HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-03-2025 PRC Minutes
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Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes
September 3, 2025, 5:30 p.m.
Council Chambers, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo
Parks and Recreation
Commission Members
Present:
Commissioner Kari Duperron, Commissioner Toni Kincaid,
Commissioner Desi Lance, Commissioner Yukie Murphy,
Commissioner Adam Stowe, Vice Chair Kari Howell, Chair Rick
Blair
City Staff Present: Parks and Recreation Director Greg Avakian, Administrative
Assistant III Lisa Russell, Recreation Manager Devin Hyfield
_____________________________________________________________________
1. CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order
on _______ at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 990 Palm Street,
San Luis Obispo, by Chair Blair.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Public Comment:
Speaker #1 - Kathy from the SLO Senior Center. Thank you to the Parks and
Recreation Department and to the Commission for supporting recent summer
outings for members of the SLO Senior Center.
--End of Public Comment--
3. CONSENT
3.a CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES - PARKS AND RECREATION
MINUTES
To approve the Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of June 4,
2025.
Ayes (7): Commissioner Duperron, Commissioner Kincaid, Commissioner
Lance, Commissioner Murphy, Commissioner Stowe, Vice Chair Howell,
and Chair Blair
CARRIED (7 to 0)
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4. BUSINESS ITEMS
4.a RECEIVE STAFF UPDATE ON LAGUNA LAKE DOG PARK
OPERATIONS (AVAKIAN – 15 MIN)
a. Staff to present status report on the first 100 days of operation.
1. Current facility issues related to gate mechanism. Fine tuning
the facility, now that it’s open and being used. This includes
Exterior Gates, Irigation, Grass Turf, Water Stations and
Storage boxes.
2. Website and communications, including maintenance closures.
A new Dog Park webpage with updates and information is live
on the City website. The weekly maintenance window is
advertised as Wednesdays 9-11 a.
3. Volunteer Ambassador program, and Friends of SLO City Dog
Parks are assisting with maintaining the Dog Park and assisting
Park Maintenance crew.
4. Future needs and priorities for amenities, (shade, seating and
trees). Staff inquiring with Lemos Feed and/or Pet Supply or
potential sponsorship in providing Mutt Mitts. The Rotary club
and local business are available for potential sponsorship.
Community support opportunities and future planned amenities
were discussed with shade structures as first priority and then
more trees and seating coming winter/spring.
4.b PRC SUB-COMMITTEE LEVEL OF SERVICE (LOS) AMENITIES
DISCUSSION ON THE BLUEPRINT FOR THE FUTURE (PRC – 20 MIN)
a. Commission to discuss and provide any additional advisory topics
related to the Parks & Recreation Blueprint and LOS updates.
4.c RECEIVE DIRECTORS REPORT: (AVAKIAN - 45 MIN)
a. 2025-26 Budget Update – Current and Projected Impacts. The
financial plan and year one budget were appro ved on June 17, 2025,
by the City Council and implemented on July 1, 2025. The PRC
Commission comments and input were provided.
b. Righetti Community Park – RFP timeline was originally September 11,
2025, but was amended to October 9, 2025. The project start is slated
for January 2026. The Commission reviewed plans for the Community
Park and Linear Park.
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c. Emerson Park Renovation Project – Concept Designs were presented
to the Commission. Project funding (including the Prop 68 Grant
support) will be in 2026.
d. Status Update of Current Projects:
1. Mission Plaza Café Kiosk and Restroom Project:
Concessionaire vendor has been selected and contracts are
being created. Project completion of restroom facility and
updated courtyard is anticipated for completion in November.
2. Rotary “Peace Pole” Project Proposal – The informational
structure will be installed in the Mission Plaza Park, and it will be
funded by Rotary.
3. Jack House Roof Project update. Project completion is
scheduled for mid-September.
4. Righetti ‘Dog Park’ Private Partnership Proposal status
provided. City is meeting with non-profit group in September to
discuss expectations and responsibilities of this potential
property lease.
5. Open Space Trails: Righetti Hill and Bowden Ranch trail
updates.
6. Council Direction – New Work Plan Updates. Consideration of a
possible Splash pad has been researched and due to
anticipated costs is no longer under consideration. Staff
planning for the January 2025 Study Session of fiscal overview
of the Laguna Lake Golf Course.
4.d RECEIVE DEPARTMENT UPDATES (HYFIELD / TOLLEY - 40 MIN)
a. Divisional Update – Community Services (Art camps, Community
classes, SLO City Farms partnership, Summer Sports Camp, Mondays
Meetups, September Scramble and Youth Sports Programs). Public Art
(Box Art program 15th anniversary and other current art projects (.
Senior Programs (Around the Town walking group, Trivia Tuesday and
Yo ga). Youth Services (Summer camps at three locations, staffing
updates and growing program enrollment details). Volunteer Program
(Newsletter, Volunteers now being assigned across city departments
along with numerous Jack House Docents).
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b. Divisional Update – Aquatics Summer Recap (Super Rec Saturday at
the Aquatics Center partnering with the Seahawks. This summer had
the highest number of event attendees ever. A new Aquatics Specialist
has been hired. Pool closure in August for annual maintenance). Golf
(Operations, Maintenance, summer programming updates and FY25
Revenue comparisons). Outdoor/Indoor Facilities (Damon Garcia
reopens). Numerous Citywide summer Special Events were
highlighted.
5. SUBCOMMITTEE LIAISON REPORTS & COMMUNICATIONS (PRC - 30 MIN)
5.a COMMUNICATIONS (CHAIR - 15 MIN)
1. Introduce Potential Facility/Park Tour Options. Possible locations were
discussed. Dates and locations will be finalized at the October PRC
meeting. Perhaps tour future project sites which have been assigned
start dates for playground replacement and visit recently completed
project sites.
2. PRC 2025-202 Goals Schedule – Review past projects and internal
goals to assist in formulating and formalizing in October.
3. Liaison Positions – Va cancy and Potential Future Opportunities. Senior
Center Liaison role is open. Will discuss at October PRC meeting.
5.b SUBCOMMITTEE LIAISON REPORTS (CHAIR - 15 MIN)
a. Adult and Senior Programming (Chair Blair):
o New buddy program started with CL Smith Elementary School.
Seniors to buddy with 6th graders.
b. Active Transportation Committee (Vice Chair Howell):
o New cross walk law has been passed.
c. Youth Sports Association (Commissioner Stowe):
o No update.
d. Jack House (Commissioner Kincaid):
o Docent field trips over summertime and ongoing construction
updates. Volunteers needed for December events.
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6. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15. p.m.
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APPROVED BY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION: 10/01/2025