RESOLUTION NO. -2026
RESOLUTION OF THE AUTHORIZING UPDATED COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF A PARTNERSHIP AND SITE-CONTROL FRAMEWORK FOR THE TIMBERWOLF STADIUM TRACK AND MULTIPURPOSE ATHLETIC FIELD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT WHEREAS, Timberwolf Stadium is an important athletic and recreational facility serving Fort Bragg Unified School District students, youth sports organizations, families, and residents throughout the Mendocino Coast; and WHEREAS, improvements to the stadium’s track, multipurpose athletic field, lighting, restrooms, and related amenities would expand year-round opportunities for youth athletics, physical activity, community events, and public recreation; and WHEREAS, the Mendocino Coast Sports Foundation, Fort Bragg Unified School District, community members, and other partners have invested considerable time and effort in the prior planning, design, fundraising, and development of Timberwolf Stadium; and WHEREAS, the Mendocino Coast Sports Foundation submitted a prior grant application in 2020–2021 for improvements to Timberwolf Stadium, but the application was not selected for funding; and WHEREAS, the prior planning, plan sets, cost estimates, and community engagement provide a strong foundation for the proposed project, but updated engagement is necessary to confirm current community priorities and comply with Statewide Park Program Round 5 requirements; and WHEREAS, the City intends to conduct an inclusive engagement process involving students, families, athletic organizations, local tribes, neighboring residents, and the broader Mendocino Coast community; and WHEREAS, successful implementation of the project will require confirmation of property ownership and site conditions and the development of agreements addressing construction authority, public access, operations, maintenance, capital replacement, liability, and long-term grant compliance; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to authorize this preliminary work without authorizing a grant application, approving a final project, acquiring any property interest, executing a final agreement, or committing City funds to project design or construction.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Fort Bragg does hereby resolve as follows:
SECTION 1. RECITALS
The foregoing recitals are true and correct and are incorporated into this Resolution.
SECTION 2. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
The City Manager, or designee, is authorized to build upon prior planning and community engagement efforts and conduct an updated community-based planning and public engagement process consistent with applicable Statewide Park Program Round 5 requirements.
The process shall be undertaken in partnership with the Fort Bragg Unified School District, Mendocino Coast Sports Foundation, local tribes, and other community organizations and may include approximately five engagement opportunities, a community survey, meetings at the school gym and stadium, Farmers Market outreach, and targeted engagement with students, families, athletic organizations, neighboring residents, and historically underrepresented community members.
SECTION 3. WORKING PARTNERSHIP AND SITE-CONTROL FRAMEWORK For purposes of further evaluation and negotiation, the City Council confirms the following working framework:
A. Subject to confirmation of title and existing agreements, the Fort Bragg Unified School District would retain fee ownership of the Timberwolf Stadium property. Acquisition of the property by the City is not currently contemplated.
B. The City would be evaluated as the anticipated lead grant applicant and grant administrator, subject to subsequent City Council authorization before submission of an application.
C. The City and District would negotiate a grant-compliant, long-term joint-use and site-control agreement addressing construction authority, public recreational access, scheduling, operations, routine maintenance, utilities, insurance, liability, capital replacement, and grant compliance.
D. The City, District, and Mendocino Coast Sports Foundation would negotiate a partnership memorandum of understanding addressing community engagement, fundraising, communications, advocacy, volunteer support, and other project responsibilities.
SECTION 4. PROPERTY AND AGREEMENT REVIEW
The City Manager, or designee, is authorized to confirm the fee ownership, parcel boundaries, ownership or control of existing stadium improvements, existing agreements, encumbrances, and other conditions affecting the project site and to begin negotiating the agreements described in this Resolution.
Any proposed agreement shall be subject to review by the City Attorney and applicable District legal counsel and shall require approval by the respective governing bodies before execution.
SECTION 5. RETURN TO CITY COUNCIL
Following completion of the community engagement process, staff shall return to the City Council with:
A. A summary of community input and engagement results; B. A community-informed project concept and preliminary cost estimate; C. Documentation confirming project-site ownership and the proposed site-control arrangement; D. Draft partnership and joint-use agreements;
E. A proposed operations and maintenance plan identifying annual operating costs, responsibilities of each party, long-term capital-replacement obligations, reserve requirements, and proposed funding sources; F. A recommended funding and grant-administration strategy; and G. Any required grant-authorizing resolution, landowner commitment letters, or related grant documents.
SECTION 6. LIMITATIONS OF AUTHORITY
This Resolution does not authorize:
A. Submission of a grant application;
B. Execution of a final memorandum of understanding, joint-use agreement, lease, or site-control agreement; C. Acquisition or transfer of any ownership or other property interest; D. Approval of a final project design; or
E. Commitment of City funds to project design or construction.
Each of these actions, if proposed, shall be presented to the City Council for consideration and approval at a future public meeting.
SECTION 7. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This Resolution authorizes preliminary planning, public engagement, due diligence, and negotiation activities only and does not approve a specific physical project. Any future project approval shall remain subject to all applicable environmental review requirements.
SECTION 8. EFFECTIVE DATE
This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
The above and foregoing Resolution was introduced by Councilmember ____________________, seconded by Councilmember _____________________, and passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Fort Bragg held on the 10th day of August 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
RECUSED:
JASON GODEKE
Mayor
ATTEST:
Diana Paoli
City Clerk
- 2 -