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Wasco council and parks board agree on regular joint meetings, push maintenance and shared‑use fixes
Summary
City and Recreation & Parks District members agreed to resume periodic joint meetings (approximately every six months) and discussed practical steps on maintenance, staffing, trash‑can placement, graffiti removal, irrigation and shared‑use of school fields to address a shortage of green space.
Wasco City Council members and the Wasco Recreation and Park District Board used a joint session to prioritize better day‑to‑day maintenance, cross‑agency collaboration and short‑term steps to improve park usability while longer capital projects proceed.
City Manager Scott Erlbert and Recreation and Park District General Manager Chris Serna described a range of maintenance and operations issues that the two bodies can address together: placement of permanent trash receptacles, graffiti removal, irrigation scheduling, and use of city equipment for pavement repairs. Board members and councilmembers raised shared‑use arrangements with local schools, temporary lighting solutions and volunteer support as practical ways to expand usable hours and fields while larger projects are planned.
Several details were raised on the record. Chris Serna said the district had procured new trash receptacles and that the district is planning their installation in coordination with upcoming play‑structure and path improvements. Board members and City staff noted that Barker Park and Westside Park irrigation is managed through the local irrigation district and that irrigation is typically turned off in mid to late November, which affects grass condition during winter months.
Board member Erica Marin and other participants talked about partnerships with school districts and the use of portable light towers for evening practice; the city has two portable light towers that could be leveraged in some situations. Councilmember Gilbert Reyna and others urged more frequent operational collaboration: Reyna suggested quick, jointly staffed maintenance efforts to address graffiti and trash instead of waiting for formal projects.
City staff said some Measure X funds and a city-owned machine (an "Asphalt Zipper") could help lower the cost of repaving or resurfacing parking areas and paths. The city also said it is negotiating a fiber overbuild with a private company, Unwired, which city staff said could provide useful infrastructure to city and district properties in the future.
The group agreed informally to continue the joint sessions and to schedule a follow-up meeting roughly six months out to track progress on shared maintenance priorities and funding strategies. No new intergovernmental contracts or binding agreements were approved at the meeting.
