[00:00:01]
>> GOOD MORNING, AND WELCOME TO THIS CLOSED SESSION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
[ROLL CALL]
OF THE EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT FOR NOVEMBER 4, 2025, CALLING THE MEETING TO ORDER AT 11:00.MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> THANK YOU. DIRECTOR COFFEE?
>> ACTING GENERAL MANAGER CORDON?
>> ARE THERE ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO SPEAK ON CLOSED SESSION, ITEMS AGENDA ITEMS?
>> MR. PRESIDENT, WE HAVE NO PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> OKAY. HEARING NONE, WE WILL ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION. THANK YOU.
[CLOSED SESSION ITEMS]
[ROLL CALL]
WELCOME TO THIS REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT FOR NOVEMBER 4, 2025, BEGINNING AT 1:25.>> EIGHTEEN. THAT WAS THE LAST MEETING.
>> OKAY. MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> THANK YOU. DIRECTOR COFFEE?
>> ACTING GENERAL MANAGER TON?
>> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. DIRECTOR SANG, LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE. PLEASE.
>> AND DIRECTOR WASPY PLEASE READ THE LAND ACKNOWLEDGE.
[LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT]
>> ALL RIGHT. AS WE GATHER HERE TODAY, WE THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT ALL OF THE LANDS WITHIN THE EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT ARE THE ANCESTRAL LANDS OF EAST BAY LONI, BAY MIWOK, AND THE NORTHERN VALLEY YOKUT WHO ARE POLITICALLY ORGANIZED AND REPRESENTED BY A NUMBER OF TRIBES TODAY.
WE MAKE THIS RECOGNITION AS A WAY TO RESPECT AND HONOR THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES WHO FIRST CULTIVATED AND INHABITED THIS LAND.
PARK DISTRICT IS COMMITTED TO IDENTIFYING WAYS TO WORK AND CONSULT WITH EAST BAY TRIBES AS WE RECOGNIZE THAT THESE TRIBAL CITIZENS REMAIN CONNECTED TO THEIR LAND AND THEIR CULTURE.
>> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE ANY REQUESTS TO MODIFY THE AGENDA? HEARING NONE, WE HAVE NO SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, MOVING ON TO PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA.
[PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA]
MADAM CLERK, DO YOU HAVE ANY OF THOSE?>> WE HAVE 11 COMMENTS IN PERSON AND NO HANDS UP ONLINE.
>> OKAY. GREAT. LET'S PROCEED.
>> MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT CAN DO SO IN PERSON OR VIA ZOOM.
IF ATTENDING IN PERSON, THEY MAY SUBMIT A SPEAKER CARD TO THE CLERK STAFF OR OTHERWISE INDICATE THEY WISH TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT ON A NON AGENDA ITEM.
IF ATTENDING BY ZOOM, THEY MAY RAISE THEIR HAND AND THEIR NAME WILL BE CALLED WHEN IT IS THEIR TURN TO SPEAK.
DURING THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD, SPEAKERS WILL BE INVITED TO SPEAK AND WE'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SHARE THEIR COMMENTS.
A COUNTDOWN TIMER WILL APPEAR FOR THEIR CONVENIENCE.
FIRST, WE WILL START WITH ROK HEALY.
>> HELLO, DIRECTOR MACARIO, AND BOARD MEMBERS.
I'M A PLANNER IN THE TRAILS PROGRAM.
I'M HERE TODAY TO URGE YOU TO LISTEN TO PARK DISTRICT STAFF AND RESTORE THE WORK FROM HOME POLICY TO THE STATUS QUO, ANTI.
HYBRID TELECOMMUTE IS NOW AN INDUSTRY STANDARD FOR REGIONAL PARK DISTRICTS OF SIMILAR SIZE ACROSS THE BAY AREA, AND THERE'S A REASON FOR THAT. IT WORKS.
IT SUPPORTS EMPLOYEE WELL BEING, RETENTION, AND PRODUCTIVITY.
OF COURSE, I DEEPLY VALUE REAL RELATIONSHIP WITH MY CO WORKERS AND THE OCCASIONAL IN PERSON MEETINGS WE DO HAVE.
BUT FOR THOSE OF US AT PTOKES AND OFFICES ACROSS THE DISTRICT, THE VAST MAJORITY OF OUR WORK HAPPENS ONLINE.
MUCH LIKE CARS, CELL PHONES, AND E MAILS, VIDEO CONFERENCING TECHNOLOGY HAS ALREADY REVOLUTIONIZED OUR WORK AND RENDERED FULL TIME PHYSICAL PRESENCE IN THE OFFICE UNNECESSARY.
TELEWORK, ONCE A PANDEMIC NECESSITY, HAS BECOME A PROVEN MODEL THAT INCREASES FLEXIBILITY, EFFICIENCY, AND SAFETY.
FOR FOUR LONG YEARS, STAFF ADAPTED TO VARIOUS HYBRID MODELS ALL WHILE INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY, EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS AND KEEPING OUR PARKS RUNNING SMOOTHLY.
[00:05:02]
THIS WAS A DOCUMENTED SUCCESS.AS YOU'VE HEARD FOR WEEKS NOW, THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF PARK DISTRICT STAFF DOES NOT SUPPORT THIS ROLLBACK.
THIS ABRUPT AND UNEXPLAINED POLICY CHANGE HAS DISRUPTED MY WORKFLOW ON A WEEKLY BASIS FOR SIX MONTHS NOW.
I LIVED 30 MINUTES FROM THE OFFICE AND PREVIOUSLY, I WOULD COMPLETE FIELD WORK ON WORK FROM HOME DAYS THEN FINISH MY ONLINE TASK FROM MY HOME OFFICE, SAVING TIME AND FUEL.
NOW THE SAME TIME IS LOST COMMUTING BACK AND FORTH TO COMPLY WITH A POLICY THAT PROVIDES NO CLEAR BENEFIT.
WITH THE NEW POLICY, I'M ALSO NOT ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH MY TEAM OUTSIDE OF OFFICE HOURS AND PROJECTS, PERMITS AND BOARD MATERIAL HAVE SOMETIMES BEEN IMPACTED AS A RESULT.
WORKING FOR THE PARK DISTRICT HAS BEEN A DREAM COME TRUE FOR ME, AND MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES.
BUT SINCE THE CHANGE IN THIS POLICY, WITHOUT EXPLANATION OR STAFF INPUT, THE MOD AT WORK HAS GROWN DARKER AND MORE DISCOURAGED.
IT LEAVES MANY OF US WONDERING, DOES MANAGEMENT NOT TRUST STAFF? HAVE WE FAILED TO UPHOLD OUR END OF THE AGREEMENT? IF SO, WE DESERVE TO KNOW, AND IF NOT, WHY THE CHANGE? IT'S SIMPLE.
THE POLICY MAKES IT HARDER FOR US TO DO OUR JOB OF SERVING THE PUBLIC EFFICIENTLY AND RESPONSIBLY.
RIGHT NOW, YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW YOU ARE LISTENING AND DO WHAT IS BEST FOR STAFF AND OUR CONSTITUENTS.
WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR FULLY REMOTE WORK, BUT A TELEWORK POLICY THAT IS COMPARABLE TO OTHER BAY AREA PUBLIC SECTOR AGENCIES.
WITH THAT, I URGE THE BOARD TO DIRECT MANAGEMENT TO RETURN THE TELEWORK STATUS QUO ANTE.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, BOARD MEMBERS.
I'M A PROJECT COORDINATOR WITH THE DISTRICT, AND I'M HERE TO SHARE WITH YOU HOW PREVALENT TELEWORK IS AMONG OUR SISTER AGENCIES AROUND THE BAY AREA.
OUR COUNTERPARTS, AGENCIES THAT MANAGE PUBLIC LANDS AND EMPLOY BOTH FIELD AND OFFICE STAFF, OVERWHELMINGLY USE TELEWORK.
ALAMEDA COUNTY WATER DISTRICT, CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT, EAST BAY MUD, HAYWARD AREA RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT, MARIN COUNTY PARKS, COUNTY FIRE, MARIN FLOOD CONTROL, MIDPEN REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT, SANTA CLARA VALLEY HABITAT AGENCY, SANTA CLARA VALLEY OPEN SPACE AUTHORITY, SAN FRANCISCO PUC, SONOMA COUNTY REGIONAL PARKS, AND NUMEROUS CITY JURISDICTIONS THAT MANAGE PARKS AND OPEN SPACE ALL OFFER TELEWORK.
THIS IS BY NO MEANS AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST.
MANY COLLEAGUES AT THESE AGENCIES SHARED THEIR POLICIES, HANDBOOKS, AND GUIDELINES, WHICH DIFFER FROM AGENCY TO AGENCY.
SOME ALLOW TELEWORK ONE DAY A WEEK AND SOME ALLOW 18 DAYS A MONTH.
AT SOME AGENCIES, EACH DEPARTMENT SETS THEIR OWN POLICY, WHILE SOME AGENCIES ALL ADHERE TO ONE STANDARD.
WHAT ALL THESE AGENCIES HAVE IN COMMON IS THAT THEIR TELEWORK POLICIES ARE WORKING, JUST LIKE OUR TELEWORK POLICY WORKED BEFORE IT WAS RESCINDED.
THESE POLICIES ARE TAILORED TO THE SPECIFIC WORK OF THE ORGANIZATION.
THEY FIT THE NEEDS OF THEIR EMPLOYEES AND MANAGERS AND THEY'RE ADAPTIVE SO THEY CAN'T BE ABUSED.
ANOTHER THING THESE AGENCIES HAVE IN COMMON IS THAT NOT ALL THEIR EMPLOYEES CAN TELEWORK.
MANY JOBS AT THE PARK DISTRICT CANNOT BE DONE FROM HOME.
I BEGAN MY CAREER WITH THE PARK DISTRICT AS A PARK RANGER.
AS A FIELD WORKER, I WASN'T ABLE TO TELEWORK, BUT I WAS ABLE TO EARN OVERTIME PAY AND COMP TIME OFF FOR COVERING BUSY HOLIDAYS AT THE PARK AND PICKING UP SHIFTS FROM CO WORKERS.
I WAS ACTIVE AND OUTSIDE EVERY DAY, HIKING, WEEDING, MOWING, AND TALKING TO THE PUBLIC.
SINCE MOVING TO AN INSIDE JOB, I HAVE FEWER OPPORTUNITIES TO BE ACTIVE IN OUR PARKS.
I'M NOT ABLE TO EARN OVERTIME PAY AND COMP TIME OFF. I LOVE MY JOB.
I'M NOT COMPLAINING, BUT MY POINT IS THAT EVERY JOB IS DIFFERENT AND ALLOWS FOR UNIQUE BENEFITS DEPENDING ON THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE WORK.
YOU'VE HEARD PUBLIC COMMENT FROM FIELD WORKERS WHO UNDERSTAND THIS AND SUPPORT TELEWORK FOR THEIR COLLEAGUES IN THE OFFICE.
TELEWORK IS AN INDUSTRY STANDARD IN OUR FIELD.
IT'S EVERYWHERE. WE DRIVE AWAY TALENTED EMPLOYEES BY FAILING TO OFFER THIS PREVALENT BENEFIT.
WE ARE THE LARGEST SPECIAL DISTRICT AND WE SHOULD LEAD, NOT LAG BEHIND THE STANDARD.
I URGE THE BOARD TO DIRECT MANAGEMENT TO RETURN TO STATUS QUO ANTE AND DEVELOP A TELEWORK POLICY THAT'S COMPARABLE TO OTHER BAY AREA PUBLIC SECTOR AGENCIES THAT OFFER TELEWORK.
>> HELLO. COOL. [LAUGHTER] GOOD AFTERNOON, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
MY NAME IS MAGNOLIA MORRIS, AND I'VE BEEN WORKING AS A FIELD OFFICE SURVEYOR AT THE PARK DISTRICT FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS.
[00:10:02]
I AM ALSO HERE TODAY TO URGE YOU TO RESPECT PARK DISTRICT STAFF AND RESTORE THE TELEWORK POLICY TO THE STATUS QUO ANTE.OVER THE PAST EIGHT WEEKS IN THE PREVIOUS BOARD MEETINGS, MY FELLOW EMPLOYEES HAVE COME TO ASK YOU TO REINSTATE THE TELEWORK POLICY THAT WAS ABRUPTLY TERMINATED SIX MONTHS AGO BY THE FORMER GENERAL MANAGER.
THEIR WORDS TO YOU HAVE BEEN IMPASSIONED, ARTICULATE, AND POIGNANT.
THEY HAVE SHARED THE IMPACTS TO THEIR WORK AND PERSONAL LIVES.
HIGHLIGHTED THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF COMMUTING FIVE DAYS A WEEK, MADE EXCELLENT POINTS ABOUT EQUITY AND INCLUSION OF TELEWORK AND BROUGHT EXAMPLES OF NOT ONLY WHAT WE ARE ABLE TO ACHIEVE WITH TELEWORK, BUT ALSO THE PREVALENCE OF TELEWORK POLICIES ACROSS OTHER PUBLIC AGENCIES.
WE RECOGNIZE THAT THERE IS A LOT ON YOUR PLATE.
DIRECTING THE COUNTRY'S LARGEST REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT IS NOT EASY, AND YET WE RETURN TO YOU AT EVERY MEETING BECAUSE THIS POLICY OR LACK OF IMPLEMENTED POLICY HAS A CONTINUED IMPACT ON OUR DAILY LIVES.
IT IS FRANKLY DEMORALIZING TO HAVE THE POLICY SHIFT WITH NO REASONING, NO DATA ON LOSS OF PRODUCTIVITY, AND APPARENTLY NO CATALYZING EVENT TO BE TOLD THAT THE QUALITY OF YOUR WORK DOES NOT MATTER, ONLY YOUR PRESENCE, WARMING A CHAIR AT HEADQUARTERS.
AS A FIELD OFFICE SURVEYOR, MY TIME IS SPENT BETWEEN THE FIELD, CONDUCTING SURVEYS, WHICH I CANNOT DO REMOTELY.
DRAFTING MAPS ON THE COMPUTER, WHICH CAN BE DONE REMOTELY.
BOTH PARTS OF MY JOB REQUIRE FLEXIBILITY AND FOCUS.
THE WORK WE DO HERE IS VARIED AND DIVERSE, AS ARE THE STAFF, THEIR DUTIES, AND THEIR NEEDS.
THE THINGS WE ALL SHARE ARE A LOVE OF THE OUTDOORS, A LOVE OF OUR PARKS, AND A COMMITMENT TO SERVING THE PUBLIC.
YOU AS BOARD MEMBERS ARE IN THE UNIQUE POSITION TO CREATE SOMETHING TRULY REMARKABLE BY FOSTERING A WORKPLACE WHERE THIS BOUNTIFUL DIVERSITY OF EMPLOYEES CAN THRIVE, NOT JUST FUELED BY OUR OWN MOTIVATION, BUT BROUGHT TOGETHER WORKING SOMEWHERE THAT ENABLES US TO BRING OUR BEST SELVES AND GIVE OUR BEST EFFORT TO THIS ORGANIZATION.
I'M SURE SOME OR ALL OF YOU HAVE BEEN TO ONE OF THE EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION EVENTS THIS YEAR, WHERE WE HONOR EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE BEEN WITH THE DISTRICT FOR FIVE, 10, 15, OR EVEN 20 YEARS.
I LOOK FORWARD TO BEING ONE OF THOSE EMPLOYEES ONE DAY, BUT WE NEED SUPPORT FROM MANAGEMENT TO ACHIEVE THE WORK LIFE BALANCE NEEDED TO STAY FOR THE LONG HAUL.
PART OF THE REASON I TOOK THIS JOB IS BECAUSE IT OFFERED A HYBRID SCHEDULE, AND I SPENT THE FIRST 3.5 YEARS HERE WORKING SUCCESSFULLY WITH THE TELEWORK SCHEDULE, UTILIZING THE EXISTING TELEWORK POLICY.
I AM HOPEFUL THAT IN THIS PERIOD OF TRANSITION, THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRIDGE THE RIFT BETWEEN STAFF AND MANAGEMENT IS NOT OVERLOOKED.
I URGE THE BOARD TO DIRECT MANAGEMENT TO RETURN TO THE STATUS QUO ANTE AND REINSTATE A TELEWORK POLICY THAT IS COMPARABLE TO OTHER BAY AREA PUBLIC SECTOR AGENCIES THAT OFFER TELEWORK. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS PHILLIP RICH, AND I'M A LONG TERM EAST BAY RESIDENT.
THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD AND EVERYONE GATHERED HERE.
I COME TODAY TO ASK AS AN APPEAL THAT THIS GROUP REPEAL THE DEATH SENTENCE GIVEN TO LAKE TEMESCAL.
LAKE TEMESCAL HAS BEEN STUDIED AND STUDIED.
IT STARTED AS A RESERVOIR WITH A DEPTH OF 60-70 FEET.
EACH YEAR, THE RAINS BRING SILT AND DEBRIS INTO THE LAKE.
IS CURRENT DEPTH AVERAGES 6-7 FEET, PROBABLY LESS WITH EACH ATMOSPHERIC RIVER THAT PASSES THROUGH THE BAY AREA.
IN 2019, AN EXHAUSTIVE STUDY WAS PERFORMED EXAMINING THE PROBLEMS AT LAKE TEMESCAL AND WHAT IT WOULD ENTAIL TO CORRECT THEM.
IT CALLED FOR DREDGING THE LAKE TO AN AVERAGE DEPTH OF 20-30 FEET TO MITIGATE THE CURRENT PROBLEMS OF TOXIC ALGAE BLOOMS, DILUTION OF THE SEWAGE SPILLS, AND TO PREVENT THE LAKE FROM DYING A SLOW DEATH AND TURNING INTO A MOSQUITO RIDDEN SWAMP.
THE CURRENT BUDGET HAS A SOLITARY LINE ITEM, FOR $800,000 TO YET AGAIN STUDY THE PROBLEM.
IN THE FIVE YEAR BUDGET, THERE ARE NO FUNDS DEDICATED TO ACTUALLY ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AND SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
THE DECISION TO STUDY IT YET AGAIN IS A DECISION TO LET THE LAKE DIE THROUGH INACTION WITHOUT LEAVING ANYONE'S FINGERPRINTS ON IT.
I URGE THE BOARD NOT TO SPEND THE MONEY TO STUDY THE PROBLEM YET AGAIN, BUT TO COMMIT OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEAR BUDGET CYCLE TO FIRM PLANS TO A STAGE SOLUTION AND DREDGE THE LAKE AND RESTORE ITS HEALTH.
[00:15:03]
THANK YOU.>> MARGARET. THIS LAKE TEMESCAL ITEM IS ACTUALLY ABOUT THE BUDGET, SO I'M GOING TO MOVE IT TO THE BUDGET PORTION, NOT THIS ITEM.
>> I APPRECIATE THE COMMENT, BUT IT'S NOT ABOUT THAT ITEM.
IF I CAN PROCEED, I'LL EXPLAIN.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. I DO APPRECIATE IT.
HELLO, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND EVERYONE ELSE GATHERED AROUND.
I TRULY APPRECIATE YOUR ATTENTION TODAY.
ATTENTION MAKES SO MUCH DIFFERENCE.
I'M SPEAKING AS A FRIEND OF LAKE TEMESCAL.
LATER IN THE MEETING, YOU ARE TAKING UP AN ALTERNATIVE PROPOSAL FOR THE 2026 BUDGET AND THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN.
SO FAR, NEITHER THE ALTERNATIVE PROPOSAL NOR THE ORIGINAL PROPOSAL INCLUDES ENOUGH FUNDING TO RESTORE LAKE TEMESCAL.
THAT'S WHY I'M SPEAKING NOW ON AN ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA.
LAKE TEMESCAL FRANKLY DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE ON THE AGENDA AT LEAST TO THE LEVEL THAT IT NEEDS FUNDING OVER THE NEXT FIVE-YEAR CYCLE FOR FULL RESTORATION.
WE EXHORT YOU TO REVISE THE PROJECT LIST TO ALLOCATE FUNDS TO COMPLETE THE DREDGE PROJECT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
WE EXHORT YOU TO HAVE THE DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET REVISED TO SHOW THAT THE DISTRICT INTENDS TO COMPLETE THE DREDGE PROJECT, NOT AS STATED IN THE CURRENT DESCRIPTION, TBD, WHICH STANDS, OF COURSE, FOR REMAINS TO BE DECIDED.
WE WOULD LIKE YOU, WE URGE YOU, WE EXHORT YOU TO DECIDE IN THIS BUDGET CYCLE TO DO THE WORK NEEDED TO SAVE THE LAKE.
OF COURSE, YOU HAVE TO CONSIDER VARIOUS COMPETING NEEDS AS YOU ADOPT ANY NEW BUDGET.
THE FRIENDS OF LAKE TEMESCAL UNDERSTAND THAT.
SOMETIMES THE BALANCE YOU HAVE TO CONSIDER FAVORS DEVELOPING A NEW ACQUISITION.
SOMETIMES THE BALANCE FAVORS REMODELING A NEW BUILDING, SO THERE'S SPACE FOR ALL THE EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE TO WORK THERE.
MAYBE THE MAINTENANCE OF AN OLD PARK GETS KICKED DOWN THE ROAD.
AS YOU MAY BE AWARE, ALL OF THE PARK DISTRICT'S PREVIOUS BUDGETS COMPLETELY OMITTED THE LAKE TEMESCAL PROJECT.
FOR OVER A DECADE, THE DISTRICT HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE WORSENING WATER QUALITY AT THE LAKE.
SINCE 2019, THE DISTRICT HAS KNOWN HOW TO FIX IT, AND IT INCLUDES LEGITIMATE COST ESTIMATES FOR DOING SO.
NOW YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO A GOOD THING.
AS LAKE TEMESCAL CONTINUES TO DEGRADE, HALF MEASURES ARE INADEQUATE.
FURTHER DELAY IN PROPERLY MAINTAINING THIS ORIGINAL HISTORIC PARK MUST NOT HAPPEN ON YOUR WATCH.
FIXING LAKE TEMESCAL LIES WITH YOU.
THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES, THOUSANDS OF WORKING ADULTS, THOUSANDS OF SENIORS LOVE LAKE TEMESCAL.
ALL OF US HAVE PLACED OUR TRUST IN YOU. THANK YOU.
>> THANKS VERY MUCH. MY NAME IS JEFF LAWRENCE.
I TOO, I'M A MEMBER OF THE FRIENDS OF LAKE TEMESCAL GROUP, AND I WON'T REPEAT WHAT MY TWO PREVIOUS COLLEAGUES HAVE SAID, BUT I DID WANT TO BRING TO LIGHT A LETTER THAT I THINK THE BOARD RECEIVED THIS WEEK FROM THE MAYOR OF OAKLAND.
I DON'T INTEND TO READ THAT LETTER.
BUT I DID WANT TO READ ONE PARAGRAPH.
THE PARAGRAPH WAS, WE URGE THE DISTRICT BOARD TO COMMIT TO RESTORING LAKE TEMESCAL, INCREASED FUNDING IN THE CAPITAL PROJECTS BUDGET FOR 2026 TO IMPLEMENT THE LAKE TEMESCAL DREDGING PROJECT AND DIRECT THE STAFF TO IMMEDIATELY ESTABLISH A TIMELINE TO COMPLETE THE DREDGING PROJECT AND PREPARE A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL.
THIS LETTER WAS SIGNED BY THE MAYOR BY ZACH UNGER, DISTRICT 1 CITY COUNCIL PERSON, CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLY WOMAN BUFFY WICKS, AND BY OUR CALIFORNIA STATE SENATOR JESSE ARREGUÍN.
THIS IS A REMARKABLY UNANIMOUS SUPPORT FOR THIS PROJECT FROM OUR LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS.
I HOPE THAT YOU TAKE THIS NOTICE TO HEART.
I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY,
[00:20:02]
THIS IS A QUEUE IT'S AN EXISTENTIAL QUESTION.DO WE WANT A LAKE THERE OR DO WE NOT WANT A LAKE THERE? WE DON'T NEED MORE CUSTOMER SURVEYS.
WE HAVE TO DECIDE, YES, WE WANT THAT LAKE TO STAY OR NO, WE WANT THAT LAKE TO GO AWAY.
>> PRESIDENT MACARIO. IT DOES APPEAR THAT PEOPLE ARE SPEAKING ABOUT AN ITEM THAT'S INCLUDED IN THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET AS WELL AS THE BUDGET.
IF YOU WANT TO GIVE SOME DIRECTION AS TO WHEN THAT ITEM WILL BE TAKEN UP AND WHEN THE COMMENTS THAT ARE BASED ON THAT WOULD BE MORE.
>> WE'RE GETTING ADVICE HERE THAT THE TEMESCAL ITEM IS CONSIDERED TO BE PART OF THE BUDGET.
WE RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT YOU SPEAK TO THAT ITEM WHEN THAT ITEM COMES UP.
IT WILL BE IN THE, WHERE IS THAT HERE?
>> ITEM B1. IT'S DOWN THE SO LET'S JUST KEEP THAT IN MIND HERE.
I'D LIKE YOU TO JUST RESPECTFULLY FOLLOW THAT REQUEST.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, BOARD MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS JEFFREY BERNEFORD, AND I LIVE IN ALAMEDA.
I WOULD LIKE TO START OFF WITH A TWO AND ONE IMPROMPTU POLL, INVOLVING EVERYONE GATHERED HERE THIS AFTERNOON WITH THE SHOW OF HANDS, WHO HERE KNOW WHAT THE REDWOOD VALLEY IS AND HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE PURCHASED THE TICKET AND RIDDEN IT? ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH, I DROVE UP FISH RANCH ROAD, TURNED RIGHT ON GRIZZLY PEAK, WOUND UP AT THE TILDEN PARK STEAM TRAINS AT THE REDWOOD VALLEY RAILWAY, AND TREATED MYSELF TO REAL FUN.
WHILE WAITING IN THE LONG LINE FOR THE TRAIN TO RETURN, I ENGAGED WITH A FELLOW FROM GREECE, YANNI AND HIS SMALL SON SEBASTIAN.
HE WAS WHISTLING A FAMILIAR CLASSICAL TUNE, WHICH GAVE ME AN OPENING TO ENGAGE HIM.
HE WAS FROM GREECE, A TRUMPET PLAYER WITH A SON SEBASTIAN.
I PLAY THE FLUTE, SING, AND HAVE BEEN RIDING THIS TRAIN SINCE THE LATE 70S FOR ALMOST 45 YEARS.
YOUR TILDEN PARK PAMPHLET STATES THAT, SINCE 1952, THE REDWOOD VALLEY RAILWAY HAS BEEN OFFERING SCENIC RIDES ABOARD MINIATURE STEAM TRAINS THROUGH THE REDWOODS OF TILDEN PARK.
ERIC THOMPSON, A SUPERB MACHINIST, BUILT ENGINE ONE FROM SCRATCH IN HIS BASEMENT, NOT FAR FROM HERE IN BERKELEY.
KNOCKED DOWN A WALL TO EXTRACT SAID ENGINE, TO RUN ON SOME, NOT SURE HOW MUCH EXTENSIVE TRACKAGE IN 1952, 73 YEARS AGO.
A GOOD LEASE IS BENEFICIAL AND CRITICAL TO BOTH PARTIES.
THE PARK DISTRICT AND THE RAILROAD.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT PROCESS OCCURRED FOR DECADES.
MANY YEARS WITH THE OPTION OVER AND OVER AGAIN SUCCESSFULLY.
SEVEN YEARS AGO, THAT STOPPED.
IT IS NOW A MONTH TO MONTH, ZERO GUARANTEES.
IF YOU HAVE NOT RIDDEN THE TRAIN, BY ALL MEANS DO SO ON A SATURDAY OR A SUNDAY.
IT DOES REQUIRE SOME REAL EFFORT, THOUGH.
NO EMPTY SEATS, AND THE PARKING IS.
ALL THAT IS IN THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE, WE HAVE NOT YET EVEN PEEKED BEHIND THE CURTAIN TO SEE THE LONG LIST OF EXPENSIVE CAPITAL INVESTMENTS REQUIRED IN THE FUTURE TO KEEP THIS COMPLEX ENTITY VIABLE.
I IMPLORE YOU TO OFFER THE REDWOOD VALLEY RAILWAY A SUBSTANTIAL AND COMPREHENSIVE LEASE, ALLOWING THEM A SOLID FUTURE AND THE PUBLIC, 250,000 RIDERS ANNUALLY, SUCH A JOYFUL EXPERIENCE WITH GRATITUDE.
>> HI. MY NAME IS ELLEN THOMPSON.
I OWN REDWOOD VALLEY RAILWAY COMPANY, THE STEAM TRAIN IN TILDEN.
WE'VE BEEN THERE FOR 73 YEARS.
WE GET NO MONEY FROM THE DISTRICT, NO GRANTS, NO DONATIONS.
EVERYTHING THERE IS BUILT AND MAINTAINED WITH PRIVATE FUNDS.
IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING THE TRAINS,
[00:25:01]
THE TRACK, AND THE BUILDINGS, WE MAINTAIN THE MAJOR DRAINAGE AND EROSION CONTROL, PROVIDE THE LANDSCAPING, INCLUDING THE REDWOOD TREES.WE DO FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT, INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES REMOVAL, AND RARE SPECIES PROTECTION, ALL AT PRIVATE EXPENSE.
TRYING TO ENSURE THAT THE STEAM TRAIN CAN OPERATE FOR MANY MORE YEARS INTO THE FUTURE AND MEET THE HUGELY INCREASING ATTENDANCE BY PARK PATRONS.
TO DO THAT, WE HAVE TO MAKE MANY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS WHICH REQUIRE PERMITTING FROM THE COUNTY.
BUT WE CAN'T DO THAT WITHOUT OUR DISTRICT LEASE.
BUT NOW WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO RENEW OUR LEASE WITH THE DISTRICT FOR SEVEN YEARS WITH ONLY LIMITED SUCCESS.
IN THAT SEVEN YEARS, THE STAFF PEOPLE WE TRY TO WORK WITH HAVE CHANGED 12 TIMES IN SEVEN YEARS.
IN RECENT WEEKS, THERE HAS BEEN A FLURRY OF EFFORT BY THE STAFF, BUT NOW WE'RE BEING ASKED TO ABANDON A LEASE DOCUMENT THAT HAS BEEN POLISHED AND PERFECTED FOR 73 YEARS IN FAVOR OF A NEW ONE THAT'S WRITTEN WITH NO EXPERIENCE OF OUR SITUATION.
NOW WE'RE BEING TOLD, JUST SIGN THIS PART, AND THEN WE'LL HAVE MEETINGS WITHOUT YOU AND WE'LL ADD STUFF THAT YOU HAVEN'T SEEN YET AFTER YOU'VE ALREADY SIGNED.
THAT IS NOT A GOOD LEGAL PLAN.
A GOOD WORKING DRAFT WAS CREATED SEVEN YEARS AGO, BUT NOW THE STAFF WANT TO IGNORE IT.
WE ALSO HAVE A LONG-TERM WRITTEN LEGAL COMMITMENT FROM THE DISTRICT REGARDING THE PROPERTY THAT'S BEEN FOLLOWED MUTUALLY FOR 60 YEARS, AND NOW THE STAFF IS CLAIMING THAT IT DOESN'T EXIST.
WE'RE NOT ASKING FOR MONEY, BUT ONLY THE ABILITY TO KEEP SERVING THE PUBLIC.
WITH NO LEGAL PROTECTION, WE WOULD HAVE TO PICK UP EVERYTHING AND LEAVE.
IN THE PAST, CONCESSIONAIRES HAVE BEEN FORCED OUT OF THE PARK BY DISTRICT STAFF, SOMETIMES BY ILLEGAL MEANS.
WE'VE ALREADY LOST HALF A DOZEN ATTRACTIONS THAT USED TO BE IN TILDEN.
WE EVEN ALMOST LOST THE MERRY GO ROUND UNTIL THE PUBLIC ROSE UP AND SAID, NO, I HOPED IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN TO US, BUT HERE WE ARE.
RECENTLY, THE BOARD HAS STATED THAT IT IS A PRIORITY FOR THEM TO PRESERVE CULTURAL AND NATURAL ASSETS.
AFTER 73 YEARS, I HOPE THAT THE TRAINS ARE THE CULTURAL ASSET THAT THE PUBLIC SEEMS TO THINK THEY ARE.
I NEED TO KNOW IF THE PRESENT SITUATION HAS BEEN SOME LONG-TERM DISTRICT POLICY TO ELIMINATE THE REMAINING ATTRACTIONS IN TILDEN, A PERSONAL AGENDA OR JUST NEGLIGENCE.
I'M AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION AT ANY TIME.
>> HELLO, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS AMELIA MARSHALL.
I'M SPEAKING FROM THE HEART TODAY.
I'D LIKE TO SAY A BIG THANK YOU TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND TO THE BROTHERS AND SISTERS FROM ASME LOCAL 2428 FOR TAKING THE NECESSARY STEPS TO PUT THE DISTRICT BACK ON THE RIGHT PATH AND OUT OF THE DARKNESS.
YOU ARE THE BEST AND COURAGEOUS BOARD OF DIRECTORS I'VE SEEN IN 26 YEARS AS A VOLUNTEER.
I'VE WATCHED WITH DISMAY AND GRIEF OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS AS DISTRICT MANAGEMENT HAS SUNK INTO AUTHORITARIANISM.
THERE HAS BEEN AN ATMOSPHERE OF INTIMIDATION FOR STAFF.
PEOPLE WERE TREATED AS THOUGH THEY WERE INTERCHANGEABLE PARTS IN A MACHINE, AND NO ONE'S PERSONAL TALENTS AND PREFERENCES WERE SEEMINGLY RECOGNIZED, APPRECIATED, OR RESPECTED.
IT WOULD BE DELIGHTFUL NOW IF SOME OF THE WONDERFUL STAFF WHO WERE FORCED OUT COULD RETURN TO THE DISTRICT.
IT WOULD BE WONDERFUL IF THE BEAUTIFUL AGENCY CULTURE AND CAMARADERIE THAT PREVAILED PRIOR TO 2021 COULD BE RESTORED.
THERE ARE A COUPLE OF BAD IDEAS THAT NEED TO BE REFUTED.
FIRST, THE PARK DISTRICT IS NOT A MUNICIPAL AGENCY.
IT'S A NATIONAL LEADER AMONG PARK AGENCIES.
SPEAKING AS A LONGTIME OAKLAND RESIDENT, I COULD TESTIFY THAT REORGANIZING THE PARK DISTRICT SO THAT IT RESEMBLES THE CITY OF OAKLAND WAS A SINGULARLY BAD IDEA.
CONSTRUCTING A TOP HEAVY MANAGEMENT TIER, [APPLAUSE] WHILE THERE OUR SKELETON CREWS IN THE FIELD WAS ALSO A SINGULARLY BAD IDEA.
SECOND, THE PAST CANNOT BE ERASED, NOR SHOULD IT BE.
GONE ARE THE DAYS OF ALBERT VALE AND RICHARD TRUDEAU, BUT THERE IS PLENTY TO BE LEARNED AND EMULATED FROM THE TENURES OF PAT O'BRIEN AND ROBERT DOYLE.
LET'S REPLACE SOME OF THOSE BOB WALKER LANDSCAPES THAT WERE SAVED FROM THE DUMPSTER.
IN CONCLUSION, I URGE THE BOARD TO RESCIND ORDINANCE 2022-12-312.
[00:30:06]
THIS WAS THE ENABLING CHANGE TO ORDINANCE 38 THAT GRANTED THE GENERAL MANAGER BROAD POWERS.IT WAS PRESENTED AS NECESSARY TO EFFECT THE BRIONES TRAILS PILOT, WHICH HAS SINCE CONCLUDED.
THIS ORDINANCE WAS PASSED IN THE TWILIGHT OF A PREVIOUS BOARD'S TENURE BEFORE THE MAJORITY OF THE PRESENT BOARD MEMBERS WERE IN OFFICE.
DIRECTOR ECCLES VOTED AGAINST IT.
RECENT EXPERIENCE HAS TAUGHT US THAT GENERAL MANAGERS CAN GO ROGUE.
BY RESCINDING THIS DECEMBER 2022 ORDINANCE, THE BOARD WILL HAVE MORE OVERSIGHT TO PREVENT RUNAWAY SPENDING AS THE DISTRICT RECOVERS FROM THE PAST FEW YEARS.
>> WILLIAM HUFF OR HUGH WILLIAM. HUFF. PERFECT.
>> THE MUSTACHE LOOKS REALLY BAD.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. STEVEN BOARD OF DIRECTORS, PRESIDENT MERCURIO, ACTING GENERAL MANAGER CORTON GENERAL COUNSEL.
MY NAME IS WILLIAM DANIEL HUFF, PRESIDENT OF AS LOCAL 2428, FIREFIGHTER, RESIDENT BERKELEY.
I APOLOGIZE THAT I'VE MISSED THE PAST SEVERAL MEETINGS.
I WAS GONE, AND I CAME BACK AND IT LOOKS LIKE A LOT HAPPENED DURING 3.5 WEEKS.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT OCCURRED IS ROUGHLY FOUR DAYS AGO, WE HAD A SYSTEM OUTAGE HERE AT THE DISTRICT.
I BRING THIS UP BECAUSE ASM MCAL 2428 HAS SPOKEN ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS ABOUT VACANCIES IN THAT DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING A CYBERSECURITY ADMINISTRATOR THAT HAS BEEN VACANT FOR OVER TWO YEARS.
SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR THAT'S BEEN VACANT FOR OVER A YEAR, BUSINESS ANALYST, ALSO OVER A YEAR, AND SYSTEMS MANAGER, WHICH HAS BEEN VACANT FOR A YEAR AND A HALF.
I DO NOT KNOW HOW COMPUTERS WORK, BUT I HAVE BEEN LED TO UNDERSTAND THAT OUTSIDE OF FIREFIGHTING.
COMPUTERS ARE VERY IMPORTANT FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE TO DO THEIR JOBS.
WE WOULD JUST LIKE TO RESPECTFULLY BRING UP AGAIN THAT THE CURRENT SITUATION WITH STAFFING IN OUR IT IS DEPARTMENT SEEMS RATHER UNTENABLE, ESPECIALLY IF THINGS LIKE THIS CAN OCCUR.
WE WOULD JUST LIKE TO REMIND AND ADVOCATE THAT THOSE POSITIONS BE FILLED.
ALSO, IT'S REALLY COOL WATCHING CIVICS WORK.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CAME TO SPEAK FROM ALL OVER THE PLACE.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME BACK AFTER MY THREE WEEK VACATION [APPLAUSE].
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. BOARD OF DIRECTORS, ACTING GENERAL MANAGER, GENERAL COUNSEL, AND CLERK OF THE BOARD.
MY NAME IS MEDO DARCY, AND I AM THE CHIEF STEWARD OF ASK LOCAL 2428, AND WILLIAM AND I PROBABLY SHOULD COORDINATE BETTER, BUT WE'RE ALL HERE TO DO OUR BEST.
I WANTED TO GIVE A LITTLE BIT MORE DETAIL ON WHAT WILLIAM JUST SPOKE ABOUT AND WANT TO REMIND THE BOARD OF THESE LONG TERM VACANCIES IN OUR IS DEPARTMENT THAT HAS STILL NOT BEEN FILLED AND WITH NO REASONABLE REASON FOR KEEPING THEM VACANT.
THIS HAS CREATED A DOMINO EFFECT WITH IS STAFF FEELING OVERWORKED AND PRESSURE TO GET THE WORK DONE WITHOUT BEING PROPERLY COMPENSATED OR SUPPORTED AND I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT MORE DETAIL.
FOR THE BUSINESS ANALYST, WE HAVE 322 DAYS VACANT FOR THE SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR, 418 DAYS VACANT, CYBERSECURITY ADMINISTRATOR, 688 DAYS VACANT.
OUR INFORMATION SUPPORT SERVICES TECHNICIAN HAS GONE THROUGH THREE ACTING CYCLES BECAUSE IT NEEDS TO FILL FOR POSITIONS THAT ARE ACTING IN OTHER VACANCIES, AND OUR NETWORK MANAGER HAS BEEN VACANT FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS, WAS JUST RECENTLY FILLED, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH HIM AS WELL AS A SORRY, THERE'S A SYSTEMS MANAGER AND NETWORK MANAGER.
APPLICATIONS MANAGER AND A SYSTEMS MANAGER.
I'LL GET IT RIGHT. AGAIN, ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH, THERE WAS A DISTRICT WIDE NETWORK OUTAGE.
THE FOLLOWING AREAS WERE AFFECTED WITH MOST NOT BEING AVAILABLE AT ALL OR ONLY INTERMITTENTLY AVAILABLE.
TIME CARDS, PAYROLL, PHONES, INTERNET, PRINTING, AND THE FINANCE SYSTEM.
THE OUTAGE LASTED FOR FOUR DAYS.
MUCH OF THE WORK THAT PEOPLE HAD TO DO WAS DELAYED AND TICKETS POURED INTO THE HELP DESK.
THE FIRST COMMUNICATION SENT OUT TO ALL DISTRICT EMPLOYEES WAS ON MONDAY 17 AT 3:42 P.M.
THIS HAPPENED ON THURSDAY 11:13, AND THERE WAS NO ANNOUNCEMENT OF THIS OUTAGE UNTIL MONDAY AT 3:42 PM.
AS AN EMPLOYEE WHO HAS BEEN HERE FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE EVER SEEN SO MANY HIGH LEVEL IT POSITIONS LEFT VACANT FOR YEARS AT A TIME AND ALL AT THE SAME TIME,
[00:35:01]
A NETWORK OUTAGE AFFECTING THE ENTIRE DISTRICT FOR LONGER THAN HOURS, CERTAINLY NOT DAYS, AND NO COMMUNICATION ABOUT THE OUTAGE, LETTING PEOPLE KNOW THAT THE SYSTEM AND COMMUNICATION ARE LIMITED FOR THESE FOUR DAYS.IT CAN'T BE A STRETCH TO ASSUME THAT HAD WE HAD MORE OF THESE POSITIONS FILLED, THIS WIDESPREAD DISRUPTIVE AND POTENTIALLY EXPENSIVE OUTAGE MAY NOT HAVE HAPPENED.
WE RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT THE BOARD DIRECT MANAGEMENT TO FILL THE POSITIONS THE BOARD HAS APPROVED IN THIS AND PREVIOUS BUDGET YEARS TO RESTORE THESE VITALLY NEEDED SERVICES, REINSTATE LONG DELAYED PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, REDUCE OR ELIMINATE INCREDIBLY EXPENSIVE CONTRACTING OUT FOR THIS WORK.
YOU MAY NOTICE THAT THERE IS A REQUEST IN THE BUDGET PROCESS FOR $450,000 OF CONTRACTING OUT WORK.
WE NEED THESE TO BE FILLED. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] MR. PRESIDENT.
THERE'S NO MORE PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> NEXT WE MOVE ON TO ANNOUNCEMENTS.
ARE THERE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS? NO ANNOUNCEMENTS.
MOVING NOW TO ITEM 8 BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD, THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
[CONSENT CALENDAR]
THIS IS THE POINT WHEN I ASK ANY OF THE DIRECTORS IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO PULL AN ITEM FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR TO BE CONSIDERED SEPARATELY.ARE THERE ANY REQUESTS FOR THAT?
>> WE HAVE A REQUEST TO PULL ITEM SIX. ANY OTHERS?
>> AND 11. ANY OTHERS? I WILL LOOK FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEMS 3, 06, AND 11, WHICH WILL BE CONSIDERED INDIVIDUALLY SEPARATELY.
DO YOU HAVE A MOTION FOR THAT? DO YOU HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR NOT INCLUDING ITEMS 3, 6, AND 11.
>> I HAVE ONE, DO YOU WANT TO SPEAK ON THE GENERAL CONSENT CALENDAR OR ITEMS 3, 6, OR 11.
>> ITEM 6 HAS BEEN PULLED SO THAT WILL BE SEPARATE.
GENERAL CONSENT, YOU CAN START NOW.
>> WILLIAM HUFF, PRESENT, ASKED ME LAL 2428.
BEFORE YOU APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR, I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THAT ITEMS 5 AND 7 BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO ALLOW FOR COMMENTS AND DISCUSSION ON THE ITEMS THAT CANNOT BE REASONABLY ADDRESSED IN THREE MINUTES.
THE REASON FOR THEM BEING IS THAT SOME OF THEM DO APPEAR TO ENCROACH ON ASK ME JOBS.
FOR EXAMPLE, I BELIEVE THIS IS THE ONE THAT WAS JUST PULLED.
THE ONE FOR THE CANOPY STUDIOS WEBSITE DESIGNER.
ASK ME 2428 HAS A JOB CLASSIFICATION FOR WEBSITE DESIGNER.
THERE IS ALSO NEED FOR WEBSITE REDESIGN AND I THINK A DESIGNER CAN ALSO REDESIGN.
THERE'S ALSO A REQUEST TO DO SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGIES, AND WE HAVE A PUBLIC INFORMATION SUPERVISOR THAT MANAGES SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGIES, CAMPAIGNS, AND CONTENT.
LASTLY, FOR MIGHTY CATALYST, THE EVALUATION OF THE INTERPRET REC.
I THINK THAT OUR FRIENDS SPEAKING ABOUT LAKE TEMESCAL DID A PRETTY GOOD JOB TALKING OR ASKING THE QUESTION WHY WE KEEP ON STUDYING THINGS INSTEAD OF PUTTING MONEY TOWARDS JUST FIXING THEM. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. AMELIA MARSHALL.
>> THANK YOU. I ALREADY SPOKE ON THIS.
>> MEDO DARCY. THIS IS PUBLIC COMMENT ON CONSENT AND IT'S NOT ON ITEMS 3, 6, OR 11.
>> WHICH IS ITEM 7. YOU CAN SPEAK.
ONE OF THE BAD THINGS THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS IS THAT THE WEBSITE WAS REDESIGNED TO MAKE THINGS HIDDEN FROM THE PUBLIC.
IN PARTICULAR, THE ACTIVITIES OF THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, SOME OF WHICH WERE CONTROVERSIAL.
I AM HOPING THAT NOW AS THE WEBSITE IS REDESIGNED, AGAIN, THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT PAGES ON EACH ACTIVITY WILL BE TRANSPARENT TO THE PUBLIC.
IF THEY HAD BEEN TRANSPARENT OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS,
[00:40:03]
PERHAPS SOME OF THE INAPPROPRIATE SPENDING WOULD HAVE BEEN CURTAILED BEFORE IT WENT OFF THE RAILS.I'M SAYING THIS IN REPRESENTATION OF THE REGIONAL PARK ASSOCIATION, A WATCHDOG ORGANIZATION. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
I AM ALSO ASKING THAT ITEM NUMBER 7.
I DON'T THINK THAT ONE WAS MENTIONED BE PULLED OFF THE AGENDA, AND I BELIEVE THAT IS THE WEB DESIGN, CORRECT? SORRY. THEY'RE ALL GOING TOGETHER.
THE REASON I'M REQUESTING THAT IS, I BELIEVE THIS IS ALSO ASK ME WORK.
WE ALSO ARE SEEING A PATTERN OF CONTRACTING OUT WORK FOR CONSULTANT SERVICES REPEATEDLY, AND WE FEEL THAT OUR WEBSITE WAS JUST REDESIGNED BACK IN 2021.
I THINK WE SPENT ABOUT $120,000 ON IT AND NOW WE'RE SPENDING 200 I'M SORRY, I'M SPEAKING ON THE WRONG ITEM.
NOW WE'RE SPENDING $142,000 ON IT.
I WOULD LIKE FOR THAT TO BE PULLED FURTHER DISCUSSION. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON THOSE 3, 05, 6, 7 OR 11? YES.
>> I'D LIKE TO REQUEST THAT WE PULL ITEMS 5 AND 7.
>> FIVE AND SEVEN, 3, 05, 6, 7, 11 NOT INCLUDED, BUT WE NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE ALL THE OTHERS.
>>I MOVE TO APPROVE 1, 2, 04, 6, 8, 9 AND 10.
>> JUST ALL THE ITEMS, BUT 3, 05, 6, 7, 11.
MOTION BY DE CHAMBA, SECOND? SECOND BY ECCLES.
ALL IN FAVOR. AYE. OPPOSED ABSTAIN.
IT CARRIES. WE'LL TAKE HIM IN ORDER.
>> YES. D 11. I THINK IT WILL BE SHORT.
>> WELL WE'RE GOING TO DO I JUST.
TAKE HIM IN ORDER. THAT'S THE BEST I CAN DO. ITEM THREE.
[3. Recommendation to Adopt Amendments to the Board Operating Guidelines in Response to Codified Legislation AB 769]
RECOMMENDATION TO ADOPT AMENDMENTS TO THE BOARD OPERATING GUIDELINES IN RESPONSE TO CODIFIED LEGISLATION AB 769.I HOPE MY VOICE HOLDS UP TODAY.
A LOT OF MY ITEMS HAVE BEEN CALLED. GOOD.
>> GOOD. I'M ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER ALISON BROOKS FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS.
ALISON BROOKS, AND THE FIRST ITEM TODAY IS AB 769, AND I WANTED TO REMIND THE BOARD OF THE MULTIPLE POINTS OF ENGAGEMENT THAT STAFF HAS BEEN INVOLVED ON MOVING THIS ITEM FORWARD SINCE 2023 AND MAYBE EARLIER.
I MIGHT NEED TO GET SOME WATER.
>> I CAN JUMP IN AND HELP OUT HERE.
>> I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT DATES, BUT THIS CAME TO YOUR BOARD AS PART OF OUR LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE AND PART OF A PACKAGE OF LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES THAT WE BROUGHT TO THAT COMMITTEE, AND THEN TO THE FULL BOARD WAS ADOPTED BY THE FULL BOARD AND THEN WENT THROUGH, BECAME STATE LEGISLATION AND WAS PASSED.
WE'RE FOLLOWING UP ON THE PASSAGE OF THAT STATE LEGISLATION TO COME BACK TO YOUR BOARD.
THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO INCREASE THE LIMIT FOR WHAT IS DELEGATED TO THE GENERAL MANAGER UP TO $150,000 FROM I BELIEVE $50,000 RIGHT NOW? THAT'S WHAT THIS ITEM IS.
>> THANKS, MAX. THAT WAS GREAT.
>> I HAVE A SERIES OF DATES WHERE THE TEAM HAS BROUGHT IT FORWARD FOR REVIEW SINCE 2023, WHEN INITIAL DISCUSSIONS WITH BOARD MEMBERS REGARDING THIS ADMINISTRATIVE LIMIT WAS INTRODUCED.
THE BOARD LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON DECEMBER 11, 2024, REVIEWED PROPOSED LEGISLATION AND DISCUSSED GOALS FOR THE STATE ADVOCACY CONFERENCE, JANUARY 28, 2025, AT THE STATE ADVOCACY CONFERENCE, INCLUDING DISCUSSIONS WITH THE BILL AUTHOR AND LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION
[00:45:04]
REGARDING THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION ON ARTICLE 3 OF THE PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE, FEBRUARY 5, 2025, BOARD LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE DISCUSSED HAD A DISCUSSION ON PROPOSED LEGISLATIVE LANGUAGE ACCOMPANIED BY A POLICY REPORT.DRAFT LEGISLATIVE LANGUAGE AND A DETAILED BREAKDOWN OF AMENDMENTS, FEBRUARY 2025, INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBER DISCUSSIONS REGARDING SPONSORED LEGISLATION AND ALL PROPOSED AMENDMENTS.
AGAIN, IN FEBRUARY, FULL BOARD DISCUSSION ON SPONSORED LEGISLATION, SUPPORTED BY A POLICY REPORT, DRAFT LEGISLATIVE LANGUAGE AND A BREAKDOWN OF AMENDMENTS.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS VOTED TO SPONSOR THE LEGISLATION, PROVIDING DIRECTION TO STAFF ON THE LANGUAGE.
IN MAY, A MEMO UPDATE ON THE STATUS OF THE SPONSORED LEGISLATION PROVIDED TO THE BOARD, AND THEN FROM FEBRUARY TO NOW, THE BOARD LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE RECEIVED REGULAR VERBAL UPDATES ON THE SPONSORED LEGISLATION AS IT PROGRESSED THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.
>> DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? GO AHEAD.
>> THE FEBRUARY 2025 VOTE BY THE FULL BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
I BELIEVE THAT WAS A 43 VOTE IN SUPPORT OF THIS.
I DON'T I DON'T HAVE THE THE VOTE I WAS.
THEN I KNOW JUST LAST WEEK THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE WE ALSO REVIEWED THIS AND IT ENDED UP BEING A SPLIT VOTE OF ONE TO ONE IN REGARDS TO SUPPORTING THIS.
I GUESS MY QUESTION IS, IF THIS DOESN'T PASS TODAY, IT DOESN'T MEAN IT CAN'T COME BACK IN THE FUTURE, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
>> I HAVE A QUESTION. I THINK I GOT THE ANSWER EARLIER, BUT ON THE RECORD, MY UNDERSTANDING IS IT AUTHORIZES US TO DO THIS, BUT WE DON'T HAVE TO, AND WE COULD DO ANYTHING IN BETWEEN, PARTICULARLY ON THE ONE ISSUE, THE PROCUREMENT ISSUE.
I HAVE THE AUTHORITY, AND THE OTHER QUESTION I HAVE IS UPDATING OUR BOARD, OPERATING GUIDELINES, I BELIEVE, IS SOMETHING WE'RE GOING TO STILL BE DOING IN THE FUTURE FOR OTHER ITEMS.
>> OTHER THAN THAT, MY QUESTION IS THERE AN URGENCY TO DO THIS TODAY?
>> WELL, IT'S STATE LAW, SO IT'S A MATTER OF WHETHER THE BOARD WOULD LIKE TO BE ALIGNED WITH STATE LAW.
>> I GUESS THE OTHER PIECE OF IT IS THAT EVERY TIME WE BRING AN ITEM, IT'S AN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS.
WE CAN DO IT AGAIN, BUT TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE PROCESS WHEN WE HAVE IT IS ALWAYS HELPFUL.
I GUESS THE OTHER THING IS IF THERE'S DIRECTION FROM YOUR BOARD ON SOMETHING YOU'D LIKE TO SEE IN THE INTERIM, THAT'LL HELP YOU BE SUPPORTED BETTER FOR A FUTURE DECISION THAT'S HELPFUL AS WELL.
>> I DON'T KNOW WHETHER YOU WOULD REMEMBER YOU WEREN'T HERE WHEN WE SUBMITTED THIS.
>> I'M WONDERING IF WE SUBMITTED THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION ON THE DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY, WAS IT AT $250,000?
>> WE WENT FOR 200, I BELIEVE IT WAS A HIGHER AMOUNT.
>> THE BOARD APPROVED LEGISLATION THAT WENT UP TO 250.
I BELIEVE THE 43 VOTE YOU'RE REMEMBERING WAS ON THE PROVISION THAT AFFECTED OUR COMPENSATION.
WE SPLIT UP ON THAT, BUT NOT THE REST OF THIS IS MY MEMORY.
>> MY MEMORY IS THAT IT WAS ALL COMBINED IN ONE MOTION.
>> I THINK THE OTHER THING IS THAT WE NEGOTIATED WITH THE UNION OVER THE BILL'S LANGUAGE, AND SO SOME CHANGES, I BELIEVE, WERE MADE THROUGH THOSE NEGOTIATIONS.
>> THIS IS WHAT I WAS GOING TO POINT OUT THAT WE SUBMITTED LEGISLATION THAT WAS MUCH BROADER THAN IT ENDED UP COMING BACK TO US THROUGH THE STATE LEGISLATURE.
THEY CHANGED THE LANGUAGE AT THE COMMITTEE LEVEL ON THE AMOUNT, AND WE NEGOTIATED CHANGES WITH LABOR.
>> TO MAKE SURE THAT POTENTIALLY OUTSOURCING SERVICES WOULDN'T BE INCLUDED IN THIS SO WE DID A LOT OF WORK ON THIS.
>> WE DID A LOT OF WORK ON THIS AT THE BOARD LEVEL, AND WE DID TAKE IT ALL APART.
I THINK I SUPPORTED THE REST OF IT.
I DIDN'T SUPPORT THE COMPENSATION PROVISION, SO THAT RESULTED IN ANOTHER VOTE.
ANYWAY, ALL THAT ASIDE, THE STAFF AND BOARD PUT A LOT OF EFFORT INTO THIS.
I REMEMBER WHEN WE WENT TO SACRAMENTO TO
[00:50:01]
DISCUSS LAURIE WILSON'S LEGISLATION, WE EMPHASIZED IT.THE WHOLE POINT WAS, WE'RE NOT A LITTLE PARK DISTRICT.
IT WAS A SMALL BUDGET THAT MERITS A $50,000 LIMITATION.
I USE THE EXAMPLE IN THE COMMITTEE THAT WE GET THINGS LIKE A COUPLE OF TRUCKS THAT WE'RE GOING TO SPEND $75,000 ON, AND WE LOOK AT IT AND MAYBE READ A LITTLE ABOUT IT, BUT IT ISN'T CONTROVERSIAL, IT ISN'T REACHING POLICY LEVELS THAT AFFECT OUR ABILITY TO SET POLICY.
THESE ARE PURCHASES OF EQUIPMENT.
OUR STAFF, EVERY TIME THEY HAVE TO COME TO US WITH ONE OF THESE AGENDA ITEMS, HAS TO PUT A LOT OF WORK INTO THAT TO PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION.
OUR PACKET WILL SHRINK A BIT IF WE UP THIS ADMINISTRATIVE LEVY.
IT'S DECADES OLD, AND WE HAVE $370 MILLION ANNUAL EXPENSE BUDGET NOW.
I JUST THINK THAT WE'RE WAY BEHIND AT TIMES AND NEED TO IMPLEMENT THIS SO THAT WE LOWER OUR STAFF'S WORKLOAD TO PREPARE THESE PACKETS.
OUR TIME ISN'T USED UP EVERY TIME WE BUY A TRUCK.
I THINK I WOULD SUPPORT IT AND SUPPORT IT AT THE AMOUNT THAT THE LEGISLATURE REDUCED IT TO FROM WHAT WE PROPOSED.
>> I'M ACTUALLY LOOKING FOR QUESTIONS NOW, SO ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THIS, YES?
>> SURE, SO AM I CORRECT IN ASSUMING THAT THIS LEGISLATION SAYS THAT WE'RE RAISING THE LIMIT FROM $50,000 TO $150,000, BUT IT'S ONLY FOR PURCHASING EQUIPMENT, GOODS, AND SUPPLIES, WHICH WOULD EXCLUDE SOME OF THESE CONTRACTS WE HAVE FOR STUDIES AND CONSULTING FIRMS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, SO THAT REMAINS AT $50,000?
>> CORRECT, AND THAT WAS SOME OF THE INPUT AND CHANGES WE PUT IN AS A RESULT OF YOUR BOARD'S INPUT BEFORE.
>> MY ONLY COMMENT WOULD BE, PARDON ME.
>> NO, AND JUST TO ALSO ADDRESS THAT, YES, WE DID NEGOTIATE THIS WITH COUNSEL 57 AND REACHED AN AGREEMENT AND A COMPROMISE ON WHAT WAS ACTUALLY SUBMITTED, AND THEN THERE WERE REVISIONS THEREAFTER.
I ALSO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE A NEW LAW THAT GOES INTO EFFECT IN JANUARY THAT REQUIRES US TO GIVE 45 DAYS' NOTICE TO THE UNION WHEN WE'RE GOING TO CONTRACT OUT THEIR WORK SO THERE'S THIS ADDED LAYER IN ADDITION TO THE MMBA THAT REQUIRES US TO GIVE NOTICE TO THE UNION TO PROTECT THEIR BARGAINING UNIT WORK.
>> WELL, THEN, IN CONCLUSION, I WOULD SAY THAT HAVING WORKED HERE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, I LOVE THE FACT THAT I WOULD GET TO SEE GREAT PHOTOGRAPHS OF JASON MCCRYSTLE AND THE FLEET MANAGEMENT FOLKS BUYING MOWERS THAT ARE REMOTE AND GO UP HILLS AND THINGS THAT EAT TREES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
I LOVE SEEING THOSE PHOTOS, BUT I GUESS, DIRECTOR COFFEY, YOU'RE PROBABLY RIGHT.
>> YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO THAT ON YOUR OWN TIME.
>> I'M SURE THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF YOU.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THIS, YEAH.
I ACTUALLY WENT ONLINE AND FOUND IT LAST NIGHT, BUT WE HAVEN'T SEEN IT, NOT JUST TODAY.
WELL, TODAY WE'RE JUST RECOMMENDING ALIGNING THE PROCUREMENT PIECE.
BUT AB-769 ALSO CHANGED A NUMBER OF OTHER THINGS ABOUT HOW WE PURCHASE LAND AND THINGS LIKE THAT, AND I'M GLAD TO HEAR THAT THE UNION PIECE HAS BEEN HANDLED, SO WHATEVER THE VOTE, I GUESS IT'S A QUESTION.
CAN WE GET A COPY OF THE FINAL LANGUAGE, AND I'D LIKE TO UNDERSTAND ITS IMPACTS A LITTLE BIT MORE.
LIKE TODAY, TWO OF THE ITEMS THAT WERE PULLED.
ACTUALLY, SIX ITEMS WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ON OUR CONSENT, WHICH IS NICE.
WE HAVE A SHORTER LIST, BUT TWO OF THEM THAT HAD BEEN PULLED ON THE WEBSITE, AND ON ONE OF THE OTHER CONTRACTS, WE WOULDN'T HAVE BEFORE US.
MY QUESTION IS, HOW WOULD WE CONTINUE TO BE UPDATED ON SOME KEY ITEMS, LIKE A WEBSITE OVERHAUL IS PRETTY SIGNIFICANT IF WE RAISE THIS.
>> IF I GET ADDRESSED, THOSE ARE SERVICES, SO THEY WOULD NOT BE INCLUDED IN THIS [OVERLAPPING].
WHEN CONTRACTS FOR SERVICES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS INCREASED ADMIN LIMIT.
>> I STILL HAVE A LITTLE TO LEARN.
THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING THAT FOR ME.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON ITEM NUMBER THREE?
>> WE HAVE NO PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM.
>> NO PUBLIC COMMENT. COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD?
[00:55:01]
>> YES, I KNOW THAT WE WORKED MANY HOURS WITH LISA, AS FAR AS UNDERSTANDING THIS, AND JUST AS FAR AS BRINGING OUR DIFFERENT CONCERNS, AND THIS WAS ACTUALLY THE SECOND YEAR.
THIS WAS BROUGHT TO THE LEGISLATOR, AND THE FIRST TIME IS WE DIDN'T WORK WITH THE UNION SO AS FAR AS HAPPY TO LEARN FROM LISA, JUST AS FAR AS ABOUT THE NEGOTIATIONS AND WORKING WITH THE UNION TO FIND AS FAR AS A WAY WHERE WE COULD STILL LOOK AT DIFFERENT THINGS THAT COULD IMPACT THE UNION, BUT THEN ALSO HAVE THE ABILITY TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT, GOODS, AND SUPPLIES.
WHEN I READ THIS OVER, AND I SAW THAT, I THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD CHANGE OF LANGUAGE.
AS FAR AS I DO SUPPORT THE LANGUAGE AS IN HERE, AND JUST WANTED TO COMMENT THAT IT'S GOOD THAT WE WERE ABLE TO WORK IN PARTNERSHIP.
AS FAR AS DOING SOMETHING THAT'S GOOD FOR BOTH THE UNION AND THE PARK DISTRICT.
>> LAST WEEK AT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, I VOTED NO ON RECOMMENDING THIS TO THE BOARD BECAUSE I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE MODIFYING THE BOARD'S OPERATING GUIDELINES AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME, AND ALSO INCREASING THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCUREMENT THRESHOLD FOR THE GENERAL MANAGER WITHOUT HAVING A PERMANENT GENERAL MANAGER IN PLACE, AND I WOULD PREFER TO WAIT TO MAKE THIS DECISION.
I GUESS, ALSO IN TERMS OF THE AMOUNT, I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO BEST PHRASE THIS.
I KNOW THAT THERE'S ANOTHER DISPUTE THAT I'M WORKING THROUGH WITH THE PARTNER AGENCY THAT'S JUST SLIGHTLY MORE THAN THIS.
IT'S REALLY INTERESTING THAT WE'RE OKAY WITH THIS, BUT THEN WE STILL HAVE TO WORK THROUGH THIS OTHER DISPUTE FOR A SLIGHTLY GREATER AMOUNT.
>> THANKS. ANY OTHER COMMENTS? ALL THOSE WHO HAVE EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR THIS, I WOULD JUST AGREE WITH THE POINTS THAT THEY'VE MADE.
BUT I ALSO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT AGAIN, THERE'S BEEN A COLLABORATIVE PROCESS HERE, AND IT WASN'T EASY AND IT WASN'T FAST, BUT I ALSO LIKE THE IDEA.
THE FACT THAT MY PACKET IS GOING TO BE SMALLER IS SECONDARY HERE, REALLY, HONESTLY, BUT THE FACT THAT OUR STAFF, WHICH SPENDS WHO KNOWS HOW MANY HOURS ON EACH ONE OF THESE STAFF REPORTS, WON'T HAVE TO DO SO MANY OF THOSE, SO THEY CAN FOCUS ON, QUITE FRANKLY, PROBABLY THINGS THAT THEY'D RATHER BE DOING.
I THINK THAT'S WORTHWHILE THINKING ABOUT, SO WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING THIS, BASICALLY, EVERYBODY ELSE DOES IT OUT THERE IN THE PUBLIC WORLD.
I WOULD LOOK FOR A MOTION TO RECOMMEND THE AMENDMENTS TO THE BOARD'S OPERATING GUIDELINES.
MOTION MADE BY ECHOLS, SECONDED BY COFFEY.
THANK YOU, SO MOVING ON TO NUMBER 5.
[5. Authorization to Execute Contract for Professional Services with Mighty Catalyst LLC. in the Amount of $70,955; District-wide]
NUMBER 5 IS AUTHORIZATION TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES WITH MIGHTY CATALYST LLC IN THE AMOUNT OF $70,955.WE'RE GOING TO GET THE INSIDE SCOOP HERE.
I'M LISA GOORJIAN, THE ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER OF THE OPERATIONS DIVISION. I LOVE THE STOOL.
I'M JUST GOING TO GIVE A QUICK INTRODUCTION TO THIS BECAUSE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT GOES BACK A LITTLE BIT FARTHER THAN TODAY'S ACTION, AND IT'S A GOOD REMINDER FOR ME ABOUT HOW WE CAN BE MORE COMPLETE IN OUR BOARD STAFF REPORTS.
THIS ITEM IS ACTUALLY BASED ON OVER SIX YEARS OF EFFORT, REALLY BY THE BOARD'S INTEREST AND THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERPRETATION OF RECREATION,
[01:00:02]
TO FOCUS OUR EFFORTS ON HOW TO ENHANCE DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION EFFORTS IN OUR PROGRAM DELIVERY AND ATTENDANCE.LAST FALL, IN OCTOBER OF 2024, THERE WAS A PRESENTATION.
WE GAVE A PRESENTATION AT THE BOARD OPERATIONS COMMITTEE ON THE WORK THAT HAD BEEN DONE BY THE DIVISION.
IN COLLABORATION, WE HAD WORKED WITH SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY TO HELP US LOOK AT OUR DEMOGRAPHICS AND TELL US A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT WHO WE WERE SERVING.
AS A RESULT OF THAT, WE WERE ABLE TO LEARN WHAT OUR EXISTING CONDITIONS WERE, AND THEY GAVE US SOME RECOMMENDATIONS ON NEXT STEPS ABOUT HOW TO BETTER UNDERSTAND WHO WE WERE SERVING AND THEN HOW TO SERVE THEM, AND SO THAT WAS DONE LAST.
WE PRESENTED THAT TO THE BOARD OPERATIONS COMMITTEE LAST OCTOBER, AND ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS WAS REALLY TO LOOK AT HOW WE CAN THINK ABOUT HOW WE'RE EVALUATING OUR PROGRAMS BECAUSE THAT WILL HELP US UNDERSTAND WHO WE'RE SERVING AND HOW TO SERVE BETTER.
WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO SANDI FUNKE, WHO'S THE DIVISION LEAD OF INTERPRETATION AND RECREATION, TO TALK ABOUT THE ITEM THAT'S IN FRONT OF YOU TODAY, BUT I HOPE THAT PROVIDES SOME FRAMING OF HOW WE GOT HERE.
>> THANK YOU, LISA. I LIKE THE STOOL, TOO.
SANDI FUNKE, I'M THE DIVISION LEADER FOR INTERPRETATION AND RECREATION.
THE ITEM IN FRONT OF YOU IS TO GO AHEAD AND ACCEPT A CONTRACT WITH MIGHTY CATALYST.
MIGHTY CATALYST IS AN EVALUATION FIRM, SO WHAT THEY WOULD BE DOING IS THEY WOULD BE HELPING US IN OUR DIVISION REALLY FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN EVALUATE THE LEARNING OUTCOMES OF OUR PROGRAM.
WHAT ARE PEOPLE LEARNING? WHAT ARE THEY ABLE TO DO? WHAT DO THEY KNOW FROM DOING OUR PROGRAMS? WE HAVE DONE AD-HOC EVALUATION IN OUR DIVISION, LITTLE SURVEYS HERE, LITTLE STUDIES THERE.
BUT NOTHING TO MY KNOWLEDGE OVER OUR 91 YEARS HAVE WE TAKEN A STEP BACK AND SAID, WHAT ARE WE ACTUALLY TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH WITH OUR PROGRAMS? WHAT DO WE WANT PEOPLE TO FEEL, LEARN, AND DO? WE DID PUT OUT AN RFP.
WE HAD 14 PROPOSALS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
I'M HAPPY TO SAY THAT THE GROUP WE FOUND IS A WOMAN-OWNED, MINORITY OWNED BUSINESS RIGHT HERE IN BERKELEY, AND IT'S HEADED UP BY DR. NICOLE YAN.
NICOLE'S TEAM, THERE ARE SEVERAL PEOPLE ON THE TEAM THAT ARE SOCIOLOGISTS AND PHDS THAT REALLY UNDERSTAND HOW TO DEVELOP LOGIC MODELS AND THEORIES OF CHANGE, AND THEN WORK WITH OUR TEAM AND OUR STAKEHOLDERS, AND OUR COMMUNITY TO TAKE US THROUGH THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING LEARNING METRICS SO WE CAN MEASURE WHAT WE'RE DOING.
THE CONTRACT WILL TAKE US THROUGH DEVELOPING THE PLAN THIS YEAR, REALLY TIGHTENING UP AND DEVELOPING SOME METRICS WE CAN UTILIZE, SO THAT THEN COMING INTO NEXT YEAR, WE HAVE THESE METRICS READY TO MEASURE OUR OUTCOMES AND ALSO HELP US GO BACK TO OUR TEAMS AND SAY, WOW, WHAT ARE WE DOING GOOD AT? HOW CAN WE REALLY HAVE MORE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND WHERE DO WE WANT TO IMPROVE? THE IDEA IS THAT IT WOULD BE A COMPLETELY COLLABORATIVE PROCESS WITH MY TEAM AND WITH STAKEHOLDERS.
I'M HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS IF THAT'S OKAY.
>> ANY QUESTIONS FOR SANDI TODAY?
>> WAS THIS REVIEWED BY THE OPERATIONS COMMITTEE, AND IF SO, WHAT HAPPENED IN THAT REVIEW?
>> THIS CONTRACT WAS NOT, BUT WE HAVE GONE TO THE OPERATIONS COMMITTEE AT THE PREVIOUS WORK THAT WE DID WITH SAN FRANCISCO STATE, AND WE DID LOOK AT THE FINDINGS FROM SAN FRANCISCO STATE AT THAT TIME.
THEN MY NEXT QUESTION IS, CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE PARKS FOUNDATION GRANT THAT WILL BE FUNDING THIS?
>> SURE, THAT'S THE PARKS FOUNDATION GRANT THAT WOULD BE FUNDING THIS.
IT WOULD START JANUARY 1ST, AND THAT'S WHY WE DID A BUNCH OF WORK THIS YEAR TO GET THIS READY SO THAT THE WHOLE PLAN AND ALL OF THE WORK WILL HAPPEN IN 2026.
>> I KNOW WE'VE RECENTLY GONE THROUGH A CHANGE WITH OUR VISITOR CENTER STAFF IN REGARDS OF HAVING TO RECLASSIFY INTERPRETIVE STUDENT AIDES AND ALSO HAVE SEASONAL EMPLOYEES ALSO HAVE THEIR WORK CLASSIFICATION CHANGE AND ALSO BE A PART OF OUR ASME 2428 UNION.
DO YOU ANTICIPATE THAT WHEN WE THINK ABOUT OUR VISITOR CENTER STAFF, THAT WE MAY ENCOUNTER SOME PROBLEMS WITH NOT HAVING ENOUGH STAFF TO IMPLEMENT SOME OF THE PROGRAMS OR SOME OF THE GOALS THAT WE MAY WANT TO IMPLEMENT AS PART OF THIS EVALUATION?
>> THE EVALUATION IS REALLY LOOKING AT LEARNING OUTCOMES.
IT'S REALLY OF THE PROGRAMS WE ARE PROVIDING,
[01:05:03]
WHAT DIFFERENCES ARE WE MAKING WITH OUR PARTICIPANTS.I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT WOULD REALLY AFFECT THIS PROJECT AT ALL.
I WILL SAY THE WORKING GROUP THAT WE'VE ALREADY SET UP AHEAD OF TIME INCLUDES BOTH REPRESENTED AND MANAGEMENT.
WE'RE EXCITED TO HAVE WE GO ALL THE WAY DOWN.
WE DO HAVE NO PART TIME, BUT FULL TIME STAFF INVOLVED.
WE'VE HAD COORDINATORS AND NATURALISTS AS PART OF EVEN THIS PROCESS AS STAKEHOLDERS, AND I WILL SAY IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT WHEN WE CHOSE THIS FIRM THAT WE FOUND A FIRM THAT REALLY UNDERSTOOD THAT THIS HAS TO INVOLVE ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS, ALL THE STAFF, AS WELL AS THE COMMUNITY, AND THAT WAS ONE OF THE REASONS THIS PARTICULAR GROUP REALLY ROSE TO THE TOP.
>> JUST PUT A DIFFERENT WAY. IN 2026, DO WE ANTICIPATE HAVING THE SAME LEVEL OF STAFFING AT ACROSS OUR VISITOR CENTERS, OR MIGHT IT BE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT FROM 2025?
>> THIS PROPOSAL REALLY ISN'T RELATED TO STAFFING.
THIS PROPOSAL IS REALLY ABOUT A CONTRACT TO HELP US ASSESS THE PROGRAMS WE DO OFFER AND THE LEARNING OUTCOMES OF THOSE PROGRAMS.
>> I DEFINITELY LOVE THE IDEA OF GETTING MORE FEEDBACK ON WHAT ARE THEY LEARNING SO THAT WE CAN DETERMINE IF WE'RE SUCCESSFUL.
BUT EVALUATIONS AND THE QUESTIONS WOULD ONLY BE AS GOOD AS THE QUESTIONS ASKED.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT INPUT WE'LL HAVE.
BUT AS FAR AS OUR MISSION VERSUS JUST SAYING, DID YOU KNOW WE HAVE STABLES, YES OR NO, VERSUS DID YOU LEARN MORE ABOUT EQUINE THERAPY, OR PERHAPS DID YOU LEARN WHAT I'VE DONE AT SOME OF MY WORKSHOPS BEFORE, DO YOU KNOW WHAT CAUSES CLIMATE CHANGE? NO, AND THEN AFTERWARDS, DO YOU KNOW MORE ABOUT WHAT CAUSES CLIMATE CHANGE? DID YOU KNOW WE HAD ENDANGERED SPECIE TURNS? NOW, DO YOU KNOW WHERE THEY MIGRATE FROM? WILL THE QUESTIONS BE ABLE TO INFLICT OUR MISSION INTO IT SO THAT WE REALLY UNDERSTAND THAT PEOPLE ARE LEARNING, NOT JUST ABOUT SERVICES, BUT ABOUT THE NATURAL RESOURCES?
>> ABSOLUTELY. THIS ALL STARTS WITH OUR MISSION.
IT STARTS WITH ALL OF OUR FOUNDATION DOCUMENTS AT THE SITES.
THAT'S WHY WE HAVE PHDS HELPING US BECAUSE IF WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO DO X, Y, AND Z, WE NEED THE LITERATURE TO BACK IT UP THAT THESE ARE THE TYPES OF QUESTIONS YOU WOULD ASK TO GET AT THAT.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THIS ONE? NO.
>> ANY COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD AT THIS TIME?
>> YEAH. THANKS SO MUCH FOR GOING OVER THIS AND REVIEWING IT.
I THINK IT'S REALLY WONDERFUL THAT THE PARK FOUNDATION HAS THE GRANT TO SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM.
I'M HAPPY TO SUPPORT IT, BY THE WAY. I'LL STATE.
HOWEVER, I DO HAVE SOME CONCERNS IN ORDER FOR US TO BE ABLE TO OFFER PROGRAMMING THAT WE CAN EVALUATE, WE DO WANT TO ALSO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE STAFF WHO OFFERS THAT PROGRAMMING.
I KNOW WE'RE IN A TRANSITION PERIOD IN TERMS OF WHAT WE FORMALLY HAD IN REGARDS TO INTERPRETIVE STUDENT AIDS AND SEASONAL WORKERS.
I KNOW FOR MYSELF PERSONALLY WHEN I HAVE VISITED OUR VISITOR CENTERS, I MEET AND INTERACT WITH A LOT OF THE PREVIOUS CLASSIFIED INTERPRETIVE STUDENT AID CLASSIFICATION.
I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING TO MONITOR.
I KNOW IT'S SEPARATE FROM THIS PARTICULAR PROPOSAL BUT IN ORDER FOR US TO EVALUATE THE LEARNING OUTCOMES OF PROGRAMS, WE DO NEED STAFF THAT IS MANAGING THOSE PROGRAMS.
>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS? I THINK THE FACT THAT THIS GOT PULLED OFF GIVES US A CHANCE TO THANK THE REGIONAL PARKS FOUNDATION FOR FUNDING THIS.
IT'S ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH THAT TREMENDOUS GROUP, WHICH IS ONLY GROWING MORE AND MORE PRODUCTIVE.
HERE COMES THE REGIONAL PARK FOUNDATION SPOKESPERSON. THANK YOU.
>> HI. LAUREN BERNSTEIN, REGIONAL PARKS FOUNDATION.
WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TO SUPPORT THIS AS ONE OF OUR GRANT PROGRAMS BECAUSE WE ALSO NEED THE DATA.
WE FUND RAISE FOR A LOT OF THE PROGRAMS THAT THIS DATA WILL SUPPORT, AND SO IT'LL GIVE US MORE INFORMATION TO PROVIDE TO PRIVATE FUNDERS FOR THIS THINGS, SO WE'RE REALLY HAPPY TO SUPPORT IT.
>> GREAT. THANKS FOR COMING UP.
FOR ITEM NUMBER 5, A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE.
>> I'LL MOVE TO AUTHORIZE TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES WITH MIGHTY CATALYSTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $70,955.
>> MOTION FROM DE CHAMBO, SECOND.
[01:10:02]
>> ABSTAINED. IT CARRIES. THANK YOU.
[6. Authorization to Award and Execute a Contract with Southwest Strategies Group for Strategic Communications Support Services in the Amount of $287,165]
AUTHORIZATION TO AWARD AND EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH SOUTHWEST STRATEGIES GROUP FOR STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES AND THE AMOUNT OF $287,165.I LEFT SOME COUGH DROPS AT MY DESK AT THE TABLE THERE. HOPEFULLY, THAT HELPS.
ALLISON BROOKS, ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS.
I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR QUESTIONS.
I ANTICIPATE THEM AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS HOW THIS CONTRACT WITH THE SOUTHWEST STRATEGIES GROUP IS PART OF AN INTEGRATED AND MULTI PRONGED COMMUNICATION STRATEGY WE'RE DEVELOPING IN THE EXTERNAL AFFAIRS PROGRAM. THIS IS ABOUT [INAUDIBLE]?
>> A LOT HAS CHANGED IN THE COMMUNICATION SPHERE AND WE NEED TO BE BETTER POSITIONED TO MEET THE MOMENT.
THE POPULATION HAS CHANGED AND GROWN ACROSS THE TWO COUNTIES OF ALAMEDA AND CONTRA COSTA COUNTIES.
COMMUNICATIONS, TECHNOLOGY, TOOLS, AND APPROACHES HAVE ALSO CHANGED, HOW PEOPLE COMMUNICATE, WHERE AND HOW THEY RECEIVE INFORMATION HAS CHANGED.
THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, AND I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF WORK WE RECOGNIZE WE NEED TO DO TO BUILD OUT OUR COMMUNICATIONS TEAM TO COMMUNICATE WITH PEOPLE THE WAY THEY'RE COMMUNICATING TODAY.
WE'RE WORKING TO BETTER INTEGRATE OUR DEPARTMENTS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS TO RESPOND TO THIS MOMENT WHILE ALSO WORKING THROUGH BANDWIDTH AND CAPACITY ISSUES THAT WE HAVE ACROSS THE TEAM THAT CONSISTENTLY PUTS US IN REACTIVE MODE RATHER THAN BEING OUT IN FRONT ON ISSUES AND BEING ABLE TO BE OUT IN FRONT ON MESSAGING AND REALLY CONNECTING WITH PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITIES ON TOPICS THAT THEY CARE ABOUT AND IN WAYS THAT THEY WILL RESPOND TO.
WE'RE LOOKING TO SOUTHWEST STRATEGIES TO HELP US IDENTIFY THE WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN ELEVATE OUR APPROACH, ORIENT OUR TEAM TO DELIVERING PROACTIVE COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGNS, IMPLEMENT MODERN TACTICS AND STRATEGIES THAT GROW OUR AUDIENCE AND EXPAND OUR REACH.
AT THE END OF THIS CONTRACT, WE ANTICIPATE THROUGH THIS AN AUDIT AND REPORT ON HOW TO IMPLEMENT A MORE EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION STRATEGY, STRATEGIC MESSAGING AND A COMMUNICATION FRAMEWORK RECOMMENDATIONS TO HELP US ORIENT OURSELVES TO THIS NEW MODERN WAY OF COMMUNICATING.
DIGITAL AND SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT PLAN, AND THEY WILL ASSIST US DURING THE YEAR TO REALLY BUILD OUT THAT PROGRAM MORE EFFECTIVELY.
YOU'LL KNOW THERE ARE A LOT OF INTERCONNECTIONS THROUGH VARIOUS OTHER THINGS AS PART OF THE AGENDA TODAY, BUT WE DO HAVE A MEDIA AND MARKETING POSITION IN OUR BUDGET THAT THIS PROCESS COULD HELP THAT PERSON IF SO APPROVED TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING ON THE SOCIAL MEDIA AND WORK.
A PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY FOR THE DISTRICT PLAN.
THEY WILL BE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THAT, AND I'LL TOUCH ON THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE CONSULTANT TEAM PLACE WORKS THAT'S WORKING ON THE DISTRICT PLAN AND THE WORK THAT SOUTHWEST STRATEGIES WILL DO THAT ARE COMPLIMENTARY.
THEN A MEDIA RELATION STRATEGY AND MEDIA TRAINING FOR KEY STAFF WHO WILL BE THE POINT PEOPLE PRIMARILY ENGAGING WITH THE MEDIA.
A MAJOR FOCUS OF THIS WORK IS ON DEVELOPING STRATEGIC GEOGRAPHICALLY SENSITIVE COMMUNICATIONS TO ADVANCE A POSITIVE MESSAGE ABOUT THE INCREDIBLE RESOURCES THE PARK DISTRICT OFFERS.
THERE ARE MANY WAYS WE CAN UNDERSTAND BETTER THROUGH THE SUB AREAS ACROSS THE TWO COUNTIES THAT REQUIRE PROBABLY SOME SUB REGIONAL APPROACHES AND COMMUNICATIONS AND MESSAGING.
WE WANT TO DIG INTO THAT AND WE WANT TO DEVELOP OUR MESSAGING AND OUR TOOLS TO REALLY REACH THOSE AUDIENCES EFFECTIVELY AND TALK TO THEM ABOUT THE ISSUES THEY CARE ABOUT.
YOU'LL HEAR ABOUT THE WEBSITE A LITTLE BIT.
YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT, WHICH IS GREAT.
THIS WORK CONNECTS UP WITH THE DISTRICT PLAN.
AS I SAID, YOU APPROVED A VOTER SURVEY A WHILE BACK
[01:15:04]
THAT THE FOCUS ON THAT VOTER SURVEY, IT'S ALL CONNECTED.BOTH EFFORTS ARE FOCUSED ON REACHING NEW RESIDENTS, UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES, YOUTH.
ON THE VOTER SURVEY, WE WILL BE OVERSAMPLING PARTICULAR GEOGRAPHIES THAT HAVE HAD A LOW RESPONSE RATE THUS FAR, WHICH WILL ALLOW US TO BETTER UNDERSTAND VOTER PERSPECTIVES ACROSS OUR DIVERSE DISTRICT, AND THAT WILL FEED INTO THE WORK THAT SOUTHWEST STRATEGIES IS DOING WITH US AROUND MESSAGING.
WE'LL GET IN THE WEBSITE LATER, THAT'S LATER, BUT ALL OF THIS IS INTEGRATED WITH ONE ANOTHER, AND WE'RE REALLY THINKING ABOUT THIS IN A COMPREHENSIVE FASHION TO HELP THE PARK DISTRICT ACHIEVE ITS GOALS AND BE ALIGNED WITH THE MISSION.
JUST LAST COMMENT AND THEN OF COURSE, I'LL ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS ON THE PLACE WORKS CONTRACT, THEIR WORK IS AROUND PLANNING CONSULTANTS SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PLAN ITSELF.
SORRY, MY WORDS GOT JUMBLED THERE.
COMMUNICATIONS IS NOT PART OF THEIR SCOPE.
SOUTHWEST STRATEGIES IS COMING IN AS A PARTNER TO AMPLIFY THE WORK OF PLACE WORKS ON THE COMMUNICATIONS RELATED DISTRICT PLAN.
IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT THE DISTRICT PLAN, IT'S REALLY ABOUT SETTING US UP FOR FURTHER COMMUNICATION WE NEED TO DO WITH THE COMMUNITY.
HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> I WOULD JUST WANT TO SAY IN GENERAL THAT ACROSS A LOT OF THE DIFFERENT RFPS AND STUFF THAT'S BEING PRESENTED, I'M SEEING A LOT OF DISTRICT PLAN CREEP AND DOLLARS BEING ASKED FOR BECAUSE THERE WAS A CONTRACT WITH AS FAR AS PLAY WORKS AND AS FAR AS WE EXTENDED THAT.
BUT EACH OF THESE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT ARE COMING UP HAVE A PIECE OF THE DISTRICT PLAN.
I'D REALLY LIKE TO SEE A NUMBER OF HOW MUCH MONEY ARE WE SPENDING TOTAL ON THE DISTRICT PLAN OUTSIDE OF THE CONTRACT OF PLAY WORKS BECAUSE I'M SEEING A LOT OF CREEP.
THEN THE SECOND PART, WHEN YOU SAY PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY, I'D LIKE TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, THERE'S ALSO RFP OUT FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND THAT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IS SUPPOSED TO REACH, AND MOSTLY ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES ARE WITHIN MY DISTRICT.
THEY'RE WITHIN DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT THE PARK, BUT THESE UNDERREPRESENTED DISTRICTS.
I'M WONDERING WHO'S REALLY DOING THAT WORK? WHO'S GOING TO GIVE US THOSE NUMBERS AND HOW MUCH RESEARCH WE NEED TO DO THROUGH ALL THESE DIFFERENT ENTITIES TO GET THERE? I NEED BETTER UNDERSTANDING, AND AS FAR AS HOW MUCH WE'RE SPENDING PARK WIDE ON THE DISTRICT PLAN.
I KNOW THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT CAN BE ANSWERED RIGHT NOW, BUT I'D LIKE TO SEE, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF HOW ALL THESE DIFFERENT RFPS ARE GETTING TO PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT.
ALSO, IF THERE'S SOME TYPE OF DIFFERENCE IN HOW THE PARK IS DETERMINING PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT BECAUSE A LOT OF THESE THINGS SEEM TO BE GOING AT THE SAME POPULATION AND SOME WITHOUT RESULTS.
>> FAIR ENOUGH. I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS I HEARD IN THERE IS WHAT'S THE SUITE OF INITIATIVES THAT WE'RE WORKING ON AROUND THE DISTRICT PLAN? THE SOUTHWEST STRATEGIES, I'LL LET ALLISON SPEAK TO THAT MORE SPECIFICALLY.
THE RFP FOR COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP US DO OUTREACH AROUND THE COMMUNITY OR AROUND THE DISTRICT PLAN.
THAT'S MORE OF ASKING FOLKS TO HELP US BRING IN INDIVIDUALS FROM COMMUNITIES THAT WE HAD LOW TURNOUT FROM OUR MORE TRADITIONAL MEANS OF GETTING INPUT AND TO EXPAND HOW WE CAN LISTEN TO THOSE COMMUNITIES FOR INPUT WITH THE DISTRICT PLAN.
THIS PIECE, I THINK IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.
IN TERMS OF HOW MUCH WE WILL SPEND WITH THOSE ORGANIZATIONS, WE'RE JUST LOOKING FOR THE ORGANIZATIONS TO UNDERSTAND WHO'S OUT THERE AND WHAT THAT MIGHT LOOK LIKE.
WE DIDN'T ATTACH A SPECIFIC DOLLAR VALUE TO THE CONTRACTS BECAUSE WE NEEDED TO LEARN A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT WHAT IT MIGHT TAKE FIRST.
BUT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN ALSO DAYLIGHT WITH YOUR BOARD.
[01:20:02]
I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE'S OTHER EXPENDITURES RELATED TO THE DISTRICT PLAN THAT I'M AWARE OF BEYOND THE RFP.>> THIS IS REALLY HELPING TO SET US UP FOR THE LONG TERM AND LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR THE DISTRICT PLAN IMPLEMENTATION REALLY AND OTHER AVENUES THAT WE'LL NEED TO PURSUE ONCE THE DISTRICT PLAN IS APPROVED BY YOUR BOARD.
HOW WE'RE CONNECTING WITH THE PUBLIC TODAY, THE PUBLIC IS CONNECTING THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA, THROUGH VIDEO, THROUGH OTHER WAYS THAT WE NEED TO BUILD UP THAT MUSCLE IN OUR COMMUNICATIONS TEAM SO THAT WE CAN BE MORE OUT IN FRONT AND ON THE MESSAGING AND CONNECTING WITH PEOPLE THAT WE HAVEN'T THUS FAR CONNECTED WITH.
THEY'RE RELATED AND ALL THE STAFF IS WORKING TOGETHER ACROSS THE DEPARTMENTS AND DIVISIONS TO TIE THESE TOGETHER BUT THIS IS REALLY GOING TO HELP US GROW OUR CAPACITY AND BUILD OUT OUR LONG TERM STRATEGY AROUND COMMUNICATIONS.
>> I SEE WHAT YOU'RE SAYING RIGHT HERE BUT A LITTLE PIECES OF THIS SOUND SIMILAR TO WHAT I'VE HEARD IN EITHER THE RFP OR PLAY WORKS, AND I GUESS IT'S HARDER FOR ME TO SEE WHO'S ACTUALLY DOING THE WORK TO SOLVE THE ISSUE.
IS THAT RFP WITH THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT? ARE THEY GOING TO LET US KNOW WHO WE NEED TO WORK WITH? THEN THIS IS GOING TO GIVE US THE STRATEGY OF HOW TO MESSAGE THOSE ORGANIZATIONS?
>> WELL, THAT IS BUILDING HOPEFULLY LONG TERM PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY BASED PARTNERS TO CONNECT WITH THE PUBLIC BEYOND THE DISTRICT PLAN, REALLY.
I THINK IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT PEOPLE CARE ABOUT, HOW THEY WANT TO ENGAGE WITH THE PARK DISTRICT, HOW THEY'RE USING OUR RESOURCES AND FACILITIES.
THAT'S JUST LONG TERM RELATIONSHIPS AND PARTNERSHIPS THAT WILL BENEFIT US AND OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS INTO THE FUTURE.
AGAIN, WE'RE NOT REALLY VIEWING THESE AS A ONE TIME CHECK A BOX WE CONNECTED WITH A COMMUNITY GROUP, WE REALLY WANT TO BUILD THESE PARTNERSHIPS THAT INFORM OUR WORK.
THEY ARE ALL CONNECTED AND I'D BE HAPPY TO BRING A FUTURE SESSION WHERE WE COULD TALK ABOUT THIS AND DRAW THE CONNECTIONS FURTHER FOR YOU TO SEE HOW WE'RE ALL TYING THESE IN TOGETHER.
>> YEAH, BECAUSE AS FAR AS I CONTINUE TO SEE THE WORD PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY, USE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY, I REALLY START TO NEED TO SEE THOSE SPECIFICS.
I'M GLAD THAT THERE'S A RFP OUT.
I'M GLAD WE'RE TACKLING THESE ISSUES, BUT IT JUST DOESN'T TELL ME WHAT WE'RE DOING BECAUSE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT COULD MEAN MANY THINGS.
THEN IT WAS JUST CONCERN THAT I KEEP ON SEEING THESE IN DIFFERENT DOCUMENTS.
IT JUST SEEMS LIKE A LITTLE BIT MONEY IS BEING SPIT TOWARDS DISTRICT PLAN IN THIS, IN THE POLLING, AND OTHER ITEMS SO THAT'S WHAT I MEAN BY DISTRICT PLAN CREEP.
NOT SAYING IT'S A BAD THING, BUT JUST SAYING THAT.
IT JUST WAS A LITTLE CONCERNING TO ME.
>> THE POLLING TYPE OF WORK WE DO IS SOMETHING THAT WE TYPICALLY DO ALL EACH YEAR.
ALL WE'RE SAYING BY INCLUDING THE DISTRICT PLAN PIECES, SINCE WE'RE DOING THE DISTRICT PLAN RIGHT NOW, WE DO THIS POLLING WORK EVERY YEAR, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE TWO THINGS TALK TO EACH OTHER.
I JUST WANT TO ASSURE YOUR BOARD THAT WE'RE NOT ADDING THINGS EXCESSIVELY AROUND THE DISTRICT PLAN.
WE'RE TAKING ALL THE OTHER THINGS THAT WE DO EITHER NORMALLY OR THAT WE'RE DOING AS A SPECIAL PROJECT AND MAKING SURE THAT THEY ARE IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DISTRICT PLAN, IF THAT MAKES SENSE.
>> I WANT TO TAKE A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO ASK ABOUT
[01:25:03]
THIS CONTRACT AND OUR COMMUNICATION STRATEGY AND THINK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT SOME OF OUR, I GUESS, BREAD AND BUTTER PARK DISTRICT ITEMS. SPECIFICALLY, AS A CASE STUDY, CONSTRUCTION DELAYS, I KNOW COYOTE HILLS PROJECT WOULD BE AN EXAMPLE THAT WE HAD ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED TO HAVE THAT CONSTRUCTION COMPLETED IN SPRING OF 2023.WE RECENTLY UPDATED THE WEBSITE TO SAY FALL 2025.
I HEARD LAST WEEK WHEN I WAS WATCHING THE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING, I'M NOT PART OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE BUT I DID HEAR THAT THERE MIGHT BE A SOFT LAUNCH IN THE WORKS.
I KNOW INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS IS A SEPARATE THING.
I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS ABOUT A SOFT LAUNCH AT COYOTE HILLS.
HOWEVER, I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT COULD ALSO BE SHARED EXTERNALLY WITH COYOTE HILLS PARK USERS, AND ALSO MAYBE AN EXPLANATION FOR THE DELAYS FROM THE ORIGINALLY PROMISED SPRING 2023.
I'M JUST CURIOUS BECAUSE I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THIS COMMUNICATION STRATEGY ADDRESSES SOME OF THIS, WHAT I CALL BREAD AND BUTTER PARK DISTRICT COMMUNICATIONS, AND I'M JUST CURIOUS HOW THAT FITS INTO THIS PLAN.
>> DID YOU WANT TO GO? [LAUGHTER].
>> I CAN JUST SPEAK TO IT. I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT AND I REALLY APPRECIATE ALLISON'S LEADERSHIP ON OUR TEAM AND HER WHOLE TEAM AND OUR PROJECT TEAM.
I THINK ONE THING THAT WE RECOGNIZED IS THAT AS WE COMPLETE PROJECTS, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO BOTH CELEBRATE THE COMPLETION.
TELL THE COMMUNITY ABOUT IT, INVITE FOLKS, GIVE THEM UPDATES ABOUT THE PROJECT PROGRESS.
THAT PROJECT'S BEEN VERY CHALLENGING BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN WORKING THROUGH SOME LOCAL PERMITTING CHALLENGES AROUND OPENING THE FACILITY.
OUR TEAM HAS JUST BEEN CAUTIOUS ABOUT SAYING MISSION ACCOMPLISHED UNTIL WE REALLY KNOW THAT IT'S FULLY OPEN.
BUT I SPOKE TO THE TEAM LAST WEEK ABOUT THIS WHERE WE'VE BEEN TALKING TO ALLISON'S TEAM ABOUT HOW TO COMMUNICATE ABOUT IT.
WE'RE JUST BEING A LITTLE BIT CAUTIOUS BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO GET PEOPLE'S HOPES UP PREMATURELY.
>> ON THAT, DIRECTOR SANWONG, I THINK IT'S A GREAT POINT, AND I THINK YOU'RE TOUCHING ON A WAY IN WHICH WE'RE ALL TRYING TO WORK TOGETHER TO BRING MORE DYNAMISM TO HOW WE'RE SHARING INFORMATION NOW WE GET UPDATES, OUR WEBMASTER CONRAD WILL MAKE UPDATES TO THE WEBSITE, OR WHEN WE RELEASE OR WHEN THERE'S A GROUNDBREAKING OR A RIBBON CUTTING, WE'LL DO A PRESS RELEASE OR WE'LL POST SOME THINGS ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
BUT THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS WE COULD BE DOING, WHETHER IT'S HAVING SOMEONE OUT THERE WITH A VIDEO CAMERA, TELLING THE STORY OR DOCUMENTING SOME OF OUR PROJECTS OVER TIME AND SHARING THAT ON THE PROJECT PAGE.
I THINK OUR TEAM HAS A LOT OF REALLY GREAT IDEAS ON HOW WE WANT TO BRING THESE THINGS TO LIFE.
WE JUST NEED TO DEVELOP THIS COMMUNICATION STRATEGY AND HERE FROM A FIRM LIKE SOUTHWEST STRATEGIES ON SOME OF THESE BEST PRACTICES AND FIGURE OUT A ROADMAP FOR HOW WE'RE GOING TO IMPLEMENT THESE WITH THE CAPACITY WE HAVE AND HOW WE BRING IN DIFFERENT TOOLS AND RESOURCES TO HELP US DO THIS.
I THINK WE'RE ALL REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITIES AHEAD AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE US TO THE NEXT LEVEL ON THIS WORK.
>> THERE'S SO MUCH WORK OUR TEAMS DOING THAT WE COULD BE TELLING THE STORY OF.
THE PAVING WORKS THAT OUR TEAMS DO ON THE MULTI USE TRAILS, THE BRIDGES THAT OUR TRAIL CREW INSTALLS, THE WORK THAT OUR OPERATIONS TEAMS COMPLETE IN PARKS, THERE'S A LOT OF STORIES TO TELL, AND THIS IS OUR OPPORTUNITY TO GET BETTER AT THAT.
>> I SUPPOSE, IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL TO ALSO HEAR FROM THE BOARD BECAUSE WE DO INTERFACE WITH THE COMMUNITY, WHETHER IT'S COMMUNITY LEADERS OR PARK USERS.
IF I USE AGAIN, COYOTE HILLS IS MY CASE STUDY EXAMPLE.
WHEN PEOPLE ASK ME ABOUT IT, I SAY, LOOK AT THE WEBSITE.
THAT'S AS MUCH INFORMATION AS I'VE RECEIVED ABOUT COYOTE HILLS BECAUSE I DON'T REALLY RECEIVE ANY OF THE EXTRA INFORMATION UNLESS I HAPPEN TO BE WATCHING THE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING.
I JUST THINK IT WOULD BE GOOD TO ALSO CONSIDER THAT ASPECT, THINGS IN TERMS OF HOW THE COMMUNITY ALSO WILL REACH OUT TO MEMBERS OF THE BOARD IN REGARDS TO SPECIFIC PARK PROJECTS AS AN EXAMPLE. THANK YOU.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? COMMENTS ARE COMING. [BACKGROUND].
[01:30:03]
>> CAN YOU MOVE THE MICROPHONE CLOSER?
>> COULD YOU REMIND ME OF HOW WE ARE CHARACTERIZING, YOU USED THE TERM SUBCATEGORY OR SUB REGIONS OR HOW IS THIS CONTRACT ACCOMMODATING THAT APPROACH AND JUST REMIND ME OF HOW YOU DESCRIBED IT?
>> WE'RE GOING OFF OF ALSO WHAT THAT FIRST ROUND OF OUTREACH FOR THE DISTRICT PLAN AND WHO DIDN'T RESPOND TO THE SURVEY, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT FIRST ROUND, WE'RE ALSO LOOKING AT THESE UNDER REPRESENTED OR LOW RESPONSE RATE AREAS OF THE DISTRICT.
SUB AREAS, WHETHER, WE COULD BUY WARD REALLY IN CERTAIN NEIGHBORHOODS OR COMMUNITIES.
IS THAT ANSWERING YOUR QUESTION? PROBABLY NOT.
>> NO, YES. MY CONCERN WAS THAT THIS WOULD BE OVERALL A DISTRICT WIDE COMMUNICATIONS PLAN.
AS YOU KNOW, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT, I'M VERY INTERESTED IN CAMPAIGNS THAT CAN TARGET COMMUNITIES, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT ARE PLAN TOOLS, THE DEMOGRAPHIC TOOLS THAT WE NOW HAVE INDICATE THAT WE'RE UNDER UTILIZED OR UNDERAPPRECIATED.
THERE SHOULD BE THE ABILITY TO HAVE A CAMPAIGN THAT TARGETS FOR EDUCATION.
IT'S BASICALLY MARKETING, ALL THE WONDERFUL THINGS WE ACTUALLY DO.
MY QUESTION WAS, THIS HAS ENOUGH FLEXIBILITY OR WE WILL BE ENGAGED ACTIVELY IN THAT?
>> YES, WE WILL. THAT'S RIGHT.
>> JUST A QUICK QUESTION. YOU MENTIONED THAT THIS ORGANIZATION WOULD BE INVOLVED WITH THE VOTER POLLING IN SOME WAY.
I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY WE WOULD STILL BE DOING OUR REGULAR POLLING MAX SUGGESTED BUT THEN HOW DO THEY FIT IN WITH IT? I'M NOT REALLY VERY CLEAR ON THAT.
>> WE'RE STILL DOING THE VOTER SURVEY.
PART OF OUR GOAL WITH THE VOTER SURVEYS TO GET TO DIRECTOR COFFEE'S POINT IS TO REALLY OVER SAMPLE ON SOME OF THESE UNDER REPRESENTED AREAS OF THE DISTRICT THAT WE HAVEN'T REALLY HEARD FROM BEFORE, TO MAKE SURE WE'RE REACHED.
THAT INFORMATION FROM THAT VOTER SURVEY WILL HELP US DEVELOP A COMMUNICATION STRATEGY AS WELL.
THEY'RE NOT NECESSARILY WORKING TOGETHER, BUT IT WILL INFORM HOW WE TALK ABOUT THINGS AND HOW WE TARGET OUR MESSAGING FOR PARTICULAR PARTS OF THE DISTRICT.
>> GOT IT. WE'RE ALREADY SETTING UP OUR VOTER SURVEYS TO DO THE NORMAL THING AND ALSO OVER TARGET SOME OF THE AREAS WHERE WE'VE LAGGED.
>> NICELY IN THE PAST. THEN THIS BROADER STRATEGIC WORK WILL BE INFORMED BY THAT.
>> THANK YOU, ALLISON. YOU SAID YOU IDENTIFIED SOME TARGET SUB-REGIONS, AND IN FACT, YOU'RE GOING TO OVER TARGET SOME OF THESE SUB-REGIONS.
CAN I GET A COPY OF THOSE WHERE THEY'RE AT?
>> YEAH, WE'LL BE HAPPY TO SHARE ALL THE INFORMATION. YES.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THIS?
>> I BELIEVE MEADOW, DID YOU STILL WANT TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM?
>> I'M NOT SURE WHAT I'LL NEED.
GOOD AFTERNOON BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
MY NAME IS MEADOW D’ARCY, AND I'M THE CHIEF SEWARD OF AFSCME 2428.
AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, I BELIEVE THIS IS A LOT OF MONEY TO ENGAGE A CONSULTANT FOR SERVICES THAT, FRANKLY, WHEN WE HAVE SEEN MANAGERS BE ADDED TO EXTERNAL AFFAIRS OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, WE ARE TOLD THIS IS THE WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING.
I TOOK A LOOK AT SOME OF THE JOB DESCRIPTIONS OF THE MANAGEMENT POSITIONS, AND ALL OF THESE WORDS ARE ALL IN THOSE JOB DESCRIPTIONS.
I JUST WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT A LOT OF MANAGERS HAVE BEEN ADDED OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, AND IT'S INTERESTING TO SEE MANAGEMENT POSITIONS ADDED AND THEN SUDDENLY THERE'S A CONSULTANT BECAUSE WE NEED THEIR ASSISTANCE.
WE DO HAVE A ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER.
WE DO HAVE AN ADMIN ANALYST TOO.
WE HAVE A DIVISION LEAD OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, AND WE HAVE A COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER.
WE NOW IN THE PROPOSED REORG, HAVE A BOARD SERVICES PROGRAM SUPERVISOR.
THERE'S A PROPOSAL TO ADD YET ANOTHER MANAGER TO
[01:35:01]
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS IN THE REORG FOR THIS PURPOSE.I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THAT THE BOARD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THIS.
THIS IS A LOT OF MONEY, AND WE DO PAY OUR MANAGERS WELL HERE.
I DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE MAKE SURE THAT THOSE SERVICES, IF THEY CAN BE DONE HOUSE JUST LIKE I'M ALWAYS SAYING, WE DON'T LIKE CONTRACTING OUT, AND EVEN IF IT'S MANAGEMENT WORK, WE SHOULDN'T BE CONTRACTING OUT, MANAGEMENT WORK EITHER. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. I'LL JUST GET LOWER NEXT TIME.
GOOD AFTERNOON, WILLIAM HUFF, PRESIDENT, [INAUDIBLE] 2428.
THE PUBLIC INFORMATION REPRESENTATIVE IS A JOB CLASSIFICATION THAT WAS CREATED IN 1969 FOR THE PARK DISTRICT.
I DO NOT KNOW WHEN THE LAST TIME WE HAD A PUBLIC INFORMATION REPRESENTATIVE ON STAFF.
I COULDN'T FIND IT COMING THROUGH.
BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THEY'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR PER THEIR JOB CLASSIFICATION IS THEY'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR MEDIA RELATIONS.
I DO NOT DISAGREE THAT INTERACTING WITH THE PUBLIC IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT AND THAT HAVING A ROBUST, BOTH INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION APPARATUS IS GOOD FOR SPEAKING ABOUT THE MISSION OF THE PARK AND WHAT WE ACCOMPLISH.
BUT I JUST WANT TO FLAG THAT IT MAY BE GOOD TO HAVE A FEW MORE OF THOSE.
ALSO, WE HAVE A PUBLIC INFORMATION SUPERVISOR JOB CLASSIFICATION, WHICH, IF YOU READ THEIR JOBS AND DUTIES, ONE OF THE THINGS HE TALKS ABOUT IS TRAINS DISTRICT STAFF, WHICH IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S ON THIS CONTRACT, AND ALSO TO SERVE AS A PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER.
CONSIDERING THE SIZE OF THE DISTRICT AND JUST THE QUANTITY AND THE AMOUNT OF THINGS THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY DOING AND HAVE BEEN DOING FOR THE PAST A DECADE.
IT DOESN'T REALLY SEEM TO MAKE THAT MUCH SENSE TO ME THAT WE DON'T HAVE MORE OF THESE POSITIONS IN ORDER TO BETTER COMMUNICATE WHAT WE ARE DOING.
FOR THE AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR THIS CONTRACT, YOU COULD HIRE ANOTHER PUBLIC INFORMATION REPRESENTATIVE.
ANOTHER BECAUSE THERE ISN'T ONE AT THE MOMENT, BUT YOU COULD HIRE ONE AND YOU COULD ALSO HIRE A PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST.
THERE IS SOMETHING TO BE SAID ABOUT LIKE, SHORT TERM INVESTMENT ON BEING KNOWN WHAT IS IMPORTANT IN THE IMMEDIATE HERE AND NOW, AND THERE'S ALSO SOMETHING TO BE SAID ABOUT PLANNING IN A DEEPER WAY FOR THE FUTURE. THANK YOU.
>> THERE'S NO MORE PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> NO OTHER NO OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS, ANY BOARD COMMENTS. YEAH.
>> I THINK THIS IS MORE IN THE CATEGORY OF COMMENTS.
I THINK MORE AND MORE AS WE PULL BACK THE CURTAIN AND FIND OUT WHAT'S THERE IN THIS DISTRICT PLAN.
I THINK WE'VE BEEN ASKING, AT LEAST I HAVE.
THE RECORD WILL SHOW OVER TIME.
TO ME, IT SEEMS LIKE WHEN WE GO OUT TO THE DISTRICT PLAN, THE BEGINNING, LAY OUT RIGHT AWAY, THE VISION, THE BUDGET, THE TIMELINE, THE GANT CHART, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, WAS ONE OF THE THINGS IS THE COMMUNICATION STRATEGY.
IT SEEMS LIKE OF THE FIVE BULLETS HERE, THIS I UNDERSTAND IS BIGGER THAN THE DISTRICT PLAN.
I GET THAT, AND THAT BULLET FOUR OUT OF FIVE IS THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY FOR THE DISTRICT PLAN.
BUT WE'VE HAD KNOWN THE DISTRICT PLANS COMING SINCE 2023, SO I JUST WONDER, AGAIN, IT SEEMS LIKE THAT IS SOMETHING THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE SOONER BECAUSE WE'RE STILL LIKE, WHERE'S THE OUTLINE? WHERE'S THE WEBSITE? WHEN ARE THE MEETINGS? WE DID A SURVEY.
NOW WHAT? WHEN ARE WE GOING TO GO OUT TO THE COMMUNITY? WHEN DO WE GET AN OUTREACH PLAN? I THINK I'M GOING A LITTLE OFF TOPIC OF THE AGENDA THAT LAYS OUT THIS NUMBER OF SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS, THIS NUMBER OF WEBSITE UPDATES, THIS NUMBER OF PRESS RELEASES, THIS NUMBER OF LIBRARIES WILL BE HIT.
I FEEL LIKE THAT SHOULD ALREADY BE WRITTEN.
IT'S A QUESTION IF WE'LL GET THAT WITH THIS THAT I KEEP LOOKING FOR OR LONGING FOR MYSELF, THE VISION, THE OUTREACH, WHERE ARE WE GOING? GIVE ME THE GANT CHART, GIVE ME THE OUTREACH, TELL ME WHAT WE'RE DOING.
LET THE PEOPLE KNOW, I'VE HEARD ABOUT THIS AT THE PAC SINCE 2023.
I THINK WE ARE AT OVER $2 MILLION FOR THIS, AND I AM CONFUSED WITH THIS 287 VERSUS THE RFP.
THE CREEP, NOT ONLY AND HEARING FROM STAFF IS SUCH A GOOD POINT, WHERE IS THE DUPLICITY.
I'M IN FAVOR OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND COMMUNITY RIGHT TO KNOW AND STRATEGY.
I THINK AT SOME POINT, WHEN DO WE GET THE VISION? WHEN DO WE GET THE PLAN? I'D LIKE SOMETHING IN MY HAND THAT OUTLINES ALL OF THOSE THINGS.
I JUST SAID, HERE'S YOUR OUTREACH PLAN, IDEALLY FOR THE DISTRICT PLAN, BUT ALSO HERE'S THE REST OF IT FOR THE AGENCY.
I READ IN THE DELIVERABLES HERE.
IT SAYS THE FOLLOWING KEY DELIVERABLES, THAT WE WILL GET A FRAMEWORK,
[01:40:02]
THAT WE WILL GET TRAINING, THAT WE'LL GET A SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT PLAN, THAT WE'LL GET A PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE DISTRICT PLAN.I APPRECIATE WHAT STAFF HAS DONE, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW TO MOVE THE NEEDLE, HOW TO STOP THE DUPLICITY, HOW TO MAKE SURE WE'RE NOT OVERSPENDING.
I THINK WE'RE OVER $2 MILLION FOR A DISTRICT PLAN, AND WE STILL HAVEN'T SEEN AN OUTLINE OR PROPOSAL FOR IT.
I'M VENTING TO HOW DO WE KEEP PULLING THIS TOGETHER INTO SOMETHING I CAN HOLD IN MY HAND, AND I CAN POST ON THE WEBSITE AND SAY, HERE ARE THE 20 MEETINGS THAT YOU CAN HAVE OVER THE NEXT [FOREIGN] HOW DO WE TELL THEM AND THESE ARE THE MEETINGS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE FOR OUR SPANISH SPEAKERS? I'M STILL LOOKING FOR THAT AFTER ALL THIS TIME.
I JUST THROW THAT OUT THERE, I GUESS AS A COMMENT.
I WASN'T A QUESTION, AND I GUESS I'LL TURN IT BACK OVER. THAT'S MY COMMENT.
>> OKAY. THANK YOU. ANY OTHER COMMENTS? I THINK WHAT JUMPS OUT AT ME IS SOMETHING THAT I'VE BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT EVER SINCE I GOT ON THE BOARD THREE YEARS AGO, AND THAT IS THE RETICENCE TO GET OUT IN FRONT OF AN ISSUE HERE.
THEN PLAYING CATCH-UP, PLAYING REACTION, SAYING SOMETHING AFTER 15 PEOPLE, COMMENT ON IT, AND THEN COMING IN AND SAYING, OH, BUT HERE'S THIS OTHER BIT OF INFORMATION THAT EXPLAINS IT.
ANYWAY, IN A MORE GENERAL SENSE, WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE GOING AFTER HERE, IS THE ABILITY, AND I HEARD THE WORD PROACTIVE, AND THAT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITE WORDS, PROACTIVE.
THAT'S PART OF THIS PROCESS TOO.
THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING IN THERE THAT WE CAN FIND FAULT WITH, BUT I GENERALLY SPEAK AND I THINK THIS IS THE WAY TO GO AND I'M CERTAINLY IN FAVOR OF IT.
IF THERE'S AREN'T ANY MORE COMMENTS, I WOULD LOOK FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU ARE AYE.
OKAY. THREE. OPPOSED? LET ME TRY IT AGAIN.
LET'S JUST GO DOWN THE LINE. MADAM CLERK?
>> MOTION PASSES FOUR TO THREE.
[7. Authorization to Award and Execute a Contract for Website Redesign Services to Kanopi Studios in the Amount of $142,275]
MOVING ON NOW TO ITEM NUMBER 7, WHICH IS AUTHORIZATION TO AWARD AND EXECUTE A CONTRACT FOR WEBSITE REDESIGN SERVICES TO CANOPY STUDIOS IN THE AMOUNT OF $142,275.>> WELL, THANKS. I REALLY ENJOYED THE CONVERSATION TODAY, ALISON BROOKS, ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, AROUND THE WEBSITE.
I ALLUDED TO IT WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT OUR STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION STRATEGY.
LET'S SEE WHERE TO START HERE.
IT WAS RAISED EARLIER WE HAD A REDESIGN OF THE WEBSITE ROUGHLY FOUR YEARS AGO.
THAT ACCOMPLISHED, THE PRIOR REDESIGN ADDRESSED MADE SOME AESTHETIC IMPROVEMENTS TO THE WEBSITE AND ADDED THE CLOSURE ALERT FEATURE, AND THAT WAS LARGELY IT.
IT REALLY MIGRATED A LOT OF THE INFORMATION THAT WAS ON THE PREVIOUS WEBSITE OVER AND VOLUMINOUS AMOUNTS OF INFORMATION TO THE CURRENT WEBSITE WE HAVE TODAY.
WE'VE HAD AND HEARD A LOT OF COMPLAINTS, FRANKLY, AROUND THE WEBSITE.
IT'S NOT REALLY ORIENTED TO THE PARK USER,
[01:45:01]
AND WE REALLY WANT TO CREATE AN INTERFACE WITH THE PARK USER THAT HELPED THEM FIND WHAT THEY NEED AND CONNECT WITH THE INCREDIBLE RESOURCES WE OFFER AT THE PARK DISTRICT.I'LL SAY WEBSITES ARE NEVER COMPLETE.
THEY MUST CONSTANTLY EVOLVE TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITIES.
TODAY, WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO BUILD ON THE PASS WORK AND ADDRESS SITE ARCHITECTURE FOR IMPROVED SITE NAVIGATION AND A USER FIRST APPROACH TO THE WEBSITE.
THERE WAS ALLUDED TO THAT THERE IS A UNION POSITION FOR THIS.
HE IS NOT A WEB DESIGNER, DESPITE THE TITLE OF THAT JOB CLASS.
THAT JOB CLASS IS FOR A WEBMASTER, WHICH IS A WORD WE DON'T USE.
WE HAD 80 FIRMS ATTEND OUR BIDDERS CONFERENCE AND 40 APPLIED.
WE HAD A VERY THOROUGH PROCESS TO IDENTIFY A FIRM BASED ON THE GOALS WE'VE SET FOR THIS PROJECT TO REALLY HELP US BUILD A WEBSITE THAT WILL LAST FOR YEARS TO COME THAT IS ORIENTED TO THE PEOPLE THAT USE OUR PARKS AND CONNECTING THEM WITH WHAT THEY NEED IN OUR PARKS.
I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM?
>> I BELIEVE SO. MEADOW, DID YOU WANT TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEVEN.
>> WILLIAM DANIEL HUFF, PRESIDENT AFSCME 2428.
THE JOB IS CALLED WEBSITE DESIGNER, AND UNDER GENERAL SUPERVISION, OVERSEES OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES OF THE PARK DISTRICT WEBSITE WITH ATTENTION TO CONTENT, DESIGN, AND MAINTENANCE TO PROVIDE ACCESSIBLE INFORMATION FOR ALL WEBSITE VISITORS AND PERFORMANCE RELATED DUTIES AS ASSIGNED.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS INCLUDE, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO DEVELOPS AND IMPLEMENTS NEW CONTENT OR FUNCTIONALITY AS NEEDED FOR THE WEBSITE OR DIGITAL PLATFORMS, MAINTAIN AND INCORPORATE NEW WEB TECHNOLOGY FEATURES AND NAVIGATIONAL TOOLS INTO THE SITES.
CONSULT WITH USER DEPARTMENTS TO PLAN, ORGANIZE, AND DEFINE NEW PROJECT REQUIREMENTS, METHODS, RISKS, AND FINAL OBJECTIVES INTEGRAL TO THE WEB PAGE DESIGN. THAT IS THE JOB.
IT'S LONGER. I ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO READ IT. IT'S GRIPPING.
THEY'RE CALLED A WEBSITE DESIGNER, AND YOU CAN CALL THEM SOMETHING ELSE COLLOQUIALLY, BUT THE JOB DESCRIPTION IS QUITE CLEAR AS TO WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO DO.
>> THANK YOU. WE HAVE ONE MORE PUBLIC COMMENT. KELLY ABREU.
>> I'VE BEEN LOOKING AT THIS WEBSITE FOR A LONG TIME, AND YOU ACTUALLY HAVE OBVIOUSLY TWO CATEGORIES OF USERS, SOME ARE JUST GOING IN TRYING TO FIND OUT WHERE IS THE PARK OR WHAT'S THE ACTIVITY THAT'S HAPPENING ON SATURDAY OR WHATEVER.
THEN YOU GOT A BUNCH OF AGENDAS AND STUFF FOR FUTURE MEETINGS, PAST MEETINGS.
I USED TO BE ABLE TO GO AND GET ARCHIVE MEETINGS GOING BACK LIKE 10 YEARS.
BUT THAT'S NOT REQUIRED BY LAW.
YOU CAN STRIP OUT ALL THOSE OLD STUFF AND YOU CAN STRIP IT DOWN TO ABOUT TWO YEARS OR SOMETHING.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED HERE.
I THINK THIS WEBSITE, IF I WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED AT THAT MEETING IN 2018, I'M NOT GOING TO FIND IT.
THIS IS BAD. LET'S JUST PUT IN WHATEVER IS THE LEGAL BARE MINIMUM, AND THEN, NOBODY CARES, EXCEPT FOR A COUPLE OF PEOPLE AND THEY PROBABLY DID IT LIKE EIGHT MONTHS AGO, AND I DIDN'T NOTICE UNTIL SIX WEEKS AGO, BUT YEAH THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. MR. PRESIDENT, THERE IS NO MORE PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> I'D JUST LIKE TO KNOW IF WE'LL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO WEIGH IN ON THE WEBSITE DESIGN BECAUSE FOR ME, IT IS OUR PUBLIC INTERFACE FOR PORTRAYING OUR MISSION.
I WENT LAST NIGHT OUT OF CURIOSITY TO MID PENS WEBSITE AND THEIR TITLES PROTECTING LANDS AND GET IN TOUCH WITH NATURE DOCENT TOURS.
THEN I WENT TO OURS AND IT'S LIKE PUBLIC MEETINGS, ACTIVITIES, NEWS, AND MAPS.
THE WORD ENVIRONMENT ISN'T EVEN MENTIONED ON THERE.
FOR ME, I JUST WANT TO ALSO TELL YOU THAT THE SEO PORTION,
[01:50:03]
OUR WEBSITE IS AMAZING, BECAUSE IF I GO OUT TO GOOGLE OR AI ASSIST AND ASK FOR WHAT'S GOING ON AT POINT ISABEL, I GET EVERYTHING I NEED.BUT IF I GO TO OUR WEBSITE, SO THE SEO PORTION IS GOOD, BUT OUR OWN NAVIGATION, I GO THERE AND I CAN'T FIND IT, AND I'M SEARCHING AND I'M LOOKING AND I'M GOING TO MEETINGS, ACTIVITIES, MAPS, NEWS, NEVER MIND TRYING TO FIND OUT IF THERE'S ANY CRITTERS OR ENDANGERED SPECIES OUT THERE.
AS WE DO THIS, AND I'M NEW AND GOING TO THESE CONFERENCES, AND THERE'S JUST THESE FABULOUS TOOLS FOR NATURE, AND WHEN YOU GO TO THIS PARK, WHICH ONE HAS THE NUTS, WHICH ONE HAS THE MOUNTAIN LIONS.
OUR WEBSITE NEEDS SOME HELP WITHOUT A DOUBT.
I GUESS MY QUESTION, MY COMMENT IS TO GET ANY INPUT IDEALLY FROM OUR STEWARDSHIP TEAM.
WE JUST SAW FOUR FABULOUS VIDEOS THAT THE PARK FOUNDATION PUT ON ON BIODIVERSITY AND I LOVE TO SEE MORE OF THAT FRONT AND CENTER.
THAT'S OUR MISSION TO PROTECT PARKS, NOT JUST GIVE PEOPLE MAPS, AND LET'S NOT FORGET.
OTHERWISE, THEY'RE GOING TO WALK RIGHT BY EVERYTHING WE'RE PROTECTING.
THAT'S MY $0.02 ON THE WEBSITE DOES NOT. THANK YOU.
>> HAVE INSIGHTS. ALL DIVISIONS AND DEPARTMENT HEADS OTHER STAFF WILL BE WORKING TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S ACHIEVING THE GOALS.
>> I GUESS THE COMMENT EARLIER FOR MAINTAINING THAT, KEEPING IT ALIVE.
IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DO TO ENSURE THAT THERE'S MORE STAFF, MORE POSITIONS, LESS MANAGEMENT, AND MORE PEOPLE IN THE FIELD, AND STEWARDSHIP PARTICIPATING.
WEBSITES ARE VERY ACTIVE AND ALIVE THESE DAYS.
THE LONGER TERM VISION, NOT OF JUST THIS OUTLAY, BUT HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE UNION JOBS AND STEWARDSHIP JOBS THAT ARE KEEPING THIS ALIVE?
>> WE HAVE A SUPER TALENTED TEAM THAT HELPS WITH THE WEBSITE AND IS CONSTANTLY WORKING TO ADD INFORMATION WHEN WE HAVE NEW PROJECTS.
I THINK, THIS WAS MENTIONED, A LOT OF PEOPLE USE OUR WEBSITE TO FIND A PICNIC SITE OR A TRAIL OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
OTHER PEOPLE USE IT TO HAVE TRANSPARENCY AND ENGAGEMENT WITH THE WORK THAT WE DO IN OUR PROJECTS.
OUR AMAZING SUPER TALENTED TEAM IS UPDATING OUR WEBSITE FOR PROJECT INFORMATION, ALL THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.
THIS IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT EVER SO OFTEN, SOMETHING COMES ALONG THAT'S JUST MUCH BIGGER THAN THOSE CONSTANT DESIGN AND UPDATES ARE.
WE NEED TO REALLY REBUILD OUR WEBSITE, AND THERE'S SOME REALLY KEY ATTRIBUTES OF THAT THAT I THINK YOU ALL ARE FLAGGING THAT ARE IMPORTANT.
>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS? I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THIS.
>> MOVE APPROVAL. SECONDED BY DESCHAMBAULT. ALL IN FAVOR.
>> OPPOSED BY WASPI, A ABSTAIN? MOTION CARRIES.
THANK YOU. MOVING ON TO NUMBER 11.
[11. Acceptance of Third Quarter 2025 General Fund and Other Governmental Funds Financial Reports]
>> I PULLED THIS IF I COULD JUST SAY YOU DON'T...
>> WHICH IS ACCEPTANCE OF THIRD QUARTER 2025 GENERAL FUND AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL FUNDS FINANCIAL REPORTS.
>> I PULLED THIS JUST BECAUSE YOU GAVE ME A LOT OF REALLY GOOD INFORMATION THAT I READ AT ABOUT 10:30 P.M LAST NIGHT.
AND I THINK IT'S KEYS INTO THE NEXT ONE.
BUT I HAD SOME CONCERN, NERVOUSNESS, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WITH ALL THESE DISCUSSIONS ON THE BUDGET AND TAKING MONEY, MOVING MONEY.
LIKE, OH, MY GOD, ARE WE RUNNING OUT OF MONEY? ARE WE THAT UNSTABLE? WHEN I WAS TRYING TO READ, HOW ARE WE DOING SO FAR IN THE THIRD QUARTER? I REALLY LIKED WHAT I SAW IN THERE, BUT I WAS LIKE, GREAT, I REALLY SEE WHERE OUR REVENUES ARE GOING, BUT ALSO WHERE OUR EXPENSE IS GOING, ALSO CHARTS OF WHAT OUR NET INCOME WAS, AND I GOT A WONDERFUL RESPONSE LAST NIGHT AND MAYBE YOU COULD JUST GIVE THE REASSESSMENT OF WHERE WE'RE AT.
THE NICE SUMMARY YOU GAVE ME TO SHARE, AND THEN IT GAVE ME A LOT OF COMFORT.
IT WASN'T IN THE STAFF REPORT.
I JUST ASK YOU TO SHARE WITH YOU. SHARED WITH ME.
>> DEB FOLDING AGM OF FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES.
THIS IS YOUR THIRD QUARTER FINANCIAL REPORT.
WE BRING THESE QUARTERLY REPORTS TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND WE GO IN DEPTH INTO HOW WE'RE DOING.
THEN IT GOES ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR THE BOARD.
TYPICALLY, YOU DON'T HEAR ME TALK ABOUT IT, THE BOARD.
BUT I'M HAPPY TO JUST GIVE YOU THE HIGH LEVEL THAT WE ARE ON TRACK FOR WHAT WE WOULD EXPECT AS OF THE THIRD QUARTER.
[01:55:01]
IF YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE DISTRICT, YOU MIGHT LOOK AT IT AND THINK OUR REVENUES RIGHT NOW ARE BELOW OUR EXPENDITURES.BUT THAT'S BECAUSE WE RECEIVE OUR PROPERTY TAXES IN TWO ANNUAL LARGE SUMS, ONE IN APRIL, ONE IN DECEMBER.
IN THE THIRD QUARTER, WE'RE DRAWING ON OUR RESERVES IN ORDER TO FUND ALL OF OUR ONGOING OPERATING COSTS.
THEN IN DECEMBER, WE'LL GET THAT SECOND BIG CHUNK OF PROPERTY TAXES, AND THEN WE'LL BE IN GOOD SHAPE.
I THINK THAT WAS THE MAIN GIST OF WHAT DIRECTOR DESCHAMBAULT WANTED ME TO COVER, BUT HAPPY TO TAKE OTHER QUESTIONS.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THIS ONE?
>> THERE ARE NO PUBLIC COMMENTS.
>> ANY BOARD COMMENTS? THEN DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE THIRD QUARTER OF THE THIRD QUARTER MOVE.
>> MOVED AND SECONDED. ALL IN FAVOR.
>> OPPOSED? CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
THANK YOU. AT THIS POINT, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A BREAK TILL 3:30.
NOW AT 3:30, AND WE HAVE A REQUEST FOR A CHANGE IN THE AGENDA. DEB.
[3. Acceptance of the September 30, 2025 Deferred Compensation Plan Investment Report]
>> HI, THERE, HERE IS DEB SPALDING AGM OF FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES.
I WANTED TO RESPECTFULLY REQUEST IF WE COULD MOVE ITEM B3, I BELIEVE IT IS UP IN THE AGENDA, THAT'S OUR DEFERRED COMP REPORT.
WE HAVE OUR ADVISORS HERE FROM EMPOWER.
ONE OF THEM HAS A FLIGHT TO CATCH.
I WANTED TO SEE IF IT'D BE POSSIBLE TO MOVE THAT ITEM UP IN THE AGENDA.
I CAN GIVE A LITTLE PREAMBLE IF THAT'S.
>> ARE THERE ANY OBJECTIONS TO DOING THAT? JUST A LITTLE QUICK CHANGE OF THE AGENDA.
LOOKS LIKE WE COULD GO AHEAD AND DO THAT. SURE.
>> THANK YOU. I'M HAPPY TO PRESENT TO BILL THORTON AND ERIC LEVITT, WHO ARE HERE FROM EMPOWER EMPOWER IS OUR PLAN ADVISOR FOR OUR 457 PLAN.
THIS IS THEIR THIRD QUARTER REPORT.
THEY CAME TO PREVIOUSLY, I BELIEVE IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR, SO THEY TYPICALLY COME TWICE A YEAR TO PRESENT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON THE PLAN INVESTMENTS AND HOW OUR PLANS ARE DOING.
TURN IT OVER TO BILL. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THE CONSIDERATION.
I'M TOO OLD TO RUN THROUGH THE SAN FRANCISCO AIRPORT ANYMORE.
I'LL GO THROUGH THE THIRD QUARTER REPORT, AND I WILL DISPENSE WITH REALLY EVERYTHING ON THE CAPITAL MARKETS.
I KNOW YOU'VE GOT STILL A LOT ON THE AGENDA.
I WILL JUMP FORWARD TO PAGE 11.
JUST A REVIEW, THIS IS DATA OF SEPTEMBER 30.
AS YOU COME DOWN THE QUARTER AND YEAR TO DATE COLUMNS THERE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE PAGE, IT'S BEEN A VERY SOLID MARKET, ESPECIALLY ON THE EQUITY SIDE.
REALLY, OTHER THAN A COUPLE OF FOREIGN MARKETS, POSITIVE FOR THE THIRD QUARTER, 2025 HAS BEEN VERY POSITIVE, ESPECIALLY IF YOU THINK BACK TO THE FIRST QUARTER WHERE WE STUMBLED OUT OF THE GATE WITH SOME NEGATIVE NUMBERS FOR Q1.
QUARTERS 2 AND 3 HAVE REBOUNDED VERY NICELY.
SAME THING ON THE FIXED INCOME SIDE ON PAGE 13.
THE BLOOMBERG AGGREGATE BOND INDEX IS UP A LITTLE OVER 6% FOR THE YEAR.
IF YOU'VE SEEN DECLINES IN THE MARKETS SO FAR THIS YEAR, YOU'VE REALLY HAD TO MAKE AN ATTEMPT TO DO IT.
BROAD BASED, IT'S BEEN A REALLY GOOD YEAR IN THE MARKETS.
I'LL JUMP AHEAD. [NOISE] EXCUSE ME.
SLIDE 17 AND 18 IS JUST A LIST OF THE FUNDS IN THE PLAN AND MARKET VALUES.
AS OF SEPTEMBER 30TH, IN THE LARGER PLAN, WE HAD JUST OVER 158 MILLION IN THE SMALLER 4 AND A PLAN JUST UNDER 5 MILLION.
WE'VE GONE A LITTLE BIT HIGHER THAN THAT.
THIS NEXT SECTION IS THE STYLE ANALYSIS.
WE LOOK AT EACH OF THE FUNDS IN THE LINEUP FROM A STANDPOINT OF HOW WELL THE PERFORMANCE OF EACH FUND IS CORRELATING TO DIFFERENT BENCHMARKS.
THIS IS A MEASURE THAT WE USE JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT IF YOU'VE ADDED A FUND IN A SPECIFIC CATEGORY.
IN THIS CASE, THE AMERICAN FUNDS NEW WORLD EMERGING MARKETS FUND, IT'S ACTING LIKE AN EMERGING MARKETS FUND.
THOSE ARE THE NEXT FEW SLIDES, THAT'S THE INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, THE REAL ESTATE FUND ON 22 THE DOMESTIC EQUITY FUNDS ON SLIDE 23.
[02:00:03]
THEN THE LAST COUPLE, THE TARGET DATE FUNDS ON 25 AND THE FIXED INCOME FUNDS ON 27.ALL OF THE FUNDS, I'LL SAY BEHAVING OR PERFORMING, AS WE WOULD ANTICIPATE, NO SURPRISES BY ANY MEANS THERE.
THESE NEXT FEW PAGES IS PROBABLY WHERE WE SPEND AT LEAST INTERNALLY THE MOST TIME.
THIS IS WHAT WE CALL OUR PERFORMANCE MONITORING REPORT.
THIS ISN'T ACTUAL PERFORMANCE.
THIS IS PERFORMANCE VARIANCE VERSUS DIFFERENT BENCHMARKS.
THOSE FIRST SIX COLUMNS THERE, THAT IS THE PERFORMANCE VERSUS THE MARKET BENCHMARK.
IN THE CASE OF THAT TRO PRICE OVERSEAS STOCK FUND, FOR THE ONE YEAR, IT IS 0.08% AHEAD OF THE MORGAN STANLEY EFA INDEX.
WE'RE LOOKING AT VARIANCE OF THE FUNDS VERSUS THEIR BENCHMARKS.
IF YOU COME ACROSS THE PAGE TO THE RIGHT UNDER WHERE IT SAYS THE PEER RETURN RANK, WHERE IT SAYS 1, 3, 5 AND 10 YEARS, WE'RE LOOKING AT PERCENTILE RANKS WITHIN THEIR MORNINGSTAR CATEGORY.
FOR THOSE FIRST COUPLE OF FUNDS THERE, YOU CAN SEE ON THE TOP LEFT CORNER, MORNINGSTAR HAS THOSE FUNDS IN THE FOREIGN LARGE BLEND CATEGORY, AND VERSUS THE OTHER FUNDS IN THOSE CATEGORIES, THIS IS HOW THE PERFORMANCE WORKS FROM A PERCENTILE STANDPOINT.
IDEALLY, WE'RE LOOKING FOR A LOWER NUMBER, SINCE IT'S A PERCENTILE RANK HERE.
AS YOU COME DOWN THE PAGE, I CAN SUMMARIZE THE LINEUP AS A WHOLE, THE LINEUP LOOKS REALLY GOOD.
IN THAT ONE YEAR SHORTER TERM TIME FRAME, YOU'LL SEE SOME VARIANCE.
WE'LL SEE MAYBE SOME UNDER PERFORMANCE FROM A FEW FUNDS, BUT REALLY WE'RE LOOKING AT THE LONGER TERM PERFORMANCE, AND THAT LOOKS VERY GOOD ACROSS THE BOARD.
THE TWO FUNDS THAT I WAS GOING TO MENTION A LITTLE BIT SPECIFICALLY HERE AT THE BOTTOM OF PAGE 28, THE EMPOWER LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND AND THE CALVERT US LARGE GROWTH RESPONSIBLE INDEX.
THAT IS AN INDEX FUND THAT IS AN ESG BASED INDEX FUND.
IT WAS REQUESTED TO BE INCLUDED IN THE LINEUP.
YOU CAN SEE FOR THE ONE YEAR TIME FRAME AND EVEN THE THREE-YEAR TIME FRAME, THOSE ARE UNDERPERFORMING THE CATEGORY BY A LITTLE BIT.
THE LARGE GROWTH CATEGORY HAS BEEN DIFFICULT.
I SAY THAT FROM A STANDPOINT OF, THAT'S WHERE THE PERFORMANCE HAS BEEN.
IT'S BEEN MEGA CAP TECH STOCKS THAT HAVE REALLY DRIVEN PERFORMANCE OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.
FROM AN ABSOLUTE PERFORMANCE STANDPOINT, THE FUNDS HAVE BEEN GREAT, WHERE WE'RE LOOKING AT THEM VERSUS A PEER GROUP, BOTH OF THOSE FUNDS TEND TO BE A LITTLE MORE DIVERSIFIED THAN THE CATEGORY.
IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE MEGA CAP TECH STOCKS, AND I'M SURE YOU'VE HEARD OF THE MAGNIFICENT 7 OR THE MAG 7 STOCKS, THOSE STOCKS HAVE DRIVEN A LOT OF PERFORMANCE TO THE POINT WHERE THOSE SEVEN STOCKS MAKE UP NEARLY 50% OF THE RUSSELL 1,000 GROWTH BENCHMARK.
IF YOU'RE A MANAGER THAT IS MAYBE A LITTLE MORE DIVERSIFIED PAYS ATTENTION TO VALUATION, DOESN'T WANT TO PUT HALF OF YOUR FUND WITHIN A HANDFUL OF STOCKS, OVER THE SHORT TERM YOUR PERFORMANCE LOOKS DOESN'T LOOK QUITE AS GOOD.
WE REALIZE THAT IS WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE TWO FUNDS THAT'S FINE, THAT TAKES TAKES A LOT OF RISK OFF OF THE TABLE, WE THINK, SO THEY'RE BEHAVING EXACTLY HOW WE WOULD EXPECT THEM TO.
THEN YOU COME DOWN THE NEXT COUPLE OF SLIDES ON DOWN THE LINE.
THE FUNDS LOOK REALLY GOOD. WE'RE NOT CONCERNED ABOUT ANYTHING FROM A PERFORMANCE STANDPOINT FROM ANY OF THE FUNDS.
ANY UNDERPERFORMANCE HAS BEEN VERY EXPLAINABLE.
WE HAVE AN ENTIRE DEPARTMENT WITHIN POWER INVESTMENTS THAT DOES NOTHING BUT THIRD PARTY RESEARCH, AND THEY ARE IN CONTACT WITH THESE FUND FAMILIES ON A CONSTANT BASIS.
WE ARE OUR SIZE AND SCALE ALLOWS US TO HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF ACCESS WITH THE ASSET MANAGERS AND WE CAN ANSWER ANY REALLY ANY QUESTIONS THAT WE SET BEFORE THEM.
THE REST OF THE DECK I WILL NOT GO THROUGH.
PAGE 32 IS JUST A SUMMARY OF THE TARGET DATE FUNDS VERSUS THEIR MARKET BENCHMARKS.
AGAIN, THE AMERICAN FUNDS, TARGET DATES HAVE BEEN FANTASTIC, NOT CONCERNED THERE.
REST OF THE PRESENTATION IS JUST SOME SUMMARY DATA.
I AM HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS ON THE LINEUP.
ANYTHING THAT I CAN ON THE DEFERRED COMP PLAN.
>> ANY QUESTIONS TODAY? ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS?
>> THERE IS NO PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> IF NOT, I'LL END WITH I'M SORRY.
>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.
>> ABSOLUTELY. I APPRECIATE YOU HERE. [OVERLAPPING] AGENDA.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE HAVE THE DEFERRED COMP ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING THURSDAY,
[02:05:04]
SO WE'LL GO INTO A LOT MORE IN DEPTH WITH ALL OF THE REPORT.I'LL LEAVE YOU WITH THE BEST NEWS, I THINK.
I WANT TO INTRODUCE ERIC LEVITT, WHO IS JOINING ME TODAY.
ERIC IS THE NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR FOR THE EAST BAY PLAN.
ESSENTIALLY, I GET THE EASY JOB OF LOOKING AT THE INVESTMENTS, AND ERIC GETS EVERYTHING ELSE.
HE WORKS VERY CLOSELY WITH STAFF, VERY CLOSELY WITH THE DEFERRED COMP ADVISORY COMMITTEE, AND HE'LL REALLY BE KIND FOR THE MOST PART, RUNNING THINGS FROM THE EMPOWER SIDE FROM HERE ON OUT.
>> ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S SUCH A GLOWING REPORT.
>> EXACTLY. IF IT WAS NEGATIVE NUMBERS, I WOULDN'T BE HERE.
>> [LAUGHTER] YOU PROBABLY TALK FASTER.
>> THANK YOU. NOW WE'RE GOING TO RETURN TO THE. [OVERLAPPING]
>> PRESIDENT MERCURIA, DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE REPORT?
>> YES. DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THIS REPORT?
>> SECOND BY SAN JUAN. ALL IN FAVOR.
>> OPPOSED. WE HAVE ONE ABSENCE.
>> NOW WE'LL RETURN TO PUT THEM DOWN AS AN AYE.
HE WAS IN THE ROOM. VERY GOOD.
[1. Information on 2026 Budget Proposals and Capital Improvement Plan Funding Sources]
WHICH IS THE 2026 BUDGET PROPOSALS AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN FUNDING SOURCES.>> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. I WILL GIVE A LITTLE INTRO, AND THEN THERE'S A BUNCH OF COMPONENTS TO THIS, SO I'M JUST GOING TO HELP GUIDE US THROUGH THE ELEMENTS.
THIS IS ONE OF A SERIES OF INFORMATIONAL ITEMS THAT WE'VE ADDED TO OUR TYPICAL BUDGET PROCESS, TRY TO PROVIDE MORE TRANSPARENCY AND OPPORTUNITIES TO HAVE YOUR BOARD BE ABLE TO DISCUSS AND STAFF BE ABLE TO PRESENT, ANSWER QUESTIONS AND BRING INFORMATION THAT'S RESPONSIVE TO YOUR REQUESTS TO INCLUDE IN THE BUDGET.
THE FIRST PART, WE'RE GOING TO GET AN UPDATE FROM KATIE DIGNAN, WHO'S GOING TO TALK THROUGH IN RESPONSE TO THE LAST BOARD MEETING ON THIS TOPIC.
STAFF HAS BEEN WORKING ON AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH TO THE WW REALLOCATION TO HELP FUND SOME OF THE CAPITAL PROJECT PRIORITIES FROM YOUR BOARD.
KATIE'S GOING TO WALK YOU THROUGH THAT ALTERNATIVE AND WE CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AT THAT TIME THAT YOUR BOARD HAS ABOUT THE CIP OR HEAR ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS.
THEN ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER, LISA GORGON IS GOING TO PRESENT ON THE OPERATIONS BUDGET, AND THERE'LL BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS THERE.
THEN WE'LL HAVE A PRESENTATION FROM JESSICA ON ROMEO, ON THE HR BUDGET.
THEN I'LL DO A QUICK PRESENTATION ON THE GM'S OFFICE, AND THEN LAUREN'S HERE TO HELP TO TALK REALLY BRIEFLY ABOUT THE REGIONAL PARKS FOUNDATION, AND THAT WILL CONCLUDE ALL OF OUR PRESENTATIONS ON THIS TOPIC.
>> LET ME JUST MAKE A COMMENT. THERE'S NO REALLY GREAT WAY TO DO THIS.
I'M GOING TO SAY THAT ALL THE COMMENTS WILL BE AT THE END SO THAT THE STAFF CAN JUST ROTATE THROUGH ALL THESE THINGS.
HAVE THAT IN MIND. I WANT TO IN ADVANCE, THAT YOU ARE GOING TO GET TO MAKE YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT ALL THOSE DIFFERENT SECTIONS, BUT WE'LL TAKE THEM ALL TOGETHER AT THE END.
>> I JUST ADD ONE MORE THING, SO BEFORE I TURN IT OVER TO KATIE, THAT IN ADDITION TO THIS ALTERNATIVE AROUND THE CIP FUNDING, WE'VE ALSO BEEN WORKING ON AN ALTERNATIVE AROUND THE REORGANIZATION AND SOME OF THE POSITIONS CHANGES THAT WERE PART OF THE BUDGET PROPOSAL.
WE'RE STILL WORKING ON THAT, AND SO WE DON'T HAVE SOMETHING TO PRESENT TODAY.
WE'RE WORKING TO PRESENT THAT TO YOUR BOARD ON DECEMBER 2ND.
IT'S HELPFUL TO HEAR MORE FROM YOUR BOARD IF YOU HAVE FEEDBACK OR COMMENTS RELATED TO STAFFING OR THE REORDER THAT HELPS TO INFORM WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.
>> MORE TO COME ON THAT. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, KATIE DIGNAN, ASSISTANT FINANCE OFFICER, FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES HERE TODAY TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN, AND THE ALTERNATE PROPOSAL WE SUBMITTED AS ONE OF THE AGENDA ITEMS FOR TODAY.
THE ALTERNATE PROPOSAL WAS INCLUDED IN YOUR PACKET,
[02:10:02]
AND IT INCLUDES REVISIONS TO SEVEN PROJECTS.FIRST BEING FOR KELLER BEACH AT MILLER KNOX, WE WOULD REDUCE THE ACQUISITION FUNDING THAT WAS COMING FROM MARTIN LUTHER KING SHORELINE BY 50% TO 3,977,950.
THEN FOR ROBERTS POOL SEWER AND LOS TROMPS RENOVATION WATER SYSTEM, WE WOULD REMOVE ALL MEASURE WW ACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENT FUNDING.
FOR PLEASANTON RIDGE, CONSTRUCT PLEASANTON RIDGE TRAILS, WE WOULD REMOVE THE 2 MILLION OF MEASURE WW ACQUISITION FUNDS FROM SON.
FOR SAN FRANCISCO BAY TRAIL, THE DEVELOPED MARTINEZ BAY TRAIL, WE WOULD REMOVE THE 2 MILLION OF MEASURE WW ACQUISITION FUNDING FROM BAY TRAIL.
OYSTER BAY BIKE SKILLS AREA, WE WOULD REDUCE THE MEASURE WW ACQUISITION FUNDING FROM OAKLAND SHORELINE FROM 1.6 MILLION TO 600,000.
THEN LASTLY, FOR MCCOSKER CREEK TRAIL CONSTRUCTION, WE WOULD REMOVE FUNDING FROM MEASURE WW ACQUISITION AND PROPOSE THAT IT BE FUNDED FROM WW CONTINGENCY.
THE RESULT OF THESE ACTIONS WOULD REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF MEASURE WW ACQUISITION FUNDING BEING SHIFTED FROM ACQUISITION TO DEVELOPMENT FROM 41.9 MILLION TO 24.9 MILLION.
THERE WAS ALSO SOME REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS ON WHY WE WERE PROPOSING THESE MOVES, AND THERE'S ATTACHMENT A, WHICH IS CALLED 2026 CIP FUNDING REQUEST FROM MEASURE WW ACQUISITION, AND THAT WAS AN 11 BY 17 TABULAR REPORT THAT WENT THROUGH EACH OF THE PROPOSED PROJECTS THAT WE WERE REQUESTING ACQUISITION FUNDS FOR LISTED, WHY DO WE BELIEVE THE FUNDING CAN BE SHIFTED? WHAT PROJECTS ARE IN PROGRESS OR COMPLETED USING MEASURE WW FUNDS AND OTHER FUNDING SOURCES IN THAT COMMITMENT AREA? IT'S IN FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR AGENDA ITEM B1.
I'LL CONTINUE AND JUST TAKE QUESTIONS.
THEN ALSO ANOTHER REQUEST THAT CAME FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND ALSO FROM THE OCTOBER 3RD STUDY SESSION, WAS A LIST OF UPDATES OF ALL FUNDING TRANSFERS THAT HAVE OCCURRED WITH MEASURE WW, AND THAT IS PROVIDED AS ATTACHMENT F. SO WITH THAT, I'LL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU ALL HAVE.
QUESTIONS. DID YOU HAVE A QUESTION?
>> FOR THE PUBLIC COMMENTS, WE'LL DO THE NORMAL THING HERE FOR THIS.
>> WHEN WE DID THE 2025 BUDGET, I ASKED ABOUT GARMS STAGING.
I NOTICED THAT IT HAD BEEN REMOVED IN 2025 AND WAS TOLD THAT THAT WAS A MISTAKE IN 2025.
I DON'T SEE IT IN THE 2026 FUTURE PROJECTS, AND IT'S ALSO BEEN REMOVED, AND I'M CURIOUS IF I'M INTERPRETING THAT CORRECTLY THAT GARMS STAGING HAS NOW BEEN REMOVED.
>> THE PLEASANTON RIDGE TRAIL ITEM IS TO ADDRESS WHATEVER THE IMPROVEMENTS ARE AT THE GARMS ACCESS POINT AND THE TRAILS THERE.
WE WERE PROPOSING IN RESPONSE TO FEEDBACK FROM YOUR BOARD TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF WW FUND MOVING FROM ACQUISITION TO DEVELOPMENT.
THAT WAS ONE THAT WE PROPOSED TO REDUCE.
BUT AGAIN, WE'RE HERE TO HEAR FEEDBACK FROM YOUR BOARD.
>> THAT FUNDING WOULD BE TRANSFERRED INTO THIS PROJECT INTO THE PLEASANTON RIDGE CONSTRUCT PLEASANTON RIDGE TRAILS.
>> THEN BY MAKING THAT DECISION, IT REMOVES THE GARMS STAGING PROJECT?
>> AM I INTERPRETING THAT CORRECTLY? BECAUSE I DON'T SEE IT LISTED ON THE FUTURE PROJECTS.
>> WE JUST TITLED IT PLEASANTON RIDGE TRAILS, BUT IT'S THAT SAME ACCESS POINT AT WHAT WAS CALLED THE GARMS PROPERTY. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?
>> YES. I MAY RECOMMEND AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT THIS BEFORE THE NEXT MEETING JUST MAYBE SOME WORDSMITHING.
>> EARLIER BACK ON OCTOBER 3RD, I THINK WE HAD 32, AND HERE IN FRONT OF ME IS 16.
IS IT A SAFE ASSESSMENT THAT THE REST ARE ALL FULLY FUNDED AND ARE OUTSIDE OF THIS ACQUISITION TRANSFER ISSUE?
>> THAT IS CORRECT. WHAT WE PROPOSED ON OCTOBER 3RD WAS JUST THE PROJECTS THAT WERE OVER 100,000.
THERE'S ACTUALLY A TOTAL OF 36 PROJECTS THAT WE'LL BE RECEIVING FUNDING AS PART OF THIS 2026 BUDGET.
[02:15:03]
THE ONES THAT WE'RE COVERING, IN THESE MEMOS AND THAT WE'VE ADDRESSED, ARE ONLY THE ONES THAT WE'RE GOING TO RECEIVE ACQUISITION FUNDING.>> ON THAT AND WE HAD A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HERE EARLIER ON TEMISCO.
I SAW TEMISCO MOVE AROUND A LITTLE BIT ON THE REPORTS.
FIRST, IT WAS MR MONEY, THEN IT WAS FF MONEY, THEN IT WAS UNDER ALL OTHER FUNDS IN ONE OF THE PRESENTATIONS.
I'M ASSUMING TEMISCO AT 800,000 IS STILL ON THERE, BUT WAS THE SOURCE CHANGED?
>> NO. THE SOURCE IS MEASURE FF FUNDING.
>> I THINK THAT HAS SOMETHING WHERE MAYBE IT WAS A TYPO OR SOMETHING.
ALL OF THIS TO TRY TO CUT AND PROMISES MADE PROMISES KEPT TO SEE IF WE CAN CUT BACK ON ACQUISITION AND REVISIT IT LATER.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, TEMISCO OR IF OTHER PROJECTS WANT MORE MONEY.
THERE'S NO OTHER LOCATION, AND WE'RE NOT DISCUSSING THAT TODAY TO PULL MORE MONEY INTO TEMISCO. IT'S QUITE INTERESTING.
WE HEARD FROM THE SENATOR, THE ASSEMBLY WOMAN BARBARA LEE, THERE'S SOME REAL POWERFUL COMMUNITY INTEREST IN TEMISCO.
WHERE WOULD WE HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK CLOSER AT THAT? OR WON'T WE IN THIS ROUND.
>> IF YOUR BOARD WANTED US TO PULL MEASURE WW ACQUISITION MONEY FOR TEMISCO TO INCREASE THAT BUDGET, WE COULD DO SO.
THAT'S THE TYPE OF FEEDBACK WE'RE INTERESTED IN HEARING.
I THINK AT THIS POINT, THE 800,000 IS NOT JUST TO STUDY THE ISSUE, IT'S TO MOVE THE DESIGN FORWARD AND GET A CONCEPTUAL DESIGN.
AT THAT POINT, WE'LL KNOW MORE ABOUT WHAT THE PROJECTS GOING TO COST, AND WE CAN START RAISING OUTSIDE MONEY FOR THE PROJECT.
THAT'S WHAT THAT NEXT STEP WOULD GET US.
BUT THAT PROJECT IS GOING TO COST A LOT OF MONEY.
THE MORE MONEY THAT WE CAN BUDGET TOWARDS IT IF IT'S A PRIORITY OF YOUR BOARD IS REASONABLE AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HERE TO LISTEN TO.
>> THE OTHER QUESTION I HAVE THAT I'VE HEARD FROM THE COMMUNITY, AND I HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE AND HAZARDOUS WASTE SITES IS THE POINT ISABEL, AND I TRIED FINDING AS MUCH AS I COULD AND ASKING A LOT OF QUESTIONS.
BUT THAT PORTION OF THE NORTH POINT ISABEL IS A $3 MILLION PROJECT IS CONFUSING TO ME.
I'M HEARING FROM THE COMMUNITY THAT THE STATE OWNS IT.
IT'S A HAZARDOUS WASTE SITE ON ENVIRO STORE.
IT USED TO BE CALLED BATTERY HILL.
THERE ARE LEAD AND ZINC CONTAMINATION.
I'M NOT SURE WE'VE BEEN COMPLETELY TRANSPARENT IN THAT, IT'S LISTED HERE AS A ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT, BUT IT IS ALSO HAZARDOUS WASTE, IF THERE'S A GEOMEMBRANE, THE SQA PROCESS JUST ENDED.
THERE IS FOREVER CHEMICALS IN THERE.
I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND OUR RESPONSIBILITY, $3 MILLION IS A LOT OF MONEY, AND I THINK WHEN THE VOTERS WENT OUT AND VOTED FOR THIS, I'M NOT SURE WE'RE GOING TO USE THAT TO FIX A BROKEN HAZARDOUS WASTE CAP.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I ADORE POINT ISABEL.
I CAN'T TELL YOU ON MANY HUNDREDS OF TIMES.
THIS ONE'S GOT ME CONFUSED AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN GIVE ME A LITTLE BIT MORE ON THE URGENCY.
DO WE HAVE AN ORDER TO DO THAT? CAN THIS BE HELD AT ALL? I UNDERSTAND THERE'S SOME MATCHING MONEY.
JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE ON THAT ONE'S REALLY GOT ME CONFUSED.
>> I CAN GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND ON THE ALTERNATIVE TO MATT.
HE CAN SPEAK IN DETAIL ABOUT THE SOME OF THIS PIECE.
IN TERMS OF THE OWNERSHIP, WE OWN IT PARTIALLY ALONG WITH THE STATE AND WE NEGOTIATED THE SPLIT BETWEEN HOW MUCH THE STATE WAS GOING TO COVER AND HOW MUCH WE WOULD COVER.
THEY'RE COVERING HALF THAT'S FUNDED THROUGH A LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND GRANT.
THEN I'LL TURN IT OVER TO MATT TO TALK MORE ABOUT [OVERLAPPING]
>> MATT GROWL, DIVISION LEAD FOR STEWARDSHIP, AS YOU STATED, THIS SITE WAS A FORMER REMEDIAL SITE, POINT ISABEL, BATTERY BAY WAS THE NAME OF IT.
AS IT GOT REMEDIATED, WHEN WE PURCHASED THE LAND, AND THOSE LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS THAT SITE TRANSFERRED TO THE NEW OWNERS, AND THE STAT AND STATE PARKS.
AS PART OF THAT WATERBOARD ORDER, WE'RE REQUIRED TO DO ANNUAL INSPECTIONS TO MAKE SURE WE'RE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE RISK REMEDIATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE SITE.
DURING OUR ANNUAL INSPECTIONS, A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO, WE FOUND THAT LEAD WAS LEAVING PARTS OF THE CAP.
WE PUT IN SOME TEMPORARY PROTECTIVE MEASURES AT THE TIME TO FENCE OFF AND PROTECT THE PUBLIC IN THOSE AREAS.
BUT THE WATER BOARD THEN REQUESTED AFTER OUR ANNUAL REPORT, A 13,267 LETTER, AN ADDITIONAL INVESTIGATION OF THE SITE.
WE DID THE ADDITIONAL INVESTIGATION, DETERMINE THE CAP WAS NOT BUILT APPROPRIATELY, AND IT WAS ALSO FAILING IN CERTAIN AREAS, AND SO THE WATERBOARD WAS THEN READY TO ISSUE A AS ISSUED A CLEAN REPORT.
I BASICALLY SAID, YOU NEED TO CLEAN THIS UP.
THEY HAVEN'T DONE A FORMAL ENFORCEMENT ACTION BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN VERY COOPERATIVE WITH THEM AND WORKING WITH THEM THE
[02:20:02]
ENTIRE TIME AND PROVIDING THE DATA THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE, DOING THE REPORTS.WE JUST DID ANOTHER ANNUAL INSPECTION WITH THEM OUT THERE LAST WEEK.
THEY HAVE BEEN COOPERATIVE WITH US AND NOT ISSUED A VIOLATION AND A DIRECT ENFORCEMENT ORDER, BUT THEY COULD DO THAT AT ANY TIME.
THEY COULD HAVE DONE FOUR YEARS AGO AFTER THE FIRST INSPECTION AND DETERMINED THAT IT WASN'T IN COMPLIANCE.
BUT SINCE WE'VE BEEN MAKING PROGRESS TO MOVING IT FORWARD AND GETTING IT BACK INTO COMPLIANCE WITH THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, THEY'VE SAID WE'RE HAPPY WITH THE PROGRESS YOU'RE MAKING, JUST KEEP MOVING FORWARD AND THEY SEE US MOVING FORWARD TO COMPLIANCE, SO THEY HAVEN'T ISSUED AN ACTUAL VIOLATION, BUT THEY COULD HAVE ISSUED A VIOLATION.
>> THIS IS NOT UNCOMMON AT SITES WHERE CAPS FAIL AND THEY DO THESE INSPECTIONS, AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT AGREEMENT WE PUT IN PLACE, BUT THERE'S USUALLY ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY OF COST RECOVERY TO GO BACK TO THE ORIGINAL POLLUTER, THE POLLUTER PAYS, AND THAT WAS THE WHOLE POINT.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS COMES FROM ACQUISITION MONEY, AND I DON'T KNOW IF EVEN IF THEY'RE BANKRUPT, THERE'S USUALLY OTHER OPPORTUNITIES.
BROWNFIELDS IS OFTEN MORE OF A FEDERAL, BUT SOMETIMES THEY'LL COOPERATE.
DO WE HAVE BROWNFIELDS MONEY? DO WE HAVE COST RECOVERY? IT JUST SEEMS A LOT OF MONEY, $3 MILLION TO SHIFT FROM OAKLAND SHORELINE ACQUISITION MONEY.
WHAT OTHER OPTIONS DO WE HAVE AND GOING FORWARD? WAS THIS JUST A BAD DEAL? I DON'T KNOW WHY WE WOULD SIGN TO TAKE OVER THAT CAP BECAUSE IN PERPETUITY, LIKE YOU SAID, IT'S GOING TO NEED ANNUAL INSPECTIONS AND SOIL CAPS LIKE THIS.
JUST CONSTANTLY PUDDLE, NEED HELP.
WE'RE GOING TO BE ON THE HOOK FOR 3 MILLION EVERY 5 OR 10 YEARS.
>> WELL, I CAN'T ANSWER THAT PART.
I DON'T THINK SO. I THINK THIS IS A REALLY GOOD DESIGN.
WE'VE HAD SOME MINOR ISSUES AHEAD OF THIS, THAT WOULD TAKE SOME MAINTENANCE EACH YEAR, NOT NECESSARILY EACH YEAR, BUT WHEN THEY WOULD COME UP DURING MONITORING, WE'D HAVE TO DO SOME THINGS.
BUT THERE'S ALWAYS BEEN SOME GENERAL CONCERN.
I THINK WE'RE VERY COMPETENT ONCE WE DO THIS AND REESTABLISH THE DRAINAGE AROUND, REESTABLISH THIS LINER.
THIS IS GOOD FOR ANOTHER SAY 30, 50 YEARS.
ENGINEERS CAN TELL YOU EXACTLY HOW LONG.
BUT IT SEEMS WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE THESE ANNUAL CHALLENGES NOW BECAUSE ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS IS WE DON'T HAVE DEFINED PATHWAYS THERE.
THIS PROJECT WILL REESTABLISH PINE PASS OF TRAVEL AND REESTABLISH THE DRAINAGE AROUND THE CAP TO MAKE IT MUCH MORE DURABLE THAN IT EVER WAS TO BEGIN WITH.
AS FAR AS THE LIABILITY, RESPONSIBILITY, I THINK THAT'S ALMOST MORE OF A LEGAL QUESTION AND IT GETS INTO THE REQUIREMENTS WHEN IT WAS THE PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT, WHEN THE LAND WAS PURCHASED.
I CAN'T REALLY SPEAK TO THAT AND OUR OVERALL LIABILITY FOR THE REPAIRS IN GENERAL.
BUT I KNOW THAT WAS NEGOTIATED WITH THE STATE BASED ON OUR BOTH HAVING SHARED INTEREST IN MAINTAINING THAT SITE.
>> THE RP, THE RESPONSIBLE PARTY STILL EXIST, SANTA FE LAND DEVELOPMENT?
>> I THINK IT'S GOT TO TELL US NOW.
I DON'T KNOW THAT THEY STILL EXIST.
I'M NOT SURE. I THINK THEY DO.
I THINK IT REALLY GETS BACK TO THAT PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT AND HOW THAT LIMITED FUTURE LIABILITY.
>> NO OPPORTUNITY TO REVISIT THAT.
>> I BELIEVE, SO THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING.
>> MATT, BEFORE YOU SIT DOWN, I JUST HAD ANOTHER QUESTION.
OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE LONG-TERM THINKING TO DO TO HOW TO MANAGE NOT JUST POINT ISABEL, BUT SOME OF OUR OTHER SITES THAT HAVE SIMILAR, NOT IDENTICAL NECESSARILY, BUT SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THEY USED TO BE GARBAGE DUMPS OR OTHER TYPES OF DUMPS.
I THINK IT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR US TO THINK STRATEGICALLY TOWARDS THE FUTURE ABOUT HOW WE WILL GET MONEY TO KEEP ALL OF THESE BEAUTIFUL SHORELINE PARKS CLEAN AND PEOPLE ABLE TO ACCESS THEM.
THEN SPECIFICALLY WITH POINT ISABEL, OBVIOUSLY, IT'S A VERY LOVED, HIGHLY VISITED PLACE.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THERE IS SOME URGENCY AROUND THIS, AND I JUST WONDER IF YOU COULD SPEAK A LITTLE BIT TO THAT, WE HAVE THE 5.4 MILLION IN THE LWCF FUNDS THAT CAME FROM THE FEDS THROUGH THE STATES, AND WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THAT MONEY IF WE DON'T MOVE FORWARD AGAIN.
>> IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE'S A LIMITED TIME FRAME ON US ACCESSING THAT MONEY AND THAT MONEY COULD GO AWAY.
THAT'S HOW THEY FUNDED THEIR OBLIGATION TO AND WHEN WE ASKED THEM FOR MONEY, I SAID, OH, WE'LL GIVE YOU OUR LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUNDS, AND THERE IS A TIME FRAME ON UTILIZING THOSE FUNDS.
>> I GUESS I HAVE ONE. DOES MEASURE WW HAVE AN OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE THAT FOLLOWS THESE EXPENDITURES? IT'S IN THE BALLOT PROPOSITION.
THERE WOULD BE AN OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE THE IDEA IS A WATCHDOG?
>> YES. FIRST, WE GO TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE EVERY YEAR WITH AN UPDATE AS WELL AS THE PAC ALSO RECEIVES AN UPDATE.
[02:25:04]
>> THE CITIZEN GROUP SEOL GROUP, OTHER THAN I GUESS YOU COULD CALL THE PAC.
>> THE PAC WAS THE GROUP THAT WE IDENTIFIED AS GOING TO AND PROVIDING AN UPDATE ON ALL OF OUR EXPENDITURES AND THE STATUS OF MEASURE WW. WE DO THAT ANNUALLY.
>> THANK YOU. WE WOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO MOVE THINGS AROUND IN ORDER TO LOWER THIS.
I'M THINKING OF ONE SPECIFICALLY, THERE'S $1 MILLION IN OUR BUDGET FOR THE PUMP TRACK OR WHATEVER IT IS IN WILDCAT CANYON, WHICH IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THAT HASN'T BEEN APPROVED, THAT WE WERE ALWAYS LED TO BELIEVE, OH, LET'S GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OF DOING A STUDY.
KEEP IT GOING BECAUSE WE NEED TO NOW DO AN EIR, BUT WE HAVEN'T DONE IT YET.
NOW, IF WE APPROVE IT, IS IT APPROVED?
>> THERE'S NO MONEY IN YOUR BUDGET FOR WILDCAT FLOW TRAIL.
I THINK WHAT YOU'RE SPEAKING TO IS ONE OF THE DOCUMENTS THAT WAS IN THE OCTOBER 3 BUDGET MATERIAL, AND I MAY HAVE BEEN REPRODUCED FOR THIS MEETING IS OUR FIVE YEAR PROJECTION, WHICH WE TAKE THE PROJECTS THAT ARE CURRENTLY IN PLANNING, AND WE PROJECT OUT IF THEY WERE TO GET CONSTRUCTED, HOW MUCH COULD THEY POTENTIALLY COST AND WHEN MIGHT THAT HAPPEN?
>> I GUESS THAT'LL BE THE 2028/29 BUDGET.
>> THAT'S TO PROVIDE YOUR BOARD INFORMATION SO THAT WHEN YOU'RE CONSIDERING EXPENDITURES FOR NEXT YEAR, YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT THEM IN THE CONTEXT OF THE FOLLOWING FIVE YEARS.
BUT THERE'S, I THINK, OVER $80 MILLION OF POTENTIAL COSTS IN THOSE PROJECTS THAT, AT THIS POINT, WE DON'T KNOW HOW THEY WOULD BE FUNDED.
I THINK THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WOULD HAVE TO GET REVISITED DOWN THE ROAD WITH THOSE FUTURE BUDGETS.
>> CORRECT. IT IS IN THE BUDGET, AND IT'S JUST YOUR FIVE-YEAR LOOK AHEAD.
IF YOU APPROVE THIS NOW, YOU'RE ONLY APPROVING WHAT THE 2026 APPROPRIATIONS ARE GOING TO BE.
BUT IT'S SHOWING YOU LONG TERM, THESE ARE THE ADDITIONAL PROJECT COSTS THAT ARE EXPECTED FOR THOSE PROJECTS AS WE GO FORWARD SO YOU HAVE A FULL PICTURE OF WHAT THE FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN WILL LOOK LIKE.
>> IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT, YOUR BOARD DOES NOT APPROVE PROJECTS THROUGH THE BUDGET.
YOU PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THEM, BUT YOU APPROVE THEM FOLLOWING THE SQL PROCESS. JUST TO CLARIFY.
>> I THINK THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN IS LIKE A WEATHER FORECAST.
YOU READ THE WEATHER FORECAST SAYS IT'S NOT GOING TO RAIN, AND THEN IT RAINS.
THERE'S NO IMPLIED GUARANTEE THERE.
THE FURTHER OUT IN A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN, YOU GO, THE MORE UNCERTAIN IT IS. ANY OTHER?
>> THAT'S THE PULL-OUT ON PAGE 23 OF THE VOLUME 2 OF 2.
>> JUST TRYING TO BE CONSISTENT IN THE THINKING.
ALSO ON THAT PAGE, I DON'T SEE THAT TEMESCAL HAS ANYTHING FOR 27/28/29, PUT IN THERE.
IF THIS IS JUST THINKING ABOUT THE FUTURE, CERTAINLY $1 MILLION, IF IT'S WILDCAT IS NOT BEING COMMITTED TO BEING SPENT, $1 MILLION ON TEMESCAL, WHICH IS A MUCH BIGGER.
WOULDN'T THAT MAKE SOME SENSE TO PUT THAT HERE IN THIS CHART ON PAGE 28?
>> WHAT WE HAVE LISTED RIGHT NOW FOR TEMESCAL IS JUST WE DETERMINED WHAT THE TOTAL ESTIMATED COST IS GOING TO BE.
WE'RE ASKING FOR THE FUNDING FOR THE PLANNING AND DESIGN, AND THEN AT THE END OF THAT, WE WILL HAVE THE UPDATED COST ESTIMATES THAT THEN WE WOULD ADD INTO THE BUDGET HOPEFULLY, NEXT YEAR WOULD START REFLECTING WHAT THE TOTAL ESTIMATED COST IS AND WHEN WE ANTICIPATE NEEDING THAT FUNDING.
>> [OVERLAPPING] THE SAME WITH THIS BIKE TRAIL, WE HAVEN'T DECIDED THAT SOME MEMBERS OF THE BOARD SAID THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE ANY JUMPS.
THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE ANY INFRASTRUCTURE.
THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE ANY WOOD, NO METAL, NO NOTHING.
WE DON'T KNOW IF IT'S $1 MILLION PROJECT OR IF IT'S A $10. ISN'T IT THE SAME?
>> NO. WHAT HAPPENS IS WITH ANY PROJECT WE START WITH FEASIBILITY AND OTHER INFORMATION THAT HELPS TO INFORM, JUST LIKE WITH THE TEMESCAL PROJECT, THERE'S THAT BACKGROUND FEASIBILITY REPORT.
FROM THERE, WE GO THROUGH AND DO CONCEPTUAL DESIGN.
THAT'S THE DESIGN PART OF THE PROCESS THAT HELPS INFORM WHAT THE PROJECT SCOPE IS IN BUDGET.
FOR THE WILDCAT FLOW TRAIL, THERE'S A CONCEPTUAL DESIGN THAT NOW WE'RE GOING TO START THE SQL PROCESS FOR.
THE PROJECTS THAT ARE IN THAT CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN, I'M PRETTY SURE, PROBABLY HAVE COMPLETED THAT CONCEPTUAL DESIGN COMPONENT WHERE WE HAVE AN IDEA OF HOW MUCH IT WOULD POTENTIALLY COST.
[02:30:02]
SOME OF THEM HAVE COMPLETED SQL, SOME OF THEM HAVEN'T.SOME OF THEM THE COST IS MORE DEFINED, SOME OF THEM, IT'S STILL A LITTLE BIT LOOSER.
OF COURSE, WE REALLY DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH A PROJECT IS GOING TO COST UNTIL WE GO OUT TO BID OR UNTIL WE CONSTRUCT IT IN-HOUSE.
I JUST THINK WE NEED TO BE CONSISTENT BACK WHEN WE HEARD AND I'M SORRY.
ANYBODY LISTEN TO THIS MEETING.
I'M JUST ALL ABOUT PROCESS AND DOING THINGS IN THE RIGHT WAY IN THE RIGHT PLACE.
BUT BACK EARLIER IN THE YEAR, COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND I ARGUED THAT THERE HAD BEEN NO PUBLIC MEETING ON THIS ISSUE.
I WAS TOLD REPEATEDLY THAT WE HAD HAD A PUBLIC MEETING AND THEY KEPT POINTING ME TO DECEMBER 6, 2024 THAT WE HAD A MEETING AND IT WAS APPROVED.
I SAID, WHERE, AND I SAID, IT'S IN THE BUDGET IN THE CAP PROJECT, ON ATTACHMENT C LINE 14, THE COMMUNITY APPROVED THE WILDCAT CANYON PROJECT ON DECEMBER 6.
PLAIN DEVIL'S ADVOCATE, A MODAL CONCERNED, IF THIS STAYS IN THERE, THEN BY DEFAULT, A YEAR FROM NOW OR THREE YEARS WHEN I'M NOT ON THE BOARD ANYMORE, THEY'RE GOING TO SAY, NO, YOU ALL APPROVED THAT.
LIKE TEMESCAL IT'S RIGHT HERE ON DECEMBER 2 OR WHENEVER WE APPROVE THIS IN ATTACHMENT C LINE 14.
I'M JUST SAYING AND I UNDERSTAND THERE'S A PROCESS AND IT MAKES SENSE TO BUDGET, BUT I HAVE SOME BIG CONCERNS WITH THIS.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT NEEDS TO BE INCLUDED OR IF WE CAN JUST PULL OUT THE FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN WITH ALL THE CHANGES WE HAVE GOING ON RIGHT NOW.
I KNOW IT'S BEST PRACTICES TO INCLUDE ONE, BUT IT'S JUST ONE ITEM THAT I WOULD FEEL MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE IF IT WEREN'T IN THERE AT ALL.
I FEEL LIKE I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M APPROVING.
I UNDERSTAND IT. I UNDERSTAND THE BEST PRACTICES, BUT I ALSO UNDERSTAND THE BEST PRACTICE HERE AND WHAT I WAS TOLD LAST YEAR REPEATEDLY WAS THAT WE APPROVE WILDCAT CANYON ON DECEMBER 6, AND I'M NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THAT.
>> ON DECEMBER 6 OF LAST YEAR, YOUR BOARD DID NOT APPROVE THE PROJECT.
WITH THE BUDGET, YOUR BOARD APPROVED FUNDING TO DO THE ADDITIONAL PLANNING WORK, THE SQL WORK THAT WAS REQUIRED TO MOVE THAT PROJECT FORWARD.
THIS YEAR, ALL OF THE PROJECTS THAT WE'RE ASKING YOUR BOARD TO APPROVE, NOT TODAY, BUT IN FUTURE MEETINGS FOR THE BUDGET, ARE DESCRIBED IN DETAIL AS THOSE PROJECTS THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT.
THE PROJECTS THAT ARE IN THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN, YOU'RE NOT APPROVING FUNDING FOR THOSE PROJECTS.
>> THEN THE DETAILS ON THAT ONE IN PARTICULAR ON PAGE E81.
IT DOES SAY THAT ESTIMATED FULL PROJECT COST WILL BE DETERMINED ONCE THIS PHASE IS COMPLETE.
THIS IS JUST OUR BEST ESTIMATE RIGHT NOW THAT WE'RE INCLUDING IN THE PLAN.
>> THANK YOU. ANYBODY ELSE AT THIS POINT?
>> DID THE PAC SEE THIS AND MAKE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS?
>> WE ARE PLANNING TO GO TO THE PAC FINANCE COMMITTEE ON THURSDAY, AND THEN WE HAVE THE FULL TOMORROW, AND THEN WE ARE GOING TO THE FULL PAC THE FOLLOWING WEEK.
>> I'LL MAKE THIS INTO THE FORM OF A QUESTION.
WE HAD OCTOBER 3, OUR CAPITOL PROJECT PRIORITIZATION WORKSHOP.
I KNOW GOING INTO THAT WORKSHOP, I HAD HOPED THAT WE WERE GOING TO REVIEW SOME OF THE SCORING CRITERIA IN TERMS OF HOW THIS CPP SCORE IS ASSIGNED.
I DO THINK THAT THERE ARE SOME LINGERING QUESTIONS.
I KNOW WE HAD A WORKSHOP IN THE SPRING, I THINK IN MARCH ABOUT THIS AND I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT TOPICS LIKE TRANSIT AND THE REGIONAL HOUSING NEEDS ASSESSMENT, RHNA ARENA, AS WELL AS AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND GROWTH.
A LOT OF THAT'S NOT REALLY INCLUDED IN OUR CURRENT SCORING.
WELL, WHAT WAS APPROVED IN AUGUST OF 2022, WE DO HAVE THE PRIORITIZATION CRITERIA, AND THEN WHAT HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ARE THE QUESTIONS THAT ARE ATTACHED TO EACH OF THE SCORING CRITERIA.
THAT'S THE PART THAT I GUESS MY QUESTION IS.
I JUST WANT TO CONFIRM THAT THOSE QUESTIONS, AND I DO HAVE A DRAFT OF THE QUESTIONS THAT I BROUGHT TODAY THAT WE HAVE PREVIOUSLY REVIEWED, BUT I JUST WANT TO CONFIRM THAT THAT HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
>> CORRECT. THE BOARD HAS JUST APPROVED THE POLICY FOR ESTABLISHING THE CPP SCORING AND THE DEFINITIONS OF WHAT THE SCORING IS MADE UP OF IN THE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES.
>> THIS YEAR'S PROJECTS ARE JUST US CONTINUING THE PROJECTS THAT WERE ON LAST YEAR.
MAYBE ONE OR TWO, I GUESS A COUPLE LIKE TEMESCAL IS A NEW ONE.
BUT THOSE CAME OUT TYPICALLY FROM THE BOARD PRIORITY SESSION.
[02:35:05]
OTHERWISE, THEY WERE MOSTLY JUST NEW PROJECTS MOVE FORWARD.THE CPP SCORE THIS YEAR, BECAUSE WE HAD SUCH MODEST CAPACITY, IT DIDN'T REALLY HAVE AN EFFECT ON WHAT THE PROJECTS THAT WE WERE RECOMMENDING TO YOUR BOARD.
>> AT SOME POINT, I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO BE ABLE TO GO BACK TO THE SCORING MODEL SO THAT WE CAN ALSO THINK ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND TRANSIT, AND GROWTH AND SOME OF THESE OTHER ASPECTS THAT MAYBE AREN'T CURRENTLY INCLUDED.
IN TERMS OF MAKING THAT A QUESTION, I GUESS MY QUESTION IS, CAN WE MAYBE HAVE THAT ON OUR AGENDA WHEN WE HAVE OUR NEXT CAPITAL PROJECT PRIORITIZATION WORKSHOP IN 2026?
>> THANK YOU. JUST TO BE EFFICIENT AND GO OFF OF WHAT YOU JUST SAID.
I WOULD BE REALLY, REALLY APPRECIATIVE OF HAVING A CHANCE TO LOOK AT WHAT THE RATIONALE IS FOR THE SCORING FOR THE PROJECTS IN MY AWARD, ESPECIALLY THE ONES THAT I'M VERY MUCH FAMILIAR WITH BECAUSE I HAVE THE SNEAKING SUSPICION, THERE ARE SOME ASPECTS OUT THERE THAT AREN'T CONSIDERED BECAUSE, I HATE TO SAY THIS, BUT THEY DON'T KNOW THE AREA AS GOOD AS I DO BECAUSE I GREW UP THERE.
I KNOW WHERE THE DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES ARE OUT THERE, AND I HAVE IN MY MIND FOR SOME OF THESE THINGS THE BENEFITS THAT IT WOULD HAVE HAVING LIVED IT, HAVING OBSERVED IT.
I JUST WOULD REQUEST THAT MAYBE NOT EVERY SINGLE PROJECT, BUT IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT A LITTLE UNCERTAIN ABOUT, I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE SOMEBODY GO OVER WHAT ALL THE DIFFERENT CONSIDERATIONS WERE.
>> JUST TO REITERATE WHAT ACTING GENERAL MANAGER STATED, WAS A LOT OF THESE PROJECTS HAVE BEEN ON THE LIST BEFORE 2022 AND THAT WE DEVELOPED THE SCORING CRITERIA.
THAT'S WHY THEY CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD IN THE CAPITAL BUDGET.
>> YES, BUT MY POINT OF BRINGING THIS UP IS, I THINK SOME PROJECTS WERE PRIORITIZED BASED ON CRITERIA THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE ITEMS LIKE TRANSIT, LOCATION NEAR, FREQUENT BUS ROUTE, OR BART, AS WELL AS ALL OF OUR HOUSING REQUIREMENTS THROUGH THE RHNA PROCESS AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING THAT HAS BEEN BUILT.
SOMETIMES THAT COMES UP, IF YOU HAVE A BART STATION, THERE'S GOING TO BE MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS NEXT TO THE BART STATION, SO THE TWO ARE NOT MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE.
BUT I DON'T THINK THAT THE PROJECTS THAT WE'VE HAD FOR YEARS HAVE TAKEN THAT INTO CONSIDERATION.
>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS? [BACKGROUND] WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT AT THE END.
[LAUGHTER] MY COMMENT IS THAT I WAS ABLE TO SIT DOWN FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS WITH THE WHOLE TEAM AND GO THROUGH EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THE WW ALLOCATIONS IN THE REVISED PROPOSAL WITH IN MY MIND, THE NEED TO FIND OUT FROM THE TEAM WHAT HAPPENS IF AND MY CONCERN IN PARTICULAR WAS WHAT YOU AND I TALKED ABOUT, THE MARSH CREEK CORRIDOR, YOUR SIDE OF THE ROAD AND MY SIDE OF THE ROAD IN TERMS OF REPRESENTATION, AND THE DIVERSION OF ACQUISITION FUNDS FROM ROUND VALLEY AND CLAYTON TO A VERY IMPORTANT PROJECT FOR EAST CONTRA COSTA, THE FIRST PHASED OPENING OF DEER VALLEY? WHAT I NEEDED TO KNOW IS IF SUCH AND SUCH A PROPERTY IN THAT CORRIDOR, ONES THAT YOU AND I KNOW ABOUT ACTUALLY AND ARE ON OUR LIST.
IF THOSE PROPERTIES BECOME AVAILABLE, IN THE MARSH CREEK CORRIDOR AREA.
THIS INVOLVES CLAYTON RANCH, ROUND VALLEY, MORGAN TERRITORY, AND BLACK DIAMOND AND DEER VALLEY.
THESE ARE ALL RELATED PARKLANDS.
WHAT HAPPENS IF ONE OF THESE PROPERTIES BECOMES AVAILABLE AND WE DON'T HAVE THE WW ACQUISITION MONEY TO LEVERAGE ANYMORE TO RAISE MONEY FROM OTHER FUNDERS.
IN EACH INSTANCE, I GOT INTO A LOT OF DETAIL THAT WELL, WE THINK THIS WOULD BE THE FUNDING AVAILABLE.
WE ALL ARE AWARE WE HAVE THE HCP OUT THERE.
[02:40:01]
REMEMBER WW AND HCP CAME ABOUT AROUND THE SAME TIME, 2008.>> WE'VE BEEN REMARKABLY SUCCESSFUL IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HCP TO LEVERAGE FUNDS, NOT USING WW FUND.
IN THAT CORRIDOR, IN THAT AREA.
AWAY, LONG STORY SHORT, BY GOING INTO DETAIL SPECIFIC PROPERTIES.
WE EVEN GOT INTO SPECIFIC PROJECT COSTS, BECAUSE I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT, FOR INSTANCE, THE RODDY GOLF COURSE SKYROCKETED IN PRICE IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, AND VERY PATIENTLY, IT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME HOW THEY HAD TO DO TRAFFIC DESIGN WORK THERE.
THAT WAS THE REASON. GO INTO THAT DETAIL, I WAS CONVINCED THAT WE'LL BE OKAY.
THAT IF SUCH AND SUCH A PROPERTY THAT JOHN AND I KNOW OF BECOMES AVAILABLE, STAFF IS CONFIDENT THAT THE PARK DISTRICT WILL COME UP WITH FUNDING TO LEVERAGE FOR FUNDS FROM OTHER SOURCES.
BY DOING THAT DETAIL MADE ME A LOT MORE COMFORTABLE.
I'M ALSO A LOT MORE COMFORTABLE BECAUSE DISTRICT WIDE, YOU FOLKS DID REDUCE SOME OF THE DIVERSIONS THAT WERE GOING ON, ESPECIALLY FROM OAKLAND SHORELINE AREAS UP TO ROBERTS I THINK THAT WAS A VERY GOOD IDEA TO DO WHAT YOU CAN TO KNOWING THERE'LL BE A DELAY IN THE PROJECT, BUT FIND OTHER FUNDING SOURCES.
IT WAS WITH THAT COMMITMENT THAT WE WENT THROUGH EVERYTHING.
DELTA ACCESS FUNDING WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.
WENT THROUGH THE SAME PROCESS WITH STAFF ON THAT MONEY.
I'M VERY COMFORTABLE AT THIS POINT WITH WHAT THE REVISED PROPOSAL IS.
I REALLY APPRECIATE THE AMOUNT OF TIME YOU FOLKS PUT INTO THIS AND THE AMOUNT OF TIME YOU PUT INTO GETTING INTO THE DETAIL THAT WOULD MAKE ME COMFORTABLE DOING IT.
AS YOU KNOW, I'M AN ACQUISITION HAWK, AS THEY SAY, IN TERMS OF PRIORITIZING WHAT WE'RE DOING.
IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME THAT WE WERE ABLE TO GO INTO IT IN THAT MUCH DETAIL AND I VERY MUCH APPRECIATED.
>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE AND IT'S BEEN NOTED IN THIS TABLE THAT SOME OF THE CHANGES THAT WE MADE ARE TAKEN FROM THE CONTINGENCY.
THERE'S A CONSIDERABLE CONTINGENCY THAT WAS BUILT INTO THIS MEASURE FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, AND WE HAVE TO THANK THE PRIOR BOARD MEMBERS BEFORE US FOR NOT DIPPING THEIR HANDS INTO THAT COOKIE JAR TOO SOON.
WE'RE IN THE TWILIGHT YEARS OF THIS BOND MEASURE, AND SO IT MAY BE TIME NOW TO START LOOKING AT THAT CONTINGENCY BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SPEND IT ALL NO MATTER WHAT HOW IT'S LABELED.
THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MAKES ME FEEL A LITTLE MORE COMFORTABLE IS THAT WE'RE SPENDING PART OF THAT NOW, BUT THERE'S A WHOLE LOT MORE THAN THAT THAT'S STILL IN THERE THAT CAN BE USED IF SOMETHING COMES UP BEFORE THE NEXT TIME THIS IS RENEWED.
THAT'S ANOTHER THING TO KEEP IN MIND IS IF THERE'S SOMETHING WAY OUT THERE, WE DON'T NEED TO SAVE MONEY FOR IT, NOW BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE ANOTHER MEASURE IN THE 2030S SOMEWHERE THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO SPECIFY THOSE PROJECTS AGAIN AND ALLOT THEM A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF FUNDING.
>> I DO WANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT OYSTER BAYS, THE BIKE SKILLS AREA.
I DO FEEL THAT PROJECT IS VERY CRITICAL TO IMPROVING ACCESS ALONG THE SHORELINE.
I DO SEE IT HERE AS IN THE REDUCTIONS, BUT WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MORE OF A DETAILED CONVERSATION ABOUT LOOKING AT TO SEE IF WE CAN SUPPORT THAT AT THE INITIALLY RECOMMENDED LEVELS, AND THEN JUST UNDERSTANDING MORE OF THE CONTEXT.
BUT WE CAN TAKE THAT OFFLINE AND DISCUSS FURTHER BECAUSE I DO FEEL THAT'S IMPORTANT SHORELINE PROJECT.
I FEEL LIKE WHAT'S LISTED FOR SOME OF THE INITIAL TYPE OF PROJECTS CAN BE USED FOR.
>> I GUESS THAT'S MORE COMMENTS AND IT'S ABOUT VOLUME 1 OF 2.
I KNOW WE'RE PRIMARILY TALKING ABOUT THE CIP RIGHT NOW, BUT WE CAN MAKE THIS AS COMMENTS AND THEN I'LL FOLLOW UP BEFORE THE NEXT MEETING.
BUT ON PAGE A1, IN THE BUDGET MESSAGE, WE TALK ABOUT HOW THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ADOPTED AN EQUITY STATEMENT.
[02:45:02]
I'M NOT SURE IF THAT ACTUALLY WAS ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTOR.I'D LIKE TO GO BACK AND REVIEW.
LOOKING AT OUR PAST MEETINGS TO SEE AND I DIDN'T SEE IT INITIALLY, BUT I'D LIKE TO JUST DOUBLE CHECK A REVIEW OF THAT.
THEN THE OTHER ONE IN SECTION D, WHERE WE HAVE OUR SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION.
I KNOW IN AT LEAST THE 2023, 2024, 2025 BUDGET, WHICH I HAVE THE 2025 BUDGET IN FRONT OF ME.
WE ALWAYS INCLUDED A SECTION ON THE LIVERMORE AREA RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION SECTION D OF VOLUME 1 OF OUR BUDGET BOOK, AND THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR THAT WE HAVE NOT INCLUDED THAT SECTION.
I'D LIKE TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THAT SO WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT BETWEEN NOW AND THE NEXT MEETING. THANK YOU.
>> I ALSO WANTED TO THANK STAFF FOR REALLY HEARING THE CONCERN ABOUT MOVING ALL OF THIS MONEY OVER AND REALLY WORKING HARD TO COME UP WITH AN ALTERNATIVE FOR US TO LOOK AT.
I KNOW YOU ALL HAVE PUT A TON OF WORK INTO NOT JUST THE ALTERNATIVE, BUT INTO ALL OF THESE VARIOUS CHARTS FOR US.
I APPRECIATED THE CHARTS THAT TIED IT ALL TOGETHER, HERE'S WHAT WAS FIRST DESIGNATED.
HERE'S WHY THAT MONEY IS NO LONGER NEEDED, BE IT OTHER GRANTS OR EASEMENTS OR WHATEVER ELSE, AND THEN HAVING IT SORT OF PASS ALL THE WAY THROUGH.
I FOUND THAT EXTREMELY HELPFUL.
I DO STILL HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS, BUT I'LL TAKE THAT OFFLINE WITH STAFF, BUT SINCE WE'RE NOT APPROVING TODAY ANYWAY, BUT I DID JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR HEARING US AND BEING RESPONSIVE AND GIVING US AN ALTERNATIVE TO WORK WITH. I APPRECIATE THAT.
>> I JUST WANT TO REITERATE THE SKILL THAT OUR PRESENT STAFF AND STAFF FROM YEARS AGO HAVE USED TO GET OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY, OPM, OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY.
IT MIGHT BE THE HCP, IT MIGHT BE THE STATE, IT COULD BE THE FEDS, COULD BE THE REGIONAL PARK.
ALL THESE WAYS THAT WEREN'T ANTICIPATED IN THE ORIGINAL WW AND WE CAN'T IGNORE THAT.
THAT'S PART OF HOW THINGS GO, AND SO, WE'VE GONE AND WE'VE DONE THE ACQUISITIONS ALREADY AND NOW WE'VE STILL GOT THIS MONEY LEFT AND THE OPPORTUNITIES REALLY AREN'T THERE ANYMORE BECAUSE WE'VE ALREADY DONE IT.
THE OTHER PART OF IT THAT CAN'T BE IGNORED IS WORK THAT'S DONE BY OTHERS.
AS PART OF A DEVELOPMENT, PART OF A PROJECT, AND THE GREAT THING ABOUT I LEARNED THIS WHEN I WAS A PLANNING COMMISSIONER, IF YOU PUT A LINE ON A MAP, A ROAD, OR A TRAIL, OR SOMETHING.
WHEN SOMEBODY COMES IN AND WANTS TO BUILD SOMETHING ON WHERE THAT LINE IS, THEY HAVE TO EITHER ALLOW A SPACE FOR IT OR IF YOU'RE REALLY GOOD, YOU GET THEM TO BUILD IT. THAT'S HAPPENED TOO.
SOME OF THESE THINGS ARE ALREADY ON THE GROUND, BUT WE DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR IT.
BECAUSE WE HAVE STAFF THAT'S REALLY GOOD ON KEEPING TRACK OF ALL THESE PROJECTS THAT ARE GOING THROUGH THE PLANNING PROCESS, THEY'RE IN THERE TALKING WITH THE APPROVING AGENCIES TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY DO GOOD FOR THE USERS OUT THERE.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT'S CLEAR.
THOSE ARE REASONS WHY I ALSO SUPPORT THESE TRANSFERS.
>> BEFORE WE MOVE ON. SINCE I DIDN'T REALIZE WE'RE NOT GOING TO I HAVE ANOTHER. [OVERLAPPING]
I'M SORRY, I'M HARPING ON POINT ISABEL, BUT I'VE JUST NEVER SEEN.
I JUST FEEL LIKE WE GOT SNOOKERED IF WE'RE PAYING FOR THAT.
I DON'T KNOW. WHERE WAS IT GOING TO COME FROM? BECAUSE THE SQA COMMENT PERIOD JUST CLOSED BACK ON OCTOBER 20TH, SO CLEARLY THERE'S BEEN A PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND GEOMEMBRANE.
ALL OF THAT HAS BEEN DONE FOR QUITE SOME TIME.
IF WE WERE GOING TO DO THAT, WHERE WAS IT GOING TO COME FROM?
>> WELL, I MEAN, I THINK THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.
>> [OVERLAPPING] I JUST BECAUSE I JUST HEARD QUARTER THREE, WE'RE DOING GREAT, EVERYTHING'S GREAT, DON'T HAVE TO WORRY.
BUT WHERE WAS THAT GOING TO COME FROM?
>> IN THE PAST AND WE TALKED ABOUT THIS ON OCTOBER 3RD WAS THAT AS PROPERTY TAXES HAVE RISEN OVER THE PAST DECADE OR MORE AT A VERY STEEP RATE.
WE HAD EXTRA MONEY IN OUR BUDGET IN THE GENERAL FUND THAT COULD HELP SUPPORT PROJECTS.
EACH YEAR WHEN WE CAME TO THE TIME WHEN WE WERE GOING TO HAVE OUR CAPITAL PROJECTS PLANNING,
[02:50:03]
WE HAD SOME EXTRA FUND BALANCE FOR ONE TIME EXPENDITURES THAT WE COULD USE TO SUPPORT SOME OF THESE PROJECTS.THIS YEAR, WHEN WE LOOK FORWARD AT THE REVENUE THAT'S COMING IN, PROPERTY TAX ARE GROWING MORE SLOWLY THAN THEY HAVE IN THE PAST, AND THAT COVERS OUR OPERATING EXPENSES.
WE'RE GOOD IN THAT SENSE, BUT WHAT IT DOESN'T HAVE IS EXTRA FUNDING TO SUPPORT ONE TIME COSTS FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS.
WE ALSO HAVE SPENT THROUGH ALL OF THE MEASURE WW DEVELOPMENT FUNDS.
WE'VE BEEN USING THOSE FUNDS TO FUND CAPITAL PROJECTS.
WE'RE AT THIS POINT WHERE, FOR THIS COMING YEAR, WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF OPTIONS FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS, WHEREAS YOUR BOARD OR OTHER VERSIONS OF YOUR BOARD IN PAST YEARS HAVE HAD A LOT MORE FLEXIBILITY TO FUND PROJECTS THAT HAVE COME UP.
THE OTHER THING IS WE'VE BEEN PLANNING SOME REALLY BIG PROJECTS THAT ARE JUST COMING TO THE POINT WHERE THEY'RE READY TO BE IMPLEMENTED.
IT'S A CHALLENGING SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR BOARD'S PATIENCE AS WE TRY TO WORK TO PROVIDE YOU WITH OPTIONS.
>> JUST THINK LEARNING SOONER THAN LATER, SO IT SEEMS LIKE A BIG SURPRISE OR A BIG LEAP OF FAITH, BUT I DIDN'T REALLY KNOW THAT WE WOULD BASICALLY BE ASKED TO BALANCE OUR BUDGET, OUR CIP BUDGET WITH ACQUISITION FUNDS.
THE OTHER QUESTION I HAVE AND I'LL STOP ON THE CIP, IS THE COMMUNITY ACCEPTANCE, THE CPP SCORES AND HOW THEY LOOK AT BIG CHUNK, MY EXPERIENCE WITH PROJECTS IS THERE WAS ALWAYS EXTRA POINTS FOR COMMUNITY ACCEPTANCE.
IF THE COMMUNITY REALLY DESIRES THIS.
IF PEOPLE JUST ABSOLUTELY LOVE POINT ISABEL AND CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT IT, AND WE REPRESENT THE WHOLE BOARD, THEN SO BE IT IT GETS EXTRA POINTS.
I'M INTERESTED IN THE CPP RANKING AND HOW THAT FALLS IN.
IF IT DOES HAVE A CLIMATE, A PIECE TO IT AND ALL.
BUT ALSO, MY UNDERSTANDING AND I ATTENDED A COUPLE MEETINGS, ONE WITH DIRECTOR COFFEE IS THERE IS A LOT OF INTEREST IN HOW DO WE GET BIKES ACROSS THE BAY BRIDGE OVER THE CITY, AND THERE IS A SKYWAY PROJECT WITH A LOT OF BATA TOLL MONEY AND OPPORTUNITY FOR A SKYWAY AND IT'S ACTUALLY ALREADY BEEN COMMITTED TO A COUPLE MILLION DOLLAR TO GET PEOPLE FROM, I THINK OAKLAND 9TH STREET UP AND OVER THE PORT TO OUR JOHN SUTTER ACROSS THE BAY BRIDGE, AND THEN ULTIMATELY A FERRY ACROSS TO THE CITY.
TO ME, THAT SEEMS LIKE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR ACQUISITION MONEY.
I'M JUST WORRIED, WHAT IF WE SPEND IT DOWN NOW, WHAT IF WE ARE DIPPING IN THE COOKIE JAR, AND IS THAT ARE THERE STILL OPPORTUNITIES? BECAUSE THAT TO ME, I WAS SAID, IT'S ALL BUILT OUT.
THERE'S NO OPPORTUNITY IN OAKLAND ANYMORE.
BUT THAT'S ONE WHERE WE MET AND WE WALKED AND THAT'D BE A GREAT WAY TO GET BICYCLISTS MOVING IN THE BAY AREA.
>> YES, I HEARD, AND I THINK WE'VE TRIED TO BE RESPONSIVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT USING ALL OF THOSE FUNDS, SO TAKING A MORE MODEST APPROACH ON SOME OF THOSE SHORELINE FUNDING SOURCES WITH THIS ALTERNATIVE.
>> DIRECTOR [LAUGHTER] ROSSBY HAS BEEN WAY PATIENTLY WAITING THERE.
>> THANK YOU. AGAIN, I APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS FROM THE COMPROMISE.
I STILL THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A NONSTARTER FOR OUR STAKEHOLDERS.
I THINK WE MADE A PROMISE TO THE COMMUNITY. I'VE SAID THIS BEFORE.
I JUST THINK THIS IS GOING TO COME BACK TO GET US.
WE'RE SPENDING MONEY THAT'S NOT OURS, SO TO SPEAK.
IT'S THE PUBLICS, AND THE PUBLIC WAS VERY CLEAR THAT THEY WANTED US TO SPEND 75% ON ACQUISITION, 25% ON DEVELOPMENT.
THE FACT THAT WE COULDN'T MAKE ENOUGH MONEY THAT WE SPEND OUR GENERAL FUND ON OTHER THINGS.
I DON'T THINK IT IS AN EXCUSE.
I GUESS THE TIDE IS GOING THE OTHER WAY, BUT I JUST NEED TO MAKE THAT STATEMENT BECAUSE, I DON'T THINK WE'LL EVER PASS A PARCEL TAX FOR THE NEXT GENERATION IF WE DO THIS.
>> JOHN, I HAVE A QUESTION TO THAT POINT BECAUSE AND I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY BECAUSE MAX DEPUTY ACTING GM WAS JUST SAYING THAT WE HAVE SPENT SOME OF THE ACQUISITION MONEY ON DEVELOPMENT.
DID I HEAR YOU RIGHT? BECAUSE DOES IT BALANCE OUT IN SOME WAY OR NOT REALLY?
>> I THINK WHAT I WAS SAYING IS WE'VE SPENT OUT MOST OF THE DEVELOPMENT MONEY.
[OVERLAPPING] WE ALSO HAVE DONE OTHER TRANSFERS IN THE PAST.
BUT I THINK WHAT I WAS SPEAKING TO WAS MORE THAT WE'VE SPENT OUT MOST OF THAT.
>> WE HAVE THAT LIST SOMEWHERE?
>> YES, I PROVIDED IT'S AN ATTACHMENT F OF YOUR PACKET.
[02:55:03]
IT SHOWS YOU ALL THE TRANSFERS THAT HAVE BEEN APPROVED SINCE 2010 WAS WHEN WE FIRST STARTED DOING TRANSFERS. OF THE STAFF REPORT.>> ALL RIGHT, SO I THINK WE'RE GOOD ON THIS ONE.
>> NEXT STEP, WE HAVE ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER, LISA GORGON TO PRESENT THE OPERATIONS BUDGET.
>> HI, AGAIN, MY NAME IS LISA GORGON.
I'M THE ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER OVER THE OPERATIONS DIVISION, AND SO WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A QUICK TOUR THROUGH THE PROPOSED 2026 BUDGET, AND ALSO A LOOK BACK ON 2025 WITH SOME HIGHLIGHTS.
BEFORE I BEGIN, I WANTED TO JUST REMIND EVERYBODY THIS IS THE OPERATIONS DIVISION, SO IT'S FIVE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS.
I JUST WANTED TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY ACKNOWLEDGE EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO WORKS IN THIS DIVISION.
THEN ALSO, SINCE I HAPPEN TO BE IN A MIXED CROWD WITH OTHER DIVISION STAFFS, REALLY THE WHOLE PARK DISTRICT BECAUSE WE REALLY COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT US AS A WHOLE.
I JUST I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE STAFF HERE IN THIS BUILDING AND FOREIGN RIDE ACROSS THE TWO COUNTIES FOR EVERYTHING THEY DO AND I HAVE DONE THIS HERE.
WHEN I LOOK BACK, WE WANTED TO SHARE WHAT WE DID LAST YEAR, WHAT WE SAID WE WERE GOING TO DO AND GIVE AN UPDATE ON WHAT WE DID.
WE HAD SIX PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES, AND WE'VE COMPLETED FOUR OF THEM AND TWO OF THEM ARE IN PROGRESS.
I THINK FOR THE MOST PART, MOST OF THEM, THIS RESOURCE ALLOCATION PLAN, WE'RE GOING TO BE GOING TOMORROW TO THE BOARD OPERATIONS COMMITTEE TO GIVE AN UPDATE.
THAT WAS OUR FIRST OBJECTIVE, SO WE'RE IN PROGRESS.
THE SECOND ONE IS INITIATING A SECOND RECREATION GROUP.
I WANT TO THANK THE BOARD FOR AUTHORIZING A SECOND RECREATION SUPERVISOR.
WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING THAT POSITION FILLED AND MOVING FORWARD WITH THAT, SO THANK YOU.
WE NOW HAVE OUR PUBLIC WORKS NUMBER 3 GROUP FOR MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND REPAIR, AND SO WE WENT THROUGH A PRIORITIZATION PROCESS ON HOW WE PRIORITIZE THAT WORK.
THAT WAS COMPLETED, AND WE GAVE AN UPDATE TO THE BOARD OPERATIONS COMMITTEE IN AUGUST.
THIS NEXT ONE, WE GAVE AN UPDATE TO THE BOARD OPERATIONS COMMITTEE IN SEPTEMBER ABOUT IMPLEMENTATION OF OUR CASHLESS KIOSK PILOT PROGRAM, SO WE'RE CONTINUING THAT AND APPRECIATE THE BOARD'S SUPPORT.
OUR FIFTH PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVE WAS REALLY LOOKING AT OUR EXISTING MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE TO REALLY LOOK AT WORK ORDERS AND REALLY USING THAT TECHNOLOGY TO THE BEST THAT WE COULD TO MAKE IT AS EFFICIENT AND AS RESPONSIVE.
WE GOT AS FAR AS WE WANTED TO GET.
OBVIOUSLY, WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE WORKING ON THAT.
THEN FOR THE LAST ONE IS TO JUST DO SOME OVERALL IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PARKS SINCE I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU SOME PHOTOS. HERE THEY ARE.
ONE OF OUR OBJECTIVES THIS YEAR WAS REALLY TO REALLY MAKE SOME IMPROVEMENTS ACROSS THE PARKS.
AT DON CASTRO AND AT SHADOW CLIFFS, A LOT OF PICNIC AREA RENOVATIONS, NEW BARBECUES AT KENNEDY GROVE, AND WE HAVE MORE PICTURES, BUT THAT WAS JUST TASTE.
THEN AS PART OF OUR FLEET PURCHASES, THIS WAS THE FIRST YEAR WE WENT TO THE BOARD BACK IN FEBRUARY TO HAVE A OVERALL AUTHORIZATION TO BE ABLE TO PURCHASE VEHICLES USING OUR COOPERATIVE PURCHASING AGREEMENTS.
THAT WAS VERY POSITIVE AND WE'RE GOING TO BE GIVING AN UPDATE ON THAT AT OUR DECEMBER BOARD OPERATIONS COMMITTEE.
LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR, WE HAVE A SEVEN PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVE.
I WANT TO JUST TAKE A MOMENT TO PAUSE AND LET YOU KNOW
[03:00:01]
THAT IN PREPARING FOR THESE PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES, EACH OF THE DIVISION LEADS AND THE BUSINESS SERVICES MANAGER, WE CAME TOGETHER AS A GROUP AND DEVELOPED A FRAMEWORK OF HOW WE WERE GOING TO BE DEVELOPING THESE PERFORMED OBJECTIVES.I WANTED TO JUST SHARE WITH YOU.
WE DID THIS BECAUSE WE REALLY FEEL LIKE IT'S IMPORTANT FOR OUR TEAMS TO BE IN ALIGNMENT AS WE MOVE FORWARD AS WELL WITH THE OTHER DIVISIONS.
WITH THOSE, WE REALLY LOOKED THROUGH LENS OF HEALTH, SAFETY, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND FACILITIES, STEWARDSHIP, CONSERVATION, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND EQUITY AND CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND STANDARDIZATION OF DATA, REPORTING, AND TECHNICAL APPLICATIONS.
THANK YOU. THOSE REALLY ARE THE LENS THAT WE DEVELOPED, THESE SEVEN OBJECTIVES THAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE.
AGAIN, WE'RE CONTINUING WITH OUR RESOURCE ALLOCATION.
OBJECTIVE NUMBER 2, THANK YOU FOR THE BOARD, AUTHORIZING THAT CONTRACT TO LOOK AT EVALUATIONS AND OUR I & R PROGRAMS, WE ARE CONTINUING TO LOOK AT OUR MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE FOR WORKFLOW, EXPEDITING WORK ORDER AND MAKING THOSE WHOLE PROCESSES SMOOTHER.
WE ARE CONTINUING OUR WORK WITH HAVING AN ONLINE RESERVATION SYSTEM.
HOPEFULLY, NEXT YEAR WE'LL BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT SOME OF THAT.
WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE LOOKING AT WHERE WE CAN IMPROVE AND RENOVATE OUR PICNIC SITES, AND ALSO IN TERMS OF LOOKING AT THE LAND THAT WE'RE STEWARDING, REALLY LOOKING AT WATER USE EFFICIENCY WITH SOME OF OUR IRRIGATION SYSTEMS. OUR SEVENTH OBJECTIVE IS TO LOOK AT SOME OF OUR CONDITIONS THAT NOT ONLY HAZARDOUS TREE CONDITIONS AND EROSION CONTROL, BUT ALSO LOOKING AT SOME OF OUR PLAY AREAS TO SEE HOW WE CAN ADDRESS THOSE TO MAKE THEM MORE WELCOMING AND BRING THEM UP TO BEST PRACTICES TO FIT IN THE LANDSCAPE.
WE'RE IN 2026. OUR NEW STAFF APPROPRIATIONS, WE HAVE TWO NEW POSITIONS THAT WERE APPROVED BY THE BOARD EARLIER THIS FALL THROUGH THE SIDE LETTER AGREEMENT, SO WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL FOR THAT.
THEN EACH YEAR, WE BRING FORWARD NINE MONTH RANGER POSITIONS AND CONVERT THEM INTO 12 MONTHS, SO WE HAVE TWO OF THOSE THAT WE'RE DOING THIS YEAR.
WE HAVE SOME ONE TIME BUDGET REQUESTS.
I WILL SAY I HAVE PHOTOS FOR THE REST OF THEM EXCEPT FOR THE FIRST ONE, SO I'LL GO THROUGH THOSE A LITTLE BIT IN A SECOND, BUT THE FIRST ONE IS JUST FOR SOME TRANSPORT COSTS AND SETUP COSTS TO MOVE THE PORTABLE THAT'S JUST IN THE PARKING LOT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROOM OVER TO DEL VALLE TO HELP WITH STAFF OFFICES.
RENTAL EQUIPMENT FOR CROWN BEACH.
WE MOVE SAND EVERY YEAR THERE.
THE COSTS CONTINUE TO INCREASE.
WE DO SPLIT THAT WITH THE CITY OF ALAMEDA, BUT WE FRONT-LOAD THE COSTS FIRST.
WE ALSO ARE LOOKING TO PURCHASE WHAT'S CALLED A TIGER DAM.
IT'S A INFLATABLE DAM THAT GETS DEPLOYED DURING HIGH TIDES TO PROTECT OUR INFRASTRUCTURE.
ALSO, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, ABOUT LOOKING AT DOING SOME ASSESSMENT TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO REFURBISH THE PLAYGROUNDS IN PARTICULAR AT TWO PARKS.
HERE ARE THE TWO PLAYGROUNDS WE'RE LOOKING AT AT WILDCAT CANYON AND REINHARDT REDWOOD REGIONAL PLAYGROUND.
THIS IS WHAT THE TIGER DAM LOOKS LIKE.
YOU CAN SEE IT GETS INFLATED, I THINK IT'S FILLED WITH WATER, THEN IT GETS DEFLATED.
THESE ARE JUST FOR THE OPERATIONS DIVISION FLEET PURCHASES.
THESE ARE OFTEN WHAT WE FIND BECAUSE OF THE BOARD'S APPROVAL OF NEW POSITIONS, WE'RE ABLE TO BRING ON NEW POSITIONS AND THEN IT TAKES US A COUPLE OF BUDGET CYCLES TO BRING ON THE EQUIPMENT THAT THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO OPERATE.
THESE ARE MOSTLY SUPPORTING THAT.
HERE'S A COUPLE MORE PHOTOS FROM 2025.
THIS IS FROM OUR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, THE MLK DAY OF SERVICE.
I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT WE HAVE HAD OVER 550 PROGRAMS THIS YEAR.
WE HAD OVER 8,700 PARTICIPANTS, AND WE HAD OVER 25,000 VOLUNTEER HOURS.
I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I JUST WANTED TO SAY OUT LOUD. LET'S SEE.
[03:05:04]
I WANTED TO JUST AGAIN, THANK THE BOARD FOR AUTHORIZING A NEW POSITION.IT'S CALLED A RECREATION ASSISTANT POSITION.
IT HELPED WITH ALL OF OUR SUMMER CAMPS, OUR OUTDOOR RECREATION PROGRAMMING, SO THAT'S ON THE LEFT.
THEN TWO BUDGET CYCLES AGO, THE BOARD ALSO AUTHORIZED A NEW SUPERVISOR POSITION FOR OUR TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM.
PREVIOUSLY, OUR VOLUNTEER SUPERVISOR OVERSAW BOTH.
WE HEARD FROM THE BOARD, THERE WERE SOME CONCERNS ABOUT JUST CAPACITY TO REALLY BE ABLE TO FULLY SUPPORT THOSE TWO PROGRAMS. WE REALLY ARE BENEFITING FROM THE BOARD'S AUTHORIZATION OF THOSE POSITIONS AND JUST WANTED TO CALL THAT OUT.
HERE ARE SOME OF OUR PROGRAMS THAT ARE FUNDED BY THE REGIONAL PARK FOUNDATION.
I WANTED TO APPRECIATE THOSE AND SHOW THOSE.
SOME OF THE OTHER WORK THAT WAS DONE AT DEL VALLE THIS YEAR, 11 CAMP SITES WERE RENOVATED THAT WERE DAMAGED IN 2023 STORMS AND WERE OPENED THIS YEAR FOR THE FIRST TIME.
WE DID SOME IMPROVEMENTS TO SOME OF OUR STAGING AREAS.
THIS IS ONE OF THEM, IN PARTICULAR, DOWN AT ALAMEDA CREEK.
WE DID A LOT OF TRAIL REPAIRS.
AGAIN, I WANTED TO JUST HIGHLIGHT THE GOOD WORK OF FIELD STAFF TO MAKE IT A MORE WELCOMING AND SAFE VISITOR EXPERIENCE AND NOT ONLY THAT, BUT JUST STEWARDSHIP OF THE LAND.
AGAIN, WHEN I MENTIONED STEWARDSHIP, THAT'S PART OF IT.
THIS IS A PHOTO OF A BEACHED WHALE THAT I JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT BECAUSE WE DID PUT IN OUR BUDGET 30,000 FOR SHORELINE SERVICES TO HELP WHEN WE HAVE UNEXPECTED EITHER ANIMALS OR VESSELS THAT COME UP ONTO THE SHORELINE AND WE HAVE TO REMOVE THEM.
THE BOARD LAST YEAR AUTHORIZED A NEW POSITION, A NEW PARK SUPERVISOR POSITION AT THURGOOD MARSHALL.
THIS TEAM WAS PART OF THE CONTRA COSTA TRAILS TEAM, WHICH HAS A LOT OF WORK TO DO.
THEN WE WERE FINDING THAT THURGOOD MARSHALL HAD A LOT TO DO, EVEN THOUGH IT'S A LAND MAKE PROPERTY AT THIS.
I REALLY WANTED TO APPRECIATE THE BOARD FOR AUTHORIZING THAT SUPERVISOR POSITION.
THE BOARD CONTINUES TO SUPPORT US WITH HAZARDOUS TREE REMOVAL.
THIS IS A PICNIC AREA AT CONTRA LOMA THAT WAS DEVELOPED.
IN RESPONSE TO THE SWIM LAGOON BEING CLOSED, WE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF SAVINGS BECAUSE WE WEREN'T PAYING FOR CHEMICALS, AND SO THE TEAM THERE REALLY TRIED TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE COMMUNITY NEEDS BY DEVELOPING THIS NEW PICNIC AREA.
IT'S AN ADA COMPLIANT MEETS ADA, AND SO IT'S REALLY SPECIAL.
BRIDGES. MORE BRIDGES, SO MANY BRIDGES. WE LIKE BRIDGES.
THEN AGAIN, JUST REOPENING A SECTION OF TRAIL THAT HAD BEEN CLOSED FOR A LONG TIME.
THIS WAS AGAIN DONE BY PARK STAFF.
WITH THAT, I WANTED TO JUST THANK EVERYBODY WHO'S CONTRIBUTED TO THIS AND THANK THE BOARD FOR THEIR SUPPORT.
DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? DO WE HAVE ANY COMMENTS? THANK YOU.
>> I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM AND EVERYBODY WHO YOU INTERACT WITH, AND WHICH, AS YOU NOTED, WAS PRETTY MUCH THE WHOLE AGENCY, AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC.
LOVE THE PICTURES AND WELL DONE.
NEXT STEP, WE HAVE JESSICA WITH HR.
HI, GOOD AFTERNOON, JESSICA ROMEO, AGM OF HUMAN RESOURCES.
I WILL DO MY BEST TO MAKE QUICK THIS BECAUSE UNFORTUNATELY, I DON'T HAVE AS MANY FUN PICTURES.
I DO HAVE ONE REALLY FUN PICTURE, WHICH IS OF THE HR TEAM THERE, WHO IS IN CHARGE OF DOING ALL OF THE THINGS THAT YOU SEE THERE ON THE SCREEN,
[03:10:05]
BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION, ADMINISTERING OUR MEDICAL DENTAL VISION LIFE 457 PLANS, LEAVE ADMINISTRATION, NEGOTIATING CONTRACTS, CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION, OUR GRIEVANCE PROCESS, PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT DISCIPLINE, APPRAISAL PROCESS, TRAINING, ESPECIALLY TRAINING FOR OUR MANAGEMENT, WHICH HAS BEEN THROUGH DIFFERENT ITERATIONS AND IS REALLY GREAT, FULL CYCLE RECRUITMENT PROCESSING, ONBOARDING POST SELECTION, POSITION CONTROL, JOB CLASS AND JOB DESCRIPTION MANAGEMENT, WORKERS COMP, RETURN TO WORK PROGRAM, OUR HEALTH AND SAFETY PROGRAM, AND INTERACTIVE PROCESS AND ACCOMMODATIONS PROGRAM AMONG MANY OTHER THINGS.IN PROGRESS, I WILL SAY, IS NUMBER 6 AND NUMBER 7.
REVIEWING JOB COST SPECIFICATIONS AND REVISING THOSE TAKES A TON OF EFFORT AND TIME AND SHOULD BE AN ONGOING PROCESS, AND SO PROBABLY WILL ALWAYS BE IN PROCESS AS IS EXPANDING OUR OUTREACH TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS.
WE NEVER WANT TO STOP DOING THAT, SO THOSE WILL CONTINUE TO BE IN PROGRESS.
FOR 2026, MY MANAGEMENT STAFF CAME UP WITH 10 OBJECTIVES.
YOU'LL SEE THAT A LOT OF OUR GOALS FOR 2026 ARE FOCUSED ON IMPROVING OUR PROCESSES AND EFFICIENCIES SO THAT WE CAN BETTER SERVE OUR CURRENT AND FUTURE EMPLOYEES.
THAT WOULD BE NUMBER 2, 03, 5, AND 9, AND THEN YOU'LL SEE NUMBER 8 AND 10 ARE REALLY ABOUT UPDATING, EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR CURRENT EMPLOYEES.
THEN GETTING TO OUR ASKS FOR THIS YEAR.
OUR REQUESTS OVER $50,000 IS DERELICT BOAT REMOVAL AND STORAGE. VERY EXCITING.
IF THERE ARE DERELICT BOATS ON ANY OF OUR LANDS, WE NEED TO WATERS, I SHOULD SAY, WE NEED TO REMOVE THEM AND SO WE'RE ASKING FOR AN INCREASE IN THAT.
OUR OCCU-MED YEAR-ROUND PREEMPLOYMENT MEDICAL.
WE HAVE PREEMPLOYMENT MEDICALS FOR CERTAIN JOB CLASSIFICATIONS AS WELL AS FOR CURRENT EMPLOYEES, IF ANY MONITORING NEEDS TO BE DONE.
I THINK YOU RECENTLY HEARD ABOUT SILICA MONITORING.
OUR EMPLOYEE WORKERS' COMP CLAIM COSTS.
COSTS ARE GOING UP FOR MEDICAL COVERAGE AND FOR TEMPORARY DISABILITY.
>> IS THE DERELICT BOAT RELATED TO RISK MANAGEMENT?
>> YES, IT IS. ACTUALLY, ALL OF THESE SO FAR, EXCEPT A PART OF OCCU-MED ARE RISK MANAGEMENT.
>> BECAUSE MOST EVERYTHING YOU DO IS NON-TANGIBLE.
IT'S AN IDEA. IT'S A PROCESS, BUT THAT'S A REAL THING. YOU CAN SEE IT.
>> FOR BASE BUDGET REQUESTS OVER 20,000, WE HAVE A CERTIFIED INDUSTRIAL HYGIENIST CONTRACT, HAZARDOUS WASTE PICK-UP AND DISPOSAL FROM PARKS AND SHAW CONSULTING, WHICH WORKS WITH US ON ADA AND FEHA PROCESSES.
>> WE ALSO HAVE LEAVE ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT.
THEY ADMINISTER OUR PROTECTED LEAVE.
YOU'LL SEE BABY BONDING MILITARY LEAVE BEREAVEMENT FMLA, WHICH IS FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT AND THE CALIFORNIA EQUIVALENT, WHICH IS THE CALIFORNIA FAMILY RIGHTS ACT.
THEN WE'VE ALSO ASKED FOR $50,000 FOR EXECUTIVE RECRUITMENTS, AND THAT IS IT.
>> ALL RIGHT. QUESTIONS? THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> ANY COMMENTS? WE DO HAVE A QUESTION.
>> I DO. I'M JUST CURIOUS WHERE THINGS FALL, MORE ON DEVELOPMENT, ON INTERNS, ON STUDENTS, ON YOUTH.
WE NEED THE NEXT SEVEN GENERATIONS, WE NEED A SUCCESSION PLAN.
IS THAT FALL UNDER YOUR BOLLYWIK? I HEARD ONCE WE HAD MAYBE THREE INTERNS ON STAFF.
JUST SHARE ANY OTHER THOUGHTS ON THAT.
COMBINE IT WITH TRAINING OUR OWN IN HOUSE AND BUILDING A YOUNGER LEGACY.
>> INTERNS ARE BUDGETED BY DIVISIONS, EACH DIVISION HAS A CERTAIN ALLOTMENT OF FUNDS TO HIRE INTERNS.
[03:15:08]
IT'S PART OF MY WORK PLAN TO WORK ON THE INTERN PROGRAM SO THAT IT IS REALLY EXPANDED AND BUILT OUT AND REALLY A PROGRAM INSTEAD OF JUST HIRING ONE OFF INTERNS.>> YOU ADDED THAT IN THE BUDGET FOR 2026?
THAT IS ALREADY IN THE BUDGET WITH ME BEING BUDGETED.
>> THIS NEXT ONE IS THE GENERAL MANAGER'S OFFICE, AND I'M GOING TO BE BRIEF.
THE GENERAL MANAGER'S OFFICE SUPPORTS A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING.
APPRECIATE IT. IT'S ALL RIGHT.
WE CAN JUST EXCLUDE THAT PART.
WE'RE GETTING THERE. THAT'S ALL GOOD. PERFECT. THANK YOU.
JUST A FEW THINGS TO CALL YOUR ATTENTION TO.
ONE, IS WE'RE RECOMMENDING TO MOVE A POSITION TO THE GENERAL MANAGER'S OFFICE.
THAT WAS A MANAGEMENT ANALYST, THAT WAS IN THE ACQUISITION STEWARDSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT.
DIVISION THAT HAD BEEN IMPROVED SEVERAL YEARS AGO, BUT HAD NEVER BEEN FILLED.
THE PROPOSAL THAT'S IN THE BUDGET IS TO HAVE THAT PERSON HELP TO MANAGE THE SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM FOR THE DISTRICT, AND THE IDEA IS THAT THEY WOULD BE THERE TO RESEARCH AND UNDERSTAND AND HAVE A DISTRICT WIDE ROLE LOOKING AT SUSTAINABILITY ACTIVITIES AND HELPING TO COME UP WITH RECOMMENDATIONS AROUND POTENTIAL SUSTAINABILITY IMPROVEMENTS AND COORDINATE BETWEEN DIVISIONS.
THE OTHER BUDGET REQUEST THAT'S IN THERE IS RELATIVELY SMALL, BUT IS SUPPORTING THE OFFICE OF EQUITY THAT'S WITHIN THE GENERAL MANAGER'S OFFICE AROUND A PROGRAM TO SUPPORT EMPLOYEE AFFINITY GROUPS, WHICH WAS LAUNCHED THIS LAST YEAR.
OF COURSE, THIS GROUP SUPPORTS ALL THE WORK OF THE DISTRICT, BUT SOME SPECIFIC THINGS TO CALL OUT.
THIS TEAM IS REALLY CONNECTED WITH THE DISTRICT PLAN PROCESS AND MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE ENGAGEMENT ACROSS THE WHOLE TEAM.
WE'RE WORKING ON CROSS DIVISIONAL EFFORTS.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THIS TEAM IS VERY FOCUSED ON IS MAKING SURE THAT ALL OF THE DIFFERENT TEAMS WITHIN THE DISTRICT ARE WORKING TOGETHER IN ALIGNMENT WITH YOUR BOARD'S PRIORITIES.
THIS TEAM WILL ALSO BE WORKING ON WHATEVER VERSION OF THE REORGANIZATION IS APPROVED BY YOUR BOARD IN THE BUDGET TO MOVE THAT FORWARD SUCCESSFULLY.
WE'RE REALLY FOCUSED ON VEGETATION MANAGEMENT.
ALISON AND MYSELF, ALONG WITH CLAIRE, FROM THIS TEAM, HAVE BEEN WORKING ACROSS ALL OUR DIVISIONS ON A VEGETATION MANAGEMENT STRATEGY THAT'S FOCUSED DISTRICT WIDE.
THEN CHRIS REID, WHO'S A PART OF THIS TEAM IS RIGHT NOW REALLY FOCUSED ON POINT MOLATE ON SOME NEXT STEPS WITH THAT REALLY COMPLICATED NEW ASSET.
WE'RE ALSO FOCUSED ON SUPPORTING THESE MEETINGS AND OTHER PUBLIC MEETINGS AND COMMUNICATIONS, FOCUSED ON PRIORITIZING DEI EFFORTS AND EQUITY GOALS ACROSS THE DISTRICT.
CONTINUING TO REVIEW AND UPDATE THE BOARD OPERATING GUIDELINES.
I KNOW THAT WAS MENTIONED EARLIER.
THEN LASTLY, THERE'S SOME UPDATES TO ORDINANCE 38 THAT WE'VE IDENTIFIED THAT WOULD HELP THE DISTRICT BETTER ALIGN WITH BEST PRACTICES AND WOULD ALSO SUPPORT THE BETTER ABILITY OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIALS TO RESPOND TO INCIDENTS THAT ARISE.
THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION.
>> WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT.
>> THE ONLY AFFINITY GROUP THAT I'M AWARE ABOUT THE PARK
[03:20:01]
IS ORGANIZED OUTSIDE OF THE PARK STRUCTURE.SO THE BEC. WHAT AFFINITY GROUPS DO WE HAVE AT THE PARK?
>> I THINK WE DO HAVE SOME NEW AFFINITY GROUPS AND ALISON.
>> ALISON COOK, DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER.
YES, A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, THE OFFICE OF EQUITY AND HUMAN RESOURCES WORKED ON A FORMAL AFFINITY GROUP POLICY, AT WHICH POINT IT WAS DISSEMINATED TO ALL STAFF AND I THINK WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY THREE OFFICIAL AFFINITY GROUPS.
I CAN GET YOU A LIST OF THOSE.
WE HAVE ONE. SORRY. WE HAD THREE IN THE WORKS, BUT ONE OFFICIALLY DONE.
THERE'S AN APPLICATION PROCESS THAT THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH, BUT THERE IS ONE AFFINITY GROUP THAT HAS COMPLETED THE ENTIRE PROCESS.BUT YOU ARE CORRECT THAT WE ALSO HAVE ONE GROUP THAT HAS DECIDED TO STAY INDEPENDENT OF THE PARK DISTRICT.
>> WHAT WOULD BE THE NAME OF THAT ONE GROUP? ARE WE AWARE OF THE NAME? THANK YOU.
>> THEN FOR DEI EFFORTS, WE HAVEN'T RECEIVED OR ARE WE GOING TO RECEIVE SOME TYPE OF REPORT ON DEI EFFORTS THROUGHOUT THE PARK, BECAUSE I'VE ONLY BRIEFLY SEEN SOME FOCUS AREAS.
I'M NOT CLEAR ON THE DEI EFFORTS THAT WE'RE PRIORITIZING.
I SEE WE'RE FINALIZING A STATEMENT.
I REMEMBER SEEING I THINK, FOUR AREAS, BUT NOT NECESSARILY THE EQUITY GOALS.
THEN MORE INFORMATION ON ALL OF THAT.
WE HAVE SOME TYPE OF STATUS REPORT FOR THIS YEAR, SOME TYPE OF OVERALL REPORT FROM JOSE'S OFFICE.
>> SURE. WE CAN ABSOLUTELY BRING SOMETHING BACK TO THE BOARD ON THE DEI EFFORTS THROUGHOUT THE PARK DISTRICT.
I WILL SAY THERE ARE POCKETS OF GREAT WORK GOING ON.
FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN I CAME TO HR, THERE WASN'T THE OFFICE OF EQUITY, SO WE WERE REALLY WORKING TO TRY AND COME UP WITH HR'S EQUITY STATEMENT, WHICH WE COMPLETED, AND THEN ONCE JOSE JOINED THE PARK DISTRICT, HR WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH JOSE AND HR TO COME UP WITH SOME PLAN.
WE ALSO HAVE THE WORKFORCE DIVERSITY COMMITTEE THAT'S PART OF THE ASM MOU.
WE MET EARLIER IN NOVEMBER, JESSICA ROMEO, THE AGM OF HR AS WELL AS JOSE ATTENDED THAT, AND JOSE DOES PRESENT ON SOME OF THAT EQUITY WORK, WHICH WE COULD GET YOU THE COMMITTEE REPORT THAT WENT TO PRESIDENT MUCARIO AND DIRECTOR ECCLES.
>> OKAY. THAT WOULD BE GOOD BECAUSE I'D LIKE TO KNOW MORE OF WHAT OUR STORY IS, AND I THINK IN OUR OLDER OPERATING GUIDELINES THAT WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF UPDATING THIS YEAR THAT THERE WAS A SECTION ABOUT HAVING A REPORT OUT ON DIFFERENT [OVERLAPPING]
>> ABSOLUTELY. WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT JOSE KNOWS TO BRING SOMETHING BACK.
>> THEN I HAVE TWO OTHER QUESTIONS.
THESE MIGHT BE MAX'S AREA. THANK YOU.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I'M ON THE SAME PAGE AND UNDERSTAND THOSE THINGS CLEARLY.
POTENTIAL UPDATES TO ORDINANCE 38, WILL WE SEE ANY DRAFT OF THOSE AND WILL THERE BE SOME TYPE OF COMMUNITY PROCESS? I KNOW THERE'S ALWAYS A LOT OF ENGAGEMENT OVER ORDINANCE 38, I'M SURE IT'S GOING TO BE A LIVELY DISCUSSION.
IT MAY TAKE US SOME TIME TO GET TO THAT.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S PLENTY OF TIME AROUND IT.
I'LL SAY THAT JOSE JUST TEXTED ME AND SAID, YES, THAT HE'S WORKING ON A SUMMARY REPORT FOR JANUARY FOR YOUR BOARD.
YES, AROUND ORDINANCE 38, THERE'S A LOT TO GET INTO RIGHT NOW, BUT I THINK WE WOULD LOOK AT HAVING A ROBUST PROCESS AROUND ANY POTENTIAL CHANGES IN ORDINANCE 38.
I THINK THE FIRST STEP THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT WAS AMANDA AND MYSELF, WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT OTHER PARK DISTRICTS SIMILAR TO OURSELVES IN THE WAY THAT THEY APPROACH SOME OF THE COMPONENTS OF ORDINANCE 38 AND TRY TO TAKE BEST PRACTICES FROM THOSE CODE SECTIONS TO SUPPORT OUR TEAM IN THE FIELD.
>> THEN THE LAST ONE WAS ABOUT THE TRANSFER OF THE MANAGEMENT SUSTAINABILITY ANALYSTS.
[03:25:04]
BECAUSE SOMETIMES I'VE SEEN SUSTAINABILITY ROLL UP IN DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS BASED FROM WHAT TYPE OF REPORTING THEY'RE DOING.COULD YOU JUST TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE ALIGNMENT AND MOVING SUSTAINABILITY ANALYSTS OVER TO THE GENERAL MANAGER'S OFFICE AND HOW THAT IS A GREATER EFFICIENCY AND IF THEY'LL BE DOING ANY ADDITIONAL TYPE OF SUSTAINABILITY REPORT OUT?
>> CURRENTLY THAT POSITION IS NOT DEFINED AS A SUSTAINABILITY ANALYST.
IT'S JUST A MANAGEMENT ANALYST THAT WAS CREATED THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND IT WAS PUT IN THE ASD DIVISION.
THIS IS TAKING THE CAPACITY OF THAT MANAGEMENT ANALYST AND SAYING WE'RE GOING TO CREATE A WORK PLAN AROUND SUSTAINABILITY FOR THE INDIVIDUAL WHO WOULD BE THE INCUMBENT IN THAT POSITION, IF THAT MAKES SENSE.
WE'RE NOT MOVING A SUSTAINABILITY ANALYST.
THEY WOULD JUST BE IN THE GENERAL MANAGER'S OFFICE BECAUSE THEIR PURVIEW WOULD BE DISTRICT WIDE OPERATIONS, PUBLIC SAFETY, LOOKING AT ALL OF OUR DIVISIONS AND TRYING TO HAVE A DISTRICT WIDE APPROACH TO SUSTAINABILITY.
>> THEN IT'S BECAUSE THEY'LL HAVE THAT EXTRA LIN AND THAT MANDATE TO DEVELOP POLICY THAT'S MOVING THE WHOLE PARK DISTRICT FORWARD.
>> I WOULD ASSUME THAT THEY WOULD HAVE A HIGH LEVEL OF ENGAGEMENT WITH YOUR BOARD.
>> AT LAND USE AGENCIES, SIMILAR TO EPA, WHERE I WORKED, WE GOT AWAY FROM JUST AN EQUITY DIRECTOR, BUT IT WAS EQUITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE SO THAT YOU COMBINED THAT RIGHT AT THE TOP BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THE INEQUITY IS COMMUNITIES IMPACTED.
THEN MORE OF WHAT'S CALLED AN EMS AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, SO THAT FROM THE DAY ONE THAT YOU BROUGHT IN, HR TRAINING WOULD INCLUDE TRAINING ON ENVIRONMENTAL PREFERENTIAL PURCHASING FROM DAY ONE, WHAT'S OUR RECYCLING MODEL FROM DAY ONE, HAND THEM A COFFEE CUP, DON'T YOU DARE USE PAPER WHILE YOU WORK HERE.
RIGHT FROM THE GET GO, THAT'S A HUMAN RESOURCES TRAINING, AND THE PURCHASING AGAIN GETS CAPTURED THROUGH AN ENVIRONMENTAL PREFERENTIAL PURCHASING POLICY, AND EVERYTHING THROUGH THE CHECKLIST.
MY QUESTION WOULD BE, WHAT WOULD THE SUSTAINABILITY PERSON DO? AS MUCH AS OF ANYONE, I WOULD BE LIKE YOU'D BE SURPRISED TO HEAR ME SAY, I DON'T KNOW IF WE NEED IT.
IF ANYTHING, I THINK IT SHOULD BE SYSTEMATIC.
I DO THINK THAT WE NEED A CLIMATE ACTION PLAN, A RESILIENCY PLAN, A BASELINE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION PLAN AND PERHAPS EXPAND JOSE'S JOB OF CLIMATE EQUITY.
BUT SUSTAINABILITY DIRECTORS, I DON'T KNOW.
THE MONEY SEEMS BETTER SERVED.
WE HAVEN'T GOT THERE YET, BUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP TEAM SEEMS TO BE NEEDING TO HOLD A BAKE SALE TO GET SOME OF THEIR WORK DONE.
I'D LOVE TO SEE OUR QUESTION, WOULD THIS MONEY BE BETTER USED TO STAY IN STEWARDSHIP FOR A COUPLE POSITIONS TO HELP US REALLY GET OUR MISSION RATHER THAN ANOTHER TOP HEAVY SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER PERSON THAT COULD BE BUILT INTO THE HR AND THE PURCHASING.
WE'RE ALL ALL ABOUT SOFTWARE TODAY, BUT NEMS SYSTEM IS AN EXTENSIVE SOFTWARE THAT TRACKS.
HAVE THE EMPLOYEES BEEN TRAINED ON BRING YOUR CUP ON RECYCLING, ON COMPOSTING.
IT'S PART OF THE PROCESS. THOSE ARE MY THOUGHTS.
I GUESS THERE'S A QUESTION IN THERE OF IS THAT NEEDED AND MIGHT IT BETTER BE SERVED FOR TWO POSITIONS AND MORE MONEY TO OUR STEWARDSHIP TEAM.
>> I'D JUST SAY FAIR FEEDBACK, HEARD.
>> ANYTHING ELSE? QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS AS WE WRAP UP HERE.
GOOD. THANK YOU. IS THAT CONCLUDE THE CITATION FOR THAT ITEM?
WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE REGIONAL PARKS FOUNDATION, AND I'LL INVITE LAUREN TO COME UP.
THIS ISN'T NECESSARILY PART OF THE BUDGET, BUT IN ONE OF OUR LAST INFORMATIONAL ITEMS, WE TALKED ABOUT GIVING A LITTLE BIT MORE INSIGHT INTO THE REGIONAL PARKS FOUNDATION, AND THEIR BOARD HAS BEEN REALLY ENGAGED IN TRYING TO SET
[03:30:03]
THE FOUNDATION UP TO BE AS STRONG OF A PARTNER AS THEY CAN BE AND REALLY FOCUS ON FUND RAISING TO SUPPORT THE DISTRICT.I THINK TODAY, YOU'VE ALREADY HEARD ABOUT SOME REALLY GREAT EXAMPLES IN OPERATIONS IN OTHER PLACES WHERE THE FOUNDATION HAS HAD A REAL IMPACT IN SUPPORT OF OUR TEAM.
I'LL TURN IT OVER TO LAUREN TO WALK US THROUGH THIS.
LAUREN BERNSTEIN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE REGIONAL PARKS FOUNDATION.
>> I THINK THERE ARE SOME SLIDES, AREN'T THERE?
>> I WAS JUST GOING TO GIVE A LITTLE INTRO.
>> YOU PAY ATTENTION, DON'T READ THE SLIDES FIRST. I'LL PUT THEM UP.
I JUST WANTED TO START OFF BY SAYING THAT THE REGIONAL PARKS FOUNDATION HAS BEEN AROUND FOR 56 YEARS NOW AND THE MODEL WAS REALLY GREAT AND THE FOUNDATION HAS BEEN REALLY SUCCESSFUL WITH THE PARTNERSHIP.
WHEN I CAME ON AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, IT WAS IN THIS EFFORT OF WE'VE OUTGROWN OUR MODEL.
BEFORE I GOT HERE, WE STARTED RAISING A LOT MORE MONEY AND WE HAVE A HUGE MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM AND A BIG BASE OF SUPPORT, AND SO THE ORGANIZATION REALLY NEEDED A DEDICATED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AND WE'RE A 501C3.
WE HAVE OUR OWN VOLUNTEER BOARD OF DIRECTORS WHO GOVERN THE ORGANIZATION, AND THEY REALLY WANTED TO WORK WITH SOMEONE WHO IS A FULL TIME EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
THE DISTRICT AND THE BOARD WORK TO HIRE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITION.
I CAME ON AS THE FIRST ED AND OUR BOARD ALSO SAW A NEED FOR BIGGER PROJECTS.
WE'VE DISCUSSED A LOT TODAY, THE NEED FOR MORE CAPITAL PROJECTS AND BIGGER FUNDING.
WE HIRED POTRERO GROUP, AND THEY ARE A PREMIER CONSULTING FIRM WITH PRIVATE PUBLIC PARK PARTNERSHIPS TO WALK US THROUGH.
IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF, WE'VE BEEN WORKING TO COME UP WITH A STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLAN.
OUR STRUCTURE JUST NEEDS TO CHANGE EVEN THOUGH IT'S BEEN WORKING SO WELL FOR SO MANY YEARS.
IN ORDER FOR OUR BOARD TO RAISE MORE MONEY FOR THE PARK DISTRICT, WE REALLY NEED TO CHANGE OUR STRUCTURE SO THAT WE CAN ORIENT OURSELVES TO DO THAT.
THIS IS A COUPLE OF YEARS IN THE MAKING.
JUST TO BE [INAUDIBLE] OUR GOAL IS TO EXPAND OUR CAPACITY TO FUND RAISE FOR THE DISTRICT FOR THESE LARGER PROJECTS THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT TODAY.
WE DO NEED TO CHANGE OUR STAFFING STRUCTURE.
WE DO NEED TO UPDATE OUR MEMBERSHIP AND DONOR PROGRAM.
REBOOT OUR IDENTITY, TAKE ON OPERATIONS, EVEN MORE DISTINCT FROM THE DISTRICT, AND THAT'S NOT TO SAY THAT WE WOULD BE DISTANCED FROM THE DISTRICT.
STRATEGICALLY WE WILL BE MORE ALIGNED THAN EVER.
THE NEXT STEPS ARE TO FINALIZE THE MOU, AND WE NEED SOME AGREEMENTS AND TRANSITION PLANS.
WE'VE BEEN TOGETHER FOR 56 YEARS.
THIS IS GOING TO TAKE A WHILE TO GET OURSELVES THERE AND SO THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF THE JOURNEY.
OUR PLAN, I THINK THERE WAS A QUESTION LAST MEETING ABOUT WHAT OUR STAFFING STRUCTURE WILL LOOK LIKE.
WE'RE ALL ABOUT BRINGING ON FUNDRAISERS.
THAT'S OUR WHOLE GOAL RIGHT NOW.
WE HAVE THE ED POSITION, A DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR.
THE COORDINATOR IS A FUND RAISING COORDINATOR AND SOME ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT TO SUPPORT FUND RAISING.
THEN OBVIOUSLY GETTING THE MONEY BACK OVER TO PROJECTS THAT ARE IMPORTANT.
AGAIN, THIS IS GOING TO TAKE OVER THE COURSE OF A COUPLE OF YEARS.
WE NEED TO MAINTAIN OUR CURRENT STAFFING LEVELS UNTIL THE ADMINISTRATIVE TRANSITION IS FEASIBLE.
THAT MEANS WE'RE GOING TO WORK ON HIRING.
THEY'LL BE CONTINUOUS OPERATIONS.
THE FOUNDATION AT OUR RETREAT, THE BOARD DETERMINED OUR COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS APPROACH.
WE NEED TO WORK ON GETTING PAYROLL AND HR AND THEN DETERMINE HOW OUR FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING WILL BE MANAGED.
WE DO HAVE COMPLETELY SEPARATE FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING, BUT JUST THE WAY THAT THE STAFFING IS, WE HAVE SOMEONE ON STAFF THAT MANAGES THAT.
IT'S NOT TO SAY WE NEED TO SEPARATE BANK ACCOUNTS, EVERYTHING IS ALREADY SEPARATE.
THEN WE'RE HOPING TO HAVE MORE FORMALIZED AGREEMENTS WITH THE DISTRICT, AND WE HAVE OUR MOU AND THEN UNDER THAT, THINGS HAVE BEEN JUST GOING ON I WOULD SAY MORE VERBAL AGREEMENTS.
EVEN GIVEN THE CURRENT TRANSITION, IT'S A REALLY GOOD IDEA FOR THE TWO ORGANIZATIONS AND WHAT OTHER ORGANIZATIONS DO HAVE THESE PROJECT AGREEMENTS.
WE'RE LOOKING TO GET PROJECT AGREEMENTS FOR ALL THE THINGS THAT WE DO TOGETHER.
IN THE CASE OF ANY TRANSITIONS, THE FOUNDATION HAS A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE DISTRICT AND NOT WITH ANY INDIVIDUALS IN LEADERSHIP.
[03:35:02]
I THINK THAT'S ALL. WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE TRANSITION AND SOME OF THIS DOES HAVE BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS WITH STAFFING, AND I'M HAPPY TO TAKE QUESTIONS.>> WELL, THANK YOU. WHAT ARE THOSE BUDGETARY ADDITIONS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE? YOU'VE GOT A PRETTY ROBUST STAFF OF AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND A WHOLE GROUP OF PEOPLE LISTED THERE.
HOW MUCH IS THAT GOING TO COST?
>> WE'RE LOOKING AT HAVING AN OPERATING BUDGET IN 2026.
I WILL JUST SAY THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING, THE BUSINESS PLANNING THAT WE'RE DOING DOESN'T CONCLUDE UNTIL MARCH 2026.
IN THAT WE'LL HAVE ALL OF OUR FINANCIAL MODELING.
BUT WE'RE LOOKING AT AN OPERATING BUDGET OF ABOUT A LITTLE OVER $1 MILLION OR $2 MILLION, BUT THAT'S NOT ALL STAFFING.
IT'S ACTUALLY A LEANER BUDGET THAN WE CURRENTLY HAVE IF YOU WERE TO ADD IN STAFFING, IF THAT MAKES SENSE.
RIGHT NOW OUR OPERATING BUDGET DOESN'T INCLUDE STAFFING, BUT WHEN IT DOES INCLUDE STAFFING, IT'LL BE SMALLER.
WE HAVE SEVEN EMPLOYEES NOW, WE'RE MOVING DOWN TO FOUR, SO WE'LL HAVE A LEANER STAFF.
>> ARE YOU ACTIVELY NOW COLLECTING MONEY? ARE YOU STILL IN OPERATION OR ARE YOU JUST STILL IN THE TRANSITION?
>> WE'RE GOING TO HAVE CONTINUOUS OPERATIONS.
WE'RE ACTUALLY DOUBLING DOWN AND PROVIDING MORE SUPPORT THAN EVER TO THE DISTRICT.
WE'RE PROVIDING OVER $1 MILLION IN GRANTS TO THE DISTRICT FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, WHICH IS A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE FROM PREVIOUS YEARS.
IT'S MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER TO CONTINUE OUR SUPPORT.
OUR DONORS WANT TO GIVE MONEY TO THE PARK DISTRICT.
WE'RE CONTINUING TO DO THAT AND THE DISTRICT HAS AGREED TO CONTINUOUS OPERATIONS, AND TO HAVE A REALLY SMOOTH TRANSITION BETWEEN US HIRING NEW STAFF AND KEEPING CURRENT STAFF UNTIL WE'RE ABLE TO OFF BOARD.
>> ARE YOU GOING TO CONTINUE AT THE SAME LOCATION?
>> WE HAVEN'T REALLY DISCUSSED THAT IN THE PLAN, BUT FOR THE TIME BEING, THAT'S PART OF THE CONTINUOUS OPERATIONS, AND THEN I FEEL LIKE WE OPERATE EVERYWHERE, BUT DO YOU MEAN OUR OFFICE SPACE? FOR NOW, WE WOULD KEEP OUR OFFICE SPACE DURING THIS TRANSITION, AND THEN WE WOULD HAVE TO RE EVALUATE THAT, WHAT WORKS FOR SEEING HOW THE NEW OPERATIONS GO.
>> AS YOU'RE OPERATING IN THIS NEW STRUCTURE INDEPENDENTLY, AS FAR AS DO YOU INTERACT WITH THE GENERAL MANAGER AT THE PARK? THEN HOW DO YOU STRATEGIZE DIFFERENT TYPE OF FUND RAISING THAT WILL BE BENEFICIAL TO PARK? HOW ARE WE MAINTAINING THE RELATIONSHIP? I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S EXPLAINED IN THE MOU, BUT IT'S NOT CLEAR RIGHT NOW JUST AS FAR AS WHAT STAYING DEPENDENT AND EVERYTHING THAT IS INDEPENDENT AND HOW WE COLLABORATE FOR BETTER PARK DISTRICT IN THIS NEW STRUCTURE.
>> OUR FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING IS ALREADY COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT AND THEN OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT.
ONE OF THE MAIN JOBS OF NON-PROFIT BOARDS IS TO HIRE AND EVALUATE THEIR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THE BOARD HAS CEDED TO THE DISTRICT, AND THAT'S SOMETHING IN OUR NEW STRUCTURE.
THEY'RE JUST WANTING TO TAKE ON THAT GOVERNANCE RESPONSIBILITY.
THAT WOULD BE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITION DIRECTLY REPORTING TO THE REGIONAL PARK FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS, WHICH IS STANDARD.
THAT'S ONE GOVERNANCE PIECE THAT WOULD INDEPENDENT, IF THAT MAKES SENSE.
I THINK THAT THEY WOULD STILL GO TO THE GENERAL MANAGER FOR FEEDBACK ON THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PERFORMANCE, BUT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS IN CHARGE OF HIRING AND EVALUATING THIS POSITION.
THE MOU DOES COVER THE PARTNERSHIP THAT WE ARE GOING TO COME TOGETHER TO DEVELOP STRATEGIC INITIATIVES TOGETHER.
WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT CAPITAL PROJECTS THAT WE CAN PARTNER ON, SO WE'RE GOING TO BE CLOSER THAN EVER IN THAT RESPECT AND THE MOU DOES GO OVER AND LIST THOSE THINGS.
THEN ANY OTHER SUPPORT LIKE IF WE WERE TO BE IN DISTRICT SPACE FOR OUR OFFICES WOULD BE A PROJECT AGREEMENT THAT WE WOULD DISCUSS.
I BELIEVE THAT THAT WOULD ACTUALLY COME TO THIS BOARD.
ANY ADMINISTRATIVE SHARE, IF WE WERE TO CONTINUE GETTING SUPPORT IN SPACE OR MAYBE LIKE IT OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, WE WOULD DISCUSS IT AND IT WOULD COME TO YOUR BOARD FOR AN ACTUAL PROJECT AGREEMENT.
[03:40:01]
>> I JUST SAY FROM THE DISTRICT STANDPOINT, THIS IS VERY EXCITING.
I SAY FROM MY PRIOR EXPERIENCE IN MARIN THROUGH ONE TAM, THE GOLDEN GATE NATIONAL PARKS CONSERVANCY WAS OUR NON-PROFIT PARTNER.
WE WORKED VERY CLOSELY TOGETHER AND THE ADDED VALUE WAS TREMENDOUS.
I THINK THIS WORK WILL REALLY HELP TO BUILD ON THAT, AND IT'LL BE REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO JUST STAY CONNECTED SO THAT WE CAN COMPLIMENT EACH OTHER IN THE BEST WAYS.
>> I THINK THERE'S THIS OPPORTUNITY WITH OUR GROWTH TO REALLY FLEX OUR CAPACITY AND WE HAVEN'T REALLY BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT IN THIS STRUCTURE.
WE ARE REALLY EXCITED AND OUR BOARD IS REALLY EXCITED TO EXPAND OUR FUNDRAISING CAPACITY.
I WILL SAY THIS TRANSITION ISN'T GOING TO HAPPEN IMMEDIATELY AND I THINK THAT THE FOUNDATION FEELS REALLY SUPPORTED BY THE DISTRICT AND OUR PARTNERSHIP.
GOING THROUGH THIS PROCESS WITH POTRERO GROUP HAS REALLY STRENGTHENED THE PARTNERSHIP.
WE FEEL REALLY COMFORTABLE THAT WE'RE GOING TO WORK OUT ALL OF THE PIECES TO ENSURE THAT THE FOUNDATION IS SUSTAINED, AND THAT WE CAN SUPPORT OUR OPERATIONS AND REVENUE.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING TOO QUICKLY, BUT WE BELIEVE THAT WE CAN BUILD UP THE FUNDRAISING CAPACITY TO COVER OUR OPERATIONS AND THEN SOME.
THERE'S A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR THE DISTRICT AND THE PARKS.
>> IT'S THE SAME QUESTION I ASK EVERY TIME YOU COME HERE.
I'M APOLOGETIC ABOUT IT, BUT WHAT IS THE STATUS OF NOW WE'RE INTO ABOUT SIX OR SEVEN YEARS OF THE PROPOSED CAPITAL CAMPAIGN SUPPORTING A NEW EEC IN TILDEN.
>> THAT DEPENDS ON WHERE IT IS AND I WOULD SAY THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN, I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT THERE'S A LARGE APPETITE FOR.
WE CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE DISTRICT, AND THAT IS THE TYPE OF PROJECT THAT WE'RE TRYING TO BUILD CAPACITY TO FUND RAISE FOR.
BUT IT IS FAR OFF BECAUSE WE NEED TO BUILD UP THAT CAPACITY AND THEN WE WANT TO WORK ON SOME SMALLER CAPITAL CAMPAIGNS BEFORE WE DIVE INTO THAT ONE.
BUT I THINK WE'RE STILL TALKING ABOUT IT AND OPEN TO THE OPPORTUNITY.
BUT AGAIN, THE PROJECT COST IS ENORMOUS.
>> THAT IN THE FUNDRAISING, YOU HAVE TO HIRE A PROJECT MANAGER, A CONSULTANT WHO DOES ONLY THAT FUNDRAISING FOR US?
>> I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS WE HIGHLIGHTED WHEN WE BROUGHT THAT PROJECT TO YOUR BOARD FOR COMPLETING THE DESIGN DOCUMENTS IS THAT EVEN IF WE WERE TO REALLY FOCUS ON THAT FUNDRAISING AND BUILD THAT CAPACITY, IT'S NOT REALLY A REASONABLE EXPECTATION THAT THE FOUNDATION IS GOING TO RAISE $30 MILLION OR WHATEVER IT COSTS TO BUILD THAT WHOLE THING.
I THINK WE WANTED TO BE TRANSPARENT AT THAT TIME THAT EXPECTATIONS WERE REASONABLE ABOUT WHAT THE FOUNDATION WAS LIKELY TO BRING TO IT.
I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE ALREADY STARTED TALKING ABOUT WITH OUR PROJECTS TEAM 2 IS GOING THROUGH THIS EXERCISE AROUND OUR CAPITAL PROJECTS BUDGET.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THESE MEASURE WW RE-ALLOCATIONS AND THIS DECREASED CAPACITY AROUND PROJECTS.
AS WE START TO THINK ABOUT, WHAT ARE THE NEXT PROJECTS ON THE HORIZON? WE WANT TO HAVE A FOLLOW UP CONVERSATION WITH YOUR BOARD.
MAYBE IT'S ALONG WITH SOME OF THE SCORING OTHER THINGS AT THE NEXT STUDY SESSION ABOUT, WE DO HAVE SOME LARGE TICKET PROJECTS IN THE FUTURE.
WHAT'S OUR APPROACH TO THOSE PROJECTS? WE WANT THE FOUNDATION TO BE A PART OF IT, BUT THERE'S A BIGGER DISCUSSION TO BE HAD.
>> CAN I COMMENT? FOLLOWING UP ON THAT, IT SUGGESTS TO ME THAT WE NEED TO REVISIT OUR PLANS FOR THE EEC BECAUSE THERE'S GOING TO BE A NEED TO PROCEED WITH SOME OTHER FORM OF MAJOR FUNDING.
IT GETS TO ME BECAUSE I THINK IT WAS SEVEN YEARS AGO, CAROL WOULD KNOW.
WHAT HAPPENED IS WE WERE HAVING ACTIVE DEBATE ON THIS PANEL UP HERE BACK THEN ABOUT WHETHER TO PRIORITIZE REBUILDING THE EEC IN TILDEN OR PURSUING THE LONG PLANNED VISITOR CENTER AT POINT PINOLE PEOPLE LIKE ME WERE SUGGESTING THAT THE EEC IS ACTUALLY FUNCTIONING AND THERE ARE 25,000 SCHOOL KIDS IN WEST CONTRA COSTA, THAT WOULD BE BETTER SERVED BY OUR PROGRAMS IF THEY WERE AT POINT PINOLE.
[03:45:03]
IT WAS A LIVELY DEBATE AND WAS UNCLEAR WHICH WAY IT WAS GOING TO GO.BUT THEN A YEAR LATER, IT WENT AWAY.
BUT A YEAR LATER, THE FOUNDATION CAME BACK TO PROMISE THAT THERE WOULD BE A CAPITAL CAMPAIGN, AND THAT'S WHY YOU SHOULD, BY THE WAY, FOCUS ON THE TILDEN EEC BECAUSE WE'LL BE ABLE TO BETTER FUND RAISE GIVEN ITS GEOGRAPHY AND ITS HISTORY.
I'M ONE OF THOSE. I GREW UP IN TILDEN PARK.
IT'S NOW SIX OR SEVEN YEARS LATER, AND I THINK WE SHOULD REVISIT THAT PRIORITIZATION AND PUT JEWEL LAKE IN THE MIX AND PUT IT ON THE AGENDA SOMETIME TO TALK ABOUT WHAT WE SHOULD DO.
SHOULD WE SHIFT AND LOOK BACK AT POINT PINOLE? I'VE BEEN AN ADVOCATE FOR POINT PINOLE FOREVER AS A FOCUS OF OUR VISITOR CENTER NEEDS.
ANYWAY, I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO THAT TOO FAR, BUT THAT'S WHAT ALL OF THIS SUGGESTS TO ME.
>> TWO QUESTIONS. I SEE THE FINALIZED MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING, AND I'M CONFIDENT THIS IS PART OF IT, BUT IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL JUST TO HEAR SOME OF THE VOICE OVER IN REGARDS TO PROPERTY DONATIONS.
I'M VERY PROUD OF THE REGIONAL PARKS FOUNDATION HISTORY IN REGARDS TO BEING FORMED TO BE ABLE TO ACCEPT WHAT WE NOW CALL SHADOWCLIFFS REGIONAL PARK FROM KAISER INDUSTRIES.
I'M JUST CURIOUS IS THAT GOING TO BE A CORE PART OF THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING AND IF YOU COULD JUST GET A VOICE OVER TO THAT?
>> SURE. YEAH. THAT IS CURRENTLY LISTED IN THE CURRENT DRAFT OF THE MOU.
I THOUGHT LYNN YOU ADDED THAT.
>> I THINK SO, BUT WE CAN DOUBLE CHECK BACK TO YOU.
>> LYNN'S FACE. WE'LL LOOK INTO IT.
IT'S STILL PART OF OUR GIFT ACCEPTANCE POLICY.
IT'S STILL DEFINITELY POSSIBLE.
I KNOW THAT I TALKED TO BECKY SOMETIMES ABOUT POTENTIAL PROJECTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
WE WILL STILL DO THAT IF NEEDED.
SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T HAVE TO GO THAT WAY, BUT YES, IF IT DOES, WE'RE HERE.
>> THEN THE SECOND ONE I HAVE IS THE MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM RIGHT NOW, IT'S VERY POPULAR TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE REGIONAL PARKS FOUNDATION BECAUSE PEOPLE LOVE TO SUPPORT THE FOUNDATION, BUT ALSO THE PARKING PASS.
I HAVE HEARD THAT THAT'S LIKELY TO GO AWAY.
WHAT'S THE TIMELINE OF THAT? THEN I GUESS MY QUESTION FOR THE PARK DISTRICT, WILL WE REVIEW HOW TO OFFER SOMETHING SIMILAR WITHIN EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT?
>> THOSE TWO QUESTIONS GO HAND IN HAND BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR 13,000 MEMBERS HAVE A WAY TO BOTH GET THE PARKING PASS THAT THEY NEED AND THEN ALSO SUPPORT THE FOUNDATION THAT THEY LOVE, AND THAT IS THE WHOLE PLAN THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.
AGAIN, THAT IS ALSO GOING TO BE A LONG TRANSITION, JUST BECAUSE IT'S A FEE PROGRAM OF THE DISTRICT, AND IT'S BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR MEMBERS HAVE A REALLY NICE EXPERIENCE AND BEING ABLE TO MAKE THAT.
WHAT IT DOES IS IT FREES UP THE FOUNDATION TO FOCUS ON FUND RAISING INSTEAD OF A FEE ADMINISTRATION FOR THE DISTRICT.
THAT'S WHY IT'S IMPORTANT ON OUR END.
THE DISTRICT IS GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PUBLIC HAS HAS THAT CAPACITY TO STILL HAVE THE TANGIBLE BENEFITS THAT WE WERE OFFERING.
THEN WE ARE GOING TO SET UP MEMBERSHIP PROGRAMS WITH MORE INTANGIBLE BENEFITS AND EXPERIENCES MORE SIMILAR TO OTHER PARK FOUNDATIONS THAT WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT AND THAT ALLOW OUR MEMBERS TO CONNECT WITH THE PARKS MORE, BE IN PERSON, BE IN GROUPS, VOLUNTEER, AND THINGS LIKE THAT THAT WE ACTUALLY DON'T OFFER RIGHT NOW.
WE ARE EXCITED, BUT IT'S GOING TO TAKE A WHILE AGAIN, A COUPLE OF YEARS TO GET THAT GOING.
PART OF OUR STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS INCLUDES THAT IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE AND THAT'S WHY I DON'T HAVE EXACT TIMING BECAUSE THAT'LL BE IN MARCH.
>> THEN MAYBE, MAX, YOU COULD ANSWER THIS REAL QUICK.
ON THE PARK DISTRICT SIDE, WE RECOGNIZE THAT AT SOME POINT ON THIS TIMELINE, THE MEMBERSHIP WITH THE PARKING PASS FOR THE FOUNDATION WILL BE TRANSITIONED BACK TO THE PARK DISTRICTS, WE MAYBE IT'S IN A VERY EARLY STAGE FROM THE PARK DISTRICT PERSPECTIVE, BUT ARE WE ALSO LOOKING AT THAT WHEN THAT PROGRAM SWITCHES OVER TO EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT.
>> THE FOUNDATION WILL STILL ADMINISTER A MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM.
THE PARK DISTRICT ISN'T GOING TO MANAGE A MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM, BUT WE WOULD MANAGE ANNUAL PASS.
IT WILL PROBABLY BE MUCH SIMPLER THAN WHAT'S HOPEFULLY IT'LL BE MUCH SIMPLER THAN WHAT'S MANAGED BY THE FOUNDATION BECAUSE THEY'RE TRYING TO BUILD
[03:50:03]
DONOR BASE AND ALL THOSE KIND OF THINGS AND BE REALLY CONNECTED TO THE INDIVIDUALS.WE'RE TRYING TO HAVE A PATH TO DO BOTH OF THOSE THINGS SEPARATELY AND NOT TAKE AWAY FROM EITHER OF THEM.
REALLY FORTUNATE LIKE LAUREN'S WORKING CLOSELY WITH TIFFANY, WHO HELPS TO MANAGE THE BUSINESS SERVICES PROGRAM THAT WORKS ON THE FEE COLLECTING FEES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
THEY'RE WORKING TOGETHER ON A TIMELINE AND A TRANSITION PLAN AND MESSAGING AND ALL THOSE THINGS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T DROP EITHER ONE.
BUT IT'S NOT ANYTHING IMMEDIATE.
IT'S GOING TO TAKE TIME AND IT'S GOING TO BE INCREMENTAL.
>> I THINK LISA MENTIONED THAT THEY'RE WORKING ON A SOFTWARE FOR RESERVATIONS AND ALL THAT.
PART OF THAT IS THE ABILITY FOR THAT SOFTWARE TO SELL PARKING PASSES, AND THAT COULD ALSO PROVIDE A REALLY SMOOTH TRANSITION FOR OUR MEMBERS TO BE ABLE TO HAVE SOMETHING THAT THEY ALREADY HAVE.
AGAIN, TO MAKE SURE THE PUBLIC IS BEING SERVICED REALLY WELL.
>> WELL, FIRST LARIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE FOUNDATION.
I DID WANT TO JUST RESPOND SOMEWHAT TO DIRECTOR KOFI, AND THAT DECISION TO REDO THE EEC AT TILDEN VERSUS POINT PANEL WAS ACTUALLY MADE BEFORE I GOT ON THE BOARD AND I REMEMBER THINKING, LIKE, WHY WOULD WE DO THAT? WHY SHOULDN'T IT BE POINT PANEL? THEN I THINK THE THINKING WAS, WELL, WE'LL DO THE EEC, AT LEAST THIS IS WHAT I WAS TOLD, WE'LL DO THE EC, AND THEN WE'LL HAVE A MODEL TO DO POINT PANEL I HEAR WHAT DR. KOFI IS SAYING ABOUT THE TIMELINE.
BUT I'M NOT SURE THAT REALLY CHANGES IT BECAUSE EITHER WAY, IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LONG TIME.
YOU CAN RAISE 30, 40, 50, WHATEVER MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE TO REDO THE EEC OVERNIGHT, EVEN IF YOU HAD THE CAP CAPACITY TODAY.
SO YOU BUILD THE CAPACITY, MAYBE DO THE SMALLER PROJECTS AS YOU SUGGEST, BUT THEN YOU GET WORKING ON THE EEC, BUT THEN RIGHT BEHIND IT THERE'S LOTS OF THINGS WE HAVE TO DO IN THIS DISTRICT.
IT'S NOT ALL ANYWAY, SO THAT'S A BIGGER DISCUSSION, BUT IT CERTAINLY STILL POSSIBLE TO HAVE POINT PANEL IN THE LINEUP.
ONCE YOU HAVE SORT BUILT THAT CAPACITY AND FIGURED OUT HOW TO DO THIS AND DONE A GOOD JOB AND PLUS THE EEC.
WE'VE ALREADY DONE SO MUCH WORK AND WE'VE GOT THE DESIGN AND WE'RE READY TO GO.
WE'RE READY TO GO OUT TO BIG FUNDERS AND SAY, HEY, THIS IS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT, REALLY, IT'S GOING TO BE BEAUTIFUL AND IT'S GOING TO BE STATE OF THE ART, AND IT'S GOING TO BE AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY FOR KIDS ALL OVER BOTH COUNTIES.
ANYWAY, I JUST WANTED TO ADD MY $0.02.
I DON'T THINK IT'S NECESSARILY EITHER OR, I THINK IT'S YES AND.
>> YEAH, I WOULD SAY WE HAVEN'T ONE OF OUR STRATEGIC PILLARS IS GOING TO BE THIS CAPITAL PROJECT AND OUR BOARD IS GOING TO DETERMINE WHAT THE CRITERIA ARE, BUT I JUST WOULD IMAGINE THAT PUBLIC ACCESS WILL BE A TOP PIECE OF CRITERIA FOR WE HAVE WORKED.
>> THAT'S THE OTHER THING, I THINK WITH THE EEC.
IT'S NOT JUST I GREW UP IN TILDEN AT THE NATURE AREA, JUNIOR RANGER.
BUT I WAS LIKE, WHY DO WE NEED TO CHANGE THIS? IT'S OLD AND FUNKY, BUT WHO CARES.
I THINK THERE ARE CLEARLY ACCESSIBILITY ISSUES AND WE WANT IT TO BE ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO PUSH FORWARD WITH TILDEN EEC, IN MY OPINION.
>> IF THERE'S NO OTHER QUESTIONS, I'LL JUST CONCLUDE BY SAYING THAT THE VISION, THE ULTIMATE VISION IS THAT THE EAST BAY DESERVES A GOLDEN GATE PARK CONSERVANCY.
WE DESERVE A PREMIER OUTDOOR FUND RAISING AGENCY FOR OUR PARKS AND FOR OUR LAND AND FOR GIVING ACCESS TO NATURE.
THAT'S A MODEL THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.
THE EAST BAY REALLY DESERVES TO HAVE A FUND RAISING PARTNER LIKE THAT.
WE WANT TO BE THAT FOR THE EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT.
>> WELL, THANK YOU. YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND SIT DOWN.
I'LL MAKE THIS COMMENT. TAKE A LOAD OFF.
THAT DIRECTOR DE CHAMBAU AND I HAD A CHANCE TO SIT IN ON PART OF THEIR RETREAT A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND MEET, BOARD MEMBERS AND SEE WHO'S WHO AND TO LEARN ABOUT THAT THEY'RE MAKING ACTIVE EFFORTS TO BUILD THEIR BOARD AND TO RECRUIT VERY STRONG BOARD MEMBERS, AND IT'S A CONSCIOUS EFFORT.
I'M VERY IMPRESSED BY THAT, AND I'LL BE LOOKING FOR A BALANCED BOARD.
AT THIS POINT, I'D LIKE TO INVITE PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ANY OF THOSE ITEMS,
[03:55:05]
ANY OF THE DIFFERENT DIVISIONS THAT WE HAD IN THE CAPITAL PRESENTATION.>> MR. PRESIDENT, WE HAVE TWO HANDS UP ONLINE, AND WE HAVE NINE COMMENTERS, MAYBE 10 IN PERSON.
I WILL START WITH CAROL JOHNSON.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON AND. WHAT A BOARD MEETING FOR ME TO COME TO TODAY? GOODNESS. I AM CAROL JOHNSON. YOU KNOW ME.
I'M THE RETIRED AGM OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE REGIONAL PARKS.
I SPENT 20 YEARS OF SERVICE HERE AT EBRPD 11 OF WHICH WE'RE IN THOSE TWO POSITIONS.
MY COMMENTS HERE ARE PERTAINING TO WHAT YOU'VE JUST HEARD REGARDING THE REGIONAL PARKS FOUNDATION, AND IT'S DECOUPLING OR OFF, IN MY OPINION, AWAY FROM THE CURRENT SUCCESSFUL MODEL THAT WE HAVE SHARED FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS, AS LAUREN STATED.
THE PROPOSAL ELIMINATES OR FUTURE ELIMINATES DISTRICT STAFFING POSITIONS THAT SUPPORT THE FOUNDATION RAISING THE PRIVATE FUNDS FOR SOLE USE FOR THE PARK DISTRICT.
BEFORE YOU WEIGH ACCEPTANCE OF THIS RECOMMENDATION TO SEPARATE THE FOUNDATION FROM THE DISTRICT, THIS BOARD DESERVES AN ACCURATE OVERVIEW OF THE 56 YEAR LEGACY OF ACHIEVEMENT BETWEEN EBRPD AND THE RPF.
SINCE THE REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT'S INCEPTION IN 1969, THE MISSIONS OF BOTH THE PARK DISTRICT AND THE REGIONAL PARKS FOUNDATION HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SYMBIOTIC AND TRANSPARENT TO ACQUIRE, TO PRESERVE, PROTECT, AND PROVIDE ACCESS TO OUR PRECIOUS REGIONAL PARKS.
THE REGIONAL PARKS FOUNDATION HAS BEEN INTERTWINED WITH THE PARK DISTRICT'S GOALS, ACQUISITIONS, EXPANSION INTERESTS, AND COMMITMENT TO ENSURING ALL CITIZENS HAVE EQUAL ACCESS TO THEIR REGIONAL PARKS AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.
STRUCTURALLY, THE REGIONAL PARKS FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HAS ALWAYS REPORTED TO THE GENERAL MANAGER, AND THE CURRENT EBRPD BOARD PRESIDENT, SERVES AS THE EX OFFICIO, MEMBER OF THE REGIONAL PARKS FOUNDATION BOARD.
TO UNTETHER THIS HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL RELATIONSHIP MODEL NOW WITHOUT A THOROUGH TRANSPARENT PUBLIC REVIEW OR REDEEMING JUSTIFICATION INDICATES A LACK OF UNDERSTANDING IN THE FOUNDATION'S MULTIFACETED VALUE.
WHAT I'D LIKE YOU TO CONSIDER ARE THESE FIVE CATEGORIES OF ONGOING FINANCIAL SUPPORT THAT THE REGIONAL PARKS FOUNDATION HAS MADE TO THE PARK DISTRICT IN THE LAST 50 YEARS.
THE REGIONAL PARKS FOUNDATION HAS DIRECTLY GENERATED OVER $25 MILLION IN PRIVATE FUNDS, PREDOMINANTLY IN THE LAST DECADE TO HELP SUSTAIN THE DISTRICT'S MISSION OF ACCESS TO UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.
THE REGIONAL PARKS FOUNDATION HAS SUSTAINED THE DISTRICT'S MISSION FOR LAND ACQUISITION BY PASSING THROUGH THOUSANDS OF STRATEGIC ACRES OF LAND VALUED IN THE TENS OF MILLIONS.
THOSE ACRES INCLUDE, AS WAS MENTIONED, SHADOW CLIFF.
WE WILL CALL THE NEXT PERSON, AMELIA MARSHALL.
>> MAY I CONTINUE, PRESIDENT MERCURIO?
>> WE NEED TO BE FAIR TO ALL THE SPEAKERS.
>> WELL, YOU HAVE MY LETTER, AND I WILL SIMPLY SAY THIS THAT IT IS VERY SHORT SIGHTED TO LOOK AT CHANGES JUST FOR CHANGES SAKE.
I URGE YOU TO REMOVE THE UNCOUPLING OF THE REGIONAL PARKS FOUNDATION WITH REGARD TO THIS BUDGET PROPOSAL.
RESTORING THE FOUNDATION'S POSITIONS IS INCUMBENT ON THIS BOARD AND GENERAL MANAGER OVERSIGHT, AND IT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF ALL PARTIES.
WE HAVE BEEN THE BEST REPRESENTATIVE ORGANIZATION THAT HAS WORKED MOST CLOSELY WITH THE PARK DISTRICT FOR GENERATIONS, AND NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO CHANGE THAT. THANK YOU.
>> HELLO, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS EMILIA MARSHALL, REPRESENTING THE REGIONAL PARKS ASSOCIATION, A WATCHDOG ORGANIZATION.
RPA CONCURS WITH THE LETTER YOU RECEIVED FROM SPRAWL D,
[04:00:02]
WHICH BASICALLY SAYS THAT THE CAPITAL BUDGET PROPOSAL, EVEN THOUGH WE APPRECIATE STAFF'S REVISIONS, 60% OF A LARGE NUMBER IS STILL A LARGE NUMBER.THE BUDGET IS TOO FLAWED TO FIX AND NEEDS TO GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD.
WE CONCUR WITH WHAT BOB DOYLE WROTE, WHICH IS THE SPEND DOWN OF MEASURE WW FUNDS HAS TO BE MANAGED VERY CAREFULLY.
NOW, I'D LIKE TO FOCUS IN ON JUST ONE LINE ITEM AS A CASE STUDY AND PREMATURE WW WITHDRAWALS.
THAT WOULD BE, OF COURSE, THE SIBLEY AND HUCKLEBERRY LINE ITEM.
STARTING IN 1988, COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING SAVE OPEN SPACE GATEWAY, BEGAN WORKING WITH THE CITY OF ARENDA TO LIMIT URBANIZATION IN THE HILLS NEAR SIBLEY AND HUCKLEBERRY.
IN 2008, MEASURE WW OBTAINED $5.9 MILLION IN LAND ACQUISITION MONEY.
AROUND THE SAME TIME, THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVED $1 MILLION IN EXCHANGE FOR A PROMISE TO NOT SUE THE DEVELOPERS OF THE WILDER SUBDIVISION, WHICH WAS THEN CALLED GATEWAY.
THE PARK DISTRICT ALSO RECEIVED SOME LAND AS MITIGATION, PRESUMABLY, INCLUDING MCCASKAR.
THE COMMUNITY MILLION DOLLAR HAS BEEN SITTING IN A FIDELITY FUND OWNED BY THE GATEWAY SETTLEMENT FUND ALLIANCE.
THE MEASURE WW LANGUAGE FOR THE SIBLEY HUCKLEBERRY LINE ITEM WAS CRAFTED SO THAT IT WAS CLEAR THAT $4.5 MILLION OF THAT MONEY WAS INTENDED SPECIFICALLY FOR THE ACQUISITION OF OPEN SPACE LANDS IN THE VICINITY OF SIBLEY AND HUCKLEBERRY.
THERE WAS A GOOD FAITH AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GATEWAY SETTLEMENT FUND ALLIANCE AND THE PARK DISTRICT TO QUOTE EMILIA MAMI WILSON, OUR BELOVED FOUNDER, THE $1 MILLION IS TO BE ADDED TO THE $4.5 MILLION OF MEASURE WW MONEY, HELD BY THE PARK DISTRICT FOR THE ACQUISITION OF OPEN SPACE LANDS, WHEN THE LANDS BECOME AVAILABLE.
SINCE MAY 2023, THE BALANCE OF THE MEASURE WW FUNDS IN THE SIBLEY HUCKLEBERRY LINE ITEM HAS DROPPED FROM 5.4 MILLION TO UNDER 3 MILLION.
THAT'S A $2.4 MILLION DIVERSION OF MISSING MONEY.
WHERE WAS IT DIVERTED.. TO? DID THE PREVIOUS GENERAL MANAGERS RECORDS RETENTION POLICY CONTRIBUTE TO A LAPSE IN INSTITUTIONAL MEMORY REGARDING THIS MONEY?
>> GOOD EVENING, NORMAL FORCE ON BEHALF OF SPRADE AND ALSO SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF CITIZENS RE SHORE PARKS.
I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT THE STAFF HAS WORKED THROUGH SOME OF THIS TO TRY TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF DIVERSIONS, BUT I HAVE TO AGREE WITH DIRECTOR WAS THAT TO DO THESE DIVERSIONS, I DON'T THINK IS GOING TO DO SERVICE TO THE PARK DISTRICT IN THE FUTURE, AND THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE FURTHER REVISIONS AND REALLY GOING BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD ON THIS.
I NOTE THAT THE STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED WITH MANY OF THESE LOCATIONS, I DON'T THINK I'VE EVER BEEN CONSULTED.
CERTAINLY CITIZENS FREE SHORE PARKS WAS NOT CONSULTED ABOUT MARTIN LUTHER KING OR KELLER BEACH OR ANY OF THESE SHORELINE PROPERTIES AT ALL ABOUT THIS PROPOSED DIVERSION, OTHER THAN THROUGH FORMAL MEETINGS LIKE THIS, NOBODY CAME TO OUR MEETING AND SAID, HEY, THIS IS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF IT? SIMILARLY, GATE BIRD ALLIANCE WAS NOT CONSULTED ABOUT MARTIN LUTHER KING. THAT'S A BIG ISSUE.
I'LL NOTE HERE THAT WITH REGARD TO POINT ISABEL, I WAS ONE OF THE PEOPLE ALONG WITH BOB CHASTE AND ARTHUR FEINSTEIN WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNITY THAT NEGOTIATED HOW THE GENERAL PLAN FOR THE MCLAUGHLIN NEW SHORE STATE PARK WAS GOING TO BE WORKED OUT.
THAT INCLUDED THAT THE MEADOW IN BERKELEY WAS TO BE A CONSERVATION AREA AND IN EXCHANGE, THE OFF LEASH DOG COMMUNITY WOULD GET POINT ISABEL AS AN OFF LEASH DOG PARK.
WHAT I RECALL AND YOU'D HAVE TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE ACTUAL DOCUMENTS, THE PARK DISTRICT SAID, WE'LL DO THAT, BUT ON ONE CONDITION OR A NUMBER OF CONDITIONS, BUT ONE OF THE KEYS WAS THAT WE DO NOT OWN POINT ISABEL BECAUSE IT WAS FORMERLY THE BATTERY PARK, THE BATTERY DISPOSAL AREA.
THAT HAS TO STAY IN THE HANDS OF STATE PARKS.
RIGHT NOW, YOU'RE GOING TO BE USING MONEY FROM THE PARK DISTRICT TO PAY FOR REPAIR TO THE STATE PARKS PROPERTY AND THAT WAS SPECIFICALLY,
[04:05:06]
I COULD BE WRONG, BUT AS I SPECIFICALLY RECALL, A PARK DISTRICT WAS NOT GOING TO BE LIABLE FOR THAT AND THE SELLER CATELLS, AGAIN, AS I RECALL, YOU'D HAVE TO GO BACK AND TAKE A LOOK.FOR ALL THE NEGOTIATIONS ABOUT THE PARK, IT BECAME WAS NO LONGER GOING TO BE A RESPONSIBLE PARTY, AND THEREFORE WAS GOING TO BE OFF THE HOOK FOR ANY FURTHER WORK ON ANY TOXICS AT POINT ISABEL.
AGAIN, YOU HAVE TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT THAT.
THAT'S A MUCH MORE COMPLICATED ISSUE THAN WHAT WAS PRESENTED HERE TODAY.
I KNOW BOB ARTHUR AND I'D BE HAPPY TO TALK WITH THE PARK DISTRICT ABOUT THAT, WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND? THE LAST THING I WOULD SAY IS I'M ASTOUNDED THAT THERE'S VIRTUALLY NO DISCUSSION OF STEWARDSHIP HERE TODAY.
MAYBE THE ONE FTE GREAT, THAT'S FANTASTIC, BUT NO OTHER REAL DISCUSSION OF STEWARDSHIP IN THE OPERATIONS PRESENTATION OR ANYTHING ELSE, REALLY.
I DON'T CONSIDER CUTTING DOWN SOME HAZARDOUS TREES TO BE STEWARDSHIP. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> HELLO, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, JIM HANSON, CONSERVATION CHAIR FOR CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANTS SOCIETY EAST BAY.
THERE'S A LOT OF BUDGET CHARTS AND A LOT OF HARD WORK BY FINANCING YOUR BOARD AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THESE QUESTIONS.
IT'S ALSO GIVEN US AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A LOOK AT DEPTH AT A LOT OF THIS INFORMATION AND AS A PREAMBLE, I THINK SOMETIMES WE THINK OF NATURE AND OPEN SPACES OR SOMETIMES YOU HEAR I CAN TAKE CARE OF ITSELF.
BUT WE KNOW THAT THE FIRST PEOPLES TEND TO THESE LANDS AND WE'RE NEEDING TO TEND THEM MAYBE IN A DIFFERENT WAY THESE DAYS.
BUT BECAUSE OF THE GREAT PRESSURES THAT WE PUT ON THEM AND THE SUBSEQUENT BIODIVERSITY LOSS, WE'RE SEEING WORLDWIDE AND HERE, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT, THEY NEED OUR CARE.
WHY DO I SAY THAT? WE LOOKED AT THE BUDGET AND THERE'S A PARTICULAR ONE FOR STAFFING AND PROGRAMS, AND THE ONE FOR STEWARDSHIP, WE'RE PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT BECAUSE OF THESE REASONS, AND OF COURSE, BECAUSE OF OUR INTERESTS, AND A LOT OF THE STAKEHOLDERS INTERESTS.
WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS 2.6% OF A $376 MILLION BUDGET, 2.6% FOR STEWARDSHIP STAFFING AND PROGRAMS OF AN OVERALL PICTURE HERE.
SECONDLY, IT SEEMS TO CARRY THROUGH IN ANOTHER PROGRAM SHEET IN VOLUME 1, THE PROPOSED 2026 PROJECT APPROPRIATIONS WITH WW AND THE OTHER FUNDS.
ALSO, AGAIN, JUST LOOKING TRYING TO PULL WHAT'S ON THIS CHART AROUND 1%.
WHAT CAN BE DONE HERE? I'M GOING TO JUST JUMP TO THIS.
WE'VE GOT INCREASING POPULARITY. YOU HEAR THAT.
BUT WE'RE SEEING INCREASING POPULARITY FOR PEOPLE WANTING TO GET INVOLVED WITH TENDING THESE PARKS.
AS YOU KNOW, THERE WAS A PROJECT AT SIBLEY, FILLED UP WITH PEOPLE WANTING TO MAKE A MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCE IN THIS AREA OF WORK.
WHAT WOULD WE LIKE TO SEE SOME IDEAS, AT LEAST, A NATURAL RESOURCE VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR, TRAINED IN A CONSERVATION ECOLOGY.
WE'RE SEEING $40,000 FOR A LONG NEEDED DISTRICT ECOLOGICAL STUDY, $40,000 DISTRICT WIDE, WHY THAT LEVEL? CURRENT STARSHIP STAFF IS PROBABLY DOING A LOT OF PERMITTING AND CAN'T DO SOME OF THE WORK THAT TAKES TO LOOK AFTER SD AND A LOT OF THE OTHER ISSUES GOING ON IN THE PARKS.
FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS A 12 PER VEGETATION FUEL CREW.
WHAT ABOUT A CREW FOR STEWARDSHIP? MINIMAL BUDGET TARGET OF 10% OF THE BUDGET.
WILL LEAVE IT AT THAT. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING, BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
MY NAME IS BRENDA MONTANO, ARCHIVES PROGRAM SUPERVISOR AT THE PARK DISTRICT, AND I'M ALSO SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF MY COLLEAGUE, CRYSTAL JIMENEZ, THE ARCHIVES ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST.
WE ARE HERE TO ASK THE BOARD TO RECONSIDER APPROVING THE DRAFT 2026 BUDGET AS IT RELATES TO THE PROPOSED REORGANIZATION.
WE ARE RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING A POSTPONEMENT OF THE REORG DECISION SO THAT AFFECTED STAFF CAN PROVIDE MEANINGFUL FEEDBACK AND THAT THERE IS TIME TO UNDERSTAND
[04:10:03]
HOW THESE CHANGES WILL IMPACT OUR DEPARTMENTS ROLES AND WORK.MY POSITION WAS CREATED IN 2021, THE ARCHIVES WAS INTENTIONALLY STRUCTURED AS A DISTRICT WIDE SERVICE, THE SAME AS OUR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS CREATIVE DESIGN GROUP.
WE ARE DEDICATED TO PRESERVING THE PARK DISTRICT'S HISTORIC LEGACY AND REGIONAL HISTORY AND MAKING IT ACCESSIBLE TO STAFF AND THE PUBLIC.
OUR WORK CONNECTS VISITORS TO THE PARK, DEEPENS THEIR EXPERIENCE, AND HONORS THE LEGACY THAT EMPLOYEES, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES HAVE BUILT OVER GENERATIONS.
SINCE THE RETIREMENT OF THE LONGTIME PUBLIC AFFAIRS AGM IN 2022, THE ARCHIVES HAS LACKED STABLE GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT FROM LEADERSHIP.
WE'VE HAD FOUR MANAGERS IN THREE YEARS, AND IT WAS A STRUGGLE EVEN TO HIRE CRYSTAL.
DESPITE THIS, WE'VE HAVE CONTINUED PRODUCING HIGH QUALITY WORK, BUILDING TRUSTED RELATIONSHIPS WITH ORAL HISTORY PARTICIPANTS AND DONORS, SUPPORTING DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE DISTRICT, ENGAGING WITH A TEAM OF DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS AND CARING FOR THE RECORDS THAT TELL THE PARK DISTRICT STORY.
DURING THIS TIME, IT ALSO BECAME CLEAR THAT DISCUSSIONS WERE HAPPENING AT THE EXECUTIVE LEVEL ABOUT RELOCATING THE ARCHIVES TO PLANNING.
CONVERSATIONS CRYSTAL AND I WERE NOT INCLUDED IN.
ALL OF THIS LEAVES US UNSURE ABOUT OUR FUTURE IN EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, WHICH IS STILL TAKING SHAPE AND CONCERNED ABOUT BEING PLACED IN A STRUCTURE WHERE THE DISTRICT'S HISTORIC LEGACY AND OUR PUBLIC FACING MISSION MAY BE DIMINISHED.
WANT TO SUPPORT THE PARK DISTRICTS MANAGEMENT.
BUT BEFORE A MAJOR REORGANIZATION OCCURS, WE ARE ASKING FOR TIME, CLARITY, AND SHARED UNDERSTANDING.
SO FAR, RESPONSES TO OUR QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN BRIEF AND MOSTLY VERBAL.
THIS IS ALSO A DIFFICULT TIME OF YEAR TO ABSORB SOMETHING SO SIGNIFICANT FOR MANY OF US.
THE ARCHIVES IS NOT SIMPLY A SUPPORT FUNCTION.
WE ARE CARETAKERS OF THE PART DISTRICT'S MEMORY, IT'S PEOPLE, COMMUNITIES, LAND DECISIONS, CHALLENGES, AND VICTORIES.
CHANGES TO WHERE WE SIT AND HOW WE OPERATE DIRECTLY AFFECT OUR ABILITY TO PRESERVE AND SHARE THAT HISTORY.
FOR THESE REASONS, WE URGE THE BOARD TO SEPARATE THE REORG FROM THE 2026 BUDGET APPROVAL AND ALLOW TIME TO THOUGHTFULLY ASSESS IMPACTS, CONCERNS, AND THE BEST PATH FORWARD. THANK YOU.
>> HELLO, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
MY NAME IS SABRINA SEXTON, AND I HAVE BEEN A WATER MANAGEMENT TECHNICIAN HERE WITH THE PARK DISTRICT FOR FIVE YEARS.
I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF MY TEAM TODAY TO ADVOCATE AGAINST THIS REORG.
AS YOU'VE RECENTLY BEEN MADE AWARE OF, THERE'S A PROPOSED REORGANIZATION THAT WOULD TAKE MY TEAM WATER MANAGEMENT AWAY FROM THE STEWARDSHIP DEPARTMENT, AND INSTEAD PLACE US UNDER THE MAINTENANCE AND SKILLED TRADE DEPARTMENT.
MY TEAM AND THE REST OF OUR DEPARTMENT OPPOSE THIS PROPOSAL, AND IT'S MY GOAL TODAY TO SHARE WITH YOU WHY THAT IS.
IN WATER MANAGEMENT, WE ARE, ALWAYS HAVE BEEN, AND ALWAYS WILL BE, SCIENTISTS AND SCIENCE COMMUNICATORS.
EVERY ONE OF OUR PROGRAMS IS BASED IN DATA DRIVEN DECISIONS.
LIKE THE REST OF THE STEWARDSHIP DEPARTMENT, WATER MANAGEMENT'S PROGRAMS HAVE BOTH INTER AND INTRA DEPARTMENTAL TIES THAT ARE ESSENTIAL TO OUR FUNCTIONING.
WITHIN OUR DEPARTMENT, WE RELY ON OUR MANAGEMENT TO ADVOCATE FOR COMPLIANCE STANDARDS TO KEEP OUR DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS UP TO DATE.
WE WORK CLOSELY WITH FISHERIES ON OUR HARM ALGO BLOOM PROGRAM.
WE SHARE EQUIPMENT AND STORAGE SPACE WITH FISHERIES, GRAZING, AND OCCASIONALLY IPM AND WILDLIFE.
WE DO FIELD MONITORING FOR INVASIVE MUSCLES IN SUPPORT OF WHICH I PRESENTED ON GOLDEN MUSCLES AT THIS YEAR'S STEWARDSHIP SEMINAR AND WE HAVE A DEPTH OF INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE IN OUR DEPARTMENTAL LEAD, MATT GRAU, WHO IS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE REGULATORY COMPLIANCE NEEDS OF OUR DRINKING WATER, STORMWATER, AND SWIM BEACH BACTERIOLOGICAL PROGRAMS. ACROSS THE PARK DISTRICT, WE COLLABORATE WITH INTERPRETIVE ON INVASIVE MUSCLE PROGRAMMING TO MEET GRANT REQUIREMENTS.
WE WORK CLOSELY WITH OPERATIONS TO ENSURE SWIM BEACH WATER QUALITY SAFETY, AND WE RELY ON GIS TO CREATE MAPS FOR A VARIETY OF OUR SAMPLING VENTURES.
ADDITIONALLY, WE DO COLLABORATE WITH MASK TO ENSURE DRINKING WATER TREATMENT AND SYSTEM UPGRADES GET THE ATTENTION THEY NEED.
OUR FIELD IS MULTIDISCIPLINARY LIKE EVERY OTHER TEAM WITHIN STEWARDSHIP.
IT'S MY HOPE THAT YOU WILL HELP US STAY IN OUR DEPARTMENT WHERE OUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO SCIENCE ARE UNDERSTOOD AND VALUED.
I URGE THE BOARD TO SEPARATE THE PROPOSED REG FROM THE 2026 BUDGET PROCESS AND ALLOW TIME TO WORK THROUGH THE IMPACTS AND CONCERNS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. VERONICA KAISER, KOSKI.
[04:15:08]
>> VERONICA HAD TO LEAVE TO PICK UP HER DAUGHTER, SO I AGREED TO READ HER STATEMENT.
MY NAME IS MAGNOLIA, BUT I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF VERONICA KAISER, AN EMPLOYEE SINCE 2013. THESE ARE HER WORDS.
I AM THANKFUL TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THE BOARD ABOUT THE PROPOSED REORGANIZATION.
I URGE THE BOARD TO SEPARATE THE PROPOSED REORG FROM THE 2026 BUDGET PROCESS AND ALLOW TIME TO WORK IS AND CONCERNS.
SOME THOUGHTS AND CONCERNS I HAVE ABOUT THE REORG.
I AM CURIOUS ABOUT HOW THE PROPOSED CHANGES ARE BUDGET NEUTRAL.
CONSIDERING THE CHALLENGE OF THAT, I WANT TO CONGRATULATE MANAGEMENT AND FINANCE STAFF FOR CREATING TWO NEW ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER POSITIONS WHILE MAINTAINING THE BUDGET.
I WOULD LIKE TO RECOMMEND THE FUNDS THAT WOULD BE USED TO CREATE THE NEW MANAGEMENT POSITIONS BE USED FOR BOOTS ON THE GROUND, HANDS IN THE DIRT, WORKING THROUGH THE MUCK, MUCH NEEDED TO HELP IMPROVE IMPORTANT FOUNDATIONAL ROLES WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION.
IN MY HUMBLE OPINION, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE RESOURCES USED TO FUND POSITIONS IN FINANCE, CENTRAL STORES, HUMAN RESOURCES, TRADES, ROADS, AND TRAILS, FUEL CREWS, AS THE DISTRICT CONTINUES TO GROW, ADDITIONAL RANGERS, AS WELL AS FIELD STEWARDSHIP POSITIONS.
ONE SPECIFIC DETAIL OF THE CURRENT REORGANIZATION IS MY KNOWLEDGE OF GIS NEEDS THEIR VACANT POSITION THAT WOULD GO ELSEWHERE.
RECENTLY BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION, THE DISTRICT COULD REALLY USE A POINT PERSON OR TEAM THAT IS DEDICATED TO COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT FOR GENERAL BROAD PURPOSES WITH THE GROUNDED FOCUS OF EQUITY AND INCLUSION.
I'M SURE I HAVE LEFT OUT IMPORTANT NEEDED POSITIONS, AND I AM SURE THE FUNDS MENTIONED WOULDN'T COVER ALL THE POSITIONS I HAVE NOTED.
ANOTHER CONSIDERATION I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT IS POSITIONS BEING MOVED AROUND IS NOT FULLY CONSIDERING THE HUMAN COMPONENT.
I SENSE THAT SOME CHOICES AND CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE WITHOUT THOROUGH DISCUSSION, COMMUNICATION, AND CONSIDERATION OF THE HUMAN ASPECT.
I HEARD MANAGEMENT SAY THEY SPOKE WITH OTHER MANAGEMENT ABOUT THE PROPOSED CHANGES.
I DID NOT HEAR ABOUT ANY DISCUSSION OR CONSIDERATION FOR THE POSITIONS UNDER MANAGEMENT AND HOW THAT WOULD AFFECT THEIR JOBS, RELATIONSHIPS, AND QUALITY OF LIFE.
IF THE CHANGES WERE WANTED OR UNWANTED AND HOW TO PROCEED WITH THEIR HUMANITY IN MIND.
IN MY OPINION, IT MAY BE EASIER TO MOVE POSITIONS AROUND WITHOUT THAT CONSIDERATION AND CONVERSATION.
YET THAT WOULD BE DOING PEOPLE AND OUR ORGANIZATION A DISSERVICE, SINCE MAKING HARD DECISIONS WOULD ALMOST ALWAYS BE BENEFITED BY CONSIDERING PEOPLE FIRST.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
>> THANK YOU. DAVID DRU HAMMER.
>> GOOD EVENING, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
I'M THE DISTRICT'S GIS SUPERVISOR AND HAVE PROUDLY SERVED HERE FOR 28 YEARS.
THANK YOU FOR THE CHANCE TO SPEAK WITH YOU THIS EVENING ABOUT THE PROPOSED REORGANIZATION AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE GIS TEAM WHO ARE HERE IN THE AUDIENCE AND SUPPORT OF MY COMMENTS.
THE PROPOSAL INCLUDES TWO MAJOR CHANGES FOR GIS, MOVING US INTO THE IT DEPARTMENT AND ELIMINATING ONE OF OUR GIS TECHNICIAN POSITIONS.
BOTH CHANGES WOULD SERIOUSLY HARM THE DISTRICT'S ABILITY TO MANAGE ITS LANDS, FACILITIES, AND RESOURCES EFFECTIVELY.
THE GIS DEPARTMENT PLAYS A VITAL AND OFTEN UNSEEN ROLE IN HOW THE DISTRICT UNDERSTANDS, MANAGES AND PLANS FOR ITS LANDS AND RESOURCES.
WHILE WE PROVIDE DATA AND MAPPING SUPPORT TO DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE ORGANIZATION, ROUGHLY THREE QUARTERS OF OUR WORK DIRECTLY SUPPORTS PLANNING, LAND ACQUISITION, STEWARDSHIP, AND TRAILS.
ALL PART OF THE SAME DIVISION WE'RE CURRENTLY HOUSED IN.
OUR CLOSED COLLABORATION IS ESSENTIAL.
WE'RE NOT JUST CREATING MAPS, WE'RE ANALYZING CONSERVATION PRIORITIES, SUPPORTING RESTORATION PROJECTS, TRACKING SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES, ASSISTING AND CULTURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION, AND PROVIDING SPATIAL DATA CRITICAL TO ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITTING.
MOVING GIS TO THE IT DEPARTMENT WOULD BREAK THESE EVERY DAY ON THE GROUND CONNECTIONS.
GIS IS BOTH A DATA SYSTEM AND A SCIENCE.
ONE ROOTED IN GEOGRAPHY, NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, AND PLANNING.
OUR WORK DEPENDS ON UNDERSTANDING THE LANDSCAPES, ECOLOGICAL PROCESSES, AND FIELD REALITIES THAT OUR COLLEAGUES IN PLANNING AND STARSHIP NAVIGATE DAILY.
BEING EMBEDDED IN THIS DIVISION ALLOWS FOR REAL TIME COLLABORATION, INNOVATION, AND RESPONSIVENESS.
IN IT, GIS RISKS BECOMING A SERVICE DESK FUNCTION, DISCONNECTED FROM THE SCIENTIFIC AND STEWARDSHIP WORK THAT GIVES OUR DATA PURPOSE AND ACCURACY.
I ALSO WANT TO EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF RETAINING OUR VACANT GIS TECHNICIAN POSITION.
ELIMINATING THIS ROLE WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE OUR CAPACITY.
GIS RECEIVES ROUGHLY 600 REQUESTS EACH YEAR, AND REMOVING THIS POSITION WOULD LEAVE ABOUT 100 OF THEM UNFULFILLED.
[04:20:03]
THESE ARE MINOR TASKS.THEY INCLUDE BOARD MAPS, LAND ACQUISITIONS, FUELS MANAGEMENT, RESTORATION WORK, AND TRAIL PLANNING.
IN SUMMARY, GIS SHOULD STAY WHERE IT IS WORKING SIDE BY SIDE WITH THE PEOPLE WHO PLAN, ACQUIRE, AND CARE FOR THE DISTRICT'S LANDS EVERY DAY.
TO CONTINUE DOING THAT WORK EFFECTIVELY, WE NEED THE CAPACITY TO KEEP UP WITH THE SCALE OF THE DISTRICT, WHICH MEANS FILLING OUR VACANT GIS TECHNICIAN POSITION.
I URGE THE BOARD TO SEPARATE THE PROPOSED REORG FROM THE 2026 BUDGET PROCESS TO ALLOW TIME FOR WORK THROUGH IMPACTS AND CONCERNS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. PRECIOUS SHELTON.
>> GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT MCCARROLL BOARD OF DIRECTORS, ACTING GENERAL MANAGER CORTEN.
MY NAME IS PRECIA SHELTON. I'VE BEEN WITH HERE AS A DISTRICT EMPLOYEE FOR OVER 20 YEARS.
I'VE CURRENTLY SERVED ME ON ASKMCAL 2428E BOARD, MEMBER AT LARGE.
I'M HERE TODAY TO SPEAK TO YOU ALL ABOUT THE 2026 PROPOSED REORGANIZATION THAT SEEMS TO BE NEW TO BOTH MANAGEMENT AND UNION EMPLOYEES.
PER THE LAST BOARD MEETING, IT HAS BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR TWO YEARS, BUT WHEN I ASKED MY AGM A FEW MONTHS AGO, WHAT WAS THE PLAN THERE WASN'T ONE.
THEN ON APRIL 30, A NOTICE TO ASK ME 2428 REGARDING THE CONTRACTS AND ACCESS PERMIT SUPERVISOR ALSO KNOWN AS THE CAPS POSITION, AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYSTS, ONE POSITION WAS GOING TO BE MOVING FROM MAINTENANCE AND SKILL TRADES TO BUSINESS SERVICES.
THE ASSIGNED WORK AND WORK LOCATIONS WILL NOT CHANGE AS THE OUTCOME OF THE REORGANIZATION.
THE REORG WAS MADE EFFECTIVE JUNE 2, 2025 AND HERE WE ARE GIVEN NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS HAS HAPPENED SO QUICKLY.
SUDDENLY, PARK DISTRICT MAINTENANCE AGREEMENTS ALSO KNOWN AS MASS CONTRACTS, WHICH WAS APPROXIMATELY 50% OF MY JOB TEMPORARILY REASSIGNED TO MY MANAGER.
ON AUGUST 5, I WAS PRESENTED WITH A JOB CLARIFICATION PLAN, ALSO KNOWN AS THE JCP EFFECTIVE AUGUST 5, 2025 TO JANUARY 31, 2026, WHICH INDICATED MY JOB AS A CONTRACT AND ACCESS PERMIT SUPERVISOR WAS NOW 100% TEMPORARY PARK ACCESS PERMITS, ESSENTIALLY REMOVING ALL MASS CONTRACTS FROM MY RESPONSIBILITY.
FAST FORWARD TO SEPTEMBER 3, I WAS PRESENTED ANOTHER JCP WHICH NOW INCLUDED SERVICE CONTRACTS.
DURING ALL THE SHUFFLING, I ASKED MY MANAGER TIFFANY MARGOLISI ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, WHAT IS THE PLAN AND NOT ONCE WAS I ADVISED OF AN UPCOMING PLAN.
BUT HOLD ON, THE ROLLERCOASTER IS NOT OVER YET.
ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2025, THE UNION WAS NOTICE OF A DISTRICT WIRY OR THAT IMPACTS CERTAIN ASK ME INCUMBENTS AND WAS GOING IN EFFECT JANUARY 1, 2026.
MY POSITION IS MOVING FROM BUSINESS SERVICES TO FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES.
MY JOB TITLE IS CHANGING FROM CONTRACT AND ACCESS PERMIT SUPERVISOR TO CONTRACTS AND PROCUREMENT SUPERVISOR.
MY ENTIRE JOB DESCRIPTION HAS BEEN REWRITTEN, EXCLUDING TEMPORARY PARK ACCESS PERMITS.
THE AA1 THAT ASSISTED ME WITH CONTRACTS WAS POSTED FOR ACTING AS A SENIOR ADMINISTRATOR SPECIALIST, EVEN THOUGH THE RE ORGAN HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED, AND WITH NO CONSULTATION WITH THE CONTRACT SUPERVISOR.
MY MOVE TO BUSINESS SERVICES WAS PREMATURE OR MY MANAGERS TRULY HAD NO CLUE ABOUT THE DISTRICT WIDE REORG.
I'VE BEEN ON THIS ROLLER COASTER SINCE JUNE AND IT'S STILL NOT OVER.
I PERSONALLY THINK THE REORG HAS SOME POTENTIAL, HOWEVER, NOW IT'S NOT THE TIME.
THERE IS TOO MUCH BEING PUSHED TO THIS END OF THE YEAR.
WE HAVE AN ACTING GENERAL MANAGER, AND ALL EMPLOYEES NEED A MINUTE TO CATCH UP AND SEE HOW THIS WILL WORK.
MY ASK TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS TO REMOVE THIS ITEM FROM THE 2026 PROPOSED BUDGET. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. JEN VANIA [APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ACTING GENERAL MANAGER.
I AM A PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST.
JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY EARLIER, THERE WAS A QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THERE WAS ANY PUBLIC INFORMATION REPRESENTATIVES THAT WOULD BE ME.
I DON'T HAVE THAT TITLE ANY LONGER, BUT THAT WAS MY TITLE WHEN I WAS HIRED.
SO I JUST WANTED TO COME AND TALK TO YOU TODAY BECAUSE I WASN'T REALLY SURE HOW I WANTED TO PHRASE THINGS, BUT I WAS DRIVING IN MY ONE HOUR COMMUTE HOME LAST WEEK AND I HEARD A PODCAST THAT RESONATED WITH ME, AND I THOUGHT ABOUT IT AND I THOUGHT THIS SOUND SOUNDED LIKE WHAT WE'RE GOING THROUGH.
[04:25:02]
IT WAS ABOUT LEADERSHIP AND HOW IT CAN DO WELL OR HOW IT CAN FAIL AND IN THE COURSE OF THE PODCAST, THE DISCUSSION WAS ABOUT THIS CONCEPT OF POETRY AND PLUMBING.I FELT LIKE THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CHANGE HERE AND AND OVERALL, THERE'S A LOT OF NEW LEADERSHIP IN PLACE NOW.
I'VE BEEN HERE ALMOST SEVEN YEARS, AND THE POETRY PART OF IT IS THE VISION AND THE PLANNING AND THE DREAMING AND THE PLUMBING PART OF IT IS WHAT I WOULD SAY IS WHAT MAKES UP THE REST OF THE PARK DISTRICT.
IT'S ALL OF US THAT ARE HERE TODAY TALKING TO YOU.
THERE IS A BALANCE THAT HAS TO BE STRUCK BETWEEN THE VISION AND THE DREAMING AND THE PLUMBING, WHICH ISN'T VERY GLAMOROUS AND ROMANTIC, BUT IT'S WHAT KEEPS THINGS RUNNING.
I FEEL AS THOUGH WHAT I'M SEEING WITH THE NEW REORGANIZATION IS NOT CAREFUL THOUGHT WITH REGARD TO THAT PLUMBING.
YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT YOU NEED TO REPLACE IT ENTIRELY, AND I SEE SOME OF THAT HAPPENING, IN FACT, MY OWN DEPARTMENT, MY OWN SUPERVISOR, OR WHETHER IT'S JUST NEEDING TO BE RETOOLED OR REORGANIZED A LITTLE BIT.
SO MY POINT IS THAT I'M NOW IN A DEPARTMENT WITH JUST ME AND MY SUPERVISOR HAS BEEN REASSIGNED BEFORE THE APPROVAL OF THIS REORGANIZATION, AND THERE'S NO PLAN TO REPLACE THAT POSITION WITH THE UNION POSITION.
IT'S JUST ME AND MY MANAGER IS ABSORBING SOME OF THE WORK, BUT IT'S UNION WORK.
I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY HOW THIS IS GOING TO WORK OUT, BUT I FEEL AS THOUGH WE NEED TO THINK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE PLUMBING HERE BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT'S KEEPING THE PARK DISTRICT RUNNING.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME [APPLAUSE]
>> THERE'S NO MORE PUBLIC COMMENT IN PERSON, SO WE WILL GO ONLINE.
>> BARBARA LEITNER, YOU MAY UNMUTE YOURSELF.
>> I TOOK ME A MINUTE TO MUTE. THANK YOU.
MY NAME IS BARBARA LEITNER, AND I AM CO PRESIDENT OF THE CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY EAST BAY CHAPTER.
TO FULFILL THE REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT'S COMMITMENT TO PROTECTING, PRESERVING AND MANAGING ITS NATURAL RESOURCES.
YOU NEED TO COMMIT MUCH MORE OF YOUR FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO STEWARDSHIP THAN THE PALTRY 2.6% IN THE CURRENTLY PROPOSED BUDGET.
THE NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE PARKS ARE NOT STATIC AND WITHOUT ACTIVE ATTENTION AND MANAGEMENT, THEY WILL DEGRADE.
THE NATURAL RESOURCES ALREADY FACE HEAVY PRESSURES FROM HUMAN USE, EROSION, INVASIVE PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES, PATHOGENS, FIRE SUPPRESSION, AND FUELS MANAGEMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE, AND LIVESTOCK GRAZING.
ALL INFLUENCES THESE LANDSCAPES AND SPECIES WERE NOT EVOLVED WITH, AND ALL ARE DESTRUCTIVE INFLUENCES.
WE BELIEVE THAT EXISTING NATURAL RESOURCES CAN BE MAINTAINED BUT DOING SO WOULD REQUIRE A GREATLY INCREASED COMMITMENT TO ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT, INCLUDING MONITORING, TESTING, ADJUSTING MANAGEMENT, AND USAGE TO FIT CHANGING CONDITIONS, AND TO FAVOR NATIVE BIODIVERSITY.
I COULD MAKE SUGGESTIONS, AND JIM HANSON HAS PRESENTED SOME SPECIFICS.
BUT THE BEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE PRIORITIES FOR IMPROVING STEWARDSHIP WOULD COME FROM YOUR OWN DEDICATED AND PROFESSIONAL STEWARDSHIP STAFF WHO ARE GIVEN SCRAPS OF FUNDING WITH WHICH TO PERFORM MIRACLES.
TO MAINTAIN ECOSYSTEM HEALTH INTO THE FUTURE, I URGE YOU TO GREATLY INCREASE YOUR STEWARDSHIP BUDGET, 10% WOULD NOT BE TOO MUCH.
MAKING STEWARDSHIP A TRUE PRIORITY WOULD BE A LEGACY THIS BOARD COULD BE PROUD OF.
I DO HAVE ONE OTHER COMMENT ON THE BUDGET.
CNPSC SPA HAS ALREADY COMMENTED THAT THE PROCESS FOR THE WILDCAT FLOW TRAIL, PROPOSED WILDCAT FLOW TRAIL IS DEEPLY FLAWED BECAUSE OF ITS LOCATION IN A DESIGNATED NATURAL AREA, AND NO EVIDENCE THAT STAFF IS CONSIDERED LESS IMPACTING ALTERNATIVES.
I URGE YOU TO POSTPONE THE FUNDING FOR THIS PROJECT IN THE ERR UNTIL STAFF CAN DO A BETTER JOB OF SITE SELECTION. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> SALLY TOBIN, YOU MAY UNMUTE YOURSELF.
>> THANK YOU. CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> COOL. GREETINGS TO THE DIRECTORS AND THE ACTING MANAGER.
FRIENDS OF WILDCAT CANYON PARK SUBMITTED A LETTER, BUT THIS TALK IS FROM ME PERSONALLY.
[04:30:02]
BUDGETS ARE BY DEFINITION, FULL OF NUMBERS THAT REVEAL PRIORITIES OF INDIVIDUALS OR ORGANIZATIONS.JUDGING FROM THE OCTOBER 3RD BOARD MEETING, THE PARK DISTRICT SEEMS TO BE GOING THROUGH A MAJOR REORIENTATION.
I WOULD LIKE TO PUT IN A WORD ON BEHALF OF STEWARDSHIP AND CONSERVATION.
THIS MEANS PROTECTION OF THE BIOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL RESOURCES THAT THE PARK DISTRICT IS LUCKY TO HAVE WITHIN ITS PARKS, AND IT ALSO MEANS RESTORATION OF SUCH RESOURCES.
IN ONE EXAMPLE, ANNUAL GRASSES ARE REPLACING THE ORIGINAL PERENNIAL GRASSES OF SOME EAST BAY PARKS GRASSLANDS.
THESE AREAS WERE ORIGINALLY GRAZED BY ELK AND DEER, BUT NOW ARE OFTEN GRAZED BY COWS.
THE DETERIORATION CAME TO LIGHT BECAUSE OF A PROPOSAL CALLING FOR THE THRILL FLOW TRAIL ALONG THE ROUTE OF THE EXISTING MASOO TRAIL IN WILDCAT CANYON REGIONAL PARK.
THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE DISCOVERY OF BARE SPOTS IN THE GRASSLAND ALONG THE RIDGE IS BEING USED AS JUSTIFICATION FOR FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE WILDCAT CANYON ECOSYSTEM.
THE PROPOSED BIKE TRAIL CONSTRUCTION AND USED BY CYCLISTS WILL SEND SILT DOWN THE WATERSHED INTO WILDCAT CREEK JUST WHEN ANOTHER PROJECT IS TRYING TO RE ESTABLISH A WILDCAT CREEK SALMON RUN.
FROM MY PERSONAL PRIORITY LIST, DISCOVERY OF BEAR SPOTS CALLS FOR CLOSER MONITORING OF BOVINE GRAZING, AS WELL AS CONSIDERATION OF RESTORATION OF THE WILDCAT CREEK WATERSHED.
THEY ARE WHERE PLUMBING AND POETRY COME TOGETHER, AND WHEN THEY ARE GONE, THEY ARE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO REVIVE.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT WILDCAT CREEK OR WALK THE MISSOU TRAIL, IT IS APPROPRIATE TO THINK ABOUT WHAT THE PARK DISTRICT CAN DO ABOUT KEEPING ECOSYSTEMS ALIVE INSTEAD OF WRITING THEM OFF. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> MR. PRESIDENT, THERE'S NO MORE PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO ALL OF YOU WHO'VE SPOKEN HERE TODAY, AND I SINCERELY WANT TO TELL YOU THAT IT MEANS A LOT, AND IT GIVES US ADDITIONAL THINGS TO THINK ABOUT, I'M SURE SO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR COMING OUT TONIGHT.
THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE VOTE ON, SO WE CAN MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ITEM.
WHICH IS SUMMARY OF THE DRAFT STRATEGIC INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PLAN.
THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO TAKE A BREAK, SO WE'LL DO 10 MINUTES.
[2. Summary of Draft Strategic Information Technology Plan]
WE'RE BACK WITH ITEM B2, SUMMARY OF DRAFT STRATEGIC INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PLAN. TAKE IT AWAY.>> GOOD EVENING, DAVID RUSTING, CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER FOR THE DISTRICT.
I'M VERY PLEASED TO BE HERE TODAY TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE DRAFT STRATEGIC IT PLAN.
I KNOW THAT IS PROBABLY HALF OF THE PAPER IN THIS PACKET.
WE WILL TRY NOT TO MAKE IT A FOUR OR FIVE HOUR RECITATION.
BUT I DO HAVE IT DOWN TO ABOUT 12 SLIDES.
GLAD TO DISCUSS THE DETAILS OF IT AND GLAD TO GO THROUGH IT WITH YOU. THANK YOU.
ONE OF THE THINGS, AS WE KNOW THAT PARTICIPANTS HAS GROWN OVER THE YEARS, AND TO SUPPORT THAT MISSION, WE NEED LOTS OF SERVICES, INCLUDING TECHNOLOGY SERVICES.
BACK IN SEPTEMBER 2022, THE BOARD APPROVED AN ASSESSMENT THAT WE CONDUCTED A STRATEGIC PLAN INFORMATION PLAN WITH A COMPANY CALLED CLIENT FIRST TO BASICALLY ASSESS AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS OF WHAT WE SHOULD DO ACROSS THE DISTRICT.
THROUGHOUT 2023, ALL THE DIVISIONS WERE INTERVIEWED AND ENGAGED.
WE BASICALLY HELD WORKSHOPS TO START TO UNDERSTAND THEIR BUSINESS BECAUSE REALLY THE BUSINESS OR MISSION IS THE CORE THING THAT THE TECHNOLOGY SUPPORTS.
TODAY'S PRESENTATION IS FOCUSED ON THE SUMMARY OF THOSE FINDING RECOMMENDATIONS, WHAT HAS BEEN ALIGNED AND DONE TO THAT PLAN SO FAR BECAUSE SOME TIME HAS PASSED AND GIVE YOU GUYS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR INPUT, QUESTIONS, AND ALL THAT GOOD STUFF.
AGAIN, STARTING FROM THE BEGINNING, WHY DID WE DO THIS? WHY DO AN ASSESSMENT IN A PLAN? PART OF IT IS TO ALIGN OUR GOALS OF TECHNOLOGY TO THE GOALS OF THE DISTRICT.
[04:35:05]
WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH? WE WANT TO IDENTIFY PROJECT INITIATIVES THAT WE SHOULD UNDERTAKE.WE WANT TO IMPROVE THE CONSTITUENT SERVICES, AND WHEN WE SAY CONSTITUENT SERVICES, IT'S ALSO ENABLING OUR STAFF TO BETTER SERVE THE PUBLIC.
WE WANT TO INCREASE SOME OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES AND WE WANT TO REDUCE THE RISK TO THE DISTRICT.
ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS IS TO DETERMINE WHAT ARE THE RESOURCES WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO DO THIS NOW AND INTO THE FUTURE.
THE PROCESS THAT WAS UNDERTAKEN WAS BASICALLY DO AN INVENTORY AND ASSESSMENT OF ALL THINGS TECHNOLOGY WITHIN THE DISTRICT.
WE DID A TECHNOLOGY REVIEW, AND WE HAD DIVISION AND DEPARTMENTAL WORKSHOPS GOING THROUGH ALL THE DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS, SYSTEMS, AND SO FORTH THAT WERE USED.
WE DID SOME RESEARCH AND UNDERSTANDING.
SO WHAT ARE OUR BUSINESS AND OPERATIONAL NEEDS? THERE'S LOTS OF THEM, LOTS OF COMPETING PRIORITIES.
HOW DO WE FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO AND WHAT TECHNOLOGIES NEEDED TO SUPPORT THOSE OPERATIONS.
>> THE GENERAL RECOMMENDATION OF WHY WE WANT TO DO THIS IS BECAUSE WE HAVE TO COME BACK WITH SOME FUNDAMENTALS.
THERE ARE A LOT OF BASIC THINGS THAT AN ORGANIZATION OF THIS TYPE SHOULD BE DOING, IN ANY ORGANIZATION FOR THAT MATTER, TO DELIVER RESILIENT TECHNOLOGY SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF THE MISSION.
WE HAVE TOO MANY THINGS THAT WE WANT TO DO THAT ARE ALL WONDERFUL, BUT HOW DO WE PRIORITIZE THEM AND HOW DO WE HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS? THEN WE WANT TO HAVE SOME ONGOING REFINEMENT ABOUT THIS PLAN, BECAUSE WE NEED INPUT FROM YOU AS WELL AS OUR OWN DIVISIONS ON HOW TO BEST ACCOMPLISH OUR GOALS.
SOME OF THE THEMES, IF YOU GO THROUGH THE REPORT, CENTER AROUND THREE MAJOR AREAS.
WE REALLY NEED TO WORK ON HOW DO WE IDENTIFY, PRIORITIZE, AND MANAGE THE TECHNOLOGY NEEDS FOR THE DISTRICT? THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME GOVERNANCE MODEL.
BECAUSE HISTORICALLY, WE HAVE A VERY BOOTSTRAP GO-DO IT ATTITUDE, WHICH IS GREAT, EXCEPT WHEN EVERYBODY'S DOING AND WHEN YOU'RE SMALL, IT'S NOT TOO CUMBERSOME, WHEN YOU'RE LARGER, THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE COORDINATION ON THAT.
BEST PRACTICES, AND WHEN I SAY BEST PRACTICES, THESE ARE REALLY GENERALLY ACCEPTED METHODS BY WHICH WE ACHIEVE SUCCESSFUL OUTCOMES.
THAT SOUNDS VERY BASIC, BUT IT'S ACTUALLY A KEY THING.
WE'RE NOT THE FIRST PEOPLE TO DO SOME OF THESE THINGS.
WE ARE EVOLVING AS WE GO THROUGH OUR JOURNEY, AND WE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN FROM OTHERS TO DO THINGS THAT ARE IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE BEST PRACTICE OF HOW YOU ARE SUCCESSFUL.
THEN WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITIES.
HOW DO WE ALIGN, SEQUENCE AND HAVE DURABILITY FOR OUR TECHNOLOGY AND ITS SUPPORT SERVICES? WHEN I SAY DURABILITY, THIS IS SOMETIMES SOMETHING THAT'S REFERRED TO AS, HOW LONG DO YOU EXPECT SOMETHING TO LAST IN YOUR ENVIRONMENT, AS OPPOSED TO IS IT TOUGH? INITIALLY, IS IT TOUGH? NO. IT'S AROUND WHAT'S THE DURABILITY? HOW LONG IS THIS LIFE CYCLE? FIVE YEARS, 10 YEARS? WHAT IS IT? IN THE ASSESSMENT OF OUR BUSINESS APPLICATIONS, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CAME OUT OF IT WAS THAT WE REALLY SHOULD STANDARDIZE ON SOFTWARE AND PROCESSES WHEREVER POSSIBLE.
IF WE DO THINGS 15 DIFFERENT WAYS, IT'S GOING TO TAKE 15 TIMES MORE ENERGY AND EFFORT.
IT SEEMS VERY BASIC, BUT WE DO IT A LOT, SO WE NEED TO IMPROVE THAT.
WE CERTAINLY NEED TO IMPROVE OUR REPORTING AND WORKFLOW AUTOMATION, BECAUSE WE HAVE BASICALLY WHAT THEY CALL SHADOW SYSTEMS. BASICALLY, I GET A REPORT, THEN I STICK INTO EXCEL OR SOME OTHER SYSTEM AND I DO REPORTS, AND THEN I GET THE STUFF I WANT, BUT THEN THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE I WANT TO ADD TO IT.
IT'S A LOT OF CUMBERSOME WORK FOR OUR ORGANIZATION, AND WE NEED TO DEFINITELY IMPROVE THAT ASPECT OF OUR SYSTEMS. SOME EXAMPLES OF THESE SYSTEMS ARE THINGS YOU HAVE ACTUALLY SEEN.
OUR ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING, WE CURRENTLY HAVE ONE VENDOR.
LAST MEETING, I THINK YOU GUYS APPROVED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH WORKDAY AS A NEW ERP, WHICH IS BASICALLY FINANCE AND HR.
THERE'S A RP THAT'S BEING WORKED ON FOR THE RECREATION AND RESERVATIONS MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS. ENTERPRISE ASSET MANAGEMENT, AND SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW NOTICE THIS, WE CURRENTLY HAVE A SYSTEM CALLED FAMOUS THAT HELPS MANAGE AND ASSESS THE ASSETS WE HAVE, THE BUILDINGS, AND SO FORTH IN TRACKING THE WORK ON THOSE.
ENTERPRISE DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT.
WE HAVE A LOT OF DOCUMENTS AND A LOT OF INFORMATION, AND WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO BETTER MANAGE THAT ACROSS THE PARK DISTRICT.
THEN GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS. WE HAVE THOSE HERE.
AS MENTIONED, THEY DON'T JUST DO MAPS, THEY DO A LOT OF THINGS THAT ENABLE THE SERVICES FOR THE PARK DISTRICT.
IT'S THE SAME THING AS SAYING, FINANCE IS ONLY ABOUT DEBITS AND CREDITS.
IT ACTUALLY IS ABOUT TRYING TO GET THAT INFORMATION SO THAT THE DISTRICT CAN MAKE DECISIONS AS IT PLANS FORWARD TO GO DO ITS MISSION.
WITHIN THE BUSINESS APPLICATIONS, SOME OF THE AREAS TO IMPROVE IS REALLY
[04:40:02]
DIVISIONAL OWNERSHIP AROUND THE BUSINESS FUNCTIONS AND OUTCOMES.THIS IS WHAT TECHNOLOGY SUPPORTS.
THE TECHNOLOGY ISN'T TELLING YOU WHAT THE BUSINESS IS OR WHAT THE GOALS ARE, YOU'RE DECIDING WHAT THE MISSION IS, YOU'RE DECIDING WHAT THE GOAL IS, ALIGNMENT WITH OUR GOALS, AND THEN THE DIVISIONS ARE LOOKING TO EXECUTE THAT.
THAT'S WHERE THEIR OWNERSHIP OF THESE FUNCTIONS IS IMPORTANT.
WE NEED TO STREAMLINE TRAINING AND OPERATIONS.
OUR TRAINING, SOMETIMES WE PUT OUT SYSTEMS AND WE JUST EXPECT PEOPLE TO KNOW HOW TO USE IT, AND THAT IS NOT THE WAY IT WORKS.
WE HAVE TO DEFINE WHAT WE WANT TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME WITH, AND WE HAVE TO TRAIN PEOPLE ON SYSTEMS. TRAINING CAME UP AS A RECURRING THING THAT WE NEED TO WORK ON.
WE HAVE TO ASSESS AND DO BUSINESS PROCESS REVIEW.
IT'S LIKE BEFORE YOU JUMP INTO DOING SOMETHING, HAVE WE EVEN ASSESSED WHAT WE NEED TO DO? DO WE HAVE THE BUSINESS PROCESSES DEFINED? DO WE KNOW WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO IMPROVE TO? I THINK IN SOME CASES, THAT'S A GAP IN AN AREA THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.
THEN THE LAST IS DATA AVAILABILITY AND MANAGEMENT.
WE HAVE A LOT OF DATA IN THIS PARK SYSTEM, WE COULD USE IT FOR A LOT OF GOOD DECISION MAKING AND INFORMING OURSELVES AND THE PUBLIC, BUT WE DON'T REALLY HAVE A GOOD GOVERNANCE AND STRATEGY AROUND THAT SO THAT'S ANOTHER THING THAT WE'RE RECOMMENDED TO WORK ON.
OUR INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPERATIONS: ONE OF THE THINGS IS THAT WE JUST DON'T BUY SOMETHING AND IT JUST DOESN'T RUN FOREVER.
I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS WE GET SO USED TO TECHNOLOGY.
PEOPLE ARE USED TO SWAPPING OUT THEIR PHONES EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS, BUT A LOT OF THE STUFF HERE HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE.
WE NEED TO LOOK AT REFRESHING OUR TECHNOLOGY CYCLES FOR OUR AGING INFRASTRUCTURE.
WE'VE DONE SOME OF THAT ALREADY WITH OUR ENDPOINT OR LAPTOP COMPUTING, BUT WE NEED TO DO IT FOR OTHER TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMMUNICATION INFRASTRUCTURE.
WE HAVE TO EXPAND CONNECTIVITY TO PARKS AND SITES.
WE ALL UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE VERY UNIQUE GEOGRAPHY, AND UNIQUE DEMOGRAPHICS.
WHEN I SAY DEMOGRAPHICS, THE THING IS THERE'S CONNECTIVITY WHERE THERE ARE PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES.
WE HAVE PARKS THAT ARE NOT WHERE PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES ARE.
SOMETIMES IT'S HARD TO GET THEM CONNECTED AND ONLINE.
WE ARE LOOKING AT A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT SOLUTIONS, SO I CALL IT A DIVERSITY OF SOLUTIONS TO DO THAT.
DO WE DO FIBEROPTIC CABLING, DO WE USE CELLULAR, OR DO WE DO SATELLITE? THERE'S MULTIPLE DIFFERENT WAYS TO ACCOMPLISH THOSE TASKS.
THEN ANOTHER THING IS CENTRALIZING TECHNOLOGY FUNDING AND MAINTENANCE.
BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES AND I PUT A BULLET POINT THERE ABOUT IMPROVING THE TRANSPARENCY OF ONGOING OPERATIONAL COST VERSUS THE INITIAL PROJECT COSTS.
CAN I THINK CAPEX, OPEX. OUR CAPITAL EXPENSE.
SOMETIMES WE START PROJECTS AND THIS IS A GOOD IDEA AND WE'LL PUT IT IN A PROJECT.
BUT THEN AS YEARS GO ON, THAT MONEY GETS DEPLETED, AND THEN SUDDENLY YOU HAVE AN OPERATIONAL GAP WHERE, HEY, HOW DO WE FUND THIS? WE WANT TO WORK ON TRYING TO CENTRALIZE THAT SO THAT THERE'S BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHERE THINGS ARE GOING, WHAT'S GOING TO BE REQUIRED AND WHAT'S THE LIFE CYCLE OF COST FOR SOME OF THESE THINGS.
THEN OPTIMIZING TECHNOLOGY PROCUREMENT.
THERE'S LOTS OF DIFFERENT VENDORS AND LOTS OF DIFFERENT WAYS TO DO THIS.
SOMETIMES YOU NEED TO FIND CORE VENDORS THAT CAN PROVIDE NOT ONLY THE CONTRACTUAL RISK MANAGEMENT, BUT ALSO THE COST LEVERAGE WHEN WE'RE BUYING AT SCALE.
WE GET A LITTLE BIT BETTER DEAL WHEN YOU'RE LARGER VERSUS SMALLER, AND THERE'S A LOT OF GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS THAT WE CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE TO OPTIMIZE SOME OF THAT.
AGAIN, THAT GETS AROUND TO OPTIMIZING HOW WE'RE ACTUALLY PROCURING OUR TECHNOLOGY.
THIS IS ONE SLIDE THAT I THINK IS IMPORTANT.
IT'S A COUPLE OF YEARS OLD, BUT WE COULD APPLY IT TO LAST YEAR'S BUDGET AND THIS YEAR'S BUDGET.
IT'S REALLY AROUND OUR PEER BENCH MARKING.
THE CLIENT FIRST WENT THROUGH AND THEY COMPARED US TO ABOUT 34 SIMILAR-SIZED ORGANIZATIONS ABOUT THE TECHNOLOGY SPEND.
WHEN YOU LOOKED AT THAT, AND WE ARE PRETTY MUCH BELOW WHAT OUR PEERS WOULD BE DOING.
WE NEVER HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO DO EVERYTHING WE WANT TO DO.
BUT IF WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE GAPS OR DO THE THINGS WE WANT TO ACCOMPLISH HERE, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO INVEST PROPERLY AND UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF WHAT THEY CALL TECHNICAL DEBT HERE.
WE HAVE A LOT OF SYSTEMS THAT ARE GOING TO NEED TO REPLACE, AND WE SHOULD PROBABLY THINK VERY STRATEGICALLY OF HOW WE'RE GOING TO MAINTAIN OUR SERVICES AND IMPROVE OUR SERVICES WITH A PROPER INVESTMENT STRUCTURE.
SOME ACTIVITIES THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING THAT ARE ALIGNED TO THE PLAN.
I DON'T KNOW IF PEOPLE RECALL, BUT A FEW YEARS AGO, THERE WAS A LACK OF WIFI PROTOS.
WE HAD IN THE CONFERENCE ROOMS, BUT WE REALLY DIDN'T HAVE IT ALL OVER UBIQUITOUSLY.
AS I SAID, WHEN I GOT HERE, THE THINGS NEED TO BE BETTER THAN AT MY HOUSE.
THEY HAVE TO BE PRETTY GOOD. WE ASSESSED THE SOLUTION AND WE DEPLOYED IT TO THE BUILDING.
WE KEEP AGAIN, ASSESS AND TAKE ACTION.
[04:45:01]
ANOTHER ISSUE. WE HAD LIMITED PUBLIC MEETING STREAMING.NOW WE ARE STREAMING THROUGH THE GRANICUS SYSTEM AND IT HAS A MUCH, I THINK BETTER WAY FOR OUR PUBLIC TO SEE OUR MEETINGS, SEE THE HISTORY, GO THROUGH THE AGENDA.
AGAIN, ASSESSING SOMETHING, AND WE WORK WITH THE GENERAL MANAGER'S OFFICE TO GET THAT ACCOMPLISHED.
LIFE SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS AT LAKE DEL VALLE : THERE'S AN ISSUE AT DEL VALLE AROUND COMMUNICATION.
WE DEPLOYED SATELLITE INTERNET ON THE PUBLIC SAFETY BOAT, SO WHEN THEY'RE OUT ON THE LAKE, THEY'RE ABLE TO ACTUALLY GET BACK TO THEIR SYSTEMS AND RESPOND TO THINGS THAT COME UP.
FRAGMENTED IT PROCUREMENT AND VENDOR MANAGEMENT: IT WAS A LITTLE BIT ALL OVER THE PLACE.
EACH PIECE OF SOFTWARE HAD ALMOST A SEPARATE VENDOR THAT WE WERE BUYING IT FROM.
WE SAID, WELL, THAT'S REALLY NOT A BEST PRACTICE.
YOU TRY TO FIND CONSOLIDATED RESELLERS THAT CAN SELL YOU DIFFERENT THINGS ON GOVERNMENT PRE-BID CONTRACTS.
WE DID THAT. WE STANDARDIZED IT, WE ALIGNED IT WITH THE PROCUREMENT PROTOCOLS THAT WE HAVE IN THE DISTRICT HERE.
I THINK THAT'S BEEN FAIRLY SUCCESSFUL IN TRYING TO GET A BETTER HANDLE ON WHAT IT'S COSTING US TO DO THESE THINGS AND ALSO BE MORE EFFICIENT.
I WOULD JUST ADD ONE COMMENT: ONE OF OUR LARGEST CONTRACTS THAT WE SPEND EVERY YEAR IS FOR OUR MICROSOFT SOFTWARE.
THERE'S VARYING LEVELS OF SURCHARGE THAT GO ALONG WITH THOSE.
SOME CITIES AND COUNTIES WILL PAY 1% OVER, SOMEONE WILL PAY UP TO 5% OVER.
THE GOOD THING ABOUT BEING IN A PUBLIC INSTITUTION IS THE STUFF IS SHARED AMONGST MY PEERS, AND I CAN SAY A LITTLE BIT OF OVER 1% OVER THE MARKET, IT'S FOUR TIMES BETTER THAN SOME OF OUR PEERS HERE IN THE BAY AREA.
I FOUND THAT OUT AND I WAS LIKE, OH, I GUESS THAT'S A GOOD THING TO KNOW.
THEN WE HAVE LIMITED VISIBILITY IN THE NETWORK OPERATIONS.
WHEN SOMETHING GOES DOWN, WE GET A CALL, "SOMETHING'S DOWN ONE OF THE PARK SITES." HOW DO WE KNOW IS IT A POWER OUTAGE? IS IT THE AT&T'S NETWORK WENT DOWN? IS IT THE EQUIPMENT FAILING? THERE'S A LOT OF HARD INFORMATION WE NEED IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND THAT AND RESPOND TO IT.
NOW WE HAVE MORE VISIBILITY AND NETWORK MONITORING IN PLACE TO SEE THOSE THINGS TO HELP US TROUBLESHOOT IT MORE EFFECTIVELY.
I HAD A FEW MORE ITEMS, AND THESE ARE MORE BUSINESS FOCUSED.
THE ERP, THE HR AND FINANCE SYSTEM WAS NOT MEETING THE OPERATIONAL NEEDS, SO THE ACTION, IT WAS ASSESSED, EVALUATED, AND A RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT.
THIS WAS DRIVEN BY FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES.
AGAIN, IN THE DIVISION OWNING THE BUSINESS PROCESS ON THIS.
THE ISSUE OF THE RESERVATION SYSTEM IS NOT REALLY MEETING OPERATIONAL NEEDS.
AGAIN, WORKING WITH BUSINESS SERVICES, WHICH IS PART OF OPERATIONS, ASSESSING AND CONDUCTING AN RFP.
OUR EXTERNAL COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT IS FRAGMENTED.
THE EQUITY OFFICE WANTS TO DO AN RFP, AND I THINK HAS APPROVED THAT LAST MEETING TO ASSESS THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCH A SYSTEM THAT WOULD DO IN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
BECAUSE ONE OF THE THINGS WE FIND HERE IS EVERYBODY HAS AN IDEA OF WHAT THEY WANT TO DO, BUT IT'S NOT ALWAYS CLEAR.
SOMETIMES HAVING THAT ASSESSMENT HELPS SOLIDIFY THOSE REQUIREMENTS, WHICH THEN CAN GET YOU TO SUCCESSFUL OUTCOMES.
PUBLIC SAFETY SERVER INFRASTRUCTURE PERFORMANCE: THIS HAS BEEN A LONG STANDING ISSUE WHERE THE EQUIPMENT IS OLD, IT'S FAILING.
HOW DO WE FIX IT SO WE'RE NOT CONSTANTLY IN THIS DOWNTIME SITUATION? THIS YEAR, WE SPENT QUITE A BIT OF TIME AND ENERGY AND EFFORT AND RESOURCES TO GET THAT INFRASTRUCTURE, THEIR SERVERS AND THEIR NETWORK MORE STABILIZED.
THEN WE HAD INCONSISTENT INTERNET CONNECTION SPEED AT EACH SITE.
IT WAS JUST ORGANICALLY GREW THAT WAY, SO WE'VE STANDARDIZED FOR THE CONNECTION SPEED AT ALL SITES.
IT DOESN'T MEAN IT WORKS PERFECTLY ALL THE TIME, BUT WE DON'T TREAT ONE SITE DIFFERENTLY THAN ANOTHER FOR THE PERFORMANCE THAT IS NEEDED.
SOME OF THE ACTIONS WE'RE PLANNING TO DOING.
IN THESE COLUMNS, THE RECOMMENDATION WHERE THERE'S NUMBERS AFTER THEM, 1, 2, 07, 8, THAT CORRESPONDS TO THE NUMBER OF THE ITEM IN THE REPORT.
THEY'RE JUST IN SEQUENTIAL ORDER, AND THEN THE ACTION THAT WE'RE PROPOSING TO DO FOR THAT.
WE REALLY NEED TO ESTABLISH A TECHNOLOGY GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE NEXT YEAR.
TRAINING. WE REALLY NEED TO WORK WITH DIVISIONS TO FOCUS ON IMPROVING THE TOOLS AND OFFERINGS AROUND TRAINING.
WHEN WE HAVE A NEW TECHNOLOGY OR NEW BUSINESS SOLUTION, WHAT ARE WE DOING TO ENABLE THE FOLKS THAT ARE USING IT? IT'S EASY AND AVAILABLE TO THEM.
WE'RE PILOTING A PROJECT WITH FINANCE.
THIS IS IN BETWEEN WHAT WE HAVE NOW AND THE WORKDAY IMPLEMENTATION.
THERE ARE SOME TOOLS THAT WE CAN USE TO DO BETTER REPORTING.
FINANCE IS PILOTING THAT WITH US.
WE'RE SUPPORTING THEM, I SHOULD SAY.
[04:50:02]
CHANGE MANAGEMENT BEST PRACTICES.WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO ESTABLISH THAT AND INTEGRATE THAT INTO PROJECTS.
WHEN SOMEONE WANTS TO DO SOMETHING NEW WITH TECHNOLOGY OR A NEW BUSINESS SYSTEM, LET'S GO THROUGH SOME UNDERSTANDING OF THE BEST PRACTICES AND HAVE BETTER CHANGE MANAGEMENT AROUND THAT, SO WE UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE GETTING INTO, THE FULL COST, WHO ARE THE STAKEHOLDERS, WHO SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN THESE CONVERSATIONS? ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING, THE HR AND FINANCE SYSTEM.
WE TALKED ABOUT WORKDAY LAST TIME.
THAT'S UNDERWAY WITH FINANCE AND HR.
BID CONTRACT MANAGEMENT, ANOTHER THING.
THERE'S MODULES IN WORKDAY FOR THAT SOLUTION.
WE WORKING WITH BUSINESS SERVICES ON ASSESSING THAT AND DOING AN RFP.
WE TALKED ABOUT THE WEBSITE THAT ETERNAL AFFAIRS IS ASSESSING AND REDESIGNING PROJECT THEY HAVE UNDERWAY, AND THEN WIRELESS IMPROVEMENTS.
WE DID PERALTA OAKS, WE ALSO DID SOME WORK AT BRAZILIAN ROOM THIS YEAR, ACTUALLY A FAIR AMOUNT OF WORK TO TRY TO IMPROVE THINGS FOR THE ACTUAL CONSTITUENTS THAT GO THERE AND HAVE THEIR EVENTS, AND WEDDINGS, AND SO FORTH.
THIS IS JUST A SAMPLING, IT'S NOT EVERYTHING WE'RE DOING.
BUT AGAIN, A PLAN OF WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO WORK ON GOING FORWARD, OBVIOUSLY WITH INPUT FROM THE BOARD AND OTHER FOLKS.
>> THE NEXT STEPS, BOARD ENGAGEMENT, WE LIKE YOUR FEEDBACK TO REFINE THIS DRAFT.
WE WANT TO ALIGN IT TO BOARD PRIORITIES. BEST PRACTICES.
WE WANT TO REALLY INSTILL ASSESS BEFORE ACQUISITION APPROACH TO A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON IN THE TECHNOLOGY AND BUSINESS FRONT HERE.
WE WANT TO IMPROVE CONNECTIVITY, BOTH NEAR TERM AND LONG TERM.
WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH OPERATIONS, PUBLIC SAFETY TO COME UP WITH PLANNINGS SO WE CAN TACTICALLY IMPROVE SOME OF THESE PAIN POINTS WE HAVE FOR CONNECTIVITY IN THE DISTRICT.
THEN HOW CAN WE ADDRESS THIS LONG TERM? BECAUSE WE REALLY NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO SOLVE THAT PROBLEM THAT CAN'T BE SOLVED BY JUST ONE COUNTY OR ONE CITY.
THEN INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE.
WE SHOULD DEVELOP A PRIORITIZED APPROACH TO ADDRESS THE AGING INFRASTRUCTURE.
THAT IS A CHALLENGE HERE AND WE CAN'T REPLACE IT ALL AT ONCE.
HOW DO WE DO THAT, WHAT ARE THE CRITICAL PIECES IN WHAT ORDER DO WE DO THAT? THEN I PUT A THING, FINISH WHAT'S ON THE PLATE.
WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS WE'RE WORKING ON.
THE ERP REPLACEMENT IS GOING TO BE A SIGNIFICANT UNDERTAKING, AND THERE'S OTHER KEY BUSINESS APPLICATIONS.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ACTUALLY HAVE THE RESOURCES AND THE STRUCTURES IN PLACE TO BE SUCCESSFUL WITH THOSE.
BECAUSE AS WE ALL KNOW, WE HAVE GREAT PLANS FOR DOING THINGS, BUT IT TAKES A LITTLE BIT OF EXTRA EFFORT AND MONITORING TO MAKE SURE WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND ENGAGING TO BE ABLE TO ADAPT IF SOMETHING CHANGES.
IT'S BEEN A VERY QUICK RUN THROUGH, BUT I'M GLAD TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE AND DISCUSS FURTHER.
>> EXCUSE ME. ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD?
>> YES. THERE WAS A LOT OF JUST OVERALL ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS IN THIS REPORT, AND THEN THE BEGINNING REALLY STARTED OFF WITH DEFINING THE DIFFERENT CONCEPTS.
I WAS SURPRISED THAT THE REPORT REALLY LACKED A VERY GOOD EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OR CONCLUSION.
WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WOULD HAVE SET UP WITH THE WHAT THE SHORT TERM, LONG TERM WOULD HAVE BEEN, WHAT'S THE PLAN OF THE ACTION, HOW MANY YEARS THIS MIGHT TAKE? I DIDN'T FEEL LIKE THERE WAS A SYNTHESIS OF THE REPORT INFORMATION INTO A FINAL RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD ON HOW THESE SYSTEMS SHOULD BE APPROACHED IN EITHER UPGRADING THE INFRASTRUCTURE OR WHAT ARE THOSE OVERALL SYSTEMS DO WE TACKLE FIRST BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF STUFF TO IMPROVE, THERE'S A LOT OF SYSTEMS, THERE'S A LOT OF IDENTIFIED ISSUES, BUT I JUST DON'T FEEL LIKE THERE'S A SYNTHESIS TELLING US WHICH WAY TO GO AS AN ORGANIZATION.
I SEE RIGHT HERE IN THAT YOU WERE LOOKING FOR THE BOARD FOR WHAT OUR DIFFERENT PRIORITIES WERE.
BUT IS LOOKING MORE FOR RECOMMENDATIONS LIKE WITHIN THIS REPORT.
>> I UNDERSTAND THE POINT. I THINK IT'S WELL TAKEN.
I THINK MAYBE REFORMULATING THERE ARE RECOMMENDATIONS, I THINK PART OF THE CHALLENGE WITH THIS IS HAVING THIS INITIAL CONVERSATION TO FIGURE OUT NOT TO MAKE ASSUMPTIONS OF WHAT THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD BE.
I UNDERSTAND EXECUTIVE SUMS AND SUMMARIZING.
HERE IT IS. HERE'S YOUR ANSWER.
WE'RE TRYING TO TAKE A LITTLE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT APPROACH
[04:55:01]
SO WE DON'T PRESUME THAT WE KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING AND WHAT THE PRIORITIES ARE AND WE'D WORK WITH THE BOARD ON THAT ACCORDINGLY AND OTHER DIVISIONS.>> I GUESS THE QUESTION IS, THEN, SINCE THAT'S NOT IN THERE, HOW DO WE MOVE FORWARD AND IDENTIFY THOSE THINGS AND HAVE SOME TYPE OF.
IT'S LIKE IN THE CAPITAL PLAN, YOU'RE ALWAYS LOOKING AT THE DIFFERENT PROJECTS.
THERE'S A 1-5 YEAR, HOW MUCH MONEY WE MIGHT NEED.
IS THERE SOME WAY TO MOVE SOMETHING LIKE THAT INTO A SPREADSHEET SIMILAR, SO IT'S EASIER TO TACKLE.
>> I COULD HELP SPEAK TO THIS.
I THINK THIS REPORT IS INFORMATIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE HELPS US CONSIDER ALL THESE ASPECTS OF OUR WORK AND GET ORGANIZED AROUND IT.
IT MIGHT NOT TELL US ON AN ONGOING BASIS.
JUST LIKE IN EVERY OTHER ASPECT OF OUR WORK, WE HAVE TO PRIORITIZE BASED ON THE PRIORITIES OF THE DISTRICT.
THAT PROCESS THAT YOU'RE HIGHLIGHTING IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN ALWAYS DAYLIGHT MORE IN THE FUTURE TOO, BUT I THINK THIS IS LIKE THE BACKGROUND INFORMATION THAT WILL HELP US CRAFT THOSE ONGOING WORK PLANS. DOES THAT SOUND RIGHT?
>> THAT'S CORRECT. ALSO, I THINK AS WE GO THROUGH EACH, WE HAVE SEVERAL LARGE THINGS, AND I'LL GIVE A COUPLE EXAMPLES.
I THINK IT WAS AROUND $5 MILLION THAT WAS APPROVED FOR THAT.
IS THAT GOING TO BE THE FINAL NUMBER? IT WOULD BE GREAT IF IT IS.
BUT AS WE'RE GOING THROUGH THAT PROCESS, WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT IT'S GOING TO BE FOR.
WE KNOW WHAT IT IS FOR THE FIRST INITIAL YEARS AND WHAT'S THE LONGER TERM AND SO FORTH.
THE SAME THING WITH A NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE.
WE PROBABLY HAVE SEVERAL HUNDRED PIECES OF NETWORKING EQUIPMENT TO BE REPLACED AND WHAT PRIORITY ORDER.
WE CAN PUT THAT TOGETHER IN A SHEET, SHOW THE PLAN, SHOW THE CURVE OF WHAT THAT INVESTMENT AND COST WOULD BE TO REPLACE THOSE THINGS.
>> I GUESS WHAT I'M JUST LOOKING FOR IS, HOW DO WE TACKLE THIS REPORT? BECAUSE AS FAR AS YOU DEFINITELY GO INTO ALL THE DIFFERENT AREAS AND THEY GIVE SOME RECOMMENDATIONS, BUT JUST LIKE, DO WE WORK ON DEVELOPING SOME TYPE OF CRITERIA OR PRIORITIZATION? I GUESS THAT'S THE PART THAT I'M NOT CLEAR ON.
HOW DO WE TAKE THIS REPORT AND MAKE IT ACTIONABLE WITH THE DIFFERENT CONSTRAINTS OF THE BUDGET AND THE PRIORITIES?
>> THE TECHNOLOGY GOVERNANCE ASPECT BECAUSE YOU TALKED ABOUT THE CIP AND STUFF.
I THINK MAYBE THE TECHNOLOGY GOVERNANCE ASPECT IS TO TRY TO PUT SOME STRUCTURE AROUND PRIORITIZING AND BEING ABLE TO DIGEST THIS INFORMATION.
>> WOULD YOU WANT TO, OR COULD ADDRESS THE VACANCY ISSUES IN THE DEPARTMENT?
I'M NOT SURE THE VACANCIES WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO HIRE FOR QUITE A BIT OF TIME AS WE HAVE OPEN POSITIONS.
WE GO THROUGH THAT, WE HAVE RECRUITMENTS THAT ARE OPEN.
THEY FAIL. WE'VE HAD PEOPLE THAT HAVE LEFT.
IT'S BEEN ONE OF THE CHALLENGES WE HAVE HERE AND I'LL BE QUITE HONEST IS THERE'S A LOT OF OPERATIONAL THINGS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF.
WHEN WE FIRST COMPLETED, WENT THROUGH THIS ASSESSMENT, WE LOST OUR KEY MANAGER AND ONE OF OUR SENIOR TECHNOLOGY PEOPLE.
REPLACING THEM TOOK QUITE A WHILE.
WORKING WITH HR, WE'RE TRYING TO ENHANCE THAT AND SPEED THAT UP.
WE'VE HIRED POSITIONS AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN.
I CAN'T SAY ANYTHING OTHER THAN THAT, I WISH WE COULD HIRE PEOPLE MORE QUICKLY.
WE OPT TO FIND PEOPLE THAT CAN DO WELL HERE, AND WE FOUND SOME, AND WE'VE HIRED, I THINK 5 PEOPLE, BUT IF 3 LEAVE AND YOU HIRE 5, IT'S ONLY LEFT 2.
I COULD TALK MORE, BUT I DON'T KNOW.
>> IS IT THE NATURE OF FOLKS THAT FILL THOSE JOBS THAT THEY'RE VERY MUCH IN DEMAND, THEY MOVE AROUND A LOT.
I'M TRYING TO GET A FEEL FOR WHAT THE CHALLENGE IS.
>> A COUPLE OF THINGS ARE OUT THAT.
GIVEN THE BAY AREA, THE FOLKS, ONE, I THINK THEY DON'T ALL AWARE OF THE PARK DISTRICT.
THIS IS, I THINK IT IS A BIG CHALLENGE.
MOST OF OUR CANDIDATES COME THROUGH GOVERNMENTJOBS.COM.
THEY DON'T COME THROUGH OTHER AREAS.
THAT'S A CHALLENGE. WE HAVE TO TRY TO GET THE WORD OUT AND GET FOLKS TO APPLY.
THEN WHEN FOLKS ARE APPLYING, SOMETIMES THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND THE PARK DISTRICT.
WE'RE A START UP, BUT WE DON'T MEAN STOCK OPTIONS.
[05:00:02]
THAT TAKES A DIFFERENT TYPE OF PERSON.THERE ARE SOME FOLKS THAT JUST WANT 100% REMOTE JOBS, AND WE KNOW YOU HAVE TO BE OUT OF THE PARKS AND YOU HAVE TO INTERACT WITH PEOPLE AND ENGAGE.
IT'S A MULTIPLE DIFFERENT REASONS.
I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE WORKING WITH HR TO TRY TO GET FASTER AT.
WE HAVE JUST RECENTLY HIRED TWO MANAGER POSITIONS THAT HAVE BEEN OPEN FOR A WHILE.
I WAS ALWAYS TRYING TO FILL THE FRONT LINE POSITIONS BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE FOLKS THAT ARE HELPING PEOPLE ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS.
ONCE WE GET THOSE FILLED, WE THEN WORK ON THE OTHER POSITIONS.
BUT IT IS AN ONGOING CHALLENGE, AND WE ARE STILL WORKING ON IT.
>> GOOD. I APPRECIATE THAT FEEDBACK.
>> THERE ARE 4, I BELIEVE, RIGHT NOW.
I COULD DOUBLE CHECK ON THAT. I THINK IT'S 4.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? OR LET'S JUST ROLL IT ALL TOGETHER AND HAVE COMMENTS TOO, IF YOU WANT. WHAT THE HECK?
>> I'M SO GLAD TO HAVE THIS REPORT COME FORWARD.
I THINK WHEN WE HAD OUR PRIORITY SESSION IN 2023, THIS WAS ON MY LIST OF PRIORITIES.
I DO HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS AND I TRIED TO MARK THEM, BUT LET'S SEE IF I CAN GET THROUGH IT.
THE PEER BENCHMARKING, I DIDN'T SEE THAT IN THE REPORT, SO I'M CURIOUS WHAT THE SOURCE OF THAT INFORMATION IS FROM.
>> THAT WAS FROM A CLIENT FIRST, I'LL GO FIND THE REFERENCE ON THAT.
>> I WOULD JUST BE CURIOUS, IT WASN'T IN THE REPORT.
>> I'LL GET BACK TO YOU [INAUDIBLE].
>> THEN I KNOW THAT THERE WAS A NETWORK OUTAGE OVER STARTING LAST WEEK AND THROUGH THE WEEKEND.
I KNOW IT IMPACTED OUR ABILITY TO GET OUR BOARD PACKETS LAST WEEK.
I'M JUST CURIOUS IF YOU COULD SHARE SOME OF THE INFORMATION ABOUT THAT AND HOW WHETHER OR NOT WE HAVE STAFFING TO ADEQUATELY ADDRESS SOMETHING LIKE THE NETWORK, AND I KNOW YOU MENTIONED ONE OF THE ISSUES ON THE SLIDES, LIMITED VISIBILITY INTO NETWORK OPERATIONS.
IS THAT STILL CONTINUING TO BE AN ISSUE IN TERMS OF VACANCIES AND SKILL SET WITHIN OUR DEPARTMENT?
>> I CAN SPEAK THAT A LITTLE BIT.
I KNOW IT WAS PRESENTED AS A 4 DAY OUTAGE, BUT IT WAS AN UP AND DOWN OUTAGE.
THINGS WERE WORKING OVER THE WEEKEND.
WE HAD A DAY THAT WE HAD AN ISSUE AND WE HAD ANOTHER DAY ON MONDAY WHERE IT WAS AN ISSUE.
WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME TROUBLESHOOTING THAT WITH EXPERTS ON THAT, AND SO I'LL GIVE YOU SOME DETAILS.
THAT WAS PRIMARILY, ACTUALLY, IT WAS DUE TO AGED INFRASTRUCTURE.
WE HAVE CORE NETWORKING EQUIPMENT IN THIS BUILDING THAT'S REDUNDANT AND PART OF THAT HARDWARE, ONE OF IT STARTED TO MALFUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY.
THAT'S THE WORST THING TO HAVE IS WHEN SOMETHING'S INTERMITTENTLY BREAKING.
IT TOOK QUITE A LONG TIME TO FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHICH PIECE OF THAT HARDWARE IS FAILING, AND THEN HOW TO RE ROUTE ALL OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE TO KEEP OPERATIONS GOING.
THEN WHEN THE NETWORK RECOVERS, THERE'S SOME RESIDUAL CLEANUP THAT HAS TO HAPPEN WITH FILE SERVERS AND OTHER THINGS AND PHONE SYSTEMS. I'VE BEEN SPENDING A LOT OF TIME HERE MANY LATE NIGHTS AND EARLY MORNINGS, TRYING TO GET THINGS OPERATIONAL BECAUSE I DO THINK BEING RESILIENT IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST KEY THINGS HERE.
THAT WAS SPECIFICALLY DUE TO HARDWARE FAILURE, AND WE ARE BACK ONLINE AND RECOVERED BECAUSE WE HAVE SUPPORT PROCESSES IN PLACE TO TRY TO ADDRESS THAT.
GOING FORWARD, WE'LL BE REPLACING THAT INFRASTRUCTURE AND STAFFING HELPS, BUT ALSO WHEN HARDWARE FAILS, THAT'S A PROBLEM TOO.
>> THERE'S A FEW OTHER. WHEN I GO INTO THE ACTUAL PRINTED REPORT, IT LOOKS LIKE THE BEGINNING PART IS A REVIEW OF OUR IT INFORMATION SYSTEMS GROUP.
THEN THERE'S RECOMMENDATIONS OF ALL THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SOFTWARE PROGRAMS OUT THERE.
I SEE PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND THE ONE THAT CAUGHT MY EYE, YOU'RE ASKING IN TERMS OF PRIORITIZATION.
I KNOW WE'VE HAD MANY CONVERSATIONS ABOUT TRYING TO BEST UNDERSTAND VISITOR USAGE.
I'M ON PAGE 243 IN THE PRINTED PACKET.
IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S PAGE 112 IN THE REPORT ITSELF, WHERE THE CONSULTANTS PROVIDED AN OVERVIEW OF A TRAIL COUNTER SYSTEM AND SOME OF THE DIFFERENT SOFTWARE ENTITIES THAT WE COULD WORK WITH, BUT I KNOW THAT WE DO HAVE SOME OF THESE PRODUCTS IN THE PARK DISTRICT TODAY.
[05:05:03]
BUT IN THE BEGINNING OF THE REPORT, DOES IT GO THROUGH WHERE WE HAVE THE TRAIL TECHNOLOGY AND WHERE WE DON'T.I KNOW WE DEFINITELY HAVE IT AT LEAST AS OF 2023 ON THE IRON HORSE TRAIL, FOR EXAMPLE.
THERE'S A FEW SPOTS ON THE IRON HORSE TRAIL WHERE WE HAVE SOME OF THE TRAIL COUNTER TECHNOLOGY.
I DIDN'T REALLY SEE THAT, WHAT OUR CURRENT STATE IS VERSUS THIS POTENTIAL FUTURE STATE IN THE REPORT.
>> YES. THAT'S A GREAT EXAMPLE BECAUSE INFORMATION GET FROM TRAIL COUNTER SYSTEMS IS VERY HELPFUL.
THIS ISN'T A DEEP DIVE INTO ALL THE SOLUTIONS, BUT THAT GROUP WAS INTERVIEWED. THEY WENT THROUGH IT.
WE ACTUALLY HAVE MULTIPLE TRAIL COUNTER SYSTEMS BECAUSE YOU HAVE DIFFERENT ONES FOR THINGS FOR HORSES, FOR PEOPLE, FOR BIKES, ETC, AND DIFFERENT SOLUTIONS OUT THERE.
I KNOW THAT IS A DESIRE TO BE WILL HAVE A MORE CONSISTENT IMPLEMENTATION OF TRAIL COUNTERS ACROSS THE PARK DISTRICT.
SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT COME UP IS WHO DOES THAT, WHO IS THE BUSINESS OWNER, WHO AFFECTS THE CHANGE FOR MAKING THAT, HOW ARE WE GOING TO PUT SOMETHING IN PLACE? WHAT'S THE MAINTENANCE CYCLE BECAUSE THOSE THINGS DON'T TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES.
THEY ONLY WORK IF YOU HAVE CONNECTIVITY.
HOW DO WE ADDRESS THE CONNECTIVITY ISSUES OR SOMETIMES THEY CAN BE OFFLINE? YES, THAT IS SOMETHING I THINK IF IT'S A PRIORITY, YOU DO A DEEPER DIVE ASSESSMENT ON TRAIL COUNTERS OR THE DATA YOU WANT TO HAVE A TRAIL COUNTING SYSTEM, JUST LIKE WE DID WITH THE ERP AND THE RESERVATION SYSTEM.
>> THE OTHER ONE THAT I DIDN'T SEE IN THE REPORT AND MAYBE BECAUSE THIS REPORTS FROM 2023 IS THE PLACER AI TOOL THAT WE HAVE.
DID WE ADOPT THAT TOOL AFTER THIS REPORT WAS WRITTEN?
>> THE PILOT FOR PLACER WAS DONE AFTER THIS REPORT.
WE'VE BEEN SUPPORTING THAT AS A PILOT.
NOW I THINK WE FUND IT OUT OF BUDGET EACH YEAR.
IT UNDERSTAND IT'S BEEN FAIRLY SUCCESSFUL AND WE'VE BEEN MEETING WITH THAT TEAM.
>> I THINK IT'S AN EXAMPLE OF USING SOME MORE MODERN TECHNOLOGY TO GET INFORMATION THAT IS VALUABLE FOR MAKING DECISIONS.
>> YEAH. TO THE EARLIER POINT OF DIRECTOR SPANA, HOW WE CAN TAKE THIS REPORT AND REALLY THINK ABOUT THAT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION AND PRIORITIES AND HOW IT MATCHES WITH THE PRIORITIES THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, I THINK THAT THERE COULD BE THIS POTENTIAL FOR A FOLLOW UP WHERE WE CAN LOOK AT SOME OF THESE DIFFERENT TOOLS BECAUSE I KNOW WE'VE TALKED ABOUT TRYING TO FIGURE OUT TRAIL USAGE AND USER USAGE, QUESTIONS VERSUS BIKE RIDERS VERSUS HIKERS, AND WE'VE SEEN SOME OF THIS OVER THE YEARS.
BUT EVEN JUST GETTING THAT CURRENT STATE AND THEN WHAT'S AN IDEAL FUTURE STATE OF THIS DATA AND HOW SOMETHING LIKE THE PLACER AI HELPS AUGMENT THAT OR MAYBE HELPS SOLVE SOME OF THAT I KNOW WE'VE SEEN SOME OF THAT DATA ALREADY.
>> YOU BRING UP A REALLY EXCELLENT POINT, WHICH IS, HOW DO WE INTERCONNECT THE DATA FROM ALL THESE DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS AND WHAT IS THE VALUE WE ARE GETTING FROM THEM? WE HAVE A LOT OF SYSTEMS WHERE WE HAVE INFORMATION IN ONE SILO AND IT'S GOOD FOR THAT.
BUT IN THIS CASE, I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING DEFINITELY THINK WE SHOULD BE EXPLORING OF HOW WE CAN TAKE THAT DATA.
WHAT OTHER SYSTEMS DOES IT IMPACT? IT'S NOT JUST PLACE OR AI.
IT'S WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THAT DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION FOR PARK VISITING AND SCHEDULES AND SO FORTH.
POINT TAKEN, I THINK IT'S GREAT.
>> THEN I GUESS I HAVE TWO MORE, AND I'M GOING TO TRY TO KEEP IT REALLY SHORT.
ONE AREA THAT IDENTIFIED BACK WHEN I WAS ON THE PARK ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND I PARTICIPATED IN A LISTENING SESSION THAT WE WERE DOING PROBABLY AROUND THE YEAR 2020 BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT WAS DURING THE PANDEMIC YEARS WHERE WE HAD A LISTENING SESSION THAT WAS ORGANIZED BY UC DAVIS.
ONE THING THAT STRUCK ME WAS, WE HAVE LOTS OF DATABASES HERE AT THE PARK DISTRICT, AND THEY'RE NOT ALWAYS CONNECTED TO EACH OTHER AND THEY'RE NOT ALWAYS BEING UTILED IN DIFFERENT WAYS AND SOME OF THEM MIGHT BE RESTRICTED, FOR EXAMPLE, THERE'S POTENTIALLY A LOT OF GREAT DATA AT THE REGIONAL PARKS FOUNDATION IN TERMS OF THE MEMBERS AND THOSE WHO LIKE TO BECOME MEMBERS FOR THE PARKING PASSES.
WE DON'T REALLY HAVE THE ABILITY TO LOOK AT THAT DATA AS FAR AS I UNDERSTAND.
BUT THEN IF THAT MOVES OVER TO EAST REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT, HAVING ACCESS TO THOSE WHO PURCHASE PARK PASSES, THAT THERE COULD BE THE POTENTIAL TO BUILD OUT THAT CONTACT DATABASE OR THAT HOUSEHOLD LEVEL DATABASE OF FOLKS WHO ARE PURCHASING ANNUAL PARKING PASSES.
THAT COULD BE OUR SUPER USERS OR THOSE WHO REGULARLY USE
[05:10:01]
THE PARKS AND MAY HAVE A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE THAN THOSE WHO ARE NOT PURCHASING PARKING PASSES.TRYING TO THINK ABOUT I GUESS THE DIFFERENT PERSONAS AND HOW THAT MATCHES UP TO SOME OF THE DIFFERENT DATA SYSTEMS THAT WE'RE COLLECTING, I THINK COULD BE INTERESTING.
SAME WITH CAMPING OR SPECIAL EVENTS.
WE HAVE A LOT OF CONTACT DATA IN THOSE DATABASES, AND THERE'S THE POTENTIAL TO REVIEW AND REPORT.
I DIDN'T REALLY SEE A LOT OF THAT DISCUSSED IN HERE, BUT I THINK IN TERMS OF NEXT STEPS, UNDERSTANDING WHAT DATA WE HAVE, WHAT DATA IN TERMS OF CONTACT DATA IN TERMS OF DATA ABOUT INDIVIDUALS AND OR HOUSEHOLDS.
I THINK COULD BE HELPFUL AND THEN THE POTENTIAL TO BUILD OUT EITHER PERSONAS OR UNDERSTANDING.
BUT THEN ALSO, I WANT TO CONNECT IT TO CONTACT MANAGEMENT.
I KNOW WE DO HAVE AN EMAIL OR A LIST OF EMAIL ADDRESSES THAT WE SEND OUT OUR REGULAR EMAIL 2 IN REGARDS TO AN OVERVIEW OF EVENTS.
BUT WE DON'T SEGMENT THAT LIST.
I ALWAYS USE THE CASE OF IF YOU LIVE NEAR DELVALLE, YOU MIGHT GET THE E MAIL FROM US ABOUT PROGRAMS IN PANOL BUT PENN IS LOCATED VERY FAR AWAY FROM DELVALLE.
THAT'S ALWAYS NICE TO BE ABLE TO PROMOTE THESE GREAT DAY TRIPS.
BUT THERE ALSO ARE OTHER EVENTS HAPPENING NEAR WHERE YOU LIVE, AND IT WOULD BE NICE TO BE ABLE TO SEGMENT OUR EMAIL LIST BY GEOGRAPHY OR FOCUS AREA.
I THINK SOME OF THAT IS HAPPENING AND THEN SOME OF THAT IS NOT HAPPENING.
I THINK THAT COULD BE A GOOD POTENTIAL NEXT STEP FOR US.
I COULD GO ON ABOUT THIS TOPIC.
I'M GOING TO END IT THERE JUST TO GIVE US SOMETHING TO ASPIRE TO.
THEN THE FINAL ONE HERE, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT PRIORITIES, I RECENTLY WENT THROUGH AN EXERCISE WHERE I MADE A LIST OF THE TOPICS THAT I WOULD PRIORITIZE.
MY NUMBER ONE TOPIC ON THAT LIST IS THE DELVALLE KIOSK.
I DID HAVE A GREAT MEETING A YEAR AGO WITH OUR NOW ACTING GENERAL MANAGER MAX CORTEN AND OUR AGM OF OPERATIONS, LISA GORGON, ABOUT THE DELVALLE KIOSK, AND HOW ONE OF THE FACTORS IN REGARDS TO POTENTIAL NEXT STEPS WITH THE DELVALLE KIOSK IS HAVING INTERNET ACCESS, WIFI ACCESS, SOME TYPE OF ACCESS TO MAYBE EXPERIMENT WITH A MOBILE KIOSK OR ONE OF THESE CASHLESS KIOSKS.
ANYONE THAT GOES TO DELVALLE, YOU'LL GO THERE AND YOU'LL SEE THAT THERE ISN'T GOOD CELL PHONE COVERAGE, AND IT IS LIMITED.
HOWEVER, THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO LIVE OUT THERE AND HAVE BROADBAND AT THEIR HOMES, AND WE JUST TALKED ABOUT OUR PUBLIC SAFETY AND HAVING THE SATELLITE CONNECTION.
I GUESS I WANT TO EXPRESS TO YOU THAT THIS IS A PRIORITY FROM ME.
WE ALSO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT ARE OUR PRIORITIES AS A COLLECTIVE.
BUT I'M CURIOUS LIKE HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER AS A GROUP OF SEVEN, PUT TOGETHER SOME PRIORITIES AND HOW THAT CAN MESH WITH SOME OF THE WORK OBJECTIVES THAT YOU WOULD HAVE IN INFORMATION SERVICES.
>> I'LL JUST SAY THAT ADDING CONNECTIVITY IN OUR PARKS, AND ESPECIALLY DELVALLE IS A REALLY HIGH PRIORITY THAT DAVID AND HIS TEAM HAVE BEEN WORKING ON ALONG WITH OPERATIONS, PUBLIC SAFETY, ALL OF OUR PARTNERS.
THAT'S ALREADY A KEY POINT THAT WE'RE WORKING ON A SYSTEM OF HOW TO PRIORITIZE JUST LIKE YOU'RE MENTIONING, WHAT ARE THE KEY PLACES WHERE WE CAN BUILD BETTER CONNECTIVITY.
BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF REALLY IMPORTANT POINTS YOU BROUGHT UP. THANK YOU.
>> ABSOLUTELY. THEY SAY YOU SHOULD HAVE A BIG AUDACIOUS GOAL.
ONE OF MY GOALS IS THAT I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE CONNECTIVITY ACROSS EVERY PARK AND PLACE WE HAVE ACROSS THE TWO COUNTIES.
I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GOOD THING FOR ACCESS EQUITY, SAFETY, AND JUST ALSO ENABLE PROGRAMS. BUT WE'RE GOING TO START WITH THE THINGS THAT ARE THE BIG ONES FOR US.
DELVALLE IS CURRENTLY IDENTIFIED, REDO REGIONAL, AND THERE'S A FEW OTHER PLACES.
WE WILL CERTAINLY WORK WITH YOU ON THAT.
>> IF WE THINK OF ANYTHING ELSE, CAN WE CONTACT YOU?
>> BECAUSE I CAN FEEL LIKE SOMETHING'S GOING TO POP INTO AT LEAST ONE OR TWO OF
[05:15:01]
OUR HEADS AND WE'RE GOING TO WANT TO DISCHARGE THAT SOMEWHERE AND.>> VERY QUICK. I WAS JUST CURIOUS ON YOUR BIG AUDACIOUS.
I AGREE BIG AUDACIOUS GOALS ARE IMPORTANT, BUT I'M JUST WONDERING WHAT YOU WERE JUST SAYING.
WHEN YOU SAY YOU WOULD WANT TO HAVE CONNECTIVITY EVERYWHERE, DO YOU MEAN EVERY TRAILHEAD OR ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT EVERY PLACE WHERE THEIR EMPLOYEES? I DON'T KNOW IF WE REALLY WANT TO HAVE CONNECTIVITY LIKE WAY OUT IN THE WILDERNESS.
MAYBE, MAYBE NOT. IT'S A DEBATE.
IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT I ALSO WOULDN'T WANT, LIKE IT'S BET ENOUGH WHEN PEOPLE ARE ON THEIR PHONES OR HAVE SOMETHING BLASTING OR ESPECIALLY THEY'RE WALKING AROUND WITH SPEAKER PHONES ON IT.
ANYWAY, I'M JUST QUITTING IT OUT THERE.
>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY. WHEN I TALK ABOUT ASPIRATIONAL THINGS, I THINK OF IT FROM A PERSPECTIVE AS A CONSUMER OF THE PARKS AND WHAT COULD ENHANCE MY EXPERIENCE.
BUT WE AS THE PARK DISTRICT WE ALL NEED TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S THE PRIORITY? WHERE IS IT NEEDED? WE ABSOLUTELY NEED WHERE OUR EMPLOYEES ARE.
THEN BEYOND THAT, WE'LL FIGURE OUT THE REST.
WE HAVE CONVERSATIONS AROUND THAT.
>> ONE OTHER ITEM ONE TO SHARE.
A LITTLE THING THAT WE WORKED ON THAT DOESN'T MAYBE GET A LOT OF ATTENTION, BUT I THINK IT'S PRETTY IMPORTANT FOR WHAT THE PARK DISTRICT DOES AND HOW WE SERVE THE PUBLIC.
THE UC BERKELEY SEISMOLOGY LAB ACTUALLY HAS A SENSOR IN THAT MINE, AND THEY WORK WITH OES AS PART OF THE EARLY WARNING SYSTEM.
THAT SYSTEM OFFLINE FOR A WHILE.
BUT THIS FALL, WE BROUGHT IT BACK ONLINE.
WORKING WITH BC BERKELEY AND CAL OES.
AGAIN, I THINK THAT'S A PRETTY GOOD THING THAT'S SERVING PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF JUST OUR TWO COUNTIES.
I THINK THOSE ARE THE THINGS WHERE WHEN THESE PEOPLE APPROACH US FOR DIFFERENT THINGS, WE ALWAYS WANT TO ENGAGE AND WEIGH WHAT THE VALUE OF DOING THOSE THINGS ARE AND THEN ENABLE THEM AS BEST WE CAN.
AS I SAID, PLEASE REDO ME ANY TIME I'M GLAD TO DISCUSS ANY OF THIS.
>> THANK YOU. THERE WAS A TWO PAGE LIST EARLY ON IN THIS REPORT WITH ALL THE ALL THESE APPLICATIONS.
I GOT ME THINKING ABOUT A FEW YEARS AGO, I DID SOME WORK FOR ANOTHER MUCH SMALLER AGENCY AND WHAT I WAS SUPPOSED TO DO IS HELP THEM COMPILE A LIST JUST LIKE THIS.
WHAT WE DID WAS, WE FOUND OUT FIRST OF ALL, ALL THE DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS THAT WERE BEING USED AND THEN THAT WERE HELD, THEN FIND OUT IF THEY'RE STILL BEING USED, AND THEN FIND OUT WHO HOLDS A LICENSE FOR IT OR THERE'S USUALLY A NAME ASSOCIATED WITH THEM, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE TERMINOLOGY IS.
I'M WONDERING, IS THERE ANY EFFORT BEING MADE TO CULL OUT STUFF THAT PEOPLE HAVE THAT ISN'T BEING USED, AND MAYBE CONSOLIDATE PARALLEL THINGS THAT DO THE SAME THING, BUT THEY'RE DIFFERENT, MAYBE TO GET IT FROM THREE THINGS DOWN TO ONE.
HAVE WE TRYING TO DO ANYTHING LIKE THAT?
>> I MUST BE READING MY MIND BECAUSE WE RECENTLY HIRED OUR APPLICATIONS MANAGER WHO IS ACTUALLY GOING THROUGH AND RATIONALIZING THAT LIST.
GOING THROUGH AND FIGURE OUT, WHAT IS THIS SOFTWARE? WHO'S THE BUSINESS OWNER OF IT? IS IT EVEN CURRENT? HOW DO WE SUPPORT IT? ALL THOSE DIFFERENT ASPECTS? WE'RE GOING THROUGH RATIONALIZING THAT LIST.
BECAUSE SOME OF THOSE APPS ON THAT TWO PAGE PIECE OF FIT SOME ARE VERY SMALL AND ONE OR TWO USERS AND SOME ARE VERY LARGE THAT EON USES.
WE'RE GOING THROUGH THAT PROCESS.
THE ANSWER IS YES, AND YOU WILL PROBABLY SEE MORE ABOUT THAT AS WE DID BEFORE.
>> OTHER THING IT WAS JUST TO MAKE A DIRECTORY THAT DESCRIBES THEM ALL AND WHAT THEY DO SO THAT SOMEBODY WHO'S LOOKING FOR SOMETHING CAN LOOK IN THIS DIRECTORY AND SAY, THERE'S A MAPPING THING THERE THAT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN EVERYTHING ELSE.
I THINK HAVING AN APPLICATION PORTFOLIO IN NON TECHY TERMS. TELLS PEOPLE LIKE, I WANT TO DO THIS.
HOW YOU DO THIS, AND THESE ARE THE THINGS WE HAVE THAT CAN ENABLE IT.
>> OKAY, GOOD. WELL, GOOD LUCK WITH THAT.
IT'S A HARD THING TO DO, BUT THE RESULTS ARE VERY USEFUL AND HELPFUL. ANYTHING ELSE?
>> YES. I JUST WANT TO SAY, I KNOW YOU'VE HEARD A LOT FROM ALL OF US, BUT I HOPE THAT ANYTHING THAT WE GO AND MOVE TO FORWARD, JUST STREAMS LINES, BUSINESS OPERATIONS, IMPROVES WORK PROCESSES FOR EMPLOYEES INSIDE HERE, UPGRADES CRITICAL SYSTEMS AND
[05:20:01]
THEN IMPROVES CUSTOMER PROCESSES.JUST AS FAR AS FOR DIFFERENT PRIORITIES, I KNOW WE NEED TO LOOK AT BIG IDEAS TOO, BUT AS FAR AS WITHIN THERE, YOU DID MENTION SOME VERY CRITICAL PROCESSES, AND I HOPE THAT WHEN WE GO THROUGH THE WHOLE PRIORITIZATION THAT WE LOOK AT THOSE THINGS FIRST.
>> ABSOLUTELY, JUST AS A SMALLER VERSION OF THAT.
WE HAVE A LIST OF ALL THE PROJECTS THAT WE'RE WORKING ON THAT WE REVIEW WITH THE DIVISIONS AND WE TOLD ME WITH THE OPERATIONS DIVISION, AND WE'LL SAY, OKAY, HERE'S EVERYTHING YOU HAVE US WORKING ON, LET'S CONFIRM THE PRIORITIES OF CONNECTING CERTAIN SITES AND SO FORTH.
WE WORK THROUGH THAT PROCESS AND WE DO THAT ON A MONTHLY BASIS, BUT I CAN SEE ELEVATING THAT UP AT A LARGER SCALE AS WELL. THANK YOU.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? DO YOU HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THIS?
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STAFF. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR MY TIME. I JUST WANTED TO CORRECT SOMETHING.
WE HAVE NOT SEEN ANY TYPE OF RECRUITMENT EFFORTS FOR THESE VACANT POSITIONS.
I HAVE HERE A LIST THAT WE RECEIVE EVERY MONTH FROM ELR, AND IT TELLS US WHAT POSITIONS ARE VACANT.
THE BUSINESS ANALYST, NO REQUISITION, THE CYBERSECURITY, NO REQUISITION.
THE SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR, NO REQUISITION.
I JUST REALLY WANTED TO CLEAR THAT UP.
WE HAVE BEEN BEGGING AND BEGGING FOR THESE POSITIONS TO BE FILLED.
>> I HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS REPORT.
I TOO SHARE THE THOUGHT PROCESS.
THIS DOESN'T REALLY SEEM TO BE LAYING OUT WHAT THE PRIORITIES ARE.
THIS CONSULTANT REPORT WAS FINISHED IN NOVEMBER OF 2023, WHICH IS EXACTLY TWO YEARS AGO.
IT IS STILL APPARENTLY IN DRAFT STATUS.
THE UNION PUT IN A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION IN NOVEMBER OF 2024, ONE YEAR AGO, AND WE WERE TOLD IT WAS NOT AVAILABLE AT ITS IN DRAFT FORM.
I'M NOT REALLY UNDERSTANDING HOW WE HAVE A DRAFT FOR TWO YEARS, AND WE ARE ALSO IMPLEMENTING PIECES OF THAT REPORT. IT CAN'T BE BOTH.
IT'S EITHER A DRAFT OR IT'S FINAL, AND YOU CONTINUE TO ADD OR UPDATE OR MODIFY.
BUT I DON'T SEE HOW WE'RE IMPLEMENTING THAT, WHICH IS WHAT THE OVERVIEW OF THIS WAS.
I'M NOT SURE HOW MUCH THIS CONSULTANT REPORT COST, BUT I WANTED TO READ YOU THE JOB DESCRIPTION OF THE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER.
SERVES AS A MEMBER OF THE PARK DISTRICT'S LEADERSHIP TEAM, AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FORMULATING AND DEPLOYING LONG TERM STRATEGIC PLANS FOR ACQUIRING AND ENABLING EFFICIENT, EMERGING AND COST EFFECTIVE INFORMATION PROCESSING AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES.
CONDUCT STUDIES, ANALYSIS, AND FORMULATES RECOMMENDATIONS ON TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS ON INFORMATION SYSTEMS. PROVIDES THE TECHNICAL VISION TO DEVELOP PLANS AND MEET THE PART DISTRICT MISSION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STRATEGIES, DIRECTS THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF DISTRICT WIDE AND DEPARTMENT GOALS WITH REGARD TO TECHNOLOGY PLANNING, ACQUISITION, IMPLEMENTATION AND MAINTENANCE TO ENSURE RELIABILITY, AVAILABILITY, SECURITY AND RECOVERY CAPABILITY.
DIRECTS THE PERFORMANCE, SAFETY, AND SECURITY OF THE ORGANIZATIONS, INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY, INCLUDING ESTABLISHMENT OF DATA STANDARDS AND SECURITY PROCEDURES PROTOCOLS FOR BOTH SOFTWARE AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION OF SYSTEMS, IMPLEMENTS BUSINESS CONTINUITY AND DISASTER RECOVERY PLANS.
IT GOES ON. BUT MY POINT IS THAT WE HAVE A JOB DESCRIPTION HERE THAT DESCRIBES EXACTLY WHAT THIS REPORT WAS.
WHEN I HEARD ABOUT IT, I ASSUMED IT WAS BEING DONE BY OUR INTERNAL STAFF.
BUT IT SEEMS THAT THIS HAS BEEN CONTRACTED OUT WHEN THAT IS VERY CLEARLY LAID OUT IN THE JOB DESCRIPTION. THANK YOU.
>> THERE'S NO MORE PUBLIC COMMENT.
[1. Adoption of an Ordinance Providing for up to Five Percent Increase in Board Member Compensation for Each Day's Attendance at a Compensable Meeting of the Board]
TO ITEM NUMBER C1.ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR UP TO 5% INCREASE IN BOARD MEMBER COMPENSATION FOR EACH DAY'S ATTENDANCE AT A COMPENSABLE MEETING OF THE BOARD.
>> THANK YOU, PRESIDENT MERCURIO.
[05:25:02]
ALL THE INFORMATION THAT YOU ARE REQUIRED TO MAKE A DECISION ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM IS IN THE STAFF REPORT.THE ITEM SAYS THAT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS CAN INCREASE THEIR COMPENSATION BY 5%.
IT WOULD BE AN INCREASE FROM $103.69 PER MEETING TO $140.37 PER DAY.
EVEN IF YOU ATTEND THREE MEETINGS IN ONE DAY, YOU STILL ONLY GET PAID FOR THAT ONE PER DM.
OF COURSE, THE BOARD IS IT'S UP TO YOU WHAT YOU WANT TO DO, THIS ITEM WOULD ALLOW YOU TO INCREASE AT UP TO 5% OR ANYWHERE IN BETWEEN THERE OR NOT AT ALL.
THIS IS THE ANNUAL ITEM THAT WE BRING FOR YOU.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
>> I DO HAVE A QUESTION JUST TO CLARIFY.
WITH THE 133.69, IS IT STILL JUST FOR THE DAY? IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT? BE IT SOUNDED LIKE THE WAY YOU SAID IT, IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS CHANGING IF YOU DID THE 140.37?
THAT IS THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT THAT PER STATUTE, THE BOARD CAN BE PAID FOR TIME THAT YOU SPEND AT PARK DISTRICT MEETINGS.
IF YOU HAVE THREE DIFFERENT MEETINGS IN ONE DAY, YOU STILL ONLY CAN BE PAID THE PER DM OF WHAT IS CURRENTLY 133.69.
IT'S NOT EXACTLY A PER MEETING.
>> IT'S A PER DAY IF YOU'VE ATTENDED A COMPENSABLE MEETING.
>> BECAUSE IT'S NOT QUITE CLEAR, BECAUSE IT SAYS THAT $133.69 FOR EACH COMPENSABLE MEETING PER DAY.
I GUESS, YEAH. ANYWAY. I GOT IT.
I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY, BECAUSE I JUST WONDER IF SOMETHING WAS CHANGING.
>> QUESTIONS. WE'RE DOING QUESTIONS.
HEARING NONE. ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM?
>> I DO WANT TO POINT OUT AS WELL THAT THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING.
SO WHEN YOU ASKED FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS, THAT WAS OPENING THE PUBLIC HEARING AND CLOSING THE PUBLIC HEARING?
>> YES. THAT'S PRECISELY WHAT I HAD IN MIND.
>> THAT'S HOW WE ALL INTERPRETED WHAT YOU DID.
>> WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE HERE.
>> WELL, HISTORICALLY, I HAVEN'T BEEN ON THE SAME PAGE.
MY POSITION HAS BEEN EVERY YEAR THAT WE'RE ASKED TO DO THIS THAT I WOULD ONLY SUPPORT AN INCREASE THAT WAS THE EQUIVALENT OF THE INCREASE THAT WILL TAKE PLACE WITH OUR WORKFORCE UNDER THE ASME, MOU.
I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT THAT NUMBER IS OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD.
>> GOOD EVENING, ALISON COOK, DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER.
FOR 2025, ASME AND THE UNREPRESENTED STAFF RECEIVED 3% EFFECTIVE THE PAY PERIOD THAT INCLUDES APRIL 1 AND THEN A 1% THAT INCLUDES A PAY PERIOD OF NOVEMBER 1ST.
IT WAS A 4% WAGE INCREASE IN 2025.
FOR 2026, WE NEGOTIATED AND AGREED TO FOR ASME, AND THE BOARD GAVE REPRESENTED 3% EFFECTIVE THE PAY PERIOD THAT INCLUDES APRIL 1.
>> 2026. SORRY. YES. SO 4% 2025, 3% 2026.
>> COUNSEL, THIS INCREASE WOULD TAKE EFFECT IN 2026, IS WHY WE'RE DOING IT NOW.
>> BE CONSISTENT IN MY POSITION, I COULDN'T SUPPORT AN INCREASE OF MORE THAN 3%.
>> SHE SAID THAT IT WAS A TOTAL OF FOUR LAST YEAR.
I RESPECT THAT. I JUST HAVE A PHILOSOPHICAL ISSUE WITH IT.
[05:30:06]
>> DO YOU WANT ME TO CLARIFY? FOR 2025, IT WAS 4%, A THREE AND A ONE.
NEXT YEAR, WHICH I THINK IS WHEN THIS WILL TAKE EFFECT, IT'S 3%.
>> THANK YOU. IT'S VERY HELPFUL.
>> PHILOSOPHICALLY, I AGREE WITH YOU IF WE WERE MAKING MINIMUM WAGE.
BUT CONSIDERING WE'RE NOT EVEN MAKING MINIMUM WAGE, I DON'T THINK THAT IT'S QUITE A PERFECT ANALOGY, AND I'M ALL FOR BEING IN SOLIDARITY.
MOST OF OUR HOURS AREN'T PAID AT ALL.
I THINK WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AN EXTRA WHAT, $7 A DAY BECAUSE WE HAVE MULTIPLE MEETINGS IN A DAY.
I ALSO JUST THINK, WE TALK ABOUT WANTING TO HAVE MORE PEOPLE, YOUNGER PEOPLE, OTHER FOLKS.
EVERYONE I TALKED TO IN THIS LAST ELECTION THAT PEOPLE DIDN'T WANT TO COME ONTO THIS BOARD BECAUSE IT'S A LOT OF WORK AND IT'S NOT PAID, EFFECTIVELY NOT PAID.
I THINK WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THAT.
I'M FORTUNATE I CAN AFFORD TO GOT ENOUGH SAVINGS THAT I CAN SIT UP HERE AND I CAN NOT BE PAID OR BE PAID VERY LITTLE AND PAY A BABYSITTER TO BE HERE, BUT I JUST THINK THAT WE NEED TO HAVE A REALITY CHECK THAT WE'RE REALLY NOT COMPARING APPLES AND ORANGES.
>> I JUST WANT TO RESPOND THAT I THINK THE REAL ISSUE FIRST, I MEAN, BESIDES PAY IS THE LENGTH OF OUR BOARD MEETINGS AND THE FACT THAT THEY HAPPEN DURING THE DAY.
EVERY HOUR THAT I'M HERE, I PAY MYSELF TO BE HERE BY TAKING VACATION TIME.
IF TO BE MORE BENEFICIAL TO GET MORE PEOPLE TO BE ON THE BOARD, IT'S HOURS WE HOLD THESE MEETINGS AT.
I SUPPORT AS FAR AS MORE CALLING.
I KNOW IT'S NOT APPLES AND ORANGES, BUT JUST AS FAR AS TO HAVE AN INCREASE, THAT'S THE SIMILAR AS THAT'S THE SAME AS OUR UNION.
I UNDERSTAND NOT GETTING MINIMUM WAGE, BUT JUST AS FAR AS WELL.
NO, I'M TRYING TO ADDRESS THE DIFFERENT COMMENTS.
AS FAR AS SINCE IT'S A SMALL RATE, I'D RATHER AS FAR AS, TAKE SOMETHING THAT'S THE SAME AS OUR UNIONIZED WORKERS.
>> YEAH, I WILL CONTINUE TO VOTE AGAINST IT BASED ON THE PHILOSOPHICAL REASON.
I DON'T WANT TO TAKE MORE THAN THE UNION GETS. THAT'S IT.
>> I JUST WANT TO ALSO POINT OUT, I WAS ON THE PAC AT THE TIME AND I REMEMBER THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WERE CAUTIOUS ABOUT BRINGING THIS UP AT ALL, SO I'M REALLY GLAD IT'S NOW COMING UP ONCE A YEAR TO KEEP IN MIND THAT IT HAD NOT COME UP FROM 2008-2019, AND I SUPPORTED MY MENTOR, MY BOARD OF DIRECTOR BECAUSE HE'S LIKE, I'M NOT BRINGING IT UP, LIKE NO ONE WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THIS BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE.
THINK ABOUT THAT THERE WAS, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT TIME PERIOD WAS FROM 1980-2019.
THERE WAS NO CHANGE AT ALL, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> I'M NOT SURE THE EXACT TIME PERIOD, BUT I DO BELIEVE I WAS TOLD THAT THIS ITEM HAD NOT BEEN BROUGHT AND THERE'S A LOT OF CATCH UP.
>> THAT I JUST I CAN'T CONFIRM.
>> NOT THAT WE'RE TRYING TO CATCH UP.
BUT AGAIN, WE'RE NOT TALKING APPLES TO ORANGES.
WE'RE HERE TODAY FOR MORE THAN SIX HOURS.
I THINK EVERYONE'S AFRAID TO STAND UP FOR WHAT WE'RE DOING, BUT PEOPLE ARE TAKING TIME OFF, THE BABYSITTERS, PET SITTERS, ALL OF THAT.
I DON'T KNOW HOW WE CAN CONTINUE TO RECRUIT YOUNG PEOPLE OR WORKING PEOPLE UNLESS.
EFFECTIVELY, IT'S NOT A PAID POSITION AND TO LOOK AT IT
[05:35:01]
AS A SALARY OR COMPARE IT TO A 4%, 3%.I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE DOING OR SUGGESTING.
I JUST I THINK THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF GAPS AND I DON'T NECESSARILY FEEL GOING WITH A 5%, [LAUGHTER] IS A HUGE DEAL.
LIKE WE SAID, WAS IT $7 A DAY.
NOT EVEN $7. WOULDN'T EVEN COVER MY PET SITTER.
>> JOHN. YEAH. ON THE HIS I CAN RESPOND ON THE HISTORY.
>> LET'S HAVE EVERYBODY HAVE A CHANCE THROUGH HERE FOR IT.
DID YOU WANT TO COMMENT ON IT?
>> YEAH, I'LL JUST SAY, THE WATER CODE SECTION 20200 IS THE SAME SECTION THAT GOVERNS COMPENSATION FOR THE PREVIOUS AGENCY THAT I SERVED ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR, AND JUST AS A POINT OF COMPARISON, THAT AGENCY DID KEEP UP WITH THE INCREASES AND THE COMPENSATION IS MORE THAN DOUBLE WHAT OURS IS HERE AT EAST REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT, JUST AS A POINT OF COMPARISON.
>> KNOW THAT MEMORY. I'M JUST CURIOUS.
>> I DON'T HAVE A MEMORIZE. I BELIEVE IT'S PROBABLY APPROACHING $311 NOW, BUT DON'T QUOTE ME ON THAT. I HAVE TO GO BACK AND CHECK.
>> YOU WANTED TO, YOU HAD SOME BACKGROUND?
>> JUST ON THE HISTORY, IT WASN'T THAT THIS BOARD WAS AFRAID TO TAKE UP THE ISSUE.
THE STATE LEGISLATURE HAD SET STIPEND AT $100 A MEETING, PERIOD.
IT WASN'T UNTIL THIS PARTICULAR LAW, LINKING THAT WATER DISTRICT LAW WAS ENACTED THAT THE BOARD ACTUALLY HAD AUTHORITY TO RAISE IT AT ALL.
FOR DECADES, IT WAS $100 A MEETING.
THERE'S REASON FOR THAT AS WELL.
SPECIAL DISTRICTS WERE CREATED AND THEN TREATED BY THE LEGISLATURE, AT LEAST THE SERVICE ORIENTED SPECIAL DISTRICTS AS THE EQUIVALENT OF NONPROFIT SECTOR OPERATIONS.
THEREFORE, BOARD MEMBERS WOULD GET A STIPEND FOR ATTENDING A MEETING, BUT WOULD BE OTHERWISE CONSIDERED VOLUNTEER BOARD MEMBERS, JUST AS IN THE NONPROFIT SECTOR.
THIS DISTRICT WAS STUCK WITH THAT NUMBER FOR MANY YEARS, ATTEMPTS BY THE CSDA TO GET IT RAISED, WEREN'T SUCCESSFUL.
THIS IS A RELATIVELY RECENT LAW THAT GAVE US THE ABILITY TO RAISE IT 5%.
WELL, I DON'T REMEMBER QUITE WHEN IT WAS ENACTED.
>> $100 AMOUNT, BUT WHEN IT WAS ALLOWED TO INCREASE WAS 18 OR 19, SOMEWHERE.
>> YEAH. IT WAS WHILE I WAS HAD BEEN BRIEFLY ON THE BOARD.
>> I REMEMBER. IT'S A RELATIVELY NEW AUTHORITY.
>> THERE'S DIFFERENT WAYS TO LOOK AT THIS.
ONE OF THE WAYS THAT YOU CAN LOOK AT IT IS HOW MUCH VALUE DOES IT GIVE TO THE POSITION? FORGET ABOUT WHO'S ON IT, BUT, THE VALUE TO THE POSITION, LOOKING AT THE AMOUNT THAT A PERSON IN THAT POSITION GETS.
IF THAT $100 IN 1980 HAD KEPT UP WITH INFLATION, IT WOULD BE $393 TODAY.
PROBABLY THE AMOUNT THAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT IS CLOSER TO THAT.
I'M TAKING THE REALLY SUPER LONG VIEW THAT AS LONG AS IT'S HIGHER THAN INFLATION, SOMEDAY IT'LL CATCH UP, IN MANY DECADES, BUT I'M JUST LOOKING TO STICK FOR LONG TERM EQUITY FOR THE VALUE OF WHAT WE DO HERE.
>> I GUESS IF THERE'S NO OTHER COMMENTS, I WOULD LOOK FOR A MOTION.
>> IS THERE A SECOND FOR THAT?
>> WE HAVE A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
[05:40:01]
>> THAT'S DESCHAMBAULT, ECHOLS, AND MERCURIO.
>> I WOULD LOOK FOR AN ALTERNATIVE MOTION.
>> THE ALTERNATIVE WOULD BE THAT THE RAISE BE AT 3%.
>> DO I HAVE A SECOND FOR THAT?
>> SECOND, I HEARD WAESPI. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> CAN I VOTE NO TO PASS IT? PASSES AT 3%.
>> ALL RIGHT. SO IT PASSED AT 3%.
>> NO, I'M JUST VERIFYING IT WAS FOR THE 3%.
>> THE VOTE WAS TO ADOPT THE 3%.
>> HOW MANY PEOPLE VOTED YES AND HOW MANY PEOPLE VOTED NO?
>> DO THE ROLE CALL. YOU CAN'T GO WRONG WITH THE ROLE CALL.
>> CAN WE CLARIFY THE MOTION AS WELL, THAT IT WAS A 3%?
[1. Authorization to Amend the Contract with Advanced Helicopter Services to Increase the Amount to $1,122,000 and Extend the Term by Three Years Through December 31, 2028]
AUTHORIZATION TO AMEND THE CONTRACT WITH ADVANCED HELICOPTER SERVICES TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT TO 1,122,000 AND EXTEND THE TERM BY THREE YEARS THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2028.>> THANK YOU, PRESIDENT MERCURIO.
GOOD EVENING, BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
I'M SERGEANT FRED GREER, THE CHIEF PILOT FOR YOUR PUBLIC SAFETY AIR SUPPORT UNIT.
I'LL TRY TO KEEP IT SUCCINCT FOR YOU, TO AMEND AN ALREADY EXISTING CONTRACT THAT WE'VE HAD FOR SEVERAL YEARS WITH ADVANCED HELICOPTERS, A MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION THAT WE'VE HAD A RELATIONSHIP WITH FOR OVER 16 YEARS.
THEY PROVIDE ONGOING AND MAJOR MAINTENANCE FOR OUR TWO HELICOPTERS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE REASON THE AMOUNT IS SO HIGH WITH THIS IS BECAUSE AFTER CONSULTING WITH GENERAL COUNSEL LAST YEAR, WE DECIDED TO DO A THREE YEAR CONTRACT INSTEAD OF JUST COME TO YOU YEARLY.
WE'RE ASKING TO BE ABLE TO ENCUMBER $900,000 OUT OF OUR EXISTING BUDGET THAT WE WILL HAVE OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS TO THIS CONTRACT IN AN AMENDMENT, JUST HAS A POINT THAT $900,000, AS WELL, IS UNDER THE ALREADY BUDGETED AMOUNTS THAT ARE IN THE MAINTENANCE LINES IN THE AIR SUPPORT CONTRACT OR IN THE AIR SUPPORT BUDGET.
WE JUST ASKED FOR AN AMENDMENT AT THIS TIME TO CARRY ON FOR THREE YEARS WITH ADVANCED HELICOPTERS, AND THEN WE'LL COME BACK TO YOU AT THAT TIME.
>> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS? SURE.
[LAUGHTER] DO WE AUTOMATICALLY PAY THIS AMOUNT FOR THIS CONTRACT OR IS IT AS SERVICES ARE NEEDED?
THIS WOULD JUST ENABLE US TO ENCUMBER THE MONEY FOR THE CONTRACT TO SPEND AS IT IS NEEDED.
IT'S COVERING ALREADY FORECAST MAINTENANCE AND THEN POTENTIAL UNEXPECTED MAINTENANCE NEEDS, WHICH HOPEFULLY WE WON'T HAVE TO SPEND.
>> IT COULD BE LESS THAN THIS AMOUNT, AND THEN IF IT'S MORE THAN THIS AMOUNT, YOU WOULD COME BACK?
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS.
>> THERE IS NO PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> ANY COMMENTS? I'LL LOOK FOR A MOTION TO ADOPT.
>> SECOND FROM COFFEY. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> OPPOSED? ABSTAIN. CARRIES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR STAYING TO BITTER END.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. I APPRECIATE IT.
>> YOU GOT THE HELICOPTER WAITING FOR YOU OUT THERE, YOU BEAT THE TRAFFIC.
[05:45:07]
GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS?>> ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM CLOSED SESSION.
[ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM CLOSED SESSION]
>> THANK YOU, PRESIDENT MERCURIO.
I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF ANNOUNCEMENTS.
TODAY, THE BOARD VOTED UNANIMOUSLY IN CLOSED SESSION TO DIRECT HR DIVISION TO BEGIN AN EXECUTIVE RECRUITMENT FOR THE GENERAL MANAGER POSITION.
ALSO, THE BOARD VOTED 5:2 TO DIRECT THE HR DIVISION TO PROCEED WITH AN INFORMAL PROCESS OF GATHERING AVAILABILITY AND RESUMES FROM EXTERNAL CANDIDATES TO SERVE AS INTERIM GM WHILE THE RECRUITMENT FOR THE PERMANENT POSITION IS UNDERWAY.
ANY PROPOSED FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS? YEAH.
[PROPOSED FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS]
>> I DON'T HAVE A PROPOSAL, BUT JUST A REMINDER.
I BELIEVE OUR NEXT MEETING IS OUR EVENING MEETING, SO THE OPEN SESSION WILL START AT 6:00 P.M.
>> I HAVE A REQUEST FOR A FUTURE AGENDA ITEM TO GET A LIST OF OUR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS.
>> >> THERE'S A PLAN. STAFF COMES UP WITH AN ANNUAL PLAN.
>> I THINK WE HAVE A PLAN, BUT WE DON'T HAVE A LIST OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS THAT WE'VE REQUESTED THAT EITHER HAVEN'T MADE IT ON THERE OR KEEP TRYING.
I THINK THE ATTEMPT TO GIVE US A MONTHLY UPDATE OF WHAT'S COMING DOESN'T NECESSARILY CAPTURE WHAT WE'VE ASKED FOR.
>> I'LL SHARE. I HAVE BEEN IN CORRESPONDENCE WITH OUR ACTING GENERAL MANAGER ABOUT THIS AND ALSO OUR CURRENT BOARD PRESIDENT TO WORK ON THE REMAINING TWO MEETINGS, AND THEN TO ALSO START TO LOOK AHEAD AT 2026, ALSO WITH THE GOAL OF TIGHTER INTEGRATION WITH OUR COMMITTEE MEETINGS, SO MORE TO BE DISCUSSED.
BUT ALSO, TO YOUR POINT, THE LIST OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS. WHEN YOU FIRST SAID THAT, I WAS THINKING OF ITEMS THAT WE'VE REQUESTED AT PREVIOUS MEETINGS. THAT LIST, YES.
>> THAT'S WHAT I'M THINKING OF.
A LIST OF REQUESTED AGENDA ITEMS IN THE PAST.
[OVERLAPPING] BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE I'VE ASKED FOR THE SAME THING THREE OR FOUR TIMES, SO I DON'T WANT TO WASTE ANYONE'S TIME.
>> GREAT. BOARD REPORTS ON MEETINGS ATTENDED.
[BOARD REPORTS ON MEETINGS ATTENDED]
I'M GOING TO DO SOMETHING RADICAL AND START OFF WITH THIS AND THEN HAND IT OFF THIS WAY.ON NOVEMBER 4, I ATTENDED THE BOARD MEETING.
ON NOVEMBER 6, I ATTENDED THE ECOLOGY COMMITTEE MEETING WITH DIRECTOR DESCHAMBAULT.
ALSO ON THE SIXTH, THAT WAS A FOUR FOR, I HAD FOUR, BUT ONLY ONE PAYMENT, THOUGH.
MEETING WITH DISTRICT COUNCIL.
THEN AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, I ATTENDED THE REGIONAL PARKS FOUNDATION BOARD RETREAT, THEN THAT EVENING OF THE MAYOR'S CONFERENCE, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY MAYOR'S CONFERENCE.
ON NOVEMBER 8, WE HAD OUR SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION, THE BOARD'S CLOSED SESSION.
THEN ON THE 12TH, DIRECTOR COFFEY AND I MET WITH MAX TO TALK ABOUT THE MEASURE WW ADJUSTMENTS THAT WERE BEING MADE AND HOW WE MIGHT CHANGE THAT PROCESS A BIT.
ON THE 14TH, I INTENDED BY ZOOM, THE BOARD MEETING PREP, THE PRE BOARD MEETING.
THEN YESTERDAY, I GUESS THAT WAS YESTERDAY WITH DIRECTOR COFFEY, WE MET WITH CONTRA COSTA COUNTY SUPERVISOR DIANE BURGIS IN HER OFFICE, AND THAT WAS A REALLY, REALLY GREAT MEETING.
LOTS WERE INTERESTED. WE WENT BEYOND AN HOUR, IT WAS LONGER, BUT SHE WANTED TO KEEP TALKING, SO DID WE.
>> I THINK SHE MIGHT HAVE BEEN ON THE BOARD AT ONE POINT.
>> ON NOVEMBER 5, I ATTENDED THE BOARD LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING.
>> GOT TO GET. PULL IT RIGHT BACK.
>> ON NOVEMBER 5, I ATTENDED THE BOARD LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING.
ON NOVEMBER 7, I ATTENDED A CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF RECREATION PARK DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING IN SACRAMENTO, AND ON THE 12TH, I ATTENDED THE BOARD FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING. THANK YOU.
>> I'LL REPORT OUT AT THE NEXT MEETING.
>> DIRECTOR MERCURIO COVERED A COUPLE OF MINES I CAN MENTION,
[05:50:04]
ATTENDING THE LEDGE COMMITTEE ON THE 5TH.ON THE 6TH, I ATTENDED THE GOVERNMENT LIAISON MEETING WITH MY HOMETOWN, CITY OF HERCULES.
ATTENDED THE FINANCE COMMITTEE ON THE 12TH AND THE MEETING WITH MAX AND HIS TEAM ON WW ALLOCATIONS ON THE 12TH.
I ATTENDED THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AS THE ALTERNATE ON THE 13TH.
JOHN MENTIONED THE MEETING WITH SUPERVISOR BURGIS.
ANOTHER NICE LITTLE OUTING WAS MELA AND I WENT ON A HIKE SPONSORED BY THE GREEN BELT ALLIANCE OF MOUNT WANDA AND THE FRANKLIN RIDGE AREA.
THEN AFTERWARDS, WE ALL WENT OVER TO JOHN MULLER'S HOUSE FOR A TOUR BY THE RECENTLY NOW WORKING NPS RANGERS AND NATURALISTS.
>> I'LL SUBMIT A WRITTEN REPORT.
>> WE'RE JUST GOING DOWN THE LINE THIS WAY.
>> OKAY, GOT IT.. ON THE 4TH, I ATTENDED THE BOARD MEETING.
ON THE 6TH, I HAD MY ONE ON ONE WITH OUR FORMER GM, ON THE 8TH, ATTENDED THE SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION BOARD MEETING AND ALSO ON THE 8TH GAVE THE KEYNOTE FOR THE KENSINGTON TOWN HALL.
I SPOKE ON WILDFIRE PREVENTION AND MITIGATION, AND REALLY WANT TO THANK OUR ACTING ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF PATRICK MCINTYRE FOR ALL HIS HELP AND SUPPORT.
THEN ON THE 12TH, I ATTENDED THE SWEARING IN OF OUR INTERIM FIRE CHIEF, RAY IVERSON, AND ALSO ON THE 12TH, LET'S SEE, I MET WITH OUR ACTING GM REN BATES AND OTHERS ON THE NORTH BASIN STRIP, THAT'S ABOUT IT.
>> WELL, THE 5TH WAS OUR CLOSED AND OPEN SESSION, A MARATHON THAT I THINK WE'VE BEATEN TODAY.
ON THE FIFTH LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE, ON THE 6TH, WE WERE AT THE PARKS FOUNDATION MEETING AT LAKE TEMESCAL.
I REPRESENTED INCOMING PRESIDENT OLIVIA FOR THAT.
ON THE 6TH, JOHN AND I ATTENDED THE ECOLOGY COMMITTEE.
IT WAS INTERESTING USE OF PESTICIDES HOW THAT'S GONE UP WITH FIRE NEEDS.
ON THE 7TH, I MET WITH AN EQUINE THERAPY GROUP CONNECTED HORSE WHO'S LOOKING TO PARTNER WITH OUR HORSE RESOURCES.
THE 8TH WAS OUR SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION IN THE MORNING, BRIGHT AND EARLY.
ON THE 10TH, I MET WITH ACTING GM MAX ON CIP.
ON THE 12TH, I ATTENDED AN ONLINE CALIFORNIA INVASIVE PLANT COUNCIL TO HEAR WHAT FOLKS ARE DOING WITH PESTICIDES AND ENSURING WE HAVE SOME FORESTS TO REFOREST WHEN WE'RE DONE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT.
THEN ON THE 13TH, I ATTENDED THE GOLDEN GATE [INAUDIBLE] MASTER GARDENERS GRADUATION CEREMONY.
VERY INTERESTING, AMAZING TED TALK OPPORTUNITIES.
THEN ON THE 16TH, I WAS AT THE CLAREMONT CANYON CONSERVANCY ANNUAL MEETING AT THE CLAREMONT.
IT WAS A MEETING AND A PRESENTATION BY THE FIRE SAFE COUNCIL.
>> THANKS TO ALL. THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAD A PART IN THIS MEETING.
I THINK THIS IS YOUR FIRST MEETING, SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH, KELLY, FOR GETTING US THROUGH THIS IN FINE FASHION.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO MANY, MANY MORE.
>> THANK YOU. [OVERLAPPING] WE'RE JUST WRAPPING UP WHERE I WOULD BE STARTING.
>> I THINK THIS IS TRIAL BY FIRE.
>> ANYWAY, WE HAVE NO FURTHER BUSINESS.
WE'RE GOING TO ADJOURN AT 7:40.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.