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Council approves REACH use of Miranda Park storage and utility‑box beautification with limited city support
Summary
The council unanimously authorized REACH to use Miranda Park storage space and approved a city role of up to 25 staff hours to help identify utility‑box ownership and permits for a utility‑box art project, with REACH and partners to fund the artwork and assume maintenance costs.
The Port Hueneme City Council unanimously approved a pair of requests from REACH, the local nonprofit for recreation, education and culture, allowing REACH to use a portion of the Miranda Park storage area and to proceed with a utility‑box beautification project with limited city staff support.
Deputy City Manager Charles Perritz and REACH representatives described the requests. REACH (a 501(c)(3) organization operating independently of the city) requested use of half the Miranda Park storage area to keep event materials—tables, chairs and sports equipment—so the nonprofit can support community programming, such as pickleball tournaments and other events. Staff noted the space is a small storage room within the Miranda Park building and that most equipment in the room was purchased by REACH or volunteers; staff said the room is usable for storage though the building roof requires eventual repair for full resumed public rental use.
REACH also proposed a utility‑box beautification project to paint or otherwise artistically treat utility and signal boxes in the city. REACH Vice President Bobby Martinez told the council REACH plans to involve schools and community groups, use themes that reflect Port Hueneme (beach, military history, native Chumash references) and has partner organizations willing to fund some of the work. Staff recommended limiting city assistance to no more than 25 staff hours to identify city‑owned boxes, coordinate with utilities and process any required city permits; any additional maintenance costs would be assumed by REACH.
Council members asked for a site map and confirmation of which boxes are city‑owned, utility‑owned or privately owned; staff said that identification work is part of the limited staff support. REACH representatives said they will fund the artwork and aim to involve youth and other community partners.
The council authorized the city manager to execute an agreement allowing REACH to use the storage area, approved REACH’s beautification project with up to 25 hours of staff time and waived fees associated with applicable city permits. The motion passed unanimously. Staff will return with a site list and final coordination steps as the project moves forward.
