Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting

Agenda

1. Call to Order & Duties of the Commission – Chair Nathan Junge

• Acting in an advisory capacity to the Board of Supervisors in promoting, aiding and encouraging public recreation, including the development of recreation, park and open space facilities.
• Acting in an advisory capacity to Regional Parks Director in the maintenance, development and operation of recreation areas and facilities serving the residents of the county.
• Establishing general procedures to carry out the purpose of the advisory commission.

2. Land Acknowledgement – Bert Whitaker, Director of Sonoma County Regional Parks

I want us to remember that we are on the ancestral land of the Miwok, Pomo, and Wappo peoples. These resilient communities are still here today, and we want to honor them as it was and is their land that we have had the opportunity to recreate on. Let us consider how we can continue to protect these beautiful places for our future generations.

3. Comments from the Public – Facilitated by Chair Nathan Junge

During this time, members of the public may address the Commission on matters that are not on the agenda. However, The Ralph M. Brown Act (the State local agency open meeting law) prohibits the Commission from acting on any matter that is not on the agenda. Members of the public wishing to suggest an item for a future Commission agenda item may do so. Speakers are limited to three minutes each; the Commission Chair or Director of Regional Parks may adjust the time limit in accordance with the number of anticipated speakers.

4. Approval of the Minutes (Action Item) –Chair Nathan Junge

Approval of the minutes for the October 1, 2025, Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission meeting.

5. Commissioner Reports (Informational Item) – Facilitated by Chair Nathan Junge

Individual brief verbal reports regarding parks-related activities, observations, acknowledgements, concerns, questions, and/or suggestions.

6. Director’s Report (Informational Item) – Bert Whitaker, Director of Sonoma County Regional Parks

A verbal report on Regional Park’s updates and current events followed by an opportunity for attendees to ask questions.

7. Safety and Belonging Student Cohort Requests (Discussion and Potential Action Item)– Ad-Hoc Committee with Beth Steffy, Luis Gonzalez and Bert Whitaker

At the Parks and Recreation Meeting on October 1, 2025, the Safety and Belonging Cohort made a special presentation followed by requests to the Sonoma County Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. This item is a follow-up to address these requests.

8. Community Engagement Environmental Programs (Informational Item) – Kristin Suarez, Park Program Supervisor, Sonoma County Regional Parks

An overview of who is served by Regional Parks’ Environmental Education Programs, how programs are implemented, and associated data and trends.

9. Parks for All Measure M Annual Report (Informational Item) – Melanie Parker, Deputy Director of Sonoma County Regional Parks

A presentation of the 2025 Parks for All Annual Report will include topics such as the cumulative Measure M investment totals for fiscal years 2019-2024, examples of Measure M funded projects in County parks, a break-down of investments in local cities, examples of Measure M funded projects in city parks, and a financial assessment for fiscal year 2024-2025.  

10. Adjournment – Commission Chair