Parks & Recreation Commission (2025-11-10)

Parks & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes November 10, 2025 5:30 PM Council Chambers 400 N. Douty St. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Blackwell called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM. ROLL CALL: Present: Absent: Parks and Recreation Commissioner Joseph Castaneda Parks and Recreation Commissioner Carolyn Hudgins Parks and Recreation Commissioner Gregory Kelley Parks and Recreation Commissioner Judy Scott Parks and Recreation Commissioner sheldon Blackwell Parks and Recreation Commissioner Santiago Rodriguez INVOCATION: Led by Commissioner Rodriguez FLAG SALUTE: Flag salute was led by Chair Blackwell. PUBLIC COMMENT: This is the time for citizens to comment on subject matters not on the agenda and that are within the jurisdiction of the Commission. This is also the public’s opportunity to request an item from the Consent Calendar be pulled for discussion purposes or to comment on any item on the agenda. A maximum of three minutes is allowed for each speaker. Please begin your comments by stating your name and providing your city of residence. None. CONSENT CALENDAR: Consent Calendar items are considered routine and will be enacted in one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these matters unless a request is made and then the item will be removed from the Consent Calendar to be discussed and voted upon by a separate motion. None. DIVISION UPDATES:

A. Sports Complex Updates Sports Coordinator Austin Payne provided the Sports Complex updates. • Tournament Summary of recent tournaments • Complex updates: red clay brick and bags of clay • C train purchased to help with storage • Annual Toy drive tournament scheduled for upcoming weekend B. Parks Updates Parks Manager Winebrenner provided the parks updates. • Projects/ Updates: • Fall Weed Spraying • Parade Route Preparation • Ongoing Repairs • Winterization of Civic Park • Median Island Irrigation Adjustment • YAC Basin field renovation • Amtrak Parking Lot • Winter Wonderland Prep • Helping Hands 2025: Nov 8th • Winter Wonderland: Lights and benches Park of the Month: Johnson Park All questions were addressed by Parks Manager Winebrenner. C. Events and Programs Updates Recreation Manager Adam Ramos presented the Events and Programs Updates. Halloween Bash Review Completed Events in October: Halloween Bash • Movie in the park: Halloween Town (was a success estimated attendance for movie was 60- 100 community members) that sat and watched the film. • Halloween Bash had over: 2,800 visits. • Haunted Maze at Bastille Patio saw over 1,500+ community members of all ages pass through the maze, which was FREE to community. • Partnered with Sugar Mutt Cotton Candy to assist in coordinating this event. Halloween Trunk or Treat at Longfield Center • Pass out over 20 pound of candy for over 400 children on October 27. Was a two hour event for the community. 1. Winter Camps is in progress. Planning and coordination is underway. Will be at Civic Auditorium the three weeks of sessions. Runs December 22nd-Jan 9th. *Cost: $100 per child *Scholarship Funding is available. 2. Superhero Breakfast-in progress includes meal, meet and greet, and ice rink skating! $25/person Sunday 12/14/25: Start 8:30am-10:30am 3. Princess Breakfast-in progress Includes meal, meet and greet, and ice rink skating! $25/person Sunday 12/13/25: Start 8:30am-10:30am Christmas Parade

Current number of floats enrolled: 30 Current number of food truck vendors: 12 (all booked) Current number of volunteers: 20 Parade will have three locations for audio systems to project float entries. *Two will be in English and the third will be in Spanish • All three locations will have professional installers test, install/set up, and tear down. Upcoming Programs/Events • Winter Wonderland and all amenities • 2026: • End of Winter Wonderland in 01/12/2026 • Planning for flag football program • Planning for Toddler Indoor Soccer Program • Planning for Easter Event • Planning for Cat Fish Derby II (different age group) • Planning for Echoes of Courage (currently in progress) D. Directors Updates Directors Updates provided by Director Brad Albert. • Urban Forest Master Plan Update • On-Call Arborist update • Nursery Update • Winter Wonderland planning updates Director Albert addressed all comments and questions. GENERAL BUSINESS: A. Introduction to Parks and Recreation Foundations Director Albert presented the Introduction to Parks and Recreation Foundations. • Definition: • A Parks and Recreation Foundation is a legal non-profit organization that supports local parks and recreation activities, including: Fundraising and financial support, including •Private and corporate donations •Grants •Sponsorships • Advocacy and Community Engagement •Advocacy •Public awareness •Bridge between city government and residents Strategic Partnerships •Matching funds for grants •Private-Public partnerships Stewardship and Accountability •Operates independently but aligns with the City’s goals •Provides transparent stewardship of donated funds • Enhancing Quality of Life •Ultimate mission is to improve the quality of life in the community • Establishing a Foundation 1.Define the purpose and mission ●Choose the structure •Establish a 501©(3) nonprofit organization •Form a founding board of directors

•Articles of incorporation •Develop bylaws • . Build the Board and Leadership •Recruit a diverse and skilled founding board that reflects Hanford’s community values • Develop a Funding Strategy •Founding a sponsor campaign •“Friend of Hanford Park” donor circle •Grant application •Event sponsorships The commission agreed to wait one month and revisit the conversation in January 2026. There was discussion. Director Albert addressed all questions. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: ADJOURNMENT: Chair Blackwell adjourned the meeting at 7:11 PM.