Soledad City Council approves 3-year facility use agreement with Soledad Little League; council requires annual report

The Soledad City Council voted unanimously to approve Resolution No. 6189, authorizing the city manager to execute a facility use agreement with Soledad Little League. The agreement waives most park use fees for Little League's use of Arrow Little League Park (Field 3) and other specified park facilities in exchange for volunteer maintenance, field improvements and a modest concession-stand rent.

Jessica Potts, the city's Parks and Recreation Director, told the council the agreement would cover the Little League's primary season from February through July with a possible extension for All-Star play. The recommended term is three years with two single-year renewal options (three years plus two annual renewals, for a potential total of five years). Potts told council that concession-stand rent is $150 per month for March through July; other fee waivers the city would provide were quantified by staff at about $4,204.55 in waived fees for the season. Potts said the Little League's documented in-kind contributions of dirt, dugout repairs, equipment rentals and volunteer labor were valued at roughly $8,000 plus volunteer labor, and that the group's work helps keep the fields "some of the nicest in the area."

Members of the public spoke during the comment period in favor of the contract but asked the city to consider parallel support for girls' softball and protections for on-site storage. Sarah Papadobrant, identified in the meeting as a softball coordinator for the Soledad Mission Recreation District, said her program serves about 40 girls each year and urged the city to take steps so girls' softball has comparable access to fields and resources. Yuna Vang, a parent and coach, also asked for guaranteed access for girls teams and noted the recreation district faces potential loss of on-site storage that it uses for equipment. Both speakers asked the city to consider equivalent support and storage protections for girls' programs.

Representatives of Soledad Little League described the level of volunteer work the league performs. Chris Dimacho, identified as Little League board president, said volunteers perform significant offseason and in-season maintenance, that the league has a long local history (dating back to 1956 according to his remarks) and that the organization lowered registration fees for families via sponsorships and volunteer efforts.

Council discussion focused on transparency and equity. Councilmembers asked staff and league representatives to document maintenance and volunteer hours so the city could quantify the in-kind value the league contributes. Councilmembers also emphasized the need to treat other organized youth sports equitably and requested that the Little League produce an annual report documenting: season participation, volunteer hours, material purchases (dirt, supplies), concession revenue and the value of in-kind maintenance. The city agreed to add a reporting requirement to the facility use agreement and to bring the league's first annual report back as a business item to the council next year so the community can review the partnership outcomes.

Ending: The council approved Resolution 6189, authorizing the city manager to execute the agreement, and directed staff to add a reporting requirement to the contract and to return an annual partnership report to the council for public review.