City of Sunnyvale  
Meeting Minutes - Final  
Parks and Recreation Commission  
Wednesday, July 9, 2025  
7:00 PM  
Online and Redwood Conference Room,  
City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale,  
CA 94086  
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  
Present: 3 - Chair David Kesting  
Vice Chair Dona Mason  
Commissioner Daniel Bremond  
Absent: 2 - Commissioner Prashant Gattani  
Commissioner Prakash Giri  
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  
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: 3 - Chair Kesting  
Vice Chair Mason  
Commissioner Bremond  
No: 0  
Absent: 2 - Commissioner Gattani  
Commissioner Giri  
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  
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: 3 - Chair Kesting  
Vice Chair Mason  
Commissioner Bremond  
No: 0  
Absent: 2 - Commissioner Gattani  
Commissioner Giri  
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  
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.