ACTION:
____________________________
Clerk/Secretary
Department: City Manager Item No: D2
Prepared by: John Conley, City Manager Meeting Date: January 27, 2026 Approved by: John Conley, City Manager Agenda Location: Discussion SUBJECT: LUZ DURAN PARK, COMMUNITY CENTER BUILDING
RECOMMENDATION: Discuss future plans for the Luz Duran Community Center Building and funding earmarked for the facility in the FY2024-25 Year End Fund Balance, and provide direction to staff.
PRIOR ACTION: On January 13, 2026, adopted City Council Resolution Nos. 2026-03 and 2026-04, awarding a construction contract to In The Dirt Engineering for the Luz Duran Park Community Room Restroom Project (CIP No. 8351) and approving Construction Change Order No. 1 to the contract with In The Dirt Engineering for the Luz Duran Park Community Room Restroom Project (Vote: 5-0).
On April 8, 2025, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-54, approving a contract with CXT Incorporated for the purchase of a restroom facility for the Luz Duran Park Community Center Project (CIP No. 8351) (Vote:
5-0).
On August 13, 2024, approved Conceptual Design Concept 2, with the addition of a bathroom, for Avenido de Benito Juarez Pocket Park, and Concept 2, with the conversion of the parking lot to a gazebo area and addition of on-street parking, for Luz Duran Park (Vote: 4-0, Green absent).
On June 11, 2024, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024- 86, adopting a Capital Project Budget for Fiscal Years 2024/ 25 and 2025/26 (Vote: 5-0).
On November 15, 2022, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2022- 168, approving application(s) for Specified grant funds from Budget Act 2022/23 (Vote: 5-0).
PRIOR PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION ACTION: On July 22, 2024, recommended Conceptual Design Option 1 (Vote 4-3, Abeyta, Bulay, Loescher abstained).
STATEMENT ON THE SUBJECT: Councilmember Contreras requested the City Manager place a discussion item on an upcoming agenda to discuss future plans for the Luz Duran Community Center Building and funding earmarked for the facility in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 Year End Fund Balance.
The Sheriff’s Office Gang Enforcement Team (GET) operated out of the existing Community Center Building in Luz Duran Park from 1994 to 2025, when they relocated to a new facility. The existing 1,438-square-foot Community Center Building is now vacant. The Engineering Department is in the process of closing the existing public restrooms located in the current Community Center Building and developing a separate stand- alone restroom building on the park site. The restroom relocation is anticipated to be complete by May of AGENDA
REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SUCCESSOR AGENCY
BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT
JOINT POWERS FINANCING AUTHORITY
Discussed future plans for the Luz Duran Community Center Building and funding earmarked for the facility in the FY2024-25 Year End Fund Balance, and directed staff bring back building rehabilitation and refurbishing needs, potential programing, and estimated costs. No vote taken.
ACTION:
____________________________
Clerk/Secretary
Department: City Manager Item No: D2
Prepared by: John Conley, City Manager Meeting Date: January 27, 2026 Approved by: John Conley, City Manager Agenda Location: Discussion SUBJECT: LUZ DURAN PARK, COMMUNITY CENTER BUILDING
RECOMMENDATION: Discuss future plans for the Luz Duran Community Center Building and funding earmarked for the facility in the FY2024-25 Year End Fund Balance, and provide direction to staff.
PRIOR ACTION: On January 13, 2026, adopted City Council Resolution Nos. 2026-03 and 2026-04, awarding a construction contract to In The Dirt Engineering for the Luz Duran Park Community Room Restroom Project (CIP No. 8351) and approving Construction Change Order No. 1 to the contract with In The Dirt Engineering for the Luz Duran Park Community Room Restroom Project (Vote: 5-0).
On April 8, 2025, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-54, approving a contract with CXT Incorporated for the purchase of a restroom facility for the Luz Duran Park Community Center Project (CIP No. 8351) (Vote:
5-0).
On August 13, 2024, approved Conceptual Design Concept 2, with the addition of a bathroom, for Avenido de Benito Juarez Pocket Park, and Concept 2, with the conversion of the parking lot to a gazebo area and addition of on-street parking, for Luz Duran Park (Vote: 4-0, Green absent).
On June 11, 2024, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024- 86, adopting a Capital Project Budget for Fiscal Years 2024/ 25 and 2025/26 (Vote: 5-0).
On November 15, 2022, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2022- 168, approving application(s) for Specified grant funds from Budget Act 2022/23 (Vote: 5-0).
PRIOR PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION ACTION: On July 22, 2024, recommended Conceptual Design Option 1 (Vote 4-3, Abeyta, Bulay, Loescher abstained).
STATEMENT ON THE SUBJECT: Councilmember Contreras requested the City Manager place a discussion item on an upcoming agenda to discuss future plans for the Luz Duran Community Center Building and funding earmarked for the facility in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 Year End Fund Balance.
The Sheriff’s Office Gang Enforcement Team (GET) operated out of the existing Community Center Building in Luz Duran Park from 1994 to 2025, when they relocated to a new facility. The existing 1,438-square-foot Community Center Building is now vacant. The Engineering Department is in the process of closing the existing public restrooms located in the current Community Center Building and developing a separate stand- alone restroom building on the park site. The restroom relocation is anticipated to be complete by May of AGENDA
REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SUCCESSOR AGENCY
BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT
JOINT POWERS FINANCING AUTHORITY
01/27/2026 D2 1 of 2
MEETING DATE: January 27, 2026 PAGE 2
SUBJECT: LUZ DURAN PARK, COMMUNITY CENTER BUILDING
2026. Once the restroom project is completed, the Community Center Building may be reoccupied. Staff has not determined the extent of maintenance needed, nor what improvements may be needed to occupy the building, as this is largely dependent on its future use.
Two public workshops were held on October 20, 2023 and April 11, 2024 to discuss improvements at Luz Duran Park. A survey was also provided to the community in both English and Spanish. The most requested items were gazebos, BBQs, new restrooms, benches/ seating, and bike racks. Residents also requested a variety of programs and services, including programs for seniors, a community tutoring center for children, and a children's center. In addition, there were requests for new amenities such as a splash pad/water park, a dog park, and a community pool.
A three-question survey was also distributed. The first question asked whether the City should keep the existing building and parking lot and remodel for community use. Of the respondents, 49 out of 85, voted to keep the building and requested it be converted into a community center for youth, education, and sports. Out of the 85 respondents who voted, 32 said that they do not want the City to keep the existing building.
Respondents were asked what the important options would be if the City was to demolish the existing building and parking lot to create a usable outdoor area. The majority responded that restrooms were the most important option if the City was to create a usable outdoor area with the space. Shade structures were the second most popular, with 20 votes compared to the 28 votes for restrooms. When asked if the survey takers had any other ideas for the building or space, many reiterated their desire for a community resource area.
Other ideas included a pool and water features, a place for art, and a community garden.
The City Council earmarked $1,000,000 in the FY2024-25 Year End Fund Balance for the Luz Duran Community Center; however, a specific use for these funds has not been determined at this time. Staff is seeking direction from the City Council on the future use of the building as well as the earmarked funding.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no direct fiscal impact associated with this discussion item. The costs to improve and/or operate the Community Center Building will be discussed following the City Council’s direction.
EXHIBITS: None.
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