City council approves updated agreement with Port Hueneme Little League for Bubbling Springs Park

The Port Hueneme City Council unanimously authorized the city manager to execute an updated agreement with the Port Hueneme Little League to govern use of the Bubbling Springs Park ball fields, snack bar, community room and storage.

Staff said the new agreement replaces the league’s prior exclusive-use license with a priority-access arrangement, under which the league would retain priority hours (spring: 18 weekday hours/10 weekend hours; fall: 12 weekday/8 weekend), be allowed three tournaments per year, and continue to operate the concession stand and retain its revenues. City staff would resume primary field maintenance while the league would continue limited preparation tasks such as dragging and chalking. The existing annual fee of $3,750 would remain unchanged and staff proposed returning in one year to reassess the arrangement.

Deputy staff and league representatives said the agreement was developed through multiple meetings to create a “win–win” arrangement. A representative of the league described the organization’s 65-year history at Bubbling Springs Park and said the snack bar revenue is integral to paying umpires and operating the program — the league serves about 300 kids in the spring and roughly 150 in the fall. The league asked the council to preserve affordable access and partnership with the city.

Councilmembers asked about snack-bar operations during third-party events and were told the league would operate concessions for special events but could coordinate with the city and permitted third parties; revenues from such events would be retained by the league under the proposed terms. Councilmembers also emphasized that the agreement is a one-year term to allow both parties to test the arrangement and return for adjustments if needed.

The council voted to authorize the city manager to execute the updated agreement; the motion passed unanimously.