Parks and Community Enrichment Commission Regular Meeting – March 5, 2026
Parks and Community Enrichment Commission Regular Meeting – March 5, 2026
The Parks and Community Enrichment Commission met on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 5:32 PM in the Sacramento City Hall Council Chamber. All 11 commissioners were present, including newly appointed youth seat Commissioner Morgan Flournoy. The meeting opened with a land acknowledgement and the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting adjourned at 7:10 PM.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes (File ID 2026-00125): The commission unanimously approved the February 5, 2026 regular meeting minutes.
- Approval of Follow‑Up Log (File ID 2026-00263): The commission unanimously approved the follow‑up log. Motion by Commissioner Uribe, second by Commissioner Vasquez; passed 11‑0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Joanne Spraggis (Sacramento Garden and Arts Center board) expressed frustration that lease negotiations with the city have stalled after 16 months. She stated that the latest lease draft allows the city to cancel already‑booked rentals and displace scheduled events, leaving volunteers financially liable. She urged the commission to encourage city staff to resume negotiations.
- LR Roberts (legal observer) argued that the city disproportionately enforces the no‑smoking rule in parks against homeless people, citing examples at Caesar Chavez Park and noting that others selling items or smoking in McClatchy Park face no similar enforcement. He requested equitable application of the rule.
Discussion Items
3. Finalize Date for 2026 Volunteer Recognition Awards
Staff sought direction to set the date for the annual Volunteer Recognition Night. After brief discussion, the commission agreed to hold the event in January 2027, recognizing volunteers for their 2026 contributions. The updated Volunteer Recognition Program Guidelines were received and filed.
4. 2026 YPCE Summer Programs Overview
Staff presented a comprehensive overview of summer 2026 programming:
- Summer Oasis Camp: For ages 5–17 at nine community center/park locations; includes Kinder Camp and teen camp options.
- Junior Giants: Free co‑ed baseball/softball program (ages 5–18) at William Land Park, registration opens April 1, practices start June 9.
- Aquatics: Recreational swim at all 17 pools, swim lessons for ages 6 months+ at 12 neighborhood pools and North Natomas Aquatic Complex, with space for over 2,700 registrants. Basic Water Safety Program (free) at six pools. Junior lifeguard camps and recreational swim teams offered.
- Youth Employment: Learn ’N’ Earn (LNL) program hiring 122 youth (ages 14–17) as city employees; applications open March 10–24 (or until 500 applications received). Stipend‑based programs (Young Leaders of Tomorrow, PrimeTime Teen) announced later.
- Registration: Opens April 8 at 12 PM (corrected from April 9 in the agenda).
- Financial Assistance: Youth Program Scholarship Fund (YPSF) available year‑round; over 3,000 scholarships issued last year. Financial hardship scholarships also available. No changes to pool pricing.
Commissioners asked about capacity, staffing limitations, and scholarship accessibility. Staff noted that demand often exceeds capacity, constrained by staffing and funding. The overview was received and filed.
5. Updates: Camp Sacramento Annual Updates
Camp Sacramento Supervisor Chad Richardson reported:
- Camp celebrated its 105th anniversary in 2025, serving 2,400 campers total (1,700 family camp, 700 postseason groups).
- 48% of family campers were youth; 81% were Sacramento residents.
- A new single‑day reservation system (August 2024 for summer 2025) resulted in 100 cabins booked within 24 hours, with 88% of reservations from new campers (93 families). Over 30 families were moved off the waitlist for 2025; 26 cabins recently released due to cancellations.
- New programs: Bonus Summer Session (Friday–Sunday, discounted) and free Day at Camp for Sacramento residents.
- Scholarships: Friends of Camp Sacramento funded four families in 2025; budget for eight families (about $10,000) in 2026, in partnership with Cottage Housing and Beyond Sacramento.
- Facility improvements: Kitchen repairs, freezer replacement, lighting upgrades, water intake line repairs.
- Environmental stewardship: Increased fish stocking (3,000 fish, 1,900 pounds) in the South Fork of the American River.
Commissioners discussed accessibility, ADA improvements, youth hiring outreach (30 positions, half youth ages 16‑17), and the need for promotional videos. The update was received and discussed.
6. 2026 Youth Resource and Employment Fair
Recreation Superintendent Kris Wimberly announced the fair will be held Saturday, March 7, 9:30 AM–12 PM at New City Hall. Key details:
- Over 30 vendors (CBOs, nonprofits, city departments).
- Second floor features professional headshots, a fashion gallery (thrift‑store professional outfits), and assistance setting up government jobs accounts.
- On‑site registration only (begins 9:15 AM); pre‑registration eliminated to improve attendance. Capacity controlled with wristbands; no re‑entry.
- Last year 800+ youth (13–24) registered.
- Regional Transit partnership offers free rides to attendees with the flyer.
Commissioners asked about crowd flow and voter registration (not included this year). The information was received and discussed.
7. 916 Day Updates
Staff and commissioners discussed year‑long 916 Day celebrations. Key points:
- Sponsorship letter ready to be sent; each commissioner will take a few sponsors to avoid duplicate contacts.
- Upcoming projects: tree plantings (concluding March), Del Rio Trail cleanup (May, Commissioner Flores), painting projects (Vice Chair Robbins), chalk art events (Commissioner Flournoy), clothing swaps, fishing events, and park cleanups.
- Commissioners encouraged partnering with community centers and addressing deferred maintenance. The item was reviewed and commented.
Department of Youth, Parks & Community Enrichment Highlights
- Ranger services: 841 calls for service in February, 66 rapid response calls, two large cleanups, 54 permits issued.
- Spring programs: Spring break camps (March 30–April 3), Egg It On (March 23), Eggstravaganza (March 28), Aquatics Eggapalooza (April 4), Spring Carnival (April 25), Older Adult Resource Fair (May 8), Spring Family Bingo (May 14), yard sales (May 16).
- Park maintenance: Sheep grazing begins at North Natomas Regional Park; Earth Day preparations; baseball field prep; dog park beautification; volleyball/tennis net replacements; tree plantings at Wood, Tahoe, and Land Parks; Southside Park restroom pump upgrade.
Commissioner Comments – Ideas and Questions
Commissioners shared updates on district events: tree plantings (Elderberry Park, Wood Park), Little League opening days, community cleanups, Earl Warren Park playground meeting (March 11), and North Natomas Community Festival (June 6). Chair Gaines thanked Pennell Center staff for hosting a successful statewide youth event in January.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar approved unanimously.
- Volunteer Recognition Awards set for January 2027.
- Summer Programs Overview received and filed.
- Camp Sacramento Updates received and discussed.
- Youth Resource and Employment Fair received and discussed; event scheduled for March 7.
- 916 Day Updates reviewed and commented; sponsorship letters to be sent, commissioners to identify projects.
- Department Highlights received.
- Public Comments recorded.
- Meeting adjourned at 7:10 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening and welcome to the Thursday, March 5th, 2026, Parks and Community Enrichment Commission. This meeting is now called to order. Will the clerk please call the roll to establish quorum? Thank you, Chair. Commissioner Langer. Commissioner Yerby? Here. You hear me? Commissioner Robbins? Present. Commissioner Labor? Here. Commissioner King? Here. Commissioner Vasquez. Present. Commissioner Flores? Here. Commissioner Lang? Here. Vice Chair Boom. Present. It's now Robbie Robbins, Vice Chair. Oh, yes, it's still stated there. Thank you. My apologies. That's okay. And Commissioner Flor Flournoy. Here. And Chair Gaines. Present. Thank you. We have a quorum. Thank you. And look at that. Everybody's here. Bravo to us. All right. So I would like to remind members of the public in chambers who wish to speak on any item on today's agenda to please turn in a speaker slip before the item begins. You will have two minutes to speak once you are called on. After the first speaker, we will no longer accept speaker slips. And we will now proceed with the land acknowledgement and followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. So if you will please rise for the opening acknowledgments in honor of Sacramento's indigenous people and tribal lands. To the original people of this land, to the Nissanon people, the Southern Maidu, Valley and Plains Miwok, Patwin Wintun peoples, and the people of the Wilton Rancheria, Sacramento's only federally recognized tribe. May we acknowledge and honor the Native people who came before us and still walk beside us today on these ancestral lands by choosing to gather together today in the active practice of acknowledgement and appreciation for Sacramento's indigenous peoples, history, contributions, and lives. Migletch, thank you. Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. You may be seated. So before we get started with the consent calendar, we do have a new commissioner.
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