Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
Regular MeetingMonterey, CA · February 12, 2025
Minutes
MINUTES
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
CITY OF MONTEREY
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
5:30 PM
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 580 PACIFIC ST.
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA
Commissioners Present: Crampton, Bence, Buaya, McEwen, Ono, Reed, Schmidt
Commissioners Absent: None
Staff Members Present: Parks and Recreation Director, Recreation Manager, Sports
Center Manager, Recreation Supervisor, Administrative
Assistant
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Crampton called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENTATIONS
1 Presentation on the Status of the Parks and Recreation Department Operations for
November 2024 through January 2025 (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378
and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: Presentation given
Public Comments: Lorna Moffet made a public comment regarding spraying the parks with
herbicides. Parks and Recreation Director Larson clarified that was the name of the park was
the Spray Avenue Tot Lot and they were not spraying herbicides in parks.
CONSENT ITEMS
Approval of Minutes
2 Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Action: Approved as submitted (7-0-0 Absent). Commissioner McEwen motioned
Commissioner Bence Second
***End of Consent Agenda***
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Lorna Moffet and Brian Rosen made a public comment regarding saving the eucalyptus trees in
Monterey.
PUBLIC APPEARANCE
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3 Recommend to the City Council a Preferred Concept for the Old Capitol Site Future Park
Plan Development (Exempt from CEQA per Article 19, Section 15306, Class 6)
Public Comments: Peter Berridge, Henrietta Stern, Andrew Tokin, John Louie, Mike Dawson,
Nate Bucanan, Nikki Netive, Lee Whitney, Clyde Roberson, Nina Beedie, Lorna Moffett, and
Brian Rosen all made a public comment regarding the Old Capitol Site Park Plan.
On a motion by Commissioner McEwen, seconded by Vice Chair Ono and carried by the following
vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission recommend a preferred concept consisting of a long-
term approach to developing the Old Capitol Site based on the City’s budget realities and staff
capacity to City Council for consideration consistent with the Parks and Recreation Master Plan
(PRMP).
AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Crampton, Bence, Buaya, McEwen, Ono,
Reed, Schmidt
NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS:
ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
4 Recommend City Council Approval for Use Sollecito Ballpark for Dates in May, June,
July and August 2025 by the Pecos League of Professional Baseball Clubs and
Recommend Conditions for a License Agreement Regarding Field Use, Alcohol Use,
Admission Fee, Temporary Banners (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378
and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
On a motion by Vice Chair, seconded by Commissioner McEwen and carried by the following
vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission approved the request from the Pecos League of
Professional Baseball Clubs (Pecos League) for use of the Frank E. Sollecito, Jr. Ballpark
(Sollecito Ballpark) in May, June, July and August 2025, and recommend approval of a License
Agreement for the Pecos League for dates in May, June, July and August 2025 with conditions
for field use, alcohol sales and use, security, an admission fee, temporary banners, and other
permitted uses and restrictions.
AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Crampton, Bence, Buaya, McEwen, Ono,
Reed, Schmidt
NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None.
ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None.
INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS
Parks and Recreation Director Larson expressed gratitude to the staff, Commission,
consultants, and community for their dedication, hard work, and valuable contributions to the
City.
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Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes 02/12/2025 5:30:00 PM
Sports Center Manager Rothschild expressed appreciation to the Commission for their support
and warmly welcomed Commissioner Reed.
Recreation Manager Leon echoed her colleagues' sentiments and extended a special thank you
to Amy Reed for joining the Commission.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Commissioner Reed expressed appreciation for joining the Commission and looked forward to
contributing to Recreation in a new capacity.
Commissioner Bence thanked the staff and consultants for their thorough work on the Old
Capitol Site report and expressed hope that mountain biking could be possible in a different
location in the future.
Commissioner McEwen thanked the Department for their efficiency in accomplishing so much
in a short time. She also expressed gratitude for the Old Capitol Site plan, which aims to
preserve as much of the site's natural state as possible.
Commissioner Schmidt commended Recreation for tackling challenging issues and thoughtfully
considering the needs of mountain bikers, hikers, and people from all walks of life in the Old
Capitol Site Park plan. He expressed hope that a designated space for bikers will be included in
the future.
Vice Chair Ono echoed the thoughts of his fellow Commissioners and expressed excitement for
Monterey Amberjack’s Baseball’s return to Monterey this summer.
Commissioner Buaya expressed appreciation for the staff and contractors for dedicating their
time to the Old Capitol Site and carefully considering what would best fit the space.
Chair Crampton thanked her fellow Commissioners for attending this important meeting and
welcomed Amy Reed to the Commission. She also commended the Parks Division for
successfully managing the seal population on the bike trail.
NEXT MEETING
Wednesday, March 12, 2025.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Crampton adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m.
Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
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Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes 02/12/2025 5:30:00 PM
Respectfully Submitted, Approved,
Karen Larson Cyd Crampton, Chair
Parks and Recreation Director Parks and Recreation Commission
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Agenda
Parks and Recreation
Commission Commissioners
Agenda Cyd Crampton, Chair
Justin Ono, Vice Chair
Parks and Recreation Ben Bence
Commission Meeting Kathie Buaya
Ellen McEwen
Wednesday, February 12, 2025 Amy Reed
Christian Schmidt
Council Chambers
580 Pacific Street 5:30 PM
Monterey, California
HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS MEETING:
Written comment: Members of the public may submit comment(s) to
parksrecreationcommission@monterey.org until ½ hour before the start of the
meeting. These messages are not read aloud during the meeting but are made available
to the meeting body and public at https://monterey.org/submitted-comments. All
comments received become part of the record.
In-Person: Please see the meeting location listed above. Wearing a mask is
recommended and encouraged.
Remote via ZoomGov Webinar:
o Join on a computer or smartphone: https://monterey-
org.zoomgov.com/j/1609222935 An up-to-date version of the Zoom
software must be used.
o Or join by telephone: Dial 833-568-8864 (Toll Free), 669-254-5252 (Campbell,
CA) or 646-828-7666 (NY). If one number doesn’t work, please try another.
Enter Webinar ID: 160 922 2935 #
If prompted to enter a participant ID, press #
To “raise your hand,” dial *9. Once called upon, dial *6 to unmute
o Need help using or updating Zoom? Read our Zoom Meeting Instructions (PDF)
This meeting will also stream live for viewing only on youtube.com/cityofmonterey (10
second delay) and on Comcast Channel 25 (up to 90-second delay).
PUBLIC COMMENT PROCEDURES AND TIME LIMITS:
The total amount of time allocated for public comment on a particular issue and for each
individual speaker is generally as follows:
1. Up to three minutes per speaker.
2. For regular Parks and Recreation Commission meetings, there is one 15-minute public
comment period for items not on the agenda.
3. The total time allocated for public comment:
a. Items pulled from the consent agenda – 15 minutes each item
b. Public Appearance items – 30 minutes each item
c. Public Hearing items – 30 minutes each item
At the time an item is considered, the Chair will ask those attending the meeting in person to
line up at the podium or raise their hands, and for remote participants to use *9 on the telephone
or the “raise hand” function in Zoom, if they wish to address the Parks and Recreation
Commission. The maximum amount of time for each person to speak and the total amount of
time allotted for each item will be determined based on the number of people indicating an
interest in speaking and the amount of business to be conducted on the agenda. In exceptional
circumstances and when necessary to ensure a full opportunity for public input, the Chair may,
with the Committee’s consent, adjust the amount of time allowed for public input and/or the time
allotted for each speaker.
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
PRESENTATIONS
1. Presentation on the Status of the Parks and Recreation Department
Operations for November 2024 through January 2025 (Not a project under
CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
CONSENT AGENDA
All matters listed under Consent Agenda are routine and will be adopted by one motion
unless a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission or the public requests discussion
or a separate vote.
Approval of Minutes
2. November 13, 2024
***End of Consent Agenda***
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
The public may speak to any item that is not on the agenda and that is in the City of
Monterey’s subject matter jurisdiction.
PUBLIC APPEARANCE
Public Appearance items are on non-routine issues that might stimulate public interest and
comments.
3. Recommend to the City Council a Preferred Concept for the Old Capitol Site
Future Park Plan Development (Exempt from CEQA per Article 19, Section
15306, Class 6)
4. Recommend City Council Approval for Use Sollecito Ballpark for Dates in
May, June, July and August 2025 by the Pecos League of Professional
Baseball Clubs and Recommend Conditions for a License Agreement
Regarding Field Use, Alcohol Use, Admission Fee, Temporary Banners (Not a
project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5,
Section 15061)
INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS
Staff may make announcements and may request clarification or direction regarding the
scheduling of meetings and study sessions.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
Commissioners may ask a question for clarification, make a brief announcement, or make a
brief report on their activities. In addition, a Commissioner or the Parks and Recreation
Commission may provide a referral to staff or other resources for factual information.
(Government Code section 54954.2(a)(3).)
Parks & Recreation Commission
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NEXT MEETING
The next regularly scheduled meeting is March 12, 2025 .
ADJOURNMENT
Writings distributed for discussion or consideration on these matters within 72 hours prior to the meeting,
pursuant to Government Code § 54957.5, are available at: monterey.gov/submitted-comments and in the
City Manager’s Office, 580 Pacific St., Rm. 1, Monterey, CA 93940 during regular business hours.
Information distributed to the Parks and Recreation Commission at the meeting becomes part of the
public record.
CITY OF MONTEREY'S 24-HOUR SUGGESTION HOTLINES:
Voicemail: (831) 646-3799 Fax: (831) 646-3793
Email: suggest@monterey.gov WebPage: http://www.monterey.gov
INTERPRETATION: The Monterey Parks and Recreation Commission invites and encourages public
participation at its meetings. Requests for language interpretation may be made by contacting the City
Clerk at cityclerk@monterey.gov or 831-646-3935. The City Clerk will make every effort to accommodate
requests for interpreter assistance. Requests should be made as soon as possible in advance of any
meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission. The City is committed to addressing language
interpretation requests swiftly in order to maximize public participation.
ACCESSIBILITY: The City of Monterey is committed to including the disabled in all of its
services, programs and activities. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you
need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s Office
at cityclerk@monterey.gov or (831) 646-3935. Notification 30 hours prior to the meeting will enable the
City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting [28 CFR 35.102-35.104
ADA Title II]. Later requests will be accommodated to the extent feasible. For communication-related
assistance, dial 711 to use the California Relay Service (CRS) to speak to City offices. CRS offers free
text-to-speech, speech-to-speech, and Spanish-language services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you
require a hearing amplification device to attend a meeting, dial 711 to use CRS to talk to the City Clerk's
Office at (831) 646-3935 to coordinate use of a device.
Upcoming city meetings are listed at http://isearchmonterey.org
More information is available by calling (831) 646-3866
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2/12/2025 5:30:00 PM
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