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Oakdale council approves RecDesk software purchase; staff to phase in reservations and preserve phone access
Summary
The council approved a $4,800 annual subscription to RecDesk for recreation program registration and future facility reservation features, directing staff to start with aquatics and maintain phone-based assistance for residents who need it.
The Oakdale City Council voted 5-0 to authorize the annual purchase of RecDesk software for $4,800 from the recreation administration account (1187320).
Alana, a recreation staff member, presented the resolution and said the city researched six vendors before selecting RecDesk as the best fit for registration, facility rental management and mobile accessibility. She said the current parks and recreation software from Tyler Technologies has created account-creation and password issues for customers.
Alana told the council, “It is a resolution authorizing the purchase of rec desk software for an annual cost of $4,800 using funds from the recreation administration account 1187320.” Council members discussed phasing the software: staff will launch information features first (QR codes to show facility availability), focus initial implementation on the swim program, and later enable online reservations for fields and courts.
Council members and staff discussed approaches to managing heavy court use, particularly for emerging pickleball demand. Council member Kettering described a padlock key system used in nearby Riverbank, saying people “go to City Hall and you just get a key to the padlock, $2 deposit or $5 deposit,” which the council discussed as a low-cost access-control option to deter misuse while preserving public access.
A resident asked whether non-digital options would remain available for seniors and others who are not comfortable online. The resident said, “I don't...I was just wondering if you're gonna leave an option open for somebody to make a phone call rather than having to do it digitally online because I know a lot of seniors and older people that are really frustrated with everything going digital…” Alana responded, “If you're still having a hard time registering or you don't have a computer and you don't know how to register, you can always still pick up the phone and someone can help you register.”
Staff said the RecDesk contract is year-by-year, includes hosting, training and support, and has no implementation fees; some optional add-ons require one-time payments. The council approved the purchase; roll call showed Mayor Pro Tem Smith, Council member Gilbert, Council member Potassie, Council member Kettering and Mayor Barrios voting yes.
Staff said they will begin with information and swim-program functions, then expand to reservations and access-control integrations as needed. The council asked staff to consider a mix of reservation windows and walk-in times so the system does not fully exclude last-minute or non-digital users.
