Parks, Recreation & Community Services Agency
www.santa-ana.gov/parks-recreation
Item # 10
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
September 15, 2026
TOPIC: Agreement for Thornton Park Host
AGENDA TITLE
Approve the Park Host Agreement, Volunteer Acknowledgement, Indemnity Agreement, and Release of Liability for Thornton Park Host
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Approve the Park Host Agreement and related agreements with Katie Rivero for the Park Host Program (Agreement No. 2026-XXX).
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: No
DISCUSSION
On May 16, 2022, the City of Santa Ana established the Thornton Park Host Volunteer Pilot Program through an agreement with Katie Rivero. The program was designed to provide a consistent on-site presence at Carl Thornton Park to support park operations, promote compliance with park rules and regulations, facilitate communication with City staff, and serve as an additional resource for park users.
Under the agreement, the Park Host was authorized to reside at Carl Thornton Park in a recreational vehicle and serve in a volunteer capacity. Responsibilities included submitting daily activity reports to City staff, reporting maintenance concerns through the MySantaAna application, identifying and reporting unusual activity, conducting routine park rounds, and providing information and assistance to park users.
The pilot program was originally scheduled to conclude on May 16, 2024, unless terminated earlier by the City. The City subsequently extended the agreement through December 31, 2025, to continue the Park Host Program and maintain an on-site presence at Carl Thornton Park.
The agreement was subsequently extended through December 31, 2026, and is scheduled to expire at the end of the year. To continue the Park Host Program beyond the current term, City Council approval of a new Park Host Agreement and related documents is required.
Agreement for Thornton Park Host
September 15, 2026
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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The recommended action is exempt from further environmental analysis pursuant to Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines (Class 1 exemption – Existing Facilities). Class 1 exemptions consist of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. The types of “existing facilities” itemized in the CEQA Guidelines (page 307) are not intended to be all-inclusive of the types of projects which might fall within Class 1. The key consideration is whether the project involves negligible or no expansion of use.
The recommended action is to approve a Park Host agreement to occupy an existing structure, served by existing utilities in an urbanized area, which does not result in any new direct, indirect, or foreseeable physical impacts to the environment. The structure meets the qualifications of an “existing facility,” and the recommended action is therefore exempt pursuant to Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines. A notice of exemption will be filed for the Project.
FISCAL IMPACT
The estimated annual cost to the City for operation of the Park Host Program is $12,524, including approximately $6,000 for utilities (electricity, propane, and water), $3,500 for ongoing maintenance, and $3,024 for golf cart maintenance. Utility and ongoing maintenance costs will be absorbed within the Public Works Agency’s Park Maintenance Utilities budget (AU 01117651-62000) and Maintenance & Repair, Buildings & Ground budget (AU 01117651-62320), while golf cart maintenance costs will be absorbed within the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Agency Rental City Equipment budget (AU 01113230-65010).
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Park Host Volunteer Acknowledgement, Indemnity Agreement and Release of Liability
Submitted By: Kathryn Downs, Assistant City Manager
Timothy J. Pagano, Deputy Director of PRCSA
Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, City Manager