HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-01-15 PRC Meeting Minutes2026-01-15 parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
City of Chula Vista
Regular Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
MINUTES
January 15, 2026, 6:30 p.m.
Norman Park Senior Center Conference Room
270 F St., Chula Vista
Present: Commissioner Enriquez, Commissioner Fawver, Commissioner
Zarem, Chair Calvo
Absent: Commissioner Englehart, Commissioner Rodriguez, Vice Chair
Padilla
Also Present: Director of Parks and Recreation Carson, Commission Secretary
Covarrubio
Minutes are prepared and ordered to correspond to the agenda.
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Commission Secretary Covarrubio called the roll.
Received public comments by Alisha Morrison, Michelle Harms, Walt Rose, Alisa
van Ginkel, Darrell Jett, Donna Hodge, Susan Heavilin, Lucia, and Janeen Reed
in support of keeping Rohr Park Horse Arena.
Received public comment by Robert.
4. ACTION ITEMS
4.1 Approval of Meeting Minutes
Received public comment from Mary Johnson Powell.
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2026-01-15 parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
Moved by Commissioner Fawver
Seconded by Chair Calvo
Commission move to approve the meeting minutes dated December 11,
2025, with amendment. The motion was carried by the following vote:
Yes (4): Commissioner Enriquez, Commissioner Fawver, Commissioner
Zarem, and Chair Calvo
RESULT: Carried (4 to 0)
4.2 Memorial Park Plaza Planning by Director of Economic Development
David Graham
Downtown Chula Vista District Manager, Dominic Li Mandri presented on
the topic.
Moved by Commissioner Enriquez
Seconded by Chair Calvo
Review and consider proposed concepts and take action as appropriate.
Commission moved to proceed with concepts D and E. The motion was
carried by the following vote:
Yes (4): Commissioner Enriquez, Commissioner Fawver, Commissioner
Zarem, and Chair Calvo
RESULT: Carried (4 to 0)
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.1 Leader of the Season Presented by Director Carson
Received public comment by Robert
5.2 Hilltop Park Slope Stabilization Project - Rain Impacts by Director
Carson
Received public comment by Robert
5.3 Recreation Program Plan Draft by Director Carson
Received public comment by Robert
Director Carson introduced volunteer Felix Delgado as his accountability
partner that will be assisting in accomplishing accreditation standards.
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2026-01-15 parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
5.4 Requested Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget and Capital Improvement
Project for Parks and Recreation Department by Director Carson
Received public comment by Robert
6. STAFF COMMENTS
Director Carson notified commission he will be hosting an Out -of -Class -
Assignment Academy for hourly staff to assist with centers where full-time staff
are on FMLA leave.
Director Carson notified commission that all supervisors have rotated to their new
centers.
Director Carson notified commission that the department received a $35,000
grant for specific programming and will go into detail later once he is able to.
7. CHAIR COMMENTS
Chair Calvo confirmed that the Friends of Chula Vista have allocated $9,000 in
scholarships for 2026 and would like to meet to discuss activities and ideas that
Friends of Chula Vista can be in conjunction with the staff.
Chair Calvo followed up on the backorder of the replacement lights for
MacKenzie Creek Park and Director Carson confirmed that parts are expected to
be arrive mid -March and project to be complete by end of March.
Chair Calvo followed up on the replacement for Commissioner Zarem and
Director Carson reported from City Clerk that the City Council is currently
evaluating all commissioner appointments to ensure there is equity among all
appointments and Commissioner Zarem was contacted and agreed to continue
serving as needed.
8. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS
Commissioner Enriquez informed commission that she will not be able to attend
the upcoming Measure P meeting and invited anyone else to attend if they are
interested.
Commissioner Enriquez reminded the commission that her term will be expiring
soon.
Commissioner Zarem is concerned about Public Works budget due to Open
Space staff claiming they are unable to fix a broken post.
Commissioner Zarem commented on horse arenas should be evacuation points
for horses according to a disaster training, but Director Carson confirmed that
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2026-01-15 parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
arena has not been officially designated but every ballfield with a fence is where
large and small animals can relocate to.
Commissioner Zarem inquired about the next park opening and Director Carson
confirmed that Eucalyptus Park is slated to be the next in summer 2026.
Commissioner Zarem inquired if we have considered partnering up with schools
for soccer field usage, and Director Carson confirmed that is currently an option,
but leagues prefer to rent city parks as cost is less.
Commissioner Zarem commented on there being multiple pump tracks close to
Rohr Park and is unnecessary to be included in new design,
9. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:37 p.m.
Minutes prepared by: Kathy Covarrubio, Secretary
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Kathy Covarrubio,. ommission Secretary
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