Report Prepared by: Alejandra Medina, Deputy City Clerk, City Clerk’s Office
Title
SUBJECT: Annual Appointments to the Recreation and Parks Commission (Districts 2 and 3) and (At-Large)
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 2 and 3) and (At-Large); 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
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.
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.
The Clerk’s office began a recruitment campaign that consisted of a social media push over several weeks coordinated with the Public Information Officer to alert citizens of the vacancies and expiring terms.
District 2 - The term became vacant on July 1, 2021, and if appointed, the term would end July 1, 2025. The Clerk’s Office received one eligible application from Abraham Lopez.
District 3 - The term became vacant upon the resignation of Yesenia Curiel on June 23, 2023. The Clerk’s Office received no eligible applications for this vacancy during the recruitment.
At-Large - The term of Justin Anderson expired on July 1, 2023. Mr. Anderson has not shown interest in reapplying. The Clerk’s Office received eligible applications from Jeremy Jenkins, Belgin Vanderplueg, Angela Dobbins, Lehuanani Rodriguez, and David Duong.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Recreation and Parks Commission Applications
2. Current Roster