Report Prepared by: Alejandra Medina, Deputy City Clerk, City Clerk’s Office
Title
SUBJECT: Annual Appointments to the Recreation and Parks Commission (Districts 2 & 5)
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 5); 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 push over several weeks coordinated with the Public Information Officer to alert citizens of the vacancies and expiring terms, a series of emails for each board or commission sent to over 5,000 recipients notifying them of the recruitment, and public notices sent to Merced County Times.
Applications
District 2 - The term of Abraham Lopez expired on July 1, 2025. Mr. Lopez has not shown interested in being re-appointed. The applicant appointed to this position will serve a full term ending on July 1, 2029. The Clerk’s office received an eligible application from Dina Gonzalez.
District 5 - The term of April Holloway expires on July 1, 2025. Ms. Holloway has shown interest in being re-appointed. The applicant appointed to this position will serve a full term ending on July 1, 2029. In addition to Ms. Holloway’s application, the Clerk’s office received eligible applications from Andrew Garcia, Jeremy Jenkins, and Xerxes Zangeneh.
The matter of appointment to fill two seats on the Recreation and Parks Commission is now before the Council.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Recreation and Parks Commission Applications
2. Current Roster