Trustees press rec department over irrigation control for district-owned fields; maintenance staff propose taking direct control if problems persist

Multiple trustees and district maintenance staff raised concerns about irrigation and turf conditions at district-owned fields that are being watered by the local recreation department under an MOU.

Maintenance director Jared Dennis told trustees the district pays for the water but lacks direct control of the digital irrigation controller; Kim at the rec department had told Dennis the controller issue was fixed, but Dennis recommended district takeover if problems continue. He said grounds staff have discussed hiring a summer employee to manage irrigation and that the district could install its own controller if necessary.

Why it matters: Trustees said trees and turf on district property have died or shown stress they attribute to inconsistent watering. Trustees expressed frustration that the district is paying for water without having operational control over timing and schedules, and they asked staff to inspect fields immediately and consider temporary restrictions on field use where turf is damaged.

Board action and follow-up: Trustees asked the administration to press the recreation department for access or to return control; Dennis proposed that if problems are not resolved the district should assume full operational control of the irrigation system next year. Trustees urged immediate remediation and asked staff to report back at the next meeting.

Community reaction: Trustees referenced social-media complaints and said community members had contacted the district expecting it to resolve the problem; the board noted the MOU approved earlier specifies the recreation department handles watering and that the district will seek a dual-control or other fix.