Attachment A
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-01
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA
AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2025-03 AMENDINGTHE SANTA MARIA
MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 2 “ADMINISTRATION,” CHAPTER 2-14 “RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSION,” SECTION 2-14.06 “RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: POWERS GENERALLY” AND TITLE 10 “RECREATION AND PARKS,” CHAPTER 10-1 “ADMINISTRATION,” SECTION 10-1.02
“ADOPTION OF REGULATIONS”
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Santa Maria, California, at its June 3, 2025, meeting approved the methodology for setting fees for recreation programs and services; and
WHEREAS, the adoption of this methodology presents the opportunity to revise the process by which fees are set for these programs and services; and
WHEREAS, Title 2 “Administration,” Chapter 2 -14 “Recreation and Parks Commission,” Section 2 -14.06 “Recommendations to Council: Powers Generally” and Title 10 “Recreation and Parks,” Chapter 10-1 “Administration,” Section 10-1.02 “Adoption of Regulations” of the Santa Maria Municipal Code provide the authorities granted to the Recreation and Parks Commission by the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the Recreation and Parks Commission has reviewed and requests the City Council’s approval of the proposed amendments to the Santa Maria Municipal Code; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to retain final authority for approval of new recreation fees and increases to existing recreation fees, while continuing to provide for public hearings and recommendations by the Recreation and Parks Commission.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Santa Maria, State of California, as follows:
SECTION 1 . Title 2 “Administration,” Chapter 2 -14 “Recreation and Parks Commission,” Section 2-14.06 “Recommendations to Council: Powers Generally” of the Santa Maria Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
Section 2-14.06 Recommendations to Council: Powers Generally.
The Recreation and Parks Commission may make such recommendations to the City Council as it deems necessary concerning the organization, promotion, conduct and management of programs of community recreation in the City and the establishment of systems of playgrounds and recreation, and the acquisition, improvement, maintenance, Attachment A
operation and management of recreation facilities within or without the territorial limits of the City, as well as parkland dedications and subdivision in -lieu fees, residential development taxes, and urban forestry. The Recreation and Parks Commission shall have the power and authority to hold public hearings and meetings and to conduct investigations and surveys for the purpose of securing facts and data concerning the matters enumerated in this section. The Recreation and Parks Commission shall have the authority to hold public hearings related to fees charged for recreational programs, services, park and facility rentals provided by the Department, and to provide recommendations to the City Council regarding proposed fee changes. Fees shall be developed in accordance with the fee structure and methodology approved by the City Council. Final approval of any new fee or increase to an existing fee shall be by action of the City Council. The Recreation and Parks Commission shall have only such powers as are expressly granted by this chapter or as are granted by motion of the City Council.
The Recreation and Parks Commission shall also perform the duties provided in Chapter 8-3 (Historical Landmarks).
SECTION 2 . Title 10 “Recreation and Parks,” Chapter 10 -1 “Administration,” Section 10-1.02 “Adoption of Regulations” of the Santa Maria Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
Section 10-1.02. Adoption of fees and regulations
The Recreation and Parks Commission is authorized to adopt such reasonable regulations for the safe use of City parks as it deems necessary; provided that the adoption of each such regulation shall be reported to the City Council at its first regular meeting next following the adoption of the regulation. At the meeting the City Council may consider the regulation and, if it deems the regulation unnecessary, unreasonable or not in the best inte rest of the City and of the public, may order the regulation repealed and voided forthwith, by motion of a majority of the Council, and the regulation shall be then and there null and void; provided, that such action shall not affect the validity of such regulations, or actions based thereon, prior to such avoidance and repeal by the Council.
The Recreation and Parks Commission is authorized to hold public hearings related to proposed fees and fee adjustments for recreation programs and services and to provide recommendations to the City Council regarding the adoption of new fees or changes to existing fees. Fees shall be developed in accordance with the fee structure and methodology approved by the City Council. No fee or fee adjustment shall be effecti ve unless approved by the City Council by resolution or ordinance.
SECTION 3. The Chief Deputy City Clerk is hereby authorized to make m inor changes herein to address clerical errors, so long as substantial conformance of the intent of this document is maintained. In doing so, the Chief Deputy City Clerk shall consult with the City Manager and City Attorney concerning any changes deemed necessary.
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Attachment A
SECTION 4. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect thirty (30) days after its passage. Within fifteen days following its passage, the City Clerk shall cause this Ordinance to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in accordance with State Law; or when deemed necessary due to the length or complexity of the Ordinance, cause a summary of the Ordinance to be prepared and published at least five days prior to the City Council meeting at which the proposed Ordinance is to be adopted. If a summary is published at least five days prior to the City Council meeting at which the proposed Ordinance is to be adopted, then within 15 days after adoption of the Ordinance the City Clerk shall publish a summary of the Ordinance with the names of those City Council Members voting for and against the Ordinance and shall post a certified copy of the full text of such adopted Ordinance along with the names of those City Council Members voting for and against the Ordinance.
INTRODUCED at a regular meeting of the City Council held on the 3rd day of March 2026, and PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting held on the 7th day of April 2026, by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAINED:
ATTEST:
Chief Deputy City Clerk
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_______________________________
City Attorney
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
_______________________________
Department Director
_______________________________
City Manager