All right,
welcome to the Parks and Recreation
Commission regular meeting of August
20th, 2026. The time is 610. Apologize
for being late. Becky, would you please
call the role?
>> Commissioner Emerson,
he is absent. Uh, Commissioner Cabales
>> here.
>> Commissioner Gutirez
>> here.
>> Chair pasternac
>> here.
>> And Commissioner Sandival is also
absent. All right. Thank you.
>> All right. Uh, first item up is to
approve our regular meeting minutes of
May 21st, 2026.
Do we have any questions on
May I have a motion and a second to
approve the minutes?
>> I wasn't here.
>> I move to approve the minutes.
[laughter]
>> Okay,
>> I second.
>> Commissioner Emerson.
» Oh, absent. I'm sorry. Commissioner
Calles.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Gutirez.
>> Yes.
>> And Chair Pastor. Yes.
>> All right. Motion to approve. Thank you.
>> All right. Uh, next we have open time
for public expression. The public is
welcome to address the commission at
this time on matters not listed on the
agenda that are within its jurisdiction.
Comments may be no longer than two
minutes and should be respectful to the
community. Is there anyone in the
audience who would like to share public
comment?
Right. Since there's no one in the
audience, we will close public comment.
Uh, and moving on. No special
presentations. So, we're moving right
into our main agenda. Agenda item three,
uh, athletic fields policy update. All
right. Well, it's great to see you all.
Happy August. Hard to believe school's
back in session. Summer's winding down,
but, uh, we are happy to be here. I'll
share a couple of updates on kind of
events and happenings as well. But, uh,
I'm going to introduce Darcy Chaloo in a
minute, and we're going to pull a
presentation. We wanted to share with
you an update on our athletic field
policy. We had a couple changes that we
thought this would be a really good time
to to make in light of some um different
demands for field use and um some
conflicts that we've seen with, you
know, similarly prioritized groups. So,
we're gonna kind of walk you through
what some of those needs look like. And
Darcy really supervises a lot of our
fields these days. So, I'm gonna let you
take the show from here and I'll pull up
that presentation. All right.
Okay.
>> All right.
>> You see that? You good? Good.
>> Um Darcy oversee our athletic fields. Um
mainly the two that we're really
referring to are Albert Field here and
the pickle weed um fields. Um although
we do oversee um Albert Field, Bernard
Hoffman Fields, uh Pickled Field Fields,
and then Victor Jones has a small T-ball
field there. Um this hasn't changed.
This is our all of our fields, the
amenities they provide, and our primary
and secondary use um for the fields. Um
we get some different requests that come
in every now and then. I think we just
got a Cricut request uh to come out here
and I haven't heard back from them. I
said we'd do it, but um these are kind
of the just the main sports that we get
requests for.
Um
so we
have an exist existing field use and
application policy and we're just um
requesting to change a few of um clarify
some things um give prior to use um and
then some rules and regulations um that
have to do with some of the challenges
that we're seeing at Picklefield.
Um, we're proposing several changes to
the policy um to address increased
competition, unpermitted use, um,
violations of field use regulations, um,
and changes in demand due to the
facility improvements. um specifically
at pickle.
Um
we so
our is this the okay our proposed
changes are to clarify um fields that
may be used for emergency response
purposes. So just understand to the
community that if you know something
does happen we can close down you know
their use of the field to open it up for
emergencies. Um, we want to introduce a
new tiebreaking criteria, which I'll get
into a little bit later. Um, modify the
field application process to introduce
two seasons. So, for pickleed, because
they are year round, um, we we normally
just accept applications um once a year
for the entire following year, but since
pickleed is now um year round, we
thought we'd break that up into two
separate seasons to accept those
applications. Um, introduce new field
prep cleanup regulations specifically
for pickle weed. Um, prohibit rental
exchange subleting of field use space.
Uh, prohibit vending sales unless
authorized by the city. Prohibit
gambling at the fields and introduce a
field monitor requirement for c certain
programs.
Um, so we can get into the tiebreaking
criteria. Um, so we're proposing that if
we get a tie, um, which means their
prioritization is the same. Let's say
they're both nonprofit, they both, um,
are Santafell residents, um, they're
both serving youth. That's like our top
prioritization on our on our list. Um,
we have quite a few different
organizations that meet that criterion.
And so our I think our um our our rules
currently it says to pull straws which
we found that out.
>> Was that last year?
>> Yeah.
>> Um yeah. So we we didn't like that
[laughter]
>> very much.
>> It works but it's maybe not the best
approach. Yeah.
>> Um you know so we kind of um came these
[clears throat] are the things that we
came up with um to come up with the for
the tiebreaking. So um first we would
obviously work with the organizations
like this is what we currently do. If
two organizations are tied you know I
work with both parties to see like how
can we make this work together a lot of
these field users they all know each
other and they and it usually resolves
itself but there are a few cases that it
doesn't. Um so then we would go into the
organization standing with the city um
including compliance with permit
requirements, facility use policies and
timely payment of fees for the fields.
Um then we would move to percent if
they're still tied um we would move to
percentage of resident participants. So currently we don't ask
for rosters from any of the teams to
show that they are serving residents. Um
so this would give us the ability to do
that. Um and then the next would be
lowest barriers to participation. So
like is the organization offering
scholarships um equitable and inclusive
participation opportunities for
everybody. Um the next would be the
length um if we're still tied the length
of the organization's relationship with
the city um with consideration given to
long-standing community partnerships
that demonstrate a stewardship of city
facilities. Um
and obviously to reduce the
administrative burden like asking for
all these things up front. This would we
would only be asking for those things um
if there was a tie.
>> I would we think that um really these
first two steps will likely resolve most
ties by the time we start looking at
Santael residency.
I think unless it's 100% residency for
both works, there's it's likely one's
going to come out on top of the other.
So I think, you know, that is like like
Darcy mentioned kind of a big lift to
have to report all this information and
collect all that information. We know a
lot of groups might not even be
collecting all that information on the
front end. So I really don't want to do
it unless we really need to.
» So that's the the bigger one. And then
the second one is just the application
process was kind of what I touched on
earlier. Um this only applies to faculty
field. It would not apply to the other
fields. Um but we're proposing that um
we accept applications twice a year. So
when we accept in September that would
align with what we do here at Albert
Field. Um we accept applications from
September 1st to October 31st finalized
by December 1st. Um but that only gives
access for March to August. And then we
would do that all over again in April
and finalized by July 1st for the fall
winter season, September through
February.
Um, and then all other like if those are
kind of the most competitive people that
are looking for the space that are doing
this year round, year round, anybody can
submit an applica application to us at
any point during the year and if we have
space we can fill them in.
Um I think that's it. Yeah.
>> Yeah.
I think like one last comment on
this. I think that you know we when we
really have the situation where we have
two equally prioritized groups that's
usually when we have these open
application windows for the field. So
you know we we give ourselves this time
to collect applications to really
understand what is the demand what
groups really want access to the field
and try to give everyone an equal
opportunity to have access. So that's
why we have these specific application
windows. We think that's important to
make sure people really understand what
they need to do to to get access to the
facilities and then give us a chance to
really truly review it on a
prioritization schedule. I think that,
you know, one of the the big goals for
us with this policy is to make sure that
it aligns with the values of the city
and how we want to see these resources
used by the community who should have
first priority access. And you know, for
us, we heavily prioritize local
resident, youth, nonprofit groups really
that do have lower barriers to entry. We
want to see our fields used by groups
that are going to be uh wreck play. That
doesn't mean there's anything wrong with
the other forms of play. We know a lot
of groups are really pushing towards
competitive play, but you know, for us
as a municipal field, we think that's
our top priority. not exclusive use for
that but just one of our top priority
user groups that we want to make sure
does have access to the fields. So these
windows are are really important and I
think this is an iterative process. I
think with pickle weed field in
particular since the you know the all
weather turf was installed we have seen
higher demand and we're also seeing um
requests for use come in in a different
cadence than we had before. So we we're
going to try this cadence this twice a
year for now and see how it goes. We
could always change that or adapt to
seasonality moving forward, but based on
what we've heard from the user groups,
we think this will help them plan better
uh and give them enough time to plan
advance. Also give us enough of a a
calendar that we can fill so we have
plans in advance as well. But but like
Darcy mentioned, if we get requests off
cycle, we'll always do the best we can
to fill on a first come first- serve
basis. And that's where then okay, the
cricket team wants to come play and
we've got space. Yeah, we'll we'll
consider that even though it's not one
of those top priority business points.
>> Yeah. Anything else you want to add?
>> No. Yeah, just in that application
window like it it really does take two
months to [laughter]
figure out how to to fit that puzzle
together. And um you know, organizations
are usually really good like at first
they kind of ask for everything, right?
and I then we have to go back and and talk about that. You know, they
always ask for the world first and then
we have to rein it in to try to even it
out. So,
>> um I'm going to go back to a couple
other comments on a few of these other
changes. Um I think the tiebreaking
criteria and the seasonal requests for
use are the two most impactful that
we've identified. We even though the the
tiebreaking criteria we we we're saying
it's impactful, I don't think it's going
to have a significant impact on most
groups. I think the area that we see the
most conflict right now where we have
groups that are equally prioritized, it
really is in the the the local resident
nonprofit youth category and we have a
lot of groups that are offering programs
in that category. So, and I do think
that um that's one I want to flag that
there could be um uh some groups that
come out with more space and maybe some
groups that come out with less depending
on how many standard residents they're
serving if we implement a tiebreaker
policy like this. So, I I want to just
make sure that that's clear. We're
trying to solve that problem on our end
so we're not left flipping a coin or
throwing a straw because we don't feel
that that's necessarily the best way to
make that decision. This is a
valuesbased recommendation that we're
making that we think aligns with our
values. But ultimately that does mean
that some groups may get space if
they're serving more residents than
others. And so uh we definitely just
want to make sure that that's clear. Um
I think we've we've looked specifically
at Elbert Field and I think uh you know
there's some examples of that that we
could get into where we have had
tiebreers. We've had to talk with
multiple groups that are in that same
category. And like Darcy said too, I
think we do try to do a great job. I
think Darcy's done a wonderful job of
really trying to help groups compromise
and and look for win-win situations as
opposed to all the space going to one
group and then monopolizing it just
because they may have a higher
prioritization level. And that's really
our goal here. it's not to not to try
to, you know, dictate who gets the
field, but really just to help create
some systems that are easy for us to
navigate. Um, but a couple other things
I wanted to point out. I think with um,
you know, the rental exchange, subleting
of field space, that is not a common
thing, but we felt this was a good time
to introduce that. We have had a couple
examples where we found groups swapping
field time. And while that's not a
that's not um probably the biggest
concern that we have, it does lead to
confusion and and it can be challenging
for us if we don't know who's on the
field. Uh uh particularly if there's an
issue, accident, injury, a concern, that
can be a confusing situation for us. So
we wanted to clarify that. Um, gambling
is already prohibited in the parks, but
we wanted to call that out because we
have had situations, particularly with
some of the the adult leagues that have
operated at Pickle Park where we have
found um that gambling has been
occurring, some illegal um sales of
merchandise associated with some of
those leagues. So, we did want to just
call that out explicitly in here. That
helps, I think, our renters really
understand that that's that's not
allowed. And uh we want to make sure
that that's clear that you know those
types of behaviors if they're coming
with programs uh it it it might make it
difficult for them to continue renting
with us moving forward. So and then the
field monitor program is something we
actually just implemented last year at
Pickle Field for the first time. And for
some of our commercial rentals in the
past we've um required security. um we
feel that a city employee that has a
board of understanding of the field and
the rules and and how to help support
groups might be of more of a benefit to
these groups. So in place of requiring a
you know a security guard from a company
that's kind of just going to post up and
be there having a field monitor that can really be a liazison between the
city and the groups. Um we're we're
going to try implementing that instead.
And so for those same commercial groups
that we required security instead we we
uh may be looking at a field monitor in
place of that. We're also going to offer
that to groups that really feel like
they need it. I think particularly at
pickle weed field with the two fields if
there's two groups out there at the same
time we're going to encourage groups
maybe to have a field monitor present
that can help just be a point person in
case there's any issues concerns.
So I just wanted to highlight a couple
of the reasons why we're looking at
these changes.
I think that's it though.
So, yeah. All right. Uh, any questions?
>> Um, I I did have a question about um I
was reading through the agenda and um
first off, I want to say I love building
processes to help make decisions.
Totally support that. I think that's a
great idea. It's good for you guys. It's
good for the people who are applying. I
think I like all that. Um, but as I was
reading it, I I saw that the priority
list ha had some like obviously it was
far down the priority list, but had some
that weren't San Rafale. And like I had
just expected that of course every
possible San Rafll one would be above
anybody from outside the city and and I
was wondering did I read that right? And
is that is that um I know you guys
prioritize centerfell residents so I
wasn't sure what the
>> Yes, I believe that on a category
bycategory basis um residency is going
to the Sandersville residents are going
to get priority over non-residents.
>> Um so I'm pretty sure it's the way it's
intended. We'll go I'll go back and take
a a look just to double check, but I'm
pretty confident that we prioritize
anyone that's a resident based group
over a non-res.
>> Yeah. So, Sanfell based. So, there's,
you know, youth serving, adult serving, and that's
the primary and secondary uses. So, like
the first slide that we had up there,
and then it's non Sanderfell based. And
then maybe you're referring to number
six where it's standfal based nonprofit
organizations for other permitted uses.
And I think that's more eventbased or if
it's not part of it's not baseball, it's
not softball, it's not volleyball,
>> sports and then got it. Okay. That Yeah,
I knew there I knew you guys always do
that and so I was like I understand why
this is okay. Yeah, I'll give you an I
think we've had a couple examples of
groups that have wanted to rent the park
for I think we had one it was um it was
like a commercial film shoot we've had
out there. We've had other groups that
want to have more of like um special
events or other types of programs that
are non-sports. And I think in that case
we would still prioritize the sports use
>> because that aligns with the the way the
facility was designed and intended to be
used. We we can accommodate some of
those types of programs at the field
occasionally, but yeah, it would just be
lower priority regardless of resial
stats.
>> Yes.
>> But that's that's a good catch.
>> Um I had a question [clears throat]
on the timeline. Um the is July 1 as
someone who's been on a local
immigration
sports team, not getting your field
until July 1 for a season that starts
August, you know, 15th feels tight. But
I I I assume based on your the old
pickle weed schedule that they're used
to that. I've never been directly
involved in that, but like is that
timeline
enough time for organizations to be like
great, we've got our fields?
>> Yeah, I think it's a good question. I
think you know what we've got right now
is applications April 1 through May 31,
decision by July 1 for field use
starting September one. So you're right,
like that's only gives about a month of
heads up notice. Historically at Pickle
Field before we did this conversion, the
field was uh I would say more often than
not closed in the fall season due to the
field conditions. We didn't really have
any user groups out there. So I think
we're still trying to fine-tune what is
that right cadence and I we want to try
this to see how it goes. We talked with
our staff team about how this not only
aligns with the field use but also with
our um our pickle advisory committee
co-sponsorship application process. So
that was another factor here. I think
this probably um we'll try this and see
how this works. But I think it's a good
point. You know, is that enough time?
And I think we'll have to kind of
monitor that and watch that. I think
that's an adjustment we could likely
make at a staff department level. if we
needed to open a little earlier, we
could probably make that change to
respond to the community.
>> Um, and then just the other one, the the
list of criteria you have under number
two are listed as bullet points. It
wasn't clear to me that it was one then
two then three. So, just for a
>> in the Yeah, I think in
>> Yeah, if it's really
>> for the uh that's a good point too.
actually talked about that for the
presentation their bullets but in the
proposed application they are actually
listed and I think it specifies that we
would go in that order number one number
two
>> same question
>> uh I had a question about um is there
online visibility into uh who's using
the fields and like if there's available
because I'm just thinking about the
small organizations who like I just want
to go in I play one on one random day.
Is there a way to like go online and see
like
>> where those spots might be?
>> I tried this year to do an online
calendar. Um it's tough because field
users change their requests quite a bit
and our our active system or
registration system doesn't
as far as we know doesn't have like a
calendar that we can just implement to
go into our website. So, it was like I
was updating it here on my own personal
calendar that I share with all the user
groups and then again on the website and
it just like it was kind of a lot. Um,
so I I think like halfway through the
season I was like I don't even know if
anybody's looking at this online
calendar. But if anybody does reach out,
I do have like a personal calendar that
has all of the field the organization's
name on the calendar and I'll just send
that to them if they're like hey I need
these three dates. I'm like great here's
my calendar. I don't have those dates,
but if you can find some time, like I'll
put you on. So, I have it, but
[laughter] it isn't it is
>> it's not a publicly available thing.
Citywide, we are working on a new
website that is something that we're
going to be rolling out likely this
fall. And I think as part of that
effort, we've been working with our
digital services team for different
calendar views in the pool example where
we know right now it's a static PDF
document, right?
>> And we'd love to make that a little more
interactive, a little more accessible
for the community. I think we've been
exploring whether we can, you know, use
that for fields and other program
activities as well. And so had a
conversation last week with our
marketing coordinator in digital and
they're gonna they're exploring whether
there's any kind of plugins that might
work that might be easier than you know
duplicating the calendar three times and
then having version control issues and
one thing says one.
>> But I I think with all of that kind of
stuff that it's like kind of all in the
details too. I think there the flip side
of that too. I don't we want to be um
sensitive to you know groups to make
sure that we're like advertising which
group is on the field at what part in
time like like the way our our system
intakes information sometimes the
calendar pumps out it has like the
person's name who rented it as opposed
to the organization.
So you know I think finding a way to
make sure that it's just clear that it's
reserved
>> right kind of working.
>> But yeah I think we all would like to
see that as well. I think it'd be
helpful not only to share what's
available, but it might help fill space
because people know that it's available.
We can get on the field at this point.
>> Yeah.
>> Great. Thank you.
Any other comments from us? Uh an open
uh public comment. Are you here to
comment on?
I was just wondering if there would ever
come a point when you would need to make
a list public of how long these
organizations have been publicly
standing with, you know, with the use of
Alberts, for example, like how long
Santa Bell League has been there, how
long, you know, would you have to
actually make that list or would it just
come down to the tiebreaker when you
went to that number?
Yeah, I mean I I'll just answer that
question. I I um I think it would come
down to the tiebreaker, right? if we
really had to get to that I think it's
level number four number five where
we're really looking at length of
relationship with the city that's when
we probably have to go in and really try
to figure that out because I know a lot
of organizations include including SRL
have been with uh the city for quite a
long time and that those are um
important relationships to us so I think
we'd have to really take a close look at
standing and and the length of
relationship I honestly I hope it
doesn't get down to that but we felt
that might be you know just one
additional indicator of the values of of
not only the organizations in the city
and the relationship that they have with
the community but uh a way that we could
potentially break the tie.
>> Yeah.
>> All right. At this time we'll close
public comment.
Request a motion and a second to approve
agenda item. I move
>> to approve it. I'll second.
» Commissioner Cabales.
>> Yes.
>> Commissioner Gutirez.
>> Yes.
>> And chair pass.
>> Yes.
>> Right. Motion approved. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
>> Moving on to I know you already approved
it. I'm gonna make one more comment
about timeline and process which I don't
think is gonna change your decision, but
I just want to let you know that there's
a couple things we're trying to include
in the application packet itself that um
we just want to we want to run it by our
city attorneys just to make sure. So
process from here, we want to take any
feedback that we heard. I think we still
have time to refine maybe timelines. So
we might I might take a closer look at
that with you, Darcy. Um, we want to run
it by our city attorneys just to make
sure there's no language in there that's
going to be um, out of step with like
our municipal code when it comes to the
reference to gambling, stuff like that.
Once that's done, then we'll have a
final version that will continue to
circulate to the field user groups. Want
to make sure they're also aware of the
changes and then we'd be implementing it
as part of the the fall cycle for for
field applications. So, just want to
make sure that you kind of knew that.
Thank you.
Sorry about that. Thank you. Uh all
right. Uh agenda item uh 3B uh which is
annual pickleweed advisory committee
update.
>> Yeah. And I'll be sharing that one
today. So I'm gonna
share my screen again here.
Hey
So
we the last time park and recck
commission met for a regular meeting was
back in May and then in June we didn't
have any agenda items so we ended up
cancing the June meeting and then July
we had the the park tour uh at 620 Canal
Street and one update I wanted to share
um you know that happened in June is uh
Christy Hubaker who was direct
supervisor for the Borough Community
Center. Uh she actually resigned, took
uh took a different position and she
left the city. And so that's why I'm
giving this report is right now uh we do
not have a a supervisor at the Boro
Community Center. However, Darcy has
been uh helping support the Boro
Community Center. So uh she's been
gracious enough to step in, not only
support here, but also help support
them. Um yeah. [laughter]
Um I am pleased to report though that um
we did make a decision for a supervisor
appointment. So starting October one, we
are going to have a supervisor. Uh you may uh have met her before. Her
name's Christina Farhank. She's
currently the program coordinator at the
Teran Linda Community Center. Helps
support the community center and our
aquatics program there. Has been with
the city for more than 10 years. So I'm
excited to share that she's going to be
stepping into that role in October. So
there's a transition period here. We're
also going to be standing up a
recruitment to replace Christina, which
are that's big shoes to fill. It's an
important role at TL with the aquatics.
So as soon as that recruitment's flying,
I'll be sharing that. So but in the
meantime, you're stuck with me giving
this pickle advisory committee report.
So um I want to share a little bit about
the the committee. Um this is a and I I
this is an annual report that we um want
to share with you because I think this
is really important work that this group
does. Um pickleweed advisory committee
is an advisory board. They're really
focused specifically on canal
neighborhood picklee park and the aloro
community center. It's different from
park and rec commission. They're really
intended to provide direct canal
community voice on the facilities and
programs that happen in the park and
community center there. Um there's are
10 members currently on the pickle
advisory committee. Um seven of them are
voting. Uh so one of those members is an
alternate. Um we have a rep from the
park and recreation commission as well
that sits on. Uh we also I want to flag
that we have um two current vacancies,
an alternate vacancy and a youth member
vacancy. Youth member could be between
the ages of nine and 18 years old. uh
and I you know that has been a position
that we've often struggled to fill but
could have a really incredible impact on
the community. So want to um see if we
can try to fill that uh position this
year. Uh the group meets every other
month uh the first Wednesday of the
month. So it's I think the cadence is
they start in February each year.
February, April, June, August and
October typically are are off cycle in
December.
Uh the goal here is to provide a forum
for canal residents, advise park and
recreck commission, city council, city
staff and the matters concerning the
park and the center and really make
recommendations on policies and
procedures. A big part of the agenda
items that come their way are to review
co-sponsorship programming and use
agreements. Um the city has an existing
policy that allows us to wave fees for
programs that are in alignment with that
policy. um that uh is limited up to a
threshold certain dollar amount of the
value of the fee waiverss. Uh and this
year that threshold is up to $168,000
worth of fees can be waved. So, you
know, this group is the advisory group
that really receives those applications
and has a chance to advise the city on
which part which program should we
partner with and and wave fees for
um
the fee wavers reductions as part of
that program. It it's really up to staff
to make recommendations and then for the
committee to advise on, you know, how
much uh of the fee we should be waving.
It could be a small amount. It could be
all the way up to 100%. And we can
receive applications for facility use up
to 12 months. Programs have to be
eligible. Um, so the event has to be
open to all residents of San Rafale.
There can be, you know, special
requirements. I'll use sports as an
example. If there's a minimum age or
skill level for a particular program,
that that's still okay. But we want to
make sure that the programs are open to
all residents, that they're of direct
benefit to the community. And I think an
important component here is that we want
these programs to be low or no fee to
participants to re remove or reduce the
barriers to participation.
Uh and the proposed activity can't be
part of any private commercial
enterprise or other promotions.
So this year so far in 2026, this is
probably going to be hard to read, small
font, but these are the programs that
have been approved for co-sponsorships
uh this year at the Boro Center at
Pickle Park. First program on that list
is the is the YMCA after school program.
I think this is a really unique
partnership. Um the YMCA provides an
afterchool program in partnership with
Sanderfell City Schools. Um the school
district is receiving funds from the
state extended learning opportunity
program u funding that helps ensure that
participants have um either very lowcost
or free access to the program. So the
YMCA provides the staffing for it and
then they've applied for co-sponsorship
to wave the facility rental fees. And so
really there's quite a few organizations
involved in providing that after school
program for the community. Um, in
addition, the YMCA offers a summer day
camp program, uh, which, uh, a lot of
the the same program participants are
coming to that program, so it gives them
continued care throughout the year. So,
they've submitted two separate, um,
sponsorship applications and so they're
different program models.
Uh, the Canal Football Club, Canal FC,
uh, received, uh, co-sponsorship
applications for their spring season as
well as the fall and winter season. Um,
I think the the reason there's two
applications shown there is just because
of the cycle of us trying to trying to
adjust to the seasonality of of demand
and make sure that we really understood
what the demand demand was going to be
and that the committee can understand
that as well. So we asked them to come
back with a second application in August
this year. Typically they would u likely
qualify to or be eligible to do just one
annual application and that may be the case in the future. Uh, Zumba by
Vivivalon,
an older adult recreation program, uh,
Drawbridge Arts Program,
the the Scouts of America Troop 2000,
Togo Cone Voice, Oracle Music has arts
and science program and music
instruction program, Canal Arts Family,
an art program on Saturdays. Uh, there's
a mural design element to that as well.
uh a TAM adult school English as a
second language program and the uh roots
of the canal program which is a um an
afterchool program Monday through Friday
uh offered in the teen room at the Boro
community center. So in total um the
committee has approved uh $150,000 worth
of requests. You can kind of see the
different percent allocation for each of
those those programs that have received
funds. Um this isn't a direct cost to
the city really. This is what the value
would be if we were to have rented those
facilities. So this doesn't represent a
loss of revenue necessarily. Uh it's
really more um uh I think that's a
measure of like I said if if we were to
rent the space during that point in
time. There are a few direct costs for
the city when we run these types of
programs. There's utility expense,
overhead, operational expenses. Uh but
really there there are a few direct
costs. In the case that there was a
program that was happening after hours
or when staff weren't present, we do do
still reserve the right to schedule a
facility attendant and potentially
charge groups back for some of those
additional supplemental costs. But we
really view this as a way that we can
ensure the community center and the park
are are serving the community in ways
that meet community needs. Um so you
know to me I I I think this is a a
really a great outcome to know that the
community has had an opportunity to see
these applications that groups have
access uh to you know not only the field
and the community center but really to
provide these services to the community.
uh we really view this as a positive
part of our our overall program. Um
there are a few things that I I think
the committee we want to take a look at
in the next year. Um as I mentioned, we
want to recruit for those vacant uh
advisory committee seats. So if you know
anyone that's interested um send them
our way. Uh happy to share what that
process would look like to get an
application in. Um we are reviewing the
co-sponsorship application policy and
procedures. I think there's a few things
that we might want to take a look at and
fine-tune. The last time that um policy
was reviewed was 2021. Um I I think one
example of something that I'd like to
potentially change is right now we ask
groups to submit an application and
attend a meeting and give a presentation
and then come back two months later and
that's when the committee makes a
decision. And I'm going to be
recommending that we try to do that in
one meeting um just for efficiency and
for uh it's I've heard from some of the
committee members that over the course
of a two-month period it's hard to
remember like what happened. And so
there's a few things like that that I
think we might want to try and clean up,
but we also want to make sure that
there's still a really intentional
process and that the committee has good
information in front of them to make a
decision about who should get these
dollars. Um, we're also expecting that,
you know, with maybe better advertising
of these co-sponsorship opportunities,
um, we may see increased demand for use
of the space. And I think that that
raises some questions about, um, how
what percent of fee waver should we be
giving to groups? Who should receive
these dollars? How should we kind of
divvy up this pot of money that we have
the ability to wave fees um, under? So
while that hasn't been an issue in
recent years, we can kind of see we're getting close to that threshold
now. And um I think you know for us
we've been talking about you know
there's community center programs.
There's a wide variety of different
types of programs at community center.
Now the field has increased demand.
We're starting to see maybe some more
demand for field use. What's the right
mix? And I think on a staff level we may
want to fine-tune. how do we make those
recommendations to help the advisory
committee understand what we think might
be best and align with our values in in
a way that can uh help inform them
making those decisions. So likely going
to be looking at that that policy in the
next few months and maybe be coming back
in 2027 with some recommendations for
changes
and I think with that I
questions from the committee.
No, I think those are great
recommendations.
» I know that the uh the presentation
meetings can go long. Um do you think
like combining the two would make that
considerably longer or uh
>> you know having the presentation and the
decision making process? So, as someone
who's worked in local parks and rack and
government now for better part of 13
years, there's nothing I love more than
a 4 hour.
[laughter]
>> Um, the five hour meeting.
>> Except the five hour meeting. No, I'm
joking. Um, yeah, I think that, you
know, I saw there was a pickle weed
advisory committee meeting packet that
exceeded 300 pages. And to me, I don't
think that that is um well, I while I
appreciate that this is important
information and we want to make sure
that applicants really are thorough and
there's going to be good measurable
outcomes, I think that's really hard for
a volunteer that's taking time out of
their schedule to really digest and
understand and and I think that there's
probably more efficient ways that we can
help guide the committee in making those
decisions based on some staff
recommendations and input and instead of
a 300page packet.
um maybe a summary of the proposals and
applications we've received. You know,
how we think we may want to prioritize
those dollars and recommendations and then have a robust discussion and
some, you know, some presentations from
the groups to help support why they feel
they would be a good fit. Um but my hope
would be that rather than lengthening
the process, it would actually really
shorten it and make it easier for
everyone to digest it pretty much.
>> I mean, it's always an amazing process.
So yeah, but it is a long meeting
>> and to be fair, they may still be need
to be long meetings if there's
discussion and real decisions.
Nothing else. Uh this time we'll open
public comment.
This time we'll close public comment. Uh
kind of a request to receive uh the
report.
>> I'll move to receive the report on
pickle advisory committee. I will
second.
>> All right. Commissioner,
>> yes.
>> Commissioner Gutierz,
>> yes.
>> And Chair Pastor,
>> yes.
>> All right. Motion approved. Thank you.
» All right. Next up, we have the staff
leazison report.
>> Right. A couple things I wanted to
share. Darcy, feel free to jump in if I
miss any here.
Um we had a really successful summer um
across the board. Our recreation
programs, aquatics, child care um had a
very successful summer. So I just want
to um celebrate uh the team that helped
make that happen. Um it was a very busy
summer. We had um hundreds of kids in
our child care programs. This place
smelled like incredible food all summer
long because of the cooking camp. Uh and
I know everyone had a really fun time.
So, just a thank you to all of our staff
on our team. Um, I already mentioned the
supervisor uh change at Borro and the
recruitment that's coming for program
coordinator. I'll keep everyone posted
about that. We are still in the midst of
recruiting for our childare team. So, if
you know of anyone that's looking for um
employment as a childare instructor or
an aid, whether it's, you know, a temp
seasonal position or full-time, we still
have some positions available. Um, we
just added, uh, I think we've
recommended six new permanent positions
in child care. Um, so we're excited that
we're bringing some new people on board
for the start of the school year. Um,
our fall winter registration just opened
August 18th. So, lots of programs in the
activity guide. I think we had a really
successful start to registration this
year. I think Darcy shared that we're a
little ahead of where we were last year
at this point in time.
Yes, I think things are looking good,
but still have plenty of programs to
sign up for.
Um, movies in the park series starting
August 28th, the first movie is at
Victor Jones Park. Um, September 11th at
Sun Valley, September 25th at Ter Linda,
and then October 9th at the Boro
Community Center. We're going to do a
Halloween costume swap at Borro as part
of that that move kind of separate but
at the same day. uh American Red Cross
blood drive um here on September 16th at
the community center. I know that um
nationally there's been a need for
blood. I've seen that um they're really
trying to do the best they can to
promote people to to donate. So I wanted
to highlight that
>> we just partnered with my talent as
well. They've got a mobile blood unit.
Um so it's very easy. They can just park
in the parking lot too. So
>> um we just partnered with uh they're
called Mixtop. It's the Marine County
Storm Water Prevention Program. Um
they're doing a campaign campaign in the
canal community where they have these
really cool like cartoon animals that
are pulling trash out of you know the
storm drains and out of trash
recepticles. There's um a big kind of
vinyl mural on the back of the community
center now and then you'll see those all
up and down Canal Street. So, it's a new
uh it's outreach campaign to try to
encourage people to really be mindful of
where they're putting their wear. So,
that just got installed on Monday, which
is cool. Um Fallkerk Artist Collective
Final Call for Artists September 27th.
So, there's a a call for arts right now
at Fall Kirk for some jury shows as well
as for the 2027 calendar year. So, if
you know of any artists that are
interested in exhibiting their artwork,
there's opportunity there. citywide. We
just celebrated the completion of um the
public art project, the installation of
five pieces. I'm not sure if you've been
by city hall recently, but there's a big chrome shiny statue there.
>> That was the last one to get installed.
And on Monday, right before city
council, um local edition creative, the
arts um project coordinator that helped
make that happen were there and some um
of the local art leaders and just a
little celebration, a ribbon cutting
there. Um, so that was really great. Uh,
there the utility box paint painting
project that Sandfell Chamber of
Commerce um the business improvement
district um helped make that happen.
That just got approved by council on
Monday as well. So you're going to start
to see I think five new utility boxes
are going to get painted this month. So
still a lot of u exciting things
happening in the public art world. I
think the California Art Council was
here on Friday as well. Some
representatives. They're the the group
that gave the the large grant to San
Rafale. It was a $700,000 grant that
really helped bring a lot of this to
life. So, some reps from the CAC were um
touring a lot of the arts organizations
on Friday afternoon and evening as part
of the second Friday. So, um yeah, lots
going on in town. Uh school has begun.
Traffic is back out there. Everyone is back in town. And yeah, we're just
thanks to the team for everything that
you're doing. Did I miss anything? Any
other programs that you want to
highlight?
>> Movie in the park, Ratatouille on
Friday. We're making chef hats. So,
» um I'd add I would add too, I think, you
know, the the measure P project, the
community center library. Um we're in
the process right now of reviewing um
progressive design build teams. We
received application requests for
proposal applications from them to take
that project on. And so city staff have
been interviewing them. We have the
metrop subcommittee on August 31st. So
that's when we're going to be bringing
some recommendations to that
subcommittee about the team that'll help
rebuild this facility. So really
excited. I mean that's a big project
generational build and uh really I think
we're headed in the right direction.
We've we've really been talking to some
great teams. So excited about that. But
all day there were city staff and teams
in this room talking about that project.
Okay.
>> Any questions?
>> What's that? 31st movie.
>> Oh,
>> I I take a look at the time. It is
during the day. I can pull that up right
now.
[laughter]
» Just a second.
See,
it's at 10 a.m. August 31st at 10 a.m.,
» thank you. [clears throat] Any other
questions?
>> No motion.
>> Great.
>> Uh
any public comment? Yeah, we'll close
public comment then. And uh next agenda
item, commissioner reports. We have
anyone have anything to report?
>> Uh I've been attending pickleweed. Um I
think the improvements would be
welcomed. uh meetings do get long and I think more importantly the
two-month lag between these like giant
enormous presentations that do have
paper
um
>> that's incredible.
>> Yeah, like it like a lot of paper. Um
and but then you forget it all and not
all but you know some of the finer
details. Um and the other piece of it is
sort of the the
holisticness of the co-sponsorship. So
you're mentioning maybe a summary or you
know this is how much
it's hard to make a decision I think for
some of the members myself included
although I'm not a voting member but um
you know when they say we want full
sponsorship you're like how much do we
have left again but what is the next
person asking for and I think um there
could definitely be um process
improvements that would be really
beneficial not just like good to have
like really helpful um and I think
Christina will do a great about getting
a youth person on there. I feel like she
can make that happen.
Um, but anyway, yeah, lots of great
programs that we reviewed over the last
couple meetings. Um, I believe they
voted No, we voted in June, didn't we?
In August, they did.
>> They did as well.
>> Okay.
Um, uh, great program. Yeah, that's what
I thought. Somebody else came in. Um,
the programs down there are so great.
Like the when the applications come in,
it feels like, oh my god, live.
Wonderful inspirational.
>> Yeah. Yeah.
>> Good part.
>> What was What was Christina? Tar Linda,
but really excited for her
stepping up.
>> Yeah.
>> Uh any public comment?
We'll close public comment. Uh and last
up
>> at 7:01.