SAN CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE
MINUTES OF THE
CITI BEACHES, PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
CALIFORNIA TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2026, 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, April 14, 2026, at 6:02 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers, located at 910 Calle Negocio, 2nd Floor, San Clemente, CA. Chair Johnson led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENT Dolegowski, Garcia, Haskins, Johnson, McCanne
ABSENT Grace, Kahn, Schmitt, Van Nort
STAFF PRESENT Samantha Wylie, Beaches, Parks & Recreation Director Debbie Fields, Administrative Assistant
Julia Petit, Recreation Supervisor
Zach Rehm, Acting City Planner
Niki Beach, Environmental Programs Analyst
1. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
None
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. February 10, 2026, Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Motion by Vice Chair Garcia, seconded by Commissioner McCanne, CARRIED 5-0, Commissioners Grace, Kahn, Schmitt and Van Nort absent, to approve the February 10, 2026, regular meeting minutes.
AYE: Dolegowski, Garcia, Haskins, Johnson, McCanne
NOE None
3. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None
4. RECREATION ACTIVITIES UPDATE
Samantha Wylie, Beaches, Parks & Recreation Director, presented an update on recent recreation activities. Highlights included San Clemente Day and the Fishing Derby, Movie in the Park, Springtacular, and Splashtacular. She also provided an overview of upcoming events scheduled for April and May.
Beaches, Parks, and Regular Meeting April 14, 2026
Recreation Commission
5. OLD BUSINESS
A. Ball Field Banner Program Pilot Program Evaluation
Julia Petit, Recreation Supervisor, presented an evaluation of the one-year Ball Field Banner Program pilot approved in 2025. Staff reported that both organizations met application and design requirements, though SCLL installed banners prior to approval and did not consistently submit required proofs in advance. The program saw increased sponsorship activity, with no widespread aesthetic concerns and one complaint at San Gorgonio Park. Staff noted compliance monitoring and timely proof submission as key considerations and recommended continuing the program, limiting locations to designated sites including Vista Hermosa Sports Park and Tierra Grande Park, and strengthening compliance procedures.
Commissioners either individually or as a group discussed the following:
Would Steed Park be an available park for banners?
The main purpose of the banner program
Narrowing the program to just two locations
Amanda Quintanilla expressed support for limiting banner installations to designated park sites, maintaining a clear line of sight, and minimizing the number of banners.
Motion by Vice Chair Garcia, seconded by Commissioner McCanne, CARRIED 5-0, Commissioners Grace, Kahn, Schmitt, and Van Nort absent, to move the staff recommendations to City Council for consideration and to bring back to the Commission in a year to discuss the outcome of the 2026 program.
B. Parking and Transportation Demand Management Program Update Zach Rehm, Acting City Planner, provided an update on the Parking and Transportation Demand Management Draft Plan previously presented to the Commission in December 2025, and responded to Commissioner comments raised at that meeting.
Commissioners either individually or as a group discussed the following:
• Including the new paid parking locations to the existing annual parking permits. • Increasing the cost of the annual parking permits.
Amanda Quintanilla spoke on the parklets and the concern of public parking on Del Mar and Granada and that there are other options for public parking available.
Motion by Vice Chair Garcia, seconded by Commissioner McCanne, CARRIED 5-0, Commissioners Grace, Kahn, Schmitt, and Van Nort absent, to receive and file the plan.
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. Review of Funding Recommendations for the FY 2025-26 Environmental Sustainability Grant Cycle
Staff report by Niki Beach, Environmental Programs Analyst, regarding the funding recommendations for the FY 2025-26 Environmental Sustainability Grant Cycle.
Amanda Quintanilla mentioned that one of the grant applications referenced the San Clemente tree farm project for Arbor Day, and it will be city-operated, not a community garden.
Elyse Crane, President of the San Clemente Garden Club, expressed excitement for the City's proposed tree farm at the Municipal Golf Course.
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Beaches, Parks, and Regular Meeting April 14, 2026
Recreation Commission
Commissioners either individually or as a group mentioned the following:
• Are the grant applicants all non-profit organizations? Motion by Commissioner McCanne, seconded by Commissioner Haskins, CARRIED 5-0, Commissioners Grace, Kahn, Schmitt, and Van Nort absent, to move the Environmental Sustainability Grants forward to the City Manager for review.
B. Public Outreach & Education Initiative on Sand Replenishment Chair Johnson reports that San Clemente's shoreline is a key natural, recreational, and economic asset, and that ongoing sand loss threatens access, safety, tourism, infrastructure, and environmental stability; while sand replenishment has community support, some residents lack clear information on its benefits, costs, and long-term value; and states that the City should invest in a structured outreach and education campaign.
Commissioners either individually or as a group discussed the following:
• Raising funds for the program.
• Which department would oversee the distribution of funds to nonprofit organizations. • Educational videos and community events as outreach tools. • Long-range sand replenishment plan within the subcommittee's purview. • Education and marketing component.
• Presenting education efforts in isolation rather than as part of a comprehensive program.
• The City already has existing mechanisms for education, outreach, and marketing. • Utilizing existing City resources before creating a separate program • Embed education within the approved sand policy and work plan.
Amanda Quintanilla mentioned that this has already been discussed at City Council, where a citizens' initiative ballot measure (BB) was not supported and was voted down after public input, and that the Commission should be utilizing the Public Information Coordinator for outreach.
Motion by Chair Johnson, seconded by Vice Chair Garcia, CARRIED 5-0, Commissioners Grace, Kahn, Schmitt, and Van Nort absent, to table the item to the next regular meeting.
7. COMMUNICATIONS
A. Beaches, Parks & Recreation Director Report
None
8. ITEMS FROM COMMISSION
A. Subcommittee Reports
i. North Beach Community Association Subcommittee (Garcia, Kahn) Vice Chair Garcia stated that the NBCA is working at all levels of the government. ii. Sandcastles for Sloan Subcommittee (Garcia, McCanne) None
ili. Beach Sand Policy Subcommittee (Johnson, Schmitt, Van Nort) Chair Johnson reported meeting with an oceanic meteorologist who provided surveys and reports relevant to sand policy development. The subcommittee is scheduled to meet later in April and anticipates completing a full draft of the sand policy.
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Beaches, Parks, and Regular Meeting April 14, 2026
Recreation Commission
iv. Aquatic Partnership Policy Subcommittee (Garcia, Haskins, McCanne, Schmitt, commissioner Haskins reported ongoing progress. The subcommittee will be meeting with partners again to further refine and finalize the new processes.
B. Items from Commissioners
i. PierPride Foundation (Grace)
None
ii. Proposed Agenda Items
None
9. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Vice Chair Garcia, seconded by Commissioner Haskins, CARRIED 5-0, Commissioners Grace, Kahn, Schmitt, and Van Nort absent, to adjourn at 7:09 p.m. to an adjourned regular meeting on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers, located at 910 Calle Negocio, 2nd Floor, San Clemente, CA.
Simatylis
Beaches, Parks & Recreation Director Beaches, Parks & Recreation Commission Chairperson
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