City of Santa Clara
Meeting Minutes
Parks & Recreation Commission
Draft
7:00 PM Hybrid Meeting
Sparacino Conference Room - City Hall East Wing
1500 Warburton Avenue
Santa Clara, CA 95050
03/10/2025
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).
Join Zoom Meeting
https://santaclaraca.zoom.us/j/89140287145?pwd=vxTpbZL37PSa9tyNRsapnbNKFauJJP.1
Meeting ID: 891 4028 7145
Passcode: 863597
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Commissioner Caldwell called the meeting to order at 7:07 PM.
Commissioner Dana Caldwell, Commissioner Eversley Forte, Commissioner Derek DeMarco, and Commissioner Vikas Gupta Present 4 -
Vice Chair Maureen Chu, Chair Sajid Hai, and Commissioner Brittany Ricketts
Absent 3 -
Commissioner Forte made a motion, seconded by Commissioner DeMarco to excuse Commissioner Hai from the March 10, 2025 Parks & Recreation Commission meeting. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Commissioner Caldwell, Commissioner Forte, Commissioner DeMarco, and Commissioner Gupta
4 -
Absent: Vice Chair Chu, Chair Hai, and Commissioner Ricketts3 - Commissioner Forte made a motion, seconded by Commissioner DeMarco to excuse Commissioner Chu from the March 10, 2025 Parks & Recreation Commission meeting. The motion carried by the following vote:
03/10/2025Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
Aye: Commissioner Caldwell, Commissioner Forte, Commissioner DeMarco, and Commissioner Gupta
4 -
Absent: Vice Chair Chu, Chair Hai, and Commissioner Ricketts3 -
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. 25-260 Action on the Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes of the February 10, 2025, Meeting
Recommendation: Approve the Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes of the February 10, 2025, Meeting.
Commissioner DeMarco made a motion, seconded by
Commissioner Gupta, to recommend approval of the February 10, 2025 Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes as amended, by correctly stating the annual Senior Center Membership for Santa Clara residents is $37 per year. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Commissioner Caldwell, Commissioner Forte, Commissioner DeMarco, and Commissioner Gupta
4 -
Excused: Vice Chair Chu, and Chair Hai2 -
Absent: Commissioner Ricketts1 -
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
None.
GENERAL BUSINESS
2. 25-293 Make a Recommendation to City Council to Adopt Updated Definitions for Field User Categories, Field User Priorities of Use, and Relevant Recreation Fields and Turf Areas Reservations: Practice & Games Fees for the Municipal Fee Schedule 2025/26.
Recommendation: Make a Recommendation to City Council to Adopt Updated Definitions for Field User Categories, Field User Priorities of Use, and Relevant Recreation Fields and Turf Areas Reservations: Practice & Games Fees for the Muni Fee Schedule 2025/26.
Commissioner Gupta made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Forte to recommend to City Council to adopt Updated Definitions for Field User Categories, Field User Priorities of Use, and Relevant Recreation Fields and Turf Areas Reservations: Practice & Game Fees for the Muni Fee Schedule 2025/26.
Aye: Commissioner Caldwell, Commissioner Forte, Commissioner DeMarco, and Commissioner Gupta
4 -
03/10/2025Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Excused: Vice Chair Chu, and Chair Hai2 -
Absent: Commissioner Ricketts1 -
3. 25-325 Review and Make Recommendations to City Council regarding the Land Valuation Appraisal Report Dated December 31, 2024, and the Park Development Costs Proposed to be Used in the Calculation of Parkland In-Lieu Fees for New Residential Development for FY 2025/26 Recommendation: Recommended that the Commission solicit input from the public and provide
recommendations to the City Council on the following:
(a) The Land Valuation Appraisal Report dated December 31, 2024; and
(b) The proposed adjustment of 2.3% to the Park Improvement Value in alignment with the State of California, Department of General Services Construction Cost Index (CCCI) and prior Council direction.
Commissioner Gupta made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Forte to recommend to City Council to accept the Land Valuation Appraisal Report dated December 31, 2024, and the Park
Development Costs proposed to be used in the calculation of Parkland In-Lieu Fees for new residential development for FY 2025/26
Aye: Commissioner Caldwell, Commissioner Forte, Commissioner DeMarco, and Commissioner Gupta
4 -
Excused: Vice Chair Chu, and Chair Hai2 -
Absent: Commissioner Ricketts1 -
4. 25-313 Discussion and Development of Parks & Recreation Commission Work Plan Goals and Activities for FY 2025/26
Recommendation: Discuss and Develop Parks & Recreation Commission Work Plan Goals and Activities for FY 2025/26.
A motion was made by Commissioner DeMarco, seconded by
Commissioner Forte, that this item be continued at the next regular Parks & Recreation Commission meeting on April 14, 2025. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Commissioner Caldwell, Commissioner Forte, Commissioner DeMarco, and Commissioner Gupta
4 -
Excused: Vice Chair Chu, and Chair Hai2 -
Absent: Commissioner Ricketts1 -
03/10/2025Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
5. 25-261 Status Update on the Progress Made on the FY 2024/25 Parks & Recreation Commission’s Work Plan Goals
Recommendation: Provide status update on progress made on the FY 2024/25 Parks & Recreation Commission’s work plan goals.
Goal A: Review park site and facility condition assessments and recommend priorities given existing and anticipated service levels and available resources.
--No update.
Goal B.1.: Review and solicit community input on the existing City park rehabilitation projects based on the current Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget and schedule.
--No update.
Goal B.2.: Review residential developer proposed schematic designs for new neighborhood parks that serve new residential development. --No update.
Goal C.1.: Host and develop recommendations for the annual Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival 2024.
--No update (completed)
Goal C.2.: Participate in Citywide Special events.
--No update.
Goal D.: Partner with at least one other commission to build upon/expand at least one existing Parks & Recreation event by adding one extra element for patrons to interact with during the event. --No update.
Goal E.: Participate in the Parks & Recreation Master Plan Process. --No update
Goal F.: Consider the annual budget of the Parks & Recreation Department during the budget preparation process and make recommendations with respect to the City Manager and City Council. --No update.
03/10/2025Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
STAFF REPORT
Deputy Director Seale
Over the last few days there has been an increase in vandalism at park buildings, most notably Agnew Park, and the community building restroom at Lawrence Station Area Parks. Santa Clara PD has been very responsive to the increase in vandalism.
Director Sparacino
The Commission will have the opportunity to provide interactive feedback regarding the FY 2025/26 Work Plan, and the Parks Master Plan. The Commission's feedback relative to community prioritization will help outline the Master Plan. Council briefings will be based on what is heard from community and Parks & Recreation Commission.
The Director provided updates on items going to City Council on March 11, and in April. On March 11, staff will be going to seek Council approval to amend the existing agreement with LPA, Inc. Council approval is needed to authorize the City to increase funding for the design needed for renovation of the ISC.
Recreation Manager Castro
Kindness Ambassador Program: Volunteers help mitigate issues that arise at the Magical Bridge Playground and assist patrons on how to best improve play.
First group of adult volunteers have been fingerprinted and trained, and have been at the Magical Bridge Playground on a regular basis. The Department continues to solicit more volunteers for the Kindness Ambassador Program.
Youth groups have been going out to the Magical Bridge Playground regularly with recreation staff to do activities.
The Spring/Summer Program Registration has started. The Activity Guide came last week. City Attorney's Office has invited Commissioners to attend the Ethics Training on March 17th. Wizard of Oz tickets are on sale now. It's an amazing show, full of costumes, sets, and panels in the back. The first show will be March 21. The Department is always looking for volunteers. Mission College, the proposed location for this year’s 4th of July, and the Updated Wade Brummal Scholarship Program will be going to Council for approval tomorrow, March 11. Staff have just started soliciting non-profits to partner with City for the Art & Wine Festival, from now through April. Interviews will start in May.
03/10/2025Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
COMMISSIONERS REPORT
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Caldwell
Visited Maywood Park, and noted that Eisenhower ES has taken the backstop down. Maywood Park is in decent shape, but weeds are growing tall around trees. Deputy Director Seale mentioned that Maywood Park would be mowed within the week. He also visited Bill Wilson Park and reported that the bottle filling station was not operable. He walked around the perimeter of the ISC and noticed graffiti on the north side restroom building on the roll-up door. On the south side of the main building, the finish on the building is starting to fall off, and there appears to be signs of dry rot.
Commissioner DeMarco
Didn’t know what day the class schedule would go live. He had checked a few different sites for a couple of weeks leading up to activation. Unfortunately, he missed registration. The Commissioner stated that he has been filling out the commissioner visitation forms over the last two months, and was not sure if there was a benefit to providing his visitation data. Deputy Director Seale encouraged all commissioners to continue submitting comments as it has helped with getting the playground manufacturer for Westwood Oaks, and Homeridge Park to speed up their response to warranty issues, and with shipping replacement parts.
Commissioner Forte
Visited Lick Mill Park. He was invited to meet up with a local walking group. He checked with instructor friends regarding teaching classes, and commented that it is challenging to find instructors available for daytime scheduling,which aligns with comments previously made by Recreation Manager Castro.
Commissioner Gupta
Took his usual walks around his neighborhood parks. He wanted to see what Henry Schmidt Park looks like from the resident side and it looks fine, fences are neat and tidy. He started swimming regularly so he can’t wait to get back into the ISC for lap swim.
Commissioner DeMarco made a motion, seconded by
Commissioner Gupta to adjourn the Parks & Recreation
Commission Meeting at 8:41 PM until the next regular meeting on April 14, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Sparacino Conference Room at City Hall.
Aye: Commissioner Caldwell, Commissioner Forte, Commissioner DeMarco, and Commissioner Gupta
4 -
Excused: Vice Chair Chu, and Chair Hai2 -
Absent: Commissioner Ricketts1 -
03/10/2025Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
MEETING DISCLOSURES
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.
Agendas and other written materials distributed during a public meeting that are public record will be made available by the City in an appropriate alternative format.
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.
Individuals who require an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or any other disability-related modification of policies or procedures, or other accommodation, in order to participate in a program, service, or activity of the City of Santa Clara, should contact the City’s ADA Coordinator at 408-615-3000 as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event.