Hollister
– The Board of Supervisors took a first major step Tuesday
toward creating an advisory commission that would help plan for the
future of parks and recreation in San Benito County.
Hollister – The Board of Supervisors took a first major step Tuesday toward creating an advisory commission that would help plan for the future of parks and recreation in San Benito County.
Supervisors reviewed a preliminary proposal from county staff during Tuesday’s meeting and expressed solid support for the creation of a Parks and Recreation Commission that would advise the board on the development and management of county parks, location of park facilities, use of park funds and plan for the county’s future park needs.
The board directed county staff to revise preliminary proposals regarding the operation of the commission and come up with solid figures on how much it would cost.
Supervisor Reb Monaco, who has spearheaded the drive to establish the commission, said Tuesday that creating the advisory group will enable the county to run its parks more efficiently and better meet the needs of the public.
“This has been one of my pet projects since being elected. My concern is that we don’t manage our parks as efficiently as we could,” he said. “With this commission we will get more input from the public, have an opportunity to work jointly with other parks in the county and be in a better position to get more money for our parks through state and federal grants.”
Supervisors looked at a proposal for the commission that would comprise members selected by the board to represent the district they live in. The representatives would meet several times a year to discuss the state and future of parks and recreation, then bring their recommendations to the board for review. In essence, it would act much as the Planning Commission does in reviewing proposals and plans before passing them along to the board with recommendations, Monaco said. The Public Works Department would aid and oversee the commission. Monaco said he also expects representatives from the San Benito County Historical Society and the Veteran’s Memorial Park Commission to sit on the commission with the board-appointed district representatives.
Supervisor Jaime De La Cruz also voiced his support for the commission, but asked that staff draft an ordinance which would require that each commission member live within the district they represent to ensure equality.
“I have three kids and I’d really like to see this happen,” De La Cruz said. “This is a great step in the right direction for our parks.”
Several local residents and community leaders also expressed their support the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Peter Sonne, president of the San Benito County Historical Society, said he hopes the commission will generate more interest in local parks.
“We’re on board,” he said. “And we want to help in whatever capacity we can.”
Scott Fuller, on behalf of the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce, also endorsed plans to establish the commission.
“I hope this commission could also serve to expand our visitor services and bring more people to our county,” he said.
Graniterock Public Affairs Director Jim West said the contracting company has several pieces of private property that it would like to hand over to the county for recreational use. He said the company is willing to pay for the maintenance and upkeep of the parcel, but wants a county organization, such as the Parks and Recreation Commission, to operate public use of the land.
“I think with all the competing interests in our community, there should be a strong advocate for parks and recreation,” he said. “Right now we don’t have anything like that.”
Supervisors Anthony Botelho and Don Marcus also voiced their preliminary support of forming a commission.
County staff will bring a revised draft of the ordinance establishing a Parks and Recreation Commission back to the Board of Supervisors later this month for final approval.
Brett Rowland covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or [email protected].
