City of Sunnyvale
Meeting Minutes - Draft
Parks and Recreation Commission
7:00 PM Online and Redwood Conference Room,
City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale,
CA 94086
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kesting called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
SALUTE TO THE FLAG
Chair Kesting led the salute to the United States flag.
ROLL CALL
Chair David Kesting
Vice Chair Dona Mason
Commissioner Daniel Bremond
Present: 3 -
Commissioner Prashant Gattani
Commissioner Prakash Giri
Absent: 2 -
Council Liaison Cisneros (absent)
Vice Mayor Sell (present)
STUDY SESSION
A 25-0768 Recognition of Service
Vice Mayor Sell thanked the commissioners for their service, and Chair Kesting who will continue serving for a second term.
B 25-0690 Parks and Recreation Month
Jesus Raygoza, Superintendent of Recreation Services, presented on Parks and Recreation Month. Highlights included: parks projects, renovations, public art, recreation scholarships and events.
C 25-0691
Capital Improvement Projects Update
Jim Stark, Superintendent of Golf and Parks, provided a Capital Project Update.
Highlights included: active projects, playground and equipment replacement, and
Attachment 1
July 9, 2025Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - Draft the community center renovation.
Commissioners asked about the park dedication fund, the status of the original sign from the Corn Palace, the Lakewood park construction plan, and the Fremont pool contract.
Susan, a member of the public, addressed the Commission to express her concerns regarding the synthetic surfacing installed at one of the recently renovated playgrounds.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Damon, a member of the public, shared that he and his family attended the 4th of July Festival in downtown Sunnyvale, describing it as enjoyable and noting that it provided a unique experience. Additionally, Damon suggested that while the smaller neighborhood parks do not provide all the amenities of larger community parks, such as restrooms, it would be beneficial for them to offer limited multi-sport opportunities, such as small basketball courts for local residents to use.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Commissioner Bremond moved and Vice Chair Mason seconded the motion to approve the Consent Calendar as submitted.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes: Chair Kesting
Vice Chair Mason
Commissioner Bremond
3 -
No: 0
Absent: Commissioner Gattani
Commissioner Giri
2 -
1 25-0693
Approve the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
Minutes of April 9, 2025
Approve the Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of April 9, 2025, as submitted.
2 25-0692
Approve the Special Joint Parks and Recreation Commission and Arts Commission Meeting Minutes of May 21, 2025
Approve the Special Joint Parks and Recreation Commission and Arts Commission
Attachment 1
July 9, 2025Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - Draft Minutes of May 21, 2025 as submitted.
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS
3 25-0689 Selection of Chair and Vice Chair
Commissioners discussed and nominated David Kesting as Chair, and Dona Mason as Vice Chair.
Staff conducted a roll call vote. David Kesting was voted as Chair and Dona Mason as Vice Chair.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes: Chair Kesting
Vice Chair Mason
Commissioner Bremond
3 -
No: 0
Absent: Commissioner Gattani
Commissioner Giri
2 -
STANDING ITEM: CONSIDERATION OF POTENTIAL STUDY ISSUES
4 25-0694 Policy to Limit Artificial Turf Use in Sunnyvale While Retaining Field Turf for High-Use Athletic Fields
Chair Kesting presented on his potential study issue - a policy to limit artificial turf use in Sunnyvale while retaining field.
Commissioners and staff discussed the potential study issue.
Chair Kesting opened public comment on this item at 8:01 p.m.
Susan voiced her concern regarding the environmental impact of artificial turf and distributed notes on a sand-capped field located in Tiburon, California, to staff, the Parks and Recreation Commission, and members of the public in attendance.
Andrea voiced her concern regarding the impact of artificial turf on the environment.
Gale spoke in support of using artificial turf only on high-use fields.
Damon spoke about the need for more accessible playing fields, and suggested
Attachment 1
July 9, 2025Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - Draft considering alignment with safe and accessible design principles.
Manny spoke about the advancements in artificial turf, noting that some modern options are now recyclable and made with safer materials. He also distributed a booklet that included a draft of the OEHHA Synthetic Turf Study released in March 2025.
Sandra remarked on the need to differentiate between cosmetic turf and functional turf.
Bruce suggested establishing a process to assess and record the current condition of playing fields and to define clear performance standards.
Anne Marie raised concerns about the environmental impact of plastic, pointing out that a significant amount of recyclable plastic does not actually get recycled.
Chair Kesting closed public comment on this item at 8:29 p.m.
Commissioners did a random voice vote. The study issue was sponsored by a 3-0 vote.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS
-Commissioner Comments
Chair Kesting thanked staff for the tour at Las Palmas park. -Staff Comments
Jesus announced that the Sunset Movie series will begin on August 1st.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Kesting adjourned the meeting at 8:39 p.m.
Attachment 1