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
08/12/2024
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
Chair Hai called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM.
Commissioner Dana Caldwell, Vice Chair Maureen Chu,
Commissioner Eversley Forte, Commissioner Derek DeMarco, Chair Sajid Hai, and Commissioner Vikas Gupta
Present 6 -
Commissioner Brittany RickettsAbsent 1 -
CONSENT CALENDAR
1.A 24-723 Action on the Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes of the July 8, 2024 Meeting
Recommendation:
Approve the Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes of the July 8, 2024 Meeting.
Commissioner Chu made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Gupta to recommend approval of the July 8, 2024 Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes as amended, to indicate that a motion was made by Commissioner Forte to approve the
subcommittee for Work Plan Goal D for Item 2.
Aye: Commissioner Caldwell, Vice Chair Chu, Commissioner Forte, Commissioner DeMarco, Chair Hai, and Commissioner Gupta 6 -
Absent: Commissioner Ricketts1 -
08/12/2024Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
An email was sent to the Parks & Recreation Commission mailbox recommending expanding pickleball play in the City by dual lining existing courts for pickeball and tennis at Henry Schmidt Park.
Robert Savinsky spoke to the Parks & Recreation Commission regarding underground utility locating services.
GENERAL BUSINESS
08/12/2024Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
2. 24-26 Discussion and Action on the Proposed Goals, Timeline and Outreach Process for the Parks and Recreation Master Plan Process Recommendation: It is recommended that the Commission:
1. Provide feedback on the proposed community engagement process;
2. Provide feedback on the five questions noted in the discussion section of this report related to a vision, desired outcome(s) and critical issues to be addressed as part of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan Process; and
3. Note and file the report.
The Commission provided feedback to the consultant regarding as follows:
1. Vision
--Sustainable Parks & Recreation system
--Break the cycle of deferred maintenance
--Long-term establishment of high-quality recreation programs --Well-supported and focused Master Plan that clearly establishes priorities --Build on connectivity between the park and trail system, including creeks --Placemaking and the interaction between parks and the environment
2. Reevaluate/Explore Funding Sources
--Partnerships (school district, corporations, etc.)
--Consider a parks foundation
--Grants
--Understand residents' ability and/or willingness to pay for parks and recreation
3. More Emphasis on Recreation
--Recreation programs and facilities are just as important as parks --City programming and recreation facilities may be expanded to meet the needs of an expanding and increasingly diverse community
4. Community Engagement
--Strong desire to hear from a diverse array of community members --Suggested strategies include: QR codes at parks with a survey, postcards or business cards for door-to-door engagement, using social media such as NextDoor, Email blasts to recreation participants, design workshop for individual parks, etc.
Commissioner Gupta made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Chu to note and file the report on the Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
Aye: Commissioner Caldwell, Vice Chair Chu, Commissioner Forte, Commissioner DeMarco, Chair Hai, and Commissioner Gupta 6 -
08/12/2024Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
Absent: Commissioner Ricketts1 -
STAFF REPORT
Assistant City Manager/Acting Director Cynthia Bojorquez reported that Therie Velasco-Gonzales had accepted a new position with the Public Works Department. Staff and the Commission acknowledged and congratulated Therie and wished her the best in her future position.
Ms. Bojorquez also reported that due to vacancies, that two out-of-class assignments had been made in the Parks Division to keep the department working seamlessly. Grant Wieler is working out of class as a Parks Manager for the southern region while Lupe Fuentes (Parks Manager) is on assignment as Cemetery Manager.
A concert in Central Park was scheduled for Friday, August 16, 2024 . There be an update on the Magical Bridge Playground ribbon cutting soon. The City is currently awaiting equipment to arrive at the site for installation. Art & Wine Festival planning is in motion for this year’s festival.
A Request for Proposals (RFP) for re-plastering the ISC has been issued.
Responses to the RFP are due in September.
08/12/2024Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
COMMISSIONERS REPORT
Commissioner Caldwell:
Visited Westwood Oaks Park and was impressed with the recent renovations to the park. He engaged with several members of the public while visiting Westwood Oaks Park. They all had extremely positive feedback on the recent renovations. He noticed over the past few weeks there has been quite a bit of alcohol consumption at the park as evidenced by a large amount of beer bottle caps left onsite. Commissioner Caldwell reported that increase Police patrolling has helped to remedy the situation.
Commissioner Chu:
Attended the Westwood Oaks Park ribbon cutting and was very impressed with the transformation of the park. She visited the new Magical Bridge All-Inclusive Playground to see the progress. She can’t wait to have the new playground open for the community. She attended Shakespeare in the Park at Sanborn Park and had a great time at the event.
Commissioner DeMarco:
Recently received a link to the Parks Visitation QR Code questionnaire and can access the link to enter information about park site visits, etc. He brought up a potential mechanical issue with a swing at Westwood Oaks Park, which staff will check on. He spoke with a member of the public who wished there were more native plants onsite, and another who expressed the need for more shade in the park. He visited Montague Park and gave a great review of the newly renovated park and amenities.
Commissioner Forte:
Attended the Street Dance as well as the ribbon cutting at Westwood Oaks Park. He was contacted by a Commissioner of the Cultural Commission with an update on the Korean Multicultural Event they were planning for next year as part of an existing event. Due to the scheduling of other City events, the Cultural Commission will be submitting a proposal to create a separate Korean Multicultural Event. Scheduling is still to be determined and will be presented to City Council for review.
Commissioner Gupta:
Attended the Westwood Oaks ribbon cutting and enjoyed the event. “It Looks really good!” He did receive some public feedback. One park patron spoke about how he missed the tall trees. He also Visited Homeridge Park and mentioned that he would like to see creek access from Homeridge Park to Central Park in the future.
Chair Hai:
Visited Westwook Oaks Park recently after the renovations. He particularly liked the new group spinner playground apparatus. He is very pleased with the updates to the park. He also visited and enjoyed Jenny Strand Park. Chair Hai is very excited about the new Parks Master Plan.
08/12/2024Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Forte made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Gupta to adjourn the Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting at 9:02 PM until the next regular meeting on September 16, 2024 at 7:00 PM.
Aye: Commissioner Caldwell, Vice Chair Chu, Commissioner Forte, Commissioner DeMarco, Chair Hai, and Commissioner Gupta 6 -
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Ricketts
08/12/2024Parks & 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."
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MEETING DISCLOSURES