CITY OF MERCED Merced Civic Center
678 W. 18th Street
Merced, CA 95340
Minutes
MERCED
Recreation & Parks Commission
Monday, November 27, 2023 5:30 PM
A. CALL TO ORDER
Clerk's Note: Chair HUITRON called the Regular Meeting to order at 5:33 B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chair HUITRON led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
C. ROLL CALL
Present: 4- Member Walter Smith, Member Joseph Bauer, Member Valente Huitron, and Member Lehuanani Rodriguez
Excused: 2 - Member April Holloway, and Member Abraham Lopez • Absent: 0
D. PUBLIC COMMENT
Janice PHENIS, a Senior Center Visitor - informed the Commission of potential safety issues at the entrance of the Senior Center.
E. CONSENT CALENDAR
E.1. SUBJECT: Recreation and Parks Commission Minutes of September
25. 2023
REPORT IN BRIEF
Recreation and Parks Commission Minutes from the meeting of September 25, 2023.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a motion approving and filing Recreation and Parks Commission Minutes of September 25, 2023.
Clerk's Note: There was no discussion.
A motion was made by Member Rodriguez, seconded by Member Bauer, that this agenda item be approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 4- Member Smith, Member Bauer, Member Huitron, and Member Rodriguez CITY OF MERCED Page 1 Printed on 1/19/2024
Recreation & Parks Commission Minutes November 27, 2023 No: 0
Excused: 2 - Member Holloway, and Member Lopez
Absent: 0
F. REPORTS
F.1. SUBJECT: Report on Merced Applegate Zoo New Logo and Mural
REPORT IN BRIEF
Report on Merced Applegate Zoo's new logo and mural.
RECOMMENDATION
Recreation and Parks Commission - Information Only
Parks and Community Services Director Christopher JENSEN presented the new logo for the Merced Applegate Zoo. He reported that the logo highlights the theme that Merced is a gateway to Yosemite and a rescue for animals that can primarily be found in the foothills and the Sierras. A tagline was presented along with the logo.
Commissioners and Mr. JENSEN discussed the new zoo logo and what it represents.
Public Information Officer Jennifer FLACHMAN presented on the process of a mural at the Applegate zoo, along with an initial draft. The mural would be located at the Zoo gift shop.
Commissioner SMITH and Ms. FLACHMAN discussed avoiding graffiti on the mural.
Clerk's Note: This item was information only, no formal vote was taken.
F.2. SUBJECT: Parks and Recreation Department Updates
REPORT IN BRIEF
Director Jensen will provide department updates on the budget, services, events, and Capital Improvement Projects (CIP's) to the Commission.
RECOMMENDATION
Information only-no action required
Parks and Community Services Director Christopher JENSEN provided a department update including updates on park amenities, youth centers, and the Gateway to Yosemite run.
CITY OF MERCED Page 2 Printed on 1/19/2024
Recreation & Parks Commission Minutes November 27, 2023 Chair HUITRON and Mr. JENSEN discussed the future of facilities that will be impacted by the High Speed Rail.
Clerk's Note: There was no formal vote taken, item was for information only.
G. BUSINESS
G.1. SUBJECT: Review Youth Center Program Quarterly Reports Submitted to Report Program Efforts to Commission in Consideration of their use of the Facility as a Service Provider.
REPORT IN BRIEF
Staff are providing the quarterly reports submitted by Youth Center Service Providers to report program efforts to the Recreation and Parks Commission in consideration of their use of the facility as a Service Provider. These quarterly reports reflect the efforts made to program in the Youth Center awarded to the Provider.
RECOMMENDATION
Information Only
Parks and Community Services Director Christopher JENSEN presented a quarterly report on Challenged Family Resource Center.
Commissioners and Mr. JENSEN discussed the data presented in the quarterly report and receiving quarterly reports from all service providers.
G.2. SUBJECT: Request to Add Item to Future Agenda
REPORT IN BRIEF
Provides members of the Boards/Commissions to request that an item be placed on a future Boards/Commissions agenda for initial consideration by the Boards/Commissions.
Clerk's Note: No future items were added.
G.3. SUBJECT: Commission Comments
REPORT IN BRIEF
Provides an opportunity for the Chair and/or Members) to make a brief announcement on any activity(ies) she/he has attended on behalf of the Commission and to make a brief announcement on future community CITY OF MERCED Page 3 Printed on 1/19/2024
Recreation & Parks Commission Minutes November 27, 2023 events and/or activities. The Brown Act does not allow discussion or action by the legislative body under this section.
Commissioner RODRIGUEZ reported on attending Fahren's Park and Bear Creek clean ups.
Commissioner BAUER reported on attending the Halloween events hosted by the Parks and Community Services department and spoke on the high turn out.
Commissioner SMITH reported on helping at a local Thanksgiving dinner, and reported there was a big volunteer turn out.
H. ADJOURNMENT
Chair HUITRON adjourned the Regular Meeting at 6:30 PM.
By: Approves By
Diana Olmos Valente Huitron
Recreation and Parks Commission Clerk Recreation and Parks Commission Chair CITY OF MERCED Page 4 Printed on 1/19/2024