Parks commissioners object after council approves beer-garden waiver for Rec Park without commission review

Several commissioners told staff they were surprised when the City Council approved a request allowing a Kiwanis beer garden at Rec Park and that the commission was not given an opportunity to advise before the council vote.

Chairperson Moda said the item "did not come through here, the Recreation and Parks Commission, so we could weigh in on it, and that is a problem." Commissioner members said they had learned only from the council agenda and that they had asked council members for an explanation.

Allie, the department director, replied that staff had consulted the city attorney and been told such waivers go directly to City Council for approval: "We've looked in the muni code...we consulted with the city attorney yesterday. He said those have to go to the council for approval." Commissioners said that in prior practice Library Park items had been shown to the commission and recommended that staff and council consider adding a standing agenda item or a review step so the commission can provide feedback before council action.

The commission also made a temporary personnel appointment to the Major Events ad hoc committee while awaiting new commissioners: Mark agreed to serve as an interim representative and the commission approved that motion 4-0.

Next steps: commissioners asked staff to discuss the procedural question with the city attorney and council, and to consider an agenda item that clarifies when the commission should be notified or allowed to comment on park-related code waivers and event approvals.