa Meslo
From: Suni Rose <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, April 4, 2022 9:04 PM
To: Mayor and Council
Cc: Public Comment; Police; Parks and Recreation; [email protected]; Lisa Gillmor; Sudhanshu Jain; [email protected]; Anthony Becker; Kevin Park; Raj Chahal; Karen Hardy
Subject: Santa Clara PAL BMX
Attachments: SC PAL BMX.docx
To whom it may concern,
Today I learned of a discussion that may be happening in the open forum/new business section of the April, 5, 2022 city council meeting, that would address concerns about future funding of the Santa Clara PAL BMX track. As a recipient of the "PAL Person of the year" (1982), a parent of two children that actively participated in BMX racing (circa 2007 - 2011), and as a volunteer that handed out trophies, helped with sign ins, could be found in the snack shack, and often near the air pump or Moto boards making new families feel welcome; would like to express my concerns that there is any discussion of defending this very prominent, beloved, and long lasting important PAL supported sport that still exists within the boundaries of a city that I was a permanent resident of for a vast majority of my life. I could recount the many trophies and accolades that my daughter achieved during this time; including #1 ranked 9- year old Girl in District 8, and number 3 Girl in the Northern California Region for 2009; not to leave out the extensive catalogue of life experiences that revolved around my son often referred to as "dirt digger" Roulston. But, that would only bore folks and annoy those of you that have been in closed session since 2pm today, so i will simply say the following: this city/PAL funded sport has been a part of this community since the 1990's when it was actually happening outside my bedroom on the Agnew's Development Center (which in 1885 was known as the"The Great Asylum for the Insane") as a California Conservation Corps (CCC) member, and where I coincidentally got to see my brother race, is still something families can experience today. It's a sport where many of us were exposed to community, found friends, and in some cases build family. Every sport/trend ebbs and flows (wanes/waxes) and in this day in age, those cities that can hold on to their traditions and community find the largest victories. I may be an old fashioned kind of gal, but 2011 is not so long ago. I ask that you to thoughtfully consider what investment you are making to the future of Santa Clara's uniqueness as a small city, in a very busy major metropolitan area, that can provide acommunity/family oriented twice-weekly experience that is hard to afford in the county named after this amazing city.
Thank you for your time,
Suni Rose
Check out all my latest Rant Blasts, Qikis, and episodes at: www.sunisaysso.com
Melissa Meslo
From: Tory Newman <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, April 4, 2022 9:07 PM
To: Public Comment
Subject: Santa Clara PAL BMX
Greetings Honorable City Counsel Members,
1 wanted to take a moment to reach out to you to share the thoughts and experiences of our family in regards to the Santa Clara PAL BMX program. When I was a child, I was shy and had little self confidence. I was introduced to BMX by a family member at around 12 years old. Shortly after I started to race BMX I noticed that I was surrounded by people that wanted to help and see me succeed. I quickly began to gain confidence and became part of a community, a family.
Friends from the track would come over to my house and we'd go ride together off the track to train for racing. Faster forward 24 years and my youngest daughter who has the same social anxiety I grew up with sees one of my old BMX trophies in the garage and says she'd like to try racing BMX. She had very few friends and was very withdrawn around new people. Only a few short weeks after beginning BMX, she had met a small group of kids she called her friends. They shared a common interest and all worked to help each other improve. Now 7 years later, the confidence she gained though Santa Clara PAL BMX has transferred into her every day life. She has friends at school and her teachers always commend her willingness to help others and her optimistic attitude.
The suspension of racing at Santa Clara PAL BMX has left a void is her life. We now have to travel much further to ride.
W ith other family commitments, it is sometimes impossible to make it to other tracks and she is therefore missing the opportunity to have the positive social interaction she's grown to enjoy and that helps her to thrive. During the last 7 years, I've seen countless children benefit from the Santa Clara PAL BMX program the same way my daughter has and same as I did so many years ago.
On behalf of our family, we ask that you consider and advance any opportunity to reopen the Santa Clara PAL BMX track as soon as possible to allow our children to continue to grow and train to meet their goals. Without this track, the chances of many of these children to succeed with the goals they've set for themselves are greatly diminished.
Thank you in advance for your time.
Best regards,
Tory Newman &Family
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
Melissa Meslo
From: Jody Gwinner <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 5, 2022 7:33 AM
To: Lisa Gillmor; Sudhanshu Jain; [email protected]; Anthony Becker; Raj Chahal; Karen Hardy; Kevin Park; Public Comment
Subject: Re: Please Open SCBMX under USABMX Sanction for the KIDS! On Apr 4, 2022, at 10:14 PM, Jody Gwinner <si [email protected]> wrote:
To the Mayor of Santa Clara Lisa Gillmore, Vice Mayor Suds Jain, and City Council Members Kathy W antanabe, Anthony J. Becker, Kevin Park, Raj Chahal, and Karen Hardy, My daughters are 8 and 2. They both BMX at Santa Clara PAL BMX every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.
My husband will occasionally race as well. His first time racing at SCPALBMX was when he was 7 years old, and stop racing as an expert in his teens when he moved to Australia. There is nothing like enjoying a hobby as a family, especially one that promotes us to be outside, getting exercise, connecting with other families. My 8 year old chooses to share her trophies for show and tell, writes every journey entry in class about BMX racing, and the friends she has made at the track. She is excited for race day, no matter the weather or what kind of day she has had. She has tried other sports, but "nothing compares to BMX. Id rather be riding my bile, instead of getting stressed out about a ball in the hot sun."-Irie Rossi. My 2 year old, Olive, is slower than honey on a cold day, but she looks forward to racing like her big sister. SCBMX community and volunteers are patient, and cheer heron as she stops on her strider bike and waves at the crowd, and takes her sweet time with a big smile on her face.
W ithout Santa Clara PAL BMX being under USABMX sanction, our family would have to travel over an hour to ride/race. With my husbands already long commute, cost of gas, and time, we would not be able to race regularly. Trying to explain to an 8 year old why her home track may not be a race track anymore is heartbreaking. She finally found a place where she belongs, and we don't know if its going to be here to stay. BMX is a sport my husband and daughters hold dear to their heart, and watching them share this is the world to us. Please listen to our community. We want this for the kids. They are putting in hard work, for something they love, that is healthy and important for their development as children and young adults. The SCPAL BMX community is kind, welcoming, and supportive. Please do not let this end.
This is the home track for the whole South Bay.
W e need this track open ASAP under USABMX sanction, Pleasei Kind Regards,
Jody Rossi
408-644-3410
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From: Jerry Denniston <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, April 4, 2022 2:59 PM
To: Public Comment
Subject: Santana Clara PAL BMX Track
wanted to take a moment and express to you how important it is for Santa Clara PAL BMX to exist. This track is visited by all kinds of kids and their families throughout the race season and is enjoyed by them all. The volunteers and track director work tirelessly to provide a place where they can come race. This also keeps kids off the streets and out of trouble. It teaches them discipline and competition. We do really appreciate that they have a place to actually have a track when it is really tough to find the right location to put one. One that is visible and presentable. They also keep it affordable for it's members to attend and race. In a time when everything is increasing in price, people start to weigh the cost vs benefit of things. This is on e of the very few things in this day and age that stays relatively affordable and enjoyable by all who are involved. I want to thank you for being supportive of BMX as well because many don't understand it unless they are involved themselves. So, thank you for allowing us a place to come and enjoy ourselves and compete.
Sincerely,
Jerry Denniston
Melissa Meslo
From: C. Thomas Verceluz <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, April 4, 2022 3:35 PM
To: Public Comment
Subject: City Council Meeting Re: SCPAL BMX track closure ~ Please read..
Attachments: SCPAL.docx
To The City of Santa Clara
City Council Meeting
Re: Santa Clara PAL BMX Track Closure
Dear Sir/Madam,
Hello, my name is Cesar Verceluz. I am the father of Caleb Verceluz. My son is 9 years of age, and he is one of the many kids who's anxiously awaiting the reopening of the Santa Clara PAL BMX track. This letter serves as our voice hoping that it will have an impact on the reopening of the track as soon as possible under the current management &board members, specifically Nick Valencia, Joey Bixler, and Marisa Sereni alongside USABMX.
My son could not have been more heartbroken when he learned his local track (where he started racing just over a year ago) is now being threatened to be shut down. This track has given him a lot and the people we meet at this place -- we consider family. As a parent, my personal favorite is the self-growth I saw him develop from this place. This place has taught him to have goals --goals he's passionate about. We know this because we see it in him every time we talk about this place. By that same token, it has also taught him that sometimes goals don't always pan out as planned, and those failures are reality. It teaches him to become stronger, to work even harder, and to never give up whatever challenges he's faced. He has given everything to this program to the point where he had broken his collarbone during a race. But despite all the challenges, he keeps coming back here, he keeps working on his craft, he keeps focused, etc. It is very disheartening to hear that such a wonderful program is suddenly being pulled out right under him. I know my son and are not alone in echoing this sentiment. As I mentioned earlier, the people we meet at this place are family to us and we know we are not alone. We sincerely hope for your reconsideration and having the track reopen very soon! Thank you very much,
Cesar Verceluz
To The City of Santa Clara
City Council Meeting
Re: Santa Clara PAL BMX Track Closure
Dear Sir/Madam,
Hello, my name is Cesar Verceluz. I am the father of Caleb Verceluz. My son is 9 years of age, and he is one of the many kids who's anxiously awaiting the reopening of the Santa Clara PAL BMX track. This letter serves as our voice hoping that it will have an impact on the reopening of the track as soon as possible under the current management &board members, specifically Nick Valencia, Joey Bixler, and Marisa Sereni alongside USABMX.
My son could not have been more heartbroken when he learned his local track (where he started racing just over a year ago) is now being threatened to be shut down. This track has given him a lot and the people we meet at this place -- we consider family. As a parent, my personal favorite is the self-growth saw him develop from this place. This place has taught him to have goals -- goals he's passionate about.
W e know this because we see it in him every time we talk about this place. By that same token, it has also taught him that sometimes goals don't always pan out as planned, and those failures are reality. It teaches him to become stronger, to work even harder, and to never give up whatever challenges he's faced. He has given everything to this program to the point where he had broken his collarbone during a race. But despite all the challenges, he keeps coming back here, he keeps working on his craft, he keeps focused, etc. It is very disheartening to hear that such a wonderful program is suddenly being pulled out right under him. I know my son and I are not alone in echoing this sentiment. As I mentioned earlier, the people we meet at this place are family to us and we know we are not alone. We sincerely hope for your reconsideration and having the track reopen very soon!
Thank you very much,
Cesar Verceluz
Melissa Meslo
From: Brian Jenkins <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, April 4, 2022 5:22 PM
To: Public Comment
Subject: Santa Clara pal bmx
Good afternoon
My name is Brian Jenkins, and I am writting you in regards to the situation that has developed at Santa Clara pal bmx. have become deeply concerned at the unwillingness to compromise by the Police Activities Leauge. They have proven without a doubt that the iinterests they have are financial and not community based. There have been several opportunitys to "do the right thing" and have chosen to draw a hard line in the sand. i am pleading with the Santa Clara city council members to please involve yourselves with this situation and help get this track back open with its current track operators. This track is a much needed activity for children( and adults) in the entire bay area peninsula. The current track operators are a huge part of the success of this track, and to lose them would most definately kill the track.
The pal board has stated that they would run the track without them, or the usa bmx sanctioning. I assure you, if that happens, you will have a dead track and no one will attend. Its a lose lose situation. Take a little tim, do some research on the sport and you will see, it is not a half hearted operation.
In the middle of this "shut down" hundreds of familys are forced to drive long distances to continue doing what they love. Ridinb BMX!!
Please! Get our track back open!!!
Thank you for your time
Brian I Jenkins
Melissa Meslo
From: Sean lehew <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, April 4, 2022 621 PM
To: Public Comment
Subject: Santa Clara PAL bmx
The past national race was our second time visiting the track and the 3rd time we have been to California. The first was last June for their last national. We came all the way from florida just to race but ended up loving your beautiful state and to think it might never had happened if SCPAL BMX didn't get a national.
Looking forward to a return visit next year!
Thanks again the Lehew Family from Punta Gorda FL
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April 4, 2022
To: The City of Santa Clara
1500 Warburton Dr.
Santa Clara, Ca 95050
mavorandcouncil@santaclaraca.~ov
From: Sonja "Suni" Rose
42447 W. Capistrano Dr
Maricopa, AZ 85138
ECC: PublicComment(a~santaclaraca.gov
police(a~santaclaraca.gov
parksandrecreation(a~santaclaraca.gov
santaclarapalbmx(c~gmail.com
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RE: Santa Clara Police Activities League (PAL) BMX Track To whom it may concern,
Today I learned of a discussion that may be happening in the open forum/new business section of the April, 5, 2022 city council meeting, that would address concerns about future funding of the Santa Clara PAL BMX track. As a recipient of the "PAL Person of the year" (1982), a parent of two children that actively participated in BMX racing (circa 2007 - 2011), and as a volunteer that handed out trophies, helped with sign ins, could be found in the snack shack, and often near the air pump or Moto boards making new families feel welcome; I would like to express my concerns that there is any discussion of defunding this very prominent, beloved, and long lasting important PAL supported sport that still exists within the boundaries of a city that I was a permanent resident of for a vast majority of my life. I could recount the many trophies and accolades that my daughter achieved during this time; including #1 ranked 9- year old Girl in District 8, and number 3 Girl in the Northern California Region for 2009; not to leave out the e~ensive catalogue of life experiences that revolved around my son often referred to as "dirt digger" Roulston.
But, that would only bore folks and annoy those of you that have been in closed session since 2pm today, so I will simply say the following: this city/PAL funded sport has been a part of this community since the 1990's when it was actually happening outside my bedroom on the Agnew's Development Center (which in 1885 was known as the"The Great Asylum for the Insane") as a California Conservation Corps (CCC) member, and where I coincidentally got to see my brother race, is still something families can experience today. IYs a sport where many of us were exposed to community, found friends, and in some cases build family. Every sport/trend ebbs and flows (wanes/waxes) and in this day in age, those cities that can hold on to their traditions and community find the largest victories. I may be an old fashioned kind of gal, but 2011 is not so long ago. I ask that you to thoughtfully consider what
investment you are making to the future of Santa Clara's uniqueness as a small city, in a very busy major metropolitan area, that can provide acommunity/family oriented twice-weekly experience that is hard to afford in the county named after this amazing city.
Thank you for your time,
Suni Rose
Melissa Meslo
From: Jody Rossi <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 5, 2022 8:46 AM
To: Lisa Gillmor; Sudhanshu Jain; [email protected]; Anthony Becker; Raj Chahal; Karen Hardy; Kevin Park; Public Comment
Subject: PLEASE WE NEED SCPAL BMX OPEN! Please keep it under USABMX Attachments: 54607563-1850-4E46-8CA3-C7A09DEA1C30.heic; 4BFFDB71-B97E-47CA-BAE1- F8DC866D293F jpeg; 174EDF17-8A93-4C82-8D2C-9DB5B8F4B2E7.heic Santa Clara City Mayor and City Council,
Our BMX community is hoping you will help us keep our track open and running under BMX sanction. BMX is a sport that people from all ages get to enjoy doing. There are not many sports out there where mom, dad, grandparents, and grandchildren get to participate together. Santa Clara PAL BMX is home track to people all over the Bay Area, and every race day you see riders from Manteca, Modesto, San Francisco, Hollister, Gilroy, Tracy, and even out of state.
Both my daughters race at Santa Clara BMX. My 8 year old has struggled finding a sport, and she found much more at SCPAL BMX. She has made friends, she has found confidence, she is excited to race with her dad, who started racing at SC BMX when he was 7 years old. My 2 almost 3 year old is excited to take her strider bike out. The community has been like no other I have encountered. They are warm, kind, and welcoming. There is love and support here in Santa Clara, and I would hate to see this go.
If this track becomes a practice track and is not under USABMX sanction, we will lose our community. Everyone is out here to race, and sadly people will venture to other tracks, or stop racing all together. These kids are putting in work, and have a safe healthy outlet, and we owe it to them to be able to continue to do what they love. Please have our back, listen to the community, we need this.
Thank you,
The Rossi Family
i
Melissa Meslo
From: Heidi Jenkins <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 5, 2022 9:22 AM
To: Public Comment
Subject: Santa Clara Pal BMX
To whom it may concern,
I'd like to start by letting you know that the volunteers at Santa Clara Pal are wonderful people. I'm sure you have received tons of emails informing you of this, but they truly are. They are not out there because it's a job, they are out there as volunteers, they are out there because they want to. They are the Kindest people. They are super helpful and supportive of the children and families who are new to the sport and have questions. They are supportive of each and every kid whose dream is to go pro, orjust a kid who wants to win, orjust a kid whose looking to make new friends while riding a bike. With that being said, they are the back bone to this location flourishing and making this track one of the top 5 in the country. My child and husband started racing during COVID and you have no idea just how great this sport has been in helping my child boost his confidence. We have made wonderful new friends while getting exercise in. With this location being closed, some of us are driving our kids, spouses and selves to other tracks. (And I'm sure you know how expensive gas is right now). We are spending our money in other cities, when we would previously spend it in Santa Clara. But most importantly, they are losing out on points needed and valuable practice time.
We all hope that some kind of resolution can be made as soon as possible so that the track can open once more. Please, please open the track. We need to get out there!
Thank you for your time.
Melissa Meslo
From: Christine Lauren <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 5, 2022 9:26 AM
To: Lisa Gillmor; Sudhanshu Jain; [email protected]; Anthony Becker; Kevin Park; Raj Chahal; Karen Hardy; Public Comment; Kathy Watanabe; Mayor and Council Subject: PAL BMX track
Good Morning Santa Clara Representatives,
am writing to you to ask to you to reopen the USA BMX sanctioned track at Santa Clara PAL ASAP.
This track has been an integral part of my two children's lives for the past year. We discovered the track during COVID when no other sports activities were available to the kids. I had no idea what I was getting into when I first took my son to the track for an Open House day. I could not get him off the track, and he stayed until they put up the chain. immediately enrolled him in the USA BMX sanctioned BMX League ran by the amazing track personnel. After his first day, he told me that the track was his second home!!!! Since that day, all he ever wants to do is race at the track, be with his friends, and with the awesome group of people who volunteer their time to run the track!! He even wanted his birthday party to be at the track...but that couldn't happen =(
There is no reason the track cannot be reopened. It is hurting the kids, and their abilities to race and be coached by some amazing talent.
Do you know that BMX racing is actually an Olympic sport? There are many kids at the track, including my son, whose dream is to be on the Olympic BMX team. There is no other facility like Santa Clara PAL BMX in the Bay Area and it would be a shame to see this program shut down. Since starting BMX, our family has traveled all around California, Nevada, Arizona and Oregon to race because the kids love racing that much!! And I can personally say that the Santa Clara PAL BMX track is top notch compared to the other tracks we have raced at.
You have an opportunity here to bring back the track immediately, and allow the track operators to do their thing to make Santa Clara PAL BMX an amazing program that racers are proud to be part of. I know you will not be let down or disappointed if you support these efforts. Please give them a chance.
You can read this latest article published at USABMX regarding the track and the kind of talent that comes to race at Santa Clara PAL BMX. Golden State Nationals race report Golden State Nationals race report
USA BMX /BMX CANADA - Worids largest BNiX ~~acin~
organization.
Sincerely,
(BMX mom)
Christine Macias
Melissa Meslo
From: Sophia P <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 5, 2022 10:12 AM
To: Public Comment
Subject: Santa Clara PAL BMX
Attachments: Screenshot_20220405-095325_Snapchat jpg; IMG_0426 jpg; 20210917_222647 jpg; Snapchat-612647131.jpg
Santa Clara Pal BMX sanctioned with USA BMX builds friendships and self esteem.
Attached is a picture of my son moving up to the intermediate class last season. And this season he was able to get a new number plate. My daughter is in the strider program showing she won 2nd place. During the time she met a new friend.
Don't break up or families and friendships.
Kind Regards,
Sophia
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Melissa Meslo
From: Dunigan, Stephen <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, April 5, 2022 10:45 AM
To: Public Comment
Subject: Santa Clara Pal BMX Track
To whom it may concern:
W e have been told that Santa Clara Pal BMX Track is closed for whatever reasons the powers that be have stated. I just don't understand how the #1 track in the country just gets shutdown! My son and I live in Madera, California. Our first trip to the track was in January of 2017. When we showed up, we were not impressed with the facility and my son told me the track was trash. Then Nick Valencia and his team started making major improvements to the track. We started to make the 2 hour drive just to race on this much improved track. Fast forward to 2021 and the track is the #1 track in the country and my son rates it as the best in California. This just didn't happen overnight. Credit needs to be given where it is due. Nick and his team have made tremendous strides in bringing a top notch facility to California. They were also able to achieve these feats while still keeping race fees at $10 per rider, which is unheard of as most tracks charge $12-15 per rider. This team has not only boosted the tracks revenue but also increased the revenue to the Police Activities League for other sports.
In closing, I just want to reiterate that The Santa Clara Pal BMX Traci< would not be what it is today if Nick and his team didn't care about the sport, the ridership and the program. This team needs to stay in place and reopen the track!!!! Thank you for your time
Stephen Dunigan
Melissa Meslo
From: Chris Barresi <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 5, 2022 10:50 AM
To: Public Comment
Subject: Support for SCPAL BMX
Dear Santa Clara Council and staff,
Please work expeditiously to agree to terms with all involved parties to keep the track open and operating. Our whole family enjoys the track immensely, three of us ride and we miss it dearly. Although my kids also participate in other team sports, bmx racing has been such a confidence builder and personal challenge that other sports don't quite provide. The track operators work incredibly hard to run a smooth operation, welcoming and incorporating new riders, and coaching and supporting the riders. Having ridden several other tracks, PAL is top notch and that is all due to the volunteers. When riding for the first time, Joey Bixler announces someone's first time at the track and says "welcome to the family," which after almost a year at the track, it certainly feels like. He also announces "move ups" when a rider reaches the number of wins to move up to the next proficiency level, ahard-earned accomplishment. My daughter has 9 novice wins and was going for her tenth which would move her up to intermediate while we were riding in Roseville during spring break. She did not want to win and "move up" there because she wants to do it at PAL and hear Joey call her win. Now she's sorta on hold. I am sure confident an agreement can be made to ensure track operations are all above board and beneficial for all involved.
Thank you for your consideration,
Chris, Katy, Shae and JJ Barresi
Portola Valley, CA
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From: Vinay Kumar <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 5, 2022 1222 PM
To: Public Comment
Subject: Santa Clara PAL BMX -Humble Request to keep it going Hello City Council Team,
Through this email I want to highlight the importance of having Santa Clara PAL BMX sport activity center in the center of silicon valley. Santa Clara PAL BMX has been serving the community through thick n thin. It has given an opportunity to the kids/adults of Bay Area and surrounding areas to come learn, practice and excel at a sport that is featured at the recently concluded Olympics. Enthusiasts mostly kids look forward to their weekend to be at this location trying to master their skills and try something new each time. The news of this location being discontinued is a great shocker to all of us and we would like to request you to please re-consider this decision.
Please consider giving the kids &people of Bay Area a unique way to pursue their passion through Santa Clara PAL BMX program.
From a Humble Father
Vinay
Melissa Meslo
From: Derek Stanfill <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 5, 2022 1:42 PM
To: Public Comment
Subject: Santa Clara BMX
am writing in to give my support to Nick Valencia and his out standing crew of volunteers. have been going to SCPAL BMX since 1994 when it was at Agnew's. This track made me who I am.This track is vital to not only our local community but also the people who travel from all over the World to experience one of the best facilities in BMX.
So many of our youth get alienated in Team type sports. In BMX you are your team. You create your destiny and control your goals.
A BMX bike has taken me around the world and given me many life lessons I would not have earned otherwise. These bikes take kids from their stress poverty violence etc at home and gives them the dreams of being in the Olympics one day.
Remove PAL from this scenario and allow the volunteers to continue to build up our youth and showcase to the world that we have the absolutely best track in America. Support our track operators in their tireless support of our youth. Let's show America and the people watching Santa Clara cares about our youth and healthy activity outlets besides another baseball field that sits empty.
Shame on PALs unbiased claims and meddling with the Hard working dedicated Volunteer group. They should all step down after this debacle and absolute fumble.Greed and power hungry politics have no room in our sport.
Sincerely
Derek Stanfill
Santa Clara County Resident since birth.
Melissa Meslo
From: TFB Designs <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 5, 2022 2:02 PM
To: Public Comment
Subject: Santa Clara PAL BMX track feedback
To Whom This May Concern:
My name is Rachel Bostock. My husband and I as well as our 2 daughters have been racing at the Santa Clara PAL BMX track since 2019. My husband had also raced back when he was 12 years old at the Santa Clara PAL BMX track. This is great family sport and our family has made alot of close bonds with other BMX families because of the track. Nick Valencia, The Sereni family and Joey Bixler do an awesome job running the track. The track is well maintained and motos are ran very efficiently.
They hold awesome events like the Great America banquet, jersey series, hoody series, and clinics for kids to work on their riding skill. We have traveled all over California as well other states and Santa Clara PAL BMX track is one of the best tracks around. We are sad to see the track closed and hope the track can reopen in the near future. This is great sport that we can do as a family and I hate to see it go away.
Sincerely,
Rachel and Tim Bostock
My name is Kayla Bostock. I am 8 years old. If the track wasn't there during the pandemic then there wouldn't be any sport for me to compete in. I love that Santa Clara PAL BMX track is so close to my house so I can race there a few times a week. I really love this track and if they took it away then would be really really sad.
My name is Sarah Bostock. I am 11 years old. The track keeps us healthy and it keeps us well conditioned for the future. If the track closed forever then we wouldn't have another track to race at that is close to our house. I like the track because there are tons of people to race with and it is very competitive. The track has a great design and helps me build my stamina. The announcers there are great and do an awesome job saying everyone's name during a race.
TFB Designs
55 W. 6th St.
Gilroy, CA 95020
www.tfbdesigns.com
(408) 842-3251
Melissa Meslo
From: Perez, Teresa <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 5, 2022 2:06 PM
To: Public Comment
Cc: Teresa Perez
Subject: Public Comment for 4/5/2022 City of Santa Clara Council Meeting Good evening Madam Mayor and Councilmembers
am submitting a public comment in support and solidarity to the current Santa Clara PAL BMX Track Management Team. Seven years, SCPAL BMX has been our dedicated home track and staple racing track three times a week for my daughter, son, and our racing community and families. This solid volunteer group and their children, have committed their days and weekends to our racing community in growing the sport, coaching, educating bike safety and racing and providing a encouragement to every rider regardless of skill level, age or gender. They are the embodiment of health, wellness sportsmanship and leadership. The slanderous accusations presented by the SCPAL Board is egregious and unfounded and apologies are overdue. Please support your community, surrounding city and county residents, riders and children in bringing a resolution that will reopen our beloved track and continue these rider's untraditional sports goals of achieving podium placements locally, regionally and nationally, etc. Our community has grown into a highly supported cycling community, and your residents need this track to continue adeep-rooted history in many professional and amateur bicycling disciplines and continue the growth of the next generation of youth and families that are engaging in physical activities outside of the traditional sports. Attendees of this track commute three times a week, up to one to two hours each way, just to race and train at this technical facility and experienced staff. The closing of this facility has impaired so many with no other available tracks to ride and train at. This is no traditional sport like Football, baseball and soccer, where their fields are in extremely high abundance. Thank you for your time and support. Teresa Perez, resident of Gilroy, Team Member — Factory LRC Mongoose
Kind Regards,
Teresa Perez OMC A9YA
Social Services Agency
Employment Services Bureau
1879 Senter Rd. San Jose, CA 95020
Phone: 408-758-3730
W eb: www.ecstaffin~.scc~ov.or~
Email: [email protected]~ov.or~