.
M
INUTES OF THE CITY/SCHOOL
LIAISON COMMITTEE
C ity Hall/School District
Santa Clara City Hall, City Council Chambers
Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at 11:45 a.m.
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by Chair Kathy Watanabe
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
There were no public presentations
GENERAL BUSINESS
Item 1: Approval of Minutes
Mayor Lisa Gillmor made a motion, seconded by Board member Ryan to approve the minutes. The motion carried unanimously.
I
tem 2: Superintendent’s Reports
a) District Focus and Strategic Priorities
Superintendent Gary Waddell highlighted the following focus areas and strategic priorities for the School District: l iteracy, mathematics, wellness, LatinX a chievement and s chool Members Present:
C
ity of Santa Clara:
Councilmember, Kathy Watanabe (Chair)
Mayor, Lisa M. Gillmor
Councilmember, Suds Jain (Alternate)
City of Santa Clara Staff:
City Manager, Jōvan D. Grogan
Assistant City Manager and Acting Parks and
Recreation Director, Cynthia Bojorquez
Chief of Police, Pat Nikolai
Assistant Chief of Police, Wahid Kazem
Police Lieutenant, Michael Crescini
Police Sergeant, John Terry
Police Officer, Stephanie Knight
Police Officer, Stephen Cheney
Senior Management Analyst, Carolyn McDowell
Management Analyst, Laura Sunseri
Office Specialist, Ashley Garland
Santa Clara Unified School District: Board
of Trustee President, Vickie Fairchild
Superintendent, Dr. Gary Waddell
Board of Trustee, Dr. Michele Ryan
Board of Trustee, Albert Gonzalez
Santa Clara Unified School District Staff:
Deputy Superintendent of Operations &
Chief Business Official, Mark Schiel
Facility Development Director, Michal Healy
Public Information Officer, Jennifer Dericco
City/School Liaison Committee Minutes
October 5, 2016
safety.
b) Advancing Latino Achievement and Success
Initiative aimed to address the opportunity gap and engage student voice. c) Strategic Arts Plan and Prop 28; Don Callejon Arts and Design School Continued work to implement the Strategic Arts Plan.
d) 1 Million Acts of Kindness Campaign
Launching an app soon to log acts of kindness which encourages engagement. So far, the Acts of Kindness Campaign has logged an average of 8,000 to 10,000 acts of kindness per month for a total of 37,000 logged acts of kindness so far. The School District will notify the City – School Liaison Committee when the app has launched.
Item 3: Informational Report on the Building Respect and Awareness through Education Program (B.R.A.V.E.)
Assistant Chief of Police Wahid Kazem introduced the item and described the history and formation of the B.R.A.V.E Program. Officer Stephanie Knight presented the Informational Report. B.R.A.V.E was developed as a modernized version of the D.A.R.E Program to address new trends and issues that youth experience today. B.R.A.V.E. is currently being implemented as a pilot program in 4th grade classes in seven schools, with plans to officially roll out the program District-wide in August 2025. The presentation included an introduction to the B.R.A.V.E mascot, Canine Walsh. Next steps include a formal presentation on the B.R.A.V.E Program on the October 8, 2024, at the Santa Clara City Council meeting and at the October 10, 2024, School Board meeting. Members of the public in attendance expressed appreciation for the Santa Clara Police Department and the launch of the new program.
Item 4: Discussion on the Use and Fees Associated with Santa Clara Unified School District Ball Fields
Member Jain presented a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the various rates charged by the School District to use their ballfields and sports facilities and requested clarification regarding the rate changes and access to the facilities that differ between the City and SCUSD . As part of the discussion, SCUSD clarified that the information presented was an earlier version and that additional changes had been made. The District offered to provide the updated information. Mayor Gillmor requested City staff clarify the action of the City Council took regarding City fees related to youth sports field facility use. Director Bojorquez reported that the Council took action to waive the fees until a review of youth sport fees could be completed. This action also included direction to review the Wade Brummel scholarship program to determine if that resource could be used to assist with offsetting facility use fees . Members of the public expressed concerns regarding fee increases and requested continued discussion, partnership, and collaboration.
Item 5: Discussion on the Status of EV Chargers, Department of State Architects Approvals Member Jain reported that his questions had been answered after the agenda was posted and no longer needed to discuss the item.
Item 6: Discussion on the Use of Artificial Turf at Schools This item was continued to a future meeting.
Item 7: General Updates from Attendees
a. City of Santa Clara – Community Development Department, Parks and Recreation Department, City Library, and Police Department
Acting Parks and Recreation Director Cynthia Bojorquez provided updates which included the launch of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan . She reported that the City was launching a series of focus groups and community meetings that will provide an opportunity for the community to share their thoughts and interests in programs, services and facilities. b. Director Bojorquez also reported that the City had recently celebrated three park City/School Liaison Committee Minutes
October 5, 2016
openings: Montague Park, Westwood Oaks Park and the Magical Bridge All-Inclusive Playground at Central Park. Director Bojorquez also indicated that the City was recruiting for “Kindness Ambassadors ” – individuals to help supervise and engage with residents on the playground.
CITY MANAGER UPDATES
City Manager Jovan Grogan provided updates regarding the following items:
1. The appointment of Damon Sparacino as the new City of Santa Clara Parks and Recreation Director. Mr. Sparacino will be starting his new role on November 12, 2024.
2. Manager Grogan announced the departure of Fiona Kirby who had been staffing the Task Force and introduced Laura Sunseri, Management Analyst with the City Manager’s office , who will be assuming those duties.
3. Manager Grogan gave an update on City Library programs, events, and initiatives including the upcoming Comic Con event.
4. Manager Grogan gave an update on the Kylli and Tasman East projects.
SANTA CLARA UNIFIED FACILITIES AND CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT UPDATES Facility Development Director, Michal Healy and Deputy Superintendent/ CBO, Mark Schiel provided the following updates:
1. Update on the new parent drop off parking lot .
2. Updated Safe Route to Schools maps are expected to be released in a few weeks.
3. Walk to School Week will take place the week of October 7-11, 2024.
4. Additional fencing will be installed around Santa Clara High Schools to improve safety.
5. A pool improvement project is scheduled to be conducted at Wilcox High School .
6. There will be a replacement of bleachers, restrooms and concession stand at Wilcox High School which is expected to be ready by Homecoming on 10/25/24. In addition, improvements to the tennis courts are scheduled to be completed by 10/18/24.
7. In-progress modernization projects, including roofing projects, new parking lots, multi-purpose room, and shade pavilions, are scheduled to be completed by Fall 2026.
Item 8: Agenda Building for Following Meeting (5 minutes) Item referred to staff to work on for the next meeting on November 6, 2024.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned by Chair Kathy Watanabe.