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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-07-2026 PRC Minutes 1 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes January 7, 2026, 5:30 p.m. Council Chambers, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo _____________________________________________________________________ 1. CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order on January 7 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, by Chair Blair. Present: Commissioner Blair, Vice Chair Howell, Commissioners Lance, Kincaid, Murphy and Stowe. Absent: Commissioner Duperron Staff: Parks and Recreation Director Greg Avakian Recreation Manager Devin Hyfield Recreation Manager Meghan Tolley Administrative Assistant III Lisa Russell 2. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Public Comment: Members of the public Cary, Winter and Lens spoke about Emerson Park. Hernandez spoke about Righetti Park. John McKenzie: Friends of SLO City Dog Park provided input on the construction of a proposed wind break structure, fencing and parking improvements at Laguna Lake Dog Park. Director Avakian asked the Commission to consider the proposal from the Friends of SLO City Dog Park and provide their feedback. There will be public outreach in the Springtime allowing for the public to provide feedback. 2 Commission supports the proposed Friends of SLO City Dog Park ideas, beginning with a windbreak panel. --End of Public Comment-- 3. CONSENT 3.a CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES - PARKS AND RECREATION MINUTES To approve the Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes: • November 5, 2025 Regular Meeting • November 21, 2025 Special Meeting/Park and Facilities Tour CARRIED: 6:0:0:1 to approve the minutes for the regular meeting of November 5, 2025, as motioned by Vice Chair Howell and second by Commissioner Kincaid. AYES: Blair, Howell, Kincaid, Stowe, Lance, Murphy NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Duperron CARRIED: 6:0:0:1 to approve the notes for the November 21, 2025, Special Meeting/ Park Facility Tour as motioned by Commissioner Kincaid and second by Commissioner Murphy. AYES: Blair, Howell, Kincaid, Stowe, Lance and Murphy NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: Duperron 4. BUSINESS ITEMS 3 4.a DISCUSS AND REVIEW PARK AND FACILITY TOURS (COMMISSION - 45 MIN) a. Staff to facilitate review of the park and facility tours of November 21, 2025. b. Commission to discuss and provide feedback to staff regarding: • Santa Rosa Park – o Commission observations: some refurbishment and maintenance needed. The parks and facilities tours are an annual highlight for the commission. Great to have Park Maintenance participate on the tour. Horseshoe pits need refurbishing. Skate Park needs clean up from debris. Santa Rosa Park is a true, diverse community park servicing many community activities. • Meadow Park/Meadow Center – o Commission observations: Many different usage areas are available. Increase the usage of the building and perhaps as a future community center. It has much potential. Lots of activity takes place in the park. Lighting improvements for evening basketball play are recommended. Bathroom improvements needed. • Mission Plaza – o Heading in the right direction with ongoing improvements. The activation of the park is great. Successful programming and collaborations with the Downtown SLO Assoc. and partnership with the Mission Church. Kiosk area is great. • Jack House/Gardens – o Docents are highly committed. Great rental space. Great history, beautiful buildings and gardens. Suggestion to increase promotions for additional usage. 4.b PRC SUB-COMMITTEE LEVEL OF SERVICE (LOS) AMENITIES DISCUSSION ON 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. No report provided. 4.c RECEIVE DIRECTORS REPORT: (AVAKIAN - 40 MIN) 4 • Emerson Park Prop 68 Project- Brief Overview of Upcoming February 4 Community Input Agenda Item. o Input from members of the public: Carey, Winter and Lenz • North Broad Street Park - Safety Gate Request by Community o Director provided background by community concern and asked for commissioner feedback. No gate at this time was recommended by commission. Recommended potential for a community survey to gage use at the park location. • Righetti Community Park - Project Status Update o Input from member of the public: Hernandez (pickleball courts) • Mission Plaza Project - Status Update and Café’ Kiosk Vendor • CPRS D8 Awards - Laguna Lake Dog Park, Laguna Lake Bike Park, September Scramble, and Professional Award 4.d RECEIVE DEPARTMENT UPDATES (HYFIELD / TOLLEY - 40 MIN) a. Divisional Update (Hyfield) - Aquatics (November highlights and winter programming updates, Photos with Santa Event, successful Season of Hope donations, upcoming CPR training, Lifeguard training upcoming). Golf (Operations and Maintenance updates. November and December revenue report), Facilities (Indoor/Outdoor facilities updates, Events (Lunar New Year Celebration 2/19 in Mission Plaza). b. Divisional Update (Tolley) - Community Services (Senior Center December Activities, Family Trivia and music concerts to begin again shortly). Public Art (New installation at Froom & Heirloom Ranch and multiple community activities underway). Senior Programs, Youth Sports (Referee training, Volleyball, basketball, Softball and Futsal all beginning). Youth Services (Family Winter Fest, Partner meetings with local schools, YS Division will move their offices to the Ludwick Center). Volunteer Program (Highlights. Annual report will be r eleased soon). Jack House had over 400 hundred visitors for the holiday season tours. 5. SUBCOMMITTEE LIAISON REPORTS & COMMUNICATIONS 5.a COMMUNICATIONS: (CHAIR - 15 MIN) The Commission provided additional updates: Bring forward ideas for future presentations to the PRC Commission from Parks and Recreation Divisions. Ranger Service Division was suggested. Confirming 2026 Meeting dates of February 4, March 4, April 1, 2026. 5 5.b SUBCOMMITTEE LIAISON REPORTS (CHAIR - 15 MIN) a. Adult and Senior Programming (Chair Blair): o none b. Active Transportation Committee (Vice Chair Howell): o none c. Youth Sports Association (Commissioner Stowe): o none d. Jack House (Commissioner Kincaid): o Update provided as part of Tolley Divisional update referencing the holiday activations and docent support. 6. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:31 p.m. The next Regular Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission is scheduled for February 4, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. _________________________ APPROVED BY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION: 01/07/2026