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Murrieta staff advance volunteer cleanup guidelines, present ranger manual and CSD budget context
Summary
Staff presented draft volunteer park and trail cleanup guidelines, a draft park ranger manual, and a high-level review of Community Services Department funding, noting Measure WW’s purchasing power has eroded since 1997 and some maintenance functions have moved to a new municipal services department.
Staff presented three related administrative items: draft volunteer park and trail cleanup guidelines, a draft park ranger manual and a high-level Community Services Department (CSD) budget overview.
Leah Kolick introduced draft volunteer guidelines that include a volunteer request form, safety protocols, a hold-harmless agreement, and reporting guidance. Staff said one-time cleanups are expected to require minimal fiscal impact (primarily staff time to collect and dispose of debris) and recommended requiring adult supervision for youth groups and limiting organized participation to about age 12 and up unless family groups are involved. Commissioners recommended adding explicit instructions for handling needles and other hazards ("don't pick it up; report it") to the safety briefing and suggested formal recognition of volunteers via photos or QR-submitted images.
Victor Pitino presented a draft park ranger manual to standardize patrol expectations, reporting, uniform and equipment standards, incident documentation and training. Staff said the manual will improve consistency across rangers, clarify procedures for daily patrols and incident response and standardize reporting forms and timelines.
Management analyst Crystal Aurora provided a CSD funding overview: Murrieta incorporated in 1991, the CSD became city-run in 1993 and the Measure WW parcel tax (passed 1997 at $45 per residence) remains a primary funding source but is not CPI-indexed and has lost purchasing power over time. Aurora outlined that most maintenance budgets have moved to the Municipal Services Department and that CSD now manages fewer budgets (special events, homeless services, recreation and support); staff signaled the department will continue coordinating CIP prioritization with MSD and finance.
