Report Prepared by: Kirsten Waller, Deputy City Clerk, City Clerk’s Office
Title
SUBJECT: Annual Appointments to the Recreation and Parks Commission (Districts 1, 3, 4, and 6)
REPORT IN BRIEF
Accept nominations to fill seats on the Recreation and Parks Commission.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Accepting nominations and appointing individuals to serve as members of the Recreation and Parks Commission (Districts 1, 3, 4, and 6); or,
B. Accepting nominations and appointing as many members as Council sees appropriate and directing staff to continue the recruitment of applicants.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended; or,
2. Approve, subject to other than recommended; or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Direct the Clerk’s Office to continue recruitment for the vacancies.
AUTHORITY
Merced Municipal Code, Section 3.38.050.
DISCUSSION
Recreation and Parks Commission Roles
The Recreation and Parks Commission serves in an advisory capacity to the City Council in all matters pertaining to recreation and parks; considers the annual budget for recreation and parks during the process of its preparation and makes recommendations with respect thereto to the City Manager and to the City Council; and assists in the planning of a recreation program for the citizens of Merced.
Past Council Actions
At the Council meeting of March 21, 2022, staff was directed to return to a yearly appointment process for the reappointment of eligible members and the appointment of new applicants to vacant board or commission seats.
Recruitment
The Clerk’s office began a recruitment campaign that consisted of a social media post coordinated with the Public Information Officer to alert citizens of the vacancies and expiring terms and an email blast was sent to over 3,000 subscribers on the boards and commissions list notifying them of the recruitment.
Applications
District 1 - The term of Walter Smith expired on July 1, 2026. Mr. Smith has not shown interest in being re-appointed. The applicant appointed to this position will serve a full term ending on July 1, 2030. The Clerk’s office received eligible applications from Patricia Nuia and Amanda Estrada.
District 3 - The term of Sabrina C Abong expires on July 1, 2026. Ms. Abong has not shown interest in being re-appointed. The applicant appointed to this position will serve a full term ending on July 1, 2030. The Clerk’s office has received one eligible application from John Carlos.
District 4 - The term of Valente Huitron expires on July 1, 2026. Mr. Huitron has graciously served two full terms on Recreation and Parks Commission and is not eligible to re-apply. The applicant appointed to this position will serve a full term ending on July 1, 2030. The Clerk’s office received one eligible application from Marcus Arellano.
District 6 - The term of Joseph Bauer expires on July 1, 2026. Mr. Bauer has not shown interest in being re-appointed. The applicant appointed to this position will serve a full term ending on July 1, 2030. The Clerk’s office received one eligible application from Christopher Carter.
The Clerk’s Office received three additional applications before the deadline that were not eligible for appointment.
The matter of appointment to fill four seats on the Recreation and Parks Commission is now before the Council.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Recreation and Parks Commission Applications
2. Current Roster