CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE
MINUTES OF THE
BEACHES, PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2025, 6:00 P.M.
Chair Johnson called the Regular Meeting of the Beaches, Parks, and Recreation Commission of the City of San Clemente to order 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.
Commissioner Kahn led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENT Vice Chair Garcia, Grace, Haskins, Chair Johnson, Kahn, McCanne, Schmitt, Van Nort
ABSENT Dolegowski
Chair Johnson left the dais at 6:48 p.m.
Commissioner Schmitt left the dais at 6:57 p.m.
STAFF PRESENT Samantha Wylie, Beaches, Parks & Recreation Director
1. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
None
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. August 26, 2025, Beaches, Parks, and Recreation Commission Regular Adjourned Meeting Minutes.
Motion by Vice Chair Garcia, seconded by Commissioner Kahn, CARRIED 8-0, Commissioner Dolegowski absent, to approve the August 26, 2025, Beaches, Parks, and Recreation Commission Regular Adjourned Meeting Minutes.
AYE: Garcia, Grace, Haskins, Johnson, Kahn, McCanne, Schmitt, Van Nort NOE None
3. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Amanda Quintanilla raised concerns about City officials using the city seal/logo for personal purposes.
Ed Kweskin, a San Clemente resident, urged the commission to address the threat of sealevel rise and suggested the commission assign a member to monitor this issue.
4. RECREATION ACTIVITIES UPDATE
Samantha Wylie, Beaches, Parks, & Recreation Director, provided an update on recent recreation activities, including Sunset & Symphony, Dive-In Movie, SC Open Skate Contest, and upcoming events in October and November 2025. &
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5. OLD BUSINESS
A. Review and Implementation of the Beaches, Parks & Recreation Commission Work Plan for FY 2025-2026
Amanda Quintanilla mentioned the North Beach Community Association and inquired about their partnership with the City, and referenced the completed nature-based sand retention feasibility study.
Ed Kweskin, a San Clemente resident, spoke about the Strategic Implementation Plan and the General Plan, asking Commissioners to consider the budget when developing the work plan.
Commissioners either individually or as a group discussed the following:
• Not all work plan items require the formation of a subcommittee. • Parking lot maintenance and available payment methods. • A request to receive the results of the Community Development parking survey. • A suggestion to present timelines for work plan items at the next regular meeting.
Motion by Commissioner Kahn, seconded by Chair Johnson, carried 8-0, Commissioner Dolegowski absent, to establish a subcommittee to partner with the North Beach Community Association (“NBCA”) Subcommittee. The subcommittee will consist of Vice Chair Garcia, Commissioner Kahn, and community members Christopher Butler and Amy Bean from the NBCA.
AYE: Garcia, Grace, Haskins, Johnson, Kahn, McCanne, Schmitt, Van Nort NOE: None
Motion by Vice Chair Garcia, seconded by Chair Johnson, CARRIED 8-0, Commissioner Dolegowski absent, to establish a subcommittee to explore signage for Sandcastles 4 Sloan.
The subcommittee will consist of Vice Chair Garcia and Commissioner McCanne.
AYE: Garcia, Grace, Haskins, Johnson, Kahn, McCanne, Schmitt, Van Nort NOE: None
Motion by Commissioner McCanne, seconded by Vice Chair Garcia, CARRIED 8-0, Commissioner Dolegowski absent, to establish a subcommittee to develop a long-term beach sand policy. The subcommittee will consist of Chair Johnson, Commissioners Schmitt and Van Nort.
AYE: Garcia, Grace, Haskins, Johnson, Kahn, McCanne, Schmitt, Van Nort NOE: None
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6. NEW BUSINESS
A. Consideration of Cost Recovery for Beaches, Parks &Recreation Services, Amending the Department Fee Schedule, and Establishing a Cost Recovery Policy
Samantha Wylie, Beaches, Parks and Recreation Director, summarized the contents of the report and responded to Commission inquiries.
Shelli La Plante, a San Clemente resident, raised concerns about the significant increase in swim pass rates.
Ed Kweskin, a San Clemente resident, emphasized the importance of creating a preliminary budget prior to making any final decisions.
Jean Arnold, a San Clemente resident, requested that the Commission review comparable communities before making a decision and inquired about the amount SCAT pays.
Amanda Quintanilla thanked Commissioners McCanne and Grace, and referenced the importance of reclaiming or taking back City property.
Anissa Bromley, a San Clemente resident representing San Clemente Water Polo, stated that she would like additional time to review the information.
Chris Butler noted that the proposed increases appear modest and only minimally achieve cost recovery, but expressed support for the adjustments.
Martial Arnold, a San Clemente resident, suggested phasing in the rate increases and asked what other cities are charging for swim teams.
Mark Matheson, a San Clemente resident and Board Member of the San Clemente Aquatics Team, recommended that the Commission consult with the clubs before making a final decision.
Commissioners, either individually or as a group, discussed the following topics:
• Implementing a “round-up” donation option to support scholarship programs. • Increasing transparency regarding fee adjustments through a “Your Fees at Work” campaign, using flyers, signage, and social media to illustrate how fee revenue is utilized.
• Gradually increasing rates over time rather than implementing full increases at once. • The importance of gathering additional input from residents and key stakeholder groups.
• Phasing in rate increases over an extended period.
• Establishing a subcommittee focused solely on aquatic fees. • Introducing a family swim pass option.
• Clarifying the distinction between block parties and street closures.
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Motion by Commissioner Kahn, to establish an Aquatic Fees Subcommittee to work expeditiously with staff, and review the fees further.
A substitute motion by Vice Chair Garcia, seconded by Commissioner Haskins, CARRIED 5- 1, Commissioner Dolegowski, Chair Johnson, and Commissioner Schmitt absent, to establish a subcommittee specifically to review aquatic fee increases, meet with stakeholders, and gather information to inform decisions on those increases. The subcommittee will consist of Commissioner Haskins, Chair Johnson, and Commissioner Van Nort.
AYE: Garcia, Grace, Haskins, Kahn, McCanne
NOE: Van Nort
7. ITEMS FROM COMMISSION
A. Items from Commissioners
i. PierPride Foundation (Grace)
ii. They held their Sunset Dinner Fundraiser on October 2, which was very successful. Their upcoming events include a Pier Jump on October 19 at 11:00 a.m. and the Pier Holiday Tree Lighting on December 5.
iii. Proposed Agenda Items
A motion by Vice Chair Garcia, seconded by Commissioner Kahn, CARRIED 6-0, Commissioner Dolegowski, Chair Johnson, and Commissioner Schmitt absent, to add work plan item timelines and updates to the agenda for the next regular meeting.
AYE: Garcia, Grace, Haskins, Kahn, McCanne
NOE: Van Nort
8. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Commissioner Grace, seconded by Vice Chair Garcia, CARRIED 6-0, Commissioner Dolegowski, Chair Johnson, and Commissioner Schmitt absent, to adjourn at 8:46 p.m. to a regular meeting on Tuesday, December 16, 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