CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE
MINUTES OF THE
BEACHES, PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
REGULAR ADJOURNED MEETING
TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2025, 6:00 P.M.
Chair Johnson called the Regular Adjourned Meeting of the Beaches, Parks, and Recreation Commission of the City of San Clemente to order on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 6:01 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers, located at 910 Calle Negocio, 2nd Floor, San Clemente, CA. Commissioner Kahn led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENT Dolegowski, Vice Chair Garcia, Grace, Haskins, Chair Johnson, Kahn, McCanne, Van Nort
ABSENT Schmitt
STAFF PRESENT Samantha Wylie, Beaches, Parks & Recreation Director Carrie Swartz, Aquatics Supervisor
1. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
None
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. June 10, 2025, Beaches, Parks, and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes.
B. July 22, 2025, Beaches, Parks, and Recreation Commission Special Meeting Minutes.
C. August 18, 2025, Beaches, Parks, and Recreation Commission Special Joint Meeting Minutes.
Amanda Quintanilla requested that her name be added to the July 22, 2025, Beaches, Parks, and Recreation Commission Special Meeting Minutes.
Motion by Vice Chair Garcia, seconded by Commission Grace, CARRIED 7-0-1, Commissioner Schmitt absent, to approve the June 10, 2025, Beaches, Parks, and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes.
AYE: Dolegowski, Garcia, Grace, Johnson, Kahn, McCanne, Van Nort NOE: None
Abstain: Haskins
Motion by Chair Johnson, seconded by Van Nort, CARRIED 8-0, Commissioner Schmitt absent, to amend and approve the July 22, 2025, minutes and add Amanda Quintanilla as a public speaker under 1A.
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Beaches, Parks, and Regular Adjourned Meeting August 26, 2025 Recreation Commission
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AYE: Dolegowski, Garcia, Grace, Haskins, Johnson, Kahn, McCanne, Van Nort NOE: None
Motion by Vice Chair Garcia, seconded by Commissioner Grace, CARRIED 8-0, Commissioner Schmitt absent, to approve the August 18, 2025, Beaches, Parks, and Recreation Commission Special Joint Meeting Minutes.
AYE: Dolegowski, Garcia, Grace, Haskins, Johnson, Kahn, McCanne, Van Nort NOE: None
3. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Amanda Quintanilla discussed the Draft Nature-Based Adaptation Project Feasibility Study with a PowerPoint presentation.
Susan Ambrose, a San Clemente resident, asked that the Commissioners come prepared to each meeting.
George Gregory, a San Clemente resident, discussed rocks at North Beach.
4. RECREATION ACTIVITIES UPDATE
Samantha Wylie, Beaches, Parks, & Recreation Director, provided an update on recent recreation activities, including Island Nights, 4th of July events, Summer Concert Series, and upcoming events from August – November 2025.
5. OLD BUSINESS
A. Consideration of the Beaches, Parks, and Recreation Commission FY 2025- 26 Work Plan
Samantha Wylie, Beaches, Parks & Recreation Director, presented a staff report discussing the proposed items for the FY 2025-26 work plan.
Ed Kweskin, a San Clemente resident, asked that when thinking about the work plan, the Commission should consider the budget.
Amanda Quintanilla raised concerns regarding the sand management plan and that the request from NBCA has no budget.
Joe Wilson, a San Clemente resident, recommended that the Commission work with OCTA to make a permanent crossing over the tracks for future sand replenishment.
Chris Butler, a San Clemente resident, asked that the Commission consider North Beach a priority in the FY 2025-26 work plan.
Suzie Whitelaw, a San Clemente resident, discussed the sand management plan and track how the sand from the replenishments is moved and where it is going.
Beaches, Parks, and Regular Adjourned Meeting August 26, 2025 Recreation Commission
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Motion by Vice Chair Garcia, seconded by Commissioner Kahn, CARRIED 8-0, Commissioner Schmitt absent, to move forward with the staff-proposed items.
AYE: Dolegowski, Garcia, Grace, Haskins, Johnson, Kahn, McCanne, Van Nort NOE: None
Motion by Commissioner Van Nort, seconded by Commissioner McCanne, CARRIED 8- 0, Commissioner Schmitt absent, to work with City staff to establish a clear long-term beach sand policy.
AYE: Dolegowski, Garcia, Grace, Haskins, Johnson, Kahn, McCanne, Van Nort NOE: None
Motion by Chair Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Grace, to adopt 4A, strengthen partnerships with community organizations, such as the North Beach Community Organization.
Substitute motion by Vice Chair Garcia, seconded by Commissioner Kahn, to add to the work plan a committee to strengthen partnerships with community organizations to increase communications between the Beaches, Parks, and Recreation Commission and the organizations to help support them in their goals.
Substitute motion by Commissioner McCanne, seconded by Chair Johnson, CARRIED 8-0, Commissioner Schmitt absent, to create a partnership work plan with the North Beach Community Organization to increase communication and partnership between the Beaches, Parks, and Recreation Commission and the North Beach Community Association.
Friendly amendment by Commissioner Kahn was accepted by Commissioner McCanne to form a subcommittee to create and execute a work plan for the North Beach Community Association.
AYE: Dolegowski, Garcia, Grace, Haskins, Johnson, Kahn, McCanne, Van Nort NOE: None
Staff will provide an updated list of current partnerships to the Commission.
Motion by Chair Johnson, seconded by Vice Chair Garcia, CARRIED 8-0, Commissioner Schmitt absent, to adopt 4C, improve parking access and user experience, including evaluation of payment options and repainting of space numbers.
AYE: Dolegowski, Garcia, Grace, Haskins, Johnson, Kahn, McCanne, Van Nort NOE: None
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Motion by Vice Chair Garcia, seconded by Chair Johnson, CARRIED 8-0, Commissioner Schmitt absent, to add exploring signage and education for Sandcastles 4 Sloan to the work plan.
AYE: Dolegowski, Garcia, Grace, Haskins, Johnson, Kahn, McCanne, Van Nort NOE: None
Motion by Vice Chair Garcia, seconded by Commissioner Grace, CARRIED 8-0 Commissioner Schmitt absent, to establish subcommittees for all items listed on the work plan.
AYE: Dolegowski, Garcia, Grace, Haskins, Johnson, Kahn, McCanne, Van Nort NOE: None
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. Aquatics Partnership Review
Carrie Swartz, Aquatics Supervisor, presented an update to the Aquatics Partnership Policy.
Mark Matheson, a San Clemente resident and President of the San Clemente Aquatics Team, requested that the residential requirement be lowered to 80%.
Amanda Quintanilla mentioned that it’s important that we support aquatics programs.
Sandy Kos, a San Clemente resident, addressed the senior partner policy changes and expressed concerns about the $5 player fee.
Edward R. Kweskin, a San Clemente resident, supports all of the comments and recommendations from SCAT.
Commissioners individually or as a group discussed the following:
• Amending the per-player fee from $5 per player to $4 per player • Lowering Tier I residency from 90% to 85%
• Lowering Tier II residency from 85% to 80%
• Lowering Tier I residency from 90% to 88%.
• Holding off on the $5 per player fee at this time
Motion by Commissioner McCanne, seconded by Vice Chair Garcia, CARRIED 8-0, Commissioner Schmitt absent, to amend the policy lower Tier I residency from 90% to 88%.
AYE: Dolegowski, Garcia, Grace, Haskins, Johnson, Kahn, McCanne, Van Nort NOE: None
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Motion by Chair Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Haskins, FAILED 3-5, Commissioner Schmitt absent, to reduce the proposed per player fee from $5 to $4.
AYE: Dolegowski, Haskins, Johnson
NOE: Garcia, Grace, Kahn, McCanne, Van Nort
Motion by Vice Chair Garcia, seconded by Commissioner Haskins, CARRIED 8-0, Commissioner Schmitt absent, to have the City Council review and approve the policy as proposed with an amendment to lower the Tier I residency from 90% to 88%.
AYE: Dolegowski, Garcia, Grace, Haskins, Johnson, Kahn, McCanne, Van Nort NOE: None
7. COMMUNICATIONS
A. Beaches, Parks & Recreation Director Report
None
8. ITEMS FROM COMMISSION
A. Subcommittee Reports
i. Aquatics Partnership Policy Subcommittee (Garcia, McCanne) Discussed in Item 6A
ii. Special Events Subcommittee (Garcia, Grace)
None
B. Items from Commissioners
i. PierPride Foundation (Grace)
There was a survey that went out to find out what the community is looking for; there will be a fundraiser on Thursday, October 2, at the Fisherman’s with a five-course dinner and wine pairing.
ii. Proposed Agenda Items
None
9. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Vice Chair Garcia, second by Commissioner McCanne, CARRIED 8-0, Commissioner Schmitt absent, to adjourn at 8:11 p.m. to a regular meeting on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers, located at 910 Calle Negocio, 2nd Floor, San Clemente, CA.
Beaches, Parks & Recreation Commission Beaches, Parks & Recreation Director Chairperson