Residents and recreation staff urge National City council not to cut nutrition center funding
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Summary
During public comment at a special budget meeting, seniors and Recreation Department staff told the council the city’s nutrition center provides essential meals and community supports and urged council not to cut its funding; staff also asked that previously approved recreation supervisor positions be filled.
At a special National City City Council meeting focused on the budget, residents and recreation staff pleaded with councilmembers not to reduce funding for the city’s nutrition center and warned that staffing shortfalls are constraining recreation programming.
Isadora Lopez, a community organizer with the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, said many of her organization’s members live at Kimball and Morgan Towers and “rely upon the services provided by the nutrition center to be able to have healthy lives.” Multiple residents described daily use of the center: “The food is really, really good,” said Beatrice Biscayeno, who said hundreds of people — not only tower residents but people from around the city — use the site.
Several speakers noted the low cost of meals and the center’s role as a social hub for seniors. Magdalena (Milena) Alvarez said she pays $3.50 if she is 60 or older and that, for some attendees, the center’s meal is the only meal of the day.
Recreation staff described operational strain and paused hiring. Juanita Castaneda, a Recreation Supervisor in the Community Services Department, said recreation staff had expanded classes from nine to 41 and that part‑time employees are running out of hours and supervisors are “spread thin.” Castaneda warned that without additional full‑time support, the department would have to cut programs that serve youth and families.
Recreation Supervisor Aliana Delgado said two recreation center supervisor positions were approved by the council on June 4, 2024, and were actively recruited, but staff were later told the positions had not been budgeted and hiring was placed on hold. Delgado said the pause was especially frustrating because a nutrition center manager position was hired and introduced at a recent council meeting despite the hiring pause for the recreation supervisors.
Council and staff responses
Finance Director Bruce Fultz clarified that many vacancies (about 22 across departments) are already included in the budgeted headcount and that budgeted positions can be filled, but that hiring decisions would be evaluated by the city manager in light of the city’s fiscal constraints. City Manager Scott said hiring will be managed centrally because of the current fiscal situation and the need to coordinate with labor negotiations and other constraints.
Members of the public urged the council to preserve the center’s funding and explore revenue‑generating options rather than cutting services. Several speakers emphasized the social benefits of the center in addition to its nutritional role.
No formal action was taken on the nutrition center at the meeting. Councilmembers asked staff to consider the public comments as they refine budget proposals and said they would continue to vet vacancies and hiring decisions.
Ending note
Residents and recreation staff left councilmembers with two linked requests: maintain the nutrition center’s funding and prioritize filling critical recreation supervisor positions that staff and the public say are necessary to sustain programming for seniors, youth and families.
