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Cotati amends license with NorCal Oaks; city will assume irrigation costs within usage cap to sustain youth baseball
Summary
To keep local youth baseball viable, the council approved an amended license agreement with NorCal Oaks that keeps the organization responsible for field maintenance while the city will assume water costs so long as monthly use remains within 10% of a three‑year rolling average; the measure reduces the annual payment requirement and requires fields remain unlocked unless closed for weather.
The Cotati City Council approved amendments to its 2023 license agreement with nonprofit NorCal Oaks, a volunteer organization that renovated and has been maintaining Putnam and Cater fields.
Staff said NorCal Oaks’ original leaders — who provided funding and operational capacity — are no longer involved and the group lacks some of the earlier financial resources. Under the amended agreement NorCal Oaks would continue to maintain the fields and have first right to schedule games and practices, but the city would assume irrigation (water) costs provided monthly usage stays within 10% of a three‑year rolling average. NorCal Oaks remains responsible for any usage exceeding the cap.
Other clarifications require sponsor signs to be inward‑facing and removed annually, and keep fields unlocked except when closed for wet conditions. Staff estimated historical irrigation costs at roughly $10,000 per year for each field; the revised arrangement aims to preserve youth programming while limiting financial risk.
NorCal Oaks representatives and the new league president said the group is financially strapped but committed to improving the facilities and continuing youth programs; the council approved the amended license and a related budget amendment.
