Report Prepared by: Alejandra Medina, Deputy City Clerk, City Clerk’s Department
Title
SUBJECT: Appointment to the Citizen Advisory Focus Group for One Member from the Recreation and Parks Commission
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers the appointment of a Recreation and Parks Commissioner to the Citizen Advisory Focus Group.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion accepting nominations and appointing one individual to serve as the Recreation and Parks Commission representative.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve and appoint individuals as recommend by staff; or,
2. Continue to a future meeting and direct staff to continue recruitment of applicants; or,
3. Deny the item.
AUTHORITY
Cit of Merced Charter, Section 402.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2025-2026 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
History
In May 2025, the City Council authorized the formation of a Citizen Advisory Focus Group (CAFG) for the General Plan Update and Downtown Station Area Plan. This included the appointment of two City Council members and to appoint one member from each of seven established City Boards and Commissions and to open applications to residents of each Council district and an at large position.
The General Plan update and the Downtown Station Area Plan is scheduled to take at least two years to complete. The City has retained Mintier Harnish, a consulting firm experienced in both General Plan Updates and Station Area Plans, to help the City move through this creation and approval process strategically and deliberately. To begin this process, it is vital to engage the community and their vision for what Merced should be. To begin, the City needs to assemble a group of citizens who can work with both staff and our consulting team to voice their opinions and thoughts about how to address the opportunities and challenges brought up by both the General Plan Update process and the creation of the Downtown Station Area Plan.
In May, the City Council chose Mayor Matthew Serrato and Mayor Pro-Tempore Sarah Boyle to represent the Council on the CAFG. Other members of the CAFG should include one to two members from the City Planning Commission and one member each from the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission, the Building and Housing Board of Appeals, the Arts and Culture Advisory Commission, the Recreation and Parks Commission and the Regional Airport Authority. Additionally, the City Council will select and appoint one resident from each City Council District and one resident from the city at large. In total the CAFG should consist of up to sixteen members.
The members should be available, to the best of their ability, for a potential two-year commitment, however, most of their work should be completed within 12 to 18 months. It is expected that the CAFG will meet about 7 times, be open to the public and be subject to the Brown Act. All General Plan meetings will be open to any member of the public. It is anticipated that the first meeting of the CAFG will take place before the end of July.
Past Appointments
At the Council meetings of July 7th and August 18th, Council made appointments to district members and Board/Commission representatives.
Recreation and Parks Commission Representative Volunteers
In November 2025, the Planning Department received a letter of resignation from Joseph Bauer who served as the Recreation and Parks Commission representative. The Clerk’s Office promptly reached out to the remaining members of the Recreation and Parks Commission. Below are the Commissioners who stated they were interested in serving the Citizens Advisory Focus Group.
Recreation & Parks Commission - The Clerk’s office received interest from Dina Gonzalez, Marisa Lewis, and Sabrina Abong.
The matter of appointment to fill the seat on the Citizens Advisory Focus Group is now before the Council.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
No appropriation of funds is needed.
ATTACHMENTS
None.