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Parks and Recreation Commission approves 2025 work plan, establishes Cubberley ad hoc; splits vote on park-dedication role
Summary
After extended discussion about the number and role of ad hoc committees, the Parks and Recreation Commission approved its 2025 work plan and assigned ad hocs/liaisons, including creating a Cubberley ad hoc. Commissioners voted to convert several items to liaison roles; the measure was approved following a split roll call.
The Palo Alto Parks and Recreation Commission voted to approve its 2025 calendar work plan and the roster of ad hoc committees and liaisons, creating a new Cubberley ad hoc to guide the Cubberley Community Center master-plan review and related activation work.
Chair Freeman moved the motion to approve the work plan and the ad hoc/liaison assignments as presented; the commission approved the motion in a roll-call vote. The commission later took a separate, split vote on whether to convert the existing Parkland Dedication ad hoc to a liaison role after lengthy discussion about the workload on commissioners and staff. That second motion also passed on a roll-call vote with one commissioner voting no.
Commissioners debated whether a number of ongoing responsibilities — such as park dedication review and the long-standing Baylands conservation plan — should remain as time-limited ad hocs or be assigned to standing liaisons. Vice Chair Greenfield expressed concern that some items have no clear end point and that creating many ad hocs increases staff burdens; other commissioners said ad hocs can be reconstituted or elevated if a specific project arises.
Commissioners also suggested clarifying timelines in the work plan (using consistent fiscal-year and quarter notation) and adjusting “measures of success” to reflect realistic, near-term deliverables rather than ultimate facility construction. Staff agreed to standardize dates and clarify items such as the CIP review schedule, turf-study timing for El Camino Park, and the Cubberley activation steps.
At the meeting, commissioners recorded liaison and ad hoc membership changes across a range of topics including the Baylands comprehensive conservation plan, turf and playing-field studies, the Coverley/Cubberley project, court reservation policy and middle-school athletics. Staff said the finalized ad hoc and liaison assignments would be published following the meeting.
Motion details
- Approve Parks and Recreation Commission 2025 work plan, including creation of a Cubberley ad hoc, and assign commission ad hoc and liaison roles: motion carried (tally reported by clerk: yes 6, no 1). - Separate roll-call on moving Park Dedication from an ad hoc to a liaison role: motion carried (tally reported by clerk: yes 6, no 1).
The commission chair directed staff to update the document layout and timeline formatting, circulate the revised work plan and publish final ad hoc/liaison memberships.
