Agenda Item Wording:
title
Update on Recreational Projects and Options for Additional Projects - Presentation on recent recreational projects completed and in progress, and options for new park amenities or other short-term projects for Council consideration and appropriate the funding needed to complete the selected projects.
body
Prepared by: Jason Glick, Parks and Recreation Director 713-4042, jason.glick@visalia.city Alvin Dias, Parks and Facilities Manager 713-4564, alvin.dias@visalia.city Laurissa Roggenkamp, Recreation Manager 713-4336, laurissa.roggenkamp@visalia.city
Department Recommendation: Staff recommends that Council receive this overview of completed, in progress and proposed Parks and Recreation projects and provide direction to staff regarding whether Council would like to proceed with some or all of these projects, and/or direct staff to include some or all of these in the next Capital Improvement Program proposed budget and/or the new parks currently being designed.
Summary: Vice Mayor Liz Wynn requested that the City Council approve placing an item on a City Council agenda before June 30, 2025. The purpose of the item is to direct staff to prepare and present options for increasing community access to recreational activities, specifically through the addition of pickleball courts and/or other short-term projects. This initiative is designed to improve recreational accessibility for a broader segment of Visalia residents and to address growing community interest in outdoor activities. It aligns with the City Council’s strategic planning goal of “Quality of Life - Free or low-cost, family-friendly activities that encourage engagement citywide.”
Staff’s recommendations should include:
• Construction options for new or expanded park and recreation facilities
• Approximate cost estimates of project
• Location options within the City of Visalia
• An emphasis on supporting the growing demand for pickleball and similar recreational activities
Below is the project list, presented in priority order:
Project Location Cost
Gym Floor Replacement Anthony Community Center $220,000
Gym AC Unit Conversion Anthony Community Center $250,000
Gym AC Unit Conversion Manuel Hernandez Center $350,000
Tennis & Pickleball Courts Resurfacing Plaza Park $ 85,000
Four Pod of Pickleball Courts w/ Lights Recreation Park $470,000
Mini Pitch Facility Jefferson Park $220,000
Basketball Courts Re-Stripping Summers Park $ 15,000
Total $1,610,000
Background Discussion:
On June 1, 2015, the City Council enacted a process wherein a City Councilmember may make a request to the City Manager that an item not otherwise scheduled to be on an agenda be added to a future agenda. If the item is received by the City Manager prior to Wednesday noon of the week before the next Council meeting, the City Manager adds an agenda item to the Consent Calendar with the question of whether the suggested agenda item should be placed on the next regularly scheduled meeting as a discussion item. If the item is approved either as part of the Consent Calendar, or is pulled and approved after discussion, the item is then placed on the next agenda as a regular item unless Council authorizes a later meeting to consider the item.
On May 5, 2025, the City Council voted 4-1 to advance the agenda item and directed staff to compile a list of potential projects for Council review prior to June 30, 2025.
Pursuant to Council direction, Parks and Recreation Department staff have conducted multiple meetings to evaluate proposed projects. A list of prioritized projects, including cost estimates, and recommended locations, has been developed. Staff believe these projects will meaningfully enhance recreational services, special events, and community programming, thereby advancing Council’s Quality of Life objective by promoting accessible, inclusive,and family-oriented activities citywide.
Fiscal Impact: If the Council chooses to implement all the projects noted, $1,610,000 is proposed to be allocated from the Fiscal Year 2024-25 estimated $2,300,000.00 General Fund surplus. The $2.3 million surplus projection includes $1 million being included in the Riverway Sports Park fencing project recommendation in an earlier item of the work session. If that was not approved, the projected surplus would be $3.3 million.
Prior Council Action: On May 5, 2025, the City Council voted 4-1 to move the agenda item forward and directed staff to develop a list of priority projects for Council review prior to June 30th 2025.
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Council may reject the proposed recommendations and direct staff to return at a later date after receiving Council’s updated recommendations.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to accept the report on the proposed Parks and Recreation projects and to direct staff to:
1. Proceed with the recommended project list and appropriate $1,610,000 from the current 24-25 General Fund as outlined in the staff report.
2. Proceed with specific projects (to be listed by Council) and appropriate (amount to be determined based on costs listed) from the 24-25 General Fund.
3. Bring back these projects as part of future park developments and future CIP
budget proposals.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: 6/16/2025
Attachments: Power Point Presentation