Keizer council directs staff to prepare scope for new management options at Little League Park

Keizer City Council on July 7 directed staff to prepare a scope of work, a public-engagement process and council options to return to the council before issuing a request for proposals to identify potential third-party managers for Keizer Little League Park.

The vote came after extended public comment from local youth-sports leaders who said the park’s fields have suffered deferred maintenance, that volunteer coaches are currently expected to ready fields, and that scheduling and field availability have constrained local recreation programs. “Field maintenance is not supposed to fall on our volunteers,” said Carolyn Johnson, who identified herself as a Keizer resident and a volunteer with McNary Youth Baseball, which serves about 200 Keizer children. Johnson said her organization paid $6,850 in field fees for the spring 2024 season because they could not access the Little League Park for many of their home games.

The council’s motion, moved by Council President Starr and seconded, directs staff to return to the council with a draft scope and process — including public and stakeholder engagement — so the council can approve that scope before staff issues an RFP. Council members emphasized that the city should actively involve Keizer Little League, McNary Youth Baseball and the Parks Board in drafting the scope. “I would not want to see anything before those three entities have seen it and weighed in,” Councilor Christopher said.

Keizer staff told the council the current contract with the park operator, For the Love of the Game, runs through Oct. 31, 2031, but the operator has told staff it would not oppose the city exploring other management options. Staff said a transition would be planned to avoid mid-season disruption; councilors expressed a preference for completing any transition between seasons so field availability is not affected.

The council asked staff to bring the draft scope and options back for review at an upcoming meeting; the council stressed thorough engagement with leagues and advisory groups so that a future operator selection would reflect the needs of the volunteer leagues that use the complex.

The directive passed unanimously with one councilor absent. Next steps: staff will draft the scope of work and an engagement schedule and return to the council for approval prior to issuing an RFP; the council discussed timing that would allow review and, if necessary, a transition before the next playing season.

Ending: League leaders at the meeting said they want to be a partner in redesigning management of the complex so fields are safe, available and affordable for Keizer youth.