The meeting saw a detailed examination of public safety personnel requirements for local events, with particular attention given to the Corey Avenue Sunday Market and the 8th Avenue street party. Concerns were raised about the necessity and cost of extensive emergency service presence at these events. Participants questioned the disparity in requirements and whether some existing regulations were outdated or unnecessarily burdensome. The discussions emphasized the need for a review of the 250-person threshold for mandatory EMS presence.

Further, the conversation explored the responsibilities of event organizers, including the potential waiving of fees and the support provided by the city. Participants agreed on the importance of post-event reports to assess the actual need for on-site emergency services, which could inform future policy decisions. Transparency in the financial aspects of events, especially those co-sponsored by the city, was also highlighted as a critical concern. It was suggested that for-profit events should not unduly benefit from city support.

The commission also turned their focus to the city’s recreation fee structure, which operates on a tiered system. The current system includes three tiers, with tier one funded entirely by taxes, tier two requiring a 70% cost recovery, and tier three aiming for full cost recovery. The commission acknowledged the low cost recovery level currently in place and the reliance on taxpayer funding. Plans were made to present a detailed fee study, including consultant recommendations and community feedback, at the January meeting.

The dialogue on fees extended to the city’s co-sponsorship agreements for special events. The commission sought input on criteria for event co-sponsorship. Concerns were voiced about the fairness of fee structures, especially for events requiring varying levels of emergency services. The commission emphasized the need for a comprehensive public outreach effort to gather feedback, as the last fee study was conducted approximately 15 years ago.

In matters concerning park maintenance, Eileen Torres, the operations manager, presented updates on ongoing projects. These included the completion of mulch installations for dog parks, with the Vina Delmar Dog Park pending due to contractor issues. The Egan concession and restroom remodels were completed in-house, staying within budget, although the building’s fascia remained in disrepair. Issues at the Egan big field project were addressed by managing it in-house due to initial budget overestimates. The Hurley Park playground installation was completed, and post-storm rehabilitation projects at Sunset Park and Fisherman Park were in advanced engineering phases with expected FEMA funding.

The commission also discussed the demolition of the shuffleboard court building at Pasigril and addressed concerns about the oversight of park maintenance, highlighting the need for improved communication and transparency in decision-making processes. Additionally, the condition of the fishing pier at Ursio’s Park was brought into question, with suggestions for potential demolition if maintenance obligations were not legally required.

Public comments brought up issues of beach accessibility during recent nourishment projects, pointing out a lack of clear signage and communication. Concerns were also raised about the city’s C Click Fix system, with calls for enhanced oversight and quality control measures for maintenance repairs. Participants suggested implementing a system to require photographic evidence of completed repairs and proposed an acknowledgment system for reported issues.