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
03/09/2026
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/86374316081
Webinar ID: 863 7431 6081
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Chu called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM. Commissioner Forte arrived late at 7:20 PM.
Commissioner Dana Caldwell, Chair Maureen Chu, Commissioner Derek DeMarco, Vice Chair Vikas Gupta, and Commissioner Edward A. Souza
Present 5 -
Commissioner Eversley ForteAbsent 1 -
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. 26-265 Action on the Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes from January 12, 2026
Recommendation: Approve the Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes from January 12, 2026
Commissioner DeMarco made a motion, seconded by
Commissioner Caldwell, approved the January 12, 2026, Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Commissioner Caldwell, Chair Chu, Commissioner DeMarco, Vice Chair Gupta, and Commissioner Souza
5 -
Absent: Commissioner Forte1 -
03/09/2026Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
GENERAL BUSINESS
2. 26-93 Approval of a Grant from the Wade Brummal Youth Sports Scholarship Program in the Amount of $3,550 to Reimburse Santa Clara Police Activities League for Eligible Scholarships from the 2025 Softball Season Recommendation: Approve a Grant in the Amount of $3,550 from the Wade Brummal Youth Sports Scholarship Program in the Public Donations Fund to Reimburse the Santa Clara Police Activities League for Eligible Expenses Related to the 2025 Softball Season.
Commissioner DeMarco made a motion, seconded by
Commissioner Gupta to approve a grant from the Wade Brummal Youth Sports Scholarship Program in the amount of $3,550 to reimburse Santa Clara Police activities league for eligible scholarships from the 2025 softball season. The motion is carried by the following vote:
Aye: Commissioner Caldwell, Chair Chu, Commissioner DeMarco, Commissioner Forte, Vice Chair Gupta, and Commissioner Souza 6 -
3. 26-130 Approval of a Grant from the Wade Brummal Youth Sports Scholarship Program in the Amount of $42,045 to Reimburse Santa Clara Youth Soccer League for Eligible Scholarships from the 2025 Soccer Season Recommendation: Approve a Grant in the Amount of $42,045 from the Wade Brummal Youth Sports Scholarship Program in the Public Donations Fund to Reimburse the Santa Clara Youth Soccer League for 59 Eligible Scholarships Related to the 2025 Soccer Season.
Commissioner Souza noted that the grant amount of $42,045 was erroneously stated to be $42,405 in RTC 26-130
Commissioner DeMarco made a motion, seconded by
Commissioner Caldwell to approve a grant from the Wade Brummal Youth Sports Scholarship Program in the amount of $42,045 to reimburse Santa Clara Youth Soccer League for eligible
scholarships from the 2025 soccer season. The motion was carried by the following vote:
Aye: Commissioner Caldwell, Chair Chu, Commissioner DeMarco, and Commissioner Souza
4 -
Abstained: Commissioner Forte, and Vice Chair Gupta2 -
03/09/2026Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
4. 26-216 Review and Recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan to the City Council for Adoption
Recommendation: It is recommended that the Parks & Recreation Commission review the Parks & Recreation Master Plan and the accompanying presentation, provide comments on the Plan, and adopt a resolution recommending that the City Council approve the Plan.
Commissioner DeMarco made a motion, seconded by Vice Chair Gupta to recommend to CIty Council to adopt the Parks & Recreation Master Plan. The motion was carried by the following vote:
Aye: Commissioner Caldwell, Chair Chu, Commissioner DeMarco, Commissioner Forte, Vice Chair Gupta, and Commissioner Souza 6 -
5. 26-267 Discuss the Progress Made on the FY 2025/26 Parks & Recreation Commission’s Work Plan Goals and Activities
Recommendation: Discuss and update Parks & Recreation Commission Work Plan Goals and Activities for FY 2025/26.
Vice Chair Gupta made a motion, seconded by Commissioner DeMarco, to continue the work plan discussion until the next regular meeting. The motion is carried by the following vote:
Aye: Commissioner Caldwell, Chair Chu, Commissioner DeMarco, Commissioner Forte, Vice Chair Gupta, and Commissioner Souza 6 -
STAFF REPORT
Director Sparacino
Director Sparacino informed the Commissioners that a Parks Visitation survey has been created to track Commissioner park visits.
Recreation Manager Castro
Recreation Manager Castro provided updates that a Senior Needs Assessment is available for residents to complete through May 31. She also said the 4th of July Celebration will be held at Mission College this year per City Council. Recreation Manager Castro also provided updates on the Art & Wine Festival and Central Park access project.
03/09/2026Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
COMMISSIONERS REPORT
Commissioner Caldwell
Commissioner Caldwell visited multiple parks. The Commissioner noticed a tree issue at Maywood Park. He was pleased with the quick resolution after reporting the issue via the MySantaClara app.
Chair Chu
Chair Chu will visit more parks in the future.
Commissioner DeMarco
Commissioner DeMarco attended several classes with his child (including a dance class in Central Park). He also visited Bowers and Warburton Park.
Commissioner Forte
Commissioner Forte attended the Flag Raising Celebration and Celebrate Santa Clara at Levi Stadium. He was pleased to have the opportunity to speak with Steve Young.
Vice Chair Gupta
Vice Chair Gupta attended the Flag Raising ceremony and Celebrate Santa Clara at Levi Stadium. He was disappointed he did not get to attend the silent disco activity.
Commissioner Souza
Commissioner Souza recently returned from vacation. He asked Director Sparacino for an update on the hiring of a new Park Superintendent.
Director Sparacino said he is working with HR to move this forward.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner DeMarco made a motion, seconded by
Commissioner Caldwell to adjourn the Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting at 9:06 PM until the next regular meeting on April 13, 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 -
03/09/2026Parks & 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.
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.