We had a fascinating and very informative Issues meeting on April 20. Our guest was Santa Rosa Assistant City Manager and Recreation and Parks Director Marc Richardson.

Marc first told us about the status of the WiFi project Downtown. It’s up and running with easy access along the 4th Street corridor, with availability extending to 3rd and 5th streets, but with some shadow areas.

Marc filled us in on the hierarchy of city parks, most of which may be found in the General Plan. I think it would be most useful for me to report on his many comments.

There are currently 57 parks, with 18 to 20 more planned, mostly neighborhood parks, with the exceptions of: a community park in the SW area, a community park near Kawana Creek in connection with the recently acquired Taylor mountain property (by the Open Space District). In addition, linear parks are being planned along creeks such as Colgan creek. Joint use agreements with school districts will continue to be pursued to maximize parkland available.

Annually Recreation and Parks staff meet to assess park values in each quadrant, to determine fair payment for land. When development proposals come forward, proponents must fit into city’s plan for 6 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents. School site recreation areas provide some of this.

The R&P Department has a $13 million annual budget this year, which must cover some park development, maintenance and operations. Classes provide 63% cost recovery. Formerly there were 11 maintenance staff workers for each 23 acres of Parks; now there is 1worker to cover that much.

Challenges: 1) Maintenance – staff is examining special tax district creation to support area parks; 2) Acquiring capital to build park facilities – Measure O funds are now coming in; R&P staff have developed a business plan which includes exchanging some neighborhood park-building requirements for fees which would be used to develop larger parks; proposing that projects over 50 units provide land and smaller projects a per unit fee. 3) Refurbishing existing facilities.

One particular challenge: When Southwest Area Development Infrastructure Fees (SWADIF) were instituted, land and development costs were much lower. In addition, many SW sites need mitigation for the California Tiger Salamander, on a 2 for 1-acre basis. For both reasons, SWADIF payments need reformulating.

Marc cited his biggest challenge as development of active recreation sites. Currently, sports teams have fields so sewn up that spontaneous play by children is difficult. He hopes to create more interesting areas where people may gather.

Marc is still in charge of some franchise agreements, including cable. Ron Scoles oversees the garbage franchise, while Pat Fruiht oversees the Animal Control franchise.

Anne E. Seeley