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Approve an amendment to the Park and Recreation Commission’s bylaws to reflect a new regular meeting starting time of 5:30 pm
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Published Notice Required? Yes _____ No __X___
Public Hearing Required? Yes _____ No __X___
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Resource Management recommends that the Board of Supervisors approve an amendment to the Park and Recreation Commission’s bylaws to reflect a new regular meeting starting time of 5:30 pm.
SUMMARY/ DISCUSSION:
In 2014 the Parks and Recreation Commission (Commission) bylaws were amended changing the start time for the regularly scheduled meetings from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. on the second Thursday of the months of January, March, May, July, September and November, annually. This amendment would reverse that change, moving the meeting start time back to 5:30 p.m. to promote increased attendance of appointees to the Commission and promote public attendance for meetings regarding the annual Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund grant cycle.
The Commission has experienced a challenge in reaching a quorum and the composition of the Commission has recently changed as some of the long-time appointees have retired from service. It is expected that returning to evening meetings will allow for increased recruitment success for currently vacant and/or soon to be vacant positions in the Commission and help reduce current scheduling conflicts.
A primary function of the Commission is to perform a review and to recommend annual Fish and Wildlife Propagation Fund grant awards, awarded by the Solano County Board of Supervisors, for small projects designed for the protection, conservation, propagation and preservation of fish and wildlife in Solano County. Grant applicants make a brief presentation to the Commission advocating for their project and feedback from past grant applicants has indicated that attending meetings at 10:00 am was difficult as it interfered with their work schedules.
This recommendation for an amendment to the bylaws has resulted from significant discussion between members of the Commission and County staff to address the needs of the public and fulfill the direction of this Board.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The cost associated with preparing this agenda item is nominal and absorbed by the Department’s FY2024/25 Working Budget. There is no financial impact for this decision.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to approve the amendment to the bylaws, but this is not recommended as these changes have been identified as a way to promote increased attendance to Commission meetings.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has reviewed the revised bylaws. Current members of the Commission assisted with making this recommendation.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION