Merced Recreation & Parks Commission Special Meeting – March 3, 2026
Merced Recreation & Parks Commission Special Meeting – March 3, 2026
The Recreation & Parks Commission held a special meeting on March 3, 2026, starting at 5:34 PM and adjourning at 6:47 PM. The meeting included a public hearing on naming the stage in Bob Hart Square Plaza, department updates, and appointment of a subcommittee to review lease proposals for the Stephen Leonard Youth Center.
Consent Calendar
- Commissioners unanimously approved the minutes of the January 26, 2026, meeting (motion by Commissioner Bauer, second by Commissioner Lewis).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Barbara Ward (President, Merced Rotary Club) spoke in support of naming the stage in Bob Hart Square Plaza as the "Merced Rotary Stage." She offered a $50,000 contribution and funding for appropriate signage, noting the club's 104-year history and past capital investments in the community. She emphasized the importance of a visible downtown investment to encourage continued donations.
- Commissioner questions clarified that the $50,000 would help sponsor five years of performances (approx. $1,000 per performance) through the city's Arts & Culture Commission. The stage rental is $150/hour for public events with a two-hour minimum.
- Kelly Avala (Vice President of Human Resources, Merced College) expressed interest in the Stephen Leonard Youth Center lease, proposing educational programming for youth and families in South Merced. She mentioned a planned community survey to tailor services.
- Eli Sachs (LGBTQ Merced) presented a coalition of seven organizations (including American Red Cross) seeking to provide accessible community services, such as fire safety education, arts & crafts, and support groups in Spanish, English, and Hmong.
- Crystal Ramos (Program Manager, Youth Leadership Institute) described their proposal to offer youth resources and programs, with a focus on surveying local youth to inform programming.
Discussion Items
- Public Hearing – Naming Bob Hart Square Plaza Stage: The Commission reviewed the application from Merced Rotary Club. Staff clarified that the city does not have a term limit for naming rights but recommended revisiting after five years. The Commission unanimously voted to recommend approval to the City Council (motion by Commissioner Abon, second by Commissioner Bauer).
- Parks & Community Services Department Updates: Director Christopher Jensen reported on:
- Budget & Staffing: First year with zero city subsidy to Boys & Girls Club; new investments in machinery (ABI Force Infield Machine, turf striping robot) to reduce costs; $200,000 donation for Applegate Zoo zookeeper; new recreation supervisor hired from Bay Area.
- Capital Projects: Merced Regional Sports Complex (CP42) nearing completion, with an all-inclusive playground (13,000 sq ft) that won a California Park & Recreation Society award. Phase 2 (CP42 North) plans include additional fields and an indoor facility, pending joint powers authority with county, schools, and Merced Union High School District. No bus route yet, but road improvements planned.
- Programs: Youth basketball serves ~400 youth, with new kinder-only and girls-only leagues. Adult basketball improved with uniform requirements and ID checks. Concerns about tennis court issues (closed session) and McNamara Park turf injuries noted.
- Access: Sports complex will be reservation-based, with limited public access except during community days. Fencing and security cameras planned.
- Commission to Appoint Subcommittee for Stephen Leonard Youth Center Lease: Commissioners discussed forming a subcommittee to review six to seven proposals. After ensuring no conflicts of interest, Commissioners Gonzalez, Holloway, and Abon were appointed to the subcommittee. They will meet on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 4:00 PM in staff offices to rank proposals and report back to the full commission on March 23.
- Request to Add Future Agenda Items: Commissioner requested updates on Kitty Land (train), McNamara Park field conditions/timeline, and Joe Earth Park nets. Staff agreed to add these.
Key Outcomes
- Stage Naming: Unanimous recommendation to City Council to approve naming the stage in Bob Hart Square Plaza as the "Merced Rotary Stage," with a $50,000 contribution from the Merced Rotary Club.
- Subcommittee Appointment: Three commissioners (Gonzalez, Holloway, Abon) appointed to the Facility Use Subcommittee to review Stephen Leonard Youth Center lease proposals; meeting scheduled for March 19, 2026, at 4:00 PM.
- Future Agenda Items: Staff directed to provide updates on Kitty Land, McNamara Park fields, and Joe Earth Park nets at the next meeting.
- Commission Comments: Commissioner noted cleaner park restrooms due to evening locking by police; suggested a FIFA World Cup watch party at Bob Hart Square to generate downtown activity.
Meeting Transcript
Ryan, we're ready to live stream. Good evening. It is 5 34. We will call the meeting to order and do the pledge of allegiance. Please stand. A pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation undergo indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Agenda item C roll call. Commissioner Member Holloway. Present. Commissioner Member Smith. Commissioner Member Bauer. Here. Commissioner Member Gonzalez. Present. Commissioner Member Abon. Here. Commissioner Member Lewis. Here. Ex-Officio Member Dupont. Present. Ex-officio member Boyle. And just for record, Commissioner Member Smith and ex-officier Boyle were not present. Chair, I would like to remind the members of the audience that if they wish to speak to address the recreation and parks commission, they must submit a green request to speak form located at the podium in the back of the council chamber. Additionally, citizens can submit a public comment to the recreation and parks commission electronically no later than 1 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Comments received before the deadline will be sent to the recreation and parks commission and will be part of the record and will be mentioned as part of the comment sorry public comment portion of the agenda. Material may be emailed to recreation at city of Merced.gov and should be limited to 300 words or less. Any correspondence received after 1 p.m. will be distributed to the recreation and parks commission and retained for the official record. Agenda item D, public comment. Members of the public who wish to speak on the listed agenda item may speak during this portion of the meeting and will be allotted three minutes. The chair may oppose a further limit to the time available for all speakers at the discretion of the parks and recreation committee commission in order to accommodate as many speakers as possible. Chair, at this time I have one request to speak. Please come forward to the podium. If it's agenda if if it's agenda is agendized item, we'll wait for that uh that item. Okay, so I will continue with uh the next agenda item. Agenda item E, consent calendar. Um agenda item E1, recreation and parks commission, minutes of January twenty-sixth, twenty twenty-six commissioners. Do I have a motion to approve? I have a motion to approve the minutes. I second. We have a second. I have a motion by Commissioner Member Bauer and a second from Commissioner Member Lewis. Uh Commissioner members, please cast your vote. All right. Agenda item Fublic hearing. F one. Public hearing consideration of application to name the stage in Bob Hart Square Plaza.
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