PRMN2024-4-10
MINUTES
CITY OF UNION CITY
PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING - CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS Wednesday, April 10, 2024 - 7:00 PM
I. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – 7:02
II. ROLL CALL – David Acosta, Cheris Crocker-Root, Chuck Kennedy, Steve Nichols, Daniel Rivera, Madhu Singh and Chairperson Albert Chin
In Attendance: David Acosta, Cheris Crocker-Root, Chuck Kennedy, Steve Nichols, Daniel Rivera, Madhu Singh and Chairperson Albert Chin
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – March 13, 2024
Commissioner Acosta motioned, seconded by Commissioner Rivera with unanimous approval IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (3 Minute Limit)
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V. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
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VI. STAFF REPORTS
A. Recreation Program Report – Recreation Supervisor Maynard Estrellado o Superhero Fun Run raised $1,000 for the Parkinson’s foundation o Over 250 people attended the Youth Commission’s Culture Fest o Over 200 children registered for the Spring Egg hunt
o Upcoming Events for the months of April/May:
Corn Hole Tournament – Saturday, April 13th, 1 - 5 pm at the Birdhause Beerhouse Pop-Up on the Promenade – Saturday April 13th, 11 - 4 pm at Studio 11 Parkinson’s Moving Day – Saturday April 20th, 9 - 11 am at Lake Cunningham Park, San Jose Community Park Clean Up – Saturday April 20th, 9 - 11 am at Kennedy Park Therapeutic Spring Fling – Thursday April 25th, 11 - 1 pm at Kennedy youth Center Asian American & Pacific Islander Art Showcase – Saturday May 11th, 12 noon – 4 pm at Studio 11 o The Mark Green Sports Center membership continues to grow after the pandemic and the center is close to the number of pre-pandemic memberships
B. Public Works Report – Public Works Grounds Supervisor Jesus Banuelos o Weed abatement continues to be a challenge
o Back flow recertification is complete and all is in compliance o Ballfields will be done within the next day. Fields have been a challenge with the rain o Case Verde Park sites 1 and 2, and Contempo Park had updated engineered wood fiber installed to their play areas
o Drinking fountain added to Park Ridge Park
o Veterans Memorial and Old Alvarado will also be getting new drinking fountains o Kennedy Park play structure is repaired and open for use o Shorty Garcia Park lighting has some technical issues. Contractor is coming out on Tuesday to diagnose the issue
o Next week Shorty Garcia soccer nets will be repaired/replaced o RFP for the Mariner Park play structure remodel went out and has been awarded; work will begin soon
o New ADA accessible tables and benches will be added to Kennedy Park along with new waste bins o Fred Castro Park remodel is being planned for this year o Vandals are still an issue at Old Alvarado Park
o Thursday the 18th is the ribbon cutting for the new compost hub Commissioner Rivera asked about the bagged compost being given away. Supervisor Banuelos mentioned that this is a separate event and is scheduled for this weekend Sunday, April 14th from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM at UC Bart Station Parking Lot # 1. Attendees should attend by first letter of their last name:
A-G: 8-9 am / H-M: 9-10 am / N-S: 10-11 am / T-Z: 11-12 pm PRMN2024-4-10
C. Community and Recreation Services Report – Community & Recreation Services Director Corina Hahn
• Hahn outlined the Employees of the Year from the previous night’s Council meeting and Rob Magbanua from Community and Recreation Services (CRS) was selected as the Public Works / CRS employee of the year. Sofie Dangerfield was honored as the Police Department’s Employee of the Year and finally, Valerie Avendano was honored as the City’s Employee of the Year Commission Updates:
• Green Team
• Wednesday May 29th at 3:00 PM will be the next meeting and it will be held virtually • Sports Advisory Committee / Repurposing Fields for Different Sports • No new news
• New Haven Unified School District (NHUSD) Updates
• The agreement will be finalized very soon
• New Haven Schools Foundation Scholarship Update
• Commissioners Rivera and Singh will be attending the luncheon • West Side Community Garden Location
• No new news
• Larry Orozco Bike Workshop Historical Designation
• Tentatively set for the Council’s May 14th agenda
• BMX Bike Park Proposal
• Bob Singer made his presentation last night to the City Council VII. COMMISSION MATTERS
A. Youth Commission Joint Workshop 4/10/2024
The three main topics of focus for this this joint Commission workshop:
o Current projects that are being planned or underway
o Ideas on repurposing outdated or underused fields/amenities and o Areas of concern for the youth
The Commissions broke out into teams, two to three Youth Commissioners to each Park & Recreation Commissioner. They reported back to the rest of the teams one the breakout sessions were completed There was a lot of interest in future collaborations for additional park clean up days, park tours and more
Some additional topics discussed during the breakout sessions:
o Small pocket neighborhood parks are just as important for upkeep o Volleyball and badminton could use more awareness for future planning o The Youth Commissions were very excited to hear about the efforts to have the Larry O Bike Workshop designated an historical landmark
o They were also extremely interested in the proposed BMX bike park and would offer their advocacy to the project
B. PRC Table at New Haven Day 4/27 10 am – 3 pm
Director Hahn asked if the Commissioners would like a table or would help man a table.
Commissioners Crocker-Root, Kennedy and Chair Chin all volunteered to help. Manager Valuckas will be putting together a schedule of when folks will need to manage the table C. Memorial Bench Policy Subcommittee Report
Commissioner Kennedy handed out a draft of a revised policy. He will send out a Word file that will be forwarded by staff to the rest of the Commission for their input D. Tribute to Richard Valle Subcommittee Report
No new updates, will be the sole focus at next month’s meeting E. Memorial Bench Approval for Pioneer Park
Manager Valuckas was looking for approval from the Commission on a family’s application to put a memorial bench at Pioneer Park
o Director Hahn mentioned that the application has been submitted for a while now so that the bench would fall under the old policy
o Commissioner Kennedy was concerned that 10 years from now, what staff would still be around to know that specific bench fell under the old policy
Commissioner Nichols motioned, Commissioner Acosta seconded, unanimous approval for the bench install was given
F. Sister City Plaza Designation
Commission Kennedy motioned to put the suggested name of “Pat Gacoscos International Sister Cities Plaza” for the Gazebo area at Old Alvarado Park before the City Council and get approval in time for the August Sister City festivities, Commissioner Rivera seconded with unanimous approval Director Hahn asked where the proposed signage might go. Commissioner Kennedy suggested to leave that decision to staff
PRMN2024-4-10
VIII. ITEM(S) REFERRED BY COUNCIL – Councilmember Liaison Scott Sakakihara Bike Park update discussed earlier. Commissioner Nichols asked what commitment the City would make for this potential bike park. Councilmember Sakakihara mentioned that it was discussed, that the project is in its infancy so the City wouldn’t make any commitments at this time other than a passive approval of the park idea. Next steps will be to get the feasibility study done IX. DISCUSSION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
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X. GOOD OF THE ORDER
July is Park & Recreation month. Director Hahn shared that a proclamation has been suggested to recognize July is Parks & Recreation Month and commissioners would be invited to participate XI. ADJOURNMENT
8:45 PM - Commissioner Acosta motioned, seconded by Commissioner Nichols with unanimous approval Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the Commission regarding an item on this agenda will be made available for public inspection at the City Clerk’s Counter at City Hall located at 34009 Alvarado-Niles Road, Union City, California, during normal business hours. Assistance will be provided to those requiring accommodations for disabilities in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Interested persons must request the accommodation at least two working days in advance of the meeting by calling the City Clerk’s office at 510-675-5348.