OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting - September 1, 2026

Public Meetings — Tuesday, September 1, 2026
BodyLas Vegas, Nevada
SessionPublic Meetings
DateTuesday, September 1, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:14:14

Transcript — Verbatim
4:10

Hey, good afternoon.

4:11

Um today is September first, uh, twenty twenty-six.

4:14

It's four PM.

4:16

Uh, this is the parks and recreation advisory commission meeting.

4:20

That we're going to start now.

4:22

Uh items listed on this agenda may be taken out of order presented.

4:26

Two or more agenda items for consideration may be combined.

4:28

And any item on the agenda may be removed or later discussion, maybe delayed at any time.

4:34

Backup material for this agenda may be obtained from Lou and D.

4:37

Home City Clerk at the Office of City Clerk, four nine five South Main Street, second floor, or at the city's webpage at Las Vegas Nevada.gov.

4:47

I'd like to go ahead now and call this meeting to order and have roll call, please.

4:53

Chair Becker.

4:54

Here.

4:54

Vice Chair Niger.

4:56

Commissioner Armenian.

4:58

Excused.

4:59

Commissioner Gabriel.

5:00

Commissioner Keller.

5:04

Excused.

5:04

Commissioner Zamora.

5:08

Here.

5:08

Commissioner Burgos?

5:10

Here.

5:11

Commissioner Cornwell.

5:12

Commissioner Robinson.

5:14

Present.

5:15

Commissioner Vokitz.

5:16

Present.

5:17

Commissioner Jones.

5:19

Excused.

5:20

Commissioner Wold's excused.

5:22

Commissioner Sleezer.

5:24

Present.

5:24

Commissioner Taylor is excused.

5:26

Commissioner McGedigan?

5:28

Present.

5:28

Thank you.

5:29

You have a quorum.

5:31

Great, excellent.

5:32

Uh now I'd like to move to agenda item number two.

5:35

Announcement regarding Keller.

5:39

Joined.

5:42

Announcement regarding compliance with the open meeting law.

5:45

We are in compliance.

5:46

Thank you.

5:48

Agenda item number three for public comment.

5:50

Comment during this portion of the agenda must be limited to matters on the agenda for action.

5:55

If you wish to be heard, please come forward and give your name for the record.

5:58

The amount of discussion as well as the amount of time for any single speakers allowed may be limited.

6:03

Seeing no one here for public comment, I'd like to go ahead and move to agenda item number four.

6:10

Agenda item number four for possible action to approve the final meeting minutes by reference to the regular meeting of June 2nd 2026.

6:25

Commissioner Sleeter, I move to approve the minutes.

6:30

Commissioner Vogue could size second.

6:32

I have a motion and a second.

6:33

All those in favor, please say aye.

6:36

Aye.

6:36

Aye.

6:37

Aye.

6:39

Opposed.

6:41

Great.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Parks and Recreation█████████████████████████████████████████████73%
Public Safety█████8%
Procedural████6%
Disability Rights██4%
Public Engagement██4%
Budget Equity Analysis██3%
Technology and Innovation█2%
Summary of Proceedings

Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting

September 1, 2026 | 4:00 PM

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission met on September 1, 2026, at 4:00 PM. The meeting was called to order with a quorum present. Key agenda items included reports on public safety statistics, park maintenance updates, recreation and aquatics program performance, ADA compliance efforts, and a discussion and vote on naming a new park. The meeting concluded with commissioner announcements of upcoming community events.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes: The commission unanimously approved the minutes from the regular meeting of June 2, 2026.

Reports & Presentations

Public Safety Report (Arrests, Citations, Calls for Service)

  • Presented by: Lieutenant Jonathan Burdett, Department of Public Safety.
  • Top locations (year to date): Justice Levitt (198 incidents), Lorenzi (111), Ethel Pearson (97), Gary Reese Freedom Park (84), Rotary Park (67).
  • Top violations (year to date): Remain in park after hours (275), Unlawful presence in children's park (215), Misuse of park amenities (118), Lodging without consent (57), Violation of park rules alcohol (48).
  • Year-to-date arrests and citations in city parks and rec centers decreased by 14.5% compared to the same period in 2025. The decrease was largely driven by a 35.5% drop at Justice Levitt Park (Ward 1).
  • Ward-level breakdown: Increases were noted in Ward 2 (52% increase, mainly traffic patrols) and Ward 1 (16.8% increase due to Rotary Park violations). Decreases occurred in Wards 3 (33.8%), 4 (6.4%), 5 (7%), and 6 (32.4%).
  • Upcoming community events: Floyd Lamb for the 9/11 Remembrance and Service Day Bash.

Parks and Grounds Maintenance Update

  • Presented by: Travis Ridge, Facilities Project Manager.
  • Ward 1: New shade at Bill Briar playground; field maintenance at Betty Wilson; upcoming shade at Anson playground.
  • Ward 2: Halapide Trailhead parking lot remodeled with ADA access; asphalt walking track at Kellogg's Air to deter after-hours field use.
  • Ward 3: Doug Selby playground shade; restroom demo and park improvements at Freedom Park (future splash pad, volleyball pit, new restroom); Royal Vista restroom and block wall repairs.
  • Ward 4: Bunker playground remodeled (sand-to-rubber conversion); Wayne Bunker pickleball construction; upcoming scoreboards and signs at Mountain Ridge little league fields.
  • Ward 5: Labertha Johnson swing set with accessible rubber; Ethel Pearson new plaque, pilasters, signage; Doolittle Community Garden refresh.
  • Ward 6: Aerators added to lakes at Floyd Lamb; new guardrail at Sunny Springs; disc golf development at Floyd Lamb.
  • Commissioner Sleezer (Ward 4) expressed strong appreciation for the maintenance team, noting that Mountain Ridge Little League fields were in the best condition ever for summer tournaments and praised the timely scoreboard installation.
  • Commissioner Burgos (Ward 6) inquired about the status of a horse area cleanup and obstacle course project at Floyd Lamb; Travis Ridge confirmed painting and repairs scheduled and noted the obstacle course was a new request to be explored.

Recreation and Aquatics Updates

  • Presented by: Lisa Tova, Recreation Manager, and Tammy Hawkins, Aquatics Coordinator.
  • Fiscal Year 2026 Results: Recreation revenue increased 3.41% (nearly $3 million), expenses decreased 3.81%, cost recovery rose to 24.87% (from 22.99% previous year). Municipal Sports Unit revenue increased 14.48%, discretionary expenses up 50% (including $890,000 for synthetic turf at Ed Fountain Park). Cost recovery for sports unit was 88%.
  • Summer camps: Served 1,776 unique youth (186 more than prior year), with new camps at Becker Tech.
  • Fall leagues: Record participation in youth flag football, soccer (900 players), indoor hockey (190), and new volleyball program (145 players). Free after-school programs return (SUPAC free this year).
  • Aquatics: Seven city pools; 60-70% of participants on scholarships/grants. New outdoor pool at Pavilion Complex opened June 25, 2026 (all deep water, 7 feet, 50 meters). Hosting major events: 14 new Boys and Girls National Water Polo Championships (November) and college club swimming regionals (each bringing ~900 athletes).
  • Program highlights: Junior Lifeguard Camp expanded to 18 participants; partnership with Child Haven at Carlos El Martinez pool; upcoming inclusive pickleball at Doolittle.
  • Commissioners praised the adaptive programs and scholarship opportunities.

ADA Compliance & Inclusive Park Features

  • Presented by: Pat O'Mara, Deputy Director.
  • Recent projects (2020-2026): 18 park playground renovations completed in-house, with full structure replacements ensuring ADA compatibility.
  • Inclusive features highlighted: Bucket swings, crawl-on/roll-on equipment, accessible merry-go-rounds (locking wheelchair stations), ground-level sensory play (musical stations, communication panels), ramping and transfer straps for mobility-challenged children.
  • Upcoming surfacing changes: Sand-to-rubber conversion at Aloha Shores, Doc Romeo, Tragono Hills, Patriot Park, Sunny Springs, Clarence Ray.
  • New play structures: Centennial Hills and Clarence Ray replacements this year.
  • GIS mapping tool: Being developed to allow the public to filter parks by amenities (dog parks, pickleball, basketball, etc.); ADA features will be a future tile.
  • Commissioner Burgos inquired about including descriptions of equipment and adult adaptive workout equipment; O'Mara noted existing fitness courts can be modified and future opportunities exist.

Discussion & Action Items

Naming of New Park at Sky Canyon Substation (Ward 6)

  • Background: A two-acre park adjacent to the new Metro Sky Canyon Substation (at Holapi and Grand Teton Drive). Public survey conducted April–June 2026 received 59 responses with name suggestions.
  • Top suggestions: Geographic (Teton Ridge, Sky Teton), memorial/tribute (Jack Green, Officer Philip Corsey, Shelley Hayden, Kenny Guinn, Stuart Lynn Bell), natural (Sky Ridge, Silver Peak), and public safety (Sky Guard, Police Park).
  • Commissioner Burgos (Ward 6) expressed preference for naming after the neighborhood/area to avoid future renaming issues (citing McCarran Airport example) and suggested using a name that reflects location.
  • Commissioner Vokitz (Ward 1) noted that

Meeting Transcript

Hey, good afternoon. Um today is September first, uh, twenty twenty-six. It's four PM. Uh, this is the parks and recreation advisory commission meeting. That we're going to start now. Uh items listed on this agenda may be taken out of order presented. Two or more agenda items for consideration may be combined. And any item on the agenda may be removed or later discussion, maybe delayed at any time. Backup material for this agenda may be obtained from Lou and D. Home City Clerk at the Office of City Clerk, four nine five South Main Street, second floor, or at the city's webpage at Las Vegas Nevada.gov. I'd like to go ahead now and call this meeting to order and have roll call, please. Chair Becker. Here. Vice Chair Niger. Commissioner Armenian. Excused. Commissioner Gabriel. Commissioner Keller. Excused. Commissioner Zamora. Here. Commissioner Burgos? Here. Commissioner Cornwell. Commissioner Robinson. Present. Commissioner Vokitz. Present. Commissioner Jones. Excused. Commissioner Wold's excused. Commissioner Sleezer. Present. Commissioner Taylor is excused. Commissioner McGedigan? Present. Thank you. You have a quorum. Great, excellent. Uh now I'd like to move to agenda item number two. Announcement regarding Keller. Joined. Announcement regarding compliance with the open meeting law. We are in compliance. Thank you. Agenda item number three for public comment. Comment during this portion of the agenda must be limited to matters on the agenda for action. If you wish to be heard, please come forward and give your name for the record. The amount of discussion as well as the amount of time for any single speakers allowed may be limited. Seeing no one here for public comment, I'd like to go ahead and move to agenda item number four.

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