Parks and Community Enrichment Commission Regular Meeting - June 4, 2026
Parks and Community Enrichment Commission Regular Meeting - June 4, 2026
The Parks and Community Enrichment Commission met on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the Sacramento City Hall Council Chamber. Chair Jeanine Gaines presided. Commissioners present: Joe Flores, Morgan Flournoy, Lindsey King, Charles Laver, Victoria Vasquez, and Chair Gaines. Absent: Colin Lang, Monique Langer, Robbie Robbins, and Anthony Uribe. The meeting included a land acknowledgement, pledge of allegiance, consent calendar approval, six discussion items, department highlights, and public comments.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Meeting Minutes (File ID: 2026-00127): The commission unanimously approved the minutes from the April 16, 2026 meeting.
- Approval of Follow-Up Log (File ID: 2026-00265): The commission unanimously approved the follow-up log.
- Vote: Motion by Commissioner Laver, second by Commissioner Vasquez. Passed 6-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Cannabis Zoning Changes: Carla Black and a nine-year-old named Zeus spoke during public comments on matters not on the agenda. They urged the commission to publicly agendize and discuss the city’s proposed Title 17 cannabis zoning changes, arguing that moving cannabis businesses closer to parks, youth programs, and residential areas poses public safety risks and harms children.
Discussion Items
- César Chávez Plaza Renaming Kickoff (File ID: 2026-01124): Director Jackie Beecham presented a community-led renaming process. Key points: an online survey launches June 12, a subcommittee of three council members will guide the process, the commission will review final recommendations, and city council adoption is expected in October/November. Commissioners discussed ballot-stuffing risks, survey questions, vetting criteria, and the need to update the city’s naming policy. No vote was taken.
- 916 Day Updates (File ID: 2026-00945): Staff introduced the Park Sketchers pilot program, a community-based initiative to bring people together in parks for sketching. Jennifer Holden presented the plan, which would be incorporated into 916 Day events at no cost. Commissioners raised concerns about budget, staff time, and prioritizing existing programs. The item was received and discussed; no vote.
- Civic Engagement Unit 2025 Overview (File ID: 2026-00610): Recreation Manager Sjon Swanson reported on the Youth Commission and Summer at City Hall program. The program serves a diverse group of youth; all-time high of 18 Youth Commissioners in 2025. Budget outlook is positive with expected restoration of staff positions. Discussed demographics and outreach equity. Received and discussed; no vote.
- Community Centers Overview (File ID: 2026-01120): Recreation Superintendent Samantha Vu presented highlights: 15 community centers, 2,038 youth enrolled in summer programs, 1,082 rental permits issued, and over $288,000 in waived rental fees. Commissioners praised staff and partnerships. Received and filed.
Department of Youth, Parks, & Community Enrichment Monthly Highlights
- Budget Update: Director Beecham reported that city council is expected to restore funding for wading pools, recreation swim hours, 26 park maintenance positions, older adult services, summer City Hall positions, and youth workforce development positions at the June 9 budget adoption.
- 28th & B Skate Park: Summer skate camps are scheduled; an RFP for a park operator is open until June 5; operations expected to begin fall 2026.
- Pools and Aquatics: Summer aquatic season underway; North Natomas opened, others starting June 7 and 13.
- Other: Junior Giants program with ~900 youth, expanded learning 40th anniversary event, splash pads open, park rangers responded to 1,020 calls for service in May, rapid response team completed seven park cleanups.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar approved 6-0.
- César Chávez Plaza Renaming: Process officially launched; survey opens June 12; commission will continue to receive updates.
- 916 Day Updates: Park Sketchers pilot introduced as a potential add-on; no formal action taken.
- Civic Engagement & Community Centers: Received information; no votes.
- Budget: Expectation of restoration of key programs pending council vote on June 9.
- Follow-Up Log: Commissioner Vasquez requested updates on long-standing items; staff will provide an update in August.
- Commissioner Comments: Extensive discussion on work plan, community engagement protocols, and equity tools. Commissioner Vasquez requested that responses to follow-up items be posted in the log. Commissioner Laver noted that cannabis zoning issues are more appropriate for the Planning Commission, but staff will follow up.
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 7:29 PM.
Meeting Transcript
All right, good evening, and welcome to the um Thursday, June 4th, 2026, Parks and Community Enrichment Commission meeting. This meeting is now called to order. Will the clerk please call roll to establish a quorum? Yes, Chair. Commissioners, could you please turn your mics on? Commissioner Langer is absent. Commissioner Uribe is absent. Commissioner Robins, Vice Chair Robinson, is absent. Commissioner Laver? Commissioner King? Here. Commissioner Vasquez. Present. Commissioner Flores? Yeah. And then Commissioner Lang is absent. And then Commissioner Flornoy? Here. And Chair Gaines. Here. You have a quorum, Chair. Thank you. I would like to remind members of the public and chambers who wish to speak on any items on today's agenda. 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. We will now proceed with the land acknowledgement followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. So please rise. Please rise for the opening acknowledgments in honor of Sacramento's Indigenous People and Tribal Lands. To the original people of this land, the Nissanan people, the Southern Maidu, Valley and Plains Miwok, Patwin Winton 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. Midwatch, thank you. Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. You may be seated. All right. So the first item today is approval of the consent calendar. Clerk, are there any members of the public who wish to speak on the consent calendar? There are none, Chair. Thank you. Are there any commissioners who wish to speak on the consent calendar? Commissioner Vasquez. Thank you, Chair. Um, yes, I would like an update on the follow-up log that's on the consent calendar. I've got two items that have been there for quite a while, so I'm hoping for an update. And maybe we can discuss it at the end and comments, but I just want to make sure that during the follow-up log, I'm saying that I would like the follow-up log updated, please. All right. Well, I do not um have that on me, so I'm going to ask if maybe Shannon, if you are able to pull that up and we can add that to maybe the end of the agenda. Or do you want to talk about it now?
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