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
01/12/2026
Commissioner Vikas Gupta attended the meeting remotely from:
A6/10 Vasant Vihar
New Delhi, 110 057
The City of Santa Clara conducted the Parks & Recreation Commission meeting in a hybrid manner ( in-person and a method for the public to participate remotely). https://santaclaraca.zoom.us/j/88066854956
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Chu called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Commissioner Dana Caldwell, Chair Maureen Chu, Commissioner Derek DeMarco, Commissioner Eversley Forte, Vice Chair Vikas Gupta, and Commissioner Edward A. Souza
Present 6 -
CONSENT CALENDAR
1.A 26-33 Action on the Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes of the November 10, 2025, Meeting
Recommendation: Approve the Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes of the November 10, 2025, Meeting.
Commissioner Forte made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Souza, to recommend approval of the November 10, 2025, Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Commissioner Caldwell, Chair Chu, Commissioner DeMarco, Commissioner Forte, Vice Chair Gupta, and Commissioner Souza 6 -
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
None.
GENERAL BUSINESS
01/12/2026Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
2. 26-34 Status Update on the Progress Made on the FY 2025/26 Parks & Recreation Commission’s Work Plan Goals
Recommendation: Discuss and update Parks & Recreation Commission Work Plan Goals and Activities for FY 2025/26.
No action was taken on this item.
STAFF REPORT
Director Damon Sparacino
Parks & Recreation Department will check on the status of Art & Wine financials. There are currently no action items for the Art & Wine festival.
The Director provided updates on construction projects that may impact 2026 Art & Wine Festival. He also provided an update on 4th of July celebration will be heard by Council in February.
Additionally, the Parks & Recreation Master plan will be brought to City Council in February or March. The Director also provided an update on Warburton construction. A contract may be awarded in early 2027.
Recreation Manager Castro
Staff undertook the website update for all the Parks and Park Project pages. Recreation Manager Castro suggested the Commissioners check out the updated page when they get the chance. She said a special event survey went live recently. She encouraged the Commissioners to forward the survey to friends and family.
Several items will be coming to the Commissioners in February including:
Wade Brummal grant, Parks & Recreation Master Plan, and a Charter Review presentation by the City Attorney. Recreation Manager Castro also thanked the Commissioners for attending the Tree Lighting event.
Recreation Manager Castro provided an update on ISC. The contract is being finalized for ISC. Construction is on track to begin in February. The bid results for Phase II should also arrive in February. Recreation Manager Castro also noted that Henry Schmidt park and restrooms will be open during construction.
01/12/2026Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
COMMISSIONERS REPORT
Commissioner Caldwell
Attended the Tree Lighting event. He was surprised with the amount of venders in attendance. The Commissioner commented that “this was an upgrade to previous years’ ”. The Commissioner also reiterated his experience with a downed tree limb at Maywood park he was concerned about.
Commissioner Chu
Attended the Tree Lighting Event. Commented on the Nutcracker performance. “Well run!”
Commissioner DeMarco
The Commissioner did not attend the Tree Lighting event. His children started Acrobatics with the Recreation Department. Noted that Bowers Parks “Looks Great!”
Commissioner Forte
Attended the Veterans and Tree Lighting events. The Commissioner inquired if these events were good/ successful for the vendors?
Commissioner Gupta
The Commissioner spent a lot of the holiday season traveling. He was not in attendance at the Tree Lighting event. The Commissioner visited several landmarks on his journeys and noted how the local governments (of his destinations) invested so heavily into their parks systems. The Commissioner noted all the amenities and features and infrastructure of these park systems.
Commissioner Souza
The Commissioner enjoyed the Tree Lighting event and “Loves to see it grow year over year!” The Commissioner made note of the recent passing of Ray Gamma, who leaves behind a great legacy with the city.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner DeMarco made a motion, seconded by
Commissioner Caldwell to adjourn the Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting at 7.59 PM until the next regular meeting on March 9, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Sparacino Conference Room at City Hall.
Aye: Commissioner Caldwell, Chair Chu, Commissioner DeMarco, Commissioner Forte, Vice Chair Gupta, and Commissioner Souza 6 -
01/12/2026Parks & 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.
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