The Library and Community Services Commission on Oct. 8 approved the minutes of its Sept. 10 meeting and received status updates on major parks and library capital projects, including the Hebron Family Center reconstruction, Cluster Park revitalization and the temporary closure of the John Steinbeck Library for flooring work.

The commission voted unanimously to approve the Sept. 10 minutes. Commissioner Larios Fabian, Commissioner Tafoya, Commissioner Joey Martinez, Commissioner Cervantes, Commissioner Gutierrez Garcia, Commissioner Linda Castillo and Commissioner Fong all voted yes. "Motion passed," the chair announced after roll call.

The meeting's main agenda item was an administrative report presented by Anna Amries, recreation park superintendent, and Tim (last name not specified), deputy librarian. Amries summarized progress on seven parks projects, saying the Hebron Family Center—identified in the Parks, Recreation and Library master plan as structurally unsound—has $8.1 million secured for demolition and reconstruction and a total project cost of $14 million. "If fall goes well and weather allows, we should be opening our doors at the end of this year or beginning of the following year," Amries said.

Amries told commissioners that Cluster Park received a Proposition 68 grant of $6.8 million toward a $10 million renovation that includes renovated ball fields, restrooms, a skate spot, an amphitheater and a walking trail with exercise equipment. Contractors are active on site, and the city expects the work to finish in spring 2026.

Smaller, targeted ADA restroom projects are underway at Natividad Creek Park and Closter Park. Amries said Natividad Creek Park's restroom rehabilitation—which includes ADA‑compliant fixtures and two accessible parking stalls—was awarded to David Construction and is expected to finish at the end of October with a hard construction cost of $137,008.74. The Closter Park restroom work, awarded earlier to Tumble Sun, is complete; Amries described new fixtures and flooring and said the Salinas Boxing Club will move back into that space next week. The Closter Park project construction cost was reported as approximately $487,000.

The Firehouse facility remains closed after a sprinkler rupture in March. Amries said Blanca's Construction was awarded the water damage repair contract and the city is coordinating with Public Works, legal staff and consultants to reconcile overlap between water‑damage repairs and planned ADA restroom improvements.

Amries reviewed Sherwood Recreation Center Phase 4, noting the project is out to bid with bids due Oct. 14. The final phase will add a new roof, parking lot and façade work; earlier phases were funded with federal CDBG funds and completed in 2021. For the District 5 recreation center, Amries said a feasibility study is underway at Northgate Neighborhood Park. Phase 1 outreach yielded roughly 600 touchpoints and the second phase of engagement is scheduled for November; Amries said the feasibility study should be complete around January and that full project delivery could take another two to three years after design and funding.

Tim reported on four library projects. At El Gabilan Library, staff completed design work for a patio shade and furniture project funded from remaining CIP funds; the project targets completion in 2026. Solar panels are physically installed at El Gabilan and staff await a cutover date to connect the system to the grid. On the John Steinbeck Library, Tim said flooring replacement across public areas—funded by a community donation of about $300,000—began Sept. 19; the branch is closed for October with curbside services on Tuesdays and Thursdays. "We are very hopeful that we'll be able to open the library soon," Tim said.

Tim also described outreach using a new smaller outreach van (in addition to the bookmobile) to conduct two public surveys: an hours expansion survey open through spring 2026 and a general "Help shape your Salinas Public Library" survey intended to remain available. He said surveys have been collected at outreach events, schools and at library branches; the hours survey will inform possible changes before next year's budget cycle.

Commissioners asked for clarifications on engagement and access. Commissioner Yolanda asked whether the library's surveys ask about safety; Tim replied safety is not a direct question in the current survey rounds but that open‑ended responses allow residents to raise such concerns. Multiple commissioners asked about partnering with schools and reaching youth; Tim said staff already conduct school outreach and that the van was purchased to reach locations the bookmobile cannot.

Public comment on the District 5 feasibility study came from resident Peter Zalai of North Salinas. Zalai said parking and surrounding road conditions at Northgate present challenges for siting a new rec center and questioned whether a rec center is the highest priority for that neighborhood. "To put a rec center there, I don't know where people are going to park," Zalai said, and urged the commission to ensure an open public meeting about the proposal on Nov. 6.

Director Tristan Lundquist thanked departing staff and noted upcoming city library events: a costume exchange at Cesar Chavez Library, Hebron fall harvest on Oct. 18 and Halloween in the Park on Oct. 25. Lundquist also confirmed the second phase of engagement for the District 5 project will begin in November and that study findings will return to the commission and city council when complete.

The meeting included routine procedural business and closed after confirmation of attendance for the Nov. 12 meeting.