CITY OF COMMERCE AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: RECOMMENDATION FOR FUNDING TO REOPEN AND OPERATE ROSEWOOD PARK SNACK BAR, INCLUDING STAFFING MEETING DATE: January 28, 2025
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council consider approving the reopening of the Rosewood Park Snack Bar. This includes funding for staffing and operational costs, specifically:
One (1) full-time Food Services Supervisor
One (1) part time Senior Food Services Assistant
Two (2) part-time Food Services Assistants
The total funding required for this initiative is $390,000 annually.
BACKGROUND
In March 2019, operations at the snack bars located at Rosewood Park and Bristow Park ceased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time of closure, the Parks and Recreation Department employed one (1) full-time Food Services Supervisor, one (1) part-time Senior Food Services Assistant and four (4) part-time Food Services Assistants to operate these facilities.
The hours of the Rosewood Park snack bar were Monday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 PM, with additional hours on select Saturdays throughout the year. The Bristow Park snack bar was traditionally opened from 12:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Wednesday – Sunday.
Prior to the closure of the snack bars, the cost to operate both was $319,975 annually with a revenue of approximately $114,278 for fiscal year 2018/19.
As a result of the closures due to COVID, four part-time employees who were assigned to the snack bars were furloughed and ultimately released due to the permanent closure.
The full-time Food Services Supervisor resigned to pursue other employment, leading to the position being removed from the department's budget.
Since the closure, the Rosewood Park snack bar has been repurposed for storage, primarily housing supplies and refrigerated items for programming and special events.
Existing equipment includes:
A walk-in refrigerator
A two-door freezer
A soda machine
An industrial stove
Various smaller appliances originally utilized for snack bar operations The Bristol Park snack bar remains non-operational and vacant as well.
ANALYSIS
To resume operations of the Rosewood Park snack bar, additional staff will need to be recruited, hired, and trained. This process will require time to ensure that appointed candidates are adequately prepared to operate the snack bar. In addition, steps will need to be taken to ensure the snack bar is Health Department compliant and approved by them prior to reopening.
If approved, it is anticipated that snack bar operations could resume operations in July 2025.
ALTERNATIVES
Approve staff recommendation
Disapprove staff recommendation
Provide further direction to staff
FISCAL IMPACT
If the City Council decides to approve the reopening of the Rosewood Park Snack Bar operation beginning July 1, 2025, an appropriation totaling $390,000 will be incorporated into the General Fund’s baseline budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC GOALS
The agenda item relates to the 2016 Strategic Plan, Community Quality of Life Guiding Principle 4:
Support and evaluate community services, programs and events that promote healthy and quality of lifestyles for our residents. Enhance public safety and social services through innovative programs that meet the needs of the residential and business communities.
Respectfully submitted: Ernie Hernandez, City Manager
Recommended by: Greg Alaniz, Parks and Recreation Director Fiscal Impact reviewed by: Vilko Domic, Assistant City Manager Approved as to form by: Noel Tapia, City Attorney