Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting
Date: June 11, 2025
Time: 5:30 p.m.
In person meeting held at:
Regional Parks Office Building
400 Aviation Blvd., Suite 100
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Registration Required: No
Agenda
- Welcome & 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.
- Call to Order & Duties of the Commission – Vice Chair Luis Gonzalez
Duties of the Commission include:
- 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.
- Comments from the Public – Lead by Vice Chair Luis Gonzalez
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.
- Approval of the Minutes (Action Item) –Vice Chair Luis Gonzalez
Approval of the minutes for the April 2, 2025, Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission meeting.
- Commissioner Reports – Lead by Vice Chair Luis Gonzalez
Individual brief verbal reports regarding parks-related activities, observations, acknowledgements, concerns, questions, and/or suggestions.
- Director’s Report – Bert Whitaker, Director, Sonoma County Regional Parks
An informational verbal report on Regional Park’s updates and current events followed by an opportunity for attendees to ask questions.
- Parks Foundation Presentation – Melissa Kelley, Executive Director, Sonoma County Parks Foundation
A PowerPoint presentation including the following topics:
- Introduction to the Parks Foundation
- Expected grants for fiscal year 2024-2025
- 2024-2025 funding highlights
- Foundation revenue sources
- Upcoming fundraising
- Opportunity to ask questions
- Grazing Program – Lulu Waks, Natural Resources Program Supervisor, Sonoma County Regional Parks
An overview of livestock grazing in Sonoma County Regional Parks including where, why, and how livestock resources are utilized.
- Climate Action Resiliency Plan – David Robinson, Park Manager, Sonoma County Regional Parks
A presentation on Sonoma County Regional Parks’ Climate Adaption and Resilience Plan (CARP) and associated executive summary.
- Adjournment – Commission Vice Chair
Spanish Interpretation
- Spanish interpretation will be provided as an accommodation if requested in advance. Please contact Regional Parks at (707) 565-3351 or by email parkspublicmeetings@sonomacounty.gov by noon on the Friday prior to the meeting. We will make every effort to provide for an accommodation.
- Interpretación al español se proveerá si usted lo pide antes de la junta. Por favor llame a la secretaria al (707) 565-3351 o notifícanos por correo electrónico parkspublicmeetings@sonomacounty.gov antes del mediodía del viernes anterior a la reunión. Haremos todo lo posible para complacerlo.
Disabled Accommodation
If you have a disability which requires an accommodation or an alternative format to assist you in observing and commenting on this meeting, please contact the Regional Parks Secretary at (707) 565-3351 or by email parkspublicmeetings@sonomacounty.gov by noon on the Friday prior to the meeting. We will make every effort to provide for an accommodation.
Public Comment at Meetings
Members of the public are free to address the Commission.
Public comments:
- Should fall under the subject matter jurisdiction of the meeting.
- Are time-limited. Public comment applies to action items and general public comment at the end of the meeting. Action items are specified on the agenda. Time limitations are at the discretion of the Director and Chair and may be adjusted to accommodate all speakers.
In addition to oral public comment at the meetings, the community is also invited to communicate with Regional Parks through email. Members of the public who would like to make statements that may exceed the time limits for public comment, suggest topics to be placed on future agendas, or suggest questions to be raised and discussed by Commission members or staff, may send an email addressing these matters to parkspublicmeetings@sonomacounty.gov.
Commission members may not deliberate or take action on items not on the agenda and may only listen and respond briefly in limited circumstances. Should Commission members wish to deliberate on an issue raised during public comment, that issue may be placed on a future agenda of the Commission for discussion and possible action.
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