City of Santa Clara
Meeting Minutes
Parks & Recreation Commission
Draft
7:00 PM Hybrid Meeting
Cafeteria - City Hall East Wing
1500 Warburton Avenue
Santa Clara, CA 95050
11/21/2023
Commissioner Vikas Gupta will be attending remotely from the following location:
C56 Ram Marg, Shastri Nagar, Jaipur 302016, India
The City of Santa Clara is conducting the Parks & Recreation Commission meeting in a hybrid manner (in-person and a method for the public to participate remotely).
Via Zoom:
https://santaclaraca.zoom.us/j/91316665755
Meeting ID: 913 1666 5755
Or join by phone: 669-900-6833
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Commissioner Gupta attended the meeting remotely from the following location:
C56 Ram Marg, Shastri Nagar, Jaipur 302016, India
Commissioner Hai was ill, and attended the meeting via Zoom as a member of the public.
Chair Caldwelll called the Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting to order at 7:03 PM.
Chair Dana Caldwell, Commissioner Maureen Chu, Commissioner Kelly Cox, Commissioner Brittany Ricketts, and Commissioner Vikas Gupta
Present 5 -
Commissioner Eversley Forte, and Vice Chair Sajid HaiAbsent 2 -
11/21/2023Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Commissioner Cox made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chu, to excuse Commissioner Forte and Vice-Chair Hai.
Aye: Chair Caldwell, Commissioner Chu, Commissioner Cox, Commissioner Ricketts, and Commissioner Gupta
5 -
Excused: Commissioner Forte, and Vice Chair Hai2 -
CONSENT CALENDAR
1.A 23-1214 Action on the Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes of the October 17, 2023 Meeting
Recommendation:
Approve the Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes of the October 17, 2023 Meeting.
Commissioner Chu made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Cox, to recommend approval of the October 17, 2023 Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes.
Aye: Chair Caldwell, Commissioner Chu, Commissioner Cox, Commissioner Ricketts, and Commissioner Gupta
5 -
Excused: Commissioner Forte, and Vice Chair Hai2 -
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
None.
GENERAL BUSINESS
2. 23-1366 Make a Recommendation to Council on the Preferred Park Master Plan and Schematic Design for Henry Schmidt Park Playground Rehabilitation Project
Recommendation:
Make a recommendation to Council on the preferred park master plan and schematic design for Henry Schmidt Park and Playground Rehabilitation Project
The Commission heard a presentation by Gates and Associates and reviewed the park design options. The Commission preferred option 2.
Commissioner Chu made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Cox, to recommend Option 2 to Council, as the preferred park master plan and schematic design for Henry Schmidt Park Playground
Rehabilitation Project.
Aye: Chair Caldwell, Commissioner Chu, Commissioner Cox, Commissioner Ricketts, and Commissioner Gupta
5 -
11/21/2023Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Excused: Commissioner Forte, and Vice Chair Hai2 -
3. 23-1211 Receive a Presentation and Provide Feedback on the De La Cruz/Coleman Bikeway Planning Project
Recommendation: Receive a presentation and provide feedback on draft design concepts.
4. 23-1369
The Commission heard a presentation and shared feedback on the design concepts. They expressed a preference for bike lanes that match the flow of traffic on both sides of the road. Having bike lanes match the flow of traffic could avoid serious conflicts with bicyclists. The Commission also expressed the need to make barriers highly visible. If at all possible, adding landscaping adjacent to the bike lanes, would soften the appearance and improve the aesthetics of barren areas, and could also have a positive effect on the flow of traffic.
Parks & Recreation Commission Work Plan Goals for FY2023/24 Recommendation: Report on activities and efforts in support of the Commission’s Work Plan Goals for FY 2023/24.
Commissioner Chu made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Gupta, to recommend the approval of an additional goal to consider the annual budget of the Parks & Recreation Department during the budget preparation process and make recommendations with respect thereto to the City Manager and the City Council.
Aye: Chair Caldwell, Commissioner Chu, Commissioner Cox, Commissioner Ricketts, and Commissioner Gupta
5 -
Excused: Commissioner Forte, and Vice Chair Hai2 -
11/21/2023Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
STAFF REPORT
Acting Director Seale reported that the Magical Bridge All-Inclusive Playground Project is on schedule for completion in summer 2024; Fairway Glen restroom will be installed by the end of the year; Parks Division staff have added dozens of shrubs to Montague Park; and all aquatic facilities are up and running. The Holiday Tree Lighting Event will be held on Friday, December 1, 5:30 - 8:30 PM. Commissioners should be present and ready to be on stage by 6:00 PM. The Nutcracker is upcoming at the Mission City Center for Performing Arts located at Wilcox High School. Commissioner Forte had shared an email regarding the German Holiday Market as an example of how a market may be added to enhance an event. The Holiday Home Decorating Contest will be starting soon. For more information, go to:
https://www.santaclaraca.gov/our-city/government/boards-commissions/cult ural-commission/decorating-contest. The Art Center is not moving forward, as SummerHill has pulled out of this project. The Placer AI pilot, which considers park site visit data, will be starting soon.
Recreation Manager Castro indicated that the Recreation Division will use some of their production items for "Sponge Bob Square Pants," which is a hilarious show and will be a fun production this summer.
Commissioner Cox left the meeting at 9:03 PM.
11/21/2023Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
COMMISSIONERS REPORT
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Chu reported that she has been to Henry Schmidt Park building for Nutcracker rehearsal; she will be volunteering backstage for Nutcracker in December; and went to Milpitas Community Theater. She wondered if the Roberta Jones Jr. Theater has a relationship with them since they are doing similar work and may have costumes to share.
Commissioner Gupta reported that since he will still be out the country, he will not be able to attend the Holiday Tree Lighting. Recently, he has frequented Central Park and observed good progress on the Magical Bridge project; he has been thinking about the rebuilding of the ISC, talking to officials, staff, and volunteers at pool facilities that he visits to understand how they build, maintain, and operate their facilities. He will keep the Commission updated and will share more.
Commissioner Ricketts reported that she visited Henry Schmidt Park.
She attended and enjoyed the ethics presentation via Zoom.
Chair Caldwell reported that he visited Westwood Oaks Park and the contractor is making great progress with the construction; and all non-native eucalyptus trees within the fenced area have been removed.
Commissioner Chu made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Ricketts, to adjourn the Parks & Recreation Commission meeting at 9:14 PM, until the next regular meeting on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at 7:00 PM.
Aye: Chair Caldwell, Commissioner Chu, Commissioner Ricketts, and Commissioner Gupta
4 -
Excused: Commissioner Forte, and Vice Chair Hai2 -
Absent: Commissioner Cox1 -
MEETING DISCLOSURES
11/21/2023Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes The time limit within which to commence any lawsuit or legal challenge to any quasi-adjudicative decision made by the City is governed by Section 1094.6 of the Code of Civil Procedure, unless a shorter limitation period is specified by any other provision. Under Section 1094.6, any lawsuit or legal challenge to any quasi-adjudicative decision made by the City must be filed no later than the 90th day following the date on which such decision becomes final. Any lawsuit or legal challenge, which is not filed within that 90-day period, will be barred. If a person wishes to challenge the nature of the above section in court, they may be limited to raising only those issues they or someone else raised at the meeting described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Santa Clara, at or prior to the meeting. In addition, judicial challenge may be limited or barred where the interested party has not sought and exhausted all available administrative remedies.
If a member of the public submits a speaker card for any agenda items, their name will appear in the Minutes. If no speaker card is submitted, the Minutes will reflect "Public Speaker."
In accordance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA"), the City of Santa Clara will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities, and will ensure that all existing facilities will be made accessible to the maximum extent feasible. The City of Santa Clara will generally, upon request, provide appropriate aids and services leading to effective communication for qualified persons with disabilities including those with speech, hearing, or vision impairments so they can participate equally in the City’s programs, services, and activities. The City of Santa Clara will make all reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all of its programs, services, and activities.
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Contact the City Clerk’s Office at 1 408-615-2220 with your request for an alternative format copy of the agenda or other written materials.
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