Parks commission forms Measure P five‑year evaluation subcommittee and appoints three members

The Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission voted on Dec. 15 to adopt a resolution creating an ad hoc Measure P five‑year evaluation subcommittee and named three commissioners to serve on it.

Sarah Gaetan, program manager for parks, told the commission the five‑year evaluation is required by the Measure P ordinance and covers the period April 22, 2021 through April 22, 2026; the evaluation is due on April 22, 2026. Gaetan reviewed sample evaluation topics drawn from the ordinance, including how Measure P has maintained safe, clean neighborhood parks; development of new parks and recreation facilities for youth and seniors; expansion of recreation and job‑training programs; access to arts and culture; and investments in trails, beautification and litter removal.

After public comment urging the commission to focus the evaluation on tangible park outcomes in underserved neighborhoods, Commissioner Dolan made the motion to adopt the resolution and Commissioner Collier seconded. The commission approved the resolution by voice vote.

Chair McCoy then used her authority to appoint three commissioners to the ad hoc subcommittee: Commissioners Barraza, Dolan and Duran. The chair said appointments do not require a further vote.

Commissioners discussed whether the subcommittee should include public outreach and whether the evaluation should explicitly analyze Measure P expenditures versus general‑fund spending; staff said adopted budgets and the annual audit can be used to show measure‑by‑measure and general‑fund spending and that links to those documents can be provided to the subcommittee. Gaetan said the department plans to follow an internal timeline that would begin work in December, seek legal review of a draft in March 2026 and present a final draft for publication and public presentation in April 2026.

The commission’s motion and appointments are recorded in the meeting minutes; the resolution vote was a voice vote with the chair calling for ayes and the item passing at the meeting.