Commission asks council to designate Recreation Services Manager to prepare agendas, majority approves recommendation

The Recreation and Parks Commission spent a substantial portion of its Nov. 21 meeting reviewing proposed edits to the advisory handbook and bylaws, focusing on residency requirements for commissioners, whether advisory-language should be replaced with the title 'commissioner,' meeting frequency and who should be responsible for preparing agendas.

Commissioners discussed keeping the current ability to appoint qualified members who reside outside city limits (to draw volunteers from nearby communities) versus limiting seats strictly to Morro Bay residents. They also debated whether the handbook should refer to commissioners rather than the broader term "advisory body" to reflect the commission’s title and role.

The most substantive procedural change that moved was language clarifying who prepares agendas. The commission voted to recommend that the handbook state the Recreation Services Manager (rather than the city manager by name) be designated to prepare agendas, reports and minutes for the Recreation and Parks Commission. The motion passed in a roll-call vote, with Chair Wi Holds, Commissioner Swall and Commissioner Castano voting in favor and Commissioner Sedaris opposed.

Why it matters: the recommended change reflects current practice (the Recreation Services Manager prepares the commission’s materials) and would formalize that role in the handbook through a council action. Commissioners said clarifying the handbook would align documents with operational reality and prompt city leadership to consider broader organizational structure questions.

Next steps: The commission will forward the recommendation to the city manager for review and to City Council for formal action; staff will supply the adopt-a-park guidelines and other materials requested for future agendas.