Commission approves 2025 Community Services work plan; members push for focused teen outreach and communication survey

The Community Services Commission voted April 14 to adopt a 2025 work plan that sets five priorities: communications, parks and facilities analysis, permit/process analysis, commission education and financial reviews. Commissioner Lai moved to approve the plan; the motion passed in a roll call where Vice Chair Plotkin voted no and Commissioner Lai, Field, Bagasow, Chair Samuels and Commissioner Weinberger voted yes.

Why it matters: commissioners said clearer and measurable goals will help the commission direct staff work and improve public engagement. Several members pressed for a community-wide survey, more explicit communications targets and renewed focus on services for teenagers.

Survey and communications: Commissioner Plotkin and other commissioners asked staff to develop a single survey for broad community input rather than only event- or program-specific feedback. Melissa, Community Services staff, said the department already collects post-program surveys for registrants and that a statistically valid citywide mail survey would require additional budget; staff proposed web and QR-code approaches and using event outreach (parks and library initiatives) to limit survey fatigue. The commission asked staff to draft candidate questions and circulate them by email so commissioners can refine the instrument without violating Brown Act rules.

Teen engagement: Commissioners discussed the absence of a formal teen commission and expressed concern about a gap in services for ages roughly 13–17. Staff said the formal teen center had been removed previously because of low participation and that the department is piloting a volunteer pipeline and a counselor-in-training (CIT) program for 13–16 year olds that can feed seasonal recreation positions. Natalie, Community Services staff, said the volunteer outreach and recent interviews produced several interested high-school students and that the CIT program would be phased in (volunteer outreach in summer, program development for fall).

Other items: commissioners asked that the work plan include measurable performance indicators once the new city manager sets department KPIs; they also asked staff to help commissioners request presentations and training on specific topics, and to make it easier to add items to future agendas. The commission noted ongoing projects that might affect timing (library campus and parks comprehensive plan outreach).

Ending: Staff said it would return a draft communications plan and suggested questions for the community survey, coordinate on the CIT/volunteer pilot, and provide updates on KPIs and proposed training for commissioners.