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Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

Regular Meeting

Monterey, CA · February 11, 2026

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Minutes

MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING CITY OF MONTEREY Wednesday, February 11, 2026 5:30 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, 580 PACIFIC ST. MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Commissioners Present: Ono, Buaya, Bence, Crampton, Nazal Garib, Reed, Schmidt Commissioners Absent: None Staff Members Present: Parks and Recreation Director, Recreation Manager, Park Operations Manager, Sports Center Manager, Recreation Supervisor, NCIP Coordinator, Administrative Assistant CALL TO ORDER Chair Ono called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. ROLL CALL PRESENTATIONS 1. Introduction of Parks and Recreation Director Nicole Banks (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Presentation given Public Comments: Lorna Moffett welcomed the new Parks and Recreation Director Nicole Banks and looks forward to working with her. 2. Review of the Status of Parks and Recreation-Related Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program (NCIP) Projects (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Presentation given Public Comments: Lorna Moffett made a public comment urging our Parks Department to switch from using wood lumber to plastic. 3. Presentation on the Status of the Parks and Recreation Department Operations for December 2025 through January 2026 (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Presentation given Public Comments: Lorna Moffett made a public comment regarding clearing out invasive species in the parks. CONSENT ITEMS Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes 02/11/2026 5:30:00 PM Approval of Minutes 4. Wednesday, December 10, 2025 Action: Approved as submitted (7-0-0 Absent). Commissioner Crampton motioned Commissioner Nazal Garib Second ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS Lorna Moffet made a public comment regarding fire mitigation and fuel reduction. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 5. Recommend to the City Council that the Parks and Recreation Related Proposed Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program (NCIP) Projects for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 are Consistent with the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and Provide Direction to Staff to Advise City Council (Exempt from CEQA per Article 19, Sections 15301, 15303, 15306, Classes 1, 3, and 6, and Not a Project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: The Parks and Recreation Commission gave direction to staff to advise City Council that the Parks and Recreation Related Proposed Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program (NCIP) Projects for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 are consistent with the Parks and Recreation Master Plan (7-0-0). Public Comments: Shelly Schmidt, NCIP representative for Casanova Oak Knoll Neighborhood, made a public comment on the COK neighborhood projects and the ranking process. On a motion by Commissioner Crampton, seconded by Commissioner Schmidt and carried by the following vote, the Parks and Recreation Commission gave direction to staff to advise City Council that the Parks and Recreation Related Proposed Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program (NCIP) Projects for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 are consistent with the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Ono, Buaya, Bence, Crampton, Nazal Garib, Reed, Schmidt NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None. ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes 02/11/2026 5:30:00 PM Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes 02/11/2026 5:30:00 PM Parks and Recreation Director Banks thanked the Department for their presentations and for providing insight into the Department’s activities in December and January. She also introduced Mark Ackerman, the City’s Management Analyst, who will be supporting the Parks and Recreation Department on a part-time basis. Recreation Manager Leon welcomed Nicole Banks to the City and invited everyone to visit the new playground at El Estero once it is complete. She also gave a shoutout to Mike Lewis, Management Analyst in Public Works, and Reginald Paulding, NCIP Coordinator, for their tremendous support with permitting and contracts for the NCIP projects. She concluded by thanking the Recreation team and highlighting how busy the Department has been preparing to launch summer programs. Sports Center Manager Rothschild thanked the Commission for their continued support and for recognizing the team’s success and the work being done within the community. Parks Operations Manager Norton welcomed Nicole Banks as the new Parks and Recreation Director. He also spoke about the new intern assisting at the cemetery and provided an update on fire safety efforts at the Old Capitol Site. Lastly, he invited everyone to attend the Cutting Day and Horticulture Faire on March 21, 2026. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes 02/11/2026 5:30:00 PM Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes 02/11/2026 5:30:00 PM COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Bence thanked the Department for the work that they do and all the exciting projects coming to the community. Commissioner Nazal Garib welcomed Nicole Banks and looks forward to working with the Department. Commissioner Crampton echoed her fellow commissioners in welcoming Nicole Banks to the City and expressed that she looks forward to working with her and the team. She also mentioned how impressed she is with the creative ideas the Department consistently develops. Commissioner Schmidt welcomed the new Parks and Recreation Director and encouraged the team to be collaborative, bringing any concerns to the Commission as they arise. He also mentioned Monterey County Works and noted that he is ecstatic to learn more about what the organization does. Commissioner Reed welcomed Nicole Banks and shared how fortunate she feels to have lived in the City of Monterey her entire life, boasting to her non-resident friends about what a wonderful place it is. Vice Chair Buaya welcomed Nicole Banks, noting what a beautiful place she has joined, and thanked Park Operations Manager Norton and his team for their outstanding work at Laguna Grande Park. Chair Ono looks forward to working with Nicole Banks and the team. He highlighted Cutting Day, describing it as a holiday for him and his colleagues. He also reminded the Commission of the upcoming Lower Presidio Park meeting for those who wish to attend. NEXT MEETING Wednesday, March 11, 2026. ADJOURNMENT Chair Ono adjourned the meeting at 7:38 p.m. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes 02/11/2026 5:30:00 PM Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes 02/11/2026 5:30:00 PM Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Nicole Banks Justin Ono, Chair Parks and Recreation Director Parks and Recreation Commission Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes 02/11/2026 5:30:00 PM

Agenda

Parks and Recreation Commission Commissioners Agenda Justin Ono, Chair Kathie Buaya, Vice Chair Parks and Recreation Ben Bence Commission Meeting Cyd Crampton Julieta Nazal Garib Wednesday, February 11, 2026 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. Introduction of Parks and Recreation Director Nicole Banks (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) 2. Review of the Status of Parks and Recreation-Related Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program (NCIP) Projects (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) 3. Presentation on the Status of the Parks and Recreation Department Operations for December 2025 through January 2026 (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 4. December 10, 2025 ***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. 5. Recommend to the City Council that the Parks and Recreation Related Proposed Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program (NCIP) Projects for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 are Consistent with the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and Provide Direction to Staff to Advise City Council (Exempt from CEQA per Article 19, Sections 15301, 15303, 15306, Classes 1, 3, and 6, and 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. Parks & Recreation Commission 2/11/2026 5:30:00 PM 2 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).) NEXT MEETING The next regularly scheduled meeting is March 11, 2026. 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 people with disabilities 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, including to coordinate the use of a hearing device, please contact 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. CITY OF MONTEREY 24-HOUR SUGGESTION HOTLINES: (831) 646-3799 or suggest@monterey.gov Upcoming city meetings are listed at monterey.gov/agendas For more information, call (831) 646-3866 Parks & Recreation Commission 2/11/2026 5:30:00 PM 3

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