As Gilroy’s new two-year budget cycle begins, it’s the city’s Park and Recreation Department that’s at the center of public scrutiny.
The City Council’s decision to delay three key hires in the department sparked impassioned speeches this week from residents worried about the fate of the department, despite the council’s promise that it will return to the issue in the coming months with the goal of bolstering the department and the services that it provides.
“We’re politicians now, so I’m not going to ask you to trust us, but I am going to ask you to watch us,” said Gilroy Mayor Greg Bozzo, after promising a conversation this August to focus on Parks and Recreation
In the coming budget, the city made many more shifts compared to last cycle, including the addition of an economic development director to establish an Economic Development Department in line with the city’s goal to bring more business and revenue to a city with a flagging sales tax base.
In addition to delaying the hiring of the park and recreation positions, the city is moving a community coordinator position to the police department. Currently, the parks and recreation staff is made up of four positions under the city administrator.
The move prompted heartfelt defenses of the department from Gilroy residents across the city.
“Our parks are in disrepair,” said Parks and Recreation Commissioner Luis Ramirez, who noted that over the years the parks and recreation staff had shrunk from its own division to a shadow of its former self. “I’m glad we’re putting a flashlight on it … It’s overdue and it’s much needed.”
Some pointed out that parks and recreation helped keep children out of trouble. “If you want to see less kids riding bicycles in the streets doing nothing that’s good, we need to put more effort into parks and rec programs that are going to help those kids,” said Parks and Recreation Commissioner Jorge Vargas, adding that his son uses the San Jose soccer program because it is cheaper and has better facilities.
Others lamented the current state of recreation compared to previous years and decades.
Lifelong resident Sally Armendariz recalled taking a city-funded bus to publicly-funded swimming lessons. “The city paid for us to learn how to swim. And I don’t see anybody in the City Council caring about whether our children learn how to swim or not.”
Ron Kirkish, whose sons played in Tee-ball over three decades ago argued that, “parks and recs became a major integral part of our lives” and that current generations deserved the same services. “I appeal that we do something so that their kids can have the same experience as my kids.”
While some city councilmembers said they agreed with the need for a more robust parks and recreation department, they held that they first need to understand the department’s goals. The City Council has been weighing bringing swimming lessons in house, for example, and would need to know whether to hire for those positions. Councilmember Terence Fugazzi noted that funding could be used to help lower-income residents afford the city’s programming, but those decisions couldn’t be made “if you rush right into hiring people without having a plan.”
Other city councilmembers bemoaned the high price of recreation programs for the city’s youth, and promised to work to provide cheaper services in analyzing the Parks and Recreation Department and assessing its needs.
“I agree 100% in that there are not enough programs offered and they are too expensive … but I want to be fiscally responsible in making the decision on how to move forward,” said Councilmember Kelly Ramirez.
Despite the outcry, the City Council unanimously approved the budget that delayed the hiring of the three parks and recreation positions, but promised to hold a meeting this summer to hear the public’s concerns and set a plan to bolster the department.